Ch. 7

For the next hour after the first dance, most of the guests, save Thor and Loki, danced to every conceivable wedding song imaginable, including "I Will Survive" and "YMCA" as well as a mix of newer songs. Thor danced one or two slow songs with Jane, if only to feel his arms around her as they moved languidly to the music. Loki looked at the entire event in bemused exasperation. It's not like there weren't raucous celebrations on Asgard, but the contortions that the group went through during the faster songs hardly looked like anything even resembling dancing, seeming to mimic a mass seizure instead.

Once the dancing ceased, there was an announcement that the bouquet would be tossed. All of the female guests lined up and Darcy dove for the bouquet with a determination that shocked the rest of the women present. "Boo-yah!" she shouted as she held the flowers aloft.

At the group's shocked look, Darcy shrugged. "I play to win," she said with a cocky grin.

Next was the garter toss. After retrieving the item from under Skye's gown, amid the giggles and laughter of the group, as well as Skye's flushed face, Grant turned to the guests.

"Alright, you know the drill. All the eligible bachelors, line up," he said with a grin.

Fitz, Coulson and Thor stood side by side in the middle of the room.

Fitz cast a sideways glance at Simmons. He took a deep breath. He had known her for years now and the idea of anything romantic had, of course, crossed his mind from time to time. However, that passing thought had become more and more frequent lately. He blamed Skye and Ward. There was nothing worse than being around a blissfully happy couple to make you question your own single status.

Coulson felt silly standing up for the garter toss. After losing the possibility of being with his cellist in Portland, romance seemed to be yet another aspect of his life that he sacrificed to serve S.H.I.E.L.D. Not that it mattered. It was so difficult to find anyone outside of S.H.I.E.L.D. that understood the demands of the job. He had dated a fellow agent once, but it had gone pear-shaped and he valued her friendship too much to risk it again.

Thor shifted uncomfortably next to the two mortals. Jane had, thankfully, explained what the ritual entailed. It had seemed a bizarre thing to do, but he tried to keep an open mind. He knew that he could easily catch the garter, but he had mixed feelings. On the one hand, it seemed un-sportsmanlike to use his superior strength and agility to win the contest. On the other, given his relationship with Jane, it seemed disrespectful not to try his best to win the prize.

There was a collective gasp from the crowd when Loki stood and briskly walked over next to Fitz.

"Brother, I do not think . . .," Thor began.

Loki dismissed him with the wave of his hand. "He said all the eligible bachelors. I am unmarried," he said curtly to Thor.

"Proceed," Loki instructed Grant.

Grant shrugged and turned, lightly tossing the garter over his shoulder.

Loki smiled. He created a simple illusion, causing the rest of the men to scramble for an image of a garter that he conjured up while he easily plucked the real one from the air.

"That's not fair," Fitz protested angrily at the trick.

"I do not believe that the groom specified that magic could not be used," Loki smirked.

"It's still not fair," Fitz grumbled.

"Oh, whoever tried to convince you that life was fair? You have been greatly misled, my dear boy."

"Enough, brother," Thor warned testily.

The leader singer of the band gave the guests a nervous smile. This was the last time they were taking a gig for out-of-town folks. "Alright, now for the garter," she announced.

Loki gave the group a confused look. "But I already possess it."

Darcy walked up to him, dragging a chair behind her.

"So, you didn't know about catching the garter," she said with a grin.

Loki shrugged. "I wasn't about to allow that boorish buffoon win the prize."

"Alright," Darcy said, shaking her head. "Now, you have to put it on me and then we dance."

Loki drew back. "Whatever for?"

"Tradition states that you and I are the next to get hitched."

"Surely, you jest."

"I wish, buddy, and don't call me Shirley," Darcy said, fighting the urge to laugh as she sat in the chair.

"I feel you misunderstood me . . . ," Loki began, but Darcy waved him off.

"It's an old joke. Look, are you going to do it or are you going to let Thor win?" Darcy challenged, knowing that she was baiting him.

"Well, let it never be said that I passed up a chance to show up that oaf," Loki replied.

