He'd calmed but hadn't moved and neither did Loki. Dexterous fingers massaged at his scalp carding through his hair and Tony sighed in content burrowing closer into Loki, his sturdiness his warmth his soft wintery scent. It kept it, all of it at bay. Three days nearly broke him. Three days of cold and aches and searing pain, yet worst of all, memories resurfaced. Memories he'd exert such effort to bury unable to erase from his mind – he'd felt trapped in more than one sense of the word, trapped and-
He inhaled a worthful of Loki who'd brought fingers to the nape of his neck scratching gently, efficiently switching off most thoughts.
Nat interrupts the quiet of the moment through the coms to state they're ten minutes from landing. Tony whined internally as slowly Loki pulled away, yet remained close his eyes, achingly fond and kind it makes him want to look down. Loki rubs at the back of his neck lightly and he forgets, whatever he was thinking browns fluttering, sharpen to hear Loki's silk voice speak: "Maybe next time, don't stray so far from me," in a way, so tender it makes his thoughts lag, despite the smile absent that plays at his lips. Greens to them decline, and it was painfully obvious, the want in them. A want Tony in that moment could no more deny in himself and in that moment nothing else'd mattered-
The click of the door parting steals their attention as Bruce steps in, and Loki recedes and Tony mourns the warmth swiftly, sooner takes note Banner's stunned face registering what he'd walked in on and what he must've thought. Not the fact that every single cut and bruise was gone.
"All yours, doctor," Loki says, locks with him eyes once more, soft still and Tony just wants him back, heart hammers as away Loki makes out the room and the door shuts.
Bruce neared and he said: "I'm good," climbed off the bed.
"Yeah I can see," Banner opposite stops, looking him over amazed, finds reason to state: "Should've seen how he was when we couldn't find you," looks for Stark's reaction, the smile growing on his face his reddening cheeks.
"Yeah well. We're best friends," he brushed off. Like he often does. "Can't blame the guy."
"Right," Bruce knows the others, Clint especially, won't let this just slide.
Steve enters, is startled just like him eyes drawing up and down Tony's unscathed form, is silent for an uncomfortably long moment, before nods and says: "Good to have you back, Tony." Who cocks a playful brow, snarks:
"I'm sure it is," brushing past them. Loki's seated just opposite the room, and easily Tony perched top the seat by him.
It takes Clint a total of three seconds, before he speaks up: "So. This whole time, you could just heal us up with a wrist-flick?" Loki gives him a bored look. Thor answers:
"He'd exert great effort to heal but the simplest of wounds let alone his own," it'd not be so weren't his magic restricted. Loki curses inwardly Odin. "Tis not an act he can liberally execute."
"Thank you Thor but you needn't elaborate on my behalf," he drawls leans forth. "And were my magic at its prime. I wouldn't heal a scrape on your knee nor bother a glance were you at your dying breath." Tony fights back a smile still obvious in his eyes.
"Oh well nice to see where your priorities so obviously lie." Loki sneers and Tony quickly intervenes:
"Shut up, Clint. Seriously? Now?"
"I'm just saying. At least be subtle."
"Barton," Steve warns.
"Come on. Should I just ask? Do I need to?"
"What, are you talking about?" very vexed Tony stressed.
"Well you tell me. How long has this been going on?" he points between them. Tony pulls a look incredulous.
"What?" Even Loki scoffs a dry chuckle faced away. "You think we're-"
"Anyone with eyes thinks it."
"I don't," Cap calls. Clint's eyes roll.
"Anyone except Steve. And Pepper. Who's probably kidding herself."
"Wow," Tony was very much done. Forth he tilts tells much sterner: "Okay, you're gonna stop talking." Clint gives him a look – he cuts off: "No I'm sick of it. Whatever conspiracy theories your mind tirelessly conjures – I'm done. You're gonna stop. The insinuations your stupid comments – and just for once: shut up." A charged beat passes, as all look between the mirrored, heated glares from their friend and the god of mischief aimed both at Clint, who throws up his hands and falls back. Tony huffs reclining.
The outburst has an opposite effect of what he'd hoped, Tony's half-sure, still it felt good – and let them think what they will – they'll never understand, what it is between him and Loki – he hardly understands and…
When they land and Pepper greets him with an embrace and a lecture he really hasn't the will for, and Loki walks past them into the lift doesn't bother a second glance, Tony feels this, potent longing that for once clearly underlines, the extent of emotion he's grown to harbor for Loki.