The next evening, Asta and Loki were dressing for Tony's party.

He sighed as he tied his tie. "You know, my love, we don't have to go to this."

"Loki, we were part of the team that literally saved the world. This evening is in honor of that. We have to attend the party," Asta replied as she put her earring in.

"Yes, yes. But it feels like Asgard. Posturing for posturing's sake."

"Well, you know the Stark way. But honestly, don't look at it like that. Just look at it as a chance to celebrate with our family. And to watch Thor get drunk as a sot as usual. That's always entertaining!"

Loki smirked as he walked behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Well, there is that. Fine. But when we get back, my love…" He bent to whisper in her ear, "Jeg skal knulle deg til den jævla sengen." (I'm going to nail you to that damn bed.)

Asta shuddered a bit. "Oooh, is that a promise, mischief?"

"It's an assurance, darling."

She stood and he instantly stared at her in that dress. "Well, with an assurance like that, I'll be sure to make the most of this evening. I probably won't want to walk tomorrow."

Loki growled low. "I thought you were trying to convince me to go to the party, not stay here and ravish you."

She patted his cheek. "There is time for both, my prince. Let's go."

When the elevator door opened, Loki presented his arm and she happily put hers through it. They began to walk into the party when Thor ran over.

"Brother! Come here! There are new people here who haven't heard the tales of Asgard!"

"I just arrived, you great oa—"

"Loki," Asta interrupted. "It's fine. Go talk for a while. I'll go sit with Nat, Wanda, and Vision for a bit. Come find me on the couches."

He rolled his eyes. "Very well. I shall try to keep this short."

Asta kissed his cheek. "I know you will."

She wandered over to her friends on the couches. Clint and Laura were there as well.

"Hello everyone!" Asta said as she sat next to Natasha.

"Looks like record timing for Thor to snatch up Loki," Wanda laughed.

"Yes, a new audience and Thor couldn't resist."

The conversation continued for a few minutes before Natasha gave a strange look towards Thor and Loki.

"What is it, Nat?" Asta asked.

"That woman in the red. Does anyone know her?"

Vision looked over. "I believe she is a representative from one of the new smaller European countries. Why, what is wrong?"

"She's staring at Loki like he's her next meal."

Asta cocked her head. "Well, I can't disagree with her taste in men."

"Asta!" Wanda screeched.

"What? It's not like I'm giving him a hall pass! But by now I'm used to people staring at my husband."

Natasha raised her eyebrows. "And that doesn't bother you? There's no way in hell that Loki would be ok with that if the situation was reversed."

"I absolutely trust him. So, no."

"Does he not trust you?" Vision asked.

"Of course he does," Asta replied. "It's everything else he doesn't trust. From early on, he's had the most important things taken from him. His unconditional love of a father, gone. His equal status as a brother, gone. The truth about his heritage and his rightful throne, gone. The one woman he had ever loved, gone. Though, I did make a return. I know deep in his heart he worries about losing me again. It's tiring to keep telling him that he need not fret, but I can see why he does. So, when he gets jealous, I just know that it's because of his love for me, not his suspiciousness."

"That's actually kinda sweet," Laura said.

"Besides, his arms are crossed right now in annoyance, so she probably can't see his ring. And I know what he's thinking." She tried to imitate her husband: 'Thor, you great oaf. By the gods, why did you drag me into this damn conversation knowing full well I have no care for it whatsoever. And now this harlot over here is staring at me. These Midgardians are bold creatures.'"

Her friends laughed. But just then, the new woman made her move. They watched as she went over to Loki and put a hand on his arm. She said something softly to him that the others couldn't make out. The scowl on his face was enough proof that it wasn't something he approved of. He said something to her with anger in his eyes and then pointed to Asta and then to his ring. And with that he stormed away and headed towards the couch.

"Here we go," Asta mumbled.

"My darling, that harlot over there had the audacity to ask me to get her a drink! Firstly, I am not some common waiter. Secondly, the nerve to solicit a married man!"

Asta stood to meet him. "To be fair, my love, your ring was covered by your arm."

"So? I feel I radiate a certain 'stay away from me, I'm married' quality."

"In addition to your usual sunny demeanor?" Clint teased.

Loki held up a finger. "Hush, Barton. I'm a delight and you know it."

"You the man, Loke!" Clint replied, raising his hands in mock praise.

Asta pulled Loki down to the couch. "It's fine. Just because some random woman tried to hit on you, doesn't mean you need to get all fussy."

"Yes, but I want you to know that my heart is yours and yours alone. No other woman could come close to you."

"Of course I know it. Now, why don't we all dance for a bit? Get your mind off things."

"Yes, my darling. I love that idea," Loki said, standing and offering his hand. He led her to the dance floor and pulled her close. "I'm sorry for the spectacle earlier. It certainly wasn't my intention."

"I know. Perhaps you just don't know how handsome you are."

"Oh, I know," he said with a wink. "But I want the world to know that I belong to you."

"All that matters is that I know. And I belong to you as well. Got it, Laufeyson?"

Loki chuckled. "Fine, fine. My bride and her tough love."

The song finished and Loki looked around. Their friends were dancing and drinking and laughing. It really seemed like a perfect evening, despite his original doubts about attending.

"Shall we see how drunk Thor is now?" he asked with a smirk.

"I suppose it is time to check in on that. Poor Jane. I can't imagine taking care of that once they're home."

"An inebriated Thor is definitely more difficult to wrangle than a sober one. And a sober one is difficult enough!"

The pair found Thor regaling tales to some new party attendees and a few Avengers who just found his intoxicated performances to be entertaining.

Once the evening ended, Loki and Asta returned to their room. She began removing her jewelry and he sat on their bed.

"You're staring, my prince," Asta said as she caught his eye in the mirror of her vanity.

"Guilty as charged. I'm deciding on things, though.

"Oh? And what things are those?"

"If I should just use a bit of magic to remove that dress or if I want to do it all with my own hands?"

She turned to face him. "Hmmm. Both are good options, I would think."

"Yes… they really are. But I think I've waited long enough tonight." He turned his wrist and both of them were suddenly naked.

"Well, you certainly are skipping a lot of steps tonight!"

"Not a single regret to be found. Come here, beautiful," he said with an outstretched hand. "I believe I have a promise to fulfill."

"As you wish," she said as she joined him on the bed and he made good on the assurance he gave earlier that evening.