HUD: So, in apology for the lack of quickness to update, I had to wear a wrist brace for the better part of May, which obviously cramped my writing time. I wanted to blaze through this to get it out for you all, who have been waiting oh so patiently. I hope you enjoy!

- Part 9: Revelations -

Tony Stark didn't mind flying in a jet. Sure, nothing held a candle to flying in the suit (nothing ever would), but he didn't mind the jet. It was fast, it had wifi, and he could get totally hammered before landing anywhere, free of charge.

That was before Loki. Before Loki, he'd want to spend as much time away as possible. He would actually get hammered before landing, but never to the point that he couldn't function. Even with as awesome as Pepper is, he didn't want to have to answer to her if he did.

Now, with Loki probably already at the airport, Tony Stark was jittery. He had already changed his seat three times, worked, scraped, and reworked a programme for Fury, had only two glasses of scotch, and still he had an hour. This was ridiculous.

This was his jet. Could it not go any fucking faster?! Tony only hired the best pilots for his jets, but this was clearly a mistake. He knew Loki was waiting, right? Loki could be incredibly patient, but Tony didn't want him to wait any longer than he had to.

Tony had already pushed through his meetings, rushed designs, did everything he could to get back as fast as possible. It wasn't just to get to Loki, or because their vacation had been interrupted, or because tomorrow was their one year. No.

Tony Stark was terrified.

He was terrified that Loki had been bored and found his video log of his courtship. All his tricks, all his thoughts, finding out Bruce was in on it all - Tony was terrified. Well, maybe terrified wasn't accurate - but he was pretty nervous.

Tony knew that Loki could have access to almost anything if he really tried. There were only a few things Tony kept behind firewalls, that vlog being one of them, but all Loki had to do was call checkmate and he could get in. He learned early on that honesty was the best policy when it came to Loki; the god did not care to be lied to, and Tony didn't blame him. So he made a clearance for him to get almost wherever he wanted. Bruce wasn't happy when he told him - "Think, Tony - just rub him the wrong way once and your entire network is compromised. Think." Tony had thought, long and hard, and he knew he trusted Loki. He trusted him not to betray him, because Tony knew he wouldn't ever give Loki the option to. He was certainly happy, and only could hope Loki was. After all that time and effort he put in, he damn well better be.

Still, Tony hadn't heard from JARVIS in the negative sense, so Loki must not have found the videos. He had been nervous when he called to find the god in his workshop, especially the time the glass was cracked, but Loki said it was nothing and he trusted him (definitely trusted him to a fault). It hadn't backfired yet, so Tony was optimistic. He knew he followed a fine line, and leaning either way could result in extremes he wasn't sure he was ready for.

To be on the safe side, Tony made the last video from his limo after he landed in London. Loki had been gorgeous, hair still slightly mussed from sleep and his usual pale cheeks slightly pink and his lips so red - if Tony didn't already know he was a god, he'd be falling over himself to practically worship him. Not that he didn't already, but that was beside the point.

J never said anything, so Tony had to assume that Loki hadn't found anything. Tony blinked. Unless Loki had found it, JARVIS was helping him, and Tony was the one left out of the loop. He hated being left out of the loop.

The billionaire shuffled nervously and smoothed down his tie. So, say JARVIS is involved, okay - J is his best friend, so he couldn't in good conscience allow Tony to walk into a shit storm. Right?

Tony skimmed the clouds and the patchwork pattern of the roads thousands of miles below. Right; JARV had his back, no matter what. He had his best interests at heart - er, motherboard - so Tony had nothing to worry about.

Unless not telling him Loki found the videos was in his best interest.

Oh god, he was driving himself batshit crazy.

"When the hell is this damn thing going to land?" Tony groaned, head lolling back against the headrest. He had long ago abandoned his tablet when he started his inner monologue and grabbed for it in desperate need of a distraction. Dammit, he needed a big distraction -

"Mr. Stark, we should be landing in the next five minutes." Tony wanted to cry in relief. "We're a little ahead of schedule, but the hanger should be prepared for us. Please remain seated."

