HUD: Here we go folks! I just wanted to thank everyone who commented on the last chapter. If I didn't send you an answer, it's not because I didn't appreciate it, I've just been stupid busy lately. I managed to squeeze in another chapter, so I hope you all enjoy!

- Part 8: Speculation -

"Sir, Dr. Banner is on his way."

"Let him in," Tony answered, staring intently at the screen.

Loki had started the next video immediately after his revelation. He settled smugly in the cushiony office chair and pulled the throw blanket back up to his chin. If he was correct on this, he would - well, he still wasn't sure what he would do.

"Tony!" Bruce's voice echoed loudly in the lab. Tony made a low noise in answer, eyes still glued to whatever was on the screen. He was shirtless, which was odd attire for his lab, but it helped with Loki's suspicions.

"Tony," Bruce said again, more forcefully. The genius sighed and rolled his eyes before turning in the seat. Loki wasn't at all surprised to see the black eye entirely missing, but the shock on Bruce's face spoke volumes.

"What's up, Brucey?" Tony asked as the chair spun slowly. The doctor blinked.

"Uh, what happened to your face?"

"My face?" Tony echoed, brows knitting in confusion. "Oh, you mean what didn't happen. The black eye."

"Yes, the black eye. Tony, where is it?" Bruce asked cautiously. He stood a few feet back, hanging near one of Tony's workbenches. Loki rolled his eyes at the dubious look on the doctor's face, but then again he couldn't blame the mortal.

"Loki fixed it for me," he quipped, spinning around in his chair again. His tone left no room for question, as if Bruce should have already know the answer.

"Loki fixed it for you," he repeated slowly. When Tony only smiled, Bruce's eyebrows rose and he nodded. "I take it last night went well?"

"Bruce, it was so well," Tony answered. He abandoned his monitor entirely in favour of talking about his current hot topic. "I wanted to tell you right after he left, but I was - "

"Tony, I'm just going to ask that you spare me any details," Bruce said, holding up a hand. Tony waggled his eyebrows suggestively and his science bro rolled his eyes and coughed. "Seriously."

Tony opened his mouth like he was going to argue but rolled his eyes instead. "Fine. You get a pass this time. Next time, though - "

"I can imagine," Bruce answered. "Tony, did you think this through?"

"Uh, duh," Tony scoffed. "I'm happier than I have been in years, Bruce. I think about him constantly - "

"I meant your eye, Tony. How are you going to explain that?"

Tony froze and blinked. Loki couldn't help but rub his own eyes with a sigh. He hadn't thought about that at the time, only interested in Tony's wellbeing. Well. Tony was a genius, surely he could come up with something -

"I got nothing," Tony deadpanned. Bruce and Loki face palmed at the same time.

"You're joking, right? I mean, you've got to be," Bruce said. He pulled a chair from the table and sat down. "Clint knows he gave you a black eye, and Natasha even commented on it a few times. And you didn't think of a back-up?"

Tony sighed and crossed his arms over his bare chest. "Well, I suppose I could just ink it up and then cover it with some makeup or something to give it that toned healing effect."

Bruce nodded. "That's good."

"Or I could just avoid them until it should be healed naturally," Tony offered. Bruce sighed and shook his head.

"No. They're on your case because of Loki. If you just disappear, then they'll really be suspicious - "

"Brucey, I disappear all the time," Tony scoffed with a wave. "I stay down here for days. If you bring me food I could totally do it for a week."

Bruce gave a put-upon sigh as he crossed his arms. He looked at the floor, and Loki could see the anarchy forming on the man's face. Finally he just gave up. "Sure, fine. I'll help you."

"Thanks a ton, Bruce. You have no idea," Tony practically gushed, his grin turning into a large smile. Bruce just shook his head and gave a tired smile.

"Sure, Tony. Now, what did you need me for?"

"Oh, I totally forgot!" Tony said, snapping his fingers. He stood up suddenly and walked to Bruce. The other man watched slowly, slightly bothered by the manic look on Tony's face. Loki had seen that look many times before - the god was certain this was about to be the piece he needed.

"Smell me," Tony announced, placing his hands on his hips. Bruce blinked but didn't move. When he decided that, yes, Tony was absolutely serious, he rubbed the bridge of his nose with a sigh.

"Smell you? Why?"

"This is my new project. I need data. Smell me."

Bruce rolled his eyes but stood up. "Any...particular place?"

"Start with my hair," Tony said. Bruce shot him a look that Tony pointedly ignored. The doctor hesitated as he slowly leaned close to Tony. He was a few inches taller than the genius, which helped to not make the action too awkward, but Loki couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Bruce. He was obviously uncomfortable.

