Two kisses
“No.”
The word echoed in the forest like a scream, even though it wasn´t meant to be one. A sharp female laughter followed soon after.
“Then we don´t have a deal.”
Tony´s eyes moved from Lefer to Loki and back. He was quite shocked to tell the truth. The demand he´d just heard was ridiculous and his mind had trouble to grasp over it.
“Well,” he started, “don´t want to give you any ideas, but he is a fucking sorcerer and all you come up with is… a kiss?” It was weird to even repeat the words. “Do you have a secret crush on him or what?”
It sounded funny enough when he said it like that, but Loki probably didn´t share his attitude in this case. He looked like he will murder someone in next few seconds. Tony kept gazing his way hoping the god will react somehow.
“She needs a connection to see into one´s mind,” he finally explained, but still leaving Tony deeply wonder what to do with that information and how to connect it to the rest.
“So you´re saying she wants to look into your head by putting her tongue into your throat?” Yes, he couldn´t help himself.
“A strong connection is needed,” the woman added like it should have cleared anything. Tony fought away the nausea from recalling his last mind invasion. He didn´t believe that Loki would normally allow something like that to his own privacy, but now it wasn´t a normal situation and from his angry expression Tony could detect it may not be the whole story.
Loki suddenly looked at Lefer with so much contempt that Tony had to swallow what he wanted to say next.
“I know what you are eager to find there,” he addressed her, “but I will not betray Asgard and let you see its secrets, not now and not ever.”
“I see,” she slowly nodded while Tony quickly replayed what Loki just said, “you are still so loyal to the people who will never respect you. I hoped that in your time you are wiser than that.”
Tony thought: yes, indeed he is, so why did he just say that? But he dismissed the thought, when Lefer opened her mouth to speak up again.
“You will either do what I want or you will walk away from here with empty hands.” Her threat was real. Tony knew it and Loki knew it too. Still the engineer was sure as there was heaven above him that Loki won´t back down. They were shoved into the corner.
Tony had one idea, but it was pretty crazy and not best for his mental health, but lets ask what from the thigs he used to do was ever good for his health…
“Actually,” he finally engaged into the debate, “we will not.” And now Loki looked both interested and worried.
Good.
“You said exactly this,” he pointed at Lefer, “I demand a kiss for my services and for a device to store the energy.” She didn´t give him any indication she agreed, but they all had heard it before. “You didn´t mention that you want a kiss from him, right?”
And suddenly all of them were on the same page. Loki found his eyes subtly shaking his head.
“You don´t want to do that, Stark.” And he was right. Tony didn´t want to do that. Hell no. But if he ever learned something from the god of mischief and lies it was how words could be your best weapon. Now they were holding the trigger only if Tony was able to withstand the kickback after he fires.
He kinda of expected the woman to be at least a bit of irritated, but she was smiling and that was a huge disappointment on Tony´s side.
“What a smart boy you´ve chosen, Loki,” she purred, her eyes returning to the god, when he snarled.
“I haven´t chosen anyone.”
“Oh, but you will…” There was something very wrong with her eyes when she uttered those words, but Tony had no mental strength to comment on it. If they really wanted to do that, it had to be quick until he changes his mind.
“So how is it going to be? We make out and everything´s done?”
Loki clearly didn´t approve of what was going to happen, but he at least didn´t dare to doubt Tony´s decision. He turned on him, stepping a bit closer.
“You are going to feel similar as the last time.”
His stomach protested, but Loki continued. “However there will be no pain. You will feel nothing. I will arrange it.” And while talking, a green energy appeared between his hands. He made a move towards Tony´s head and the man himself fought away a need to flinch. “Are you sure there is nothing she could use?”
The question should have sounded differently. Is there anything important for the future? The answer would be yes, there was. But he couldn´t think of any reason why a sorceress should invent arc reactor before the cave even happened. And once again, they didn´t have much choice. Even Tony could admit that Loki in his long existence had probably more dangerous secrets than him.
“It will be fine,” he answered, Loki held his eyes for another moment, “I will be fine,” he added and that was stupid, because who cared about his PTSD or buried memories which will surely give him nightmares tonight?
Lefer abruptly reached for his hand and both Loki and him stiffened.
“This will not bring me anything useful, only pleasure.” She gave Loki one more stare and pulled Tony closer so he couldn´t see his expression. He didn´t want to talk more. Not really. Maybe for the first time in his life. He just wanted to do it fast.
Tony closed his eyes when their lips touched, he didn´t want to see her. He had kissed so many women and men in his life, so why this felt somehow wrong? He braced himself from what was about to come, but just as Loki promised he felt nothing except the taste of the other woman´s mouth.
When after a moment he noticed that she was attempting to put her hand into his hair, he had to fight himself not to break the kiss, his eyes now wide open. Fortunately, the hand only brushed him, as Loki´s fingers stopped her in the move and Lefer let Tony go, gazing at the god like he was a kid who just did something bad but funny enough not to lecture him about it.