Tony took back every bad thought he had about the pilot - he was a genius, and they were twenty minutes early! Hell yes. He tapped a few things on his tablet to finish setting up a delivery at his Malibu mansion and slipped it into a messenger bag. Typically he traveled light, and this was no exception. Just a small suitcase, messenger bag, and the suitcase-style Iron Man suit that obviously he couldn't leave home without.

The captain was correct - the hanger was all set as they pulled in. Pepper was still in London, so she wasn't waiting for him, but there was already a limo surrounded by airport security. His eyes skimmed each face as the plane parked - Loki wasn't there. Tony tried to ignore the flip of dread in his gut.

Tony smiled brightly as he walked down the stairs, pausing to shake hands with the captain and pose for a picture with one of the guards. Finally the door to his limo was being opened and he slid inside gratefully. A quick glance proved he was alone - maybe being early wasn't such a good thing. Loki might not even be in the airport yet.

The trunk shut behind him and a tap on the hood signaled the driver to head out. "Where to, Mr. Stark?"

Tony beamed at the open partition. "10880 Malibu Point."

"Yes sir," the driver answered, smiling back in his rear view mirror. Tony nodded and held his expression until the partition was up. He sighed, dropping his head to the headrest. He felt...disappointed, is all he could come up with.

Tony kept telling himself that Loki had no idea he was going to be early, and that he would just be waiting at the mansion for him. Loki had an uncanny thing with time, that Tony couldn't begrudge him. He was a god, lived for thousands of years - of course he didn't care about time. It was nonexistent for him, just something that flowed around him without actually affecting him. It hardly tugged at his cloak -

"Welcome back."

Tony pressed his body against the door and slapped a hand over his arc reactor. There, to his right, sat Loki. He acted like he had been there the entire time, eyebrow quirked in amusement with a small smirk forming. Oh, he knew what he did.

"Jesus fuck, Loki. Bad heart, man!" Tony wheezed, chest heaving. Loki's smirk tipped more on the smug side. "You've been here the whole time, haven't you?"

"I have," the god answered. Tony shook his head and tried to calm his heart down. The limo was dark, but Loki's eyes practically glowed.

"I thought - " Tony started, clearing his throat. "I thought I was too early for you. I expected you to still be wrapped up in a blanket at home."

Loki crossed his legs and shifted to completely face Tony. "I said I would meet you - would you rather I did not?"

Tony laughed. "Uh, no. I wanted to be early, but when I didn't see you I didn't want to be - "

Loki leaned across the space between them and pressed his lips to the side of Tony's mouth. The action tickled his goatee, but he grinned. "I am here, Anthony."

"I know," Tony answered, turning to capture Loki's lips as he pulled away. The kiss was slow and languid, but Tony was fine with that. They had plenty of time to heat things up back at the mansion. Loki sighed when they parted, dropping his hand to Tony's knee.

"Are you well?" Loki muttered. Tony could feel his breath against his lips from Loki still not settling back into his seat.

"Yeah, the flight was uneventful." If you don't count me driving myself up a wall. Loki's eyes dropped, presumably to his hand, where he gave Tony's knee a squeeze.

"I am glad to hear," Loki answered. He squeezed once more before settling back. Tony corrected his confused expression as Loki glanced out the window. Something was off, but Tony couldn't quite place it.

"You look good," Tony said, attempting to change his train of thought. Loki hummed, so he continued: "You're wearing my favourite braid."

Loki smiled, then, so fast and bright that Tony literally almost missed it, before he quickly schooled his expression to his usual soft smirk. But he did drop his hand to his hair as if he felt self-conscious and tucked his chin nearly to his collar.

"So it appears." His tone was warm and had Tony squirming in his seat. What the hell was going on in that mind of his? Tony blinked and just watched Loki's long fingers trace the knots of the braid, suddenly very pale in comparison.

The entire action was so weird but still so Loki that Tony felt winded. Something was definitely off. He couldn't decide if it was just that he had been gone a few days or if Loki himself was acting differently. Either way, something wasn't adding up.

"Hey Lokes," he began, sliding closer to the god. Loki turned slightly to show Tony he was listening, but still faced away towards the window. Tony dropped his hand to Loki's knee and lightly scratched the fabric of his slacks. "Are you glad to see me?"

