Emily let go of Loki's hand to get the large suitcase from under the bed, then hefted it onto the bed and unzipped the lid, leaving it open. "You're going to need some shorts. It will be too hot to wear sweats."
"Alright, shorts." Loki said, then walked over to the dresser and began looking through it until he found the only two pairs of shorts he owned. "I don't think these will be enough for the entire trip." He said, holding them up.
"Man... I thought you had more. I can see if I can order more if you want me to. You'll be miserable on a beach in sweats."
"I don't think we can order more and have them here before we leave." Loki said, having taken some lessons on mailing times.
"I wonder if I have enough time to order from a store for delivery today?" She pondered aloud.
"Do any stores offer that?" Loki asked curiously.
"Some do. I just need to see which ones do," Emily answered.
"Do you want me to continue packing while you do that?" Loki offered.
"Sure," Emily said, then turned towards the room. "Jarvis? Can you see what stores offer immediate delivery? Loki needs shorts."
"One moment, Miss Emily." Jarvis replied. "There is only one store offering same day delivery. I am putting their selection of men's shorts on the television for you." He added as the tv in the bedroom turned on.
"Loki, do you see any you like?" Emily asked while she walked to the closet and began picking out clothes for herself.
"I like the plain green and the green with black." Loki answered, looking at them.
"Jarvis, can I get two of each in Loki's size?" Emily asked.
"I have placed the order. They will arrive by seven tonight." Jarvis replied.
Emily smiled as she folded some shirts and tank tops and put them in the suitcase. "Thank you Jarvis."
"What kind of shirts should I pack?" Loki asked Emily as he pulled out a small stack of underwear to pack.
"Anything comfortable but suited for warm to hot weather. I have your swimming trunks packed already," Emily answered.
"I have t-shirts. Will those work?" Loki asked, setting his underwear in the suitcase.
"Those will be perfect," she answered. Emily turned to her dresser and got a couple bikinis out.
Loki walked to the closet and picked out several shirts. Taking care to fold them neatly, he packed them in a pile beside his underwear.
Emily smiled. "Are you excited to see the beach?"
Loki nodded. "I am. It will be nice to spend time out of the tower."
"I think you'll like it. Sun, sand, water... it'll be relaxing."
"It sounds wonderful." Loki agreed. "Fresh air, no walls..."
"You won't feel as cooped up, and it will be a lot warmer, so it'll be pleasant for all of us." She walked over to him and lifted his shirt so she could run her hands up his stomach to his chest. "Plus we'll have privacy."
"I'm not one to care much about privacy." Loki chuckled.
"I know you're not, but it means less worries for me. I guess the privacy factor is more for me than you."
"I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable darling." Loki said truthfully.
"I know." She smiled and leaned up to kiss him. "I still have to get toiletries packed."
"I can get some of it." Loki offered.
"You can. We need our soaps and sunscreen," she told him.
"I will get them." Loki answered. He walked into the bathroom and grabbed the soap, sunscreen, and toilet tissue. "I got everything." He said, setting it all down next to the suitcase.
Emily packed all that he'd grabbed, into a small duffle. "I need to get my toothbrush and some lady things in case I have to deal with that while we're gone."
"Do you want me to go get them? I need my toothbrush as well." Loki replied.
"You can if you want to, but I'll get my lady things. I don't think I've ever explained that to you."
"No you haven't. I tried to run a lesson on it, but Jarvis strongly suggested I don't." Loki shrugged.
"I can tell you, if you want me to." Emily sat on the edge of the bed. "Jarvis probably thought it would confuse you."
"I would like to understand, so I can help you through those times better." Loki said truthfully.
Emily smiled. "Well, do you want the basic version or the in-depth version?"
"Can we start with the basic version, with the option for the in-depth version?" Loki requested.
"Yes," Emily agreed. "Once a month girls have a period, I assume you know this. The things I call my lady items are one of the things that help me through it. It prevents blood from soaking through my clothes."
Loki nodded. "I know of the absolute minimum, but there is a similar event on Asgard."
"Well that's what my lady items are for," Emily explained
"That is what confuses me. We have spells and enchantments to deal with such things." Loki told Emily.
