Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Isn't that a perfect day? No boring meetings, no heated discussions of any kind, no quarreling with the team (apparently, the Avengers can sometimes be worse than a pack of spoiled preschoolers), no “that’s Senator Smith, Mr Stark, so it would be wise to answer the phone” random calls, even no paperwork to do.

It's just Tony and his workshop. And the caffeine, of course. Lots of it in a special, temperature-regulating, gigantic coffee jug already waiting for him down there on the table, plus the mug Tony is holding right now, close to his heart, like the most precious treasure.

He doesn't really need to bring it with him anymore, not since he created the Jugzilla, which is definitely one of his best inventions ever (Pepper doesn't agree with him, saying that his caffeine intake has doubled because of it, but she's just being a killjoy). Still, it's a kind of habit he has developed during the years - going down to his workshop with his favourite mug full of delicious coffee - and he just doesn't want to get rid of this little pleasure.

Of course, Jarvis already tried to spoil the beauty of the moment by repeatedly babbling something about “an incident” of a kind, but Tony didn't even pretend to listen, as he ordered not to inform him about anything , unless it's a directly life or health threatening situation. After which Jarvis finally stopped bugging him, so apparently the incident wasn't so important after all.

The workshop doors open and Tony finally steps inside his sanctuary, his gaze sweeping the room, and…

…the mug falls down to the ground, a stream of brown liquid starting to flow lazily across the floor.

“Morning, Stark…”

What the absolute fucking hell? Okay, Tony already has a plausible theory - he surely drank too little coffee today, his blood pressure is too low, so his brain lacks oxygen and he started hallucinating. There is no other possible reason for Loki half-lying there on the floor, with his arms behind his back, tightly secured by absurd-looking metal manacles that are chained to the wall.

“Sir, this is exactly the incident I was talking about.” 

Riiiight, no hallucination then. Okay, that's not the first time Loki shows up in the tower totally uninvited. This time, though, he is definitely more posh than he was in his penthouse a few weeks ago. His fancy black suit seems to be tailor-made, and all the other clothes - from snow-white shirt to shiny shoes and black-green tie - are definitely the highest quality as well. Combined with the handcuffs and chains, it all looks like a scene from some bat-shit-crazy BDSM porn movie.

This situation is even more surreal than their previous encounter. Tony starts wondering whether he's being a victim of a practical joke or is it a part of Loki's elaborate plan to sneak something out of his workshop. Or maybe… is it possible that the Trickster just got bored and wanted to have a bit of fun once again? That could be interesting, indeed, and Tony decides to find out what the odds are.

“Well, well, well… isn't that Mister Fifty Shades of Green? I thought you preferred being the one who ties people up and not the other way round?”

The god winces slightly, but instantly covers it up with his Loki's-default-smirk - pure nonchalance mixed with sassiness and seasoned with a tiny bit of seduction.

“Oh, I would not be opposed to this kind of game, either, Stark. However…” Loki clears his throat gently. ”...This is not the reason why I'm here.”

The smile is definitely too strained right now, the aloof facade cracking just oh-so-slightly, which makes Tony really intrigued.

“So why exactly are you here, o great god of bondage?”

The smirk disappears completely. Loki looks at him for a moment, biting his lip, as if thinking intensely what to say, and then he averts his eyes, staring at the floor.

“I may have… slightly annoyed someone… whom I shouldn't have…”

This is definitely getting interesting. Yet, Tony still doesn't fully understand the situation.

“Wait, so you pissed somebody off, right? And they somehow managed to restrain you and leave you chained in your enemy's territory? Why don't you just break free? Or use your fancy mojo stuff to make these shackles go poof?”

Loki's expression is quite similar to the one Clint had, when someone pranked him and added a full cup of lemon juice to his morning coffee (Tony has absolutely no idea who it was - cross his heart!).

“I have already told you that it was somebody I shouldn’t have messed with!”

Oh! Ooooooh! So the amazing, invincible Loki has finally met his match. Tony definitely needs to get some more information on that person, because it's quite possible that soon they will need to handle a brand new villain, who might have more malicious plans than just playing tricks and causing chaos and commotion. First things first, though, because now he has to deal with one god of mischief being permanently attached to his wall. Seriously, this was supposed to be such a quiet and peaceful day! Tony sighs with resignation and runs his hand through his hair.

