Sylvie had never celebrated a holiday before.
After all, running from one world's end to the next didn't exactly leave time for frivolities. She liked to think she might have participated in something as a child before the TVA came, but it was something she simply couldn't remember.
Loki had gone along begrudgingly to several Ásgarðian holiday feasts with Thor over the centuries, but was never thrilled to be there. His fondest memories were when his mother took him to Alfheim for the festival of lights that the elves threw each Yuletide. Thinking of those moments had kept him going during the darkest of times.
He wondered what kept Sylvie going.
He'd noticed ever since they'd defeated Kang and stabilized the multiverse that she'd been in a rather depressed state of being. She still felt guilty about what had went down between them at the end of the Void. Loki told her he wasn't angry and that there was nothing to forgive, but Sylvie didn't see it that way. Even after they settled onto a timeline together, she still had doubts. Killing Kang had fulfilled her life's purpose, and now she didn't know what to do with herself, with Loki....with anything.
Loki hated seeing his Góððess suffer so, but he didn't have any clue as to what he could do to help.
It was during a bout of frustrated dagger throwing that he recalled the festival, and that the date for it was fast approaching if Miðgarðian calendars were anything to go by.
That gave him an interesting idea. It would take some prep and planning on his part, but he figured this might just be the thing that puts life back into his lover's eyes.
**************
A couple weeks later, Loki waited until Sylvie was fast asleep before crawling out of bed and heading downstairs, to retrieve the tempad they kept locked up in a wall safe in the living room. Once obtained, he went back upstairs and used his magic to ensure that she wouldn't wake up before everything was ready.
Once he had the portal opened, Loki changed out of his nightclothes and into traditional Ásgarðian robes. He then waved a hand over Sylvie, and in a flash of green her pajamas were transformed into an elegant emerald dress with golden embroidery. Then, he bent down and picked her up off the bed, cradling her against his chest as he stepped through the time door.
****************
Sylvie groaned at the bright light invading her eyelids and throwed her arm over her face.
"Argh, who let the sun in? Close the bloody curtain already!"
"No curtains here, I'm afraid."
Confused, she lowered her arm and opened her eyes slightly, only to have them widen at the view.
They were in the middle of a large rose garden, covered in beautiful, twinkling lights. There were beautiful glowing orbs floating in the sky above them as well. She went to stand up and noticed the dress she was wearing, and looked over at her partner in shock.
"Loki....what is all of this?"
"This Sylvie, is the royal gardens of Álfheim, and we've arrived just in time to partake in the festival of lights."
"Festival of lights? What is that?"
"It's a large celebration the elves throw in honor of Yule," Loki said as he reached for her hand,"Now come, there's so much I want to show you."
Sylvie hesitated at first, but then linked her fingers through his as they walked through the rows of flowers towards the main palace.
**************
The festivies were in full swing when they arrived. Everyone around them was dancing, laughing, and enjoying themselves. The entire castle was lit up with a spell that made it alternate through different colors, with thousands upon thousands of other lights glowing all around them.
It was the most beautiful thing Sylvie had ever seen.
There were booths selling various pastries and smoked meats, and some with unique handmade crafts. Sylvie picked up a small carving of a Valkryie riding a Pegasus, fingering it gently before setting it back down. While she was distracted with another piece, Loki quietly paid the merchant for the statue and hid it in his pocket dimension.
After that they wondered over to an enchanted dance floor that already had several couples on it.
"Would you honor me with a dance, milady?"
"Dancing....isn't exactly something I've had time to learn."
"Oh there's nothing to it, come on!"
He drug her out into the middle of the platform and put one arm around her waist while the other held her hand out.
"Just hang on and follow my lead,Sylvie, I've got you."
She put her free hand on his shoulder, and they started to sway back and forth. It was a little tricky at first, but soon they were spinning around as if they'd danced together all of their lives. By the time the music finished, Sylvie was breathless and smiling from ear to ear.
Loki would do anything to keep that smile.
***********
Towards the end of the night, the citizens of Álfheim gathered together and began to head out of the courtyard towards a field where the annual fireworks display would be set off. Sylvie made to follow them, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.
"Loki?"
"I've got a special place set up
for us to watch the fireworks, come with me."
He led her away from the direction everyone else was going, and wound through a secret path that was hidden within the garden walls. It led to a small Meadow which had a white silk tent set-up in the middle of it, lit up by magical floating lights in the shape of butterflies.
"This is beautiful! Did you set this up yourself?"
"Partially, you see this spot is where my mother and I would watch the fireworks each year. The tent was hers, but it's my magic that's lighting the butterflies this time."
"It looks lovely,I'm glad you brought me here," Sylvie said as she gripped his hands,"Thank you for doing all of this,truly."
"I'd do anything for you, Sylvie, I hope you know that."
She blushed and looked away, then noticed two decorated boxes sitting under the canopy.
"What are these?"
"Oh, it's customary to exchange gifts during the festival, so I got a couple for you."
"That's sweet," she said as she picked up one of the presents, " Oh, but I didn't get you anything!"
"Being with you is gift enough for me, now come on, open them!"
She blushed again, much to Loki's delight, and begin tearing at the wrapping. She reached inside and pulled out the small valkyrie statue she'd seen earlier.
"How did you.. "
" I saw how taken you were with it and I couldn't resist. Does it remind you of something good?"
"It does," she murmured quietly as she cradled the carving against her chest," this was my favorite toy to play with when I lived in Ásgarð. It's one of the few things I still remember about the place."
"Well then, I'm even more glad that I got it for you."
There was that smile again, glowing more brightly than any of the surrounding lights. She grabbed the second box and began untying the ribbon. She pulled off the lid and saw a pendant nestled inside. She took it out and noticed that the design was two silver snakes entwined around a glowing blue gem.
"Loki, is this an infinity stone?"
"Yes, the space stone to be precise. You know my whole journey with the TVA...meeting you....it all started with that little stone right there, and I am beyond grateful for it."
He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, then scooted closer so he could put his arms around her.
"Sylvie I....I know you've been having a hard time with everything that's happened, and that you've been having doubts, but....one thing you should never doubt is how much I love you. No matter where you go or what you do, I will always...ALWAYS...be by your side, and that truth is more infinite than the stone in that necklace."
Sylvie closed her eyes against the stinging sensation threatening to overflow them. Gently, she undid the clasp and put the chain around her neck. Once it was secured, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
A loud bang finally startled them apart.
"Look Loki, the fireworks! Aren't they lovely?"
Loki, who was looking over at Sylvie still, couldn't help but agree.
"Yes, they certainly are."