#the torque as his one remaining tie to Asgard!

[theshatteredsilhouette]

It makes me so sad that we could have had these concepts for series Loki and yet

(by Wes Burt via twitter)

[tilltheendwilliwrite]

Balance on the Head of a Pin

Chapter Twenty Five

Previous Chapter

Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x OFC  |  Word Count: 7825 Warnings: none

Lauren’s gaze remained on the empty place Loki had once occupied for a few long heartbeats before she finally managed to make her body work again. She shook. Not from fear, but from relief. Though she’d only learned of the bond growing between herself and Loki hours ago, the niggling concern she’d be unable to fulfill the final step when, really, she had no idea how she’d managed the first four, had left her doubting herself.

What if she messed up? What if she never figured out what the magical secret was? What if she failed and Loki never found peace?

She realized now what a stupid thought that had been. It hadn’t been something she had to do, but something she needed to accept. In that single moment of blinding clarity when he’d held her against him, and she’d let go, surrendered to him completely, it had been so clear. There was nowhere in the world she wanted to be more than with him, at his side, forever.

Everything she’d told Sadie, the incredible fairytale romance which she’d somehow become the leading lady in had led her to one realization. She could be happy, whatever came, whatever the future held, as long as she was with Loki. With that thought, she’d fully committed.

On shaky legs, she turned to face the mirror and lifted a trembling hand to her throat. The green stone was incredible. She’d never seen anything like it, not that that surprised her. It flickered with inner fire and was warm to the touch. Such a soothing warmth. It gave her the same feeling of comfort being in Loki’s arms did.

The serpents were beautiful. So realistic, they looked as if the could come alive and bite with those wickedly sharp fangs. Tiny black gems for eyes glittered, and though the torque was gold, it was a multitude of tones. Everything from the shiniest, brightest gold, gleaming like the sun, to the deepest of antique. There were even hints of green and rose glinting from the scales. It was the most exquisitely detailed piece of jewelry she had ever seen.

It was nearly impossible to drag her eyes from it, but she knew she had to. There was a party to oversee and two gods of Asgard to keep an eye on. Plus whatever mischief Loki had gotten up to in the ballroom.

She couldn’t imagine anything needing to be changed, not with how refined his tastes were, but… it wouldn’t hurt to make sure.

The box Sadie mentioned was small and flat, and Lauren lifted off the lid to reveal pink tissue paper. From inside, she pulled out an off-white silk teddy which was, to her mind, not much better than no underwear at all, but - her thoughts turned to later that night and Loki’s face when the dress fell to reveal… this.

Oh, yes. She would definitely wear the teddy.

It was exceptionally low cut in the back, but with her dress, it was a necessity. The silk was seamless, contouring to her body as Lauren drew it up. She slipped her arms through the holes, noting the deep cut to the sides and minor boning in the front which lent support to her breasts.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and had to smirk a little. Loki would swallow his tongue when he saw her. At least, she hoped he would. He left her breathless so often, she’d really like to return the favour.

Her dress was hanging on the back of the door, looking elegant and beautiful, and when she touched it, a shiver of pleasure snaked its way through her body. The party had suddenly become even more important to her.

If this were her, for lack of a better term, Asgardian binding day, she would cherish every minute of it. Nothing would spoil tonight. Not her mother or her sisters. Not anything.

She slipped the dress on carefully and smoothed it out. Yes, Sadie was a damn genius, but Loki’s addition of the golden chain across her shoulders and down her spine had also been brilliant.

Tonight she felt regal. She felt like the absolute belle of the ball. When she looked into the mirror again, she wondered at the glow which seemed to radiate from within. Was it her happiness which made her seem so? Or was it something more? She’d have to ask Loki to know for sure.

She quietly opened the door to see Sadie tugging up the side zipper on a strapless sequined red dress that fell only to mid-thigh, showing off her incredible legs and the sky-high white pumps with the sparkle-encrusted heels.

“Wow, Sadie!” Lauren gasped.

“I know right?” she giggled, reaching for the bracelet of diamonds and rubies Marcus had given her as a wedding gift.

Lauren remembered it vividly as she’d helped him pick it out, managed to haggle him a deal and keep him from buying anything gaudy. The tennis bracelet had been a perfect fit for both budget and bride.

Sadie turned to seek assistance, only to have the item slide through her fingers to the floor. “Oh, my god… oh… oh, my god! Is that… did you… how? Y’all were gone all of ten minutes!”

Lauren laughed even as her eyes watered and waved a hand at her face to keep the tears at bay. “I know!”

“Okay, okay, okay.” Sadie fanned her own face. “No cryin’. Neither of us can afford blotchy faces, but what the hell happened?”

Lauren shook her head. “I can’t, or I’ll cry. Just,” she hurried across the room and hugged her friend, “I want you to know him much you mean to me Sadie. Talkin’ about all that’s happened, gettin’ it out, helped put things in perspective.”

