The Guardians of the Galaxy found Gamora on Thanos's ship. Once they had her, they stole the ship and flew off in it. Sophie took the Infinity Gauntlet with the three stones still embedded in it and went to retrieve Rogers's body with Loki, Soeren, and Barnes. Afterwards, they went to Midgard with her new ability to the bifrost. As soon as they were on Midgard, Loki had Rogers's body taken to be readied for burial, while Barnes was taken away by guards, to be deposited a very long way away from Sophie.
"You didn't have to do that," Sophie frowned, "He wouldn't actually try to harm me."
"You never know," Loki replied, "People are unpredictable in their grief. Even friends cannot be trusted in such a state."
Too tired to argue, Sophie went inside with him while Soeren vanished into his smoke form, to remain nearby but unobtrusive.
"I still have your room available to you," Loki said, "Shall I draw you a bath?"
"Would you?"
Her heart softened as he nodded and went into the bathroom. Not only did he know exactly what he needed, but he was willing to undertake a task normally done by a servant for her comfort. Slight clinking noises of glass on glass came from the bathroom as Loki rummaged through the bath supplies she'd left on Midgard.
"Would you prefer salts, bubbles, or oil?" Loki's voice asked, slightly muffled.
"Yes," Sophie answered.
Loki chuckled. Smiling wryly, Sophie shed her armor, letting the garments drop to the floor without a care. She hid the Infinity Gauntlet in the nightstand, then went into the bathroom. When she slid into the heated water in the bath, she actually moaned, closing her eyes as the fragrant scents of the bath products hit her. Loki turned off the lights and lit several candles, placing them strategically around the room, then found his phone and brought up relaxing spa music on YouTube. He left his phone on the counter to play soft, soothing sounds while he approached the door.
"I'll let you soak," he said quietly, "But I'll remain in the bedroom until you emerge."
"M'Kay," Sophie sighed, closing her eyes.
She lay there in the hot water, taking deep breaths of the perfumed air, the gentle soothing music playing in her ears. She didn't know how long she lounged in the bath, but after a suitable amount of time, she climbed out and wrapped a robe around herself. Loki was propped up by a small mountain of pillows on the bed, his long limbs stretched out as he read a book by candle light. He looked up when she emerged from the bathroom.
"Ah. Come here, kitten."
Wordlessly, Sophie climbed up onto the bed beside Loki, putting her back against the pillow mound he'd accumulated. Just as she got settled, Loki set his book aside and moved to sit at the foot of the bed. Sophie frowned at first, before he took her foot in his hands and began to rub it in long, strong strokes. Sophie immediately moaned and dropped her head back to rest against the pillows behind her.
"Oh fuck, that feels so good."
She relaxed and enjoyed the foot massage for some time before she lifted her head and gave Loki a longing stare.
"I love you," she said warmly.
Loki chuckled.
"I'm serious," Sophie said, "I don't think I say it enough. But I do, I love you so much."
His smile warmed her more than the bath ever could.
"I love you too, Sophie."
She sighed and let her gaze wander.
"I don't deserve this," she said after a few moments, "I don't deserve to be wrapped in comfort and luxury while Rogers is dead."
"It was by his own choice," Loki said firmly, arching one eyebrow at her, "Would you take that from him?"
"I..." Sophie began, staring into his eyes.
Then she sighed and looked away from him.
"Stop it, damn you."
"Absolutely not. It's fine to feel grief, but self blame is not healthy."
"Who else is there to blame but myself, since it was I that failed to jump first?"
"Thanos," Loki replied, "You want to blame someone? Blame Thanos. He is the reason we had to find the stones in the first place, he's the reason we were on that cliff."
"Mmmm."
The sound had a note of surliness in it, making Loki smile. His kitten was so stubborn, but she could still see sense. She just didn't want to right now. After the foot rub, Loki covered her with a blanket.
"Sleep now, kitten. You've had quite a time recently."
Sophie hummed in agreement, then yawned in the next second, her eyes slowly closing.
"Will you stay with me?" she murmured.
"Yes."
