Bang!

"Be careful!"

"Sorry!"

"Lift him up, over -"

"Do you have any idea how heavy he is?! Why can't you just carry him?"

"He should be kept straight, I don't want to put any stress on his body."

Tony frowned, and slowly opened his eyes, looking around. In front of him was Steve, carrying his feet. He looked up, and Cling was carrying his arms. "What are you guys doing?"

"Taking you to your bed. You knocked yourself out, genius," Clint answered.

"What?"

"We came to check up on you twenty minutes after we left - like you suggested," Steve began to explain. "You managed to make the soup as you said, but when we got here it was on the floor on you were unconscious on the couch with a bleeding head."

"So, that's why I have a headache..."

"Clint also hit your head off the wall."

"Gee, thanks, Barton."

"You're the one who knocked yourself out - after catching hypothermia," Clint muttered, setting Tony down on the bed. "Seriously, where were you?!"

"I don't know, I - it doesn't matter."

"How did you knock yourself out, Tony?" Steve asked.

"I... don't know."

"You really can't take care of yourself. Poor Pepper..." Clint muttered.

"Hey," Tony glared at him, and Clint immediately gave him an apologetic look. "I can take care of myself."

"You've proven that really well these past few days."

"That wasn't my fault."

"Then who's was it? The fairy's?"

Loki's. "That... I... err... Where's that cat? I need a word with him."

Clint and Steve exchanged a look. "You need a word with him?" Steve repeated.

"Yeah, I get it, I'm crazy for needing to talk to a cat. Where is he?"

"He's asleep on the couch."

"Go get him for me."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Never better."

Clint and Steve exchanged another look, before Clint shrugged, and began heading to the living room.

"Be careful!" Tony shouted after him. "He'll probably hurt you when you wake him up!"

Clint snorted, already half way down the hallway. He returned a few moments later with the cat purring in his arms.

"You hurt me, but not them? After all I have done for you?" Tony growled at Loki kitty.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Clint asked.

"Put him down and leave."

Without hesitating, Clint set the kitten down on the foot of the bed, and left. Steve eyed Tony for an extra moment, then followed, leaving Tony alone with the cat.

"What is wrong with you?" Tony angrily whispered.

The kitten meowed.

"Go back to being yourself."

With a flash, Loki revealed himself.

"What the fuck did you do to me?"

"What are you talking about? How dare you talk to me that way?!"

"You said 'forgive me for this' and then you did something. What was it?"

"I do not know what you are talking about."

"Earlier. You made me soup, gave it to me... you said you were going to use me."

"I did not?"

Tony blinked. "Yes... you did."

"I have no recollection of such thing. You must have dreamt it."

Tony shook his head, "they told me. Clint and Steve; they told me I had soup. I wouldn't have made it."

"And why would I have?"

"Because... making me soup is easier than ruling the world. You need me. How do you not remember this?"

Loki looked at Tony, then sighed, looking like he had a massive headache. "You are insane, Stark. Get to sleep."

"I just woke up."

"You have clearly not slept enough."

"You're lying to me."

"I have no reason to do so."

"Yes you do, otherwise you wouldn't be lying."

Loki narrowed his eyes. "I refuse to be called a liar when I am indeed not lying." He stood, and walked out of the room.

"Loki! Get your naked ass back here!" Tony shouted, causing himself to go into a small coughing fit. When he stopped his coughing, Loki was leaning against the doorframe, with his arms crossed. "Over there," Tony pointed to his dresser. "On the right, top drawer."

Loki frowned, but went over to Tony's dresser, opening the specified drawer.

"Grab any pair, put 'em on."

Loki held up a pair of red boxers, examining them. "You wish me to wear your undergarments?"

"I wish you to stop being naked, yeah."

Loki hesitated, not wanting to wear Tony's most personal apparel.

"Think of it as... a symbol of my love."

Loki turned and looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"What?"

"What is wrong with wearing nothing?"

"Nothing - when you're alone. I don't exactly want to see... that much of you."

Loki sighed, and stepped into them. They didn't fit right; so, he magicked them to fit him properly.

"There, you look good - now stop using magic."

"I do what I want, Stark."

