"You and you are coming with me tonight." Loki pointed at Thor and me. "Not you." He pointed at Jessie.
"Why not me?" Jessie asked curiously.
"Because you don't want to see what your stepfather does to your mother once he gets her on the dance floor. You would certainly need therapy for life," Loki grinned.
"Oh. Ewww," Jessie replied as she rolled her eyes.
"What was that?" I hadn't been paying much attention, I was engrossed in a book.
Loki sighed and shook his head, then looked up and grinned.
"You. Me." he pointed from me to himself and back. "When was the last time we danced?"
"This morning in the kitchen when I was trying to make breakfast because you liked the song on the radio," I smiled.
"Fair point, not what I meant."
"What did you mean?" I sighed as I put my book away.
"Get up and get dressed, darling. I'm taking you to the Tabula Rasa." Loki winked at me.
My eyes lit up. The Tabula Rasa was Ealdwic's nightclub, a highly exclusive establishment only open to the denizens of the Secret World, a place where we could be ourselves amongst those who understood our true nature.
That wasn't the reason for my excitement though.
A night at the Tabula Rasa meant a whole night where I got to admire my husband as he dominated on the dancefloor.
"Actually, give me a headstart," Loki grinned.
We both knew well enough by now it always took him longer to get ready to go out than the time I needed to get ready.
"Oh and I'll be getting dressed in the guest room. I have a surprise for you."
That was new and different. I wonder if it had something to do with whatever he had tailormade a while ago and had been so mysterious about.
I grinned as he bounded out of the room.
"Do you want to ask Sif if she wants to come along too?" I asked Thor.
Thor smiled but shook his head. "I spoke to her earlier, she thinks she might have a new lead on Beaumont's location. I doubt she's willing to let his trail go cold.
But I'll come along, it will distract me for an evening."

I gave Loki a half an hour headstart, I knew exactly what I wanted to wear and it wouldn't take me long to get ready.
I bought a new dress not so long ago, exactly for this occasion. The black fabric clung tightly in all the right places, the short skirt flaring out with even the smallest of moves. Dark green embroidery decorated the skirt, the tread shimmering in the light.
I looked at myself critically through smokey-lined eyes. The black high heels I wore made my long legs look even longer, and the dress drew attention to my curves in a way that would have made me blush a year ago. Now I simply smiled in satisfaction. Loki wouldn't be able to keep his eyes off me for the rest of the night!

Getting ready must have taken me longer than I thought I would, I could hear Loki's voice in the hallway.
"Ah, there you are, darling." Loki eyed me up and down, his eyes slowly lingering in appreciation.
Normally, I would have blushed or said something self-deprecating.
Instead, I just stood and stared at him in stunned silence.
Loki slightly widened his arms to show off what he was wearing, one eyebrow lifted, a self-assured smile playing around his lips.
"Is that…?" I finally managed to squeak. "That is… Did you…?"
Loki's smile grew wider as he turned around, shamelessly basking in my stupified admiration.
"Oh yes," he smiled his Cheshire smile.
I gave another squeal and jumped in his arms, showering his face with kisses, covering him in red lipstick.
"You didn't!" I breathed.
He swung me around. "Anything to please you, my darling," his eyes twinkled into mine.
"I don't see the big deal," Thor grumbled, feeling he was left out somehow.
"As long as the lady loves it, your opinion is of no consequence to me." Loki's stunningly blue eyes were still smiling into mine, making it impossible to breathe.
"You look like you are heading for a funeral!" Thor began to grin.
"You look amazing," I sighed, ignoring Thor. "I can't believe you did this!"
"No wait, I've got it! You look like a witch!" Thor laughed.
Slowly the penny dropped.
"Huh. You look just like in the Ragnarok movie, the part where they visit Midgard…. Ooooooh."

After Thor's arrival, we watched the Marvel movies multiple times, and it had not escaped Loki that I had a fascination with the black Gucci suit Tom Hiddleston had worn during several scenes in that movie. It had become something he had teased me with on occasion, jokingly claiming that the only one who'd possibly be able to get me to leave him would be Tom dressed in that black suit.
I might have suggested a few times Loki could dress similarly, which was always met with a disdainful, "Darling, that was years ago, fashion has moved on since."
It seemed that for some reason Loki had changed his mind, and I suspected it may have been just to please me.

