Thor was close to polishing off an entire second box of Pop Tarts. He gave a last bite of a strawberry flavored pastry a begrudging glance before tossing it in the air and catching it in his mouth. "Chocolate is by far the superior flavor," he said as he chewed.

Loki held up a whole one and regarded it critically. "I don't disagree. But the strawberry frosted variety is lighter and crisper on the tongue. It also has a fruity bouquet and a delicate rose appearance. Probably more appropriate for afternoon tea, don't you think? Perhaps served with a nice Pino Grigio on a white lace tablecloth?"

Thor gave him a bewildered look, but saw a barely concealed smirk on Loki's face, and the thunder god realized Loki was actually joking pleasantly with him for a change. Thor burst into laughter. "Loki, you were always able to bring forth a bit of mirth for me." His laughter faded and a rueful look came over him. "By the Nine, I've missed you."

Loki started to make a bitter remark, but caught himself. "Well, I've missed you, too," he amended. Too full to eat more, he set the Pop Tart on the counter behind him and then crossed his arms, staring at the floor.

Thor's eyebrow shot up. "Damn, that almost sounded sincere."

Loki glanced at him and gave his next words careful consideration. He wasn't used to speaking from the heart, and certainly not to Thor. Still, a lot had changed. He had changed. He wanted things to be different, and as skilled as he was in using words for mischief, he knew that he now needed to learn to use them for healing. "I rather think it is," he said, sounding a bit surprised. "I miss... the time before I learned of my true nature. When we were young, when we were... just brothers. Everything made sense, back then. Now..." He sighed. "To be honest, I no longer know who I am."

Thor gave him a searching look, and then chuckled. "Silly cow. You are Loki. My little brother, and the Man of Iron's friend, although I can't imagine how that came about. But, he seems to have your best interests at heart, which is astounding, given... recent events. That must mean something to you."

Loki gave a snort of amusement and nodded. "Yes, I suppose it does."

Thor clapped a big hand on Loki's shoulder. "I know things are difficult right now. But one day you will return to Asgard and be her prince. Then, things again will be as they should."

"Perhaps." A long silence followed, and then Loki raised his eyes. "But, truly, Thor—that isn't what I want."

Thor had taken Loki's rejected Pop Tart and was about to bite into it. His eyes widened at Loki's statement, and he exclaimed, "What! Don't be ridiculous, of course it is. You want to come home!"

Loki shook his head. "I'd like to be able to visit, of course. To see Mother, and... try to repair old friendships. But, Midgard suits me, actually. I like the freedom, the incredibly low expectations. The devotion to hedonism." He grinned. "I find that quite appealing. I think I could prosper here, if only I could find my place in this strange little world, without S.H.I.E.L.D.'s forces having me in their sights."

Thor stared at him incredulously for a moment, and then something dawned on him and he nodded sagely. "Ah. That is why you have befriended Stark. He can help you." He frowned. "The question is, what does he get from you?" Thor's ice-blue eyes felt piercing as Loki internally squirmed at the question. He shook off the feeling and gave Thor a sly smirk.

"I suppose he finds me a challenge. He loves to be the hero, doesn't he? No doubt he sees me as a project for redemption. Very misguided, but it works to my advantage, and I accept it."

Thor's expression darkened. "But, you mean him no ill—right?"

"I do not. He's been incredibly kind to me. I will only take from him that which is mutually beneficial. Don't worry, Thor. When Iron Man and I next part ways, I will leave him with only good memories. That is my vow, you can count on it."

Thor chewed slowly. "I hope so. Tony is my friend, too. I would hate for my own brother to be responsible for causing him more grief, after I've so vehemently vouched for you."

"You have my word." Loki stretched, raising his arms over his head and groaning. He wasn't feeling 100%, but he needed to move around, to use his limbs. The energy that had flooded his system following the unfortunate toaster incident was fading, but it left him feeling antsy. "Look, let's do something, shall we? Or would you prefer to stand there and continue eating these infernal tart-things and go into full-blown sugar shock? You know, if you pass out on the floor, I won't be able to lift you, and Stark will come home and have a fucking heart attack. Not a very nice thing to do to someone you call your good friend."

Thor gave him an indulgent smile. "That wouldn't happen, I'm quite accustomed to sugary treats. But, I would like to do something else. What did you have in mind?"

Loki thought for a moment. "I'll give you two options; you may flounder alongside me as I swim in Stark's gigantic indoor pool, or you may come be bested by me at Midgardian billiards. Which do you prefer?"

