Our Fairytale Ch 6

The Loki/Lewis Family Christmas

AN/ I really wanted to get this posted before Christmas, but it didn't work out. So here it is a little late. Enjoy.

Darcy had to laugh at how quickly one little lie gotten out of hand. Even though it wasn't really funny. She was now fake-dating Loki the self-proclaimed master of mischief, and they were on their way to her parents house for Christmas.

They had spent most of the plane ride with Darcy telling Loki all about her family that he would be meeting. He was excited about the intrigue. Darcy shook her head as they put their luggage in the car she had rented.
"Are you crazy?" Darcy asked him. He shrugged.
"Possibly. It has been debated among my family for years," he laughed then, and Darcy rolled her eyes.
"I can help them with that. You are totally freaking nuts my friend," she told him as they got into the car, and he grinned even bigger then.
"Who is more nuts between the two of us darling? After all, you are dating me," he replied. She cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Touché" she replied. "Anyway, how long should I tell them we have been dating?" She pondered aloud, he shrugged.
"What would be a customary length of time here on Midgard before introducing your suitor to your parents?" He asked her, genuinely interested in Midgardian culture.
"It varies. Usually it depends on how serious the couple is. You don't take a guy home to the folks until you two are pretty into each other," she replied, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"You and I are very into each other. We have been for three months now, and each day we spend together only deepens our feelings," he said dramatically. Darcy snickered.
Want some eggs with that ham Shakespeare?" She asked him. He lay a hand over his heart.
"But my darling. I don't know what you mean. I am in earnest. I worship you. You are my muse, my reason for waking up in the morning," he gushed, conjuring a rose from midair and presenting it to her. She giggled.
"Oh you, such a Prince Charming!" she praised him, taking the rose and smelling it. It smelled like cinnamon pop tarts instead of a rose. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"You said you love the smell of those in the morning. No flowers smell like them naturally so I made one," he said with a little shrug. Darcy lay the rose on the dashboard and reached for his hand.
"You really are the sweetest guy I've ever met. No joke," she told him shyly, A slight blush crept up the back of his neck.
"You flatter me Miss Lewis," he replied. She smiled.
"I mean it. You are awesome," she told him, and he took her hand and put it to his lips.
"And you my lovely are perfection," he replied, and her mouth went dry. She covered with a little laugh. Trying not wreck the car. Her stomach leaping and her heart pounding.
"Real smooth your highness," she said, and he nodded.
"It's one of the many gifts I posses that my brother lacks. In Asgard they call me "silver tongued" he told her with a smirk, wriggling his eyebrows. She forced her eyes back to the road.

"Yeah well lets cool it. We have less than fifteen minutes so we gotta focus. We are a couple, been together three months. Not living together, but seriously dating. Stick to the truth, don't offer any information unless they ask, stick together and back each other up as needed.
"Right you are lovely. We can pull this off. By the end of this weekend you sister will be wishing for an Asgardian price of her own," he bragged. Darcy hoped so.
They turned onto the familiar street and Darcy got nervous. Not just about introducing Loki to her parents. She wanted Loki to like them too. She had shown him NYC like it was nothing, but this was home. Where she had grown up. Her parents lived in a very nice neighborhood, and their house was pretty good size. Still Loki had grown up in a castle on another world so it was meager by his standards. They pulled into the drive and she parked behind her aunt's minivan. Her fears were put to rest when he smiled.

"This is a lovely house. I expected it would be," he told her kindly.