Finally, he had Loki's attention. The god quirked one slim eyebrow at him as a frown tugged at his lips. "Why do you ask?"

Okay, not the answer he was expecting. Tony tried to ignore the drop in his stomach. "Well, it's just that - "

"Mr. Stark." Tony sighed but looked towards the front. The partition was still raised but had dropped a few inches so the driver could catch his eye in the rearview mirror. "We are about to arrive."

Loki's presence had left before the first inch of the tinted glass moved. Tony nodded. "Thanks, Dave."

The driver nodded back and raised the partition. Tony sighed, now officially alone. He couldn't feel Loki's knee beneath his hand anymore, cutting out invisibility, which left him hoping that the god had teleported inside the mansion. They weren't exactly a secret anymore - the entire cast and crew of the Avengers (Fury included) knew, after all, which meant that most of the public knew as well.

Tony remembered the first time the tabloids caught sight of he and Loki on a date - a solid make out session in Grand Central Station. The cover had been hilarious to them, but not so much to Fury. Still, the general public knew, and if they didn't Tony could care less. Tony knew Loki hadn't made his presence known to the airport - maybe that was why the god took off.

The limo slowed, signaling the gate. Tony tapped a few keys on his phone to let them pass, and then they were driving down the long driveway to the front door. What Tony knew was only about ten seconds felt like forever to him. Loki was acting weird and more cryptic than usual.

Maybe he missed him but didn't know how to say it? No, because why would he take off right when Tony asked him? Granted that could be counted as just bad timing on the driver's part, but still. The doubt was there. Tony squirmed slightly as the limo slowed and came to a stop.

Dave kept the engine on as he exited the limousine, his door shutting lightly behind him. Tony listened to the trunk open, light shuffling, and then the door to the left was being opened. Oh - he had ended up in Loki's seat during the ride. Tony slid across and stepped out into the evening air.

Tony smiled brightly at Dave and had him follow with the luggage to the front door. He tipped him generously before watching the driver enter the vehicle and turn back towards the gate.

"Shall I get the door for you, Sir?" Tony looked at the door and felt his smile fall.

"Hey, JARVIS," he answered. "Yeah, if you don't mind."

"Never, Sir." The door swung in on its own accord as Tony gathered his things. JARVIS shut the door behind him after his feet were over the threshold. "Welcome back, Sir."

"Thanks, J," Tony answered, not quite able to stop his bittersweet smile. "Did you miss me?"

"Always, Sir," the AI answered. Tony's tight smile grew - JARVIS had no trouble saying it, but Loki ignored him and took off when he brought it up.

The lights in the entryway turned on as Tony walked towards the living room. He was expecting Loki to be there, but when he couldn't so much as catch a glimpse of the god he wasn't surprised. Loki's mood was odd and unsettling - were it the reverse, Tony would have practically shoved his tongue down the other's throat the second they were alone.

But that was the difference between them, wasn't it? Tony wasn't the best at expressing his emotions, but he made a conscious effort to with Loki. Even Pepper was surprised. Loki was special to him, different than any other before, but it seemed the more he tried, the further away Loki became. He had hoped that this mini-vacation could be a segue to them becoming closer.

Tony knew living in the Tower was stressful for Loki. Only Bruce seemed to be willing to accept him, and even that had taken a month or so after he moved in. Natasha had just begun to acknowledge the god's presence, and Barton and Rogers acted like he was the damn plague. Still, Tony had to commend Loki's patience - only when Thor became involved did the tension raise too high, but Tony was pleased with his attempts. Tony knew things were awkward, and he had high hopes that it was because of the situations and not something that would become irreparable. Once removed, i.e. to Malibu, the variables would change and Loki could relax. Maybe warm up a little more. Maybe act like he was happy to see Tony when he got back from a business trip.

Tony let his suitcase and messenger bag rest at the foot of the bed. Loki wasn't in their room, either, which suddenly made Tony doubt he was even here. He sighed and shrugged out of his suit coat and loosened his tie. He decided to change into some jeans and whatever shirt he managed to grab as a distraction to his acute loneliness. Normally Tony enjoyed traveling to Malibu, but he was definitely feeling the regret.

