Finding your Worth

by Natersgirl, tswrona

Summary:

In this AU story, Loki has brought shame to Asgard. The only way Odin sees fit to right his wrongs is to banish him to Midgard, completely powerless. He was to earn back his powers and his place on Asgard. But will the God of Mischief want his place back after he meets down-on-her-luck bartender, Charlie? Read to find out how their relationship changes both of them.

Chapter 1

“Loki!” Odin bellowed from atop his throne, looking down at his son as Thor stood at his side. “Your actions have cost Asgard too much. For too long you have been allowed to behave in any way you see fit with little retribution. Not this time.” He stood from his seat and took a few steps down towards Loki, his one eye narrowed on him.

“Do you have any words to say for yourself before I deliver your punishment?” he asked with a disappointed shake of his head.

Loki felt himself shrink back slightly. A lot had happened in the past month, from ruining Thor’s coronation, finding out his true lineage, and causing havoc on Jotünheim. He decidedly looked down at the marble floor, not wanting to speak.

Odin scoffed softly. “My boy… I hope that one day I will see you here beside me again,” he said as he shook his head. “As punishment, you will be banished from this realm. You will be stripped of your powers and forced to earn them back. I pray that one day you do.”

“Wh-what??” Loki questioned. “You can’t be serious!” He looked to Frigga. “You can’t do this!”

His mother frowned sadly, crossing her hands in front of her. “He can,” she told him softly. “Loki… you can earn them back. Learn to be humble, to be good…”

“Your mother cannot save you now,” Odin said. “You will learn to live without your powers in order to gain the right to have them. And you’ll do so on Midgard.”

“Midgard!” Loki fumed. “This is ridiculous.”

“We’ll see how ridiculous it sounds after you’ve lived as a Midguadian,” Odin told him, stepping back. “We will miss you, my son. I truly hope you learn.” Using dark energy, Odin conjured magic in his hand before he launched it at Loki to send him away.

As Loki fell, his clothing changed from green and gold to green and khaki. The royal emblems removed from his arms and his magic dissipated to nothing as he hit the ground.

~~~~~~~

The night had been quiet. The restaurant had been relatively slow, which didn’t bode well for Charlie’s tips tonight. She made it out with less than half of what she usually made and as she walked home through the streets, her mind toiled over the bills she knew she had to pay.

As she contemplated what jobs she could pick up as a second gig, her eyes caught sight of something screaming through the sky. She stopped in her tracks, watching as it hit the ground in a thud behind a construction barrier.

“What the hell…” she murmured to herself, slowly approaching the site.

Meanwhile Loki laid on his back in the crater his body had made, staring up at the stars. “Ow,” he grunted, feeling pain radiate through his limbs.

“You should really just go home… why are you being curious?” Charlie asked herself, her long, wavy dark blonde hair blowing in the breeze. She stopped when she heard a voice and narrowed her eyes on the crater. Was that… a person?

“Oh my god,” she said, rushing to the side of the crater to look inside. “Ar-are you okay? There’s no way…”

Hearing a feminine voice, Loki turned slightly to see a woman standing over him. Of course. Some midgardian that believes they can save the day. He sat up stiffly and sighed at feeling more pain. “I’m… I'm fine.”

“How in the… how are you okay? You just fell out of the sky!” she asked, her jaw open.

Great… Loki looked back up at the woman before he slowly stood and brushed himself off. “My name is Loki,” he replied simply, as if it would be answer enough.

Charlie’s face contorted in confusion. “Okay… my name is Charlie,” she replied hesitantly. “That does not answer how the hell you just survived crash landing into the Earth. Are you… are you an alien?” She asked, looking him up and down. He didn’t look like an alien.

Sighing, Loki climbed from the crater and stood before her. He quickly noted that she barely reached his shoulders. “You might know my idiot brother. He’s the whole reason I’m here.”

“Okay… you’re only giving more questions every time you speak,” Charlie said, holding her hands up in defeat. “You seem fine, you may or may not be an alien, and I do not need more complications in my life right now,” she scoffed as she backed away.

He furrowed his brows as the young woman continued to back away. How am I supposed to do this?

Confusion seemed to be matched between them. Did this guy even know who he was? What kind of name is Loki? “Do I need to call the government now or something?” she muttered to herself, raking her fingers through her hair.

“No, no… don’t do that,” he sighed. “You’re right, that I’m not from here. I’m not quite an alien either.”

Not quite an alien? Charlie’s brows spoke of her continued confusion. “Okay, not quite an alien but you’re not from here…” None of this was making any sense. “What does that even mean?”

Loki sighed and gripped the bridge of his nose. “Have you heard of Thor?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Like… from mythology?” she asked. “Yeah, I’ve heard of him…”

“He’s my brother,” Loki answered simply.

Her face contorted again as she processed his words and her mouth dropped open before she spoke. “The mythical god Thor… is your brother?” she asked. Oh great, he’s crazy.

“Yes… I would prove it if I could,” he told her as he began looking around where they stood. “Where are we exactly? What… city?”

She scoffed softly to herself in disbelief. She looked around as he did. “Enclave City,” she answered. “Does that mean anything to you? East coast of the United States?”

He shook his head. “I don’t recall being here before.” Loki turned and continued to look around but he only seemed more lost.

As she watched him, Charlie couldn’t help but feel something for him. He looked completely lost. You don’t have to help him. Just walk away. That’s the smart move. She groaned a little to herself. “Do you… need direction or something?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t even know what direction to ask for,” he mused.

Fair enough. She nodded awkwardly and looked around them again. “Okay, so… I’m gonna go,” she said, gesturing back through the fence she’d come from. “Have a… good time on Earth, I guess?”

Loki turned and watched as she went. “Uh… sure.”

She was walking away, she was. Charlie turned away from the strange man and walked back through the fence, nodding to herself. “You don’t need those problems,” she murmured to herself. But as she glanced back, the helplessness she saw before her paused her movements. The more she thought about it, the more she came to realize if this guy really did believe that he was some god sent to Earth, then he truly was lost. And again, there was that crash landing he survived so… maybe? Either way, he was alone and lost.

Sighing at herself, she turned back and waved at him from the distance. “Hey… do you need, like… food? To… figure out a place to stay?” she asked.

“Food?” Loki asked as he stepped forward, feeling his stomach growl. “Food sounds good.”

“Um, okay,” she said, biting her lip as she looked around once again. “It’s pretty late and most things are closed… but I have leftovers from the restaurant I work at and you can have them,” she told him, taking another step toward him. “I… live down the block.”

Loki swallowed thickly. He wasn’t quick to trust anyone, even family. It looked like Charlie was the same way. “Okay.”

Charlie nodded. “Okay,” she agreed, waving for him to join her. She looked him up and down as he approached. He was tall, lean but muscular. His long dark hair made his light eyes stand out. They were almost mesmerizing. As he reached her, she offered him a wary smile and began to walk towards her apartment. “So have you been… to Earth before?” she asked, the question sounding crazy coming out of her mouth.

“Not in quite some time,” Loki answered. “Things were a lot different then.”

“Different how?” she asked, glancing back at him as he followed her. “How… old are you?”

“Over a thousand,” Loki answered. “Things were a lot less… modern.”

A thousand?! Her expression read of her disbelief but she didn’t argue with him. He looked maybe to be in his 30’s. “Yeah, well… technology moves fast nowadays,” she remarked as they reached her building. She grabbed her keys and unlocked the front door before beginning up the stairs.

They walked to the third floor before she stopped in front of her apartment door and unlocked it. It was a small loft apartment, her bedroom up a few stairs and the rest of the apartment open. She held the door open for the tall, strange man and locked it behind them. “You can… take a seat,” she said, gesturing to the table. “I’ll get you the food.”

Loki nodded as he looked around with curious eyes. “S-sure.”

The space wasn’t much, but Charlie had done what she could with it. It was draped in twinkle lights that were currently off, the curtains a dusty blue. In her living space there was a small couch and a wooden crate coffee table, and beside her small kitchen was a two person table.

She pulled off her jacket and hung it by the door before she dropped her backpack and went to the fridge. Inside were numerous takeout containers, and she pulled out one. It was only a sandwich, but it wasn’t like she knew the guy’s dietary preferences. Walking over to the table, she set the container down before reaching up to brush her long, wavy hair behind her ears. She looked at him with her big doe eyes then. “So, can I ask… how did you get here?” He wasn’t an alien, but was he from space? That’s where it looked like he came from.

“I was cast out,” Loki answered. “For stupid reasons,” he rolled his eyes, “But my so-called father cast me here.”

“And that father is… same as Thor, so Odin?” she asked, going to the cabinet to get out a glass. Going to the bottle of vodka in the freezer, she pulled it out and poured herself a glass. She glanced over at the man who claimed to be Loki. “Want some?”

As Loki sat at the table, he shrugged. “Why not?”

Charlie went to the cabinet for a second glass and poured some for Loki before she picked up both glasses and carried one to him. She set it down before she took a long sip from her own glass. “So what were the reasons? The ones you say are stupid,” she asked, taking a seat at the other chair at the table.

“Odin wants my brother to become his successor. So out of good fun I crashed his coronation.”

“Crashed it how?” she asked curiously. For as outlandish a story as he was giving her, it was at least interesting. “And that was bad enough to have you sent away?”

“I… Let slip how to get in to Asgard to the Frost Giants… so they technically crashed the coronation.”

Asgard. Frost Giants. Jesus, I’m going to have to google Norse mythology. “That does sound bad, I guess… so you’re a god? That’s what all of this amounts to? A god cast out to Earth?” She watched his face and couldn’t help but break into a small laugh. “Okay, I just have to acknowledge how absolutely crazy that sounds.”

Loki ram one hand through his jet black hair as he took a sip of the clear liquid. “That’s not the worst of it… this is good.”

Charlie gave him a wry smile. “Vodka. Welcome to Earth,” she replied with a small smirk of amusement. “So that wasn’t the worst of it, what was?”

“I found out…” Loki sighed and knocked back his glass. “My lineage is not what I always believed.”

It was like he spoke in riddles. “Your lineage…” she murmured before taking another sip of her drink. “Ah, family. Sorry, people don’t really talk like that here. So you found out… your mom is really your sister? Or…”

Loki grimaced. “I found out I was taken as a child. Adopted. I am a race Asguardians are taught to hate from childhood.”

“Oh…” she breathed, chewing on her lip a little. “That certainly complicated things. And you were pissed? Which would be understandable…”

“Infuriated,” Loki replied simply as he stared at his empty glass.

“Want more?” she asked, raising a brow. She got up from the chair and went to the counter, bringing the bottle of vodka over to the table. “Okay, you were infuriated. Did you act on that fury?”

Loki nodded. “I used my anger and my brother’s and almost caused a war…”

“Ah… I’m understanding more of why adopted dad was mad,” she replied, finishing her drink and pouring herself another. “So he sent you away… why here?”

“For me to learn,” Loki sighed.

She wrinkled her nose. “Learn what?”

“I don’t know. He just said I have to earn my powers and entitlement back.” He scoffed and rolled his eyes before sipping on his drink again. “I don’t want it in the first place.”

“Oh… then I guess there’s no point in earning it back, huh?” she suggested, shrugging. “If you don’t want it in the first place. And I’m guessing Dad didn’t give you any hints as to how to earn it back?”

“No hints. Supposed to do it on my own… he’s not my father,” Loki growled with a shake of his head.

Charlie held up her hands in defense. “Sorry,” she acknowledged, lifting her glass to her lips to finish a final long sip of her first glass. “So normally you have… powers? What kind of powers exactly?” she asked curiously. If she was going along with his premise, she wanted details.

Loki shrugged. “Shape shifting, reading memories, and illusions among other things.”

He said those things as if they weren’t completely off the wall. What was this Asgard like exactly? “Illusions? Like a magician?” she asked, a small smirk of amusement on the corner of her lips.

His eyes narrowed. “Better. Although when I was a lot younger I actually was here portraying as one.”

“Well it’s cheating if the magic is real,” she told him as she reached out to pour herself a second glass. “How often would you come here? And for what?”

“I haven’t been here in a long time. The last was to get a break from my family.”

“Wow… your family must be something,” she observed. “So… you have to be here, without your magic, and figure out how to earn them back? That sounds like a hard pill to swallow.”

Loki sighed softly and nodded as he took the last drink from his glass. “Very.”

“Do you have any kind of plan?” she asked curiously. “How much do you know about living on Earth? Are you, like… human now?”

“I’m still me,” he shrugged. “But more mortal than god, yes. As far as a plan, I don’t have one. It’s been hundreds of your years since I’ve been here.”

Charlie sat back in her chair, crossing her graceful legs loosely as she sighed. “You know this all sounds bat shit crazy, right?” she asked, raising a brow. “If I hadn’t seen you survive what should have incinerated a person… well, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

Loki nodded as he downed the rest of his drink. “If I could show you, I would.”

“I guess I’ll just have to believe you. If you earn ‘em back, though, I want to see,” she told him before taking another long sip from her glass. “I’m guessing you don’t have money, right? Not a lot you can do on Earth without money.”

He only shook his head, his green eyes watching her apprehension. “I do not.”

Charlie puffed out her cheeks as her delicate finger traced the rim of her now empty glass. “You’re in quite a pickle…” she observed. And so am I. I let you in my home.

“I’ll figure it out,” Loki shrugged. He looked around the small home before clearing his throat. “I don’t want to intrude on you anymore than I have. I will find accomodations for the night and… and…”

Charlie sighed. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her tip money for the night. She set it on the table and slid it over to him. “That should be enough to get you a hotel for a night or two.”

“I couldn’t possibly take it,” he told her. “I may be deemed a monster but I won’t take from someone who needs it more than I.”

A small smirk appeared on the corner of her lips. “Did you just assume I was needy?” she asked with almost amusement. “I might not be royalty, but I can live without a day’s pay.” He doesn’t need to know my situation.

Loki still shook his head and stood, leaving the green papers on the table. “I’ll be fine. You earned that. I did not.”

She watched him as he stood, leaving the money where it was. She’d collect it later. “I could… probably get you a job, if you wanted to earn some money. But… you’re royalty, right? Does that mean you have no real job skills?”

“I’m knowledgeable. I like to read, study, and know anything about anything,” he shrugged.

“Okay… could you learn cocktails? We are looking for a bartender,” she told him with a small shrug. “I know it’s nothing fancy or learned but it makes cash.” .”

“A bartender? Someone who serves… drinks, right?”

Charlie nodded. “Yep. You’d make them and give them to the bar patrons, or to the waitresses like me who would take them out,” she explained. It felt strange to explain something so common, but it clearly wasn’t for him.

“It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out,” he shrugged. “Is there anything I could… read about it?”

Her smile turned up a little. “Let me introduce you to the Internet,” she said. “You can read anything about anything on there.” She got up from the table and walked past Loki to go to her small living room area. “I guess… if you’re okay with the couch, you could stay here tonight. Read up, and… we can get you the job tomorrow.”

Loki shifted, standing in one place as he watched her. “I don’t want to impose.”

“You’d only be imposing if you tried to take the bed,” she remarked, sitting on the couch and pulling her computer forward to open it up. She glanced up at the tall man then and tapped the seat on the couch next to her. “Come on.”

Swallowing thickly, Loki did as she asked and sat beside her on the couch. He watched as she messed with the technology in front of her with curiosity. “I wouldn’t do that,” he commented. “Not unless you asked.”

She pulled up a Google search on the computer and glanced back at the dark haired man for a moment. Unless I asked? How novel. She cleared her throat a little and looked back at the screen, typing in first a basic search for bartender skills. Clicking on a page, she pulled it up for Loki before she pushed the computer more in front of him. “Here. You can look for anything you want.”

“Thank you,” he said softly as he pulled the flat screen towards him. Loki instantly began reading, devouring anything he could.

“I’m going to get ready for bed,” she told him, offering him a small smile before she got up from the couch and walked up the set of stairs to the open air loft bedroom. She was tired; she was always tired.

Loki pulled the laptop into his lap and continued to read and study. He vaguely heard Charlie rummaging in the loft but his attention was fully on gathering information.

Charlie gathered her pajamas and went to the bathroom to change. This was not how she pictured her evening going. She assumed she’d go home, have a drink and pass out, not meet some… non-alien. She processed as she washed her face and brushed her teeth. This was all insane, really. And of course it happened to her.

She had a lot of other things on her plate. She hadn’t been feeling well lately and she knew why. Even without the test results. She’d been waiting for them, though she knew the answer.

She stepped out of the bathroom and pulled her long hair into a messy bun. She came to the edge railing and looked down at Loki working. “I think there’s a book of cocktails on my bookshelf. Might want to peruse that too,” she suggested.

Loki looked up at Charlie and gave her a small smile. “Sure. I can take a look.” He watched her for a few moments, noting the sudden tiredness in her eyes. “Are you alright?”

For now. “Yeah, I’m fine… just a long day,” she told him. “Human, earthly bullshit will take it out if you.”

He watched on, able to sense she wasn’t telling the whole truth, but he let it go. “Get some rest. I will lie here on the couch once I’ve read as much as I can handle.”

She offered him a small, almost weak smile. “Night,” she said, stepping back from the railing. She went back to where her bed was and turned off the light. Maybe she shouldn’t be able to sleep with a stranger just down below, but her body didn’t have energy in it to stay awake.

Until a few hours later when she began to toss and turn. Her body broke out in sweat. The fevers were starting. She writhed uncomfortably, even whining a little in her sleep.

Still awake, now reading a fiction book he’d found, Loki looked up towards the loft with a furrowed brow. “Charlie?”

She didn’t wake, she only tossed and turned again as she whimpered. In her sleep she threw off her covers in an effort to find some relief from the heat that had overtaken her body.

Becoming concerned, Loki stood and climbed the stairs to the loft. The sight of Charlie tossing made him unsettled. He could see she was flushed and sweating. With one touch he could tell she was ill. Why do I care? Mortals get sick all the time… why is she different?

Sighing deeply, Loki stripped out of his pants, leaving him in just a pair of boxers. Slowly he sat on the edge of the bed then laid beside her, flush against her skin. Loki knew his cooler skin would help cool her heated body.

She let out a sound of relief as his body gently cooled the skin he touched. Slowly, it was enough to stir her weary body and she blinked her eyes open, confused. “Wha…” she murmured, her mouth and throat dry.

“You’re alright,” Loki stated calmly. “You have a fever. I… run colder than most. It was all I could think of to do.”

“You’re in bed with me…” she mumbled as she slowly, somewhat weakly began to sit up. “Water… I need water.”

Loki gently laid her back down. “Stay here. I will get it.” He sat up, turning his back to her before standing. Then ventured downstairs.

Charlie watched him as he turned, his sculpted back coming into view and it almost took her aback. He was so toned, he looked almost carved out of stone. If her fever weren’t so high, she might have blushed, but her face was already flushed. She rolled over to her end table and picked up the bottle of ibuprofen to get a few out into her hand. She had to get her fever down.

It wasn’t long before Loki returned and crouched down just in time to catch the bottle from falling from her fingers. “Easy does it.”

Her hands trembled a little as she reached out to take the water. “Thank you,” she said weakly, tossing the pills into her mouth before bringing the glass to her lips. She spilled a little but didn’t care; the cool water felt nice on her heated skin. She tossed her head back and rested it back against the headboard as she swallowed. “I hate when this happens…” she groaned.

Loki’s brow furrowed in confusion. “You’re ill often?”

“Mm hm,” she affirmed, carefully bringing the water to her lips again. She took a long sip before lowering the cup shakily. “More and more over the last few months… that’s how I know the leukemia’s back…”

“Leukemia?” He asked. What is that?

Right. He wasn’t from here. She sighed exhaustedly, closing her eyes for a moment. “Cancer,” she offered, though she didn’t know if that would be any better. “My… blood is sick.”

Loki frowned. He would have to look into it more to understand. “Do you want me to keep you cool again?”

She furrowed her brows a little as she looked him up and down. He was a complete stranger, from another… dimension, or whatever, but she didn’t feel any threat. “Why are you so cold?” she asked curiously, swallowing thickly.

“Because I’m a… something that is supposed to live in the cold,” Loki answered calmly.

She angled her head a little. “What’s it called?” she asked. He’d been about to say, but he’d backtracked. He would learn what leukemia was, she could learn too.

He sighed. “The race I told you about. That I almost caused a war with. The frost giants. When we ended up in their realm, one of them grabbed my arm as we fought. To any Asgardian it would burn and give you instant frostbite. I merely turned blue.”

Frost giants. Am I sure this isn’t a fever dream? It sounded like a fairytale. Giants, war, realms… she went along with it all, though. “That’s how you knew your dad wasn’t your dad,” she observed aloud. “Loki, that… that’s a shitty way to find out. I’m sorry.”

“It was hidden my whole life. Not even my mother told me,” Loki huffed. But he shook his head pushing it to the back of his mind. “Enough of me.” He rested one hand on her forehead. “You’re still burning.”

Charlie absently leaned into the cool contact of his hand. “The medicine will take a little while,” she told him. Without much thought, she reached forward and took his other hand, bringing it to the side of her face. “You feel good.”

“Let me help you,” he murmured.

She held his eyes, her own soft green reflecting in his deeper ones and in spite of herself, she nodded. His cooler body felt so good against her skin. She slowly slid back down into the bed more fully as he climbed in. “Just… whatever way you can touch the most of me.”

Loki laid back down, flush against her, and rested one of his legs over both of hers. “Is this okay?”

She nodded, a soft sound of relief escaping her as she absorbed the coolness he offered. “Thank you… this is so weird…” she murmured, unable to help herself.

“A little,” he agreed. “But you’ve been so kind to me… I don’t want to see you suffer.”

She swallowed thickly again, her eyes heavy and drifting closed. “You might not want to stay here then,” she told him honestly.

Loki furrowed his brow once more. “I’ll help you as long as I am able.”

“It’ll get worse before it gets better… if it gets better,” she told him as she tried to relax against him. “I’ve done this before… when I was in high school.”

Charlie… What is going on? Loki dared to gently tuck loose hair behind her ear. He watched her as she breathed deeply, resting beside him with her eyes closed.

This should feel wrong, strange, but all she felt from the man was comfort. He didn’t owe her anything, but he was offering it anyway. As she laid against him, she slowly blinked her eyes opened. “Tell me about where you’re from… Asgard,” she asked of him softly.

“Asgard? It’s… It’s a beautiful place. There’s a large golden building in the middle, the palace, then the people all live around it in various sizes of homes. There’s a long bridge called The Bifrost, that leads to the observatory. It looks like a million colors all put together… a… rainbow.”

Her pale eyes drifted closed again at the soothing quality of his voice, his lilting accent drawing her in. She tried to picture the magical place he described behind her eyelids, the faintest hint of a smile brushing onto her dry lips. “It sounds like a fairy tale,” she mused. “Nothing like here.”

“It is remarkable,” he agreed. “Although my memories aren’t all the best ones when it comes to Asgard.”

“With your… not family?” she asked, rolling into him a little further unconsciously as she slowly grew less feverish.

Loki chuckled softly. “Maybe if I had a way to show you, I would. For you,” he assured.

For her. That qualifier wasn’t lost on her. “If you get your powers back, I’d like to see them,” she told him. “You know, before you disappear back to Asgard.”

He sighed as he stared up at the ceiling. “I’m not sure if I even want to go back.”

“Well… I’m sure you won’t stay here,” Charlie mused. “Before you disappear and I never see you again, I want to see those powers. Maybe you can show me a beautiful illusion.” Maybe one where I’m not sick.

Loki gently ran one hand over her hair as he watched her fall asleep. He’d just met her, and he knew he would be called crazy, but he wanted to help in any way he could.

It wasn’t long before Charlie was asleep nestled into him, the cooler temperature of his body pulling her into a sense of comfort. Her dreams were of the mystical land he’d described.

Chapter 2

The next time Charlie woke, the morning sun was streaming into the room. She slowly blinked her eyes open to find Loki gone from her bed. She wondered what he was up learning now.

Down in the small living room, Loki sat on the couch, a book in his face as he read. He’d woken up early and felt it was safe enough to allow Charlie to be alone for a while.

Her fever had broken at some point; she was sweaty in bed when she awoke and wiped her brow as she slowly sat up. Her eyes held the light out the windows for a long few moments before she looked around the rest of the apartment. And there was Loki, reading.

A small smile graced her face as she carefully slid her legs out of bed. She still felt tired, her body felt heavy. And she just felt unwell, but she has a job to do today. She could afford to be out. Besides, she needed to get Loki that job.

“Find anything interesting?” She asked as she slowly descended the stairs, careful to hold the railings for support.

“I started a book of fiction,” he answered. “Your searching device lost power.”

“Oh, sorry, I can charge it,” she told him as her feet landed at the base of the stairs. “Think you can be a bartender today?” she asked as she approached, running her fingers through her hair.

“I can try,” he answered. “Do you think you’ll be well enough?”

She scoffed softly. “Yes, I have to be,” she answered surely. She sat down on the couch beside him and reached for the charger, plugging it in. “We should get you a phone once you get some money,” she observed aloud. “Everyone needs a phone.”

Loki watched her, concerned. He’d done his research before the device had died late in the night. “Charlie…”

“Hm?” she asked, her weary eyes turning to meet his. She recognized that look and she began to shake her head. “Don’t look at me like that…”

“Like what?” He asked curiously. “I was just going to say you need to take care of yourself too. Not just the job.”

Charlie sighed heavily in reply. “I have to pay for treatment, so the job is just as important,” she explained. “I know it’s just waiting tables and serving drinks, but it pays for my life, Loki.”

“I apologize… I didn’t mean to offend,” he replied gently.

She sighed softly, sitting back a little. “It’s okay, you didn’t… I just get defensive,” she shared quietly. “When you’re sick, everyone looks at you differently. I just… don’t want that.”

“You’re not different,” he told her. “You’re fighting a war all on your own. Which makes you one of the strongest mortals in the world.”

She turned to take in his face, his eyes as his words washed over her. “Thank you, Loki,” she said softly. “Hopefully it’s a war I’ll win again.”

Loki smiled. It had been a long time since anyone had thanked him for anything. “You will,” he assured. “You’re strong.”

“Maybe if you say it enough, I’ll feel it,” she replied, sighing softly. “Ok… I’m gonna make coffee. Do you think you’d like that kind of thing?” she asked.

“I’ve never had it,” he shrugged.

“It’s what we earthlings drink for energy,” she explained as she got up. “Then I need to shower, and we can head over to the restaurant and get you a job.”

Loki stood and quietly followed her over to the small kitchenette. “I could try it,” he shrugged. “Although I wasn’t much for Midgard fare the last time I was here.”

“Midgard… is what you call Earth?” she asked as she went about the familiar task of making coffee. “And to be fair, you said it was a long time ago when you were here last. The food has gotten much better.”

Loki watched on with curious eyes. “It is. I’m hoping so, about the food.”

“Have faith,” she said as she turned on the coffee pot. She leaned against the counter, then, smoothing her hands over her face. “I think my fever’s almost gone… I hope it stays that way. I’m really not wanting to go to the hospital.”

“I don’t want you to need a healer either. But if you must… I won’t leave your side. If it helps,” he told her. I feel like I should be here for her. Even if I barely know her.

As the coffee percolated, Charlie lowered her hands and looked across at the man. “You barely even know me… why?” she asked, genuinely.

Loki pondered a moment. Why did he want to help Charlie? He looked back up at her and let his shoulders fall slightly. “You’ve been kind to me.”

That was all it took? Most humans, it would take significantly more to want to support a near stranger. Her expression softened, though, as she watched him. “Not many people have been kind to you, have they?” she asked.

A frown marred Loki’s features. “I’m that… it’s that noticeable, huh?”

“When you react like that… yeah,” she answered gently as the coffee finished brewing. She turned to get out two mugs before pouring a cup for herself and one for Loki in case he wanted it.

“Mostly my mother is who was kind to me… sometimes Thor,” Loki replied. “But I lived in my brother’s shadow…”

“That’s tough,” she remarked as she picked up her coffee cup to take a sip before she handed one out to Loki. “It’s hot, so be careful,” she told him gently. “Both of my siblings have high paying jobs, and here I am. So I know a little about what that’s like.”

Loki enjoyed the heat from the mug as it seeped into his hands. He stared down at the black liquid with a sigh. “It’s… harrowing at times.”

“Did they pit you against each other sometimes? You and Thor?” she asked curiously as she blew on her coffee before taking another sip.

“At times,” he nodded. “Thor is the golden one… I’m the silver snake, as they say.”

“Did you earn the nickname?” she asked nonjudgmentally. “You are the God of Mischief after all, aren’t you?”

Loki smirked slightly. “I am. I’m also known for my silver tongue.”

Charlie smirked in reply. “So, I should watch out for that then, huh?” she asked, raising a brow.

He raised his in reply. “We’ll see.”

“Uh oh… I guess I’ve been warned,” she said with a soft laugh in her voice. She took a long sip of her coffee as she pushed herself from leaning on the counter. “Okay, I need to shower to get all of the fever sweat off of me.”

“Sure.” Loki took a tentative sip of his coffee and grimaced. “This is very bitter.”

Charlie couldn’t help but snicker a little. “Sorry, I drink it black like this. But you can add sugar to make it sweeter, and some milk is in the fridge,” she offered. “Maybe you don’t need coffee at all. You don’t have to drink it.”

“I will see what I can find,” he replied as he sat his mug on the table beside him.

She grabbed the sugar for him and set it out on the counter, so it was easy to find. “The milk is the white stuff… in case you weren’t sure,” she told him, shrugging. She didn’t know what he knew and what he didn’t. “I’ll be back when I’m finished.”

She left him then and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She wondered if he could tell how exhausted she was, how weak she felt. She wondered, too, what he’d read about her illness. Those thoughts all bounced around in her head as she showered.

As Charlie showered, Loki added some sugar to his coffee and stirred it before tasting it again. “Much better,” he mused.

Charlie took a slow, careful shower, knowing that she was still feeling weak. She needed to eat something. But first she had to feel human again.

Once she finished, she got out and realized she hasn’t brought in clothes to change into. Biting her lip, she chose to step out wrapped in her towel.

“Loki,” she called out as she cracked the door open. “Can I… ask you to go look out the window for a few minutes? I… need to get dressed.” She didn’t have a bedroom door.

Turning his head towards the bathroom, Loki furrowed his brow. “Sure,” he answered before turning and walking up to the large window that overlooked her street.

“Thank you,” she said, giving him the time to move past the bathroom before she pulled her towel tight and walked out and up the stairs to her bedroom. There, she found a pair of jeans that were clean and pulled them on before finding a black tee shirt and tugging it on. She found a sweater handing over the chair at her cluttered desk and she tugged it over her shoulders before she sat on her bed to pull on shoes.

“You can turn back around now,” she told Loki as she put in a pair of ankle boots.

Loki licked his lips and turned. He’d gotten a glimpse in the windows reflection, but he wouldn’t let her know that. “Decent again?”

“Yes,” she answered as she got up and walked back down the stairs from the lofted bedroom. “Sorry, I’m not used to having people here. It’s usually just me here.”

He turned to face her once more and shrugged. “It’s your home.””

“I guess so,” she agreed, slowly braiding her long, dark blond hair into a braid down her shoulder. “Okay, so… do you have questions about how to… interact with other humans? I wouldn’t go into the whole god thing…”

“I believe I could figure something out to tell people,” he replied. “Silver Tongue.”

“Fair enough,” she replied. Something about his quiet confidence affected her, or maybe she was just woozy. “Do you want to go by Loki? I mean, you’re obviously foreign so maybe your folks are just big mythology fans.”

“It wouldn’t bother me to,” he answered easily. “I don’t think I’ll have a line of followers.”

Charlie nodded in agreement, tugging her sweater around her shoulders. Now she felt a chill. “Okay. Do you feel ready to head down there? Now’s a good time, they’re not quite open for brunch yet.”

“I don’t mind,” he answered. “I don’t have any clothes besides what I have, but I think I’m clean enough.”

“We’ll have to get you at least a few things,” she said as she moved over to the doorway to grab her backpack and slung it over her shoulder. “I have a credit card, and you can pay me back,” she added, knowing already that he’d resist her paying for things. But the reality was that right now, she was his only source of money.

“Charlie, I don’t want to hurt your income,” he replied, following her out of the door.

She sighed a little. “It’s credit. That means I can pay it back later,” she explained. “I’ll pay it back after you get me the money. The bartenders here can make a good amount, and with your silver tongue there’s no reason you won’t.”

Loki huffed as he followed her down the hall. “Fine. I shall pay you back.”

“Job, clothes, phone. Three things you’re definitely going to need,” she said, taking the stairs down to the main floor before exiting onto the street. “We can get all of those things today.”

“Okay. But what are you going to tell your job about me?” He asked curiously.

“Friend from Europe. You just moved here and are looking for a job,” she answered, her eyes scanning the street as they walked. “We met a few years ago when I did some traveling there. Keep it vague. It’s believable.”

Loki nodded as he mulled things in his head. “I can do that.”

“You can be a dark and mysterious foreigner, right?” she asked with a small smirk. With his long, dark hair and angled features, he certainly had that look about him.

“Dark and mysterious, huh?” He asked, a grin on his face.

“Yeah, I thought you might like that,” she remarked, rolling her eyes softly though that smirk was still present. As they approached the restaurant, she looked up at him. “Show time.”

The restaurant was still closed, so she stopped at the front entrance and knocked, knowing one of her coworkers would let her in.

A young woman opened the door, smiling once she saw it was Charlie. “Hey you, your shift isn’t until later.”

“I know, but I have a favor to ask Mark. He’s here, right?” Charlie asked as she stepped in, holding the door open for Loki. “I found a bartender to fill Carson’s slot.”

The young woman’s eyes widened at seeing Loki. “Yeah, uh… he’s in his office.”

“Thanks,” Charlie replied before she nodded for Loki to follow her back towards the office. As they walked through the restaurant, she waved at her colleagues and once they got to the office, she knocked.

“Mark?” she said, pushing the ajar door open. “This is my friend, Loki. I was thinking he could be the solution to our bartender problem.”

Mark looked up from his computer and did a double take. “Oh, really now?” He ran one hand through his sandy hair.

“Yeah. He just moved here from Europe. Has an accent and everything. The women will eat it up,” Charlie said, building up the cause to give this man the job.

Loki blinked, listening to Charlie’s story. It made him almost laugh as she continued on about him, using the story she’d thought of on the way to the bar. Meanwhile Mark was eating it all up. “He is a bit of a smoke show,” he grinned, “If I didn’t have Greg, I think I would ask for him instead.”

“Soon, people will be saying Greg, who?” she replied with a smirk of her own. She knew it wouldn’t be a hard sell. “Could he start during my shift tonight? Give him a try?”

“He needs trained, are you up to the task?” Mark asked.

“Mark, how many people here have I trained? I’ve worked here longer than anyone but you,” Charlie replied with confidence. She needed to present confidently, or this might not work. They didn’t know she was sick either. She’d tell them… eventually.

Mark nodded. “You’re right, you're right. You can train him. Show him the ropes.”

“Awesome. Thank you,” she replied, wringing her hands graciously. “We’ll see you tonight. I’ll get him dressed right.”

She backed out of the office then, casting a glance with an easy smile at Loki. One barrier passed.

Loki followed behind Charlie, curious about his upcoming job in the realm. “What now?”

“Well, we need to get you clothes for work and a phone. So, we’ll take care of those things now,” she told him as they walked out of the restaurant and onto the street. “My shift is later tonight starting at four.”

“Okay,” he replied. “I’ll follow your lead.”

As they walked down the street, Charlie heard her phone begin to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and saw the number. She felt a flush of cold move through her and silenced the call before sliding her phone back into her pocket.

“What… what was that?” Loki asked as they walked. “Whatever it was, has made you angry.”

“I’m not angry,” she replied, stopping at the end of the sidewalk at the crosswalk to wait for the light. “I’m just… avoiding. It was my… doctor.” She knew why he was calling, and she’d call him back. Just… not yet.

Loki furrowed his brow. “Wouldn’t that be an important call to take? Your healer?”

Healer. The way he said the word was so interesting. She sighed as she tried to figure out how to explain her thoughts. “I’ll call him back, I just… I’m not quite ready to deal yet and he’s going to want me to start treatment, like, tomorrow. So, I just need to wrap my head around that.”

“Treatment… I looked at what that was,” Loki admitted softly. “What could happen sounds worse than what it is supposed to do.”

“The treatment is… hard,” she offered with a scoff. “And I just… I’ve done it once before, so I know what I’m in for. And I know I need it, and I’ll do it… I just need a day or two to get used to the idea.”

Loki frowned softly as they walked, mulling things over in his head. “Okay.”

She felt a heaviness in the pit of her stomach as they walked. She knew to some it wouldn’t make sense, her desire to wait. But they hadn’t walked in her shoes before. “So, you’ve been reading about my illness and the treatment, huh?” she asked, glancing back at him. “Thoughts?”

“That Midgard should find better ways to treat harsh illnesses,” Loki stated as they stopped at another crosswalk.

She scoffed and nodded. “You could say that again,” she agreed. “Do you all get sick on Asgard? How do they deal with it there?” she asked curiously.

“There are illnesses,” he nodded. “But our healers do their best not to hurt their patients. We don’t like suffering.” Supposed to anyway.

“To be fair, they’re not trying to hurt us. But sometimes the treatment is just rough on the body, like this one is,” she explained, walking across the crosswalk towards a store down the block. “Our medical science is only but so advanced, I guess.” She couldn’t help but wonder about what treatment she might get on Asgard.

“It’s a lot to think about,” Loki admitted.

“Well, maybe one day I’ll be able to go to another planet to get better treatment but it’s not looking like that’ll be in my lifetime,” she said somewhat darkly as they arrived at a storefront.

“We’ll get you clothes first,” she said as she reached to open the door.

“Clothes sound good,” he agreed.

The store wasn’t crowded, it was still early. She walked with Loki to the men’s section. “You’ll need black pants and white button ups for work,” she told him, walking over to some pants hanging in a display. “You can wear a tie or a vest if you want to.”

Loki nodded as he looked around the store. “If I had my magic, I would just conjure it… but this will have to do.”

“You can conjure your wardrobe?” she asked, raising her brows. “Hm… that seems handy.” She chose a few pairs of pants before she moved over to white collared shirts. “We can get you some casual things too, so just… see if you like anything.”

Loki nodded as he looked at the headless mannequins showing off outfits. “How will we know if I can wear any of this?”

“You try it on,” she shared, glancing back at him as she picked up a few different sizes of shirts. “Here,” she said, walking back over to him to hand him what she’d picked up. “Take these into a dressing room and try them on, see what fits. Then we can get more once we know your size.” He was tall and lean, but muscular.

“Sure.” Loki took the shirts and looked around before noticing a row of little rooms nearby. “There, I assume?”

“Yep,” Charlie affirmed, handing him a few pairs of pants as well. “Come out and show me if anything fits.”

Loki sighed to himself as he turned and walked over to the small rooms. He picked one and went inside before he took off his tunic and pulled on one of the shirts. The first was baggy, but the second fit a lot better. He turned and stepped out, leaving the shirt unbuttoned. “This one fits,” he told her.

She turned from the racks to take him in, her eyes struggling to pull away from his chest and abs. Good genes on Asgard. She cleared her throat a little and nodded, approaching him. “Looks good,” she said with a small smile. “Try it with the pants and we’ll put a work look together for you.”

He nodded as he held back a smile. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

She nodded, chewing on the inside of her lip for a moment before she turned back to the racks of clothes. He’d need some casual things as well as a few sets of work clothes. Honestly, she didn’t care about the prices she saw on the tags. Either he’d pay her back, or she darkly figured that she might just die and not have to deal with it.

Soon, Loki stepped out of the small room and turned to look in a mirror. Even he had to admit, he looked pretty dashing.

It was a simple look, but an effective one. The women at the bar would love Loki, Charlie was sure of it. She approached him and stepped up in front of him, pulling a tie around his neck. “Do you know how to tie one or do they not have these where you’re from?” she asked, looking up at him.

Loki looked down at Charlie, watching as she moved the slim piece of fabric around. “We do not have them, but I’ve worn one before,” he answered.

Her slim fingers moved nimbly as she looped the tie through itself, working it into a small knot before she tightened it and looked him up and down. He was… handsome. Very handsome. She cleared her throat a little as she turned to look at him in the mirror. “You look good.”

“Thank you,” Loki smiled as he straightened the shirt.

“I, uh… I’d order a drink from you and secretly wish you’d ask for my number,” she told him, blushing a little in her already feverishly rosy cheeks.

He turned and looked down at her, giving her a half smile. “I’d give it to you.”

She felt something strange as he looked down at her. A… flutter. In her chest, her stomach… just from his eyes. She realized after a moment that she was likely staring and cleared her throat, shaking her head a little. “You, uh… look great,” she affirmed once again before she glanced anywhere but him. “Now that we know your size it’ll be easier to find things.”

Loki chuckled softly. “I’ll go back and change,” he replied, his voice gentle.

“Good idea,” she said, searching the racks a little again until he disappeared into the dressing room. Her eyes rested on the door for a long moment. She suddenly wondered just how terrible she looked right now. Shaking her head at herself, she began to pick out more clothes options.

Soon, Loki returned, the clothes he’d tried on hanging over his arm, back in his previous clothes. “Thank you,” he told her. “For doing all of this.”

Charlie turned to face him again, a small half-smile on her face. “You’re welcome… to be honest, I’m not sure why I’m doing it but… maybe it’s to give myself something else to focus on. Or… I don't know. Maybe a therapist would have something to say about it.”

Loki rolled his eyes. “I think it’s because your kind.”

She shrugged self-deprecatingly. “I guess you can think that,” she replied with a small smirk before she held up a few other casual clothes options. “You seem to like green, so I stayed in that general area.”

“Green, gray, black,” Loki rattled off. “I’m okay with any of those.”

“Interesting,” she mused as she looked around again. They had plenty of options. “Do you want to choose more for yourself, or do you want me to choose?”

“As long as it’s not an outrageous pattern, I’ll be alright,” he replied.

“Oh, that sounds like a challenge,” she replied with a smirk. “Though I’d agree, wild patterns aren’t really your vibe.” She caught sight of her reflection in a mirror and did a double take. “God, I look tired…” she murmured to herself.

“Charlie?” He asked softly. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t hear him at first, distracted by her appearance. Silently, she ran her fingers through her long hair. She would miss that the most. How stupid was that?

Loki furrowed his brow and gently placed one hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Charlie.”

His touch got her attention and turned her head, looking up to find his gaze. “What?” she asked, letting the strands of her hair go.

“I… I said things will be okay. You just have to fight, and I won’t let you do that alone.”

Her eyes softened as she watched him. His commitment to her was so genuine, yet they’d only just met. Then again, she was helping him… maybe he felt like he owed it to her. The corners of her lips curled up into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Thank you,” was all she could muster herself to say. “I… I’m scared, Loki.”

He nodded; his green blue eyes focused on her. “I know. But you’re not alone, Charlie.”

She believed him… that, in itself, was almost unbelievable. But she did. “You don’t have to watch me do this…” she reminded him; her voice soft between the two of them.

Loki only gave her a smile. “No one should fight alone. I know how it feels.”

She tried to find hope in his smile. God, she didn’t want to fight again. She’d already done this once, wasn’t she done? But the other option was so much sadder. She was too young to give up, right? All she did was nod gratefully. She took a slow breath before exhaling it with intention, refocusing on the clothing in her arms. “We should… keep shopping.”

He nodded as he let his hand travel to her lower back, resting there. Loki normally wasn’t one for physical affection unless it was a mistress in his bed on Asgard, but Charlie… She was different. “Lead the way.”

Charlie led him around the rest of the store and picked out what seemed like enough clothes for almost two weeks. When they were finished there, she took Loki to get a cell phone and once they were home, she taught him how to send a basic text message and how to call her.

Loki sat on the couch and played with his phone. He was happy that he could search for things much like he could on Charlie’s laptop. He looked over at her as she ate soup on the opposite end of the couch. “Food helping?”

Charlie nodded, taking another slow sip of the warm liquid. “I don’t feel quite so weak now,” she told him. “I need the energy to work tonight.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay to work?”

“I have to be,” she told him after she’d taken another bite. “I need to train you, plus I need the money. So, I’ll make it work, even if I’m a little slower than usual.”

Loki frowned. He didn’t want Charlie to burn herself out. “Just let me know if we need to go.”

“If my fever gets too high, they’ll make me go. I just have to keep it down with medication,” she explained. “I’ll call my doctor back tomorrow, I promise. I just want to get through today.”

“Okay,” he told her. “Just today.”

“Thank you,” she said sincerely, smiling sadly before she finished off her soup. “I have to get dressed, and so do you. I can’t look like death, either, so I’ll need you to be honest,” she told him as she slowly got up to put her dish in the sink.

“A shower might help you feel a bit better,” Loki suggested. “I might bathe myself too.”

“Good point,” she agreed, setting the bowl in the sink to deal with later. “I’ll shower quickly and get dressed while you’re in the shower,” she said, heading towards the bathroom. “I won’t be long.”

Loki nodded. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

Charlie disappeared into the bathroom and went about the task of showering. She felt a little less lightheaded now that she’d eaten, but she still felt exhausted. She rested her head against the shower wall with her eyes closed for a few minutes before she finally got out. Drying herself off, she wrapped herself in a towel before emerging again.

“All yours… you can use my shampoo and stuff,” she said, offering him a small, tired smile.

Loki gave her a small smile as he stood from the couch and took a bag of clothes from the store with him into the bathroom. He quickly stripped and showered, wanting to make sure they’d be at the restaurant on time for him to learn his job.

Charlie, working as both waitress and bartender, was dressed for both roles in a pair of black pants and black button up, the sleeves of the shirt rolled up and it was left unbuttoned to a strategic point. She sat in front of the makeup mirror putting some color back into her face to make herself look less sickly as she heard the bathroom door open. She couldn’t help but glance back to see what Loki looked like.

He quickly spotted her as he stepped out while slowly rolling up one sleeve of his black button down, then the other, making sure to secure them with a button. “Do I look presentable?”

She turned in her seat a little to look at him more directly and she smiled genuinely, reaching the corners of her green eyes. “You look great,” she assured him. Charlie turned back to the mirror to check herself once before she quickly braided her hair over her shoulder. “What about me?” she asked as she stood from the chair.

“Perfect,” he told her, giving her a gentle smile. “How do you feel? A bit better after food and a shower?”

“Yes, better. A little more human,” she answered, making her way down from her lifted bedroom to the living room. “How are you feeling? About to attempt your first job, kind of a big deal.”

“I feel… okay,” he told her. “I’ll just have to see how my research helps me for this. It’ll be something new.”

“If you get into a jam, just use that silver tongue of yours and I’ll save you,” she replied, smirking a little. “I’ll be back behind the bar with you tonight, so you’re not being thrown to the wolves.”

Loki smiled. “That’ll be a relief.”

“Stick with me, big guy, and you’ll be alright,” she replied with a slightly brighter smile. Damn… he really did look good. “Let’s head out so we get there a little early.”

“Sure,” Loki nodded in agreement. He watched as Charlie gathered a bag and put her phone inside of it while he put his own in his pocket, getting it from the kitchen counter. “I’ll follow you.”

Charlie tossed her bag over one shoulder before she gestured towards the door. “Oh, uh, please don’t say anything to anyone about me not feeling well, okay?” she asked as she opened the door. She had a feeling they noticed already, but she wasn’t ready to tell them yet.

Loki nodded as he followed Charlie out of the apartment. “I can do that, but if you feel too bad, tell me any way you can.”

“I will,” she replied. “I took a ton of medication to keep my fever down and I’ll take more later, so I should be good there.” As they reached the sidewalk, she waited for him and began walking again once he was beside her. “The women at the bar will love you. Have you been around drunk people before? Do they have alcohol on Asgard?”

“Yes, I have, and yes we do, but it would be much stronger than anything you have here,” he replied. “Why do you keep saying that?”

“Saying what?” she asked, looking up at him as she strode beside him, careful to glance in front of her every so often.

“That the women will love me,” he answered.

“I… I didn’t realize I was saying it so much,” she said as she tugged her backpack a little further onto his shoulder. “I guess I’m just trying to assure you that you’ll be accepted here.”’

“You accept me,” he shrugged. “You’re all that matters.”

His words struck her in the heart. She was all that mattered. Her eyes softened as she looked up at him and she was half tempted to reach for his hand, but she stopped herself. “I can’t be all that matters… I don’t think I can help you get your powers back.”

Loki chuckled as they continued to walk. “No. That’s all me… if I even get them back.”

“If I can’t give up, you can’t either,” she told him, raising her brows in challenge. “We’ll figure it out. Somehow.”

“Alright,” he agreed. “Together.”

“Together,” she echoed. It wasn’t much longer until they were at the restaurant, and she looked up at Loki with a smile before they walked in. “Ready?” she asked one last time, her hand on the door.

Loki took a breath and nodded. “As ready as I can be.”

“You’ll be great,” she reassured him, finally giving into the urge to touch him and she took his hand for a brief moment to squeeze it before she opened the door and walked into the restaurant.

She led Loki through the main dining area to the bar where she waved at a man already standing behind the bar.

“Greg, this is Loki,” she introduced casually. “He’s a friend of mine. I’m gonna be training him on the bar with you tonight.”

Greg smiled and reached over the bar to shake Loki’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Boss said we’d have a new guy tonight.”

Charlie watched as Loki shook the other man’s hand. “He’s new to this bartending thing but I think he’ll get the hang of it quickly,” she said confidently before she motioned for Loki to come around behind the bar with her.

“I’m sure of it, if you’re teaching him,” Greg chuckled. “I’ll be on the far end of the bar tonight, if you guys need me just give me a holler.”

Chapter 3

The evening was going smoothly so far, with Charlie taking much of the lead in the beginning. The regulars were showing up and she introduced all of them to Loki before getting them their drinks. Her energy was good, until it started to grow later into the evening.

Now she stood leaning against the bar, ringing a few drinks into the system. She glanced over at Loki, who watched from beside you. “Think you can pour a few beers for me? My hands are feeling a little weak,” she told him between the two of them.

He nodded as he gently squeezed her shoulder. “You’re the boss.” Loki gave her a soft smile then quickly took care of the customers that sat at the bar.

“Thank you,” she told him with a gentle smile. She turned and watched him as he interacted with the customers, they really seemed to be taking a liking to him. One of the female regulars was already hitting on him.

“Charlie, can you get me a mule on the fly?” one of the waitresses as as they walked up to the bar.

“Yep, I’ve got you,” she agreed, taking a slow breath before she stood up from her lean. She went to the bar and began making the drink, but as she poured the vodka the bottle fell from her hand and crashed.

“Shit!” she exclaimed, heaving a sigh before she bent down to begin to clean it up. As she picked up a piece of the glass, it slipped in her hand and cut a gash open in the center of it. “Ah!” she cried as she gripped her hand closed.

Loki turned from wiping the counter. “Charlie…” He walked over to her and knelt down. “Easy there. Let me see.”

She looked up at him, tears in her weary eyes as she slowly held her hand out to him. “It’s right in the center,” she said, her hand shaking. “I need to go bandage it up and hope I don’t need stitches…”

“We need to clean it,” he murmured, gently holding her hand in his. He looked up to see Greg above them. “Do you have bandaging?” He asked.

“In the back,” Greg directed, reaching down to help Charlie stand. “I’ll cover out here. Your night might be over, sweetheart.”

“No, I’m alright,” Charlie insisted, however weakly. For now, she was focused on the pain in her hand. “Come on,” she said to Loki, nodding for him to follow her towards the back.

She led him through the kitchen to a bathroom, looking for the first aid kit inside. “On the shelf,” she said. “Red box.”

Loki grabbed it and sat it on the counter before opening it to look inside. “I’d heal it if I had my powers,” he told her. “But I can do this for you too.”

“I can do it… it hurts, you don’t have to,” she told him, shaking her head. “I need the alcohol and gauze. The brown bottle and the white material right there,” she directed, moving beside the sink. Slowly, she opened her hand as blood oozed into the sink. “Shit…” she murmured, shaking her head.

“Steady,” he murmured. Loki gently wiped away the excess blood and looked at the cut. “It’s not too deep, but it’s in a bad spot.”

She winced as he wiped at the area. “I don’t heal well either… I’ll have the doctor look at it when I go in. I’m sure they’ll want me in tomorrow,” she told him. “Can you open the alcohol? And… pour it in the cut.”

“Directly?” Loki questioned. “I feel like that would be quite painful, darling.”

“It’ll be painful no matter what,” she told him with a heavy sigh. “You could saturate a pad and then place it on too. But no matter what it’ll hurt.” He was right… a lot of Earthly medicine did involve pain. “You could really heal it? With your powers?”

Loki nodded as he began to do as she asked, opening the brown bottle and pouring it on a bit of gauze. “If I had them.”

Charlie opened her hand as much as she could, seething a bit but she exhaled slowly. “That would be handy,” she said with a dry laugh. “Gotta figure out how to get those back so I can see that…”

Gently Loki cleaned and sanitized the wound, watching as Charlie winced and hissed. “Sorry darling.”

She exhaled slowly, albeit unevenly, and after a moment she began to feel woozy. “I need to sit,” she said a little breathlessly, stepping back to nearly collapse down onto the toilet.

“Whoa, easy.” Loki steadied Charlie. “Breathe in through your nose and out of your mouth.”

“I’m dizzy…” she told him, breathing in the way he described for her. She felt her vision narrowing a little and she leaned back against the wall as he worked on her hand. “I don’t know if I’m okay…” she admitted.

Loki frowned, feeling more and more worried. “What should I do?”

She thought for a moment, closing her eyes. “I think I… I’m gonna pass out,” she told him, swallowing hard. “Get Mark, the manager… he’ll know what to do.” What she didn’t realize is that she was also burning up again, beads of sweat on her brow.

“I…” Loki looked towards the door then back at Charlie. “I don’t want to leave you alone, Charlie, darling…”

He could see she was fading quickly, which pushed him into motion. Loki made sure her hand was bandaged before he tucked her to his chest and picked her up before quietly leaving the small bathroom.

He quickly reached Mark’s office and kicked at the door with his foot. “Mark? It’s an emergency.”

Mark furrowed his brow as he made his way around the desk and his eyes widened when he opened the door. “Oh my god, Charlie, has someone called 911?” he asked, turning back to get his phone from his desk to call. “Is she breathing?”

“Yes. She cut her hand on a broken bottle,” Loki answered as he stepped into the office. “She’s… not been feeling well. I think she’s running a fever.”

Mark reached out and rested his hand on Charlie’s forehead. “Holy shit, yeah, she’s burning up. Why the hell did she come to work?” he asked, though the truth was he knew Charlie. She always showed up. When the operator picked up, he gave them the information on the emergency before hanging up.

“Lay her down,” he said, getting out a sweatshirt to lay under her head. “They’ll be here soon.”

Loki looked over at the loveseat in the office and walked her to it before gently laying her down on its cushions. “She didn’t want to let anyone down.”

Mark sighed heavily as he walked over to Charlie and knelt down beside Loki. “She pushes herself too hard,” he said knowingly. Charlie was one of his best employees; a reliable, consistent, hard worker. He hated to see her like this. “Are you going to go with her to the hospital? I’m sure the paramedics will want to take her.”

“I’d like to,” he nodded. “I don’t want to be separate from her.” Loki rested one hand on her arm, hoping his cooler body temperature would give some relief.

Mark watched how the man interacted with Charlie and couldn’t help but smile a little. “I hope she lets someone take care of her,” he said as he got up. “I’ll go wait for the paramedics.”

A minute or so after Mark stepped out, Charlie began to rouse. She stirred fitfully; confusion written all over her face as she blinked her eyes open. “What… where…” she murmured, looking around.

“Shh, I’ve got you,” Loki soothed. “You’re burning up darling. Help is on the way here for you.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to go, no,” she argued weakly, though her heart wasn’t in it. She was sick. “Loki…” she whined uncomfortably.

“I know you don’t want to, Charlie,” he murmured. “But it’s the best thing for you. I won’t leave your side. I promise.”

A few tears slipped from her eyes down her cheeks as she looked up at him. She didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. She reached for his hand, her own shaking as she took his for the first time. “I’m scared,” she admitted quietly.

Loki nodded as he held her hand, linking their fingers together. “I know. But I’m here. I’ll protect you as much as I can.”

Charlie sobbed softly once, dropping her head to the side. She truly did feel awful. It was only another minute before the paramedics arrived.

With one look they recommended she go to the hospital, and with the encouragement of Mark and Loki she agreed.

