Chapter 22
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
While the twins nap, Gwen shows Einarr and Loki everything they need to know about the gadgets in the apartment. Loki's been to Earth, but she doesn't know how much he knows about technology and appliances.
Loki, it turns out, knows the bare minimum about Midgardian technology, and Einarr is even more out of his depth, but they both seem fascinated by everything. Loki is captivated by how it all works, leaning in close to study the gadgets with a sort of almost childlike wonder. Even he isn't above being intrigued by something new. Einarr simply stares in awe, eyes wide, and mouth open just a little. It's pretty damn adorable coming from one of the biggest and toughest guys she knows.
"I'll help with anything you guys need, just ask, but for now, I am getting a snack and watching TV. Einarr, I want you to relax while we are here. We brought you not for bodyguard duty but for you to have fun and see something new. Everyone you met today is a hero. We are some of the strongest, most skilled warriors on the planet, and we can protect the kids and anyone who needs it. I kind of hope there is a mission to go on while I'm here..."
Einarr looks conflicted at her words, his natural inclination being to insist on protection duties. But he finally lets out a sigh and gives a brief nod.
"I suppose I can relax for a little while. It's just... strange for me not to be fighting in some capacity. I am not used to this leisure."
Loki speaks up from across the room, his attention still fixed on tinkering with one of the gadgets on the table. "Oh, please. You'll survive some time off, Einarr."
"Really. Just do what you want, and I'll be here to help keep you safe this time." Gwen gives him a smile.
Einarr is clearly unused to not having someone else to protect, but he trusts Gwen completely. So he nods in response and relaxes just a bit, his eyes still sweeping the apartment like he expects danger to pop up out of the walls at any moment.
Loki finally stops messing with the gadgets and comes to join Gwen on the couch, stretching out on the soft leather cushions, his arm dropping over her legs like an affectionate cat. He grins at her, obviously pleased.
He rubs her thigh through the soft fabric of her jeans, his fingers tracing small lazy circles there that distract her focus from the TV show. He's obviously in a playful mood and, in the relative privacy of the room, he's more than willing to show some affection. He glances toward Einarr, who is watching them, and his hand slides higher, fingers dipping under her shirt.
"We have whole industries and inventions simply for relaxing and having fun." Gwen finds reruns of a comedy show she used to love. She knows they might not get some jokes, but she doesn't think they'll mind too much. She continues to run her fingers through Loki's hair. It's so comfortable and casual. They don't get time just to lounge together like this on Asgard.
He smiles and nuzzles into her touch, his own hand trailing up her arm, fingers gently tracing her soft skin. He's content in this moment with her fingers in his hair, her skin beneath his fingertips. He's happy to lie like this and watch meaningless television shows, or watch her do absolutely nothing at all. The simple joy of just being together is enough.
He turns his head, kissing her wrist gently before murmuring, "You know, sometimes I think I could do this forever … just like this."
She hesitates a moment before answering."We could, you know. What if we spent more time here? If you stay out of trouble, maybe we can live here like I used to."
His fingers still in her hair just for a moment before he lifts his head to meet her eyes. He looks at her so intensely, like he’s seeing all the layers of what she's really suggesting.
"Are you saying…" His voice is low, cautious, like he doesn’t dare believe it yet. "...You want us to leave Asgard?"
"Not entirely. But maybe we can split our time, like Thor does. The kids will grow up with the best of both worlds. When we are here, we can enjoy all these comforts. I could resume my botany work and go on missions again."
Loki stares at her, clearly stunned at the offer and all that it implies. For a moment his mind is reeling, racing over all the changes it would mean. But her words sink in with time, and he finally grins wide and carefree, like it's the best idea he's ever heard. He pulls her in closer, nuzzling her neck before he replies, his voice a little low and husky, barely hiding the excitement he feels. "Gwen, if you think I'm going to say 'no' to that idea, you are sorely mistaken."
"Has Earth grown on you already?" She teases.
He nips playfully at her neck, letting his fingers slip beneath her shirt to draw another lazy pattern on her waist.
"I hate to admit it … but you're absolutely right." He smiles up at her from below her chin, his voice still a little low. "There are a few things I enjoy about this realm. The movies … the food … and the woman in my arms."
"You could join the team too. They could always use more people who can handle a fight, or you can stay in and let me take care of you. On Asgard, I'm the stay-at-home parent. Here..."
His brows rise in interest at that, obviously considering the possibilities. A smile spreads across his face, his eyes practically devouring her. He shifts, rolling to pin her down under him, his hips pressing against hers as he grins.
"You'd actually enjoy being the breadwinner, wouldn't you? I can see it now … you bossing everyone around while I lounge about at home with the kids, waiting for you to come home and ravish me."
Gwen laughs in surprise at the sudden change in position. "I think it would only be fair. My realm, I'm in charge. Your realm, you are. But right now, you are forgetting one thing."
His hand is still under her shirt, lazily tracing up her side, and she can feel the smirk on his face against her neck. He nuzzles against her skin, pressing a soft kiss there before he murmurs with faux innocence. "And what could I possibly be forgetting, love?" He nips at her earlobe when he says the last word for good measure.
"We are not alone." She laughs a little again as she reminds him that Einarr is right there in the armchair. Einarr is a soldier and a shameless flirt and womanizer, so this isn't anything new, but she doesn't really need an audience.
Loki freezes again when he remembers Einarr is still there. He lifts his head to look over at the other man, realizing how closely he was pressed up against Gwen. He feels a little silly about the way he'd just let himself lose control like that, just on the couch with no regard for who else might see. He looks like he's about to say something when he glances at Einarr's face. And to his surprise, the man just looks extremely amused.