Maybe Tony had misread all of Loki's actions from the Tower. Perhaps he really was comfortable there, and this evasiveness was actually how Loki acted outside of his element. Tony knew from Thor that Loki could be a slippery bastard, but he had always assumed it was just because Thor was biased. Tony never thought he would ever give Loki a reason to want to avoid him, but here he was. The day before their anniversary, Tony just got back from a business trip and Loki couldn't seem to even want to talk to him. The day before their anniversary, which Tony was pretty sure Loki wasn't even aware of - which Tony didn't blame him for, because if he lived forever dates wouldn't really matter to him either. Plus, Tony really had just wanted to surprise Loki. But still - avoidance, general odd behavior, and Tony still hadn't seen him and he was in the house for a now full twenty minutes - all on the day before their anniversary.

Tony froze zipping up his jeans. He went still, trying to control the sudden shaking in his hands. All signs pointed to - no, stop - all signs pointed to - I'm driving myself crazy, this isn't really happening - all signs pointed to -

Tony sat down suddenly, gulping for air. He was literally causing himself to have a panic attack, and he needed to calm the fuck down. Loki had a good reason, he never did things without a reason, and that would just have to do. Tony wasn't going to work himself into a frenzy without any reason to.

Even if all signs point to Loki leaving him.

Tony shook his head and forced himself to stand, stumbling towards the connected bathroom. He took his time washing his face, using water so cold it made him gasp. Tony stayed there for a moment, leaning over the sink. When his eyes found his reflection, he could only blink at himself.

Fear and pain. That's exactly what he read on his face, all he read on his face. This was ridiculous - he was working himself up over something he had no evidence of. Loki was probably not feeling well or whatever. Tony had seen him vomit before, so he knew gods could feel queasy too. There had to be a reason.

Tony dried his face and scooped up his Iron Man suit-suitcase. He needed to do something - he needed a distraction.

"Shall I start the coffee machine for you, Sir?" JARVIS asked as he took the stairs to his workshop.

"Yeah, J - that'd be great," he answered. Tony kept his eyes on his feet, taking two stairs at a time. He focused his breathing, in, out, in, out, with each step. When Tony stepped down on the familiarly smooth floor, he felt better than when he started his descent. He did honestly feel better after moving around a little - he usually didn't get jet lag, but that could explain his insecurities. Tony Stark, first case of jet lag causing a major mental breakdown. Sure, he'll go with that.

Tony wasn't surprised to see his lab empty as well, but JARVIS turned on each light as he walked in. Tony set the suitcase closer to the entrance instead of further in. He would be taking it with him when they left, and if his current state of mind was anything to go on, he needed it within sight or he may just forget it. Just that thought alone shook Tony - he had not wanted to admit it, but Loki's behaviour was getting to him in a bad way.

Well, seeing as how Loki didn't want to be found but Tony needed something to distract him, he headed for his coffee machine. "J, boot up the monitor and pull up the most recent draft of that programme I started for Fury."

"On your vacation, Sir?" The AI asked. Tony snorted as he filled a mug with coffee.

"Yes, J. It's hardly a vacation when half of me isn't hanging around," he answered, sharper than he had intended. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, JARVIS. I just...Loki's been acting weird since I came back, and now I can't find him. I need something to distract me before I read too much into this. Again."

There was a pause, then: "Of course, Sir."

Tony sipped his mug as he crossed to his chair, sinking into the plush cushion. He tried not to remember the way Loki looked curled up in this very seat with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He could tell Tony over a screen that he missed him, but in person it was too much. Tony would be lying if he said he wasn't hurt and confused.

The hot rod background loaded, but instead of the page that Tony had requested a black screen popped up. Tony frowned and waved his hand to remove the file. It bounced away for a moment only to return. Tony frowned deeper and waved again, but the programme responded the same.

"Stubborn," Tony growled. "J, what is this?"

"A file that requires your immediate attention, Sir," JARVIS answered. Tony hummed, suddenly suspicious.