"I thought we've been over this."

Loki huffed.

"Question."

Loki looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"My head... Why does my head hurt if you didn't do something to me?"

"You were walking around with your blankets wrapped around yourself. After you made your soup, you took it and headed back to sit down; then you tripped, threw your soup across the room and hit your head. Stop blaming me for your misfortunes."

Tony sighed in defeat. "Fine. Sorry for blaming you. Can you please heal me, now?"

Loki studied him for a moment. "You expect it of me?"

"I didn't..." Tony sighed, "I didn't mean it like that. I only meant that my head is killing me and I'd really appreciate it if you could heal me."

Loki rolled his eyes, then walked over to Tony, kneeling beside the bed. He placed his hands on Tony's head, and let his magic to its job.

Tony closed his eyes and hummed softly, enjoying the tingling sensation as his headache began disappearing. "Thank you."

"I am hungry."

"I am, too. Let's go out for... uhh, Jarvis, what time is it?"

"It is just after nine thirty, Sir," Jarvis replied.

"A.m. or p.m.?"

"P.m., Sir."

"Wanna go out to dinner?"

Loki nodded.

"Great. I'm in the mood for steak, what about you?"

Loki shrugged, "err... perhaps."

Tony grinned and jumped out of bed, heading over to his closet. He grabbed a pair of black dress pants and a plain white dress shirt, and slipped into them, before grabbing a red dress shirt, and another pair of black dress pants, throwing them over to Loki. "It's a classy place. You might have to adjust the pants, but..."

Loki nodded, accepting the clothes without complaint.

"Tomorrow I guess I'll have to buy you more clothes."

Loki made a 'pfft' noise as he shoved his legs into the pants, "I cannot wait."

Tony snorted, and threw a pair of socks at Loki's head, "you can't be more excited than I am."

Loki frowned, throwing them back at Tony, then put his shirt on.

"They're for you, smart ass," Tony smirked, and threw the socks back at him.

"You are clearly the one who needs them: your feet smell rachet. You should hide them as best as possible."

Tony stared at him in disbelief, but couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Are you kidding? Did you just go there? You may be a God, but you have the feet of a 'mortal peasant'."

Loki gave him the most offended look. "You dare?!" he roughly threw the socks at Tony, hitting him in his face. "Mind your words, mortal peasant."

"Now I'm a peasant?" Tony laughed and threw the socks back at Loki, "that means so much coming from something I don't believe in."

"Of course you don't. You will never accept that someone could be better than you."

"I know plenty of people who are better than me!"

"Name one person."

Tony opened his mouth to answer, but no names came out. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, and crossed his arms across his chest.

Loki threw the socks at Tony's stomach, snorting, "my point. If no other mortals can compete with you, you will never accept that one such as I could be better in every aspect."

"You are not better than me in any way," Tony threw the socks, "and you sure as hell aren't better in every aspect."

"Aren't I?"

"No, you aren't. I'm awesome."

Loki's stomach rumbled, and he sat down on Tony's bed to finally put the socks on his feet. "We will continue this later."

"You really want to set yourself up for embarrassing lose like that?"

Loki looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

Tony innocently raised his hands, "just sayin'." He grabbed another pair of socks, and headed out to the living room.

Once Loki finished putting his socks on, he followed, and put on his boots.

Tony sprinted into the room with both of their jackets. He handed Loki his jacket, then put his shoes on. "Ready?"

Loki nodded.

Tony hit the elevator button, and waited. When the doors opened, he gestured for Loki to head in first.

"So," Tony began, when they were down in his garage. "I have a convertible."

"Yes, I know."

"I was thinking..."

"That is a first."

Tony elbowed Loki, smirking. "If we put the top down, and I don't speed, would you try riding in it? It's not enclosed, and you'll be able to feel the wind; it wouldn't feel like you're trapped in a car. We can go a few feet and just test it out. If you're against it, we can walk or something, I just thought I'd suggest it, because -"

"You are rambling," Loki muttered, interrupting him.

"Sorry."

"I suppose I will... trust you, and give it a try."

