In the enchanted land of Ageha, a world beyond time and space, Loki stood before Kuri, wearing Midgardian clothes that seemed almost out of place on him. She looked at him in surprise.

"Loki? I…why are you wearing Midgard clothes again?"

Loki's gaze softened. "I came to spend time with you."

"But I thought the Midgard clothes made you… uncomfortable?"

"They are not… horrible," he replied, shrugging with a hint of discomfort.

Her heart swelled with warmth. "You… wore them for me, didn't you… because of how upset I was yesterday. You're trying to prove yourself. Loki, you don't have to—"

"Shush," he interrupted, leaning in to kiss her. "I'm not trying to prove anything."

Kuri smiled against his lips, pulling him into a warm embrace. "Mm…distract me all you like, but it's not going to stop me from realizing what a sensitive and loving gesture you've made for me. Thank you."

Loki smirked and kissed her forehead. "Shut up. I'll be nice to you, but no one else."

She curled closer to him, savoring the quiet comfort. "It's really special. But how do you feel?"

"Alright. I'll get used to it," he replied, a playful glint in his eye. "Besides, I can conjure armor if need be."

She laughed softly. "I like it… because you look this way only for me."

"Exactly," he agreed, his voice a gentle whisper. "Only for you."

"This is a better gift than jewelry," she murmured, smiling.

Loki held up a delicate necklace with a shimmering emerald. "Are you sure?"

Kuri blinked, touched. "Oh… an emerald necklace." She lifted her hair and turned around. "Put it on me?"

He fastened it around her neck, and she touched the cool gem before pulling him close, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "It's beautiful. Tell me, what do you think about an Asgardian ball?"

Loki's eyebrow rose. "Are you wanting to go to one? I won't say no."

"Well… your mother was hoping…"

Loki's smile softened. "Mother… wants me to come?"

"Y-yeah. And honestly? I'm just thrilled she approves of me!"

He laughed softly. "I'm glad she does. Alright. We shall go. Together."

Kuri's eyes sparkled. "I'm so happy! She said Odin approves of me, but between you and me, I think the All-Mother lied."

Loki chuckled. "What do you mean?"

"Come on. No way Odin approves of me. Odin doesn't approve of anything," she teased, though a hint of nervousness underlay her words.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Anymore?"

She hesitated. "Uh… so maybe five or six hundred years ago, I was kinda… a warrior priestess?"

Loki's interest was piqued. "Oh, really?! Then he should have no reason to dislike you…."

She smiled sheepishly. "I'm still scared. He's, well, the king of the gods. Promise to protect me, my prince?"

Loki took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers. "I promise. I will do everything in my power to protect you."

They arrived in Asgard, greeted by the grandeur of the golden hall. Kuri, now dressed in a gown Frigga had given her, turned to Loki with anticipation. "How do I look? She said you'd like it…"

He looked her up and down, a mischievous grin forming. "Oh. I love it! It looks perfect on you."

"Uh, Loki… why are you looking at me like that?"

He chuckled. "Oh… it's… it's nothing. Mother has done quite well. I shall thank her when I see her."

Kuri blushed, unable to suppress her grin. "You are giving me quite the look, God of Mischief. Do try to behave in Asgard."

As they entered the hall, Frigga greeted them warmly. "There you are, dear! You two are nearly late! It's almost time for the announcement!"

"Announcement?" Loki asked, eyebrows knitting in confusion.

"Oh, did I say announcement? I meant—oh, look, here comes your brother! Thor! Loki's been waiting for you!" Frigga hurried off, leaving them with Thor.

Kuri turned to him with a mischievous grin. "Merry meet, God of Thunder. How's Mewmew?"

Loki chuckled at Thor's bewildered expression.

Thor blinked, baffled. "Mewmew? You mean Mjolnir?"

She poked the hammer playfully. "Mewmew. 'Cause it's cute, see?"

Thor pulled the hammer away. "It is not cute!"

"Oh, come on," Kuri pressed. "It's… sparky. Mewmew! Can I hug it?"

Thor held Mjolnir out of her reach. "No, I don't think so."

Loki smirked. "Alright, that's enough."

Kuri wrapped her arm around Loki's waist, feigning regret. "Sorry, Thor, but I honestly do think Mewmew is super cute. I mean… I can feel its emotions from across the room. Think maybe it loves you?" She led Loki away, whispering with a grin, "He's going to be wondering about that for months!"

Loki laughed, genuinely amused. "Oh, that was truly amazing!"

Their lightheartedness faded as Frigga announced to the room, "Our son, Loki, has returned to us!"

Kuri gripped Loki's hand, sensing his discomfort. He doesn't like being singled out. What is she doing?

Loki squeezed her hand in return, whispering back, I'm sure Mother has a very good reason for this…

Frigga's voice rang out once more. "And he has found himself a bride!"

Kuri froze, whispering, "Loki… I very much would like to fly us away…"

"I would like that as well… but we must stay…"

They moved before the throne, where Odin regarded them with his penetrating gaze. "So, yeh've returned, boy? And you've caught an angel, have yeh."

Kuri swallowed her nerves and nodded. "Merry meet, All-Father. I am called Krista, Angel of Heven."

Odin raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with both curiosity and challenge. "Are ye now? Or perhaps you are Midoriko, warrior priestess of Midgard? Slayer of Yomi!"

She made a face. Sister totally spread that rumor! I only killed him a little…

Loki smirked. "I do not believe that is fully accurate."

Odin continued, unfazed. "How about the slaughter of the Great Demon Naraku? The introduction of magic to Europe?"

"That was… an accident…"

Odin's eyes narrowed, a glint of respect appearing in them. "There have been several demon lord types all over Midgard that you have slain, or am I wrong?"

"Well, yes, you are correct but…"

"And the introduction and westernization of magical practices?"

Kuri pouted. "Oh, come on, don't blame a girl for what she does on Beltane…"

Odin leaned back, a faint smile forming. "It seems to me you are quite a fitting bride for Loki, God of Mischief."

She huffed, crossing her arms. "Hey! That's not fair! It's his choice, and I won't have you making it for him! Just because he's a prince doesn't mean you can arrange—"

Loki raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "So I get a say in any of this, Father? Though I will not refuse to marry Krista. I have wanted to, yes."

Kuri looked at him, touched. "Don't. You don't have to."

Frigga stepped forward, smiling. "Son, your father is saying it all wrong. What we meant to say is—we approve."

Kuri shook her head with a chuckle. "So you said that with an elaborate announcement?"

Frigga laughed softly. "Oh, that? I just wanted to see what you were after. And when you didn't run over here salivating for the crown, I got my answer."

Kuri grinned. "Well played, Queenie."

"Oh, I like her," Frigga replied, approvingly.

Odin started to speak, "So, the wedding—"

"Husband!" Frigga cut in. "Go on to the ball, you two."

Loki bowed and took Kuri's hand, leading her to the dance floor. "I think that went as well as it should, don't you?"

She nodded, blushing slightly. Oh no, he probably has so many questions! Especially about magic!

Loki raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "So, you can do magic, hm? When were you going to tell me?"

She smirked, gesturing to her appearance. "It wasn't exactly a secret. I assumed you knew. I present Wiccan."

Loki smiled, touched by her thoughtfulness. "I assumed differently."

Her blush deepened. "They… were also for you. But the triquetra—it's kind of a family symbol. My human family. Humans actually have quite an interesting proclivity for magic. That's why I chose a certain one for a vessel half a millennium ago. I was curious what would happen if I would add what YOU call runes into the mix. We just call them Enochian."