Thor's hearty laugh pealed out in the large open kitchen. "I happen to be an excellent swimmer, but I fear the exertion of trying to keep up with me might sap what little is left of your already feeble strength. Why, Tony might think I'd abused you! So, billiards it is, if only you will assure me that, for once in your wretched life, you will not cheat."

"In spite of what you tell yourself to assuage your bruised ego, I have never once cheated at a game of skill," Loki said irritably. "I am simply better than you. At any but feats of pure animal strength, that is."

Thor leaned back, regarding Loki in amusement. "Well, I shan't bother to argue the point, I suppose. Given the display you put on in the kitchen, I'll certainly notice if you attempt to gain an advantage with your seidr. Let's play."

Loki pursed his lips in annoyance. Having his magic go awry was embarrassing, and he knew from long experience that protesting his innocence would do no good, so he just followed Thor to the game room.

Loki won the first game handily; Thor scowled and racked up again. Loki was well on his way to beating Thor a second time when he missed an easy shot. Thor chortled. "What's gotten into you, Loki? Don't tell me you're taking pity on me. Or are you not quite so adept as your boasts would suggest?"

When Loki didn't answer and the loud "thunk" of a cue stick falling to the floor startled Thor, he turned to see his brother leaning forward, gripping the side of the pool table so tightly that his knuckles were white. His head was down, his face obscured by his hair. When Loki raised his head, Thor was shocked to see pain reverberating in his eyes.

"Brother, what is it?" Thor asked worriedly. He quickly came to stand beside Loki.

"It's nothing," Loki gasped. "I-I must have pulled a muscle. I... I'll be fine."

"Loki..." Thor said gently. "You don't look well at all. Let's go sit down."

Loki gave a brittle laugh. "You're forfeiting our game?"

"No, I merely wish to postpone it until you can compete properly. You look as if I could knock you over with mere breath." Thor was careful to speak jokingly to cover the fact that he was genuinely scared by Loki's ashen face and the way his arms shook as he supported himself.

"I'm all right." Loki took in a gulp of air and straightened. The pain had passed and with it a rush of dizziness and nausea, but now he just felt weak. "But... I wouldn't want to humiliate you further, so by all means, let's go sit." He slowly made his way to the living room and Thor followed, nervously watching to make sure he would be able to catch him if he passed out, for he surely looked as if he were close to doing so.

Loki made it to the couch and took a seat. Thor sat down beside him, studying his wan face. "Are you sure you're all right? Should I call Tony?"

"No. I'm—" Another wave of pain came over Loki and he bent forward and clutched his stomach. An anguished cry tore out of his throat. "Oh, fuck... Shit." A second stream of curses followed as Loki futilely struggled not to let Thor see just how much his insides hurt. The blond god knelt beside him, one hand on his shoulder, trying to decide what to do.

"Don't touch me!" Loki hissed.

"What is wrong?" Thor asked in a helpless tone. "Tell me what to do and I'll do it."

The storm of pain finally faded and Loki eased himself back against the couch. "I don't know... I don't know. I must have... torn something at the billiard table. Fuck. I don't dare use magic... but it hurts so badly..." And, there was something else, too, although he thought he'd rather die than mention it to Thor. He scrunched up his eyes in disgust; now that he could focus on something other than the searing pain in his belly, he realized he was humiliatingly wet between his legs. Surely I haven't pissed myself? he thought. No, it was more to the rear, where he was sitting. Loki discretely put a hand on the moist spot and brought back fingertips daubed with red. He stared for a moment.

Well. It no longer mattered what Thor thought. Loki softly said, "Thor—I'm bleeding."

"Oh, fuck," Thor rasped as he stared at his brother's red-stained fingers. "Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. Loki—you should lie down. Come, I'll help you get to bed."

Loki shakily stood up, and almost immediately doubled over with pain. He sank to his knees, arms across his belly. Now he could feel blood gushing out of him, soaking his jeans, hot and wet. "Thor..." he gasped, trying to form a coherent sentence. He wanted to say, "I need Tony—find Tony, please find Tony," but even in his pain-wracked state, he knew that would sound incriminatingly wrong. Nothing else seemed to make sense, though, and the words died a confused death on his tongue.