"Thanks. We can come back for the bags that have the presents in them in a bit. Lets go in and get the intro over with," Darcy told him, her hands shaking.
"Ok, lights camera action," she said, holding out her hand to him. He smiled and ignoring her hand he tugged her closer to him.
"Action indeed," he teased with a smirk. Her eyes bugged out and she gasped as his lips brushed her temple.
"Behave!" She scolded him teasingly, unwilling to move from his side.
"Mmm make me mortal," he challenged her. He looked so normal in his dark green button down shirt and snug dark blue jeans. No one would ever guess he was the master of magic and mayhem. Shaking her head she turned back to face the front door fighting the butterflies she felt.
"You are so bad!" she whispered. "I'm gonna kick your butt."
"If you can stop staring at it long enough," he teased back. She rolled her eyes, and shook her head as she rung the bell. He squeezed her hand in a gentle reassuring way. In a moment the door swung open and Marcia Lewis stood in front of them. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her daughter.
"Darcy! There's my hot shot New York yuppie!" she squealed and hugged her. Darcy one armed her mom and glanced over at Loki. He smirked. Then Marcia rounded on him.
"And you must be..." She waited for him to introduce himself.
"Prince Loki Odinson of Asgard " he said, nodding to her.
"Prince?" She asked in surprise looking at her daughter for confirmation. Darcy nodded. "You mean you were serious?"
"That's right mom. I caught me a prince," she told her. Marcia looked back at Loki and smiled nervously.
"Oh my, well it's very nice to meet you um, your highness?" She said uncertain of what to call him. He smiled.
"No, none of that. Call me Loki please," he asked politely, snagging her hand and bowing over it as she had seen both brothers do on occasion. It has the tendency to make women swoon, and her mother was no exception She gaped at him like a fish out of water. Finally she found her voice.
"Oh okay then. I'm Marcia, call me Marcy if you like," she told him and he nodded and stood releasing her hand. She she shook off her fluster and smiled warmly."Well, come in, both of you. Everyone else has arrived already."
Darcy nodded and took hold of his hand again. He smiled at her and let her lead him inside. As they entered she sighed as she smelled the cacophony of delicious aromas coming from her mother's kitchen. Tonight would be snacks and carols and tomorrow would be presents and dinner. She sighed. Hopefully all would go well. He just had to meet everyone else.
Just then there was a high pitched squeak and Darcy felt like she was being suffocated. Her sister had a death grip on her. She hugged her back while trying to loosen her grip. The girl had to be part boa constrictor.
"Darce! OMG! It's been too long! Come here!" She squealed tugging on her. "Sister selfies!" she cried pulling out her pink I pod and Darcy pulled out hers too. They both posed and snapped the pictures at the same time. "Sweet! I missed you so much so where's the boyfrien... never mind, I see him. Wow!" She said and Darcy smirked.
"I know! He's the hottest right?" she gushed. Dani nodded.
"Hell to the yeah he is. Does he have a brother?" She asked. He smiled and joined the conversation..
"I do have a brother, unfortunately he's taken," Loki replied and held out his hand to her. "Prince Loki Odinson, at your service. You must be Danielle," he said as she gave him her hand and he bowed over it. Dani let out a small squeak and glanced at her sister in a "Is he for real?" way. Darcy smirked, and Dani blinked up at the tall handsome Asgardian.
"Oh wow. God that voice should be illegal!" She gushed. Darcy laughed.
"I know that's right! He kills me when he calls me at work," she said and he picked up on it right away.
"All I said was I was going to take a shower. Is that a crime?" He asked innocently.
"In your voice yes. Yes it is," she replied. Her sister sighed.
"You are really a prince?" She asked him. He nodded, noting the wistful look in her eye.
"Yes, but I am trying to keep a low profile. Don't want nosy reporters around here ruining the holiday," he told her and her mother who had now joined them.
"Yeah that's why I never post anything about our ship on Facebook," Darcy explained. Well that and their 'ship' was fake. Not to mention the nasty looks she'd get over the water cooler.
"I wondered why you hadn't updated your status. Now I see why. I'd keep him to myself too!" Dani gushed. He smiled and winked at Darcy. She winked back and nodded to the living room.
"Come on babe, gotta meet the others," she said. He nodded and followed her. "So where your boyfriend Dani?" Darcy asked her. Dani shrugged, tagging along behind them.
"Don't know and don't care. I caught him with Tracy and Fritz at the same time. People are so freaking weird! I want someone normal, or at least someone who isn't into other girls, and guys. I'm about to give up and just get a cat," she said shaking her head.
"Oh silly. You'll meet the right guy. You are only twenty three," Darcy reminded her.
"And a half. The clock's ticking. This ass won't last forever," she complained. Darcy giggled at her dramatic performance.
They met the rest of the family. Her aunt and cousins, and last but not least, her father. Darcy was not looking forward to this. When Loki introduced himself her dad began the Di Nero treatment.
"So you're a prince, is that right?" He asked gruffly. Loki nodded, wearing a respectful look.
"Yes sir. I am my father's youngest son, but my brother abdicated the throne in exchange for becoming our realm's protector. So I am the heir apparent to the throne."
"So if you and Darcy stay together and marry someday she would be queen of your country?" he asked him. Loki nodded again, sticking to the truth as he had told Darcy to do. But so far she had remained silent. She looked a tad embarrassed that her father was interrogating him the way he was, but her father was very protective of her. Always had been.
"She would indeed. My father and mother already approve of her. They said she was endearing and our people would love her."
"Oh so she has been to your home?" Daniel asked looking from her to him.
"Yes. She came with my brother on a matter of state, and we were introduced then. I was so enchanted by her I sought her out. I simply had to see her once more. We have been together ever since, Have we not my darling?" he asked rhetorically. Darcy smiled at him and nodded. Her father frowned at their exchange a bit, and crossed his arms
"Do you live together?" he asked, his gray eyes boring into Loki's. Loki shook his head.