Tony smiled, and practically ran towards the convertible, jumping over the door and into the car. Loki mimicked his actions, a little less eagerly, and sat in the passenger's seat.

Tony started the car up, and slowly began backing up, glancing at Loki every other second. Loki sat still, seeming completely unbothered. Tony continued: driving forwards, towards the exit.

Just before turning onto the main road, he stopped, and looked over at Loki, "are you okay?"

"I'm... good, yes."

Tony nodded, and turned onto the road, making sure not to go over the speed limit.

Loki put his hands in the air, enjoying himself. "You can speed, if you so wish."

Tony grinned, and pushed his foot down on the petal, speeding up.

Slowly, Loki lifted himself up, so that he was almost standing.

"Sit down," Tony demanded.

"No."

"Be fucking careful."

Ignoring Tony, Loki stood up - and then, got pushed backwards by the wind, falling over his seat.

"Loki!" Tony yelled, nearly completely turning around in his seat to see if Loki fell out of the car or not. He didn't; he was in the back seat, in the most uncomfortable looking position. Tony immediately pulled the car over, and took a second to recover from his near heart attack. In the back seat, Loki began laughing.

"What is so funny?!" Tony hissed, turning to glare at him.

"You are so terrified. And of what? Nothing could possibly happen to me."

"Why the hell did you do that?"

"It is... It reminds me of our transport devices in Asgard."

"So, you attempt suicide for nostalgia?"

"Suicide? That could not have killed me."

"You never know. You could have fallen off the side and gotten your head squished."

"Worse things have happened."

Tony sighed. "Get your ass back up here, and let's go eat."

Loki shifted, and squirmed, but couldn't get up. He let out a breath that was almost a laugh, and gave up, remaining in his position.

Tony rolled his eyes, and turned the car off so he could stand on the passenger seat, lean down to grab Loki's hands, and pull him up to his feet.

"I could have done that," Loki muttered.

"Sure you could've." Tony hopped back in his seat and started the car, again, as Loki reclaimed his seat beside Tony. "Don't do that, again."

Loki nodded, and Tony continued driving - very slowly.

When they got to the restaurant, Loki ordered a large salad, a baked potato, a plate of garlic bread, and some chocolate milk. Tony ordered a meat lover's steak, with mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, carrots, a bun, a glass of wine - and an extra glass incase Loki decided he wanted some.

"You have such an odd taste," Tony said when the waiter left after bringing them their drinks.

"Why?"

"I've never met anyone who's ever ordered a larger assortment of things, before."

"Is that bad?"

"It's interesting."

Loki gave him an odd look, and took a sip of his chocolate milk. "I wish to try all of the foods we do not have in Asgard."

"If you don't have salad or potatoes in Asgard... what do you guys eat?"

Loki shook his head, "do not be absurd. Of course we do. It is merely made differently, I assume."

Tony shrugged, taking a sip of the wine. "Fair enough."

Shortly after, the waiter returned with their food. They both immediately dug in, not saying another word while they ate.

"May I practice my... err, 'people skills'?" Loki requested when he finished.

"What do you mean by that, exactly?" Tony questioned, finishing the last of his mashed potatoes.

"Hand me your money and leave. I will deal with it."

Tony stared at him for a moment, before shrugging, and handing the money over to Loki. "Knock yourself out. Just make sure you leave a tip." He stood, pushed his chair in, and nodded at Loki, before leaving.

Loki watched as he left, then grinned, pulling Tony's cell phone out of his pocket, that he had pickpocketed earlier.

When the waiter came back with the check, Loki flicked a bit of magic into Tony's phone, making it go off. He held a finger up, signalizing for the waiter to wait a moment, and put the phone up to his ear. "Hello?" He waited a second, then put his hand on the microphone. "It is St - er, Tony. He went to the restroom, and I think he needs a hand with something," he told the waiter. "He has a bit of a rash. Will you please excuse me for a moment?"

The waiter nodded, looking slightly disturbed as he walked away.

Loki put the phone back in his pocket, and headed off to the men's room. Without bothering to hide in a stall, he used his magic to transport himself to the main entrance of the building - right behind Tony. "Come on," he said, walking past him.

"That was fast. How much did you tip?"

