Asta and Loki held hands as they walked the few blocks to the ice cream parlor.
"I meant it, you know," Loki began. "You look absolutely stunning. And I really do like those colors on you." He winked and she wondered if she'd ever stop blushing around him.
"I could say the same for you. I didn't expect us to be those people already."
"Those people?"
"Those couples who match when they go anywhere. But here we are."
"Yes," he murmured. "Here we are." His heart fluttered that she said "couple," but he was too afraid to ask what that could have meant. So, he walked along in comfortable silence, just enjoying her presence.
As they approached the parlor, she asked him what he was ordering.
"Does a basic vanilla offend you?" he asked with a grin.
"A little, yes," she laughed. "Nothing else appeals to you? Not even ghastly sprinkles?"
He was quiet for a moment. "Asta, I feel that I must be honest with you. I've never had ice cream."
"Yeah, I made that assumption."
"You knew?"
"Loki, I've known you for ages. I can't picture any situation where you actually tried ice cream, at least willingly."
"Well, to be fair, I did try apple pie once. And while I think the actual apples were barely there under all the other… substances, I did find it adequate."
Asta smiled. "You know what goes well with apple pie?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Ice cream!" He scoffed and she lightly smacked his shoulder. "I'm serious! Pie with some plain vanilla ice cream tastes amazing. Pie a la mode is something we'll try next."
Loki liked the idea of a next time. "Very well. As for now, I find myself completely at your mercy. What shall I order?"
"Well, hear me out. Vanilla, yes. Sprinkles, yes. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, twist."
"Twist?" he asked, brows crinkled.
"Yes. It's vanilla and chocolate, but it's swirled together. A nice compromise if you ask me. Do you think you're up for it?"
He thought for a moment. Loki Laufeyson was never one to back down from a challenge, even if it is ridiculously sweet. "Fine." He stepped up to the counter. "I shall have a small twist… with sprinkles."
The cashier smiled. He was casually paying attention to the couple and he wasn't sure how the man had never had ice cream in his life, but he was glad that the woman was convincing him. "Ok, a twist with sprinkles. Cup or cone?"
The helpless look Loki gave Asta made her giggle. "He'll have a cup," she told the cashier. She turned back to Loki. "You're not ready for a cone yet."
Loki could only half shrug at her.
"And you, miss?" the cashier asked.
Asta put a gentle hand on Loki's arm, waiting for his jealousy to flare up, even if the worker was only trying to be polite. "Yes, I'll have a hot fudge sundae. Whipped cream and cherry, too please."
"Coming right up!"
Loki paid for the treats and Asta thanked the worker as they were given the ice cream. They walked over to a picnic bench next to the building and took a seat. Loki looked at the bowl with curiosity. He took the spoon and scooped the smallest of bites.
"Oh, that's cheating!" Asta said, taking the spoon from him. She scooped a bigger bite and held it to his mouth.
He glared at her. "You are lucky that I consider you in such high regard. Treating a prince of Asgard like this would not otherwise be tolerated."
"I shall count my blessings, your highness," she mocked with a slight bow. "But why should we change the dynamic now?" She winked at him and he was lost.
"Fine. But I feed myself, thank you." Loki took the spoon from her and ate the bite too quickly before she could stop him.
"By the nine, this is cold! And what… what is happening to my head?" He clutched his forehead in pain.
"Loki, calm yourself."
"How can I be calm when that Midgardian sorcerer just tried to poison me?!"
Asta rolled her eyes and kept from laughing. "He's not a sorcerer and he certainly did not try to poison you. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and wait a moment. Is that helping?"
"Yes, I believe it is. Did you heal me, my dear?"
"It's just a brain freeze!"
"Yes! It feels as though my brain is frozen!"
Asta put a hand on either side of his face. "Loki, look at me. Sometimes if you eat ice cream too fast, it'll do this. Then it goes away and you're fine."
"Why do you eat this?! I was told it was delicious, not dangerous! Here I am, holding a tiny bowl of venom that my love assured me would be a treat and—"
"What did you say?" she interrupted.
"A bowl of venom!"
"No, after that…"
Now it was Loki's turn to blush. "Oh. Um, I believe I said…"
"Love."
"Yes. I'm very sorry, Asta. In my vulnerable state, I spoke too quickly and—"
She interrupted him again, but this time, with a much more pleasurable method: a sweet kiss.
Loki blindly sat the cup of ice cream next to him and gently put his hands on her face as well, instantly heating up the kiss.
Finally, Asta pulled back. "I'm sorry, Loki. I shouldn't have acted so impulsiv—"
Now he cut her off with a kiss.
When he pulled back, seeing her dazed expression, he smirked. "I have wanted to do that for longer than I can recall."
Asta returned the mischievous smile. "If I had known that a kiss was what was needed to finally shut you up, I would have tried it sooner."
He raised an eyebrow. "Never let it be said that you've lost that's feisty nature of yours here on Midgard."
"Why would I have? My prince always encouraged me to behave in such a manner."
"Am I that?"