“Okay, so what did they do to you?”

Loki sighs, too. The look on his face is one of slight discomfort, combined with a bit of shame. He still avoids looking into Tony's eyes.

“The manacles are enchanted - they prevent me from using any kind of magic. They are also designed to effectively bind even a much stronger being than myself.”

Oh daaaamn! Looks like it's Tony’s turn to have the god at his mercy. Well, that's something he would love to brag about, not that he will, of course. He can't help himself, though, he at least has to tease Loki just a little.

“So basically you're stuck in here, totally defenseless? Maybe I should call SHIELD and hand you over? I bet they would be delighted. Plus, that would be a nice retribution for leaving me naked and tied up in Times Square.”

His tone of voice is intentionally teasing and lighthearted, meant to imply the joke behind the words, but apparently the message doesn't get across. Loki's eyes snap back to his face in an instant and Tony really, really doesn't like what he sees in them.

“Stark… That was just a prank… I have never meant to do you any real harm…”

Tony knows that. He's also fully aware that something slightly shifted between the two of them during that crazy night in his penthouse. Oh, yes, Loki still fights them and tricks them, and if you didn't know any better, you'd say that his behaviour hasn't changed at all. Tony knows better, though. He sees all these tiny, little things, all those moments in which the god is just a bit more careful, just a tad less violent - but only when it's about him, nobody else.

It seems that Loki's grand speech during their night together - about not having any change of heart and his sentiment being restricted only to the moments inside Tony's bedroom - was just another silver-tongue-woven lie. Or maybe it was a thing the god considered the truth, which later backfired? Whatever really happened back then, some tiny part has changed inside of Loki, that much is certain. And as reluctant as Tony is to admit it - something has changed in him as well. However… it looks like the god is totally unaware of the latter bit, judging by the emotions sweeping through his face right now.

There’s no fear, not yet, but it's close enough. Anxiety is there for sure.  Helplessness. Hurt. Frustration. Anger. The mixture which makes Tony feel a funny thing in his throat and a strange discomfort in his gut. He swallows hard and moves closer to the god, crouching down so their faces are more or less at a similar level.

“Hey, Loki… You know that was just a joke, right? I wouldn't do it… Not like that. This… Shit, this would be a cowardly move, y'know. If we are to defeat you one day, let it be on the battlefield.“

Tony inhales deeply and manages a little smile, looking straight at Loki.

“And seriously, I don't feel wronged by your little trick with Times Square. I might have deserved that one, to be honest. I also really appreciate that you left me there with the mattress and the blanket.”

The god regards him intently, in a bit distrustful way, but slowly the fierce emotions in his eyes start to lose their intensity.

“So what are you going to do, Stark?”

“First, let me see these pretty bracelets of yours, okay?”

“Oh, by all means. You are aware, though, that I cannot move my arms to help you with that?”

Well, that is a slight obstacle, but Tony manages to get down on the floor close enough to have a good look at the spooky handcuffs.

“Yeah, voodoo enhanced or not, they still seem to have a regular locking system. I assume you didn't get the key?”

Loki doesn't even dignify the question with a verbal answer, bursting into derisive laughter instead. Yet, Tony is not discouraged, on the contrary - he feels that the victory might be quite close. He gets up on his feet again and starts running around his workshop, searching frantically through all the mess.

“Stark? Could you please tell me, what the Helheim you are doing right now?”

“Looking for a pick.”

“A what?”

There’s a tiny hysterical undertone in Loki's voice, the god is probably starting to suspect that he got himself locked in one room with a complete madman. Tony decides to ignore it for a moment, because - damn it! - he knows that the proper tool has to be somewhere around, the only question is where exactly. Taking into account the size and the level of messiness of his workshop - the answer might not be that easy.

Fortunately, Jarvis decides to finally take pity on both him and Loki. “I would suggest looking at the table in the corner, Sir. There might be some object suitable for the task.”

“Thank you, Jarv - you really are a marvel!”

The suggestion proves to be correct - among all the stuff gathered on the table, Tony manages to find a long metal needle, which he lifts up in the air with a triumphant cry. Behind him, there's complete silence, and when he turns around, he can see Loki gaping at him with wide-open eyes, as if Tony just went totally crazy. Not that he's going to be bothered by that. He leaps over to the god, presenting his discovery.

