Okay, so I have a lot of mixed feelings about Pepperony in general. They obviously love each other a lot through most of the franchise, but a lot of the time they aren’t good for each other. I feel like in this movie, they finally grew into each other and formed a solid relationship. It really won me over in the scene when they were discussing whether Tony should build the time machine.
Tony has come to think a lot more thoroughly before he acts, and to understand that sometimes personal things need to be prioritized over hero things. And Pepper has come to understand that Tony does sometimes need to act, and that sometimes hero things really do come before personal things.
I’ve looked at them before and thought “okay yes, they really are cute together,” but I’ve never before gone, “that is a solid and functional relationship that works.”
I’d love to see it continue - perhaps, in this canon, between Pepper and a Tony AI like the one that has been mucking around in 616 recently.
But, a.) Tony and Pepper aren’t living on the same plane anymore and b.) you all know me. I like frostiron best.
So what we’ve got here is a Loki and a Tony who have both died and, if such a place exists and works the way it’s purported to work, gone to Valhalla.
I see them becoming friends there, in ways I’ve read in a thousand different fics a thousand different times. Alienated by the rest of the big loud brash warriors but not by each other. Eager to take things apart and find out how they work. Flyting constantly.
(How does Valhalla work? Is Jarvis there too? What form does he take?)
And yeah, after Tony gets over the fact that he and Pepper aren’t going to be able to see each other for hopefully a good long while, maybe he and Loki get together. And that’s a beautiful story. I’d love to see that in fics.
But Pepper is also clearly and wholeheartedly Rescue now. There’s a good chance of her showing up there sooner than anticipated. And that is where things have the potential to get real froz3npizza up there.
Maybe Tony and Loki have just started dating, and Pepper shows up, and Tony is like “Oh shit.” And Loki is like “FFS. Now I have no chance.” And Tony decides to pretend that nothing happened between them and Loki is like, pissed about it but he didn’t expect anything else, really.
But Pepper sees right through them both and is like “Listen. I don’t want to stop you from doing things anymore pretty much at all now that you can’t kill yourself or anyone else blowing shit up. And if Loki’s here, that includes Loki.”
Tony’s like “But I love you.”
“We said until death. The rules change at death. We’ll figure out some new ones.”
Anyway I didn’t actually mean to start writing that fic! I still want to talk about that branch universe that got created when Loki obtained the Tesseract before anyone’d even gotten a chance to go out for Shawarma.
So canonically there is a universe that branches out from that point, one where Thor used Mjolnir to resuscitate Tony after a heart issue, and Jasper Sitwell is under the impression that Cap is Hydra, while Cap is under the impression that Loki disguised as himself stole the scepter and presumably returned it moments later, perhaps wielding Mjolnir.
I want to know what every single one of those little changes does to that timeline. I want to see a universe in which things go very differently.
And maybe there, we’ll see frostiron or froz3npizza on Earth, rather than Valhalla.
There were too many options that ended unfavorably to Loki, enough that Loki really should be keeping his mouth shut, and yet he couldn't help his... concern for the two that had so graciously accepted and allowed his presence. An acceptance that he was very aware could be rescinded at any moment. An allowance that was unspoken and tenuous at the best of times.
"Do you really think that this is wise?" Loki questioned. He kept his eyes firmly on his book, refusing to look at the mortal that had so easily talked him into his last mistake.
Loki needed to not look at him, to remain as unaware as possible to what effect his words would have. Would he take them as a rejection? Would he come to his senses and leave Loki behind? There were too many options that ended unfavorably to Loki, enough that Loki really should be keeping his mouth shut, and yet he couldn't help his... concern for the two that had so graciously accepted and allowed his presence. An acceptance that he was very aware could be rescinded at any moment. An allowance that was unspoken and tenuous at the best of times.
Loki kept his fingers coiled tightly around the edges of his book, pouring his focus into restricting his movements, his finger twitches, his thoughts, so that nothing would betray him here.
"Pepper was the one to bring it up," Tony told him. Loki could not help that his eyes snapped up then, surprise overriding his self control. Tony was smiling, hand rubbing the back of his neck, happy and confused and... guilty? Perhaps? Loki bit his lip. "I was surprised, but we made sure that she enjoyed it, so..."
"I see." Loki closed his book without bothering to check the page. "Once more then." He closed his eyes. There was a particular mindset he needed if he were to repeat the performance of last time. Loki wasn't certain if he had the strength to participate in this... display, whatever it was a display of, again. Knew that he did have the strength to refuse. Would never have the strength to refuse such an offer to be so tantalizingly close to what he wants.
Tony placed his hand on the back on Loki's chair, instead of his shoulder. They didn't touch often. Loki didn't touch at all when he could help it, had learned long ago not to touch what was not his. Tony's restraint, a restraint that Loki sometimes didn't think the man had, was the only reason that Loki knew his heart was not misplaced. Tony took what he wanted with near carelessness, but not Loki. He had seen Tony insert himself into spaces where he wasn't wanted often enough that he could easily tell when the other man was holding himself back from doing so.
