PS:

Tony's thoughts are in [Italic Square Brackets.]

Loki's thoughts are in {Italic Curved Brackets}

XXX

Tony can't bring himself to tell Loki to leave. The lab's become as much his space, and…he doesn't trust himself to speak right now. He carries on with his project distracting himself-

"Anthony," softly called, and close – when had he moved from the sofa? Tony doesn't face him he knows the second Loki sees him he'll ask and, he has this way of, seeing through him that is as unnerving as, is the reason they co-exist peaceful.

"Hm?" is all he can muster [this is ridiculous.] He steels himself because really really he will not come undone in front of him – a weight on his shoulder cuts short his thoughts, Loki's hand that's moved to grip lightly yet he tensed althesame. It tightens just so as Loki turns to capture his gaze that he does not offer.

"What's wrong?" Loki asks like he always does always detects when something is, even when no one else does. Tony shakes his head – furious, as the tears pool faster [damn it!]

Loki's grasped his chin forced his head turn though not harshly, and that's all it takes.

For their eyes to meet for his tears to spill, as greens widen. Tony jerks away hastes to leave – Loki halts him grabs his arms – demands: "What, happened?"

"Nothing," stressed the smith wipes at his eyes fiercely – as fiercely Loki exclaims:

"Nothing?!" Tony huffs, obviously Loki wasn't letting up and. [Wow what a day this is turning out to be.] "Anthony," Loki's voice's lowered yet calmer in no sense. Tony pursed his lips features pinched and.

Without prompt he finds himself tugged, into the god's chest, firm arm round his waist another cross his shoulders.

Loki's action's one of impulse and he is not one to pursue so but…Tony tenses, shakily exhales sniffs, before, tentative almost, his hand comes to press against Loki's back. Then the other, clutching, and he burrows closer and whimpers gasping and, Loki's heart breaks. Arms tighten as Tony sobs, all prior restraint gradually fades and he cries

and such wrath like scarcely ever fills Loki to the brim. He grips, collects him closer, hushing and stroking his soft hair. All the while his rage fuels a need for revenge. He will learn the cause that was to make the passionate, fiery warm soul of Tony Stark ache so,

and raze it to the ground.

Minutes pass sooner Tony's tremors dissipate. As quietly and calmly as he can, Loki urges: "Tell me."

"…It's stupid." He pulls slowly back, once more cupped the man's chin tilts up, and he says firmly:

"Nothing that brings you to tears is stupid." Tony's puffy, reddened browns decline trying to hide – Loki cradles his face swept away what remanent tears and it's not, the softness in the gesture because, he has seen that side of Loki a side, gentle and caring and, perhaps may be the only to know it still exists. No it's how much of it Loki's showing just then. The note of concern the serene in his tone when he asks 'what's wrong' or 'what troubles you' or 'where have your thoughts strayed', how he asks then, so achingly sweetly: "Please tell me. I swear I won't mock you."

And if Tony had thought his walls'd crumbled, when Loki'd gathered him in an embrace tight and secure, it compares not to that moment, or the plea in greens or the worry in them.

It all topples out one after the next – the mission and how it'd gone awry, the risk he'd taken calculated but a risk althesame and how he'd been reprimanded for it, like he always is, and how he and Pepper are always at odds he needn't mention detail Loki knows, the entire tower knows. He speaks weary how it is that everyone doubts him, doubts his judgment doubts him.

And Loki'd listened unreacting save for when his voice'd elevate outraged, hurt, and the grip on his shoulders would tighten, the god's expression just slightly. Tony stays, stood less than a foot from him, even when he wants to look away hide his face his pain, when he craves a sharp drink when he feels the need to sit. He stays, and he speaks, because Loki has asked him and because Loki is listening, like he always is. And because he's close and warm and solid…

When he's well through brief silence trails where he's unsure, what Loki will say, if when he'd sworn he'd been truthful, despite more than any having been always able to see, through the lies of the god of lies.

That was the last time he'd ever doubted Loki.

"I will tell you one thing," he says the calmness in his tone fooling no one, "that you already know of. You, don't, need them. Any of them, any one, to validate, what, you are capable of, nor what you are able to achieve, nor concur with your choices or judge them. You," cupped the mortal's chin stressed: "You are so much, more, than all of them combined. Your worth, your mind your heart," one hand pressed to the stunned smith's thudding chest. "You are worth so much more," takes his shoulders again, asserted: "This is the last time you let anyone, instill doubt in you, do you understand? If they persist in their undermining either discard them, or remind them, just who the fuck, Tony Stark is."

Justly, overwhelmed lips parted, another tear rolled down his cheek Loki swiftly brushed away, caressing to and fro his warmed skin. Tony feels himself come completely undone -he clutches and pulls at Loki, who tilts down pressing their foreheads. Tony sighs against his lips as Loki cradles his neck rubbing his nape lightly.

Tony, less leans than falls in to kiss him and the relief, in that moment, the need that emerges. He throws both arms across Loki's shoulders heaves himself up so their mouths will properly lock and Loki pulls him, arches his head deepens the kiss and Tony murmurs. Loki moans and kisses and kisses the man breathless,

and when they part and their eyes lock,

and it slips from Tony's tongue: "I love you."

Now shocked as Loki was, as Tony even,

he can't but kiss him in response

and whisper back: "I love you," and mean it.