“A pick! To open your cuffs!”

The light of understanding finally shines in Loki's eyes, although it's instantly darkened by a cloud of doubt.

“Do you at least know how to open a lock with that, Stark?”

Ah! Those aliens and their disturbing lack of faith.

“Oh, please! Of course I do. If I wasn’t a genial inventor I would probably be a top-class thief. What can I say - I am simply a man of many talents.”

Loki rolls his eyes but doesn't comment on that and just lets Tony have his fun with lock-picking. It doesn't even take long, after no more than two minutes, the handcuffs make a strange noise and something shifts inside them. Tony starts feeling like a little boy who just managed to put together his first Lego set.

“Loki? Did it work?!”

“It… may be hard to believe… but apparently it did. I must say that I am impressed, Stark.”

Tony is grinning so wide right now that he probably looks like the Cheshire Cat. He stands up, more gently this time, as his knees and spine already start expressing their dissatisfaction with the recent events. He looks down at the god, who slowly starts to move, trying to get rid of the manacles in the least painful way possible.

“Heh, I almost regret helping you out of those. You look really nice like that.”

Loki glances at Tony and flashes him a seductive smile, the one that says “oh, I'm sexy and I know it”, but then quickly returns to disentangling himself out of the shackles and chains. After a moment, he finally sits down on the floor, legs crossed, rubbing his arms and wrists, and letting out tiny hisses of pain. Apparently, lying in an uncomfortable position can make even god’s limbs go numb.

Tony leans against the table and simply stares at him, biting his lip, as he watches the god getting up to his feet and smoothing out his clothes, his movements gentle and elegant, full of feline grace. Loki stretches out a bit - yes, he definitely has some very cat-like moves and Tony briefly wonders if the god would purr if he stroked him behind the ears. It’s definitely not a good idea to test it, but it doesn’t mean he wouldn't like to try. Loki's gaze meets his and the god strolls to him, his body language returning to his usual nonchalance and self-confidence. Yet, the look of his face is a bit softer and humbler than it usually is.

“Thank you, Stark. For… helping me.”

A quick, a bit awkward set of moves which Loki makes looks like he wanted to kiss Tony's mouth but then thought better of it and decided not to. The god clears his throat and smiles instead.

“I will settle my debt as soon as possible.”

Before Tony can respond, Loki just disappears, together with the manacles, chains and all the evidence of his presence in the workshop. The smug smartie even took the pick with him, which - not okay, that one was Tony's toy! But alright - at least he's on his own now, nobody is disturbing him and he can finally start some proper work.

The sound of the phone brings him violently to reality.

“Sir, that's Senator Smith on the line. It might be wise to answer it.”

God damn it! 

Chapter Text

Tony stumbles into his bedroom somewhere around 1 a.m. That's still quite early for him, but he just couldn't focus on his work anymore. Senator Smith is the one to blame, of course - his one-hour-long call was just the first one of the whole series of lengthy, boring and absolutely annoying conversations. He wonders if the shit-heads do it on purpose, calling him all at the same time. “Hey, old Smithie has already phoned Stark today and probably bored him to death - maybe he'll be more agreeable after that, let's give it a try!”

Whatever the reason, the final effect was inevitable and frustrating - Tony just couldn't focus for shit. Damn all the senators, congressmen and other bloody buffoons who don't have anything better to do than to spoil his day and make him absolutely unable to work. Okay… maybe the image of Loki lying temptingly on the floor of his workshop, chained up and defenseless, which somehow imprinted itself in Tony's mind, was a bit of a distraction, too. Well, even if it was - that's nobody's business but his own.

Speaking of which…

“Ummm… Jarvis? Why is there a villain in my bed? And why didn't you even try to warn me this time?”

“I'm sorry, Sir, but Mr Laufeyson asked me specifically not to inform you of his presence. To which I agreed on condition that his actions will be fully amicable and devoid of any kind of threat or mischief.”

What…? Why…? How is this even…?

“Wait a sec, Jarv. Since when do you consider Loki as someone you can make bargains with? And what the hell with the ‘Mr Laufeyson’ part?”

Tony is definitely too tired for that. He pinches the bridge of his nose in a desperate hope that it'll help him clear his mind just a bit.

