This is the first chapter that isn't specifically tied to any movie. I am enjoying the story myself and want to see more. I'm excited to see Ari and Loki get closer and how some movie events will affect their relationship. I think after New York, there will be more major changes to some events as well as some new events taking place leading up to End Game.
I'm hoping to make a love triangle between Ari, Loki, and Steve/Bucky. However, I have some short stories published, and I know that I have to let the characters drive the story. So, if it's meant to be, then it's meant to be. Right now, let's just have our girl bag her man.
Also, as I work during the week, I will probably only post new chapters on weekends. So keep a lookout for that. That doesn't mean I won't get a sudden burst of inspiration and post during the week, it's just highly unlikely due to my work schedule. I also may post more than once on the weekends, but this isn't a guarantee as I don't want to force a story. I like to have it come naturally. I have ideas but as I said, this will be story-driven. Be warned, I may have things that will be triggering, so I will always put a warning before the story, just as I did in chapter 1.
Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it. LOL
"Where to, kiddo?" Happy asked.
"Francesco's," Ariana said. "I owe this guy a dinner he won't soon forget."
"Authentic Italian? You only take people there on special occasions."
"Uncle Happy, please stop."
"Or if you like a guy."
"Drop it."
"Or…"
Sparks appeared on her hands, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes wide with embarrassment. Loki took her hand. She looked at him and the sparking stopped. He brought her hand to his mouth, kissing it.
"Let's say, I met this fascinating young woman and everything changed," Loki said, causing Ariana's heart to skip a beat and her breath to get caught in her throat.
"Kiddo, I know that look," Happy said as he drove through the streets of New York. "Don't fall too fast or you might get hurt again."
That snapped Ariana out of the trance. She looked down. That is when Loki noticed the discoloration on Ariana's face. He moved his thumb over it. Other than that, everything about her was flawless, her skin soft as satin. He may not have noticed it before, but he could not help but notice the shiver of fear through her. A surge of anger and need to protect Ariana rolled through him like a tidal wave. He turned her to look at him and pulled her into the shelter of his arms.
"What happened, little one?" Loki asked.
"It's nothing," she said, trying to sound tougher than she felt at that moment.
"It's not nothing if it still frightens you."
"My last boyfriend wasn't who I thought he was, that's all. I had grown up with him, but he turned out to be a real ass. He was part of a plot to kill my father and marry me to gain control of the company. But he's gone now."
"Why the fear, then?"
"Because he's still out there and I still remember the slaps."
Loki held her closer to him. They only just met and she already stirred such intense feelings within him. Let it out with me, he told her. If with no one else, let me help you carry this burden.
Ariana buried her face in his chest, gripping his shirt. She heard the window between the front and back seats go up. She began sniffling before a flood of tears rolled out of her. For more than a year, she told him, even her mind in tears, I've been afraid. He's still after me. I sense him at times, the hate and anger. I don't know when he will come for me. Just being near me… I've put you in danger. I'm so sorry, Loki.
He ran his hand over her hair soothingly. I can handle myself, little one. Do not worry about me. Is this why you told me you moved away from your father's home?
Yes, she nodded. He defeated Iron Monger once. I don't want to lose him because of Jebediah's fixation. She looked up at him through her tear-filled eyes. And I don't want you hurt because of it either. All because I'm his target, because of me.
"It will never be your fault," Loki said. "Put this person far from your mind and let's enjoy the dinner you have graciously offered."
They felt the car stop. Ariana dried her face and looked at Loki's shirt. She started to fuse over the tear-drenched mess she left behind but he stilled her hands. He waved his hand and it was taken care of, as if her burst of emotion had never occurred. He exited the car and helped her out as if she were a princess.
He led her in and the hostess greeted her immediately, "Miss Stark! It's always a pleasure to see you! And who is this with you? It's been so long since you brought a guest!"
"He is…" she began, but Loki interrupted and said, "I believe this would qualify as a date."
Happy choked at Loki's words while Ariana just stared at him in shock. He smiled down at her. I picked that out of your mind. Only you need to know my name, little one.
She blushed, trapped in his deep, dark blue eyes. Happy came up and, reaching between the two of them, said to the hostess, "I believe they would like your best table."
