Nik grew closer to Tony as the weeks went on. Pepper was impressed with his ability to get Tony to do what needed to be done. Life on Midgard was going well. He had never known such freedom. Yet he felt incomplete without Loki. He still spoke to his love through the necklace. Trying to send his words and love through it with his seidr. He occasionally would feel what his prince was feeling. Mostly it was fear or anger. It made Nik's heart break. ~I will find you again my love.~
Loki arrives on Midgard at the place where they are holding Thor. He slips past armed guards invisible as he goes to speak with his not-brother. He effortlessly lies to the God of Thunder. How Odin has perished and Asgard is on the brink of war, but the peace may hold if Thor remains banished. It's with a heavy heart that Thor agrees and Loki leaves gleefully. As he prepares to return to Asgard, Loki sees Mjölnir.
He stops and thinks for a moment before trying to lift the hammer. When he fails to pull the hammer out of the crater it fell in, he sinks into himself, physically and mentally. ~Is this why Nik left me? He knew I wasn't worthy?~ Once he has finished his thought, Loki feels a pain as though shocked by Thor, but he knows that can't have happened. He takes a few minutes to collect himself when he hears a voice. "I will find you again my love." He gasps as he frantically looks around. ~That was Nikolas' voice! How is this possible?~ He immediately returns to Asgard. It seems as though not all of his questions were answered.
Nik was calmly sitting in a corner in some conference room while Mr. Stark attended a meeting. He was going over some paperwork when an intense feeling of electricity surged through his body. He gasped and shot up from his seat causing it to hit the wall and topple over. He stood unseeing and unhearing all around him as he placed a hand over the rune that hung from his neck. ~Loki! That-that wasn't from the necklace! Is he here on Midgard? I felt him as if he were right here. I must find him!~
It took Nik several moments before he remembered to breathe and a few more for the sound of his rapidly beating heart to go down enough to hear Tony speaking to him. "Nik...you...Maybe...done...the...rest?" Nik shook his head to rid himself of the thoughts and emotions racing through it. "I'm sorry Mr. Stark."
Tony smiled at the men that made the SI's advising staff. "Excuse us for just a minute gentleman." Tony carefully grabbed Nik's arm, led him to an office across the hall and closed the door. "Are you alright? I know Pepper and I have been dumping a load of shit on you in order to get everything ready for the Stark Expo next month. And it doesn't leave a ton of down-time. Plus you and Pep pushing me to focus on the latest Stark phone. We're asking a lot out of you without giving much back and you should take a vacation..maybe not right now cause we really need your help but after the Expo. Buy yourself something nice. Tell JARVIS. It's on me. And-"
Nik grinned and gripped Tony's shoulders. "Tony, shut up. You're babbling. Take a breath." Tony took a deep shaky breath. "What happened Nik? You freaked out in there which honestly freaked me out. You've always been Mr-Calm-And-Collected. Kinda pissed me off a time or ten. Seriously it's a bit creepy. Being all stoic and shit. Reminds me of Agent actually." "Tony. You're trailing off again. Look I'm alright. Just couldn't breath for a minute or something. I don't know."
Tony took a step back and seemed to be analyzing him. "Yeah I get it. It can get pretty stuffy with those uptight assholes in there. Why don't you go pick us up some lunch. I'm thinking cheeseburgers." Nik squeezed the back of his neck. "I'm a little afraid to leave you alone with them." Tony waved him off. "Nah. I'll be fine. Was in the middle of discussing some new invention ideas for SI that I need approval on. Besides there's a great burger joint not far from here. You'll be back in no time." Nik sighed. "Fine. Just don't antagonize them please. Otherwise I'll have JARVIS lock you out of the workshop or make it so you can only work on the things we really need for the company for two weeks."
Tony pouts. "I don't think I like you anymore. You're mean." "I don't know. I'd be nice to me if I were you. I AM about to go get you cheeseburgers and I was thinking maybe even milkshakes." Tony couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face. "I'll be good. Now go!"
It took about twenty-five minutes to get lunch and drive back. Nik's mind was still on Loki. ~Should I go look for Loki? Midgard is big and I'm not even sure where to start looking. Why would he be here anyway? Could he be looking for me? Even after all this time?~
When Nik reenters the room, Tony was still discussing his ideas. He sat back in his chair in the corner, put the bag of food on the floor next to him and the drink carrier with the two milkshakes on his lap as he waited patiently for the meeting to end.
Loki appeared at the Bifrost as soon as he returned to Asgard. "Heimdall! I need you to search for Nikolas. Now!" "Your Majesty, it's been nearly two centuries since Nik vanished, what good would come from locating him now?"
Loki paced angrily. "I know he yet lives. He holds secrets about Asgard and of me. If any of the realms got to him, it could mean the fall of Asgard." "Very well my king. I will begin thoroughly searching as far as my eyes can see." Even if he did find anything, Heimdall was sure he would keep it to himself. He had been fond of the red haired young man.