~~~~~~

The ride to the hospital was quick and as they arrived, the nurses came to usher Loki into the hall so they could get her assessed quickly. Her heart rate was high, and they wanted to lower that and her temperature. Charlie was listless, unable to put up much of an argument as she released Loki’s hand to let him step out.

Many IV’s later, the nurse pulled back the curtain and stepped out, finding a nervous looking man in the hall. “You can go in now,” she told him.

Loki out a long breath but he wasn’t prepared for the sight before him as he entered the hospital room. “Oh gods…”

Charlie looked so frail and small compared to the feisty fiery woman he’d met mere days ago. Tears welled in his eyes, but Loki refused to let them fall.

Charlie felt absolutely terrible. Physically, emotionally, all of it. She had her eyes closed when she heard footsteps enter the room and as she opened them to set on Loki, she could see the sadness in his brilliant green eyes.

“I told you it wouldn’t be pretty…” she reminded him quietly, her voice breaking as she tried not to cry.

“Oh, darling.” Loki rushed to her side and took her hand. “Darling, everything here is to help you. Hopefully we’ll be home soon.”

“I hope so,” she replied quietly, closing her eyes again as tears fell. “My doctor is coming… I’m sure he’ll want to start treatment before I leave the hospital. So much for waiting until morning, I guess.”

Loki gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. “You won’t be alone. I won’t leave your side.”

Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked up at him, eyes glistening with tears. “I’m really sick, Loki…” she admitted out loud. He knew it, she did too, but she hadn’t said it yet. It felt too big. “I might not… I don’t know if I’ll be strong enough…”

“You are.” He told her. “I won’t let you give up.”

“It might not be me who gives up…” she told him. It might just be her body. She might not be able to fight it. “I just… don’t want you to have to watch me die, Loki.”

Loki shook his head. He’d do everything he could to prevent that from happening. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Charlie felt so small in that large bed, she was grateful for his presence. Her eyes fell closed again and she groaned a little, still very uncomfortable though the IV fluids and medication were cooling her down now. “I’m sorry that I scared you,” she told him softly.

“You couldn’t help it,” he told her gently. “But you need to be honest with how you feel, Charlie. You put yourself in danger today.”

She nodded softly. He was right, she had. All because she didn’t want to accept that she was sick. It felt silly now, as she lay in that hospital bed.

There was a soft knock at the door before the doctor entered, and he had a sad smile on his face. “Charlotte… I wish we weren’t meeting like this,” he said.

“I know, Dr. Briscoe…” she replied softly.

“Should we talk alone, or…?” he asked, gesturing to the man beside her.

“No, he can stay, it’s fine,” she assured him. She didn’t want Loki to leave.

Her doctor nodded and settled against the sink in the room. “Your cancer is at stage three… we need to start treatment right away,” he told her gently. “We’ll start your chemo before you leave the hospital, and we’ll get you scheduled for radiation. I’ll prescribe all of the oral meds, so you’ll have those too.”

She nodded and listened as he spoke, adjusting her hand in Loki’s.

“You’ve got an infection right now, so we’re treating that with antibiotics. I need you to take it easy for now.”

“I can watch over her,” Loki stated. He wanted to be prepared and would do as much research on caring for her as he could.

“Can I work?” Charlie asked, raising her brows.

The doctor narrowed his eyes. “Not for the next few days at least. You need to get stronger before I want you working,” he told her.

She nodded, frowning softly. She had some savings for when she couldn’t work, but it wouldn’t last forever.

“Get comfortable - you’ll be here overnight. I’ll let you go home in the morning,” he told her before he left again.

Charlie sighed heavily. “Here we go…”

Loki squeezed her hand. “Charlie, we’ll get through this. I can work while you’re at home. I owe you anyway.”

She nodded, dropping her head away from him as tears fell again. She hated feeling helpless. “I’ll feel better soon…” Was she just lying to herself? Maybe. But she wanted it to be true.

“You will,” he told her. “I’ll do everything I can to assure that for you.” As they sat there, he continued to rub the back of her hand. “Can I get you anything?”

“Water, maybe,” she replied, gesturing to the pitcher filled with water on the other side of the room. “I wish there was more I could give you to do… I know it’s not fun just sitting there watching me.”

“I don’t mind.” Loki stood and filled up a cup of water halfway before returning to his chair. “I’m used to doing much of nothing from being at home. Although I’d get into trouble.”

She angled her head as she watched him, reaching for the cup as he brought it. “How so? Tell me,” she asked, slowly sitting up a little so that she could more comfortably drink. She clutched the cup in her good hand and took a long sip before setting it down on the tray beside her.

“I liked to do pranks on my brother and his band of friends. I wasn’t ever included much in their activities, so I did what I could to have my own fun.”

Her smile warmed as she pictured it. “You are the God of Mischief for a reason,” she said, laying back more comfortably in the bed. “I wasn’t included in my sibling’s things either. I’m the youngest of three, my parents sort of forgot I even existed until I got cancer for the first time,” she shared with a soft sigh.

Loki frowned. He knew what it felt like to be forgotten. “I’m sorry, Charlie.”

She shrugged and waved it off. “It’s fine… I’m sure they’ll want to be in the picture again now that I’m sick again. If I even tell them…”

“Sounds like my parents,” Loki grumbled.

“And they think your brother is totally great, right?” she asked, realizing another similarity. “My older brother can do no wrong.”

Loki nodded as he messed with a loose strand of fabric on her bed. “He’s the golden child. Literally.”

She scoffed. “My older sister is a literal rocket scientist. My parents couldn’t be prouder. Meanwhile, I didn’t finish college because I just decided… I almost died in high school. I wanted to live instead of being in school.”

“I understand the need to live and do what you want,” he replied. “I just wanted to be my brother’s equal. But learned that would never happen.”

Charlie frowned softly, reaching out to take his hand again. “Well… at least us losers have each other,” she said, smirking softly.

“You’re not a loser, Charlie,” he murmured.

“Yeah? Well, neither are you… at least you’re a God. That’s pretty cool,” she replied, squeezing his hand.

Loki chuckled and leaned down, propping his elbows on the bed. “Right now, I think I’m more mortal than god.”

“For now,” she reminded him, watching him with gentle eyes. “We’ll figure out what makes you worthy again. And then you can go back to Asgard or… wherever you want.”

Right now, Asgard is the last thing on my mind. Loki only nodded as he slowly rubbed the back of her hand. “Do you need anything from home?”

“No, I’m okay… I just need you here,” she told him softly. Soon a nurse would be in with her first chemo treatment. She’d feel sicker than she did now after that. But at least she could go home in the morning. “I might try to sleep a little… is that okay?”

“Of course. I’ll be right here,” he murmured.

As she closed her eyes, she held his hand more securely. It felt… good to have someone here with her. It didn’t take her body long to give in to sleep and she stayed there peacefully until the nurse woke her later.

Chapter 4

Charlie sat on the floor of the bathroom, where she’d been most of the day, her arms resting over the bowl of the toilet. She’d forgotten how much chemotherapy made her sick. She’d barely kept anything down, so she switched to liquids only in hopes that they would stay down better.

As she slowly pushed herself up and off of the floor, she tossed her long hair back out of her face. She needed to brush her teeth. She went about that task before she slowly moved back to the couch to wrap herself in a blanket.

She heard the key in the door and looked up to see Loki returning from work. “How was your shift?” she asked from her position on the couch.

“Not bad,” Loki answered as he dropped his keys on the kitchen counter and got out of his shoes.

He placed two bags on the kitchen table and began to empty them. “I got you some soup and sprite. Your friends said it would help you some. I also found something called Pedialyte.”

She smiled warmly. “Thank you, Pedialyte would be great,” she told him. “I need to replace everything I’ve thrown up today. No solids for a little while, I think, while my body adjusts to the chemo.”

Loki frowned as he quickly made Charlie a glass of Pedialyte. He walked over to her and placed the glass where she could reach it. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

“It’s fine,” she assured him. “It’s probably better. I don’t really like throwing up in front of other people,” she told him as she reached for the glass. “One of us need to work, anyway.”

“That may be but I hate not being able to help you,” he countered.

“You’re here now… that’s helping,” she told him softly, bringing the glass to her lips to take a small sip. “Will you come sit with me?”

“Of course.” Loki let Charlie sit up before he sat down beside her and let her cuddle into his side. “Better?”

“Mm hm,” she answered, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment before she leaned forward to take another sip of her drink. She’d come to find comfort in him, especially since coming home from the hospital. She wanted to be close to him. “Were you with Greg again tonight or solo?” she asked.

“Greg helped me with half of my shift then I was solo,” Loki answered. “Didn’t do too bad.”

“Good job,” she praised, offering him a supportive smile. “You can totally do this, Loki. It’ll be just like magic in no time.”

“I rather enjoy it actually,” he nodded. “It’s kind of relaxing.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t require a lot of brain space once you pick it up,” she agreed, taking another sip of her drink before she reached forward and set the cup down. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it and that it isn’t painful.”

“I like working with my hands, being a part of something,” he told her.

“I wish I was there working with you… just need to be a little stronger,” she replied with a sigh. “I don’t like just sitting here. I’m no good at it.”

“You can do things here,” he told her. “I could find something to keep your mind busy.”

“I should do something other than just binge reality tv. My brain will turn to mush,” she said with a small smile. “You gonna give me homework, Professor Loki?” she asked with a gentle tease.

He looked down at her with a raised brow. “Does someone have a kink?” He teased in return.

Charlie laughed out loud as her jaw dropped open. “No! Maybe…” she replied with a wink, unable to keep the smile off of her face. “It doesn’t matter. No one wants to get that close to a sick girl.”

“Why would that be?” He questioned honestly. “You’re alluring, bubbly, and have a wonderful personality.”

“Alluring?” she asked with a raised brow. “Yes, my chronic vomiting and sweating are very alluring.”

“Charlie,” he huffed. “That is not what I mean.”

“Then what do you mean?” she asked, turning into him to face him a little more directly, the light from the lamp illuminating the green in her eyes.

“I mean that… you’re attractive,” he said quietly. “That you’re also bright, smart, clever, and you don’t take no for an answer.”

Charlie’s smile softened almost to a sad one as she listened to him. “Thank you…” she told him softly. She brushed some of her long, dirty blonde hair behind her ears, her long neck highlighted. “I guess I… forget those things about myself.”

“You’ll always have them,” he said softly. “They’re a part of you.”

“I guess… there’s a few things cancer can’t take away,” she replied, unconsciously leaning into him a little more. “But I… won’t always be attractive. After I start to lose my hair…” Maybe it was a stupid, small thing, but she loved her long hair.

Loki slowly ran his hand through her hair. “You’ll still be you. It will grow back.”

She leaned into his touch; the cool temperature of his hand nice on her skin. “I just want to not think about it… for just a little while. I just… I want to feel normal,” she told him softly.

“Tell me what I can do,” he murmured, a soft smile on his face.

She didn’t answer him at first. Instead, she turned slowly to face him. Swallowing hard, she reached out and gently rested her hand on his angled cheek, fingertips brushing into his hair. “I just… I’m afraid to ask…”

“You can ask me anything,” he told her.

She held his eyes, green staring back into her own. She felt butterflies in her already sensitive stomach, but she pushed through them. “Would you… kiss me?” she asked. “Take me away from the world for a little while?”

Loki’s eyes widened. “Only if you mean it,” he replied softly. He’s thought about doing it multiple times, but he hadn’t known her long and a lot of things were happening in her life.

A faint smile crept on the corners of her lips and gently caressed his cheek. “I mean it,” she assured him, nodding gently.

He swallowed thickly, glancing at her lips before looking at her eyes once more. In that moment, Loki wondered if she could hear just how hard his heart was beating; before he closed the gap between them and brushed his lips against hers.

His lips were softer, softer than she imagined. Charlie’s hand slid from his cheek to his neck, fingertips spreading out over his cooler skin as she made a soft sound, one of yearning.

Her encouraging response caused Loki to kiss her fuller, exploring her mouth with full yet delicate kisses while his hand stilled in her hair.

She leaned into him and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, drawing herself nearly in his lap and she angled her head to kiss him a little more deeply, her tongue passing her lips to caress his.

Loki sighed softly as he opened his mouth to her. It had been a long time since he’d kissed anyone like this and meant it. It was a lot for Loki to have feelings for anyone.

Charlie hadn’t ever had… real feelings for anyone. Love was so fleeting to her, she preferred to just live in the moment. But what she felt for Loki was so much more complex. She’d grown to truly see him for the man he was, not what the lore said of him.

Her kisses grew a bit deeper, and another soft sound passed between their mouths. Gripping the back of his neck, she moved to straddle him on the couch and pressed her body into his.

Loki let out a soft moan as his hands moved to her hips and around to her lower back. He pulled away only to kiss her again. “Are you… okay… with this?”

Her fingers plunged into the base of his hair as she nodded. “Yes,” she breathed, nodding assuredly. “You make me feel good, Loki… I just want to keep feeling good, for a little while…”

He grinned at her before licking his lips. “Just let me know if there’s anything you don’t like.”

“I don’t think you could do anything I wouldn’t like,” she told him with a husky whisper, smiling down at him.

Loki slowly ran both hands up and down her back. “Are you sure?” he asked quietly. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I might seem breakable, but I’m not,” she told him. Not yet anyway. She combed her fingers through his hair, hands fully entangled in it. “Show me something incredible, Loki…”

He leaned up and kissed her sweetly. “Right here?”

“We can move to the bed, if you want to,” she told him, her lips brushing against his.

Loki sighed softly, his eyes closing briefly at her touch. “I’m comfortable wherever you are, my Charlie.”

His Charlie. She liked the sound of that, and it showed in her smile. She closed the small gap and kissed him once again before she slowly got up out of his lap and took his hand to bring him up to stand.

He let her pull him up, lacing their fingers together. “Where are you leading me, darling?” Loki already knew, but he wanted to hear her say it.

“Upstairs,” she told him, leading him slowly to the stairs and up into the lofted bedroom. She faced him at the top of the stairs and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, looking up into his eyes. “Take me, Loki…”

Loki cradled her face in his hands before kissing her slowly. “Does that mean that you’d be mine?”

A sweet smile graced her face after the kiss and blinked her eyes open to look up into his. “Yes, Loki… I’m yours,” she told him with quiet surety.

“Mine,” he breathed, dipping his head to kiss her again. “It’s been a long time…”

“For me, too,” she replied. “But I want this with you… I want you to show me something no one else has ever shown me…”

Loki kissed her forehead then let her lay on the bed before following after her. “No one has ever showed you how a man should really be?”

Charlie sighed as she laid down, sliding her sweater off of her shoulders before she fully laid down. “I’ve been with men, but… they’ve all been so much more invested in themselves than me,” she answered.

He turned to lay on his side. “I would never be that way with you.”

She turned onto her side to look at him as he spoke, her big green eyes taking him in. “I want you to show me how it should be done,” she said, reaching out to brush her fingers through his hair. “Show me how a god does it…”

“A god… or a man?” He breathed before leaning in to kiss her softly, slowly.

She arched her body, curving into him. “Whatever you are… it’s enough for me,” she told him.

Loki smiled before capturing her lips in an eager kiss. One arm wound around her waist and beneath the back of her shirt, enjoying the feel of her skin.

Her hands crept up his chest, fingers nimbly working at the buttons of his shirt. She couldn’t wait to feel all of him. She opened her mouth to him, her tongue gently gliding out and over his.

With a moan, Loki let Charlie explore his mouth. As she finished unbuttoning his shirt, he helped her remove it then tossed it behind him.

She angled her head to kiss him more deeply, a sound escaping between their lips as her hands took in his sculpted chest. She’d wondered what it felt like for a while now as she traced it with her heated fingertips.

Loki pulled away, watching as she explored his body. “That feels amazing,” he breathed.

Her smile grew as she felt him respond beneath her hands. “Good,” she told him softly, moving her hands down to his abdomen to trace his abs. She leaned in, her lips finding his neck and she placed soft but heated kisses down his collarbone.

He sighed, running his hands up her back. “Trailing downward, darling?”

She smiled against his skin. “Is that okay?” she asked, kissing a path down his chest.

As Loki turned to lie on his back, he nodded. “It is,” he assured. “You can explore me anywhere.”

Her hands moved to his belt, deftly working to unbuckle it. She kissed the center of his chest, licking a stripe back up to his collarbone before she slipped his zipper down. “Loki… I want you…”

“I want you too,” he breathed in reply, turning his head as she reached his neck. “I just hope I don’t scare you away.”

“How would you do that?” she asked, her lips finding the crux of his neck to suckle on a spot there. One of her hands played at the waistband of his pants before she plunged it beneath, first over his boxers to palm his cock.

Loki groaned, his eyes closing, feeling a rush of pleasure roil through him. It had been a long time since anyone but himself had touched him. “I’m not exactly small, darling.”

He wasn’t wrong, what she could feel beneath her hand was large. It sent a rush of heat through her body. “Like I said… I’m not breakable,” she told him, daring to slide her hand beneath his boxers to wrap her hand around his impressive cock.

“Fuck,” Loki gasped, arching into her touch before turning and capturing her mouth with his own, nipping and licking before singing his tongue passed her lips.

“Mmm,” Charlie moaned into his mouth, her hand slowly stroking his enormous cock. A thrill coursed through her, knowing that at some point he’d be inside of her. “You can explore me too,” she told him between heated kisses.

Loki grinned against her lips before nipping gently at her jaw. “Would I find you wet?” He teased.

“Very,” she replied, biting at his lower lip. She tugged at it to pull him closer to her. “I’m hot for you, Loki.”

He licked into her mouth as one hand traveled to cup her over her sweats, applying gentle pressure to her heated core. “I’m aching for you,” he replied as he pulled away. “Thought more than once what it would be like to be like this with you.”

Charlie moaned softly, moving her hips against his hand before he pulled away. “Did you imagine it?” She asked, opening her eyes to him. “What did you imagine?”

“How you’d feel, wrapped around me,” he murmured as he sat up partially to help her out of her top. Then placed kisses along her chest. “How you’d smell… how you’d taste.”

She closed her eyes as his lips moved to her chest and a soft moan passed between her lips. “I want you to learn all of those things,” she breathed, her hair cascading down her shoulders.

“I want to learn them too.” Loki rotated, letting her adjust her hand as he moved to hover beside her while kissing slowly down her stomach.

A breath escaped her as she turned her head, watching him as he moved down her body. “My legs are almost quivering,” she told him, feeling heat deep within her belly.

“I can feel you shaking,” he told her softly. Loki met her eyes as he licked along the waistband of her sweats.

Her breath shook as she exhaled in anticipation. Wordlessly, she reached down to push her sweats off of her hips to make them more easily removable for him. “Loki…” she breathed.

“I’m here,” he murmured, helping her remove her sweats before kissing along her panty line.

Charlie laid back, propping up a pillow so she could watch him a little easier. His lips on her skin sent her to the moon, goosebumps rising beneath his lips.

“So effortlessly beautiful,” he murmured before dropping lower to place a delicate kiss to her clothed sex.

She didn’t feel beautiful so much of the time anymore. His praise meant the world. A breath passed between her lips as he kissed her body, and her heart nearly skipped a beat.

“You smell so amazing,” Loki mused. “Heady and arousing… just… ugh.”

“I’m glad you like it,” she replied, feeling like putty beneath his eyes.

Loki kissed and nibbled at her inner thighs while his hands gently kneaded her hips. “I could spend hours taking my time with you.”

Charlie’s breath shuddered as she watched him work slowly. “It would be like beautiful torture,” she told him poetically.

He lifted his head and slowly ran one hand over her cloth covered sex, watching her hips lift. “For us both…”

A breath escaped past her lips as she responded to him. “I want more of your touch… please,” she asked him, an almost whine in her voice.

Loki grinned before simply tearing the thin fabric of her panties and sliding them from beneath her. Then he slowly cupped her bare pussy against his palm.

“Oh,” she whined, swallowing thickly. “It’s been a long time since anyone touched me like this…”

“I could say the same,” he murmured before he easily found her clit and began to make gentle circles.

She moaned softly, her chest heaving as she breathed. “Yes…” she hissed quietly, her hips moving in motion with his fingers.

Loki moaned, watching her enjoy the pleasure he gave her. “So beautiful… taking your pleasure.”

“It feels so good,” Charlie told him, her voice thick with sensuality.

“I want you to come once for me before I give you my cock,” he told her softly. “Is that something you can do for me?”

She nodded, spreading her legs wider to bare herself fully to him. “I can do that,” she assured him, moaning in pleasure at the sensation on her swollen clit.

“Such a good girl,” he praised before lowering his head to lick and suck at her once more.

Charlie dropped her head back, eyes closing. His mouth felt so good. Her hand reached out to hold back his hair as she forced herself to raise her head and watch him. “Just like that…”

He looked up, meeting her eyes as he sucked on her clit in gentle pulses before letting go to slide his tongue into her body.

“Oh my god,” she whimpered, her hand gripping his hair as the other grasped the sheets beneath her. She moaned with abandon as her legs shook with pleasure.

“You're so close, love. Come for me sweetheart,” he breathed before flicking her clit once more with the tip of his tongue.

“Oh…oh!” Charlie moaned, feeling herself starting to tense with a ball of heat in her lower belly. “Yes, yes!” she cried, her hips bucking against his face before she erupted, her body shaking with orgasm.

Loki moaned, lapping up every bit of her essence that she provided before him. He slowed his licks before looking up, seeing her sated face as he placed a gently kiss to her overstimulated sex. “Are you alright, love?”

Her body shuddered as she nodded. “I’m great,” she assured him, licking her lips. “That felt incredible… I can only imagine how your cock will feel.”

“I can’t wait to feel you wrapped around me,” he murmured before crawling up her body to capture her lips.

She moaned into his mouth, tasting herself on his lips. She turned her body into his and wrapped her leg around his hip to bring him in close.

Loki moaned softly as he rubbed himself against her, coating himself in her slick. “So wet…”

“So big…” she breathed, feeling his girth between her legs.

“Are you still sure?” He asked. “I don’t want to hurt you, Charlie.”

She found his lips in a kiss, taking her time to kiss him fully before she pulled back. “I’m very sure,” she assured him. “And… I actually like a little bit of pain, Loki. I can take it.”

Loki grinned before lifting his hips slightly, brushing against her entrance before pushing forward.

Charlie gasped softly before moaning as he began to enter her. She widened her legs to adjust to him, tilting her hips for a better angle. “Oh my god…” she breathed, whimpering a little out of the pleasure of his cock spreading her open.

“You’re so tight,” he grunted. Moving slowly forward, wanting her to adjust to him.

Her hands gripped at his shoulders as she relaxed as much as she could and slowly, she took him in. “Holy shit…” she breathed, finding his lips again.

Loki moaned as he seated himself balls deep into her willing body. “Every inch,” he breathed.

She whimpered a moan, her body stretching to accommodate him. “Yes, oh god…”

He smiled as he traced his lips over her cheek before kissing her lips. “How’s it feel?” He whispered.

“So big… and so good,” she told him, whining passionately. “You’re stretching me and I love it.”

“Take it all in,” Loki said sweetly. “I’ll move soon.”

Charlie nodded, breathing as she adjusted her hips a little and dropped her head with a moan.

“Moving that much makes you moan for me. Imagine how it’ll be when I start moving,” he purred.

“I’ll be screaming your name,” she told him with a sultry smile.

Loki hitched his hips forward, making Charlie gasp. “Plan on letting all of your neighbors know who you belong to?”

She grinned mischievously. “Make them all wonder who the hell Loki is,” she replied with a husky moan.

As he withdrew, Loki watched the pleasure on Charlie’s face. Then he thrust back in with a groan.

“Oh god,” she whimpered, her face awash with pleasure. She grinned as she whined for more.

“So good, sweet girl,” he purred as he withdrew almost completely before sinking back to the hilt again.

She moaned unabashedly, wrapping her legs around his waist. “Fuck, more, please,” she begged.

“With pleasure,” Loki purred as he continued his slow torturous pace.

Charlie could only whimper and whine between moans as he fucked her so slowly. It was beautiful torture, every slow move he made.

“Charlie, sweetheart,” Loki moaned, unable to hold back any longer. He jutted his hips, moving faster.

“Oh fuck, Loki,” she moaned, reaching back with one hand to grip the sheets as the other gripped his strong shoulder.

Loki moaned as he thrust, his hips moving faster. “Fuck… so tight…”

“Yes, oh,” she breathed heatedly, pulling her knees back to spread her legs as far as she could. “You feel so fucking good”.

With a whine, Loki pumped his hips hard. “Brilliant,” he groaned.

Charlie’s mouth fell open as she moaned. “Yes, Loki, yes,” she panted, every nerve ending in her body on fire. In these moments, she wasn’t sick. She wasn’t thinking about all of her fears and anxieties. She was only thinking about him.

“Charlie,” Loki moaned, digging his hands into the blanket as he dropped his head to her shoulder. “Wrap around me baby… feel every inch as I slide inside of you.”

She responded immediately, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his body. “I feel you, Loki… I can feel all of you.”

“How do you like it?” He asked, a low growl in his voice as he thrusted slow and deep once more.

His voice sent goosebumps all over her skin. She bucked her hips as he fucked her, meeting his hips with every thrust. “Hard and fast… make the bed bang against the wall,” she answered between longing moans.

Loki chuckled as he increased his thrusts bending to gently bite on her neck. “Your wish, my command.”

“Oh fuck, yes,” Charlie cried out, dropping her head back to give him even greater access to her neck. “Yes, fuck me, oh yes…”

The headboard began to bang against the wall with the force of Loki’s thrusts as he ground against her. “Fuck yes….”

“Loki!” She cried out, her body clinging to his as she took everything he had to give her. His hips rubbed her clit and she moaned loudly.

“Cum for me, Charlie… c’mon sweetheart.”

“Oh… oh…” she moaned, panting breaths as she felt herself tighten inside. “Oh god, I… I’m gonna cum, I’m coming,” she told him, gasping for breath before she cried out in orgasm.

Loki moaned as he pumped his hips once. Twice. Three times, before he grunted loudly, filling her up.

Charlie moaned through her orgasm, her body writhing as she clutched him tightly. “Holy shit…” she breathed against his ear as her body shuddered.

“Are… you okay?” Loki asked as he rested in place, breathing deeply.

She nodded, slowly releasing him so she could look up at him. Sweat beaded on her forehead, dewy from passionate heat. “I’m great,” she answered as she caught her breath.

Loki smiled before leaning down to kiss her softly. “You’re beautiful.”

She returned the kiss just as softly, her lips curling into a smile. “We’ll see if you still think that later,” she replied with a self-deprecating smirk.

“Charlie, don’t do that, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Even ill, you're beautiful inside and out.”

“Imagine what I’d look like healthy, then,” she replied with a small scoff. “Either way… I’m glad you think I’m beautiful.”

He pecked her lips again. “Always.”

She smiled and took in the sensation of being wrapped up in him. It had been so long since she wanted to be this close with anyone outside of a casual fuck. But those were one-night stands, maybe two. This… felt different. “Always… feels like an awfully long time.”

“Is that… okay?”

Her smile shifted a little, sadness peaking in. “Yeah, I… I guess I don’t really know how much time I have left so… it just feels hard to imagine,” she admitted.

Loki frowned as he ran his hand through her mussed hair. “Charlie… you have all of the time in the world. Okay?”

“I…” she began, but seeing his frown made her stop. She wanted to argue with him, that there was a very real chance that she didn’t make it through this time around. But it felt too sad to make him realize that. “Okay,” she agreed quietly.

He leaned in and kissed her softly, slowly, moving to lay on his back, which made her lay on top of him.

Charlie kissed his back, taking her time with it and as it found its natural end, she blinked her large green eyes open to look down at him, some of her hair falling into her face. “If you go back… will you take me?” she asked quietly. “To Asgard?”

His eyes widened slightly. “You… would you want to go?”

She nodded gently. “It sounds beautiful… and what do I really have here to keep me?”

Loki’s face softened. “Then I would love to bring you.”

“Can humans go there?” she asked, furrowing her brows. “You said it’s a different… realm. Can I go to a different realm?”

“You can,” he assured. “If… he argues, I will fight it.”

“Who?” she asked, cocking her head. “Your… father?” She wasn’t sure what else to call him.

Loki only nodded. “I won’t go anywhere without you.”

“I would miss you,” she told him softly, reaching out to gently stroke his angular face.

“I would miss you too,” he murmured. “I think I would drive myself crazy.”

“How so?” she asked, sliding her fingers into his luxurious hair.

Loki smiled, leaning into her touch. “Wondering how you are, if you’re okay… if you’re safe.”

“I would wonder the same things,” Charlie admitted to him. “You haven’t been here long but… I’m kind of attached to you now.”

“As I am, with you.” Loki kissed her softly.

“Would they not take kindly to me? Your… family?” she asked quietly, resting her head against his shoulder.

“My mother and brother would love you,” Loki grinned. “Odin… I am not sure.”

“And what would they love about me, hmm?” she asked with a soft smile.

Loki leaned in and pecked her lips. “Your personality, your fire. Your resilience. There’s so much.”

Her eyes softened as she took in what his family would think of her. She’d never really cared what anyone thought, though she found she sort of did now. “I hope I get to meet them… and that I can tell Odin how wrong he is about you.”

He leaned in and kissed her softly, slowly before reluctantly pulling away. “I hope that you do too.”

“I should get up and clean up,” she told him softly with a sigh. “But… then we can stay right here if you want.”

“Whatever you want,” he assured. Loki watched as she climbed out of the bed and headed towards the bathroom before laying on his back with a huff. Such a remarkable woman.

As she cleaned up, Charlie thought about how… alive Loki made her feel. He made her feel like a person, not just a patient.

She got a little dizzy as she finished up but she balanced using the sink. She took a few slow, deep breaths before she moved again, leaving the bathroom to rejoin Loki in bed.

She climbed in, this time bringing the comforter with her that had been at the bottom of the bed. “I’m a bit chilly now,” she said as she moved into him.

He smiled as she curled around him. “Are you feeling okay?” He asked quietly.

“I got a little dizzy but I’m okay,” she told him, turning her eyes up to find his face. “Probably lack of food.”

“We’ll need to find a way to get some sustenance in you,” he said softly.

“I should eat that broth you brought me,” she said with a soft sigh. “Can you bring it to me?” she asked, reluctantly sitting up slowly.

Loki nodded and sat up. “Do you want a straw to drink it with?” He asked. Sliding off the bed, Loki bent down to get his boxers and pull them on, not caring to dress the rest of the way.

“No, I’ll sip it from the container,” she said as she sat up fully and arranged pillows behind her so that she could sit up comfortably. She pulled the covers up and relaxed as she waited for him to return.

It didn’t take Loki long to get the broth he’d brought home. He heated it up in the microwave then returned back up to the loft and in bed. “Here, love.”

“Thank you,” she said graciously as she accepted the container from him. She slowly brought it to her lips and blew on it for a moment before she took a sip. “Is this from the good deli I pointed out last week?” she asked, raising her brow.

Loki nodded. “It is. They asked about you when I went in for lunch and then offered me this.”

Charlie couldn’t help but smile softly. She loved that deli, and the people who worked there. “Tell them thank you when you walk by again… hopefully I’ll feel better soon, and I can say so myself.”

“You’ll be able to,” he assured her before kissing her temple. “Just have to get your strength up.”

And she would. She knew how this went. She wouldn’t feel this sick forever, even though it felt like it sometimes. She took another sip of her broth and savored it in her mouth before she swallowed. “Are you always this optimistic?” she asked with a small smile.

Loki shook his head. “No, not always.”

“Just when it comes to me, huh?” she said, raising a brow.

“I refuse to think otherwise.”

“Loki…” she sighed, turning to glance at him. “I… I’ll try to be optimistic, but… I can’t always.” There was a reality here that didn’t guarantee she’d make it through. He needed to know that.

“I know,” he murmured. “But unless told otherwise, we should try to be as positive as we can.”

Charlie nodded slowly as she took another sip of her broth. “I’ll try,” she told him softly.

“That’s all I ask,” Loki replied softly. He watched as she drank about half of the co trainer before he took it back to the kitchen and put it in the fridge.

When he returned, he silently watched Charlie as she stood by the bed and stretched her arms above her head, wearing his shirt. “You make me want to take you right back to bed.”

A girlish smile crossed her face as she turned her head to take him in and meet his eyes. “You could, you know,” she told him with an easy shrug.

“Oh, honey, don’t do that… you’d never leave,” he countered.

Charlie laughed softly as she turned to face him, his shirt left unbuttoned down the front. “I affect you that much, huh?”

He watched as her eyes drifted over his chest, making him smirk. “I think I do the same for you.”

A similar smirk crossed her lips as she took a few slow steps toward him. “You’re a very attractive man, Loki,” she told him surely. “How could I not be affected by you?”

Loki reached out and wrapped both arms around her waist before leaning in to kiss her softly. “You’re attractive as well.”

“Wait until you see me healthy,” she joked darkly, that same smirk resting on her expression. She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair.

He leaned in and kissed her slowly, feeling as she gripped onto his hair, making him moan softly. “I will.”

Charlie stood up on her toes to kiss him again, angling her head to kiss him more deeply. “I love how long your hair is,” she told him sensually. “Gives me something to hold onto.”

Loki chuckled softly. “I’ll have to remember that,” he murmured.

She pressed soft kisses against his neck and collarbone. “You know, you could easily convince me for round two,” she told him with a lopsided smile.

Mulling it over, Loki pulled her to him, gripping her ass in his hands. “Minx.”

Her grin grew, slipping her arms around his shoulders as she pressed kisses against his chest. “You like it…”

Loki relaxed under her touch, watching her every move. “I do,” he told her softly.

Charlie’s lips trailed across his chest before her eyes fluttered up to find his. She pressed her ass gently back into his hands. “I love your hands on me… it makes me feel alive.”

“I’ll hold you anytime you need me to.”

“Careful… I might never let you let me go,” she said as she kissed down the center of his chest.

Loki slowly ran one hand through her hair. “I think I would be okay with that.”

Her hands smoothed down his body, over his neck, across his shoulders, and down his chest. “Get lost with me again,” she said, just barely above a whisper as she looked up into his eyes with her big green ones.

His smile turned feline. “Does my girl want me all over again?”

Her smile echoed his as she looked up at him. “I can’t seem to get enough,” she replied, her fingers gently tracing his waist.

“How do you want me, love?”

Charlie bit her lip as she considered his question. “From behind this time,” she decided aloud, turning herself in his arms to press her back against him.

“Mmm… deep and slow?”

Her lips curled up into a smile as she nodded in reply. “That sounds incredible,” she told him, pushing his boxers back down.

“In a hurry, love?” He chuckled as he stepped out of them.

“Not a hurry, just helping you out,” she replied with a coy smile as she slipped out of his shirt, letting it drop to the floor as she stood naked before him.

He grinned as he watched her drop to her knees. “Now that’s a pretty sight.”

Grinning, she wrapped her hand around his cock and stroked it slowly. “Do you want to feel my mouth?” she asked languidly.

Loki felt his knees want to buckle at such an innocent question. “I’d love to… I’m just as much yours, as you are mine.”

“Mmm… good to know,” she replied before she turned her eyes to his enormous cock. She licked her lips before she took it into her mouth, engulfing as much of it as she could.

A guttural groan left Loki’s mouth as he watched Charlie with rapt attention. “Gods, you were made for me…”

She twisted her hand gently around the base of him as she sucked lightly at first, getting used to the girth of him. Goosebumps covered her skin at his words.

Charlie’s eyes sparkled as Loki stared down at her, one hand resting on her cheek. He grunted as she sucked on the head before taking him deeper again.

She angled her head, bobbing and weaving as she sucked him more vigorously, humming to create some vibration against his most sensitive area.

Loki panted as he grunted. “Shit…”

With one hand, Charlie reached out and delicately massaged his balls while she pulsed him in and out of her mouth. All of his sounds spurred her forward.

“Damn it Charlie… you’re gonna make me come,” he moaned.

“Do you want to come in my mouth… or in my pussy?” she asked, stroking his cock with her hand as she took a breath to look up at him.

He licked his lips. “Hard decisions…”

She stoked him slowly, careful not to take him too close to the edge. “I’d love for you to fuck me again…”

“Right here?”

“I’ll bend over the bed… you can take me from behind,” she said as she slowly rose from her knees. She turned once she was standing and bent over the bed as she described, presenting herself to him as she glanced back over her shoulder at him.

Loki growled as he walked towards her. He gently cupped her sex in his hand before caressing the folds slowly. “So ready for me… all for me.”

Charlie let out a whimper as he touched her, resisting the urge to grind herself against his hand. “Fuck, you make me so wet,” she nearly whined.

“You’re soaked, sweetheart.” Loki slowly spread her slick with his hand, smearing it upward and over her ass.

She whimpered as his finger smoothed through her pussy and she pressed her ass back into his hand. “You’re driving me wild.””

Loki licked his lips, continuing his gentle caress. “What do you want, love?”

Flipping her hair over her shoulders, she looked up at him. “I want you to fuck me from behind,” she told him. “Show me how badly you want me.”

“My pleasure.” He stroked himself once. Twice. Then lined himself up before sinking into her wet heat again.

Charlie gasped eagerly as he entered her, spreading her legs wider to accept the length of him. “Fuck, Loki… yes…”

Loki ran one hand down the center of her spine as he slowly pushed in to the hilt. “Glorious.”

“Mmm…” she moaned deeply, arching her back. “I love the way you talk,” she told him, smiling up at him from over her shoulder.

Grinning back, Loki grasped her chin, tilting her back so he could plant a kiss to her lips. “Like talking filthy?”

She nodded with a wry grin. “I do,” she said easily. “I want to hear what you want to do to me…”

“Oh, I could go on and on, beautiful.” Loki kept her head tilted back as he began to thrust slowly. He wanted to see her face.

Charlie’s supple lips fell open as he moved and moaned openly. “God, you feel so fucking good…”

“What does it feel like?” He purred. “Being fucked by a god…”

“Incredible… unlike any human I’ve ever been with,” she shared between uneven breaths. “My pussy is begging for you…”

Loki gave her a wry smile as he pulled her back against his pelvis, thrusting deep. “I’m glad you like it… because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop myself from having you.”

“You want me… that much, huh?” she asked with a pleased grin. She bit down on her lip as he filled her completely, to the brim. A deep moan rolled out of her. “Fuck…”

He grinned proudly, keeping her ass firmly against his hips. “Like feeling full, darling?”

“Uh huh,” she affirmed, dropping her head for a moment to truly feel the sensation. “Oh my god, you’re so big… I fucking love it.”

Loki smirked proudly as he thrust shallowly, wanting her to keep that full feeling. “Look at you melt for me…”

Charlie felt completely powerless to him in the most thrilling of ways. She could get completely lost in him. That was exactly what she needed. “I’m yours,” she moaned thickly.

He bent down to kiss her while rolling his hips, causing her to moan into his mouth. “All mine,” he breathed.

“Ooh,” she whined, her body begging for him. “Fuck, Loki…”

“That’s it,” he grinned. “You’re already pulsing around me.”

“Your cock is like magic,” she told him breathlessly. “Fuck me, please…”

Loki chuckled softly as he ran his hand down the column of her throat so she would be more comfortable. Then he began to thrust his hips, holding onto her hip with one hand.

His hand on her throat gave her goosebumps and she debated asking him to squeeze a little. She looked up at him with heated, desperate eyes and her mouth dropped open in a blissful moan as he began to move his hips.

“All mine for the taking,” Loki purred as he rolled his hips, his hand still resting on the base of her throat. “So beautiful.”

Her big green eyes looked up at him as she found her voice finally. “Choke me,” she asked of him passionately, wondering what his reaction would be.

Loki’s brows raised. It stunned him a bit that anyone would want to be choked, but he’d heard of it being something some people liked. “Show me. Put my hand where you want it.”

Charlie nodded and reached one hand up off of the bed to place it on top of his hand. She guided it up to the base of her neck. “Lightly,” she instructed, lacing her fingers through his to show him. She gasped softly as she applied pressure with their hands, but a moan soon followed. She unlaced her fingers from his to leave his there as she began to pump her hips.

Watching Charlie’s eyes glaze over, Loki grinned as he pumped his hips harder, faster. “Gods…”

Pure blissful sensations washed over her body as he fucked her, that little restriction of oxygen enough to send her to the moon. She moaned, even with his hand on her throat and it didn’t take long before she began to quiver around his cock.

“Fuck,” Loki breathed, now snapping his hips earnestly. “Charlie… darling… I’m going to fill you till your leaking.”

“Do it,” she begged, her moans rolling out of her.

“Tell me sweetheart,” he panted. “Use your words.”

“Fill me… make me leak,” she moaned unevenly as her whole body shivered with orgasm.

Loki moaned, his mouth dropping open as his hips stuttered before spilling himself deep inside her.

Charlie cried out as she came again and again, still quivering around him. “Holy… shit…” she moaned.

Breathing heavily, Loki bent down to kiss the side of her head. He was utterly spent and sated.

Sweat glistened on her brow as she heaved breaths in an effort to come back to herself. It took her a few long moments, but a smile crossed her lips as she struggled not to let her arms collapse on the bed. “I don’t think I can stand up…” she finally managed.

Loki slowly eased himself from her body before gently picking her up bridal style. He walked around the bed and laid her down before curling up with her.

That would be where the two of them would stay, curled up in one another for the rest of the night.

Chapter 5

Loki, working? It couldn't be true. Though Heimdall has shown it to him, Thor struggled to believe what he'd seen. He was a God, and to be reduced to a human worker? It didn't sit right with the Asgardian prince, so he insisted he see it for himself.

The Bifrost sent him to Midgard in the same path his brother had taken. He followed the eventual path to the bar he'd seen in Heimdall's vision. Pushing his way in, Thor banged through the doors and pushed his way through patrons.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for..." he started to say as the bar's inhabitants began to notice his odd dress for a city bar. He spotted him then. He stood out tall, his long dark hair giving him away.

"Loki!" He called out loudly, raising his arms in the air. "Brother, it's me! Thor!"

Loki turned from the cases of liquor he'd been tallying, a clipboard in his hand. He sighed and rolled his eyes. "Would you quiet down? You're scaring people."

"I'm not scaring anyone," Thor scoffed, making his way to the bar. "My eyes can barely believe it, Loki! I nearly called Heimdall a liar!"

"Thor, please," Loki countered, seeing as some people started to stare. "What are you talking about?"

"You're working?" Thor asked, gesturing incredulously towards his brother's attire. "Have you conned all of these people into working for you?"

"What? No. Of course not," Loki replied, offended.

Thor scoffed. "Then I am simply taken aback, brother," he replied. "I come to check on you and find you working amongst the Midgardians... please, Loki, tell me, how are you?"

"I'm fine," Loki shrugged as he signed the bottom of the clipboard he held. "I'm taking care of someone."

"You're... taking care of someone?" Thor echoed, confusion in his voice. "Is that how you think you'll get your power back?" he questioned.

Loki furrowed his brow. "No. It's not."

"Then how, brother?" Thor asked, beckoning his brother to the bar. "You don't belong here, amongst these people. You should be at home... I've told Father so."

Rolling his eyes, Loki put the clipboard in its place on the wall. "I've actually found myself to be comfortable here."

Thor could barely believe the man standing before him. He didn't carry the same air as the Loki he'd once known. "Comfortable? You're used to palace life, you're seriously comfortable here? Where are you staying?"

"An apartment..."

"Alone?" Thor asked. It would break his heart for his brother to be alone.

Loki turned to Joe for a moment. "Can I take my break?" He asked. "My brother is here."

Joe eyed the blonde man before glancing back at Loki. "Yeah, go ahead," he said. They didn't look like brothers, but that wasn't his business. Loki was relatively private anyway. He only seemed to confide in Charlie, though he got along with everyone.

"Thank you. I'll be back in fifteen." Loki walked around the bar and up to Thor. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Thor asked as he followed his brother.

"Just out back. There's a table we can sit at and talk," Loki answered as he walked through the bar and out the back door.

Thor followed close behind, taking in his surroundings as he went. As they stepped outside, he heaved a sigh and sat heavily across from Loki. "I've missed you, so has mother," he told his brother.

"Mother, I believe," Loki countered. "Why would you miss me?"

"We're brothers, Loki," Thor replied with a saddened scoff. "We've lived side by side our entire lives. I miss your presence. I know we haven't always gotten along but that doesn't change how I feel about you."

Loki sighed. "Says the man who always believed I am in his way."

Thor sighed in kind, shaking his head a little. "That's... brotherly. Have you never believed I was in your way?"

"Being pushed to the side most of your life, you begin to believe what you're told," Loki countered. "But back on subject. Yes, I live with someone in an apartment. Her name is Charlie."

"Her?" Thor questioned, raising a brow. "Is this the... someone you're taking care of?"

Loki nodded. "I am."

"As some kind of... favor?" It was hard to picture Loki willfully taking care of someone, except perhaps their mother.

Feeling himself bristle, Loki shook his head. "No."

"Then why?" Thor asked, confused. "How did you... meet this woman?"

"Charlie and I met when I fell," Loki answered simply. "We've gotten to know each other since then."

"Charlie? Isn't that a man's name?" Thor said, puzzled. "So, you're living with Charlie and taking care of her? Why can she not care for herself?" Was his brother being taken advantage of by this Midgardian?

"Her name is Charlotte," Loki fully explained. "She's sick... very sick," he added quietly.

The tenor of his brother's voice struck Thor. "You care for her quite a lot," he observed.

Loki could only nod. "Yes. I do."

"Do you... love her, brother?" Thor asked gently.

His throat bobbing, Loki shrugged. "I care about her. Deeply."

"Wow... I never thought I'd see it," Thor admitted. Loki caring deeply for someone else. He was... glad for it, though. If he had to be exiled, at least he wasn't alone. "And so she's... sick? What kind of sick?"

"Cancer," Loki said softly. "It's... something that could cause me to lose her."

Thor could see his brother was affected by this woman. The softness in his brother's voice tugged at his heartstrings. "Could we help? On Asgard?" he asked curiously.

Loki only shrugged. "I do not know. But I know Odin would never allow it. No matter how I feel."

"But if you earned your powers back, if you proved you deserved them, he'd have no choice but to welcome you home," Thor argued.

Rolling his eyes, Loki sighed. "Right now, I would only go back if it could save her life. Other than that, I'd rather be here."

"On Midgard?" Thor asked with a scoff. "What does Midgard offer that Asgard does not? Loki, you're royalty in Asgard!"

"Royalty is not anything that I care about," Loki countered. "I'm seen as an equal here. I can feel like I have a purpose here more than I ever have in Asgard."

