A/N - Finally! The Wedding! I'm not going to lie, I did grin like a maniac writing this. I had so much fun the wedding chapter became part 1 and 2, and the plot finally surfaced after all that set up! Part 2 will follow soon...

A massive shout out to everyone who has followed/favourited/reviewed- I wouldn't be writing this far without you guys! Special thanks to the feedback given by butterflyscythe7, kittyhawk09, RhizOneill, Eithne9, Gyoro and Ururun, jaquelinelittle and the mysterious guest, you've given me the push to get chapters written and published!

Anyway, on with the wedding!

Chapter 5

Jane looked more than beautiful heading down the aisle. The mystery dress was a pure white silk thing that draped beautifully over her slender frame, accentuating her tiny waist, the white contrasting against her glowing skin. It was woven with stunning gold threaded seams. In typical Asgardian fashion, they'd managed to sneak bands elaborate gold around her neck, her waist. They were cut beautifully, like spiralling but sturdy artwork. Thor was dressed in his usual gear, but less 'battle' more 'dinner with the parents'. His cape was still there, a heavy dark red contrasting with his dark grey armour and leather. He wore woven wool that covered his arms. His vanbraces had disappeared, as had much of his steel armour in favour of soft leather.

It was amazing though. Darcy hated weddings, but made a special exception for this one. The sun shone through the tall, cathedral-like windows of the hall, casting a glittering orange glow on everything. The place was packed with tons of people- Darcy realised that Sif wasn't lying when she said guests were coming from all branches of Yggdrasil. There were some inhuman-looking people, with strange skin or weird looking eyes, like something out of Darcy's sci-fi books.

She smiled when Jane caught her eye as she walked down the aisle with her father, and winked. Thor's expression was the mirror image to Jane's genuine, radiant smile. Darcy's heart tightened and she screwed up her face trying not to cry. After all, it would completely mess with her reputation- and her contacts and make-up, which she put on so carefully, picking out her favourite red lipstick and dark eyeliner.

Asgardian ceremonies were shorter than Midgardian ones. There was no messing about or singing hymns and listening to speeches. They literally said the words and got it over and done with. Good job, too. As beautiful as it was, Darcy could only tolerate a certain amount of staring from Loki's direction on the opposite side of the hall. He looked a lot healthier than before though his pale skin was harsh against his grey leather and steel. A lot taller, too. He'd done away with his big metal braces and shoulder pads, like his brother had, and this made him look even slimmer. She couldn't help thinking he, despite his tall frame, looked smaller. She caught his amused eye a couple of times, only to scowl and look away, admiring Jane and Thor who were now wrapped in a long and slightly inappropriate embrace.

The couple walked out amidst thousands of shouts and clapping and thrown golden confetti. Poor Jane. They now had to get in a carriage and do a Royal Procession through the city, where tons of people lined the streets to get a glimpse of the couple. And whilst they were doing that, they all got to start drinking and partying. The feast would only start when they got back, and Darcy felt her stomach rumble and sighed internally.

The crowd in the hall broke up, and a few followed into the reception, held in a smaller, but still as grand hall next door. She heard some soothing classical-type music coming from the side of the hall, played by a set of stunning Aesir with strange instruments. It was more amazing than anything she'd heard back home. She felt someone match her stride, brushing her shoulder in the masses. Knowing who it would be, she met the eyes of Loki Laufeyson without surprise.

"You made it." She said sarcastically, well aware of the eyes watching them both as people took their seats. Odin and Frigga looked on from the high table, worried, but Darcy tried to stay as reassuringly casual as possible. The rest of the guests were muttering about the special guest appearance, but Loki didn't seem fazed- or if he did, he was hiding it well.

"Yes, it would seem so." His eyes looked a brighter green, and all the cuts and bruises had healed, except from some small scars dotted around his mouth. He looked otherworldly handsome, just like the other Asgardians, but his glowing eyes and jet black hair set him apart from the kind-looking Aesir with golden hair and blue eyes. But Loki wasn't even Aesir. He was Joten, the 'blue ice dudes' as Darcy called them when Jane had told her.