"How did you get it?" I asked more than a little curious.
"It's an almost exact replica, tailormade for me" Loki admitted, "even if I could have gotten my hands on the original, it would have been too small for me.
It has your approval?" Loki was only pretending to be coy, he knew well enough it did.
"I love it," I sighed, as I tried not to drown in his eyes. "Won't you be too warm with the jacket tonight?"
Loki bent down slightly and whispered in my ear: "Believe it or not, the jacket comes off."
"Oh really?" I smiled, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. Why did he have to smell so good?
"Oh yes. And if you are a good girl, so does the tie."
"And the rest?" I bit my lip and looked at him from underneath my eyelashes, something I knew drove him wild.
"Oh, for that?" Loki practically purred. "For that, my darling, you'd have to be more than a little bit naughty!"
I felt my own smile widen. I was in for a fun night!

"ODINSONS IN THE HOOOOOUUUSEEE!"
Thor's voice thundered loud enough to be heard over the music the moment we walked in, bolts of lightning flying over the crowd.
"Thor!" I yelled at him.
"Hey, I didn't blow any fuses this time," he just grinned as a cheer went up.
The club was busy that night, the dancefloor packed with denizens from every part of the Secret World.
Loki just grinned and shook his head.
"Oh, I love this song!" He exclaimed happily, with a hand on the small of my back he lead me to the dancefloor.
Dave the Ghoul, the DJ that night, gave a wave, having changed the music to one of Loki's favourite songs the moment we came in.

The first time Loki suggested going to the night club I was hesitant.
I knew Loki had visited frequently before we started dating, but ballroom dancing in the kitchen was one thing, dancing in a nightclub with a bunch of strangers around was something completely different.
"They aren't strangers, you'll know most of them," Loki reassured me.
"I don't know how to dance like that!" I argued.
"The same we always dance darling," Loki winked. "You look into my eyes and follow my lead."
Very soon I had realised that this was part true and part lie.
Certainly, following his lead meant I didn't make a fool of myself, but I quickly realised it was far from being the same as the way we had danced before.

How do I describe my husband on the dancefloor?
I'm afraid I'm not a good enough writer to find words to do him justice, but I will give it a try:

Loki danced the same way he walked, the same way he fought; with predatory elegance and grace.
Each step had a purpose, every move was perfectly controlled, calculated to tantalise and seduce. His confidence, bordering on arrogance, was intoxicating.
I would find myself completely in his thrall: every touch, every gesture driving me to desire him more and more.
In other words, finding myself on the floor of the Tabula Rasa with Loki wasn't as much dancing as it was an evening of foreplay.