"Are you what?"
"Your prince."
"Are you really that stupid?"
His mouth hung open in shock that she spoke to him like that.
She used a finger to close his mouth and smiled softly at him. "Loki, you have always been my prince. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to call you mine."
"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, full of joy and impatience.
"It wasn't my place. I told you that I wasn't worthy of you. And when I did become a goddess, I was sent away. You never visited like I hoped."
"Well, I was busy being a fool. To be honest, I'm sure Odin was moments away from tossing me into the dungeons for my behavior, which is why I left when I did. And I considered coming to Midgard, but I didn't think you would want to see me in the state I was in. I was… unkempt at the very least. And then I felt unworthy of you. I couldn't let you see me like that."
"But you're here now," she whispered.
"And you are a goddess," he replied just as softly.
Asta began to close the gap between them. "So, maybe we finally have our timing right?"
"Finally," Loki breathlessly agreed as he lunged forward and kissed her again.
When they broke apart, Loki rested his forehead to hers and whispered, "Say it again."
"Say what?"
"Call me your prince."
She giggled a little. "Kiss me again, my prince."
"Gladly." He leaned forward and captured her lips in a searing kiss that would have embarrassed her to be in public if she was thinking clearly.
Once she was out of breath, Asta pulled back and looked down at her melted sundae. "Well, that's a waste. Worth it though."
"Doesn't have to be a waste, darling." He waved his hand over the bowls and they magically refroze.
Asta smiled. "Well, that's handy! Asgardian powers or Jotun powers?"
Loki paused for a second; surprised that she was completely not bothered by his Jotun side. His eyebrows scrunched. "I'm not certain. I've been doing magic for so long that I never really thought that perhaps some of it came from beyond what my mother taught me."
Asta shrugged. "It doesn't really matter. I just appreciate the repairing of my sundae!" She took a little scoop of ice cream, fudge, and whipped cream and held it up. "Think you're ready for round 2?"
"I like to live dangerously." He opened his mouth, to Asta's surprise, so she fed him the ice cream.
The look on his face was one that Asta would never be able to describe. It was something between confusion, happiness, caution, and delight.
"Well?" she asked.
"It's really quite delicious. A bit on the sweet side for my taste, but it's nothing I can't overlook. I actually enjoyed it."
"I knew you'd like it!" Asta said happily. "Are you willing to forgive the sprinkles and give them another go?"
There was nothing he desired to do less, but the look in her eyes made him want to do anything she asked. So, he sighed and replied with, "Yes, but… carefully."
She handed the bowl to him and he frowned. Loki took a much smaller bite and tried it. "Well," he began. "I'm not opposed to it, but I definitely do not prefer it."
"I'll take what I can get," Asta replied with a laugh. "Shall we take a walk while we finish these?"
"That sounds wonderful."
"I'll even let you have my sundae since you prefer it."
"I can't ask you to do that."
"You aren't asking. I insist. I love them both anyway."
Loki accepted with a grin. They strolled for a bit and when they finished their ice cream and threw away the cups, Loki offered his arm again. Asta happily took it and snuggled in closer. He sighed happily.
"I never expected tonight to go this well," Loki told her. "I was just happy to be spending time with you, my dear."
"Don't call me that," she replied.
Suddenly all his good feelings disappeared. Surely he didn't read their earlier moments wrong?
"I shouldn't? Why?" he nervously asked.
"Because you used to call your friend Asta 'my dear' and I am no longer just that."
He visibly relaxed at that. "Oh I see. First of all, you were never 'just that.' But now, shall I give you a list of other things I plan on calling you now that you are officially my beloved?"
"By all means."
"There's my love, my light, my pet."
She scrunched her nose at that.
"No to 'pet' then?" he asked.
She tilted her head in thought. "If anyone else called me that, I would likely hate it. Yet, from you, it seems strangely endearing. I would avoid calling me that when we're around the group. Others would probably consider it demeaning, not knowing it's more of an Asgardian term."
"I would never mean it in that sense!"
"I know. But Midgard is a completely different place. They wouldn't see it as you do."
"Very well then. That shall be one I keep for… private moments." Her blush didn't escape his eyes, but he continued without teasing her. "What else? Darling, precious. And perhaps, if I am so fortunate in the future, my princess."
Asta's breath hitched at that.
Loki faltered a bit. "Did I say something wrong again?"
"No, no," Asta answered. "It's just that earlier, Nat told me I looked like the future princess of Asgard. It seemed so strange to hear you say it as well."
"Perhaps it's a sign then," he said with a wink.
"Perhaps."
"And what shall my love be calling me now, hmm?"
"Hmmm, I don't know. You're much more for terms of endearment than I am. You're like Tony, but romantic."
Loki bristled slightly. "That is likely the only way I will accept being compared to Tony Stark."
She laughed. "Well, my love is certainly on the list. Perhaps my mischief."
"Ooh, I like that one," he said with a glint in his eyes that made her warm.