“Oh, dang it all, Lu! Why’d you have to go and say that?” Sadie sniffled.

“Because, Sadie, you’re my best friend, and I love you with every bit of my heart.” Lauren held her close as both grew teary-eyed and sniffled.

“Okay! Enough of bein’ sappy old women.” She pushed Lauren back. “My goodness though, Lu. You look like someone lit a firework inside you. You just sparkle!”

Lauren blushed as she crouched to pick up Sadie’s bracelet. “You’re the one who sparkles. Look at that dress.”

Sadie ran her hands down her side. “Well, I bought it before I found out about the baby and figured if it still fit, I was gonna wear it.”

“You look great, really.”

A pout replaced Sadie’s smile. “I’m kinda annoyed.” She turned sideways in the mirror. “No bump.”

“Give it time,” Lauren snickered as she clipped Sadie’s bracelet around her wrist. “I’m sure you’ll be complainin’ about too much bump in no time.”

“I suppose you’re right about that.” Sadie snickered and hurried over to the garment bag, hung up on the inside of Lauren’s closet door. “Now, I know we talked about shoes when y’all were at the store, but after Loki added his embellishments, I thought maybe these might be better.”

Lauren gasped when Sadie turned with the stunning gold shoes in hand. “Sadie! They’re gorgeous! But how?”

She waved a dismissive hand. “A few years back someone,” she rolled her eyes, “insisted she just had to have the gold weddin’ shoe from the Dolce and Gabbana line.” She crouched to set the heavily embellished shoe on the ground in front of Lauren. “Took me ages to finally get them in, and once I did she who shall not be named, lil’ miss prissy pants, decided they were too gaudy for her taste. More like her mama saw the price tag and threw a fit. They’ve been sittin’ in my stockroom takin’ up space ever since.”

“Did you at least keep her deposit?” Lauren asked as she lifted her dress and stepped into the first pump, knowing damn well Sadie was talking about Georgia Dalton.

“Damn right I did. The entire thirty percent and when she bitched about it, I explained, ever so nicely, that her thirty percent was to cover the cost of the shoes sittin’ in my stockroom cause no one else in their right mind would ever pay that kind of price for a pair of shoes.” Sadie fit the second shoe to Lauren’s foot and got back to her fee. “Well, except maybe your mama or Cissy.”

Lauren rotated her foot back and forth, watching the dark gold gleam. “You sure you ain’t gonna catch hell for this?” she asked softly.

“They’ve been collectin’ dust for four long years. It’s time someone wore them, and you just happen to have the same size feet as her, unlike me, or I would have worn them years ago.”

Lauren let go of her dress, sending the hem fluttering to the floor and took a final look at the two of them in the mirror. She ran her hands over the middle of her dress and tried not to bite her lip.

“Lu,” Sadie took her hand, “you look amazin’. No, more than that. You look like a princess like you belong on Loki’s arm. Tonight, no matter what anyone says, you hold your chin up, you stand tall, and you remember the fact that only you were special enough to earn the love of a god.”

“It’s like goin’ to war every time we do this,” Lauren whispered, clenching her shaking fist against her stomach.

“Yeah, Lu. I know, but this time you have two Avengers standin’ at your back. Remember who your friends are. Remember where your real family is at.” Sadie hugged her tight and tugged her toward the balcony doors. “Time to knock the socks off the men!”

Lauren breathed deep and pushed open the door only to have her heart stutter. “Loki.”

He’d changed his attire to that of a formal suit and looked like he’d stepped from the pages of a magazine. Not quite black, the three-piece suit was a dark grey with a sheen to it, the vest buttoned over a crisp white shirt. His tie had threads of gold worked into it which, on closer inspection, mimicked the serpentine pattern her pendant had once held. The pocket square tucket up by his lapel was of the same fabric, and Lauren smiled.

“You look wonderful!” she sighed, taking his offered hands when he made his way over.

“No, my darling. It is you who looks amazing. So radiant. You glow, my heart.” He kissed her cheek before holding her hands out to send an appreciative gaze over her. “Sadie dear, you have my thanks.”

Sadie blushed when Loki bowed to her. “Oh, well, Lu makes it easy. What can I say.”

***

But Loki wasn’t just speaking of the dress, or the hair, or Lauren’s shoes. He was talking about all of it. Every word which had passed the woman’s lips in these last few minutes had been spoken to lift his Lauren up. To raise her from the quagmire of despair and uncertainty her family had tried continuously to drown her in.

Sadie was a true friend, a real sister to his Lauren. In no way would Loki ever be able to repay the petite brunette for all she’d done to continue to bolster Lauren when her spirits flagged.

“Shall we?” he said instead, waving his hand and opening a portal.

“Oh, but Sadie is…” Lauren looked at her friend.

“With child. I am aware. She will be fine, darling.” He held out his hand to the woman practically bouncing on her tall shoes.

“I have no idea how you know that, but I don’t care! I’m so in!” Sadie squealed and gripped his hand tightly.

