A New York Secret

Chapter Eighty-Eight

James made his way to the kitchen to look and see what they had. Trying to find some snacks they could all enjoy, he decided to make some popcorn, and prepare a bowl of chips with dip on the side.

Loki listened to James moving around while he stared at the tv. "James?"

"Yes?" James called back from the kitchen. 

"Could I have a refill of my water, please?" He asked.

"Sure, give me just a minute." James replied as he collected the snacks to carry them out to the coffee table. After setting everything down, he collected Loki's glass and walked back to the kitchen to refill it.

While patiently waiting, Loki kept glancing towards the bedroom door, waiting to see Emily again. He didn't have to wait long, as she emerged wearing her favorite rainbow pajama pants and one of James' shirts.

"Perfect timing." James said approvingly, walking out of the kitchen with drinks. He set down a glass of tea for him and Emily, then handed Loki his glass of water. He blushed slightly when their fingers briefly brushed together.

Emily smiled, able to see Loki and James were already trying. "Thank you. Have I missed anything?"

"Not much. I mean, your boyfriend has decided that he finds me irresistible, but we all knew that would happen." Loki teased, showing his sense of humor had not been damaged.

Seeing James flush a bright pink, Emily giggled. "Did we increase your ever growing ego, Loki?"

"Is it even possible to increase my ego?" Loki chuckled. "I'm just trying to make things less awkward." He admitted, knowing this was all new territory for James.

"It's sweet of you," Emily told him. "It's new for all of us, but especially James."

"In terms of being with a man, it's new only to him." Loki pointed out. "I haven't had many long term relationships, but I have dabbled in all different types of relationship dynamics, so that might be helpful." He shrugged.

"The experience will be helpful," James admitted quietly as he sat back down on the couch.

"For what it's worth, I hope Lady Emily could confirm, I will never try to pressure you into anything. I may make suggestions, but I have a very firm respect of no means no." Loki told James.

James gave Loki a confident smile. "Something else we have in common then."

Loki nodded then turned his attention to Emily. "How do you feel about all of this?" He asked curiously. "If you aren't ready yet, because of me, I understand that."

"We'll... go slow. There's no need to rush things. But I want to try."

"That sounds fair." Loki agreed. "Would we be making it official now, or in the future?"

Emily looked towards James, who shrugged. "I think... we can start now... but keep it to ourselves. Mary will have enough on her plate when she returns. Steve too."

"Do you think they would react badly?" Loki asked curiously.

"Not badly... but they might not understand. Not at first," Emily explained.

"Probably Steve more than Mary. Steve was raised in the same time I was." James pointed out. "I think in time, they will be supportive though."

"Should we go ahead and discuss relationship rules?" Loki asked, knowing it was one of the first steps to take in a relationship like this.

Emily sat beside James, smiling as he curled an arm around her. "We can," she nodded. "I'm sure things will adapt and change as they go, but we can go over things now."