Loki cuddled her from behind and they fell asleep together. The next morning they rose and dressed together, then proceeded to the funeral that was arranged for Rogers. Sophie was solemn and stone-faced throughout the entire thing, as Loki discovered by glancing frequently at her. They stayed long enough for the ceremony, but returned to Loki's huge building, to Sophie's bedroom, once it was over. Loki watched as Sophie removed her shoes in silence, undressed in silence, and put away her clothes in silence.
"You haven't said a word since this morning," Loki said, "Are you alright?"
"No," Sophie replied, "I'm depressed and wracked with survivor's guilt. And that... that funeral was grand and stately, befitting of a hero of Rogers's standing. But he was more than that, he was my friend. And I'm about to send him off in the fashion that relationship deserves."
She unscrewed a rum bottle sitting on a table and poured a generous splash into a cut crystal glass.
"Ah," Loki said in understanding, "I think I'll join you. I've hardly had time to think since Ragnarok. And it's just hitting me that I'll never see my home again."
Sophie groaned and drained her drink in one gulp, enjoying the way the alcohol burned down her throat.
"Every time you mention that," Sophie whispered, eyes closed tight, "Pain washes over my heart too. I cannot imagine what it would be like if I knew I would never see Alfheim again. I know I wasn't so sentimental about it when I first got there, but it has become so close to my heart, it's a land of such beauty and culture that I..."
She opened her eyes and looked at Loki.
"I am so sorry for my part in Ragnarok," she said.
The sincerity and sorrow shining in her eyes made Loki's heart hurt even more. He grabbed the rum bottle and drank straight from it.
"Kitten... it is not your fault," he said at last, "Truly. I do not blame you for it, I merely mourn my home and lament at the necessity of it's destruction."
A soft, slight smile touched her face, though the sadness didn't leave her eyes.
"I know. Still... I can't help but feel it's my fault. All of this."
"Hela's fault," Loki said firmly, "Thanos's fault. Not yours."
He took another drink, only now realizing that Sophie, even in private, even feeling all she was... she still drank from a glass. Ever his elegant queen. Realizing he still held the rum bottle, Loki poured some into her glass. She drank it down all at once, then took the bottle from him and poured some of it's contents into a second glass, which she handed to him. Only then did she pour more into her glass. The bottle she set on the table.
"To the defeat of our enemies," Sophie said, raising her glass.
"And the passing of friends that allowed us our victory," Loki added.
They clinked glasses and drank. As Loki raised his glass high, Sophie stopped him.
"Wait! Don't do it, there's a finite number of glasses in this building!"
"Not when I can conjure more," Loki frowned.
"And it will make a mess."
"That's why there are servants."
"Stars, your servants must hate you... fuck it. Do it."
Loki promptly smashed his glass on the ground.
"Another!" he shouted gleefully.
To his surprise, Sophie hurled her glass at the ground too, shattering it.
"Skol, fuckers!"
Loki stared at her. Sophie stared back. Then, abruptly, they both burst out laughing. Once they had their breath back, Loki conjured more glasses, and Sophie filled them again.
"So, have you thought about how you're going to deal with the aftermath of Ragnarok?" Sophie asked, "The Asgardians now live in Midgard. Will you make laws standard for everyone, or will each group live by different sets of laws?"
"It seems easier, and perhaps also better, for it to the the same for everyone," Loki said, "Equality, and all that nonsense. People seem to be quite obsessed with it."
"Mmmm," Sophie murmured, "Which is ridiculous, because we're not all equal. We're each unique, with talents and skills others don't have, with different personalities. No one person is exactly like another, so how can they be equal? And only think how utterly boring the universe would be if we were all the same."
"Have you noticed," Loki drawled, "That you become a philosopher when you're drunk?"
"I think most people do. But I am not drunk. Not yet. To that end..."
She drained her glass and smashed it on the ground.
"Another!"
Smiling, Loki conjured another glass and poured more alcohol into it before handing it to her. Throughout the night, Sophie went through the stages of drunkenness unique to her. Talking philosophy passed, only to give way to singing, which Loki joined in on. She sang Midgardian songs, he would join in on a couple duets, and then he started singing songs from Asgard. This was when she sat and watched him with tender eyes, a slight smile on her face as she listened. Eventually, the singing portion turned into dancing. That, Loki knew, was when she was truly three sheets to the wind, as she called it. He let it continue past that point, because he was drunk too, and because, well, she kissed him. Tasting the sweetness of her mouth, feeling the softness of her skin beneath his hands as he realized she never did put on any clothes after undressing earlier, he suspected he might be drunk more on her than the rum.