“Sir, taking into account that you and Mr Laufeyson seem to be on… friendly terms… and he has already visited your penthouse before…”

Oh great! Just great. The next thing Jarvis will probably do is adding Loki's favourite food to the grocery list. Tony is just speechless right now, because - seriously - that's beyond any level of craziness. He looks at the bed once more - yeah, the god is still there, visibly amused by the situation.

“As you can see, Stark, the machine and I are getting along fine. Apparently, it has more common sense than its maker.”

The way in which Loki says “the machine” - with a hint of respect and a bit of fondness, as if it was a pet name - somehow hits Tony even harder than the snarky remark. Okay, he gives up, he's done here, he’s just gonna accept the facts without any further questions. Maybe just wondering slightly how the hell his life went in this particular direction (yes, yes, he knows exactly how it did, so please don't lecture him on the consequences of thinking with his cock instead of his brain!).

Alright, it's not that he's really complaining. Apart from the obvious absurdity of the situation and the fact that he feels a tiny bit betrayed by his own AI, the scenery looks really interesting and… quite hot, to be honest. It somehow mirrors the one from the workshop, although the details are a bit different. Loki is splayed across the bed, wearing the same elegant clothes he had in the morning, minus the shoes - he's barefoot right now and it somehow makes the whole picture even more sexy. The god's wrists are tied up above his head, this time not with the metal shackles, but with green magical bonds, which Tony knows quite well from their previous encounter. He looks stunning… and he definitely knows it.

“I came here to settle the debt, just as I promised. You seemed to be… interested in such a course of events, am I right?”

Tony already starts grinning but he surely won't leave Loki's previous sassiness without any answer.

“Don't you think that I should be the one to decide on the form of repayment? Maybe I'd prefer it if you used your magic to make one of my dreams come true?”

“Stark… I am a god, not a genie!”

The indignation sounding in Loki's words would be much more convincing if it wasn't paired with a teasing smile curling slightly the corners of god's mouth and the dark look in his eyes. A hot wave of pleasure rises in Tony’s belly and starts flowing slowly through his body. He sits down on the edge of the bed and begins stroking Loki's thigh gently with his fingertips. The fabric of the suit is so, so thin and delicate. Tony can feel each tremble of muscles beneath his fingers, and can see every tiny twitch of the god's cock in reaction to his caress. He swallows hard and makes himself look into Loki's face once again.

“And yet, here you are, granting my wish.”

“Well…” Loki’s voice is pure lust and temptation now. “I am a benevolent god… If I am worshipped properly, of course.”

Tony huffs a laugh. Yeah, he already knows at least a few good ways to worship this particular deity. There's still one thing which makes him a bit surprised.

“You really don’t mind being tied up? I mean, I got the impression last time that you get off on being the dominating one.”

The god tilts his head and regards him curiously for a moment.

“Tell me, Stark… Back then, did you enjoy the part when you were setting the pace, had me begging for more and decided when I would come?”

Ah yes! That was really awesome. Tony nods, looking straight into Loki's eyes.

“And later, when you were bound and at my mercy, was it arousing for you as well?”

“C’mon, you know that it was!”

“Then why do you assume that I cannot be similar to you in that regard?”

Ohhh! Okay. Somehow it didn't exactly fit the image of Loki that Tony had in his mind, but - to be honest - that one needs to be definitely refreshed, because quite a lot of things got recently outside the frames of this mental picture.

“Does it mean that you really enjoyed the time when I was in control? How much of it was an act?”

Loki looks way too sexy when he's biting his lip like that. The following lopsided smile is also improperly hot. The fingers of Tony's hand twitch on the god's thigh and start moving closer to his crotch, the light strokes changing into more intense caresses.

“I… ohhhh!… may have slightly intensified a few of my… hah!… reactions, but apart from that…”

The god's hips are already moving gently and the soft fabric clearly shows the outlines of his slowly forming erection. The warmth of Loki's body under Tony's hand is so pleasant and inviting, and the way the god leans slightly into the touch makes Tony instantly yearn for more. He gets onto the bed and straddles Loki, grinding his hips down against the god's arousal.

“Ohhh! Sta-ark!”