"I didn't."

"Uhh, that was rude," Tony told him, catching up with him. "I have a reputation you know."

Loki snorted in response.

"What does that mean?"

Loki handed Tony all the money, "I told him you had a rash and needed a hand in the restroom."

"You... didn't pay?"

"No."

Tony stopped walking. "You didn't pay?"

Loki stopped as well, and turned to stare at Tony. "No?"

"You said you were going to work on your people skills, not make us both thieves."

"Yes, it appears I have lied."

"We're going back."

"Why?"

"That is one of my favourite restaurants, I can't fuck them over like that."

Loki snatched the money from Tony's hand, and shoved it in his own pocket. "Tell them to bill you, if you must."

"They only take cash, so give that back."

"No."

"Loki."

"Do you not love me?"

Tony froze. Was that it? Were those the literal rules of Loki's spell? Tony really had to do exactly what Loki wanted, without any objections, just because he was in love? That wasn't love. But... it was magic, and Tony didn't know magic. All he had to go off of, was Loki's word; which may be exactly what the spell was. He couldn't test his luck. He only had one choice: he had to play along with whatever Loki said. So, he held onto Loki's hand and smiled up at him, "of course. Let's go home." He'd have to make it up to the restaurant, later.

When they got back to the tower, Tony made a lame excuse to go to the lab for a few minutes, to make sure an ongoing experiment was going correctly and it wasn't going to blow the tower up. Loki dismissed him without question.

"Jarvis?" Tony asked, as soon as he walked through the door. "Where's Loki?"

"He is in the penthouse, Sir."

"Good. We need to talk." There was no way Loki would just steal because he could, and Tony needed to know why. Even he wasn't that low to steal without reason. He had to have one. He was up to something. But what?"What purpose does a God have for stealing dinner?"

"I am afraid, Sir, I do not know. What is your situation?"

Tony looked around, as if someone would be hiding somewhere.

"I fought Loki with Cap... he got frozen, and I got surrounded by magic. He - Loki - he tried to do some spell to make me fall in love with him; obviously it didn't work. I don't know how, but I'm immune to his magic, I guess. So, quick thinking: I pretended I was. Still am."

"Congratulations, Sir."

Tony shot a witty smile to his computer "Now he's making me do whatever he wants by using the excuse 'don't you love me?' and I have to do it, if I want him to think I that am. I need him to trust me so I can stop him from trying to take over the world, again. I just don't know how this spell is supposed to work. I'm stealing just because I 'love' him."

"Perhaps he is testing you?"

"Testing me?"

"To ensure that the spell is working."

"Huh... I guess that makes... How did I not think of that?"

"I believe all logic has left your mind. You are whipped, Sir."

"Fuck you," Tony snorted, getting up from his chair. "Do me a favour, delete this conversation from existence."

"What conversation?"

Tony grinned as the elevator doors closed, taking him up to the penthouse.

After ascending only a few floors, the elevator shook, and the lights flickered. Tony grasped onto the bars along the wall, anticipating the worst. Then, the doors opened, and he was on his floor. He quickly jumped out, and looked around.

There was a giant hold in his window. "Jarvis, where -?"

"Thor has arrived."

Tony stared at the window for a few moments, then sighed. "It's about goddamn time."

"Brother?!" Thor yelled. "Tony Stark?!"

Tony ran towards him, trying to silence him before anyone else in the tower could hear him, "shh! Shut up!"

Thor grabbed Tony, pulling him into a tight hug. "It is good to see you again, friend!"

"Put me down!"

Thor did as he said, but didn't stop grinning at him.

"Loki?" Tony called out.

Moments later, Loki peaked his head around the corner, walking out of the hallway.

"Where were you?" Tony questioned.

"Your closet..."

Tony shrugged, and turned to Thor. "Did you do that?" he pointed to his window.

"It is more than likely," Loki responded on Thor's behalf.

Tony glared at Thor.

"I... apologize. However, I come with news."

"Good, or bad?" Tony questioned.

"It is wonderful news!" He turned to Loki, "father has learned of your escape, and -"

"What?!" Loki hissed. "You were not supposed to let that happen!"