That night was no different, the moment we were on the dance floor Loki pulled me closer, his hard body gyrating against me as his eyes met mine with a smug little smile. He knew exactly the effect he had on me and it pleased him immensely.
I wrapped an arm around his neck, my own moves matching him perfectly. Loki let himself sink slightly lower, his hips against mine, one hand firmly on my back, sliding lower and lower.
I felt my lips part, the tip of my tongue wetting my lips as I took a deep breath. Loki's smile merely widened as his own tongue touched his top lip, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
I let myself lean against him even closer, feeling every inch of his muscular body through the fabric of my dress. I smiled just as smugly as I felt his body respond. For a moment I pressed even closer, knowing he could feel the burning of my body against his, then slightly backed away again.
"Pace yourself," I warned him with a grin, "It's only the first song. The last time you were in this mood we had to leave within the hour and we barely made it into the alleyway."
"It's not my fault you are completely irresistible when we hit the dancefloor," he growled as I turned around in his arms, my back leaning firmly against him, "It almost feels clandestine to desire my own wife this much!"
I just laughed and firmly placed my hand on his as it slowly crept up my leg and under my skirt. "You'll just have to last a bit longer tonight, now I'm here I want to dance!"
Loki behind me was still a distraction, but at least now I could have a look around and see if I could spot any familiar faces. We had our own booth in the VIP section, one of the benefits of being royalty. I saw Cedric and Jen there and gave a wave, but neither of them saw me. It was too dark in the club and we were too far away to tell with certainty, but from their body language, I could see something was off.
Loki immediately noticed I was distracted and turned me around. "Where did you just go?" he asked, slightly annoyed I wasn't playing along anymore.
"Sorry, I just saw Ced and Jen. I think there's something wrong."
Loki frowned and looked past me. Jen and Cedric were standing up. Jen was yelling at Cedric.
Without exchanging a word Loki and I both made our way to the booth, Loki clearing the way ahead of us on the dancefloor. Jen threw a drink in Cedric's face, then slapped him.
"That's quite enough!" Loki barked, as I took Jen by her arm.
"Let me go!" she hissed.
"Out. Now! It's either me or the bouncers," I warned her as I dragged her to the door. Loki behind me had his arm around Cedric.
The Tabula Rasa had a firm 'no violence, one strike is out' policy, something that is needed when your clientele consists of immortals, gods, sorcerers, supernatural beings and those who hunted them.
"You don't know…"
"And I don't care," I said firmly. "Take a walk and cool down. You are lucky it was just us and no one else noticed."
Jen glared but walked away.

I went back inside, my hands shaking. I was never good at confrontation. I could see Loki in the booth with Cedric, one arm around his friend, his face sympathetic. I smiled. Loki would look after Cedric, I would go and freshen up in the Ladies' Room.
When I came out I almost bumped into Anita, Richard's wife. I hadn't seen either of them in ages.
Anita was hanging against a pillar, biting her lip, her eyes glued to the dancefloor. "Oh, will you look at that! That should be illegal," she said as she saw me then continued to eye the dancefloor appreciatively.
I followed her gaze. Loki had found a way to cheer up Cedric, it seemed, by dragging him onto the dancefloor.
I followed Anita's lead by leaning against the same pillar, my knees suddenly weak.
"I'm sure there are laws against that move in several countries," Anita shouted over the music. She fanned herself with her hand.
I wet my lips as I watched Loki and Cerdic dance close together, moving in perfect unison as they ground up against each other.
"I think I just found religion," I breathed.
"Found religion? Honey, you didn't just find it, you married it!" Anita laughed.
"Best thing I ever did!" I had to admit.
"You'll have to forgive me for ogling them like this, it's these hormones I'm taking."
Anita and Richard had started another round of IVF, and I knew from past conversations the hormones had an interesting side effect on Anita.
"No apology needed. But if you don't mind, I'm going to do more than ogling," I grinned. "I'm lucky, I don't just have to look; I'm allowed to touch!"
Anita threw her head back and laughed.
I hadn't taken two steps before I bumped into Richard who was making his way to his wife.
"You are in for an interesting night!" I grinned at him.
"I know, she's on hormones again. I can't wait to get her on the dancefloor," Richard grinned back. He motioned with his head towards Loki and Cedric. "It seems like you've got quite a night ahead of you as well!"

