Chapter 13
Now knowing what day it was, Loki took Sylvie confidently to see his favorite places around the palace which he knew would be unoccupied. She allowed him to play tour guide only teasing him once or twice. They finally returned as the sky began to grow dark and found Frigga had already had food brought in for them.
Sylvie kicked off her shoes and began to pour them wine to drink with their supper. The noise from the hall outside grew louder as boisterous Asgardians celebrated in anticipation of the royal ceremony.
The revelry outside reminded Loki of the many feasts they used to enjoy. He thought briefly on how he wished he could introduce Sylvie to Thor, even if he knew this version was not his brother.
Thor had often been difficult in their youth, unquestionably confident and sometimes boorish. When he had returned from Midgard there was a sense of humility to him that Loki had never seen from his older brother.
But he had been too hurt and self destructive to appreciate the change his brother had gone through then, looking back Loki wished he could start over with the Thor from his timeline.
“We thought you dead, brother.”
He closed his eyes to banish the memory and tried to shake the feeling of guilt and regret.
Loki felt Sylvie’s hand touch his arm gently beside him and looked at her wearily.
“Tell me,” she murmured patiently and set down the wine in her hand.
He sighed, “old memories, echoes of my past,” his brow was troubled but he gave her a small smile.
Sylvie squeezed his arm supportively and handed him the wine from the table before retrieving hers.
They sat on the terrace to eat, opting for the relative quiet afforded by the courtyard.
Sylvie chewed her lip between bites as they ate, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
“We can’t stay here for too much longer,” Loki said simply, more for himself than her.
Sylvie nodded with compassionate understanding as she ate.
Loki exhaled around a bite of food, chewing thoughtfully, “We should be fine to stay the night… but tomorrow evening, everything is going to get much more complicated here.”
“What are you going to tell Frigga?” Sylvie asked mildly.
“I honestly don’t know, it pains me to leave her knowing what will happen…” he set his fork down and looked troubled.
“Anything can happen now,” she said softly, “we only need to figure out where we go next from here…”
Loki looked at her, “I don’t care where we go…” his tone was fond and she heard the words he left unsaid. All that matters is that I’m with you.
“So…” Sylvie said nervously, “the Queen put us in a single room…”
“I could easily arrange for another if you’d prefer—?”
“No,” she answered with more certainty than she felt, “I just, I want to be upfront… about where we’re at…” she swallowed.
“I am happy to take things as slow as you’re comfortable,” he said patiently.
Sylvie gave him a small smile, “I’ve never done this… a relationship… I just mean, I’ve never taken things slow…”
“Is that a problem for you?” He asked a little uncertainly.
“No, but it’s a little scary to be honest,” her eyes were wide with concern.
Loki took her hand, “I’ve been terrified since the moment you first took my hand on Lamentis…” he smiled softly, “I’ve never had a connection like this before, and… from fear of what that meant… to fear of losing you… to fear of never finding you…” he took a deep breath, “to fear of messing this up. It’s all been more daunting than anything I’ve ever done in my long life.”
Loki stared into her eyes as he summoned his courage, “But it has also felt more right. And I don’t care where we go or what we do and when. I just want to make you happy,” he said simply.
Sylvie looked relieved and hopeful. She looked down at where he was holding her hand and rubbed her thumb over the back of his palm.
“I’m happy with you… and I do want to share a bedroom. I want to sleep beside you, as long as that’s alright…?”
“That sounds perfect,” he said gently.
They finished their meal and moved to talk inside on the couch. They drank wine and talked comfortably, Sylvie asked about people she remembered from her childhood and Loki told her stories about them.
Eventually Frigga returned to find them. The Queen smiled at the harmony that settled over the two when they were together, a peace that she had never seen in her son. She offered to to show them to their quarters for the night and hid an amused smile at the way they fidgeted yet ultimately followed her obediently.
Frigga stopped outside the door and began to bid them goodnight.
“Well, I shall take my leave of you both, tomorrow is going to be a big day and I need to be well rested. Oh Sylvie, I left some sleeping clothes in the bed chamber for this evening, there is also a dress— I thought it might make you less conspicuous tomorrow as everyone will be dressed somewhat formally.”
Sylvie smiled softly and thanked her with a respectful bow of her head. Loki kissed his mother’s cheek tenderly and bid her goodnight.
Frigga smiled affectionately, “goodnight, sleep well.”
They watched her depart and went inside, both a bit awkward and nervous around each other. Sylvie decided to change for bed and stepped behind the ornate folding screen. Loki used his magic to change his own clothing into a nightshirt and trousers.
When Sylvie stepped out shyly she wore a flowy silk shift top and shorts.
“I feel a bit underdressed in comparison,” she said nervously.
Loki gave her a little comforting smile, flicking his wrist and a green light sweeping over his shirt making it disappear.
“Feel a bit more even?” He smiled kindly.
Sylvie matched his smile with a small chuckle as she walked over to him.
She stood in front of him and reached a hand out to his chest, but stopped short, only hovering as though he might disappear under her touch.
“Sylvie,” he breathed low and affected.
She looked up at him slowly beneath her eyelashes, lips parted as she breathed a little heavier.
His eyes were vulnerable, pupils large and brows drawn as he swallowed nervously. She touched his chest and his breath caught.
Sylvie slid her hand slowly up to cup his neck, pulling him gently down to kiss her. Loki sighed and brought his hands up cautiously to hover over her hips as she brushed his lips with hers.
Sylvie put her other hand on his bicep and pulled the slightest bit to urge him to hold her. Loki took the hint and rested his hands firmly on her sides, easing over the silky fabric to pull her closer.
They kissed slow and deliberate as though any sudden movement might cause the moment to break.
Sylvie gripped his bicep a little tighter and tipped her head to melt further into his kiss.
Loki’s arms wrapped around her back as he drew her flush against him, chest heaving labored breaths.
Sylvie arched into his embrace, the security of his arms so comforting and the heat of his skin against her breast intoxicating.
Sylvie felt something stir between them and gasped into his lips.
Loki released her and stepped back self consciously looking flustered.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, voice rough and breathless.
Sylvie blushed and shook her head softly, “don’t be… I feel the same,” she smiled coyly.
Loki blushed and let out a breath of relief, afraid he’d let himself get too carried.
Sylvie swallowed and stepped back toward the bed, “we should get some rest,” she whispered.
Loki nodded and shook his head mildly, “easier said than done…”
Sylvie looked apologetic and he gave her a wide comforting smile to assuage her concern.
“I didn’t mean to leave you uncomfortable,” she said softly as she pulled the blankets back and sat down.
Loki looked at her as if she were mad, “Please, Sylvie, nothing about you makes me uncomfortable. It will pass, if you’re not bothered then I’m not.”
Sylvie still looked a little guilty but slid into the bed. Loki followed suit and took a deep breath to will his body to relax. They made themselves comfortable lying on their sides facing one another.
“Goodnight, Sylvie,” Loki murmured softly.
Sylvie smiled adoringly and leaned in to place a brief chaste kiss on his lips, “goodnight, Loki.”