"So, you wouldn't come home? Even to see Mother?" Thor said. "Her heart aches with your absence, Loki. I see it every day."

"I do miss her," Loki stated. "But I couldn't leave Charlie here to fend for herself."

"So, you would leave everything you know for her? I'd say that's pretty akin to love, brother," Thor advised. "Get your powers back, come home... bring her with you. Leave father to me."

"I doubt father has any plans to give them back," Loki countered. "I'll keep doing what I'm doing. If you want to visit, be my guest, but..." Loki looked at his phone. "My break is up. I get off at two today. I have to take Charlie to her treatment if you want to stick around."

Thor raised his brow in surprise. "I can meet her? Yes, I... I'd like to." Who was this woman that has his brother so enamored?

"You can stay at the bar, I'll get you a drink, food if you want it. I only have a few hours left."

Thor gave his brother a nod. "Yes, alright. I'll stay," he said, getting up from the picnic table. "Thank you, Loki, for not simply sending me away."

Loki shrugged. "If you're truly interested in why I want to be here, I'll show you."

Thor only nodded as he followed Loki back into the busy bar. He found a seat at the end of the bar and sipped on beer after beer as he waited for Loki's shift to be over.

When Loki clocked out a few hours later, he waved to Joseph before walking over to Thor. "Let's go."

Thor got up from the bar stool he sat on and walked beside Loki out of the bar. He'd been watching Loki with these people for hours. He seemed so... natural with them. It was a strange thing to watch. "These people really seem to like you," he observed as they walked down the sidewalk.

"They're not bad company," he replied easily. Loki walked the three blocks to the apartment easily, then climbed up the two flights of stairs.

Thor followed close behind, taking in the scene as they walked. This certainly wasn't anything like the palace. As they arrived at a door and Loki pulled out a set of keys, Thor felt a little nervous. "Charlie... she's in there?" He asked.

"Yes," Loki answered as he looked at his brother. "She was feeling a little better this morning. But I'm not sure how she is this afternoon."

"Should I wait out here?" Thor asked. If the woman was ill, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Loki shook his head. "She'll be happy to see someone new," he assured.

Inside the apartment, Charlie sat curled on the sofa with a blanket and a book, her eyelids heavy. The sound of the key in the door alerted her, though, and she looked up to greet Loki. "Welcome home, ba-" she started, but when she saw the tall blonde man behind him she cocked her head. "Hi..." she greeted, smiling a little awkwardly.

"Hi darling," Loki greeted, a smile on his face. "This is my brother, Thor. He stopped in for a visit."

"Oh, of course... you look like a Thor," she said as she sat up and draped her legs off of the couch. "I'm Charlie."

"Yes, hello, it's nice to meet you," Thor replied, stepping forward a bit.

"So, you're like, a... God, then? Or did dad banish you too?" she asked, raising her brows with a small smirk.

"A god, yes," Thor answered. "Something like that."

Loki walked up to Charlie and bent to kiss her cheek. "Have you eaten?"

Charlie's smile grew softly. "I have, I ate some crackers and soup," she told him, grateful for having kept it down so far. She wasn't getting sick quite as often anymore, which she was grateful for. "Is Thor coming with us to my fun appointment?" she asked sarcastically.

"Only if you want him to," Loki answered. "He could be a good distraction for you."

"I don't mind if he comes. He can tell me stories about you," she said with a teasing smile.

Loki only chuckled and nodded. "I'm sure he will."

Thor watched his brother interact with the Midgardian woman and he was nearly stunned. The way his shoulders were relaxed, the softened lines of his usually tense face. He looked nearly like a different person. "Yes, yes, I... I can entertain," he assured.

"Well, okay then," Charlie agreed. "Help me up?" she asked Loki then, reaching out her hands. She could be a little unsteady on her feet these days.

"Of course, love," he murmured before gently taking her hands and helped her stand before wrapping one arm around her waist.

"I just want to use the bathroom before we go. Do we have enough money to take a car?" she asked as she took careful steps towards the bathroom.

"I do," Loki answered. "Plenty."

"Good," she said, breathing a sigh of relief. She didn't think she could make it there walking and taking the train. "I'll be back," she said, smiling up at Loki as she stepped away from him and into the bathroom.

Thor felt uncomfortable as he watched the woman struggle. She was clearly unwell. "And you say she's getting... treatment?"

Loki nodded. "Yeah. The treatment makes her feel worse, but they say she's strong... that it's helping."

"How does a treatment make one feel worse? On Asgard..." Thor started, but this... this wasn't Asgard. This was Midgard.

"Midgard is a lot different, brother," Loki explained. "The treatment will kill the disease, but it also harms her in the process."

"That doesn't sound a lot like healing," Thor grumbled. It seemed unfair. To feel worse to get better. But that was the burden of the Midgardian.

Charlie took her time in the bathroom, ultimately stopping to put her thinning hair into a loose braid down her shoulder. She needed it out of the way of her port for treatment. Once she was ready, she opened the door and stepped out.

"Okay," she said with a sigh. "The patient is ready."

"Your bag packed? Your book? Tablet?" Loki asked. He walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Yep, on the table," she replied, gesturing to the bag resting there.

Thor glanced that way and moved to pick up bag. "I can carry it," he said, hoping to be at least somewhat helpful. This woman didn't need any further burden.

Loki led Charlie to the door and helped her into her jacket. "Thank you, Thor," he said quietly.

Charlie adjusted her jacket before she reached for the door, opening it for them. "I can try the stairs alone..." she told Loki, though she didn't think there was much chance of that happening.

"Hold the rail," Loki told her. "If you have any difficulty, we're taking the elevator."

She did as he asked as she reached the top of the stairs, holding onto the railing as she carefully took them one step at a time. The last thing she needed was to take a tumble down the stairs.

Loki kept by her side, knowing Thor was behind them, watching his every move. "Feel, okay?" Loki asked softly.

"I'm okay," Charlie assured. She wasn't fast, but eventually she made it to the ground floor. "Is the car outside?" she asked.

Thor stepped in front of them quickly to get the door, opening it so Charlie wouldn't have to.

"It should be. I told the front desk to call a car for us when we got inside," Loki told her. He gently held her waist as they walked through the small lobby, towards the front doors of the apartment.

Quickly, Thor was ahead of them again to open the door and outside sat a car. Charlie took her time walking to the curb and opened the car door, sliding inside so that Loki could slide in behind her.

Loki turned to Thor, giving his brother a small smile. "Are you riding with us?"

"I suppose I'll... ride up front," Thor said, going to the passenger side of the car to get in as Loki got in back with Charlie.

The trip didn't take very long before they arrived at the hospital. Loki got out and helped Charlie out as well. "This is the last one for a little while," he coached. "Before they check everything again."

Charlie nodded softly. "I know... let's cross our fingers," she said as Thor got out of the car and joined them. She took Loki's hand as she stepped up onto the curb and motioned for Thor to follow.

It was a process she was used to, checking in. They only had to wait a short while for a nurse to come out for her to get her set up. She settled into her treatment chair and bundled up with a blanket after the chemo had been attached.

Loki kissed her temple softly. "Do you want me to go get your usual drink?" He asked softly.

"Yes, please," she replied quietly, smiling gently as he stepped away. Her eyes found Thor and she narrowed her eyes on him. "What was he like? On Asgard?" she asked curiously. It didn't matter to her, people could change, but she was interested.

Thor smiled and shrugged. "Entirely different from the way I see him here. He was indifferent, non-social..."

"Well, he said he was treated like second best so you might start to be a little non-social if you were too," she defended, though not aggressively. She blamed Odin more than she blamed Thor.

"Loki got himself into quite a bit of trouble," Thor countered. "Almost caused a war."

"But to banish him from everything and everyone he knows? Does that seem fair to you?" she asked sincerely. She was grateful to have Loki, but how she got him wasn't right.

"Father did not know what else to do," Thor answered.

"Maybe father isn't always right," Charlie retorted, rolling her eyes a bit at the formality of the word. "From what I can tell... nobody's ever fought for him. And that sucks." She adjusted in her chair a bit, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. She wasn't trying to start a fight with Thor, but Loki deserved to have someone on his side for once.

"Mother tried," Thor said quietly. "But Father... he is not to be trifled with. His order goes. You cannot fight it."

She scoffed a little softly. "I would," she said plainly. She would fight for Loki, even if that meant going up against some God.

Thor watched Charlie for a moment, surprised by her bravery and courage. "You love him."

Charlie turned her eyes up to Thor's and held them for a quiet moment. "I don't know... maybe," she finally said softly.

Thor only smiled, able to hear Loki returning.

"They had the caramel crunch, which is normally out of stock, so that's what I got," Loki said as he walked into the room. He looked between Charlie and Thor before his brows furrowed. "Everything okay?"

Charlie offered Loki a smile and nodded. "Yeah, we're good here," she told him. "I was just making your brother uncomfortable," she added with a smirk.

Loki chuckled softly as he sat her drink beside her. "She can be ruthless," Loki told Thor. "I should have mentioned."

"She certainly seems to be a strong-willed woman. We need those around," Thor said with a soft smile.

"Yeah," Charlie agreed, reaching out from the blanket to take her drink in her hand.

"Mother would like her," Thor added.

Loki found himself smiling as he sat in a chair beside Thor. "She would," he agreed.

"What's your mom like?" Charlie asked before taking a sip of her drink.

"She's... kind, ruthless, loyal to a fault," Loki murmured. "Courageous..."

Charlie smiled softly, watching Loki's expression as he spoke about his mother. "Sounds like I'd like her too," she told him sweetly.

"I think you would get along," Loki agreed.

"I concur," Thor said with a nod.

Charlie took another sip of her drink before she set it back down. She rested her head back against the chair and looked to Thor. "Tell me a classic Loki story," she asked of him.

"A classic story, huh?" Thor eyed Loki before smiling. "I could tell you about the time he tricked the stable into letting all of the horses free."

Charlie's smile grew a little as she glanced over at Loki. "You did, huh? Why?" she asked him, laughing softly.

"He told them there was an emergency and that the horses needed to be let loose," Thor explained while Loki rubbed the back of his neck.

"Mother wouldn't let me have my lesson... I was angry," Loki explained.

Charlie laughed softly. "Wow, pretty sneaky there... but I guess mischief is in your DNA... or whatever it is you're made of," she said, gently teasing Loki.

"They don't call me the god of mischief for nothing," Loki grinned. He reached over to rest his hand over hers, caressing softly.

"We'll have you back to mischief soon," Charlie told him gently.

"Do you have any ideas on what might get your powers back?" Thor asked curiously.

Loki shook his head. "He only said I had to earn them. Whatever that is, I'm not so sure I want to know what it would take in his eyes."

Thor sighed, resisting the urge to defend their father. While he agreed that Loki needed to be reigned in after nearly starting a war, he didn't agree to the extent. "I'll see if I can come up with any clues."

"We'll figure it out... or it'll just happen," Charlie told Loki, turning her hand over in his to lace her cold fingers through his normally cold hand.

Frowning, Loki bent down, to cup both of her hands in his and rub warmth into them. "You're cold, darling."

She nodded, pulling the blanket she wore a little tighter. "It's okay. At least I don't have a fever," she told him, trying to find the bright side for him.

"No fever is good," Loki agreed. "Looks like you're halfway through," he said, looking up at her IV.

She looked up and nodded. "Makes sense. This is usually when the nausea hits," she said, making a face. "Hopefully I'll keep my drink down..."

"It's okay if you don't," Loki said softly. "I've got you."

Thor watched the display before him and couldn't help the stirring in his chest. He felt... discomfort. He cleared his throat before he stood. "Excuse me, I just need to take a walk for a moment..." he said before he stepped out of the room.

Loki turned towards Thor in time to see him leave the room. "I wonder what that's all about?"

"Should you go check?" Charlie asked him, turning her eyes up to his face. "It's okay, you can..."

"Will you be okay?" He asked her, running one hand through her hair.

She smiled softly. "I'll be fine, baby. I'd actually prefer if you didn't watch me throw up," she assured him.

Loki bent down and kissed her temple. "I'll be back, my love," he whispered. Then turned and left the room to find his brother.

Love. Maybe he said it by mistake, maybe it just slipped out... but he said it. Charlie just nodded, though she felt a rush run through her that made her lightheaded. She watched Loki go before she leaned the chair she sat in back and closed her eyes to ride out her nausea.

Meanwhile Thor found his way outside and took a few long, deep breaths. It wasn't too long until Loki found him. "Thor?" He called quietly.

Thor turned to find Loki approaching and he heaved a sigh. "I... I'm sorry, I just...". He smoothed his hands over his face before he spoke again. "It's not fair. What's happening to her."

Loki nodded. He understood. "No. It's not."

Thor shook his head. "I don't understand it. The cure makes her sicker? What sense does that make?" He rested his hands on his hips. "Could we heal her? On Asgard?"

"I don't know," Loki sighed. "This... what she's doing... isn't a sure cure. She could... she could die."

Thor's heart sank at his brother's words. "She's so young... it's not fair, for either of you." He looked to the sky then as if he could hear someone calling him. Heimdall. "Father's looking for me," he told Loki. "I have to go."

Loki nodded softly. "No it's not fair... but you can go. You can also visit anytime."

"I'll come back, brother... and I'll find out if we could heal her on Asgard," Thor told Loki. "If we can... we'll figure something out, okay?"

Squeezing his eyes shut, Loki held back sudden tears. "Don't do that," he said quietly. "Don't give me hope."

Thor hesitated only a moment before he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around his brother securely. "Don't lose hope, brother," he said gruffly.

Loki didn't react at first, before he slowly wrapped around Thor, squeezing him just as tight. "I'm trying."

Thor held Loki for a long few moments before slowly releasing him. "I'll return... you take good care, brother," he said before he backed away and turned to leave, heading away from the city to find a less public space to return home.

After collecting himself, Loki turned and made his way back inside the hospital. Then back up to Charlie's treatment room. "How are you?" He asked.

"Definitely dizzy, and getting a headache... must mean I'm almost done," Charlie answered, her fingers resting on her temples as she closed her eyes.

"Easy, darling," he soothed, crouching in front of her. "Need a nurse?"

"They'll give me something before we go," she replied, holding back a groan. That was the one good thing about cancer; they could give you the good drugs along with the bad. "Is the bag done?"

Loki looked up and nodded. "Yes. It's finished, darling." He looked back down and quickly grabbed the bucket just in time for her to get sick, making sure to catch everything. "You're okay."

Unfortunately, this was a routine they'd gotten in with her treatments. "God, my whole body hurts..." she groaned, spitting into the trash can.

"I know," he soothed. With his free hand, Loki pressed the nurse button built into the chair then reached for the wet wipes they had sitting beside them. "Think you're finished?"

Charlie nodded slowly, not making a move to sit up just yet. It wasn't long before a nurse stepped into the room.

"Are you okay, honey?" she asked, moving to help Charlie sit up.

"Everything hurts," she admitted, grateful that her stomach seemed empty.

"I'll get you something for the nausea and the pain," she said, getting up to go over to the med cart in the room. She got out two vials and put them both into a syringe before she walked over to Charlie and put the medicine in her port before she closed it off.

The relief was almost instant, and Charlie's whole body seemed to relax.

"I'll get her a wheelchair. She won't be walking out of here," the nurse told Loki quietly.

Loki nodded as he held Charlie's hand, willing tears away from his eyes. "Sure."

As the nurse left to get a wheelchair, Charlie slowly opened her eyes as the pain in her head subsided. "I'm so tired," she said softly, brushing some of her hair that had fallen out of her braid, out of the way.

"You'll be home soon, love. I promise." He gently ran his thumb over the back of her hand. "I will do everything that I can to help you through this... I promise you that."

"Loki, it's... it's okay," she assured him weakly. "You're doing enough."

"I wish I could do more."

"I'm sorry..." she said softly as the nurse returned with a wheelchair for Charlie.

"Okay sweetheart, let's get you out of here," the nurse said as she reached down to help Charlie slowly sit up. Once she got to the edge of the chair, Charlie reached for Loki to help her move over into the wheelchair.

"Do you all have a car waiting?" the nurse asked.

"I called one," Loki nodded. "Should be a gray car."

"Okay. Can you get her things for her?" the nurse asked, gesturing towards the bag Charlie had carried in on the ground.

The nurse pushed the wheelchair out to the front of the building, where she walked to a gray car she saw waiting. "Take it slow and easy, okay?"

Loki was just behind them with a bag over his shoulder. "We'll take it slow... watch some tv in bed," he assured.

Smiling, the nurse bent down to Charlie. "You better keep that one. He's a keeper, girl."

Charlie managed a smile and looked up at Loki. "I think I will," she replied. Once Loki had put her bag into the car, she reached out for him to help her get from the wheelchair and into the car.

Once in the car, Loki got in beside her and gave the driver instructions on where to go. "Let me know if we need to stop or anything."

She nodded, leaning into him in the back seat. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. The movement of the car threatened her stomach but she managed not to throw up on the ride home. She only opened her eyes when she felt the car come to a stop and Loki shift beside her.

"Scoot to the edge, love," he murmured. "I'll carry you up to the apartment and get you into bed."

Charlie followed his direction, slowly sliding herself forward so she was at the edge of the seat and her legs were out the car door. She wrapped her arms around Loki's neck and rested her head against his chest as he picked her up.

He kissed her cheek softly as he turned and nodded to the driver then made his way inside.

After some careful maneuvering, Loki got Charlie in the apartment and into bed. He laid her down and bent to kiss her head. "How're you feeling?"

"My skin feels weird... it's just the medicine," she murmured in reply as she rolled onto her side.

"Weird. Weird how, honey?"

"It... aches," she tried to explain, smoothing her fingers over her sensitive skin. "Could you lay with me? Your cooler skin makes me feel better."

Loki nodded as he said her bag to the side and removed his shoes, jeans, and shirt. Then he climbed into the bed beside her. "Wrap around me, love. I'm here."

She made a soft sound as she turned and pulled herself into him, resting her head on his chest as she wrapped around him. "You keep calling me that... love," she said softly, a slight whimper in her voice as she tried to relax against him.

Slowly, Loki ran one hand up and down her spine, trying to soothe her. "Do you not like it?" He asked. "I can stop."

"No, I... I like it," she told him, her fingers tracing small shapes on the skin of his chest. "I... like hearing it."

Loki smiled. "I like saying it."

She breathed slowly, as fully as she could. "Loki... do you..." she murmured nervously. "Because I..."

"You what?" He asked softly.

Swallowing nervously, Charlie turned her head up so she could see his face. "I think I love you, Loki," she told him softly.

Breath left Loki's lungs. He'd never really been loved before. Not by anyone but family, and even that was very few. "Charlie... I... I love you too," he said softly, knowing his words were true as he said them.

A smile spread across her face as she took in his words. "You do?" She asked, still surprised to hear them. She turned a little in his arms and leaned up to catch his lips.

Loki slowly kissed her back. "I do. Very much."

"I wish I didn't feel so shitty right now... this is such a good moment," she said with a small smile. "I've... never been loved by anyone before."

"I've never loved like I love you," he murmured in reply.

Charlie nestled into his chest once again, her chest rising and falling slowly. "Did Thor leave?" she asked, realizing only then that he was no longer with them.

"He did," Loki answered. "Heimdall told him Mother was calling him. But he wants to come back."

"I made him sad, didn't I?" she asked quietly, knowing it was the truth. She'd seen that look on his face before he walked out.

"He doesn't like how Midgard is with illness. He wants to ask Asgard for help."

"Hmm..." she said softly. "Your father would never let them help me. Even if they could."

"That's what I told him," Loki said softly.

"I'm sorry, Loki," she told him quietly. "I know this is... all really hard."

Loki kissed her head softly. "I wouldn't trade it for anything," he assured. "None of it."

A soft, wry smile found its way onto Charlie's tired expression. "There's something wrong with you," she said. "But whatever it is, I'll take it."

He scoffed and looked down at her. "Why? I wouldn't trade how we met, what you've taught me... falling for you." He didn't mention cancer. To him, it wasn't a part of how they got closer.

"What exactly have I taught you?" she asked a little disbelievingly.

"You've taught me how to be brave," he murmured. "To push through even when things seem so hopeless. To look for the good things in everything."

Charlie couldn't help but laugh a little darkly. "Because if you don't find the good... it can all just seem bad," she said quietly. "My situation is pretty bleak."

Loki shook his head. "No it's not. You're fighting. We're both fighting." He ran one hand through her hair. "Together."

She breathed out slowly, squirming a little against him as she tried to find the most contact she could. "I'll be honest... right now, it kind of feels like I'm dying...". Everything hurt, most of the time. Especially right after a treatment.

Fighting instant tears, Loki shook his head. "Don't," he whispered. "Don't say that."

"I'm sorry..." she exhaled, swallowing hard. She sniffled a little. If she were dying, hopefully they'd make her more comfortable. "I don't mean to upset you..."

"I know," he told her. "I just... I just found you. I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either," she told him softly. "And I don't want you to lose me... but that isn't really up to me, unfortunately." She had so little control here.

"I know it's not." He kissed her forehead, knowing that the decision might have to be made sooner than later. "If... Valhalla calls you... I'll let you go," he whispered. "But I will always always love you."

Quiet tears formed in Charlie's eyes as she nodded softly, turning her head to press a kiss to Loki's chest. "I'll always love you too," she told him softly as she closed her eyes and allowed the tears to fall.

Loki held her gently, holding her to his body. "I'm here, Charlie. I'll never be gone from you... ever."

But I'll be gone from you. She kept that thought to herself as more tears fell. She nuzzled her head into his chest, sniffling quietly. "I wish you could show me an illusion," she said, just barely above a whisper. "Any illusion."

"I wish I could too... but I could tell you. I could tell you every detail about my room in Asgard and how beautiful it is to see the Bifrost from the balcony," he murmured.

"Tell me," she said with a nod, keeping her eyes closed as she breathed slowly. She'd drift off to sleep soon with the rumble of his voice in his chest.

"To get my room, there's a pair of double doors made of dark wood," he began. "My room is large. To the left there's a large bed with dark green and gold bedding. Along the far wall there are a lot of bookshelves full of books along with my desk. There's a lowered area to sit that has a stove for winter, and in between the bookshelves are two large windows that connect to the balcony."

Charlie listened intently, picturing what he so eloquently described in her mind. She imagined walking beside him into the elegant space and taking it in. "It's beautiful..." she murmured in a hushed whisper.

"It is," he agreed. "If you step out onto the balcony, the view of the golden city is before you. You can see part of the palace, but you can also see the city of Asgard, the villages and shops, the markets and land for our crop. In the distance you can see a long line of shimmering rainbow light leading to a large building. That's the bifrost."

It was like something out of a fantasy novel. She could picture all of it. She wanted so badly to see it for real. Maybe one day. The gentle rumble of Loki's voice in his chest lulled her into a comfortable sleep and she laid there against his chest.

Loki smiled and kissed her temple. Willing Charlie the ability to see Asgard in her dreams. He wanted her to see every beautiful glittering detail.

Chapter 6

And she did. There she was, dressed in beautiful dark green robes, standing on the balcony. She could see the rainbow lights dancing in the distance.

Charlie looked around her in complete awe, turning to see Loki walking up to her. "Are you doing this? I... I wish this wasn't a dream," she admitted to him with a soft smile. She looked healthy here, more like she remembered herself.

Loki smiled as he bent to kiss her temple. "Looks like I have a tiny bit of magic," he murmured. "We can stay here as long as you want."

She reached out to take his hand in hers before she turned back out to face the kingdom and the lights in the distance. "It really is beautiful," she said with awe in her voice. "It's unreal."

"It was my home," he told her softly. He held her gently against his chest as they both took in the vast view.

Charlie rested her head back against him, allowing it to fall to one side so that she could take in his heartbeat. This all felt so real. She knew it was a dream, but it was so tangible. "It can be again, one day... if you want it to be," she told him. "If I'm here... I'll go wherever you go."

"If you'll be mine, I'd love you with me," he murmured.

"I already am yours," she told him with a smile, looking up at him.

Loki smirked as he laced their hands together. "Not completely... not yet."

"What would make me completely yours?" she asked curiously, securely taking his hand.

He smiles while running his thumb over her left ring finger. "One day..."

She felt his touch and her smile softened, albeit a bit sadly. "One day," she agreed, though it wasn't something she could fully agree to. If she was here... she would be his. She turned in his arms to look up at him. "Take me inside. Show me your room," she asked of him.

Loki bent down and kissed her softly before leading her into his bedroom. He showed her everything from the vast bed to the many bookshelves and seating area.

Her eyes lit up as she took in his space. It felt like him. She liked that it was enveloping her. She was about to take a seat before she spotted his expansive bed and she grinned. "I have to lay in that," she said.

"Go ahead," he told her. "Feel free."

"Come with me?" She asked, reaching her hand out to take his again. She tugged him playfully along before she climbed into the luxurious bed. "Oh my god... my bed is such garbage; how can you even sleep on it?" She asked with laughter in her voice.

"Because it's better than a hard floor... or a cell," he told her. "It's also because you're in it."

Her smile softened and she reached out to stroke his angular cheek. "I could sleep anywhere with you," she told him. "Though I think I'd sleep especially well here."

"I want to bring you here," he told her. "When I can... I want to try and help you, love."

Charlie's fingers slowly traced the line of his jaw. "I know you do... I feel healthy here, now. In this dream... I can breathe deeply, I feel energized. I feel... like myself."

"That's all I could ever wish for," he murmured.

She leaned in, finding his lips in a sweet kiss. "If you can help me, I know you will," she told him softly. She sighed softly as she looked into his deep green eyes. "I feel good here, Loki... will you make love to me?" she asked him.

"Gladly," he grinned before moving to lay over her.

She smiled up at him, her fingers smoothing up either side of his face and into his hair. "Kiss me," she urged, pulling him down to meet her lips intensely.

Loki kissed her deeply, exploring every inch of the inside of her mouth. He dropped down to his elbows, wrapping his arms around her head, wanting to be as close as he could.

Charlie whimpered a desperate sound into his mouth as she pulled her body to his, beautiful robes between them both.

"I love you," he breathed. "My beautiful Charlie."

She felt completely enveloped by his love. It was a feeling unlike anything she'd ever felt before. "I love you, Loki," she said in reply, her words sweet as she said them.

Using his magic, a green gold light shimmered over them both, removing every inch of fabric from both of them. "I love you," he repeated again.

"Wow... that's so cool," Charlie said in awe as she took in their bodies. She looked back up at him and her smile grew. "You have magic here... can you use it in any sexy ways?" she asked with sensual curiosity.

Loki chuckled before kissing her softly. "Like what?"

She giggled softly in reply. "I don't know, I don't know what your magic can do!" She said. "I just know I want to see it." She plunged her fingers through his hair as she looked up at him. "Everything you do amazes me."

He chuckled as his eyes closed. "When I can, I'll show you everything you want to see." Loki captured her mouth as his hands combed through her hair, moaning as he slowly rut against her.

"Oh," she breathed into his mouth before kissing him deeply, spreading her legs so he could settle between them as she rolled her hips. She was already slick.

"Listen to you already," he purred. "So wet for me too."

"I crave you," she told him breathlessly. "I always want you."

Loki kissed her softly, rubbing his cock through her folds. "Ever since I've had you... I can never get enough."

"I know the feeling," she smiled greedily against his lips. She reached forward and grabbed his bottom lip with her teeth, tugging it lightly. "You make me feel so good..."

Moaning softly, Loki allowed Charlie to suck on his lip before pulling away. "We can do anything here," he told her. "Any fantasy... anything you've ever wanted to try."

Her eyes swirled with erotic curiosity. "Is there anything you've wanted to try?" She asked. "I've... always wanted to be tied up."

He gave her a wry grin. "I can do that for you... I'm more focused on you."

She bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him. "I trust you," she told him with a sure nod. "To not be able to move or touch back while you explore me in whatever way you choose... it gets me so wet."

"Is that what you want?" He asked.

She shuddered at the thought. "Yes," she answered breathlessly.

"Raise your arms and spread your legs, love," he murmured.

Charlie did as she was told, raising her arms above her head and spreading her legs wide. Goosebumps prickled her skin in anticipation.

Keeping his eyes on Charlie, Loki used his magic once more to bind her to the bed posts. The rope was soft but durable, so it wouldn't do any harm to her.

She gasped with excitement as she felt her restraints and her smile turned up as she watched Loki's eyes. "Your magic can be kinky... I like that."

He chuckled softly as he stood on his knees between her legs. "It does as I ask, most of the time."

Charlie loved how she felt beneath his gaze. She felt so wanted, so desired. "It's sexy," she told him as she looked up at him. "Just one more thing about you that turns me on."

Loki blushed slightly as he slowly pumped his cock, watching as her eyes were instantly drawn to the action. "I could just do this... make you watch me come all over you."

"I'd never take my eyes off you," she replied, sensuality laced through her voice.

He chuckled, the sound deep and resonating. "Then I would take you as many times as you desire."

"Over and over..." she said longingly, tugging a little at her restraints just to test them.

"Over and over," he assured while leisurely stroking himself.

She whimpered a little helplessly as she watched him. "You look so hot," she told him with need. "I'm so wet..."

Loki smirked. "I expect to see a wet spot on the sheet." He continued to stroke his cock, squeezing the head gently with each pass.

"Oh, you will... a big one," she told him, tugging at her restraints again. "It's so cruel, not letting me touch you..."

He tsked her. "You wanted to be held back, beautiful."

Charlie grinned and nodded. "I did... until I saw you touching yourself. Now I want my mouth around your massive cock," she told him. "But I can enjoy the show if that's what you want."

Loki groaned, finding it hard not to grant her wish. "Magic word?"

"Oh, please, baby, please," she begged.

"I do like hearing you beg for me," he grinned. "C'mon darling... you can do better."

She smiled more seductively. "Please, God of Mischief. Let me suck your cock until you come down my throat. You don't even have to untie me, just come over here."

Loki groaned, practically melting at her words. "Fuck... do you want me to fuck that pretty mouth?"

"Yes, so much," she told him desperately. "I want to taste you."

Smiling devilishly, Loki dropped to his hands and knees and crawled over her body. Once he reached where his cock hovered above her face, he stopped. "Like this?"

"Just like that," she said with an eager nod. She licked her lips as she looked up at his massive cock. "Put it in my mouth, baby," she told him as she opened her mouth.

Loki watched as he lowered his hips, dipping the head of his cock into her waiting mouth. He sighed as she wrapped her lips around him, feeling heat envelop him.

Charlie stretched her neck to take as much of him as she could, moaning against his skin as she tasted the precum on his cock. She applied suction and began to bob her head as much as the bed would allow.

"You're going to... hurt yourself," Loki sighed as he began to move for her, gently thrusting in and out of her mouth.

With his movement, Charlie stilled her movements but sucked eagerly. She moved her tongue wildly over his shaft and tip, making Loki groan.

"If you keep... doing that... I won't last..."

"Mmm..." she moaned against him, too full of him to form words. She didn't care how long he lasted. She just wanted to satisfy him.

Loki watched intently as he thrust into her mouth again and again. "Charlie, baby..."

She relaxed her jaw, allowing him in as far as she possibly could. She hummed against him as she continued to wildly move her tongue over him.

"Fuck," he growled. "I'm close... suck hard baby..."

Charlie heeded his words eagerly, sucking his cock as hard as she could as he fucked her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't care, she was solely focused on his pleasure.

"Shit... Charlie... I'm going to..."

She prepared herself, holding herself still as she felt him explode down her throat. "Mmm!" she moaned against him, swallowing all of what he had to offer.

Loki grunted as his breathing stuttered and his movements came to a stop. "That's the quickest I have ever come..."

Charlie slid her mouth off of him and turned her heated eyes onto him as he spoke. "I know how to make you come, handsome. I don't even need my hands."

He chuckled as he moved back down and captured her mouth, moaning softly as he tasted himself.

She swept her tongue through his mouth, kissing him deeply as she rolled her hips against him. "You taste delicious," she said against his lips.

"So do you," he breathed. Loki felt as her wetness coated his thighs and cock, making him moan.

"You make me so hot..." she breathed desperately, grinding herself against him.

Loki moaned, beginning to harden again. "I could bed you for days."

"Touch me, please... lick my nipples, they're so hard," she said with a groan.

He smirked at her before bending to run his cool tongue over one peaked nipple. Then the other.

"Ooh," she breathed, dropping her head back as she lightly tugged at her restraints again. "You drive me crazy just with your tongue..."

"Mmm, I bet I do."

Charlie arched her back so he could take more of her breast into his mouth. "Fuck, it's driving me wild that I can't touch you," she told him with a whimper.

"Do you want out of the restraints?" He asked softly before kissing between her breasts.

She shook her head. "No, baby. I want you to have your way with me, any way you want," she answered.

Loki gently kissed her mouth. "Whatever you wish."

"I'm all yours," she told him, sensuality thick in her voice as her hips grinded against him again.

He grinned as he slowly rolled his hips against her. "You're so wet darling..."

She could hear the sound of her slick as it spread all over him. "And you've barely touched me."

Loki chuckled and kissed between her breasts once more before running his tongue along her skin over to her nipple.

"Oh," she breathed, arching her back. "Yes baby, tease me, bite me, play with me..."

He grinned against her skin before gently biting down on her nipple, while rutting against her.

She whimpered desperately in reply. She loved a little pain mixed with her pleasure. "Fuck, my clit is throbbing..."

"How bad do you want me, hm?"

"I want you to touch me... please, touch my clit, lick me, fuck me," she begged.

Loki growled, his body practically vibrating. He lifted his hips slightly, angling himself. He grinned as he slid home on his next thrust, watching as Charlie instantly cried out.

"Fuck!" she cried, moaning wildly. "Yes, Loki, oh god..."

"Ooh, you're squeezing me... so close already, pet?"

"You've been winding me up for a while," she told him with a grin.

"I have," he agreed, feeling her push up against him. "I won't last either."

"God, you're filling me up so well," Charlie groaned as her hips met his. "You're so big... I fucking love it."

Loki groaned as he cradled her head in his arms and began to pump his hips. He kissed her softly, moving his tongue to the same movements of his hips.

She eagerly kissed him back and moved her hips with his as much as she could within her restraints. Moaning into his mouth, she parted their lips for air. "Loki..." she breathed.

"Charlie," he breathed in reply, lifting his head to look down at her.

"Oh my god... ooh," she moaned, looking up into his eyes. She wanted to watch his face as he came again. "You fuck me so good..."

He grinned, rolling his hips languidly. "You're so close... on the edge of that cliff," he murmured.

"Uh huh..." she said with a desperate, helpless nod. "Oh fuck, yes, I'm coming..."

Feeling her grip around him, Loki groaned as he released her restraints, allowing her full range of motion. "Yes... fuck yes, I'm coming with you..."

Charlie wrapped around him like a vice, embracing him tightly. She cried out as she felt him fill her and she dropped her head back in ecstasy.

Loki gently kissed along her throat, reveling in the feeling of her being wrapped around him.

She never felt as good as the way Loki made her feel. He made her feel alive. Sweat beaded her brow as she slowly came down from her high as she found Loki's lips again.

Kissing her slowly, Loki explored her mouth as he just held her to him, staying wrapped around her.

The kiss lingered for a long while and when she finally needed air, she parted her lips from his. "I love you so much," she breathed.

Loki rested his forehead against hers, their breath mingling together. "I love you too, my love."

"Thank you... for bringing me here. For showing me some of your powers..."

"Anything for you."

She closed her eyes softly. "Can we fall asleep here? Wake up in the real world in a little while?"

"If that's what you want." Loki turned them to lay on their sides, gently sliding from her body.

Charlie snuggled in close to him, a soft, contented sound escaping her as she kept her eyes closed. She felt so complete at this moment. She felt... so good. She knew it wasn't real, that she'd feel bad again when she woke, but this was enough for her.

Loki covered them both with a blanket and wrapped his arm around her waist, keeping her close. I don't know who can hear me... or if anyone can. But I would do anything. Anything to save her life to have her with me for the rest of mine.

~~~~~

At the end of the week, both Charlie and Loki sat in the doctor’s office for Charlie’s latest appointment. Charlie bounced her leg as she sat in the doctor’s office. She hated this waiting. She swallowed hard, her mouth feeling dry as she squeezed Loki’s hand, however weakly. “Did you see the way the nurse looked at me when she took my vitals?” she asked him, her eyes glancing towards the door.

“I was too focused on you,” he told her honestly. Loki caressed the back of her hand repeatedly, hoping to give her some sort of comfort.

“She knows it’s bad news…” she predicted, biting the inside of her lip. She’d been doing that so much lately; it had been bleeding.

“Hey, hey,” he soothed, gently removing her lip from her teeth with his free hand, running his thumb over her lip. “We’ll take news as it comes.”

She allowed his gentle touch to relax her enough to release her lip and she nodded softly. “Okay,” she agreed half-heartedly.

Thankfully, the doctor didn’t keep them waiting too much longer. As he walked in, he offered Charlie and Loki a professional smile. “How are you feeling, Charlie?” he asked.

“About as good as I look,” she told him. She looked ill. Her skin was sallow and a little sunken, she’d lost a significant amount of weight, her hair was thinning… she looked like a cancer patient.

“I’m sorry you haven’t been feeling well. We’ll see what we can do about making you more comfortable,” he said as he took the seat opposite the couple.

“Can you just… does that mean…?” she stammered, suddenly feeling flushed with emotion.

“Charlie, it means…” the doctor sighed, and he took a moment before he looked across at her again. “The treatments haven’t improved your cancer.”

“What?” Loki questioned. “The treatment she had before helped her. Why didn’t this?” He felt angry. Protective.

The doctor sighed. “The cancer this time is more aggressive. We could only hope that the treatment would work…”

Charlie sat back in her chair, tears welling in her eyes. “So… I’m dying, then?” she asked, her voice choked in her throat.

The doctor frowned. “I’m so sorry, Charlie. We can keep doing treatments…”

“No,” she said forcefully, shaking her head. “I don’t want to be sick if I’m gonna die anyway.”

Loki turned and held Charlie in his arms, fighting back tears of his own. He was going to lose the love of his life… and he’d only just found her. Heimdall… please… I’m begging you…

~~~

On Asgard, the sentient guard heard the call. “Thor,” Heimdall called, “Loki is calling.”

It didn’t take long for Thor to make his way to The Bifrost. “Loki?” He asked. “Why?”

Heimdall sighed heavily. “The girl… she’s dying,” he answered. “Her time is limited.”

Thor instantly sulked. “It isn’t fair. Father must know how Loki feels?” He questioned. “Has he come to you?”

“Only to inquire about how Loki is. I’ve been honest with him,” Heimdall answered. “Did you discover it? If we can heal her?”

“The main healer says we could give her a slice or two of a golden apple. That it would be the only thing that would save her… but she cannot do it without father’s direct permission. Which I highly doubt he would give. It would make her like us.”

Heimdall nodded in understanding. “That’s a heavy ask of a stubborn man,” he sighed. “He cares for Loki, but he thinks he’s right. Do you not think you could convince him?”

“I… I don’t know. I don’t know if mother even could. But I have to try. For Loki.”

“If this young woman dies, if Loki loses her… I fear what that might bring out in him,” Heimdall admitted. “He would never forgive your father if he learns we could have saved her.”

Thor nodded. “I need to speak to mother. Urgently.”

“Go to her,” Heimdall said. “I’ll keep watch over your brother.”

Nodding again, Thor turned as he spun Moljinr and took to the air. He raced through Asgard before reaching the double doors of the library. He opened them quickly, making them clang against the wall.

Frigga startled at the sound of the doors. “Thor!” She chided, raising her hand to her chest.

“I’m sorry mother, but this is urgent.”

Her brows furrowed. “What is it?” she asked, standing from where she was seated.

“It’s Loki,” he told her. “He… he’s found love on Midgard, Mother. Real, true, love. But… the woman is dying.”

Loki. The mention of his name tugged at her heart. The news surprised her; she’d never known Loki to entertain many women. He found most too frivolous for him. Tiresome. “She’s dying…” she repeated. “And… you want to convince your father to save her?”

“She… has something called cancer. The medicine they were trying made her sick and she’s suffered a while. The medicine they used didn’t even work.”

Frigga sighed softly. “Midgardians die… that’s what he’ll say,” she advised.

“Loki is begging Heimdall. Even now. Saying he would do anything to save her. Even if it means a life on Midgard.”

To hear of her son begging was completely unlike Loki. He might argue, but he never begged. Frigga considered all of the information and nodded resolutely. “We’ll talk to your father. You and I, together. We need to persuade him. Loki isn’t one to beg.”

“I know he’s not…” he paused as Heimdall gave him more information. “He’s calling out for me… to help him. They’re back home from the Midgard healers… if you even call them that.”

“We have to find a way to help… with or without your father,” Frigga said, her heart aching for Loki. “His calling can’t go unheard.”

Thor nodded as his eyes began to sting with the vision Heimdall gave him. Loki cradled Charlie in his lap, sitting in the center of a bed as he cried. “We must.”

Frigga walked up to Thor and took his hand. “Come. We can’t afford to wait. Have Heimdall send a message to Loki, that we’re working on it.”

Nodding, Thor took a breath. “Done.”

“If we can’t convince your father, then I’ll just have to get my hands on a golden apple without the healer’s knowledge,” Frigga explained. “We’ll take matters into our own hands.”

Thor looked at his mother with wide eyes while they walked. “You’d do that? Face his wrath?”

“Unlike most of the realm, I’m not afraid of your father,” she told Thor. “I won’t lose my son because of your father’s stubbornness.”

“That makes me happy. That you’d fight for Loki.”

“He’s just as much my son as you. I should have fought harder for him before… but if I had, perhaps he never would have met this girl,” Frigga replied.

“She’s pretty amazing,” Thor replied. “Extremely brave.”

“She has to be special, to have attracted Loki the way she has,” Frigga replied. “He isn’t attracted to just anyone.”

Thor chuckled as they hurried through the halls of the palace. “No, he’s not.”

“I hope to meet her soon,” Frigga said as they approached the throne room. As they reached the doors, she took a breath. “I’ll go in first, then bring you in. If this doesn’t work… we’ll figure it out.”

“Okay. Okay,” Thor nodded.

She knocked before she dared to push the door open. “Pardon us, Odin,” she said as sweetly as she could muster. “Might we have a moment?””

Odin turned from his desk, hovering over a map. “Frigga, dear. What do I owe this visit for?”

“Something rather urgent, I’m afraid,” she said, approaching him. “Thor and I would like an audience with you… regarding a situation with Loki.”

“Loki.” Odin’s brow furrowed. “What has he done?”

Frigga frowned softly. “Nothing like you’re thinking, dear. I assure you. He’s… fallen in love, on Midgard.”

“Love?” Odin questioned. “Are we thinking of the same person?”

“I know, it’s surprising. But it’s true,” Frigga told him. “And the young woman he’s in love with, she’s dying. She has a Midgardian illness that’s going to take her life.”

“Midgardian die every day, Frigga,” he countered.

“But this one doesn’t have to, Odin,” she argued, respectfully. “Thor, come in here,” she called. “Tell your father what you saw in Loki.”

Thor stepped into the room. “He’s been reaching out to Heimdall. Begging for help. Saying that he would do anything to save her.”

“He’ll accept a Midgardian life with this girl,” Frigga added. “He’s not asking for his abilities back. He simply wants her to live.”

Odin furrowed his brow deeply. What Frigga and Thor spoke of did not sound like the cocky self-assured man he knew Loki to be. “Are you sure it is not a ruse?”

Frigga looked back at Thor. “You saw him in the flesh. You met her. What do you think?”

Thor swallowed thickly. “He loves her. Without any doubt. I saw what this woman has to go through for just an attempt to help to cure her illness. The treatment alone seemed to be trying to kill her. During it all, Loki showed nothing but support and bravery, taking care of her every need.”

Frigga turned to Odin, her eyes pleading. “Please, Odin… I fear if we don’t help save this girl, we may lose Loki forever.”

“Losing her will cost everything to him,” Thor added. “Like it would to lose mother.”

Odin looked between his wife and son, watching their faces. “I don’t like meddling in Midgardian affairs…” he grumbled.

“This is Loki,” Frigga countered.

The older man sighed heavily and paced in his spot for a moment. He didn’t like the idea, but he also got the sense that if he said no, there might be other fallout. “Fine,” he conceded. “We will help the girl. But I want to see sincerity from Loki. If I see anything but love for the girl, I’ll change my mind.”

“The only thing that will help her is a golden apple,” Thor replied softly. “Her situation is dire.”

“Bring them here. I want to meet this girl and lay eyes on Loki and his intentions for myself,” Odin replied.

Thor nodded. “May I bring mother with me?”

Odin nodded. “Bring Loki to me when you return,” he instructed.

“Thank you, Odin,” Frigga said sincerely, backing out of the room with Thor.

Once the doors shut behind them, Thor let out a breath. “Let’s go to Heimdall now. Not a moment to lose.”

The pair rushed to the Bifrost, where they met Heimdall. He was grateful to be able to send them to Midgard, and he did so without hesitation.

Chapter 7

On Midgard, Loki slowly brushed his hand through Charlie's hair while she slept. She'd fallen asleep with her head in his lap, on their bed. He sighed to himself, feeling defeated. He'd been begging Heimdall for hours. It was dark outside now and no answer had come.

Thor and Frigga made their way through the streets to the apartment Thor had visited. Heimdall said they were there. Not wanting to startle anyone, Thor knocked gently when they arrived instead of his usual thunderous knock.

Turning his head, Loki furrowed his brow. He gently moved Charlie from his lap before walking down the loft steps. He wiped his eyes and took a breath before unlocking and opening the door. "Thor? Mother?"

Frigga's heart broke at the sight of her son's reddened eyes. "Loki..." she breathed, stepping in to pull him into her arms.

Loki instantly clutched his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. "You're here."

"You called," she said to him softly, stroking his hair. "We'll never leave you when you truly need us. And Thor assures us that you do now."

"I do," he nodded before pulling away to let them in. Loki wiped at his eyes again and looked up towards the loft where Charlie still slept.

"How is she?" Frigga asked softly, stepping inside with Thor.

Loki cleared his throat then cleared it again. "She's sleeping," he replied quietly. "Cried herself to sleep."

"Oh, darling... I can see how much pain you're in," Frigga said gently, reaching up to cup Loki's cheek in her hand. "We spoke to your father... he wants to see you," she explained. "He wants to see the girl."

The look on Loki's face instantly became apprehensive. "What could he possibly want with us?"

Frigga sighed. "He wants to see for himself that your intentions are sincere. He's willing to consider helping the girl, Loki."

Loki furrowed his brow. "He's never helped me in my life..." he said quietly.

"To hear you're in love seemed to change something," his mother explained. "It's a big change for you."

He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck as he eyed his brother. "I know it is..."

Thor offered Loki a small smile. "Father will see the change, Loki. He will," he assured as best he could.

Loki still felt hesitant as he looked up at Charlie. "She's really weak. Refuses to eat."

"Poor thing, she's all but given up, hasn't she?" Frigga sighed softly. "There's still hope, son... we won't let you down this time."

"I love her," He whispered. "I love her so much."

Frigga stepped up to him, taking Loki into her arms again as Thor stepped in and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's get the two of you to Asgard," his mother said softly. "We'll sort this all out there."

"Asgard... now?" Loki asked.

She nodded. "Your father wants to see you before he summons a golden apple. And he wants to see... her."

Loki blinked. Odin was considering making Charlie Æsir? That was... big news. But would it backfire in his face?

"Are you sure?" Loki asked.

"This is the way to save her, Loki," Frigga advised. "We just have to make sure your father sees how different you are. And how could he not see that?"

Nodding, Loki reached to wipe his eyes. The tears hadn't stopped since they started. "Yeah... okay. She's fragile though..."

"Hold her close when we take the Bifrost," Frigga advised. "And we'll make her comfortable when we get to Asgard."

Loki nodded before silently going up the stairs, to the loft. He crouched down and kissed Charlie's forehead before gently lifting her into his arms. "Can you make sure this home will be safe?"

"We will," Thor agreed with a nod.

Charlie gently began to stir in Loki's arms, her weary eyes flickering open partway. "Loki?" she asked. "What..."

"Shh, baby... I'm taking you to Asgard. We're going to save you," he murmured.

"You're... Asgard?" she questioned weakly. To save her? She had questions but she felt too weak to ask them, so instead she tucked her head against his chest and closed her eyes again. Whatever Loki was doing, she trusted him.

Loki kissed her head. The doctor had given her a few months at the most, but Loki refused to give up. He walked over to his mother and nodded. "Let's go."

Frigga nodded in agreement before looking to Thor and giving him the same nod. "Heimdall, we're ready," she said simply.

In a rush of blinding light and color, Loki shut his eyes tight and curled Charlie to his chest. By the time he stood on solid ground again, he was breathing heavy, but the only thing on his mind was her.

Charlie clung to Loki; her eyes squeezed closed. She didn't fully understand what was happening to her, but her trust in Loki made her sure it would be alright.

As they arrived, Frigga turned to Loki. "We should get you to your father. Come. We'll get her set up someplace comfortable."

Loki shook his head, holding her tight. "I don't go anywhere without her.""

Frigga sighed, her eyes shifting down to the girl who seemed so small in her son's arms. "Okay... if you're sure you want to take her to see your father with you."

"I don't go anywhere without her," he stated firmly, fight in his eyes.

"Okay," Frigga conceded, gently resting her hand on his arm. "Come," she said, gesturing for Loki to follow her to the throne room where she knew Odin would be.

Once they arrived at the door, she knocked. Odin's booming voice could be heard beckoning them inside. "Do you want me to go with you or do you want to go in alone?" She asked Loki.

"Don't leave me alone with him," Loki stated. He knew he sounded like a coward, but he didn't view Odin as a father. Hadn't for some time.

Frigga nodded, willing to be there all the way with Loki. She pushed the door open and held it for Loki to enter with Charlie. "Do you want to keep holding her or sit her in a chair?" she asked softly as Odin stood from his throne.

Loki looked down at Charlie and listened to her breathing. "She's asleep... let her be with me. I keep her fever at bay."

She smiled sadly, giving him another nod before she turned to Odin.

The older man cleared his throat as he walked down the stairs from his golden throne. "Loki," he greeted. "I've heard rumors but needed to see it for myself. You and this girl..."

Loki's eyes hardened as he stepped back protectively. "Odin..."

Odin's eyes dropped to the woman in his son's arms. "So, this is the Midgardian who has changed my son," he said, taking steps towards Loki. "Let me see her."

"She's very ill," Loki replied tersely, looking towards his mother.

"Odin... be gentle, please," Frigga asked of her husband, praying he'd listen.

"I just want to see her," Odin told them both. "She must be beautiful and special for Loki to have become so taken with her."

Loki looked down at Charlie, her dull hair, sallow face, and pale skin. The illness had taken a lot of things. But she would always be beautiful to him. Carefully, Loki turned Charlie so Odin could see her as she slept, keeping an eye on her breathing.

Odin's eyes narrowed on the obviously ill young woman. "She doesn't have long," he observed. His eyes rose to Loki and took in the state of his son. "You look defeated," he said.

"I am," he answered, his voice cracking. "I've been with her every step, fighting this infernal disease. I've watched her be bubbly and bright to exhausted and withdrawn. In only a few months."

"Midgardians die, Loki. Sometimes tragically," Odin said. "So, tell me... why should I save this one? What makes you so different now that I should grant your request?"

Loki's gaze instantly hardened as he stepped away once more, holding Charlie tightly to his chest. "Why would you want to know?" he asked, hearing as his voice cracked as he spoke, and instantly hating it. He didn't want to show how hurt he felt to him. "Would it even matter?"