"Room for one more?" I asked as I slid an arm around Loki's waist. He turned around and kissed me.
Cedric smiled, his eyes a bit sad. "I'll go, I was just keeping him warm for you."
"Oh, stay! We'll grab some of the others and we'll all dance together. Thor is floating around somewhere as well!" I said.
I felt sorry for him. I knew from Loki Cedric had fallen harder for Jen than he'd like to admit, but Jen wanted to keep things casual.
"No, I'm not in the mood.
Thanks for trying to cheer me up, mate," He said to Loki and gave him a big hug, then kissed me on the cheek. "And thank you, sweetheart, for asking. Have a fun night, don't be too good!"
With a wave, he walked off the dancefloor.
"Poor fellow," Loki said, but his mood changed the moment he looked at me.
"You were watching," his eyes twinkled into mine.
"I was," I admitted as I pulled him closer.
"Were you jealous?"
I threw my head back and laughed. "The thought didn't even occur to me," I admitted.
"Bah, you know me too well," he gave me a mock glare.
I didn't answer.
Instead, I let my hand wander down his back, feeling the muscles rippling under the fabric of his shirt, while pulling his head down with the other. Our lips met hungrily as his hips ground against mine, his hand sliding under the back of my skirt. Without missing a beat, we picked up right where we had left off earlier. For a while, we danced together, our bodies moving as one while we forgot all about the others dancing around us.
I opened my eyes only to find his smoulder into mine. I could feel him against me, feel how much he wanted me.
"I could hide us with my magic," he said, his voice impossibly deep. "I could take you here on the dancefloor and no one would have to know."
"We've tried magic in the bedroom before, you always break your concentration when you climax. We're not trying that right here," I sounded breathless.
I was conflicted. I wanted him, but I didn't want to leave the club either.
Loki laughed helplessly. "I'm not doing the alleyway again, that was disgusting."
"We have to stop doing this," I laughed just as helpless.
"No. No, we don't. I have an idea. Follow me," Loki pulled my hand and pulled me along.
"Where are we going?"
"The booth."
"No!" protested. He turned around and grinned. "There's a private bathroom behind it."
"What? You never told me that!"
"It's too much fun hearing you mock the gossip you pick up in the Ladies' bathroom," he grinned as he dragged me along again, "but desperate times call for desperate measures."
Luckily there was no one in our booth to see us as we both entered the bathroom together.
Loki closed the door with a slam, lifting me up as he kissed me hungrily. I pulled at his belt as he placed me on the vanity unit, gasping as his hands slipped under my dress and pulled down my panties.
My legs wrapped around him and I gasped, as at the same time, with a deep sigh of relief, Loki thrust himself inside me.

Afterwards, we straightened our clothes and cleaned up as best we could. Loki absolutely refused to leave the bathroom separately, claiming he had done nothing to be ashamed about.
As matter of fact, he looked like the cat who had gotten the cream. He practically strutted back out into the club.
Of course, the booth wasn't empty anymore. Matt and Thor were sitting together having a drink.
Matt just smiled and lifted his glass at Loki as if to congratulate him, causing me to blush so brightly I was probably lighting up the whole club.
Thor was slower on the uptake. "Did you two just go to the bathroom together?" He asked incredulously.
"Ewww! Sif and I have been married for almost a century and we still don't do that in front of each other, some things should really be kept a mystery."
It wasn't until we were on the dancefloor that we looked at each other and laughed.
"I hope he never changes," Loki admitted with a shake of his head.
With the edge of it, it was easier to just have fun while we danced, matching each other move for move.

"Have you noticed those girls watching us?" I asked Loki with a smile.
"I noticed, yes," he winked.
Just after I pointed out they came walking towards us, one of them quite obviously more than a little drunk.
"Can you settle an argument?" she slurred. "I've been saying all night you are Loki, she's claiming you aren't."
"I'm so sorry for bothering you," the other girl said apologetically, trying to pull her friend away.
"No need to apologise," Loki grinned. "And yes, I am Loki." In The Tabula Rasa, he didn't have to hide who he was.
"No, you are not," the sober one said, "it's not nice to mess with her just because she's a bit drunk."
Loki frowned. "Yes, I am, as a matter of fact, Loki, god of Mischief." He was less amused now.
"A good lookalike, I give you that. But the real Loki, or should I say Tom, looks very…"
Her mouth dropped open as Loki's eyes glowed green and he was suddenly wearing his full Asgardian armour, complete with the golden horned helmet.
At the same time, Thor had made his way to us. "Is there a problem, brother?"
"Naught I can't handle," Loki grinned.
"Loki…" I said warningly as I saw the look on the faces of the girls.
"I think I'm going to be sick…" the drunken one mumbled as the other turned pale as a sheet.
Loki dropped the illusion and tilted his head. "They didn't know," he said to me, something I had realised right away.
Thor caught the drunk girl as her legs gave away underneath her and carried her outside. Loki followed him swiftly.
I turned around, to see the other girl stumble out of the side exit. The brothers would look after the drunken girl, I knew, so I decided to follow her.

