Frost Bite

Infinitely

Loki watched them go, pride swelling in his chest. Amy had done well, so very well. Thor was right, although he would never actually tell him, she was in every way His Queen.

As he turned back to her, he smiled softly. She was fast asleep on the chair, her hair falling over her face, her lips a little open, a red stain at the corners of her mouth. So very beautiful.

Picking her up with ease, using his magic, in a matter of seconds, they were back in their London penthouse. Laying her gently on their bed, she stirred and mumbled to him something unintelligible.

"Shhhhh, my love," he soothed, stroking her cheek gently, "you did so well, sleep now." He sat on the bed behind her as she settled, supporting her with her head on his stomach, holding her small hand in his. Carefully and rhythmically, his thumb traced circles over the back of it, and she smiled in her sleep. When she woke, there would be much to say, but for now, she could rest - there was no rush.

He was sitting in the living room reading when she finally appeared several hours later. Her hair was a dishevelled fuzzy cloud. She still wore her rumpled shirt, although the leggings and boots had long since been discarded. She padded over to him in her bare feet. He turned, wrapping his arms around her as she sat down, kissing her softly.

"Better?" He asked gently, resting his forehead on hers.

"Mhmm much," she smiled, eyes closed. Pulling back, she pouted, "I missed you when I woke." she stroked his cheek, and he laughed, his eyes twinkling.

"I've only been gone a few minutes, and I was right here all that time. I would never leave you, you know that." He watched her pout turn into her beautiful smile. His heart clenched as she laughed softly, stroking his cheek.

"I know, I was just teasing."

She stretched and turned back to him "It's odd, I still can't get used to the idea that I'm not hungry! I used to be such an eating machine, and now? Nothing." she shrugged, palms up in a kind of 'I don't believe it' gesture. Loki laughed too, there were many things to get used to, but that? He'd not expected that to be top of the list. She was delightfully crazy.

"Sooooo, what would Dracula's Daughter like to do now?" he asked, smirking, and she rolled her eyes. He laughed and sat back, putting his book to the side. "Since everything seems to be calm for now, we have some downtime before our 'normal' life calls us back. We could go visiting or we could stay here. We could meet up with Thor and the others before they return to Asgard?" he tried to make it sound like a throwaway line, but inside, he was desperate to show her his home. He knew she would love it and it her. It was a frightening concept for her, though, to travel to another world.

"They're going back? To Asgard? On the Bifrost?" She sat forward, interested, an idea forming in her mind "Lokiiiiiii" she started to say with a wheedling tone to her voice. He put a hand on her arm, his eyes alight.

"You... really would want to? " he could barely believe she would actually want to go. She looked at him, a slight frown on her face.

"How do you know what I was going to say?" she said. "Can I keep nothing to myself anymore? What if I want to surprise you with something?" she sounded disappointed, and he immediately regretted spoiling things for her in his excitement.

"Oh darling girl, I'm sorry. It's a side effect of our bond, I'm afraid. But I promise to be surprised and excited at all times!" He laughed and pulled her up to stand with him. Twirling her around in his arms, he added, "I would love to show you Asgard and show you off TO Asgard. I may be their Prince and the heir to Jotunheim's throne, but everyone, in every realm, will fall in love with their new Queen!"

"Oh Loki, who'd have taken you for such an old romantic!" She giggled and then stopped, looking at him quizzically. "But I'm not a Queen, I'm not even a Princess. We're not ma..." She stared open mouthed as the implication of what he'd just said to her hit.

"Not yet, my love," he whispered, a soft smile playing on his lips. He took a step back, keeping hold of her hand. She watched, her heart racing as he sank to one knee.

"Amy, we have been through so much together. We have lived and loved and battled. We have overcome enemies and even time itself. We are bonded in blood, now let us be bonded in marriage. Become not just my Princess of Asgard, but my Queen of Jotunheim. Marry me, Amy, please?" He bowed his head, and she felt her cheeks wet with tears.

"Yes," she breathed. "Oh yes, a thousand times, yes!" He looked up, and his smile would have lit the world. As it was, no one would have seen his smile because she'd pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss.

As they kissed, their fingers entwined, a little flare of green appeared around their hand. Silver runes appeared along their palms. Visible only to them when they thought of each other, they symbolised their blood bond and now, their eternal love. Rings, no matter how precious, could be damaged or lost. These marks of love and protection would be forever.

"For once, I don't have the word to describe how much I love you, Amy," he said softly as they admired their new additions.

"And I love you, Loki," she countered and with a smile added "infinitely."

As they stood in each other's arms, savouring the moment, 'infinitely' suddenly sounded like the best word he had ever heard.