"You look… better." She said lamely. She cursed herself for checking him out.

"As do you." He raised his eyebrows, his glance lazily surveying her from head to toe. "For a mortal." He added. She wore her dark green silk dress, the one that sucked in her stomach, hugged her curves and let everyone see more than a glimpse of her breasts thanks to the scooping neckline. It looked ridiculously over the top back home, but here it looked like the norm. Hell, she even felt scruffy. She'd replaced her glasses for contacts, feeling oddly bare without them. She made up for her glasses in jewellery though- she wore the gem Sif had given her, with a bracelet and ring her grandmother had left her.

She hugged her pale arms around her protectively. "Thanks, I guess. I was kinda referring to your…" She wildly gestured at his face. "… Injuries. Five or six hours and you're as good as new."

He grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes. They'd reached the reception hall full of tables, and in the middle, a massive space cleared for dancing. Darcy had hated dancing ever since prom, when the guy she'd gone with was found dancing with another guy when she went to go get drinks. She'd really liked him, too. Shame he wasn't really interested in her gender.

She did the rounds with Sif, who introduced her to Gods and Elves from places like Alfheim, Vanaheim and places she couldn't even try to pronounce. She tried not to stare at their inhumanly bright eyes or strange teeth. They didn't seem too impressed with her, until one of them asked if she had Aesir blood. Taking it as a compliment, Darcy kindly put them right- she was from Midgard, completely human. A few complimented her on her beauty, but after that, they asked her odd and intrusive questions about her lifespan.

She felt their scrutinising gazes switch from her to Loki. He was leant against a stone pillar behind the warriors three, who were greeting passers-by. Their gazes were part fear, part revulsion as they stole quick glances at the black haired guest.

Shrugging the guests off with a vague excuse and leaving Sif talking with a hot Elven warrior, she went to sit at a random table, but felt a hand pull her up before she sat down. Loki's grip was tight. He scowled. "We have set places, Lady Darcy." He said, his tone sarcastic and mocking.

"Get off my arm." She said harshly, jerking her arm away from his in panic. She was rewarded with a quick flash of surprise on his face, mixed with what she thought was hurt. He let go with a scowl. She stumbled across the room, following Sif (who must've abandoned the poor Elf dude). Loki trailed behind as if he was scared to be near anyone just in case his touch got misinterpreted as trying to murder them. Enough with that thinking, Darcy scolded herself. You're on Thor's, Jane's, Odin's, humanity's side. Stop feeling sorry for him.

Sif smiled at Darcy, and gave Loki a dirty look. "Here's your place."

"Thanks." Darcy lowered herself carefully onto the chair, making sure her tight dress didn't rip or malfunction in any way, shape or form. Success. She could sit down.

She saw Odin, Frigga, Mr and Mrs Foster and some unfamiliar faces on the high table, realising she'd been lowered in the ranks, and she wouldn't get to talk to Jane, or tell her how fabulous she looked. Darcy sighed, and looked around at the names on the place cards, written in stunning golden calligraphy.

Half of the names she couldn't even pronounce, and the others she recognised in passing. She definitely thought it was a bad idea that Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg were sat with her, but at least she had Sif to chat with and maybe regain a bit of composure. She enjoyed the relaxed company of the Warriors three, maybe not so much Hogun, who didn't talk much. And lastly, she saw Loki's name. He settled down beside her, looking bored as usual, playing with his namecard, flicking it round his nimble fingers. She almost asked if he'd been relegated from high table, but realised that subject might be a little touchy.

Sif sat down on the other side of Loki, her warrior stance definitely present. No doubt the warriors had been asked to keep an eye on him. She poured herself wine from a jug in the middle. "Here, Darcy." She passed her a glass.

