A late Christmas present, please enjoy this final update!

Epilogue

One year had passed. One happy, nothing too weird or too dangerous happening, year. The leaves had all fallen from the trees and their branches were left bare, ready to support the snow when it fell from the sky. During the day, coats were needed permanently when they left the house and by night they were forced to cuddle close together just to preserve heat, not that any of them objected. Loki believed that Tony was secretly turning off the heating just so that he had more reason to be close to him. Loki would roll his eyes but make no comment as the other snuggled up to him.

They had made the decision a few months back to move into Tony's mansion in Malibu permanently, both having become very tired of being berated about doing 'inappropriate' things in any room that wasn't their bedroom. The process had gone smoothly and they were now settled down together, living a quieter life. Tony was still an Avenger and saved the world regularly but when he came home, it wasn't to a lonely tower where he would collapse onto his bed without even getting undressed. Now he came home to a warm house and an occupied bed with his favourite person nestled beneath the sheets. He would shrug out of his clothes and wriggle under the covers where he would be pulled into a welcoming embrace by his lover.

Life had definitely gotten better. Tony had a very stable relationship that he had managed to make last longer than a few months and Loki had everything that he had craved for his whole life. Acceptance, happiness and love.

Loki had finally plucked up the courage to tell Thor of his decision to become mortal. Though there were tears in the blond's eyes, he had told Loki that he respected his choice as long as he was happy. He had then said a quiet goodbye, obviously needing some time alone to process what he had just learnt. At first Tony held him back, then, some minutes later, he allowed Loki to follow his brother. He wasn't totally sure what they had spoken of but when Loki returned his eyes were red and wet, he said nothing, just went straight to Tony and buried his head into his shoulder, pulling him into an embrace. It seemed that Loki had finally made peace with his long denied brother.

"Loki?"

"Hmm," Loki hummed in reply.

"You're not going to sleep are you?"

"No, not right now."

They were sat together on the veranda overlooking the sea. The waves were crashing lightly against the cliff below them and the sun was just disappearing below the horizon, leaving a clear dark sky where the stars were just starting to shine. It was not long before the sunlight totally disappeared and the moon took its place, floating high above the earth and reflecting in the sea below where the water moved causing the reflection to shimmer on the surface.

Tony shifted beside Loki, moving so he could put his arm further around Loki's shoulders. He reached forward and took Loki's hand in his own, entwining their fingers. Loki looked at their hands then brought Tony's up and pressed it to his lips, letting out a soft sigh he let them fall. He stared out across the sea before looking up at the star smothered sky. Finally he closed his eyes and relaxed out, stretching so only his head remained resting in Tony's lap. The genius brushed his long hair off his face, absentmindedly combing through it while watching the moon rise higher in the dark sky.

"Tell me a story Anthony," Loki murmured.

"What?" Tony asked, surprised at his request.

"Tell me a story. I care not of what it is about, make it up."

"Umm...okay, give me a second," Tony replied, glancing around, searching for anything that could spark his imagination.

"Tell me a story about the sky," Loki mumbled, opening his eyes to stare into Tony's then nodding his head to the stars above. "Use the imagination I know you have," he smiled, closing his eyes again.

"Fine, but this is only for you and don't think this is becoming a regular thing."

Loki just hummed in response, waiting for him to begin his tale. Once again Tony looked around, this time deep in thought, trying to work out exactly what to say for this story. What was he supposed to say? This evening had been his idea. Not that he had told Loki, but he had a plan and had secretly made sure that they would both having nothing to do both today and tomorrow. He needed Loki's undivided attention. But now Loki was asking for this and it was changing his plans and he was unsure of how he could take back control over the situation. In the end he thought it best to just go with it and see what happened. What he planned on doing was supposed to be spontaneous anyway to catch Loki by surprise so maybe this was a good way of distracting him.

Settling back so he was more comfortable, he stared up at the sky while still running his fingers through Loki's hair. Letting out a breath lightly, Tony began his story.

