Tony was feeling pretty good, regardless that no one in the tower could even look at him. Oh, and his boyfriend had avoided him for the past few days. Tony felt strong and damn impressed with himself for blasting that slimy bastard out of his body. So yeah, there were some side effects. Like his heart rate being extremely low for a while. Or his face.
Half of his face was still numb and more annoyingly, Tony couldn't see out of his left eye anymore. It was driving him nuts. Loki, of course, had tried to heal his eye immediately. Unfortunately, it turned out that it was something that would heal in time, not with magic. Since then, Loki stayed far away from him. Every night, Tony ended up sleeping alone. The god had spoken, maybe, five words to him since they came back. Enough was enough.

Tony walked into the penthouse living room, carrying a bag of donuts as a peace offering. He smiled fondly when he spotted Loki seated on the floor by a window. "I come baring gifts. So talk to me already," he said, shaking the bag at his lover.

"What do you want?"

Tony forced his smile to stay in place, even as it threatened to slip away and show his inner turmoil. Being avoided by everyone was one thing, but he needed Loki. Loki was the only one he couldn't stand losing like this.
"I want to see you," Tony responded quietly, plopping down across from Loki, trying to catch his eye. "We haven't even slept together since we got back. Is my face that hideous?"

Loki flinched and glanced at Tony. "It is not your face that bothers me."

"Really? Because it seems to be bothering everyone else."

"They have good reason to feel uncomfortable, Anthony."

"Yeah, sure. Because I'm so comfortable being treated like I have the plague," Tony snarled in response, turning to look out the window. He gave up on smiling. "Did I miss something? 'Cuz I'm pretty sure I won that fight."

Loki sighed and tucked his legs up against his chest. "It should not have happened at all."

"Noshit. But it did."

"As always," Loki grumbled. "You miss the point."

Tony turned his head to look at Loki with his good eye. He felt a new kind of understanding for his eye-patch wearing friends. Having one eye made you inherently cranky. He shifted and tried to focus on the god in front of him.

"Tell me the point then, instead of fucking avoiding me. I have feelings too, you know."

Loki tore his gaze from the window, surprised. His eyes fell immediately on Tony's blind eye.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you."

Tony hummed, not agreeing or disagreeing. A frown formed on Loki's face as he continued to gaze into Tony's bad eye. "I am upset because my magic failed to keep you safe. He should not have been able to reach you in this tower."

"Yeah, about that," Tony began, running a hand through his hair. Loki narrowed his eyes. "I think he might have gotten to me in the Bifrost."

"What makes you think that? Those channels should be safe from him."

"Looks like this one isn't." Tony closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was exhausting, using only one eye. He couldn't smile properly either, which was probably just as creepy to the others as the whole possession thing. No wonder no one could look at him. He continued, trying to keep his irritation in check, "I heard that... song while we traveled."

"The song you were singing after our return?"

Tony nodded and hummed a small part of it. What ever it was, it didn't leave his brain even after the bastard left his body. He mumbled the strange words to himself.

"He used to sing that to me," Loki said, sounding nauseated. "Back in the void."

"Do you know what it means?"

"No... I could never remember the words after he sang it."

Tony frowned, feeling uncomfortable again with the lack of solid information they had. He eyed Loki a little longer, then returned his gaze to the city below them. He didn't know how he felt anymore, about the rebuilding of New York. Sometimes he felt like they were just covering it up; pretending it never happened. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Lokes," Tony muttered. "Stop avoiding me. That feels worse than loosing an eye."

Loki launched himself from his spot, crawling over to nestle into Stark's body. It was the first time they had touched in several days. Tony would not admit how much it bothered him that he had to ask for Loki's attention. He wrapped an arm around the god's waist and kissed the top of Loki's head. "I don't think you know how much I need you, you bastard," he said, resting his chin on Loki's head.

The god snorted and nuzzled his face into Tony's chest. "It was difficult for me as well. I ached to be near you again."

"Says the guy who didn't come near me this entire time. Why didn't you just do it?"

Loki tensed slightly. "I was afraid," he said quietly. "I failed you again and again. First I could not keep you safe form Fandral, I failed to notice the creature's song in the Bifrost, and then I could not heal you."

"Oh shut up," Tony snapped, tilting Loki's head up to glare at him. "You're not my protector. Shit happens." He squished the god's cheeks a little. "You're my boyfriend, not my body guard."

Loki jerked his face out of Tony's grip, a faint smile on his lips."I still wish to keep you safe. No matter if you are my lover or not."