"Well?" Tony demanded after a moment. Bruce stayed close for a moment before pulling back.

"Uh, you smell like shampoo?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "Dammit, Bruce. You're a scientist. Give me a real answer."

"Fine," Bruce snapped. "Almond, spicy, fresh print books." Loki's jaw dropped.

"Awesome," Tony breathed, a small smile working onto his face. "Now my neck."

"Seriously, Tony?!"

"My neck!" Tony repeated. Bruce flushed slightly from annoyance but did as asked. Tony even tilted his chin up slightly.

Bruce was quiet, then: "Spices, print, cinnamon, metal. Tony, why are you asking me to do this?"

Tony stood back, giving the doctor much needed space. Bruce sagged down into his chair and pulled his glasses off to rub his face without waiting for Tony's answer. "Tony!"

"Last night," Tony began. He rushed back to the monitor that was recording and tapped quickly on the screen. "I finally figured something out. You know how people say taste is actually presentation and smell as well? If something looks and smells good, it's likely to taste good, too."

"Please stop, I don't want to know," Bruce muttered. "I change my mind."

"The almond is my usual shampoo," Tony continued, ignoring his friend's pleas. Loki sat frozen, eyes fixed to the screen. He couldn't believe this. "And metal or oil is from the suit, now forever ingrained in my skin. Normally I'm an almond metal kind of guy, and the scent is always stronger at the pulse points or during moments of extreme emotion. Pheromones release, and we both know what happens then. Well, my dear Brucey - "

"Don't keep going, Tony - "

"I created a way to change the scent my pheromones released, to literally change my chemical makeup," Tony rushed, grin turning manic again. Even that gleam in his eyes that Loki loved so much couldn't distract the god from his growing shock. "I can't override myself, that would be counterproductive, but I finally decided what I wanted to add. The cinnamon is from any slight annoyance, like you refusing me."

"You aren't stopping," Bruce sighed. He shook his head. "So you know Loki likes books, and you added that to your natural scent?"

"Exactly," Tony exclaimed, spinning in his chair. "The spicy smell is a mix of the print and my blood type, so a side-effect -"

"Hang on," Bruce snapped, holding a hand up. Tony paused and waited. "You're telling me there's already a side-effect? This can't be safe, Tony."

"Oh, it's totally safe. Look." Tony pointed to his arc reactor. Bruce's eyes dropped, and widened as Tony twisted and released the reactor from its housing. He moved slowly, and Bruce looked ready to jump to his aide at a moment's notice. Loki went still himself. He never openly saw Tony remove his own reactor.

The genius continued his slow, deliberate motions. He reached his second hand in the hole and felt around. A click made Tony flinch, Bruce jump, and Loki forget to breath. Tony removed a small clamp and held it out for Bruce to see.

The doctor tilted his head slightly and took the clamp from Tony's fingers, not at all bothered by the clear discharge the device held because of its new home. After a moment of inspection, he spoke. "This is quite ingenious, Tony."

"I know," Tony answered with a wide grin. A soft sheen of sweat developed on his brow as he shifted slightly. "Basically it clips on the inside of the housing, behind the actual reactor, and injects a measured amount of new pheromones. I've installed small doses to start, and now that I know it works, I'll ramp it up."

"Is it permanent?" Bruce asked, passing the device back over. Tony took it gently.

"Hey, would you open that disinfectant for me?" He asked, nodding to a jar just a foot away. Bruce nodded and did as asked. Tony dunked the device and paused. "Yeah. After the first month, actually."

Bruce just watched as Tony popped the clamp back into place with a soft wince and fastened the reactor as well. "You're willing to make a permanent change to your actual chemical makeup, your actual being. Is he worth it?" Bruce's voice was soft, unsure, and held all the emotion that Loki knew he felt for his best friend.

Loki held his breath. Bruce was right - this was a large change. It was much different than just changing clothes or moving or learning to cook. Was he worth it? He shifted in his seat, unsure of what Tony was going to say and feeling far too insufficient -

"Absolutely," Tony answered, his tone heavy and serious. "It'll pay off. I need him, Bruce. If that means I'm going to change a few things about myself, then I'm totally willing."

Loki smiled softly, feeling his heart stutter. Loki knew Tony tried so much, worked so hard, and all so early on, just so Loki would give him any time of day. He didn't care about alienating his team, or being under scrutiny for possible treason, as long as Loki was there.

Bruce smiled. "That's all I really needed to hear," the doctor said. Tony frowned slightly, not following his thought. "You've got my full support, Tony. If he makes you this happy to just try, I can only imagine how you'll be when he sticks around."

Tony's answering smile was breath taking, and Loki felt himself fall hard all over again. The video ended, oddly convenient, but Loki still couldn't wipe his own sappy grin from his face.