"No sir. I am a tad traditional on that note. We only just spent the night together for the first time three nights ago. And even then it was only because the hour had grown late. We fell asleep on Darcy's sofa. She slept in my arms all night, and though I felt guilty for allowing myself to fall asleep there with her, I must admit I could get used to waking up to her lovely face every morning," he said smiling over at her. She smiled back.
" I could get used to that too. I was nice to have someone there to wake up to," she replied, covering his hand with hers. And she had loved it.
"Well it sounds like you two are pretty serious. Any chance of wedding bells in the near future?" He wanted to know, his eyes darting back and forth between the pair of them.
"Dad!" Darcy cried bugging her eyes at him. Loki chuckled and squeezed her hand,
"It's alright darling. You never know what the future holds. I am certainly open to the possibility," he told her. And then glanced at her dad. "I have never felt what I feel for Darcy with anyone else sir. She is my life. My mother said to me that I have been elf-shot. For all I do is wonder in a daze, dreaming of her," he said nodding to Darcy, who blushed. He was a very convincing fibber. Except for the fact that he wasn't fibbing. Frigga had said that very thing to him.
Daniel Lewis seemed to approve. He shook Loki's hand and that was the end of the question-fest. Darcy sighed in relief, and then Loki offered to go get their bags and take them to their room. They would have to share a bed. But at least it was a big bed. Darcy followed him upstairs saying that she needed a nap after that flight. He put their bags down and Darcy fell back onto her bed. In truth she was just mentally drained. He sat at the foot of it and looked at his friend.
"Tired lovely?" He asked her.
"You have no idea. I knew it was gonna be stressful, but daaumn!" She sighed. He chuckled, and slid up to sit next to her.
"It will be fine, don't worry," he told her reassuringly. "It's only a weekend."
"I know," she said rolling to face him. "Can I ask you something?" She asked blinking up at him. He nodded.
"Did you really like waking up with me or were you just playing it up for my parents?" She asked. He rested his head on his hand and smiled.
"Of course I liked it. Any man would like waking up with a beautiful woman on his chest, the scent of wild orchids in her hair, her warmth wrapped around him like a blanket," he told her, trailing his fingers through her hair.. She smiled. Melting in 3...2...1.
Darcy scooted over closer and snuggled against him. He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close, trying to be comforting, but at the same time keeping a safe distance.
"It was new to me as too. I'd never slept with a guy before you," she said and then backtracked. "I mean I never, well I meant actually sleep." She stammered. Loki petted her hair.
"I knew what you meant lovely. I never did that either, before you." he admitted. Darcy sat up a little, her mouth agape.
"Hold the phone. You have been alive forever and I'm the first girl you've spent the night with?" She asked him. He shrugged.
"Women don't generally care for me. Most of them only use me to get to Thor," he said, his voice holding a hint of bitterness.
"Aww babe," Darcy said with a empathetic pout. "Well those girls suck goat balls," she declared, and he snickered. She had such a way with words. "I'm serious. If I saw you and Blondie Bear walking down the street I would totally check you out first. You rock that tall dark handsome thing so hard. And you have the cutest smile too," she told him poking the corner of his mouth. Her words made him flash her a smile.
"You are too kind lovely" he said hugging her closer.
"I'm not just being nice. There aren't many guys that would go through all this for me. I probably could have bribed Steve if I'd baked him a pie or something. But you, all I had to do is ask," her eyes drifted closed, and a quiet sigh escaped her lips.
"That's all you will ever have to do. Just call my name," he began.
"And I'll be there," she sang sleepily. He chuckled.
"That's right lovely. I'll be there," he repeated as she drifted off to sleep. He held her closer and kissed her temple. She sighed and shifted until she was as close as she could get. He lay back against the pillow and breathed out audibly in the quiet of the room. What the hell was he going to do? He allowed his eyes to drift closed, breathing in the scent of Darcy's hair.
After a very refreshing nap they found their way down stairs into the living room. Darcy's mother had outdone herself on the food. Loki was in love with the peanut butter fudge and could not stop eating it he was going to be jazzed on sugar for days. Darcy laughed at his antics as he picked up her little cousins and flew them around the living room. All three little girls were very taken with him and hardly left his side all evening. They all took turns singing their favorite Christmas carols, and Loki surprised them all by knowing the words to Good King Wenceslas. The best part of the evening was when Darcy's mother pointed out that they were standing directly underneath the mistletoe. Darcy look nervously at Loki.
"Ummmm, so yeah, you know there's this tradition that we have about mistletoe and Christmas…" she hedged biting her lower lip.
"Yes darling I know of this tradition it actually originated from my realm,"he told her, sliding his arms around her waist and bringing her closer to him. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Wow um, you don't say. I never knew that," she was nervous now. More than nervous really. Would he really kiss her in front of her entire family?
"Yes, a great king of our land had a son who he loved very very much. The boy was considered to be the kindest and most gentle spirit that ever lived. And once while he was out hunting in the forest a wolf came upon him and tore him to pieces. And the spot where he was killed was the very spot where the first mistletoe plant grew as far as anyone knows. The great king took this as a sign and gave this plant a special meaning to our people. Should two enemies walk beneath this plant if it is hung above the doorway they're to lay down their arms and forget their quarrel. And if two lovers pass underneath it they are to share a kiss in honor of the love that all felt for the fallen prince," he told her, looking into her eyes. She smiled.
"Well, I'm all about tradition Your Highness. Shall we honor this fallen prince?," she asked lightly, and he nodded.
"Indeed. For Baldar then," he breathed, and she moved closer.
"For Baldar" she said softly and pressed her lips to his.
Time stood still. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss only slightly. It was gentle, but full of more passion than Darcy had ever felt in her life. She felt warm all the way to her toes, and every nerve ending in her body was singing.

