On the thirteenth day of Christmas...we have Loki getting into the holidays with sweets....reindeer cupcakes(that are behind Loki on the countertop) , cinnamon and whipped cheesecake filling loaf, Christmas cookies, semi-sweet apple an cinnamon cake. Last but not least was..a big gingerbread house we see Loki working on a this very moment. An Thor isn't concerned. Nope.(He definitely is) yes Thor was the one who gave this bean hot chocolate with cinnamon on top by the way. Oh but where are all the cookware that Loki used? the bowls an such he had to use for all the bake goods he had made. Well you can't see it but it's all on the floor because Loki needed more room when he was assembling the gingerbread house.
i'm not gonna lie. this Loki i did was a sort of holiday gift to @lokidips simply because i absolutely love how they draw little Loki in their style. do i personally know Van? no. i just love their little loki plus the fanfics on ao3.
Summary: You walk into your festively decorated room on Christmas Eve to find the literal God of Mischief bound and gagged and kneeling under your Christmas tree. What's a Midgardian whore to do???
Contains: Trash, crack, breaking the fourth wall. Dub con if you squint. Flirtatious Loki. Plot what plot.
Words: 690
A/N: Inspired by this gorgeous Ask from @kaycrowley. Image credit to @kaycrowley.
A/N: I realise it’s December 28th but fellow Twixmas devotees please join me in our annual festivities. 🎁
***
It was the creaking of leather.
And the muffled moaning.
That alerted you all was not well this Christmas Eve.
You walked to the Christmas Room, your morning coffee in hand, and switched on the light.
Underneath the tree, wrapped in a red bow, was Asgard’s God of Mischief. Hands cuffed. Mouth taped. Leathers stretched taught over the knees on which he kneeled.
His eyes were wide. Brows furrowed. He continued to mumble, words incoherent beneath the silver duct tape. You placed your coffee on the end table with a thud and walked to him, fingers hovering over the corner of the tape.
“You want me to remove this?”
He nodded.
“Okay. Brace yourself.” In one swift tear, your ripped the tape from his mouth.
He gasped. “Thank you.” His shoulders heaved with the exertion of heavy breaths. “I was trying to say, umm….. don’t be alarmed.”
“Well the horse has well and truly bolted on that one, but it was a nice thought.”
“I hardly wanted you to die of fright. I know how sensitive of a disposition you mortals possess.”
“Charming. And a bold move, for a man that’s handcuffed under my tree. How did you get here anyway?”
“The Bifrost. A little prank courtesy of my brother and Heimdall.”
“How long have you been here?”
“I arrived during nightfall.”
“You’re telling me, I was sleeping peacefully in my bed and you were here the whole time.”
“Well in my defense I did try to tell you.” He shrugged a shoulder in the direction of his mouth, hands still cuffed together, arms pinned to his sides by wide red ribbon.
“Are you comfortable.” You frowned in concern.
“Oh believe me mortal, I have spent a considerable amount of time on my knees prior to our encounter.”
“You know what, I believe that. The leather is giving kinky as fuck. Seriously though. Are you comfortable?”
He wriggled. “As comfortable as I can be. I…..” he strained his neck to look down at his arms, “I think you’re supposed to open me.”
“Excuse me.”
“Unwrap me, as it were. I am your gift.”
“I mean honestly I feel like I should be asking more questions but I’m gonna just accept this as a gift from the universe.”
Thankful the scissors were mercifully where you left them after wrapping presents last night, you slid the metal plates in between red ribbon and black leather, snipping your gift loose. The material pooled around him as he rolled his shoulders back, finally free.
“That feels so much better. Thank you.”
“Should I get you out of these?” You gestured towards his bound wrists, stepping forward. He smelled like the outdoors. Frost, mixed with pine. As though he had been outside in a forest during snowfall.
Maybe he had.
He cocked a brow. “Well you don’t have to unbind my wrists. It isn’t mandatory.”
“Lemme guess, you’ve spent a fair bit of time in handcuffs in the past.”
“You know me so well, pet.” He tilted his chin up and pulled his lips up into a self-satisfied grin.
“Where’s the key, anyway?”
He coughed, then opened his mouth wide, an antique gold key lying flat on a wet tongue. You picked the key from his tongue with your index finger and thumb, grimacing with the same disgust as picking up a half-eaten dead vole chewed up by your cat. “Gross.”