She didn´t say a single thing, only licked her lips in the way which didn´t help to settle Tony´s stomach in slightest.
“Are we even?” Loki spat out, now taking Tony by his forearm and hauling him few steps away from the sorceress. Was it now a game? Grab your Tony and drag him somewhere?
“Yes, we´re even.” Lefer outstretched her hand and in a next second a simple wooden box appeared in her hand.
“You have to store there energy at least for another week until it´s full. But even after that it doesn´t have to be enough. It´s a risk you have to take. Although I assume the transfer won´t kill him.” He looked at Tony briefly. “If you ever want to be successful you have to learn how to cooperate together. You both have to be able to hold the place and time in your mind otherwise you can end up somewhere you won´t like. I can help you. I can teach you. If you would like me to come, you can contact me, I will accept.”
Tony had the feeling they both wanted to throw another big NO in her face, but when Loki didn´t do it, Tony bit his tongue as well. Who knows how this cooperation will go? Maybe they will need some help whether they liked it or not.
Loki didn´t say another word to her, no goodbye or go and die, you little bitch… Nope. The box just disappeared from her hand and they turned away and walked out of the forest, Tony being still dragged because of Loki´s firm grip on his arm. He only started to disagree aloud, when it became really stupid to stumble all the time. And some magic happened again, but he didn´t even notice it properly this time.
“Okay, you can let go now,” Tony´s eyes slid down on Loki´s fingers, which got loose a second later. The god looking slightly confused or at least not fully aware of some of his actions was a sight to behold.
“We are going to materialize in your father´s house. Now.” And like that Loki´s hand was up on his shoulder again and all of Tony´s protest cut. All he could think about was the car, and Loki´s magic being wasted like that and then it was darkness and New York, alien ships everywhere and the room and him knocking something over and his knees hitting the floor.
And after that Loki´s voice.
“Stark, we are home. You are fine.”
But it was too late. Damn idiot. Was it such a hard thing to wait for him to agree with something like teleportation? Actually before it´s done? And now he was panicking… Hell, he was panicking so badly.
His heartbeat was too fast, he could almost hear blood in his veins and it hurt to breath. His chest was in flames and he knew… he knew, it wasn´t real, but at the same time it was.
He watched Loki´s face in front of him. He was there, kneeling on the ground, but he couldn´t help and Tony was going to suffocate. Because the darkness will consume him. He didn´t want that. He didn´t want to die in that darkness.
Tony was desperately sucking in the air and somehow between the need to calm down and pass out, he noticed Loki´s lips moving.
“Stark, you listen to me. You are not in that wormhole. You are safe. They are dead. You survived. Do you understand what I am telling you?”
And then he realized his dad was also there, right next to him. The hand on Tony´s back was his. And when he found his face, his expression scared Tony. Did it look so bad? His attacks?
“I´m here, son, breathe.” So he did. He tried. Because he didn´t want to scare anyone, especially not his father. And finally after few minutes of agony his lungs started to work again. Thank god.
It was quite strange. He had never witnessed his father to really care like that or so he remembered. It was mostly Tony´s mother who dealt with his sicknesses and later with hangovers, even some first heartbreaks. Never Howard Stark.
“What happened?” the question was aimed at Loki, but Tony was one who tried his voice.
“A fucking magic happened,” he said, immediately regretting his harsh tone, “I mean I like magic, but you know… I hate magic.” And it was really funny to watch Loki giving him one of his “are you kidding me” looks. Although somewhere there under the facade of his pale face Tony found also a hint of guilt. And fuck if Tony knew how he knew.
“And I definitely hate teleportation. Why we did that anyway? The car was right there…”
“I need to prepare a potion for you,” Loki didn´t leave him to finish and immediately stood up, disappearing into the kitchen.
“Yes. Sure. I love potions… And I kinda use a lot of “hate” and “love” comments right now, so maybe I really need that potion. Did she do something to me?” He shouted the last question, but no reply came back. “Let´s hope not and only universe and time ganged up trying to kill me. Usual stuff.”
Shit. He should really shut up.
Tony let his dad help him back on his feet, suddenly so exhausted that he could barely walk. And damn him if that wasn´t because of the magic once more.
The bed in front of him looked like heaven. Howard noticed the way he was looking at the sheets and after making sure that Tony wasn´t going into another mental breakdown any time soon, he left the room with a promise of having a talk later. Probably not one Tony would like.
The first second the door closed he shed away the armor as fast as possible and jumped onto the bed, burying his head into the sheets like an ostrich not really caring that his life design was tossed everywhere around the bed area. When Loki returned he was halfway into unconsciousness, but the god somehow managed to pull out the only 0,5% left of Tony´s energy and forced him to sit up.
“Drink this.” It tasted awful and Tony didn´t even really opened his eyes to see how it looked. Maybe a good choice on his side. He laughed when suddenly a memory crossed his mind.
“What is so funny, Stark?”
“I just remembered how I accidently kissed a girl when I was ten years old and then wiped my mouth clean with mouthwash like three or four times. This,” he nodded towards the drink in his hand, “looks similar to me.”
