A/N: Hello! The serious fluff begins...

Once Happy had negotiated the Rolls into the busy city traffic, both Tony and Loki sat back, sighs of relief rolling out of them like harsh gusts of wind. They glanced at each other, and a smirk came over Loki's tired face.

"Oh, Stark—what the hell did you think you were doing? Did you really think you could shame Odin into not killing me?"

Tony grinned. "Hey, it was worth a shot. Plus, your mom was right there. I was banking on her to back me up."

"Mm. That could have gone either way, you know. Luckily, she seems to like you."

"What's not to like? I'm rich, cuddly, and remarkably cute. And, besides, I'm her grandkid's daddy."

Loki chuckled appreciatively. "I can't dispute that you are all of that."

"I'm smart, too."

"That, I question."

Tony loved the way genuine amusement transformed the severe angles of Loki's face into soft hills and valleys. Making Loki laugh, really laugh, wasn't easy and every time he did it, he tried to figure out the secret, like deconstructing a magician's trick, so that maybe—one day—he'd be able to do it at will. "So, Shakespeare. Am I finally allowed to get excited about this?" He reached over to fondly pat Loki's tummy.

Loki looked down at his still-flat stomach. "I don't know if excitement is the appropriate response, but yes. In a matter of months, you're going to be a father. To what remains to be seen."

Tony made a dismissive noise. "It'll be fine. Kid's only half Jotun, how blue could he be? We'll just tell people he's got a skin condition." The matter being settled to Tony's satisfaction, he settled back and gazed out the window, utterly relaxed.

Loki shook his head. "You know, you rival my brother for sheer idiocy. The two of you should start a fraternal organization, 'Men of Stupidly Good Cheer.' And, am I to infer that you really believe the creature to be male? There's no basis for that assumption at this early stage."

"Quit calling my kid a creature, and yeah, I have a feeling it's a boy, but that's just based on the fact that Stark men tend to produce a lot of boys. I have a bunch of cousins on my dad's side, and only a few of them are girls."

Loki smiled slyly. "Well, keep in mind that, in this case, it's not necessarily either/or. It could be both." Seeing Tony's self-satisfied demeanor shift to acute discomfort pleased Loki greatly. Now it was his turn to easily settle back and watch the traffic whizz by as Tony stewed.

They arrived at Stark Tower and Tony gave Loki's knee a squeeze. "We're home, babe. And, you know what I want to do to you?" he asked in a silky lilt.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Tony scooted closer and looked deeply into Loki's eyes. "I want to take you up to the bedroom and get you undressed..." Tony leaned in for a kiss. "...lay you down..." Kiss. "...and make sure you have a good..." Kiss. "...long..." Kiss. "...nap."

Loki's eyes sparkled appreciatively. "Oh, my. You do say the most charming things. Unfortunately, the last time I saw your bedroom, there was a gaping hole where the window used to be and a coating of glass shards all over the floor."

A look of supreme irritation crossed Tony's face. "Ugh. Damn SHIELD, their methods are so inelegant. I'll call in a work order. Oh, and by the way? It's our bedroom now. Right?"

"Uh—yes, of course." Loki actually sounded a little sheepish. Damn. He wasn't even close to being accustomed to using terms like "we" and "home" and "ours." It had been so long since he'd even thought of anything other than a few scraps of clothing as being "his." It was a bit overwhelming.

They got out of the car and, reflecting that it was a good thing he'd had the foresight to stock up on replacement window panels after being thrown out of one by his now-boyfriend, Tony put in a clean-up and repair order. "There. Come on, hot stuff, we can hang out in the den and watch the game while that's being taken care of. And, you need to eat something—I'm going to get you a snack, and then you can sleep on the couch until dinner."

"All right." The feeling of being overwhelmed continued; Loki wasn't used to being managed, and there was an oppositional little spark in him that threatened to rise up and say "Don't tell me what to do!" but he was so exhausted, he didn't even bother with a snarky remark. He just allowed himself to be led to the leather couch where Tony gestured for Loki to get comfortable. He disappeared and then returned with a bag of cookies and two glasses of milk, which he placed on the coffee table. He sat down and grabbed a cookie, with Loki eyeing him suspiciously.

"What are these... things?"

"Chips Ahoy. None better, at least in the pre-packaged chocolate chip cookie industry."

Loki took one, experimentally bit off a mouthful, and chewed. "Tastes like chocolate-flavored cardboard."

"Mm."

