Tony and Loki couldn't quite persuade themselves to get out of bed. They stayed snuggled together with their faces just inches apart, allowing for easy access to each other's lips. They teased with naughty fingertips, pinching soft nipples into hard peaks, stroking the outline of biceps flexing under smooth skin; they combed through the thatches of hair under their arms and above their cocks, and then drew lines and circles on sensitive flesh, sometimes a scratch, sometimes a tickle, each eliciting a laugh, a moan, a gasp.

They spoke in low whispers, silly random thoughts that would have made no sense in the harsh light of day, but which now made each other giggle like children. Tony relished the feel of Loki's lithe frame pressed against him and lost himself in ocean-colored eyes that seemed to hold the secrets of the moon and the stars.

And Loki, Loki felt an unfamiliar fullness in his heart as his hands spanned the the bulk of Tony's muscles, as his thin pale lips met Tony's full red ones. He'd never have admitted it in a thousand Midgardian years, but he loved Tony's dark eyes, the little lines that crinkled when he smiled, how they sparkled when he talked, and the way Loki felt like he was falling when he looked into them in quiet moments like this.

In a burst of self-awareness, it occurred to Tony that they were acting like sappy teenagers, stupidly giddy to be left home alone without adult supervision. But, with the blankets for a cocoon and the bed their whole world, he didn't give a fuck; he'd have been content to stay nestled with Loki like that forever, or at least until their bladders threatened to blow up, or their stomachs' rumbling drove them to the kitchen—or, until the harsh blare of Tony's cell phone forced them to scramble apart.

Which it did.

"Damn it," Tony swore as he fumbled for the accursed device.

"Can you not silence that thing?" Loki asked plaintively, holding his fingers in his ears.

"I can't do it with my mind," Tony retorted in frustration as his fingers struck the phone, sending it to land behind the nightstand just beyond his reach. He slid down the side of the bed, his naked butt sticking up in the air as he blindly strained to reach the cell, making Loki laugh.

"Now, that's a fine sight with which to greet the day," he said approvingly.

Tony managed to retrieve the still-jangling phone, and he sneered as he settled back against the headboard. "Shut up, you know you want it. And, now all the blood's rushed to my head, the very opposite of where I like it to be." He sniffed in annoyance, punched "talk," and barked, "Yeah," none too happily.

"Well, good morning to you, too," Pepper said in a warm lilt.

"Hi, Pep. Sorry, I was... sleeping."

"Oh, really. Nice try, but this is not your Pepper-woke-me-up voice. This is your I was-busy-canoodling-and-Pepper-interrupted-a-pivot al-moment voice. Who is she?" Pepper sounded amused.

"Uh... Miss, may I ask what this call is in reference to? If this is about my overdue electric bill, I swear, the check is in the mail. Please don't shut off my lights."

"You have a ten-o'clock shareholders meeting. I know this comes as a shock to you because the notice only came out two weeks ago, and wow, silly me, I only put the reminder on your desk calendar, your Outlook calendar, and the Betty Boop calendar you have hanging in the kitchen, when clearly I should have tattooed it on your forehead—"

"Wait, is that what that big red circle was for? I thought it meant my period was due. In which case, oops, looks like a shotgun wedding might be in order, 'cause Auntie Flo hasn't made her monthly visit yet, and I—"

"Tony, it's 9:15. Get your your ass out of bed, shower, and get over here pronto, do you hear me?"

"You want me to come straight from the shower? Because, the shareholders seemed to think I was a little underdressed last time I did that."

"Put on clothes, please."

"Okay, great, sounds like a plan. I'll see you in a few."

"See that it's a very few. Don't make me come over there."

Tony's eyes widened at the thought. He glanced over at Loki, who was now stretched out naked, his head propped on one hand, the other idly scratching behind a bent knee, listening to Tony's end of the conversation with an interested expression. "Goddamn, he's freakin' hot," Tony thought with a little jump of excitement. Yeah, all he needed was for Pepper to walk in on that. "Don't worry, Pep, I'll be right there, as promised."

"Good. That would be good." Pepper hung up, and Tony turned regretfully to Loki.

"I'm sorry, babe, I've got to go to work." He kissed Loki and tried to ignore the stormy expression that crossed the god's face as Tony rolled out of bed and headed toward the shower. When he returned, he noticed that Loki was standing by the window, dressed in his t-shirt and sleep pants. He turned and gave Tony a sour look.