Loki chuckled. Her enthusiasm was charming. “Let us start with the garden.”

“Garden?” Lauren asked as she stepped through on his arm.

“Oh! That’s a bit of a head rush, ain’t it?” Sadie giggled as they arrived at the edge of the garden.

“It takes getting used to,” Loki said, nodding to Thor who was waiting for them. He cast a critical eye over his brother who had managed to shift his own attire to something resembling formal wear. “One would think you had learned something of fashion from all the parties Stark throws.” He flicked his fingers and corrected things, so Thor no longer looked as if he’d purchased an ill-fitting suit off the rack.

“I’m not even sure why I packed a suitcase at this point,” Lauren snickered.

Thor, meanwhile, had zeroed in on the torque gleaming with the low light of evening.

“My bonded Ástvinur, brother,” Loki smiled proudly.

“Lauren,” Thor whispered, voice hoarse before he walked forward and dropped to a knee at her feet, took up her hand and brought it to his forehead. “I can’t express… you have given me… thank you.”

She gently cupped his cheek, her eyes shining with hard-fought tears. “Please don’t. I can’t keep fixin’ my makeup.”

He chuckled and lurched to his feet to sweep her up in a hug that lifted Lauren into the air. “My sister! You have done it, my sister!” he bellowed, laughing his big booming laugh as he swung them around in a circle.

“Please don’t break my wife,” Loki muttered, arching a brow at his brother.

“Wife!?” Sadie squeaked, her eyes growing round.

“By Asgardian standards, yes. Though we have yet to wed by Midgard law, for all express purposes Lauren is most certainly my wife.” Loki held out his hand to draw her back to his side when Thor released her, only to be grabbed himself and pounded heartily on the back.

“Then you should give it to her,” his brother insisted once he’d let Loki go, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring sternly.

“You know how she feels about that,” Loki huffed.

“What?” Lauren asked.

“She already wears mother’s bracers. You know Frigga would have wanted her to have it,” Thor argued.

“Have what?” Lauren asked.

“But she has no desire to be put in that position,” Loki countered, glaring at Thor.

“Hey!” Lauren smacked Loki in the chest. “Standin’ right here! Stop talkin’ over me like I’m not!”

“Forgive me, darling.” Loki sighed, continuing to glare at Thor whom he was certain was about to get him in trouble. “My brother is referring to this.” He turned his hand over, allowing the circlet of delicately worked gold and precious white stones to appear in his palm.

“Oh!” she gasped and recoiled slightly. “Is that… what I think it is?”

“It was our mother’s. The one she wore most often for daily summons and court appearances,” Thor explained, his eyes bright with excitement.

“Oh, but I…” Lauren trailed off when she looked at Sadie.

“You’ll never know until you try, Lulu,” Sadie encouraged.

She took a deep breath, and Loki held his. Would she accept? Dare she? It was a huge step but, as he’d continuously been telling her, the people of Asgard would love her as their princess.

“Maybe… maybe I could… try it on?” she said, a nervous flush adding pink to her cheeks.

Loki somehow managed to keep his features schooled as he murmured, “You certainly should.” He took the circlet, far stronger than its delicate appearance belied, much like Lauren herself, and placed it down over her brow. It was barely the width of his thumb. Refined. Elegant. Exquisite against the softness of her skin.

“Oh, Lauren,” Sadie sighed, her hand going to her mouth as her eyes watered. “I feel like I should curtsey and call you, your highness!”

Lauren’s eyes grew very round. “No! Don’t be doin’ that, Sadie.” She reached up to take it off, but Loki captured her hands.

“You look lovely, my heart.” A wisp of magic rose to slide the circlet beneath the top layer of her hair, leaving only the band across her forehead visible. “There. It is not so noticeable, but it makes me happy to know you wear it.”

Her cheeks were quite red, and she trembled slightly prompting Loki to send a glance Thor’s way.

“Lady Sadie.” Thor smiled at the woman. “Why don’t you and I take a turn around the garden?” Though it was voiced as a question, he didn’t allow the woman to deny him, simply swept her arm into his and started away.

Loki brought Lauren’s hands to his chest and set them there before gently cupping her cheeks. “What’s wrong, elskan min?”

“It’s just… a lot to get used to. I’m not sure about this whole… princess thing.”

“I know, darling.” He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. “It is only a pretty piece of jewelry. I can remove it if you wish?”

She sighed. “Thor’s really pushy, ain’t he?”

“That he is,” Loki chuckled softly.

“Sadie said I should try it, that maybe I’d like it if I gave it a chance.”

“Your friend is quite smart.”

“She has her moments.” A small smile curled Lauren’s lips.

“What’s really bothering you, love?”

“Mama’s parties give me anxiety,” she sighed, stepping into him and sliding her hands up his chest to wrap behind his neck as his went around her. She rested her cheek against him. “You didn’t hear what she said earlier, did you?”

“When your father intervened?” She nodded. “No. Why? What did she say?”