"It matters," Odin nodded. "Loki, I banished you to teach you a lesson. If loving this girl has taught you something, that's important."

"Banishing me taught me nothing," he stated. "Love taught me everything."

Odin's eyes narrowed on Loki. That wasn't the answer he wanted to hear. "You're not winning any favors for a man begging to save the love of his life."

"What do you want me to say?" He asked. "That I would sacrifice myself for her? That I would take her place if I could? Because I would do it. If it would save her... if she could be happy and alive and healthy." He looked down at Charlie as tears ran down his cheeks again. "She is the strongest person I have met in my entire life. Without internal health, powers... any power at all... she has fought for her life."

Odin watched the tears falling down Loki's face. It was uncharacteristic for him. The lines of the older man's face set. "That is different... to hear you willing to trade your life," he said, or more like grumbled.

"Please, Odin..." Frigga said. "Please allow us to save her."

"I need time to think on it," the King said, turning to walk back up to his throne. "Guards, take them into custody until I've made my decision."

"What?" Thor bellowed. "They're not prisoners!"

"They're also not currently Asgardians," Odin said as he climbed the stairs to his throne.

Loki's eyes hardened as he backed away from the guards that stepped in from the archways. "You can't possibly be serious..."

Odin turned to stare at Loki. "Do I ever kid with you, Loki?"

"Odin, please, no," Frigga pled.

In Loki's arms, Charlie began to stir again. "What's happening?" she murmured, turning her head to look out. She saw the guards approaching. "Loki?"

"You're alright," Loki assured. "I'd never let anything happen to you."

"Give up the girl," one of the guards said as several raised spears at the couple.

"Father, stop this!" Thor begged.

Guards approached Loki from behind and grabbed him around the shoulders as others approached from the front. One wrapped his arms around Charlie's middle to pull her from Loki's arms.

"Like hell!" Loki's magic came to life in an instant, forming daggers in both of his hands with a swirl of green. He nicked the guards' wrists that held them, making them let go before he quickly engaged the guards at his front. He disarmed them with magic before letting Charlie rush to his arms once more.

"Stop!" Odin commanded, the sight of Loki's magic instantly changing the situation. The guards backed off and the King turned to walk back down the stairs. "He... is worthy," he observed.

Loki breathed hard, cradling Charlie in one arm while he held a dagger in the other, ready for anything.

"It was a test?" Frigga asked. "You did this to him just to see if he had his magic?" She questioned.

"It's an important factor," Odin replied, approaching Loki again. "Put your dagger away. No harm will come to either of you here."

Charlie trembled slightly as she held onto Loki, carefully turning her head to take in the sight of Odin. "How can we believe you?" she asked weakly.

"Why would I ever trust you?" Loki questioned.

"Because I'm the man who stands between you and living with the love of your life," Odin replied sternly. "I needed to see if the cosmos felt you were worthy. And you are."

Charlie shook her head and scoffed. "He's always been worthy," she spat in spite of his awful she felt.

Loki caressed along her side, hoping to soothe her. My little spitfire. He gently put himself in front of Charlie. "What now, then?"

Odin exhaled heavily as he stopped in front of Loki. "Now... we call the elders for a golden apple," he answered, almost disgruntled.

"You sound so happy," Loki replied but stayed put, unmoving.

"I don't like to be wrong, Loki... and perhaps I have been, about you," Odin said, his expression set.

Loki blinked. Odin just admitted he was wrong about something. Especially about him.

"No gratitude? I shouldn't be surprised," Odin scoffed dismissively.

"Odin," Frigga scolded. "He's your son."

The old man grumbled to himself before he cleared his throat to speak again. "Take her to your quarters. I'll have the healers go there when they're ready," Odin told Loki more gently.

Loki nodded before turning to Charlie. "Can you walk, love?" He asked.

"A little. If I lean on you," Charlie answered, linking her arm through his so that she could use his strength. She looked up and met an older woman's eyes, undoubtedly Loki's mother. She mustered what she could of a smile as she walked with Loki out of the elaborate throne room.

As they continued on, Loki turned and gently lifted her back into his arms. "Welcome to Asgard, darling," he murmured.

"I'm sure I'll appreciate it more... when I'm not dying," she said, a little short of breath after walking that short distance.

"The healers will be in my room soon to help you," he explained. "You've been awarded a golden apple."

Charlie swallowed thickly and licked her dry lips. "Unless he changes his mind before then," she said nervously. She didn't want to get her hopes up, to truly believe it was happening.

"Mother and Thor will not let him go back on his word," Loki assured. They reached the double doors of his bedroom and pressed his back against the door to open it.

She felt... nervous. It wasn't that she didn't want her life to be saved; she wanted to live as long as she could with Loki. It just felt surreal that one moment, she could be dying and the next, healed. "Your room looks just like my dream," she said as he carried her over to the bed.

Loki smiled at her as he sat her on the edge of the bed, letting her look around. "That's because it was."

She took in the now familiar room and managed a soft smile as she turned her gaze back to his. "So... you have you're magic again, huh?" she asked, smoothed her hands over his forearms.

"I didn't realize it fully until we came here. I had enough to give you that dream... make it feel real..."

"It was a wonderful dream," she told him softly, relaxing forward to lean her forehead against his. "Now I get to see it for real."

"For as long as you want," he promised.

She closed her eyes as she struggled for a few moments to take a deep breath. "I can't wait... to feel... better..."

"I know darling. Mother should arrive soon with the healers," he assured her. Loki slowly rubbed her back, helping her take deeper breaths of air.

"What will this... do to me?" Charlie asked softly. She knew it would save her life, butthat was the extent of it.

"It will make you... like me," he explained. "In every way. I don't know if you'll gain magic, that's a bit of a gray area."

Charlie's brow furrowed for a moment. "Wait, so I'll be... a god?"

"You'll be Æsir," he replied. "One of our people. The same race as my mother and Thor... but one day... princess just might be a part of your name."

Her eyes softened at his remark and blushed. "One day... maybe," she said with a shy smile. "You... think about that?"

Loki nodded. "I have for a little while. Since we got closer over these six months."

The smile didn't leave her face as she slowly laid back on the bed, growing tired of sitting up. "I'd really be a princess?" she asked. "Every girl wants to be a princess."

He grinned as he laid beside her, turned to face her. "You would be," he assured. "In every meaning of the word."

She reached out and rested her hand on his cheek, her thin fingers slowly caressing his cheek. "I didn't really think I would live to be with you... but I want to be, Loki."

"I'm yours," he murmured back. "For as long as you'll have me."

"Is forever long enough?" she asked quietly just as the door opened to the room and Frigga knocked lightly.

"Can we enter?" she asked gently.

Loki sat up and turned towards the door. "Yes," he called. Did she really mean that?

Charlie slowly sat up as Frigga entered with two others who could only be described as mystical looking. She leaned against the pillows and elaborate headboard as they approached her.

"Charlie," Frigga said gently, "these are our healers. They're going to give you pieces of a golden apple, which will heal all that ails you."

Charlie exhaled slowly and nodded, oddly feeling a little nervous. She turned her eyes to find Loki and reached for his hand.

Loki laced his fingers through hers. "How many pieces?" Loki asked curiously.

"Three, to be safe," Frigga replied as she and the healers arrived at Charlie's bedside.

"So, I just... eat them?" Charlie asked, nervously looking at the group.

"Like a normal apple," Loki assured. "It'll be the best apple you've ever tasted."

She nodded, turning her attention towards the healers as they extended a golden plate with the slices of apple. The apple itself was a shiny glistening golden color, and as she reached for it she swore it glowed.

As she took the first slice, she looked up at Loki again. "Will it happen quickly? The... healing?" she asked the room, not needing Loki himself to answer her.

"You'll quickly begin feeling better, but the healing will take around a day or so due to you being so ill," Frigga replied sweetly. "It might make you sleepy or give you energy. Everyone is different."

Charlie nodded and took a slow breath, swallowing against her nerves. She raised the apple slice to her mouth and carefully took a bite, chewing it fully before she swallowed. Loki was right, it was the sweetest apple she'd ever tasted.

She felt self-conscious, all of these people watching her, but she took the second slice of apple and began to eat it.

Loki rubbed the back of her hand the entire time, letting her know that she wasn't alone. "You're okay, darling."

As Charlie finished the second piece, she felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. "Loki..." she exhaled, gasping his hand to keep herself upright.

"Only one more, dear. Then you can sleep," Frigga coached gently.

"Shh," Loki soothed. He turned to cradle her against him. "One more piece, darling. I won't leave your side... I'll sleep alongside you."

Charlie forced her eyes open and moved with intention, taking the last few bites that she needed to. As she swallowed, she turned herself into Loki as much as she could to all but collapse against him.

Loki wrapped himself around her, letting her use his chest as a pillow. He kissed her hair and made sure she was comfortable before he looked up at his mother. "Thank you."

Frigga's eyes softened as she took in the picture before her. "Anything for you," she told him with a sure nod. They would have figured out a way, without Odin. Loki... needed this. He deserved this.

"I... I really don't know how to repay you," he told her. Loki ran one hand gently through her hair.

"You don't need to. This is... us repaying you," she replied, gesturing for the healers to leave them. "We should have fought harder for you... but if we had, you wouldn't have her."

Loki looked down at Charlie and sighed. "I could never be without her," he murmured. "I love her so much."

Frigga's heart melted. "You want to make her yours..."

"If she'll have me," he replied.

She raised her hand to her chest and rested it on her heart. "She'd be lucky," Frigga said maternally.

Loki chuckled as he looked down at her. "No... I would be."

It was such a change in Loki, to see him so in love. He would truly do anything for the girl in his arms. "She'll likely sleep for some time. I'll send food up for you, and something for her to have when she wakes."

"Sure," he nodded. "I'll find a book or... honestly I might sleep too."

"Rest, my dear... you've earned it."

"Thank you," Loki murmured.

Quietly, Frigga left the two of them alone in the room together. It would be a while before Charlie woke up, and she just hoped that Loki's feelings towards this girl were reciprocated. He loved her so deeply.

Loki settled on the bed, gently moving Charlie to lay beside him. He kissed her temple and snuggled against her. I love you, beautiful. Our story is just beginning.

Chapter 8

Charlie's body was going through an incredible transformation. Her cells were changing, healing. Her skin nearly glowed in the gentle sunlight that peeked through the curtains of Loki's room. It had been many hours since she'd fallen asleep but slowly she began to rouse, a soft sound escaping her as her eyelids fluttered open.

From the chaise lounge by the bed, Loki looked up from his book. Charlie's beauty had only increased as her body took on the changes of becoming Æsir. "Darling?"

"Loki?" she asked softly, slowly moving to sit up on her forearms. The first thing she noticed was the deep breath she could take and her exhale shuddered a little. "Am I... really healing?"

"You're well on your way," he smiled. Loki bookmarked his page and sat the book aside. "How do you feel?"

Charlie took a moment to consider the question. "I feel... energized, for the first time in months," she answered, a slow smile curling into her lips. "Am I... glowing?" she asked with a scoff, lifting her arms to look at her skin. Perhaps this was just what healthy looked like.

Loki chuckled softly. "Maybe a little. The changes will be dramatic to you for a little bit."

"With how sick I am, or... was, I'm sure they will be," she said with a soft giggle of her own. She sat up fully and slid her legs off the edge of the bed before carefully standing up. She didn't feel unsteady for the first time in weeks. "Oh my god..."

"Take it slow," Loki said softly, reaching his hand out for her. "Feeling okay?"

She settled steadily on her feet, though she took Loki's hand just in case. "I feel good," she told him, disbelief in her voice. "I... I really feel... good," she said again, emotion cracking her voice as her eyes glistened.

"That's a wonderful thing," Loki praised. "I love that you're feeling more yourself again."

"It's... wow," she breathed, stray tears falling down her cheeks as she smiled. "I just... I never imagined I'd really feel better."

Loki stood and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You're more than feeling better, my darling."

Charlie's smile fluttered as she nodded. "I... am better," she said, a little disbelief still in her voice. "I was preparing to die..."

"Well... you have quite the life now," Loki assured.

She turned her eyes up to Loki's brilliant ones and she reached up, caressing the side of his face. "Thanks to you."

"I wouldn't give myself all of the credit," he murmured. "It took a lot of talking to get them to agree."

"And I'll thank them later," she said, not focused on them right now. "But I have you in my arms, and for the first time in weeks you're not holding me up."

Loki brushed the back of his hand along her cheek. "You're strong as ever," he murmured.

Charlie smiled sweetly and held his eyes. "Kiss me, Loki," she told him surely, raising up on her toes to meet him halfway.

With a chuckle, Loki rested one hand on the back of her neck before lowering to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. He pulled her flush against him, his other hand resting on her lower back.

She kissed him back with enthusiasm, smiling against his lips. She slipped her fingers up into his hair slightly as the angled her head to kiss him even more deeply.

Loki moaned softly, feeling as Charlie pulled on his hair. "Someone's... feeling lively," he breathed.

She couldn't help but laugh a little in her throat. "For the first time in a while," she replied, her fingers stroking through his hair.

"I love it," Loki smiled. "I love you."

"I love you," she replied with equal fervor. "More than anything."

Loki caressed the back of her neck. "I don't know what I would have done without you," he admitted.

Charlie's smile slowly softened. "You'll never have to find out now."

"No," he sniffled, tears coming to the surface. "No, I won't."

She gently brushed her fingers beneath his eyes to catch his tears. "All I need is you."

"Just as I need you," he replied softly. "You've shown me so much in such a short time."

"Loki... I was indifferent about dying until you," she told him passionately. "You... make my life worth living."

Loki felt himself blush as he held her tightly against his chest. "I didn't make a life until I met you," he replied.

"We can make that life whatever we want now," Charlie reminded him, holding his eyes.

"We can," he nodded. "Here... or on Midgard."

Gently, she stroked his cheek again. "We have time to figure that out. Maybe we can go between both places.... As long as you're there, I'll be happy."

Loki nuzzled her nose against his, taking in the feeling that he wasn't going to lose her anymore. "I was so scared," he whispered.

"So was I," she admitted quietly, leaning into him. "Even while I was eating the apple... I worried it wouldn't work."

"There's nothing stronger in the galaxy," he replied. "That's why permission was needed. No one can take them otherwise."

"I guess I should consider myself lucky then," she said softly. "I know your father probably wasn't keen on the idea."

Loki smirked softly as he relaxed his hold around her. "Mother gets what mother wants."

Charlie smiled. "I'll have to officially meet her," she replied. "And your father, I suppose..."

"You will. When you're ready." He leaned in to kiss her softly. "How do you feel right now?"

"I feel... incredible," she answered with a breathless laugh. "Like I could run a marathon."

Loki smiled sweetly. "You're in perfect health again, my darling. You could do anything you dreamed of doing."

She took a long, deep breath and exhaled it slowly. "All I can think of is... really getting to make love to you," she admitted with a faint blush.

He smiled, unable to stop his own blush from forming. "Oh? Have any fantasies, love?"

"We've never gotten to be really physical," she answered, taking his hands and lacing her fingers through them. "I was always so fragile... but I'm healthy now."

"I've had you a few times," he smirked. "Just nothing outrageous."

Her smile grew as she held his eyes. "Then let's be outrageous," she replied, a giggle rising in her chest. "God, I don't even know that I know how to be outrageous, but I want to try."

He laughed and picked her up, feeling as she wrapped around him. Loki spun her gently before walking over to the bed and letting her fall on it.

Charlie yelped excitedly as she bounced on the bed, climbing up onto her knees. "Use your magic to take off our clothes," she asked of him.

Loki smirked before a shimmering green enveloped them both, leaving them nude. "What do you think?"

She giggled as she looked down at the both of them. "I love your magic," she replied, reaching up to wrap her arms around his shoulders.

"There's so much to show you," he smiled.

"I want to see all of it," she assured him before she found his lips to kiss him passionately.

Loki moaned as he opened his mouth to her, lowering his weight on top of her. For once the fear of hurting her, was gone.

Charlie's hands explored Loki's body as she pulled him to her, the weight of him feeling glorious. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, exploring him ravenously.

Loki caged her head around his arms, letting her take her time to really explore his body.

Her fingers traced every muscle she found; his body sculpted like an ancient sculpture. She dragged her nails over his skin before plunging her fingers into his hair.

Chuckling softly, Loki pulled away only to kiss along her jaw. "You can do anything you want," he told her. "Explore, tease, please..."

"Oh, how I want to please you," she said with an excited grin. She tugged at his hair before trailing her hands back down his body, this time to his ass. She gripped it firmly. "God, I love your ass."

Loki chuckled as he licked the side of her neck. "You can explore that too... I'm open to anything you might want to do."

"Ooh, I can?" she asked, her fingers spreading his cheeks apart before she trailed a finger between them. "It's a totally different kind of pleasure... I'd love to hear the sounds you make."

Sighing softly, Loki's eyes closed. "It's a whole new experience," he agreed. "Something I haven't done in sometime."

"Did you like it when you've explored it in the past?" she asked as her finger trailed over his most sensitive area.

Loki lifted into the touch. "I did."

Her smile grew as she watched him react. "Good...". She gently massaged his asshole with her finger, pressing very lightly. "Do you like this?"

"Uh huh," he nodded, letting his head rest against her shoulder.

It made her wet, watching him melt at her touch. "What if I just pressed inside..." she murmured, her finger gently pressing inside of him.

Loki moaned softly, letting his body relax to her intrusion. "Good..."

"Mmm, I love hearing you moan," she told him breathily in his ear. She pressed her finger a little further inside, goosebumps rising on her skin at the sounds he made.

"Char..." he breathed, rising slightly.

She paused, allowing him to get used to her being inside of him. "I love pleasuring you," she purred, licking the outer shell of his ear.

"Mm... I love being pleased by you," he replied before turning to kiss her softly.

She kissed him back eagerly in reply, gently pulsing her finger slowly. She was dripping onto the sheets from beneath him with excitement.

Loki moaned as he kissed her in return. He began moving his hips with her movements, able to feel her wetness below him.

"Yes, baby, take your pleasure," she breathed sensually before she captured his lips again, her tongue swirling with his.

With a whine, Loki rocked back harder. He pulled away, smiling. "What if... I told you there was something you could use on me... in a chest under the bed?"

Charlie's smile widened. "I love to use something on you," she grinned. "Get it for me?"

"I can't reach it from here," he told her with a smirk. "But I can get it."

Gently, Charlie pulled her finger out of him and smoothed her hands over his ass. "Mmm, I can't wait..."

Loki kissed her softly before climbing off of her and onto the floor. He pulled out a small wooden chest and used his magic to open it. "Pick what you like. There's oil for lubrication in here too."

Charlie rolled over on the bed to take in the items in the box and her eyes lit up. She had so much to choose from. She smoothed her hands over a long, emerald green shaft and pulled it out of the box. "This one," she said with a grin, grabbing the lube too.

Loki grinned and nodded. "We can use these for either of us, anytime," he told her.

"Oh, we will... I can already think of lots of uses for them," she said with a cheeky grin. "Come on, baby, bend over or get on all fours..."

Loki smirked. "Kinky," he teased before doing as she asked him to.

"I'm definitely on the kinky side," she told him with a grin as she took the oil to lube up the toy. She wet her fingers with the oil and reached forward, gently rubbing some on Loki's asshole.

"So am I," he replied, looking over his shoulder at her. "There's no telling what we'll accomplish together."

"The sky's the limit," she smiled, moving over to him on the bed to line the toy up with him. She rubbed the tip of it against his entrance before gently pressing in.

Loki's head dropped as he moaned. "Oh... damn..."

Charlie bit her lip, giddy. With her free hand, she tugged at her nipples. "A little more?" she asked before she pressed in again, the dildo sliding slowly inside.

"Oh," Loki groaned, the sound resonating around them. He began trying to rock, wanting the movement.

"Mm, I'll help you, baby," she said, beginning to pulse the toy in and out to assist him with the rocking motion. He swallowed more and more of the toy until it was in up to the hilt.

Loki dropped to his elbows, grunting with every movement. "Fuck, Charlie..."

"Do you need me to touch you anywhere else?" she asked, smoothing her free hand over this back and she fucked him with the toy.

"You can... st-stroke me. But I won't last long that way," he admitted.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I'll get you hard again," she told him as she leaned in to kiss his hip. She reached beneath him and wrapped her hand around his cock, slowly beginning to stroke his hard length.

Loki shivered in absolute pleasure, feeling his legs shake. "Oh, my gods."

"Yes, I love to hear you, baby," she encouraged, milking his cock as she pumped the toy in and out of his ass, matching his pace.

"I'm close," he panted, feeling his legs shake.

"Come, my God," she praised, pressing her lips against his ass as she felt his cock stiffen in her hand.

Loki whimpered as he rutted against Charlie's hand before moaning as he came all over her hand and the sheet.

"Good boy," she said with a sensual smile, slowing the movement of both of her hands. Slowly, she pulled the toy out of him and set it beside her in the bed as she leaned in to kiss his side.

He chuckled softly, letting his head rest on the bed as he worked to catch his breath. "That was..."

"Yes?" she asked with a grin as she leaned into her side so she could better see his face.

"I don't really have words," he murmured.

Charlie giggled softly and kissed her way up his body. "Perfect."

"Perfect indeed," he murmured in reply. Lazily, Loki cleaned up the mess on the bed before letting himself lie down a moment.

She laid in the bed beside him, brushing his hair back behind his ear. "I love watching you come undone, my love."

Loki smiled at her before leaning over to kiss her softly. "You will never cease to amaze me."

"We'll see if I can keep that up," she said with a gentle giggle. "Mmm... I'm so worked up right now."

He lifted his head and licked his lips. "Did you like getting me off like that?"

She nodded with a grin. "So much," she told him. "We should think about getting a harness... that way I could fuck you properly."

Loki swallowed thickly. The idea of her fucking him made him tingle all over. "You would do that?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "It would be fun... reversing roles for a little bit."

"You're an amazing woman," Loki mused. "Not anyone would do that kind of thing."

"Then they're missing out," she replied simply, leaning in to find his lips in a kiss once again.

Loki kissed her softly, lifting up to cup her face in his hand. "Yes, they are."

She kissed him again, more deeply this time, and a soft sound escaped her. "I can't believe how much I love you..."

Turning to lie on his side, Loki wrapped one arm around her. He kissed her shoulder and took in her scent. "I love you just as much."

"And you show me every day," she replied sweetly in his ear.

Loki grinned before nipping at her jaw softly while one hand trailed down the center of her back.

Charlie's eyes fell closed as a smile spread across her face. "Mmm..." she hummed.

"Feel good?" He asked softly, trailing his hand back up again.

"Mm hm," she affirmed, taking in the sensation that his fingers on her skin brought.

Loki propped up on his elbow and watched as Charlie practically melted at his touch. "You're so beautiful."

"Am I?" she asked, her eyes flickering open. "I'm glad you think so."

"I will always think so," he assured her. Loki bent to place a kiss to her neck then her shoulder, feeling her hum under his touch.

"I love how your lips feel on my skin," she told him almost musically.

Loki grinned. "I love tasting your skin," he purred in response.

"What else do you love tasting?" she asked breathlessly.

"Your mouth... your slick..."

Charlie's lips dropped open as she panted lightly. "Fuck, even your voice is sexy..."

Loki chuckled softly before nipping at her neck gently while caressing her ribs. "I'm a silver tongue for a reason."

"Mmm... I like your teeth too," she practically moaned.

"Oh? You like to be bitten?"

She bit her lip as she smiled. "Bitten, thrown around, lightly choked... I like a lot of things, baby."

"Mmm... sounds like I got the jackpot," he grinned as he moved to hover over her.

Looking up at him, Charlie raised her arms over her head as she ran her fingers through her long, suddenly lush hair. "Do what you want to me, my God."

"Oh, what could I do to you," he grinned mischievously.

"I can't wait to find out," she told him, her chest rising and falling in anticipation.

Loki leaned down and licked between her breasts, sighing at the taste of her skin on his tongue.

Charlie arched her back and made a whimpering sound. He affected her so easily.

"Such a beautiful sound you make," he praised. Loki slowly kissed down her stomach, licking and sucking at her body.

"Mmm," she breathed, nearly shivering beneath him.

Loki moaned softly in response, his hands roaming her sides.

"Fuck," she whimpered, a tremble moving through her body as she expected more of his touch.

"Tell me what you want, sweetheart," he whispered.

"Lick my pussy, baby," she practically begged. "It's throbbing."

Loki growled before biting gently on her hip. "You smell amazing... I can imagine how good you taste."

"You won't have to imagine," she told him breathlessly, her body trembling in anticipation.

Smirking softly, Loki scooted himself lower before kissing along her inner thighs, leaving a wet trail from his tongue.

"Oh my god, Loki," she whimpered, her hands curling into the sheets beneath her.

"I'm your god," he growled before licking a slow line between her folds.

"Ooh," she nearly cried out, already in bliss from just that action.

Loki moaned in reply, gently sucking on her soaked cunt, cupping her ass with both hands.

Charlie arched her back deeply as she moved her hands to her tits. She tugged on her nipples as he devoured her. A deep moan left her mouth as Loki curled his tongue, flicking it against her clit.

"You taste so good," he moaned.

"Fuck, you feel amazing," she managed between moans.

Loki kneaded her ass with both hands as he gently sucked on her clit before flicking it gently.

"Oh!" she cried, her body quivering with pleasure.

"Talk to me baby... what do you need?"

"Oh god," she whimpered. "I need more... more. Your fingers, your cock, something..."

"Does my girl need my cock?" Loki smiled.

"Uh huh," she moaned, nodding as she looked down at him. "Please, baby, fuck me."

Loki smirked as he slowly crawled back up her body before claiming her mouth, letting her taste herself on his tongue.

"Mmm," she moaned into his mouth, sweeping her tongue through his. "I need you," she begged.

"I need you too," he replied. "I need to feel you wrapped around me."

"Do it, baby," she cried out, spreading her legs wide for him.

Loki grinned as he rocked back and forth, letting Charlie feel the weight of his cock sliding between her folds. "I'll be gentle."

"Not too gentle I hope," she told him with a sensual smile.

"I'll take care of you," he assured before slowly sinking inside of her. Loki watched as her mouth dropped and her head fell back in pleasure, making him moan.

A deep sound pulled out of her as he settled inside of her. Charlie loved the stretch he gave her. "Fuck, yes, fill me up..."

"You have all of me, baby girl," Loki growled, resting against her pelvis. "You feel so damn good."

She moaned helplessly, desperately. "You're so big, I love how you stretch me... oh god, you feel so fucking good..."

Loki lowered his head to suck on her collarbone, making a trail up the side of her neck. Moaning softly, he began rolling his hips.

A shiver moved up her spine as he began to pump his hips and Charlie dropped her head back against the bed. Her eyes closed as she took in the pleasure he gave her and the feel of his lips on her skin.

"Charlie," he moaned, wrapping his arms around her.

"Loki," she moaned in reply, her voice dripping with sensuality. "Fuck me, baby, harder..."

Ducking down, Loki gently bit on her shoulder as he raised his hips to thrust harder.

"Oh, yes," she encouraged in an almost animalistic way, bucking her hips against his.

Loki grunted, his breath fanning across her neck. "Oh, gods... I'm not going to last..."

"Pull my hair and fuck me hard, I'll come," she told him breathlessly.

He chuckled darkly as he wrapped one arm around her waist and gathered her hair with the other. Loki pulled her flush against him, bowing her back as he pumped his hips hard and fast, gently pulling her hair.

"Oh god, yes!" She cried, her toes curling with the intensity of it all. "Fuck, Loki, I'm gonna..."

"Come for me," Loki purred, "come with me..."

Charlie nodded, meeting and holding his eyes as her moans grew more insistent. She felt herself tighten around him and begin to quiver and her head tossed back and in a loud cry.

Loki groaned loudly, coating her insides white. "Fuck, Charlie... oh yes..."

Her body was at his mercy as all of her muscles seemed to contract and relax at once. She'd never felt pleasure such as this. Loki truly was her God.

As they both began to calm, Loki gently laid her back against the mattress, placing lazy kisses on any bit of skin he could reach. He still rested deep inside of her, but was content to stay there for the moment, enjoying the closeness.

Charlie's chest heaved as she caught her breath, her eyes looking dreamily up at Loki. "I love you so much," she told him sweetly, reaching up to run her fingers through his long hair.

Loki smiled back down at her, tears swimming in his eyes again. "I love you, too," he said softly.

"Don't cry for me... I'm right here," she told him softly. "For as long as you want me to be, now."

"Forever," he whispered.

A smile washed across her face as she blushed. "Do you mean that?"

"I do," he told her. "I don't take forever lightly."

Forever... who knew how long that meant now. He was a God, and she was... something close, perhaps. Less than human, that was for sure. Her eyes searched his before she slowly nodded. "Okay."

"I'll do it right," he promised. "I will get you a ring, I'll do it all. But to know you'll have me makes my heart want to burst."

Her smile grew as she watched his do the same. "I can't wait," she told him surely.

Loki bent to kiss her softly. "It's late now, but in the morning... I want to show you around."

"Show me everything you want," she told him, smoothing her fingers through his hair again.

"I'll show you the gardens, the library, the stable, the markets... anywhere you'd like to go."

A giggle rose in her chest. "Everything in time, my love."

"Of course," he mused, moving to lay beside her.

Charlie rolled onto her side so she could take him in better. "I can't wait to see what life holds now," she said softly. "I had no hope of a future... now I have you and all of this."

"You could do anything you've ever wanted to," he said softly.

"You're all I ever wanted," she told him sweetly.

Loki couldn't help but smile. "Really?"

Charlie nodded gently. "Really... and I wasn't even looking for you."

"I wasn't looking for you either. But I am happy that you're with me. You turned my life around again, Charlie."

"You never have to know what that pain of loneliness caused you again," she assured him, her fingertips gently caressing his angular jaw.

"Neither do you," Loki whispered.

Charlie wrapped an arm around Loki's shoulder and pulled herself in close to him, her nose nuzzling his. "We can do anything together."

"Anything you could ever imagine," he whispered. "Maybe even... when you're ready..." he added, placing a hand on her flat stomach.

Charlie's stomach fluttered at the thought of children. "I never thought I'd have any..." she admitted quietly.

"We can always see now," he told her. "Only if you want to."

She'd never been healthy enough, or wealthy enough, to consider having a family. But then... so many things had just become possible. "It's a lot to wrap my head around... all I could have."

"We can take our time," he assured her. "There's no rush for anything at all."

Charlie nodded softly as she wrapped herself up in him again. "We have time now."

Chapter 9

"Loki, you're walking too fast," Charlie giggled as she held onto his hand while he led her towards what he wanted to show her. "I know you're excited."

Turning as he walked, Loki smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, darling. The market isn't far. I think you're going to love it."

"I'm excited too. My legs just aren't as long as yours," she replied with a smile.

Loki slowed so Charlie could keep up with him easier. He gave her hand a squeeze as she looked around them in awe. "You'll love the square. There's a fountain and everything."

The nearer they got to the markets, the more transfixed she became. It was all so beautiful here. "Loki, it's lovely..."

"I'm glad you like it," he said sweetly. He wrapped one arm around her waist now as they walked, mingling amongst the townsfolk.

Her eyes took in the beautiful fabrics and gems in the stalls. It was all so ornate, not like anything she'd seen on Earth. "Do you spend a lot of time here when you're home?" she asked.

"I do sometimes," he replied. "I also tend to just go for walks or a ride on one of the horses."

"You're a man of the people, huh?" she asked, walking leisurely beside him.

"Eh... I stick to myself most of the time," he answered. "I just... don't really fit in with many here."

Charlie's smile softened as she looked up at him. "You'll always fit in with me," she told him as she squeezed his hand.

Loki smiled down at her before bending to place a chaste kiss on her lips. "Prince Wokee!" A small voice hollered, causing Loki to pull away and smile.

Charlie furrowed her brows as she heard the voice and turned in time to see a small child running at Loki.

Crouching down, Loki took the full force of the small boy, letting himself be knocked to the dirt. "Khole, how are you?" He laughed.

"Happy that you're back!" the little boy replied excitedly. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too. Have you minded your uncle?" He asked.

The young boy gave him a guilty grin. "Mostly..."

"Khole..." Loki warned.

"Okay, okay," the boy frowned. "It's just hard..."

"I know buddy. Your uncle is trying. Has he been doing what he's supposed to every month? Going to get your supplies?" He asked.

Khole nodded. "Mostly... when he's not hurt. He works a lot..."

"I'll check in on him today. Will that be okay?" Loki asked.

The boy nodded before he looked back and caught sight of a woman watching them. "Who's that?" he asked.

Loki grinned. "This is Charlie. She's a special person to me."

Charlie smiled softly and took a step forward, waving gently. "Hi... Khole, right?"

"Yup," the young boy answered. "That's me!"

"It's nice to meet you," she greeted.

"She's new..." Khole murmured to Loki.

Loki chuckled softly. "Yes, she is. Charlie is very special."

"Is she from Midgard?" The young boy asked.

"She is," he answered.

"What was it like there?" Khole asked in a whisper.

Charlie grinned. "Very different from here."

The boy turned to look at Loki. "Is she staying here with you?"

Loki chuckled and stood. "Yes. She is."

"Are you in love?" the boy asked, making Charlie

giggle softly.

Blushing softly, Loki nodded. "Easy to tell, huh?"

Khole nodded before he heard his name being called from the opposite direction. "I should go."

"Go on. I'll catch up and I'll talk to your uncle, okay?" He stood upright and watched as the boy dashed off.

Charlie took a few steps towards Loki and took his hand again. "So, you have a little friend, huh?"

Loki nodded as they started walking again. "Mother helped him find some family when his parents passed away due to an accident. He stayed with us for a small time until she found his uncle."

"That's so sweet... poor kid," she replied, taking slow steps beside him again. "He adores you, it's obvious."

"He became attached," Loki nodded. "It was hard for him to go to his uncle's once we did find them."

"Well, you're back now. You can keep an eye on him and support him again." Loki seemed so natural with the boy. Charlie hadn't been around children much in her life.

"I will do my best," Loki replied easily.

"Good man," she gushed, leaning her head onto his arm as they walked. "What else would you like to show me, my love?"

Loki turned and kissed her temple softly, not caring that the townsfolk were watching them, even if it was discreet. "Well... there's the stables... the gardens... just exploring?"

"I'd love to see the horses," she told him. "I'm sure they're more beautiful here than on earth."

"You'll love them," he told her. "We can even ride if you'd like."

"I've actually never ridden a horse before," she told him. "I wasn't healthy enough to, and then I lived in the city where there wasn't the opportunity."

"You can ride double with me if you're up for it," he told her as the road turned into a pale dirt path. "I could also teach you... again if you want me to."

"I'm open to all of it," she told him as she walked easily beside him. "I can't believe how good I feel..."

He chuckled softly as he linked his fingers with hers. "I'm just happy to see you healthy. Really healthy."

"I could... run, I could climb, I could... anything," she said with a giggle. "The energy I have is amazing."

Loki let go of her hand as he smiled. "Then what are you waiting for?" he laughed before turning and running down the path, knowing she'd be right behind him.

Charlie broke into a laugh before she took off after him, running for the first time in... she didn't know how long. Her feet carried her close behind him, her hair flowing in the breeze until they reached the stables where she came to a stop, barely needing to catch her breath.

Turning to face her, Loki beamed. "How'd that feel?"

She ran her fingers through her long, now luxurious hair. "Amazing," she told him with a giddy laugh.

Loki wrapped both arms around her and kissed her soundly. "You're amazing."

Charlie smiled up at him sweetly. "Everything feels new and exhilarating."

"It's a whole new world, you're able to take it all in," he told her.

She took a full breath before smiling up at him. "Take me on a ride, my Prince."

Loki bent and kissed her softly before pulling away. "Come meet the horses... and my mare, Star."

"Lead the way," she told him, following along without hesitation.

Opening the barn's side door, Loki led Charlie inside. The barn smelled of hay, horses, and oats, calming Loki in an instant. "This is one of my favorite places."

Charlie admired the ornate stalls and caught sight of the most beautiful horses she'd ever seen. "They're so pretty, Loki."

"Asgardian Friesians," Loki smiled.

"Can I touch them?" she asked, glancing up at him before she released his hand to slowly approach the horses. She held out her hand to allow them to smell her before she gently rested her hand on the side of its face.

"They love attention," he told her. Loki smiled as he watched her pet the large animal.

She admired the horse with wide eyes as she slowly pet it, smoothing her hand down its side. "Which one is yours?" she asked, glancing back at Loki.

"Three stalls down, on the left," he told her.

She stepped back from the horse she was petting and headed down a few stalls. "Introduce me?"

Loki walked down the stalls until he reached Star's stall and opened the door. He held his hand out to the pure white horse with the black snip on her head. "Instead of being born black, Star here was born white. A special girl."

"Unique... like you," she observed with a tender smile.

"She is," he agreed. "My mother got her for me when the news of her birth came to the village."

"That's beautiful," Charlie replied. She still hadn't met his mother formally, but there was no need to rush. The family seemed to be giving them space. "I'm glad they took care of her while you were... away."

"Mother wouldn't let anything happen to her," he replied. "Neither would Thor."

"Good," she said, grateful that they protected this for him. "Take me for a ride?"

Loki smiled. "Of course. Would you like to help me get her ready?"

"Sure. How can I help?" she asked, stroking the horse's side.

"Her halter is hanging on the hook. You can help me brush her," he told her.

Charlie turned to look for the halter and walked over to it, carefully picking it up before she carried it to Loki. "Where's the brush?"

"There should be a wooden box full of them in the room with the saddles," he replied nodding to the room across from them.

She glanced back and went where he directed, picking up two brushes before she returned and handed him one. "So, I just gently brush?" she asked.

"That's right." Loki took a brush and led Star spit into the hall. "You can brush her all over."

Carefully, Charlie reached for the horse and gently began to brush her side. "It's nice to see you like this," she mused. "Lighter."

Loki shrugged. "I feel better. More than I have in a while."

"It looks good on you," she told him. "I love to see you smile this much."

"Just as I love seeing you smile," he told her. They both finished brushing out Star before Loki easily put on her saddle then her bridle. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Charlie said, a little nervous energy in her belly but she shook it out in her fingertips. "You get on, then me?"

"Actually, I want you to get on first, you'll sit in front of me," he told her.

"Oh, okay," she said, putting the brush down she'd been using. She stepped up to Star and put her foot in the stirrup before she reached out for Loki. "I've never done this before, help me."

Loki only smiled. "Push up with your leg, put one hand on her back, and I'll help you up and over."

Charlie listened intently and followed his instructions, pushing up with her leg until she could reach over the horse. She swung her leg over then with Loki's help and laughed a little nervously as she sat atop the steed.

"Good. Now remove your foot from the stirrup," he told her before putting his own foot in and easily hoisting himself upward and astride the large mare.

She held on nervously, breathing as slowly as she could. She didn't want the mare to sense her anxiety. She was grateful for the strength Loki provided behind her.

"You're okay," Loki soothed. "You're safe up here, Star's a good girl. Just relax your legs, don't squeeze her."

She nodded and relaxed her legs, slowly letting go of the creature's mane. "Okay."

Loki wrapped both arms around Charlie and took the reins. "You can hold onto the saddle if you want or onto her mane if it's comfortable. You won't fall."

Charlie settled back against Loki, feeling secure with him behind her. "I trust you," she told him with a nervous smile.

He kissed her shoulder before gently asking the mare to walk. The clip clip of her hooves sounded on the floor of the barn before reaching the dirt path outside. "How about we go down a trail I'm fond of. It leads to a small swimming hole."

"That sounds lovely," she replied, the breeze catching her hair and taking it back over her shoulders.

Loki grinned as they turned down a wooded trail, the sounds of nature enveloping them. "How do you like being on horseback?"

"It's nice," she replied, holding on securely. "I feel good with you behind me. I think I'd be more nervous if it were just me."

"We can work up to it," he told her just as Star chuffed softly.

Charlie reached down and smoothed her hand over the horse's mane. "She really is beautiful, Loki. And so is Asgard."

"Thank you," he replied. "Asgard is home... though so is Midgard now."

"You think so?" she asked curiously. "Even with how hard things were there?"

Loki kissed her cheek. "Yes, even how hard things were."

She smiled softly. "Midgard was lucky to have you when it did," she said. "And now... anywhere can be home."

"And to think," he chuckled. "You didn't believe me when we met."

"How could I?" she said with a laugh. "You claimed to be an alien! Crazy people do that every day."

Loki rolled his eyes as they came to a small stream. He gently steered Star into the water, crossing through it. "Somehow, I doubt that."

"It's definitely not every day you hear someone is a God landed on Earth. You're lucky I didn't just leave you standing in the construction site," she replied.

"I am very lucky," he agreed. "You could have called the authorities too."

"Where would you have ended up then? Who knows," she mused. "A psych unit, maybe."

He chuckled as they went back up the small incline and onto the path once more. "Could have been."

"You would have been able to charm your way out," Charlie replied, glancing back at him with a cheeky grin.

"Maybe." They reached a turn in the path, but Loki turned them in the opposite direction, following a much narrower trail.

"Is this where the swimming hole is?" she asked.

"Just a bit further," he answered. "It's my own little special place."

Charlie loved that, that Loki had a special place here. She settled comfortably into him as she held on, growing less nervous the longer she was on the horse.

Loki rested one hand on Charlie's lower stomach as they continued to ride, letting Star practically guide herself. The mare knew where she was going.

She rested her hand over top of Loki's and absently laced her fingers loosely through his. This was such a stark contrast to seventy-two hours ago in their lives. She took a long, deep breath and closed her eyes as the breeze blew.

As she rested her head against his shoulder, Loki took in the serene feeling of having her alive and healthy in his arms. "I will forever love you," he whispered.

A smile drew onto Charlie's face, tears playing in her eyes as she opened them once again. "And I, you," she assured him softly.

Loki smiled as he turned Star to walk under a vast willow tree. As he reached to part the fronds, the little spring came into view. It was outcropped in different flowers and rocks, giving the pool an elegant look. "Here we are."

She gasped softly at the sight. "It's gorgeous," she said softly, almost as if her breath might disturb the peace of the area.

"Only my mother knows of this place... maybe Thor. But we won't be bothered," he said softly.

"Wow," she breathed, slowly turning to allow Loki to help her off of Star. "I already love this place."

As soon as Charlie was on the ground, Loki dismounted the horse before turning to remove her saddle. "I'm glad."

She walked to the water's edge and peered down into the clear blue pool. "What do you like to do here?" she asked curiously.

"Read, relax with nature, play with Star... swim."

She turned to take him in within the space around them. He looked comfortable here. "You look relaxed," she remarked sweetly.

Loki grinned as he sat the saddle on a log. "I am. I'm happy and... relieved and at peace."

Charlie took a few steps toward him, reaching out for him. "It looks so good on you."

"It looks good on you too," he replied, closing the distance and taking her hand in his.

"What do you want to do here?" she asked, looking around.

"We could swim if you want," he told her. "Or just relax... we don't have to stay long if you don't want to... There's even a small path to walk, if it's still there and it hasn't grown over."

"Let's swim," she agreed with a smile. "It's private, right?"

Loki nodded. "It is."

"Then come on," she smiled, tugging him towards the water.

He laughed as he let her pull him through the soft grass. "Can I undress you?"

"Of course," she agreed, turning to face him once they reached the water's edge.

Loki rested his hands on her hips before leaning in to kiss her sweetly. He ran his fingers beneath the hem of her blouse, feeling her smooth silky skin.

Charlie sighed into the kiss, goosebumps rising on her skin beneath his fingers. "I adore you," she breathed.

"I adore you," he mirrored in return before slowly helping her out of the blouse, tossing it onto the grass.

Her hair cascaded over her shoulders as it fell as she tossed it back before running her hands over his chest. "Should I undress you too?"

Loki raised a brow playfully. "If you want."

She smiled as she slipped her hands beneath his shirt. His skin was always cool to her touch. "I always want to," she assured him before she pushed his shirt up over his head.

He chuckled softly as he watched her toss his shirt along with her own. Loki wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

Charlie smiled up at him before she leaned in to press soft kisses against his chest, her hands moving to undo his pants.

Loki sighed, feeling her hot tongue against his skin. "Gods..."

Her smile grew as she pushed his pants down over his hips. She loved the effect she had on him.

"Minx," he purred as he watched her drop to her knees.

She came eye to eye with his hardening cock and licked her lips. Wordlessly, she took him gently into her hand and licked the tip of him.

Gasping, Loki's mouth fell open as he watched her. "Gods, you look heavenly."

Her green eyes flitted up to find his as she extended her tongue further to wrap around him. She took him into her mouth then, making a sound of pleasure.

Loki watched in awe, feeling pleasure shoot up his body. He moaned softly, raising one hand to wind into her hair.

"Mmm..." she hummed as she took him further into her mouth, opening up her jaw. Loki was quite large, and she loved to take as much of him as she could.

"Char... shit that feels good..."

She managed to make a sound, telling him she was enjoying giving him the pleasure as much as he enjoyed receiving it. She increased her suction on him, bobbing her head up and down.

Loki panted as he gripped onto her hair. "If you keep this up... I'll be coming down your throat."

Charlie released him to look up and meet his eyes. "Do you want to?" she asked, then licked his cock like a lollipop once again.

Shivering, Loki whimpered. "I'd love to."

She grinned before she eagerly took him back into her mouth, moaning as she bobbed her head and sucked.

Loki groaned, tightening the hold on her hair. "Oh... shit."

Opening her jaw, she took him as deeply as she could as she sucked hard. She could feel him tensing up and she prepared herself for his load.

"Charlie... oh fuck, Charlie," he moaned as his head fell back, his body tense as he emptied into her mouth and down her throat.

She slowed her pace as she swallowed his seed, pulling him out of her mouth. She slowly stroked him as she rose from her knees and smiled up at him.

"Such a talented woman," he grinned.

"I love making you come like that," she told him before she leaned into his chest and stood on her toes to kiss him.

Loki kissed her back in return, running both hands beneath her trousers to palm her ass. "I love it too."

"Mm," she breathed against his lips, loving the feeling of his hands on her skin. She kissed along his collarbone as she stayed close to him.

He grinned as he gently pushed her trousers down. "Step out of them, love."

Charlie did as he asked, stepping out of her pants. She tossed her hair over her shoulders as she looked back up at him. She wasn't wearing any panties. "Ready to get in the water?"

Loki smirked as he hoisted her up into his arms. "More than ready."

She giggled in his arms. "Is the water cold?" she asked as he began to walk in.

"It's cool, but not cold," he replied, now up to his calves as he walked further.

"Cool is refreshing," Charlie said as she settled comfortably against his chest.

Loki walked further into the water until it was chest deep. He bent to kiss Charlie softly, sighing at the pleasant feeling of the cool water. "Do you like it?" he asked her.

She grinned up at him and nodded. "I love it, it's the perfect temperature," she told him, laying back in his arms so her hair fell back into the water.

He smiled, watching as she dunked her hair before lifting back up again. "You are so beautiful."

Charlie smiled girlishly. "Thank you, baby," she told him sweetly.

Loki kept his eyes locked on hers as fireflies began to float around them, giving the small swimming pond a more romantic atmosphere. "I will forever call myself lucky that you are in my life."

Her heart melted as she looked up at him longingly. "You saved me, Loki... you saved my life. I'll never be able to repay you for that but... I can try."

"You don't have to repay me," he told her. "I'm just happy to have you in my life for as long as I can."

"Forever, my love," she reminded him, reaching out to stroke his cheek.

Loki nodded as he cupped her face in his hands. "Forever."

"That could be a very long time... after we almost ran out of time."

"I'm completely okay with that," he told her. "We can make our lives our own. Live anywhere you wish to go..."

"Right now," she told him, "I just want to be right here with you."

Loki tilted her head back gently before kissing her. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Chapter 10

Chapter by Natersgirl

Charlie stood in front of the mirror in Loki’s room, exhaling as she smoothed her hands over the beautiful fabric of the Asgardian gown she wore. It fit her like a glove, green in color to match Loki’s aesthetic. “I’ll have to thank your mother for the dress…” she breathed nervously. She was finally meeting the woman.

Loki smiled from his place on the edge of the bed, wearing a similarly colored tunic and trousers, his hair pulled back in a half ponytail. “It is beautiful on you.”

She turned to face him, smiling nervously. “Good enough to meet mom?” she asked, chewing on the inside of her lip.

“You’d always be good enough to meet my mother,” Loki assured.

For the past few days, she’d been comfortably tucked away in Loki’s room, or away from the palace. But it was time to meet the other woman in his life. “And I have nothing to be nervous about?”

“I think I am more nervous than you should be,” he chuckled. “Moms have all the kid stories.”

“Oh, that’s true,” Charlie said with a grin. “I’m sure she has lots to tell me about little Loki.”

“Plenty,” he replied.

She approached him with a softer smile and reached for his hands. “We can do this together,” she said with a nod. “Neither of us need to be nervous.”

Loki squeezed her hands and smiled. “Together,” he agreed.

“Come on, let’s not put this off anymore,” Charlie said to him as she tugged him up off of the bed.

“Alright,” he agreed. “She said she would meet us in the garden.”

She slipped her hand into his as she began walking beside him, out of his grand bedroom and down the hall. “When do you think Odin will want to meet me?” she asked curiously.

“I’m… not sure. I haven’t spoken to him since I asked him to save your life,” he admitted.

“Then… we’ll worry about that later,” she told him, gently squeezing his hand as they walked out of the palace and into the gardens.

A large variety of flowers surrounded the couple, everything from roses and carnations, lilies and azaleas. Both Midgardian and Asgardian alike. “I love it out here,” he murmured.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly, taking in the flowers that surrounded them. As they walked through the garden, they came to an area with an ornate gazebo and inside it, sat his mother.

Loki grinned as they reached the steps. “Mother,” he greeted as he began to walk up them.

Frigga looked up from the book she was reading and smiled sweetly as she closed it. “Loki,” she said warmly before she stood and met Charlie’s eyes. “You look lovely, Charlie. Green is your color.”

“Thank you, so much,” Charlie said with a nervous smile.

Turning towards Charlie, Loki smiled lovingly. “It does really fit her.”

“You’ve found someone well suited to you, my son,” Frigga said as she gestured for them to join her.

Loki blushed softly. “Thank you,” he said softly as he sat down beside her.

Charlie sat beside Loki, keeping his hand and pulling it gently into her lap. “This is all very beautiful,” she said to the older woman. “And… I can’t thank you enough for helping to save my life.”

“Oh honey, there’s no need to thank me. I would do anything for my family,” Frigga assured. “You’re family to me.”

“You don’t even know me… and you saved me. You deserve thanks for that,” Charlie argued gently. “And I promise, I won’t take it for granted.”

“You’re very lovely, Charlie. I know that my son loves you. Very much.”

Charlie smiled as she glanced over at Loki, giving his hand a soft squeeze. “I love him too,” she assured his mother.

“I can see it. How love flows around you both,” Frigga smiled. “I’ve never seen you so at peace, my son.”

“I haven’t been at peace either. Not until him,” Charlie said sweetly.

Frigga smiled softly. “Tell me more about yourself.”

Charlie took a slow, deep breath as she glanced to Loki for a moment. She offered him a soft smile before she turned her attention back to his mother. “I’m… not really sure what to tell. I’m from Midgard, I lived in a city there. I worked as a bartender and waitress,” she shared. “I… got cancer for the first time when I was in high school. I was supposed to go to college but… it just never happened.”

