A/N: You guys are out there right? Drop a line! Let me know!
A few days later, Loki was at Asta's door. "Darling, are you ready to go?"
"Almost!" she called from the bathroom.
When she finally appeared, he laughed to see she was wearing the same outfit from their first date. He was as well.
"Well, this looks familiar," he chuckled.
"Great minds really do think alike," she said.
"Shall we, my love?" he asked, offering his arm.
"We shall." She accepted his arm and placed her other hand on it as well, as they headed for the door. "You know, ice cream for dinner isn't like you at all."
"Maybe I enjoy surprising you."
"You're getting quite good at it."
"Ahh, my plan is working then!" he said with a mischievous grin.
Tony looked up from a small project he was working on as they passed the common area. "Not too late, kids!" he called.
Asta stuck her tongue out at him and laughed as they left. She didn't see the double thumbs up he gave to Loki.
Once they arrived at the ice cream parlor, Loki stepped up to the counter, much more confident than a month before. They had been here many times since in the short amount of time.
"My good man, I shall have a medium hot fudge sundae, with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry."
"Wait, you're getting that?" Asta asked.
He winked at her with a smirk. "Surprising, yes?"
She shook her head and walked to the window. "Well, if we're changing things up, I'd like a medium twist with sprinkles, please."
"Got it," the cashier said, handing the order to another employee and taking care of the payment.
"Are you ok?" Asta asked. "You seem a little off tonight."
"I do have much on my mind, darling. But it's nothing you need to be concerned with. All will be well, I'm sure."
Asta tilted her head a bit, but decided to let it go for now.
The cashier returned with their ice cream. "Miss, I'm really sorry, but there was some sort of mix-up with our sprinkle delivery today. They only brought green, yellow, and these weird crystal ones. I hope that's ok."
Now Asta was getting it. Loki was trying to make their month anniversary special. "Oh really?" she replied. "How strange. Yes, that will be fine. Thank you very much."
"And sir, your sundae."
"Thank you," Loki said before leading her to their table.
They sat and ate with strange small talk. With only a few bites to go, Loki took a deep breath. "Asta, my love, do you know what today is?"
"I do. It's the one month anniversary of our first date here."
"Yes, and I wanted to make it extraordinary for you."
"So, you are the culprit to the sprinkles order?" she asked with a grin.
"Well, the owner of the establishment was in on my plan, but yes. You are the only one today getting special sprinkles. But there is more."
"More? Loki, this is perfect!"
"No, I wanted to get you something for the occasion. Now, let me preface this by saying that there is literally no one else anywhere that I would do this for."
Asta gasped as he got down on one knee before her.
"I kneel for no one but you, the light of my life. But here and now, I humbly genuflect and ask if you would become my wife." He waved his hand and the ring box appeared. He opened it and both of her hands went to her mouth. "Asta Gostadottir, will you marry me?"
"Loki! Yes! Of course!"
He surged forward and kissed her deeply. Finally, he pulled back and removed the ring from the box and placed it on her finger.
"It's beautiful, Loki!" she whispered as she studied the ring.
"Not as beautiful as you." Loki stood and pulled her to her feet as well. He bent and kissed her again, and as he stood he pulled her off her feet and spun her around.
As Loki was putting her back down, Thor came out of his hiding place. "Congratulations! I knew she'd say yes!"
Asta jumped. "Thor! What are you doing here?"
"Making a recording for posterity." He held up the phone. "And now I am calling the others to celebrate!" He dialed and waited, holding up a finger to the newly engaged couple who was looking at him, irritated and confused. "Hello! Stark! She said yes! Time to go!"
"Go where?" Loki whispered to Asta.
"I think I know," she mumbled.
Thor beamed as he hung up the phone. "Ok, time for shawarma!"
"I knew it," Asta muttered. "Tony rented out the place?"
"Of course! And the club a few doors down. Shawarma first, then drinks and dancing!"
Loki grumbled. "But we just had ice cream, I don't know that I'm hungry for this shawarma. And I thought maybe I could spend the evening with my new fiancée."
Asta put a calming hand to his cheek. "I know, my love. But we'll have the rest of our lives. Let's just let our family have this. It'll be fun. Shawarma is the official Avenger food of celebration."
"Fine. I shall endure this tradition. But only for your sake."
"I'll take what I can get. Lead on, Thor!"
They went back to the tower to change.
Loki entered Asta's room as she finished putting her earrings in.
"By the gods," he murmured. "You look exquisite. When did you get this dress?"
"You like?" Asta asked as she did a little turn, showing off her dark green sequined cocktail dress. "After you returned, the girls insisted I needed a new going-out dress. My old little black dress was apparently 'not worthy of a prince's consort.'"
"Whatever you wear, it's always beautiful and worthy. But this… this is stunning. I'm glad we're only going with our Avenger friends tonight and I won't have to worry about others leering at you."
"Ah, that's the perk of living with Tony Stark. He'll rent places out for us to go and not have the public scrutinizing us. At best a few bartenders and servers. Otherwise, we hang out in the tower and play games."
"I'd be happy doing that as well. But apparently we need to celebrate with everyone." He rolled his eyes.
Asta smiled. "Don't worry, my prince. This evening is still ours. It just has a Stark flair to it now."
"That means nothing to me. Not with you looking this stunning."
"You're one to talk! Look at you in this suit! Like you just stepped out of a GQ magazine shoot."
"A what?"
"Trust me. You just look unrealistically handsome. Now, let's just go and enjoy ourselves."
Loki sighed. "Fine. Let's go and test my resolve watching you in this… enticement."
She tapped his cheek. "You can be a good boy for a few hours. I know it."
He growled as she began to walk out, swaying her hips just enough to catch his attention. "Minx."