“Nothin’. It’s not relevant anymore.” She settled further into him.

Loki couldn’t help but let his hands dip into the edges of her dress, caressing her bare back. “Now I am quite curious. What did she say?”

“Promise me you won’t freak out?”

His hand drifted up her back to the nape of her neck where the tails of the serpents twined together creating the clasp of her torque. “I promise.” It was an easy one to make, knowing she was forever more his.

“She said I shouldn’t be wastin’ my time bein’ a princess when I could be queen.”

“What!” he snarled.

She gave his hair a tug. “You promised.”

He calmed instantly. “Apologies. I was understandably surprised, though, why it still surprises me when people prefer Thor is a mystery. They always prefer Thor.”

“Not me,” she whispered, lifting her head to look at him. “I never have. It’s always been you, Loki.”

“Elskan min,” he growled softly and ducked his head to kiss her lush red lips. He could feel the love swell in her heart, so much stronger now with the jewel pulsing at her throat. Loki slipped his fingers beneath her hair and cupped the base of her skull, holding her tight to him with a firmly splayed hand on the bare skin of her lower back.

He licked her lip and slipped between them to flick his tongue over the tip of hers, press and stroke them together, and when she whimpered that soft, sweet mewl of desire he was coming to know so well, he tilted his head, sealed their mouths together and moaned.

His magic spiralled with it, trickling down to fill her with his power. While she couldn’t use it, it wasn’t about to flow out of her like it had a few days ago in the helicopter. This time it remained, humming inside her, and when he lifted his head to look down at her, her lashes fluttered open to reveal emerald eyes which glimmered with the green of his magic. Gold flecks sparkled in the depths, and she was, quite simply, the most gorgeous creature he’d ever laid eyes on.

“Your beauty knows no end tonight, my heart.” He’d thoroughly wrecked her lipstick, though, and ran his thumb over her lips to fix it before swiping his hand over his mouth to remove what had transferred. While he’d enjoyed the red painted on her lush mouth, he preferred the glossy texture she regularly employed and gave the red a high sheen. Now, they looked like the skin of a ripe apple waiting to be bitten.

“Thank you, peaches.” She straightened his tie, pausing when her gaze landed on the cuffs around her wrists. “Were these really Frigga’s?”

“They were. There were a few key pieces she’d always said would be mine one day. Mine for my Ástvinur should I desire them.” He turned and tucked her arm into the crook of his elbow. “I took them to be petty when I left Asgard. They were mine by right. Left to me by Frigga. Though we were on poor terms when she passed, I do not believe she would have ever struck that wish from her heart. And I wanted them,” he shrugged, “a piece of her to keep close. The comb from earlier was also hers.” It had been laying on Lauren’s dresser, and he’d quickly put it away, not daring to leave it out where Cissy’s sticky fingers could find it.

“I thought them regal before. Now that I know they were hers, I’ll cherish them,” she said, touching one gently.

“We shared a special bond, Frigga and I because of seiðr, the type of magic we do. I know she would have loved you quite fiercely had she lived and shown you off proudly.” She blushed, as he’d expected, making him chuckle as they rounded the first hedgerow.

Lauren gasped staring at the image before her. “Loki… what… how?”

He smiled proudly. “Mother has been on my mind much lately. This is my tribute to her.” He swept his hand out, setting thousands of lights ablaze around the twisting knots of the rose garden. Flowers burst into bloom, filling the air with their fragrance as red and white and deep ocean blue unfurled around them. But in the very center of the intricate paths and raised beds, stood a pool of sparkling blue water toward which he led a speechless Lauren.

“Oh, my gosh, Lauren!” Sadie cried, jumping up and down beside Thor. “Y’all have got to see this!”

Lauren was staring at the tree rising from the water. At the flowers dripping from its branches. The Fortryllende was in full bloom, tall and stately, but it wasn’t the tree Sadie was enthralled with, unaware of its importance.

“Loki… that’s the flower you made for Gran.” Tears sparkled on her lashes.

“It is. Odin’s gift to Frigga. A fitting addition to tonight, seeing as my intended is now my bonded. I will have to give Father a hard time. It certainly didn’t take me one-hundred days to entice my chosen to me.” He snickered, and Thor chuckled. “But I believe Sadie is referring to the creatures swimming among the roots, not the tree itself.”

He led Lauren to the water’s edge. “Look, darling.” Loki crouched and dangled his fingers in the water, calling one closer. It curled its way around his wrist to climb up and sit, wet and dripping, on the back of his hand.

“Oh, my stars!” Lauren squeaked as she crouched down beside him, Sadie and Thor looking on. “It’s a little dragon!”

Loki chuckled and shook his head. “It is a Voktere. They are the keepers of Fortryllende trees, tending the roots and seeing them free of pests and disease. When Odin created the flowers, and in turn the trees, these flocked to them in droves.” He pet the small head of the dragon-like creature. Scaled and reptilian, they had long sinuous bodies, came in a variety of jewel tones and had tails similar to fancy fish with large flowing fins.

