WARNING: This is a slash story! Please don't read if you DO NOT like guy/ guy stuff.

Avengers, Iron Man and Thor are all owned by Marvel. I own nothing!

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The clouds swirled and tossed about like a sea of shadows. The varying shades of grey omniously snaked inwards towards the eye of the storm. The thunder cracked and through the air like a whip. Even through the screen Tony could feel the electricity in every breath.

"Ready for the surge, JARVIS. And this time try storing some of it in the backup battery box. You never know."

"Ready for charge, sir."

A spear of lighting struck Stark Tower's upper roof. The cameras whited out for a second. When they came back online, the god of thunder was already marching towards the stairwell door, red cape fluttering in the vicious wind.

"I need to get him a landing pad." Said Tony, "One day, he's going to land in the pool."

Loki sniggered from behind him. Tony's lip curled slightly.

"Power gain successful, sir. 48%."

Tony sucked on his teeth. "Work on those numbers Jarv."

He heard the penthouse door open and went into the adjoining room leaving Loki in the kitchen. The sight of the blonde made his heart soar, but then he remembered, their last conversation had ended on a bad note.

"Any news?" Tony said, starting a slow walk towards Thor.

"He cannot go back to Asgard."

"Are you kidding me?"

Thor shook his head.

"I tried, Tony. I did try."

As he approached he could see water in his eyes, something Tony had rarely seen before. Pent up and angry.

"Hey." Tony closed the distance between them. "Hey now. It's fine. We can fix it. We'll work out a way."

"I-I just...I-"

"Thor." Seeing him like this was shocking. He didn't know what to do. Tony's eyes darted from side to side. What would Pepper do?

He put his hands on the god's shoulders and rubbed them up and down. He thought he was dealing with the situation pretty darn well, when he was grabbed and pulled into a bone-crushing embrace. The hug was intense and lasted for a long time, Tony's head encased in between the god's neck and shoulder muscle. He found, with surprise, that he didn't dislike it as much as he imagined he would have.

"Don't die." Came a horse whisper.

The genius blinked. It wasn't a command, it was a plea.

"I'll try not to, Big guy. But its hard when your holding me so tight."

Thor stiffened and then let the small man back down.

"I am sorry." The god said, sounding slightly embarrassed.

"Thor, what happened?"

"I shall explain later. I should deal with Loki."

To be fair, Tony hadn't even thought of what to do with Loki if he couldn't go back to Asgard. Would they have to give him to shield? Loki wouldn't like that. It would mean a fight and that would mean damage to his tower and Clint saying 'I told you so!'.

"I'm sorry to inform you that I already have a living arrangement." Came a voice.

There was a silence in which Tony and Thor looked at Loki who had appeared from the kitchen. The scientist broke the silence first.

"What?"

"Where do you suppose I stayed until this moment?"

"Fair point." He said narrowing his eyes, "So, tell me, what was the point in-"

"Would you like to see?" Loki said already casting his hands in front of him. A portal appeared in the air. It looked like a swirling void until the blue clouds cleared. Looking through it, Tony could see that it opened up onto a modern living room with leather sofas. He could see the sea shinning in the sun light through the window. It looked very much like his own mansion in Malibu.

He took a step up to it and peered through, examining the glowing shape from all angles.

"Like it?"

"I more like the portal." Said Tony, wanting to touch the surface. Thor had come up behind him and was looking at the feat of magic.

"Would you like to step inside?" Asked Loki. Tony looked up with a frown.

"No. I wouldn't."

"You still don't trust me."

"Three words. God. Of. Mischief."

He turned on his heel. "I'll be downstairs." And promptly exited the room. He really could not be bothered to understand Loki's motives.

Thor watched Tony leave. He turned back to find Loki staring at him intently.

"Thank you." He said, lowering his gaze.

"For what?" Thor said, brow creasing.

"For...trying to get me back to Asgard." Loki said, taking a sudden interest in the floor.

"Loki," Thor said, placing a hand on his shoulder. For once Loki did not resist. "You are my brother, I will always try to help. I am just sorry that it came to nought."

"You are completely in love with him I thought..."

Thor blinked. "Thought wha-"

"T'is nothing." Loki snapped quickly moving away from the Thunderer. "When I am gone, tell Stark..." he paused.

"Tell him?" Thor prompted.

"Nothing." Loki shook his head. "Feel free to..." he paused once more. He turned to face the thunder god. "Visit me, in my domain."

"I shall." Thor said with a smile.

Loki nodded curtly. He stepped into the portal and promptly vanished in the glow. The circle in the air faded.

~!

"He is gone."

Tony stared, unclipping himself from the antistatic mat. "What? Really?"

"Aye."

He sighed in relief and visibly relaxed. "Thank god. He really is trouble." But he smiled at Thor. "So, no luck with the Cyclops then?"

Thor shook his head. "I rather not talk about it."

The scientist walked up to the god and leaned up to peck him on the lips.

"Come on," he said. "Let's go watch the storm."

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Sorry its short! Other chapters now in progress!