HUD: Alright, guys. Here it is. I'd like to thank you all so much for sticking this out for nearly a year. It was so much fun to write, and everyone's continued support was so appreciated. So please, enjoy. :)

- Part 11: Beyond -

It wasn't quite noon when Loki awoke, the light tint on the windows gone entirely. Sunlight snaked across the floor and bedspread to tease his edge of consciousness, forcing the god to open his eyes reluctantly. He blinked, adjusting.

The room was bathed in soft morning light. Loki settled further into his pillow, sighing. He felt the lack of warmth beside him immediately even without checking; he closed his eyes and sighed again, reminded of waking up alone days prior.

Loki did the same now as he did then - he rolled over and buried his face in Anthony's pillow. He took a deep breath and inhaled, the scent fresh and strong from the inventor himself sleeping beside him. Loki smiled softly and closed his eyes, pulling the pillow close. He knew Anthony wasn't far, perhaps in the lab, but a part of him very much wanted to draw him close.

After the words and actions of the night before, Loki was feeling incredibly satisfied. Even waking up alone, he was still nude and curled around his partner's pillow. He hardly had want to complain. Anthony had been more than accepting of his feelings, even without knowing what that would entail. Loki, however, did not believe his gift would be unwelcome.

"Master Laufeyson." Loki hummed, letting JARVIS know he heard him. "Sir is presently on his way to greet you."

"My thanks, Spirit," Loki answered, sitting up. He pushed Anthony's pillow away and ran a hand through his hair. The door to their bedroom opened to Anthony walking backwards, kicking the door further away before spinning. He had a tray in his hands, complete with two plates and two full glasses of wine. Loki couldn't help but feel a grin forming.

"I see those were not empty promises," the god said as Anthony walked closer, his grin wide and toothy.

"Yeah, well, I decided how great the idea was and thought I'd give it a shot," he answered, his tone slightly sheepish. The inventor rested the tray on Loki's thighs and sat beside him, his legs angled off the bed, as he moved the wine glasses to the nightstand. "I won't say it's gonna be any good, but I tried."

Loki glanced down at the browned omelettes and just-on-the-wrong-side-of-dark toast and felt his grin soften fondly. "I never doubt your abilities."

Anthony seemed to preen under his praise. "That makes one of us, at least." Anthony laughed at the look Loki shot him. "I'm kidding."

"Undoubtably," Loki answered, drawing up a fork. Anthony slid closer and did the same, watching Loki earnestly. Loki pretended to not notice, instead cutting a corner of the browned omelette. Cheese and bacon oozed out, striking Loki as funny. Leave it to Anthony to make something edible look inedible only to say 'Just kidding!' and have it be entirely fine. As Loki chewed, the egg slightly crunchy, he smiled.

"Well?" Anthony asked, his voice relaxed but his braced posture and bright eyes belied his anticipation. Loki swallowed and continued to smile.

"Wonderful," he answered. Anthony visibly relaxed, a broad grin breaking across his lips.

"Yeah? I'm so glad, babe. This was not easy, but, you know - can't break an omelette without making eggs or whatever. I dunno," Anthony said, waving his hand. Loki watched his lover eat, practically shoveling the burnt food down and munching on toast that could seriously use some butter, but he smiled.

A warmth swelled in Loki's chest; he wouldn't have Anthony any other way.

Anthony gestured to Loki's food. "Not hungry?"

Loki shook his head and drew up his fork again. "Lost in thought, is all."

Anthony grinned, toast crumbs gathering in the corner of his goatee. "Oh yeah? Would it have anything to do with this stud?" He pointed to his chest and waggled his eyebrows. Loki raised a thin eyebrow.

"Oh not at all," he drawled, fighting down a grin at Anthony's crestfallen expression. "I do suggest you vacate should my true love return - he is not one for sharing."

Anthony gently moved their shared tray from Loki's thighs, his touch lingering over the duvet. "Where is he?"

"I wish I knew," Loki continued with a sigh. "To leave me alone on such a day is quite unlike him."

"Sounds like he isn't very deserving, then," the inventor teased, bracing a hand on the pillow behind Loki. "What would it take to steal you away?"

Loki quirked a small smirk and brought a hand to his chin, pretending to think. "Why, nothing as of yet. Alas, I do seem rather fond of him."

Anthony huffed and rolled his eyes. "No persuasion? I'm very wealthy."

"So it would seem," Loki answered. Anthony leaned closer, practically replacing his body with the tray he had moved. "I am not in need of such comforts."