"Here on earth, we don't. It's dealt with naturally."
"Naturally? We would say the same on Asgard." Loki chuckled. "What do you use here?"
"I can show you, if you want me to," she said softly.
"If you are comfortable with it." Loki replied.
Emily shrugged. "I don't mind. I'll show you both options but I only use one of them."
"Alright." Loki said and sat on the edge of the bed.
She got up and walked into the bathroom only to return with a small box in one hand. She sat back down beside Loki and handed him a flat square and a colorfully wrapped tube. "This is what we use."
Loki looked at the items, feeling more confused than before. "How do these work?"
Emily unwrapped the square. "This is called a pad. It's sticky on the other side so it sticks to your undergarments and this becomes spiked instead of your clothing."
Loki took the pad and looked at it. "I think I understand. It feels like it would be uncomfortable to wear though."
"They've gotten better over the years. This one is made from something they call flex foam. I'm used to using them," Emily said.
"How does the other one work?" Loki asked curiously.
"I don't like using them, so I use the pads, but these are more invasive." Emily unwrapped the plastic and ejected the cotton from the tube. "This cotton rests inside the woman's body to absorb everything. When you change it out, you pull on the string."
Loki cringed and refused to hold it again. "That sounds horrible and disgusting."
"That's why I don't use them." Emily turned and tossed the tampon in the trash. "They can cause health issues too. So I stick to pads."
"Why do you have them if you don't use them? Don't let my opinion sway yours. I don't know enough about them to form an educated opinion." Loki said truthfully.
"I have them incase company uses them instead of pads. But also because I bought them to try them out and hated them. I just didn't throw them away."
Loki nodded. "That makes sense and is nice of you to keep them for guests."
"Thank you. I do my best. I know what it feels like to not have something when it's needed." Emily suddenly furrowed her brow. "Now that I think about it, have you been using any spells on me? I don't think I remember having a period last month."
"Yes, I have still been using the spells. It can affect the cycles of Asgardian women, so it is possible they have affected yours as well." Loki explained.
"So... what kind of spell is it? What does it do?" Emily asked.
"It is supposed to basically kill my sperm the moment it enters your body. It rarely has any effects on the female short term, but in long term situations, it has the side effect of interrupting the cycle. It isn't permanent though." Loki assured her.
"So it's a very strong contraceptive then," Emily clarified. "I don't mind not having a period, it makes things simpler."
"It has to be strong as it is believed I am quite fertile." Loki shrugged.
Emily chuckled. "I can believe that. Have you ever thought of having kids?" she asked.
"I used to, a long time ago." Loki said softly.
"What changed?" Emily reached over and gently took Loki's hand. "I know it might be a weird time, but you can tell me anything."
"I found out some things about myself that made me realize having children would not be fair to them." Loki explained.
Emily frowned. "Loki, you would be an excellent father. I think so at least. Have you never thought of... us having children?"
"Of course I have, but... just trust me. You don't want children with me." Loki said simply.
"Loki, I love you and I would do anything for you. Why wouldn't you want to have children with me?"
"It isn't you. If it was possible, I would love to have children with you. It's a problem with me." Loki explained.
"I don't understand," Emily said softly.
"It is complicated, and I would rather leave it for another time." Loki said truthfully.
Emily took a deep breath and squeezed his hand. "Okay. I respect that. Is there anything else you would like to take with us on the trip that we haven't packed?"
Loki shook his head. "No, not that I can think of." He said softly.
"I didn't mean to upset you Loki. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. These are things we do need to talk about. It's just hard for me." Loki said truthfully.
"Well, I'm here when you're ready." She leaned over and kissed his cheek then stood and zipped up the suitcase. "Are you ready to join the others?"
Loki gave a little nod. "Yes, I am."
"Then let's go. We have to teach you how to play Monopoly after all," she smiled.
Loki managed a small smile, then he walked over and opened the bedroom for Emily. "I do look forward to learning."
"It's a fun game. You have to own the most property and earn the most money," Emily explained as she walked up to him. She leaned up and pecked his lips. "I love you Loki."
"I love you too." Loki told Emily. He took her hand then walked out to see that Mary had everything set up already.
