Resurrection

Chapter-14

Whatever Loki was prepared to see was nothing compared to how Stark have been when he met him in the sanctum. The man was still clinging to Loki desperately even though they had reached New Asgard some minutes ago. But it was better than what he encountered the now tired man.

When he had entered the man of iron’s room, there was nothing but darkness. Curtains were drawn in, lights out and there was a foul smell emanating from the stale food. He had searched the man if he was in the bed but he was nowhere to be seen until he saw a lump shape in the further corner.

Anthony was sitting in the corner his head tugged in his the lap, slightly rocking and mumbling comfort to himself. He knew that Strange was furious but the dark room and untouched food made him realise that no one had come into the room since the incident. The incident was ten days ago.

Perhaps it was nice that Stark was not human. Ten days without food would have killed a mortal and it would have driven them insane already. Why didn’t anyone approach him? Who prepared his food? Loki felt an ounce of sympathy to the man as he felt how mistreated he was.

“Tony?” Loki asked tentatively. But the man was far gone. Deep in his thoughts. Probably wondering why he had come back or how to end his life. The trickster knew all those thoughts well.

“Anthony, dear. Look at me”.

Tony was startled. Someone had called him dear, someone had addressed him. ‘Dear’ he remembered those words used by Peter. He cried in anguish.

“Shh. Sweetheart. It’s okay. Shh” Loki soothed him knowing full well that Tony just needed some comfort.

“I killed him, didn’t I?” Tony would do anything to have his boy back. He didn’t want to live if he lost Peter too.

That shocked Loki-“Anthony, didn’t strange tell you. He is alive”

“But it’s been ten days” Tony wailed.

“Peter is recovering. He can’t come back here for some time, Anthony” Loki soothed the crying man.

“Loki, I just want to see him once. Just to know that he is alive. That I… I didn’t… I swear I will stay away from him afterwards. I would to go anywhere you tell. Just once Loki”

Loki couldn’t help but feel fond of the situation. Both of them thinking they didn’t want to see each other. “I will take you Anthony. But you need to understand something before.”

Tony was listening attentively. Strange had told a similar something. That if he didn’t know what was happening with the boy then he didn’t deserve to be around. He had racked his brain for the past ten days but couldn’t find one single reason why that perfect child wanted to hang around an old man.

“What?” Tony asked. He hoped Loki was not going to ask him to come to conclusions by himself.

“Peter is in love with you.”

“What?” Tony asked in disbelief. Of all the things that people could come up with was this the reason for they wanted him to belief. That such a young perfect boy was in love with a selfish, ego centric man?

Tony laughed. “Loki, that’s a good one. Of course. Of course. Because he couldn’t find someone of his age so he had to go behind a former playboy who had no regards for anyone but himself.”

“Anthony, why do you think Peter bought u back? Because you were his mentor? That he regards for you as father? Peter was in love with you right from the day he met you. Maybe even before that. The only reason he went to extreme length was no matter how perfect others were, he couldn’t forget you. Strange knew it, hell I think everyone in soul dimension knew it. The only reason I decided to aid him was because of it”

“But why, I... I can be as old as his father… I have a family and even before that… I used to look out for him”.

“Don’t pretend that you haven’t entertain the idea, stark” Loki answered smirking.

“I… I will ruin him. Just like now, I would hurt him. It’s better not to see him then. Strange was absolutely right” Tony said resigned. No, he can’t. He was self-destructive in nature.

“Anthony, that’s a decision that Peter has to take. No matter what Strange said you can’t take the choice away from Peter. Times have changed. You are immortal. You will outrun everyone after some time”.

“But…”

“Talk to him. Whatever the decision you take know this. It would be final. You can reject him or try to see how it goes. But in the end if grief is what you are going to give, then you will be unwelcome after today.”

Tony nodded absently. “When can I see him?”

Loki smiled. “After you sleep and eat Anthony. Come now I will prepare food. Afterwards you can think through. After all we do have plenty of time in our hands.”