Chapter 24

I woke up a few hours later and realized it was time for dinner. Good. I was starving. It had been an... active afternoon. I looked up and realized Loki was still asleep. I just gazed at him, feeling my heart expand as I fell even more in love with him. He looked so peaceful when he slept.

"If you keep staring at me my love, I will have to have you for dinner instead."

I laughed. "Fair enough. But I want food. I need to keep up my strength so I can go all night, remember?"

He laughed and we both got up and got dressed. As we walked into the dining room, everyone stopped and looked at us grinning. 

"Well. No need to ask how your afternoon went. We could hear how good it was." Nat was laughing at me.

I hadn't thought about how loud I was, but I wasn't embarrassed. I was proud and happy about my relationship with Loki. I winked at Nat.

"Not as loud as it could be, but it was a good start. As they say, practice makes perfect. And I guess we just need more practice."

Thor choked on his drink and roared. Loki looked quite put out at my assessment. I took pity on him and whispered in his ear.

"It was amazing Kokoro no Yokubo, and I want very much to practice with you as often as I can. You promised me every surface, remember?"

"That I did darling. And once night falls, we shall begin... practicing."

I grinned. "I look forward to it."

I turned back to the table and saw everyone was watching in delight. This was a different, happy Loki and they were enjoying watching the change. I grabbed his hand and gave it a loving squeeze. I headed to the table and sat in the empty chair next to Bucky. Loki sat on my other side. 

"So, what is for dinner? I'm starving."

Bucky gave me a smile. "I'm not surprised after your active afternoon. I heard pizza is a favorite of yours so that's what we ordered."

I bounced in my chair. "Pizza? Really? Thank you, thank you!" I gave Bucky a big hug. It felt strange for a moment as he held me with the metal arm, but it still felt like Bucky. I knew Wanda was right. Bucky held a special place in my heart, even though we didn't have much interaction yet. He was a bit of a loner, like me. Reserved. But once he trusts, it was iron-clad. Like Loki, he just fit as someone special.

I felt Loki's eyes on me, burning a hole in my back as a matter of fact. I sat back and patted his arm. I didn't bother to pitch my voice this time.

"Now now Kokoro no Yokubo, no need to get jealous. Remember two things. One, you are my soulmate and I love you more than life. Two, as Wanda said, the others that love me, while they are not my soulmates, will hold a special place in my heart. So, you will need to accept that Bucky and Steve will always be special to me. But it is you that holds my heart in the palm of your hand. And only you have the power to love me or destroy me. You are the one that is in my heart and soul to the very core of me. Never has anyone gotten so close to who I am. I love you Kokoro no Yokubo. Till my death and beyond."

There was silence around the table at my statement. Everyone was watching us now. Loki looked at me with tears in his eyes. Gently he took my hand in his.

"Never has anyone trusted me with something so precious. Never have I felt so humbled as I do in this moment. I will guard your heart until I am dust. And I will protect that which you have so fully given me, your love, your trust, and your heart. You are more than my soulmate. You are my better half, the light that keeps me from my darkness. You give me hope and I swear I will never give you a reason to doubt me. Never will I betray you. Never will I leave you."

He raised my hand to his lips. "But remember my love, you also hold my heart and have the same power to destroy me."

I smiled. "And I too will guard it carefully. Never to leave you. Never to betray you." I leaned forward and kissed him.

A wave of power swept through the room as our lips touched. Startled, I looked at everyone. Everyone looked as startled as I did. Well, all except Wanda. I looked at her with questions in my eyes.

She nodded. "I told you their bond would be the most powerful we have ever seen. They have given vows to each other. Neither are of this world and Loki holds magic. His magic has sealed their bond and created a change. I am not sure how that change will affect them. But I am sure it's going to be interesting."

I looked at Loki, concerned. Changes? I hope any changes to him were good ones. I didn't want to cause him any harm. 

Loki looked contemplative for a moment but then looked at me with love in his eyes.

"I will gladly accept any changes that come to me from being with you. I would have you no matter what it costs."

I heard Nat sigh. I looked over and she looked so happy. "You deserve this girl. Not to mention you two are the cutest and sappiest couple I have ever seen. But I think we have had enough sugar for tonight, can we have pizza now?" I laughed and we all reached for food. As usual, Thor ended up eating an amazing amount of pizza. I saw what Steve meant about it being a good thing that Tony was rich. But sadly, the night didn't exactly hold all happy notes.