Loki squeezed her hands gently. “You’re healthy now,” he soothed softly.

She smiled softly and nodded. “I am… I’m still getting used to it,” she admitted. “There’s a whole life open to me now that I never thought I’d have. I just have to… decide what to do with it.”

“Your courage and Loki’s sacrifice has pulled the heartstrings of everyone in the palace. Thor adores you,” Frigga grinned.

“Thor’s left quite the impression on me too,” Charlie replied. “But if I can admit it, I am… nervous about Odin.”

“Odin is… difficult at times,” Frigga agreed. “He knows how I feel, and we have talked at length.”

“I’m not afraid of him,” Charlie said surely. “I want to be clear about that. But I am… hesitant to meet him.”

Loki smiled proudly. “You’re a lot like my mother… she never backs down from him either.”

“Odin has a secret fondness for strong women,” Frigga shared.

“Maybe that works in my favor then,” Charlie replied with a sigh.

Loki turned and kissed Charlie’s temple, making Frigga smile. “Loki, darling. There is no rush… but… have you been thinking about staying? Or going?”

Charlie turned her eyes to find Loki’s and she offered him a small smile. “We’ve only talked a little about it, but… we’re not in any rush to leave, right?”

“No, we’re not in a rush. I actually took her to the markets recently. She loved it.”

“I did,” Charlie agreed. “I’m just sort of taking in Asgard. It’s so beautiful here. And you have been so hospitable.”

“I am happy that you’re enjoying it here,” Frigga smiled. “You two can stay as long as you’d like.”

“Thank you,” Charlie replied gently. “Frigga, I’d love to learn more about Loki when he was younger. Do you have any good stories?” she asked, smirking a little as she glanced at Loki.

Frigga chuckled. “I have a few,” she nodded. “He once got himself stuck in a large vase in our bedroom.”

“What were you doing in a vase?” Charlie asked with a laugh as she looked up at Loki.

Loki blushed. “Playing hide and seek with Thor.”

She broke into another soft laugh. “That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard,” she told him, reaching up to caress his cheek.

“They had to break the vase to get me out,” Loki chuckled.

“I never fretted over a broken vase, not with two boys in the palace,” Frigga said, patting Loki’s leg softly.

“Did you at least win hide and seek?” Charlie asked.

Loki smiled proudly and nodded. “I did.”

“That’s my guy,” Charlie said sweetly, leaning in to press a kiss to Loki’s cheek.

Frigga smiled warmly. “You two are so sweet together. I feel like my son’s found his soulmate.”

“I like to think he has,” Charlie replied, leaning into Loki’s arm.

Loki turned and kissed Charlie’s hair. “I know I have,” he whispered. “I’d do anything for you.”

“You’ve already done everything for me,” she assured him sweetly. “I’m yours… forever.”

Frigga smiled with teary eyes. “That sounds a bit like a proposal.”

Charlie blushed softly and looked down at her hands. “We’ve talked about that… Loki wants to ask in his own way.”

“But… I do plan to,” Loki confirmed. “When I’m ready.”

Frigga clasped her hands together in front of her chest. “We’ll celebrate… when it’s time,” she said with a bright smile.

Loki smiled in return, feeling Charlie curl up to him. “When it’s time,” he agreed.

“We should all have dinner tonight,” Frigga suggested. “Odin can choose to attend or not. I don’t mind him eating by himself for the evening.”

“Is Thor still here?” Loki asked.

“He is. He’ll join us,” Frigga replied. “I’ll take care of all of it, darlings.”

Loki nodded. “We’d like that. The Warrior’s Three are welcome to join if they feel up to it too.”

“That would be lovely, I’ll extend an invitation,” Frigga said with a smile.

“Thank you, Frigga. This is all wonderful,” Charlie thanked warmly.

“You’re welcome, dears. I will make sure to send the invitation as soon as I go back inside,” she assured them. “In fact, I’ll get the kitchen started on dinner right away.” She stood and Charlie and Loki stood beside her.

“We’ll see you tonight then,” Charlie agreed with a smile.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Frigga smiled. She tucked her book under her arm. “You two behave until then,” she told them before turning and leaving the gazebo.

“We will,” Charlie laughed softly, nudging Loki as his mother disappeared. “Or will we…”

Loki chuckled as he held her close to his side. “Oh, I don’t know…”

“It wouldn’t be very Loki of you to behave,” she pointed out with a grin.

He chuckled and pulled her to him to kiss her gently, pressing every curve against his body. “So insatiable.”

“Can you blame me?” she said, smoothing her hands up his chest. “You’ve seen yourself.”

“Oh, I could say the same about you,” he replied softly. “But we’re out in the open right now… could get caught.”

“Doesn’t that make it a little more fun?” she asked, raising her brows.

Loki chuckled. “I’m rubbing off on you, my love.”

Charlie laughed softly. “You just might be,” she replied, rising up on her toes to find his lips in a kiss.

He gently kissed her back, holding her flush against him. “My dirty little girl.”

“Want to know how dirty I really am?” she asked teasingly. “I have nothing on under this dress…”

Loki raised a brow at her. “Charlie…”

She smirked. “Yes, Loki?”

“Are you taunting me?”

“Is it working?”

He chuckled as he pushed her hips against his, letting her feel his hardness through his trousers. “What do you think?”

Charlie bit her lip as she smiled up at him. “Good,” she replied proudly. “All you’d need to do is lift my skirt… I’m right there for you.”

“Such a filthy little thing… there’s an alcove near here… no one will see us. But you have to be quiet.”

“I can be quiet… if I have to be,” she replied, smirking devilishly. “Show me where.”

“Down the path and to the right. Take another immediate right,” he told her.

She began to walk beside him, eyes following the path he described. The alcove wasn’t far from the gazebo, but it was certainly private. She smiled as they arrived before leaning against the wall behind her. “Here we are… alone…”

“All alone,” he smirked.

She cocked her head as she watched him. “Do you want me, baby?” she asked in almost a coo.

Loki bit at his bottom lip. “I always want you.”

“Will you show me how much?” she asked.

He stepped closer, resting both hands on her hips. “How should I show you?”

“However you see fit,” she replied, licking her lips.

Loki rested his hands on her hips before bending to kiss her. “We’ll have to be fast.”

She nodded against his lips before kissing him again, more feverishly this time. If they had limited time, they had to make it worth it.

He instantly responded to her, pulling her flush against him before in an instant, turning her to bend her over the bench. “How wet are you for me, hm?”

She gasped as she turned, though she grinned through it. “Feel me,” she told him, spreading her legs.

Loki lifted her skirts, ghosting both hands over the backs of her thighs. He drifted one hand to her in her thigh, then to the apex, feeling her slick slide through his fingers. “All for me, beautiful?”

She moaned at his touch. “Always for you,” she replied.

“You’re soaked,” he purred. “Practically running down your thighs. Do you like the idea of getting caught?”

“It’s exciting,” she admitted.

“It is,” he agreed. Loki continued to stroke her folds before circling her clit. “Do you think you could take me?”

Her breaths shuddered as she nodded. “I think so,” she replied, rubbing herself against his hand.

“Such a good girl,” Loki praised. He unbuttoned his trousers, freeing his cock before rubbing the head against her.

Charlie whimpered quietly, swallowing the sound as much as she could. “Fuck…” she breathed.

“Easy, darling. You don’t want to alert anyone.” Loki lined himself up before gripping her hip with one hand, then slowly sank home.

Her expression showed her bliss and released another shuddering breath as she adjusted around him. “Loki…” she whimpered.

Loki ran his free hand down the middle of her back. “I know,” he murmured. “It’s okay. Relax.”

She nodded and relaxed as he said, dropping her head back against the wall behind her. She widened her hips to take him in easier and she moaned softly in response.

“There it is,” he breathed before slowly thrusting into her. “Good job baby girl.”

“I told you… I could take you,” she whimpered quietly, gasping in pleasure.

Loki chuckled as he thrust, increasing his pace. “Easy… quiet baby.”

Charlie’s mouth fell open and she heaved uneven breaths. “Kiss me,” she demanded, knowing it would keep her quiet.

Wrapping one arm around her chest, Loki lifted her up to be able to reach her mouth. “You need to move…”

She nodded, beginning to move her hips up and down to take him as she found his lips, delving her tongue into his mouth.

Loki sighed, kissing her deeply, resting one hand on her lower stomach and the other on her chest. “Feels good,” he whispered.

She bucked into him, finding a steady rhythm. She moaned into his mouth, biting his lower lip a little in passion.

“Gods… look at you, taking my cock and try to be quiet,” he praised with a breath. “Fuck you’re so tight…”

“You feel so good… oh god,” she whimpered before she bit her lip hard to keep herself from crying out.

“Easy,” Loki murmured. “Hard and fast, okay?”

Charlie nodded as she began to fuck him just as he instructed, hard and fast. Her hand moved to cover her mouth as her lips dropped open.

“You’re okay,” he breathed, moaning slightly as he rested one hand on the center of her chest, the other on her hip.

“I’m gonna come,” she breathed before swallowing a moan, fucking him as hard and fast as she could.

Feeling her constrict his cock like a vice, Loki grunted as he screwed his eyes shut. “Fuck,” he breathed, following just behind her.

Her mouth found his again feverishly as she felt him release, whimpering a desperate sound as she rode out her orgasm, gently slowly her pace.

“My sweet girl,” he murmured. As Charlie slowed, he gently pulled out.

As her skirt fell, she turned and wrapped an arm around Loki’s shoulders to keep herself upright. “You’re gonna be dripping down my thighs…”

Loki practically growled. “Good,” he smirked.

“Maybe later you can clean me up,” she said, smiling sweetly before she found his lips for a kiss.

“Could lick it off you,” he purred. “Let you lick me in return…”

She nuzzled her nose against his and nodded with a grin. “I like the sound of my, my God.”

Loki chuckled and kissed just behind her ear. “Do I need to make sure nothing is running down your thighs?”

Charlie nodded as goosebumps rose on her skin. “You do.”

He grinned as he ran one hand along her hip, reaching with his magic to gently clean her up. “How’s that?”

“That’s better,” she smiled sweetly. “Your magic comes in handy, my love.”

“Yes, it does,” he agreed.

She leaned in to kiss him again. “Come on, we should get ready for dinner. I want to see what other dresses your mom sent for me,” she said with a smile.

Loki chuckled and nodded. “Lead the way, princess.”

“I’m not a princess just yet,” she laughed softly. “I don’t expect any royal treatment.”

“You’re my princess,” he told her. “I will always give you the royal treatment.”

“You always have,” she assured him, squeezing his hand gently. As they walked back into the palace, she brushed her fingers through her hair. “I could get used to living here, at least part of the time.”

“Would you want to do that?” He asked. “Share where we live?”

Charlie shrugged as she thought. “We could… here part of the time, Earth part of the time.”

“We could,” he agreed.

“We could go anywhere on Earth. We don’t have to stay in the city,” she mused as they made their way back to his room. “There are places I’ve always wanted to see that I never thought I’d get the chance to.”

Loki smiled. “I can take you anywhere.”

“I’m going to be so spoiled,” she said with a cheeky grin.

“Yes, you will,” he chuckled.

“Lucky me.” They reached his room, and she pushed open the large door to enter.

Loki let Charlie go explore while he walked over to the large windows and opened them to allow a breeze through.

Charlie went to the closet and threw the doors open, her eyes taking in all of the beautiful Asgardian clothing that Frigga had sent for her. “Loki… look at all of this. It’s just beautiful,” she gushed.

He turned and walked across the large room to lean against one of the closet doors. “Well, you deserve it.”

“Oh please,” she replied, clicking her tongue. “I have a wardrobe in here to last a long time. I think she wants us to stay.”

“That would be mother,” Loki grinned. “But she won’t stop us if we travel.”

“Are there other places in the Universe that you could show me?” she asked curiously as she sifted through dresses.

“A couple,” he replied easily. “Alfheim is nice this time of year.”

“I want to see it all,” she told him as she pulled a dress out of the closet and held it in front of herself. “What about this for dinner?” she asked. It was a little more formal, still green and gold in color.

Loki smiled sweetly. “That’s beautiful.”

Charlie smiled brightly and spun with the dress in her hands. “I’m going to go put it on,” she said, moving towards the bed to lay the dress on it. “Could you help me get this one off?”

“Of course.” Loki followed her to the bed and stood behind her. He kissed her shoulder as he slowly lowered the zipper.

A shiver moved up her spine as she felt his cool fingers on her skin. As the dress loosened, she gently shrugged it off of her shoulders before letting it fall to the floor, revealing her naked body.

“My darling… so bare before me,” Loki mused, resting on hand on her stomach.

A smile crossed her lips and leaned back into him, resting her hands over his. “I like being naked in front of you… you make me feel so beautiful.”

“You are beautiful,” he assured. “Radiant.”

She blushed softly. “Thank you, my love.”

“You are very welcome.”

She reached for the other dress and unzipped it, draping it down into the floor so she could step into it before pulling it on. “Now zip me up?” she asked.

He grinned as he helped her lay the dress on her body correctly before gently zipping her up. Then he bent to kiss her neck softly. “All good to go.”

“Thank you,” she said graciously before twirling in the dress before him. “I like the leather features.”

Loki appraised her, looking over the dress as it hugged her figure. “You look… so beautiful, darling.”

“Do I look Asgardian?” she asked, posing regally before she broke into a laugh.

“You look… like you,” he shrugged. “But you’d be grand in Asgard.”

“I suppose it’s good I still look like me,” she winked. “But with a little bit of you… we match, my love.”

“Yes, we do. I love seeing my colors on you,” he replied.

She took a few steps towards him and smoothed her hands down his chest. “I’m yours… it just shows other people that too.”

Loki nodded as he licked his lips. “If you look this divine in everything, we’ll be late no matter where we go.”

Charlie giggled and shrugged a little. “So, we’re a little late… people will survive.”

“Minx,” he chuckled.

“You’re the one with the dirty mind,” she teased.

Loki shrugged. “You’re enforcing it.”

“Perhaps I’m not entirely innocent,” she laughed softly. “I just can’t get enough of you.”

“I can’t get enough of you either,” he replied. “At this rate you’ll end up with child before we know it.”

Charlie took a deep breath at the thought, but her smile didn’t fade. “If it happens… I guess it happens.”

Loki gently pulled her into his arms, the look on his face, serious. “You’d be okay with it?” He asked. “A… a half frost giant child…”

She looked up at him, her brows furrowing softly. “Loki, it would be… your child. I would love it simply for that.”

His face looked slightly pained. He’d never liked what he truly was. “Are you certain?”

Her expression fell softly. “I love all of you,” she told him. “The God, the Frost Giant, all of it.”

Loki bit his bottom lip. “I’ve never… you haven’t seen the monster, Charlie.”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that,” she told him. She hated how much he clearly disliked part of himself. “You can show me… I’m not gonna run away.”

Her touch grounded him, but he was still hesitant. “Charlie…”

“Loki…” she replied. “I don’t want you to hide part of yourself from me.”

“I don’t like that part of me,” he replied quietly.

She rose up onto her toes, resting her forehead against his. “I won’t make you do anything you’re not comfortable with,” she told him softly. “But just know… I love every part of you.”

Loki found himself smiling as he leaned into her touch, letting her ground him. “It’s been ground into me. To hate it,” he whispered.

“Why do you hate it?” she asked softly. “Because they told you to?”

“We’re raised to believe they’re evil, Charlie,” he told her. “Asgard and Jotunheim have always quarreled.”

“I hear you,” she assured. “But we know that Odin isn’t always right. He can be misguided. How you were raised… it doesn’t have to determine how you live your life.”

“You weren’t stolen and raised as something you’re not,” he countered.

Charlie frowned. “You’re right, I wasn’t,” she agreed with a soft sigh. “I can’t imagine what that’s like. But you have someone now standing in front of you accepting all of you.”

He sniffled and nodded. “I do.”

“So, show me, don’t show me… just know that I love you no matter what,” she reminded him, raising her hand to cradle the side of his face.

Loki tilted his head as a single tear escaped his eyes. “I love you, Charlie. So much.”

She reached out her thumb to wipe away his tears and leaned in to kiss him softly. “I love you, Loki. More than anything.”

He gave her a weak smile. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to break down like this.”

“Don’t ever apologize for feeling your feelings,” she told him surely. “You’re safe with me.”

“Just as you are with me.”

“I know I am,” she smiled, leaning in to find his lips again.

Loki gently kissed her back, resting one arm around her waist, putting her flush against his chest.

Charlie cradled either side of Loki’s face as they kissed. As it found its natural end, she blinked her eyes open to find his. “You never have to feel alone again, my love.”

He smiled before kissing the tip of her nose. “Neither will you. Though I wonder if your friends wonder where you’ve gone.”

“I guess I didn’t exactly leave a note…” she mused, frowning a little. “They might assume the worst. I was very ill when they last heard from me.”

“We should make a point to send word… or visit,” he told her.

She nodded in agreement. “I’ve made quite the recovery… they might be a little surprised at that,” she said.

“We’ll just have to explain,” he replied. “Do you think they’d believe us?”

“The real story? I don’t know… it’s a lot to ask someone to believe,” she answered with a small laugh.

Loki shrugged. “Yet I hear talk of superheroes.”

“The world has certainly gotten weirder lately,” she said with a sigh. “Now that you have your powers, though, I suppose we could prove that we’re not lying.”

“I suppose,” he grinned.

“That might be fun… watching everyone freak out,” she said with a soft laugh.

Loki laughed along with her. “Perhaps. But I don’t want to be locked up in Midgard.”

“If we were locked up together, it wouldn’t be so bad,” she replied, winking playfully. “But you’re right about that. I didn’t get healthy just to be confined.”

He leaned in and kissed her softly. “We’ll find a way to tell them.”

Charlie nodded. “We will.” She turned to look at the clock. “What time do you think dinner is?”

“Normally seven sharp,” he replied. “Unless it’s changed.”

“We have a little time then. What should we do?” she asked.

Loki raised a brow. “You’re unsure of what to do? That’s unlike you, darling.”

“Is it?” she asked, smiling a little. “There’s just so much here that we could do.”

“Like?” He bated.

“Well, we could… ride horses. But I don’t want to get too messy before dinner,” she said with a sigh. “Or we could… actually, maybe I should take a shower before dinner. And you could join me... if you wanted, of course.

“A shower sounds lovely… or I could show you the tub?” He asked.

“Ooh, the tub? I like the sound of that,” she said, her smile growing. “Show me.”

Loki offered out his hand before turning to lead her to the adjoined bathroom. The tub was sunken into the floor, almost like a pool.

“Oh wow,” Charlie breathed. “I love this… Loki, get in with me,” she said with excitement.

“Of course,” he assured.

Though she’d just dressed, she turned for Loki to unzip her dress and allowed it to pool around her body as he loosened. She was naked before him again as she picked up the dress to lay it over a nearby chair before she stepped into the tub.

“Want to sit in it while I fill it?” He asked, smiling.

She nodded, smiling up at him. There was a bench style seat in the tub and perched there as he turned the water on.

“Do you want it on the hotter side? Or warmer?” He asked her, setting the temperature.

“Warm,” she answered, reaching down to trail her fingers through the water that started to fill the bottom of the tub.

Loki set it just right before he sat back and allowed the tub to fill. “I loved playing in these as a child.”

Charlie laughed softly. “I’m sure you did. It’s just like a pool for a child,” she replied pleasantly. “I can’t imagine growing up here.”

“It was the same as most places I’d imagine. I got into mischief a lot.”

“I’m positive that’s true,” she said with a gentle giggle. “I did too. As the youngest I was kind of ignored. They left me to do as I pleased until I got into trouble.”

Loki frowned. “I’m sorry you were ignored.”

She shrugged, her long hair falling down her shoulder as she did. “Until I got sick. Then suddenly it was all eyes on me… I hated that too.”

“I can imagine.” Loki turned off the taps as the water reached the right level. Then he added some bath oils.

“I wanted to be seen… and then I wanted to be invisible,” she sighed, lowering herself a bit into the water and swirling her hand in it to mix in the oils.

Loki stripped out of his clothing before he walked into the large tub, a container of wash in his hand. He sat it on the edge. “I’m sorry, darling.”

“It’s okay… it’s just how things were. Can’t change them,” she said softly. “But look at me now. I’m happy and taken care of… all thanks to you.”

“Me, huh?” He teased while wading over to her until he was just in front of her, out of reach.

Charlie smiled girlishly and laughed softly. “Yes, you… my God,” she said, reaching for him.

Loki rolled his eyes playfully. “I am endeared by your new nickname for me.”

“You like it? It’s fitting, now that you’re a God again,” she said, lowering herself to float a bit in the warm water.

Taking her into his arms, Loki grinned, feeling her wrap her legs around his waist. “It does fit, I agree.”

She leaned back to dip her long hair back into the water, her legs still wrapped around him. “I’ll worship you in whatever way you want,” she told him with a smirk.

“Worship me? Getting specific now, huh?” He teased.

“Not too specific. Just… know that whatever it is that you desire, I’m here to help fulfill it,” she told him, her doe-like green eyes looking up at him.

Loki smiled before leaning in to kiss her softly, sweetly. “I’ll do the same for you.”

“I know,” she said with a nod, smoothing her hands up his chest before wrapping her arms around his neck. “You worship me too, and I’m not even a Goddess.”

“You’re my goddess.”

“Goddess of… what?” she asked, cocking her head a bit in question.

“Freedom, love… life,” he murmured.

Charlie smiled more brightly as he mused. “I like Goddess of Life… because I get a new one now.”

“Yes, you do,” he smiled.

“And you mentioned that maybe I could learn some magic?”

“We can try,” he nodded as he ran both hands along her shoulders. “It wouldn’t hurt anything.”

“That would be pretty cool,” she said, though she knew it was a possibility she wouldn’t be able to use magic. “I’m still learning so much about all of the life my body has in it now.”

“You’re completely healthy,” he assured her. “So, you’re able to do anything.”

“Anything,” she repeated, leaned in to press soft kisses to his chest.

Loki smiled and nodded. “Anything.”

She rested her head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat for a few moments before she kissed his chest again. “Do you want to wash me?” she asked.

“If you’d like me to,” he said softly. “I’d love to.”

“Please,” she said, slowly unwrapping her legs so that she could allow him to get the loofah and wash.

Loki bent to kiss her softly while blindly reaching for the body soap. “Gladly.”

She allowed the kiss to linger, a gentle sigh passing her lips as it ended. “I just love it when you touch me.”

“I love touching you,” he countered as he let the soap pour over her shoulders.

She closed her eyes as she allowed the soap to pour over her body. “You touch me like no one ever has before,” she told him. “Every touch is… electrifying.”

“I’m really that special?” He asked, his voice soft.

“To me, you are,” she told him surely. “I think we were always supposed to find each other…”

Loki smiled. “Fate does work in strange ways.”

“Do you believe in fate?” She asked curiously as he began to clean her body.

“I didn’t,” he admitted. “But now… it’s possible.”

“I never did either,” she agreed. “But that the two of us would be brought together… it just seems so unlikely.”

“It is a wonder,” he agreed.

She took a long, soothing deep breath as she leaned back against him. “Whatever brought us together, I’m glad for it. Because without you… we know where I’d be.”

“I don’t want to think about where you’d be,” he said softly.

“I know, love,” she replied sweetly. “But it makes me appreciate the life I have in me now, because it was so close to being snuffed out.”

“I appreciate every second I get with you,” he murmured in reply. “I hate that I almost lost you.”

She leaned back into his body as he washed the front of her body. “It’s sadly part of the human condition. But I guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Loki kissed her temple. “You have a long life ahead of you.”

“Can I get sick now?” she asked curiously.

“Not by anything Midgard could give you,” he told her.

She sighed in relief as a smile spread across her lips. “I’ve been sick more than I’ve been healthy in my life. This is… still so incredible to believe.”

Loki kissed the side of her head again as he smiled. “I’m happy that I could do this for you.”

“I’ll never be able to repay it… but I’ll try to make your life as fulfilling as possible,” she promised him.

“You already do, sweetheart.”

“Well if there’s anything else I can do, just let me know,” she told him, turning in his arms to look up at him. “I want to give you whatever you need.”

Loki bent down to kiss her softly. “All I ask is for you to be happy in any way it makes you. That’s repayment enough.”

She kissed him back, keeping her lips close to his as the kiss ended. “You make me happy. That’s all I need to know.”

“You make me happy too,” he smiled.

Charlie looked up at him with her big green eyes. “Loki… whenever you’re ready… I’ll be yours.”

Loki smiled even brighter. “You’d join me? Be mine… in every sense?”

Her smile grew brighter as his did. “I would,” she replied with a sure nod.

“You’d marry me?” He asked, his voice just a whisper.

Charlie reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair as she held his eyes. “Yes… I would marry you,” she answered in a hush.

Loki let out a rush of air before grabbing her face and pulling her in for a deep kiss. He turned them towards the deeper end of the tub and leaned back against the wall.

Charlie laughed softly into the kiss and followed Loki’s movements with ease. “I love you,” she told him heatedly.

“I love you,” he replied, peppering her face with kisses. “I love you so much.”

She giggled in reply. “Did we just get engaged?” she asked.

“I think we did,” he murmured as he silently used his magic to conjure a ring on her hand. A simple one with an emerald stone.

Charlie raised her hand to get a better look at the ring. “It’s perfect,” she told him, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ve had it… for a little while.”

“You have?” she asked. “I know you were waiting for the right time… I hope I don’t take that away from you.”.”

“You didn’t,” he assured. “This was perfect.”

“Think your family will be happy?” she asked a little nervously. “Maybe your mother and Thor…”

“They’ll be happy,” he assured her. “Odin’s judgment doesn’t matter.”

She smiled proudly. “You’re right, it doesn’t,” she agreed. “What matters is us.”

“Creating our family is what matters most,” he agreed. “You and me.”

“Us.” She wrapped her arms around his body and looked up adoringly at him. “I’m so excited about the future… I never have been before.”

“Neither have I. Not until you.”

Leaning in, she pressed a kiss to his chest. “Whatever it was that brought us together, I’m not questioning it.”

“Me either, darling.”

“Kiss me,” she told him, looking up at him again.

Loki smirked before leaning in to slant his mouth over hers, gently pressing her into the side of the tub.

“Mmm,” she moaned against his lips, one hand snaking up into his long hair. “I love when you press me against things…”

He chuckled softly as he ran one hand in her hair before gripping gently so he could pull her head back and expose her throat. “What else do you love that I do?”

Charlie gasped softly before a whimpering breath escaped her. “I love when you pull my hair… bite my skin…”

“Oh, I like where this is going,” he purred, smirking down at her as he gently tightened the grip he had on her hair, feeling her shiver.

She made a helplessly sensual sound. “I love it when you’re rough with me… when you toss me around…”

“I can do that… and more,” he assured. “I can keep you going all night long, princess.”

“I know you can… and now I can go all night long,” she replied. “I want to test out this body…”

Loki smirked. “Just tell me when, sweetheart.”

“Tonight,” she told him surely. “We can celebrate our engagement.”

He chuckled. “So eager, my girl.”

“Is it too much for you?” she asked teasingly.

“Never.”

“Then I suppose you’re up to the task,” she said, licking her lips.

“Always,” he nodded. “Only for you.”

Charlie’s smile softened as she pulled against his loosened grasp on her hair to kiss him. “Good…’then we should probably finish and get ready for dinner.”

“Rinse off then love, and we’ll get dry and dressed… but be prepared for some teasing when I’m able.”

“Ooh, yeah?” she asked, raising her brows. “I like the sound of that,” she said as she rinsed her body.

“I know you do,” he smirked.

Chapter 11

The two dried off and got dressed before making their way towards the grand dining room. Charlie held Loki's hand as they walked, glancing down at her ring with a smile. "I wonder if anyone will notice," she mused.

"I guess we'll see who notices first," Loki mused as he gently squeezed her hand.

"I wonder if your father will be there..." she said with a sigh, tucking some of her long, wavy hair behind her ear.

"Possible. But I won't know until we get there," Loki replied, turning down the hall.

She sighed softly and nodded. "No matter what, it'll be fine," she said, telling herself that out loud. As they neared the dining room, guards opened two large doors for them as they approached.

"Prince Loki," they greeted.

"Evening," he greeted in return as they both entered the dining hall. He looked around the room, seeing that it was simply laid out for the family. "Looks like all of us will be dining tonight."

Charlie released a slightly nervous breath. "Okay. Here we go..."

"Loki, Charlie!" Thor's voice boomed as he entered the hall.

Loki turned, seeing his brother. "Thor," he nodded. "How are you?"

"I'm good, I'm good," he assured, walked over to Loki to embrace him whether his brother wanted it or not. "How are you? You look so happy, brother. Lighter."

"I'm good," Loki answered easily. "I am happy. We both are."

"And Charlie, you look so wonderful. Healthy, vibrant," Thor bellowed, moving in to take the much smaller woman into an embrace.

She laughed softly. "Thank you, Thor. For everything."

"You're quite welcome," Thor told her.

"We should sit, mother wouldn't want us to stand around," Thor said, gesturing towards the table. He took his seat as Charlie followed Loki to where she should sit.

Loki sat after pulling a chair out for Charlie. "How have things been?" He asked.

"Oh, you know. Keeping peace amongst the realms isn't an easy task and diplomacy isn't always my strong suit," Thor told his brother with a chuckle. "But all does seem well for now."

"I'm glad you've been fairing well," Loki replied.

"And you two? Seem happier than ever," Thor asked.

Charlie smiled and turned to glance at Loki. "We are... just learning how to live with this new life that I have."

"It must be a bit of a shock, knowing you're perfectly healthy now," Thor mused.

"It is," she replied with a nod. "I was sick so much of my life, it's hard to know what my limits are."

Loki ran his hand along her knee under the table. "Understandable."

Just as Thor was about to speak again, the doors to the great hall opened. "Announcing the King and Queen of Asgard," the guard called before Odin and Frigga entered.

The group at the table stood. "Mother. Father," Thor greeted.

"Mother," Loki nodded. "Sir."

Odin cast a brief glance at Frigga before he walked further into the room, taking his place at the end of the table.

Frigga took her seat at the opposite end and smiled at the group. "Thank you all for coming together this evening. It's been so long since we've had the family together like this."

"You're welcome," Thor replied, as did Loki.

Staff entered the room to pour them all wine and bring out the first course. "And of course, we'd like to welcome Charlie officially," Frigga continued once the staff left.

Odin cleared his throat and reached out for his glass. "Yes, let's... welcome her," he said with a quiet sigh. He raised his glass then. "You must be a spectacularly special woman for Loki to have fallen for you in the way he has."

Charlie blushed as everyone toasted before taking a sip. "We just... found each other in our time of need."

"It's remarkable, and wonderful," Frigga gushed. "Now everyone, please eat."

They all began their first course and Odin looked over at Loki. "She looks lovely in Asgardian garb," he said somewhat awkwardly.

Loki gave him a small smile and nodded while reaching for his glass of wine. "Yes, she does."

"How has she been adjusting?" Odin asked curiously.

"Pretty well," he answered. "It's been a bit of a shock, going from being so sick to perfectly healthy, but it's been smooth for us both."

"And, are you..." Odin began, nearly second guessing himself. "Are you... planning on staying in Asgard?"

Loki eyed his mother before he looked over at Charlie. "We are considering doing half here and half in Midgard."

Odin scoffed. "Midgard..."

"Odin," Frigga's voice called from across the table.

"Yes, yes... Midgard is a fine enough place."

"Midgard is Charlie's home. I'm not going to ask her to give it up. If she wanted to be there full time, I would follow her," he stated.

"Loki," Charlie soothed softly, sensing he might need that.

"I know. Your love for her gives you sympathy for all the plights of Midgardians," Odin said before taking a sip of his wine.

Loki bristled, but didn't take the barb Odin offered. He took a sip from his wine and ate a bit more from his plate.

"Father, Midgard is a home just like any other. And we will protect it," Thor said, giving his brother a nod.

"Does it need protecting?" Charlie asked curiously.

"There have always been some realms that believe Midgard to be vulnerable and want to take it for themselves," Thor answered.

"Oh," Charlie sighed, brushing her hair back out of her face. "So, you're protecting it, Thor?"

Thor smiled proudly. "I am."

"Loki will too, I'm sure," Frigga added, smiling sweetly at her dark-haired son.

"Maybe I can... learn now to fight. So, I can protect it too," Charlie said thoughtfully.

Loki looked over at Charlie curiously. "You'd be up for doing that?"

She nodded as she turned to look up at Loki. "It's my home, I want to protect it," she replied. "And if I am capable of doing so now... I'd like to."

"I'd love to teach you," he smiled.

Charlie reached her hand under the table to find Loki's. "Wonderful. We can start tomorrow," she told him with a sure nod.

Thor chuckled. "I cannot wait to see her put you on the ground, brother."

Charlie's smile grew. "Who knows, I might catch on pretty quickly."

"Frigga is an excellent fighter," Odin said from his place at the head of the table. "She might be willing to help as well."

Frigga smiled. "I know a few things."

"More than a few. You know I love a strong woman," Odin replied with a rare smile.

"Charlie is certainly strong," Thor pointed out.

She smiled softly. "Thank you, Thor."

"You're quite welcome," Thor replied.

Charlie reached for her wine glass and took a sip. "I think there's a lot I can learn here. And... I appreciate everything you've done for me, Odin. Including letting me stay and saving my life."

"Y-you're welcome," Odin replied.

"I hope to show you that your choice was the right one," she continued, casting a glance at Loki. "I have a lot to do with this life you've given me."

"Loki's love for you shows me just how right it was," Odin replied.

Her smile grew softly and squeezed Loki's knee beneath the table. "I'm glad you can see it," she said.

"I can. He loves you as I love Frigga," Odin replied.

Charlie beamed as she smiled up at Loki. She raised his hand and brought it to her lips to kiss it. "I love him immensely too."

Frigga smiled happily before her eyes widened. "Dear... Charlie dear is that what I think it is?"

"What?" Charlie asked, raising her brows as she glanced at Frigga. It took her a moment to realize what the older woman was referencing but once she did, her eyes shifted to her hand and then back to Frigga with a nod.

"Loki?" Frigga questioned as Odin and Thor both looked puzzled.

Charlie turned to look back up at Loki, who blushed softly at his mother's attention. "Yes," he answered simply.

"You've made the vow? That's beautiful my son."

"The vow?" Odin questioned; eyes cast across at his wife.

She nearly giggled in a way unlike her. "Odin, they're to be wed."

"Loki proposed?" Thor asked, his voice loud and happy.

Charlie lit up and nodded. "For all intents and purposes," she replied with a chuckle.

"Brother! Congrats!" Thor bellowed.

"Oh, I'm so excited," Frigga said with glee.

Charlie turned towards Loki and took both of his hands, turning her eyes onto his. "So am I."

Loki squeezed her hands and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "As am I," he assured.

"Well," Odin said, clearing his throat. "This... is a cause for celebration. More wine!" he called before the staff returned.

Charlie glanced from Odin to Loki once again. "I guess he's okay with it..."

"I guess so." Loki pecked her lips softly and nuzzled into her neck a moment before sitting up once more.

After the wine was poured, Frigga raised her glass. "To Loki and Charlie... may their love carry them through good times and bad, for the rest of their lives," she said.

Thor and Odin raised their glasses. "To Loki and Charlie."

"To Loki and Charlie," Frigga smiled as she raised her own glass to toast.

Charlie raised her glass to toast before she gently clinked it against Loki's. "To us." She took a sip of the wine, the best she'd ever had in her life. "Wow, this is incredible," she remarked.

"Asgardian wine from white tinsel grapes," Loki smiled. "Perfect for celebrations."

"I love it," she smiled, taking another sip. "I love Asgard so much. That's why we'll definitely have to live here at least some of the time."

"We will," Loki assured. "We'll also try to figure out a way for you to explain to your friends and family back home that you're healthy again and the reason as best as we can."

"We're happy to have you here with us whenever we can," Frigga said lovingly.

"And Loki..." Odin began, "I assume you'll be willing to fight to protect Midgard as well alongside your brother?"

"Of course," Loki answered.

"Good," Odin said approvingly. "And... Asgard as well?"

Loki nodded. "It's home."

"I'm glad to hear you feel that way, son," Odin replied, the barest hint of a smile on his lips.

Hearing Odin's praise made Loki feel good but also a little awkward. "Thank you."

The staff brought the second course of their meal, and the group sat and prepared to eat once again. The rest of the dinner was full of smiles and pleasant conversation. Charlie felt increasingly comfortable sitting at the table with the group of them.

As the dessert was brought out, Loki beamed. "Oh, you'll love this," he gushed. "It's my favorite."

Charlie looked down at the delectable dish before her and she picked up her fork to taste it. "Oh my god, what is this? It's delicious."

"Chocolate with elderberry glaze. It's layered with a thick pastry," Frigga explained. "Pairs perfect with the wine."

"This is part of what I could get used to," she remarked with a giggle. She took another bite before taking a sip of the wine, nodding in agreement with his assessment. "Perfect."

Loki smiled softly, enjoying watching Charlie as she found more things to love about Asgard.

They enjoyed their dessert before the staff cleared away the plates.

"We'll plan a celebration for your engagement," Odin declared, looking to Frigga with a nod.

"Yes. In just a few days' time, it will be spectacular," Frigga gushed.

"Don't put too much of a fuss into it," Charlie said with a tender smile.

"We don't need anything grand," Loki replied. "Simple is easier for us."

"I'm not used to grand," Charlie explained.

"It'll be... appropriately simple," Frigga conceded.

Loki knew his mother wanted to scream it to the realms, but he didn't want to overwhelm Charlie. "Mother..."

"Loki," Frigga replied knowingly. "I'll behave, I promise."

He smiled as he weaved his fingers through Charlie's under the table. "Thank you."

"I'll do my best to contain her," Odin said with a gentle smile towards his wife.

"Thank you all," Charlie said sweetly. "I appreciate everything."

"Well, I think we should retire for the evening so your mother can start planning," Odin stated, standing from his chair.

"Of course," Loki nodded as he stood as well, turning to help Charlie stand out of habit.

Charlie took Loki's hand and stood, pushing her chair back. "Have a wonderful evening," she said to the king and queen before the two made their way out of the room.

As they became alone once more, Loki smiled down at Charlie. "What do you think, love?"

"I think... that dinner was delicious. The wine has made me tingly," she admitted with a giggle, her cheeks a little flushed.

Loki chuckled softly and kissed her temple as they walked. "You had more than I did."

"Guilty," she replied lightheartedly as they headed away from the dining room and back towards Loki's room. "I feel good, though... really good."

"I do too," he smiled. "I'm glad you like the wine too."

Her eyes took in the ornate decor of the halls as they walked together. "Celebrating our engagement will be fun. I'm sure Thor loves a party," she mused.

"Oh, you've no idea. Mother will have to keep an eye on him," he laughed.

Charlie laughed in reply. "You'll have to keep an eye on me. It's been a long time since I could party," she giggled.

Loki grinned. "I'm sure I'll do good at that."

"I'm sure you will," she agreed as they turned a corner and headed towards the large double doors of his room. "But you're not done keeping an eye on me tonight... we have some celebrating to do."

"Oh, I haven't forgotten, my love," he grinned.

"Good," she grinned, watching as the doors to his room opened for them without him needing to touch them. "As much as I love this dress, it would look great on the floor."

Loki laughed as he watched her step forward and twirl, making her dress dance along with her. "What does my girl want?"

"Dance with me," she said joyously, reaching out for him. "Seduce me."

Stepping forward, Loki took her hand and rested the other on her hip. "Seduce you..." he purred.

Charlie looked up at him adoringly as she began to move in spite of the lack of music. "I'm sure you'll do it flawlessly," she said, smiling.

Loki rested his forehead against hers, letting his eyes close as they swayed. "I'm not always so flawless, my love."

"Oh, I'm sure you're not. No one is," she replied easily, watching his thoughtful expression as they danced. "But you're perfect to me."

"Just as you're perfect to me," he smiled.

She closed her eyes and simply danced with him for some time, feeling the depth of their connectedness. "I love you," she murmured.

"I love you," he whispered in reply. "So very much."

She gently pushed herself away to spin out from him, her dress twirling beautifully as she did. She brought herself back into him then, this time with her back to his chest as they moved together.

Loki rested one hand on her lower stomach while the other trailed down her neck. "I could do this for hours," he murmured.

"We could... we have the time now," she replied softly, softly humming at the sensation of his hand on her neck.

He smiled as he nestled into the crook of her shoulder. "We do," he murmured, then chuckled. "This reminds of the scene from that dancing movie you like so much."

Charlie smiled and giggled softly. "I've made you watch it enough times," she replied, swaying slowly with him.

"You have..." he mused. "I've learned to enjoy it."

"I'm glad," she replied, spinning herself out and back to him once again. "We have all the time in the world to dance now."

"Dance, travel, explore... whatever your heart desires."

"I'd love to explore with you," she said as she rested her head back against his shoulder. "I want my life to be... exciting now."

"Exciting... I can do that."

"I know you can," she said with a growing smile. "You excite me every day."

Loki bent to kiss her cheek. "I guess we'll just have to see what trouble we can get ourselves into."

Chapter 12

Though they'd just gotten engaged, Frigga took no time in starting to plan their wedding. It was a royal wedding, even if she'd agreed to tone it down. It could still be regal and understated.

The engagement party was planned for just a few days away, and Charlie had been with Frigga all morning trying on various dresses and hairstyles for the event.

"Darling, this one is lovely on you," Frigga smiled. "You said you didn't want sleeves, right?"

"If there are sleeves, I think I like gold lace," Charlie answered, turning in the mirror. "I love the green and gold. I want to match Loki but also stand out."

Frigga grinned and flourished her hand, conjuring flowy golden sheer sleeves. "How's that?"

"They're beautiful," Charlie gushed, looking at herself in the mirror. "I feel like a goddess."

Smiling, Frigga stepped forward. "You are."

"Well, not really," Charlie replied with a giggle. "You all are Gods. I'm just a God's fiancé."

"You are Æsir, dear. One of us."

Charlie blushed a little as she looked down at the gown she wore. "I suppose I am..." she mused. She was still getting used to that. "I'm so used to... mentally preparing to die. I have to get out of that habit."

"It will take some time," Frigga replied. "But we're with you every step of the way."

"Thank you," Charlie replied with a gentle smile. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help with the party planning?"

"Positive darling. You just tell me what your vision is and I'll make it happen for you."

"That's the thing... I don't really have a vision," she admitted. "I never dreamed about my wedding. I just know that... marrying Loki is what I want."

Frigga gave her a motherly smile. "It must be overwhelming... How's this? Pick colors, flowers, and cloth type, and I will do the rest."

Charlie nodded. "I can do that... thank you," she said to the older woman. "Frigga, can I... ask you something?" she asked.

"Anything," she nodded.

Charlie sighed softly before she began. "Loki and I were talking about... children," she shared, "and Loki has concerns that his child will be part Frost Giant... is there anything I need to know about Frost Giants? Loki seems too fearful of showing me that part of himself."

"Frost Giants are another race entirely," Frigga began. "Loki was orphaned as an infant... and Odin brought him home from a battle with their people. Although Loki's natural magic made him as Æsir as you or I. It was both of our faults that we never told him the truth."

Charlie nodded patiently as she listened. "He seems so ashamed of that part of himself. How do I... help him see that I can love him just as much in that form as any other?"

"Take your time with it," she encouraged. "He was raised to think the Frost Giants are horrible creatures, but they're peaceful unless provoked. I wish Odin didn't fill the boys with the old stories like he did."

"I don't want him to think of his child as a horrible creature... or himself," Charlie said with a soft frown. "I just want him to know that he doesn't have to hide any of himself from me."

"That... will be trial and error, I'm afraid," she replied. "I can speak with him. But it's a highly sore subject."

Charlie shook her head. "I don't want to push him," she said softly. "I want to respect his process. I'm just... a little worried about what happens if I get pregnant."

"If you become with child, I think he might be a little worried, but ultimately, he will love the baby with his whole heart."

Absently, Charlie placed her hands over her stomach as she nodded. "Good," she replied with a soft sigh. "Thank you, Frigga. For everything."

"You're welcome, dear," she smiled. "I'm always here to talk to either of you. About anything."

"I should go find Loki... I'll change out of this dress," Charlie said, standing so she could go change. "I have no idea where he'll be though."

"Thor asked him to spar this morning at breakfast. You will most likely find him in the courtyard," Frigga answered with a smile.

