Chapter 6
“James, I feel ridiculous standing here waiting for whatever I’m supposed to be waiting for,” you say testily. You were garbed in your finest Asgardian dress on the insistence of Bucky. It was long and silver, a high slit cut up the side. It shimmered when you moved and delicate gold braiding adorned the middle. It was a gift from your father many moons ago. A relic from the Ironwood. That Bucky had asked you to wear it, set your nerves were on fire.
He, on the other hand, radiated excitement. “Patience, darlin’. Here they come now.” Bucky points into the distance where two SUVs were pulling into the driveway.
“Oh, Bucky. What have you done?” you ask horrified as the cars come to a stop.
Bucky frowns in worry, and Steve mirrors the look beside him. “Trust me, doll,” Bucky replies confidently. You’re cut off from answering when Thor steps out of the vehicle.
“Brothers!” he booms. “It has been too long, my friends!” He grins boyishly at the gathered throng. “Ah,” Thor says, looking you up and down. “It has been a long time since I have laid eyes on you, Hel. You are much grown,” he announces with a tight smile.
“Queen,” you reply shortly.
“I beg your pardon?”
“When the All-father banished me to Helheim for a transgression I had not committed, dearest uncle, I do believe I became Queen. Equal to you and the mighty Odin.”
Thor blanches while the people behind you chitter nervously before drawing himself to his full height.
You resist the urge to roll your eyes.
“A great wrong was done to you that day. I beg forgiveness for my father.”
“Your father, mighty Thor? Was it not you who seconded him? Was it not you who held down my brother whilst the rest of them chained him? Was it not you who stood at Odin's side when he thrust my brother into the sea? Was it not you who proclaimed me too dangerous to walk amongst you? “An unsightly stain upon us,” were your words.” You turn to face Bucky. “What were you thinking? I told you how I felt about this... this monster! This was my surprise? You absolute-”
“Bunny,” a smooth, silky voice comes from behind Thor, one you would recognize anywhere. One you had missed greatly. One you only heard in your dreams.
Your body goes rigid. Heart beating wildly in your chest, you stare vacantly into Bucky’s eyes while your brain catches up. “Papa?”
“If you are quite finished bringing the oaf Thor to his knees, I would suggest turning around, dear child, so that your eyes may see what your brain does not believe.”
You turn around in a flurry of skirts, your chest heaving with excitement. For the first time in years, you lay your eyes on the man who had your heart from the very beginning. Your hero, your knight in shining armor.
“Did he call her bunny or did I imagine that?” Steve whispers to Bucky, who nods in disbelief.
“Papa!” you squeal, elbowing your way past an embarrassed Thor to fling yourself at Loki.
Loki laughs with joy, wrapping you in his arms, and spinning you around.
Thor sighs, righting his suit and catches Bucky’s attention. “Nauseating are they not? I’m afraid, sergeant, you have fallen in love with the one being who can turn Loki into a dithering mess in an instant. He will destroy worlds for her,” he pauses, “He has destroyed worlds for her, now that I think about it. There was the awful business with the poor Jotunn boy who wanted her hand. When she spurned him, he chose an unfortunate turn of phrase. Pity, they were a most interesting people.”
Bucky swallows harshly. “What happened to him?” he asks shakily.
Thor pats him comfortingly on the shoulder. “Do not fret. She seems to be fond of you. Just... do not insult her in front of him.”
Bucky flushes with anger. “The same way you did? She told me what you did, Thor. The insult you paid her. Yet, here you stand. I wonder why?”
Thor growls and takes a step toward him, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
“If you wish to keep your hands, dearest uncle, I suggest not raising them to my one. My oath was to your father. He is dead. I am free to reap whomever I choose, whenever I choose. Touch him and I will kill you.”
“You would not dare.”
You raise an eyebrow, your hands glowing a faint green at the challenge.
“Your one? I demand an explanation!” Loki hisses from beside you.
You smile sweetly at your father and bat your lashes at him. “Oh, papa. Sergeant Barnes is my soul bonded. We are paired.”
Loki narrows his eyes at Bucky. “You bear his mark?” he asks.
Laughing nervously, you place a hand on Loki’s forearm. “Of course. How else would I know?”
Loki slips out from beneath your hand and saunters toward Bucky. When he stops in front of him, they are nose to nose. “You gave yourself to this... this peasant?” he sniffs, studying a stunned Bucky. “He is but a mortal,” the word rolls from his tongue full of disgust, “useful, certainly, to entertain oneself with, but hardly worthy of your time, let alone your mark, bunny. Let me rid you of him and find you, someone… better.”
The sparkle in your father’s eye showed he knew exactly what he was doing, baiting Bucky into reacting, but you were having none of his theatrics.
“Oh, for heaven's sake, father! Stop being so dramatic. Honestly, I don't know what you’re harping on about. Was Sigyn not a mere merchant's daughter? Elevated by your bond? You’re being incredibly hypocritical. And, if this is how your stay will be, I think it best you go home.” Placing your hands on your hips, you tap your foot on the ground in aggravation.
Loki turns to face you, a pout forming on his lips. “Bunny-”
“Don't bunny me. It shan't help you.”
The sparkle dims to his regular inherent glow of magic when he comes to the conclusion you are serious. “Fine,” he pouts. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” Which, really, isn’t promising much, but he holds out his hands for yours and grasps them tightly. “I have missed you, dear one. You are never far from my thoughts.”
“And I you, Papa. It has been too long since last we met. The evenings I spend in the garden do not compare.”
“Garden?” Steve whispers.
“Tell you later,” Bucky whispers back hurriedly, plastering a smile on his face as you and Loki turned to face him once more.
“Father, meet Bucky Barnes. Sniper in the 107th, the Winter Soldier, and my soulmate. I bear his mark. We are tied together. But I will, still, ask for your blessing.”
“Pleasure to meet you, sir. I mean, your highness,” Bucky stumbles.
Loki sighs, his eye twitching with concealed emotion. “Of course, bunny. You shall have it.” Though it appeared he would give it begrudgingly. He was always one to play his emotions close to his chest, so while you knew, likely, he was not altogether happy about this, what he would perceive as a “losing” of his little girl, all he’d ever really wanted was for his children to be happy. If you could be that, then he would not stand in your way. Though he might mess with your bonded.
Smiling radiantly at them both, you clasp a hand of each in yours. “Lovely, shall we have tea? Our chef makes the most delectable coffee cake.”
They nod mutely and come along like trained puppies, albeit murderous trained puppies, following in your wake.
“Asgardians,” Steve mumbles.
“They’re fucking crazy,” Sam finishes for him.