Chapter 4

The atmosphere and alcohol had started to go to his head making his body buzz and his vision blur slightly at the edges. This didn't faze him, though, because he had been far more intoxicated before and yet still managed to be okay.

Fighting through the mass of people he went in search of company. Or rather the company he had begun his evening with. Even though he was not totally with it he could still place one foot in front of the other steadily and walk in a reasonably straight line.

After a few minutes of laborious pushing he broke away from the crowds of people and was able to get a clear view of the other spaces around. Spotting who he was searching for quickly, he hurried over and took a seat at the table.

"So you decided to come back."

"Gosh Cap it's not like I ran off into the night and left you stranded. I've been gone for what-?"

"Two hours," Steve answered shortly.

Tony just huffed loudly and slumped back into the leather cushioned chair, relaxing for the first time that evening. The conversation of the people around him carried on while he just sat there paying no attention.

When the table lapsed into silence Tony sat up and looked at them all in turn as though inspecting them. Or else to say is that it, is that what you do for a good time? But after looking round the table once, he repeated his action gazing at each person in turn.

"Er where is Loki?" He asked.

"He's over there talking to this random guy. He's been there for ages," Steve replied, taking a small sip of his drink.

Tony turned in the direction indicated and saw Loki leaning against the bar appearing to be in deep conversation with another man. Something seemed to spark inside himself and he began to sense an unpleasant feeling growing in his stomach. He had scarcely seen Loki talking to anyone other than a member of the Avengers team but now here he was talking to this strange man without any trouble. And for some reason this bothered him.

"So you have all noticed too," Clint said, taking a seat at the table. Natasha followed close behind and took the last remaining seat beside him, her cheeks slightly flushed. "What do you think? That guy is just being friendly or is he hitting on our crazy god?"

Having drunk at least double the amount of alcohol from all the others around him, Thor was just starting to show signs that the drink was taking affect. This meant he did not properly register another jibe at his brother being crazy, instead of shouting he just smiled dazedly at Clint who, in return, grinned back.

"Do you think we should go over there and separate them or something?" Natasha asked, joining all the other members at the table in staring at Loki.

After a few seconds pause, Steve answered, "No. I mean keep an eye on them but I think Loki has won at least a little bit of freedom so maybe just leave him for today."

Natasha nodded slowly. The table fell into a long silence, broken only by the swallowing sounds of people taking sips from their drinks. Most eyes were still fixed firmly on Loki and his companion over by the bar. But some strayed away, losing interest in the sight.

The whole club was still a hive of activity and it was gaining in momentum. Every few minutes another group of about five or six people would enter through the black glossy doors into the club. They would stand for a second before taking a step forward and then they would be lost, lost to the world outside. The only thing that mattered to them now was music, alcohol and sex.

"What do you think he sees in him anyway?" Tony said suddenly, still not taking his eyes off of Loki.

"Who? The man talking to Loki?" Steve asked.

"No. What does Loki see in the guy? Yeah he is alright to look at but that could just invite you in and lead you to a dead personality. His hair needs work as well. I mean how can he walk around like that and think it looks good? I don't know the guy but he really seems to think a lot of himself, maybe a bit overconfident. Perhaps making up for some performance issues elsewhere."

The whole table stared at Tony, each person with different degrees of confusion crossing their faces. Clint raised an eyebrow at Steve who grinned back.

"So what you think Loki could do better?"

"Yeah," Answered Tony absently. "He needs someone interesting that could keep him satisfied."

"Someone like you, then?" Clint smirked.

"Yeah...wait no!" The genius cried, realising what he had just said.

The archer smirked thinking that the plan was working better than he had thought it would. Tony was jealous of some random guy that had taken a tiny bit of interest in Loki, what did that say about him? That he was crazy? That he was being delusional?

With the added alcohol and blaring music there was no hope of him sorting out his thoughts. Instead he settled back and drained his glass wishing more than anything to be in his workshop, away from everyone and everything.