Damn, how is this even possible that the Trickster seems to be so unbelievably sex-hungry and touch-starved every time they meet? Surely, it has to be connected with his crazy alien libido, as Tony is absolutely certain that Loki plays around with random mortals more often than not. Whatever - he's certainly not going to complain about this fact. His hips start rolling down, in an unhurried, teasing way, drawing beautiful little moans out of Loki's mouth. The god's back arches just a tiny bit, the fabric of the white shirt straining slightly and Tony bites his lip at the view.

“As much as I appreciate your looks, Mr Fancy-Pants, I think you definitely have too many layers on you right now.”

Loki doesn't respond, he just grins wickedly, and after a moment the shirt and the tie disappear, leaving the god's finely muscled frame only scantily covered by the suit jacket. Yesss, this is much better! Tony's hands twitch impatiently as he forces himself to lay them smoothly on the exposed pale skin instead of digging the fingers fiercely into the flesh. He nearly succeeds.

“Ahhh, yes! No need to be gentle, Stark, you surely… ohhh!… know it by now.”

The pleasure building inside Tony’s body is enhancing at quite a rapid pace. Not to the point when he's shaking with arousal yet, but the electric jolts of lust already make his skin tingle and… well… his trousers were definitely much more comfortable half an hour ago. He drags his nails across Loki's chest, relishing a splendid hiss and then a needy whimper when he “accidentally” grazes the nipple.

“So is it safe to assume that you enjoy experiencing all of the things you tried on me last time?” Now, it's Tony's turn to underline his words with a low, tempting tone. Judging by the look in Loki’s eyes, he managed quite well. “What about choking?”

The shiver running through the god's body might be a good enough answer to that question. The raspy note in his voice is yet another obvious clue.

“Why don't you find out yourself, Stark?”

The movement of Tony's hand is not hasty, on the contrary - it's agonizingly slow, fingers gently crawling up the toned chest, brushing the collarbone, sliding along the pale, slender neck and finally curling around the god's throat. No squeezing, not yet, but the mere gesture is enough to make Tony slightly drunk on the feeling of control. Loki inhales sharply, his eyes widening in arousal and anticipation, and his hips stutter up a bit.

“Stark…” This is not even a whine, more like a silent, pleading whimper, and the sound goes down along Tony's spine and plummets low in his belly increasing the burning flame of need.

He squeezes without a warning and Loki moans and gasps for air, and then moans again, louder this time. Tony can feel the god's strained cock twitching desperately, as Loki arches into him in search of more friction.

“H-harder…!”

Taking into account all the god's strength and toughness, Loki's throat feels just incredibly soft and fragile under Tony's hand. It's odd. It's amazing. It's so fabulously arousing. A strange kind of excitement fills his chest as he tightens the grip a bit more.

Another loud gasp in a desperate attempt at breathing. Another wanton sound reverberating in Tony's ears. Loki's hips buck wildly, nearly throwing him off his body. The god’s eyes are wide open and glassy, glistening with gathering tears, and his blown out pupils look like little black holes that try to devour everything around them. It's getting more and more intense, so unbelievably enthralling and breathtaking, that suddenly Tony feels that it's too much. That if it lasts a bit longer, his mind and body might just evaporate.

His hand doesn't move away from Loki's throat, but it lets go of the grip and starts gently stroking and brushing the alabaster skin. The god's eyes close for a moment as he inhales deeply a few times - his breathing is uneven and shuddering, sounding a bit like it was interrupted by tiny sobs. Tony swallows hard, trying to get back from this weird high that he experienced a moment ago - it's not easy, though, especially seeing the look on Loki's face right now.

The god lets out a small, silent moan, and Tony just can't help himself - he instantly leans down to lick that delicious sound straight from Loki's mouth. The kiss doesn't have a tiniest pretence of being soft and gentle - they instantly engage in a fierce and violent battle of tongues, lips and teeth, full of need and lust, both of them desperately trying to quench their raging thirst. When Tony finally pulls away, his eyes are momentarily met by Loki's dark, hungry gaze.

“Ride me… Stark… I… want to… feel you…”

Before Tony can react in any way, a strange tingle moves against his skin and all his clothes disappear in an instant. Yeah, someone here seems to be a bit needy . Tony doesn't even try to hide his smug grin at the thought.

“Definitely not the god of patience tonight, are you? Just don't vanish the suit - I like you this way.”

One corner of Loki's mouth goes up a bit, but it doesn't make the look on his face less craving or desperate. Tony moves back a bit, so he straddles the god's thighs now and gently places his hands around the beautifully exposed bulge of Loki's erection.