When Lauren reached out tentatively, Loki shook his head while urging the creature off his hand. “I am afraid these are all illusion, my darling. One day I will take you to the Fortryllende tree in Frigga’s actual garden and introduce you to the Voktere for real.” He showed her his hand, free of water.

“Loki’s illusions have increased in potency nearly one-hundred fold,” Thor said proudly. “His magic has become something to marvel at, my sister.”

“How much of this is an illusion?” Lauren asked, taking Loki’s offered hands when he rose to help her back to her feet.

“A good portion. A few strategically placed beds contain the roses for scent, but for the rest,” he ran his hand through a hedge and made it waver, “simply a pleasing façade.”

“Y’all must be a riot ‘round Halloween!” Sadie clapped excitedly.

“If one could get him to participate,” Thor nudged Loki’s shoulder.

Loki rolled his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. “It is such a trite holiday. Everything is either zombies or werewolves or vampires.” He snapped his teeth together and smiled a set of sharp fangs. “What’s so scary about this?”

Heat flared, a delicious shiver of it that raced through him from the heart stone. He snapped his gaze down to Lauren and found pink cheeks and lustful eyes staring at his mouth.

“Perhaps this year I will consider participating.” He grinned and stroke a fang with his tongue.

Lauren swallowed rather hard. “My what big teeth you have,” she whispered, her hand coming up to flutter before landing on his chest.

“I believe those were the next set of teeth over,” he chuckled wickedly, letting his eyes run to gold before returning to green.

“Damn,” Sadie sighed. “Y’all are tryin’ to kill the rest of us.” She fanned her face rapidly.

Thor chuckled and collected her hand to his elbow. “Asgardians have few reservations when it comes to worldly pleasures. We are a sensual people,” he purred to Sadie.

“Thor! Cut it out!” Lauren barked. “Stop flirtin’ with my friend.”

“No, no. Keep goin’. Please,” Sadie giggled.

Lauren shook her head. “Two words, Sadie June. Marcus and baby.”

“Spoilsport,” Sadie pouted.

“You are with child?” Thor grinned big and wide. “How auspicious! A blessing on you, fair Sadie. May your son or daughter be favoured by the gods and successful in their chosen future.” With that said, he leaned down and kissed her square on the mouth.

“What in the blue blazes?”

Lauren turned to see Marcus and Lafayette come through the flower maze. “Marcus!”

Thor lifted his head with a grin. “Ah! The father-to-be!” He set Sadie away from him, made sure she was stable, and practically bounced across the space to take Marcus by the shoulders. “Congratulations, my friend! You and your lovely wife will have a child blessed by Thor!”

It was as Thor was pounding the life out of Marcus in a bone-crushing hug that Lauren turned to Loki. “Huh?” she asked, gesturing between Sadie and Marcus.

Loki gave a long-suffering sigh. “While God of Thunder is his preferred title, Thor is also the God of Fertility.”

Her mouth fell open. “What?”

“There were a few centuries when Father was ready to rip his hair out because of Thor’s appeal to women.” Loki snickered.

“So… the way he handled mama and Marabeth?”

“It’s a gift.”

“And this?” She motioned toward Sadie.

“Exactly what he said it was. He’s blessed her and their child.”

Lauren snorted in obvious amusement, turning her face into his chest. “Does that mean Sadie’s baby is goin’ to be better behaved, or just like Thor is?”

“You know,” Loki bit back a chuckle, “I have no idea. I’ve never been interested enough to find out how a blessing goes.”

“Maybe… maybe we should see how this one goes… before we let him bless any of ours?” she whispered, glancing up at him and biting her lip.

The intense surge of desire which raced through him with that question was strong enough to knock down a mountain, but he contained it, just barely, to bend close to her ear and murmur, “Or, we keep going until he gets it right.”

She jerked back to glare at him. “Just how many babies you think I��m gonna be havin’?”

“As many or as few as you want, my heart.” He skimmed his fingers up her spine, setting the slim chains swinging sensually against her back. “Whatever makes you happy, darling.” She sighed, a smile pulling at her lips when she rested her head against his heart.

Over her head, however, he levelled a hard look at Lafayette who seemed unable to pull his eyes from Lauren’s bare back. He stood next to Thor, mouth agape, while his brother thoroughly disconcerted Sadie’s husband.

“Come, darling. I will show you the rest before more guests arrive.” Loki dropped his hand to lay possessively against her lower back. “Brother, you have quite made your point. Let us continue on while the lady Sadie and her husband catch up.”

“Right, right.” Thor gripped Marcus’s shoulders tightly. “A virile male! It is good!” He slapped the man’s arms heartily, turned and made his way toward them, offering the still stunned Sadie a short bow. “Until later.”

“Huh? Yeah. Dance.” Sadie nodded.

