Chapter 36 – Love. Enjoy!

As the plane finally levelled, Aria stood from her seat.

"I'm going to the toilet" she defended as Loki reached for her wrist to stop her. He dropped his arm and flicked his hand to the side letting her pass, before returning to his files.

She winced as the poked at the bite on her shoulder. He got too rough the other night, and the bruising around her arms and thighs had been healed, but he had just kissed her smugly when she asked him to heal the bite.

Adjusting her top so it covered the mark, she returned to her seat. Despite the private plane having multiple luxury seats, he made her sit opposite him.

Aria kicked her heels off with a satisfied groan, ignoring the way Loki's eyes instantly darkened at the noise. It being winter meant she still had two months or so before 'mating season' kicked in, and she would be stuck in the bedroom or at his side.

"Do the female get the same mating instincts as the males?" Aria spoke allowed, rubbing her feet as she glanced at Loki.

"Yes. That's how they know to go to the male realm and mate. If they didn't feel the same urges, they would have no need to go" Loki answered clearly, not even pausing in his work.

"They live separately?" She continued curiously, swapping feet.

"Most of the year" He changed files at the same time, leaning over the table in front of him to scribble something down. "There is the main mating season in the Spring, which is when everyone meets collectively. But there are also two minor mating events. Not every female Frost Giant will get pregnant during the Spring. During early Autumn, those who are not pregnant try again. And some of the time, Frost Giants tend to feel the mates urges before Spring, usually mid-to-late winter."

Great, she thought to herself. Loki wanted to fuck her most of the time, but this clarified a lot of his more violent behaviour. Aria's hand drifted to the bite on her collar.

"That's a part of it" Loki noted, finally lifting his eyes to follow her hand. "It is rumoured that Frost Giants mate with the same person for life. This has never been confirmed, but they are more primal as they mark territory. It would make sense that they would be the same with their partners. Even going as far as to hurt them to show others that they are taken."

"How do you know all of this?" she grumbled.

"When you find out you are half another creature, you do your research" Loki replied while returning to his work.

"Am I part Asgardian now? With the ceremony and extended life thing?" Aria wondered, mind whirling at the thought.

"No, little bird" he chuckled to himself. "You are still human but are connected to my Asgardian and Frost Giants life-force. I was honestly expecting you to feel the effects of the mating season, but it doesn't really matter."

No, of course it wouldn't. But that made Aria think. Could she really deny that she sometimes felt a draw to him? Could she blame that on 'mating urges', or was it something more terrifying? She was used to having her self-control ripped away. The idea that her sexual desires came from the ceremony would bug her little, as her own sexuality was something she held quite closely. But the idea that any time she enjoyed it, or craved him, it was actually from her emotions wanting him always filled her with guilt.

"Don't over-think this, Aria" he could practically hear her thoughts over the link she was thinking about him and what he said so much.

"Thor told me once that Asgardians tended to sleep around more though" she continued her train of thought, as Loki finally stopped working to glare at her.

"Why would he need to tell you that?" his voice lowered, and Aria immediately noticed danger.

"I asked him" she hesitated, unsure if this would set him off. "I mean, I asked about marriage and divorce."

"When?" he had put his work down and was resting his elbows against his knees.

"After I spoke to you in the cell. You spoke about me…being Queen. I was curious with how things like that worked for him and for you" Aria explained slowly, so he would sense she meant no harm with her questions. They were about him the whole time, not Thor.

"Come here" Loki leant back and slanted his legs so Aria could slip into a gap half on his thigh and half on the chair. She was tense. She felt she spoken out of turn. "If he spoke about marriage, then he will have mentioned that it is sacred, and for life."

"Yes" she nodded quickly, keeping herself upright despite wanted to sink for comfortably against him. "If it's sacred, why did you… marry me?" It felt wrong to say.

"Truthfully, I never saw the appeal of marriage. I had never felt the emotions that were spoken about so strongly. I was fine with the lifestyle of being with who I want, when I want" Loki ran his fingers along her thigh as he thought back. "When I decided to fulfil the ceremony with you, it was mainly for necessity's sake. I needed a bond to keep you with me, and I found it very unlikely I would stumble across love to regret the decision."

"What if you do? Someone on here or even on Asgard" Aria questioned innocently, genuine curiosity in her eyes that held Loki captive until she looked away from the intensity.

"Oh Aria" he smiled, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I may not feel or show love in the conventional way, but I don't doubt my feelings for you."

Aria froze, mouth opening but no words came out.

"This isn't... this can't be love" she finally stuttered, flinching when Loki scoffed next to her.

"Not in the pathetic way human's love. I protect you, satisfy you, worship you" his thumb ran across the sensitive part of her neck making her breathless. "Humans love with disregard. Divorce and adultery and disease in love are so common here because your people have never had the time to really understand the depth of your own love for another. What you feel for me Aria, as much as you will deny it in that broken mind of yours, is love. You feel safe with me, you crave me, you are fulfilled by me. Had I not done the marriage ceremony for necessity then, I'd promise you I'd have done it over the last few years regardless."

