A month had passed since Loki began serving his sentence, and the days seemed to have effortlessly slipped away. Sylvie, like Loki, had swiftly adjusted to her new life. Surprisingly, she found herself taking pleasure in the simple pleasures of working on a farm, particularly tending to her flourishing garden. It was as if the soil and plants whispered secrets to her, guiding her hands as she nurtured them. Sylvie couldn't help but chuckle to herself, amused by how unexpectedly domesticated she had the days passed, Sylvie and Loki found themselves growing closer than ever before. Loki was taken aback by the speed at which Sylvie let her guard down. It seemed almost miraculous to him. Sylvie herself couldn't believe the transformation she had undergone. She never thought she would experience such freedom and joy in her life, let alone have someone to share it with. The fact that she didn't want to harm Loki by the end of each day was a revelation in itself.

At the end of June, precisely a month after Loki's trial, they rarely dwelled on the weeks they were forcibly separated, tormented by the uncertainty of each other's fate. Recently, their evenings were spent together on the front porch swing, indulging in the simple pleasure of watching the sunset. As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow across the horizon, Loki and Sylvie reveled in the tranquility of the evening. It had been a leisurely day, one where they succumbed to the temptation of setting aside their farm work and surrendering to the blissful company of one another. Sylvie's legs were elegantly crossed, while the side of her head gently found solace on Loki's dependable shoulder. Her eyes fixated on the horizon, where the radiant sun gracefully descended, casting a mesmerizing glow upon the tranquil pond. The water responded, shimmering with every touch of light. A gentle sigh of pure contentment escaped from her lips, a testament to her profound state of serenity and inner peace.

Loki's gaze descended upon the goddess beside him, his lips tenderly brushing against the crown of her head as a display of affection. "What is on your mind, Syl?" he questioned. Briefly, she raised her eyes to meet his, before turning her attention back to the enchanting vista before them. "Just a passing thought, really," she replied, her voice filled with contemplation. "I find myself wondering about Mobius, about the TVA. Are they truly at ease, or is chaos reigning within their walls at this very moment?" Loki paused, pondering Sylvie's words. "One can only hope things are as they should be," he said, his voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and optimism. "If not, wouldn't we be there with them now, causing more chaos than ever before? Perhaps my political variant has joined them by now? Or even the crocodile?" Sylvie chuckled softly. "Oh, the crocodile! I almost forgot about him!" she chuckled. Loki pressed another tender kiss upon the top of her head, his gesture filled with reassurance. "Let us hope they are indeed finding moments of ease," he whispered, his voice carrying a hint of sympathy. "I could sense Mobius nearing the brink of a heart attack whenever we caused even the slightest disruption. The signs of stress were evident, a little vein bulging from his temple." Sylvie chuckled softly, a sound that echoed with understanding. "Oh, poor Mobius," she chimed.

An hour had passed, and the pair found themselves nestled in the comfort of their home, settled on the sofa. Loki had a book titled "The Enigmatic Chronicles of Time and Space" in his hands. Sylvie, on the other hand, sat beside him, meticulously folding fresh towels that had just emerged from the laundry. Their two playful puppies, took their rightful places, with Apollo lounging on his back next to Loki and Jewel peacefully dozing off close to Sylvie. The background hum of the television filled the room as they tuned into the news. Suddenly, a breaking news alert flashed across the screen, capturing their undivided attention. The report detailed the extensive destruction caused by Loki in New York, resulting in substantial financial losses for the city. The broadcast then delved into a flashback, showcasing snippets from Loki's highly publicized trial, which had captivated the media's attention. As Sylvie's eyes widened at the alarming report, her heart raced in her chest. She could sense the worry and concern welling up inside her. Her gaze quickly shifted to Loki, whose eyes were practically glued to the screen, absorbing every detail. She knew how far he had come in maintaining a positive state of mind, and she feared that this revelation could shatter his newfound peace. Slowly, Loki extended his hand towards the remote, his movements deliberate. Just as the news segment displayed a clip featuring the Avengers, including his brother Thor, Loki paused for a moment, his expression pensive. With a decisive flick of his wrist, he switched off the television, plunging the room into a momentary silence.

Sylvie continued her task of folding the last towel, her hands trembling slightly. She couldn't help but steal glances at Loki, her concern evident in her eyes. Finally, she mustered the courage to speak, her voice laced with nervousness. "You alright?" her words barely audible. Loki remained fixated on the now blank screen, his thoughts seemingly lost in the void. For a moment, it felt as if time itself had paused. Taking a deep breath, he finally broke his silence. "I'm fine, Sylvie," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of reassurance. "It was just a report on financials for the city. It wasn't even a huge ordeal, just a passing mention." His words were an attempt to reassure both Sylvie and himself, to brush off the weight of the news as something inconsequential. But Sylvie could sense the underlying strain in his voice, the vulnerability masked behind his calm facade. Sylvie, with worry etched in her eyes, couldn't help but continue to gaze at Loki. She knew that delving deeper into the conversation might only exacerbate his unease, but she couldn't bear to leave things unresolved. With a hushed tone, she whispered, "I am sorry." Loki took a deep breath, his expression softening. "No need to be," he reassured her, attempting to downplay the impact of the news. Rising from his seat, he placed the book onto the coffee table. "I believe I'm going to call it a night," he announced, his voice tinged with weariness. But just as he was about to ascend the stairs, Sylvie's lips parted, her voice barely audible. "I was thinking... what if we shared a bed this evening?"