Emily smiled at seeing the kitchen table all set up. "You pulled out all the stops."
"It's just left overs." Mary chuckled. "I just wanted it to look nice for Steve." She shyly admitted.
"I'm sure he'll enjoy anything you do," Emily praised.
"I still want to put effort into it." Mary replied.
Steve came up behind Mary and wrapped his arms around her before he kissed her cheek. "I love it," he murmured.
Mary blushed softly, caught off guard. "I'm glad you do. After dinner, we will get the game going."
"Sounds good." Steve smirked at seeing the blush on her cheeks then kissed her again before he pulled away to sit down.
Mary smiled and took her seat beside Steve. "Where is everyone else meeting?" She asked them in general.
"For the flight tomorrow?" Emily asked.
"Yeah. We all have to meet somewhere." Mary pointed out.
"I assume we'll be meeting at the Quinjet on the roof. I don't know where else we would meet. I can text and ask Tony though if you want me to," Emily replied as she sat across from Steve and Mary.
"Yes please. I just don't want to be late." Mary chuckled. She glanced over at Loki who was already engrossed in his plate of noodles.
Emily chuckled and grabbed her phone from the kitchen table, where she'd left it, and quickly typed out a text to Tony.
Emily: Hey Tony. All of us were just wondering where we are meeting in the morning and what time. Thanks.
Loki glanced up when the phone buzzed to signal a reply.
Tony: The quinjet leaves at five fifteen in the morning from the roof.
Emily: Thank you Tony.
She put her phone back down on the table and grabbed some rice to put on her plate. "Tony said that the jet leaves at five fifteen tomorrow morning. It'll be an early rise."
"I can make sure everyone is up and ready." Loki offered.
"Are you sure Loki? You don't have to do that if you don't wish to," Emily replied softly.
"I don't mind at all. Waking up early is easy for me." Loki assured Emily.
Emily nodded and reached for her cup to take a drink of her coke. "I'll set an alarm too, just in case."
"What time should I begin waking you?" Loki asked Emily.
"Probably around four thirty. We'll have to go to bed early tonight," Emily answered.
Loki nodded. "Will we still be able to play the game first?"
"We will, just a shorter version," Steve answered.
"Can we take it with us?" Loki asked, wanting to play the full game.
"Of course. I think a game night on the island would be fun," Emily said.
"Count me in." Mary said excitedly.
"What else could we bring? Jenna maybe, or scrabble?" Emily grinned.
"Jenga would be good. I think Loki would get bored with scrabble." Mary admitted.
"Hmm maybe. A trivia game wouldn't work either." Emily propped her head in her hand with thought.
"What about Uno?" Mary suggested.
"That's a good one! I love that game," Emily replied.
Steve furrowed his brow as he wiped his mouth. "What's Uno?"
"We will show you how to play. It's a card game." Mary explained.
"I like cards," Steve replied. "I've played poker a few times."
"Have you ever played strip poker?" Mary asked Steve with a teasing grin.
Steve raised an eyebrow at Mary. "I have not... but I'm open to the idea."
"I haven't either, but it could make things interesting." Mary agreed.
"Do you know how to play this game?" Loki asked Emily.
"Yes," Emily chuckled. "In strip poker, if you lose, you remove an article of clothing."
"That sounds interesting. You should teach me how to play." Loki replied with a grin.
"I can do that," Emily said coyly.
"But first, this monopoly game." Loki chuckled, then gave himself another helping of noodles.
"Yes," Emily agreed. "It's fun yet frustrating."
"We can start as soon as everyone is ready." Loki said, then turned his attention back to his food.
Emily grinned. "Let's finish eating first, then we can start playing."
Loki nodded, enjoying his noodles. "He really likes those." Mary chuckled.
"Even after all these months, they're still his favorite meal," Emily agreed. "Although I'm wondering if he would like sushi."
"I don't care for it much, but everyone is different. No harm in trying it." Mary replied.
"I like the California rolls. There's just crab in those," Emily replied. She took another drink of her cole before grabbing a crab rangoon and breaking it open to eat.
"Has he ever shown any interest in the other dishes? We always get more than just noodles." Mary pointed out.
Emily nodded. "He likes rice and rangoon," she answered as she turned to put a rangoon on Loki's plate.