Tony laughed, giving Loki a gentle squeeze. "Well thanks, but you do. All the time," he said, bumping his nose against Loki's. "So let it go and kiss me already."

"You only want me for my kisses," Loki replied with a smirk.

"How did you know? Have you been reading my diary again?"

"I do not need to read your diary to know your desires, Anthony."

"Psh, you have no idea what I want right now."

"A kiss, was it not?" Loki asked, nuzzling their noses together. Tony tried to grin, only managing half of one. It fell from his face quickly, trying not to think about how horrible it looked. He had made faces at himself in the mirror as soon as he got the chance. It wasn't pretty. "Yeah, duh, I want that," he agreed, trying to keep his tone light. "But I think I deserve praise for not dying this time."

Loki shifted back, giving Tony a bored look. He flicked a hand at him, saying dryly, "Praise, adoration."

Tony snorted and pulled the god into a rough kiss. It was difficult with the numbness, but Tony had missed it badly and his body responded instantly to Loki's touch. "Lokes," he muttered against Loki's lips. "I have a confession."

Loki pulled from the kiss, looking at Tony with concern.

"Well, I bought myself something," Tony said with a small smile. "Close your eyes."

"I hate surprises, Anthony."

"Relax, just close your eyes."

Loki growled and did as he was asked. Chuckling, Tony slipped his arm away from Loki's body to reach into the donut bag. The god let out an irritable grunt, only to smile again when Tony swore at the powered sugar on his hands.

"How does this shit stick to everything?"

Loki shrugged, his eyes still closed.

"Okay, wait. No." Tony grumbled and sneezed. "Okay, open em."

Loki was silent a long time after opening his eyes. He looked contemplative for a while before shifting to an annoyed look.
"I must ask," Loki said as he crossed his arms. "Why?"

"Why not? Besides, maybe the rest of my so-called friends will look at me now," Tony responded cheerily. "I even got a coat. You have to admit, it's good."

"Actually," Loki agreed. "It is rather amusing. I wish the man himself could see it."

"Nah, he's no fun anymore." Tony grunted as he jumped up, offering a hand to the god. "Come on, let's go see if those asshats even notice."

"I feel I should do something as well," Loki said with a smile, standing up and dusting off some powdered sugar from Stark's shirt. "Seeing as I owe you some attention."

"Want one too?"

Loki glared for a moment before resigning himself to his fate. This was the life he chose, living with a childish brat. "I suppose. I have a jacket if my own, after all."

"Kudos if you go full Fury," Tony said, wriggling his eyebrows at his lover.

Loki sneered. "Never go full Fury."

Several minutes later, the elevator door opened and Tony strode out with confidence. He walked right in front Clint and Thor on the couch, standing between them and the TV. Clint jumped a little.

"What the fuck, Tony!?"

A second later, Director Fury walked in and stood next to Stark, crossing his arms and glaring down at the two on the couch. Both were wearing black leather eye-patches and leather long coats. Loki had, indeed, gone full Fury.

"Brother..." Thor began, his face a mask of horror. "You must be mad."

Tony copied Loki's crossed arms and glared at them both. "What, you jerks got a problem?"

"If Thor didn't recognize him," Clint said, looking a bit disgusted. "I probably would have just peed myself."

"Good, now that the invisible man has your attention," Tony gave them both a one-eyed glare. "Thor, we need to talk about some things."

Both men looked equally guilty, casting glances at Loki/Fury. Thor stood and bowed his head, fidgeting. "My apologies, Tony. I shall speak with you."

Tony looked him up and down, looking unimpressed.
"Fine," he said sharply. "Let's leave the piss-pot to his movie."

"Hey!?" Clint grunted. "Let me say sorry too before you run off to share your Asgardian secrets."

Fury stepped forward slightly and Clint backed down into the couch cushions. He grumbled at the fake Fury, "You have no idea how much more terrifying you make him."

Loki laughed and turned to give Stark a smirk.
"See? Did I not say?"

"Yeah yeah, never go full yadda yadda," Tony agreed with a wave of his hand. "Let's go, Point Break."

Thor joined them, leaving Clint behind to mutter something about "A house full of brats." Once in the hall, Thor glanced between them nervously.

"Will you..." He began, pausing only when they looked at him. "Will you please take off the eye patches at least. It is rather disturbing."
Fake Fury looked at Tony and shrugged, a shimmer of gold crossing his body as he changed from the Directors form into his own.

"And you?" Thor asked Tony wearily.

"Nope. You're stuck with me. I can't stand you guys avoiding me anymore," Tony said, jabbing a finger at Thor's chest. "If this is what it takes to get your attention, so be it."

"It is rather childish."