"Well, if money isn't the way to your bed, how about skill? I've never left my lover dissatisfied," Anthony offered. Loki could feel his breath against his lips; Anthony's other hand found its way to his bicep and stroked languidly. Loki smirked to cover his light shiver.

"Neither has he," Loki replied. Anthony twisted his lips into a soft pout. "I am afraid I must decline - not only have I grown fond of him, it seems to have developed into a rather particular case of affection."

Anthony's bottom lip jutted out even further. "Nothing I can say, huh?"

Loki closed the distance between them, his lips barely grazing Anthony's as he spoke. "Not at all."

Anthony grinned and pressed his lips quickly to Loki's in a soft peck. "Well, he sounds like a lucky guy."

"Perhaps luck is not the correct phrase," Loki challenged, passing another quick kiss. "In my expert opinion - "

"Expert opinion? Shit, Lo', you're sounding like me."

Loki chuckled. "Perhaps. I have never known you to devalue yourself."

Anthony rolled his eyes. "Okay, whatever. In your expert opinion - "

"I deem him to be irreplaceable, cherished," Loki drawled, enjoying the soft flush staining his love's cheeks. "Most importantly amongst those, loved by a god who thrives on uncertainty and chaos."

Anthony grinned. "What exactly does that say for me?"

Loki licked his lips just to catch Anthony staring. "I suppose you shall wait and see."

"I love you, Loki," Anthony whispered, leaning just the last breath between them. Loki met him softly, sighing into the kiss. The night before had been a whirlwind of passion, strongly overdue. Anthony had only been gone for a few days, but neither had been fully prepared for the distance.

"As do I, my love," Loki breathed, breaking the kiss enough to speak. Anthony smiled and gently claimed his lips again.

Anthony tilted his chin, deepening the kiss. Loki wrapped a strong arm around his waist and pulled, coaxing the other into his lap. Once Loki was satisfied with the change of angle, he immediately shifted the somewhat innocent kiss down a different path. Within seconds, Anthony began to moan and rock his hips; it was a perfect reminder that Loki was, in fact, still nude beneath the duvet. As much as Loki would have loved to continue, there were still things to discuss. He pressed a hand to his partner's chest and pushed lightly until Anthony drew back.

"Everything okay?" Anthony asked, his breath quick and his tone low. Loki smiled softly and nodded.

"Very," he answered, drawing a tentative smile from Anthony and erasing a bit of the doubt in his honey eyes. "I have a gift for you."

"And, as wonderful timing, your delivery is at the door, Sir," JARVIS announced, making Anthony grin.

"Me first!" He cheered, swooping in for another kiss before bouncing off the bed and leaving Loki more than slightly disturbed. "As much as I hate to say, put some cloths on and come to the living room!" He slipped from the room quickly, only to pop his head back in a second later. "Oh, and grab the wine."

Loki nodded mutely as he disappeared again. The god simply shrugged, curious to see what his lover had planned. With a wave of his hand the tray disappeared and he was clothed in loose lounge wear. He paused to brush his teeth and take the wine before heading for the living room.

Loki looked around the spacious room carefully, not entirely sure what to expect. "Anthony?"

"Over here, babe." Loki turned towards the window walls. Anthony stood with both of his hands behind his back and a broad grin on his face. "Go ahead and put those glasses down - this is a two-hander."

Loki did as he was asked and stood slightly awkward. "Should I be doing something?"

"No, no, well, maybe," Anthony countered. He bit his lower lip. "Ya know, sit on the couch." Loki looked behind him and moved, sitting on the wide white furniture. Anthony shuffled his weight from foot to foot nervously.

"Are you well?" Loki asked carefully. Anthony nodded quickly.

"Absolutely! Just, uh, well..." He brought a hand quickly to his goatee, his other nervous habit, before squawking and shoving his hand back behind himself. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Loki narrowed his eyes. "Anthony, what have you got?"

"Well, I wasn't really sure what to get you for our anniversary," Anthony began. He paused, obviously struggling for words. The slight annoyance Loki felt disappeared as his lover shuffled. Never would he admit it, but Anthony was terribly adorable when he wasn't trying. "And, well, I really had no idea; but I remembered this one time, a few months back, when Fury was really on our case."

Loki remembered - there had been a scene of unusual suicides in Baltimore, all people of high social or political standing, and none of which had been exhibiting any early suicidal signs. The god had been away to another realm for a few days prior, having just returned to walk into the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. Anthony had fought long and hard about his innocence, but Fury was convinced he was behind the suicides via mind control. Loki escaped, as was expected, and Anthony found him hours later.