"You were using excessive amounts of magic... Heimdall is under orders; he could not remain silent any longer. However, he had mentioned you have been staying with one of my fellow comrades, and you have saved his life. Is this true?" Thor was beaming, looking back and fourth between Tony and Loki.

"Yeah," Tony confirmed. "I was taking him on a trip around the world. We went to the Arctic, and I caught hypothermia. He saved my life, then he healed me. He's healed me a few times, actually."

"The first time was an accident," Loki retorted.

"You know, I'm trying to help you stay out of your Asgardian Justice. Saying your good deeds was an accident does not help."

"I am proud of you, brother!"

"I've chosen well," Tony grinned.

Loki's eyes widened, and he shook his head.

"Chosen what?" Thor asked.

"Uhh..." Tony glanced over at Loki.

Loki waved his hand back and fourth in front of his neck, signalizing for Tony not to go there.

"I, err, you know. My apprentice."

"Ah," Thor nodded, "yes. You have chosen very well! You are doing a marvelous job, friend!"

Tony nodded, "thanks. So, your dad knows. What happens next?"

"Father has said that he wishes to speak with you," Thor smiled at Tony. "However, he cannot leave Asgard, and he does not believe that mortals belong in Asgard."

"That's no problem, I was building a communicator from here to Asgard, I just need your help for the final touches."

"That sounds wonderful! Where is this device?"

"It's in Washington. I'll go get my armour. Loki, you coming, or you wanna chill out here for a while?"

"I do not wish to stay with your horrid teammates."

"You hate them more than you like us."

Loki shrugged, not denying it.

"Whatever, come on. Thor, we'll meet you on the roof."

"Aye," Thor nodded, then left in the hole he created when he entered.

Tony sighed, staring at the huge hole in his window, again. He shook his head, and stepped into the elevator with Loki. "I hate that guy, sometimes."

"Try spending a thousand years with him."

Tony snorted, "no thanks."

When the doors opened, again, Tony went off to get his suit, while Loki headed for the exit. Within the minute, Tony met Loki at the exit, and crouched down. Loki climbed on his back, and then Tony took off, heading for the roof.

As soon as they came into sight, Thor swung Mjolnir, and took off flying, ready to follow.

"We just have to go this way for a few minutes, then we'll be there," Tony yelled out to him. "Try to keep up!" he upped the power in his thrusters, flying faster.

Thor grinned, and began flying faster, as well. "Man of Iron, you forget: I am faster."

"Forget? I have to have known that before I could forget, goldilocks!" Tony sped up some more. As did Thor.

Loki leaned back, putting his hands on Tony's ankles, and let his magic seep into Tony's suit, giving it more power, and therefore, more speed.

Without his consent, Tony began flying faster and faster, until he broke the sound barrier. "Shitshitshit, what are you doing?!"

"Winning."

Tony looked over his shoulder: Thor was far behind, but he was catching up. Fast. "More power!" Tony yelled, laughing.

Loki gave him more magic, keeping him in first place.

"Whoa. Whoa, we have to land."

Loki ignored him, continuing to feed his suit power.

"Loki, stop it!"

"Sir," Jarvis' voice said, "your suit cannot handle much more power."

"Loki, you're going to -" his thrusters flickered on and off, and then they were falling, with Thor too far behind them to be of any help. "Fuck!" Tony shouted.

Loki shape-shifted into a gigantic bird, and grabbed Tony with his feet, slowly flying safely to the ground.

"What the hell?!"

Loki set Tony down at the front doors of the NASA building, and turned back into himself - completely naked.

"Fucking hell," Tony grabbed Loki's hand and dragged him around the corner of the building. He took his suit off, then jumped out of his clothes, giving them to Loki. "Stop doing that when you don't have any other clothes," he muttered, stepping back in his suit.

"That was... fun, though."

Tony glared at him, and slowly started to smile. "We do make a decent team, you and I."

"I did all of the work."

"All you did was sit on me and shoot magic into my suit."

Loki shrugged, doing up the button on the jeans, "using magic is more skillful than merely flying in a suit of armour."

"Do you know how impressive my suit is? My tech is at least ten years in the future. I made it. Hence the whole genius deal."