“You kissed a girl accidently?”
Tony shrugged like it was something natural to do.
“Yep, this happens a lot. Like that kiss you gave me… Accidents happen, don´t they?” And yes, right at that very moment he knew something was horribly wrong. He started to be sure when he saw Loki´s small smile successfully mixing with the mischief in his green eyes.
“What is this shit? What did you give me?”
“It is merely a cure to clean everything she might have left in your mind,” Loki said patiently, “but I admit it can have some side effects.”
And Tony might have been becoming red from realizing what he´s just said.
“So you call that night an accident, Stark?” Loki didn´t let go. Of course he didn´t. He was on the rampage and clearly enjoying it.
“What it was then? You started something and then walked away. I guess I´m not good enough for a god, right? Compromised, my ass… ” No. No. No. Please, stop asking those questions.
“I see,” Loki clearly had his fun, but Tony was merely two seconds from killing him. “Would you have really wanted to continue?” His voice got a bit serious there. “Even if you know… what I am.”
“I knew you were a little shit before too,” Tony buffed out, the only answer he was really satisfied with.
But Loki frowned. “You know what I mean, Stark.”
Tony knew. He had the image before his eyes. The blue form radiating cold and exotic beauty in the dim light of his own reactor.
“Don´t really care. You´re attractive. Whether like this or smurf blue. You are the only one who has a problem with that.”
There was something wrong with the way Loki was looking at him. Like he didn´t really know. Like he thought Tony was trying to trick him. But then his face softened, just a little, Tony almost missed the sign and the god abruptly reached for him.
Tony was too much in the shock to really understand what was happening. All his brain knew was that his lips were captured in a next moment and this time he didn´t close his eyes because he didn´t want to see.
He closed them because it felt good, because he wanted more, because just as Loki had said before this was a really extraordinary experience. Terrifying. Powerful. Addictive.
The kiss was both demanding and calm, leaving a plenty of the room for Tony to back away. Something he didn´t expect from Loki. But no, not happening. His lips were perfectly synchronized with the god´s, teasing and fighting for dominance, tasting and experimenting how far could they go without realizing what they were doing and what it meant in the long run. Maybe nothing. Maybe a disaster.
“We will stop here, Stark. I do not want you to fall asleep on me again in this kind of situation.”
Tony wanted to protest, right into his mouth, but he found the words to be truth. He was deadly exhausted. Again. This was becoming a tradition. Press would so love that – Tony Stark constantly falling asleep while making out – exclusive photos.
“But we will pick up where we left after, right?” he just wanted to make sure after the last time and the fucking potion helped him to say the words aloud. Loki seemed to be honestly surprised by that question.
“Yes, if you wish so.”
“Cool. Perfect. Good night.” The man threw himself backwards into the bed. Just no more talking, please.
“It´s still afternoon, Stark.”
“So good afternoon.”
Some of his more intelligent brain cells were shouting at him what a fool he was and how badly this could end. That he should think about his team. That he was playing with a fire. And then some of the stupid ones just lulled him to sleep with a comfortable feeling of the god´s presence somewhere near. Maybe the only possible creature in the universe who could match him. Someone who was insulting him every possible minute and then protecting him from evil witches. Someone who could give him panic attacks and then calm him down from them. Someone who could heal his injuries and act like he didn´t know anything about it.
Somewhere between those thoughts Tony knew he was on his way to hell. He had this disturbing feeling that if he ever finds himself with a gun pointed at the god´s head, there´s a big fucking chance he might not be able to shoot.
OOO
Howard Stark was a man of his word. Usually.
He had intended to keep his promise to his son and keep the whole time traveling thing between them. But then his phone went off one day and there was a lot of pleading and shouting from Maria on the other side of the line. She was worried sick because he has been dug in their mansion and he didn´t want to let her come. Because she knew something had happened. Because his lies were obvious. Because she was a smart woman. And seriously when he heard her downstairs banging on the door and almost killing the guards with the heel of her shoe, he just surrendered. At least she didn´t bring small Tony with her - that was his condition, when Jarvis had called him earlier to warn him.
“Do you really think it´s wise?” Frank asked him quietly, they were both waiting until the woman would burst into the room.
“I don´t really know. But I don´t have a right to keep that from her. If Tony doesn´t want to meet her, he will not. But she should know.”
Howard let out a tired sigh. “I heard him screaming from nightmares, Frank. Hell, my men even kicked in the last time because they thought that god or whoever that is was trying to kill him. And I can´t even make myself enter the room, because I don´t know what to do.” He remembered how miserable he felt just few hours ago, when he found his son panicking so much he couldn´t catch his breath. “I was never good in this. I screwed up. Or at least I will. But she is a good mother. She always knows what he needs. I don´t want to hurt him more. But maybe this could actually help him. The decision will be his.”
Frank didn´t agree with him, but he didn´t try to make him change his mind either.
“How you will tell her?”
Howard laughed hard and desperately. “Hell if I know…”