Heaven Sent (Loki/Asgard Fanfiction - Aislinn's Story)

Chapter Thirty-Six

They found Loki in the Throne room and Steve tried his damnedest not to stare, but he'd never seen so much gold in one room. From the etchings inlaid in the black marble floor and along the green marble ceiling, to the pillars of what looked like solid gold, the entire cavernous room practically blinded him.

The King of Asgard sat atop an immense golden throne (naturally), on a raised dais that boasted three separate staircases, each with nine steps. In his right fist, he held a golden staff and on his head he wore a golden helmet with swooping golden horns. He was far more imposing than Steve had ever seen any father look and he wondered if he should ask his permission to marry Aislinn.

But to his relief, Loki smiled and tugged the helmet from his head. "Al, thank the gods! Your mother was convinced you were never coming home."

As he spoke, he rose from his throne, set his staff and helmet on the throne seat, and then came down the steps to embrace first Aislinn, and then he held out his hand to Steve. "And good to see you here, Steve."

"Thank you. It's good to see you again, Loki."

"I don't know why Mom thought I'd never come back." Aislinn combed her fingers through her hair, drawing it away from her face.

"Well, that you'd have to ask her, but I think it's because this is the longest you've ever been away from Asgard, unless we were together as a family."

"But you both knew where I was," she told him, glancing over at Steve. "And you knew who I was with."

As she spoke, she reached for his hand and when her fingers linked with his, she gently squeezed when Loki said, "I think that's why she thought you were never coming home."

Steve cleared his throat. "Maybe you should go put your mom's mind at ease."

Her thumb brushed his. "Daddy, do you promise to not make Steve sorry he's come here?"

Loki nodded. "I promise. I like him, sweetling. Why would I make him sorry he's here?"

She gave him a long look. "I can't imagine why."

"Go. Steve and I will be fine." Loki's gaze fell on him. "Won't we?"

"Sure." What else could he possibly say?

Aislinn didn't look too sure as she glanced from him to her father and back, but then she leaned in to brush his lips with a quick kiss and said, "I'll be right back. You and Daddy play nice, okay?"

"I will, Ash. Go and put your mom's mind at ease." He smiled as he slid an arm about her waist. When her lips touched his again, he pulled her closer, parting his, but then, ever mindful of Loki watching them, he closed his mouth and murmured, "He's staring at us, isn't he?"

Her hand, resting on his hip, tightened. "I think so." She pulled back, her eyes dancing with a hint of the devil. "I'll be back in a few. Daddy, I mean it, be nice."

"I promise, Al. As I told your mother, I like Steve. He's perfectly safe with me."

She glared at him, but then started up the runner toward the doors. As they closed once more, Loki said, "So how did your first trip on the Bifrost go?"

Without thinking, Steve groaned. His stomach still hadn't settled entirely. "I need to adjust a little to it, I think."

Loki smiled as he sank onto one of the steps. "I imagine you do. Sit."

Since it's never wise to anger a god, Steve settled onto the second to last step. "Nice place you have here."

Loki grinned. "It's a bit much, I imagine. But, it's home."