“Oh that’s nothing, you should have heard the orifice I suggested to Heimdall.”
“Lovely.” You opened the handcuffs, freeing him. He remained kneeling.
Like a good boy.
“So. What am I meant to do with you, then?”
“Well that’s entirely up to you. I am your gift, after all.”
“The consent in all this is a little dubious, not gonna lie.” You felt as if you were in your very own televised sitcom, half-tempted to look towards the camera to your right and break the fourth wall.
“Not at all. This is also my wish.”
“Huh?”
“Oh yes. I wished to spend 24 hours with a Midgardian. Apparently my brother and Heimdall saw fit to pair me with a particularly enthusiastic one.”
“Oh there’s plenty like me, believe me. I can round them up with one post. Don’t tempt me, I’ll tag ‘em all.”
“I’m rather content with you, as it happens.”
“Alright. So. It’s up to me then?”
“It is, my dear. So tell me,” he pressed a hand to the floor in between his splayed thighs and leaned forward as he whispered, “what do you wish to do with me?”
***
A/N: What would you do? The best comments will be turned into scenarios, and I'll make this a choose your own adventure, e.g.
Summary: You decided to do something nice for Loki during Christmas Time and takes a turn that you didn’t expect.
Pairing: Avenger Loki x female reader
Word count: 1764
Warning: None, just fluffy fluff
A/N: It’s not like a have 30 WIP opened but I couldn’t stop myself for writing this one. I hope you enjoy this small Christmas fanfic with Loki.
Dividers @silkholland ❤️
It's Christmas time. Everybody in the compound knows that it means decorations, lights, and trees. You loved the faerie of Christmas more than the actual celebration. You could spend hours looking at the lights and choosing the perfect ornaments. This is why you were in charge of putting the compound under a beautiful scenery. Of course, everybody was here to help you put the thing in place, but you were the one creating it.
This year, you opted for something different. You decided to go big on trees. You wanted each Avenger to find a piece of themself in them. So asked Tony to buy four. There will be two in the entrance, and two in the leaving room. However, to put your plan in place, you needed help. The trees were too tall for you to do everything by yourself.
You went to the only person that didn't go on the mission.
"Hi Bruce, I need your help. Well, more a Hulk help."
"Sure, what do you need?"
"I need him to help me put the decorations at the top of the trees."
"Oh, you know that he is not the delicate type."
"Well, if he doesn't try, I will not give him his surprise, so it's his choice."
You smiled. You knew that The Hulk was always feeling like people didn't care about him. It was a strange thing when you knew that he was another side of Bruce. You always tried to have something for him to, and this year was no exception.
"Hulk, careful. You can't drop this one. It's the most important one."
He looked at you and tried his best. He was really slow and steady. You looked at him with loving eyes, just for trying his best. He put the ornament carefully on top of the tree with no damage. You smile at the result. You hoped that he would like it. Not the Hulk, even if it was also for him but Loki. You had a big crush on him since he first smiled at you three years ago. You knew that he was a murder but he only showed you how sweet and charming he could be. You tried the hardest not to show how much he affected you. That didn't mean that Nat or Steve didn't see your puppy eyes every time that he walked in a room.
The mission went well. There were a few bruises, but it wasn't that bad. The morals were still on top. You were happy to see everybody coming back in one piece, hugging all of them. After every mission, it was hugging time for the ones who wanted it. It could be small hugs or longest depending and what each Avenger needed. You prepared a big meal for the team as usual after a mission, just in case they needed a boost for the moral. As always, they were impressed. You were the only one with Sam to know how to cook, which was a big change from all the takeaway that they had before you arrived three years ago. Some of them tried to cook with more or less success.
One by one, their eyes popped when they saw the tree in leaving room. It was a beautiful green and golden tree. It represented The Hulk but also Loki. Bruce teased you about it. You found an excuse on why their tree should be here instead of another one. After all, Loki was still considered dangerous after all his help, so he couldn't really be in the lobby, could he?