After another hour of sitting around and ordering drinks, Natasha suggested to head back to the tower. It was late and the club was full to the brim with horny youths all intent on getting as wasted as humanly possible. They defiantly didn't make good company. So a few minutes past and it was settled. Steve was elected to get Loki while the rest of the group waited outside in the cool night air.

They walked through the streets, Clint and Natasha together at the back and Steve and Tony keeping Thor in check at the front. Loki dawdled in the middle, not talking and paying little attention to the world around him. It had been rather an eventful evening but he couldn't quite work out if he had enjoyed it or not.

Back at the tower they all separated onto their own floors bidding each other goodnight. Tony and Loki journeyed to the top floor alone, in total silence. When they reached the top the doors slid open fluidly and let the pair out.

Without looking back Tony headed straight for his bedroom. He needed to be alone, he needed sleep, he needed to sort out his thoughts. And being around Loki or even seeing him again that evening wasn't going to help. The shuffling footsteps behind him died away as he strode off.

Later that night he woke abruptly in the middle of a wrestling match with his duvet. Wanting to break free, he kicked it off himself. It landed in a chaotic heap at the end of the bed with half of it dragging on the floor.

His dreams had once again been plagued with a raven haired god and himself locked together in very compromising positions. But then it had changed and those images had remoulded into a dimly lit cave full of Stark weaponry. Then he began to relive his whole experience in Afghanistan which had culminated in him falling from the sky with his Iron man suit breaking apart and falling around him. He awoke before he hit the ground with a gasp.

After reliving those memories he knew better than to think he would get back to sleep. With a sigh he crawled out of bed, choosing to stay in his boxer shorts and an old band t-shirt, and hobbled to his bar where the inviting liquor awaited.

On entering the room he thought it was empty so continued to walk over and pour himself a drink. Then he froze. A faint chuckle from the kitchen broke the silence. Not having a clue what was going on, he placed his glass down without a sound. Gingerly he made his way into the kitchen. In the darkness made out a figure sitting on one of the stools that surrounded the island in the centre.

Having no other option but to reveal himself Tony said, "JARVIS lights."

The lights switched on immediately causing him to squint through the sudden brightness. Once his eyes became accustomed to the light he opened them wide enough to see the occupant of the stool.

"Loki, what the hell are you doing," He said.

Really he shouldn't have been surprised. The only other people it could be were the other Avengers or Nick Fury, depending if he broke through JARVIS's control of the lift. No one else could have entered without Tony being alerted immediately.

"Ah Stark you must try this beverage at once. It is truly astounding!" Loki slurred, trying and failing to sit up straight. He brandished a bottle of alcohol in his hand but Tony couldn't clearly read what the label said.

Tony stepped forward watching Loki teeter dangerously on his seat. He clearly couldn't hold his drink. Or he had drunk so much he could no longer stand up without support. Grabbing the bottle in the god's hand, he read the label. Vodka.

"So you've been raiding my bar, well you can pay for that," he muttered knowing Loki was so out of it that he couldn't focus on what he was saying. Instead Loki settled for starting his own ramblings.

"You know Stark, I was thinking about you this evening. When I was talking to Andrew, you know who Andrew is don't you?"

"I'm afraid not."

"He was the man that began to converse with me. Anyway he was talking and I couldn't help but wonder about you because you are smart and sassy and rather pleasant to behold and yet you were nowhere around. I was stuck with that other man, what was his name again?"

Tony leant on the island that Loki was almost sprawled across and sighed but with no hint of anger or frustration. It was strange to see Loki so open and ready to speak and yet here he was rambling on about his interest in Tony. The genius couldn't help but feel slightly flattered.

"Andrew."

"Yes Andrew. I was stuck with Andrew while you were somewhere else and I...I was thinking that maybe you aren't that bad as a person."

"Umm right. Well thanks for that but I think we should really get you to bed."