"Is it from Fury?"

"No, Sir."

"Any of the other boy band?"

"Not in a manner of speaking, Sir." Huh. That was interesting.

Tony sipped his coffee. "Alright, J. I'll bite. Bring it up."

"Certainly, Sir." The black screen spread out to the entire size of the monitor. Tony sipped his coffee suspiciously, eyes narrowed at the screen. If this was some kind of prank -

"Hello Anthony." Tony's eyes widened as he fumbled for his mug. Coffee sloshed over the edge and hit his wrist, but he didn't even register the slight burn. His eyes were glued, wide and disbelieving, on the screen, on Loki. His expression was serious but Tony could tell the slight quirk of a smirk on his lips and the glint in his eyes. If it weren't for the background being his own lab he would have guessed it were a live feed - Loki was dressed the same as he was when he poofed into the limo.

"I am sure you will need a moment, so I can wait." Tony snorted and rolled his eyes. Smug bastard. But he did push his mug to the safety of the desktop. When he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, Loki was speaking again.

"In your absence, I seemed to have stumbled across a type of video journal. Your spirit tells me it is a 'vlog'," Loki began. He sat elegantly, chin raised high and hands folded in his lap. Tony couldn't help but smile, even through his annoyance at the god. "I have spent my days without you here in your workshop, becoming well acquainted with the pranks you have felled your comrades with. I rather enjoyed the prank played upon Thor - those sweet pastries shall be his undoing one day; I will see to it personally."

Tony snorted, remembering that day. He got the biggest kick out of conning Clint into helping him open and dump out fifty boxes of poptarts. The look on Thor's face had been so worth it, especially the next day when they put all the poptarts back into their respected boxes like nothing had changed, even hot gluing the lids back down. God, Thor was so easy.

"I rather enjoyed myself, until I stumbled upon one file titled 'Seduction'." Here Loki's expression turned grim, and Tony swallowed audibly. "My initial reaction was doubt and betrayal. I did not know what to expect, but I had believed you to be dishonest with me."

"No!" Tony said automatically. He knew he was talking to a recording, but he couldn't even believe that Loki would think that. "I'd never cheat on you, Loki. I wish you were here to hear it so I could knock some damn sense into you."

"Your spirit cleared all of my doubts with the first video," Loki continued. His expression softened and a small smile lifted his lips. "I am ashamed to have ever doubted you, but I am certain you can understand my reasoning." In retrospect, Tony probably could have titled that way better.

"I have seen nearly the entire saga. Seeing you, even as a recording of your past self, helped me with your absence. I feel you are over due an answer," Loki said.

Tony couldn't believe how calm Loki was being about the whole thing. When he made the videos, he was nervous as hell. He never knew if someone would find them, god forbid that someone being Loki, that he went in to each video with trepidation. His stomach flipped as the weight of what exactly Loki said hit him. He has seen nearly the whole thing; does that mean -

"I shall start from the beginning," Loki stated, as if this were a simple reading and not all of Tony's life literally on the line. "At the beginning, I had assumed you were playing some sort of game. I felt it oddly convenient that you would engage me in conversation only to have that oaf bombard me. I had felt tricked, that day in the park, which explained my brash behaviour in the great forrest. I am sure you can understand."

Yeah, Tony didn't blame him. Even he knew how it looked. "That final meeting on the bridge pushed you to the forefront of my mind. There had to be a reason for why you did not act, why you did not attack. Seeing the videos explained the great cost you accepted that day for your actions. It began the seed of doubt amongst your comrades, even as you finally caught my attention."

With each word, Tony felt lost. Loki's tone was conversational, as if speaking about the weather. He was just as he would be when they spoke face-to-face, which was good. That meant he wasn't pissed, because a pissed Loki was a deathly calm Loki, and this one was merely relaxed. Still, Tony's heart was in his throat as he kept his eyes glued to the screen.

