HUD: OH MAN. I know it's been literally over two months, but thank you all so much for your patience. Here we go! Enjoy!

- Part 10: Eve -

"Will you care to join me?"

Tony was nodding before Loki even finished his sentence. "Yeah, I will."

Loki took a step back and waved his arm loosely, indicating that Tony take the side closest to the monitor. The genius took one step carefully, his legs feeling oddly wobbly. Loki's video hadn't been very long at all, but it seemed he had forgotten how to walk. Loki was already sitting before Tony even touched the table; the wine glasses shifted slightly as he sat down. Loki threw him a concerned glance, but Tony just waved it off.

"So you liked the wine, huh?" He asked instead, already knowing the answer. Loki smirked slightly and took up the glass by its stem.

"I believe we have already established that," he answered lightly. Tony grinned.

"Yeah, you're right," Tony said. "I was wondering if you'd find my stash of it around here. I had a few bottles flown in for us before we landed. I was saving it for something special."

"Oh?" Loki asked, swirling the deep purple liquid in the glass. "What did you have in mind?"

Tony recognized a trap when he saw one, but it was Loki - the god was literally the embodiment of all things Tony had issues resisting. He cleared his throat and drew his own glass up.

"Well, if I hadn't been called away, I would have made you breakfast in bed everyday with a glass, forced you to watch lame movies with me on the couch with multiple bottles, take a drunken midnight swim outside which would have led to drunken midnight showers, and if I was nice enough - "

Loki's low chuckling caused Tony to trail off, his grin from daydreaming dipping fondly. The god still held his glass in one hand but covered his mouth slightly with the other to hide his growing smile. Tony swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat - yeah, Loki was gorgeous. He really must have done something right, somewhere, to have this man laughing and smiling in front of him. He didn't dare credit a deity - fuck no, this was all his doing and science.

For the first time in a while, Tony Stark knew he didn't fuck anything up. As long as he could still make Loki smile, he would do anything.

"I see now why there were so many bottles," Loki said after getting his light laughter under control. Tony loved how his eyes shone with mirth. "It is a shame that your plans were ruined."

Now it was Tony's turn to laugh. "Hey, we're here until Saturday and, last I checked, it's only Tuesday night. Who's to say we don't just chug a bottle or two and go skinny dipping?"

Loki laughed again, the sound low and fond. At least, it sounded fond. "Perhaps, after our business has been seen to."

Tony's smile dipped slightly. "Yeah, I know."

Loki still continued to smile, seemingly unaware of Tony's rise in nerves. "I can sense your trepidation - why is it that before your technology you are so calm, but when faced without it the tides shift?"

"I could ask the same of you," Tony blurted. It sounded much rougher than he had intended, but since Loki brought it up first he had to know. "You had no problem telling me that you missed me over HUD, but when I asked you in the limo you literally ran away."

Loki blinked, surprised by Tony's outburst, while the genius himself gulped for air. All the words had left him in a rush, his adrenaline kicking in and making his heart pound faster. He stole a glance at Loki, knowing exactly the emotions he had playing over his own face - fight or flight kicked in when he noticed the shame in the god's eyes before he quickly looked away. Tony loosened his grip on the wine glass, knowing the glass would shatter if he didn't.

"Why did you leave?" He asked, his voice low. "All I wanted to do was see you and you couldn't seem bothered enough to hang around."

Loki drew the wine to his lips and took a sip. Tony never looked away, knowing that if he did he might just take off himself. They never fought amongst themselves - there was always an outside influence, the Avengers or Fury or propaganda or tabloids, but never did Tony have an issue with Loki until now. He was hurt, dammit, and he wanted an answer.

"I had business elsewhere that required my attentions," Loki answered after a long moment of silence. Tony really couldn't help his huff.

"Seriously? The day I come back from being gone for days and you're suddenly busy? That's a shitty excuse if I've ever heard one, and we've both heard mine," Tony scoffed. Loki's eyes met his in a blaze, narrowed and irate. Tony immediately wanted to take it back, to make the anger go away and bring back the light mood from before, but he was upset. Loki knew where he was and what he was doing - didn't he deserve the same respect?

