Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers. Boo hoo.

AT THE HOSPITAL:

Bruce walked into the hospital room, carrying a coffee. Tony had his eyes closed, though Bruce knew that didn't mean he was asleep. Most people slept constantly when they were sick but not Tony Stark. He was a constant whirlwind of motion the first three weeks but the chemo and other treatments had started to exhaust him. Bruce hated seeing his friend so still and lifeless. Tony didn't do much, just lay around and watched TV and movies. Bruce settled in the seat next to his friend's bed, pulling his book off Tony's bedside table.

"That was a really long coffee break."

"I got lost."

"Hm…"

Bruce smiled into his book, knowing Tony didn't believe him.

"I'll believe you if you give me some."

"No fluids besides those going in through your IV."

"So put the coffee in the IV bag."

Bruce was saved from answering when Dr. Preston walked through the door. She smiled, tapping Tony's knee.

"You're not harassing poor Dr. Banner, are you?"

"Of course not. Why would I? He brought me coffee!"

"I hope not."

Bruce smiled.

"Don't worry Jenna, it's mine. Tony's behaving."

Tony whistled lightly, trying to hide the wince as his chest tightened with the action.

"Since when are you on a first name basis?"

"Bruce and I have been on a first name basis for awhile now, Mr. Stark."

"Ooo, Bruce. Good for you! Told you that you would learn a thing or two from the master."

"Let me know when he gets here, Tony, I'll be sure to ask for some advice."

Dr. Preston laughed, marking something on her clipboard. Tony scowled at Bruce, sticking his tongue out.

"I have news for you boys."

"Men. I have news for you men."

The blonde gave a pointed look to Tony, as if asking his permission to continue. He nodded graciously. Dr. Preston shook her head in found amusement.

"There was a clearing. We can move the autotransplantation up to 3:30…which is in about an hour. That sound good?"

Bruce raised a brow at Tony, who closed his eyes and turned his head away. Bruce bit his lip, turning back to Dr. Preston with a small, apologetic smile. She waved it off, used to Tony's oddities and mood swings.

"That sounds good."

Dr. Preston gave Bruce a nod.

"I'll come get him in about fifty minutes or so."

Bruce nodded, turning to grab Tony's hand in his own. They were silent for a few minutes before Tony turned his face to Bruce.

"Bruce? Where did you really go on your coffee run?"

"I saw Clint and Natasha."

Tony swallowed, licking his lips nervously. They were horribly chapped, Bruce noticed absently. Tony's grip on his hand tightened slightly.

"And Loki? Did you see Loki?"

Bruce nodded slowly. Tony gasped, his breath coming in short bursts. Bruce leaned forward, pressing Tony's hand to his own chest.

"Breath with me Tony, come on, relax."

It took a few minutes for Tony to calm down enough that Bruce felt comfortable leaning back in his chair. He kept Tony's hand grasped lightly in his as he used his free hand to text Natasha about the change in time.

"How was he?"

"Hm?"

Bruce feigned ignorance, looking up with wide, blinking eyes. Tony didn't bother scowling, just looked at Bruce with slightly cloudy, red eyes. Bruce bit his lip, realizing how close his friend was to tears.

"He was okay. Looked pretty healthy. Tasha says he's been getting better…"

He trailed off, trying to figure out what Tony was looking for. He was saved by a knock on the door. Bruce rose with a sigh, going to the door and opening it a crack. He gave a crooked, relieved grin.

"Glad you could make it."

"Bruce? Who's here?"

Bruce opened the door fully, revealing Loki. Tony stared in silent shock, drinking in the first sight of his love in two months. Loki looked healthy, if not a little thinner than usual, wearing a complimenting olive green coat over black slacks. His hair was a bit mussed from the wind, or maybe his fingers, and Tony almost chocked when he saw the tears gathering in the brilliant emerald eyes.

"Tony."

Tony offered a feeble smile, trying to decide if he was thrilled or pissed. Probably both, he decided as he watched Bruce close the door, leaving him and Loki alone.

"Loki."

Loki took a step forward and then another, finally deciding to rush to Tony's bedside. He took Bruce's seat and caught Tony's hand in his own. His free hand hovered over Tony's cheek before smoothly rubbing the skin with the back of his fingers.

"You're so thin…"

Tony had lost way to much weight, between the general not wanting to eat and the chemo. He had dark purple bags surrounding his eyes, so large they brushed his eyebrows. His skin was pale, practically waxen. His hair was cropped close to his skull and the goatee that Loki loved so much was gone. Loki bowed his head, kissing Tony's hand.

"Oh Tony…"

The brunette managed to raise a hand, carding it through Loki's hair slowly, deliberately. The movement fell apart moments later, Tony seeming to physically deflate as the slight motion sucked away his energy. He peered at Loki, his eyes wide and slightly shinning with tears.

"You're not supposed to be here."

Loki's own tears, which he had been holding in since the door opened and he caught sight of his beloved genius, began to fall. Tony tried to raise a hand to wipe them away but couldn't. With a frustrated huff, he turned to look out the window. Loki gently grasped his chin, turning Tony's face to look at his own.

"I wish you had told me Tony, but I understand. Just…please, let's be together now?"