"Okay, thank you," Charlie replied before she disappeared behind a partition to change from the dress Frigga made and into the dress she'd been wearing earlier. Once she was finished, she headed out to the courtyard to find Loki.

~~~

Loki panted as he stared at his larger brother. He held a dagger in both hands, his legs apart, in a fighting stance as he wondered what Thor would do next.

They've been sparring for a couple of hours, and only now were they beginning to sweat. Loki had shed his tunic and undershirt, leaving him in just his pants. "C'mon brother... getting tired?" He taunted.

Thor scoffed as he flipped his hammer in his hand. "Tired? I'm never tired!" He dropped his hammer before he advanced on Loki, throwing a series of punches.

Charlie made her way out to the courtyard and slowed her pace as she watched the brother's spar. She leaned against a pillar and crossed her arms loosely across her chest, simply watching.

Loki merely laughed as he dodged his brother's movements, swinging around to nick Thor in the elbow, making the big man hiss. "Hurt you?" He asked.

"Barely," Thor chortled. His eyes turned up for a moment and he caught sight of Charlie. "We have an audience," he told his brother with a smile. "I suppose I should let you win..."

"Let me win?" Loki asked, amused. "I can put your back in the dirt."

"Oh, I challenge you to try," Thor replied with a hearty laugh. He stepped back to allow his brother to advance him this time.

Loki smirked as he crouched low before shooting forward, hitting the butt of his dagger into the side of Thor's knee. The large man grunted and staggered before Loki swept his leg out, causing Thor to fall flat on his back.

Charlie broke out into a clap from her position. "Bravo, Loki!" she cheered, standing from her lean.

From the ground, Thor could only smile up at his wily brother. "Bravo, indeed."

Loki smirked as he dusted the dirt from his pants. "I learned a few things on Midgard."

"You bested me without the use of magic. You've certainly improved," Thor praised as he pushed himself up off of the ground. "Shall we stop now? I wouldn't want to keep you from your lady."

"We can," Loki breathed. "It's getting a bit hot for me out here."

"But I like looking at you with your shirt off," Charlie called from her position behind them.

Thor chuckled as he pulled his own shirt back on. "You've found a good one, brother."

Loki smiled brightly. "Oh, I have," he agreed, putting his tunic over his shoulder.

Charlie walked down the steps to where the brothers had been sparring. "Better luck next time, Thor," she said playfully.

Thor smirked and bowed to her softly. "You look lovely today, Charlie," he told her before he turned to leave.

"Thank you," Charlie told him with a smile before she turned her attention to Loki. "Very sexy to watch you best him."

"Thank you, darling," Loki smiled. "You do look quite lovely."

"Oh, thank you. I was trying on engagement party dresses with your mother. I think we designed something you'll really like," she told him, stepping up in front of him before beckoning him down for a kiss.

Loki smirked before dipping down and kissing her soundly. He rested one hand on her lower back, caressing her with his long fingers.

"Mmm," she hummed against his lips. She dared to deepen the kiss a bit before it finally ended. "You make me lightheaded in the best way."

He chuckled softly, keeping things tame since he knew they were around other people. "I'm glad."

"What were your plans after your sparring match?" she asked as she took his hand.

"Hadn't made any," he admitted. "Could use a bite to eat, maybe a shower."

"Would you like company? I could use something to eat."

Loki smiled. "Of course."

"Perfect," Charlie said as she began to walk slowly with him out of the courtyard. "Your mother was lovely. She listened to me, gave suggestions. She's a great woman."

"Yes, she is," Loki agreed. "The best."

"I think I might have to get used to a little grandeur. I am marrying royalty after all," she mused as they walked.

Loki chuckled softly. "Yes, you are. But we can live however you like, love."

"I know, I do," she assured him. "But... maybe I might like a little bit of something grand. I've never had the chance before."

"You can have whatever your heart desires," he assured.

"All my heart desires is you," she told him sweetly. "I would marry you with no one around, just the two of us, or in front of your entire kingdom."

Loki couldn't help but smile brightly at her. He ran one hand through her hair before pecking her lips once more. "As would I."

"Do you know what you'll wear yet?" she asked curiously as they continued making their way to the kitchen for some food.

"I haven't been to a tailor just yet, but I know I will proudly be wearing green and gold."

"So will I," she told him with a bright smile. "On Earth, women are supposed to wear white. How dull."

"Very dull," Loki agreed.

"It's supposed to symbolize purity. But barely anyone waits for marriage anymore to be physical," Charlie said, wrinkling her nose. "I'm sure I'll wear green and gold for the wedding as well."

Loki waggled his eyebrows. "Everyone knows we didn't, I'm sure."

She laughed in reply, shaking her head. "We sure didn't. Does it make you think less of me?" she asked teasingly.

"Of course not. Never," he assured.

"Thank you," she said sweetly. "Earth has a lot of judgments. Everyone judges everyone else. Part of me is glad to be away from there, at least for a little while."

"People have judged me my entire life... for what I like... what I am... I'd never do that to you."

"Nor I, you," she told him softly, giving his hand a squeeze. "We'll always have a safe harbor in each other."

"Yes, we will," Loki murmured.

Charlie turned her head to look up at him, her own expression thoughtful. "What's going on in that brilliant head on yours?"

"That I cannot wait to make you mine in every sense," he smiled. "But for now... what about a dip?"

"Sure," she replied with a smile. "I'd love to take a dip with you."

"It's quite hot," he nodded.

"It is," she agreed. "Do you... tend to notice that more than others? Get hit faster?" she asked curiously. He ran cool, so it made sense that he would react to heat more strongly.

Loki nodded. "I do. I can handle a lot, but I do get hot easy."

"Duly noted," she replied with a nod of her own. "Where do you want to go swimming?"

"There's a cool pond not far from here... has a bit of a sandy shore too," he replied.

"Sounds perfect," Charlie said.

"Let's go then," he grinned.

The couple walked together, taking their time as they went until they reached the pond that Loki spoke of. "It's beautiful," Charlie remarked as she took in the space. "But everything here has been."

"There's rocks in the bottom of this pool that glow at night," Loki informed.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "That's so cool," she said with a smile. "We'll have to come back at night so I can see it."

Loki nodded as he dropped his shirt on the sandy beach of the pool. "Of course."

"Can you unzip me?" she asked, turning around so that her back was to him.

Loki turned and ran his hands over her shoulders. "Sure, love." He let her turn away from him before he gently pulled the zipper of her dress downward.

"Thank you," she replied sweetly, allowing the dress to loosen around her before she let it fall away from her body into a pool on the ground. She stepped up to the water then and dipped her feet in. "It's cool but nice."

"It's always at a tepid temperature," he explained. "I keep it that way."

She took a few more steps into the water before she turned to wait for Loki. "How do you keep it that way?"

Loki smirked as he lifted one hand as green swirls weaved through his fingers. "Sedir."

"So, it's magic?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes," he nodded. Loki unlaced his boots and stepped out of them before pulling off his dirtied sparring pants.

"You'll have to teach me some of that magic you know," she told him as she watched him undress.

"I'll do my best," he assured while wading into the pool.

Charlie began to wade further in as Loki joined and once she was deep enough, she dove forward into the water. She swam a short distance before popping up again, smoothing her fingers back over her hair.

Loki followed behind her, diving down into the cool water before soon popping up near her.

"It's perfect for a hot day," she told him, agreeing with his assessment. "Your magic works wonders, my love."

"Thank you," he grinned. "It's perfect."

She swam up to him, wrapping her arms around his strong shoulders. "I love being here with you," she told him, softly kissing his chest.

"I love that you're here with me," he replied.

She turned her eyes up to his before pulling herself up to kiss him, strong enough to close the distance now.

He smiled against her mouth, wrapping his arms resting against her ass.

Charlie licked her bottom lip as her eyes fluttered open. "How alone are we?" she asked quietly.

"Pretty alone," he replied, raising a brow at her.

She nodded before leaning up to kiss him again. "Just seeing how careful we need to be," she told him against his lips.

Loki chuckled deeply as he slowly kneaded her flesh. "Minx."

"Your hands on me always make me think of more," she admitted with a soft giggle of her own.

"I can't deny that I think the same."

"Then we're a dangerous couple," she smirked.

Loki laughed softly and hoisted her up around his waist. "Yes, we are."

She giggled as she wrapped her legs around him, her arms around his neck. "I like that about us," she told him with a grin.

"I do too," he smiled.

Charlie closed the distance to kiss him again, more deeply this time. She allowed that kiss to linger for a long while before she rested her forehead against his, sighing contentedly.

"You're my purpose," Loki whispered. "My everything."

Her eyes rimmed with sparkling tears as she blinked them open to look down at him. "You're my hero," she told him quietly, her hand gently caressing his strong jawline.

Loki smiled before leaning up and meeting his lips with her own before ducking down, submerging them both in the water.

She clung to him, a smile on her lips beneath the water. As they came up, she laughed softly. "You always find ways to surprise me."

He laughed, his hair partially in his eyes, drenched with water. "I hope I continue to."

"I'm sure you will," she told him, reaching out to brush the hair back out of his face. "Show me something now. Something... magical."

Loki grinned. He lifted his head, creating small shooting stars and planets around them. "How's this?"

Charlie's eyes lit up. "Wow," she breathed, turning in the water to take it all in. "It's beautiful."

"It's a simple one," he grinned. "But a favorite."

"You can do it for me anytime," she told him with a smile, looking at him through the illusion. "I'm very simple to please."

He chuckled and let the stars and planets disappear. "What do you wish to see?"

"Can I see... the whole galaxy?" she asked, her eyes glittering in the sun. "Spread out around us?"

"Close your eyes," he replied.

She smiled as she closed her eyes, taking a slow, deep breath.

Loki looked above him, creating the illusion of all of the realms, a massive galaxy all in one place. "Open them."

As she opened her eyes, a breath was drawn from her as she looked at the vastness above them. "And we're just a small part of that..." she said with awe.

"A tiny, tiny part," he agreed.

She reached out as if she could touch it, her fingers dancing around the images so as to not distort them. "It's beautiful, Loki," she told him breathlessly.

Loki couldn't help but smile, watching Charlie's awe and amazement. "So are you," he whispered.

Charlie's smile shifted as she glanced back at him. "You make me feel it," she told him sweetly, turning to face him more directly. She stepped into him again and stood up on her toes, catching his lips in a loving kiss.

Loki kissed her back gently, turning them to lay against the soft beach like shore.

She exhaled softly against his lips as the kiss found its end. She stayed close to him, draping one leg over his waist. "You leave me in awe all the time," she told him softly.

"I hope that's a good thing," he replied.

Giggling, she nodded before she closed the distance and kissed Loki soundly. She deepened the kiss as she wrapped her leg around his waist.

Loki moaned softly, resting in the water against the sand. "Such a minx..."

"When we're done here, I'll show you just how much of a minx I am," she told him with a teasing kiss.

"When we're done?" He teased back.

"I don't want to rush you here," she replied with a soft laugh.

Loki bent to kiss her softly. "If you want to leave, we can."

"I'm happy to be wherever you are," she told him sweetly. "I was merely thinking about our... amorous intentions."

He chuckled and nipped at her lips gently. "Such a naughty girl, I have."

"Should I stop?" she asked with a giggle.

"I'd never want you to stop. I love how insatiable you are, and I'm able to keep up with you, which I love too."

Charlie blushed a little. "I love it, too... I couldn't ever be this physical before. Now I can, it's like... I just want to explore all of it."

"We can... anything you can think up or try... we can do whatever you want."

She turned onto her side to lean into him a little further before she kissed him sweetly. "I'd do anything with you. I trust you."

"Just as I trust you."

She kissed him again before leaning back a bit to take in his face. "Shall we head back?"

He rested her forehead against hers and sighed. "We shall."

She kissed the tip of his nose before she slowly sat up and got up off of the ground. She found her dress and stepped back into it, pulling it over her shoulders.

Loki stood and gently used his sedir to dry them both and to dress himself. "Back to our rooms?" He asked.

Charlie nodded with a smile and stepped forward to take his hand and begin to walk. "We could stop by the kitchen, get a snack... eat it off of each other," she suggested with a smirk.

"Mmm... makes me wish we had that chocolate sauce you put in milk," Loki mused.

"Put it on the list to bring back from Earth with us when we visit," she replied. "But I'm sure we can find something."

"We can look," he agreed.

They walked together back toward the palace and once they arrived, headed for the kitchen. It was spacious and oversized, and overstocked. "Fruit?" she questioned, finding a bowl of strawberries and grapes on a table.

"Fruit is good... there should be whipped cream somewhere too."

"Is there a fridge?" she asked, unfamiliar with Asgardian technology as far as refrigeration was concerned. "It might be in there."

"A cold box against the wall," Loki nodded.

She looked around, finding what he was talking about behind her and she opened it, looking around inside. "A ha," she said as she found it, pulling it out of the icebox.

"That's it," Loki smiled.

"Can you carry the fruit?" she asked before gesturing for him to follow her back to the room they now called theirs.

"Of course." Loki picked up the bowl of berries and followed behind Charlie. "Anything for my love."

"Thank you," she replied sweetly before she led him out of the kitchen and back down the hall. Once they arrived back at the bedroom, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, holding it open for Loki before closing it behind him.

"Ah, alone again," she mused as she carried the whipped cream inside and set it beside the bed.

Loki chuckled as he made sure the door was secure so they wouldn't be interrupted. "If I told you I wanted to try something... would you be open to it?"

"Anything," she replied easily, spinning around to face him.

"Do you remember the night..." he started as he stepped towards her, "when you claimed me?"

Her smile grew and she nodded. "I remember very well..."

"Would you be interested in doing it again?"

"I'd love to," she replied with an easy smile.

"Would you want to... add to it?" He suggested.

"How?" she asked, taking a few steps in towards him. "I'm all ears."

"There's a toy on Midgard... that gives you the ability..."

"To...?"

Loki smirked. "Fuck me."

"Yes, a strap-on," she agreed, looking up at him with sensual eyes. "Do you have one here?"

He hitched an eyebrow at her. "Do you want me to have one?"

"Well, we could use it, if you did," she replied with a simple shrug.

Loki licked his lips and nodded to the bench against the window. "Open that."

Charlie turned and walked over to where Loki had directed her. She leaned down to open the bench and look inside. "You hide it in here?"

"Everything is in there," he told her. "It's in a small black box."

She pushed up the bench seat all the way before reaching in and pulling out the black box she found inside. "This one?" she asked, turning with it in her hands.

"Yes ma'am," he grinned.

She carried the box over to the bed and set it down before she opened it up to reveal the strap-on and lifted it out of the box to admire it. "It's beautiful," she told him.

"There's a strapless and a strapped," he told her. "Among other toys."

"You have quite a bounty," she replied with a grin. "So much fun we can have... and I can't wait to fuck you, my love."

Loki licked his lips, shivering at the thought. "God just hearing you say that..."

"You like that?" she asked, sauntering over to him. "You like hearing me say I'm going to fuck you?"

"Yes," he breathed.

She stood just a breath away from him now, her big green eyes looking up into his. "How badly do you want it?" she asked heatedly.

"So badly... I'm already hard..."

"Mm..." she hummed, daring to reach forward and place her hand over his growing clothed erection. "Why don't we get undressed, lick some whipped cream off of each others bodies, and then I'll fuck you good?"

Loki could only nod, his body feeling hot for a whole new reason.

"Use your magic to undress us, handsome," she told him as she took his hands, pulling him with her towards the bed.

By the time they arrived at the side of the bed, they were both naked as Charlie released his hands. She stepped back to get some whipped cream on her fingers before she painted it up Loki's neck. Without hesitation she licked his skin, moaning as she did.

Loki sighed, tilting his head back. "God..."

She nipped at the skin just behind his ear, feeling him shiver. She grinned as she leaned back to get another scoop of whipped cream. "It's Goddess," she corrected sensually before she placed whipped cream of either of his nipples before licking it off.

He watched her with a slackened jaw, in awe of the power she exuded. The power she had over him. "Goddess..."

"That's better," she praised, something sensual completely having taken her over. She kissed her way down his belly but stopped at his lower abdomen before sitting up again. "I want you to worship my body," she told him, snaking one hand up into his hair to grasp it. "Then I'll take yours."

Loki nodded, letting her have complete control. "Tell me what to do."

"First," she said as she laid back, "I want you to take my breasts. With your mouth and your teeth."

Nodding, Loki turned and sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her between his legs. Then he leaned forward and placed an open mouthed kiss to one nipple, then the other.

Charlie dropped her head back, arching into him. "Good," she encouraged, one of her hands reaching forward to sweep into his long hair again.

Loki hummed, flicking her nipple with his tongue while he kneaded the other breast with his hand.

"Oh," she whimpered blissfully. "Use your teeth. Let me feel them."

He smiled against her skin before gently nipping at one nipple then the other, feeling her hitch in response.

"Yes," she hissed sensually. "Now move one hand down to my cunt and see just how much dripping you've got me doing."

Loki chuckled as he moved to lick in between her breasts while trailing one hand across her hip, over her stomach and down to the small patch of curls before reaching her wetness.

Her legs spread apart as she whimpered, the sensation of his fingers spreading through her body. "Yes, touch me," she practically begged.

"You're soaked," he murmured, running his fingers through her folds, feeling it pool into his hand.

"You've got me so hot," she breathed. "Take your mouth down there... taste me."

"I thought you'd never ask..." Loki gently pushed her back so he could sink to his knees. He lifted one leg and rested it on her shoulder before kissing her inner thigh.

Her body shivered in anticipation of his warm touch. "God, you're driving me wild," she told him, her hands plunging back into her hair.

Loki's green eyes locked on her face, flushed with arousal, blotched red. "Hold onto me," he murmured before he wrapped her clit around his lips and sucked.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, her hands shooting down to grip onto his hair. "Fuck, yes..."

Groaning at the sting of his scalp, Loki dived right in. He licked and sucked at her silky cunt, dipping his tongue into her entrance.

Charlie's body shuddered as he worked, every move of his tongue perfection. She tugged at his hair, urging him forward. "Yes, lick me up, baby... I'm so wet for you..."

Loki licked up everything she could offer, feeling her essence run down his chin.

"Oh fuck," she moaned, pulling him tightly against her cunt by his hair. "Yes, just a little more right there... you're gonna make me come all over your face."

Give it to me. He tilted his head to take her clit back into his mouth, sucking in short pulses.

"Shit, oh fuck," she cried, her head dropping back against the bed as she tugged his hair tightly. "Yes Loki, yes... fuck, I'm coming!"

Loki moaned as he rested both hands on her hips to keep her from falling as he continued to please her until her legs shook.

Cries and moans of pleasure wafted out of her with abandon as she was overcome by Loki's actions. "Oh my god... that was fucking amazing," she breathed.

He grinned almost smugly as he pulled away, knowing his mouth and chin were drenched with her.

"Come here and kiss me," she told him, beckoning him back up to her. As he did, she tasted herself on his skin and in his mouth. "Mmm..."

Loki sighed softly as he kissed her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He slid his tongue along her mouth, moaning softly.

Her tongue danced with his feverishly until the kiss found its natural end. She blinked her eyes open to find his face and caressed his face with her hand. "Are you ready for me, baby?" she asked him.

"More than ready," he assured her. "You can prep me however you want."

"Mm..." she hummed before finding his lips to kiss him deeply again. "Get on all fours, handsome," she told him before she moved from her position on the bed and down towards the end.

Loki turned and did as she asked, getting onto his hands and knees in the middle of the bed. "I'm ready for you."

She sat up on her knees behind him and smoothed her hands over his ass, spreading his cheeks. Leaning in, she pressed kisses to his skin before she stuck out her tongue and flicked his asshole with the tip.

With a gasp, Loki jumped slightly. He turned his head. "I wasn't expecting that. Sorry."

Charlie giggled. "I'm sorry to startle you," she replied. "I'm going to try it again," she told him, preparing him this time before she leaned in and licked his entrance with her heated tongue.

Loki relaxed, dropping his head down. "So good."

She smiled against him and licked him for a time longer, warming up the area before she traced a finger between his ass checks. Hovering above him, she wet her finger with saliva before she traced around his asshole, gently pressing inside.

Sighing, Loki let his hips relax and his eyes close. He was always one to be in control... it felt good to let go of it now and then.

She pressed one finger inside of him slowly, allowing his body to adjust before she pushed in further. "Tell me how it feels," she said, pressing kisses to his ass.

"Good..." he murmured. "Very good."

As he took her full finger, she stayed still for a few moments before she began to pulse it. "Is there lube in the bench?" she asked.

"should be... in the box..."

With her free hand, Charlie reached over into the box and fished around, finding a bottle of lube inside. She pulled it out and opened it up, dropping a little onto her finger before she carefully started to add a second. "Gotta stretch you out..."

Loki nodded before he moaned, naturally rocking slightly. "Charlie..."

"Take it all in," she told him, one of her hands smoothing down his back as she eased in the second finger. As he rocked, she allowed him to take as much as he wanted as he warmed up.

"More..." he moaned as he rocked back into her hand.

"You want more?" she asked, reaching over for the strap-on. "Think you're ready for the toy?"

Loki nodded. "Please..."

"Give me one minute to put it on," she replied, kissing his ass once more before she removed her fingers from him. She got up off of the bed and put on the strap-on, making sure it was in the right position before she climbed back onto the bed.

She got up on her knees behind him and smoothed her hands over his ass before she picked up the lube again and put some on the phallus before she lined up behind him. She pressed the tip of the cock against him. "Ready?"

Loki nodded. "Go slow, baby."

"I will," she agreed before she slowly pushed her hips in. The cock slowly began to enter Loki and she pressed in slowly, stopping when she felt resistance.

"Fuck," Loki breathed, gripping onto the blanket with a low groan. "How does it feel?" He asked, curious.

"I feel powerful," she replied, her hands smoothing over his ass and hips. She pushed her hips forward a little further, goosebumps rising on her skin at the sounds he made.

"Yes," he sighed, beginning to rock again. "There... should be... a remote for it..."

"What does it do?" she asked as she reached for the box to find the remote inside.

"It pleases you... and me..." he replied.

A smile broke out on her face as she pressed the button on the remote Once she found it and the whole strap-on began to lightly vibrate. "Ooh..." she moaned softly as she continued pressing into Loki.

Loki groaned, feeling as his ass began to pulse. "Oh shit..."

"Good?" She asked as she filled him all of the way. "I'm in," she told him, smoothing her hand down his back and down his ass.

"Yes," he breathed. "Feel so full."

Very slowly, she began to move her hips gently. "You tell me what feels good," she told him as she slid back inside.

Loki shivered, feeling as the toy slid freely in and out of him. "You do... anything you do."

Charlie reached down and grabbed Loki's hips before she began to thrust gently. "Fuck, this is so hot..." she breathed.

He chuckled before he moaned again, pushing back in time with her thrusts. "Turn it up baby... or I can..."

She looked down at the remote and pressed the button to turn the toy up. She breathed sensually as it vibrated more rapidly. "Shit..."

"Oh my... fuck," he moaned. "Harder... faster... everything you have."

Heeding his words, she gripped his hips harder and began to thrust. She picked up her pace quickly, bucking against him as the toy massaged her clit.

Loki panted, riding along with her, meeting her for every movement. "Oh fuck... Char..."

"Take it in, baby," she said in a moan, turned on all over again from their carnal activities. "You take my cock so well..."

"Fuck... fuck yes, I love your cock," he moaned.

"Oh yeah," she cooed as she smoothed her hand over his back again. Her hips pounded into him, and she nearly growled as she fucked him. "I love fucking your tight ass..."

Loki moaned, dropping down to his elbows, which changed the angle. "Fuck... grab me... touch me please..."

Charlie's hands went for Loki's hips and grabbed him solidly, her nails lightly digging into his skin. She pulled him back into her, the bed creaking from activity.

"Charlie..." he moaned. "Baby... I'm dripping on the bed... I need... I need your touch."

She released his hips and smoothed her hands up his back. "Where do you need my touch, baby?"

"My cock... please..." he whined.

"Absolutely," she said, leaning forward and kissing his back as she reached down and wrapped her hand around his girth. She began stroking him, her lips leaving sloppy kisses on his skin.

Loki whimpered, his body shivering. "Oh my... I'm gonna..."

"Come, baby," she encouraged, her hand stroking him furiously.

With a pornographic moan, Loki dropped his head to the mattress as he came, covering the blanket and Charlie's hand. "Oh my... fuck..."

"Good boy," Charlie praised, kissing down his back as she leaned back up. "You did such a good job."

Loki's body shook, panting for breath. "Oh..."

Slowly, she slid the toy out of him so he could relax then she stepped down from the bed to take it off. She set it aside before climbing back into bed with him, kissing her way up his body.

Loki moved to lay on his side and curl around her. His body still trembled with the after effects of his intense orgasm.

Charlie wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in close. "You okay?" she asked gently.

"Yeah," he breathed, giving her a smile. "More than okay."

"Good," she cooed, leaning in to kiss him gently. "That was an incredible experience."

Loki smiled sleepily. "Yes, it was."

She stroked his face and swept his hair back from his face. "We should strip the covers when you feel up to moving. Then we can settle back in."

He nodded. "I'm too worn out... to use magic."

"That's fine, baby. We can do things the old fashioned way," she replied with a soft smile.

Loki nodded, letting himself be lulled by her gentle hands. "Yes, we can."

"I love you," she told him softly, leaning in to find his lips in a gentle kiss. "Take your time. We can move when you're ready."

"I love you too... I feel like jelly," he chuckled.

Charlie giggled in reply. "I think that means I did a good job," she said with a grin.

"You did," he chuckled.

"Good. That was all I wanted, to make you feel like jelly."

Loki chuckled again before he rolled to his back. With a flourish of his hand, fresh sheets were on the bed, but it caused him to yawn.

"Don't push yourself," she told him sweetly as she curled against him, resting her head on his chest. "I thought you were too tired to use magic."

"I am tired... but I also didn't want to get up," he admitted with a laugh.

She laughed in reply and shook her head. "Lazy bones," she teased.

"For now," he replied.

"Think you'll get a second wind?" she asked as she looked up at him.

"It's possible," he smiled.

"You are a God after all," she smiled, smoothing her hand over the muscles of his abs, tracing them. "I'm up for it if you are, my love."

"Insatiable," he chuckled. "How would you want it?"

Charlie bit her lips in thought. "Since you're so tired... I could ride you, maybe... reverse cowgirl style?"

"Once I rest a moment, you could... or you could sit on my face..."

"I'd love to," she replied with a grin, licking her lips slowly.

He chuckled softly. "Do you have a toy in mind for yourself?"

She shook her head. "I don't. I'm open to suggestions, though."

"Pick whatever you'd like," he grinned.

"Is there anything I can insert and leave in while I sit on your face?" she asked curiously, getting up out of bed to go to the chest.

"Mm... a plug? I haven't been to Midgard to find new things in quite a long time."

"There's an idea," she replied as she looked through what Loki had stored. He had a few plugs and decidedly picked one, bringing it back over to the bed. "I think this one will do."

"Green," he smiled. "With a rubber line... which means I can play with it."

"Exciting," she replied with a giggle. "I love when you can play with me."

"The rubber line means I can pull on it... let it slide back... over and over again..."

Charlie nearly shivered as goosebumps appeared on her skin. "Look, you're already driving me wild," she told him.

"Just talking to you? Telling you that I can play with you... fast or slow..."

"I like hearing that," she told him with a nod, smoothing her hand up his bare chest.

"All oiled up, sliding easily inside you while I suck your clit," he smirked, licking his lips.

"Mmm, baby," she replied with another shiver working its way down her body. "That sounds so hot."

Loki chuckled. "Yes, it does."

"Fuck, I'm soaking wet," she told him as she parted her legs.

"Can I have a taste?"

"You're ready for me?" she asked, pushing up onto her hands and knees.

Loki rested one arm behind his head, letting his body fully relax. "Only if you're ready for me."

Crawling up the bed to him, Charlie tossed her hair over her back. "I'm ready," she replied, lifting up onto her knees before she straddled Loki's face, hovering above him.

He smiled beneath her, running his hands over her thighs. "You smell so sweet."

"All for you," she told him, grinning down at him. "Do you want another taste, baby?"

Loki squeezed her hips gently. "I'd love to."

Slowly, Charlie lowered herself down onto Loki's face. The feeling of his hot breath made a shiver move through her body.

Smiling, Loki licked upward, swiping through her folds as she moved.

"Mmm," she moaned softly, slowly moving her hips. "Your tongue is so warm and soft."

Finding her clit easily, Loki wrapped his lips around the swollen bead before beginning to suck.

She gasped, plunging her fingers back into her hair. "Yes, that feels so good," she encouraged.

Loki groaned, kneading her ass with both hands as he sank his tongue into her heat.

"Ooh, yes," she moaned, gently moving her hips around with his tongue's movements.

Pulling back to take a breath, Loki gently prodded her back entrance with his thumb. "Feeling good?

"Mm, yes," she answered, arching her back as she pressed her hands against the headboard.

"What do you need, honey?"

"Play with my asshole, baby," she asked of him. "I want to warm up for the toy."

Loki made sure she was looking down at him as he put two of his fingers into his mouth, wetting them. "Will you take these easily?"

Charlie licked her lips as she nodded. "Yes, I will," she assured.

He grinned up at her and licked his lips. "My good girl..." Loki adjusted his arms and gently prodded her entrance.

A soft whimper escaped as she eased herself back into his fingers. As he began to enter her, goosebumps freckled her skin.

"Good girl," he praised, smiling up at her. "Ride my fingers, darling."

With her hands gripping the headboard, Charlie began to work up and down on Loki's fingers. "Ooh," she moaned as she worked his fingers deeper and deeper into her body.

"You're so beautiful..." he murmured.

She smiled down at him, her face and chest flushed with heat. She spread her legs wider above him, taking his fingers as deeply as they would go. "Fuck, baby, yes..."

"Look at you, so greedy for something inside you," he purred. "Need more?"

"Mm hm," she replied with a nod. "I need more, baby."

Loki licked his lips before leaning up enough to wrap her clit around his lips once more.

She gasped desperately as he sucked her clit and her hips found a steady motion as she took his fingers. "Yes, baby, you feel so good..."

Moaning in response, Loki gently widened his fingers, helping to stretch her out. He was becoming hard again, feeling his cock twitch against his stomach.

"Fuck," she whimpered, moaning as she felt his fingers stretch her. She'd be ready for the toy soon. "Yes, you touch me so right..."

Loki pulled away slightly to get a breath. "How are you? Check in baby."

"I think I'm ready for the toy," she told him, looking down from her position.

"Do you want the toy... or me?"

"Are you up for it?" she asked, smiling down at him. "I'd love to have your cock."

"Look behind you, my love."

She turned as he spoke and a grin crossed her face. "I love that you have such a short rebound time," she told him excitedly.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating along her legs. "I cannot help it, around you."

"Where do you want me?" she asked, lifting her leg over him so she was no longer straddling his face.

"You can still ride me," he assured her.

Charlie moved down his body until she was straddling his waist again, hovering over him. She reached behind her and wrapped her hand around his cock, giving it a few strokes. "Are you ready?"

Loki moaned softly, lifting his hips towards her touch. "More than ready."

She grinned and carefully lowered herself down, pressing him against her back entrance. She held him there as she slowly began to sit on him, taking his cock inside her willing ass. "Oh fuck..." she whimpered.

"Fuck," Loki breathed. "I love watching you when you take me inside you."

Charlie's lips fell open as she eased down, a moan rolling freely from her. Her head dropped forward, hair falling wildly around her shoulders. "Oh my god, yes, stretch me..."

"Sink all the way down, sweetheart... rest on my hips."

She worked her way down, finally coming to a stop as her hips rested against his. "Fuck, I'm so full," she moaned, plunging her fingers back into her hair.

"Good girl," Loki praised. He let her body adjust, feeling her flutter around him.

"Mmm..." she hummed as she slowly began to move her hips, rocking back and forth, able to feel him inside of her. "God..."

"So good," he praised, gripping her hips gently.

"Buck your hips, baby," she asked of him, biting down on her lip.

Loki lifted her up slightly before beginning to thrust upward, grunting softly. "Fuck..."

Charlie dropped her head back, her mouth falling open with a moan. "God, yes..." she whimpered, a shiver working its way down her spine.

"Look at my goddess," Loki moaned, pumping his hips upward.

She met his hips as he pumped them, taking him fully with each movement. Her hands roamed her body as they moved together, tugging at her nipples as she reached them. "You're driving me wild..."

Loki groaned, snapping his hips upward. "God... you feel fucking amazing."

"Yes! God, yes," Charlie moaned, her breaths uneven. She reached between her legs and found her clit, rubbing it in small circles. "Fuck, Loki!"

"Char-Charlie!" Loki groaned. "I'm gonna..."

"Come, baby," she encouraged, her fingers working her clit as he fucked her. "Fuck, yes, I'm gonna come too..."

Loki groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. "Yes... gonna fill up that ass," he moaned.

"Oh... ooh," Charlie moaned, dropping her head back. She moved her fingers wildly as Loki bounced her up and down on him until finally she felt herself clench down, causing her to cry out.

"Yes!" Loki moaned, feeling his balls tighten as he shuttered, filling her up.

She braced herself as she felt him come, moaning loudly as he did. She dropped back onto her hands as she panted for breaths. "Holy shit, my God..."

Loki braced her, preventing her from collapsing on him. "Easy sweetheart..."

She found her footing after a few moments and eased herself off of Loki. She collapsed beside him on the bed in a pool of sweat and smiles.

He turned onto his side with a smile and pulled her flush to his chest. "My beautiful girl."

"Mmm... I love you so much," she told him sweetly, pressing a few kisses to his chest.

"I love you too, my love," he murmured.

"I would do anything for you," she said softly, though passionately. "I want to protect you from everything I can."

"Just as I want to protect you," he replied. "I will, too."

"I know you'll try, just as I will," she said, pressing a gentle kiss against his strong jawline.

Loki held her close and slowly rubbed her back. "I love you, Charlie... forever."

She smiled sweetly and closed her eyes as she nuzzled his neck. "Forever," she echoed.

Chapter 13

"Brother!" Thor thundered as he walked into Loki's chambers on the evening of his engagement party. "Are you ready? I've come to escort you to the party."

Loki turned, standing shirtless at his dresser. "Almost... What's the rush?" He asked.

"No rush! Just excitement," Thor replied, clapping his hands on his brother's shoulders. "Mother is with your beautiful bride to be, I thought that I'd join you."

"Oh," Loki chuckled. He turned towards the mirror and used his sedir to conjure his dressing gown. The gown rested against his ankles, emboldened in different hues of green and gold. "You'd think it was you getting married."

"Me? Maybe one day, brother, but no woman has kept my interest," Thor replied with a chuckle.

Loki turned towards his brother as he straightened his clothing. "What about that Jane woman?"

"Eh, we'll see. We're worlds apart," Thor replied with a shrug. "I can't be on Midgard all the time. I have commitments here."

"So did I..."

Thor sighed. "Let's get you married first, then we can focus on me," he replied, patting his brother on the shoulder.

Loki chuckled and nodded. "Sure, sure. Although I wonder who will have a child first. Me or you."

Thor couldn't help but chuckle. "Only time will tell. Though you and your woman don't seem to lack in that department."

"No, we do not," Loki agreed with a laugh.

"The chemistry is palpable between the two of you," Thor observed obviously. "What would you think of it? Fatherhood?"

"Fatherhood? I'm... a little conflicted about it. But I would never want to upset Charlie."

"What makes you conflicted?" Thor asked.

"What I am... who I am..."

Thor sighed. "Because you're a Frost Giant?" He asked. "Is that all?"

"Is that all? Thor..."

"Loki," his brother countered. "Frost Giants have children just like the rest of us."

Loki sighed. "I know they do..."

"Then what are you afraid of?"

"I was raised to hate what I am. That doesn't just go away, Thor."

Thor sighed with a heavy nod. "We were raised to hate them. But we can choose to see them differently now. Also, Loki... what we are isn't who we are."

Loki sighed and wrung his hands together. "I know... it's just hard."

Thor clapped his hand on Loki's shoulder. "I'll help you in whatever way I can," he assured. "But before a baby comes, it's time for your engagement party. Let's focus on that happy time."

"Yes," he agreed. "Let's."

"Come, let's drink and be merry!" Thor cheered as he turned to head for the door.

Loki chuckled and rolled his eyes. Thor always did love a good party. "Alright, let's go."

The great hall was decorated lavishly in greens and golds, food and wine pouring out of every surface. Asgard certainly knew how to throw a party.

"Wow... mother has outdone herself," Loki mused as they walked into the hall.

"She's excited. There's no stopping her," Thor chuckled. He picked up two drinks and handed one to Loki as they walked. "I'm sure your bride to be, looks breathtaking."

"I'm sure she does. I haven't seen her in a good while," Loki replied before taking a sip of his mead.

"Mother was involved in that, too. So, no doubt," Thor replied. "What are you most looking forward to about being married to Charlie?"

"Being fully connected to her... loving her for the rest of my life."

Thor smiled to himself. "That's beautiful, brother," he replied. "And what long lives you'll have now."

"For us both... and if a family is in the cards... we'll... well we'll do that too."

"Keep your options open. You never know how you might feel later," Thor said just before music began to swell. He smiled. "I bet that means Charlie is about to come out."

Oh, mother... your theatrics. Loki smiled as he turned towards the double doors, feeling butterflies in his chest. It wasn't even the wedding yet and he was a flutter.

The music continued to grow until the guards at the doors pulled them open, revealing Charlie standing behind them. As she stepped out, she was adorned in a beautiful, fitted gown of green and gold, her hair curled and pulled over one shoulder.

She took a few steps out towards the stairs before she looked around, looking of course for Loki.

Loki beamed as he stepped forward, away from the crowd. When she saw him, Loki's breath stuttered in awe. "My beautiful girl."

Charlie's smile grew as her eyes settled on Loki. She couldn't help but giggle softly to herself, feeling an excited tingle throughout her body. Slowly, she began to descend the stairs, careful in her heels.

Stepping to the end of the stairs, Loki held out his hand as she reached him, listening as everyone applauded.

She took his hand and blushed as the crowd clapped, another giggle leaving her as she found Loki's eyes. "I've never had a room of people excited about me before."

"Excited about us," he told her sweetly. "You look radiant."

"Thank you," she replied, blushing lightly. "So do you. So handsome. And I love you in leather and metal."

"That's how we do it here in Asgard," he teased.

"I could get used to that," she told him with a wink as she walked with him. "This whole big party, just for us? It's surreal."

"I agree," he answered with a small sigh. "Mother likes to go big."

"It's nice of her," Charlie said as she took a glass of wine as a tray was brought over to her. "And I feel beautiful. I feel... Asgardian with this dress."

"You are," he told her fondly. "You are every bit of an Asgardian as you possibly can be."

"It makes me feel strong. Powerful," she told him. She truly felt like a goddess now.

Loki turned them as the ballroom opened up for them to dance. "I love seeing you so confident like this."

"It's a new color on me, isn't it?" she asked as she stepped into him, taking his hand to dance.

"It's a per deck color," he assured as they began to gently swirl around.

Charlie stepped in close to him as they danced, a gentle smile gracing her delicate features. "I'm so very happy, Loki," she whispered between them.

"I'm happy too," he assured her, his eyes never leaving her face.

Smiling up at him, she forgot about the crowd surrounding them. "I love you," she told him. "Can you kiss me, please?"

Loki gave her a grin before bending to kiss her softly, not caring about the crowd around them.

Charlie returned the kiss happily, smiling at the claps she heard. She giggled softly. "Sounds like they like us..."

"Oh, I'm sure they do," he grinned. "They always love a show... and someone else to bestow themselves to."

"Sounds a lot like Americans on Earth," she replied with a small smirk. She continued to dance with him, the music still playing until what sounded like shouting could be heard from outside of the hall.

Loki turned, pulling Charlie into his side. "What's going on?"

Thor furrowed his brows and met Loki's eyes. "I'll check on it," he said, nodding for the Warriors Three to follow him. Thor and the group approached the door, but just as they reached it the door began to freeze over, covered in ice.

"What..." Thor muttered before his eyes widened. "Frost giants!" he exclaimed just as the door burst apart.

Loki conjured a dagger in his free hand as he pushed Charlie behind him, getting into a defensive stance.

"Loki..." Charlie said nervously, her eyes fixed on the crumbling door.

Another blast of ice came through the doorway before a Frost Giant stepped up, ready to engage. "You celebrate Loki of Asgard?!" the Frost Giant growled. "We'll celebrate when he along with Asgard are no more!"

Thor held out his hand to call Mjolnir. "Loki, go!" he called.

Thinking of Charlie first, he turned and teleported them both up to his rooms in the palace. Quickly he used his magic to seal the doors, keeping a dagger at the ready.

"Loki, what's going on?" Charlie asked worriedly. "Are they here for you?"

"I don't know, but I'm not going to keep you in danger to find out," he told her.

"Thor can handle them, right?" she wondered aloud, her eyes fixed on the doors. "We'll be safe here..."

"We're safe here," he assured. "Thor, the warriors three, and the others will hold them off."

"Why are they here?" she asked, her green eyes looking brightly up into Loki's.

"I don't know," he answered honestly.

"And those were... Frost Giants?" She was careful how she asked. She didn't ask in a voice laced with fear, but instead one with curiosity.

Loki nodded as he turned and walked towards one window, shutting the doors to them, then the other. "Yes, they were."

Charlie nodded softly as she wrapped her arms around herself. "Okay... Frost Giants are attacking our engagement party..." she murmured to herself, trying to take stock of what was happening. It was so surreal.

He turned to her but kept his distance. "Are you alright? You're not hurt?"

"No, I'm not hurt," she assured him. "I'm... fine. Are you?" she asked then, her eyes softening as she watched him.

Vanishing the dagger, Loki put both arms around her. "I'm okay. Just protective."

She relaxed with his touch, stepping into him. "I'm all in one piece, my love. Though this reminds me, you'll need to teach me how to fight."

"I can do that," he assured. "Once I know we're safe outside of this room."

Charlie took a deep breath and leaned in, her forehead finding Loki's. "Thank you for keeping me safe."

"You're welcome," he told her before tilting her head up by lifting her chin so he could kiss her. "You're always safe with me."

"I know I am," she replied, nodding gently. She trusted Loki implicitly. "You know, this is actually a little exciting... hiding away from danger."

"Exciting?" he asked, giving her a small smile.

"Yeah... in a way," she said with a shrug. "Maybe there's something a little twisted about me but knowing there could be something outside that door makes me tingle a little."

Loki chuckled. "Daring girl..."

"If we get out of this thing okay, you've gotta love me good tonight," she told him with a grin.

"I'll love you good, any night," he assured her, resting both hands on her ass.

"Mmm..." she hummed, standing up on her toes to kiss him squarely. "I know you will, lover."

Loki nuzzled his nose against hers. "We'll wait until we hear from mother or Thor."

Charlie nodded as she stayed where she was, standing close to him with their noses nuzzled together. She wasn't sure how long it was before they heard footsteps out in the hall.

"Brother! Are you alright?" Thor's voice called out before he banged on the bedroom door.

Loki released the barrier on the door as he turned. "You can open it," he stated. "We're okay."

Thor stepped up to the door and opened it, his hair a little mussed from the fight. "They're vanquished, you'll be glad to know. I'll get to work figuring out how they got in in the first place."

"What did they want?" Loki questioned.

"Seemed simply to want to ruin your day," Thor replied. "They're still upset about that attack you launched on them before father expelled you to Midgard."

Loki sighed. "I should have known."

"They were focused on finding you and Charlie, but we held them off," Thor said. "We don't know if they're planning anything else. But for today, they're gone."

"If they're looking for us... we're not safe here," Loki replied.

Thor shook his head. "Loki, we'll find out how they got in," he argued. "Keep them from getting back in."

"They won't stop," Loki countered.

"So, you'll run?" Thor asked with a scoff.

Loki narrowed his eyes. "I want to be safe. I want Charlie to be safe."

"You can't make a life with her on the run," Thor argued, though more gently than he'd been speaking before. "Loki... you just came home."

"I know," Loki replied as he felt Charlie run her hand beneath his tunic to run against his skin. "But I have two homes."

"You think they won't go to Midgard to find you?" Thor asked sadly. "And you'll be there without us. No backup."

Loki sighed. He didn't want to put Charlie's friends in danger. "Then what do we do?"

"We try for peace," Odin's voice said from behind Thor. "And if not... we fight if provoked."

"Odin..." Loki breathed. He didn't know he was there.

"Father..." Thor said, stepping back to allow his father entrance into the room.

"Loki... for too long I haven't treated you as my son like I should have," Odin declared. "You made a mistake... but you have made amends. We will try to reason with Jotunheim, but if we cannot... we will defend you."

"You... you would do that?" Loki asked.

Odin nodded. "I would."

"Thank you," Charlie said from beside Loki, her hand still slowly trailing over this skin beneath his tunic.

Loki nodded. "Thank you," he said softly.

Odin gave each of them a nod before sighing. "Alright, well... there's still food and frivolity to be had. If the two of you are still up for it after that interruption."

"Is it safe?" Loki questioned.

"We have the guards searching now, then we'll have them doubled up. I doubt two attacks in one day would occur. They didn't send a large number."

Loki swallowed hard as he focused on Charlie's gentle touch. "Okay. We can return."

"Do you want to take just a minute, darling?" Charlie asked him softly. "We can meet everyone at the party when we're ready."

"Sure," he answered. "We can freshen up first."

She nodded, and Thor took the cue. He backed out of the room along with his father, and they closed the doors behind them.

Charlie stepped into Loki and raised her hand up and smooth over his cheek. "Are you sure you're alright, my love?"

Loki leaned into her touch and let his eyes close. "I'm mostly okay," he told her. "Just... a lot on my mind."

"What's on that brilliant mind of yours?" she asked patiently.

"Me," he answered. "Family."

Both heavy topics. Charlie nodded gently, her hand caressing his cheek slowly. "I'm here to listen if you want to talk about either."

"I... I don't know how to approach it."

"Seems too complicated?" she asked patiently.

"I can't pull apart my feelings of myself and my feelings of everything else."

She stroked his face once more before stepping in and with both hands, brought his forehead down to hers. "If I could will your mind to quiet, I would," she told him softly.

"I know," he murmured, relaxing in her embrace. "I'm so torn, Charlie..."

"Tell me why... if you can."

"The way I was raised... and the thought of producing a... another. But the thought of seeing you hold a baby is so beautiful."

She closed her eyes for a moment. "Loki..." she breathed, her fingers sifting up into his hair. "We could raise our child differently. To be different, just as you are."

"I know... it's just hard to let go... when you are what you were raised to hate."

She truly couldn't imagine what that was like. Charlie nodded gently. "You aren't the same as those frost giants who came here today."

"I know..."

"So... if you can be different, then our child can be different too," she counseled softly.

He nodded, swallowing hard. "They can."

"We don't have to make any kind of decisions right now," Charlie reminded him. "Tonight... we celebrate. Tomorrow, you begin to teach me to fight. Then, we can talk more about the future."

Loki took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes," he agreed.

She rested her forehead against his for a long moment of quiet before she kissed the tip of his nose. "I'm ready when you are, my love."

"Alright... let's go enjoy our party."

~~~~~~~

The rest of the party went off without a hitch. Wine and food flowed while they danced and celebrated. Finally, as the party was starting to wind down, Charlie found her way to Loki again.

Taking his hand, she kissed the back of it. "I'm getting tired, love."

"Mm, ready to head to our rooms?" He asked sweetly.

She nodded and covered a soft yawn. "Between the wine and the food, I'm spent."

Loki wrapped both arms around her and kissed her head. "Let's go get you to bed, love."

"Goodnight, everyone," Charlie said to the remaining patrons of the party before she turned with Loki and began to walk out of the great hall. "Your mother really knows how to throw a party."

"Yes," Loki laughed as they walked. "Yes, she does."

"It was lovely. And wow, can your brother drink," she said with a soft chuckle. "I'll be glad to have some time to ourselves though."

"Me too," he agreed. "But yes, Thor has always been a big party drinker."

As they turned down the hall towards the room they now shared, Charlie leaned into Loki's side. "The wine has me all warm and tingly."

Loki chuckled as he kept an arm wrapped around her. "I believe you are a bit tipsy, my love."

She giggled. "A little, yes. It feels good," she assured him. As they reached the bedroom door, she allowed Loki to open it for them before she stepped inside the bedroom. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling good. Drank just enough to feel nice and relaxed," he answered. They got inside their rooms and shut the door behind them.

"Good," she smiled, turning to face him. "I want you relaxed. I know you were feeling tense earlier and I just want you to be able to relax a little tonight."

"I want you to be relaxed and happy too," he replied. Loki walked over to his dresser and unbuttoned his tunic before sliding it from his shoulders.

Charlie walked up behind him and slipped her hands up his back and over his shoulders before she placed kisses on the back of one. "I'm happy to be here with you."

He smiled and looked over his shoulder at her. "I'm happy you're here with me."

"Would you help me get this dress off whenever you're done?" she asked sweetly. It was an ornate dress with metal and leather to match Loki.

"Of course." He turned and kissed her shoulder before letting her turn around. Then he slid down her zipper.

She closed her eyes as his fingers gently caressed her back. The sensation caused her to shiver a bit and she smiled. "You have an effect on me even with just a small touch."

Loki smiled as he slowly trailed the back of his fingers along the opening the dress created. "You do the same with me."

"Mm... I love your hands on me," she mused as goosebumps rose on her skin.

"You're so soft to touch... I can never stop myself," he said softly.

"I must feel even softer now that I'm healthy," she said thoughtfully. "I was so dry before from chemo."

"You were so fragile then," he said softly as he slid one strap from her shoulder. "I was always scared I would hurt you."

"But you never did," she reminded him, glancing back at him over her shoulder. "You've always taken great care of me, my love."

"I was so scared when I brought you here," he whispered.

"I know... but now you'll never lose me," she reminded him gently.

"Never," he said surely before kissing her shoulder once more.

"You don't have to be gentle with me anymore," she reminded him. "I can handle it... I like it."

Loki smirked before gently biting down on her shoulder, listening to her gasp.

Her gasp was quickly followed by a soft moan. "That gives me goosebumps," she told him.

"Does my girl like a bit of pain?" He asked.

Charlie nodded. "She does..."

Loki grinned before nipping her shoulder gently. "I do too."

"We've never gotten to explore that really... because I was already in pain," she mused.

"No, we didn't," he agreed.

"But we can now," she said patiently. "We can explore whatever we want to now."

Loki smirked. "Yes... yes we can."

"Is there anything you'd like to explore now?" she asked curiously.

"I'll follow your lead, my beautiful girl," he murmured. "I'll do anything you want."

Charlie smiled, casually slipping the other strap off of her shoulder before the dress she wore fell to the floor. Underneath, she had a corset and panties set. "I'm sure you will."

"Oh... where did you get this?" He asked, his voice a whisper.

She turned to face him and brushed her long hair back over her shoulders. "I needed some support under the dress, so it was suggested to me," she told him, swaying her hips a little. "I thought you might like it."

"You look... utterly ravishing..."

"You think so?" she asked coyly, placing her hands on her hips. "Anything... you'd like to do to me? I'd like to hear it..."

Loki licked his lips. "I could do so, so much... tie you to my bed. Ravage you with my mouth... then take you from behind... make sure you're extra full with a toy in that perfect ass."

Charlie bit her lip as he spoke, goosebumps covering her skin. "That sounds... incredible," she replied with a shiver.

"What does?" He asked.

"All of it... every step," she replied.

Loki's eyes smoldered with lust and heat. "I'd love to..."

Charlie walked seductively over to the bed, resting back onto it. "Should I get into position?"

"Oh, if I were you, I would," he grinned.

Giggling, she slipped back onto the bed and stretched out her arms and legs, preparing for them to be lashed to the bed. "I'm ready..."

With a raise of his brow, Loki used his magic to tie both her ankles and her wrists to the bed with silk ribbon. "Comfortable?"

She pulled lightly against the restraints. "Yes, I'm comfortable," she assured.

Loki climbed onto the bed and sat between her legs. "Should we have a... word?" He asked.

"Just in case? Sure," she replied. "How about... sunflower?"

"That will work," he replied.

"I trust you," she assured him, resting her head comfortably onto the pillow. y back against the pillows.

Loki moved to lay on his stomach between her open legs. He kissed her inner thighs as his eyes locked on her glistening cunt.

A slight shiver moved through her body at the gentle kiss. She breathed slowly, relaxed as she could be with him between her legs.

"That's my girl," Loki breathed as he ran his lips along her inner thigh before trailing just above where she wanted it most.

"Oh," she whimpered softly, lightly tugging against the restraints.

"You can take it," he murmured before he continued to tease her, refusing to touch her where she wanted.

"I can... but it's beautiful torture," she replied.

Loki raised a brow. "Do you want me to stop?"

Charlie shook her head. "No, you're fine, love," she assured him.

He smiled before he kissed her other inner thigh. Then kissed the top of her cunt.

She released an expectant breath, another shiver rolling through her as he touched her ever so lightly.

"Such a good girl. So obedient," he mused before dipping his tongue through her folds.

"Ooh," she moaned softly, knees falling open even wider for him.

Loki moaned as he cupped her ass in his hands and settled in like he was going to feast on a meal. He began to lick and suck at her, enjoying her taste.

"Loki! Fuck!" Charlie moaned blissfully as her back arched in response to his actions. "Yes, my god, that feels so good..."

Growling into her cunt, Loki pinned her hips to the mattress with both hands, preventing her from squirming.

"Fuck," she whimpered desperately, moans escaping one after the other.

As he felt Charlie begin to shake with her impending orgasm he pulled away and licked his lips. "Not so soon..."

She panted for breaths, whining with desire. "Shit..."

Loki licked her slick from his lips, his chin shining in the low light. "You alright?"

She nodded, her chest heaving with breaths. "I'm good," she assured him, her body humming.

"Do you want to turn over, beautiful?" He asked sweetly.

Licking her lips, Charlie nodded. "Yes," she answered.

Using his magic, Loki released the binding on Charlie's hands and ankles, then lagged as she rushed to wrap herself around him and wind her hands into his hair. "Needing to touch me, beautiful?" he asked softly.

"Uh huh," she breathed against the crux of his neck. "Just for a moment."

"Take your time," he said softly, holding onto her.

Charlie kissed his skin and held him for a few long moments. Finally, she began to relax from around him so that she could flip over for him.

"Do you still want to be tied?" He asked.

"I do," she answered, glancing back at him over her shoulder. "I like that I can't touch myself... or you. It adds something to the experience."

Loki kissed her softly. "Hands and knees love... then I'll tie you to our bed."

Charlie listened, pushing herself up onto her hands and knees. "Like this?"

"Like that," he agreed. "Just get in the middle. What toy would you prefer?"

"The green one," she told him, pulled her hair over one shoulder as she readied herself.

"Green?" He turned and got off the bed. "Green glass or soft?"

"I prefer the glass," she answered.

Loki nodded before he retrieved it. "Do you want me to warm it?" he asked her curiously. "OR do you want me to... make it chilled?"

"Oh... try chilling it. We can see what that's like," she replied with a smile. "Playing with temperature a bit."

"I can do that for you. Just can't make it too cold. It'd be uncomfortable that way," he told her as he used his magic to easily chill the glass slightly.

"No, not too cold," she agreed, watching as he approached her again. She sat back up on her hands and knees, presenting herself to him.

Loki climbed back on the bed and slowly trailed the toy along her hip, watching as it made goosebumps in its wake. "How bad do you want it?" he asked.

A shiver moved through Charlie's body. "So bad," she breathed, watching with wide eyes as the toy moved along her body.

With a grin, Loki ran the toy beneath her and touched it to her nipples, making her gasp. "Poor girl."

"Mm, don't make me beg for it," she whined, her nipples rock hard against the cool glass.

"I need to lube you up, my love," he purred.

"Yes, please do," she agreed, pressing her ass higher into the air for him.

Loki chuckled as he caressed her hip with one hand and sat the toy aside. He used magic to bring the lube to him before putting some on his fingers.

Charlie shivered preemptively at just the thought of him touching her and as he did, she dropped her head. "Ooh," she whimpered.

"My poor deprived girl," Loki cooed. Once she was thoroughly lubed and slick, Loki slowly sank two fingers into her.

"Oh god... yes, Loki," she moaned, pressing her hips back against his hand.

He smiled. "Already pretty warmed up. Do you want another?"

"I think I can take the toy," she told him, tossing her hair back over her shoulders to watch him.

"Sure?" He asked, checking in.

She nodded. "Just go slow," she told him.

Loki picked it up and gently rubbed it against her entrance, making it slick and preparing her for the chill.

"Mmm..." she whimpered softly, goosebumps rising delicately on her skin. "It feels good already..."

"I'm going to ease it in," he said softly as he gently pushed on the toy.

Charlie gasped softly at the sensation, quickly followed by a moan. "Yes..." she whimpered.

Loki grinned as it slowly slid home, resting against the flared base. "Such a good girl, taking that deep in your ass."

"Mmm... fuck, it feels good," she told him in a thick, sultry voice. "I can't wait to feel so full with your cock inside me."

"Not too cold?" He asked softly.

"No, it's good... my body is warming it. It's a cool sensation," she described for him.

Loki placed a kiss on her hip as he slowly circled her clit with a single finger. "If I do... this?" He asked as he gently pulled on the toy while also cooling it again.

"Ooh..." she whimpered as goosebumps covered her skin once again.

He played with the toy, letting her body take it repeatedly before he'd partially remove it once more. "How are you?" He asked.

"So good, baby," she moaned, her pupils huge and lustful as she turned her attention back to him.

"Do you think you're ready for me?" He asked softly, his voice smooth as velvet.

Charlie nodded emphatically. "I do."

Loki moved to stand on his knees as he used a bit of lube to slick his cock. "Ass out for me, love." He grinned as she did as he asked. "You look like you want to be bred..."

"Maybe I do," she replied, smiling back at him. She wiggled her ass a little in the air to tempt him further.

Practically growling, Loki held himself back to tease her. "Does my girl have a breeding kink?"

"I guess we're going to find out," she replied, biting her bottom lip. "Please, baby... make me full of your cock..."

"Gladly," Loki growled before he lined himself up and pushed forward.

"Ooh, fuck," Charlie moaned deeply as she felt him fill her up. Her mouth dropped open with the fullness sensation.

Loki moaned as he fully seated against her. "God, you feel amazing..."

"Oh baby... I'm so full," she groaned, her muscles contracting and releasing a little on their own.

"So full of me," he grinned. "My beautiful girl, stuffed full of cock..."

