It was the thundering laugh of Thor Odinson that brought me back from my daydreaming.
He was sitting on a swinging bench Steve and Bucky had built last summer, Bruce was nestled under his arm and nursing a glass of red wine that swung as they did. They were drunk, obviously so, but we had all indulged quite a bit that evening.
A lazy fire sat between us as we lounged after a dinner together. Crickets sang in the distant forests of the island, and the gentle lull of ocean waves was nearly enough to pull me to sleep. My head rested on Bucky's shoulder as I listened to Thor's Asgardian whimsy. Something about trolls and the bifrost, the Heroes Three, Sif, and glory. I wasn't really paying attention. My thoughts were fixated on a certain dark haired prince that seemed to be in a particularly moody state this evening.
Loki sat in a rocking chair, fingers laced together as he stared up at the stars. His thoughts were closed, but I could tell something weighed on him. He was quiet these days. Not in his typical angst, but a contemplative, perhaps even fearful way.
He probably sensed my staring with the way his eyes peeked open and met mine dead-on.
We watched each other for a moment before he stood and stretched. "That is a fascinating story, brother. It was even better hearing it for the fifty-third time. My lady," he said, stepping closer to me with his left forearm dipped before my eyes, "may I have a moment?"
I nodded, looping my fingers around his elbow and standing on wobbly feet. Perhaps I had enchanted that wine too well.
Bucky's hands steadied me, drifting down my hips before smiling up at me. "Don't be too long; the cakes will be done soon," he said.
"We'll return shortly," Loki answered with a curt nod of his head.
He pulled me along, away from the party and vibrant chatter of our friends and lovers. My feet hit the familiar path Bucky had built; it led down to the beach and those sleepy waves.
Night had settled over the island, and Artemis' silver face glowed high in the sky, spinning amongst my bright stars that dipped and wheeled as the universe moved lazily through itself.
Loki kicked his polished shoes off along with his socks and let his toes sink into the sand. He sighed, staring off to the horizon, fixated on something I could not see.
Uneasiness grew within me, so I clutched my wine a bit tighter in my hand and followed Loki down to the shoreline where glittering salt water met our toes happily. I watched his loose, dark curls dance with the gentle breeze, and his tight shoulders jump as my fingers ghosted up his spine.
"Something is bothering you," I said plainly.
I caught the rise of his cheeks as he gave a sarcastic grin, like the Cheshire Cat bitterly knowing more than anyone else. "Yes," he drawled, "have you realized we've been looking for these infinity stones for years now? Yet they've evaded us time and time again." He sighed softly and turned to face me then. "Tell me, goddess, do you feel it too? That tension in the air, as if the universe is on the verge of snapping in half."
My eyes stared at him. Yes, I wanted to answer, but fear held me tight. If I admitted to feeling it too, it'd give power to that dread that sank through my stomach. But I knew he was right. Something was wrong with our world, our entire universe. A hair out of place, a tingle up the back of my neck, a ringing in my ears.
"Yes,"I answered softly. "But what do we do about it? We don't even know what's wrong, what we're actually looking for. The stones, yes, but the universe is vast and our powers only extend so far. Loki," I pleaded, taking a step forward, "this is out of our control."
"Unfortunately, yes, you are correct," he sighed, bitterly laughing at the idea that we could bend the universe to our whim. Magic was one thing, but warping the course of time and reality itself was out of our realm of command. He hummed softly and stepped closer to me again. "I know, princess, that life for us will never come easy. It's as if we were baptized in chaos and turmoil."
I laughed, disbelieving that Loki, god of the lack of communication and an intense pride beyond mortal comprehension, would pull me away from a party to discuss our own failures. My hand touched his. "You asked to speak with me for this? You know there's a party going on, right? We shouldn't concern ourselves with the future just yet."
"But, princess," he insisted, "it is our very future which I wish to discuss with you." His eyes were suddenly bright under the moonlight, dancing across his irises with a startling intensity. "There is much I cannot control, Stella, and I fear our lives have been hurdling us towards the unknown since our birth was written in your stars. However, I wish to face this unknown battle together. I love you, darling. I adore you with every fiber of my being, and I wish to spend the rest of whatever time we have together. And your annoying husbands too, I suppose."
"Annoying," I scoffed. "You love them."
He breathed a laugh and looked off to the horizon once more. "I absolutely do not," he said with a grin on his lips. "They are arrogant buffoons, but they love you, so I suppose you could say I tolerate them if anything."