"Oh? You are a genius?" Loki snorted, "I would have never known."

Tony's faceplate lifted, and his jaw dropped. "You did not just say that."

"I did. Let us go inside before Thor lands."

Tony looked up, to see that Thor was heading towards the ground at an incredibly fast speed. "Oh. Shit. Let's go" He practically ran to the front doors, stepping inside with Loki. Moments later, there was a loud thud, and several large pieces of the ground went flying, then Thor began walking into the building. "It is not a gracious victory if you cheat."

Tony held up his hands innocently, "wasn't my idea."

Loki scowled at him.

"So, come on. The communicator's this way," Tony gestured for them to follow as he began leading the way down the long hallway. Eventually, they came to the room that was built just for the arc reactor, and they headed inside. "So, this satellite is what I need your help with. It has to face Asgard, and I don't know where that is."

"Asgard should be..." Thor grabbed the satellite and tilted it. "There."

"Great!" Tony grabbed the communicators and turned them on, handing one to Thor. "I'll need you to go to Asgard so we can test them out. You should be able to hear and see me through this. The camera is here," Tony pointed to the camera on the front of the communicator, "make sure it's facing you. There's also one on the back; if you want to show me something, there will be a camera icon on the screen, just tap it. Gently. When you want to talk, hold this button down on the side. Oh - almost forgot: to connect our devices, hold this red button. When it flashes, that means I'm trying to call you."

Thor nodded, "I understand."

"I'm gonna go over to the other side of the room so we can make sure everything works right."

Thor nodded, and Tony went to the other side of the room, and pressed the button, requesting to connect with him.

Thor pressed the button, accepting the connection.

Tony waved and pressed the button to speak, "can 'ya hear me?"

"I hear you well. Can you hear me?"

"Perfectly clear. Alright, can you go to Asgard?"

Thor nodded, "I shall hope to hear from you in a moment." Then, he was gone, as was their connection.

Tony waited patiently to receive a call.

Minutes seemed to pass.

He sighed, "it's not working." He reached to re-adjust the satellite, but Loki grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Give him a minute."

Tony groaned, and began pacing.

Eventually, Thor returned. Without a word, he tapped the satellite, then left.

Tony looked at Loki questioningly, and he merely shrugged in response.

Soon enough, his communicator began flashing. "It works? It works!" He pushed the red button, and grinned, "I can't believe it works!"

"Are you the mortal I have heard so much about?"

Tony's eyes widened, and he swallowed hard, staring at the old man on the screen. "Uhh... You must be Thor's father."

Loki glared at the back of the device from where he stood, a few feet away.

"I am. I understand that you are the man responsible for Loki."

"You could say that, I guess."

"Either you are, or you are not. There is no guess."

"I am. I'm... he's my, uh..."

"Apprentice!" Thor's voice finished from somewhere in the distance.

"Yeah, that. He's been good. Saved my life, kept me in good health... he's good."

"How had Loki escaped?"

"Err..." he glanced over at Loki, who had a blank expression. "He... He's mischievous, what can I say?" Tony shrugged.

Odin's eyes narrowed. "Where is he now?"

"He's with me."

"Show me."

Tony glanced back over towards Loki: he was shaking his head. "No," Tony refused.

"Loki is my son -"

"He doesn't seem to think so."

"I am the Allfather -"

Tony raised an eyebrow. He could see where Loki's attitude came from. "Not to rain on your parade, but I'm an atheist. That doesn't mean much to me."

"Loki has much to pay for."

"And he's paid. He's paid more than enough."

"That is not your place to decide. You are a mortal, interfering in the debt of a God."

"No, I'm a person, stopping another person from being unnecessarily tortured to death."

Suddenly, the connection was lost.

"That went well," Loki noted.

Tony gave him a worried look. "Is he going to come here? Did I just piss him off? Why didn't Thor call me? What did you do to make him so keen on torturing you? Why did he hang up on me?"

"He was more than likely waiting for Thor. He would have confiscated your communicator at once."

"Why'd he hang up?"

Loki shrugged.

The light began beeping, again. Tony stared at it.