Loki turned slowly to face Sylvie, his confusion evident in his expression. "What?" he asked, caught off guard by her unexpected suggestion. Sylvie nodded, "Just... something I figured we could ease into," she explained, her voice gentle. "We live together... we've done well attempting this relationship. I figured it was time to step it up a bit. If it's too much, I understand." Loki's initial confusion gave way to a flicker of hope at Sylvie's suggestion. The idea of sharing a bed with her held an undeniable appeal, but a nagging concern tugged at the back of his mind. He couldn't help but wonder if this was something Sylvie truly wanted, or if she was merely trying to make up for the unsettling news report they had just witnessed on the TV. His brow furrowed slightly. "Sylvie," he began cautiously, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Is this something you genuinely desire, or are you suggesting it as a way to distract from what we just saw?" Sylvie's eyes widened slightly as she processed Loki's question, a hint of hurt flickering across her features. "Of course it's something I want, Loki!" she exclaimed. "I've thought about it for several days now. Just... I figured it would be nice to move to a new step in this... thing we are trying."

Feeling a surge of vulnerability, Sylvie stood up from the sofa, her hands slightly trembling. "I obviously... mean just to sleep," she clarified hastily, not wanting any misunderstandings. "I don't mean to move any..." Her words trailed off as Loki shook his head, understanding her intentions. "No... no, I understood," he reassured her, his voice gentle yet firm. "I wouldn't push that part, whatsoever." Loki recognized the importance of intimacy in a relationship, but he also respected Sylvie's boundaries and the need for her to feel comfortable and ready. Sylvie nodded, relief washing over her. She didn't want to mislead Loki or create false expectations. "I'm glad we cleared that notion," she admitted. "I didn't want... any misunderstandings or misleading you." Loki's chuckle resonated softly in the room. He approached her slowly, his hands tenderly cupping her cheeks. His touch sent a comforting warmth through her, grounding her in the present moment. "I told you," he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. "We take this at your pace. We have all the time in the world... I'm in no rush." Sylvie's eyes met Loki's, gratitude shining through as she leaned into his touch. With a soft smile, she whispered, "Thank you, Loki. For understanding and for being patient with me."

As Sylvie leaned up to place a soft kiss on Loki's lips. "I'll meet you upstairs," she murmured against his lips. "I need to put these towels away before I become far too distracted." Loki chuckled, his lips brushing against hers once more in a soft kiss. "I'll be waiting," he whispered, his eyes filled with affection and anticipation. His gaze then shifted to the two playful pups, wrestling with each other on the sofa. With a playful whistle and a nod, he gestured for them to follow him up the stairs. The mischievous pair of pups obediently scampered after Loki, their tails wagging happily. Sylvie's heart raced as she quickly grabbed the remote, ensuring Loki was upstairs before turning on the television. To her surprise, the lawyer who had adamantly opposed Loki's case was now on the screen, speaking at a press conference held after the trial. His frustration was palpable as he expressed his disbelief at Loki's seemingly light sentence of just a year under house arrest. "This ruling is a mockery of our justice system! Loki, a terror to no just this city, but to all its citizens, gets off with a mere slap on the wrist. This city deserves better! The damage caused by Loki's actions cannot be undone with a year of confinement to his luxurious home. We need real consequences, a punishment commensurate with the severity of his crimes!" As the lawyer's passionate words filled the room, a mix of different emotions quickly overwhelmed Sylvie. She could feel anger and frustration bubbling inside her, but also a nagging sense of guilt for upsetting Loki further. Before her own emotions could overwhelm her, she swiftly switched off the television, cutting off the lawyer's voice mid-sentence.

Taking a deep breath, Sylvie needed a moment to collect herself. She couldn't let Loki get any more upset, not now. With a determined resolve, she made her way back to the laundry room, the basket of towels momentarily forgotten as she set it back on top of the dryer. In the solitude of the laundry room, Sylvie took a few moments to regain her composure. She closed her eyes, focusing on her breathing, letting the waves of overwhelming emotion gradually recede. She knew she couldn't let herself be consumed by anger or despair and risk adding to Loki's distress. After finding her inner calm, Sylvie made her way back up the stairs, the goddess walked into the bedroom to find a heartwarming sight. Loki was kneeling by the bed, gently lifting both of their pups onto the mattress. The little furballs excitedly wagged their tails, pouncing onto the oversized pillows. Sylvie couldn't help but smile, "Didn't realize we all were sharing a bed," she said teasingly, her voice filled with affection. Loki glanced up, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Well, they insisted on being close to their favorite humans, and how could you possibly say no to those faces." Sylvie walked closer, reaching out to stroke Jewel's soft fur, "I guess we'll have to make some room then," she said.