My eyes rolled at his absurdity, but I let my head fall to his shoulder as we stood in the shallow depths of the waves beneath us.
"I don't think I will mind it," he said softly. "Spending the rest of eternity with you three. At least I will never be bored."
A laugh breathed through me as my eyes looked up at his face. My stars danced overhead, swirling into visions of our future. Yes. It would be the four of us together for quite some time.
The sun, the moon, the stars, and the ever-changing sky connecting them all.
"It is uncharacteristic of me to say this, goddess, but I am feeling sentimental," he nearly groaned as if he were in pain. "However, I wanted you to know, I believe I have loved you for quite some time now. Perhaps since our first fateful meeting in my library." His soft voice was drowned by the lulling of ocean waves. "I've never felt," he paused, "committed to a relationship before." He recoiled as if the words were sour grapes shocking his senses, his nose crinkling in distaste. "Please, just know this: I have realized this is what I want. This is what I need. So, will you have me?"
I laughed again and let my head fall to his chest and his hammering heart. "Will you have Steve and Bucky as well? We come as a package deal," I joked.
Though I was not looking at him, I could hear the smile in his voice when he answered, "Yes. Yes, I will have them as well. They are arrogant and obnoxious, but they are kind and care for us well. I will have them, gladly, I suppose."
"If you will have us all, then, yes, we will have you gladly as well," I said, grinning. "Though, it has been like this for a while. I thought it'd keep going without saying."
Like a butterfly's wings, his touch brushed my skin softly, lifting my eyes to his. "This feeling is quite foreign to me," he mumbled. "I just needed to verbalize it."
"Well," I smiled, "here I am, verbally saying you are never allowed to live without us again. It's us against the universe, my dear prince."
His lips pulled into a grin, his eyes gleaming with delight as he pulled me closer to him. "I wouldn't dream of leaving, princess," he said softly.
"Hey," Bucky's deep voice suddenly echoed down to the shore. "Are you two done? It's champagne and dessert time!"
My eyes rolled at how cute he looked as he stood atop the hill with his hands cupped around his lips to amplify his voice. "Doll," I called up to him, "can you and Steve actually come down here? Just for a minute, I swear!"
"You know," Loki said carefully, "I purposefully did not invite them for I am fearful of their reaction to what I have to confess." The edge in his voice sliced through my heart like a blade.
"Relax," I cooed, absently running my nails up and down his back. "Don't be afraid. They care about you. They love you. I know it to be true."
Our boys were walking hand-in-hand down to the beach where we stood. They were handsome with their divinity faintly shining through the dark night air. "Everything alright?" Steve asked with his usual concern.
"We're fine," I stressed.
Loki shuffled his weight nervously, glancing down to the water as it washed over our feet. He cleared his throat and took a sharp breath. "I actually have something to tell you both," he finally mumbled.
I squeezed his hand, hoping to offer some sort of support for him. My eyes met Bucky's with a soft smile. Be kind, I said to his thoughts, though I knew he would be.
"I love you," Loki spat out. "And the goddess." He cleared his throat again, avoiding their eyes. "I wish for us to live together. Permanently. For the rest of time."
It was silent for a few moments, and I felt how cold Loki's body had grown. Like ice settling into his veins.
Bucky took a small step forward. "Are you asking to marry us?" There was a hint of a smirk on his lips, and the moonlight danced in his grey eyes.
"If so, the answer is yes," Steve answered with a smile.
Loki's head snapped up to them, eyes bright and jaw open with a bit of shock. "I," he stammered, "yes. Yes, I am asking for us to be wed."
"Good," Bucky said casually, pulling Loki under his arm and gripping him in a tight hug. "Took you fucking long enough."
"Bucky," I hissed, and he turned to wink at me.
Steve was shaking in head as Bucky pulled Loki beside him and back up the stairs towards the cottage. "Seems like we can't stop adding new additions to the family," Steve said to me.
I laughed, looping our arms together as we walked. "I wouldn't have it any other way," I said. "I always wanted a big family."
He grinned, and with a short nod of his head, he held the back door open for me, the warmth of the kitchen sending goosebumps across my skin. "I'm glad we've all stuck together," he said. "I love you." He dipped down and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of my hair, guiding me over to where the rest of our friends had gathered around the kitchen island.
"What are we cheering for?" Sam asked, impatiently waiting for a glass of alcohol to be handed to him.
"New beginnings," Steve said with a smile. "To whatever the future holds."
My magic swirled and poured glasses for us all, our cups clinking together in harmony before we drank.
Whatever the future holds.