When the God arrived, your heart stopped. You were hopping he liked it. You were so anxious that Bruce had to put his hand on your forearm. You looked at him, and he nodded at you, smiling. Loki stepped closer to the tree. He looked at it like it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen before, which was not far from the truth. He could see the ornaments that represented him and others for The Hulk. There were small details that only you could have put. His eyes were glossy. He looked a bit more at it to remove the tears ready to drop.
When he finally turned, he looked at you, smiling.
"It's really beautiful, Darling. Thank you for this gift."
"Of course Loki, it was really a pleasure "
Bruce felt you relaxed next to him. He kept smiling, looking at the interaction. He wondered if Loki would ever understand that you liked him. There was actually a bet on how long the dance would continue.
It was finally Christmas day. You were now all in the common room to give each other gifts. It wasn't always easy to find a gift for everybody, but you thought that you did a pretty good job and the other did too. The gifts were thoughtful and beautiful. You were thinking that it was the best year yet. Everybody was talking, giving each others hugs. You still have one gift to open.
It was Loki's gift. You knew it was his by the wrapping paper. It was elegant, green and impeccably down. You suspected that he had a tendency to need everything well done as the stature of his title. You looked at him and saw that he was looking back at you. You smiled before reaping the most delicately possible the paper. When you finally open it, your eyes got filled with tears. You couldn't believe what he offered you. It was the most beautiful book of his Asgardian collection. Not only did you like the presentation but the story itself. You were always going for it in his library without realising it. You never imagined that he could give an Asgardian book to anyone. You put it against your chest.
You wanted to go thank him but you saw that he was now opening yours. You tried your best to give him something new, but you were afraid that it wasn't enough. When you saw his eyes, he seemed really moved. You smiled at him before going to thank him for the precious gift, hugging him tightly. You then moved to thank the others before going for breakfast.
Four hours later and you were all watching a Christmas movie. You were all really invested, but something didn't quite feel right for you. It seemed like Loki was sad , and you didn't understand why. Everybody gave him a gift and they were all really nice. It was probably the warmest Christmas that he ever had, so you were really confused by his demeanour.
You went to take more popcorn and candy. You looked at the book on top of your pile of presents. You went to take it into your hands, cherishing it like the most precious thing that you had. You caressed the cover before opening it, wanting to see the beautiful pictures again and the golden letters. You saw a piece of paper between two pages. You thought that it was Loki's personal thoughts but still decided to read it. You wondered what he could think when he was alone.
"My sweet Darling,
I am giving you this book in hope that you can cherish it as much in ten years as you do now. I know that you do not read Asgardian, but I am hoping that you will let me read it to you every time that you want to hear this story.
I should have confessed my feelings another way, but the silent rejection will be easier than hearing you say that you do not feel the same way.
If you do not come to me now, that means that I am not the one that you inspire to be with, and it will be alright.
Do not fear, I will always be there for you. Whatever your response is.
Yours, Always,
Loki"
One week earlier.
"You are really a Dumb dumb for a god."
Loki looked at Nat like if he was about to kill her.
"Yes, you are a dummy if you still don't think that she loves you. She built you a full Christmas tree."
"She did it for everybody."
"And yet yours is in the common room."
"Because I can't be on the lobby."
"Because she wanted you to see how much she loves you."
Tony entered the kitchen.
"Are we talking about Y/N's tree for Reindeer?"
Nat nodded, still looking at you with Steve and Bucky in the leaving room, just in front of the green and gold tree. You looked so beautiful laughing with them.
"So when are you going to tell her that you love her?"
"She doesn't love me. She loves Steve or one of them."
You have been really close of Steve since you arrived. With Bucky and Sam, they were like the three best friends that you ever had. They were really protective of you. They didn’t want to see you heart in any way. You were always laughing with them, but you never thought of them in a romantic way.
After a longer discussion on who your friends were and who you loved, Loki decided that maybe he should try something. It was true that you put a lot of attention in his tree even if he felt like it was the same for everybody else. Maybe you actually liked him. You were spending a lot of time with him outside of the one that you were obligated to. Maybe, just maybe there was a little hope.
You didn't take time to check on the pop corn. It didn't matter. You went to Loki, who was on one of the couch. You made a sign for him to move a bit to give you space. You looked at him. He didn't understand what was happening. You whisper into his ear.
"I want you to read it to me every day."
Loki looked at you, and you nodded. He looked at your lips before kissing you. You deepen the kiss, moaning. He caressed your face.