Loki drew a deep breath through his nose and set his glass down. "Perhaps shitty by your standards," he snapped, and Tony realized how rare it was that he heard Loki cuss. "But true nonetheless. You will know in time."

Time - there was that again. Tomorrow would be their solid year together, and here they were fighting. Granted it was a tame fight but had the potential to escalate. Tony needed to put a stop to it now before Loki just up and vanished to wherever the fuck he went when he wasn't with him. If the hour he had spent wondering where he had been was bad enough, Tony certainly did not want to wake up alone in the morning.

So, he drew a breath and sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, Lokes. But you have to understand how that looked, right? I saw you for less than five minutes after being in another country and then you disappeared. Made me feel like - " Tony swallowed quickly. "It wasn't great."

Some of Loki's anger dissolved as his expression softened. "I do apologize, Anthony. It was for the best, and you will see - "

"For the best?" Tony interjected; his tone rose in disbelief, edging on hysterical. So much for taking the high ground. Loki snapped his mouth shut as he continued: "So me wandering around the house wondering if you'd pop up somewhere was for the best? Dammit Loki, I thought - I thought you were getting ready to leave me. I expected to not even see you for hours, or at least until you'd decided the best time to come break the news, if at all." He swallowed harshly, working his throat to get rid of the lump that decided to take up camp suddenly. His eyes stung but he ignored it. "That was not okay. Like, at all. If it wasn't for that video, I'd still be expecting it. Hell, I kind of still do - "

"Enough." Loki's sharp tone ended Tony's tirade abruptly. Tony looked up from where he had been staring at his hands, not wanting to even look at Loki because, god, if he was right and Loki was just waiting to tell him he didn't want to hear it. Loki was it for him - the whole enchilada, insanely intelligent, drop-dead gorgeous, funny, deadly, mischievous, sexy - everything and anything Tony could ever want in a partner. Fuck, if he left...no doubt Bruce would be the one to find him in the sorry-ass state he would become.

But...but Loki didn't look guilty. He didn't look like he was harbouring any 'Kill Tony Stark' information. In fact, he looked just the opposite. His brow was knit together in a worried fashion, his eyes wide and still the shade of purest cut emerald Tony hade ever seen. Tony felt floored - what could a being like Loki ever see in a fuck up like him? Shit.

"Anthony, calm yourself," Loki said softly, snaking a hand across the worktable and wrapping it over Tony's clenched fist. He was shaking, his hand clenched so tightly, but at the feeling of Loki's cool fingers grazing his knuckles he relaxed. "I am not departing, nor have I any want to."

Tony didn't want to admit how much relief those words brought him. "...yeah?"

Loki smiled softly. "Yes."

Tony smiled back, albeit sheepishly. "Promise?"

Loki quirked an eyebrow at him but nodded. "I promise."

"Oh, great," Tony said with a content sigh. "Now that that's outta the way, let's chug this bottle and hit the pool, huh?"

Loki chuckled but shook his head. "After I have said my peace, Anthony."

Tony nodded - right. Loki started this, he obviously had adult things to talk about while Tony just huffed and puffed like an overgrown child. Loki didn't seem to mind, drawing the glass to his lips again for another sip. His hand never left Tony's, which Tony was fine with. When he set the glass back down, he leveled a gaze that was nearly unreadable.

"When earlier I said I had done the same," Loki began, reminding Tony of his question before shit hit the fan. "I was referring to your last video, similar to my own. You were in London, after departing from your flight. I...stopped it before anything was said." Loki paused. "I wanted to hear it from you."

Tony swallowed - he knew exactly what Loki was talking about, which video he was talking about. He knew damn well what he had said, and the revelation it had brought included the fear he had felt at believing Loki would leave him. Imagine - finally confessing and having to watch the sorcerer leave forever. Tony very quickly shook the thought from his head and tried to focus on Loki now, here, and definitely not leaving.

