Authors note:This is the second instalment of my Frostiron series. If you haven't already, Please read "The Breathless fall" first. I promise it is worth it! And everything will make so much more sense if you do! P.S I'm still having trouble with paragraphs, so ignore the dots again...
Disclaimer: This story takes place after Iron man 3 and the avengers. I do not own any marvel characters or their movie interpretations.
Ask Tony and Loki your questions: You may send a message or question through me and I will pass it on to Tony and Loki whenever I see them. You may ask anything you like.
Accompanying music: When the piano is being played with Thor present, listen to Elijah Bossenbroek's "I give up". When Tony is present, listen to The Piano Guys "A Thousand years"
Chapter 6
"The music we make together."
Loki awoke on the cold floor of the guestroom, body aching fiercely. He hoisted his prone form up and braced himself against the wall. He limped to the shower and turned on the water as hot as it would go.
Loki sat against the counter, breathing in the warm humid air. He took in deep breaths until the pain in his lungs eased. In through his mouth, out through his nose. Slowly, and calmly, until his breath was steady and even.
He began to undress himself, throwing the bloodied and torn clothing into the trash bin. His limbs were stiff and sore and it made even the simple task of undoing his pant tie a difficult one. Loki realized two of his fingers had dislocated and he grimaced as he popped them back in.
The flair of pain awoke his other injuries. A cracked rib, a heavily busied hip and thigh,and torn muscles in his neck and back. Worst of all was a depressed skull fracture, a token from the Captain's shield. Loki grunted with pain as he touched bone through his hair. He could see the piece pressing down if he tilted his head to look back into the mirror.
It should have hurt more that he knows, but Loki's pain tolerance was heightened. His imprisonment in Asgard saw to that.
.
Or specifically, the All father did.
.
He had learned to disconnect his mind from the torments of his body there, and he used the technique in practice now. Loki imagined himself watching through the mirror's eyes. With ease of practice he pried the bone chip from the back of his head. The warmth of pain began to burn him and he concentrated on placing the piece back, so it would heal properly.
Reluctantly he wove the last bit of Jormungandr's borrowed magic around the gaps in his head. Loki could feel the bone knitting back together and the pain turned to an itch. He held his hand firm, and when the slick new skin began to grow over he let go, letting the wound throb with fluid. Loki sighed heavily.
Empty...All that magic I used to keep the ocean back... I am sorry dear pet. I did not intend to lie when I promised to use your gift to strike back at the All father.
He stared at his reflection as if it were a stranger to him. Loki leaned in close enough to see the green eye-shine in the back of his irises and -
His reflection blinked.
What?
The image of him, that was not him, began to move its lips.
.
You can not hide yourself from me.
.
Loki's fear peaked, and he shattered the glass with a raw wave of magic. The mirror and the light bulb are obliterated and he is left panting in the dark.
Odin is drawing closer.
He stepped into the shower, letting the blisteringly hot water burn is skin, turning it an angry red. The heat seared away his fear, and he let the water scald him. It made his body temperature rise too quickly, however, and when he felt the beginnings of nausea, Loki switched the water to the coldest he could make it.
Relief floods over him with the cold, and with it, his Jotun form. He is thankful he cannot see the traitorous blue in the dark. He washes himself quickly and thoroughly, not wanting to linger exposed. He turns off the flow of water and fumbles for a towel. He peers through the near pitch black of the bathroom and his heart freezes when he catches the reflection of his red eye in a mirror shard. Drawn to the image he picks the shard from the frame and holds it in his hand. Loki stares into the image of him, that is not him, and recoils when he can feel the hot breath of his reflection waft over his face. It winks at him, and then the red eye vanishes back into the shadows.
Loki's hands dig into the counter-top as he sinks to his knees. His breathing is shallow and quick and he clutches his head in his hands, trying to fight away the memories that threaten to drown him.
It is some hours before Loki manages the courage to leave the room...
Loki quietly sneaks out the door, dressed in a soft grey shirt and black pants. He was careful to pick long sleeves to hide his bruised body. Loki ghosts down the stairs and wanders to the kitchen looking for food.
He sets out a plate, and after a moment of thought adds a second. He manages to locate bread and butter, and lays the beginnings of a sandwich on the plates. Ham, cheese, and lettuce follow, and he cuts them in half. Wanting more, he peels a small orange with a paring knife and lays the little slices beside his peace offering.