Loki's entire body stiffened as a soft quiet whimper escaped Darcy. He had to break this now before it went to far. Especially in front of her family. Reluctantly he ended the kiss and moved back only slightly, still holding on to her. In all honesty he needed her to steady him. His knees trembled, and threatened to buckle beneath him. Never in all his years had a kiss shaken him to the core like that! And one small sound of pleasure from her lips had almost been his undoing!

Darcy opened her eyes and gazed up at him. Slowly coming out of the daze, she blinked a couple of times in shock. Loki gazed at her, all dreamy-eyed and dewy-lipped, and a mischievous grin graced his face. He had placed her in a state similar to his own, and he needed to plunge himself into a icy poor on Jotenhiem just to quell the fire burning inside him. She smiled, nibbling her lip. Her glasses were hopelessly fogged.
"You look like you enjoyed that Miss Lewis," he said puckishly attempting to make a joke. She arched an eyebrow.
"Back at ya, your highness," she teased, mentally shaking herself. If she were any hotter she would have melted faster than Frosty in the greenhouse.
"Is it hot in here or what?" Dani called, fanning herself. Everyone laughed except Darcy's dad. He grumbled something about a some industrial property upstate. Loki had to chuckle at that. The mortal man had balls, that was certain.
When the long night was almost over, Darcy's cousins were tugging at Loki's hands trying to get him to read them a story before bed. He would have said no, but the three little brunette angels just melted his Jotun heart.
"Alright, one story and you will go to sleep at once for your mother. I understand that Santa Claus will be arriving soon," he told them, and their eyes lit up.
"You believe in Santa mister Loki?" Annie asked him. She was seven and was struggling to keep believing since so many of her classmates didn't.
"Of course I do. He visits my land too. Without fail every year. Shall I tell you a story of him from my realm?" He asked, and the girls nodded eagerly. So he spun them a tail of Asgard's version of 'Santa' the girls sat there transfixed. To be honest the adults did as well. Must have been his voice. Darcy sat there the while time, her mind wondering if Loki would do this with his own kids. He was very good with them. A natural at it so it would seem.
When the story was over all three girls hugged him goodnight. Darcy suspected her aunt wanted to as well, but she didn't.
After the kids were are tucked away in bed. The presents were placed under the tree. The ones from Santa left unwrapped. Loki liked the children and as he and Darcy exited the room he waved his hand and three more presents appeared under the tree.
Darcy sighed and sat down on the bed, unsure of what to say to Loki. He had kissed her into the next century. What do you say to someone after that? Nice one, thanks for the girl-boner? Loki sat down next to her. He looked unsure as well.
"So how do you think the evening went lovely?" He asked her. She smirked.
"Fantastic. I think that they all like you better than they like me. Except for daddy. I think he wants to go Law Abiding Citizen on you. But hey, what father wouldn't be a little intimidated by the likes of you?" She said.
"Yes, I am rather impressive aren't I ?" He said looking very smug. She swatted at his chest.
"Don't be getting the bighead there Your Highness. We still have tomorrow to go. Lots of things can go wrong between now and then," she warned. He smiled.
"Nothing will go wrong lovely. Your family believes that we are made for each other," he said wrapping his arm around her.
"Yeah. So far so good," And she drifted closer to him without thinking. But when her eyes fell on him, and his on her, she straightened a little, and sighed again.