"Are you sure it's okay to drink and stuff before they come back? I mean, it's their wedding…"

Sif laughed. "It is fine. They won't return for another ten minutes or so. I think they won't have to catch up to too much."

"Sweet." She said, clinking her glass in 'cheers' with Sif. Then she remembered the piggy in the middle.

"Aren't you drinking, Loki?"

He studied her, tilting his head before looking away silently.

"So you're not talking?" She huffed, watching some more Aesir sit at their table. "You seemed more than happy to talk earlier."

"Earlier?" He said, his hand a fist under the table. "You mean in my cell?"

Sif put a hand to her mouth. "You didn't…"

Darcy wanted to punch him. "It was the gem thing. I made a mistake, and poof! I was in some awful prison with an awful person." She glared at him childishly.

"Awful person?" Loki muttered. He looked confused at her explanation. Hadn't she sought him out on purpose?

Sif looked troubled, and Darcy suddenly felt guilty as Sif's eyes flashed up to Odin and Frigga. "Sorry, Sif, it was an accident, I swear. Why would I be looking for him?"

"To procure revenge for your realm?" Sif said, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

"Can we not talk about that?" Loki's voice was measured, and a little pained, still staring. "I ruined Thor's coronation, I will not be the one ruining his wedding feast."

"Oh, look who sprouted a heart."

"Torture does that to you." Loki said through his teeth, staring across the room.

Sif and Darcy exchanged looks. Darcy was pretty sure that torture took the heart out of you, not put it back in. Loki's mind must work in mysterious ways, she thought, confused. All of a sudden, Odin was behind Darcy, his heavy hand resting on her shoulder. Her body went stiff in shock, aware of the casual touch of a King on her shoulder.

"Are all of you faring well? Thor and Jane are returning. Get ready to toast. Loki- a word." He gestured to Loki, and led him to the side of the room. Sif and Darcy watched his face turn from bored, to interested, to incredulous.

"Um. What was that?" Darcy asked when Loki gracefully lowered himself into the chair beside her and Sif.

"Apparently this reception will double up as my release."

"You're getting freed?" Darcy didn't really know how to react. "How come?"

Loki shrugged, a small smile on his face.

"Is that smile a 'I'm-gonna-murder-everyone' smile, or a 'I'm-so-happy-to-be-back-in-society' smile?"

"Neither." He pressed his glass to his lips, his face unreadable again. "Tony Stark never actually let me have that drink." He said to himself on a side note, staring into his glass.

Sif scoffed. "The Allfather is probably hoping the news of his release will be drowned out under the talk of this wedding."

Darcy saw Loki's fists clench under the table. Her response was drowned out by the cheers coming from the entrance where Thor and Jane had made it back. Jane looked flustered and happy, overwhelmed by the people demanding their attention. She tightened her grip on Thor's hand as they entered the hall, her small fingers lost in his. Darcy clapped and cheered as they sat down, and the courses arrived on silver platters almost immediately.

Darcy wasn't even going to be a lady about it. She was about to eat everything they gave her, but then stopped promptly, remembering she wasn't exactly in stretchy clothing. She put down her fork and belched in time with Volstagg. She could get used to this part of Asgardian culture. "Pardon."

"Are you eating that?" Loki's quiet voice tickled her ear as he leant in.

She shivered. "No. Here. You want it?"

He reached over to take her plate, and it was only then she realised how stick thin he looked. Could you starve a God? He wouldn't die, would he? She shook that line of thought out of her head, knowing it would lead to her asking about Asgardian torture methods- hardly a subject to be discussing at a wedding.

Jane waved at Darcy from the high table. She waved back and smiled. Jane, in response, pointed to Loki and grimaced, mouthing 'sorry'. Darcy shrugged with a grin. She was trying to sign language 'you look really pretty' to her when Loki leaned in again. "Is it so hard to go up there and talk to her?"

"You can do that?"