"Seeking Thor for advice was quite clever of you," Loki praised, a light smirk playing on his lips. "He is usually rash at the best of times, but you played him quite well. I am proud." Working over Thor hadn't exactly been difficult; Loki was right. He swung his hammer more often than thought, but they all knew Thor wasn't a strategist. Tony knew he had been sneaky, but he felt better by saying he wasn't hurting Thor by picking his brain. Besides, even after Loki cropped up permanently, Thor still hadn't put two-and-two together.

Which was not Tony's fault.

"Regardless, with or without Thor's inane influence, the winter night atop that building was quite the surprise. I confess, I had felt your attempt at tracing my magics and concealed myself after the bridge. That night, however, I felt the odd need to allow you to find me," Loki continued, crossing his legs and leaning more comfortably back in his (Tony's) seat. "I was not disappointed."

Tony smiled - he knew that Loki enjoyed the book, even without really having to ask. When he moved in, he still continued to keep it. Tony would even go so far as to say that the god cherished it.

"As you know, it is still with me now. What you do not know is that - " Here Loki paused; he seemed to struggle with what he wanted to say, and Tony's stomach churned slightly. Loki's intensity was palpable when he again looked to the screen and continued: " - is that...that book is the most thoughtful item another soul has ever gifted me. I do not think I have ever properly explained the importance to you. I thank you wholly, Anthony."

Tony felt his cheeks flush quickly. Even without Loki being in the room with him, he could feel all of the emotion that was trying to be conveyed within those words and those sparkling eyes. Loki was never very good at expressing himself, and neither was Tony, honestly, but Tony tried and now he could see that Loki was trying, too. The knot that had settled in his chest loosened as the idea of Loki's avoidance being because he was going to leave him lessened.

Loki cleared his throat slightly and flipped his crossed legs. "You know of my enjoyment for knowledge, yet I cannot help but come back countless times to the tome you brought to me. I will continue to read to you whenever, and as frequently, as you request." Tony grinned - good, because he always slept his best when Loki read to him. He'd take that unlimited free pass, thankyouverymuch.

"After viewing these videos, I have come to understand several things that I had not before," Loki said, drawing Tony's full attention once again. "The first obviously being Dr. Banner's influence. I shall need to thank him in person for his role as your confidant and companion. I understand that you underwent scrutiny for your courtship - " Tony felt ashamed to hear Loki call it what it was, a courtship. It didn't much matter now, since it had all worked out, but he couldn't help the slight guilt. It wasn't like he tricked Loki, after all. " - but all the while you were never truly alone. Dr. Banner is an asset unlike any other."

Tony felt a small swell of pride for Bruce. He really had gone far beyond what Tony should have asked of him; the doctor kept most of the heat from Clint and Natasha off of him at the Tower and Pepper used her relationship with Agent to keep S.H.I.E.L.D. from breathing too hot down his neck. She was the second and only person that knew what he was trying to pull. Tony never told Loki all the threats that fiery redhead had claimed to pass to Loki if the god hurt him; conflict of interest, he had decided.

"The day on the battlefield, where you had been so graciously picking up a dropped quarter in the perfect moment to dodge my sceptre, I realized more. After the discussion we had about the novel, I took an interest in observing you," Loki said lightly, a soft sigh escaping his lips at the end of the sentence. "It appeared upon revelation that the shadow I had left to protect you had none-too-gratefully blurted a key element of my spent time. I felt the need to keep you near, for reasons I did not understand at the time. In reflection, I now understand that then I was avoiding the fact that you had succeeded in encroaching into my mind. I thought of you often, and observing helped to stifle the obvious. Perhaps not as well as I had intended, but it placed me in the position that I still feel today."

Tony felt the heat steal up his neck and plaster across his cheeks with what Loki said next: "I feel the need to protect you, Anthony Stark. Then I did not understand, but now I am much more enlightened."

The Tony of ten and even five years ago would have outwardly protested that he didn't need any damn protection, but the Tony of now appreciated it. Protectiveness and possessiveness were two key elements to Loki's affection, and Tony knew that it meant that Loki held him in high regard. Instead of protesting, now he only smiled warmly. If he had to let Loki take off a few villainous robot heads or kick Barton's ass sparing because he said something a little too off-handed and only Loki noticed the effect it had on him, then, yeah, Tony would take it. Happily.