"We better get to bed. The princess squad like to get up and tackle presents early," she told him standing up quickly. "I'll let you get ready for bed first if you want.," she told him pointing to the bathroom. He nodded, and stood up.

"As you wish. I won't be long," he said and he walked to the bathroom, and closed the door. Darcy grabbed a pillow and fell back on the bed screaming into it. What in the world was she gonna do?

Loki briskly showered and dressed in a pair of pajama bottoms. He was unused to sleeping in anything, so he forwent the top, and exited the bathroom. He felt Darcy's eyes on him. Perhaps the top would have been a good idea after all. She stood up and headed for the bathroom with her overnight bag in hand.

Se showered and searched frantically for a modest pair of pajamas. But the problem with Darcy was she got hot easy, so she usually slept in thin shorts, and tank tops. And so that was what she packed. Along with the night gown she had bought, but if she wore that it would look like she was trying to impress Loki, so she would have to go with one of her other sets. She went with the purple shorts with blue and silver stars on them and a purple tank top. Sighing she left the bathroom and switched of the light. Loki watched her as she crossed the room. He was already in bed, on the same side her had sat on before. He smiled up at her, and she smiled back.

"Um do you need anything before I turn in?" she asked him, and he shook his head.

"I am fine. Come to bed. You need your rest. You are not as used to deception as I am," he teased lightly, turning down her side of the blanket for her. She quickly crawled in and got comfortable. He noted her unease, and started to get up.

"Where are you going?" she asked him, He looked back at her.

"I am not sure this is a good idea lovely. I think perhaps I should sleep elsewhere," he said turning to head for the door.

"No! It's fine really. Stay please. I want you to stay. I mean come on, we are adults right? We can managed to stay in one room and share one bed without misbehaving. Right?" she asked lightly. He smirked.

"Can we?" he asked, and walked slowly back to the bed.

"Totally!" Darcy nodded. "I mean we are friends right? We can sleep next to each other. We did it before. Please don't leave," she finished lamely. In truth she did not want him leaing her alone. She was used to him now and him not being there would just be wrong.