He nodded silently over her leftover plate of potatoes and exotic meat from animals she didn't know existed. She slowly got up, and looked around her. Tons of people were milling around, talking to other tables, but no one went to Jane's table. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back and wobbled up to the bride in her high heels.

"Hey Jane. Don't worry, not up here for long. Just came to tell you that you looked really pretty today, and you're definitely rocking the bridal look. Congratulations."

Jane smiled smugly. "Thanks Darce, you don't look too bad yourself. Saw some interested guys staring your way when you came up here."

Darcy raised her eyebrows and grinned. "Am I okay to come up here and talk to you? Loki said it would be fine, but then again, I trust him as far as I could throw him."

"Yeah, you're fine! You two seem to be getting on… well."

"I have a knack for the psychopaths remember?" She whispered in Jane's ear, so she didn't offend Loki's family, who just decided to release him for not being a psychopath. Jane smiled sadly.

"Just… Watch out for him, okay?"

"As in look after him, or watch my back?"

"Both. Mostly the latter. Just… Babysit."

Darcy scoffed. "He's thousands of years old. Hardly a baby."

Jane laughed. As her father leant over to start a conversation with her and Thor, Darcy saw that as a signal to leave. She confidently strode back to her table, aware of the eyes watching her.

Volstagg's booming voice welcomed her. "Lady Darcy, you seem to have only had one glass of wine. Here."

He poured her another drink with a booming laugh. By the smell of him, he'd never stopped drinking. Still, in Lady Darcy mode, she gave him a beaming smile and downed what he'd poured her. When the feast had finished and the last plates were taken away, Volstagg and Darcy were sat next to each other, laughing. Volstagg kept blabbing on about some mission whilst Darcy tried to keep her head up and her brain conscious. She couldn't stop giggling, either, and tried to mask each hiccup with a manly cough.

Sif had gone off with Fandral somewhere, and left Loki under the (not so) watchful eyes of Volstagg, who couldn't even sit straight, and Hogun, who was silently staring off into the distance in boredom. The other guests at the table had gone off to talk to their friends, and Darcy felt like she was part of the reject table (not for the first time in her life). Loki looked on, sipping wine from his cup with an amused expression on his face.

"… And then, BOOM, the bridge had collapsed, and poor Hogun was trapped on the other side!" He roared laughing at the memory, and Darcy put her head in her hands.

"I wish I was, like, Asgard cool." She mumbled. "Like, full on Sif-style badass."

"Sif had to fight for her position. It is not easy for a woman to be a warrior." Loki butted in.

Darcy lifted her head up and looked at him with a puzzled expression. She looked over at Jane and Thor twirling in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by beautiful Asgardians in sweeping gowns and elaborate formal wear. Apparently, suits weren't normal apparel here, with most of the men wearing leather and woven clothing, with ornate metal fixings and buckles.

She smiled at the twirling figures, and excused herself to visit the toilet. All that wine had gone right through her and she needed somewhere to stop and pull her drunken self together before she made a scene of herself.

Frigga met her when she came out of the toilet, greeting her with a stunning smile. "Lady Darcy."

"Um, Queen Frigga." She tried to do a little bow, but stumbled forward, regaining her composure with her grip on a side table. How could she be so roaring drunk in front of royalty? She cringed. "I am so sorry."

"It is quite alright. It is a celebration after all." She smiled. "Tell me, Lady Darcy. I've heard reports back from Lady Sif about Loki's temperament at the current time, but I'd like to hear how my son is faring through a different set of eyes."

She hooked her arm through Darcy's, and led her to the side of the room.

"Loki? Um." She thought for a second, not wanting to offend, but knew she would anyway. "He's… Less psychotic than I had pictured. Kinda moody."

Frigga frowned. "He has been through a most trying time."

"He deserved it. No offense." She added, with a grimace. The comment just fell out of her mouth without warning. She tried to patch it up. "I mean, he's okay now, but it's been two years. Most murderers back where I come from get twenty plus or Capital punishment."