Lastly he fishes out two mugs and digs thoroughly in to the cupboard until he finds a little box with a delicatly handwritten name, Pepper. He opens the box with an apology and takes out two teabags. One he places in the mug for him, and the other he unties the delicate little string and empties the contents into the trash.
Loki pulls out a rolled paper bag of coffee and gently spoons several lumps into the empty tea bag. He reties the knot and places it in Tony's cup. He adds a silver kettle to the stove and patiently waits for the water to boil. It gives him time to think.
In his heart he feels already at a loss, since he cannot muster the courage finish his thoughts.
Anthony, I must speak with you.
Tony the all father is-
I am sorry, but I must tell you-
Tony I require your assistance-
Help me.
I need you to listen, and to trust me.
Whatever thought comes to mind, he cannot fully form. He chuckles darkly to himself. I am at a loss for words, how rare. Loki erases what he has written and sighs.
The kettle whistles on the stove and he turns off the element to pour their drinks. The overly pungent sent of coffee fills the air and Loki grimaces as he takes the handles of both mugs in one hand. He grabs the plates in the other and sets off down the stairs to the garage.
As he descends the stairs he can feel rather than hear the music blaring from Tony's workshop. He pauses at the door to push the buttons with his knuckles. 1, 0, 6.
The door rushes open and his ears prick at the volume's setting. He searches for Tony and finds him underneath one of his cars. Loki steps around piles of rags and skips over pieces of machines laid out carefully on the floor.
He finishes his narrow obstacle course and sets the dishes down on top of the cleanest workbench he can find.
"I have brought you food." He says by way of greeting to Tony's legs, tucked under the car.
Tony ignores him. "You've been... Thunderstruck!" he sings along with the music wiggling his toes. The little wheeled cart moves with him as he slides to the left, seeking a better viewpoint. "Come on... Let go, You!" Loki hears a clank and Tony curses beneath him. Loki hears a whirr and a robotic arm whines as it pulls out from the bottom of the car. "Seriously , You are useless. I got it now. Just stay out of my way."
Loki takes a sip of his tea and lets the relaxing chamomile soothe him. "Are you hungry?" He tries again nudging the cart with his bare foot.
"No, no! Come on, don't make me switch you with Dummy over there, he's still in time out for knocking over my drink." Tony argues with the machine as it whines sadly.
Loki looks over to the source of an echoing whine and notices a little cone hat on it. It read "Dummy" in hastily scrawled letters.
Loki takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing slowly. He watches Tony roll around on the floor, never content to stay still long. Tired of being ignored he takes matters into his own hands. He picks up half a sandwich and catches Tony's moving cart with his foot. He gives it a yank backwards and a grimy and shirtless Tony pops out. Loki holds his offering above the engineer's mouth and he snaps it up greedily, eyes still locked under the car. The second piece follows the first and Tony is so eager that he bites down on Loki's fingers.
He winces as Tony's teeth close on his formerly dislocated joints and he bites his own lip in frustration.
"Let go." He commands losing patience as Tony just comes to term with what he's done. Tony finally looks up and smiles at him. He catches his wrist in his hand and opens his mouth to swallow the last of his breakfast. Tony then takes his fingers in his mouth and lets his warm tongue roll over them tenderly. His lover sucks the last bit of food from his fingertips and grins. "That was delicious, but not as good as you taste Lokes."
Loki puts on a playful smile. "And here I though your attentions were elsewhere." Loki is surprised how light his tone is. Is this really the same man who left me on the landing? Has he forgiven me so readily?
"They were, but now you have it. My attention. All of it." Tony chirrups. He leans toward him and Loki sits on the ground, resting his back against the car. Tony catches his partly wet hand and places it on his lap. "Actually I wanted your attention. About yesterday... I may have over reacted."
Loki hesitates and shifts his weight restlessly. "Please do not speak of that. It is in the past. I would prefer it stay there." Just like that his resolve crumbled. He does not want to re-live that painful conversation.
"Loki enough..." Tony catches his lips and pulls him down for a slow burning kiss. Loki's heart clenches in his chest. "Why wont you let me in?" Tony asks locking his amber eyes on his with an intense gaze. Tony turns his head away, ashamed. He shakes his head and goes to leave but Tony catches his wrists.
"Take your hand off of me." He cries and Tony holds him firm.
"No. You and me are going to talk about this. Right now." Tony argues, a note of annoyance breaking through his calm demeanour.
