Twisted Fate || Loki Odinson

40.

Retrieving the gifts from the backseat of my truck, I brace against the biting cold, which nips at my cheeks and seeps through my jacket. My fingers, numb, fumble with the keys until I finally manage to unlock the door and step inside the warm sanctuary of my cabin. "I'm home," I call out, my voice echoing softly in the cozy silence. I slip off my shoes, the wooden floor cold against my stocking feet.

As I bend down to pick up my shoes, a twinkling light catches the corner of my eye. Slowly, I straighten and look up, my eyes widening in disbelief.

A tall and beautifully decorated Christmas tree stands in the corner of the room, its twinkling lights casting a warm, festive glow that fills the cabin with a magical ambiance. "What the--"

"Surprise!" Loki's voice startles me, and I whirl around to see him approaching, a pleased smile playing on his lips.

My mouth drops open slightly as I glance between Loki and the tree. "What-- How did you--"

"Magic, darling," he responds with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"I--I don't...," I stammer, words failing me as I struggle to process the unexpected sight. "I don't even know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," he shrugs, taking the bags from my hands and setting them on the side table. I stare at the twinkling lights in awe as he gently slides my coat off my shoulders. "Do you like it?"

"Like it?" I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief, a smile breaking through despite my shock. "I love it."

His lips curve into a genuine smile that reaches his eyes. "I'm glad."

"I haven't..." I exhale deeply, stepping closer to the tree to examine the intricate decorations. "I haven't had a Christmas tree in so long."

"I thought that might have been the case," he murmurs, his tone soothing.

"Is that why you did this?" I ask, my fingers gently brushing over the delicate string lights, feeling the warmth of the tiny bulbs against my skin.

"I wanted to make this one of the better Christmases you've had," he admits, his tone sincere and filled with a depth of understanding that makes my heart ache.

Tears prick the corners of my eyes as I turn to face him, overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you. You have... no idea how much this means to me." Before he can respond, I rush towards him, wrapping my arms around his neck and practically jumping into his arms. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist as his arms encircle me, holding me close.

He chuckles softly, pressing a tender kiss to the side of my head. "Anything for you, my love."

I unwrap my legs and set my feet back on the floor, looking up at him. Our eyes lock, and I notice his gaze flicker to my lips for a split second. Before things can go any further, I take a step back and clear my throat, trying to steady my racing heart. "Do you want to see what I got from a few people at work?" I walk over to the bags on the side table and start pulling out the gifts.

"Your co-workers got you gifts?" he questions, a hint of surprise coloring his voice.

"Mhm," I hum, pulling out each item with a mix of excitement and gratitude. "Let's see... Emily got me a spa set. It has a bath bomb, a small bottle of bubble bath, body lotion, and hand cream."

He examines the items with a puzzled expression, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is the purpose of all this?"

"Let's just say it'll make me smell good," I shrug, a playful smile tugging at my lips. He hums thoughtfully before I continue. "Ben got me this mug." He picks up the white mug and studies the marigold design with curiosity. "They're marigolds, one of my birth flowers." I grab the last bag and open it, revealing the final gift. "And Corey got me a couple of packs of pens," I add with a chuckle.

His brows knit together in confusion. "Why is that funny?"

"It's funny because I'm always losing my pens or the ones I can find don't work," I explain, shaking my head with a smile. His brows raise in understanding, and I chuckle again. "It's an inside joke."

"Well, it's nice that you all exchange gifts," he comments, his tone thoughtful and perhaps a touch envious.

"It is," I agree, setting the gifts aside and turning back to him. "But this," I gesture towards the tree, "this is the best gift I could have asked for."

He steps closer, his gaze softening as he looks at me. "You deserve to have joy and light in your life, Cassie."

Touched by his words, I take a deep breath. "Thank you, Loki. For everything."

His lips tug into a gentle smile, and he reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "Always, my love. Always."

|| || ||

My eyes slowly flutter open, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The first thing I notice is the strong arm draped protectively over my waist. I turn my head slightly and see Loki, his face relaxed in sleep, nestled into my pillow. A surge of affection warms my chest, and I can't help but smile, feeling a rush of gratitude for this moment of peace.

Carefully turning onto my other side, I move closer to him, admiring his serene features. "I know you're watching me," Loki murmurs softly, his tone a tender acknowledgment of our shared intimacy.

His eyes slowly open, their vibrant green meeting mine with a quiet intensity. "How long have you been awake?" I ask, my voice hushed.

"Not long," he replies in a low and gravelly tone, a small smile playing on his lips as he blinks away the remnants of sleep.

My brows furrow slightly. "Why didn't you get up?" 

"I didn't want this moment to ever end," he confesses, his voice carrying a rare vulnerability that tugs at my heartstrings.

My face warms with a mixture of emotions, and I shake my head slowly. "You're ridiculous," I whisper fondly, my fingers gently tracing patterns on his bare chest.

"Well, it's not every day you invite me to sleep in your bed with you," he quips with a smirk, a playful glint dancing in his gaze.

I roll my eyes playfully, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. "I let you sleep in my bed because I'm sure that couch is getting uncomfortable, and it was Christmas Eve," I explain with a small laugh.

"How thoughtful," he teases lightly, his smirk widening into a genuine smile that warms me from within.

"Fine. Enjoy sleeping on the couch," I say with a feigned nonchalance, making a move to get up and start the day.

Before I can move away, his hand wraps around my waist, pulling me back into his embrace with a gentle but firm grasp. "Excuse me, I'm not ready for this moment to be over yet," he admits, his voice a delicate blend of amusement and tenderness that sends a shiver down my spine.

I can't suppress the smile that tugs at my lips, folding my arms over his chest and resting my chin against them. His hand lingers on my waist as we lock eyes in a silent exchange of understanding. "You should consider allowing me to sleep in your bed more often," he suggests, a mischievous glint flickering in his gaze, hinting at unspoken desires.

My brows arch in playful curiosity. "Oh yeah? And why's that?"

"Well, I could make the late nights and the early mornings... very interesting," he offers with a low and seductive murmur.

The blood rushes to my cheeks, and I laugh softly, the sound tinged with nervous excitement. "I'm sure you could."

His eyes darken slightly as he leans in closer, his warm breath brushing against my skin, sending a tingling sensation through me. "Shall we test that theory?" he whispers, his voice filled with a promise of unspoken possibilities.

I giggle softly, my heart fluttering in response to the playful challenge. "Maybe... if you play your cards right."

He chuckles a deep, resonant sound that vibrates against my chest, filling the space between us with warmth and affection. "Challenge accepted, my love."