CHAPTER 1
Prologue
Green eyes peered down at the earth through the veil of realms with an intensity not uncommonly seen from the young god. Many of his peers were accustomed to his brooding and silence as he could often be found looking into space, his gaze far from what was in front of him as he watched visions of a far-off world no one was privy to. Many have asked what drew his gaze in such a way, but they were always met with the same cold blank stare and chilling silence. He would turn and saunter away leaving them to wonder, an amused smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
Even at meal times when all others could be heard chattering and boasting their victories in battle and making drunken toasts to each other, Loki could be found in the back of the room with a glass of wine and that same distant look on his face.
Unseen to the others but very clear to the god of chaos was the one being in the whole of the entire universe that could pull Loki’s attention in such a way. A young human at what appeared to be a party celebrating his planets changing of the years and the end of a millennium. He watched in amused silence as the young human staggered around dancing and chatted drunkenly with the party’s other attendees, all in varying degrees of inebriation. A dark look crossed his face when the man began to lead a scantily dressed woman away from the party and into a private room. He knew of this humans promiscuous ways but they never ceased to be a source of annoyance for him.
Many would wonder why he would be so interested in a human and his answer would be simple, this human was a genius among his people. He created incredible weapons that could level cities and other amazing wonders that fascinated Loki. He was the pinnacle of the human race and was the only one in the nine realms worthy of Loki’s attention, no matter how many fastidious and stuffy noble women his mother attempted to get him interested in. His heart was completely taken by this small and young mortal from Midgard.
He continued watching his human for many years, Until the day came when he was cast out into the dark abyss that surrounded Asgard following his attempt for the throne.
End Prologue
Tony POV
Loud music blared from speakers throughout the house pounding through his chest as the bass thudded around him. He was well past drunk and approaching blackout as he danced with some nameless bimbo he wouldn’t even remember in the morning as he nursed the hangover to end all hangovers. The woman had long brown hair down to her shoulders, but it was mussed up as she gyrated against him in a slutty and desperate show, when suddenly strong arms wrapped around his shoulders pulling him against a strong chest.
“My dear Anthony, what kind of trouble have you found yourself in now?” A silky voice said in a low tone.
A slow smirk worked its way onto Tony’s face as he caught the drunken girl’s expression. It really shouldn’t have been a surprise, it hit the papers years ago headlines all in bold ‘TONY STARK IN GAY RELATIONSHIP! UNKNOWN MAN SEEN AT HIS SIDE!’. It was old news but there were the odd few women who sought to convert him or just didn’t care about the tall and scary raven-haired man who was seen at Tony’s side.
“Don’t worry babe I just got a little turned around looking for you and this chick -hic- bumped into me.” Tony slurred out relatively proud it sounded somewhat coherent. He turned to give the taller man a kiss on the cheek and caught the dark glint in his emerald eyes as he turned.
“Damien, babe, don’t worry about it. It’s dark and kind of foggy in here she prolly didn’t know it was me. Right?” Tony drunkenly said turn to face the girl for confirmation and trying to give her an escape from his boyfriend’s wrath.
The girl nodded numbly and wobbled her way to a group of dancing girls who appeared to be her friends.
“I’ve told you before how I feel about you just ignoring them Anthony, I really wish you would actively push them away and send a clear statement that you are not for grabs. I grow weary defending my claim on you.” Damien sighed, steering Tony towards the balcony and into the cool May evening forcing water down his throat as he went.
“What’re you doing?” Tony asked stumbling slightly as he was being led and force-fed water as he walked through the door to the oddly empty balcony and away from the party.
“I need you sober my dear for what I wish to tell you.” Damien said calmly, smoothing some of Tony’s wild hair down into a somewhat manageable mess.
Sensing something big Tony took several sobering breaths and downed the water trying to clear his head, bracing himself for what might come out of his lovers mouth next. Once Damien could see that Tony was indeed a little more aware of the world that surrounded him. Unseen to Tony, however, a tendril of green wispy smoke slowly curled its way around his body and into his nose as he took a deep centering breath. Then suddenly all feelings of dizziness and goofy confusion were gone, and his head was once again clear.
“I don’t know how you do that but oh my god is it helpful.” Tony sighed running a hand over his face before looking down and meeting Damien’s fixed gaze. “What?”
“Anthony,” He started before taking a breath and ignoring the mumbled correction of ‘Tony’ from his lover he continued. “Anthony, I have felt a powerful force searching for me this past week, I fear my father may now be aware of my location or is close to finding it. It might be required of me to leave for a short while, so you will remain safe from his temper.”
That sobered Tony in a flash.
“Loki what are you talking about?” He asked, his tone betraying his alarm.
“We have been clever thus far my love. But I fear the All Father will soon see through the deception of a fake name and identity and will take swift action once he learns where I have been. Should it get out that you knew all along and hid it you could very well be executed for hiding me. I will not risk your life.” Loki’s green eyes bored into Tony’s, pleading with him to not argue with his decision.
"No, Loki no, I won't be separated from you. You say that I could be executed for knowingly hiding you but if your father finds out that you are with me then chances are he will question me anyway about you, my life will be on the line no matter what. I won’t be pulled from your side just because your fathers a dick." Tony said gripping his arms tightly around Loki's body and pulling him close, burying his face in the taller man’s chest and inhaling his sent.
"Tony, this isn't a game, I cannot ask you to risk your life for me." Loki said gently running his hands up and down Tony's back in an attempt to calm him.
The party had all but died down by the time Tony released his grip on Loki and had ended all together save a few stragglers when they finally separated.
"I know it’s not a game Loki, I can take care of myself, I have made my fair share of enemies over the years and have managed to survive. I would never forgive myself if I ran and hid when you needed me the most. Beside I own a weapons company I'm sure I have something that could knock Odin on his ass and out of this realm, and if not, I will build one." Tony said flashing a confident smile.
"Only you my love would think of attacking the All Father. Very well, as it is obvious that you have made up your mind and no words from me will sway you then at least promise me that you will be careful. I could not bear to lose you." The deep emotion swimming in the green eyes almost broke him right there, Love, fear, admiration, concern and adoration all wove together to create a tempest in Loki's gaze that left him breathless.
He wove his fingers with Loki's and slowly guided him to the bedroom where he collapsed on the bed pulling Loki with him. After some shuffling and rearranging he was comfortably in Loki's embrace not even a little ashamed of being the little spoon if it meant this amazing man would hold him.
"Sleep Love, you have to catch a plane in a few hours to demonstrate your new missiles."
Tony gave a grunt of acknowledgment and burrowed deeper into the bed.
~~~~~~~~Break~~~~~~~
I should have given him one more kiss, I should have told him I loved him one more time. I should have just stayed in bed this morning hiding in his arms.
These were the thoughts going through Tony's head as he tried to dodge the oncoming barrage of bullets. He ducked behind a rock hoping to catch his breath when his heart stopped at the site of one of his own missiles lying right next to him on the ground. It was an older design but only by about a year, this model when it exploded shot shrapnel out upon explosion to maximize damage and range of attack for the weapon. There was no time to react beyond a flash of a devious smile and emerald pools before blinding pain radiated throughout his body as the missile detonated.