"I will do no such thing. Unhand me Stark!" He growls, the shadow of his darkness creeping up his spine.
"Loki, will you stop and listen to me?" Tony has him by the shoulders now, and is glaring at him. "Goddammit Loki I'm trying to help you!"
Loki struggles out of his tight grasp and elbows the door of the car, warping the thin metal. "You made your intentions clear on the deck did you not? I asked you not to go and you left." Loki snarls and jumps to his feet.
"Is that what has you so pissy?" Tony challenges raising his voice. He stands up on his tiptoes to level him in the eyes. "You know what? Fine, you enjoy your pity party for one. Booze is in the kitchen. Let me know when you feel like being an adult again."
.
Pity?
.
The word hits Loki like a slap to the face. Furious, he goes to brush past Tony, but stops as his lover catches the back of his shirt.
"Look I'm-" Tony's voice drops dangerously as he lays eyes on the angry purple bruise covering most of Loki's hip. "What the hell is this Loki?"
Loki rips the material from his hands and storms towards the door.
"Oh no, you do not get to walk away from me. Why the fuck are you covered in bruises?" Tony actively blocks his path and refuses to move.
"I do not answer to you!" Loki rages. His fear has cost him any sort of control. He can't help himself, the situation was forced from his hands and he cannot bare to be cornered like this.
.
.
"Sir the doorbell, Steve Rodgers and Thor are requesting admittance. Shall I let them in?"
"Shut up Jarvis." He barks and Loki quickly calls up an illusion of himself, standing in front of Tony. He heightens his glamour to the point of invisibility and steps backwards, letting Tony yell at his image. He walks up the stairs and to the front door, eager for someone to distract Tony while he collects himself. Thor will ground him, Thor will listen and Loki needs to speak to someone who understands Odin's power.
.
.
He quickly runs his hands down his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles and with a snap of his fingers, shuts off his illusion and glamour at the same time. As he opens the door a loud shout of frustration emits from the garage.
"Hey Tony, I'm here for our Sunday boxing match... Uh..Hello Loki.." The captain fumbles as he holds out his boxing gloves.
"Stark is in the garage. I expect he is in the mood to hit something." Loki says by way of greeting. The captain pales at his venomous look and gingerly skirts around him muttering, "White flag, I should have brought a white flag.."
"Brother It is good to see you!" Thor claps his hand onto Loki's shoulder and he winces as the movement jars his ribs.
"I do not care to be touched Thor." He pushes his brothers warm hand off him and sighs when his brother frowns deeply. "I meant no offence, I just do not wish to be coddled."
Loki walks into the living room and rests his hand on the rim of the couch, letting it trail along the seam.
"Loki, our friend Tony has asked me to speak with you, but I come for reasons of my own."
Thor edges as close as Loki will allow him, waiting for a sign to continue. Loki decides to wander over to the bar to pour himself something to soothe his unruly emotions. Or at least give him something to keep his hands busy while he speaks. "You sensed him then? Jormungandr's arrival?" He asks softly, knowing the answer. Loki takes the lid off a crystal pitcher and takes a tentative sniff at the contents before pulling out two glasses.
"It was difficult not to Brother. Shield commanded us to stop your pet, but I convinced them to leave him be."
Loki keeps his back turned to Thor, unwilling to look him in the eyes.
How has this gotten so difficult?
Thor sits on the edge of the piano bench and pulls off the light tarp. As if sensing his reluctance Thor offers him a sweet smile. "Will you play something for me brother? I miss your music."
Loki gives him a sad smile as he pours the drinks. He hands one to Thor and takes a large swallow from his cup before setting it on the piano's shelf. "It has been along time, hasn't it?" He sighs and flexes his stiff fingers to warm them.
"You cannot play with cold hands Loki, here, give them to me." Thor speaks in a soft but commanding tone that Loki recognizes as his way of offering help. Loki's hands hesitate above the keys, and he finally looks into his brothers pale blue eyes. He reaches out and Thor cups his rough hands around his thin fingers and massages them gently. When he touches Loki's dislocated fingers he balks and screws his eyes shut.
"Loki, what is wrong? Have I pained you?" He asks, examining his hands for sign of injury. His voice deepens and he scowls with disapproval as he finds the swelling around his joints. "My brother, what has happened?"