Einarr sits back casually. "By all means, don't stop on my account."
Gwen gently pushes Loki off her as she sits back up. "We can save it for later." She stands and straightens her shirt, pulling it back down, before walking to the fridge for drinks. She grabs a Coke for herself and bottles of water for the guys."We can talk more about living arrangements and future plans soon."
If Loki's irritated about having to leave their moment on pause, he doesn't show it to Gwen. He sits up, readjusting his clothes and shooting a glare at Einarr, who has to hide a smile behind his hand. When Gwen returns, Loki leans forward to take one of the water bottles, his eyes roaming over her figure almost hungrily, like he's mentally undressing her on the spot.
"You're a cruel, cruel woman. Denying me like that. You'll pay for it later."
She leans down to meet him as she hands him the bottle. "Oh I'm counting on it." She smirks and takes her seat again.
He smirks back, his eyes narrowing to little slits as he watches her take her seat, all while he twists off the cap to take a drink. He keeps his voice low in case Einarr is listening, but also because it adds to the heat in his words. "You're playing a dangerous game, love. You know how I get when you deny me for too long. I can't promise I'm going to be gentle when I get my hands on you again."
Gwen’s smile grows. She loves it when he is like this, but she changes the subject just to make him a little crazier. "If you are serious about trying to make something here work, I can talk to Tony later tonight."
His eyes narrow into a playful frown when she changes the subject, obviously annoyed at having his flirtation sidelined, but he rolls with it for the moment, mostly because he can see she's teasing, and he knows how this game is played.
"Oh, now you want to be practical and serious…" he sighs, leaning back on the couch. Then, he smirks again, his eyes raking over her form again. He's not even subtle about it this time. "By all means, love, you can talk to Stark."
"Great!" She turns to Einarr. "And that leaves you. We'll have to figure out what to do. It wouldn't be fair to cut your pay and privileges suddenly, and we don't expect you to move here with us half the time. We'll talk about it and settle on something that works for everyone."
Einarr watches the two of them banter back and forth with a mix of amusement and interest, clearly entertained at their antics. He listens as Gwen turns the conversation to him, his own expression turning serious as he nods in response.
"Of course, my lady. I am comfortable with whatever decision is made. It's my duty to adapt to your needs. I will be content wherever you need me." He gives a slight nod, a sign of respect and loyalty, and then adds a playful smile. "Though... I have to admit, I'm already quite fond of this realm."
"You have a say. It is your life."
He still has that Asgardian mentality when it comes to work, no matter how many times Gwen tries to make him do more things for himself and have a good work/life balance. He has quickly become Gwen's closest friend on Asgard, besides Loki. It's a little amazing how that happened. This reckless, arrogant soldier, who once threw her over his shoulder and carried her off to a tavern, is actually a little bit of a softie around her now. She likes both sides of him.
He leans back in his chair, taking a slow sip of the water Gwen had given him. His usual cocky demeanor softens slightly when he meets her gaze, just for a moment, before it’s back to the smirk.
"I appreciate that," he says, quieter now. "Not many royals would give their bodyguard a say in their own future." He pauses, then glances between Gwen and Loki before adding, "...Though I wouldn't mind seeing more of this realm. If you're serious about splitting your time... perhaps I could visit occasionally."
Loki rolls his eyes but doesn’t object—which is as close to approval as Einarr will get from him.
"Of course. We have plenty of time to figure it out." Gwen reassures him with a smile.
Varian and Liv emerge from their bedroom awake from their nap.
The kids immediately gravitate toward Gwen, looking adorable with their sleep-tousled hair and slightly tired eyes. They both clamber into her lap, snuggling close against her, like kittens seeking comfort and attention. Loki watches, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He reaches out to brush a hand over the top of Liv's head, while Einarr chuckles and shakes his head slightly at the sight of the small children.
"Well, hey there, little loves," Gwen coos. "I hope the two of you got plenty of sleep. We are having a movie night tonight with my friends."
Varian perks up immediately at the mention of "friends," eyes bright with curiosity, his stubbornness forgotten for the moment in favor of excitement. Liv, ever the strategist, tilts her head and narrows her eyes just slightly.
"Will there be snacks?" She asks suspiciously, like she's already calculating how much bribery it will take to get what she wants.
Loki sighs dramatically from where he lounges on the couch. "Of course, that’s your first concern."
"Yes, Tony is getting you a bunch of different snacks to try. Popcorn, chips, and lots of candy."
Both kids let out a little squeal of excitement when Gwen tells them there will be candy. Loki just sighs again before grinning and saying dryly, "Oh, wonderful. Our children are developing a sweet tooth already. As if we needed more reason to worry about those two."
Einarr chuckles softly at Loki's statement while the kids squirm off her lap to go play in the next room. The God of Mischief is trying hard to pretend he is annoyed, but the faint smile on his face makes it obvious the idea of his children being spoiled with candy is entertaining to him.
"While they are here, it doesn't hurt to let them try new things. I can't wait to see their faces when they try chocolate and sour candies."
Loki grins, clearly amused by the thought of their children trying candy for the first time. He gets up from his spot on the couch and walks over to stand by her, his eyes still on the kids as they play in the next room.
"I'm just picturing their faces when they realize just how good candy is. I can already hear them demanding it in the mornings instead of breakfast food." He chuckles, shaking his head. "They're going to be the most spoiled children to ever exist after this trip."
"Yes, they certainly are. But don't worry, I will limit it. Don't need them to overdo it and get sick."