Loki had known perfectly well that this was going to happen. Of course it would—he understood the responsibilities laid upon the shoulders of one leading many, whether they be in the form of a battalion or a multi-billion dollar corporation. But, somehow he'd hoped he might have just one measly day with Tony before he was pulled away, now that they were getting along and Loki was recovered well enough to enjoy it. He made no attempt to disguise his irritation.

"And what am I to do all day while you're gone?" Loki asked sulkily.

"I've taken care of that. I've arranged a play date for you."

Loki's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What the hell does that mean?"

"I've got Thor coming over to hang out with you."

"Thor?" Loki gaped at Tony. "Why?"

"Well, whether you admit it or not, you're still recovering and I don't want you to overdo it. Plus, you don't have your magic and you might need help with some of our mysterious Midgardian devices, like the ice-dispenser and the microwave."

Loki snarled. "And, you think Thor will prove useful in that regard?"

"He's hep to the microwave. Well, I'm pretty sure. Okay, maybe don't use the microwave. I know he can use the stove. I mean, I think he can, seems like Jane mentioned him heating up a can of soup one time, but now that I think of it, he might have built a fire in the oven or something. Listen, just order a pizza, huh? The number's on the fridge and I'll leave some money on the counter."

"I don't want to see him!" Loki snapped. He then looked down at himself. "And, I don't want him to see me. I-I'm weak. And, I look pathetic in this attire."

"Hey." Tony went to Loki. "First of all, you've survived a pretty rotten ordeal. Thor's not going to think you're weak if you don't go around zapping this and disappearing that. And, as for the clothes? Not a problem. I ordered some for you. Of course, I didn't know your exact size, but I just told 'em 'tall, skinny and hot,' so they ought to fit. I'll bring them up, why don't you hop in the shower in the meantime?"

Loki gave him a dubious sneer, but Tony threw on a robe and went to check the mail. He grabbed the packages that had come in and then went back to his bedroom and was glad to hear the shower going, suggesting that Loki was willing to give him at least a tad bit of cooperation. Tony hastily got dressed and had just finished when Loki emerged, a towel draped around his waist. His hair was wet and he gestured at it impatiently.

"It's most inconvenient, washing my hair without seidr to dry it. Don't you have one of those Midgardian devices you mentioned to assist in such a task?"

"Uh, yeah." Tony got the hair dryer and showed Loki how to use it, and then continued sharing his vision for Loki's day. "You and Point Break can swim if you want. Play pool, watch movies...I've got tons of video games, plus old-fashioned stuff like board games and chess. Oh, and I re-programmed JARVIS so that he'll alert you if anybody, including Pepper, approaches an entrance. You can go anywhere you want and still have plenty of time to make yourself scarce if someone unexpectedly shows up, so feel free to explore. Just stay out of my lab, I want to show you that myself sometime, and—"

Only half-listening, Loki sorted through the clothes Tony brought him and he dressed himself in snug black jeans and a dusky green cashmere sweater, causing Tony to stop in mid-sentence at the sight standing before him.

Loki, tall and thin, serpentine and regal, looking for all the world like...

Like a goddamn alien god.

"Well, fuck..." was all Tony could utter as his stomach fluttered with desire.

The clothes made Loki feel better somehow. Stronger, more in control. He shot Tony a searing look. "I don't need a baby-sitter, Stark. Nor a keeper. Inform Thor that he is not to come, and do it now, before he—"

Just then, a clap of thunder rattled the walls and a bolt of lightening lit up the room.

"Oops. Too late," Tony said, turning his mouth down in mock regret. He pushed aside another churn of lust at Loki's beautiful-but-tempestuous expression, strode over to him and put his hands on his shoulders. He stared intently into Loki's eyes and said, "Listen, you. Be good. And, be nice to Thor. He's doing me a favor, get it?" He then kissed Loki passionately. "I'll be home as soon as possible and we'll have a nice evening together, okay? I promise." Not getting an answer, he pulled Loki into a bear-hug and got a begrudging squeeze back; figuring he'd better take what he could get, Tony then turned to head out, leaving a decidedly disgruntled and resentful god behind.

Thor listened gravely as Tony's ticked off instructions on his fingers.

"First, make sure he eats, he's too damn skinny. There's plenty of stuff in the pantry and fridge, there's bound to be something in there that he likes. Two, let him have some fun, but try not to destroy anything that costs over a grand to fix, it's rude. And, three, don't let him get too tired—you'll have to watch for that, he'll never admit it. He's really freaked out by the idea of you thinking he's weak or something—"

"Yes, on Asgard, it is considered shameful to be hindered by a mere injury, especially if one is Aesir."