"Nothing." He lies and Thor pulls him forward, setting him off balance. He bites his lip against the unwanted movement of his torn back muscles. The pain flares and he lets out a short cough to hide his gasp.
"Loki..." Thor gently strokes his hand and waits patiently for him to settle. His brother lifts up the corner of his shirt and Loki is frozen. He looks away as Thor runs a gentle hand up his ribs, pulling his shirt off. "Brother what has happened to you? You should be healing, even by now." Thor whispers and Loki clenches his feet to suppress the tide of emotions threatening to overflow. He lets out a breathless sob as Thor tilts his head back, examining the patch of missing hair at the back of his head. His calloused fingers gingerly touch the swollen knot and Loki is vaguely aware of wetness on his cheeks.
"Thor, please... stop..." His voice cracks. Thor catches his chin with his hands and forces him to look at him. Loki watches his brothers eyes water in concern and when he gives him a small encouraging smile, Loki breaks into his brother's arms, sobbing hard against his warm chest. He clenches his fingers into his brother's shirt and his body is wracked with spasms. Thor wraps his strong arms around him and holds him tight against his chest.
"It is alright brother, I have you. Let yourself go." he consoles and runs his fingers through his hair. Loki cries even harder at this and he lets down his walls against his brothers embrace.
"Thor I didn't mean to! I tried so hard." He sobs and Thor strokes his back in small circles. "I had to have jormungandr's magic. I didn't want to do it, but I couldn't use mine." Loki is reduced to keening wails as his brother rocks him gently.
"I know you meant well Loki. It is alright." Thor consoles him and Loki beats a fist against his shoulder.
"Its not going to be alright Thor!" he hammers his fist at his brother, but Thor refuses to budge. "Odin's coming for me! He's going to use Tony to get to me and... I don't want to go back! Please don't make me go home. Please. Please. Please. Please! " He chants over and over again, as if the very words will protect him from harm.
"What has father done to you?" Thor asks, a pleading note in his voice. "He would not permit me to see you after your return, you know this. What did he do to you Loki?"
Loki shakes his head as the dark memories flare into his mind, consuming all thought. "Doesn't matter." he ticks his head at a painful angle, and his voice rings out hollow and low in his throat. "I deserve it anyways. I'm a monster. He said I was. So did the man on the beach. I'm the monster that killed everyone. I break things. Monsters break things. They scare and fight and drag you to the fires of Hel to make you scream. I deserve it. Bad. I was very bad. I had to be punished. Nobody wants a Monster, Nobody wants Loki."
Thor is shaking him, trying to rouse him from the searing fire that threatens to burn him alive. Loki's mind is a roaring flame, scorching his sanity. "I don't want Odin to hurt Tony either! He's mine, my sweet Tony, my Anthony, my soul mate. He picked the runes Thor!" Loki shouts at his brother feverishly. "Gifu, Perth, Tyr.. he always find them. In every new life. That's how I know its him! My soul mate is Tony, Its always been him." He gasps, nearly hyperventilating under the strain of his confessions. "I've only just found him again! I cant lose him. He cant die. Don't let Odin hurt him. Don't let him take me back..."
"Loki! Loki, listen to me! You are not a monster! You are an always will be my brother, my friend. You and Tony are safe." Thor takes him into a squeezing embrace and refuses to let him go. "I'm not taking you anywhere Loki. Just breathe...Good, brother." Thor wipes away the water from his face and sniffs. "Loki, do you remember when we were small and we wandered the marketplace in search of flowers for mother?"
Loki squirmed against his brothers hold only manages to babble "No" and "Help"over and over.
"Loki try to remember. I carried the money pouch on my waist and we stopped at a stall on the rougher side of the market. You saw some flowers you wanted. What were they called brother?" Thor massages his back and Loki looks up, pleadingly.
"The flower?" Loki latches onto Thor's story like a lifeline. "A rose. The song of sunrise."
"Good Loki. What colour was it?" Thor runs his hands through his hair and Loki relaxes slightly.
"It was pale.. Pink and yellow. There was a girl. I knew her." He adds. The new memory rains down on the fire in his mind, cooling his panic.
"You know her Loki, It was Hela. You pointed to every rose and she told you all their names. Can you remember them?"
Loki lets the memory pour over him. "Centifolia, Ship-on-the-river, Dancing ladies..."
"Good brother. Now what one did we pick for mother?" Thor strokes his hair still, and Loki calms himself to the familiar touch.