“Staaaark…” That's not a plea anymore, but a growl. A warning - feral and ferocious, the sound making Tony's breath hitch and his own cock twitch hard. He moves on to opening the god's trousers. Huh, no zipper? Apparently, there are only buttons, so Tony makes a little show of undoing them, one by one, gently squeezing and rubbing around every single one of them and making Loki utter the most splendid and sinful sounds. The god is not wearing any underwear - surprise, surprise! - so it doesn't take long before his fully hard cock is proudly standing in front of Tony.

“Okay, wanna wait a bit while I prepare myself or will you give me an invisible hand, Copperfield?”

Taking into consideration Loki's level of impatience, the question is a purely rhetorical one. Tony's felt the god's magic before, nearly on every inch of his skin, and he kinda expected this to be much the same - some “fingers”, similar to Loki's, slipping inside him and doing the job. Yet, the sensation is different - a bit weird, but not unpleasant in any way - strange tingling again, a brief feeling of being filled and then… he’s suddenly totally loosened and slick inside, perfectly ready to go. He's never really felt that way before, not even after the most thorough preparation.

“Daaaaaamn! You definitely have to tell me one day how that works!”

Loki lets out another low growl, his eyes squinting a bit.

“My patience is running low, Stark…”

Yeah, yeah! Less talky - more worshippy, because all wait and no play makes Loki a vicious god. Tony can feel the flame of lust inside him burning higher and higher with every passing moment. His fingers curl tightly around Loki's shaft - already slicked with magic - and stroke it a few times. Not so hard to make the caress really rough but enough to get the “I'm not gonna be too gentle” message across. The god whines softly and closes his eyes, his head tilting back a bit, and Tony makes use of this brief moment when Loki's gaze doesn't follow his actions. It all becomes one quick, smooth movement - as he gets up, positions himself and then slams down on Loki's cock.

Okay, maybe he overestimated the amazing effects of magical preparation a tiny bit, but the slight discomfort he's feeling right now is a low price to pay for the spectacular reaction he gets to witness. The god's whole body spasms violently as if electrocuted and the wild scream he lets out is hardly a human sound. Loki's arms tense, tugging hard on the green ties coiled around his wrists, and his hands curl into fists, nails digging into the skin.

It all makes Tony yet again hyper-aware of the god's breathtaking, beautiful fierceness, which hits him so hard every single time he witnesses it - be it on the battlefield or in the bedroom. It gets under his skin, and sinks in his veins, flowing through his body like an amazing, highly addictive toxin. A marvellous poison, making him more and more unable to get away from his… enemy?

“Stark… P-please…”

Loki's eyes are open again and fixed on him, the fiery intensity of his gaze making Tony's body shiver and shake. No more green inside, the blackness of the god’s impossibly dilated pupils is so intense, that it seems to have a reddish hue. Or maybe it's just Tony's imagination, playing tricks on him.

He starts to move, slowly at first - adjusting himself to the more and more pleasant burn of stretch inside him - but soon the pace speeds up, fuelled by the hunger and need of both of them. Loki's hips trust up in accordance with his movements, creating a perfect harmony of lust and desire, which engulfs them completely soon enough. Tony can't even spot the moment in which his mind switches off, as he gets completely lost in this amazing pleasure, in all the sensations, in… Loki.

The god's moans are getting louder and louder, his body is starting to tremble, and his arms are straining hard against the bonds. He is absolutely immersed in passion as well, but his eyes are wide open all the time, his burning gaze fixed on Tony's face. It somehow makes everything even more arousing, more intense and more… intimate, and - fuck! - Tony can't really hold on much longer.

He starts stroking himself, fast and hard, chasing his pleasure without any restraints. Loki utters a strangled cry, his eyes following the movement of Tony's hand, and his hips stutter, slightly falling off the rhythm.

“S-Stark… Stark… Stark!”

It's his voice that does it to Tony - so rough, so raw, so hoarse - and the wanton, debaucherous way in which Loki moans his name. He falls over the edge without a warning, clenching hard around the god's shaft. Somewhere far beyond his conscious mind he registers the feeling of Loki coming inside him and the sound of his scream.