"No offence taken, Lady Darcy. I understand your protectiveness of your race and home. I fear Asgardian prisons are… more demanding than your Midgardian ones."

Darcy nodded, picturing the bleak room and the darkness. Most of all, the image that flashed through her brain was of Loki's dull eyes, and his broken expression. "I understand."

Frigga unhooked her arm from Darcy's. "May I ask a favour?"

Darcy nodded cautiously. She couldn't exactly say no.

"Our society seems more than weary of Loki's presence here. He should be a gentleman, but would you ask him to dance?"

Darcy bit her lip and looked over at Loki's bored expression. "Me? Why?"

"Well, Lady Sif is tending to other matters, and he can hardly dance with the Asgardians that are still cautious in his presence. It would benefit him in blending back into society."

"Really?" She said, rudely. Then she completely forgot who she was talking to. Darcy found herself nodding. "Sure."

Frigga touched her cheek gently. "Thank you. It is going to be hard to get others to accept my son after what he has done. A helping hand would be more than useful."

Darcy found herself smiling, though she just wanted to melt into a puddle on the ground. "Yeah. Sounds… Interesting."

Frigga turned and headed back to the high table with a word of thanks, and Darcy found herself fighting the urge to face palm herself into oblivion. "Damnit." She muttered under her breath as she put all concentration into walking straight and not tripping over her gown.

"Loki." She said when she reached the table, with a quick look over to Frigga sat at the high table with Jane and Thor who were watching them. Frigga nodded her head slightly to Darcy, and then looked away. Darcy took a deep breath and tried to appear as easy going as possible. Drunk Darcy was great at getting guys to dance with her in clubs, but Loki was a different thing entirely. And so was formal Asgardian dancing. "Do you want to dance?"

"With you?" He said immediately, his eyebrows shooting up.

"Well, if you don't want to, fine. I- " She was cut off by him getting up and taking her hand. His touch was cold but his fingers were softer than she had imagined. She jerked away, then remembered Frigga was watching them both.

"No, it would be my pleasure, Lady Darcy."

"Balls."

He stopped and looked at her. "Excuse me?"

"I was counting on you to say no. I can hardly stand."

"Then I will do the leading." He walked slowly up to the twirling dancers, aware of everyone's eyes on the mortal and the Joten prince, hand in hand. He smirked, and put his hand lightly on her waist. He could be charming when he wanted to.

He must've been skilled, Darcy thought as they stepped effortlessly through the throng. She was hardly doing anything. One hand was resting tentatively on his shoulder; the other was clasped in his. Her feet didn't seem to be having any trouble as he guided her, swaying from side to side. She felt herself blush as she felt his touch tighten around her waist, the slender fingers holding her silk covered curves.

She felt the urge to lean in and rest her head on his chest. It looked so… welcoming. He was so tall, too, Darcy pictured her head on his chest, his chin on the top of her head, his lips in her hair.

She stopped her drunken thoughts right there. Sure, he looked beautiful. The combination of slick black hair, pale skin, cheekbones and glowing green eyes were enough to make any girl swoon. But this was Loki. And this dance was a favour. A favour at her best friend's wedding from a Queen.

She stared into his leather clad chest, not daring to look up into his eyes. She knew he was looking at her. His gaze felt as if it would burn a hole through her.

"You're good at this." She admitted.

"I practiced. In my cell."

At this, Darcy managed a genuine giggle. Loki didn't do humour… Did he? She felt him gently pull her closer with a smirk.

"And tell me. Was my mother's request too much to handle?"

She looked up and wished she hadn't. Her gaze would most likely never leave his face, now.

"Mother's request?" She whispered. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Contrary to popular belief, I am not ignorant. I know she's asked you to accompany me. To help restore my…tarnished reputation."