"I spent a long time looking for you," Anthony said softly. "I kept thinking 'This is it - this is what's going to take you from me.' For some reason, you stuck around, and hell, I'm so glad you did.

"I decided that, for the times when I know I'm going to be an ass, I want you to have something to turn to that's still here, with me and not on another planet, so I can always find you," Anthony finished. He cleared his throat and stepped over to the couch to stand before Loki. "Uh, close your eyes."

Loki quirked an eyebrow but did as asked. For another, he never would.

"Hold out your hands," Anthony said softly. Loki swallowed as he cupped his palms together loosely and hovered over his lap. A soft warmth settled in his palms, surprising Loki. A heartbeat pressed against his thumb as he opened his eyes.

A small kitten sat in his palms, literally the size of his palms. She purred immediately when their eyes met, opening her mouth for a wide yawn. Loki began to smile. She was all white except for the tip of her tiny tail, her paws, and the left side of her face. All pieces were solid black. The discolouration continued to her eyes, gorgeous as they were - one green and one a curious colour that Loki immediately recognized.

"Why Anthony," he began. "She has your eye." Anthony, who had been shifting nervously immediately after passing over the kitten, leaned around to check himself.

"Huh. You're right. Well, she's got your eye, too."

Loki smirked. "So she does."

Loki scratched the kitten's chin, prompting more purring and a large yawn. She was so small, so fragile. Loki hardly shouldn't have been surprised that Anthony remembered - to escape custody and the rest of the Avengers that day, Loki had turned himself into a cat and scrambled out into New York. Anthony found him in the park just as the stray female feline population began to close in.

"Wait - she?" Loki looked up and nodded, bringing the sleepy kitten to his chest. Anthony groaned. "I ordered a boy. Now she's gonna be all over you, dammit."

Loki let out such a sharp laugh that the kitten jumped, her small paws clawing at Loki's shirt. The god just continued to laugh, making Anthony grin. "I'm serious, you know."

"I have no doubt," Loki answered. He leaned against the couch and allowed the kitten to clamour up to his neck. "She is beautiful, Anthony. What shall we name her?"

Anthony looked down at the carpet, toeing at the white fabric carefully. "I only had boy names."

"Surely you can think of something suitable," Loki teased, reaching for one of Anthony's hands. The genius allowed himself to be pulled to the couch where Loki promptly tucked his forehead against his chin, similar to the kitten against him. Anthony turned to press a kiss to his hair and sighed.

"Lily," he said after a moment. "She's white, and sweet. I know you'll train her well; she's already docile. Plus, she's comforting."

Loki hummed and rubbed his chin against the kitten's back. "How do you care for Lily?"

A soft mew and purr was his answer. Loki smiled and looked back at Anthony. "Lily it is." Anthony grinned back.

"Do you like her?" He asked softly, pressing his palms to Loki's abdomen. The god nodded as his fingers skimmed the edge of his shirt.

"Yes," he answered. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Anthony answered, pressing a kiss to Loki's temple. "I was worried you wouldn't, that this wouldn't happen - I'm glad I was wrong."

"As am I," Loki answered. He dropped his hands to cover Anthony's gently. "Now, will you allow me my gift?"

"Duh," Anthony teased, chuckling. "Like I would say no."

Loki sighed. "I certainly hope you keep that in mind."

"What's that mean?" Anthony asked, all traces of teasing gone from his tone. Loki grew thoughtful, ignoring the tensing of the man he leaned on.

"I shall say this - for my tardiness, I was searching. There was a particular man who owed me a favour, of sorts. I was collecting on his debt." Loki decided to omit the 'favour' was not killing him. "He bestowed me with my gift to you."

Loki waved his right hand, his heart suddenly in his throat. Should Anthony say no, Loki would simply keep it until he was ready. If he was ready. Loki knew he was a hard man to deal with, let alone live with and love. Would he say no? Had he completely misjudged all of Anthony's affections?

Still, it was entirely too late now - situated in Loki's fingers was his prize, one of Idunn's elusive golden apples of eternal youth. The apple was clean and polished, catching the sunlight and reflecting it gently. Loki held the apple carefully, his heart beating fast. "This, my love, is an apple of eternal youth. Bestowed to those only deemed worthy by Odin or Idunn herself."

"How did you get one?" Anthony asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It matters not," Loki answered evasively. He felt Anthony's sigh stir his hair.

"It sure as hell does if you stole it," Anthony countered quickly. It was Loki's turn to sigh.

"Do not belittle my trials," Loki said. "I am well aware of this cost to my person, should my reputation have time still to wither. That is not the topic at hand."

"So this apple, it makes me...?" Anthony asked.