Sighing he walked back to the bed. He looked down and her, his lean muscles, planed and shadowed by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Turning back the blanket again he climbed back into bed.

"As you wish," he repeated as before, and Darcy sighed. Way to rev the hormones there Wesley! She thought as she snuggled down into her pillows. He was legit trying to kill her!

"See? We're all good," she said out loud. He smiled, and nodded.

"Yes, I see that. Goodnight lovely, pleasant dreams," he said, turning on his side away from her. Better that he not see her lovely form only a foot away from him.

"Yeah, you too," she said as a clock downstairs struck the hour. It was midnight. "Merry Christmas Loki." she said, turning the opposite way, not looking at him. He smiled.

"Merry Christmas Darcy."
The next morning when they woke they both found that no mater how they fell asleep when they woke up they were wrapped in each others arms as they had been on the sofa that morning. Except this time they were completely horizontal. Darcy's cheek lay on his bare chest, and her hand rested on his abs. One of his hands rested on hers, and the other had snaked its way beneath the thin silk strap of her tank top. After they had sleepily detangled themselves from each other and muttered apologies Darcy ran off to the bathroom and dressed quickly. The feel of him, his scent in her nostrils, Gahh! It was driving her crazy. They were friends. Right? Just friends! Granted friends that were very attracted to each other but still.

After they were both dressed they mad their way downstairs. The squeals of delight could be heard all over the house. Loki smiled. The girls had found their presents. He knew why they were happy.
"She looks just like me!" Annie cried.
"Mine looks like me too Misty exclaimed, and last but not least little Zoe hugged the doll to her like it was made of gold.
"My dolly, she's mine, see? She's princess me!" She held it up for everyone to see. All of the dolls were perfect porcelain replicas of the child she belonged to. Each wore a princess gown. As they walked in they saw the girls' mother was sitting there looking puzzled. She knew she hadn't bought the dolls. Loki smiled at her and winked. Then went to sit on the sofa. She understood and smiled back at him. Then everyone began opening presents. When the girls got to their presents Loki leaned and said to them.
"That Santa has been spying on us while we were shopping," he told them. When they opened their boxes they found the princess dresses that matched the dolls' dresses perfectly. Each one a different color. Annie's was purple, Misty's was blue, and Zoe's was pink.
"Thank you Loki! And thank you too Darcy!" The girls cried and ran to hug them. Then Darcy pointed out the night gowns that went with them. And they squealed again. She caught Loki's eye and he winked at her. She grinned.
They had brought a soft plush robe for her dad, and the gown and peignoir set for her mom, which she held up in front of herself and made eyes at her husband. Darcy gagged playfully, making them all snicker. For her aunt they had found a very pretty bracelet on one of their excursions. And for her sister, a beautiful silver comb, brush and mirror set. She loved it.

Loki got a green cashmere scarf from her parents, and a sweater from her aunt. Darcy's sister got him an App Store card to go with the iPod Darcy had got for him. Then she opened the mirror, and the necklace. He smiled.
"I will explain what they do when we are alone," he said under his breath. She nodded and looked at them with anticipation, wondering what he had done to them.
Then she opened the present from his mother. A small silver circlet inlaid with small silver flowers like the one Loki had given her. It was fit for a princess. She gasped And looked at Loki in surprise. He smiled.
"I told you my mother likes you. She is probably already planning the wedding," he teased, and took the small tiara from her. "May I?" He asked. She nodded and he placed it on her head. She looked breathtaking in it. He held the mirror so she could see herself.
"Wow! It's so beautiful! Please thank you mom for me! Will you put the necklace on for me too?" She asked him. He smiled.
"With pleasure," he replied, and stepped behind her to slip the necklace around her neck. He lifted her hair away so he could clasp it. She shivered a little as his fingers brushed her neck.
"Cold lovely?" He asked her. She shook her head.
"Kinda warm actually," she said quietly, and he chuckled.
"You are a vision darling," he said looking in the mirror with her. She smiled and leaned back against him.
"So are you," she said without thinking. He smiled, and kissed her temple.
Everyone liked their presents, and then it was time to feast. Loki praised the meal, and said they would have to bring Volstagg for dinner some time. The man was a food aficionado after all. It befitted Asgard. Mrs Lewis was an excellent cook.