"Is this in any way nutritious?"

"I doubt it. Dip it in the milk and prepare to be wowed."

Loki did so and sampled the effect. "Soggy cardboard."

"Your palette just hasn't been developed yet. You probably have to start eating these in kindergarten to fully appreciate them."

"What's kindergarten?" Loki asked idly as he examined the dripping cookie. Tony stared at him.

"Are you serious?"

Loki shrugged. "Yes—I've heard the term, but only in passing. What is it?"

"It's... school. For little kids. You know, cutting paper with plastic scissors, eating paste."

Loki's eyes widened. "That's scandalous. This is how Midgardians educate their young?" he asked in disgust.

"Well, that's just part of it. I mean, you learn the alphabet, counting to ten, you get to draw and color, and—"

"Tony Stark, I'll have you know our child will be creating illuminated manuscripts by the age of four, and factoring complex mathematical equations by the time he's five, if that's the sort of thing that passes for academic excellence in this realm. However, he should be receiving training in swordsmanship and battle strategy at that age. He most assuredly will not be eating paste."

"How about Play-Doh?"

"What?"

Tony dissolved into a wave of chuckles. "Oh, man. And you keep calling it a creature. Look at you, you already think he's a super-genius!"

Loki wore a decidedly cross expression, but after a moment it softened into a self-deprecating grin. "All right, all right. I suppose I have already grown a bit fond of the little... whatever the hell it is."

Tony clamped his hand on Loki's. "Good. That's something we have in common. Now, try not to be too disappointed if he turns out to be just a regular-type genius, like me."

Tony's upbeat attitude was hard to resist, and Loki found himself imagining a little boy with dark curly hair charmingly reciting the Midgardian alphabet as he thrust and parried a pint-sized sword in mock-battle with his father. He suppressed a chuckle, but then pressed his lips together as he mulled over a new thought. He raised his eyes to meet Tony's. "I suppose you're right. We'll have to temper our desires and expectations for him with reason and understanding." He then dropped his gaze to his hands. "I know full well how difficult it is to be constantly falling short in parental eyes. I don't want that for our child."

"Atta boy. Listen, you're going to be a great dad, and so am I. At least we know a lot of the stuff not to do."

"That's for certain."

"There now, see? Quit worrying. You need to relax, rest up." He pulled Loki to him and rubbed his back. "Poor kid. You must be worn out."

Loki rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but give in to the comforting touch of Tony's hands and the alluring warmth of his body. As infuriating as it was to find himself needing this, he couldn't deny it—he bloody well needed this, and from now on, he was going to take full advantage any time he had the chance. He eagerly snuggled in, lying with his head in Tony's lap, perfectly happy to allow himself to be petted and stroked like a cat for as long as Tony was willing to do so. "I am. This is nice, Tony. And, I believe I'll try for that nap now."

"Will it bother you if I turn on the TV?"

"No. I could sleep through Ragnarok at this point."

"Through what?"

"Nothing, nothing." He closed his eyes, his body feeling like it might sink into the couch like a rock at any moment, and tried to fall asleep. But frustratingly, even with Tony drawing lazy patterns on his back, he couldn't. There were too many warring thoughts in his head, too much to sort out, too many unknowns. He shifted restlessly and Tony muted the sound on the television.

"Hey, what's wrong? Can't turn off?"

Loki sat up and irritably ran a hand through his hair. "No."

Tony pulled him close. "Worried about tonight?" he asked sympathetically.

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, when Pep and Banner come over."

"Oh! I'd forgotten all about that. No, I'm not worried." Worry was for when you didn't know the outcome of a situation, he thought. Loki knew perfectly well what would happen when those two arrived—they'd join together in berating Tony for his stupidity in getting mixed up with one such as himself, and then pull every trick in the book to try to change Tony's mind, to get him to doubt himself, to doubt Loki, and... Well, maybe there was something to worry about after all. Banner was Tony's good friend-in-arms, and the Potts woman clearly had a profound relationship with him that might well have had a romantic basis at one time, if it didn't still, and without the use of his magic...

Wonderful. Just what he needed, one more thing he couldn't control.

His thoughts were interrupted by JARVIS's voice intoning, "Sir? The repair and clean-up has been completed in the master bedroom. It is now safe for habitation."

Tony looked up. "Great! Thanks, J."