"I couldn't decide." A small laugh escapes his lips and he continues, letting the memory wash all the pain away. "We bought all of them. Hela carried them back with us. Mother laughed when we walked through the door, arms full to the brim. She asked us why we bought so many and I said, "because I couldn't pick one as pretty as you!" And then Hela arranged them on the table for us. Mother like it so much she asked her to stay in the palace as a decorator."
"Only ten years old and she ran the staff like a well trained army." Thor laughs with him and Loki looks up to him.
"She always remembers to give me the little gold ones. Lovers kiss. They are my favourite."
.
.
Loki takes a deep breath and swallows hard. His brother has given him the rain to extinguish his fire, and he pieces himself back together. "Thor. Pass me my drink will you?" His voice has regained some of its composure. He accepts the glass and drowns its contents. He lets the liquor clear his throat and he coughs several times to get his voice back.
"I am sorry Thor, I was lost for a moment." Loki stretches his hands and places them on the cool keys, testing a few notes out. If he gives his hands something to do, his mind will not rebel again.
"Loki, I am glad you have recovered." Thor shuffles to the side and lets him play as he talks.
Loki lets the first few notes ring out and begins what he has put off for so long. "I... Odin has threatened that if I do not hand myself over to him, he will go after Tony."
He adjusts the footplates and lets the notes echo across the room. Thor listens quietly, a supportive hand on his back. "I had to cut myself off from my own magic just to keep him at bay."
His fingers press hard into the keys and his left hand joins the first. "I was so desperate for magic Thor, I craved it badly enough to summon Jormungandr. I could not take the empty feeling after a few pitiful days." Loki spits the words and his fingers strum up an angry cord.
"And what did that get me? I Lost it as soon as I had taken it. Gone in saving the people from the wave my pet crated. The hunger burns in my belly Thor, I need to use my magic. But when I do, the Allfather will reach down and pluck me from this realm."
Loki presses the keys in a faster pace and holds his breath for a moment to steady himself. "There was a man there. I saved his child but I killed his husband. I caused so much death when I was sent here. Thanos's hold over my body and spirit was absolute. He relished in starving me from my magic, and I was forced to use his instead. It twisted me. I became an extension of his form and through me he wrought destruction and chaos."
Thor moved his hand slowly along Loki's arm. "That was not your fault dear brother. I had sensed his corruption as we fought on the rooftop. I knew you would not be capable of such things. But you are free of him now."
Loki let his hands speak his pain and anguish. They float over the keys changing cords to suit his moods. A darker flair emits from his left hand, and a bittersweet collection of notes from his right. He pours his heart into the music letting it carry him away from the shadows, away from his pain. He flows with it over the fields of his memories, cleansing them of all weakness and doubt.
His hands soften over the keys now as his head clears. The music takes on a sad note, his longing for companionship played slowly over the ivory. He finishes with a few ringing notes letting them echo for a long time. Loki places his hands on the bench and stares at his brother.
"Thor," He begins quietly. His voice small like a child's. "Can you bring Anthony to me?I need him. Please?"
This brother reaches for his hand and gives it a re-assuring squeeze. "Of course Loki."
Thor reaches up to place a tender kiss on the crown of his hair, and Loki laughs softly. "Brother you are too much."
"I will return in a few days to speak with you again." He smiles at Loki and walks down to the noisy garage.
.
.
The minutes drag on as Loki waits patiently.
.
.
At last, Tony's form appears at the top of the stairs. He walks over to the piano with a slight limp and sits down beside him. Loki can feel the heat radiate off him in waves.
"Tony I would like to apologize." He starts and watches Anthony's face for any sign of anger or frustration. Finding only caution, he proceeds.
"I have kept things from you, and I have allowed my recklessness to endanger our... relationship and your life."
Tony eyes him carefully. "Yes you did Loki, but I know you didn't mean to." he sighs and intertwines his fingers with Loki's own. Loki gives a half hearted smile at the contact. "Its ok, you can take your time." Tony says, edging closer.
Loki gives a great sigh, letting all the emotions spill to the surface. "Please let me speak, and do not stop me for any reason. I will not have the heart to continue."
Tony wraps his other arm around him and moves so that he has as much contact with Loki as possible. Tony gives him a small kiss on his neck and Loki begins.
.
.
"When Thor broke the bifrost, I fell into Jotunheim. You saw a little of what they did to me and I care not to repeat it now." Loki sighs deeply, a wet sound hinging on tears.