"Yeah, you are," Tony snapped back and sauntered down the hall ahead of them. Both gods watched him go, their shoulders sagging with defeat.

Thor spoke at last, "I deserved that."

Loki patted his brother's large shoulder. "We both did."

Loki came into the room and tried to ignore the prang of fear in his gut. He found It hard to look at Stark, still wondering if it were truly him looking back out of those brown eyes.

It is Tony. I saw him send the creature running.

A smaller nastier voice snuck up in Loki's thoughts.

Yes, but to where?

Tony threw the leather jacket on a chair, but kept the black eyepatch on. He looked angry and tense. Loki understood why Stark was feeling hurt, but he couldn't place the anger.

"Sit down," directed Tony, pointing to the couch. The brothers obeyed silently. They had moved up to the penthouse for privacy, deciding to only tell some of their trip to the other avengers.
"Since we were all playing the 'let's avoid the monster' game," Tony said, giving Loki a nasty look. "I haven't had the chance to share what your dear old dad said to me."

"Anthony, you are not a―" Loki began, interrupted immediately by Stark.

"We aren't talking about this."

Loki frowned and nodded, crossing his arms in mild irritation.

If anyone else spoke to me like this,

they would be swimming in a pit of snakes.

I keep letting him do this.

Tony seemed to not care for the god's irritation, his own anger expanding. "It's funny, how much you're family is all alike," he said, this time looking at Thor. "Considering at least one of you is adopted."

Thor's face darkened at the comment, his body tensing in barely controlled anger. Tony sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Loki nearly smiled at the familiar gesture. Perhaps Tony had already forgiving them, based on his movements.

"Anyway," Stark continued. "Thor, I'll start with you. You're lovely lady should be fine if she does the trial. It's a mental test that she takes while asleep and it sounds generally harmless. It seems like Odin-Daddy actually wants you home and settled in or something."

"Same goes for you," Tony said, looking at Loki. He got an raised eyebrow in response. Tony chuckled bitterly and continued, "You heard him. He wants you there to be his 'diplomat'. He wants you there so badly he's offering me up immortality on a silver platter." He paused. "No, make that gold."

Loki's jaw tensed. "He offered your immortality?"

"He told me to take the test, and it was all mine. It almost sounded like he wanted me to do it right then and there."

"And you said no!?" Loki shouted, his anger rising once more. Tony's eyes grew sharp. The room suddenly felt smaller and the usually short Stark loomed over them.

"I will not be the banana in the monkey trap. I'm not a fucking tool, and neither are you," Tony spoke slowly as he approached the couch. "There are a three major things I dislike. One, I don't like things being handed to me."
Loki almost smiled at this, never once having heard Tony complain when he handed him anything. Tony continued, ticking off the things on his fingers, "Two, being told what to do. And three, being told what to do by god damn fathers."

"So you would rather spite Odin than spend eternity with me?"

Tony's glare sharpened more, the room's air becoming charged. Loki flinched back slightly, alarmed at the amount of anger in Stark.

"Have you listened to a single fucking word that I've said?" Tony growled. "I. Don't. Want. You. To. Be. Used. I won't be the one who traps you on Asgard, you dumb ass."

Thor stood up abruptly, jerking Stark away to face him instead of Loki. Thor towered over him, but apparently Tony was not to be intimidated. "You are making assumptions, Tony. Both about my father, and Loki," Thor said, his hand still firmly on Tony's shoulder. "Do not say something you will regret."

Thor stumbled backwards a second too late. A violent flash of blue light burnt the god's hand before he could remove it from Tony's shoulder. "REGRET?!" Tony raged, his eye now ablaze with blue light. "You want to talk about regret? How about showing a little yourself, oh-mighty-warrior?"

Loki jumped up, maneuvering himself between the two. He reached out to calm Stark, only to jerk his hand back at another burst of magic from the man. Tony continued, his one eye never leaving Thor. "How about you feel a little remorse for the shit you put Loki through? Did you really think this was the first time your 'friends' acted like this towards him? Did you really think this was the only time your dear old dad was horrible to him? How about you stop walking around with your head up your ass for two seconds, and then we can talk about fucking regret."

Thor attempted to push past Loki, his mouth opening to respond angrily. Tony growled and stepped forward. "I'm not done," he said quietly. "You know what they call people like you here on Earth? An enabler. You saw what was happening, and you let it happen. I can't say I haven't done the same thing, I wasn't called the 'Merchant of Death' for no reason." Tony sneered. "But you, Thor, have got a thousand more years to make up for." Tony stepped closer one more time, forcing Loki to be pressed between them.