"Answer it, you fool!"

Tony immediately pressed the button.

"I have news!" Thor shouted.

"Thor? What is it?"

"Father has agreed to let Loki stay with you."

Tony smiled, "great."

"On one condition."

"Great," he muttered, with heavy sarcasm.

"You have three weeks to change Loki of his ways. If you fail, Loki shall go back to the Isle of Silence, and..."

Loki grabbed the communicator from Tony, "and what?"

"And the Man of Iron will have to pay for helping break free and hiding a guilty prisoner of Asgard."

Tony took the communicator back, "pay how?"

"... It has not be decided, yet."

"But I didn't even help him escape!"

"Father... does not see it that way."

Tony sighed, rubbing his temple with his free hand. "So, I have three weeks? That's it?"

Thor nodded.

"Are you coming back?"

"I am afraid I have been forbidden to leave Asgard until the three weeks are over."

Tony nodded, "fuck. Okay. I guess... I should go: I have a lot of work to do. Just keep the communicator close, incase I have to, y'know, talk to you."

"Likewise, friend."

Tony nodded, and hung up. "Alright. Let's go, I guess."

Loki followed, silently.

When they got outside, Tony crouched down and Loki jumped on his back, then they took off. Minutes later, they flew into the hole in the window that Thor had so graciously created, and Tony set Loki down, then went to his bedroom to take the suit off and put some clothes on. When he went back to the living room, Loki was gone.

"Jarvis? Where'd he go?"

"He appears he has left the building."

"Where would he be going...?"

"Unfortunately, Sir, I do not know."

Tony sighed. "When he comes back... tell him to come visit me in my lab."

"Affirmative."

Tony grabbed his suit, and headed down to his lab to examine it. He wanted to know if there were any traces of Loki's magic, and if there was anything he could do with it.

Hours passed.

Several times, Tony thought he was going somewhere, but it led to a dead end. He had no more leads, no more options: he was stuck.

Pissed off, he threw his tools on the floor, and stormed off to the elevator, punching the button to go up his penthouse. Too slowly, he was brought up - then he continued to stomp off towards his bar to get a drink. He grabbed a tall glass, and gave himself a generous amount of scotch.

When he was finished his drink, Loki returned.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, you!" Tony yelled; his getting progressively more angry as he spoke.

Loki froze, staring at him with a questioning look.

"Where were you?"

"Out."

"Where?"

"Side."

Tony narrowed his eyes, then snorted, laughing. He patted the space next to him, offering the space to Loki.

Loki accepted, slowly sitting down beside him, without a word.

Tony poured a bit of scotch in the glass, and handed it to Loki; then took a sip directly from the bottle.

"Thirsty?" Loki questioned, watching him.

"Mhm."

"Thank you."

"Yeah, don't mention it, I got lots. Help yourself, whenever you feel like it."

"Not for this."

Tony looked at him, frowning in confusion.

"Earlier. What you said to my - er, Odin."

"What'd I say?"

"You... defended me."

"Of course. I have to."

Loki smiled sadly at him, then took a fairly large swig of the scotch.

Tony knew the look on Loki's face all too well. How many people have stuck up for Loki before? Now, he thought that Tony only did that because he was under a spell. "I don't care what you did," he continued. "Torture isn't the answer. I wouldn't have even let you go back to Asgard in the first place if I knew what kind of justice they serve. It's not right. I'll do whatever I can to ensure you don't have to go back to that. You've got enough 'punishment' for a lifetime... how long is your lifetime, anyway?"

Loki glared at him for a while, before cracking a smile. He clanked his glass against Tony's bottle, and finished his glass. "Your words... are appreciated."

Tony smiled at him.

Loki returned the smile, before announcing, "I am going to rest."

"You alright?"

Loki got up off of the couch, and looked down at Tony. He nodded once, then left.

Tony watched him leave, then thought over the day he just had: he woke up with hypothermia, got healed, knocked himself out, again, got healed, again, cured Loki of one of his fears, went out for dinner, stole said dinner, talked to the God of all Gods, and just had a moment with an evil God.

He stared at the ceiling, and took another mouthful.

He was definitely not sober enough for all of that.