They were nearly back to the terrace, out of earshot of the three they’d left behind when Lauren burst out laughing. “I think that’s the first time in years I’ve seen Sadie tongue-tied!” Though she laughed, her eyes were in constant motion and full of excitement, lighting up in wonder or awe when her gaze alighted on something new which pleased her.

Her happiness simply bubbled out of her.

“It is so rare I meet a woman in the first blush of her pregnancy. It puts a pep in one’s step!” Thor chuckled. “Perhaps I am overzealous, but new life should be celebrated. Too often all we see is death and the aftermath of destruction. It is good to see the renewal as well.”

Lauren came to a stop and turned toward Thor where she pressed up on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Y’all are just a big softy.”

“Complete with a gooey center,” Loki agreed.

“The same one that lies beneath your hard shell,” Lauren quipped, picking up her dress in the front to take the terrace stairs.

Loki took her free hand, ignoring the comment, while Thor cupped her elbow to assist her up the stairs. “There is still time to change anything you dislike,” he assured Lauren, trying not to fidget. Thor threw him a look which clearly said he was being stupid, but he couldn’t help the small niggling feeling that she would hate it.

“If it’s anythin’ like the garden? What wouldn’t I… like… oh, Loki!” she gasped, staring open-mouthed at her surroundings. Her hand left his as she walked further into the room to tilt her head back and stare at the ceiling. “How?” she asked.

He tucked his hands into his pockets and looked up with her. “There’s a cave on Vanaheim. The ceiling is made of such crystal.” The five chandeliers had been replaced by three large stalactites, a multitude of smaller crystals filing in space around them. Thor’s lightning was caught in the center crystal but had jumped to both outer ones as well, creating a soft glow over the room, forming shadows on the walls and floor with the cloudy nature of the smoky crystal.

The light from the windows was beginning to fade, and as it did, the blue sparks he’d set in the sheers became more apparent, floating much like the fireflies had. Lauren’s hand shook where it hovered over her lips as she took in the floor and the forest of trees along the walls.

There was a band setting up in the corner near the rear of the room, and Loki urged Lauren toward the side rooms. “Thor thought a taste of home wouldn’t be out of place tonight.”

She said nothing as she stepped into the first room, dark but for flickering candles and twinkling sky. Sue Ann was puttering, but she only looked up, grinned at Loki, smiled appreciatively at Lauren, and went back to arranging the food.

As he led Lauren away, Thor remained behind. The sound of fingers getting smacked made Loki smirk, but Lauren’s silence was beginning to concern him.

In the next room with the blue-lit bar and ceiling full of vines, she inhaled sharply as she made her way toward the man at the back who swiftly poured her a glass of wine, evidently aware of her preferences.

“Thanks, Mike,” she whispered hoarsely.

“The place looks incredible, miss Lauren. I was mighty impressed. Knew it had to be your doin’.” The man nodded at her and smiled.

“His doin’,” she said pointing at Loki after downing a healthy swallow of wine.

Loki gave a slight shrug and took her hand to lead her to the final room.

There, beneath the branches laden with flowers, under twinkling lights, and reflected by mirrors, she set her glass on a table and burst into tears.

His heart stopped. “No! No, no!” Loki leapt forward to drag her into his arms. “You can’t cry! I’ll fix it! I’ll fix everything! Just tell me what I did wrong?”

“Nothin’!” she sobbed, sliding her arms up to wrap them around his neck.

His heart kicked hard and restarted. “Then why are you crying, love?”

“Because!”

He wanted to laugh, she was so damn adorable but fought it back. “That is not really an answer.”

“It’s p-perfect!” she wailed.

“Then you should be happy, my heart, not soaking me in your tears.”

“You don’t,” she gasped, “understand!”

He stroked her back and shifted them over until he could urge her into a chair and sat with their knees touching. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a square of linen and gently wiped her face. “Help me understand.”

She took the linen to mop her wet cheeks, breathed out a shaky breath, and wiped her nose. “These parties, they’re… they’re like goin’ into battle. No matter how hard I’d try, somehow I’d always fail. Never good enough, that was me. But this,” she looked up at the ceiling, black tracking her cheeks from her makeup, “this is like a fairytale come true. Like walkin’ into another world. I’ve never seen… anythin’ so, so magical.”

Her chin wobbled, and Loki reached out to cup her cheek. “You, my sweet, kind, precious, Lauren have never been a failure. You excel at everything you try your hand at. If your mother or your sisters claimed you were a failure it was out of jealousy or spite. I am certain even tonight they will find something of fault for that is how they are, but it is not you who is the problem. It is them. It always has, and will always be them.”

“It’s easy to hear and easy to say, but harder to believe,” she sighed, leaning into his touch.

“I know. I know, darling.” He pulled her closer and let his forehead rest against hers. “I can only tell you, you are not responsible for them. You are not responsible for their happiness. You are not at fault for their misery. The only one you are responsible for making happy is you.”

“Loki.” She threaded her fingers through his hair while clutching the cloth in her lap.

“And me. I will always strive toward making you happy.”

