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βcontinued from hereβ
I'm not that grown up. Fen says I will have to marry when I am, and I don't want to leave you, Father.
[ Oh, don't get her wrong. She's a romantic. The idea of marriage, of having someone, is something she likes. But she doesn't think anyone will want her, considering... everything. It's being rejected that terrifies her. It's not like she hasn't been through enough of it already. ]
I was not threatening you. I was just applying a little pressure.
[ π ]
Don't think I'm so foolish as to not know that you likely have romances, darling girl. I certainly know what I was up to at your age. And deeply hope you are not taking after me in that regard. Though, even if you grow up fully and marry, you will still be able to see me. We always have our ways of communicating.
[ Loki would be furious if he thought that anyone might judge his daughter's looks. Sure, he knows she is marred, but she was and will always be beautiful to him. ]
Where did you learn this? Was it your mother? So cruel of my only daughter to apply pressure to her doting father.
[ Loki would be furious if he thought that anyone might judge his daughter's looks. Sure, he knows she is marred, but she was and will always be beautiful to him. ]
Where did you learn this? Was it your mother? So cruel of my only daughter to apply pressure to her doting father.
I do not. Nobody wants someone like me, Father. But it's alright. I don't need anyone else.
[ Her lying still needs some work. ]
I learned from you, of course. I've been watching you.
[ One good thing about being marred, though? People like to pretend not to see her. It has its uses. ]
[ Her lying still needs some work. ]
I learned from you, of course. I've been watching you.
[ One good thing about being marred, though? People like to pretend not to see her. It has its uses. ]
Absolutely not. This conversation is waiting until I get there. I will not have my beautiful daughter feeling that way. Who made you think this? I will kill them all.
[ Loki tugs on his silly sweater, and opts for a long coat over it. Making his way to one of his secret exits to get to Jotunheim. He's coming as quickly as he can without depleting his magic.]
I can't fault you for learning from me. No wonder you are so good at it, princess.
[ Loki tugs on his silly sweater, and opts for a long coat over it. Making his way to one of his secret exits to get to Jotunheim. He's coming as quickly as he can without depleting his magic.]
I can't fault you for learning from me. No wonder you are so good at it, princess.
Darling, I get those same feelings. It's probably just something you inherited from me. I know I am dashing and handsome, but I am not at all Asgard's beauty standard. I doubt myself from that. You are beautiful, you are my daughter, and you will be coveted when the time comes.
But know this, is any suitor mistreats you, they will answer to me.
[ He'd do the same for his boys, too. Loki would let Odin treat him as he wanted, but no one could treat his children like that if he had a say.]
But know this, is any suitor mistreats you, they will answer to me.
[ He'd do the same for his boys, too. Loki would let Odin treat him as he wanted, but no one could treat his children like that if he had a say.]
You really don't think I'm a monster?
[ At least her brothers are "monsters" because they can shapeshift into fearsome forms. She's just... ugly and deformed and maybe better off dead.
Clearly, someone's called that to her face. But she's still kind enough not to sic her father or brothers at them.
She's definitely upset by it because he'll notice when he arrives that she's glamored herself even in his presence. Which she doesn't do before. ]
[ At least her brothers are "monsters" because they can shapeshift into fearsome forms. She's just... ugly and deformed and maybe better off dead.
Clearly, someone's called that to her face. But she's still kind enough not to sic her father or brothers at them.
She's definitely upset by it because he'll notice when he arrives that she's glamored herself even in his presence. Which she doesn't do before. ]
Have you ever known me to hold my tongue? You are not a monster, no more than I am. We both have Jotun blood, so yes. We have some monstrous traits at times, but you are as beautiful as you were the first time I held you. If they can not see it, then they are not worth of my only daughter.
[ Loki knew that night the midwives handed her to him that she was marked by death. Her mother's magic was all that kept her from death. As much as he and Angrboda fought now, they both would agree that they were better with their daughter in the land of the living.