"Before you continue, I do wish to lessen your burden," Loki said, his ever-present smirk returning. Tony flipped their hands and squeezed, glad that Loki squeezed back.

"Should I overstep, do let me know." The god paused, took a breath that only Tony would have noticed to be shaky, before continuing: "For our time apart I have come to realize how much of my time you occupy. To be able to see you, even the past you, alleviated pangs that I am certain I otherwise would have felt. The first and most obvious the longing I felt for your company. It is still difficult for me to explain, but you are here now and I no longer feel the draw of solitude. There were often times whence you were off to battle that I felt unwell but had no name for it. Now, I am enlightened."

Tony couldn't help but smile - literally no one spoke like that anymore. Even Thor, born of Asgard and raised alongside Loki, could not even come close to the talent Loki possessed with words. He supposed the 'silver-tongue' title pretty much covered it, amongst other things.

"I am not what I once was. I have seen and done deeds of dark magnitude, and yet you have been willing to forgive and see beyond that, to what I truly am. For that, I am grateful - for you have given me courage to say my thanks." Loki paused, stroking his thumb along Tony's knuckles. His grip intensified but Tony didn't pull away. He wasn't just a technological genius - he could safely say he knew Loki, and from the god's shift in demeanor, Tony knew he was getting to the good stuff.

"In my thanks, it goes beyond words. I wished to convey in actions where words failed me, and still I seemed to have failed. The mere fact of your doubts brought my faults to light, for I never should have given you the option."

Tony frowned. "Loki - "

"Be silent, Anthony; I will not hear you defend me to myself. I have failed you, and am aware of my shortcomings. Now, allow me respite to fix it." Loki paused, waiting for an acknowledgement or to see if Tony would protest. He did not, instead nodding. Loki smirked again and continued: "As I said, I am not what I once was. I am callous, raw, pained - and yet, you seem to still desire me. For what little I know of kindnesses now has been because of you. I cannot say that I begin to understand why, but I can say that I am grateful." Loki drew another breath and squeezed Tony's hand again. Tony didn't wince, long used to the strength of the other man.

"Until recent events, I would not have believed myself to be a creature capable of love, least of all recognize or reciprocate it." Loki said it so carefree that Tony froze. It took a moment for his mind to catch up with Loki's words, blinking when he saw Loki's confident smirk turn to a shy smile.

"Now, what did the end of your video say, Anthony?" Loki asked, drawing his hand back and folding his arms over the work table. Tony blinked again, feeling a smile break out across his face. He felt like he could die just then, and be fine. Knowing what Loki insinuated was more than enough.

"I said how beautiful you looked, waking up to answer my call with your hair a mess and your eyes still hazy from sleep," Tony said softly, still smiling. "I said how much I wanted to be there with you again, instead of halfway across the world. I said that I missed you, that I hoped you wouldn't burn the house down out of boredom." Loki snorted, making Tony's smile widen. "I said that I couldn't wait to get home to you, to tell you that I - that I was damaged goods, but if you'd have me, I'd love you forever."

Loki's eyes sought his, wide and expressive in a way that both frightened and excited Tony. He did that, caused that look of desperation that he shouldn't find such joy in. "Do you mean that?"

"Yes," he said, in echo to Loki moments before. He knew what was next.

"Do you promise?" Loki whispered, his voice shaking just slightly. Tony saw the draw of his shoulders, the clench of his hands. He was preparing to bolt, Tony knew - if he said the wrong thing, Loki would be gone in a flash (and no doubt, half of Malibu too). Tony held so much power in his hands; the ability to create or destroy, a different feeling entirely from when he flew in the suit. If this was what became of Loki's love for him, he would gladly keep it safe with his whole being.

"I promise," he answered. "I love you, Loki. I knew from the beginning I was out of my mind to even try, but I'm glad I did. You're it, babe."

