Loki Laufeyson - Saviour {2}

Chapter Fourty One - On Edge

I heard the music as soon as the door opened; Tony had a habit for blaring music as loud as he could. It thrummed in my chest like it did at Christmas, but it didn't quite catch me off guard this time. I took a deep breath and followed closely to Wanda, my hands sweating a little as we reached the top of the staircase. The whole lounge area was covered in swarming crowds, it seemed like there was even more than Christmas. A lump started to build up in my throat, but Wanda just put a steady hand on my back and slowly guided me down the stairs.

I almost immediately spotted the Barton family, around the same time Lila spotted us. She came rushing up to me with a big grin on her face and I crouched down to pick her up. I put a grin on my face, though it wasn't hard to make it real.

"Hey Lila." I said, resting her on my hip while being careful of my dress. "I swear you've grown since I last saw you." I readjusted my grip on her as I felt her slip a little.

"It hasn't been that long." She giggled, running a hand though my slightly curled hair. "You look really pretty."

"Thank you very much." I smiled at her, leaning back a little to admire her dress. "So do you. You could pass as royalty I reckon." She was wearing a small dark blue dress and had her brown hair out, hanging over her shoulders with a small silver clip to the left side of her head, which matched her shining silver shoes. "I love the little clip."

"Mumma said I should wear it." Lila replied, reaching up to touch the clip in her hair. "It feels really weird though, I don't like it." She pulled a face and I chuckled.

"How's my little munchkin going?" Nat interrupted, walking over to pinch Lila's cheeks gently once she had finished talking to Laura.

"Auntie Nat!" The little girl squealed, pulling away from Nat before reaching out to be held by her.

"Auntie Nat?" I repeated, putting a hand to my chest and huffing in mock offence. "How come I don't get called Auntie Emily?"

"'Cause I like Auntie Nat more." Lila grinned cheekily and I opened my mouth in over-exaggerated shock. Nat snorted and grinned at me, relief sparkling in her eyes at how relaxed I had become.

"You did not just say that." I said, looking at Lila with a raised eyebrow. "You are going to pay for that!" I immediately began to tickle her, causing her to squeal and wriggle around in Nat's arms.

"Okay, okay!" She squealed after a couple of seconds. "I'm sorry!" I stopped tickling her and she gave me puppy-dog eyes, which made me chuckle a little. "You can be Auntie Emi than." I smiled even more, and Nat gently set her back down on the floor when she spotted a plate of food coming closer.

"That is probably the happiest I have seen you the whole week." Nat commented as we both watched Lila run off. I smiled slightly and took a pasty off one of the trays being carried around by a waiter.

"Well, who can resist little kids?" I shrugged and Nat smiled, nodding before someone interrupted us.

"Nice of you girls to finally show up." Said Steve as we both turned around. "I thought you were going to be in there forever. How long does it take for someone to get ready?"

"You've got to look nice for a party." Nat defended, folding her arms.

"Still doesn't explain why you were in there for so long." Steve grinned and I couldn't help but grin and raise my eyebrows when I saw a faint shade of blush creep along her cheeks.

"I'll leave you two alone." I grinned at her, causing her to blush even more. It was a rare sight to see Natasha Romanoff flustered.

"But I can't leave you alone." She pointed out and I opened my mouth to tell her I would be fine close to the Bartons when a new voice spoke up.