"Really? Wow, when I was a kid we'd of milked something like that for all it was worth, if it meant we got to play hooky."

Thor frowned. "Hooky?"

"You know, you stay home from school, eat Jello and watch cartoons."

"Ah!" Thor's eyes lit up; he'd just recently been introduced to Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote. "I can see the appeal of that deception. But, Loki should not feel that way. He suffered a terrible trauma—he should know I would not judge him if he were impeded by its effects. Although, it's strange that it would take him so long to recover; with his magic and Jotun constitution, he is normally healed even more quickly than most Aesir."

"Yeah, well, you know his magic is on the fritz."

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's, uh, not working right. He doesn't want to use it in case he blows something up or whatever."

"Really?" A worried look came over Thor's handsome features. "Hmm. I will have to have a word with Mother about that. Perhaps she can offer some council."

"What's the matter, Point Break, you think the space-rhino did some permanent damage?"

"That is unlikely. I suspect it's simply that Loki lost so much blood during his valiant fight that it caused his seidr to become depleted."

"Huh. That reminds me—how'd everything work out on, where was it, Trondheim? You know, after the uprising and all."

"Oh! I think you will find this of interest. I've spent most of my time there lately helping to sort out the Trondarian government's troubles. In the process, I discovered that the insurgents that Loki and I fought had been conspiring with the Chitauri in plotting a second attack on Midgard." He spoke as casually as if noting that his car needed an oil change, while at the same time becoming occupied with peeling a banana, apparently a relatively new skill for him. He looked up, startled, when Tony yelped, "What?"

Thor nodded mildly. "Yes. Thank the Norns that Loki had compiled the intelligence leading to their plans being uncovered before they had a chance to bring them to fruition, or we'd be doing battle with those infernal creatures at this very moment."

Tony stared. "Wait a minute—are you saying Loki was responsible for... preventing a second alien attack on Earth?"

Thor had finally freed the banana from its peel and he took a generous bite. He peered at Tony as he chewed. "Indeed," he said with his mouth full.

"Shit." Tony chewed his lip for a moment, and then he pointed excitedly at Thor. "Is there any proof? Any documentation that I could show to Fury?"

Thor shrugged uncertainly. "There is evidence that was confiscated from their camp, as well as the governor's testimony before my father's court. Would that be of help? I can easily gain access to the transcripts."

"Yeah, yeah, do that—soonish, if possible. Might come in handy at some point."

"Of course." Thor beamed and spoke warmly. "Father also was most pleased to hear of Loki's heroism and good work."

"Really? Is he going to let Loki return to Asgard?" Tony wasn't sure how he felt about that idea.

Thor's happy expression fell. "No. He says it's too soon, that Loki must continue to prove that he is truly recovered for a while longer before he will consider any supplication to end his banishment."

"So, the poor kid's still on probation, huh?" A wave of relief went through Tony, immediately followed by shame. He shouldn't be glad that the god was stuck with him here on Earth indefinitely, but damn it—he was. He pushed the thought aside and focused on his anger as he imagined Odin's imperious decree. "Did Daddy Dearest happen to give a flying fuck that his son nearly died fighting those Trondheim dudes and their battle rhino?"

Thor dropped his eyes to the floor. "I would like to think he was... sorry. But, to die in battle is honorable. Father would rather that be Loki's fate than for him to again bring shame to Odin's reign."

Tony squelched a bitter retort and changed the subject. "Okay, man. I've got to go. Thanks for staying with him, sounds like you've got a lot of other stuff demanding your attention."

"Not at all. He is my brother, after all. Oh, and Tony—"

"Yeah?"

"I can't thank you enough for caring for him as you have. I don't really understand it—how you found the strength to forgive his actions against your realm in the first place is beyond my ken-but, you have done an inestimable service for him, and thus, for me as well. I thank you from the depths of my heart."

Tony almost blurted out something highly incriminating regarding his feelings toward Loki, but managed to limit himself to saying, "Hey, I told you—he's trying to start fresh, do some good stuff with his life. I appreciate that. Plus, he's... kind of an okay guy, once you get past the whole 'Kneel before me!' routine and such."

Thor smiled sadly. "The Loki I grew up with had many endearing qualities. It is my hope that they have survived all that has befallen him, and that one day we may again truly be brothers—and friends."

"Yeah, that's something to shoot for... Well, you and Rudolf have fun. I have stockholders to dazzle."

Thor watched Tony leave and then headed off to find Loki.

A/N: As always, loves, reviews validate an author's efforts like nothing else can! Even just a brief word or two is deeply appreciated.

Thanks,

Seds