Tony nodded slowly, tears falling from his own eyes now. Loki leaned forward, kissing them away gently. He pressed a chaste kiss to Tony's mouth, pulling away with a small smile. Tony returned it, squeezing his hand lightly and it brought tears to Loki's eyes to know that was all Tony was capable of at the moment. His strong, passionate, beautiful boyfriend diminished to this.

"Loks?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Together, as long as I can."

Loki bit his lip, his tears falling again. He pressed a kiss to the inside of Tony's wrist.

"Together, forever, always. Because you'll be seeing me again soon. Promise."

Tony nodded, twisting his pinkie in Loki's.

"Anything for you, Loks."

The door to the room opened, revealing Dr. Preston.

"I'm sorry, but we have to take Tony now."

Loki nodded, leaning to pepper Tony's face with kisses. He pressed a last kiss to his lover's knuckles.

"I'll see you soon Tony."

The man nodded slowly, not letting Loki's hand go as Dr. Preston prepared him for transport. After a moment, the doctor began to cart him out of the room. At the door, Loki stopped. Dr. Preston paused, letting Tony drop a soft kiss to Loki's wrist. Their hands separated. Still the doctor didn't move, as though sensing they needed just a moment longer.

"Loki…"

"Yes?"

"I don't want to be selfish…"

Loki leaned down, pressing his forehead against Tony's.

"Be selfish. Please."

Tony licked his lips, brown eyes boring into green.

"I love you, Loki Odinson. And when I get back on my feet, I'm going to propose and we're going to get married…forever and always."

"Forever and always. I love you too, Tony Stark."

The two separated. Loki leaned against the door, watching the doctor wheel Tony down the hall. It wasn't until they disappeared around the corner that Loki allowed himself to collapse in the doorway. He pressed his wrist, the one Tony had kissed, to his lips.

"Forever and always."

A FEW HOURS LATER(3hours):

Loki was curled up, asleep, on the guest couch that came with the private room. His head was resting in Thor's lap, his older brother teetering on the brink of sleep himself. Bruce was sitting in his chair, staring at the spot Tony's bed had been. Clint and Natasha had gone to get more coffee. Pepper and Rhodey were on their way from a vacation in Malibu, of all places. They were expected in a couple hours. Steve was sitting in one of the free seats, head tucked against his chest as he slept. Rhodes had pulled some strings and got Steve home on extended leave.

The blonde was still in his uniform, duffel on the floor next to the chair. No one had seen Steve since he left for his third tour in Afghanistan five months ago; he'd been caught up on the situation after he arrived at the hospital. Bruce sighed, rolling his head to get rid of kinks. He checked his watch, trying to remind himself that two hours was the lowest amount of time for the surgery and the highest was four, not including any sudden emergencies. The door opened suddenly and Bruce looked up, Steve's head snapping up at the same time. Thor looked up with blurry eyes. Clint winced.

"Sorry. Coffee anyone?"

"I'll take one."

Clint hissed.

"Sorry Bruce, you've been cut off."

Bruce quirked a brow, sending an irritated frown at Natasha. She gave him a challenging smirk.

"If you'd just go to sleep like Loki, then I wouldn't have to cut you off."

Clint handed Steve a cup and Thor a cup, taking his own from Natasha. Everyone settled back down. Bruce was just beginning to nod off when the door opened again to reveal Dr. Preston. Bruce stood.

"Jenna?"

She gave him a gentle smile, moving her head to catch everyone with the reassuring smile.

"He's fine. They'll be moving him in a moment."

Bruce's knees buckled and he fell into his chair, a giant whoosh of breath escaping him. Natasha stood behind him, bending to give him a quick hug, whispering a praise of 'you did good Bruce' into his ear. Thor was gently prodding Loki awake. The younger brother sat up, his coat falling off his shoulders and into his lap.

"Tony?"

"He's being brought in."

Loki let out a shaky breath, swinging his legs so he was sitting up on the couch. Bruce stood, shooing Thor and taking his place at Loki's side. The doctor wrapped an arm around the younger man's shoulders, pulling him in for a hug. Loki turned, burying his head in Bruce's chest and shaking with quiet sobs. Bruce gently rubbed his back, closing his eyes and bowing his head to rest in Loki's hair as he allowed his own tears to fall.

The door opened again and an orderly moved to hold it open. Thor took over, peering silently at the still form on the bed as it was wheeled past him and into the room. The orderly gave the room a small smile and left, closing the door behind him. Bruce and Loki stood, settling on either side of Tony's bed. Bruce grasped Tony's pulse point, counting quietly for a moment before sliding his fingers to hold Tony's hand.

"He'll be waking up from the anesthesia soon. Don't crowd the bed."

The other headed his warning, backing up so they could see Tony but they wouldn't be to close. Loki leaned forward, folding his arm on the bed and resting his cheek on his arm while he gently rubbed circles onto Tony's hand. The brunette's eyes began to flutter and then open slowly. They swung from Bruce to Loki and back again before coming to a rest on his boyfriend. A lazy, loose grin spread across Tony's face.

"Forever and always. Looks like I can do that."

THE END:

Okay, so to tell the truth I wrote this whole thing in less than 6 hours. Started at about 11pm and finished at 5am. But I didn't want to upload it all at once. I hope you all like this. Also, can't resist the Bruce/Tony ScieneBros 3 That is a true bromance and one at its finest, if I do say so myself.

Review?

Eris-R-Renee