It wouldn't take him long to get there. Once he reached Jotunheim, he used a portal to appear at her door and knock. Sometimes he would just walk in, but he was trying to accept that his little girl is growing up.
The sweater was green with little golden snakes all over it. Ugly, but very him.]
[ Loki knew that night the midwives handed her to him that she was marked by death. Her mother's magic was all that kept her from death. As much as he and Angrboda fought now, they both would agree that they were better with their daughter in the land of the living.
It wouldn't take him long to get there. Once he reached Jotunheim, he used a portal to appear at her door and knock. Sometimes he would just walk in, but he was trying to accept that his little girl is growing up.
The sweater was green with little golden snakes all over it. Ugly, but very him.]
[ Hers has festive dinosaurs, ugly monsters just like her. Which only further hints at how uncertain she feels about herself. On one hand, she knows her heritage; she's proud of it, even. It's when there's talk of romance and marriage that she seems to spiral into self-doubt. Who could ever love someone like her?
The knock surprises her, but apart from her father's message confirming that he was on his way, it's not like anyone else comes to visit her either. And while there are still signs of her inner turmoil when she opens the door, they temporarily dissolve at the sight of Loki in his ugly sweater.
Laughing, she throws her arms around him. ] You really did it.
The knock surprises her, but apart from her father's message confirming that he was on his way, it's not like anyone else comes to visit her either. And while there are still signs of her inner turmoil when she opens the door, they temporarily dissolve at the sight of Loki in his ugly sweater.
Laughing, she throws her arms around him. ] You really did it.
[ Loki wanted to be mad for her, but seeing those festive dinosaurs and her throwing her arms around him. How could he? Wrapping both arms back around her and spinning her once, as he always does anytime he gets to be there with her in person.
Only once her feet were back on the ground did he look down at her face. A worried look etched back in place. Why was she already glamoured? ]
I said I would, did you doubt me? My lies are never for you, beloved. Now what is this? Why didn't you let me see use your skill?
Only once her feet were back on the ground did he look down at her face. A worried look etched back in place. Why was she already glamoured? ]
I said I would, did you doubt me? My lies are never for you, beloved. Now what is this? Why didn't you let me see use your skill?
No, but that sweater is ugly. It's not befitting of... you.
[ What starts out as a well-meaning joke quickly spirals into something else, which he can tell because she trails off. All this talk of ugly things, coming from one such ugly thing, it's ironic.
She, of course, feigns innocence when probed about her glamour. ]
I am showing you my skill. See? It's perfect.
[ That cuts her, too. ]
[ What starts out as a well-meaning joke quickly spirals into something else, which he can tell because she trails off. All this talk of ugly things, coming from one such ugly thing, it's ironic.
She, of course, feigns innocence when probed about her glamour. ]
I am showing you my skill. See? It's perfect.
[ That cuts her, too. ]
It is, but, my darling daughter asked me to wear it. So I did. Your uncle Thor bought this on Midgard. I hate it.
[ And yet he tried to keep the smile in palce for her, a hand reaching out to touch her cheek. Testing the glamour where he knew the true skin should be. To see if it cracked under his touch. He didn't push his seidr into it to force it away.
Yet, he looked troubled. ]
You are showing excellent skill, yes, but. I don't like it. I'd rather see you as you are. Show me my beautiful daughter. You needn't hide from me.
[ He could still recall the whispers of the wet nurses when she was born, saying she almost looked Aesir, and that he might steal this one away as passing. He never wanted that for her. He wanted her to be free and loved.] Let's go inside, and have a spot of tea, yes?
[ And yet he tried to keep the smile in palce for her, a hand reaching out to touch her cheek. Testing the glamour where he knew the true skin should be. To see if it cracked under his touch. He didn't push his seidr into it to force it away.
Yet, he looked troubled. ]
You are showing excellent skill, yes, but. I don't like it. I'd rather see you as you are. Show me my beautiful daughter. You needn't hide from me.