She was sitting on the curb with her head between her knees.
"Are you okay?" I asked as I sat down next to her.
"I don't know. I didn't think I had that much to drink, but I'm feeling woozy. Did he just…"
"Cast an illusion? Yes, he did." I finished her sentence for her.
"How?" her eyes looked wild.
"Ehm…" I wasn't sure how to answer that.
"Have you been here before?" I asked instead.
"No," she said. "We heard about it, about a club where all sorts of people were welcome. Like a gay bar or a burlesque…" realisation dawned in her eyes as she interrupted herself. "But it's not like that, right?"
"Well, yes and no. It's a little bit more than that," I admitted.
"Oh. The magic, it was real?"
I nodded.
"And the DJ?"
"Dave? He's harmless." I reassured her.
"And Loki… Loki is real. Like really real?"
"Yes," I smiled, "very much so."
"And Thor too…" she whispered.
"What's your name? "I asked her before she could start hyperventilating again.
"Chri… Robyn. My name is Robyn." she gave me a small smile, then panicked again before I could introduce myself.
"Oh my god, I run a Loki fan account on social media, he'll think I'm an idiot!"
She buried her head in her hands.
"No, he'll love that. Loki probably follows you if the account is relatively active," I grinned.
"Really?"
"Trust me."
"You danced with him all night, I saw you two dancing when we came in. He couldn't keep his hands off you. If he's Loki, and the big blonde guy was Thor… who are you?"
"No one really. Well, I'm Loki's wife," I blushed.
"Sygin?" she asked.

"No, most certainly not. If someone were to tie me onto a rock underneath the fangs of a poisonous viper with the entrails of our daughter, Sorcha here would tell me to hang in there until she had time to heal me, and would then proceed to batter whoever had the audacity to have done so to death with the bowl instead." Loki came walking out of the club with a smile on his face.
"I'd probably just put the bowl on your head and use my magic to kill whoever did that to you and Jess instead." I grinned up at him.
"Robyn, I'm Sorcha, and this is my husband Loki. Loki, this is Robyn."
"I feel like such a fool…"
"Nonsense. It was a misunderstanding, and you got a fright." Loki sat down next to her. He gave me a wink and a smile.
"I thought it was a different sort of club…." Robyn was mortified.
"Yes, I thought as much.
Tell me, was this your first night out?"
"It was, I had never gone out presenting female before… "
I stood up. Loki had this, he didn't need me here and neither did Robyn.
" I am sorry this evening ended in such a fright for you," Loki said.
You were very brave tonight, coming out like that. I remembered my first time publicly presenting as female. I was terrified."
Robyn shyly smiled at Loki, who continued speaking calmly, with kindness and empathy.
"I struggled with my identity for a long time. I'm very comfortable being male right now, but I know that if that were to change again, my wife and family would love me and support me.
How does your family feel, have you told them yet?"

None of this was news to me. It was a conversation Loki and I had a long time ago, and not something that would ever be a problem between us.
It sounded like they had a lot to talk about, but I knew Loki and Robyn would both be fine.
I smiled and walked away.

Thor was in the front of the club with Richard, watching a cab driving away.
"This was not supposed to happen, the bouncers are supposed to strictly vet who comes into the club. Secret World only." Richard sounded annoyed at the way his evening was not going as planned.
"At least I got that one to sign the NDA, but hopefully she was too drunk to remember what happened.
Where did the other girl go?"
"Loki is with her now, she got a bit of a fright," I took Richard by the arm before he could interrupt them.
"Leave them, send an agent around with an NDA tomorrow. Let them talk uninterrupted for a while."
Richard eyed me curiously, but no other explanation was forthcoming. It wasn't any of his business.
He knew me well enough to trust me. Finally, he nodded and went back inside to his wife.
"What do you want to do?" Thor asked me. "Do you want to go back in?"
I shook my head. The dancefloor wouldn't be much fun for me without Loki.
"Yeah, same here," Thor said, understanding. "It isn't much fun without Sif either."
I smiled at him and hooked my arm into his.
Thor smiled back, and in companionable silence, we walked home.