"Which is why, once this vacation is over, Barton and I will be having a conversation about the black eye he bestowed to you after that day. I am nothing if not a vengeful god," Loki said darkly, his lips stretching in that grin that showed too many teeth and even made Tony's spine shiver. The genius knew he may need to run interference, but maybe after the first or second punch. He can't play favourites, after all.

Loki waved a hand flippantly, as if to dismiss the current turn of mood; Tony could practically hear the moving on. "Also, your skills as a chef have continued to surprise me. I discovered rather quickly that you could not cook to save your own skin rather than that of another. Yet more reasons for me to thank Dr. Banner." Loki's eyes were sparkling with mirth and teasing but Tony couldn't help his groan. Loki got pretty far, especially since he knew he was talking about the sushi night. "Reliving the experience through your video was quite entertaining. I discovered my enjoyment of the night had not dissipated in the slightest. Would it be too presumptuous of me to request more, sooner rather than later?"

Tony couldn't help his smile - Loki was still his princely self, head cocked at the slightest tilt to suggest he could care either way if Tony were to answer him right then, but Tony was proud to say he knew him. The tilt was a distraction from the real request buried in those half-lidded eyes. Loki had enjoyed himself then, Tony had been certain, but now he could see exactly how much.

"I appreciated your attention to detail and your meticulous precision. The inclusion of the apple and plum had been a delightful surprise, one I am certain a man of your talents can mimic perfectly," Loki continued. Tony couldn't help but feel his ego boost a few points at Loki's offhanded praise, even knowing what the god was getting at. It was Loki's way of getting what we wanted without asking outright. The effect was lost, however - Loki had already asked directly once, and Tony would always fall over himself doing whatever Loki wanted, anyway. The point was always moot.

Still, Tony smiled and felt himself nodding. "You got it, babe."

"Now, to move on to my final revelation," Loki said stately. Tony's back stiffened - over so soon? There were so many other things Tony had done, even after the sushi night. One of which being -

"The little dabbling you performed in playing a Creator." Yup, there it was. Loki was a god, Thor was a god, but they were not the first; they had to be created. By Midgardian terminology, Loki was referring to the God, or Allah, or Shiva, or whatever deity was credited with the beginning. Tony gulped - that's exactly the one.

Loki dropped his hands back to his lap, offscreen, as his lips curled into a small smirk. "I must say, I am quite impressed by the lengths you went through to accomplish your goal. I can now fully understand why Dr. Banner referenced you on more than one occasion to a 'mad scientist'. To say I was surprised is a monumental understatement. As well as the effects." Here Loki's gaze turned heated; Tony subconsciously shuffled in his seat.

"I had expected to feel outraged at the deception, belittled at the trickery, but all I could feel was adoration. You began with nothing but small facts about my person, gathered by your own meager means. You may have not expected the outcome, but I shall allow you the reprieve of knowing that I am not bothered or angered, but rather impressed." Tony exhaled the breath he didn't realize he was holding - Loki wasn't pissed. That was good, right? His tone was calm, as usual, and he wasn't glaring daggers (that had a whole other meaning for the god, seeing as how he was a motherfucking sorcerer). Tony drew his eyes back to the screen as Loki began speaking again.

"Here, this will come full circle," the god said, his voice lowering. There was a sudden vulnerability to his tone, something that Tony had never heard before and set the genius on edge. "As I watched myself through your eyes these past days, I came to a conclusion. I have done things of cowardice, not realizing the effects it would have on your person. You have been through countless trials, between fights with your own comrades and the unending waiting I unknowingly put you through. And for that - " Loki swallowed thickly; Tony watched his pale throat work, and couldn't help his own throat fighting back something. The trepidation in Loki's eyes mounted as he opened his mouth slowly to inhale and continue: " - for that, I do apologize, Anthony."

Tony blinked, surprised - that was it? All that worrying just to have it be an apology from Loki. Granted, Loki never apologized for a damn thing, but Tony couldn't help his flood of relief. Here he thought this was going to be so much worse than it appeared. Still, the look on Loki's face said he wasn't done and it cut Tony's small relief short.