Loki wished he wouldn't, understood why he did. It would be all too easy to... slip, if they were given the opportunity.
"If you don't want to..." Tony's voice was soft, not quite a whisper, but he was leaning into Loki like a promise of what Loki could have another taste of tonight.
"This is a dangerous game, Stark." He opened his eyes to look directly into Tony's.
Tony laughed, the sound slightly hollow, slightly bitter. "Who's playing?"
Who indeed. Loki found it hard to believe there were three players but no game. And yet, what else was he to think? Tony had no game, his motives were as clear as day. He wanted to appease his lady love and, if possible, have Loki lingering by his side. Or perhaps it was only Loki who hoped that would be the eventual outcome. That Loki would be allowed to stay close enough to orbit.
And what did the Lady Pepper want? This could not possibly be some elaborate scheme to humiliate Loki. He may not have played his cards close enough last time, so it was possible that she knew of his desire, but he couldn't see any way for her to turn that against him in this way. And was she not guaranteed more pleasure than any of them? No, there was no way for her to turn this around on him when she had freely offered it. So maybe it was no more or less than what was being offered, simply another joint venture in bed.
And yet...
And yet.
Three players, no game... It was certainly too good to be true.
"Come on." Tony reached for his hand, smiling as he laced their fingers and tugged Loki from his seat. "We shouldn't keep Pepper waiting."
Will she be waiting? Loki wanted to ask. Is it not too early? Too soon? He did not let his hesitation show. He went when Tony tugged, allowed his fingers to curl around the other man's for a few brief seconds, followed where he was led.
Loki tugged his hand from Tony's before they got too close to the room. Tony smiled at him sadly, feeling the loss and hiding it by shoving his hands deep in his pockets.
The lady Pepper was waiting for them on the bed. Loki hesitated on the threshold, didn't take a single step further until she acknowledged him, beckoned him in, and then he came to her side as requested.
They didn't speak, much as they hadn't spoken last time. They disrobed without haste, hesitated to touch each other, and turned their attention to the lady instead. Tony kissed her and Loki the opportunity to steal a few greedy touches of his skin, to press a few secret kisses to his back, his neck, before dutifully moving to the Lady Pepper to attend her pleasure. They had only stroked and kissed her for a few moments before she broke free of them both. "I want to watch," she said as she moved back. "You two first."
Loki was wrong. There was a way for her to humiliate him after all. He froze, eyes wide, unwilling to turn to Tony and unable to look away from her. He wasn't certain that he could, had ever been able to, fully hide his reactions and feelings for Tony, but he hadn't wanted to make a display of them. Not... not like this. He wasn't willing to be mocked by her, to see her wave her victory flag before him so cruelly. He hadn't thought that she was... that she would... But then again, was it not her right to hoard her claim?
Could Loki really turn this offer away, even if Tony was priced with his own pride? It seemed far more cruel than he had imagined her to be.
Three players, Loki reminded himself, one victor. That is how games were played, after all.
Tony looked at Pepper with equal surprise, but none of the shadow that plagued Loki's thoughts. He laughed, brought her close, showed her with soft, slow kisses. "What kind of mood are you trying to set, Pep? Trying to give him stage fright?"
Loki only then spared a thought to what he must have looked like. He closed off his expression, pushed aside his darker thoughts, composed himself. He was a prince. Just because he had no power here didn't mean he had to act like it. If humiliating him was her game, he could still bear it with dignity. Clench his fist, grit his teeth, and move forward.
"It would be a shame to neglect you, Lady Pepper," he said with a purr, moving closer. There was some surprise there, but enough lust to be capitalized on. Loki used it. He had long been praised for his clever fingers, clever tongue, and he put them to use on her until she was falling apart. He left Tony to do the intimate work of kisses, soft touches, cradling her as she fell apart in his arms.
Tony caught his face in his hands at some point and kissed him until his facade broke. Until he was no longer trying to conquer, only to savor. As if he could memorize the taste of Tony's lips, the feel of Tony's skin, the sound of Tony's moans, from this one encounter alone.
"Let's do it," Tony whispered.
Loki pulled back with confusion at first, then alarm. Tony didn't let him recoil too far.
"It's okay." Tony pressed his forehead to Loki's. "It's for us," he said softly.
Loki nodded slowly, keeping his hands on Tony even as he pulled away. Tony turned to Pepper, who was panting still even as she watched them closely, and nodded. She reached into the nightstand, retrieving a small bottle that she used to coat her finger and began to open Tony up.
Loki wanted to be doing that, couldn't take his eyes away from where her fingers disappeared in and out of Tony. Loki couldn't stand being idle, let his hands roam over both of them. He caressed thighs, fondled Pepper's breast, tweaked Tony's nipples, and all three of them were panting by the time Pepper deemed Tony ready. She took the bottle again and coated up Loki, making his shiver as her hand stroked him.