Darcy sighed and felt his fingers tighten around hers. He was still staring at her, and her at him.

"I can't refuse a Queen's request."

"Am I that repellent?" His voice shook with either anger or hurt, Darcy couldn't tell which. She frowned. Probably anger, knowing Loki's temperament. It was amazing how Loki's expression could be either one or the other- it made him harder to read.

"I thought you were the type who doesn't care what anybody thinks about you."

"I didn't use to care." He sighed. "Now…"

He trailed off, as the music became slower. "May I?" He let go of her hand for a hold on her waist. She put her arms on his chest, too small even in heels to put them around his neck. "Go ahead." She half expected her voice to quiver, but it stayed steady despite the distance between their bodies. She tried not to be fazed by their closeness, imagining his hands around someone's neck, choking the life out of them. It probably happened in New York, who knows. It made her feel uncomfortable, but at least it kept her guard up.

"How do I know this isn't some sort of show you're putting on to make people trust you again so you can betray them again?" She half whispered, feeling the leather under her skin move up and down with every breath.

"You don't."

"So you're going back to the old ways of murder and betrayal?" She said light-heartedly, feeling a little dizzy from the twirling and the alcohol. Not to mention the social pressure of everyone looking at them both staring into each other's eyes.

"I never said that." Loki looked over her head, and leaned in closer, so close she could rest her head on his chest. Darcy had a quick look around at the other couples dancing. They were all slow stepping, with much more intimate poses than theirs. She relaxed and leant against his slender body. Her sober, rational self was screaming at her. She ignored it.

"So you're a good guy now?" Her voice came out muffled against his clothes.

"I don't think I'll ever be the good guy, Lady Darcy." He said, his voice full of amusement.

"True. You have a hell of a track record." She said, guiltily savouring the moment quietly until the music came to an end. She broke away from him reluctantly, feeling oddly comfortable in his arms. He went to lead her back to the table when he glanced her way and chuckled to himself.

"What now?" She said irritably.

"You have marks. On your cheek." He went to touch the impression his clothes had made on her skin, making her blush wildly. Now she could really feel the eyes on the two of them. She tried to picture the fingers on her cheek being the ones that had… pulled a trigger on a gun or something. She could never forget he was a murderer. Watching her back, just like Jane suggested.

"Your stupid clothes." She went to bat his hand away. He caught it and weaved his fingers through hers leading her back to the table. Volstagg was telling a group of drunken Asgardians yet another tale, but Hogun hadn't moved, and his wine glass was still empty. She and Loki sat down, his hand still in hers. She pulled away from his cool touch, playing with a stray bit of confetti on the table.

"Interesting." She heard him mutter under his breath.

"What are you talking about?"

"The reactions of your friend. Especially when I do this." He leant forward in his chair, facing her and put a gentle hand on her cheek again. His touch was cool against her blazing red cheeks.

"Hey!" She glanced around. "Stop that. No wonder Jane reacts when you do that."

He tilted his head to the side playfully, both his hands now on the table uncomfortably close to hers. He definitely lived up to his mischievous title. "Why? My mother has no doubt told her about her request."

"It's not that. It's…" She searched her wine-addled brain for a suitable word. "Intimate. Weird."

He raised his eyebrows, and Darcy found herself without restraint again, words tumbling out. "Haven't you ever dated anyone?"

"Dated?"

"Sorry. Um…haven't you ever been in a relationship with anyone?"

"You think I don't know what 'intimacy' is." Loki rolled his eyes, then leant back in his chair and thought hard. "There have been a few, relatively short, encounters. None that I have been especially willing to continue."

Darcy laughed into her wine glass. "Huh. Figures."

"What?" It was his turn to be annoyed now.

"You're like a robot."

Loki looked at her, confused. Darcy rephrased her words again. "Um, like an emotionless person. I bet you never let anyone in."

"Never had any reason to." He looked down and Darcy felt like her drunken openness had loosened Loki's tongue.