Chapter 4
"We don't have to talk about it," Loki said matter-of-factly the next day, handing Tony a large mug of strong black coffee and a slice of dry toast as the billionaire sat up slowly, still in bed.
Tony took a sip of the coffee as he eyed the toast warily. "What if I want to?" he challenged.
The god sighed deeply. He didn't know how much more heartache he could stand before he crumbled, but put on a brave face. He turned to Tony and forced a smile. "Then we talk,"
"I've never been with a guy before, it's just not my thing," he began as Loki nodded numbly. "But...I know that I really care about you, Lo. A lot. I'm comfortable with you. You're the only one who can match me sass for sass. I like that," he smirked.
"Eat your toast. It'll settle your stomach. Unless it's your intention to vomit all over your thousand dollar silk sheets and myself in the process," Loki tutted as the inventor's stomach groaned.
"See? Sass. But more than that, I feel like you care about me," he said slowly.
"I do," Loki confirmed non committally.
"I need that. Look...I know I'm a mess. I'm selfish, I'm spoiled, I'm damaged, I'm narcissistic, I'm volatile, I'm self-obsessed..."
"You don't play well with others. Yes, I've read Fury's report, Anthony," Loki teased, interrupting his monologue.
Tony sighed. "Bottom line, Lo, is we're a lot alike. A lot alike. Maybe we'd be good for one another. At least we'd know we'd be understood by our partner," he said, resting his head on the god's shoulder as he munched his toast.
"I'd like that. But, Anthony, you're getting crumbs all over me,"
Tony chuckled. "I can't promise anything other than I'm willing to try and will do my damnedest to make you happy,"
"I know," Loki sighed, kissing the top of Tony's head. "But please be patient with me. It's been a long time since I've allowed myself to be vulnerable with another person. I'm very insecure and don't know if I'll be very good at it,"
Tony lifted his head up and brushed his lips against the god's. "I know. I'm in the same position, Lo. I'm scared as fuck, but know that there's no one else I'd rather be scared with," he said reassuringly, kissing Loki so deeply the trickster felt the air was being sucked from his lungs.
"Thank you. And I know you can't say it yet, but I love you, Anthony,"
"I'll get there," Tony promised. "Now why don't I get dressed and we can tell the others?"