Loki glanced over at Emily, then picked up the rangoon and took a bite. "I still like the noodles best." He mumbled.
"I know, but you like those. They're sweet." Emily smiled at him then leaned over to kiss his cheek.
Loki smiled. "They are sweet." He said, then pushed his empty plate away. "I'm stuffed now."
Emily smiled and finished hers off before she stacked her plate on top of Loki's. "Is everyone else finished?"
"Yes we are." Mary answered, stacking her and Steve's plates as well.
"Who wants what game piece then? It's what gets us around the board," Emily said happily.
"I don't know what the game pieces look like. Can I see them before picking?" Loki asked Emily.
"Sure." Emily took them from the middle of the board and put them in a line.
"Where's the fish?" Loki asked, looking at the pieces.
"The fish?" Emily asked.
"I wanted a fish shaped piece." Loki replied.
"Oh. I'm sorry Loki, there isn't one with this version of the game."
"Fine, I guess the dog then." Loki pouted.
Emily chuckled. "I'll order more pieces for next time or I'll buy the one that's fishing themed."
Loki nodded and picked up the dog. "What do I do with this?"
"It's how you move around the board. Everyone starts where it says 'go' and we roll dice to shed how many spaces we can move. If you like a space you land on, you use the fake money from the game to buy it," Emily explained.
"That sounds confusing. I will just learn as we go. Can I be last to go so I can observe?" Loki requested.
Steve nodded as he picked up the dice. "That's a good idea."
"I will pass out the money." Mary said as she started counting it out to everyone.
"You're the banker then," Emily smiled. "I'm not good at it."
"I do well enough." Mary said happily. "Alright, are we ready to start playing?"
"I am," Steve replied.
"Me too," Emily added.
"I am." Loki also added, eager to watch the game.
Steve smiled and shook the dice in his hand before he lightly tossed them on the board. "Seven." He took his piece and moved it seven spaces.
"Take a chance card." Mary told Steve, pointing to the stack, though the instructions were for Loki's benefit.
"Alright." Steve picked up one of the cards and flipped it over. "It's a get out of jail free card. That will come in handy."
"Jail? What is that?" Loki asked them.
"If you end up having to go to that space on the board, your turn is skipped until you roll doubles," Emily answered.
"Alright." Loki nodded. "Who goes next?"
"I think I'll go," Emily said, and picked up the dice and rolled them. "Ten."
"You are in jail now?" Loki asked, counting the spaces.
"No, just visiting," Emily answered. "You're only in jail if you get the go to jail card."
"Got it." Loki replied. He watched Mary roll next.
"And that's nine." She said, moving her piece to Connecticut Ave. "I will buy it." She said, counting out the money for the bank, then taking the property card.
"Okay Loki, it's your turn," Emily said happily.
Loki rolled the dice. "Six. That puts me here." He moved his piece. "Oriental Ave. Am I allowed to buy it since Mary already has one of this color?"
"Yes, you can buy it if you want to," Emily answered.
"I can even though Mary already has one?" Loki clarified.
"As long as it's not the same one, you can buy it," Steve commented as he grabbed the dice and rolled them. "Twelve."
Loki handed Mary the money and took the property card. "Looks like New York Avenue. Are you buying it?" Mary asked Steve.
Steve smirked. "How can I not?" he asked.
Emily chuckled and took her turn. "Awe, only four. But I'll buy Virginia Avenue."
Mary collected the money and handed out the cards, then rolled for her turn. When she landed on chance, she showed them all the card. "I get ten dollars from each player!"
"Lucky!" Emily taunted, then handed over the ten dollars required. "Your turn Loki."
Loki handed over the money, then rolled, landing in the space that sent him to jail. "Damn." He grumbled.
Emily chuckled. "It's alright. You'll get out."
"I know, but it still gives everyone else a chance to get further ahead." Loki mumbled.
"Loki, you'll get out, I'm sure of it. Next time it's your turn, try and roll the dice for doubles," Steve said as he rolled the dice. "Hmm, five."
"What is the community chest?" Loki asked, seeing where Steve landed.