"I didn't thought you wanted me."
"I am sorry, I didn't read it before."
"Better now than ever."
He brought you closer to him while you snuggled against his chest. Thor was looking at the two of you. He wanted to say something but decided to wait until the end of the movie. You needed a moment just between you after finally three years of pinning for each other and the Avengers going crazy on the bet.
Can i request a headcanon for first christmas with loki?
Titled: What do you mean I’m a Christmas Tree? • First Christmas with Loki headcanon
Hello Anon! Sure you can!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
-
Wordcount: drabble?
Warnings: pure fluff town
-
• starts at the begining of holiday season Loki grumbling about halloween not getting enough attention. also he does miss your outfit i mean you wore his horns and dressed as him so i—
• he’s a lil grumpy about going around shopping for gifts so you tease him about being a grinch to which he responds ‘i’ve never watched it’ and you decide to cut short the shopping trip and you take him back home.
• while watching the movie he thinks this is a tradition he can get by, with you sprawled across his chest, your chuckles echoing through him.
• he does like the holiday movies as you make your way through the titles, you find yourself adoring him watch the movies, his expressions make you laugh when he scrunches his nose.
• ‘oh i did that once to thor’
‘you made him eat slugs?’
You gag as Ron Weasley pours the slugs into the bucket.
‘yes it was quite funny.’
‘what did thor do?’
‘he tried putting them in my bath water’
‘What did you do?’
‘Well i simply told mother thor wanted to bathe first and he didn’t know I didn’t use the bath.’ Loki laughs recalling his brother’s face.
• you constantly worry about what to even get a literal God?
• he keeps saying you are enough of a gift
• honestly part of him wonders if he was on the nice list somehow with you tucked into his side, it was tony’s ugly christmas sweater party and you both wore matching ones to it and Loki’s never felt more at peace in a crowded room with your hand in his.
• you scroll on your phone for red lingerie, could that be a gift? No? Okay. you buy it anyway
• loki wonders what to gift to you as well, you’ve never really asked for anything other than him being yours.
• he decides to gift you a notebook of love letters
• the next shopping trip he scurries away to all the stationery stores, when a notebook with a metallic blue embossed snowflake on the cover catches his eye he knows he’s found what he wants to write in
• when he returns grinning like a lil cutie you chuckle his hair becoming christmas tree like, you touch it
‘i think we should buy small ornaments for you’
‘What?’ He looks at you raised eyebrow
‘well you’re tall, you wear green, hairs like a christmas tree… you are one’ you trail off giggling
‘what do you mean I’m a christmas tree, Y/N GET BACK HERE!’
You’re being chased by the god through the store, you both knock into some piles of decorations and are kicked out, though you both are giggling like little kids causing chaos and he knows he’s in love with the right person.
• when it is christmas even you both decide to walk around the local park enjoying the lights and the weather, the little kids playing make your heard swell.
‘you think we could have that?’ Loki wonders
‘a family at christmas?’ You ask
he nods, looking at you
‘i mean the kids and i would already have a tree to decorate…’ you stifle a laugh and he tackles you into the snow tickling you
• when the gifts are exchanged you both laugh and the handwritten letters you both decided to write for each other, you even bought him a scarf a sweet lady knitted, in the colours his mother preferred to wear.
• he bought you a first edition of one of your favourite books you always wanted a first edition of something and now you do.
• you make him wear a headband with a light up star, so he puts a bow on you and you both take a picture which finds itself on the mantle of the home.
• he teaches you how to say merry christmas in the languages he knows, and you both attempt to sing various carols in different accents.
• loki wondered why he had never celebrated christmas but now he knows the fates were waiting to have his first celebrated with you
• also he kisses you under every mistletoe (he’s hung several through the house and grabs you every chance he gets)
Hello everyone! Christmas is around the corners, and @mooncat163 and I have a very special holiday treat for you all - a new rated-PG (that’s right! I managed to write something non-explicit!) RP fic we’ve titled..
A Maserati and some Mistletoe
Summary:
Secret Santa...Loki wasn’t sure what all the tradition detailed, but he had no interest in it. However, one of the newest team members was determined that everyone would have a good time, including him.
Tori, with her bright hair and even brighter eyes, managed to gain his acquiescence, and now he has found himself obligated to purchase a gift for a Midgardian, of all people.
