Thaw

"𝐢 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞. 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞'𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡."

❅

And, thus, ends the tale of Loki and Belle.

Quite an interesting story, right?

It would be cliche and, quite frankly, completely incorrect of me to claim that they "lived happily ever after", as many other tales do. Claiming that anything in life is perfect would be a reach and a half to say the least, after all.

A year and a half later, Belle and Loki were married on a snowy January day--most certainly a jest to Loki's former curse and Jötun state. The ceremony was beautiful, taking place just beside the frozen lake next to the castle that Belle had read to Loki near all that time ago.

Phil, of course, walked Belle down the aisle, his tears flowing freely at the sight of his gorgeous daughter on the happiest day of her life. Of course, he also had a very long talking to with Loki, ensuring that the prince's intentions were pure, Loki reassuring Phil time and time again of his unbridled love for Belle. The two men even managed to put the whole "taking you captive for stealing a rose" thing under the bridge--quite a feat.

A bit contrary to my previous statement, I must admit, Belle and Loki did live a fruitful and prosperous rest of their lives.

"You talk about us as if we're dead!" Belle's voice echoes from the right.

"Yeah, a bit of a bummer on our wedding day, Hela!" Loki agrees.

Oh, yeah--I kind of forgot to mention that.

Remember how, all that time ago, you asked me how I was so familiar with Belle and Loki's tale? Yeah......well, I was kinda the witch who put the spell on Loki in the first place.

Now, now, I know what you may be thinking: "That wasn't right, Hela!", to which I will simply reply: eh, probably not, but, in my defense, Loki was a real prick before I cast the spell.

"Hey, we can still hear you!" Loki chimes from his place at the head table next to Belle.

Shush, Loki, I'm almost done.

Anyways, dear reader--er, I mean, guests--use the story of Belle and Loki as both a warning and a promise. Beauty is what is within, and if any guy, gal, or nonbinary pal can't see that, drop them immediately. And, if you ever manage to find someone who loves you for you, cherish and love them forever.

"Weirdest wedding toast ever," Peter murmurs from his seat in between his mom and dad.

❅❅❅