She looked so lost it made Loki want to devour her. Her hazel eyes sparkling with emotion, lips parted in hesitation. She physically couldn't deny his words, but she was desperately trying too. He didn't doubt that his mother would almost be proud of his declaration. It was possibly the most raw, honest emotional outburst he ever had towards another. Apart from his hatred for Odin.

When her mind came up blank, Aria just lay her head against his shoulder. He never expected her to say it. It made him smile that even as her mind fought so desperately against him, she was lying on his skin, connected to his emotions. All his.

She fell asleep in that position, Loki entertained enough to listen to her heartbeat and fiddle with her hair, instead of continuing with work.

"Your Majesty" a voice called from behind the cabin door followed by a soft knock.

"Yes?" he called back, Aria twisting slightly in his grip before settling herself more against him, her hand resting on his chest now.

"We will be landing in the next 15 minutes" the crew explained as Loki replied he understood.

Waving his hand, his files righted themselves back into the travel suitcase he had taken them from. He knew that paparazzi would be waiting on the platform, similar to the party he had taken her too, and times he travelled alone. Usually, he hired someone and chose the photos of Aria he wanted released. It was likely they knew she was here and would flock for the sight of their Queen.

"Aria" he pressed his lips to hers to wake her, Aria releasing a sweet moan into his mouth that almost made him lock the doors and let the press wait. Her eyes fluttered open, before closing again to kiss him back. She was delectable.

As the plane landed, Aria glanced out the window before falling back into her chair with a sigh.

"Isn't airport security a thing?" she complained, righting her top but it wouldn't cover the bite. She held her sunglasses in trembling fingers, before slipping them on when Loki spoke.

"Leave it, pet" Loki ordered before holding his hand out for her to obediently take without hesitation, tugging the shirt back to how to was before.

They walked to the doorway to hear loud cheers and applauding.

"Are they all this deluded?" she asked, Loki smiling at her as he accepted the fiery comment.

"Be careful, if they see us too happy, they might get the wrong idea" Loki replied, but the instruction was there. Aria smiled.

He led her down the steps fluidly, shaking hands with someone who waited. The leader of wherever they were. Italy, she noted the flags in the awaiting crowds and the accent of the speakers.

"Welcome, Your Majesties" the President greeted them, introducing him to the line of other officials. Loki and Aria shook their hands, as the press continued to flash photos.

"Your Grace, to your right! Please. Left here!" voices merged together, Aria taking a shaky breath to control her nerves.

"We have four cars waiting, all tinted" she just about heard someone mutter to Loki, as they separated to talk. "All will leave at the same time. The second one has the official colours, but you will be in the third. Each will split part way." The conversation was cut off as someone came to her side to walk with her.

"I'm Luca Jule" he took her palm confidently. "I'm the President's son."

"Lovely to meet you" she nodded. Luca had the classic Italian looks, chiselled jaw and stunning skin tone, his eyes a dark brown with hair to match.

"It is great that you've come. The tourists have flocked for this moment" he grinned, turning to the crowd to wave. Aria did the same lightly, listening to the crowd go insane as she did. She smiled a herself, Luca matching it and lowering his hand to rest on her arm a moment before returning to the wave. Aria waved again before turning to see Loki glance back at her. His expression was unreadable. She tilted her lips at Luca before speeding up to side with Loki again. His hand skimmed the top of her skin as he slipped them through the introductions and flash of the cameras.

They had to walk through the airport to reach the underground carpark, and the place was packed. A thin walkway had been cleared so they could safely get by, but people were reaching over, almost skimming their clothes. Aria latched her hand into Loki's as she felt the rise of panic attack in her throat, forcing herself to smile and be calm. She spends every single day locked inside a few rooms, seeing no one but Loki, Rosie and a couple other staff and guards. To be thrust from that into thousands of screaming hands was overwhelming.

Her fingers slipped in between his more securely as they walked managed to get through, glancing back for any final pictures as they waited for the lift. Aria's was drawn to the single figure not cheering. The face of Steve Rogers was not one she had been expecting, and it took all her energy not to draw any attention. He rose his hand in a single wave, eyes dark and sharpened by the war. He seemed to be mocking her, as if he believed her act, he thought she was here willingly.

Aria wanted to scream it was all a lie. But she saw when he knew, the shift in his eyes. His hand froze and moved to skim the area of his own shoulder where the bite lay on her own.

"I'd wave back before my men reach him" Loki hissed in her ear, her eyes widening. Steve noted, and with a final nod he disappeared into the crowd. Loki tugged her harshly through the lift doors, his grip not even tightening which always worried her more. Calm before the storm.

"Here, Your Majesty" the President indicated to the correct car. "I do hope you will think upon my invite for dinner."

"It all depends on my wife, it is our anniversary trip" Loki spoke smoothly. Depended on if her punishment would restrict them being able to go out or not.