"They broke me." His voice cracks and Tony holds his hand tightly. "And when they had their fill of my body, they gave me to Thanos."
Loki holds his lovers hand tightly. "He... starved me, in a way. He cut me from my magic. He waited until I was begging for power, for life, and he knew I was so weak from my time on Joutenheim that I needed it, I craved it. Thanos knew I would do anything to get it. So he forced me to take his. I had never felt anything so dark and cruel Tony. It overwhelmed me. I was so intoxicated with power that I was unable to control my actions . I was forced into a corner of my own mind as he used my body for whatever ills he could conceive."
Loki grips his lovers hand tighter and takes a few moments to keep the tide of memories at bay.
"Tony, when I attacked earth, when I met you in the tower... That wasn't me. Not entirely. I was sickened in mind and body from the dark of Thanos's magic. He twisted my mind to where I could not tell what was real and what was his illusions. When you tried to threaten me in the tower, I... I was lost. My body acted out of accordance of my mind. Thanos knew, even before I did, of the potential I could share with you, and he wanted me to kill you. To make me suffer at his hands. I tried to place you under my control, asking Thanos that you live as a servant with me instead.
But I could not do it. The moment my magic touched your heart I sensed... I felt something. It was warm and familiar. I knew you Tony. Some part of my soul recognized a part of you and I could not bridle your spirit. And when I failed to corrupt you, I could only watch as I was forced to throw you from the balcony."
Tears fall from his eyes without permission, and he wipes them away.
"He made me watch. And when I failed to kill you he ripped his power from my body, leaving me raw and weak. I was left, a puppet without strings. A beaten slave with no master."
Tony has started to hold him closer and Loki buries his face into his neck.
"And when you fell," Loki begins to cry softly. "You were dead. For a moment. But I had left a trace of myself in you, the first piece of my soul. I revived you and in doing so was left vulnerable to Banner's rage. It was my salvation and my defeat."
Loki clutches Tony's shoulders and lets go.
"And the all father... Odin. When Thor took me back, he saw to it that I was punished. He cared not that I was a victim. He wouldn't listen. No one listens to Loki."
Loki realizes the danger of slipping back to the dark and the fire, and he clings to his partner.
"He wants me back Tony. He's calling me home. If I don't go, he swore he would... he will.."
Loki sobs uncontrollably and the whimpers into Tony's arms.
.
.
"I'm not going to let anything bad happen, Loki. I promise."
Loki struggles with his impulse to say no, that Tony could never promise that. But these last few weeks have changed him. He has done things no other person could have.
Tony has worked his way into his heart.
Loki trusts him with every fibre of his being. "Thank you Anthony. For everything." He sighs and sits up on the bench.
Tony just sits there and smiles at him. "Hey, its alright. We'll get through this together Loki." Tony reaches to brush a lingering tear from his eye. His elbow hits the keys and it startles him.
"Easy Lokes... Its alright, I didn't mean to scare you." Loki eases at his words and stares at the piano longingly.
.
.
"Do you play?" He asks softly, wanting to be comforted. Loki's mind craves for something bright to hold onto, and he knows his star, his Anthony, will give him the light he needs to chase the shadow's away.
Without a word, Tony places his hands over the high notes a strums up a soft melody. His fingers dance atop the keys, weaving a feeling of love and comfort.
Loki catches the rhythm and adds a few notes to the chorus, unsure. Tony smiles at him and reaches over to place Loki's hands over the keys. "Go ahead, you'll feel better."
Loki gives his lover a tiny smile. His hands echo Tony's and together they weave beautiful music. Tony took high note flourishes and Loki crept up a few scales to complement his chorus.
The world faded around Loki until all he knew was Tony. He laughed as Tony reached over to steal a few notes in his range and Loki moved the foot petals to soften the notes. Tony flashed him a smile so warm and bright that Loki could not help but be calmed by it.
Loki and Tony played for hours. Whenever Loki's melody became sad, Tony would plink away at the keys with an upbeat note until Loki gave in and joined him.
Finally Loki's song matched Tony's note for note, their joy played out across space and time, in the beautiful song they wove together.
At long last, when the sun sets, Tony lets the last few notes echo softly. He looks to Loki and kisses him.
Loki loses himself in his lovers embrace. Their lips and hands speak the words they cannot form. They hold one another as the sun dips below the horizon, two souls intertwined at long last.