"I want you," Sophie whispered.
Loki groaned. Damn.
"I would be glad to oblige," he whispered back, his voice husky, "But kitten, we're drunk."
"So? I don't care. Let's have drunk sex."
Sophie kissed him again, and Loki nearly gave in.
"Isn't there something I heard once about how a gentleman should never take advantage of a woman when she's drunk? That if you're drunk, one is incapable of giving consent?"
Sophie sighed and pulled away, looking up at him with the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.
"Must you have a conscience now?"
"I'm afraid I must. I know we've been doing this for some time, but that does not entitle me to sex constantly. It must be freely given every single time."
"I am giving it freely! I would be consenting even if I were sober. Fuck, Loki, I'm more than consenting – I'm instigating!"
"This is a gray area nevertheless."
"Damn you, Loki. I don't want a gentleman. I want a rogue."
Loki shot her a long look.
"You say so now," he said in a warning tone, "Because you're drunk. But if you knew – "
"Knew what?" Sophie demanded, her eyes flashing in anger now, "Knew you're not a perfect angel? Knew you have darkness inside you? News flash, I've known that since the moment I met you! And I love you anyway. Do you understand me? There is no one else that could equal you, never mind come close to comparing to you. At least not for me. I love you, Loki, all of you. The darkness as much as the light."
Loki blinked, then a slow smile spread across his face as a predatory look lit within his eyes. He closed the distance between them in a couple quick steps and pulled her flush against his still clothed body. Sophie looked up at him, her eyes dancing with defiance. Loki looked down into her eyes as he caressed her cheek with his free hand.
"Very well. Come, play in the dark with your king."
He grabbed a handful of hair at the base of her skull as he was speaking, then tugged roughly as he finished. It pulled her head back, making her gasp, more from surprise than pain, which allowed him the perfect moment to kiss her. That night was long and full of kisses. In the morning, Sophie was slow to wake, even slower to rise.
"Mmmm, my head is fuzzy," she groaned, turning over.
She peered at the nightstand, noticing the rum bottle and it's depleted contents through narrowed eyes.
"Why is the rum gone?" she muttered.
"You drank it all, sailor," Loki smirked from behind her, kissing her bare shoulder.
"No I didn't."
Loki chuckled.
"I may have provided some assistance, but I assure you that you did indeed drink all of that last night."
Sophie frowned.
"Oh."
Then her face brightened.
"Oooh! I can have Bailey's Irish Cream in my coffee this morning instead of hazelnut cream!"
She got out of bed quickly then and began getting dressed. Loki watched, bemused, only half covered by the blankets now.
"What?"
"Alcoholic coffee, Loki. Come on!"
"Midgardians even put alcohol in coffee?" he asked.
Sophie stopped what she was doing to stare at him.
"You've never had it before?"
Loki shook his head wordlessly.
"What even is your life?" Sophie asked, torn between confusion and sympathy, "Come on and get up! Ooh, wait, no. We can have it in the shower!"
"I beg your pardon?" Loki asked as he got up.
"The only thing better than alcoholic coffee is alcoholic coffee in the shower. Also a beer in the shower is really nice. But we can do the shower beer next time, let's do coffee for now."
Loki stared as Sophie put on a robe and rang for a servant.
"Uhhh..."
Whatever she was on about, he was intrigued to see how it turned out. Shaking his head, he went to the bathroom to get the shower started. A few minutes later, Sophie came in bearing two coffee mugs with a smile, sans robe. Getting into the shower with him, she handed him one mug while she sipped from the other. Curious, Loki sipped, and his brows rose.
"And I thought iced coffee was the pinnacle of Midgardian morning beverages," Loki murmured, "I am stunned to realize I was entirely wrong."
They drank their boozy coffee in the steamy shower, deciding somewhere along the way to get themselves a little dirtier before they cleaned up.
"I really hate to leave you to go back to Alfheim," Sophie said, as they dressed, "But I fear I must."