"Of course, Your Grace" he turned to Aria, who's eyes were still a little dazed. "Pleasure meeting you."

"You too, Sir" she returned as Loki did the same.

"Your Grace" Luca bowed a little.

"Luca" she returned. Loki lost all patience then and dragged her to the car. He had her get in first so she was pinned against the other locked door.

Everyone waved as the cars left in formation, press waiting outside the underground doors. They all followed the coloured car, almost ignoring the car they were actually in.

"Loki" Aria tried, but he just ran his hand from her thigh towards her crotch to make her shut-up.

"When we arrive" he ground out. Reigning in his anger was nearly always how he ended up riling himself more at her. Aria didn't say a word. This trip was not at all going how she planned. Loki said, for the both of them, the three words that were supposed to be the most special words ever spoken to her, Steve Rogers was alive and here, and now Loki was radiating his rage.

The journey took about an hour, but the silence dragged it out for months. The press and 'fans' dwindled the further away from the airport they got, and the few determined ones were tricked when the cars split. The fourth one splitting off first, then their third one. The first and second continued to some unknown and fake location.

Aria felt weird being able to see where they were going. She noted rather pathetically she hadn't noted down any of the turns as her training demanded of her. Aria really was broken now.

The sleek, black car drove rolled down the window at the security gate, before driving through towards the house. The gate must have been over a mile away from the actual house, but what she saw was actually rather sweet. A three floored, mini-block mansion. It looked like a slice of a birthday cake, taken from a bigger structure. The car drove over the gravel to the front archway. The driver and two security guards went to get the small amount of luggage not dropped off before they arrived, opening the door for them.

"Thank you" Loki dismissed quickly, as the guards took the bags inside and returned 5 minutes later. They nodded and got back in the car to leave.

"Where are they going?" Aria asked, used to seeing guards dotted around.

"You said just the two of us. No staff, no guards. Obviously, the wall surrounding us and the grounds will be patrolled, but the house itself and a radius around it are completely clear of staff" he explained, before tugging her inside and into the living room.

"Let me explain" she started, find fumbling for anything to calm him down now they were alone.

"Explain what?" Loki shrugged, making her suspicious. "I am curious what you think I am furious about."

"About the panic attack, and about L-" she stopped herself, trying to think of an alternative label than his actual name. Saying his name would likely get him killed and her carved. "About me talking to another man, and not saying anything when I saw… saw an enemy."

"Interesting" Loki took a seat on the sofa as if he had lived here his whole life. "The panic attack, no. I taught you to need me in those moments, Aria. I'd have been more upset if you'd have glided through without a care in the world. I was expecting someone still grasping onto the idea of SHIELD to arrive. The Captain wasn't my guess, I thought Stark." Aria lowered her head to the rug under her feet. "Not indicating he was there was disappointing, but I was aware of his presence, and I have hope the paranoia of it being an illusion or me figuring it out would have cracked you."

"The mating…" she muttered, realising how he acted so furious. He had basically warned her the lengths Frost Giants go to during mating season. She had experience his possessiveness first hand multiple times, but she noted he never actually let her out during mating season.

"Indeed" he clarified, removing his cuff-links carefully. "I said it could start early, and that has evidently happened this year. The bite was supposed to be enough, but he had to touch you. Twice."

"He didn-" Loki used his powers to slam her mouth shut, her teeth rattling together as he did.

"If you refer to him again, I will kill him" Loki seethed, running a hand through his hair and making it as dishevelled as he was starting to feel. "I thought I could control it. But it's strong this year. And it will only get worse as the months go by. Usually I keep you locked away to control it. The rage I'm feeling."

Aria kicked her shoes off, seeing his hands physically shaking. If Loki was losing control, they were in the dangerous place. Putting a palm against his shoulder, his hand instantly locked around her wrist tightly. Aria fought a wince as she straddled his waist. This for once wouldn't be easy on either of them. The only way to stop the mating urges was to give into them.

Leaning down, her teeth sunk into his collar. Loki growled against her skin, skin freezing to the touch, while hers burned. It should have hurt, but he cooled her down and she warmed him up.

"Isn't this how anniversaries are supposed to be anyway?" She managed to joke, and Loki's eyes darkened as a humoured smile broke his lips, before slanting with a menacing tilt. She kissed it away, arching her back as his hands slipped to cool her skin, moving a hand to his cheek and another into his hair.

"This is going to hurt" he promised, hooking her thighs and carrying her upstairs to the bedroom.

Proud of this one, I will admit. Seems the chapters I don't actually plan work out quite well. I wrote this at 1-5am, so good job I'm doing that edit to fix the very likely mistakes that are here.

The holiday was begun, with its obvious promises for the rest of it. Mating season came early, the past is lurking around, and emotions are high.

Review with your predictions on the success rate of Aria getting that power to persuade Loki out of his current leadership decisions.

Or just review! Favourite and follow as well please!

Thanks, Tayz x