She moved behind him, kissing Loki's shoulder, and whispered, "Go slowly."
Loki was glad that she was behind him, where it would be harder to see his face. He couldn't say no to this. Didn't think he could pretend to want it any less than he did. He met Tony's eyes and slowly sank into him.
The world stopped being about the three of them.
Pepper was still there, at the edge of his mind, touching Loki, kissing him, watching them both, but Loki could no longer care. All that mattered to him was Tony tight around him, Tony's voice in his ear, Tony's hands on his back. Pepper was an afterthought at best. Loki couldn't be bothered to care when he was getting everything that he wanted.
They kissed as he came. Pepper inserted herself between them to slid herself on top of Tony and rode him to completion.
Loki didn't have it in him to resent her.
He rose and returned with a cloth to clean them up. Pepper pulled him into the middle of the bed before the question of whether or not he should stay had the chance to truly arise. She settled herself at his back, leaving him free to hold onto Tony.
They didn't sleep.
Tony was occupied watching Loki, studying him, tracing his hands over every place he could reach moving too much. Pepper wet his back with tears. Loki didn't know what to do with that, decided to do nothing, and the night passed with them pretending and knowing that no one was asleep.
It was morning by the time Tony actually found sleep and Pepper had to rise for work. Loki watched her closely, wondering if they would talk about her tears, not knowing what there was to say. It wasn't until she was dressed that she looked at him with eyes red from lost sleep and tears. "Take care of him for me?"
Loki didn't ask if she meant for today or forever. His answer was the same either way and he didn't want to hope for either option. Loki couldn't afford to hope. Even if there was a crack that he could slip into, it would be putting his hopes against Tony's own. Loki couldn't... Loki didn't want to do that.
He nodded.
She smile at him, sad but steady. She moved to his side and pressed a kiss to Loki's head, surprising him. "Thank you, Loki."
Loki didn't know what to think as she left the room. There were three players and Loki was starting to feel as if they were all playing a losing game.
Loki: “Are you certain this is a wise idea, Anthony? If the beast does not recognize her...”
Tony: “Don’t worry, Pepper’s got this. I mean, look at the Grandmaster, he’s already got his panties in a twist and they haven’t even started. Everything is going to be fine.”
Loki: “That is not reassuring in the slightest.”
- Tony/Pepper/Loki AU where Pepper is the one who is forced into the arena to fight because of reasons. Tony has a plan. Sort of. It’s all going to be fine.
graceful-storyteller replied to your post “Send me music about your favorite ship.”
Froz3npizza: Undisclosed Desires - Muse Frostiron: Blank Spaces - Taylor Swift
First, Thank you for the songs!
So, I’d heard Blank Spaces before, but thinking about this song as Frostiron really added new context. I went back and forth on whether this was from Loki’s POv or Tony’s. Ultimately, I landed on this being Tony’s song. It fits slightly better. Him owning his reputation, being tempting and teasing but still recklessly engaging his own drama. I fully see him talking to Loki this way.
“It’s gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down flames” is basically the Frostiron tagline.
So, I’m not sure how I feel about Undisclosed Desires. I can read the Froz3npizza stamped all over it, but I can’t tell how I feel about the song itself. For the dynamic between the three of them, I love it. This is spot on directed at Loki and it’s kinda fun trying to figure out which parts of the song are being spoken by Tony or Pepper.
I really like the line “You may be a sinner, but your innocence is mine.” This is a Pepper line. I love how possessive it is! It’s got wicked undertones. It speaks of healing and corruption in the same breath, but not in the same way. She’s getting under his skin if she has to pry it off and steal the most precious parts of him~ Honestly, trying to read the Pepper parts of this song might be the most interesting part. I’m sure that she also feels this way about Tony and that’s how he got hooked on her, too. Pepper steals and protects innocence, for better or for worse.
One of the presents @roseapprentice and I gave this year was a printout of her 30-day OTP porn challenge, Challenge and Answer. My contributions were in printing it out and constructing the cover, which includes the middle panel of @mioishin‘s awesome comic based on Chapter 7: Creative Sexual Positions in which Tony and Loki are plants. I also added hot pepper ribbons so that Pepper (who is in the challenge several times but not in the plant porn chapter) could get in on the sexy plant action.
I am really in the mood to something domestic or fluffy or generally lighthearted! (It doesn’t have to be) So I want you to send me prompts, please! I need focus! Inspiration!
I am not being too picky this time. Mostly, I will write for any of the following pairings:
You can send a prompt and request that it be written for multiple pairings, or multiple prompts for one pairing. Send me all you got! You can send me things other than what’s listed and take your chances with me being able to do a good job writing it. If it involves Loki, I’ll probably do it. If it involves Natasha, I’ll probably try to do it.
