Invisible Chains [Sequel to I Do(n't)]

Chapter 3

Ida's POV-

Before Loki and I were even all the way down the stairs, I could hear Natasha laughing, followed by Tony saying "That's terrible, Steve"

"What did we miss?" Loki asked as we walked in.

"We're trying to get the icing the right consistency" Bruce shook his head.

"Can I see?" I walked over.

Willingly, Steve stepped back from the mixing bowl, letting me slide in. I took the spoon, dipping it into the runny, sweet mixture. When I pulled it out, I saw how it seemed to slip right off.

"See what we're talking about?" Nat asked.

"Where is the powdered sugar?" I asked.

"Here you go" Steve handed me a bag.

I took it from him and poured a little bit more into the bowl, then turned the mixer back on. "That should do it"

Proudly, I turned to where Tony was-leaning against the bar top with a drink in his hand. Although, he was not looking back at me. He was eyeing Loki carefully and skeptically. My eyes flickered to my husband. He looked a little uncomfortable, as well. Kind of distanced from everyone else, he stiffly stood still in the doorway.

Sighing, I walked over to him. 

"Come on" I whispered. "I want you to be a part of this as much as I am"

Shrugging, he let me tug him closer to the others.

Steve stopped the mixture and tested the consistency again with the spoon. Then he looked over his shoulder at me and smiled.

"Perfect"

I beamed.

"Some people make the actual houses" Natasha said. "None of us are super crafty with baking, though, so we got one of those premade kits. I put the candy in the bowl over here, so feel free to knock yourself out"

"How do I do it?" I asked.

She reached into the glass bowl and put some of the icing on the back. Then while Steve started to fill a piping bag, she stuck the candy onto the roof of the house.

"It's like glue" she moved her hands to her hip.

I stepped over to the bowl of candies and chose a green one. Steve squeezed out some of the icing from the bag onto it for me, then I pressed it onto the house. I was a little scared that it was going to break, but thankfully it did not.

"So I was playing with the idea" Tony spoke slowly. "of having a party in Elea-Ida's honor"

"When have you ever needed an excuse to have a party?" Natasha snorted.

"I think it is a perfectly reasonable reason" Dr. Banner smiled.

"Sort of a welcome home kind of thing" he added.

"Asgard is her home" Loki mumbled bitterly-under his breath, yet loud enough for everyone to be able to hear.

"A celebration that I have a daughter" my father dismissed his comment entirely. "I always wanted one, and I had no idea that I had one all this time"

"You do not have to throw one for me" my face flushed.

"I agree" Loki nodded. "It would be too much, and you have already been so gracious"

"It wouldn't be too much at all" he waved off. "Clint will be arriving the day after tomorrow, so why don't we have it that night?"

"I think that that is a fantastic idea" Steve nodded.