He had expected himself to be far more outraged at having his suspicions confirmed, and this almost unbearable warmth was a welcomed deviation. Loki rested his chin on his palm and scrolled through the remaining videos. There were still so many, and he didn't have the same time he had originally started with. After a brief glance at the time, he decided he still had a bit of time to spare. Loki scrolled back up and played the next one in order.

It was of the promised movie night. Tony and Video Loki were seated on Tony's couch. Loki sat against the arm of the couch with his other arm tossed behind Tony's shoulders. The genius wasn't quite pressed fully against him, but Loki remembered there being barely a breath between them.

Tony sat at an angle with his feet propped up on the glass coffee table, a large bowl of popcorn sat mostly in his lap and partially on Loki's thigh. He tossed up a kernel of popcorn and caught it in his mouth. "What do you think so far?"

Loki remembered being rather surprised at enjoying the film. It was dry enough to be rather humourous while still managing to keep his attention. He had never enjoyed the same jesters as Thor or his neanderthal cohorts had. "It is rather amusing."

"I'd hoped you'd like it," Tony said.

"I do," the god answered. Loki couldn't help but smirk softly at Tony's fidgeting. He obviously wanted to plaster himself to Loki's side, but something was keeping him back. Loki recalled a similar thought and decided to act on it as he dropped his arm from around the top of the couch to pull Tony closer. The inventor inhaled sharply from surprise. Loki watched himself smile until the mortal settled, gingerly resting his head on Loki's shoulder.

"Is that better?" Video Loki murmured into Tony's hair. He could close his eyes and recall his own feelings, his own warmth and stuttered heartbeat from having Anthony pressed so close into his side.

Tony squirmed until his forehead pressed against Loki's jaw. "Yeah." His breath had been warm, the sigh from his words tickling Loki's exposed clavicle. The god simply chuckled and tightened his hold.

It wasn't until much later, nearly the end of the movie, before Loki had caught the first wave. It was soft and deep, almost soothing. Yes, Loki had caught whiffs of Anthony's shampoo, almond, from their growing proximity, but he could still remember to this day the first moment of clarity.

Anthony had mumbled something about the king's terrible counting skills - "No more, no less, Arthur. It isn't fucking science, bro." - which startled a laugh from Loki. The exhalation had stirred Anthony's hair, sending up waves of almond and warmth that was so new that Loki had been startled a second time. His laughter died as he inhaled quietly.

The warmth was reminiscent of print, the same smell that came from the very book Loki had restored that Anthony had gifted him. With each breath it was stronger until even the lingering smell of popcorn was gone. It was so breath taking and fantastic that it had pushed Loki to drop a kiss to the mortal's crown.

Tony, of course, had only been still for a moment before the action stirred him. As it was to be - he could not be still for long. "Is everything okay?"

His voice had been apprehensive, and with what Loki knew now he understood why. Tony was nervous, hoping that his little trick was working. Loki inhaled softly again and nodded. "Yes, Anthony. Everything is well."

"...alright," Tony had answered before settling down. After a moment, Loki thought he could focus pass the scent to the film. When the first wave of mulling spices came, he let out a shaky breath. Loki remembered his thoughts vividly - Anthony had already made the first move nights before (months, if he wanted to be technical), so shame be damned. The god set aside the popcorn bowl on the glass table by Tony's feet, completely ignoring the genius' questioning sounds, and buried his nose against his now exposed throat.

"Uh, Loki?" Tony squeaked, and Loki just rolled his eyes. The flush was quite becoming, as was the surprise, but Loki wasn't fooled now - Tony knew what he was doing.

"Pardon me, Anthony," Loki heard himself purr. He could practically smell the spike in Tony's scent from his breath against his neck. "There is something more about you that I have found to be quite intoxicating." He paused, and Tony stopped squirming enough for Video Loki to pull back. When their eyes met, Tony's expression shifted from shock to something much darker.

"I am afraid I cannot seem to get enough," the recording drawled, and Loki recognized his own low pitch that he reserved only for Anthony and only when they were alone.

Tony visibly shivered as Loki pulled him close again to press his face against his exposed clavicle. When the genius' eyelids fluttered shut, Loki closed his own eyes. He recalled that night, the closeness, the arousal -

Loki snapped his eyes back open. A grin spread across his face, wide and easily compared to one once worn before at the risk of passersby claiming his sanity to be lost. He shook his head lightly with chuckles. Arousal.

It all made sense now. Anthony had indeed made himself irresistible with his little trick. Loki didn't have the heart to be upset, only able to marvel and applaud his lover's brilliance. The building blocks were simple - his own base, almond and metal, fused with Loki's favourite smell, created side-effects that the genius couldn't control. Hence the cinnamon when annoyed, the sight mint when Anthony was feeling playful, the pleasant undertones of spices, and the final (absolute best) miscalculation.