Here’s a bit of an excerpt for you:
“Where did it go?” Tori murmured to herself as she scoured through the junk drawers in the kitchen, in search of a marker that she’d seen earlier. “Never there when you want it.”
After a few more minutes, she found it and returned to her seat at the table, where she busied herself with writing on small slips of paper, which she then folded and put into a festive bowl. She diligently checked the names off a list so that no one would be left out of the Secret Santa drawing.
“Okay, here we go,” she announced as she joined the others in the sitting room.
All of them were seated, except for Thor and Loki, who were looking over the decorated Christmas tree that Tori had just finished with. Thor spotted an ornament with his colors and name on it, and he was delighted to point out the one with Loki’s name on it. Loki wasn’t as impressed, or at least he didn’t seem to be, but then, it was rather hard to read him most times.
“What do you have there, Victoria?” Tony Stark asked.
“Secret Santa,” she replied. “And you know that you can call me ‘Tori’, right?”
“Yep,” he replied with a grin.
She scrunched her nose at him, while she waited for Thor and Loki to give her their attention. Thor sat down, but Loki remained where he was, likely so that he could escape from any undesirable activity.
“Here are the rules: no gift over twenty dollars,” Tori explained, while shooting Tony a knowing glance. “They will go under the tree so that we can open them on Christmas Eve.”
Thor asked a few questions, and while Tori’s attention was on his brother, Loki took that opportunity to escape. Tori had anticipated that, though, and headed him off by teleporting directly into his path.
“Loki gets to draw first,” she grinned at him.
—
Loki stopped dead when Tori appeared in front of him in a flash of white light, nearly losing his balance and stumbling backward but managing to maintain some level of decorum in front of his... acquaintances . He certainly wouldn’t call them friends. But they were the only people he could be around for now, and even he wasn’t such a loner that he wanted to be completely isolated.
Plus...Thor made him come.
He rolled his eyes as she smirked at him, holding up the little bowl and shaking it in his face. He reached in and pulled out one of the small pieces of paper, then gave Tori a look that said OK, I did it. Now move on.
She had the audacity to wink at him before moving past him and having the rest of this motley team of heroes pull names. Norns , he dreaded whatever gift anyone in this room might try to get him...he almost hoped he would get a “gift card” to some random, unassuming place that would prove no one here actually had any idea what he liked and didn’t like.
Slowly, he turned his gaze downward to the small, folded piece of paper, and opened it....
Summary: Now it’s time to open the gifts and find out who the Secret Santas are. Loki is anxious about how his gift will be received. Tori feels the same way about her gift and its recipient.
Will there be creepy-crawlies? Or something more appropriate?
--Christmas Eve--
Loki fidgeted with the wrapped box in his hands nervously as he stood on the elevator heading upstairs to meet with the rest of the Avengers. It was Secret Santa time...and his palms were sweating with nerves.
Things had been so different when they'd drawn names, even though it had only been a few weeks. Now, he was with Tori...and he'd figured out what to get her as soon as they'd gotten back from their joyride in Stark's car. He'd been thinking about this moment ever since then. She didn't know she was getting a gift from him, and he was hopeful that she would react positively, especially surrounded by all their colleagues.
Thor's gift was simple, but kind. He had pulled Steve's name from the bowl, and Loki had steered him away from the flasks and flaggons ("He can't get drunk, remember? What use would he have for a flask?") and directed him toward a collection of silk ties with American patriotic symbols on them like flags and eagles. One might even go nicely with his "spangly outfit", as Tony continued to call it. And they were on sale ...which was apparently important in Midgardian society. Both of them would make sure to mention it to Steve later.
The doors dinged open, and Loki stepped into the festive atmosphere. Everyone was smiling, drinking from red cups, wearing ridiculous holiday-themed outfits. Loki looked around for Tori, but he wasn't able to find her before Tony came up and patted him on the back a little too hard. His nose and cheeks were rosy with alcohol.
"Loki...what are you wearing man? Your leathers? Take a load off, it's Christmas. Relax!"
Loki sneered looking around once again for Tori. "I've never celebrated Christmas before. And you're not making me feel like relaxing!"