"Once there were two lovers whose love was unfathomable. However they had not always been this way for when they first met they hated eachother and fought viciously. One even succeeded in throwing the other out of a window." Loki let out a small snort of laughter, knowing exactly who these two lovers were based on. "Their relationship remained unchained for a long time, neither making any effort to get to know the other. Then one day everything changed and soon after that they were together and happier than either of them had been in a very long time. But it was not perfect all the time, they were like any other couple and still fought like children over silly things. There was one time when they were split apart by evil and almost lost eachother in trying to fight it. Their love was strong and in the end they pulled through."

Tony paused and glanced down at Loki whose eyes were closed, his breathing settled into a steady rhythm that almost fooled Tony into believing he was asleep. This was proved wrong when his eyes suddenly opened and Tony was met with sparkling green. The god's brow creased and he tipped his head slightly to the side. It was a prompt for Tony to continue his story.

"Not that it wasn't difficult, in truth they were both idiots." Loki shifted and looked up at Tony, frowning. Tony just shrugged, silently telling Loki to just go with the story and to not question it. He remained silent. "Not in terms of brains, in terms of relationships. Neither knew how they worked or what to do so when faced with the worst they gave up and stepped away causing their relationship to end. Luckily one of them found the little bit of courage needed to step up and fix the rift between them. Now that they were back together and there was no more danger, they were allowed to be happy and remained that way for many years. During that time though, one of them believed he needed to show the other just how much he meant to him so he began to hatch a plan, using his extensive knowledge of everything, to go into space and bring back a star for his lover. By sheer willpower he managed it and went straight to his lover, presenting the gift proudly. As expected, his lover was overwhelmed by the gift and-"

"I don't think his lover would be overwhelmed as you say," Loki said unexpectedly, startling Tony.

"Well that's your opinion, this is my story so I will tell it how I want."

Loki rolled his eyes and sat up causing Tony to grumble from the sudden loss of Loki's body against his. It had gotten even colder outside and the genius was relying on Loki's heat to keep him warm because his thin jacket certainly wasn't doing the job.

"I think it should be at least slightly realistic and so-"

"Loki, babe, this whole story isn't realistic," Tony interrupted. "That's why it's called a story. You told me to tell you a story about the sky and I am and, let's face it, it's impossible to pluck a star from the sky and bring it back to Earth."

"I am well aware of that fact Anthony but I just think that presenting a star as a gift is slightly over the top, don't you agree," Loki said, resisting the urge to smile at Tony's petulant expression.

"Fine, if you think you can do better then you finish the story but you wanted it about the sky so you have to keep in the bit about the star."

Loki sighed quietly but nodded, noticing the pout on Tony's lips. He swiftly stole a kiss, watching the genius look back at him indignantly.

"Don't pout dear, it doesn't suit you," Loki said sweetly, lying back against Tony and once again resting his head in his lap.

"Just finish the story," Tony mumbled.

Smiling, Loki complied with his wish. "And so the first man brought the star back to Earth and went to present it to his lover. When presented with the gift, though, the lover was undoubtedly surprised, not expecting the other to go to such lengths to prove his feelings. He thought it unnecessary because he already knew the other loved him and couldn't understand why they needed gifts to prove it.

" 'Why did you do this,' the first said.

" 'it's a gift,' replied the second.

" 'But it is unnecessary,' the first pleaded. 'If you wish to give me a gift then let it be yourself and take this star back to where it came from.'

"His lover was somewhat surprised by his request. 'Take the star back?' He asked. His lover nodded. With some slight persuasion he was persuaded and soon enough the star was back in its rightful place high in the sky and the lovers were once again reunited. On his long journey while taking the star back, the lover realised he didn't need gifts to show his love and so when he did return he vowed to spend everyday not bringing the other magical gifts, but instead loving the other with every fibre of his body. They spent many many years by each other's side and, as all Midgardian tales end, they lived happily ever after."

As he finished his story, Loki's voice faded to a soft breath that Tony felt brush against his skin. When finally the story ended and there was nothing else to say, Loki fell into silence, letting out a contented sigh as Tony played with their fingers, linking them then unlinking them before entwining them, this time not breaking the bond.

"I suppose your ending wasn't too bad," Tony admitted reluctantly.

Loki huffed out a laugh and sat up, resting his head on Tony's shoulder and cuddling up into his side.

"I'm glad you approve."