"Immortal," Loki answered softly. He could still feel his heart beating wildly, and now was convinced Anthony felt it as well. "Should you wish it, this shall keep us together as long as you desire. Do not feel bound - should you not long for me, you shall have to freedom to go wherever you wish. I will not fault you." Loki heard the hardening to his tone towards the end, unable to help himself. The thought of Anthony's attentions to be fleeting left him cold and bitter.

Anthony's hands on his abdomen were warm, as the genius always was, reminding Loki that he was here now, and that was important, all that mattered. Perhaps a year isn't quite enough time for mortal standards, but Loki was more than willing to do what he could to make Anthony happy.

"Babe, I already told you I was yours forever," he finally said, his breath warm against Loki's neck. "Granted, I didn't know you could make that literal. To be with you, though, I'll take it. I'd do anything for you, so long as you'll have me."

Loki looked up at the brunet, surprised to see such a wide smile on his face. "I do have one concern, though."

"Anything," Loki answered. He sat up, catching Lily before she slid too far down his shirt. Anthony took the apple from his hand gently, staring at the golden flesh.

"I feel like this isn't fair for Lily. Cats hate apples," he answered, tone light. Loki couldn't help but smile, the bundle in question still purring against his chest.

"She shall have her time, my love," Loki answered. Anthony smiled softly, his honey eyes bright.

"I sure as hell hope so."

"I promise you."

Tony sat with a huge grin on his face, his back against the wall. He had a towel over one shoulder and a slightly-larger Lily on the other, sliding carefully down into his lap. Tony dropped one hand over the kitten's back and scratched her rump.

"Hey honey," he cooed, making the kitten look up at him. She wore a red and gold collar with a bell that had her name on a tag riveted into the side, as well as Loki's mobile number. They allowed her free reign throughout the Tower, but she was never far from Loki.

Loki was, at the moment, otherwise preoccupied. Tony pulled his attention back towards the show before him.

Tony would by lying if he said he wasn't surprised when Clint requested him to spare. Well, not so much the asking, but that Loki instead took him up on it.

Now, Tony was treated to the best sight of his entire life. Loki, who had agreed to spare with Clint mano y mano, pulled his hair back in the braid Tony like and wore clothes he picked out (Clint immediately set in that yoga pants weren't meant for sparing, but Loki was showing quite the contrary). Much to Tony's delight, Loki had Clint pinned with his face pressed into the blue mats and wasn't letting up.

"Do you retire?" Loki asked calmly, hardly a sweat breaking out over his brow. Clint, on the other hand, seemed to be having trouble breathing.

"Gah, yes!" He snapped, gasping when Loki finally stepped away. He removed his foot from the archer's back and none-too-gently dropped his arm. Clint groaned and pulled his arm to his chest, rubbing his shoulder. "This is you going easy? Fuck, even Thor doesn't do this shit."

"Thor isn't a strategist!" Tony called, laughing when Clint flipped him the bird.

"Stand up, Barton," Loki said, tossing over a towel that landed directly over his face. "You shall have a moment before we continue."

Clint groaned again as Loki walked away, crossing over to where Tony sat on his bench. He took the water bottle Tony offered and drained it, pausing to scratch Lily's ears when she stood and rubbed against his leg. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"God yes," Tony answered, grinning. "I'm surprised you're going so hard on him. Not that I'm complaining."

Loki smirked. "Well, short of killing him, I do intend to cause pain."

Tony grinned, knowing exactly why and what Loki was referring to. "Yeah, I know. I suppose I should thank you, then."

Loki nodded as he set the bottle back down. "I suppose." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Tony's temple. "Now, watch this next, my love. Barton may just be wishing for death before long."

Tony happily watched Loki walk away (fuck those pants) as he pulled Lily up from following after him. He listened to Loki call out to Clint to ready himself as JARVIS called out the countdown. Within seconds, Loki had Clint whining again.

"Hey." Tony grinned and looked to his left, seeing Bruce walk up. "Am I missing the show?"

"Oh yeah," Tony said, patting the bench beside him. "Have a seat."

Bruce nodded and sat down, Lily immediately crawling into his lap. He dropped a large hand over her back and patted. "Does Clint even know what he did?"

Tony shook his head and laughed. "Nope. That's the best part. Loki is totally getting revenge for that black eye from forever ago, and he has no damn idea."

Bruce chuckled. "I suppose he deserves it. It was pretty uncalled for."

"True that," Tony answered with a firm nod. "Still gives me nightmares."