"You wanna know who I blame for the destruction of New York?" Tony asked, his eye still alight with blue sparks.

Thor's anger drained from him, a heavy dread filling his heart. His eyes met Stark's blazing anger with fear. "Who?"

"You."

"Anthony..."

Tony's glare turned in full force to Loki, not softening once their eyes met. They stared at one another until Tony frowned and turned away. "I'll leave you two to bond. I'm off to be invisible in my lab for a bit. I you need me, don't call me."

"Tony," Loki started again. But Tony ignored him and continued on out the door. The magic in the air decimated immediately, leaving both gods a little off balance. Loki wanted nothing more than to run after his lover and make things right. He felt like apologizing profusely, even though that wasn't something he did with ease. He doubted his apology alone was enough to fix the hurt and anger his lover was feeling right now.

"Loki," Thor said quietly. "Is what he said true? Has it really been years of such treatments?"

"Yes," Loki answered without pause, turning to look at his brother. He didn't care anymore, he couldn't hide the painful memories that rose in his mind. He let himself feel it, for the first time in a long while. "Thor, you were there. You saw how Odin treated me, how he treated my children. What of your friends? Were you truly so blind?"

"I..." Thor stopped and looked down at his hands. He had been clenching them in rage, their skin red from pressure. Opening and closing them, he spoke more quietly. "Perhaps I have been blind. I did not see things for what they truly were. If I had," he said, jerking his head up. "I would have stopped it, brother. You know I would."

Loki smiled bitterly. "And go against your own father? I think not."

"I would."

Loki scoffed and turned away, pushing down a small spark of hope. "You would not. He is not only your father, but the king. I cannot even imagine what foolish plan you would have concocted to solve this."

"I would have come to you for a plan," Thor said, chuckling. "You always were the one for such things."

Loki laughed quietly, and raised an eyebrow at Thor's sudden sad expression. "What is the matter now?"

"Your laughter. Tony was correct about many things that I had failed to notice," he said solemnly. "I have not seen you laugh so much, nor so honestly, since we were children. Now I see why that is."

"I had little reason to laugh on Asgard. Here," Loki said with a faint smile. " I have found a home for myself. A place where I am welcome to exist and be happy. A realm that has not lived in fear of the Jotun, or hunted them for sport. My worth is not judged unfairly due to my linage, nor for my chosen skill sets."

"Thor, just as you have grown to love Midgard...no, Earth," Loki smiled wider as Thor started to brighten up. "I too have grown fond of this place."

"Brother," Thor began, pulling Loki into a tight hug. " I could never wish for anything better for you." He pulled away and smiled more sadly down at his little brother. "If you wish to never return to Asgard, I understand. From what you and mother told me of his words, I find it hard not to see the dark side of the kingdom. I will never be able to look my father in the eye, and not doubt everything."

"You should always doubt, brother," Loki responded, strengthening out his now rumpled shirt. "A good king always looks for a second answer."

"Then you would make a good king."

Loki's head snapped up from his clothing inspection. Thor's previous words flashed through his mind. "I though a throne would suit me poorly?"

"Perhaps only Asgard's throne. Simply because of it's history," Thor said quietly. "You could never be happy, ruling such a ruined place. It would be a lot of work, righting the wrongs of many many kings before you."

"Am I to believe you can do this?"

"Not alone, no. I would need you."

Loki went silent, his eyes searching Thor's face for that possible second answer. He furrowed his brow. "I cannot believe we are actually bonding. I should go find Anthony, before he blows something up."

"Do you think..." Thor frowned, trying to find his words. "Do you think he will forgive me?"

"Of course. He forgave me for killing Agent Coulson after only a few days in a cave together."

Thor snorted and laughed. "That, admittedly, was surprising. He did know him better than anyone else."

"He understood something about me, even then," Loki said, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. "It's as though he already knew what had happened to me."

Thor looked thoughtful for a moment. "Tony might have understood, seeing as his past is somewhat similar."

Loki frowned. Stark had still not spoken much of his past other than his short stint as an arms dealer. Tony's comments on his father were always short and bitter, where as his love for his mother was evident.

Are we truly that alike?

"I would not know," Loki said quietly. "Do not tell me, I shall wait until he is ready to speak to me himself."

"I understand."

Loki smiled at his brother in relief, turning to leave. " I will see you at dinner. I'm going to try to find him."

"Be careful, Loki," Thor said, a hint of worry in his voice. "His magic should not be lashing out like that. He could have seriously harmed a lesser man than yourself or I."

"I know. I never did teach him about magic and his core. I blame myself for this."