"To you, I appear infallible, for whatever reason. In truth, I cower behind my own inadequacies and pray that you do not see through me. However, even so early on, you understood my motives better than even I. For that, I am grateful. Were it not for your constant persistence I cannot say that I would be here, this day, to leave this video in hopes that you would watch and understand what I have come to see within myself," Loki paused. His tone was soft, the softest Tony had ever heard the god use, even when Loki thought he wasn't paying attention and murmured something so sweet Tony would have to blink back tears (yeah, he knew Loki made him into a lovesick fool). The god lowered his gaze to the top of the desk and pressed his lips together. Tony felt himself creeping towards the edge of his chair the longer Loki remained silent. Whatever he needed to say was important, if the very plain struggle on his face was anything to go on.

"Again," Loki muttered, so quietly that Tony almost missed it. "Again, a mere mortal can trump and reduce me to this; I dare say you hardly try, Anthony." When Loki looked back up to meet the screen, his eyes blazed with a determination that Tony felt light his own resolve. Loki wouldn't leave him - he had wanted Tony to see this, because he obviously didn't trust himself enough to say it in person.

"In these days, I have come to understand fully," Loki began, tone strong and unwavering. "Anthony, I must tell you that I - "

Tony moved his hand back from the wireless mouse he hadn't realized he reached for. He folded his hands in his lap and stared at the screen. Loki, paused on the screen, looked back at him with eyes full of an emotion that he was obviously still struggling with. He was so beautiful; his braid still laid perfectly across his shoulder, wearing a shirt Tony had bought that matched his eyes perfectly. Those eyes were open and honest in a way that Tony had never seen before; as if all the walls Tony had been trying to climb over to get to that sheltered heart had crumbled in his absence and he was left with what he wanted, to himself, but he was suddenly afraid of the intensity. Emotions were unnecessary, an unstoppable crippling that Tony had locked away and refused to acknowledge before Loki. Now, he embraced them and used Loki as his crutch. Perhaps the god was beginning to feel the same.

"Whatever you have to say," Tony whispered, reaching out to trail his fingers down the side of the recording's face. "I want to hear from you. I've waited this long; I'll continue until you're ready."

"I did the same." Tony felt pretty proud of himself from not jumping feet into the air at the low voice behind him. He couldn't, however, stop himself from spinning around quickly to stand.

Loki stood behind him, identical to the paused video, with his head tilted slightly as if Tony were a new scrutiny. Tony's heart rate slowed as he took in Loki's expression - still the ever-present barely-there smirk, but his eyes were so warm that Tony could feel a heat blossoming in his chest. Instead of spouting off a joke about his bad heart for the second time that day, Tony just smiled back softly. "When did you get here?"

"Moments ago," Loki said vaguely. Tony wanted to step to him and bury his face against his neck, too relieved to know that Loki wasn't avoiding him to break up with him after all. After days apart, Tony felt his past loneliness gnawing deeply. He felt a hunger that he knew only Loki could abate; but instead of running over and succumbing to the temptation that Loki always seemed to manifest within him, Tony kept his position by the computer.

"I guess I was too engrossed to hear you, then."

"Yes, you seem to have an uncanny knowledge of my whereabouts," Loki said drily. Tony knew he was teasing, but it was still kind of annoying - he had just spent literally an hour not knowing where Loki was, after all.

"What did you mean?" Tony asked, ignoring his irritation. "What did you do the same with?"

Loki avoided his gaze for the first time, stepping aside to reveal one of Tony's worktables cleared of its usual paraphernalia to now hold a bottle of the Screaming Eagle wine that Tony had introduced to Loki. He had made a good call to order multiple cases all those months ago.

"I believe there are things we need to discuss," Loki answered. He waved a hand towards the small setup he had created, with the two glasses already freshly poured. Tony felt himself nodding before Loki even finished. "Will you care to join me?"

A/N: Haha, sorry. I didn't mean to leave another cliffhanger, but... I did it anyway. Either way, there's maybe two more chapters left in this (obviously this conversation and possibly an epilogue). Please tell me what you thought in that cute little box below!