A fresh tear trickled down her cheek as she shifted from her chair to his lap. “You make me… so happy,” she whispered hoarsely.

He stole the handkerchief back to catch the fresh tears. “That’s good, my sweet, but your tears hurt my heart, even the happy ones. Your eyes should never be wet.” Of course saying so caused a fresh flood of tears to fall from her eyes.

“I love you, Loki. I love you,” she said softly, her hands clinging to his neck.

“I know, pet, as I love you.” He wiped her tears and kissed her, gentle brushes of soft lips tasting of salt but not sorrow, until they slowed to a stop. “No more tears. Not tonight. Tonight, though it is known only to a few, we celebrate our binding.” He touched her torque lightly then encouraged her to her feet where he cupped her face as she grasped his wrists.

Green eyes, now red-rimmed, would not stay so. Neither would her makeup smeared face, but he held her there, remembering this moment, memorizing it, for he vowed silently to never see such pain track across her features again. “You must remember, Lauren, no matter what comes, you are no longer alone. You have me, your Ástvinur, standing proudly at your side. You have the King of Asgard at your elbow, and you have a terrific friend in your Sadie. She is a fierce thing for one so small.”

She giggled at that and breathed in deeply to stave off fresh tears. “She’s like a stick of dynamite. A big explosion in a small package.”

Loki chuckled. “That she is.”

“Alright. Let’s fix me up before anyone sees the mess I’ve made of myself.” She frowned at his shoulder. “And you. I smeared makeup on your collar.”

“An easy fix, darling.” Magic rippled, quickly there and gone, setting them both to rights and vanishing the soiled handkerchief. “There. No one shall be the wiser.” He stepped back to take a long look at her and slowly shook his head in amazement. “You are striking, my heart. A Goddess among men this eve. Come,” he held out his elbow for her, “I am quite desperate to show you off.”

Another giggle escaped her, lifting his heart from the pit it had been wallowing in with her upset. The bright blush he loved adorned her cheeks. Her hand closed lightly around his arm, she retrieved her glass, and he led her from the mirrored room at a pace which showcased her grace.

Hoyt and Magnolia were standing just inside the doors which led to the interior of the house, their mouths agape when he and Lauren appeared.

“Lauren!” Magnolia gasped. “Just look! I can’t believe it.”

“Isn’t it pretty, mama?” Lauren smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Why, I never! How do y’all think Quinn managed it?”

“She didn’t,” Loki snapped. “That wretched woman was making a mockery of things. Hideous, ghastly decorations. Then, when Lauren stepped in to put things to rights, requesting things be changed, she quit! The audacity of it. And the way she spoke to your daughter?” Loki scoffed, “Why, I can assure you she would no longer be in business had she treated Lauren with such disrespect in New York.”

“Loki, it’s fine, peaches.” She patted his arm.

“It most assuredly is not,” he muttered, but gave a long sigh and relented. “After, I humbly offered my services to my love to assist with the disaster left behind. Lauren throws such elegant soirees for Stark. It would have been such a shame to see her reputation sullied by someone else’s misdeeds.” He smiled pleasantly, though it was a touch sharp, having rocked her parents back on their heels.

While he’d noted most of the men were dressed as he was, a dark suit with a red or white accent, Hoyt had forgone the red for blue.

It made Loki wonder just how pissed off it had made Magnolia. She was eyeing Lauren’s outfit rather sharply. While the white dress was likely above reproach, all her gold accents were out of place in Magnolia’s theme.

A theme she’d taken to heart. Her off the shoulder red dress had a heart-shaped neckline and high waisted tulle skirt which flowed to the floor in a simple bell shape. Her elbow length white gloves, necklace and earrings of chunky diamonds, and high swept hair were, to his mind, overdone.

While Magnolia floundered to find words, Hoyt stepped forward and held out his hand. “I thank you kindly for your help, Loki. This is…” Hoyt motioned to the room, “I’ve never seen anythin’ like it.”

Loki grasped the hand and nodded his head. “Much of it is an illusion and will return to what it once was after the party. I may have gone… slightly overboard but it was to assist my radiant Ástvinur, so how could I not.”

Hoyt smiled at Lauren before leaning down to kiss her cheek. “You’re gonna be the star of the party tonight, little girl. You glow in that dress. You make sure and save your daddy a dance, you hear?”

“I’ll save him two,” Lauren said, her smile brighter than the diamonds on her mother when she pressed up to return his kiss.

“Your mother and I are gonna start greetin’ guests.” He nodded to the two of them, gripped Magnolia’s arm firmly, and hustled her away before she could speak.

“Oh, my,” Lauren snickered and sipped her wine. “Mama appears to be at a loss for words. I think that’s a first.”

“Should I put in my request for my dances now?” Loki teased, taking her in his arms. “After all, you’ve promised your father and Thor, and with how stunning you look, there will be men lined up waiting to snatch you away. I’m afraid I am feeling rather uninclined to share, darling.”