After the kids were playing, and her father was napping, Loki and Darcy snuck outside to watch the snowfall. It was beautiful.

"So are you gonna tell me what this does?" She asked. He smiled, and lifted the necklace that she wore.

"This has a summoning crystal set in it. It's the only one of its kind. If you ever have need of me and I am not there, all you need do is grasp this and speak my name. I will be compelled to appear before you," he told her. "And the chain belonged to my mother, as did the tiara when she was still princess of the realm. She wished for you to have them. He said and Darcy was speechless.

"That's amazing! And so nice I just don't know what to say. I didn't get anything for them. What do you buy a queen and king?"

"Nothing. My mother wished to honor you. She she is very fond of you."

"I like her too. She is awesome. Everything you'd expect a queen to be and then some," Darcy praised. Loki grinned. "So what does the mirror do?" She wanted to know.

"It's like your fairy tale mirror. It will talk to you, tell you you're pretty, when I am not around to do so." He replied flirtatiously. She blushed.

"Loki," she said shyly. "These are very sweet. I love them. I hope you liked yours. I put all kinds of awesome songs and apps on it for you. And I got Tony to give you one of his prototype arc chargers. He gave me one too so the next time I'm off world I don't have to worry about my battery going dead. It's cool. I'll show you how to use it on the way home." she said, kinda feeling that her gift wasn't as good as his. He smiled.

"Yes, that would be nice. I like it very much. In fact if you will show me how you do it I would like to take a photograph of us to take with me," he told her. She smiled. He wanted a pic of her and him together! Squee!

"Sure. It's easy. You'll be a pro in no time," she instructed him in the fine art of the selfie, and then showed him how to take a pic of them both.

"And now I must have one of you alone," he said backing away a bit. "Smile for me lovely," he requested, aiming the camera at her. The smiled drifted slowly across her face. He took a picture of her smiling then a couple of her making faces at him. He grinned as he looked through them. "Beautiful," he remarked, tucking it into his pocket.

"When do you have to go back up there?" She asked him, her voice a little bit sad. He sighed.

"I shall have to be off tomorrow. I'm afraid if I put it off too much longer the two kingdoms of Alfheim will go to war," he replied, holding out his hand and causing the snowflakes to swirl in a circle. She watched him, shaking her head.

"Well I hope you had fun this week. I did," she told him. He nodded.

"The most fun I have had in while. If ever," he said sweeping the snowflakes over her. She squeaked from the cold rush of air

"Hey! Not cool! No fair using ice powers Elsa!" She said shivering. He laughed, and moved closer to her.

"I could warm you if you like," he took her hand and tugged her toward him. The air between them was warm as a tropical sunrise. She hugged him tight soaking up the warmth of his body. They stayed like that for a bit as the white flakes fell and swirled around them like a snow globe.

The plane ride back to New York was quiet. After she showed him the ins and outs of iPod use she slept a little, and Loki listened to some of his songs. He found he liked most of them, and committed a few to memory.

Darcy had hugged her family goodbye, and each of them except her father told her to marry him. She had felt a little guilty about lying to them, but the look of envy on her sister's face was reason enough to make the guilt fade. Loki had been right. Her sister now wanted an Asgardian prince if her own. Mission accomplished.

Loki closed his eyes and relaxed as he listened to the music. He found his mind drifting to the scenes of the past week. Walking in the park, hugging Darcy close as she slept, kissing her sweet dewy lips under the mistletoe, dear heaven what we be doing! He could not be thinking this way. She was mortal, and in a few short years her life would be gone. He would lose her, just as Thor would lose Jane. In a mere heartbeat of his lifetime this radiant creature would die before him and he would be left to face all the long lonely years of his life alone.

He thought of he movie they had watched. How the long lived Elfin maiden had fallen in love with a human. How her father had foreseen his death and her loneliness. How could one bear that? He was not sure that he could. But one thing was certain. As long as she lived, he would protect her, and care for her. He would be her dearest friend, and his heart would belong to her should she ever choose to want it for her own.