"It's like the chance cards," Steve said as he picked one from the stack. "Pay hospital fees. One hundred dollars. Damn."
"Who does that money go to?" Loki asked curiously.
"It goes to Mary," Steve answered as he gave the paper to her.
"My turn!" Emily said as she grabbed then rolled the dice. "Oh, double sixes."
"Park Place, that's a good one!" Mary said approvingly.
"Yes! It's mine now," Emily replied as she gathered the money needed to buy it. "Did we ever give ourselves a time limit on how long we're playing?"
"No, but I don't think it should be too much longer with how early we need to get up." Mary answered.
"We can go around twice more for tonight," Emily suggested.
"My turn then." Loki said, rolling a six and a three. "So I stay in jail, right?"
"Yep," Emily answered.
Steve took the dice next and quickly rolled a ten and moved the required spaces. "You'll get out Loki."
When Loki's turn came around, he finally rolled double fives and got out of jail. "Finally!"
Emily chuckled. "Because you rolled doubles, you can roll again."
"Oh, alright." Loki said as he picked up the dice. He rolled a combined eight with a six and two. "Water works. Can I buy it?"
Steve smiled. "If you want to. This is our last time around the board." He shook the dice in his hand and rolled them. "Three? Ugh."
"Wait, I have the card for that property." Loki told Steve. "Do I have to sell it to you?"
"No, I pay you because I landed on it," Steve explained.
"Oh, okay. I like that." Loki said happily as he took the money Steve gave him.
"I figured you might," Steve laughed while Emily rolled the dice.
"Twelve," Emily said, then moved her piece.
"And now you have to pay me!" Mary told Emily.
"Well shit," Emily laughed. She got the required amount and handed it to Mary.
"Does this mean we are finished for the night?" Loki asked, feeling down about not being able to finish the game.
"Mary has her turn, but it does kinda stink that we need to quit," Emily said as she looked up at the clock on the wall.
"We will take it with us though and we can play a full game." Mary promised. She rolled the dice and landed on "go".
"I agree. This has been fun," Steve agreed.
"We all need to get some sleep though. It's going to be an early start tomorrow." Mary told everyone.
Emily nodded in agreement. "Very early."
"I will make sure everyone is up on time." Loki promised.
"Hopefully there will be coffee," Emily chuckled.
"I will make a pot when I wake." Loki promised.
Emily smiled and stood so she could help put away the game. "I'll help Mary put all of this away, then I'll be coming to bed."
"I will meet you in the bedroom." Loki told Emily. He stood and stole a quick kiss then headed into the bedroom.
Steve frowned at Loki's quick retreat as he helped the girls clean up their mess of the night. "Is everything okay?"
"I'm wondering the same thing." Mary admitted. "Everything seemed fine until just now, is everything alright?" She asked Emily.
Emily shrugged as she looked at the closed bedroom door. "I thought we were okay."
"We can get this put away if you want to go check on him." Mary told Emily.
"Are you sure?" Emily asked.
"Of course. It won't take but a minute to put it away. Just let me know if everything is alright." Mary answered.
"Okay. I'll text you," Emily replied. She got up and walked through the living room and into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. "Loki? Are you ok?"
Loki looked up from where he was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Yeah, I'm alright."
Emily frowned and walked over to the bed and sat beside him. "No, you're not."
"I'm just worried about leaving my fish for a week." Loki said truthfully.
"They'll be well taken care of, honey. I promise you. What else is bothering you?"
"That's all that I'm worried about." Loki said truthfully.
Emily reached over and caressed Loki's jaw. "Are you sure? You can tell me anything Loki. I hope you know that."
"I know that darling, and that is truly all that is bothering me." Loki assured Emily..
"Okay sweetheart." Emily gently kissed his cheek. "I'm going to brush my teeth. You go ahead and get ready for bed." She smiled at him then stood and walked into the bathroom.
Loki nodded. He shimmered his clothes away, replacing them with only sleep shorts. Afterward, he got into bed and under the blankets to wait for Emily.
When Emily returned, she turned off the overhead light, then walked over to the bed and around to her side before climbing beneath the blankets with a yawn. "Goodnight Loki."
"Good night darling." Loki replied. He rolled over and wrapped his arm around Emily.