[ He could still recall the whispers of the wet nurses when she was born, saying she almost looked Aesir, and that he might steal this one away as passing. He never wanted that for her. He wanted her to be free and loved.] Let's go inside, and have a spot of tea, yes?
[ That he did it for her made her smile. A genuine one this time, even if fleeting. It was comforting, at least, to have one person unconditionally on her side. Who else took the time and effort to come to her birthday party, to wear an ugly sweater because she asked?
But the smile faded when he touched her cheek. And while it took some time before she relented, she eventually let the glamour fade from her face. I'm beautiful, she tried to tell herself, after her father's affirmations. Would anyone ever love her as he did to see past her marred appearance? ]
Tea and a story. Where have you been lately? Did you get Uncle Thor in trouble again?
[ She loved those stories. She loved it when her father got away with his tricks. The Aesir were often so gullible. ]
But the smile faded when he touched her cheek. And while it took some time before she relented, she eventually let the glamour fade from her face. I'm beautiful, she tried to tell herself, after her father's affirmations. Would anyone ever love her as he did to see past her marred appearance? ]
Tea and a story. Where have you been lately? Did you get Uncle Thor in trouble again?
[ She loved those stories. She loved it when her father got away with his tricks. The Aesir were often so gullible. ]
[ Someone as selfish as her father could be. Granted, he tries hard to keep his reputation from his children. They were some of the only people that were his unconditionally. He and the boys might argue, and the norns know him and Angrboda have not seen eye to eye since the punishment happened.
Still, Hel was always going to be treated as the princess she should have been. She was his only daughter, and he'd kill for her. As the glamour faded, his smile widens, showing those crows feet and laughter lines. His true smile, not the wicked or mischievous grins. ]
There's my little girl, come, give us a hug first. Then we can have tea and stories, and I might even update you on your uncle oaf.
[ Stepping inside to hold his arms open for her. ]
Still, Hel was always going to be treated as the princess she should have been. She was his only daughter, and he'd kill for her. As the glamour faded, his smile widens, showing those crows feet and laughter lines. His true smile, not the wicked or mischievous grins. ]
There's my little girl, come, give us a hug first. Then we can have tea and stories, and I might even update you on your uncle oaf.
[ Stepping inside to hold his arms open for her. ]
[ he choses his words carefully, for he's still sorting out what exactly it is he believes in in the aftermath of his worldview being turned on its head. ]
I believe no one thing ought to be greater than another.
I believe no one thing ought to be greater than another.
βcontinued from hereβ
"Might have to be a redhead more often, then," she said with a soft laugh, peering almost shyly through her lashes. A strange expression flickered across her face for a moment at his next words, but she quickly clamped down on it and twisted her lips instead into a playful smile.
It wasn't that she didn't feel the same way. But saying it out loud made it seem more... permanent, and she wasn't sure she could commit to that right now. Could she really just walk away? Would the agency let her? What would she even do once she was out? She didn't know what else to be, having been in the business long enough.
That didn't mean she didn't want it, though.
"Well, you're in luck because I have about three days before I have to be anywhere. That's enough time for a thousand kisses, isn't it?"
βI think itβs cute that you doubt weβll get to that number before we leave the gardens,β he said, leaning to kiss her softly. It was a chaste kiss but it lingered just a bit before he pulled away and reached down to slip his hand into hers. He liked the way that their hands seemed to fit perfectly into each other. It always made him remember how good it felt to be with her when they were together. Steve wished that it didnβt have to be so sporadically but they each had their commitment, even if he wished that she would do something else, potentially joining him.
βAny other plans besides being greedy for kisses while youβve got a few days off?β
βAny other plans besides being greedy for kisses while youβve got a few days off?β
"Only that I'm all yours until I have to leave." This was typical of her, at least so far. She was a free spirit outside of her job, doing whatever she felt like doing in the moment. It was perhaps why she was so drawn to him; to her he was stability and certainty and, most importantly, hope for a future. (Of course, there was the risk of danger and death in their line of work, but she'd already accepted that as part of their lives.)