Ariana blushed, blinked rapidly, and looked back at the hostess. The woman looked between Ariana and Loki with a smile and replied, "A first date, probably never met before, right? And yet the draw is unmistakable. I'll inform Francesco. He has been worried that you spend so much time alone, Miss Stark."
"He shouldn't worry," said Ariana. "I've just been busy and had a lot on my mind."
"Come now, piccola. My uncle sees you as family. He'd have set you up on a date with his son if you had asked. But I can see the appeal of your man here. He does have a certain air about him." She winked as she led the two of them to a private table. "Danger and safety, am I right?"
Ariana felt Loki's hand at the center of her back the whole way. She simply nodded, knowing what the hostess was saying. You do give off a vibe of danger, Loki, but I've never felt safer.
Then, I am honored to receive such a high compliment from a beautiful woman, he said as he held out her chair for her.
She smiled at him, knowing he wasn't talking about the hostess, who was indeed beautiful, but he had not once looked at her. His attention was riveted to Ariana. He waited for her to sit before sitting across from her. They quickly ordered food and began talking. Since they knew basic facts, they started with funny stories. However, there wasn't much between either of them to share. The few stories they did have left them both breathless. They talked for hours, well past when most patrons stayed.
It wasn't until he noticed that Ariana seemed to be nodding off how late it truly was, but she was fighting to stay awake to spend as much time with him as possible. He helped her out of her seat after she paid for the meal. When she nearly stumbled into a chair, he picked her up bridal style and carried her to the car. Happy said nothing, but he didn't need to. Tony Stark stood outside the car.
"How is she?" Tony asked.
"Hey, dad," she said in a tired tone. "I just stayed out later than normal. Just wore myself out, that's all."
"I'll escort her home and make sure she's safe," said Loki.
"I think we need to talk first," said Tony.
Ariana snuggled into Loki and replied, "No, dad. Wait until later. I want to go home… to my country… lab."
With that, she fell asleep in his arms. Loki held her the whole ride, though Tony tried to talk to him. Loki refused to talk. He waited until they were outside a beautiful house. It appeared modern and built with safety in mind, but every line and window was designed to bring peace and comfort.
Tony helped Loki take her inside, but Loki closed and locked the door before Ariana's father could enter. He knew she didn't want him inside. Besides, Loki wasn't ready to give up any time he could have with Ariana just yet.
Then, he received a message from Heimdall, saying, "My prince, your father requests an update. From what I can see, you have found a mortal to befriend."
"She is not a part of this, Heimdall," Loki said. "Ariana will not be dragged into this."
"It is not up for you to decide. Your father requires me to tell him if you have found a mortal. As you have, I will inform him of Lady Ariana."
"Not yet. She knows I'm here as punishment, but I have yet to tell her what is required of me. I'm asking for time."
"You have one day, my prince. I will not be able to delay longer."
"Thank you."
Heimdall faded from Loki's view. He removed Ariana's shoes and helped her stretch out on her bed. She burrowed closer to him until her head lay on his lap. She mumbled his name in her sleep, causing him to gasp. He began to run his fingers through her hair. She stirred after a moment and looked up at him.
"What happened?" she asked. "How did we get inside?"
"You're father let us in, but I kept him out," Loki answered. "Ariana… there are some things… I just…"
She placed her hand on his cheek and he unconsciously leaned into it. "Wait until morning. It clearly has you upset. Just sleep on it. You'll feel better about it by then."
"Not with this, little one."
Ariana sat up. "Then, what is it?"
"I explained I was sent here as punishment, but I never told you the conditions in which I would be allowed to return."
"Wait, he threatened to permanently banish you from Asgard?" She was outraged at that. "You're the God of Mischief! With that comes a bit of trouble!"
"Well, it caused some of my companions to be hurt this last time. It appeared as if I didn't care about their injury, and so I was sent to Midgard."
"So, what is he having you do?"
"Befriend a mortal and bring proof of friendship, though he would like me to bring the mortal to Asgard."
She looked at him for a moment. "Odin wants you to bring me to Asgard?"
"I would rather keep you far from him. He is playing his usual game, Ariana. I do not trust him to keep you safe."