Bruce rolled his eyes and dropped his attention to Lily. She purred loudly, almost drowning out Clint's frustrated groans. Tony turned back to the show, watching Loki with a small smile on his face. Whenever the god helped him spare, the whole experience ended up being far more enjoyable.

"About your results..." Bruce began softly, tilting his head closer to Tony. Tony nodded to show he was listening. "Everything is healing at a rapid rate. Your liver hardly has any scars anymore, and in about another week your body won't even need the reactor anymore."

Tony dropped a hand to his chest, where the reactor lay beneath his shirt. The cool metal was too much a part of him now that he hardly imagined life without it. He dealt with the mild pain if he slept on his stomach, he had salves to reduce the scaring - hell, Loki had even taken to massaging around the shell if the discomfort became too much. It was so much a part of him now that he doubted he could live without it, even if his body could.

"That's amazing," Tony said instead, his eyebrows creeping to his hairline. "To be honest, part of me didn't expect it to work."

"It's magic, Tony," Bruce chided. "Men of science often have trouble believing in anything else. Myself included."

"Huh," Tony mumbled. Lily yawned and crawled back over into his lap, nuzzling his chin. She loved to scratch his goatee, a habit he entire blamed Loki for. He look down into her mismatched eyes and grinned. "I guess you're next, buttercup."

Bruce snorted beside him. "Plenty even for your cat but nothing for me, huh?"

Tony laughed and bumped their shoulders together. "I'm sure if you asked nicely - "

"Not happening," Bruce said immediately, making Tony laugh again. "Loki has done enough for me, taking care of the Other Guy. Besides, I wouldn't want to live forever - I'd have you to deal with."

Tony's grin dipped a little. "Yeah, who the hell would want that?" Really, he still couldn't help himself - all those insecurities that nearly made him decline Loki's offer resurfaced. Who the hell would want to deal with him forever?

Bruce, forever Tony's best friend no matter how many decades or millennia later, pointed out to the god tossing Barton back into his back, knocking the wind from him for the umpteenth time. "He does."

Loki flipped Clint over to his stomach and sat squarely on his back, angling the archer's right leg at an obviously uncomfortable and awkward direction as he pressed his foot against Clint's neck. "Do you concede?"

"YES! God, yes. Just get the fuck off of me!" Clint hollered, slapping his palm down on the blue mats. Loki smirked, released his leg, and stood. He paused as Barton groaned some more before offering his hand to help him up. The archer glared but accepted, now standing beside Loki and rubbing the back of his neck. Loki jerked his head towards Tony and Bruce. Clint cursed under his breath before walking slowly over.

"Hey Clint!" Tony chirped. Clint glared at him fiercely the closer he came.

"So, for whatever reason Loki was kicking my ass, but I could make it stop by apologizing to you," Clint ground out, his teeth clenched. "I don't know what the hell for, but I'msorry."

Tony held a hand to his ear. "That last part was a bit rushed - what was that?"

Clint blew air through his nose and looked up. "I'm sorry."

Tony looked over Clint's shoulder to see Loki standing with a satisfied smirk on his face. His hair was still perfect, even going into the second hour of sparing. God, he was beautiful. "Okay, apology accepted."

"Thank god. I am so out of here - "

"Not quite," Loki said, dropping a hand to Clint's shoulder. "Now, you must discover what you are apologizing for."

Tony and Bruce laughed as Clint struggled futilely against Loki's grip. The god shoved Clint back to the centre of the mats and took his stance. Tony was sure he could still hear the archer whimper over JARVIS' countdown.

"Remind me to never piss him off," Bruce said, still chuckling.

"Same for me," Tony added. He settled back again to watch, a companionable silence beginning between them. "I guess you're right, huh?"

Bruce smiled and took his glasses off to clean them. "I'm rarely wrong."

Tony practically barked his laughter, startling Lily. "You sound like me!"

"That's not exactly a bad thing," Bruce teased, replacing his glasses. He tilted his head slightly. "Sometimes, anyway."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah."

Bruce continued to smile. "But yes, I am."

Tony smiled softly, eyes still fixed on Loki. For a moment, the god looked over, his green eyes bright with mischief. Tony knew he would never tire of that expression, never tire of the god who saw it fit to chose him, amongst all else and all others.

"I wouldn't have him any other way."

FIN

A/N: There we go! Please, share with me your final thoughts. :) If you all enjoyed, please feel free to check out my other FrostIron fics, one of which involves pirates! 'Misadventures Through A Spyglass' is being updated regularly and is actually to blame for the time it took me to update this.

Now, I must bid you all adieu! Thanks, until next we meet. So long, farewell; I love you all.