I know, a horse ride? Well, I thought it would be sweet for Stark and Loki since I didn't want them to go on a date to club or resturant (somehow I don't feel like Loki would be too civil in places like those). Also, there's a deleted scene in the movie Thor where Lady Sif, the Warriors Three, Loki, and Thor are all riding out of Asgard to Jotunheim on horses. And in Norse mythology Loki shapeshifted into a horse to stop the losing of a bet, got pregant, and had Sleipnir the eight-legged horse. Plus Tom Hiddleston who plays Loki was in the movie War Horse so I've pretty much associated Loki with horses -_-;

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P.S. Less than 1 month until the release of the Avengers movie! ! =D

Much to Loki's surprise, Stark was able to ride a horse - granted, only western styled and not bareback even though Loki chose to do the same. After an hour's ride through the back fields of some property Stark rented for the occasion, they came upon an expansive oak with low-hanging branches over a shadowed soft-grassed floor. They tied their horses by the reins to a nearby smaller tree and then rested their backs against the broad trunk of the larger tree. They sat in silence for a good length, admiring the cool breeze and mild weather. Not another person was in sight, only the rolling green hills before and behind the pair, sprouting budding spring flowers while small mammals occasionally darted here and there into the thickets.

"Are you going to tell me why we're here?" Stark asked tentatively.

Loki wasn't ready to speak yet. He was still admiring the landscape, though the peacefulness grated his nerves. Grudgingly he answered, "I wanted to ride."

"Yes, but why? Why a horse?"

"It's nothing important, really. In your human terms I suppose it would be called 'homesickness.'"

Stark chuckled. "You? The Great Trickster homesick?"

"I admit it, yes. In Asgard I often took a horse out into the forest to practice my magic and spells." He smiled, a memory coming to him. "There was one particular spell I had trouble with that involved turning a mammal into inanimate but organic object. For example, I'd turn my horse into a leaf and back again."

"Whenever I picture you casting a spell I associate it with mischief."

Loki glanced at him and nodded. "Those spells are always the most fun. Of course, Asgardians are closest in culture to your Vikings therefore I also learned spells for combat, but mostly sabotage."

"Have you ever made something beautiful?"

At this Loki stopped. Briefly, he wondered why he was telling Stark all this so freely, but he decided it was pleasant at the very least and should cause no harm. So he continued.

"I could create an entire palace of ice or simply change the appearance of a plant if you prefer. I never did beauty but rather practicality."

"I would love to see it."

"Yes, well…" The whole situation of the purpose of Loki not being able to do so at the moment took hold of his thoughts, and once again he settled to the brooding he had become so accustomed to. Stark noticed the immediate change but decided it best to remain rooted to his spot. At this moment, any attempt of comfort would produce the opposite effect.

The rest of the day was spent this way. By hour intervals the pair would stop and doze under a tree until a full three hours passed, and they found themselves back in the rear lot of the person to whom the two horses belonged to. They thanked the old man and fondly patted the heads of the horses before departing.

Taking the short hike back to one of many of the cars in Stark's possession, Stark lifted his shirt to his nose and sniffed.

"Ugh," he recoiled. "I really need a bath when I get home. I smell like horse and sweat." He braved a sniff in Loki's path. "You could use one too."

"I am almost sure I do not smell as bad as you."

"On the contrary, my delightful Leprechaun, you smell as much as horse as I do, though I admit not as much sweat."

"Leprechaun?"

Stark took hold of Loki's hand and kissed the knuckle. "I was only thinking about your fondness for mischief and the color green."

"However, in no way am I considered short," Loki objected.

"Touché. That aside, I propose a bath together when we get home."

To that, Loki had minimal objection, although he inwardly admitted lust as the primary basis.