She laced her fingers through his. "But I trust you. We've become close and we only just met today. You know more about me than even my own family. And I know you the same way."
"Heimdall is giving us a day before I need to provide proof."
Ariana kissed his cheek. "It's okay. Like I said, sleep on it. Now, I need to change. I can't sleep in this and I need to find you some pajamas."
She got up and went into her closet. He got up and paced around the room. When she returned, she was in a tank and some shorts that showed off her long legs. He couldn't help but stare at her. She held out a pair of black pajama pants.
"Why do you have men's pants?" he asked, jealousy in his tone.
"They aren't men's pants," Ariana explained. "They're mine. I accidentally got them too big, but I kept them in case I needed them. They might fit you."
"You know I can just change my clothes with a thought, right?"
"That doesn't sound any more restful than when I'm getting psychic overflow in the city. Why not let your mind rest?" She blushed and looked down. "At least with me, let me put your mind at ease."
He chuckled, walking up to her until their bodies were mere inches apart. "Paraphrasing me, are we, little one?" Her blush deepened. "How can I resist such a tempting offer?"
The way he said it made her toes want to curl. He tipped her head up so that she was looking up at him. She couldn't get her mind to work with the look of lust and desire in Loki's eyes. He lowered his lips to hers, stealing her breath and replacing it with his own, while he took hold of her hips to press her flush against him. The pants dropped to the floor, forgotten. Loki backed her into the wall, his fingers running over her body and inflaming it beyond anything Ariana ever thought possible.
Ariana's own hands pushed at Loki's clothes, needing to get skin to skin. Their tongues dueled each other as the sound of cloth ripping filled the night. Ariana wrapped her legs around Loki's waist, her hands cupping his face. With their ability to communicate telepathically, it was like they knew what the other wanted before they even knew they desired it.
Loki surged upward as she roughly lowered herself. The joining of their bodies sent electricity through them both. If there was meant to be pain, Ariana didn't have time to feel it as pleasure filled her. Loki began moving hard and fast, as if he couldn't control himself any more than she could. Ariana held on to him, needing him to keep her from flying off into blissful space. She barely registered being moved from the wall to the floor so that he could go deeper.
Heaven, Loki said. Unlike anything I've ever felt before.
Same, Ariana replied. I never… never thought…
Don't think. Just feel.
The sounds of flesh colliding played with Ariana's moans. Loki kissed her to capture the symphony deep within his lungs. He held her hips tightly, holding her still for his invasion. He suckled her stiff nipple hard, followed by using his teeth and tongue to keep her in a heightened state of arousal.
Ariana couldn't stop chanting his name. She felt a pressure building. She gripped him harder. Loki… I can't…!
Fall and I'll catch you, he said. Ariana, I will always catch you.
Ariana's eyes snapped open. Electricity crackled around them, her eyes glowed. The pressure built until she fell over the edge, screaming Loki's name out in ecstasy. Loki felt her already tight muscles grip him tightly, taking him with her. He couldn't hold back as jet after jet erupted deep within Ariana, adding to the rolling waves of pleasure through her.
He propped himself on his elbows, keeping his weight off of her. He rolled off of her after a moment, their bodies separating. She felt empty without him, but he pulled her into the shelter of his body, his hand running over hers to massage out any aches.
"You keep that up, and we'll need to go a second round," she gasped.
He sat up and looked her over. Bruises were on parts of her body that hadn't been there before, showing she had been thoroughly made love to. What shocked him was the blood mixed with his seed. She hadn't complained of pain. She looked at where his shocked eyes seemed riveted and smiled.
"I never felt it because you made sure I only felt good things," she said, cupping his cheek so that he looked down into her eyes. "Don't think for a second I didn't enjoy every second. I mean, how many girls can say their partner made their first time pleasurable only, no pain?"
He smiled and kissed her. "Then, is it safe to say we are not just friends?"
"I'd say at least friends with benefits," she chuckled. "But yes, definitely more than friends."
"You are thinking of me as this 'boyfriend' person."
She laughed and propped herself up on her elbows. "It means that I would be your girl. Exclusively. And you'd be my man, and only mine."
He stood and picked her up, gently carrying her to the bed. He joined her under the covers, holding her to him as they fell asleep.