Wanda has only been home a few days when she tells Magda and Loki she is going to visit Pietro and neither of them may come with her. Loki is nervous. They have stayed close to one another since her return. Wanda assures them it is only for a few days, that she will be back soon, and that there will be nothing dangerous about this trip. But while both Loki and Magda smile and try to act as though they are fine, neither of them can be happy to see her drive away in her little red Trabant.
Magda tucks in early. Loki calls Alexi. They meet for pizza and after, they cuddle close in the November chill on the bench by the ash in the square. Alexi kisses Loki's cheek. Loki blushes a little. He is not used to being openly affectionate in public and it still is a little awkward for him to do anything but hold Alexi's hand when others might see.
"You're blushing. And it's cute."
"Cute?"
"Yeah. Cute. So...any chance I can come in for a little while? Maybe get a little closer than last time?"
"Come in, yes. By 'get a little closer', do you mean to share my bed?"
"That's one way of putting it?"
"You remember the assessment that I am terribly old fashioned, yes?"
"Yep. But I don't want to wait forever, so I figure it's better to ask."
"Not forever. But a little longer, please?"
"Sure. But can I ask why?"
"Because I hold you so dearly and I want to be sure we have a reasonable chance of lasting before letting myself fall fully for you. And when I allow myself to let go, to surrender to the delight of touch, I will have immense difficulty disentangling my heart should we end."
"Well I'm not planning on an end, but I get where you're coming from."
"If you would like to come in from the cold for coffee, I would be happy to have you."
"Coffee and maybe kisses?"
Loki smiles, "I think I would be quite happy with that."