Darcy lifted her emerald dress until it rested right above her knee. Loki bent over, refusing to even entertain the thought of kneeling, and slowly slid the garter up her leg, his long fingers skimming her skin as he eased it up.

Once he touched her knee, Darcy abruptly dropped her dress and stood up, backing away from him slightly. "That's good enough. Any higher and you owe me dinner," she said sarcastically, the bravado in her words belying the bright blush that crept along her cheeks.

"A simple meal? Are your favors so easily won, my dear Darcy?" Loki said breathily, enjoying the flustered look on her face.

"No . . . look, I was just kidding," Darcy stammered, unused to being at a loss for words.

"And now, tradition dictates that we dance, does it not?" Loki asked.

"Yep," Darcy said, nodding at the lead singer. She hoped that it was going to be something fast.

At the first few strains of "At Last", Darcy rolled her eyes.

She lightly placed her hand on his shoulders and gasped slightly as he placed his on her waist.

"You seem a bit overwhelmed, my dear Darcy," Loki said, the smile evident in his voice as he smoothly maneuvered around the dance floor.

"Well, it's not every day that I dance with a warlord," she snapped, hoping to wipe the smug look off his face.

"A king, my dear. There is a difference," he corrected, grasping her a bit more tightly, delighting in the sharp intake of her breath.

Darcy looked down for a moment, not sure what to say.

"A most interesting song," Loki observed.

"Yeah, well, they play it a lot at weddings."

"Really?" he inquired.

"I guess, it doesn't matter how long it takes to find the right one, it always feels like it's been forever," Darcy said, not trusting herself to make eye contact.

Loki chuckled, "And what do you know of forever, mortal?"

"Oh, I forgot. I'm talking to the thousand year old man. Is this song too fast for you?" Darcy sniped, glaring up at him, tired of Loki's antics. "We could get you a chair and you could rest your weary old bones for the rest of the song."

"I assure you, my dear Darcy, I am quite fit," and although the words were innocuous, his tone was beyond suggestive.

Luckily for Darcy, the song soon ended.

00000

Jane grimaced when she saw Loki dancing with Darcy. She had mixed feelings about Thor's adopted brother. Although he did save her life more than once and he had proved to be a devoted father to Skye, Loki's many crimes still loomed large in Jane's mind. She was there when he sent the Destroyer to Puente Antiguo. She had seen news footage of the devastation in New York. The idea of him paying any attention to Darcy made her stomach turn. Poor Darcy would be completely out of her depths.

"Thor?"

"Yes, my love," he replied.

"You need to talk to Loki. I don't like the way he's behaving around Darcy."

Thor nodded solemnly. "It hadn't escaped my notice that he was paying her undue attention. I'll speak to him about it."

00000

Loki walked off the dance floor and picked up his flute of champagne from the table, downing its contents in one gulp.

"That was most unkind of you, brother," Thor said gruffly as he advanced on him.

Loki tensed. Yet another lecture from Thor. "Whatever do you mean?" Loki shot back.

"You should not have played with Lady Darcy's affections like that. I had not thought you that cruel."

"Oh, but aren't I? Aren't I the evil butcher? The ruthless dictator? I hardly think dallying with a mortal will be counted among the worst of my crimes," Loki spat back.

"Take care. You are here with the understanding that you will do no harm. Toying with that young lady's emotions will not be tolerated."

Loki clenched his fists. It was hardly worth starting a brawl over. "Very well. I shall leave the poor creature alone."

Thor nodded. "See that you do."

00000

After the eventful garter toss, there was yet another hour of dancing before the cutting of the cake. Grant was a gentleman, delicately placing the smallest morsel of cake in Skye's mouth. Skye couldn't resist the opportunity to decorate Grant's perfect nose with white buttercream frosting. The group laughed nervously, but Grant just chuckled, grabbing Skye and kissing her soundly, letting her enjoy the icing facial as well.

"Are you having fun?" Grant asked, laughing as he wiped away the frosting from her cheek.

"Best wedding ever," Skye replied, slipping her hand behind his neck to bring him closer for yet another kiss.

Author's Notes-

1. 200 story followers! You all rock! Knowing that you are all patiently waiting for the next chapter makes want to write more and more!

2. A little glimpse of the honeymoon up next!