For a moment, Loki stepped out of the bedroom and into the one he had been residing in for the last month. He swiftly changed into a pair of comfortable plaid pajama bottoms, leaving his torso bare. Meanwhile, Sylvie had already changed into her own set of pajamas, a soft satin ensemble in a soothing shade of lavender. She had found herself engrossed in a book she had come across a few nights back, while the two pups had already drifted off to sleep at the foot of the bed. As Loki climbed back into the bed, he scooted close to Sylvie, his curiosity piqued. "What do you have there?" he asked, Sylvie looked up, a smile playing on her lips. "It's called 'The Essex Serpent.' It's a novel set in the Victorian era," she replied.

"What's it about?" he inquired, genuinely intrigued. Sylvie glanced back up, "It follows the story of Cora Seaborne, a recently widowed woman who becomes fascinated by the legend of a mythical sea serpent in Essex. She forms unexpected connections with the locals, including a vicar named William Ransome," she explained. Loki listened intently, captivated by Sylvie's description. "That sounds intriguing. Sylvie chuckled softly, her eyes filled with affection. "It certainly is. It's kept me awake the past two evenings." she replied.

Sylvie gently set aside the book on the nightstand, its pages temporarily forgotten. The goddess nestled into Loki's embrace, her back resting against him as they admired the moonlit view through the window. His fingers gently ran through her blonde waves, creating a sense of comfort and intimacy. In the serene silence, Sylvie took a deep breath before glancing up towards Loki. "When your sentence is over... what is our plan? Do we stay here or should we consider relocating? Perhaps even venture onto a different timeline?" Loki's touch paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he considered her question. He tightened his embrace around her, "Syl, the future holds infinite possibilities for us. We have the power to shape our own path," he replied .Her brow perked, "But what do you desire, Loki? What do you envision for us?" she asked.

Loki's gaze softened, his thumb gently brushing against her cheek. "All I desire is to be with you, Sylvie. Whether it's here, or in a different place and time, as long as we are together, I am content," he confessed. A sense of relief washed over Sylvie as a smile graced her lips. She leaned further into Loki's embrace, finding solace in his presence. Though, a lingering question still sat in the back of Sylvie's mind. The goddess glanced up once more, "What about Asgard? Is there any hope of their prince returning?" Sylvie's question lingered in the air, causing a momentary pause in their intimate embrace. Loki's brow furrowed slightly as he contemplated her words, a mixture of uncertainty and introspection crossing his features. "Returning to Asgard might be a possibility, but I cannot ignore the chaos and pain I caused to my own people, or let alone my family before the events in New York. Who knows if I would be welcomed back with open arms," he confessed. Sylvie's gaze softened, "Loki, your journey has been one of growth and redemption. You've changed, and Asgard must see that too," she said.

"Spoken like a true Asgardian princess. Are you sure you are my variant?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Sylvie's lips curled into a playful smirk as she raised an eyebrow. " Perhaps I'm not? Perhaps I am actually from Lamentis. Perhaps i'm actually from Midgard? Just never know when it comes to me," she replied, her voice filled with a hint of amusement.

Loki chuckled softly, savoring the banter between them. But the smile soon faded, and a sigh escaped his lips as he shifted his gaze downward. "It is not the people who I worry over, Sylvie. It is Odin and his perception of me. We've never seen eye to eye, unfortunately," he confessed, a touch of sadness edging his voice. Sylvie's expression softened, her hand gently caressing Loki's cheek. "Perhaps it's time for Odin to see you for who you truly are, to recognize the changes you've undergone," she reassured him. Loki's eyes met hers, his fingers gently weaved through Sylvie's blonde waves, "Why don't we... pause this conversation," he suggested, his voice low. "Let's entertain this topic after the sentencing, and see where we stand at that point. Besides,It's quite late. Those fields will be calling my name at an early hour." Sylvie nodded in understanding, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You're right," she agreed, her voice gentle. "But before we retire for the night, there is one rule I must share if we are to continue sharing a bed."

Loki arched an eyebrow, curiosity brimming in his eyes. "What would that be?" he asked. Sylvie's smile grew warmer as she reached out to caress Loki's cheek, "No matter what mood we are in or how bad of a day we have experienced," she began, "we will always kiss each other goodnight."

A gentle smile curved Loki's lips as he intertwined his fingers with Sylvie's. "That sounds like a rule I am more than willing to uphold," he murmured,

With that, they sealed their unspoken agreement with a tender kiss. As their lips parted, Loki gazed deeply into Sylvie's eyes, his heart brimming with gratitude. "Goodnight, Sylvie," he whispered, his voice soft and tender.

Sylvie returned his gaze, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Goodnight, Loki," she replied. With a final touch of their intertwined fingers, they bid each other goodnight, knowing that the fields may call Loki's name in the early hours, but their strong affection for one another would always be a guiding light in the darkness. As they drifted off to sleep, their hearts entwined, they carried the promise of a new day, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them, hand in hand.