After dinner, Ava headed for her chambers and locked the door behind her. She half expected Loki to appear behind her and wrap his arms around her, but he didn't. "Loki?" She called, looking all around for him.
Just then the door to her private bath chambers opened and Loki stepped out. He grinned at her. "I have drawn your bath for you, Princess."
Ava grinned and walked over to him. "Alright, but you have to join me."
"That was the plan."
The young lovers walked into the bathroom and slid out of their clothes. They climbed into the bathtub, Loki climbing in first and then helping Ava in and pulling her to him, her back against his front. Ava grinned as she leaned back into Loki's embrace. Loki moved her hair to one side and began kissing her neck and shoulder. Ava giggled as Loki's breath tickled her flesh. "I love you, Loki."
Loki grinned into the side of Ava's neck. "I'll never tire of hearing that."
Ava smiled. "And?" She prompted.
Loki kissed her cheek. "And I love you, Ava." He then gently pushed Ava forward and grabbed the soap. He started washing her back.
Ava smiled. While she knew Loki was getting his own enjoyment out of their bath together, she truly felt that getting the bath ready for her and washing her back was a loving gesture. She also knew it took a lot of courage for him to leave the letter to his father and stay away from his home for an indefinite period of time, just to be with her. "You're too good to me, Loki. I don't deserve you."
Loki kissed Ava's shoulder. "Don't say that." He replied. "Besides, I don't see how washing your back is that wonderful...besides, I get as much enjoyment out of this as you."
Ava laughed softly. "It's not just this...it's everything you do for me...because of me."
"What are you talking about?" Loki asked.
"For starters, you coming to my birthday party even though, I know that wasn't easy for you. Then there was my flower you created for me when I couldn't create it myself. And being here for me and always being so tender and loving...always making sure I'm comfortable and happy...and now you've found a way to stay here with me for a while...I know that that couldn't be easy." Ava explained. "I don't know what I could have possibly done to deserve such devotion."
Loki set the soap aside and pulled Ava back to him. He put his lips at her ear. "You brought so much joy into my life Ava. You were the first and only friend I ever made. You accepted me when my own people couldn't...when my own father couldn't. You are my heart and soul. You are the joy and light and everything good, in my life and all the nine realms. I simply can't be without you."
Ava felt the tears stinging her eyes. She blinked them away and leaned her head back on her shoulder. "You say the sweetest things."
"All true." Loki replied, kissing the top of her head.
They stayed in the tub a while longer, just holding each other, placing gentle kisses, and soft caresses on each other. The water began to cool and their fingers and toes began to prune before they got out of the tub. They dried off. Ava wrapped her emerald green robe around her and Loki conjured up a robe for himself and wrapped up in it.
They picked out a book and walked over to the bed and curled up together, reading the book. They finished reading it and Loki set it aside. He wrapped his arms around Ava and kissed her forehead. "I love you, my Ava."
Ava grinned at the sound of those words. She hadn't ever before thought she would like the idea of someone calling her theirs, but she loved it when Loki did. She loved the idea of him calling her his. Of course, that could have been because he was also hers. "I love you, my Loki."
They didn't make love this night. They just snuggled up and whispered sweet nothings to each other and sharing sweet and gentle kisses. They fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.