Standing up straight, Tony put his arm around Loki's waist and helped him up. Just as he appeared to be coping alone, he wavered slightly before falling forward into Tony's awaiting arms.

"Wow okay try holding on to me Reindeer Games, because if you fall to the floor I'm not picking you back up. You can drag yourself to bed."

Loki giggled in response but did as he was told and leant his weight against Tony so the genius could get a better grip on him. The movement process was slow and by the time they reached the god's bedroom, Tony was near enough carrying him.

Unceremoniously he dropped Loki onto his bed. He was barely conscious now but continued his attempts to keep talking. Feeling that it was the polite thing to do, Tony reached down and tugged out the cover from under him before laying it over the trickster. Then he quickly scanned the room. Not finding a bin, he went into the bathroom and picked the one up from in there. He emptied its contents into a small pile on the floor and placed the empty bin next to Loki's bed just in case he awoke with a need to empty his stomach.

He thought about just walking out but when he was about to exit he heard Loki shift in his bed. Swivelling around, he looked back at him. His head rested on the pillow, his eyes glassy and unfocused.

"Good night Stark," He murmured before closing his eyes. In seconds his breathing took on a slow steady pace that told Tony he was sound asleep.

"Night Loki," He replied, turning off the lights and shutting the door softly behind him.

It felt like someone had been pounding on the inside of his skull. Every movement caused his head to throb painfully. He felt nauseous. Rolling over onto his side he made to get out of bed. The stench of alcohol followed him, clinging to his clothes and skin.

With every movement his head protested but he fought against the urge to lie back down and sleep. Instead he headed into his bathroom. As he took a step he tripped over something. On looking down he saw his bin placed conveniently next to the bed. Obviously someone knew that he might have need of it. His memory of the night before was so hazy that he couldn't remember the individual who had placed it there or even how he had got into bed.

In the bathroom he turned on the shower. The water began to pour out and trickle down the wall and glass. He undressed quickly then stepped underneath the stream of water, relishing the feeling of it flowing over his skin. After a few minutes of peace, he grabbed a bar of soap and scrubbed himself down before climbing out the shower and hunting for some clothes.

Choosing a plain dark green sweater and jeans he left his room and walked slowly into the kitchen. Steve and Tony were the only occupants of the room. The captain had his head buried in the newspaper while Tony gulped down his coffee. When Loki entered he set the mug down and inspected the god although he tried to do it discreetly with odd glances up.

Loki noticed but chose to ignore the chocolate eyes flicking up to rest on his face. Instead he prepared his mug with a teabag of his favourite infusion, peppermint, and picked up the kettle, filling the mug with boiling water.

He turned away from the kitchen surface to see Tony's eyes flick back down to the table surface. Sighing lightly he made his way into the open planned living room and flopped down on the sofa, not being able to hold his head up any longer. It still throbbed aggressively. He closed his eyes while holding his mug in his hands that rested atop his stomach.

"I'll see you later Tony, I've got a meeting with Fury about a debriefing," Steve said, standing up from the table and folding the paper neatly for future perusal.

"Yeah alright," Tony replied, having actually totally forgotten the captain was still there.

Tony rose from the table as well but walked into the living room rather than following Steve into the lift. He took a seat across from Loki on one of the designer sofas. He crossed his legs then crossed them back the other way before uncrossing them entirely and huffing loudly.

"Is there something wrong Stark? You seem agitated," Loki said curtly with no actual concern in his voice. He continued to lie on the sofa, still with his eyes closed.

"Nope. Nothing wrong here."

Picking up his tablet, Tony began to touch the screen, searching for something to occupy himself with. Two seconds later he huffed again and threw the tablet down next to him. He began to tap his foot impatiently.

Loki opened one eye, examining the genius's movements.

"Stark, what in Valhalla are you doing?"

Okay it had gone on long enough, Tony decided (although it had only been a couple of minutes) he needed answers now.