"I've always called you my prince, and I think I shall continue, but perhaps now it has even a different meaning. I think I might add troublemaker to that list."
He smirked.
"I don't know beyond that. I'll likely think of others as we go."
"I look forward to hearing them all. I am just happy to say you are finally mine. Everything I have gone through is now worth it."
She squeezed his arm a little tighter. "I doubt I'm worth all that trouble."
"You are worth everything and more, my precious one. I will spend the rest of forever trying to make you understand just how much you mean to me. How much I love you."
"Hey, save some for the wedding vows!" she joked, then stopped. "Wait, I didn't mean to imply… I don't want to push any—"
Loki put a gentle finger to her lips. "Asta, you needn't worry. If you'll have me, I shall definitely begin writing my wedding vows to you now. But, you must allow me the surprise of proposing marriage. And I think, considering our Avenger colleagues, I shall wait some. I would rather not have Stark or Rogers hating me even more."
"Tony does not hate you. And Steve is cautious of everyone. But if you proposed tonight – and I'm not saying you should – Wanda and Natasha would have your back. And Thor."
"Yes, my brother… I suspect he is sitting in the tower right now, grinning like an idiot that we are on this date."
"He and Wanda and Nat are probably gossiping like school girls!"
"And the others keep checking their watches to see when we shall return."
Asta laughed. "Yes, I believe all of that is correct."
"The Avengers truly have become a family, yours especially, have they not?" Loki asked.
"They are. Wanda and Natasha are truly the sisters I never had. Steve, Bruce, Clint, Peter, Bucky, they're all my brothers, just like Thor always was. And Tony is like a father to me now. It was wonderful to have that when I came here. Thor knew a little of Midgardian life, but the others truly assisted me in acclimating to life here."
"I'm so glad to hear you had that. I was so worried for you when Odin sent you away. But hopeful that at least my brother would be with you to keep an eye on you."
"It was nice to have a familiar face. Though, it wasn't the face I wanted."
Loki wasn't sure he wanted the answer to his next question, but still asked. "Were you… Did you…?"
"Was I alright?"
"Yes."
"It depended on the moment. Some days I was very proud of myself, that I had come to this strange place, and made a life for myself.. Some days I missed Asgard so much it hurt. Other days I was somewhere in the middle. Eventually, the good days began to outweigh the bad. But… I think they'll be even better now."
"Is it because the ice cream parlor opened?" he teased.
Asta nudged him and grinned. "How did you know?"
"Just a feeling, I suppose."
"Oh, Loki. I don't think you'll ever know how much I missed you and how my heart flipped at seeing you at the door. Well, besides the obvious gaping wound you had."
"Yes, that wasn't exactly the reunion I expected. I wanted something with a little less blood, tears, and confessions. But I'm just glad it happened. I cannot believe you're back in my life. And that you actually agreed to be mine."
"An easy decision."
"Come, let's get back to the gossipers. I'm certain your female confidantes will want to hear it all."
"And Thor," Asta added with a laugh.
"Oh, he'll be the worst of them all!"
They walked back to the tower and once they arrived at the main door, Loki got a roguish grin.
"Uh-oh," Asta said. "I've seen that look before. What's turning the gears in your head now?"
"Let's just teleport to our rooms. Tony somewhat foolhardily allowed me the ability to use magic on the grounds. They'll wonder why we're out so late and then wonder how we got to our chambers."
She put a hand to his cheek. "My mischief. I love it!"
He couldn't believe his fortune that this woman not only declared her love for him, but was also willing to play along with his schemes. He put one arm tightly around her waist. "Hold on."
And within a moment, they were in Asta's room.
She giggled. "They're gonna be so pissed off."
"My love, it's so strange to hear your voice but using such Midgardian speech."
"Yeah, I know. Bruce and Clint say that all the time."
"And I still can't believe we're here. Finally together again. Today has been a very eventful day."
"Not every day you become an Avenger and find the love of your life in a matter of hours."
"This is true. And now I suppose I should bid you good night. If I'm found here, they'll certainly never let us hear the end of it."
"Indeed. But I look forward to seeing you in the morning. And every day after."
Loki hummed with glee. He put a hand behind her head and pulled her close. "Yes, I look forward to that as well," he murmured against her lips before pulling her into a loving kiss.
As she leaned back for air, she sighed. "Why weren't we doing that sooner?"
"I don't know, my precious. It's probably for the best, though, considering I would have gone mad without you on Asgard knowing what these kisses are like. But I intend to make up for lost time… constantly."
"I like the way you think."
He winked at her and gave her a quick peck of a kiss. "Good night, my love."
"Good night, my prince," she replied just before he blinked out of her room.
Asta sat on her bed, pressed her fingers to her lips, and smiled. An eventful day, indeed. She wondered just when this smile would fade from her face.
After an entire day of the team teasing them about their new relationship, everything settled down and Asta and Loki were generally regarded as one entity, much like Wanda and Vision, and Tony and Pepper.
End note: Hey, if you've read this, could you please let me know? It kinda feels like it's reaching no one. :-(