She squeezed his hand and let him lead the way through the gardens. She liked these moments. Peaceful, quiet. She liked the feel of her hand in his, how they seemed to fit perfectly together despite everything β like every other part of themselves.
"How's everyone?" she asked. Though she'd never met his friends in official capacity, she knew them all, and she wanted to know things about his life outside of what appeared in the surveillance reports and social media.
She squeezed his hand and let him lead the way through the gardens. She liked these moments. Peaceful, quiet. She liked the feel of her hand in his, how they seemed to fit perfectly together despite everything β like every other part of themselves.
"How's everyone?" she asked. Though she'd never met his friends in official capacity, she knew them all, and she wanted to know things about his life outside of what appeared in the surveillance reports and social media.
Steve was grateful that she made time for him. He knew that she could be doing anything she wanted so the fact that she was here with him meant a lot. The fact that she was here completely for him even more so. It made him feel special in a way that no one else really did.
"They're doing well. Bucky is still adjusting to his new life but I think he's making progress. Sam is... still being Sam. I think he still feels in over his head with all this at times but he's going to be fine..."
Steve continued to update her on the lives of his teammates and friends. Someday he hoped that he could introduce her to them all but in the meantime he was content to just tell her about them.
"So, that's all the news in my life. Boring and mundane enough for you?"
"They're doing well. Bucky is still adjusting to his new life but I think he's making progress. Sam is... still being Sam. I think he still feels in over his head with all this at times but he's going to be fine..."
Steve continued to update her on the lives of his teammates and friends. Someday he hoped that he could introduce her to them all but in the meantime he was content to just tell her about them.
"So, that's all the news in my life. Boring and mundane enough for you?"
She laughed and did a half-turn so she was in front of him, but without letting go of his hand. "Yeah, that's all very sweet, but very boring." He took his role as Captain America seriously, and he made sure to take care of his friends. It was all very admirable, but she, too, knew how lonely and tiresome that could get at times. "Luckily for you, I'm here to save you from it."
Her gaze flickered around them β just checking if the place was still as deserted as when they entered β before she leaned in to steal a quick kiss. While she wasn't opposed to public displays of affection on principle, she'd rather not attract more attention than what was warranted. Not just for herself, but for him too. He'd probably had enough of being on the public eye for most of his life.
"You owe me a dance, by the way." He didn't really, but it was a running joke between them.
Her gaze flickered around them β just checking if the place was still as deserted as when they entered β before she leaned in to steal a quick kiss. While she wasn't opposed to public displays of affection on principle, she'd rather not attract more attention than what was warranted. Not just for herself, but for him too. He'd probably had enough of being on the public eye for most of his life.
"You owe me a dance, by the way." He didn't really, but it was a running joke between them.
Well, Steve couldnβt just let her get away with THEFT. Whatever would happen to his reputation if people knew he went around letting someone just steal like that? Obviously the only thing to do was to lean in and steal the kiss right back, which he did immediately.
βI do owe you one,β he said with a little bit of a chuckle. He didnβt think about it much but it was kind of odd for them to have normal moments like this considering who they were but he liked that they could. It just seemed further evidence that they were meant to be together.
βIf youβre up for it I do have a record player back at my apartment. I could put something on and we could dance to that,β he suggested. They both knew that once they were back at his apartment it likely wasnβt going to be βdancingβ that they were going to do but rather make good on the rest of those kisses. Among other things. βOr do you want to grab a bite to eat first?β
βcontinued from hereβ
He lost. Came in last place, in fact. He refused to accept that even Hodr bested him. And he was very drunk by then, so we thought they'd come to blows, but he just cried.
We'd love to have you! It might be a weekly gathering from now on. Tyr said he wanted to come next time too.
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