Tony knew that this was the perfect moment to do what he wanted to do, or rather ask what he wanted to ask. He could see that Loki was comfortable and content, his breathing a slow rise and fall of his chest. Why wasn't he taking his chance? Why was he still sitting down when he should be down on one knee? The time was right.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. He was bloody terrified. Terrified of asking, terrified of taking the leap, terrified of the answer. It was stupid and yet it was reasonable. This was Tony Stark, the genius, the billionaire, the ex-playboy, the philanthropist, ready to take the step he swore he would never take. What wasn't terrifying about that? But he was still determined. He was sure that this is what he wanted. By the end of this night it would be done and he would have his answer.

They sat in silence for some time, either staring out across the vast ocean, or gazing up at the stars.

"Anthony it's rather cold now, perhaps we should head indoors," Loki suggested, feeling Tony shivering against him.

"No Loki, just like ten more minutes please."

There was something in Tony's tone that made Loki hesitate before settling back down. He couldn't work out what it was but it puzzled him. Was there something wrong with Tony? Loki thought it best not to worry. It was probably nothing. It was most likely just the cold.

All of a sudden Tony got to his feet. Surprised, Loki looked up at him questioningly. Tony said nothing and Loki became even more curious when he was offered Tony's hand. He took it and willingly walked over to the edge of the veranda. He tried and failed to catch Tony's eye.

The sun had long since disappeared and it was almost totally dark outside except for two lights on the side of the mansion and the moon that hung high in the sky. Loki could see the lamps reflected in Tony's eyes as he finally turned round to face him.

Keeping Loki's gaze fixed firmly on his own, Tony discreetly slipped a small box out of his pocket, wrapping his fingers tightly around it so Loki would be unable to see it even if he did look down. He took a deep breath and stared up at Loki before lowering down to one knee. It was now or never.

"Okay so honestly I have no idea where to begin with this. In all the movies and the shitty TV shows the people always manage to pull out this amazing or cheesy speech from nowhere that always seems to win the other over but I don't have one prepared. I have no idea what to say. Normal people give all the reasons why they love the opposite person but I'm not a normal person and we're certainly not a normal couple. In a way I think I should just come out and say it because all this beating around the bush won't change the outcome I don't think. So truthfully Loki, I love you and you know that because I make an idiot out of myself everyday trying to prove it to you and if you say yes then I'll spend the rest of my life still trying to prove it to you. The reasons are endless as to why I love you and I'm not going to tell you any of them because we don't need your ego being boosted any more so here, I'm just gunna say it. Loki, will you marry me?" He finished, opening the ring box slowly.

The silence rang in his ears like church bells as he remained kneeling on the floor, unable to look at Loki. It seemed like an age before cool hands took hold of his wrists and gently tugged him to his feet. The truth was that it was actually seconds. Finally having the courage to look up at him, Tony stared anxiously at the expression of utter surprise on Loki's face.

All the thoughts that were running through his head at that point were oh god, oh shit, I fucked up, he's gunna say no, I'm a twat, I hate life. His musings were suddenly interrupted by Loki pressing an earnest kiss to his lips, totally erasing all thought from his brain.

Loki's lips were impossibly soft as they worked against his own. A gasp escaped him as Loki pulled him flush against his chest, holding him close. The god ran his tongue along Tony's bottom lip then, after nipping at it once, he stepped back, breaking contact.

Tony met Loki's eyes that were far too green to possibly be real, but they were real, they were Loki's.

"So...is that a yes?" Tony asked tentatively.

"Yes," Loki breathed, resting his forehead against Tony's, a smile blossoming on his face.

Letting out a huge breath of relief, Tony swiftly pulled Loki into another kiss.

And there you have it, the end.

I cannot even put into words how wonderful you all are for reading this story and a special thankyou to everyone who favourite, followed and reviewed. Every single one of them means the world to me. I hope that you have enjoyed this story from start to finish and will continue to read some of my other works that I will post in the future. I am currently working on three other FrostIron stories and the first I will start to post in around a month.

I have had many ups and downs with this story, often going through times where I have hated it and wanted to delete it but we have gotten through and this is the end. I had tears when writing this final chapter because it is the end and it just makes me so sad. So thankyou for sharing in this experience with me and I hope you have had as much fun as I have had. Have a very happy new year!