"I am glad to hear you say that," Loki answered, his eyes softening with his smile. He stood abruptly, surprising Tony and rattling the bottle and glasses of wine. He seized Tony by the collar of his shirt and hauled him forward. Tony hissed when his thighs slammed against the metal of the table but was quickly distracted by Loki's lips claiming his own.

The kiss was a far cry from the chaste mess they shared in the limo. Loki moved his lips with bruising claim, nipping and sucking with all the usual finesse that made Tony literally weak in his knees. He couldn't stand, his full weight supported by the table and the strength of the god who loved him, and Tony was entirely content with going along for the ride.

Loki trailed hot kisses down his neck to his collar, forcing Tony to wrap his arms around his neck to prevent an embarrassing slide off the table. "Now, what had you suggested? The pool, if memory serves?"

Tony nodded as he bit back a moan. "Uh, yes please. You're wearing too much."

Loki's chuckles vibrated through his chest and tickled his throat. "I suddenly see the appeal to skinny dipping, was it?"

Tony couldn't stop the moan this time. "Oh absolutely."

Loki kissed and bit his way back up to Tony's mouth. "Anything to have you at my mercy, Anthony." Tony wrapped his hand around Loki's beautiful braid and pulled - hard. The god hissed, allowing his head to be pulled back. Anthony pressed his lips to the pulse point below Loki's ear, feeling the heat and pressure course beneath his soft skin. It was then that Tony wondered when the tide had shifted - when had he stopped being the instigator? When had Loki taken over, drawing Tony further and further in?

"That's not hard," Tony breathed, hearing Loki growl as he teleported them away, upstairs. Tony stripped quickly, not at all ashamed; soon Loki was naked before him and devouring his mouth once more. They hardly made it to the pool - Tony wrapped one of his legs around Loki's hip, enticing the god to lift him the rest of the way. He did so without preamble and drew Tony close, the genius gasping from his erection trapped between their abdomens and the telltale nudge against his ass.

Still, Loki managed to bring them outside and to the edge of the pool through plenty of fumbling and groans. He paused near the pool ladder, obviously deciding the best course of action before Tony simply leaned back and pulled them both into the water.

Tony grinned at the look of surprise on Loki's face before they hit the water; he scrambled away and surfaced near the shallow end, laughing as he gulped for air. The genius looked around, expecting Loki to be above water and plotting against him for his trick. The god was nowhere in sight. Tony backed against the wall of the pool and wiped his face - the moonlight made the water shimmer like a mirror. Despite the unnatural blue the water took, he still couldn't see for shit.

A hand wrapped around his ankle and Tony drew a sharp breath; in a second he was back below water and staring up at Loki as his back hit the pool floor. Loki smirked smugly, his long hair freed from his braid and flowing elegantly around his face. Tony smiled and pushed himself back up, surfacing only a second before Loki.

"Sneaky, Stark," Loki muttered, stalking towards where Tony was already backing against the pool wall again.

"Can you blame me?" Tony asked cheekily. "I learned from the best."

"In that light, I suppose not," Loki answered. Tony felt the edge of the pool cold against his back; Loki loomed closer still, now bracing his arms around Tony's shoulders. "You are a quick study."

"Yeah well, tell me something I don't know," Tony challenged, grinning.

Loki smirked and leaned towards his ear. "Perhaps the neighbors miles from here would be interested in knowing exactly how much I missed you, my love."

Tony swallowed, a delicious shiver racing up his spine from Loki's words and the press of his lips, unusually chilled from the pool water. "It would be rude to assume, Lokes."

"Then I assume you have no qualms?" Loki breathed against his neck, breath hot. He paused a moment. "You smell intoxicating."

Tony couldn't help the bark of laughter he gave. "No, no qualms here, babe."

A/N: SHARE WITH ME YOUR THOUGHTS. :) I hope you enjoyed! There's just one more chapter after this one, then we shall have to part ways. :( But check out this sweet fanart that kicked my ass into this update!

lotolle . tumblr post / 1267229608

Just removed them spaces. :)