Loki made some quick projections in his head. Tony would be better able to face a two-pronged attack on his choice of life-mate if he'd recently received suitable attention in the bedroom, and since Loki didn't foresee himself drifting into slumber any time soon, he might as well lure him into some erotic shenanigans. After all, it would be just as easy to massage Tony's ego as his prostrate, if he was so inclined. He gave Tony a bright smile. "Tony, I think I'd like to stretch out on the bed and get comfortable, if you don't mind."

"Sure, great idea. I'll call you when it's time for dinner." Tony sipped his milk, not taking his eyes off of the television.

Loki sidled closer. "Come with me?" he asked softly, running a finger down Tony's chest.

The seductive undertone managed to penetrate Tony's football-clouded brain. He looked at Loki and blinked. "Uh... Huh? Oh! Well, I'd love to, but, don't you need to rest?"

"I'm far too agitated for that." Loki leaned in and gave Tony a heated, possessive kiss, dropping his hand onto the front of Tony's trousers and giving him a little squeeze. "Come on. I need something to take my mind off earlier events, and I've noticed that you know how to provide a very good diversion."

"Such a smooth talker." Tony kissed back, and then let Loki pull him to a standing position. "Okay, but after? You really do have to get some sleep," he said, casting one last longing look at the TV before dutifully following Loki to the bedroom.

"Oh, I will, once all this anxiousness has been fucked out of me," Loki answered cheerily. He stripped out of his pajamas and lay down, holding his arms open for Tony to join him. That did the trick; any lingering thoughts of football disappeared from Tony's mind and he shucked off his clothes and slid into the embrace, happily helping himself to another deep, warm kiss.

"You feel warmer when you're pregnant, you know that?" he asked as he slid a hand down Loki's back.

"Do I? And, you find this favorable?"

"It's nice. Not that the other way wasn't. It's just... different." Tony nibbled under Loki's ear, biting down on the soft flesh where his neck met his shoulder. That produced a squawk of protest from Loki.

"Stop that!" he laughed. "I'm not in the mood for you to leave marks."

"Sorry." Tony focused his attention on Loki's nipples, laving and sucking at them, which brought forth a gasp of pleasure. "Like that, do you?"

"Uh... yes. By all means, continue."

Tony chuckled, and went back to his play. After he'd teased each small nub into full hardness, he pulled back and regarded Loki's flat chest curiously. "So, are you going to get tits later, or what?"

Loki had had his eyes closed in enjoyment, but now they shot open, horrified. "What?"

"Well, you know. For the kid. I mean, he has to eat, right? How do you—"

"Get off of me." Loki angrily rolled away and flailed around, looking for his clothes. "Go away, I don't want to talk to you anymore."

"Oh, come on! It was just a question, I'm sorry!" He threw up his hands in a hopeless appeal to the gods of pregnant partners, if there was such a thing. "Why does this keep happening? I know, I know, I'm an idiot. Hey—" Tony grabbed Loki around the waist just as he was about to slide off the bed and he pulled him into his arms. "Loki, listen to me. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. But you promised you wouldn't run off when I did something stupid, and yeah, I just said something incredibly stupid, but please, stay. Forget I brought it up. It doesn't matter—"

"It matters to me!" Loki snapped. Stormy eyes stared into loving brown ones for a long moment, and then Tony felt Loki's tense muscles relax and he slowly let his head drop down to rest against Tony's shoulder. "Damn it, Tony. It's too much."

"I know." Tony caressed him, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up, uh, weird stuff. Don't know what made me say that."

Loki sighed. "Oh, it's all right. You're just being practical. It's only that... that particular eventuality hadn't even occurred to me yet. I haven't had a moment to consider all the changes about to take place in my body, and I'm utterly unprepared to deal with any of them. It's a bit... unsettling."

"Well, there's plenty of time before you have to worry about all that." He kissed him again, and Loki seemed to cheer up a little. Tony gave him a tentative caress along his side down to the protruding bone of his hip. "We okay?"

"Yes." Loki lay back and they got back to the pleasurable business of making love.

To Tony's surprise, Loki didn't seem inclined to punish him for his unfortunate question, and was instead rather encouraging and good-natured about Tony taking time to prepare him and spending a lot of time kissing and making out before pushing inside him. He quickly matched Tony's rhythm, and thrust up to meet Tony's deep strokes without a single insulting observation about the size of Tony's penis or his lack of finesse in bringing Loki to orgasm. He even shouted Tony's name instead of grinding out a string of filthy curses when he came.

It was kind of freaky.

Incredibly good, but freaky.