A guttural sound escaped her as she clenched around him, making her moan. "Oh God, Loki, yes..."

Loki snapped his hips, holding her gently with both hands as he watched her shudder beneath him.

"Mmm..."' she whimpered desperately, whipping her hair back. "Fuck, you're driving me wild."

"I'm just as wild... for you..." he moaned.

"Fuck me, baby, please... I need to feel you," she practically begged.

Loki bent over her, wrapping one arm around her waist as he began to rut and thrust into her. He rested his head on her shoulder and groaned, feeling the toy against him with every move he made.

Charlie's mouth dropped open while releasing a moan. "Oh fuck," she said desperately, whimpering with every movement. She was completely at his mercy and loved it.

"You like this?" he breathed against her ear. "You like how I fuck you?"

"Yes, so much," she answered with an emphatic nod. "Fuck, your cock is so big, baby..."

Loki thrust forward with a grunt, savoring the tight hot feeling wrapped around him. "You're so perfect..."

The full sensation in her body made her moan with every movement that Loki made. Her control was completely lost to him, and it was so perfect. "Fuck, baby, yes, make me come all over your cock..."

"Yes... slick me more so I can fill you up," he moaned. "Come baby..."

"I'm gonna come, I'm gonna..." she panted before she cried out, her entire body tensing before she released the most glorious sounds in orgasm.

Loki groaned, feeling her constrict around him so hard he could hardly move though he kept thrusting. "Good," he praised. "So good..."

Thankfully Loki was holding her up, or her entire body might have collapsed. Her mouth dropped open as she panted for breaths and rode out Loki's own orgasm.

"So beautiful," Loki praised as he rested his head against her shoulder, not caring about the sheen of sweat that covered them both.

Charlie breathed more slowly now, a smile unable to leave her face. She was so enthralled with Loki; he could do no wrong. "So good..."

"Are you ready for me to move?" He asked softly, sitting back up.

She nodded after a moment. "I am," she assured him, wiping a bit of the sweat from her brow.

Loki slowly removed himself from her body and sat back on his legs. He used magic to release her from the ties then ran both hands over her ass. "Relax honey."

Charlie exhaled softly, relaxing just as he instructed. She felt physically spent in the most beautiful of ways.

"That's a girl," he said softly before gently removing the toy from her body, watching as she melted into the mattress.

Her hair fell beautifully around her as she rested fully against the bed beneath her. "Loki..." she breathed.

"Yes, love?" He asked, using his magic to clean the toy, themselves, and flash it back to the box.

"Lay with me," she asked softly, tapping the bed beside her.

Loki moved to lay beside her, wrapping one arm around her as he kissed her arm then her shoulder.

"I love you, my God," she murmured softly.

"I love you, my angel," he replied softly.

Chapter 14

"I promise, you can trust me with the knife," Charlie told Loki with a smile as they stood outside in training clothes. "Give me one."

"Give you a knife... you've poked yourself while cooking my darling," Loki teased.

"I never said I was a good cook," she replied smartly, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Come on, just one."

Loki sighed as he pulled a small dagger from his thigh and held it out to her. "Here."

"Yay, thank you," she celebrated, reaching out to take it from him. She held it carefully, taking in how it felt in her hand. "I'm definitely gonna cut myself," she smirked.

"Please don't," Loki sighed. "You really should be using a practice weapon."

"That's no fun. I need real stakes to learn something," she replied, settling the knife comfortably against her palm before she gripped it. "Okay... now where do we start?" she asked.

"Get into what you deem a good fighting stance to be," he replied.

Charlie nodded before she adjusted her stance, widening her legs and raising her arms to protect her face.

Loki circled her before tsking. "Your legs are too far apart." He gently moved her legs by pushing her with his foot. "You also have your hands up too far."

"I've never had to fight anyone before, so I assumed I'd be wrong," she replied as she adjusted her stance according to his directions.

"That's okay. It wasn't bad for a first try," he replied.

She adjusted her stance again and eyed Loki, watching him carefully. "So should I attack or wait until someone attacks me?" she asked.

"We're just working on basics for now. Give me what you feel like would be your best jab forward."

Charlie narrowed her eyes in front of her and exhaled a breath before she shot her fist forward.

"Not bad," he replied before he stepped in behind her and helped her go through the movements of a forward jab.

She followed along with him, her body moving in rhythm with his. It felt more natural than she expected, the movement, and Loki was an excellent teacher.

"Good," Loki praised as he helped her do the moment a couple more times before stepping back. "Now do it without me."

Charlie followed through with the movements again, gracefully going through the motions. She felt good and her smile showed it. "Not bad?"

"Perfect," he replied. "You catch on quickly."

She pumped her fist. "Yes," she cheered. "I won't be completely useless in a fight here soon."

Loki quickly moved to take the knife from her before she nicked herself. "We'll continue the basics."

"Hey! Rude," she replied with a chuckle. "Fine, basics it is. I assume hair pulling is in this lesson somewhere?"

"Why?" He questioned.

"Thor has long hair. I assume you've used that move a few times," she smirked.

Loki rolled his eyes. "I do too, missy."

She grinned. "I know. I figured I'd be using it too," she chuckled.

"You're such a brat," he laughed as he sheathed the dagger.

Charlie stuck her tongue out at him playfully. "You like having your hair pulled..."

"As do you," he countered.

She grinned again. "I do," she agreed. "It's a dirty fight move on Earth, but one we'll use when we need it."

Loki stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I can only imagine."

She smiled as she smoothed her hands over his arms. "You know, this fighting is kind of fun..."

He raised a brow. "Oh really?"

"Really," she answered. "Sort of like dancing, but with higher stakes."

"That's a unique way of putting it," he mused. "I like how you think."

She gave him a playful wink. "So, what's next, my distinguished teacher?"

Loki chuckled. "We can go over stances a bit longer... with a practice dagger."

"Boo," she complained, elbowing him in the ribs gently. "But fine."

"The last thing I want to do is to carry you to the healer wing," he replied.

"I know... so sweet," she replied, sighing. "Fine, I'll play along."

Loki conjured her a mock dagger, weighted like a real one. "Once you have the basics down, I might see if Sif will want to help you."

"Why? Too much of a project for you?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

"Never. But Sif can teach you things I can't. We both can teach you. If it's alright."

"Yes, it's alright, I'm teasing, my love," Charlie replied, leaning back to find his lips in a sweet kiss before she resumed her fighting stance. "I'll learn from anyone willing to teach me."

Loki's face lit up. "That's what I like to hear."

"I want to be prepared. I want to help defend my home planet if I need to," she replied. She spun the wooden dagger in her hand.

"Home planet. Earth? Or here?" He asked curiously.

Charlie's brows furrowed in thought. "Oh... I guess both," she replied thoughtfully. "I suppose both places are home now."

"Do you?" He asked softly. "Feel like Asgard is home?"

"I'm starting to feel that way, yes," she replied. "Asgard saved me... it's your home. It can be mine too."

Loki grinned proudly. "That makes me happy."

"I'd still like to see if I can learn some magic. Once I get self-defense and fighting down," she reminded him, nudging him with her hip.

"I'd love to teach you," he said softly.

"Thank you, love," she replied sweetly. "But for now, I'm happy to learn physical defense first."

He nodded before he turned them, and in an instant, he swept her feet from beneath her, letting her land on the lush grass.

Charlie landed with a thud and laughter rose out of her. "Alright," she said with a smirk, looking up at him. "I'll get you back for that."

"You were distracted," he chuckled.

"Yes, I was," she agreed with a laugh. "Thanks to you!" She sat up on the ground and reached for his knees, pulling his legs out from under him.

With a yelp, Loki flailed and fell to his ass before he laughed. "Damn."

"Payback," Charlie grinned. Quickly, she scrambled over to him and straddled his waist, reaching to hold his arms down above his head. "I have you now..."

He continued to laugh, letting her have the upper hand. "What're you going to do?"

She made a slight face. "I'm not entirely sure. I haven't thought that far ahead," she admitted, holding him in that position.

Loki smirked. "You know... I can flip you without any effort."

"I'm sure you could," she replied with a chuckle. "But I'm holding onto you, so at least you'd come with me."

"I would," he agreed. "Though it could cause some problems... out in the open..."

"We don't have to be out in the open," she teased, her grip on his arms loosening.

Loki raised a brow. "Minx."

"Always," she replied with a smart wink.

"Where do you expect me to whisk you off to, my love?" He teased.

She pursed her lips in thought. "Somewhere I haven't been yet," she replied with a smirk.

"There's a lot of places you haven't been," he chuckled.

Charlie narrowed her eyes on him and tightened her hold on him. "I don't have to make all the decisions," she replied.

"No, you don't," he agreed. "I can think of a few dark corners..."

"Ooh, dark corners... I like the sound of that," she replied. .

"Maybe even a horse stall," he smirked.

She laughed breathily. "Hey, no reason that couldn't work."

Loki moved, quickly flipping them over, his mouth an inch from hers. "What does my insatiable minx desire?"

Charlie gasped as she landed on her back, smiling up at him. "Take me somewhere... and fuck me like the prized stallion you are," she said in near challenge.

"Don't tempt a shape shifter with something like that," he teased. Loki bent down and kissed her softly.

She raised her neck to meet his kiss and smiled up at him. "Noted," she replied smartly with a grin.

"I doubt you could handle it," he murmured before kissing her again.

Charlie gasped again, her jaw dropping open. "Excuse me?" she asked.

"You heard me," he countered.

"How dare you," she scoffed, shaking her head. "I could handle anything you threw at me."

He raised a brow. "I doubt you could take me turning into something other than human."

"You doubt me... but who knows. I might like it," she replied smartly.

"What exactly would you like?" He asked curiously, resting against her now, the beginnings of his arousal against her thigh.

"Well, you know I like it rough... I like some pain," she replied sensually.

"I do..." he nodded. "But tell me... when I say shape shifter, what comes to mind to you?"

"Nothing specific," she replied. "You could be anything you wanted... what comes to mind for you?"

Loki shrugged. "There's quite a few options... various types of... appendages."

"Well, you know I'm open to exploring..." she told him, biting her lower lip.

Licking his lips, Loki swallowed hard. "You're going to be the death of me."

"Maybe I will... or maybe I'll just make you feel more alive than you ever have."

"My little wild wife..." he grinned.

"Soon to be, my love," she replied with a smile all her own before she reached her neck up to find his lips in a kiss.

He kissed her back, unable to stop himself from rutting against her gently, making her squirm.

"Take me somewhere," she asked of him again, more intensely now.

With a flash of green sedir they were soon laying on a thick blanket at the edge of a lake. "How's this?"

Charlie looked around, smiling contentedly. "Perfect," she replied, reaching up to slip her fingers into his hair and pull him to her. She kissed him intensely, moaning softly.

Loki kissed her back, resuming rutting against her. "Tell me your fantasy..." he whispered.

"I have so many," she replied breathlessly. "Which one do you want to hear?"

"What comes to your mind first?"

"Mmm..." she grinned. "You hunt me down and take me... choke me. Make me yours."

Loki's eyes widened, but he smiled. "I never thought of you as the type for that."

She grinned. "Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do," she challenged.

"What else do you have in that mind of yours?"

"All kinds of things," she told him with a grin. "If you can imagine it, I'm open to trying it, my love."

Loki chuckled before kissing her softly. "I'd love to hear more."

"As I come up with things, I'll tell them to you," she replied, weaving her fingers into his hair.

"I'd love to hear them," he told her. "Every single one."

"I believe you would," she grinned up at him. "If you could handle them... who knows what I might come up with."

"Oh, I could think of a few guesses," he taunted.

"Oh?" Charlie questioned. "You give me an idea, then... what do you think I might like, lover?"

"Well... I know you like me taking you from behind..." he countered. "On your knees... letting me take you so deep."

"I do," she agreed, biting her lower lip.

"Almost like you enjoy being bred..."

"Maybe I do," she replied, her grin growing.

Loki groaned as he dropped his head to kiss her, rocking his hips. "You do, don't you?" He breathed. "You'd love to be bred... to be knotted..."

"Mmm..." she moaned into his mouth, spreading her legs so his erection would rub against her clit. "I love it when you take me..."

He smiled against her mouth before lifting his head while continuing to rut against her. "How wet are you, hm?"

"Mm, you should touch me and find out," she replied sensually.

Loki kissed down her neck as his hands moved to untie her trousers. He grazed his fingers over her heat, knowing it would tease in the process.

Charlie giggled softly as Loki's hands worked. "Tease," she said sweetly.

"You love it though," he replied as he helped her remove her trousers.

She nodded guiltily. "I do," she agreed, spreading her legs for him again.

Loki smirked as he ran his hand along her cunt, causing her to lift her hips. "How do you want it right now?"

"Mmm... hot and heavy, baby," she told him, stroking the side of his face before she clutched him to pull him down for a heated kiss.

He kissed her back heatedly, foregoing the rest of the clothing removal and just using his magic to remove the clothes from them both.

Charlie opened her mouth to him eagerly, her tongue darting out to dance with Loki's. She moaned eagerly against him, her legs spread wide beneath him.

Loki slowly rubbed his cock between her folds, lubricating himself with her arousal.

"Fuck," she moaned loudly, her back arching against him.

"Look at you... practically begging me to bury myself inside you," he purred.

"I can beg you if that's what you want to hear," she replied with desperation.

Loki shook his head. "I can feel how you shiver... I can smell just how much you want me."

"So much..." she breathed. "Loki, baby... I need you."

"I need you too," he whispered, lining himself up.

"Yes... show me how much," she asked of him.

Slowly, Loki pushed himself in, moaning as he felt her slick heat wrap around his cock.

"Oh god," Charlie moaned, arching her back into him. "Fuck, yes..."

"You're already fluttering," Loki said softly. "So sensitive."

"I just love how you fill me," she replied breathlessly. "You fit me like a glove."

"Fuck yes..." he moaned.

"So big... you stretch me so fucking good." She opened her legs wider to accept him as deeply as she possibly could.

Loki grunted as he held her hip, beginning to thrust. "Baby girl... you were made for me."

"I was," she agreed, moaning desperately as she felt him begin to find a rhythm. "I'm all yours."

"Mine," he moaned, propping up on his hands as he pumped his hips. Seeing her hair splayed around her and her breasts bouncing from his thrusts made him groan. "Baby girl... I might go twice..."

"Do it," she challenged sensually, reaching up to smooth her hands up his chest. She pinched his nipples and tugged on them gently, looking for his reaction.

Loki moaned, thrusting deep. "Gods..."

"Yes! Yes, Loki," Charlie cried out, completely at his mercy.

"That's it... god I'm already close..."

Her mouth dropped open as she moaned, eyes rolling upwards in ecstasy. "Your cock... feels amazing..."

"There's the spot," he breathed, shorting his thrusts to continuously rub against it.

"Oh Gods... oh fuck," she moaned, crying out. "Fuck... I'm gonna cum..."

"I am... too," he moaned.

"Oh... OH!" she cried, her muscles contracting before they began to spasm around Loki's massive cock.

Grunting, Loki ducked his head. "Fuck... Charlie..."

"Cum, baby...cum hard," she encouraged viscerally.

"I'm there," he panted. "I'm right there."

She continued to flutter around him as she squeezed her muscles down around his cock. "Shit," she breathed desperately.

Loki groaned as he thrust once then twice, filling her with rope after rope. "Shit..."

She plunged her hands back into her hair. "Yes, love, I love it when you fill me up," she praised.

He smiled before kissing her, resting for the moment, keeping himself locked deep inside of her.

Charlie kissed him back deeply, pouring all of the love she carried for him in that kiss. She wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him there. "I love how you fill me."

"I love how it feels to fill you," he whispered. "Enough to where it's hard for me to stop once I start..."

"You can fill me for as long as you want," she assured, reaching up to move her fingers through his hair. "It's bliss."

He kissed her softly, nuzzling his nose against hers. "One day... I'd love to have you all day long... time after time... new positions... new shifts... just nothing but you and me making a mess of ourselves..."

She grinned against his lips. "We can do that any day you want. Just say the word," she told him. "Tell everyone we're just taking the day for ourselves."

"Take all day to fuck you as many times as I can," he purred.

"Mmm, sounds like heaven to me," she replied, closing the distance between them to sweep her tongue through his mouth again.

Loki moaned, running both hands through her hair. "I could go again already..."

Charlie grinned up at him. "I'm still sensitive, I'm sure you can feel it..."

He nodded before pecking her lips. "I can."

Intentionally, she clenched her muscles to squeeze him. "Gods, I love how big you are..."

Loki grunted and closed his eyes. "Fuck..."

"Yes," she moaned from beneath him, arching her back again, her breasts bouncing as she moved.

"God... I could flip you over and take you... breed you."

Charlie growled in reply. "You could... so easily..."

Loki smirked. "Something tells me that you'd love that..."

"You're probably right," she said with a grin.

Licking his lips, Loki withdrew and pushed himself back on his knees. "Should I circle you? Chase you? And where would I bury myself?"

"That's all up to you, baby, whatever would make it most fun," she replied, pushing herself up to a seated position, leaning back on her hands.

"Give me a fantasy," he told her. "One for right now..."

"Hmm..." she mused aloud. "I'm your prey... and you're circling me until you can get close enough to take what you want."

Loki smirked as he slowly continued to circle around her, watching as she sat up onto her knees. "Just prey?"

"You have a suggestion?" she wondered.

"If the end goal is to... take you... I think prey might be the wrong word..."

"Okay... help me with the word," she asked of him.

Loki circled again. "Should we... make a scenario? Roleplay?" He asked.

"Sure," Charlie replied with a bright grin. "What's the scenario, my love?"

"You want to be circled... be chased... you could be my mate," he grinned. "Gone into sweet heat for me."

She pushed up onto her hands and knees and smiled at Loki. "I like the sound of that..."

"You do?"

She nodded. "I do," she affirmed, her pale eyes watching him as he moved around her.

Loki licked his lips, his eyes smoldering. "My mate in heat... being circled... will she run? Or beg to be bred?"

Charlie's eyes glanced around, looking for an escape path. It could be fun to run, to make him take her. A slow smile started before she darted to her feet and took off.

"You get a five second head start!" He called, watching her bare ass run along the beach.

She giggled as she ran, ducking behind a tree before she watched Loki take off after her. She ran again, trying to move with soft feet but struggling to.

"Be careful my love!" Loki called as he calmly walked after her. "The sand and dirt would be easier... the underbrush and woods can be... prickly."

"There's nowhere to hide in the sand and dirt," she replied with a giggle as she popped back out onto the sand.

Loki smirked, his eyes darkening as she turned to face him. The afternoon sun made her body glow, her curves catching his eye. "That's when you rely on speed... or the water."

She licked her lips before she took off again, giggling as she went. She knew he'd catch her easily, but she wanted to make him have to try a little.

"Naughty girl!" he called, continuing to walk. "Trying to get away from her mate."

"Just trying to make my mate work for it a little bit," she replied in a sing-song way, running into a bit of a dead end. She turned on her heel but found Loki approaching behind her.

Playing his part, Loki let out a growl, a mischievous smile present on his face. "Where to run now? Where will you go?"

Charlie hesitated, unsure of where to go. After a moment, she turned and headed for the water.

Loki let her jump in, wading up to her waist before he moved. Loki ran before jumping into the water.

She, too, dove into the water in an effort to swim away from him. She knew he'd catch her, and she wanted him to, but this was certainly a fun way to get to their final destination.

Loki was able to reach her ankles soon but waited until he was able to grab her waist before he pushed them both above water.

Charlie gasped as they reached the surface of the water, her adrenaline going. "You caught me!" she cried with laughter.

"Yes, I did," he laughed.

She tried to tug away from his grasp to no avail, laughter still in her voice. "I wasn't fast enough to get away," she said. "You're too quick for me."

"Darling... I walked..." he teased.

She gave him a look. "I made it so you could walk," she replied, trying to tug away from him again.

"You're saying you made it easy?" He asked.

"You'll never know," she replied, trying to twist away this time but finding no leverage to get away.

Loki chuckled as he loosened his grip, allowing her to slip free. "I enjoy the chase..."

Charlie giggled again before diving into the water, swimming a distance away beneath it before she popped up for a breath of air. She turned around to look for Loki again. "I swim faster than I run," she said with a smirk.

He smiled at her as he treaded water. "I can see that..."

Popping under the water again, she swam another distance before coming up. "Letting me get further away this time?" she asked. "So, your triumph will be greater?"

He raised a brow at her. "You know I can do magic... correct?"

"I know," she laughed. "I don't stand any real chance at getting away." Charlie smirked before ducking back underwater.

Loki wet his lips before ducking below the water so he could swim towards her.

As she came up for air, Charlie looked around for Loki but didn't see him. She then began to move towards the shore.

When Loki came up for air he turned before noticing that she'd surfaced closer to the beach.

She kept swimming, though as she turned around and caught sight of him she began to move faster. She made it to shore and glanced back again.

Loki wasn't far behind, enjoying the look of her bare and dripping with water.

"Shit!" she called with a laugh, taking off down the beach again.

He laughed as he got out of the water. "Charlie!"

"What?" she called from her distance. "Can't catch me now?"

Shaking his head, Loki gave her a rueful smile before disappearing.

Her expression fell as he disappeared. "Okay, that might be cheating," she said as she looked around.

"We never said no magic," he whispered, his voice brushing against her ear.

She gasped as she whipped around, though she didn't see Loki. "You're right, we didn't..." she agreed, her nerves on end with anticipation.

As he appeared, Loki wrapped his arms around her from behind and placed kisses to her bare shoulder.

Charlie jumped a little as he surprised her, but a smile wafted across her face. "There you are..."

"Here I am," he purred ghosting his lips across her neck.

A shiver rolled through her body. "Shit," she breathed, exhaling heavily. "Just your voice can get me going..."

"My voice... my words... telling you just how I want to take you," he murmured.

"Mm hm," she murmured, a little breathless with anticipation. "I want to hear it..."

"Deep, long strokes, keeping you full of me."

"Yes... fill me up," she nearly whimpered.

"Does my betrothed need me?" He asked. Loki gently gripped her hair and pulled her head back exposing her throat to his mouth.

She grinned excitedly. "Badly," she replied desperately.

"Where do you want me?" He asked.

"If you're breeding me," she questioned, "shouldn't you fuck my pussy again?"

Loki groaned. "If I'm breeding you... shouldn't I mount you?" He countered.

Charlie chuckled sensually. "You can mount me if you want to, stud..."

"I would love to," he purred, his voice rough.

"Where will you take me?" she asked, leaning back into his strong body. "Where will you mount me?"

"Here... anywhere..." he told her. "We're in private here... but we can go where you wish."

"Here is great. I don't see the need to go anywhere," Charlie told him, pressing her ass back against him.

Loki grunted softly, knowing she could feel his hard cock against her ass. "Tease."

She grinned and turned her head back so she could find his lips in a kiss. "You love it."

"I do... but just know there can be payback..."

"Oh, I know," she replied with a smile. "Maybe I like being punished, huh?"

Loki grinned before gently biting her shoulder as he conjured a large blanket on the sand. A bowl of fruit sat in one corner along with a couple of copper bottles.

"Mmm... I love your teeth," she told him as she took in the beautiful blanket.

"Good to know," he murmured before nipping on her earlobe. "Want to get on the blanket?"

"Yes," she answered, slowly lowering herself to the ground along with Loki.

He let her sit down before he lowered himself beside her. "How're you feeling?" He asked, checking in with her.

Charlie turned her eyes up to his, reaching up to cup his cheek. "I'm feeling lucky."

"Lucky? Why lucky?" He asked curiously.

"To have you. To have this much love between us," she explained.

Loki cupped her face in his hands. "It took me a little while to see it... then I almost lost you. I never want to feel that way again."

Her eyes softened as she held his. "You never will now," she assured him sweetly.

"I know... we both know that. But I think it's why we're both so ravenous for one another."

"We know what it's like to almost lose each other," she said softly. "We don't want to miss any opportunity."

He rested his forehead to hers while his hands slowly explored her soft curves. "Not a single one."

"We never will again," she told him, sighing contently.

Loki kissed her then, sweeping his tongue past her lips with a moan. He turned and laid her on her back, hovering over her.

She returned the kiss without hesitation, pouring her love into it. Her hands smoothed over Loki's sides and down to his hips, gripping him there.

Groaning softly, he smiled against her mouth. "I love feeling you dig your nails into me."

"Mm... it's from all the passion," she replied with nearly a growl.

"Gods... listen to you... maybe you are in heat," he grinned, licking his lips.

"I can't help but be around you," she told him heatedly. "I need you all the time."

"Just as I need you," he told her softly.

"Take me, Loki," she practically begged, taking his face in her hands. "Make me yours."

"You're mine in every way but my name... but even that will happen soon," he told her. "Get on your hands and knees, darling."

Charlie bit her lower lip as she shifted, turning over before she pressed herself up onto her hands and knees. She looked over her shoulder at him, licking her lips.

"Always so obedient," he praised.

Stretching a little, she pressed her ass back towards him. "I want you, baby. I need you."

Loki ran both hands over the globes of her ass. "Poor baby girl... how bad does she need it?"

"So badly," she begged, bending down on her elbows to elevate her ass even further.

Loki moved forward, rubbing his shaft along her cunt, coating himself in her slick. "You're soaked."

She whimpered audibly at his action. "You make me wet in an instant."

"I am so hard for you..."

"I can feel it... I love it," she breathed with desperation. "I can't wait for your big, thick cock to be in my little ass."

"Oh, my beautiful girl..." Loki sucked on his finger before pressing against her back entrance.

"Mmm..." she whimpered, licking her lips as she pressed back on his finger just lightly.

"Do you want me here?" He asked. "Or where you're dripping for me..."

"I want you wherever you want to me... where does your cock want to be, baby?" She asked, pressing back into his finger again.

Loki moaned watching his finger sink inside of her. "Looks like your ass wants to be filled."

"It does," she moaned, easily accepting his finger. "So bad..."

"Gods... I can't wait to sink inside."

"More... I need more," she whimpered, pressing her ass back towards him greedily.

Loki gently removed his finger before he adjusted his hips. "C'mon baby. Push back on it."

Charlie whimpered as she began to ease herself back, slowly stretching herself to take him. "Mmm... oh god..."

"Yes," Loki praised. "Take it like I know you can."

She nodded enthusiastically, her mouth dropping open as she looked back to watch herself take him. "Fuck...yes, I can take it..."

"Every inch, darling," he purred.

"Oh shit," she whimpered, groaning as she took him further and further. "Baby, one of these days you're gonna split me in two..."

"You'd enjoy every second," he replied as she finally rested against his hips, making them both groan. "God... you feel so good wrapped around me."

Charlie released a deep, guttural sound of desire. "Yessss... fuck, you feel amazing so deep inside of me."

Loki ran both hands along her sides before kneading her hips. Then he bent over and gently pressed in on her lower stomach before making a slow thrust. "You feel that?"

She nodded. "Uh huh," she affirmed, moaning in reply.

"So deep, my darling... so fucking good..."

She pressed back on her hands to keep herself full of him. "Do you like to see yourself disappear inside of me?" she asked breathlessly.

"I love it," he admitted. "I love watching how full of me you are." Loki made some shallow thrusts, barely moving his hips.

"Oh Gods," she moaned, her own hips beginning to move in a slight pattern. "Your cock is so thick... stretches me so good..."

Loki licked his lips before snapping his hips, making her gasp.

"Fuck!" she cried.

Loki smoothed his hands down the middle of her back before he wrapped one arm around her and began a harsh pace. He groaned into her back. "Time to... fill you up..."

She cried out again, his pace punishing but blissfully so. Unbridled sounds escaped her as he worked, her passion completely on display.

"You like... this?" He breathed, widening his legs to give him more leverage.

She gasped again, moaning loudly as he fucked her wildly. "Yes, yes!"

Loki moaned as he truly began to rut into her like an animal. He ducked his head and bit down on her shoulder, grunting with every thrust.

Charlie threw her head back and cried out repeatedly, her body completely at his mercy. She was a bit like a ragdoll being thrown around by him and she loved it.

"I'm... close," Loki growled as he snapped his hips repeatedly.

"Fill me up... cum baby," she told him as she panted unevenly.

Loki groaned as he pumped his hips. "Fuck... Charlie..."

"Fuck yes, oh shit, fuck me," she whimpered desperately.

"I'm there... oh god, Charlie baby..."

"Loki!" she cried out.

With a moan, Loki thrust deeply before halting, keeping himself buried as he came, filling her up.

Charlie pressed back into him and breathed heavily, sweat covering her body. "Holy shit..."

He kissed her shoulder, wrapping one hand around her waist, holding her to him. "That's one way to put it."

She smiled as she breathed unevenly. "It's always incredible, baby."

"You're incredible," he murmured.

"Mm, thank you my love," she replied sweetly, angling back to find his lips.

He kissed her sweetly as he slowly removed himself, making them both moan with the last remnants of pleasure.

As they laid down onto the blanket, Charlie snuggled into him. "I can't believe how much I love you," she murmured.

"I love you too. So much," he whispered.

"Can we rest here?" She asked, looking out at the sun that was starting to move and put them in the shade.

"As long as you want," he said softly.

"I want to stay wrapped up in you," she told him, nuzzling her way into his chest.

Loki kissed her head as he used magic to clean each other up while also giving them a blanket. "You can."

She felt so comfortable and content as she laid there with him. She'd never felt so safe in her life, but she knew that she was with him. Her body relaxed against his and she melted into him.

Chapter 15

When they woke up, they were back in Loki’s chambers. He’d transported them just before he fell asleep. Sitting up, Loki realized they’d slept through the night, which made him smile. It’d been a long time since he was happy waking up in Asgard.

Charlie slowly roused, blinking her eyes open as the sunlight of the morning streamed in. “Good morning, my love,” she said softly as she caught sight of Loki’s smiling face.

“Morning,” he greeted softly. “How did you sleep?”

“Perfectly,” she answered as she stretched a bit before slowly sitting up. “I always do next to you.”

Loki turned to her and noticed a bruise on her side, furrowing his brow. “Are you hurt?”

“What?” she asked, following his eyes. “Oh… I guess we were a little more rough than I realized.”

“I hurt you,” he murmured.

“Loki,” she said softly, “you didn’t… we were being very physical. Who knows when that happened.”

He frowned and turned back towards the view out his window. “I should have noticed. Should have realized.”

“Baby,” Charlie coaxed, moving onto her knees so she could crawl up beside him. “I like it when you’re rough with me. This is bound to happen.”

He cast his eyes downward and took a deep breath. “I still feel guilty.”

She leaned in and kissed his forehead softly a few times. “I’m not in any pain. I promise.”

Loki let her be affectionate, though his heart still churned. Could the monster in him have wanted to hurt her?

“Talk to me,” she prompted softly. “Don’t get lost in your head.”

Huffing softly, he looked over his shoulder at her. “You know me well.”

She offered him a gentle smile. “I do know you. And I know you can go to dark places in that head of yours.”

“I can,” he agreed. “It just… happens.”

“What’s worrying you?” she asked softly, taking his head in her hands gently.

“If the… if the monster in me wanted to hurt you,” he whispered, refusing to look at her.

Charlie closed her eyes and held him against her. “There is no monster… I don’t believe there’s one in there.”

“There is,” he countered.

“Then let me see it,” she argued. “Let me decide if it’s a monster.”

“I don’t want you to think of me any differently…”

“How could I?” she asked him, kneeling in front of him with his head in her hands. “I love you, Loki. Let me prove to you how much.”

“I don’t want to scare you…” he whispered.

“I won’t be scared,” she told him softly. “You’re still you. No matter what you look like.”

Loki met her eyes as his own turned red, though the hue to his skin stayed the same. “I’m not so sure.”

Charlie frowned softly as she stroked her fingers through his hair. “We’re going to be together forever, Loki… you should let me in,” she coached.

With a sigh, Loki stood. Once he thought he was a safe distance, he let his natural skin take over, removing the look of an æsir. His skin turned blue, covered in ridges and whorls. As he turned to her, his eyes were a vibrant red.

She watched patiently, her eyes taking in the distinct change. But no fear or disgust filled her expression. Slowly, she climbed off of the bed and took a few steps towards him. “Can I touch you?” she asked patiently.

Loki swallowed thickly, wishing that he could hide away. “If… if you want to…”

She approached him, her expression open and accepting. As she reached him, she slowly reached out and rested her hand on his face, turning his head so he’d look down at her. “Loki,” she coached softly, “I still see you.”

“How?” He asked, feeling tears well in his eyes.

A gentle smile crossed her expression as she wiped her fingers beneath his eyes to catch tears that might try to fall. “Because you’re still my Loki… I can still see you.”

“Charlie…”

“What, baby?” she asked him sweetly, her hand caressing his face.

“I… I don’t deserve you,” he whispered, resting his hands on her hips over the simple slip he’d conjured for her. “But I’m forever grateful that you’re mine.”

“You do deserve me. You deserve everything,” she told him surely. “You’ve been treated unfairly, my love.”

Loki let her hands explore his bare chest, feeling the raised lines and patterns on his skin. “You’ve rendered me speechless,” he whispered.

Nothing about his appearance made her back away from him. Gently, her fingers traced the scarred skin and she turned her eyes up to look into his. “I love you,” she told him sweetly.

“I love you,” he replied as he watched her. His stomach tensed as she gently followed a swirl. “All uh… all Jonas have raised lines and patterns along their skin… it can help identify others.”

“They’re beautiful,” she told him wistfully. “Intricate patterns…”

“Thank you,” he replied softly.

She turned her eyes back up to his once more and smiled up at him. “Will you kiss me?” she asked him tenderly.

“L-like this?”

Charlie nodded patiently. “Like this.”

Loki took a breath. “If… if you want to.”

She smiled softly as she reached up and cradled his face. Slowly, she rose up on her toes and found his lips in a sweet kiss.

He kissed her back, hands on her hips, letting her lead.

She kissed him a second time, deepening the kiss as she did. She angled her head and caressed his cheek with her hand.

The action made Loki tighten his grip on her, opening his mouth to her. When she pulled away, he watched as vapor left her mouth. “Too cold?”

“No, just interesting,” she replied with a smile. “I’ve never kissed anyone so cold before.”

“I’m not hurting you am I?” He asked.

Charlie shook her head. “No, though I couldn’t have kissed you for too much longer, I think,” she observed. “My lungs were getting cold.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said softly.

“You won’t,” she assured him. “You won’t let yourself.”

“I’m glad you’re confident in me.”

“Do you not feel confident in you?” she asked curiously, angling her head.

Loki shook his head as his skin slowly bled to a normal tone once more. “Not about that…”

“You’re just worried. You don’t need to be,” Charlie told him. “I have all of the faith in the world in you. You would never hurt me intentionally.”

“I never want to,” he assured.

“I know, baby,” she told him surely, cradling his cheek with her hand. “And you won’t.”

He took a breath and rested his head on her shoulder. “Now you’ve seen me…”

“And nothing bad happened,” Charlie remarked, resting her hand on the back of Loki’s head.

“This time,” he said softly.

She sighed softly and nodded, turning her head to press a kiss against his temple. “This time. But I trust you, my love.”

“I trust you too,” he told her.

She smiled sweetly and kissed his temple again. “We’ll figure out all we need to, together,” she told him.

Loki kissed her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her. “I need to speak with Odin.”

Charlie furrowed her brows. “Why?”

“I want to know about the issue with Jotunheim,” he answered.

She nodded in understanding. “You want to resolve it…” she observed.

“I do,” he nodded. “I also want to know how safe we really are.”

“That would be good to know,” she agreed with a gentle nod. “If we have to find somewhere else to be… then I suppose we should start looking.”

“Exactly,” he nodded. Loki flashed a brilliant green before it dimmed, revealing his more formal Asgardian clothing.

Charlie reached up to brush his hair back behind his ear before she leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’ll be here whenever you’re finished with your father.”

At the sound of the word, Loki barely tensed, though it didn’t show on his face. “Feel free to explore. See the gardens. You don’t have to stay cooped up in here.”

“I will,” she told him, caressing the side of his face gently. “I’m not cooped up, my love. I promise I’ll leave the room.”

He bent to kiss her sweetly, lingering a few moments. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you more,” she replied with a small, knowing smirk.

He chuckled before bending to kiss her again. “I won’t be gone too long. Till lunch at the most.”

“I’ll see you when you’re finished,” she told him sweetly, swatting him away from her.

Loki laughed and nodded before he turned and left the room. He knew exactly where his father would be.

~~~~

“Loki, my boy,” Odin greeted. “What brings you to my company?”

“I wanted to speak with you,” Loki answered as he closed the door to Odin’s office behind him.

Odin gestured to the seat across from his desk. “Please.”

Loki nodded and stepped forward. “I didn’t know if you were holding court, but I wanted to come.”

“I’m happy to hold court with you,” Odin replied. “You seem… troubled. Tell me why.”

“I’m worried about my safety and Charlie’s,” Loki answered as he rested his hands on the back of the chair.

Odin sighed and nodded. “Understandably,” he said stoically. “I’m worried about that as well. The Frost Giants are being more aggressive than I’ve seen them in some time.”

“What would cause this?” He asked. “Why now?”

“Your return has stirred them up,” Odin replied. “My hope is that it settles down without anymore attacks. We have raised the security tenfold.”

“I haven’t done anything,” Loki countered.

“Something about you being here has upset them,” Odin said. “We need to understand why. Though I’m not sure they’ll tell us peacefully.”

Loki huffed. “Would they follow us to Midgard?” He asked.

“I don’t know,” Odin advised. “I just worry that if they know where you are, they’ll come for you.”

“I worry the same.”

“And without us there to help protect you,” Odin pointed out. “At least on Asgard, you have our power behind you.”

“I get that… but there’s no way of telling her friends and family where we’ve gone,” he replied.

Odin pursed his lips and sighed. “We could… accompany you to Midgard to give them an explanation,” he reasoned. “Then return.”

Loki furrowed his brow. “You’d do that?”

“Charlie is important to you, and Midgard is important to her. I doubt you’ll let up until her loved ones know where she’s gone,” Odin answered.

“Not likely…”

“That’s the Loki I know,” Odin replied with a faint smirk.

“I haven’t changed,” he countered.

“You’ve changed some,” Odin pointed out. “You’re not the selfish Loki I once believed you were. Your heart… it’s bigger than I knew.”

Loki stood upright and crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s what happens when you find the woman you love.”

“I’m familiar with that myself,” Odin said of Frigga. “I would protect your mother from anything.”

“And I would protect Charlie… no matter the cost.”

“I trust that you would. I’ve seen the love you have for the woman,” Odin replied. “And she is Asgardian now, so she has the protection of our armies.”

Loki nodded, liking that confirmation. “Thank you… it truly means a lot.”

Odin nodded. “I’m growing fond of her. She doesn’t hold her tongue, much like your mother.”

“No,” Loki chuckled. “She speaks her mind.”

“I approve,” Odin smiled. “Alright, so… we’ll go to Midgard. Has she thought about what she’s telling everyone?”

Loki shook his head. “I wanted to surprise her.”

“She’ll like that?” Odin asked. “A surprise trip to Midgard?”?”

“It’s her home,” he shrugged. “Her first home.”

“Then make the plans and we’ll go,” Odin told Loki.

Loki nodded again. “I’ll talk to her this afternoon.”

“Inform us of the plans when you have them,” Odin said, giving his son a sure nod.

“I will.” Loki turned and walked back towards the door. “Any information you can get about what’s going on… I’d like to have.”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Odin offered.

Loki nodded once more before he left Odin’s office. It was the first time everything had not ended in some sort of argument… and he didn’t know how to feel about it.

~~~

Meanwhile, Charlie had made her way to the gardens. She was settled onto an ornate bench, her legs tucked beneath her as she read a book.

“Noche! Get back here!” Frigga called as she quickly walked through the gardens after a young boy when she spotted Charlie. “Sorry dear… have you seen a young boy run past?”

Charlie looked up from her book and offered Frigga a soft smile. “No, I haven’t. Do you need help looking for him?” She offered.

“Possibly… he’s a little scamp, like his cousin.”

“I can help,” Charlie replied, closing her book before she stood up off of the bench. “His name is Noche? What does he look like?”

“He’s small, blonde haired like Thor,” Frigga sighed. “He's my sister's little boy.”

“Alright, I’ll look,” Charlie replied, brushing her fingers back through her long hair before she began to look around. “Noche!” she called, looking behind some topiaries.

As they both looked, Frigga could hear a distant giggle. “Noche if you’re using magic to hide…”

“That’s cheating,” Charlie said with a soft smile, continuing to look around.

“I wonder if he’s hiding with Thor,” she mused. “He was excited to find his big cousins.”

“Where is Thor?” Charlie asked, smoothing her hands over the dress she wore as she walked beside Frigga.

“He was sparring… still could be,” Frigga mused.

“Sounds like Thor,” Charlie said with a fond smile. “Loki went to go talk to Odin so Noche probably isn’t with him.”

“Odin, hm? I hope that goes well for him.” Frigga turned down a pathway, headed towards the sparring ring.

“So do I,” Charlie agreed with a nod as she followed the other woman. “Their relationship seems like it’s improving… I only hope that continues.”

“So do I, child. They have been at one another for far too long,” Frigga replied.

As they approached the sparring ring, they could hear Thor’s movements and heavy breathing. “Well, Thor’s still here…”

“Tor! Tor!” A small voice yelled.

“Seems we found him,” Frigga sighed. As they rounded the corner, Thor could be seen as he sparred with a trainer. But it was the scene on the edge of the ring that made her smile. Loki stood, wearing dressed down clothing, holding young Noche on his hip, smiling as the boy hollered for his cousin to win.

Charlie stopped and smiled, simply watching Loki with the boy. He was a natural with children, it seemed, as much as he worried about having his own children. Slowly, she began to approach.

Seeing her from across the sparring ring, Loki smiled wider. “Darling…”

Charlie’s smile grew as she approached. “Look at you two,” she said with a grin as she stepped up next to Loki and the young boy. “Want to introduce me?” she asked gently.

Loki nodded. “Noche, this is my betrothed. Charlie.”

“Hi Noche,” she greeted with a gentle smile.

“Hi,” Noche replied before he tucked his head into Loki’s arm. ’s .

“He’s a little shy,” Loki replied. “But he’s a good boy.”

“Shy ain’t bad,” Charlie told Noche softly as she leaned into Loki’s side. “But I promise I won’t bite.”

“Not unless you ask,” Loki whispered, making Charlie slam him in the shoulder.

“Loki…” she scolded playfully, nudging him a bit before she returned her attention to the young boy. “You’re very good at hide and seek, Noche,” she told him truthfully.

The boy turned toward her slightly. “I am?”

“Oh yes,” Charlie replied. “Frigga and I looked for you all over the gardens.”

“Aunt Frigga?” Noche asked.

“Yes,” she affirmed. “You got away from her and did a good job of hiding.”

“Naughty sausage,” Frigga commented as she caught up to them after watching Thor a bit.

Charlie laughed softly and stepped into Loki’s free side. “You aunt’s got you now!”

“You’re lucky you found your cousins,” Frigga stated. “I was trimming flowers and turned and you were gone…”

“Noche, that’s not what you told me,” Loki scolded.

“It’s not good to lie,” Frigga said, shaking her head.

“What did you tell Loki, hmm?” Charlie asked.

“That… aunt Frigga said to find him,” Noche murmured.

“Noche,” Frigga said softly, “I’m charged with caring for you today. You can’t run off.”

“I’m sorry…” the boy murmured.

“Did you just want to play with Loki and Thor?” Charlie asked gently.

Noche nodded. “I wuv my cuzins.”

“And they love you too,” Frigga replied softly. “Loki, are you assuming ownership of the young one?”

Loki chuckled and nodded. “For now, I can.”

“Then I’ll go see to it that dinner is started,” Frigga replied. “Take good care of him and I’ll see all of you at dinner.”

“I will,” Loki assured.

“What do you want to do, Noche?” Charlie asked curiously.

“Play,” Noche answered.

“What would you like to play?” she asked with a gentle chuckle.

Loki smiled. “Noche likes to play warriors, chasing us with a small practice sword.”

“Ooh, that sounds fun,” she replied, offering the young boy an easy smile. “Do you mind if I watch?”

“We can play here in the sparring ring,” Loki added, causing Noche to nod.

“I wanna beat Tor.”

“You want to beat the mighty Thor?” Thor’s voice thundered as he approached the group. “You’ve got to be strong and cunning!”

“I can do tat!” Noche announced.

“Let’s see it then!” Thor encouraged.

“Go, Noche!” Charlie cheered.

Loki let the boy down and watched Noche dart into the arena towards Thor. “You can take ‘em!”

Charlie chuckled softly as she watched Noche before she leaned into Loki’s side. “You’re good with him,” she told him sweetly.

“Thank you.” Loki replied. “He makes it easy.”

“You have a knack with kids,” she observed. “You must make them at ease.”

“Eh… maybe family. Being surrounded by them can be daunting,” he replied.

Charlie chuckled softly with a nod. “Yes, a crowd of children can be a little intimidating,” she agreed, slipping her hand into his.

“They tend to flock to me or Thor in the markets… and it can be quite much. But I do enjoy them.”

“I like to see it,” she told him warmly. “Makes me wonder… how you’ll be with ours if we have them.”

“Ours?” He asked, turning to focus on her. “Do you want children?”

“I… never thought I’d be able to,” she mused. “I thought I’d be gone before I ever had that possibility. Now, though…”

Loki gave her a soft smile. “It’s on your mind.”

She shrugged softly. “A little,” she answered, turning her eyes out to watch Thor pretend to spar with the young boy.

“We can talk about it,” he replied. “Talk about options.”

She nodded faintly, glancing back up at him. “Okay,” she agreed, smiling softly. “I know the idea makes you a little nervous…”

“Nervous… frightened… I don’t want any child to be like me…”

Charlie closed her eyes and sighed, dropping her forehead to rest it against Loki’s shoulder. “Loki…” she breathed softly.

“What?” He asked.

“I wish… you would stop thinking of yourself as a monster,” she told him gently.

Loki nodded as he watched Thor pretend he’d been stabbed, falling to the dirt. “I’m trying…”

“Please do,” she said quietly. “Loki, I… I want…” She stopped herself, shaking her head. Now wasn’t the time. “Let’s talk about this later this evening…”

“Okay,” he told her.

She returned her attention to Noche, who was now on top of Thor. She clapped as she pushed a smile back onto her face.

“You’ve slain me!” Thor cried.

“Good job, Noche!” Charlie celebrated. “Do you need to go in there and help your brother?” she asked, nudging Loki.

Loki chuckled. “Oh… he can suffer a bit longer.”

Noche jumped on top of Thor and continued to pretend to pummel him. “Do you think your brother wants children?” she asked Loki curiously.

“Oh, yeah. He just hasn’t found his person…”

“He will,” Charlie replied confidently. “He’s just not done having fun yet. I can tell.”

“My brother is all about fun… nothing else,” Loki countered.

“For now,” she nodded in agreement. “But one day he’ll meet the right one and it’ll all be over for him.”

Loki chuckled. “One day.”

“You’ll be a wonderful uncle,” she told him sweetly, nudging him a bit with her hip.

“Of course,” he agreed. “The best.”

Charlie rested her head against his shoulder. “I’m getting chilly. I think I’ll head back to our room to change before dinner,” she told him.

“Sure.” He looked down at her. “Are you alright?”

She nodded with a soft smile. “I’m alright. Maybe a little tired,” she said, standing up on her toes to kiss him. “I’ll see you soon?”

“You will,” he agreed.

“I love you,” she told him sweetly before she turned to make the walk back to their room. She felt a heaviness in her heart… the way Loki saw himself, it made her so sad.

Loki sighed as he watched her go. He knew he’d upset her. But he couldn’t take back what he’d said. He didn’t know how.

Thor pushed himself up off of the ground chuckling. He looked over to Loki and furrowed his brows. “Penny for your thoughts, brother?” he asked as Noche nearly climbed him to get into his arms.

“I upset her,” he sighed, then walked to sit on a bench.

Thor angled his head in confusion. “How?” he asked, shifting the young boy from side to side.

“I told her I had never thought of having children… because of what I am.”

Thor made a face, wrinkling his nose. “The frost giant thing again?” Thor questioned.

Loki sighed. “Yes… why?”

“You always go back to that. You live in fear of it,” Thor pointed out.

“Why do you say it’s in fear?”

“Fear is an emotion triggered by the perception of danger, real or imagined,” Thor said rather impressively. “You believe your Front Giant nature means you’re dangerous.”

“Because they are… I’ve seen it,” he countered.

“But you weren’t raised there. You weren’t raised to be like them,” Thor suggested. “You’re different.”

“I wasn’t raised to respect them or even know about them much either,” he countered.

Thor sighed. “I know. And maybe… that wasn’t fair of Father to teach us. But you could change that with your own child.”

“I would hope too…” Loki raised a brow at his brother. “Do you know something I do not?”

Thor scoffed. “Is that likely?” he asked knowingly.

Loki sighed. “I guess not.”

“You want there to be some magic answer?” Thor asked.

“No… it’s just difficult to get past it…”

“But not impossible,” Thor said in his hopeful way. “For the woman you love? Might be worth it.”

“But… how?”

“You’ll have to figure that out yourself, brother,” Thor told him with a shrug. “I can’t solve that for you.”

Loki sighed. “It makes me feel lost…”

Thor put Noche back down to let him run a bit and walked over to Loki. He placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Charlie is your anchor. Just focus on her.”

“My anchor, yes. Though I fear she might detach from me at any moment. Being here again is… being home. But it’s brought all of those stresses back. On Midgard I was just… me…”

“That woman doesn’t seem to want to detach in any way,” Thor shared. He sighed softly. “You can… always return to Midgard.”

“Odin thinks it’s too risky to stay…” Loki countered. “With the… the giants… angered.”

Thor brushed that off. “Father worries,” he sighed. “You’re planning to go between the two places, aren’t you?”

Loki nodded. “Hopefully.”

“We can keep an eye on the Jotuns, you enjoy your life, Loki.”

“I’m not so sure…” Loki replied quietly.

“Do you not trust us to keep you and your loved one safe?” Thor asked curiously.

Loki sighed as he watched Noche play in the sand of the sparring area. “I didn’t say that… I’m just on edge.”

Thor stood beside his brother, watching the young boy. “Loki… do you want to be a father?” He asked plainly.

“I never thought of it… before. Now… a child with her eyes… her hair…”

Thor smiled fondly. “It would be a beautiful child.”

“It would,” he sighed.

“Just think about it. For Charlie,” Thor suggested.

Loki nodded as he took a large breath. He watched as Noche used his magic to make an area of wet sand so he could build.

Thor lowered himself onto a bench to watch the young boy. “I can’t wait to have one of my own.”

“You’ll have your own army,” Loki chuckled as he sat beside him.

“If I’m lucky,” Thor agreed with a chuckle of his own. “Just need to find a Charlie of my own.”

“You will,” Loki mused. “I’m sure of it.”

“As am I,” Thor said confidently. “Though finding another Charlie… that feels unlikely.”

Loki looked at Thor. “She wouldn’t be another Charlie. She would be something else entirely. Someone perfect for you.”

“I know… I just want the kind of relationship I see the two of you having,”

“You know… she does have friends… back on Midgard…”

Thor chuckled and slapped his large hand on Loki’s back. “Going to hook me up with one, are you?”

“I can ask?” Loki suggested.

“You think a Midgardian could handle me?” Thor smirked.

Loki raised a brow. “If Charlie can handle me… I think someone could handle you.”

The larger man chuckled. “Maybe so. I’m certainly open to the prospect.”

