"Can you at least tell me where we're going?" Aura asked impatiently.
"You'll see." replied Loki.
It was Aura's birthday. She was turning the equivalent of thirteen in Asgardian age. The past year or two, she and Loki had been growing more and more shy around each other, but despite the typical adolescent awkwardness, they still remained the closest of friends. Loki had been acting mysterious for the past week and a half before Aura's birthday. She bothered him incessantly, trying to get him to tell her what he had planned, but he wouldn't say a word.
"Don't you think the obscured-vision spell was a little extreme? You're not going to push me off a cliff are you?" Aura nervously joked.
Loki had used a simple spell, with Aura finally grumbling her consent, to cause her vision to become abstract until they reached their destination.
"No, I want it to be a surprise." he said.
Loki led her deeper into the forest, and then stopped abruptly.
"Here we are." he said pleasantly.
Aura's vision returned to normal as he spoke. She looked around her in wonder. She was standing in a familiar clearing in the woods around the palace, but she was breath-taken by their transformation, no doubt the work of Loki. The tall green trees were full of dazzling white lights that served as a magical illumination for everything else. In the middle of the clearing was a beautiful white cloth, and on top of it were two place settings of gold. In between was a single flickering candle with a blue flame. Aura beamed.
"Do you like it?" Loki asked, proud of his handiwork.
"Of course I do!" she said. She leaned over and hugged him. Loki blushed profusely.
They both got a better look at each other now that they were surrounded by light. Loki looked truly royal, wearing a black tunic and trousers and gleaming silver belt. He was still very tall, and very thin. His piercing green eyes, lit with happiness, reflected the magical white lights which surrounded them.
Aura was dressed in a simple light yellow dress, the material of which flowed elegantly across her slender figure. She had her dark brown hair styled in loose curls across her shoulder.
"Shall we sit down?" she asked Loki.
"Whatever you wish, it is your birthday." he said with a meek smile.
They walked over to where the dining-ware was set, and sat down across from each other.
"Are you hungry?" Loki asked.
"As ever." Aura replied with a laugh.
He waved his hand and the gold plates displayed every Asgardian delicacy Aura could imagine. Her eyes grew wide with amazement. Loki reached over and to a glass bottle that had appeared with the food. He opened it and filled both of their glasses with a sparkling white liquid.
"Oh what's that?" Aura asked.
"Just a little something special I snuck from the kitchens." Loki replied coyly.
Aura picked up her glass and took a sip.
"Champagne?" she asked.
"Mhmm." He said happily.
"Delicious." said Aura.
They sat in silence for a while, not an awkward one, just the kind that comes about when people are happy just to be in the presence of each other.
"Before we eat," said Loki "I want to give you something." He reached into the pocket of his trousers and pulled out a small black box. He held it out to Aura encouragingly. Aura took the box into her hands and opened it.
"Wow." she whispered.
Inside the box was what appeared to be a small shard of crystal, hanging from a delicate silver chain.
"It's ice, from Jotunheim. It's enchanted so it will never melt, but it's still cold to touch." said Loki.
"Thank you Loki, it's beautiful." Aura said.
"You're beautiful." Loki said, looking into her eyes. She broke his gaze and looked down at her lap to hide her blushing.
"Here, let me help you put that on." Loki said, walking over and kneeling beside her. He reached around her shoulders and let the pendant fall onto her chest. She pulled her hair away from the back of her neck, allowing him to fasten the small clasp on the jewelry. He went back to his place and sat staring at his hands. He was embarrassed to have been so close to her. When he looked up he was reassured to see Aura smiling at him.
As the amount of champagne in the bottle was lessened, so was their shyness. They indulged in the gourmet foods, all the while talking and laughing.
"Would you be kind enough to humor me for a dance, my lady?" Loki asked when they were finished eating, although true desire shown through his joking tone.
"But, there's not any music." Aura said, trying to sound amused by his request, although she too was drawn to the idea.
"That shouldn't be a problem." Loki said, and at that moment, an elegant tune began playing. The music seemed to be coming right out of the night air which surrounded them. Loki stood up and playfully bowed before offering Aura his hand. She allowed him to assist her up. Once they were both standing, they looked nervously at each other, each wondering whether the other had been joking the entire time.
"You'd think, with all those royal balls at the palace, someone would have taught me to dance." said Loki lightheartedly, breaking the silence. Aura laughed.
"That shouldn't be a problem." Aura mimicked. She walked towards him and made the first move, wrapping her arms around his neck. Loki followed her lead, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. Aura looked up at him, her big doe-like eyes gleaming. They began to gently sway side to side in regard to the light music. The early-autumn night had become cool and crisp, with a pleasant breeze carrying the aroma of wildflowers. The two moved closer to each other, growing more comfortable as the music progressed. Soon enough, Aura had come to rest her head up against Loki's chest, and he had raised one hand to cradle the back of it, gently stroking her hair. The song seemed to be never ending, changing and evolving through the night. Loki moved his hand to Aura's cheek and lifted her head until she met his emerald gaze.
"Can I confess something?" he asked nervously.
"Of course." said Aura, still caught in his piercing eyes. Loki just looked back at her, then leaned down close to her ear.
"I love you." he whispered.
She stared deep into his eyes, trying to make out any hint of forgery. There was none to be found.
"I love you too." she replied tenderly.
Without saying anything else, Loki pulled her closer to him and closed his eyes.
"Thank you for tonight, for everything." said Aura softly.
Without warning, Loki leaned down and kissed her. He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and she raised herself onto her toes to reach his height. When he pulled away, Aura rested her head on his shoulder and lightly kissed his neck.
"My pleasure." said Loki.
Their bodies fit together so comfortably, and they shared warmth against the cool autumn night.
"I've got an idea." Loki said.
"Hmm?" Aura mumbled dreamily.
"Tonight is a good night for watching the stars." said Loki, and Aura looked down to find them now standing on a soft wool blanket. They both let go of each other briefly to position themselves on the ground. Once laying down, Aura cuddled up to Loki, and he wrapped his arm around her back, pulling her in. With her head resting on Loki's chest, Aura looked up at the dark night sky. The stars were beautiful that night. A white light shot across the black sky for a split second, then was gone with a blink.
"Did you see that?" Aura asked Loki.
"Mhmm. Isn't there some myth about wishing on a shooting star?" he said.
("Yeah, I think I've heard that somewhere." she replied.
"Then make a wish, Aura." said Loki.
Aura sighed dreamily.
"I wish I could stay in this moment forever." she said. Loki leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.
"Me too." he said.
Aura could feel the rise and fall of Loki's breath as she lay against him.
"Are you in the mood for desert?" Loki asked as he reached for a bottle covered in golden foil that had appeared at his side. He opened the bottle and offered it to Aura.
"Are you just trying to get me drunk?" she teased, taking a sip of the drink. It tasted like chocolate and strawberries, and the fizzing bubbles made her feel warm and alive all over. They sat there for a while, passing the bottle back and forth and watching the stars.
Aura turned so that she was looking into Loki's intense green eyes.
"Is it true what they've been saying about you?" she said playfully, "That you're the god of mischief?"
"You tell me." he said as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss.
(The next chapter is going to be the last of part 1. It's a continuation of this chapter, so please stay tuned and PLEASE REVIEW.)