Ninety Eight

It was the morning of my birthday that he gave me a list of things to do, and chased me out of the house. I hadn't told him when my birthday was, and I didn't know what was going on. But knowing my mischievous lover, he had something up his sleeve.

I left for the day, secretly taking the Mark 42 with me. He left shortly after me, headed for the airport. I followed quietly, as he picked up Pepper, Rhodey and Nat. It wasn't long after he picked them up, that he pulled over and let Natasha drive. I wanted to call him and ask if everything was alright. I hit his name on my phone, it rang once. I instantly regretted it. He'd know I was following him, watching over him.

"Hello?" He picked up. I cringed.

"Hey Loki."

"Hi, love. How's that list going?" He tried to sound cheerful, but I heard the pain in his voice. He wasn't feeling well again.

"It's going fine. I'm almost done."

"Almost done?" There was a slight disappointment.

"Yeah, but I think these last items will take some time." I lied.

"Oh? Was there anything you needed?"

"No, I just called to tell you I love you." I breathed a small sigh of relief.

"I love you too Tony." I could feel the love in his voice, despite the pain in his voice. "I'll see you tonight, love."

"Okay." I hung up. I wanted to be there to hold him.

Natasha drove them back to house, and I watched Pepper and Rhodey take the car out. I sat nearby, still watching over Loki. He was throwing up again.

As I watched, I quickly discovered Loki had planned out a surprise party for my birthday. Then I realized, I told him I was five years younger than I was. I knew Pepper knew it, I just wondered if she told him. He called me around six, asking me to come home. He sounded as if he was crying and sick again. I rushed home, knowing I was walking into a surprise party.

"Surprise!" The small group shouted. Loki was not among them. My eyes searched the room for him. Pepper gave me a hug and whispered he was in the bedroom. I rushed there, finding him sitting on the floor, his back to the bed. He'd been crying.

"Loki, you didn't have to do all this for me." I wiped the tears from his face.

"But it's your fortieth birthday. I wanted to do something special, but I've spent all day being sick." Loki said, leaning into me. His arms wrapped around his stomach.

"It's okay. You've been sick a lot lately. But, why are you crying?"

"I can't give you what I wanted for your birthday." He sniffed.

"What's that?"

"A baby. You've been so excited about wanting to have one." He started to cry again.

"Shhh, what do you mean?" I tried to hush him.

"I did another blood test, I'm still not." He cried. I hushed him against my shoulder.

"Oh, Loki." I smoothed his hair back.

I sat with him the remainder of the party. I held him and fussed over him while our few guests enjoyed themselves. Pepper checked in on us a few times, brought us food and drinks. Funny, how three years ago I was mourning the end of my relationship with her. Now, she was just a good friend that we depended on. I loved her again, but in a new light.

"I'm sorry I ruined your party." Loki sighed.

"It's not ruined. I'd rather spend the day with you anyway." I nuzzled him.

"Happy fortieth birthday, Tony."

"I have a confession. It's my forty fifth." I blushed.

"Why would you lie to me? Especially about something so trivial."

"Humans get a little touchy about our ages, it means my life is about half over." I explained with a sigh.

"Oh, Tony." He leaned against me and kissed me. "That's something you never need to worry about again."

"What…what do you mean?" I asked a little startled.

"Do you remember the apple sent from Alfheim with the cookies?"

"Yeah…"

"It wasn't from Alfheim, it was from Asgard. I smuggled it out. The golden apples of Asgard help grant it's people's eternal life and youth. You can still die, but only through fatal injury. It's not power to be abused." Loki rambled on.

"Wait. Eternal life? Eternal youth?"

"Yes, you will essentially live as long as I do, and look the same. You never have to worry about your age again."

"You've made me a god?"

"In a manner of speaking." He shrugged. I kissed him hard on the mouth.

"You didn't have to do that for me."

"I love you, of course I did."

"But, why not tell me?"

"I figured if I told you, you'd take more risks, act a little more stupid." He said. I blushed harder, because he was right. He didn't need to know I had been a little reckless already. I snuggled his chest, listening to his heart.

"I love you, Loki."

"I love you too. Happy birthday."