“I’ll ask Charlie,” Loki nodded.

“Thank you,” Thor said appreciatively. He sighed then. “I’ll take Noche back to his mother. I’m heading that way anyway.”

“Okay,” he nodded. “I need to talk to Charlie.”

“You do,” his brother agreed. “Best of luck to you. Just remember, Loki - you’re not a monster. And your child wouldn’t be either.”

Loki swallowed hard. “I’ll try to.”

“Noche, come,” Thor said, standing. He picked up the little boy as he ran to him and offered Loki another smile before walking away.

After calming himself with a couple of breaths, Loki made the trek up through the palace and to his rooms where he knew Charlie would be waiting.

Chapter 16

Charlie was sitting out on the balcony of the room she shared with Loki, laid back on a chaise lounge. She felt heavy, mixed up. She didn’t want to feel that way, she just… couldn’t help it. She heard the door open to the bedroom and as it closed, she exhaled softly. “Out here,” she called.

The sound of her forlorn voice made Loki’s heart sink. “Should I go?” He asked, not wanting to make things worse.

She sat up a little and glanced into the bedroom. “No… you’re welcome here,” she replied softly.

Loki stepped further inside. He was never one to feel anxious, but it rolled from him in waves. He didn’t like that he’d upset her.

Charlie could sense his reluctance. She sighed softly and swept her feet over the edge of the chaise she sat on and pushed herself up. “How was your time with Noche?” she asked softly.

“It was good. He built a castle in the sand,” Loki answered.

“Good,” she replied with a small smile, stepping into the room from the balcony. She could see written all over him that he was uncomfortable. “I’m… sorry if you’re upset with me,” she told him gently.

“I… I’m not upset,” he replied quietly. “I upset you… Over my own insecurity.”

She frowned softly, taking slow steps over to him. “Loki… I just don’t want to miss out on something… wonderful,” she said softly.

“Wonderful… with me?” He asked.

“Yes,” she insisted, shaking her head. “With you.”

Loki stepped forward and reached to take her hand. “I have a lot I need to work through… but I want to try.”

Charlie took a deep breath and nodded, taking another step towards him, closing the distance. “I’m here to help you through it. Loki… I want you to see what I see.”

“One day, I hope that I do,” he said softly.

Reaching up, she gently brushed back his long hair behind his ear and caressed the side of his face. “I love you… for everything that you are.”

Leaning into her touch, Loki let his eyes close. “I love you too,” he whispered.

“I know you do,” she assured him. “Immensely. And I know you’d do anything for me.”

“Anything… everything,” he assured.

“I don’t need everything,” she told him sweetly. “I just need you.”

Loki gave her a soft smile, his posture softening as he relaxed further. “I’m yours.”

“And I’m yours,” she murmured as she stood up on her toes to kiss him solidly.

He returned her kiss, wrapping one arm around her waist. “I am sorry,” he told her.

Charlie blinked her eyes open to look into Loki’s. “You don’t have to apologize to me… trying to work through it is enough.”

“I still feel like I should,” he said softly. “I don’t like that I hurt you.”

“Sometimes… we might hurt each other accidentally. It’s okay,” she told him, stroking her fingers through his hair as she brushed it behind his ear again. “Just know that even if I’m upset, I still love you.”

“I love you too,” he said softly before lowering his head to kiss her sweetly.

As the kiss ended, she lowered back down onto her feet. “I just don’t like hearing you call yourself a monster when I know that’s not true,” she told him quietly.

“I’ll try to do better,” he told her. “I want to do better.”

“I know you can,” she said, slipping her hands into his. “It’s hard to change how you think about yourself, I know.”

Loki wet his lips and nodded. “Will you help me?”

“Of course I will,” Charlie replied. “You don’t have to do it alone.”

He pulled her in for a hug and rested his chin atop her head. “Were you enjoying the sunshine?” He asked softly.

“I was,” she answered softly. “It’s beautiful outside right now.”.”

“Do you want to go back onto the balcony?” He asked.

“Come with me?” she asked, taking his hand. Slowly, she led him back out to the balcony, where the sun was slowly setting. “It’s beautiful, really… though I loved the view from my apartment too. In a different way.”

“It is one of my favorite places,” he told her. “I love to read out here. It’s peaceful.”

“It’s a good place to think,” she agreed, adjusting her hand in his.

“I agree,” he told her.

“Loki,” she said, turning her eyes up to his. “I… do think I want a baby…”

“You want a baby?” He asked her as they sat outside. “You’re sure?”

“I…” she said as she sat, pulling his hand into her lap. “It doesn’t have to be now…. but yeah, I’d like one.”

“I was talking to Thor about it… picturing a little girl with your hair and eyes…”

Charlie’s smile grew softly. “You can see that?” she asked tenderly.

“I can… or a little boy… your eyes, my colored hair…”

She turned in towards him further, pulling his hand to her chest. “We can have that…”

“We could,” he agreed.

“I’m… glad you can picture it,” she told him softly, bringing the back of his hand to her for a kiss. “I… think you’d make an amazing father.”

“You do?” He asked. “Truly?”

“Yes,” she answered with a bright smile. “You’ll be sweet, gentle, wise… I can see it so clearly.”

Loki gave her a gentle smile. “You know… I wonder if you’re tapping into an evolving sedir.”

She angled her head. “You think? How so?”

“I feel like you’re having premonitions in a way. Predictions.”

Charlie hadn’t ever considered it that way, but she could see it from his perspective. “It does feel very real…”

“I wonder if mother could see,” Loki mused.

“If I have sedir?” she asked. “Would she be able to tell?”

“Maybe,” he replied. “She has the same type.”

She smiled. “That would be very cool,” she admitted.

Loki leaned back on the lounge chair. “I also have a couple things to talk with you about.”

“What’s that?” she asked, turning to face him more directly.

“Well… I talked to Odin. He agreed to plan a trip to visit Midgard,” he replied.

Her eyes widened a little in surprise. “He did?” she asked. “That’s… wonderful.”

“I told him I was worried about safety, he suggested that we make the trip together. Which I am quite surprised about, if I am honest,” he replied.

“That surprises me too,” Charlie replied a little breathlessly. “But… It's great. We can see everyone, tell them that I’m healthy.”

“We can,” he agreed. “We did just… disappear. I’m sure they’re worried.”

“Well,” she sighed, “we can tell them we left to get me emergency treatment. That’s not untrue.”

“No… but do you want to tell them the truth?” he asked.

“Do you think they’ll believe the truth?” she wondered aloud. “That you’re a God and you took me back to this mystical place to cure me…”

“They have a group of superheroes on Midgard, don't they?” he asked. “I’m not that far fetched.”

“I guess not… and you can prove it to them,” she said with a shrug. “How wild…”

“There is… one more thing…”

“What’s that?” she asked, furrowing her brows.

“My brother… has asked for help in the woman department.”

“You don’t say,” she replied with a chuckle. “He wants my help?”

“He wants to know if you have any friends that would be interested.”

“In Thor? Oh, I’m positive I can find someone,” Charlie said with a scoff.

Loki laughed. “That’s what I told him.”

“He’ll be swimming in Midgardian women,” she laughed softly.

“If you give him too many, he’ll tuck tail and run,” Loki chuckled.

“Good to know,” she replied with an easy smile. “Wow… we’ve had lots of big news and conversations today.”

Loki chuckled and nodded. “Yes, we have.”

“When are they proposing we go to Midgard?” She asked curiously.

“Whenever plans are finalized. A few days?” He guessed.

Charlie nodded and brushed some of her long hair back behind her ear. “That’s exciting,” she smiled. “People will be very surprised to see us show up again.”

“I think they will too… it’ll be a bit of a shock, I presume. I don’t know what’s happened to your apartment… your things…”

She sighed softly. “I’m sure the apartment is gone, I stopped paying rent when I disappeared. My things are probably in a storage unit somewhere.”

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Loki sighed.

“We’ll figure it out. I’ve done just fine without my things up until now. Nothing I had was irreplaceable.”

Loki turned and watched as she fiddled with her tunic. “It’ll be okay,” he told her.

“I know,” she replied, smiling softly. “They’re just things. I don’t need things.”

“What do you need?” He asked.

She looked up at him, her green eyes meeting his. “Just you,” she told him. “Everything I need is right here.”

Loki leaned over and kissed her sweetly. “You’re all I could ever wish for,” he replied.

Her smile grew and she kissed him again, allowing it to linger. “You know… I’ve never been upset with you before,” she mused.

“No… you hadn’t,” he replied.

“So… we’ve never had a reason to have make up sex,” she said, her grin growing.

Loki chuckled at her words. “That’s true…”

Leaning in, she kissed him again, more slowly this time. “You wanna?” She asked.

He grinned before grasping her beneath her arms and lifted her up. As he rested her in his lap, his lips found hers again.

Charlie responded instantly, leaning into Loki’s strong body. She deepened the kiss by angling her head, her tongue passing his lips to dance with his.

With a groan, Loki wrapped his arms around her, smoothing his hands over her back.

She slid further against him, moving her legs to straddle his waist more comfortably. Her hands moved to explore his clothed chest, gripping at the fabric.

Loki grinned against her lips before moving to kiss her neck. “My beautiful girl…”

She dropped her head back, giving him more space to work. She breathed a sensual sound. “You make me feel beautiful…”

“You are beautiful. My goddess,” he purred.

He truly made her feel like a goddess. She felt worshiped with Loki. Her hands gripped the fabric on his chest and she tugged at his shirt. “My God…”

Loki practically purred at her words, helping her remove his shirt only to toss it through the doors of his rooms.

Her hands moved to his heated skin, lightly dragging her nails down his chest as she rotated her hips sensually. “Mm… I want you, baby.”

“How bad?” Loki asked. “How do you want it?”

“So bad,” she whined in reply. “I want you to mount me from behind… make me yours over and over again.”

Loki groaned as he gripped her ass in his hands. “Dirty girl…”

She giggled sensually. “Fuck me, baby… fuck me like the God you are.”

“Oh I can do that and so much more… what if you had… two of me?”

Her eyes grew wider with wonder. “Is that possible?”

Loki smirked. “Darling… yes… I can make duplicates. It takes a lot to make them tangible. But I can do it.”

Her smile grew as it crept across her face. “If it’s not too much for you…”

“It’s not,” he grinned as a flash of green lit up beside them only for another of him was lounging in the other chair.

Charlie turned to face the second Loki, nearly shivering at the way he looked at her. “Devour me…” she told them.

“Here? Or the bed, darling?” Loki asked, kneading his hands into the flesh of her backside.

“I think the bed gives us more space,” she suggested, grinding her hips against Loki’s.

Loki hissed and leaned up to kiss her softly. “Want me to carry you?”

She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She held on as he stood up and she felt the second Loki’s hand on her back. “This is so cool…” she giggled.

“What do you want us to do?” The Loki behind her asked.

“I want you to… overwhelm me,” she told them breathlessly. “All of my senses. Make me cry out for you.”

“Doable,” he purred as he kissed the back of her shoulder. “We could… both take you… at once…”

Charlie whimpered with an enthusiastic nod. “Yes… I want that.”

“Oh baby… we can make that come true…”

Her whole body shivered at the thought as Loki laid her down on the bed. She stretched out, smoothing her hands over her awaiting body. “I’m so excited…”

“Should we make a word, if something doesn’t go how you want it?” he asked.

“We can,” she agreed. “How about… yellow?”

Loki nodded as he stepped forward and crawled up the bed, letting the clone dissipate for now. “That will work.”

She laid back on the bed, propped up on her elbows to watch his languid movements. “I trust you, my love.”

“Just as I trust you… I trust you to have me… take me and make me yours.”

“That’s what makes us so wonderful,” she replied. “And I want you to do that to me now… take me.”

Loki hovered over her before he smirked, flashing away their clothing. Then he lowered to capture her mouth.

She kissed him eagerly in reply, her hands plunging up into his dark hair. She arched her back into him, moaning into his mouth.

He moaned in reply, dropping his body to lay atop hers, rolling his hips for any sort of friction.

Instinctually, Charlie spread her legs to allow his erection to rub against her cunt. She was already well turned on, as he’d be able to tell. The idea of two of him, it brought goosebumps to her skin.

“Such a needy goddess,” he purred before kissing down her neck.

“Mm, so needy,” she moaned softly in reply. “I need you…”

Loki gripped her before rolling them both, putting her above him as he kissed her. “Show me just how much…”

Grinning, Charlie tossed her hair back over her head and kissed Loki hard, moaning into his mouth as her hands roamed his body. One hand smoothed down his chest, down his abdomen, and then gripped his cock. “You want me too…” she teased.

“Do whatever you want,” he told her.

Licking her lips, she lifted off of him for a moment to turn around. Wordlessly, she straddled his face and pulled her hair over one shoulder before she leaned down and took his cock into her mouth eagerly.

Loki grinned at her boldness before he took her hips and guided her closer. Then he licked a stripe through her folds with a moan.

She moaned against him, taking him as deeply as she could in her throat before she pulled her head back up. “Mmm…”

“So sweet,” Loki murmured before swirling around her clit with his tongue.

“Mm…” she hummed, sucking on his cock as she began to bob her head up and down.

Loki sighed as he began to suck on her clit, massaging her hips with both hands.

Slowly, she began to grind her hips into his face in a gentle rhythm as she bobbed her head in the same pattern.

With a moan, Loki dipped his tongue into her willing cunt, tasting her essence even more.

“Mmm… fuck,” she breathed as she came up for air for a moment. She glanced back at him, her ass nearly bouncing as she rode Loki’s face.

Loki leaned back slightly and replaced his mouth with two of his long fingers. He let her bounce on his hand, riding his fingers. “Need more?”

“Uh huh,” she answered, moaning openly before she leaned back down and took his cock into her mouth again, sucking firmly.

With a hiss, Loki resisted from thrusting upward. “Darling… turn to face me love.”

She gave him one last suck before she released him and swept her leg over him to turn around. “Where do you want me, love?”

“On top… and if you want more of me… I can do that the easiest that way.”

Straddling his waist, she tossed her hair back over her head before she slowly sank onto him. “Fuck, my God…” she breathed.

Loki moaned as he gently gripped her hips, letting her control the pace.

“Mmm…” she hummed as she sank fully down onto him, settling her hips against his. “I love having all of your huge cock inside of me…”

“I love being inside you,” he replied. “I could do it all day…”

Slowly, she began to pump her hips up and down. “Loki… fuck, fill me up…”

“You already are,” he teased. “You’ll need to ask for what you want.”

“I want…” she breathed, plunging her hands back into her hair. “I want two of you…”

Loki moaned as he slowed her hips. “You need to slow to a stop then… need to prepare you, sweetness.”

She whined as she slowed to a stop, though she knew it would be worth it. “What do you need me to do?” she asked.

“Just stay there… you can either prep yourself with a toy or I can use another me…”

“Use another you,” she told him, leaning down to catch his lips feverishly.

Loki kissed her back as he formed a fully nude clone on their knees between their legs. The clone ran their hands over her back, hips, and ass.

Goosebumps immediately covered her body as she felt his second set of hands. “Shit…” she breathed, pressing back into the clone’s hands.

“Easy,” Loki soothed. “It’s just me…”

She released a breath as she nodded. “I know,” she assured. “It’s… a cool experience.”

Loki pecked her lips as the Loki at her back began to tease her back entrance. “You’ll only get it with me.”

“Good thing I only want it with you,” she purred before she moaned, feeling the clone’s fingers on her sensitive hole.

“Tell me how much you want it,” Loki purred.

“Fuck… I want it so badly,” she practically whined, jumping softly as she felt the clone’s fingers again. “Ooh…” she moaned as she felt a thin finger slide inside of her tight asshole.

“You’ll get it,” Loki assured. “I just love to hear that dirty mouth.”

“Please… I need more in my ass,” she told them, gently rocking her ass back on the clone’s finger.

The clone grinned as he added a second finger shortly before adding a third. “How’s this?”

Charlie shivered as she nodded. “So good,” she told him, rocking back into his hand.

“Good girl,” Loki praised, then moaned as he thrust upward slightly.

She gasped in ecstasy, throwing her head back. “Loki!” She cried, sensing it as both men smiled.

“Yes,” he moaned as the clone thrust their hand against Charlie.

“Mmm… I’m ready for your cock,” she told the clone.

Loki made sure she was still so his clone could move forward and gently push into her.

She gasped again before a low moan escaped her. “Fuck, fuck yes…” she shuddered.

“Easy… gotta get all the way in,” Loki purred.

“Uh huh,” she breathed, leaning forward so that the clone could press his hips forward. She caught Loki’s lips, kissing him deeply.

Loki moaned, able to feel all the sensations at once. “That’s so tight… you’re completely full of me…”

“So full…” she moaned, arching her back. “Fuck me, baby… both of you. Please.”

In alternating movements, both men thrust into Charlie. Loki groaned beneath her, panting. “Gods… I won’t last…”

“Me either… keep going,” she practically begged, her hands gripping the fabric of the sheets on either side of Loki.

“Good girl,” Loki praised as he increased his pace with a groan.

“Oh! Oh fuck,” she cried, dropping her head as both men fucked her. “I’m so fucking full, I’m… I’m…”

Feeling Charlie squeeze around him, Loki grunted as he came so hard stars filled his vision. He panted as he slowed. The clone following his actions.

Charlie panted heavily, sweat glowing on her brow. “Oh my Gods,” she moaned.

Loki chuckled softly. “Yes…”

“Fucking incredible,” she breathed, a nearly drunken smile crossing her lips.

Loki kissed her temple, not caring about the sweat. His clone slowly removed itself before it dissipated, leaving just them to relax in their bliss.

She lazily kissed Loki’s neck and she tucked her head into it. “I love you,” she murmured against his skin.

“I love you,” he whispered. “So very much…” Loki turned them to the side as he tangled his legs with hers. “When you’re ready…” he whispered, “we can try…”

She opened her eyes wider to find his. “You’re sure?” She asked. “Because we really haven’t been trying not to…”…”

“I know… and I want to leap with you… not for you to leap alone.”

Her smile grew and she kissed his cheek sweetly. “We’ll do it together,” she whispered in his ear.

“Together it is,” he said sweetly.

~~~~~~~~

As Charlie walked to the Bifrost with Loki, she felt nerves in her stomach. She took a long, deep breath as she adjusted her hand in his as they stepped through, landing in Central Park.

Loki turned to make sure Thor had followed. Seeing his brother made him feel a little more at ease.

“Where to from here?” Thor asked, changing his attire from Asgardian to more Midgardian.

“Should we… go to the restaurant?” Charlie asked, looking up at Loki.

“We can… I don’t know the day or time right now…”

“Me either,” she admitted, looking around. “Seems… as good a place to start as any,” she sighed, beginning to take them towards the bar. “I wonder who will be there…”

“I don’t know,” he replied softly.

“Why am I so nervous?” she asked rhetorically, brushing her fingers through her now long, luxurious hair.

Loki turned to her and squeezed her hand. “It’s alright, love.”

“I know… we’ve just been gone for a while, what if people are mad with us?” she asked.

“I think people will be more happy to see you… before they get upset…”

Charlie nodded as they neared the bar. Last time they’d seen her, she’d been in very bad shape. “The change is going to be quite a shock.”

Loki stopped them at the front doors. “Whatever happens, I’m right with you. We both are.”

She smiled nervously up and him and raised up on her toes, kissing him softly. “Let’s go in,” she said, taking his hand before she opened the door and stepped inside with him.

The place was busy. People stood and sat at the bar while others sat around at tables. Loki looked around for anyone he might recognize.

Charlie walked through the crowd towards the bar, and as they got closer she met eyes with Mark. He didn’t recognize her for a second, but he gave her a double take. “Oh my god, Charlie?!”

She smiled nervously and waved. “Hi Mark…”

“Wh- what the hell?” He questioned.

She took a few steps forward and waved again. “I know…” she said, tossing her hair back over her shoulder. “I’m… alive. And feeling really good.”

“You look… healed,” he replied.

She glanced back at Loki with a sweet smile before she glanced back at Mark. “I am,” she told him with a nod. “Completely.”

“Completely… but…” Mark was confused.

She sighed with a soft smile. “I know… I have a lot to explain,” she said. “Do you… have a few minutes?”

“I can have Jessie cover,” he replied. “You can follow me into the office.”

“Okay,” she agreed. “Thor, you can get a drink if you want,” she told the tall blonde man behind her before she pulled Loki with her towards the office.

Mark opened the office door and stepped inside before letting Charlie and Loki inside. He then shut and locked the door. “Okay… what’s up?”

Charlie sighed nervously, adjusting her hand in Loki’s. She looked up at him for a moment before she returned her gaze to Mark. “You know how there are… superheroes now? For real?” she asked. “Well… there’s also Gods.”

“Gods…” Mark replied. “Seriously?”

“I know how it sounds…” she said. “But… It's true. And… Loki is one of them.”

“Loki… you’re a god?” Mark questioned. At Loki’s nod, he was still apprehensive.

“He can prove it,” Charlie said, glancing up at Loki. “Can you… show him something?”

“I can,” Loki replied before simply shifting into different clothing, out of his casual wear and into his royal attire.

“What the…” Mark murmured, his eyes wide. “You’re… you’re a god?”

“I am,” Loki nodded. He turned and looked at Charlie lovingly. “When Charlie was close to death… I couldn’t bear to lose her. So I asked for help. I took her to my home.”

“We all thought you died…” Mark breathed, looking back at Charlie.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized quietly. “There really wasn’t any time to explain anything. Loki made the decision to ask for help and we had to leave right away.”

“I take responsibility… I didn’t even have my abilities when I was here. Not until I left,” Loki explained.

Mark’s head was spinning. “So… you weren’t a god, but you are now… and you took Charlie to your… home and that’s how she got healed?”

“I’ve always been a god. But I didn’t have power here when I fell… that’s a whole other story,” Loki told him.

“And we can explain it… in time,” Charlie added, looking back to Mark. “But… I’m still here. And I’m… better than ever.”

“So… you’re completely healed?” Mark asked.

She smiled a bit more widely, glancing up a Loki with a nod before she glanced back at Mark. “I’m… better than completely healed. I’m… something else now, what is it Loki?”

“She’s not a god… but æsir. The race of where I come from,” Loki explained. “Giving her the golden apple healed her…”

“The… golden apple?” Mark stammered. “Charlie, you’ve gotta know how this sounds.”

“I do, I get it… but there’s a super soldier now. And an Iron Man. Why can’t there be gods too?”

“You may know my brother,” Loki commented. “Thor.”

“Thor is… your brother?” Mark asked.

“He is,” Charlie confirmed. “This isn’t as crazy as it sounds…”

“He’s actually with us,” Loki added.

“Without what happened, Mark… I wouldn’t be here,” Charlie told her friend. “Loki, the Asgardians… they saved me.”

“I… I see that,” Mark replied. “It’s just… a lot to take in.”

She nodded and stepped back a bit, retreating into Loki’s space. “I knew it would be… are you… upset? With me?” she asked softly.

“I would have liked to have known you were alive,” he replied. “It’s been four months…”

“Wow, I… didn’t realize it had been that long,” Charlie said sadly. “Time kind of got lost in the flurry of everything. I’m sorry, Mark.”

“It’s… hard to tell if this is even real… I’ve had so many dreams like this.”

She frowned softly but only for a moment. She took a small breath then and stepped away from Loki and toward Mark before she slowly wrapped her arms around him. “I’m real.”

Mark instantly wrapped his arms around his friend. “I’ve missed you… we all have.”

“And I’ll explain, to everyone who wants to hear me,” she told him, slowly releasing him. “Who else is here?”

“Uh… no one but me today,” he replied. “Who are you hoping to see?”

“Evan, Jessica… the crew,” she answered. “We can come back another time. Just let me know when they’ll be here.”

“I can give them a call,” he told her. “Promise.”

“Okay,” she agreed. “We’ll explain everything. Answer everyone’s questions."

Mark nodded as he let Charlie go. “I can’t believe you’re alive… and completely healthy.”

A smile started on Charlie’s lips. “Sometimes I can’t believe it, either,” she replied. “I feel… like a brand new person. But I’m still Charlie.”

“I can see that,” Mark smiled. “Good skin tone, bright eyes… everything.”

“I was practically gray before,” she recalled. “And my hair was so thin. I know I had to have scared you guys and I’m so sorry for that.”

“You were just… gone… we asked for a wellness check because we lost contact. But your apartment was empty…”

“I know… Loki can tell you, we really had no time,” she tried to explain.

“She was too close to death,” Loki said softly. “I couldn’t lose her.”

Mark sighed. “I get it… if things were dire, you probably didn’t have much of a choice.”

“We didn’t,” Charlie agreed. “But I’ll make it up to everyone. Maybe we can… do a wedding here as well as on Asgard,” she suggested to Loki.

“Wait, wedding?” Mark asked.

Charlie turned back to Mark with a smile. “Oh, yeah… Loki and I are getting married,” she told him, holding out the emerald ring on her finger.

Mark beamed as he looked at the ring. “Lucky girl!”

“I am,” she agreed, turning to face Loki to take his hand again. “Loki is a Prince where he’s from. So I’ll be a Princess.”

“That’s… wow,” Mark smiled.

“I know… it’s a little extra,” Charlie laughed softly. “But it’s part of the culture where Loki is from. So I’ll happily go along with it.”

Mark could only smile at his friend. “So much good news today… it’s a lot.”

Charlie smiled softly. “I know, it’s a lot,” she agreed. “We can… give you time to process. Not that we have anywhere else to go… you said my apartment was empty?”

“Your mom came… gathered your things. I’m not sure what happened after that,” Mark replied.

“Oh, god… my mom came?” She questioned, her stomach dropping. She hadn’t been in contact with her family much before they left. She hadn’t expected anyone would call her mother.

“Apparently, her number was a contact on your lease,” Mark replied.

“Shit…” she murmured, glancing back up at Loki. “I guess we’ll have to… talk to my family.”

Loki nodded as he gently squeezed her hand. “It’s alright.”

“I haven’t talked to them in… god, almost a year now probably,” Charlie sighed. “Things with them are… complicated. But I’m sure they’re afraid right now, with me just disappearing…”

“We’ll see,” Loki said softly.

“I’ll need to get a phone,” she told him before she turned back to Mark. “Thanks, Mark… we’ll come back, okay?”

Mark nodded. “Sure. Anytime.”

Charlie turned and headed out the door of the office with Loki close behind. “I didn’t even think about my family… that’s how distant we are,” she sighed.

“We’ll figure it out,” Loki told her. “You won’t be alone.”

“I know…” she said softly, unable to wipe the slight frown from her expression entirely. “Let’s get Thor and… I guess we need to find a place to stay. But we don’t have any money…”

“Thor knows the super people… maybe they’ll let us stay?” He suggested. “Or we can go home for the night…”

“Thor can always ask,” Charlie shrugged. “I don’t want put anyone out though.”

“Worth a shot,” Loki agreed as he easily found Thor conversing with people.

“Yes, yes, I’m very strong,” Thor agreed with the crowd before he caught Loki’s eye. “Ah, if you’ll excuse me,” he said before he pulled himself away and found Loki and Charlie. “How’d it go?”

“It went… okay,” Loki replied.

Charlie nodded. “People are going to be a little upset… but ultimately happy,” she sighed. “Thor, we don’t have anywhere to stay. Do you think you could call your super-friends and see if we can temporarily stay with them?”

“I can get ahold of Stark,” Thor nodded. “He is the man of iron.”

“That would help us out, if you could,” she replied. “I don’t know what they’ll say but it’s worth asking.”

“I brought my… Midgard device thing…” Thor told them as he searched his pockets.

As he searched, Charlie stepped back and ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m just… gonna step outside for a few minutes,” she said with a soft frown, moving past Loki and Thor. .

Watching her go, Loki turned, wearing a frown of his own. “I should have had word sent down here…”

“Why?” Thor asked as he searched every pocket he could before finding the device he was looking for. “Why are you both upset?”

“They thought she’d died… she lost her apartment… and her things are with her mother. Someone who she hasn’t spoken to in a long time,” Loki explained.

Thor sighed and nodded. “Family issues… you can relate to that,” he said with a small jab to Loki’s arm before he placed a message to Stark.

“I can… but I don’t like seeing her hurting,” he replied, straightening his shirt.

“I don’t know that that’s something you can always protect her from,” Thor said wisely.

Loki nodded, but his body was still stiff. “It doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could.”

“Fair.” Thor received a message back and smiled. “He says we can stay. It’ll be good to see everyone again.”

“I’ll go and get Charlie,” Loki replied.

Thor nodded as his brother disappeared out onto the street.

Charlie stood outside, leaned against a light pole. Her mother… shit. She sighed heavily and ran her fingers through her hair.

“Darling?” Loki called softly.

She turned, finding Loki approaching. “Hi,” she greeted, unable to offer him even the smallest of smiles. “Did Thor hear from the super people?”

“We can stay,” he told her softly.

She nodded gently. “Okay. I guess… we can head that way,” she said with a sigh.

“Darling… do you want to talk?”

“I… don’t even really know what to say,” she answered. “I haven’t talked to my family in… a year. Now I have to not only talk to them, but get my things back from them. And I’m just… not looking forward to that.”

“I know…” he said softly. “Maybe we can have the Iron Man do it? Though I don’t know why he’d need your things.”

Charlie shook her head gently. “No, that doesn’t make sense. I’ll just… have to do it,” she said reluctantly. She pushed herself up from leaning against the pole and took a step towards Loki. “Let’s grab Thor and go.”

“He’s waiting just inside,” Loki replied.

She nodded and followed Loki back inside. They waved to Thor to come out onto the street with them and as he did, they regrouped.

“Avengers Tower is in the center of the city,” Thor explained. “It won’t take too long to get there.”

Loki nodded as he wrapped one arm around Charlie’s waist, hoping to soothe her.

“Lead the way,” Charlie said to Thor, and she and Loki followed close behind him. She wasn’t walking in a hurry; her mind was busy. That much was obvious.

As Thor led the way to the Avengers Tower, he kept an eye on Loki and Charlie. He was worried for them both.

The closer they got to the center of the city, the bigger Avengers tower became. Charlie’s eyes rested on the large ‘A’ as they walked. “Not very hidden for a living quarters for superheroes…”

“Stark likes to be seen,” Thor replied. “Plus being in the middle of the city makes for easier travel.”

“A bit garish,” she remarked grumpily.

“He’s… a bit full of himself. But he’s gotten better,” Thor assured.

Charlie simply nodded as they neared the tower. As they arrived at the front entrance, Thor stepped up. “Stark,” he said, pressing an intercom button. “We’re here.”

The intercom made some static before Tony came over the speaker. “Thor? Yeah, Jarvis will buzz you in.”

A door lock buzzed and Thor reached for the handle, opening the door for Loki and Charlie before he followed in behind. “Stark is around here somewhere…” Thor murmured.

“Mr. Stark is in the lab,” Jarvis stated, the AI’s voice filling the room.

Charlie jumped and looked around. “Okay, that’s weird,” she remarked.

Thor chuckled as he headed in the direction of the lab. “Do you want to meet Stark? I’m sure he’s got a room set up already.”

Loki shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

“Sure,” Charlie replied. She wasn’t really in the mood for meeting people, but this man was being hospitable.

“Follow me,” Thor replied as he turned and led them towards an elevator. He pressed a button when they arrived and waited only a few moments for the elevator to open.

Charlie stepped in beside Loki and wrapped her arms around herself.

Watching Charlie, Loki worried, feeling a lump in his throat and his stomach twist.

As the door opened at the entrance to the lab, Thor stepped out. “Stark?” he called, the other two stepping out behind him.

“Back here!” Tony called. He was working on one of his cars.

Thor led the way towards Tony’s voice until he came into view. “Ah! Stark!” he greeted cheerily. “This is my brother, Loki, and his betrothed, Charlie.”

Tony slid out from under a Nova, grease on his hands and face. “Hey! Nice to meet you guys.”

Charlie smiled softly and gave him a wave. “Thank you for letting us stay. We won’t be here too long,” she said.

“Stay as long as you need,” Tony countered as he sat up. “Any family of Thor’s is welcome here.”

“Well, we appreciate it,” Charlie said. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d like to lay down a little… do we have a room?”

Tony nodded and stood, leaning a little on his right leg more than the left. “Yeah, sure. Hey Jarvis?”

“Yes, sir,” The AI answered.

“Could you make two rooms open on the second floor? Across from each other?”

“Of course, sir.”

Tony reached for a rag and wiped at his face. “Jarvis will know it’s you when you come up to the door and it will unlock automatically. Second floor, to the right.”

Charlie nodded, her arms still wrapped around herself. “Thank you, we appreciate it.” She stepped back then and made her way towards the elevator.

Loki followed behind her while Thor still stood in place, watching them go. The large man sighed softly.

“What's up with the happy couple?” Tony asked curiously.

“It’s… complicated. She used to be mortal but became gravely ill. Loki met her when he was sentenced here without his powers and fell in love. He asked father to save her life.”

“That sounds like a happy story,” Tony said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Yet they don’t look happy.”

“They’ve been in Asgard for… a while. Down here, it’s been months. Her family and friends didn’t know what had happened and believed her to be dead,” Thor explained.

“Ah, got it. The old guilt complex,” Tony nodded with a sigh. “People will get over it eventually.”

“They will,” Thor agreed. “She was okay, I think, until she learned that her mother has her belongings.”

“Hm. Must be a story there,” Tony remarked. “I’ll have dinner made for all of us. They can eat in their room if they don’t feel up to socializing.”

Thor nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

“Jarvis, have dinner made for four,” Tony said. “I’m gonna finish on this car, if you don’t mind.”

“Sure,” Thor nodded. “We’re not picky about food either.”

“Dinner is sorted, sir.”

“Thank you, Jarvis,” Tony replied, smiling at Thor. “I’ll be here until dinner. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will,” Thor replied. He turned and went back to the elevator, leaving the lab.

~~~~

As Loki and Charlie entered the living quarters, Charlie walked carefully in front of each door before one finally opened for them. She reached for the handle and stepped inside, taking a look around as the light came on. “Nice.”

A large king bed greeted her with a sleek dresser off to one side and a door that would lead to the in-suite bathroom on the other side.

Loki came up behind her, resting his hand on her lower back. “Nice.”

She took a deep breath and shrugged off her jacket, moving to place it on a chair in the room. “I just want to rest… is that okay?” She asked.

“Of course… do you want a bath? Shower?” He asked.

“A bath sounds good,” she answered. “Is there a tub in there?”

Loki walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. “Big enough for three people.”

“Perfect,” Charlie replied. “Can you start the tub?”

“Of course.” Loki opened cabinets before starting the water and getting it just right for her. He found bath oils and wash scented with eucalyptus and lime.

She slowly undressed, folding up her clothes and leaving them on the edge of the bed before she walked into the bathroom. “Do you want to join me?” she asked softly.

“Do you want me to?” He asked. “Or do you want space?”

“You can join me. I just might not be very talkative,” she answered with a sigh. “I’m not pushing you away, Loki. I’m sorry if it seems like I am.”

“I know… I just want you to do what you need. Today's been jarring,” he said softly.

She nodded softly. “It has been,” she agreed. She reached down to feel the water before carefully stepping in. She slipped down into the warm, scented water and sighed. “This does feel good.”

Loki gave her a gentle smile before he undressed and stepped into the water opposite of her.

Charlie closed her eyes and tried to relax, slowly sliding her foot over Loki’s leg. “My… parents are divorced,” she started with another sigh. “I haven’t heard from my dad in years but… my mother is a different story.”

“You can tell me… if you want to,” he whispered.

“I’m the youngest of three, and until I got sick it was like I was invisible,” she explained softly. “They just kind of left me to raise myself… but when I got sick the first time in middle school, it was like… I was my mother’s most precious thing in front of other people. She got so much attention for being the mother of a sick kid and she loved it.”

“Charlie….”

“Hm?” she asked, looking across at him.

“I’m sorry, my love… I am…”

She gave him a look. “But…?”

“There isn’t one,” he told her. “It shouldn’t have been that way for you.”

She sighed softly and nodded. “I was sick for a while back then so she soaked it. But once I got better… I was invisible again,” she told him. “When I got sick this time I… didn’t even tell her.”

“I don’t blame you for that,” he said softly.

“She would have insisted on moving out here with me, or me moving home. Everything once again would have been for the attention… and to be honest… I kind of wanted to just die in peace.”

“Do you… do you regret it all?” He asked.

“Regret what?” She asked. “Not dying?”

“Not dying… my help… what I did…”

Slowly, she shook her head. “No, I don’t regret what you did,” she answered thoughtfully. “I felt like I had so little to even survive for… until you.”

Loki felt instant relief at her words. “You were the first thing I cared about in a very long time.”

“And you were the first thing I had to look forward to… it was what I needed to want to live,” she told him. “After feeling what you made me feel… I didn’t want to lose that.”

“I didn’t want to lose you either,” he replied. “You’ve given my life meaning again.”

Charlie smiled softly, her foot still smoothing over his skin. “And we’ll find even more meaning together,” she said softly.

“We will,” he nodded.

Slowly, she began to turn and she moved to slide between his legs, her back to his chest. “I have to at least call my mother…” she groaned.

Loki sighed softly as he wrapped both arms around her, happy to have her close to him. He kissed her shoulder softly. “Will she believe it’s you?”

“Who knows…. but I can prove I’m myself if she asks the right questions,” she answered. “I just… I’m not sure I’m ready to see her in person.”

“Understandable,” he replied.

“I’ll call her tomorrow,” she sighed. She wasn’t ready to face that today. “One more day won’t make it worse.”

“I’m here for you, love. Every step of the way.”

Charlie took a deep breath and tried to relax further against Loki. “I know you are,” she replied softly. “I guess I have to decide if I want my stuff back or if I’m just done with it all,” she sighed. She’d have to see her mother to get her belongings.

“Whatever you choose, I will support you. We can always replace things you’re able to.”

“I’ve never really needed… things,” she said with a gentle shrug. “I have you. That’s all I need.”

Loki kissed her shoulder then her neck. “You know how to butter me up.”

A smile passed across her face. “I’m only speaking my truth,” she told him, smoothing her hands over his thighs beneath the water.

He smiled against her skin, letting her caress and love on him.

Charlie sighed again, angling her head back a little. “My brain won’t shut up.”

“My darling girl…. How can I quiet your mind?” He murmured.

She shrugged softly. “I don’t know…. But I’m sure you’ll come up with something,” she said with a gentle smile.

“Hmm… I thought you weren’t up to anything?”

“I guess I don’t know what I’m up to… but you can see,” she replied.

Loki gently kissed the side of her head. “I don’t want to do something that would not be wanted,” he said softly.

“Sweetheart…. Nothing you do is ever unwanted,” she assured him gently.

He nuzzled against her neck gently. “That’s good to know.”

She reached back and rested her hand on the back of his neck as she angled her own back. “You calm me… quiet me.”

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever been told that,” he mused.

“Hmm… well perhaps I need to tell you more,” she replied, tracing shapes against the skin of his neck with her finger.

Loki grinned as he lifted his head and found her lips in a soft, supple kiss. He rested one hand between her breasts , the other trailing along her thigh.

Charlie kissed him fully in return, her back arching just a bit at his touch. Her free hand moved to his thigh and slowly caressed it as he did the same to her.

“So beautiful, so strong…”

She rested her head back against his shoulder, a contented smile crossing her face. “Keep going…”

“Compassionate, sexy, daring, loving…”

“I am all those things,” she agreed with a soft smile, a gentle laugh escaping her.

“You’re my everything,” he murmured.

Charlie smiled warmly and leaned back, finding his lips in a sweet kiss. “You’re my everything,” she echoed.

Loki smiled. “I cannot wait to call you my wife.”

“We shouldn’t wait,” she told him thoughtfully. “When we get back… we should do it.”

“What if we did it here?” He asked.

She thought about it for a moment. “We could… would your family be okay with that?”

“They want us to be happy. If this is what you want, it’s what we’ll do. We can always have a large party in Asgard,” he explained.

“Let’s see how I feel after talking to my mother. I may need the hell off this planet,” she answered.

He chuckled quietly. “Of course.”

She sighed softly and laid back against him again, relaxing further. “Thank you for being so supportive.”

“You’re welcome, love.”

“Now,” she said, glancing back at him. “You were complimenting me… and massaging my leg…”

He grinned at her. “I was, wasn’t I?”

“Mm hm,” she replied with a nod, her own hand playing on his thigh.

“Let’s see… what can I possibly add? Beautiful… sensual… wet…”

A giggle left her in reply to his description. “I am wet… maybe more than just my body’s wet…”

“Oh, I’m counting on it,” he purred.

“Mm… god, I love it when you sound like that,” she said, shivering against him a little in response to his voice.

Loki hummed softly. Then kissed along her neck and shoulder.

Charlie allowed her eyes to fall closed, getting lost in the sensation of his lips on her skin. She angled her neck to give him more access and a soft sigh passed her lips.

“My sweet girl,” he whispered before he nipped along her neck. His hands splayed along her thighs, caressing inward.

“Mmm…” she whimpered, allowing her thighs to fall open as his hands moved.

Loki massaged her thighs slowly, gently digging his fingers into her flesh, feeling as she relaxed to his touch.

“Your hands are perfect,” she told him softly, leaning her head back against his shoulder.

“They’re talented too,” he teased quietly.

“Are they?” she replied with a smirk. “I’d love for you to show me…”

“I think you know just how talented they are,” he countered as he slowly grazed his knuckles against the apex of her thighs.

“Mmm… maybe that’s why I’m so tingly,” she said almost breathlessly.

Loki grinned as he licked her neck before nipping at her skin while he slowly ran two fingers between her folds.

Charlie gasped before whimpering softly. “Fuck,” she breathed.

“What’s a matter?” He teased.

“Absolutely nothing,” she replied with a soft moan.

Loki slowly swept two fingers through her folds, feeling her arch upward towards the movement. “Do you want to move to the bed, my love?”

She nodded, swallowing thickly. “Good idea,” she breathed. Slowly, she moved to begin to get up and she climbed out of the tub carefully before grabbing a towel for herself and one for Loki.

Loki let out the drain for the water before he stood and stepped out of the deep tub. Then he took the fluffy towel from Charlie to dry himself. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” she replied, drying herself off as well. Once she was satisfied, she placed the towel on a hook and turned to face Loki as she backed out of the bathroom. “Can we get into the same position we were just in?” she asked. “I liked what you were doing…”

“Leaning against my back?” He asked curiously as he returned his own towel.

“Yes,” she said, crawling onto the expansive bed. She smoothed her hands over the sheets. “Nice,” she remarked.

Loki smiled as he watched her get comfortable. “Stark is a wealthy man.”

“He clearly likes to prove it,” she replied, patting the spot behind her on the bed.

He shrugged as he sat down beside her. “Most humans are that way as I recall.”

“You’re probably right,” she agreed, sitting up so he could move into the bed behind her. Once he was in position, she laid back against him and spread her legs.

Loki kissed her bare shoulder as he ran both hands along her thighs once more. “Let’s get you warmed back up…”

“Mmm, sounds perfect,” she purred, smoothing her hands over the outside of his thighs as well.

“Do you just want my fingers?” He asked quietly. “Or I could conjure something…”

“Start with your fingers… then I’ll want you to fuck me,” she answered.

Loki chuckled. “So demanding,” he purred.

“I just know what I want,” she replied with a grin. “And right now… I want to feel your fingers on and in my pussy.”

Practically groaning, Loki ran both hands along her inner thighs barely grazing the sides of where she wanted him most. “So filthy…”

She whimpered at his near touch, arching her back against him. “Tease…”

“You love it,” he purred in reply as he ghosted his fingers over her.

“Fuck,” she whimpered again, her hips trying to lift towards his fingers. “You’re killing me.”

“Poor baby girl… I’ve got you,” he assured before sweeping his fingers through her folds.

“Ooh,” she moaned, dropping her head back against his shoulder instantly. “That’s it…”

“Slow and easy,” he told her, gently sweeping his fingers back and forth.

Her body shivered as she worked, soft moans rolling out of her. “Fuck, I love the way you touch me…”

“I love how you sound for me,” he replied softly before slowly dipping two fingers inside of her.

“Oh shit,” she breathed, biting her lower lip as she moaned. “Loki… fuck…”

He smirked against her neck as he slowly circled her clit with his thumb while slowly pumping his fingers into her.

She shuddered against him, overcome by the sensations. “Shit… so good,” she breathed. “It won’t take me long to cum like this, baby…”

“Good,” he purred. “Then it will be easier for me to slide right inside…”

“Oh…ooh,” she moaned, her legs dropping to either side. Her hips moved with every thrust of his fingers and she dropped her head back as she let out a full moan, her body starting to contract.

“There you go, let go for me… feel how well I can make you come undone for me,” Loki purred.

“Fuck, Loki!” she cried, her body shaking with orgasm as she moaned unabashedly.

Loki grinned as he slowly curled his fingers upward, making her keen. “So beautiful.”

“Oh my god…” she panted, every nerve ending in her body alight. “Your hands are incredible, baby…”

He slowly removed his fingers before sucking them clean. “I’m glad you enjoy them.”

“Mmm… how do I taste?” she asked, turning her body so that she was now facing him.

“Sweet,” he told her.

Charlie leaned in and kissed him, tasting herself on his tongue. “I am sweet,” she agreed against his lips. “I need you to fuck me, baby… I need your cock inside of me.”

“I am more than willing to do what you need,” he told her.

“Will you fuck me from behind?” she asked sweetly, licking his bottom lip.

Loki smirked. “On all fours? Or standing?”

“Whichever sounds better to you,” she told him. “I’ll just be happy to have you inside me.”

He chuckled. “Do you need me to be in charge?”

“Just for a little bit,” she nodded. She liked to be in charge, but every now and then it was nice for Loki to take control.

Loki nodded before he kissed her softly. “On all fours, darling…”

She returned the kiss before doing as he asked, getting onto her hands and knees on the bed. She watched him with intent eyes as he moved around her. “I love how you look at me…”

“I love looking at you,” he told her in reply. Loki pushed up to stand on his knees, running both hands over her hips.

“Like I’m something you just can’t get enough of,” she said, closing her eyes as she felt his hands on her body.

“Never,” he assured her, running both hands slowly up the middle of her back.

She exhaled deeply and pressed back towards him, her ass in the air. “God, I can’t wait to have your cock inside me…”

Loki bent to bite down on her left ass cheek, enough to sting, making her gasp before moaning.

“Mmm…” she nearly growled, looking back at him with intense eyes. “Bite me again…”

He licked the bite to soothe it before he leaned forward and bit on her hip.

Goosebumps rose on her skin in response. “Yes,” she hissed.

Loki kissed the bite mark before he slowly licked between her cheeks.

“Ooh,” she said with a shiver. “Fuck, baby…”

Humming, Loki did it again.

Charlie’s eyes fell closed as she moaned. “That feels so good…”

“So good,” he said softly. “I love tasting you.”

“I’m so wet for you,” she breathed. “Fuck, Loki… I need you.”

“Poor girl… how bad?” He teased.

“So badly,” she whined. “Please, baby… fill me up.”

Loki tsked as he leaned forward to run the tip of his cock along her backside. “But where to fill you?” He questioned.

“Shit… anywhere you want,” she told him eagerly.

He bent to kiss the middle of her back as he slipped his cock between her folds. “I think right here…”

Charlie gasped with excitement before moaning, pressing back into him. “Fuck, you feel perfect there, baby…”

“Go ahead then,” he told her. “Push back and impale yourself.”

She did as he said, pressing her hips back until she felt her ass come into contact with his hips. “Ooh, yes,” she moaned, tossing her hair back.

Loki sighed as he watched his cock disappear. “Fuck… good girl…”

“I love how it feels… so full of your cock,” she whimpered desperately. “Fuck me, baby, please…”

Teasingly, Loki pulled his hips back before moving slowly back in again in a dragging movement.

“Ooh, gods,” she moaned, panting heavily for a moment. “You’re torturing me…”

“It’s the perfect kind,” he sighed before doing the same movement again.

“Shit,” she breathed, whimpering with each movement. “Baby…” she whined.

Loki grit his teeth at the deep pulling pleasure that ran through him with every deliciously slow thrust.

Charlie made a deep, longing sound with each move that Loki made. He was driving her absolutely wild. A shiver worked its way up her spine. “Fuck…”

“Such a dirty mouth… my girl needs to be good to get what she wants,” he told her.

“What do I need to do?” she asked, a whine in her voice.

Loki sank deep inside her, feeling her whole body shiver as he sat in place. “I think you already know.”

“Do you want me to beg for it?” she asked. “You know I will…”

“Beg… tell me just how much you want it…”

“Fuck, Loki… I need you to fuck me so badly. I need you to make me scream your name.”

Loki smirked as he snapped his hips, keeping himself seated, his own breath hitching at the pleasure.

“Oh!” She moaned deeply, dropping down onto her elbows. “Shit, please, my God, please fuck me…”

Hearing her voice crack, feeling the desperation of her body, Loki couldn’t take it any longer. He leaned forward and wrapped one arm around her hips as he began snapping his hips in earnest.

“Yes!” she exclaimed, full moans escaping her as he fucked her rapidly. “Ooh, Loki… yes, it feels so good…”

Loki dug his fingers into her flesh as he snapped his hips, filling the room with the sounds of them coming together.

She panted for breaths as he moved, grateful for his arm around her waist. Her eyes rolled back in her head as she cried out, body overcome by bliss with each thrust.

“Gods… your sounds… your body…” he moaned.

“Fuck, gods, yes, Loki!” she exclaimed, feeling herself begin to tighten as he pistoned his hips.

“Gonna fill you,” he growled. “Gonna give you my baby,” he whispered.

Charlie’s mouth fell open as unbridled sounds of passion escaped her. She couldn’t form words anymore, not with the rush she was feeling. She felt her toes begin to curl and she dropped her head. “Fuck! I’m coming!”

“I’m right there… fuck, Charlie!” He moaned.

She cried out as she came, over and over again the moans rolled out of her. Her hands gripped at the sheets beneath her and she was grateful for Loki holding her up.

As they both came down, Loki was glad he’d thought of making a sound barrier. He loved to hear Charlie scream for him.

She breathed heavily, panting for breaths as she came down from her intense orgasm. “Fuck,” she whimpered, reaching back for Loki.

“I’m here,” he cooed, staying in place. “You’re okay… I was a bit rough.”

“I’m fine,” she agreed breathlessly, staying on her knees but lifting her chest up to reach back and wrap an arm around Loki’s shoulders as he held her hips. “Gods, it’s always so good…”

Loki kissed her back softly as he felt her tremor and shake. “Only for you, love.”

“I love knowing that it’s only for me,” she said with a lazy smile.

Gently, Loki removed himself, feeling Charlie wince. “I’m sorry,” he told her.

“It’s okay, love,” she replied, turning to face him now. She smoothed her hands up his chest before wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “I hope you really do… give me your baby…”

He pecked her lips softly. “Only time will tell.”

Charlie nodded softly. “We have time,” she said, softly kissing his collarbone.

“Yes, we do.”

She took a deep breath and rested her head against his chest. “Thank you for distracting me, my love.”

“You’re welcome,” he said softly.

Slowly, she pulled him down towards the bed with her. “Hold me,” she asked him.

Loki kissed her temple as he curled around her, feeling as the room cooled around them, cooling their heated skin.

She snuggled into him, soft goosebumps forming on her skin as the sweat cooled on her skin. “I love you more than anything,” she told him softly.

“I love you,” he murmured.

They remained there in bed for a long while before finally rousing to join Thor and Tony for dinner. They didn’t socialize long, though, and were in bed early.