"Actually, would you hold off on that? At least until tomorrow?" Loki asked.
Sophie paused and looked over at him.
"Why? You're up to something, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I wouldn't be me if I wasn't, but it's a surprise. So, will you stay? For now?"
"Alright, Loki," Sophie relented.
He smiled and kissed her on his way out the door. Smiling, Sophie shook her head and went to tell Soeren about the delay in plans. After that, she made her way to the breakfast room, only to find Loki absent.
"Where is His Majesty?" Sophie asked one of the staff as they laid dishes on the table.
"Uh, he said if you were to ask that we were to inform you he is preparing a surprise of a Top Secret nature," the servant answered awkwardly.
"Ah," Sophie said wisely, and bit into a piece of fruit.
Loki was so full of it. She spent her day wandering the building, lost in nostalgia. How she missed this place and how simple her life once was. Loki was no where to be found for lunch, but dinner... the dining room was completely different when she walked in that night. Dinner for people like them was always a more formal affair, but Loki had truly gone all out. The only thing out of place was complete lack of staff. They were alone. As rulers, they were never alone. Which only confirmed to Sophie that Loki was up to something. She eyed him suspiciously as he held out her chair, smiling that charming smile of his.
"May I inquire as to the occasion?" Sophie murmured as she sat.
Loki seated himself and placed his napkin in his lap before answering. His movements were as flowing and elegant as ever, but he seemed... was he... hesitating? He was.
"Well, that all depends," Loki replied at last.
"On what?"
For a moment, he looked ready to answer. Then he shook his head.
"You'll find out in a bit."
They talked and dined for most of the evening, with Loki taking it upon himself to serve Sophie in place of a servant. Once they were on the dessert course, Sophie had to ask.
"So? Are your nerves steady enough to talk about whatever it was you wanted to talk of?"
"Oh, no. Not at all. Still, I suppose I've stalled long enough. The reason I've asked you to delay your departure to Alfheim is because I've spent the entire day attempting to gather my courage to tell you I love you, and to ask... will you marry me?"
Sophie stared at him. Did he just...? A thousand thoughts went through her head, the silence stretched, until she finally settled on one.
"How did you know I was ready to be asked?"
"Because I pay attention," Loki responded, a touch smugly.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
"Loki..."
"It's because of what you said last night. About how you knew there was no one else for you. I've felt the same for some time now, but I've refrained from proposing because I knew you hadn't come to the same realization yet, at least not consciously. But I believe now you have. And because I know you love me for me, just like I love you for you. We accept each other as we are, without wanting the other to change. I also knew to do this in private because I didn't want you to feel pressured into giving an affirmative answer – I knew you would hate a public proposal for just that reason."
"You lack a ring," Sophie said teasingly, "That is rather traditional when a man proposes."
"We are hardly traditional," Loki replied, "Well... you have an old soul for one so young. I suppose it would be more accurate to say we are not a conventional couple. Besides, nothing could top the necklace of pure starlight I gave you at the Alliance Ball. Also, I know you don't like wearing rings because it interferes with making a proper fist when fighting, and maintaining the proper grip on your weapons. But you're stalling."
He is perceptive, Sophie thought as she sipped her wine.
"I need time to think about my answer," Sophie said, trying to keep from cringing.
Loki nodded, sitting back into his chair. He didn't know why he was surprised when Sophie was always surprising him.
"Very well. Take your time. I'd rather get a favorable answer slowly than the wrong one in a hurry."
Sophie smiled at him, relieved he wasn't annoyed with her.
"Thank you. It's not that I don't love you, it's just – it wouldn't be just me you're marrying. I am a woman, but first and foremost I am a queen. My realm and I are a package deal, and you cannot separate one from the other."
"I know."
"And you, as a king, well forgive me but you have a very relaxed approach. I'm much more hands-on."
Loki grinned.
"I know that too, kitten."
But she didn't catch the insinuation, and continued on.
"And I must consider what that would mean for not just me but Alfheim too, how everything would work between us."
"Well, think it over. I know you like to analyze things from every possible angle before you commit to something. And regardless of your decision, I don't want you to have any regrets."
Sophie looked at him warmly, a smile brightening her face.
"Thank you, Loki. I love you."
"I love you too."