"Do you remember anything from last night?"

"It is rude to answer a question with a question," Loki pointed out, opening the other eye so he could stare at Tony who shrugged in response. "And yes I remember a large portion of last night's events."

"Well do you remember the parts where you said that you hadn't been able to stop thinking about me all evening? And how you think I'm smart, sassy and fucking hot?"

Loki sat up a little straighter then immediately regretted the motion because his head did an extra painful pound.

"I am very sure I would not describe you as fucking hot but I won't deny that the others are true although I really don't think your ego needs any more stroking."

A smirk formed on Tony's lips as he took in those words.

"So you like me?" He asked, abruptly.

The god of mischief was taken by surprise by the question and sat up even straighter. Ignoring his protesting head, he swivelled his legs around so he now sat up with his back resting on the back of the sofa. He gazed into Tony's face trying to find anything that would give away the genius's thoughts. He found nothing.

The piercing look he was sent from the man in front of him was slightly unnerving and very distracting. Without being able to process his thoughts properly, Loki was lost for words. Having nothing to say, he nodded, becoming very aware of how vulnerable he was feeling.

"Err okay," Tony said, interrupting the silence that had spread between them.

Loki looked down at his hands that still hugged his now cool tea. What was he doing? Did he actually like Tony? He had never really contemplated the matter because it had never cropped up in conversation before. Tony himself seemed to have taken his words literally and assumed that Loki liked him. Did that bother him? He couldn't deny that a warm feeling had passed through his stomach when the genius smirked just now.

Did this really mean he liked Tony? He liked the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist? Loki couldn't work out if he was pleased or worried by this realisation. His thoughts were cut off, however, when he felt a pair of warm lips press against his own.

At first alarm bells started ringing inside his head and they were all shouting at him to pull away. Tony Stark was kissing him, Tony Stark was kissing him! Then the warm feeling in his stomach began to creep through his body finally reaching his brain and all thoughts of ending the kiss were forgotten. But just as he was about to respond to Tony's lips, the genius broke the contact and pulled back leaving Loki's head reeling.

"That was-"

"Nice."

"-different," Loki finished.

Tony chuckled, "Good different right?"

Loki smirked but didn't respond, enjoying the uncertainty on Tony's face. There was a few minutes silence where the pair just watched each other, both trying to read the others expression.

"Right...so what happens now?"

"What do you mean?" Loki asked.

Tony smiled, "I thought it was rude to answer a question with a question."

"Not if the person does not understand what the other is asking," the trickster answered.

"Okay," The genius began, now feeling fairly uncomfortable. "Well I asked what happens now and I meant like between us. Seeing us you like me and yeah I like you and we just kissed so...you know..."

His words drifted away as he watched Loki cock his head to the side. These conversations were bad enough normally because he didn't do feelings but Loki wasn't helping one little bit. All he did was stare at Tony as though he had said something totally shocking and offensive.

"I'm sorry Stark, am I missing something because I don't believe there is an us? If you think that that is a satisfactory way of winning over a god then you are mistaken. I am not easy. I am not one of your easy lays. In my culture there is always a long process of courting before an us can even be considered. However we are not in Asgard therefore you cannot follow all traditions but I still expect you to win me over before this can go any further."

After finishing his speech Loki rose to his feet, preparing to walk back to his room where he planned to rest his head. Tony rose with him looking thoroughly confused.

"And how do I do all this winning over? What am I supposed to do?" he asked.

Just before Loki disappeared down the corridor to his room he glanced over his shoulder and said, "You're a genius Stark. I am sure you will think of something." With that he vanished from view leaving Tony in a state of utter bewilderment.

Oh Loki stop playing so hard to get ahahaha! Anyway I'm not sure if any of you wonderful readers have noticed but the original rating has changed from T to M. I have done this because I have finally decided to write something M rated :O It will come later in the story and when it does please don't hate me because it is my first time. Okay thankyou, please review! :)