She laughed, and the sound was musical, seeming to rise up and echo amongst the crystals on the ceiling. “And what of you? Looking so dapper and handsome,” she pouted prettily. “It’s not as if you have a ring on your finger to ward off all the hussy’s who’ll be tryin’ to steal you from me for a dance.”

A flash of green surrounded his left hand. “You mean like this, my heart?” He smirked wickedly when he held his hand up and ran his thumb over the gold band wrapped in runes.

“You’re so bad,” she snickered. “They’ll all think I married in secret.”

He pulled her closer and breathed wantonly against her ear, “Didn’t you?”

“Ugh, must you, Lauren?” Marabeth muttered.

Loki looked up to glare her way when Lauren stiffened. It wasn’t something her sister would have noticed, but he’d felt the tension return to Lauren’s body. “No Samuel this evening?” he asked, knowing it was nasty and not caring.

“He’ll be arriving late!” Marabeth snapped, marching off with Quinn dogging her heels. At one point she stepped on Marabeth’s dress causing the woman to stop short and glare at Quinn.

“Do you think she knows how incredibly… wide that dress makes her ass appear?” he asked, Lauren.

“Loki!” she scolded, trying not to laugh.

“I am only saying, my heart, that the cut is not as flattering as it could be. Add in that enormous bow, and the garish colour, and I’m afraid she is having a ‘what not to wear’ moment.” The ball was meant to be red and white, not red edging into orange which did absolutely nothing for Marabeth’s complexion. “I’m going to assume she chose it herself. I can’t see Sadie making such an error even if she does dislike your sister.” He stroked his hands down her arms. “Not when she did such an exquisite job picking this for you.”

The click of heels drew his attention as Cissy passed without acknowledging either of them.

“Huh,” Loki grunted as she went by.

“What?” Lauren asked.

“She reminds me of a red Big Bird.”

Lauren barked out a laugh before biting her lip to contain it. “Just how much TV do you watch?”

He shrugged. “Midgardian daytime television is both fascinating and mind-numbing, but it alleviated the boredom I suffered when I was first here. Still, you cannot tell me she does not bear a striking similarity to the large yellow fowl creature on that children’s show. Either that or she forgot half her dress.”

The corset bodice, though it looked much like something which should be worn beneath one’s clothing, was heavily patterned in cut crystals, while the skirt was created of red and black feathers and fell to just above her knees.

“Remind me to introduce you to some better TV when we get back to the tower,” Lauren snickered softly, waving at Sadie as she and her husband made their way toward them.

Loki’s eye was caught by the visage of his brother, head and shoulders taller than the majority of the people, making his way through the growing crowd. There was a distinct scowl on his face, and when their gazes locked, Thor stopped and motioned toward the doors.

“Excuse me, my heart. It appears Thor needs me a moment.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and slipped away from her side as Sadie arrived. “I’ll be back shortly,” he assured them as he passed, making his way swiftly toward Thor.

“Brother?”

Thor tilted his head toward the door. “Listen.”

Loki frowned but turned his hearing toward the door. His eyes snapped up to the lights coming nearer and immediately snarled something, not for polite company, in the old tongue. “I thought you told them to stay away?”

“I did!” Thor huffed. “What do you want to do? We could make them leave.”

“I could drop them through a portal,” Loki snarled stalking toward the door. People cleared from his path with a swiftness he’d only ever seen Barnes achieve. When they made the door and started down the terrace steps, avoiding the arriving guests who’d stopped to gawk at the incoming helicopter, Loki remembered his earlier foreboding. “There was a murder sitting in the trees tonight.”

“I saw it as well. Father sends a warning,” Thor murmured. “Do you think it was in regards to them?” He nodded toward the helicopter.

Slowly, Loki shook his head as he made his way through the garden. “Had they arrived prior to the binding finishing, I might have said yes. Now… I am not so sure.”

“So? What do you want to do?”

He looked at Thor a smiled. Wicked. Dark. Full of mischief. “Why, invite them to join us. I am certain Lauren won’t mind.”

“Loki? What are you planning?” Thor gripped his shoulder.

“Just a bit of fun, brother.”

“The last time we had just a bit of fun you dressed me up as a girl!”

Loki snorted at the memory. “And look at the fun you had.” He waved a hand, erecting a barrier which protected them from the downdraft of the landing helicopter. “We ate. You drank an ocean’s worth of ale. It was fun!”

“The drinking was fun,” Thor murmured, crossing his arms. “But if I end up in a dress again, I will kick your ass.”

“I’d like to see you try it now… brother,” he purred, knowing it would be much harder than it once was.

When the blades began to slow, Loki dismissed the shield and made his way forward as the door slid open. A slim hand was thrust from the inside, which he took without hesitation, and smiled like the cat who had eaten the canary. Things had just gotten so much more interesting.

Loki helped the woman descend to the ground and bowed over her hand. “Why, Miss Potts. How delightful of you to join us this evening.”

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