—
Tori stared at herself in the mirror, checking her hair, and reconsidering the scant touch of makeup. She’d braided just the top of her hair to keep it out of her eyes, but didn’t put any talismans back in. She wondered if her makeup was an appropriate touch, since the gathering would be very casual.
Oh, well, she thought, trying to tell herself that her nerves weren't due to having a gift for Loki, which she wasn’t at all certain that he’d like.
She’d nearly talked herself out of it several times before Natasha had enough of her indecision and had practically pushed her toward the cash register. Now, the gift sat on the end of her bed, waiting to be placed under the tree.
She forced herself to pick it up and head out the door. When she joined the gathering, she noticed that Tony had gotten a head start on the holiday beverages, which wasn’t unusual, and that Loki had arrived already. She quickly made her way around the room so that she could slip her gift under the tree without anyone noticing. Then she approached Loki, trying to sneak up on him without his catching her, without teleporting.
“There you are, handsome,” she said, while sliding her arms around his waist.
She noticed immediately that he wore his leathers, and wondered why he hadn’t worn something more comfortable. Surely, he knew that only the team would be there, and that he could dress for comfort. Then she had a sneaking thought that maybe Tony or Thor had not told him that, in an effort to embarrass him. If that was the case, she would find a way to wreak havoc on them.
—
Loki felt himself physically relax as those small, familiar arms wrapped around his waist. He turned and looked at Tori, smiling, putting one hand over hers while keeping the box in the other.
"I'm so glad to see you," he said, his tone soft. "I was already starting to tire of the holiday antics..."
When he saw her look over his clothing, he sighed a bit. "So...you also believe I'm improperly dressed for the occasion, hm? What should I be wearing then?"
—
“NO, no,” Tori replied, quickly. “You look gorgeous as always. I just thought that maybe Tony had played a trick on you. If you’re more comfortable in your leathers, then by all means….but the tunic and jeans you had on for our joyride...yowza…”
She raised her eyebrows at him, with an impish grin, before hugging him tightly. She suspected that perhaps he’d worn the leather as a type of shell due to the unfamiliarity of the Christmas party. Maybe they were both a bit nervous.
“You’re not going to cut out early, are you? We probably won’t get to the gifts until after eating, or until Tony finishes the bottle of whatever it is he’s drinking.”
Tori really hoped that he could relax and have a good time. There was plenty of food and treats on the counter, which should interest him, since he and Thor both had a large appetite and an even larger sweet tooth.
“Tell ya what, though, if he breaks out the karaoke machine, I’ll get us out of here, ok?”
—
Loki laughed at her promise but nodded all the same. He would either need to be very drunk or at risk of losing his life in order to participate in that horrible pastime. And he planned on neither of those happening tonight.
Though, with the Avengers, one never knew.
Her comment about his attire did intrigue him, though.
"You liked that outfit?" He asked almost sheepishly. He was happy to hear it, despite the fact that he'd already assumed she had. Still, actually getting a compliment...well, it wasn't something he was used to.
When she nodded with a twinkle in her eye, he smiled back and simply let his seidr flow around him, changing his usual Asgardian leather into a similar ensemble - but in the center of the tunic was a detailed embroidery of a decorated tree. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks as she looked at it and giggled.
"'Tis the season’, as they say. And I'm sure to get a reaction out of everyone for it. Although if Tony goes too far, I may end up restraining him with the glitter garlands and stuffing a stocking in his mouth."
—
When Loki’s magic coursed through him in order to change his clothes, Tori felt the almost imperceptible sensation of electricity. She’d never told him, but it was a part of him that thrilled her, and it was something that they shared. She doubted that any of the others, except maybe Thor, had ever felt or noticed it, so she intended to keep it between her and Loki.
“I like when you do that,” she whispered to him. “I can sometimes feel your magic, especially when I’m touching you while you use it.”
Tori took his hand and led him over to the snack table, where she served his plate with traditional offerings. She bypassed the punch bowl, and took a glass of champagne instead. Thor was sharing some of his ale, although he didn’t offer her any. He explained that it would be too strong for her, and since she wasn’t really a drinker, she accepted that gracefully.
“Here, put the gift under the tree for now,” she told Loki, before they found a place to sit. “If you want to, that is.”
Once she’d perched on the arm of the easy chair he’d claimed, she leaned a bit closer to whisper again.
