IDUNA (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 14 - Birthday Party

Days with Bragi were beautiful, and the nights were better. You made a point of avoiding Loki, and he didn't dare try one of his charades on you again once he saw the glow in your eyes the first time. You were both scared of each other, and neither of you knew which was stronger. You had no desire to find out.

Instead, you found out more about Bragi. He wrote you more poems and you read his books, which described Asgard's hidden gems better than you could in a million years. "One day she'll watch by my side." One of them wrote, and you copied this into one of your own notebooks and tore out the sheet, carrying it in your bag wherever you went.

And you did watch by his side. You watched stars float in the reflection of ponds and you saw the way they moved in his eyes as he looked up above you before returning his gaze to yours, laughing into kisses and more. On one of these picturesque nights, he informed you of an upcoming event he was invited to, a kind of celebration where everyone would dress up and pretend they liked one another.

"You don't have to feel obligated to come. It will be stuffy, I can promise you that, but it might be a nice chance for us to be other people for a night."

"I love who we are."

"So do I. You're right. Let's skip it."

"No, no, you're right. It would be fun. We will go. What is everyone celebrating?"

"It's a birthday event for Thor."

You immediately rolled your eyes. "You didn't say it was THAT event."

"Because I knew you wouldn't say yes, but you already have. I would offer to help you pick out something to wear but you have better taste than I do. Plus I want to be surprised."

"Oh, I'll surprise you." You whispered as you reached in to kiss his neck. He slowly pulled away and held your hands in his.

"It's this weekend. If you don't want to go, I understand. I would never force you into something you're uncomfortable with."

"It's okay, really. I promise. I haven't been to a fancy ball since I was a child. I'm sure it's not much different."

"I'm sure you're right." He leaned in and kissed you as the night grew cold.
-
While you had decent taste when it came to regular, day-to-day clothing, you forced Eir to join you while dress searching, returning the favor as she would also be in attendance. Her style was far more sleek and sophisticated, and in a way, swapping styles for the night might not be such a bad idea.

A wrinkled woman helped you search the numerous aisles of gowns, each one unique.

"They aren't organized in any particular way. But trust me, you'll find something." She said and laughed with a crackly rasp. This was nothing like stores on Earth, and a bright yellow and skin-tight cocktail dress could be right next to a wedding gown fit for a princess. You and Eir agreed to each pick out a large pile for one another, and you'd have to model each piece for one another.

You sorted through the many bagged gowns in the dressing room. The color scheme was muted and dark, but rich and lovely. Eir's was much more flowy and light, and you couldn't wait to see her in something more for a ball and less for fighting off criminals.

You watched her emerge time and time again from the curtain, where you'd both laugh in each other's faces at the garments. Some were okay, most were awful. Your luck was running thin.

As you came out in a dress that made you look like a dirty tube sock, almost in tears laughing, Eir slowly peaked out in a bright orange number. The sleeves were puffed with organza fabric and her shoulders were tastefully exposed. It was straight out of a painting.