*

When Tony comes round, he's lying on the bed, already cleansed and refreshed. Seriously, what is the thing with him repeatedly passing out after orgasms? His playboy ego definitely rejects the mere thought of getting old and settles with the theory that it's a normal reaction of a mortal man having sex with a god. There can't be any other possible way of explaining the intensity of everything between them. At least, Tony doesn't want to analyse it any further. And the god in question is still right next to him, so close that it wouldn't be an overstatement to say he's snuggling up.

As soon as Tony gives a tiniest sign of regaining consciousness, Loki swiftly draws back from him, so their bodies don't touch anymore. It somehow makes Tony's heart squeeze with a kind of regret. He turns on his side, so that he's face to face with the god.

“Hey there, pretty. Staying longer this time?”

For just a split of a second it seems like Loki is really considering the option, but then his face sets in his default nonchalant expression, although the little smirk looks a bit more joyless than it normally does.

“No, Stark. That would not be… advisable.”

Right. Of course it wouldn't. They're enemies, after all. And this is just casual sex. No sentiments, no strings attached and all that jazz. Tony is fully aware of it - after all, he's an expert in the field of one night stands, isn't he?

Loki's strained smile becomes just a tad softer, as he sits up on the bed.

“Worry not, Stark - we shall see each other quite soon on the battlefield.”

“Yeah, or maybe even sooner if you manage to get yourself chained once again.”

The grin spreading on the god's face now is much more authentic… and definitely more mischievous.

“Do not push too far, mortal. You surely would not like to wake up on the top of the Statue of Liberty this time, would you?”

Tony can't help huffing a small laugh. At least the bantering thing remains the same, no matter the circumstances.

“No, thanks, I don't think my mattress would fit anywhere in there. But hey, gonna tell me how exactly you ended up in my workshop looking like a live advert of a kinky sex-shop?”

Loki tilts his head to the side and raises one eyebrow in a clear “are you for real” expression.

“Seriously, Stark? Do you truly think I would share any details of this humiliating experience?”

“Yeah, I begin to suspect that maybe it was just you all along - making everything up, so that you'd have a perfect excuse for spending another night with your favourite genius-billionaire. Leaving you chained down there looks like too nice a coincidence, don't you think?”

Okay, judging by the look on Loki's face, Tony might be pushing too far now. Yet, there's also another reason why he wants to get the information out of the stubborn alien, so he decides to put his cards on the table.

“Will you at least share who it was? I mean, if there's someone out there powerful enough to be your match, I guess they can be a real danger to the Earth. I'd like to be prepared for that possibility.”

Surprisingly, that seems to have worked. The god's expression changes slightly and he sighs with a bit of resignation.

“The name is Amora. Thor might provide you with more information about this… enchanting person. Yet, I strongly doubt that she would be interested in posing any threat to this realm. At least for the time being.”

“Well, she definitely tried to pose a threat to you.”

Too far, Tony, too far! Loki's eyes squint a bit and for a moment he looks as if he just ate something absolutely disgusting.

“That was… a personal kind of vengeance.” The god softly clears his throat and covers his previous uneasiness with yet another smug smile. “Anyway, you need not worry, Stark - I am your enemy, so an attack on me does not mean that your precious realm might be endangered.”

Well, technically that's true, but Tony still wouldn’t want to take this risk.

“Yeah, yeah, I'm aware. Thanks for the information, though.”

Loki nods and gets up from the bed, stretching slightly.

“Just so you know… I needed to use quite a lot of my wit and cunningness to make a sufficient impression of being - deep down inside - utterly scared of the great Iron Man. Thankfully, she believed it and decided that leaving me somewhere in your personal space would be the worst possible punishment for me.”

The words flow out of the god’s mouth easily and smoothly, without the tiniest hesitation, and yet Tony somehow has a feeling that this part of the story was a lie. Well, if that's what Loki needs to make his ego less bruised - so be it. It's not like Tony will ever be able to learn the truth, anyway.

“Till the next time, Stark. Do not forget to cover yourself with a blanket tonight. They say that it is quite windy on the Statue of Liberty.”

The god winks at him and disappears, leaving Tony in a state of slight confusion. Riiiight… He knows that Loki was just joking about the Statue of Liberty thing. He was, right? Yeah, of course, he was.

Suddenly, Tony decides that it will be a great idea to sleep in his clothes, for a change. No, there isn't any specific reason. It's just… because.