When Anthony was aroused, all those fusions created the deliciously masculine smell of fresh leather. When Loki had leaned into the genius the last time, closer to his heart and the source of it all, he had officially lost his mind.

That was why the video recording halted. JARVIS had seen it fit to give them space when, not even a second after inhaling, Video Loki had unceremoniously ripped Tony's shirt from his shoulders and began trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down his torso. Oh, Loki remembered that night quite well, with or without the visual aid.

The god grinned, staring into the surprise frozen on his would-be lover's face. Tony had expected it to work, although he doubted the engineer had calculated how well it would work.

Loki glanced at the clock, grin still wide, and decided he would watch one more. "Spirit," he called.

"Yes, Mr. Laufeyson?" JARVIS answered. Loki couldn't help but feel a bit guilty at not speaking to the AI after his own confession hours earlier, but he quelled the feeling.

"Play the video that Anthony recorded the first day," Loki answered. "The day I stumbled upon this."

There was a pause, then Loki was watching the screen scroll to the very last one. Interesting. Anthony hadn't made another one since. Loki called his thanks as the video played.

Loki was watching the inside of the limo Tony called him from while he was still in bed on the first day. He wore the same cream-coloured suit with a purple dress shirt and those dark Aviator glasses. He was beautiful, and Loki felt his smile soften and his heart swell, but his expression was bittersweet and he was finally talking:

"Loki," he began, and Loki's smile dropped. "I'm gonna go ahead and apologize for lying to you. There was no call, I just had to drop the HUD before I said something stupid. I couldn't keep just looking at you without wanting to say -" he paused and drew in a shaky breath. " - without wanting to say how I feel. It's not something we've talked about yet, but the last two years have been the best years of my life. Sure, you're only aware of the closing in on one year, but I'm not stupid. I'm sure you've figured out by now, since I'm talking to you directly and not Bruce or J or myself."

He trailed off again, and Loki swallowed - hard. "I guess what I'm saying is that this is the last of these videos. I'm leaving the house for only a few days, and you're an incredibly intelligent god that bores easier than me, so I can only assume that you've found this and I've been discovered. Maybe, if I rush home, you won't get to this one before I get back stateside. But incase you do, I want to say a few things."

Tony straightened up and slipped his glasses from his face. Right as he opened his mouth again, Loki hit pause. He wasn't sure why, but whatever this was he didn't want to hear it. The god felt invasive for the first time since he started watching a day and a half ago. Sure, the video was specifically addressed to him, but this was a level of personal that Loki wanted to have Anthony there for.

The genius' face was open and honest and his eyes held a vulnerability that made Loki's throat dry and his chest clench. He wanted to hurt whatever creature had put that look on his mortal's face, but knowing it was him halted his murderous intent. Anthony wasn't in pain, simply distressed, and regardless of the why and the overwhelming curiosity, Loki wanted to hear it directly from him. This way was far too invasive. Yes, he had watched the videos of nearly the entire first year of courtship without feeling the slightest twinge of guilt, but this...

Loki cleared his throat and stood, pulling the throw blanket with him. "End the video, JARVIS. I shall return."

Loki left the room without listening for JARVIS' answer. The AI turned the lights on as he walked through the empty house, ending in their room. Loki made the bed with a wave of his hand, and, with a second, had the clothing he intended to wear spread across the duvet. Black slacks and a deep emerald button down. He lightly folded his throw and dropped it on his pillow. After a pause and slow, deliberate breathing, Loki began to strip and crossed to the shower.

Less than an hour later and Loki was fully dressed and presentable, again sitting in Tony's chair in the lab. He had originally thought that he would spend his time thinking heavily of his love, his heart, but all the while perhaps catching up on some reading or practicing a few spells or maybe even go for a swim.

Not glued to his office chair, tangled up in a throw that smelled faintly of him, and watching videos of their courtship. Loki chuckled at himself, but didn't find his days had been wasted.

"Spirit," Loki called. He dropped a hand to the braid he had loosely fixed over his shoulder and smiled faintly. Anthony always found time to comment on Loki's hair in a braid, and, without admitting to too much, Loki found himself wearing it more often than not.

"Welcome back, Mr. Laufeyson. How may I be of assistance?" The AI called. Loki drew in a breath and smiled.

"I am in need of your recording services, JARVIS. I do believe Anthony is in due of a response, would you not agree?"

A/N: Who saw that coming? :) What do you think Loki is going to say to Tony? What do you think Tony was going to say to Loki?! Oh, the questions! Comment below! :)