"Shh, don't try to speak." Thor unceremoniously picked him up and carried him to Tony's bed. He gently laid him down and went to the bathroom for a cool wet cloth which he put across Loki's forehead. He could see red seeping into the white sheet under Loki's hips and hastily fumbled on a shelf under the nightstand where he'd seen Tony stash the draught he'd brought when Loki was gored by the Trondarian creature. He pulled out the cork and held it to Loki's lips. "Drink."

"What is that?" Loki whispered weakly.

"It's a potion Mother made for you when you were injured. It will dull the pain and give you strength. Take it."

Loki opened his mouth and allowed Thor to give him the bitter medicine. He made a noise of disgust as his head flopped back on the pillow, and then he cried out and turned on his side, curling up into a ball as he dealt with another bout of pain.

The blotch of red was growing larger.

Thor stepped back into the bathroom, not wanting Loki to hear the desperation in his voice. He took out the cell phone Jane Foster had given him, and clicked on Tony's number.

It was hot and stuffy in the Stark Enterprises board room. Tony was sitting at the head of the conference table, one hand supporting his head, the other idly doodling on a pile of papers spread out in front of him. His eyes threatened to close on him and he would have been bored out of his mind, but he had managed to completely tune out the blather that was being spewed forth by his stockholders. Instead, he was thinking of Loki.

Loki. It had been so delicious to wake up beside him, to feel him breathing next to him. There was something about pulling him into his arms and having those amazing green eyes flutter open, knowing he'd chosen to start his day with Tony, that he was the first thing he saw. A soft smile played at Tony's lips, but his reverie was cut short by a jab in the ribs from Pepper.

Tony cleared his throat and took a moment to assess whether anything worthwhile was being said; of course, he knew it wasn't. He owned 95% of the company's voting shares and nothing these fuckers had to say was going to convince him to do anything other than what he'd already decided to do. This was all just making nice and playing a game, that is to say, being a good boy and doing what Pepper told him, but he was done—he wanted to go home and be with Loki.

Wanted to go home and take him in his arms, feel that cool skin against his. Wanted to drag him to bed and fuck him, or to just hang out with him and talk, whatever he wanted, anything that would get him to look at him just that way again, and to smile and laugh and tell him he was a pathetic puling mortal, or whatever creative new insult he'd thought up for him that day. Get him to curl up against Tony and let him feel his heart beating.

Maybe he could persuade Loki to keep him company in the kitchen while Tony reached into some dusty corner of his mind for his mother's spaghetti recipe. Maybe he'd persuade Loki to tell him tales of his childhood on Asgard as he chopped onions and peeled garlic, or of some fond memories he had of adventures he and Thor had experienced, back when they were young and still glad to be brothers. Maybe Loki'd even ask Tony about his own childhood, and he'd dig around in that cobwebby corner for some good memories to share, something that would make Loki laugh and make Tony not seem like quite so much of a pathetic mortal after all.

And then, maybe they could—

Just then, Tony's phone jangled. Pepper shot him an outraged look, might as well have said, "Really? You couldn't even turn off the ringer?" right out loud. Tony smiled placatingly until he saw who was calling. His smile faded and he stood up. "Sorry gang, gotta take this." He didn't really give a shit that everyone in the room was staring at his receding backside with a puzzled scowl; all he knew was that Thor wasn't likely to call him unless there was something seriously wrong, and this was the god himself on the other end of the phone line.

Not good.

"Yeah," he answered, once he was in the hallway.

"Tony—you need to come home immediately," Thor said in a strained voice.

"What's wrong?" Tony felt panic swelling in his chest.

"Loki's in tremendous pain, and he's bleeding from his... lower end. I-I think he re-injured himself internally while playing billiards with me."

Shit. Yeah, that, or maybe when he was lying under me this morning while I fucked him... I should never have taken him up on that offer, not yet. Damn it, I knew he wasn't ready... A jolt of guilt rolled through Tony's gut, but he managed to croak, "I'll call a doctor."

"No, Tony, a Midgardian physician will be of no help. You must come home and stay with him while I go to Asgard and consult with my mother. She is a great healer; she will know what to do."

"But—"

"Please hurry."

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving now. Ten minutes, tops."

They both hung up and Tony took off, calling for his car as he went.

Once Pepper realized Tony was leaving, she rushed to the door and flung it open just in time to see Tony disappear into the elevator.

She rolled her eyes and went back to apologize and explain to the stockholders that Tony had had some sort of emergency.

What it could have been, she had no clue.

When Tony came into his bedroom, Thor was already prepared to depart.

