Chapter 30
While Loki showered a small ding came from the coms by the door and Sylvie went to answer. She touched the screen where it said ‘Talk’ to answer.
“Hello?” She asked cautiously.
<Hey Sylvie, it’s me,> Natasha’s voice came through the speaker clearly.
“Hey Natasha, do we have a time?”
<Yeah, sounds like Tony is planning dinner for seven but wants to start with drinks at six, how does that sound to you two?>
“Well Loki is in the shower, but I’m sure that will be fine with him, what time is it now?”
<It’s… almost 5:30, so you have a little time,>
“Great, thanks Tasha… for everything,”
There was silence for a moment on the other end of the line.
<It’s my pleasure, I’ll come down to meet you in thirty to show you the way,>
“Great, see you then—oh by the way, what’s the dress code? We didn’t bring any other clothes but Loki can conjure whatever attire is appropriate,”
<Handy of him, it’s probably semi-formal but honestly you can wear whatever makes you comfortable. I’m probably going to wear a dress, haven’t decided which one yet—but probably the one with the least underwire,>
Sylvie smirked at her friend’s words fondly.
“Definitely sounds like a good idea, corset’s are pretty hard to fight in,”
<Hah, yeah, I’m hoping there isn’t any of that tonight but you never know with all these lugs, alright, see you soon.>
“Bye,” Sylvie smiled softly and went back to sit on the bed. She’d never had a friend before, not one who could remember her anyway. It was oddly comforting and filled her with a sense of normalcy she hadn’t known she was missing.
A few minutes later Loki emerged from the bathroom wearing black trousers and a crisp white button down shirt. He rolled his shoulders absently as he stepped into the room, his hair suddenly dry.
“We have a time?” he asked simply, expression far more relaxed than when they’d first arrived.
Sylvie smiled at him, “six, we have about thirty minutes according to Natasha.”
“Lovely, and do you have an idea of what you’d like to wear?” He asked kindly.
“Well she said we could wear whatever we want but she’s going to wear a dress so I think I’ll follow suit.”
Loki nodded, “whatever makes you happy, anything in particular come to mind?”
“Mmm,” Sylvie considered it for a moment then grinned wickedly, “make me something ravishing.”
Loki smirked mischievously, “as you wish,” then snapped sending shimmering green light over her body. He conjured a floor length mirror beside him for her to see herself in.
Sylvie stepped forward to admire the dress. It was a dark emerald green and fell nearly to the floor. The dress was satin and felt luxurious on her skin, the skinny straps over her shoulders leading down to a draped cowl neck over her bosom. She smirked then traced a finger along her thigh, looking at him pointedly.
“Aren’t we forgetting something?” she purred.
The corner of Loki’s mouth quirked and he flicked his wrist to make a slit up the leg of her dress earning a grin from his counterpart.
“Perfect,” she looked herself over in the mirror, then went to sit on one of two chairs and held out a foot expectantly, “shoes?”
Loki knelt on one knee in front of her and took her foot in his hands. He brushed one palm over the top absently considering, then turned his hand under her foot, a strappy black heel appearing as he did so.
Sylvie cleared her throat and handed him the other foot, earning a smirk before he gave that one the same treatment.
“Good,” she said approvingly, hands resting on his shoulders to use as support while she stood up, pleasantly surprised when the shoes were remarkably comfortable.
Loki watched her stand, eyes trained on her face but hand still outstretched and sliding along her body as she stood. He swallowed and moved to stand as well, hands caressing her sides lightly as he went.
Sylvie loved the feel of his hands pressing the soft fabric into her skin, and she looked up at him under hooded eyes.
She laid a hand on his chest and fiddled with his open collar, “what about this?”
Loki smirked and adjusted where a tie would be, a dark green one appearing as he did so, the color matching her dress. Sylvie hummed happily and gave him a light kiss which he accepted gladly. He brought a hand up cup the side of her neck, fingers sipping down to trace her collarbone, a beautiful gold necklace appearing as he did so. The light chain held an exquisite teardrop emerald pendant which glinted in the light.
“Would you care for earrings as well?” He asked softly.
Sylvie smiled fondly, “sure, no one has ever given me jewelry…” she murmured.
Loki tutted, “then yours shall have to be the very finest…” he brushed her hair back and conjured small matching emerald earrings set in gold which dangled just below each ear.
“There,” he whispered, “one of a kind…”
Sylvie kissed him again softly then rested her forehead against his.
A knock came at the door and Sylvie stepped back reluctantly to answer it. She opened the door to find Natasha in a simple black velvet dress which accentuated her curves perfectly, her hair falling softly over her shoulders.
“Well damn, I guess I need to a find a magical boyfriend too,” Natasha said with a smirk as she looked Sylvie over.
Sylvie grinned proudly, “he has his uses,” then cast a flirtatious look at him over her shoulder, earning a fond head shake from Loki and an amused grin.
“I’ll say, look at that necklace, sheesh, only wizard I know is Strange and he’s gon—”Natasha froze, words hitting her, but quickly recovering, “I hear he’s more self obsessed than Tony,” she said simply.
Loki walked over to stand beside Sylvie, hand resting on the small of her back softly.
“Well, you have done more than enough for us, might I conjure something for you to show my gratitude?” He asked politely, hand out in offering.
Natasha looked amused, “Well, I wouldn’t say no to a Chanel hand bag—”
He snapped the fingers at Sylvie’s back and a designer black clutch suddenly appeared in his out stretched hand.
“—aaand I was kidding,” Natasha said with mild surprise, eyes wide.
“Oh, well I can—” Loki made to wave it out of existence but Natasha quickly accepted it.
“No, no, it’s here now, nothing to be done, who would I be to refuse a gift from a prince,” she said hastily looking over the expensive bag.
Sylvie fought a playful smile but looked at Loki affectionately.
Natasha cleared her throat pretending not to be impressed, “thanks, that’s uh, that’s nice of you,” she said self consciously, eyes avoiding the two in mild embarrassment.
Loki smirked slightly amused, “shall we then?”
Natasha straightened up with a small nod and faint smile, “follow me.”
The pair followed Natasha down the hall to the elevator where she pressed the button for the top floor.
On the ride up she noticed Sylvie touch Loki’s tie affectionately, a small smile playing on her lips and eyes fond. Loki looked at her like she’d hung the moon, watching as she absently touched the pendant over her heart.
Loki looked at his own person and shrugged a tailored black suit jacket into place with a glint of green magic. Natasha tired not to look surprised, she didn’t think she’d ever get used to that.
Sylvie smiled her approval at the jacket, straightening the lapel unnecessarily. Natasha noticed the way they both had a habit of finding any excuse to touch one another, even just the barest brush of their hands. It was the kind of thing she would normally find tedious and roll her eyes at, but in their case it seemed more like they were doing it out of comfort than lust.
There was certainly an something passionate which simmered just under the surface, but on top of that they seemed to anticipate the other’s needs without words. Providing each other with support through grazed knuckles and brushes of fingers.
At the top floor the elevator stopped and the two allowed a small amount of distance between them as they readied themselves to face the rest of the team.
Natasha smiled supportively, “relax, they may act tough but they’re just a bunch of teddy bears,” she teased.
Sylvie smiled back gratefully and followed her friend into the large room. Loki waited for the two women to exit politely then followed.