"Perhaps now is a good time," Thor said, stretching and yawning. "He is clearly much stronger than we realize, to have sent the beast running."

"He truly is," Loki agreed and left.

It was only seconds later that Steve came running down the hall towards Loki.

"We need to turn around and find somewhere safe for you to go."

Loki narrowed his eyes and stopped the man from pulling him back the way he came.
"Why? What is wrong?"

"Long story short," panted Steve. "Stark got mad at Bruce and threw something at him."

"Anthony got angry with
Bruce? That..." Loki frowned.

"Is usually impossible? Yeah, well it sounded like Bruce was avoiding him," Steve said and looked at Loki sadly. "Just like the rest of us. Stark seemed to have had enough, and had a fit. He ran off after and according to Jarvis, is flying around the city yelling at things."

Loki twitched. It was a small twitch, but it was noticeable.
"He is outside of the house?!" He asked angrily.

"That's not our biggest problem right now."

Steve looked down the hall and back to god with urgency. He seemed to be waiting for something to come.

"RRRRRRHHHGGAAARRRGHH?!"

Oh.

"That would be the green beast, then?"

"No. Uh, yes." Steve said, casting another glance behind him. "Apparently Bruce was really surprised at having something chucked at his head."

"Apparently," Loki said, his voice sour. Large, shaking footsteps came closer down the hall.

"We really need to get you out if sight, Loki. You still register as an enemy with him. Can you change your form?"

"Somehow I doubt the beast relies on visual recognition alone."

"Loki! You need to―"

"No time," Loki said with a weak smile, just as Hulk turned the corner. The larger man could barely fit in the hall way standing. So he crouched down and rushed towards them.

"Hulk! W-wait!" Steve yelled, starting to move in front of Loki. Hulk slid to a stop, but barely.

"I believe I can take over now," Loki said, gently pushing Rogers to his side. He looked up and found the small, angry eyes in front of him. "Hulk, I am not a threat," He said carefully. "I care for everyone in this tower, and that includes you. I am no longer a danger. You can smell me all over the tower, I have been here for a year or so."

Hulk looked annoyed that he was being forced to listen to someone talk, not smash. But listen he did.

"You, not so angry," he said, shifting back a little to eye the god.

"I am not. You are correct," Loki said calmly. "Actually, I am glad to be able to personally thank you."

Hulk blinked. "Me?"

"Yes, now that we meet again face to face. It was you who helped me get better." Loki chuckled at the perplexed look on Hulks face. "So you have my thanks."

"Hulk helped?"

"Yes you did," Steve joined in, standing next to Loki and patting his back. Loki did his best not to shrug the solider off. Visual confirmation of friendship was just as important as their words. Hulk's face broke out in a silly grin.

"Now, I would suggest you head down to the training room," Loki directed, still smiling. "I am sure Stark would appreciate less damage to his home. There you can be a little more rough while you enjoy your short stint in the world again."

Hulk, still grinning, immediately turned around and ran down the hallway to find his way down to the basement.

"It's official," Steve said, his hand finally releasing its nervous grip on Loki's shoulder. "You're the Hulk Handler."

"No more pet names," Loki said, rolling his eyes. "I do believe Anthony is rubbing off on you."

"I could say the same," Steve said with a weak smile. He meant it innocently, but Loki could not help but smile at the quite literal thoughts that followed his words. Stark really was a bad influence on him.

"I agree, he has." Loki paused and looked down the hall for any signs of Hulk retuning. "Speaking of, I must go find him."

"Can you just," Steve asked, mimicking a magic gesture with gusto. "Sense him?"

"I can, although, not with so much flailing about."

"Oh," Steve replied, looking thoroughly embarrassed. Loki gave the captain one more smile and left to find his brother.

"Loki," Thor said, surprised at his brother's return. "Were you not going to speak to Tony?"

"He went out. I may need a little assistance in bringing him back." Loki paused, closing his eyes. He sensed him instantly, hearing snippets of angry thoughts. Tony was having some sort of internal rant about his thrusters. Loki snorted and opened his eyes. "He is fine. Just taking his anger out of his suit. I shall fetch him myself."

"I see," Thor said quietly. "I will leave it to you, then."

Loki said, "I will return shortly." and then he was gone. Thor stared at the empty room for a while, a small frown on his face. The roomed seemed to sway before his eyes, the world growing dim. He shuddered once before a nasty smile began to grow on his face. Thor straightened up and looked down once more at his still burnt hand.

"Aaahhh... now, this is an interesting vessel."

So, this isn't that great of a chapter. I rushed it a bit and I still have no beta.