"What—"

"He's resting. I gave him the draught I left with you for safekeeping. But its effects will not last long without the use of his seidr—I must hurry."

"Okay, go. I've got him."

Thor strode out and soon Tony saw lightening flash. He went to the bed where Loki was breathing shallowly, his arms wrapped around himself. For all that Loki was such a tall, powerful presence, he looked small and frail under the blanket Thor had pulled over him.

"Hey, kiddo," Tony said softly.

At the sound of Tony's voice, a puzzled look came over Loki's face. It couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes since Thor called him—Tony must have walked out of his meeting, risked Pepper's wrath to be with him. Something old and broken inside him loosened up, like an old cog given a shot of oil, and he struggled to look over his shoulder. He came to be with me, he thought. He knew I needed him and he came... Loki tried to smile. "Tony... I-I thought you were working."

Tony had expected an accusatory snarl for a greeting, but as weak as he was, Loki sounded genuinely pleased to see him. Encouraged, Tony carefully sat on the edge of the bed, trying not to jostle him. "Of course I did. What, you think I'd rather sit around with a bunch of dried-up old fuckers with spreadsheets when I have a gorgeous young space-god waiting for me at home?" He smiled warmly. "So, what's the deal, sweetie? Not feeling so hot?"

Loki shifted onto his back so he could look at Tony properly. Tony felt a jab of fear at the paleness of Loki's face, and he picked up his icy-cold hand to clasp it tightly between his own, hoping to give him some of his warmth. Loki took in a breath and spoke in a low voice.

"I-I don't know what's wrong. I hurt. And, there's blood..."

"Yeah, Thor told me. Well, your mom'll be here in a jiffy. She'll take care of you, don't worry."

Loki managed a wan smile. "My mother... is a great healer of her people, but beneath this skin, I am Jotun. She may not know what to do."

"Aw, come on, how different could your insides be?" Tony said with as much cheer as he could muster. "So, maybe a couple of major organs are switched around or you've got an extra gall bladder or something. So what? She'll figure it out."

Tony could see a spasm of pain cross Loki's face. When it had passed, he took a deep breath and said, "I may be dying, Tony."

"Oh, fuck me. Always the drama queen, aren't you?" Tony's eyes crinkled in a grin and he fastened them on Loki's, but his fake-cheer quickly faded and he tightened his grip on Loki's hand. His voice was solemn now. "Come on, babe, don't even say that. You'll be okay."

"No, please, listen. I need you to know. I need you to know how... sorry I am for all the evil I brought to your realm. For everything I did to cause you grief and pain. I wish—"

"Hey, cut it out, no way am I letting you kick off. I—"

"I want you to know... how much your kindness has meant to me. How much I... care for you. You brought me hope—something I haven't had for the longest time. I thank you for that. I only wish that now, you might think well of me, if only just a little..."

"Shh. Damn it, you're going to be fine! Stop this remorse shit, you're kind of making me want to hurl." Tony had to bite his lip to keep a sob from coming up. There was nothing he could do to force back the tears welling in his eyes.

Loki reached up and ran his fingers over Tony's cheek. "Ah, well, then, forget it. I hate it when deathbed declarations bring about nausea." They smiled at each other for a long moment and then another grimace of pain flashed over Loki's face. "Fuck..." he gasped.

Tony couldn't stand not being able to help. Casting about for something, some little action, he said, "Let me look at your scar." Tony lifted the blanket and was hit by the thick, coppery smell of blood. He looked at the red staining the white sheet and it suddenly occurred to him—Loki could be right. He could lose him. Tony went into battlefield mode and tightened his jaw. He raised Loki's shirt and examined the pale pink slash across his side. It looked fine, but of course there was no telling what was happening inside him. Tony lay his warm hand on the cold flesh and forced himself not to cry.

"You, uh... you're kind of my favorite extraterrestrial, you know that?" he said, his voice thin. "I mean... I don't really want to think about you not being around. So, don't do that, okay?" He leaned forward to carefully hug Loki. "Stay with me, Loki. Please stay."

Loki gave a soft huff. "I want to. I'm trying. Maybe you're right. Maybe my mother will..."

A fierce clap of thunder shook the tower and Tony sat back, hope flooding into his chest. "Sounds like she's here. I'll go get her. You stay put." He gently laid a kiss on Loki's cold lips and then on his hand as he released it.

Loki nodded weakly, and Tony hurried out to meet his guests.