“You look very handsome regardless of what you wear, but those jeans...I think they’re my favorite.”
—
He was grateful to have Tori with him throughout the evening. Normally at these affairs, he spent his time near the wall, by himself, hating that no one wanted to talk to him while snarling at and dismissing anyone who tried. But tonight, having Tori at his side, conversation came easy. He wasn’t so defensive or snide, and after almost an hour he found he was actually enjoying himself, holding her hand and just letting the party progress.
In almost no time, it was time for the gift exchange.
Tori got up to coordinate the exchange, and he sat back, watching nervously.
Moment of truth...here we go...
—
Tori left Loki’s side and ushered everyone to a seat.
“Alright, here we go,” she announced. “Wait up open until everyone has theirs. Then we’ll go one at a time, okay?”
There was a chorus of agreement and excited chatter while she handed out the gifts. When she got to the one with her name, she recognized it as the one that Loki had been holding, so she set it aside until all the other gifts were distributed. Then she took her gift and the one for Loki back so that she could sit beside him again, and put his package on his lap.
“Alright, who wants to go first?”
There was some hesitancy before Steve volunteered. Once he opened his, then it was easier to get the next person to step up. Once all the gifts were opened, other than Tori’s and Loki’s, she turned to him with a smile.
“Okay, we’re up. Do you want to open yours first?” She asked him.
—
Loki swallowed nervously but covered it with a smile as he regarded her. “Sure..” he said softly, feeling all eyes on him as he turned over the gift tag.
To: Loki
Love: Tori
For the next time we spar.
With a confused smirk, he opened his gift.
Something about this moment had him captivated - the tearing of the paper, the smell of the pine tree, the excitement and anticipation of what would be revealed, the exposition of it...
The paper was gone, and he pulled up on the lid of the white paper box to reveal...
“Hair elastics?”
Loki chuckled, pulling out the Goody-brand cardboard sleeve of hair ties. He pulled one off and tied his hair back right away.
“You’re right. Thank you!”
And he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Now, time to open yours...”
—
Tori smiled when he put his hair up immediately. She wasn’t sure whether he actually would, but he seemed happy with the thought.
Then she turned her attention to the box in her hand before opening the small card that was tucked underneath a ribbon.
To Tori:
No creepy-crawlies.
From: Loki
She noticed that he watched her closely so she smiled and waved the card slightly. Then she started tearing at the paper. Finally, she got to the green box and then opened it carefully.
“Loki...they’re beautiful!”
The box contained two gold beads, and once she took a closer look, she realized that he’d worn them on the day they’d stolen (uh, borrowed ) the Maserati.
She smiled, while her pale blue eyes went wide with excitement. Now she had something to wear in her hair that would remind her of Loki, their joyride, and testament of his feelings for her. Despite her best efforts, tears brimmed her eyes as she looked at him.
“Thank you so much.”
She kissed him, and then immediately put the beads in her hair. Her fingers worked rapidly to secure them onto two braids at her temple.
“I love them-“
Tony’s voice interrupted her at that moment.
“Who’s up for karaoke?”
Tori locked wide eyes with Loki, who had the same expression.
“Wanna get out of here? There’s a car in the garage that we’re not supposed to use.”
The relief in his eyes was the only answer she needed, so she gripped his hand firmly before teleporting them to the garage, near the key rack. She took the Maserati keys in one hand while still holding Loki’s with the other, and led him to the car.
Once they were at the vehicle, Tori couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of a huge bough of mistletoe that hung over it. It was hard to miss.
“I have a feeling that Tony knew we would cut out early,” she said, while pointing at the mistletoe.
She could tell that he was confused, so she slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him. His emerald eyes were alight, and she wasn’t sure if it was happiness or mischief, but she hoped it was both.
“Traditionally, you’re supposed to kiss underneath a mistletoe,” she told him. “So, in keeping with tradition—“
Tori stepped back and jumped lightly to put her arms around his neck, so that her feet were several inches off the ground. She felt his arms go around her, and then she kissed him, with a wealth of feeling, so that he had no doubt about how he made her feel.
Then, without a word, they both got into the car, and drove out into the cold night. There was no itinerary, no plan, just Christmas Eve together, and the excitement and hope of what was to come.
