To Withstand the Force of Storms (A Loki Laufeyson Fanfic)

Chapter 5: You and I in Unison

"Society honors its living conformists and its dead troublemakers." –Mignon McLaughlin

*

Six months later

"Are you nervous?" Leyna asks, lounging on Annaka's bed as Linnet curls her hair carefully in little spirals.

"Just a little," Annaka replies. "Ouch! Be careful, that iron is really hot."

"Sorry."

"I don't usually get nervous," Annaka continues. "I don't get nervous in front of crowds, so I should be okay."

"I dunno." Linnet sounds doubtful. "Weddings make a lot of people nervous whether it's their's or not."

Annaka shakes her off. "Everything will be fine. I already double checked everything; it's all right."

"What about Loki?" Leyna asks.

"What of him?"

"Do you think he's nervous?"

"No, definitely not."

"Why not?" Linnet asks.

Annaka sighs. "How do I explain? I think that if you really love someone, then that's all that's going to matter at the moment. I'm not going to focus on anyone but Loki, because I don't love anyone else in that room like I love Loki, so they won't make me nervous. And I think because Loki and I are meant for each other, it'll be even easier. Make sense?"

"I can see what you're saying." Leyna nods, as does Linnet.

"So basically, 'if love were a bridge, we built it right'," Annaka concludes.

"That was deep," Linnet says, making the other girls laugh.

"It's true!"

"That's cute; you should say that in your vow," Leyna tells her.

"My vow is way deeper, don't fret," Annaka promises.

"Okay your hair is done." Linnet puts the hair curler down. "Leyna, you're up."

Leyna jumps up and grabs the dramatically sized makeup box, dragging it over next to Annaka. "All natural, right?"

Annaka nods as Leyna goes to work.

*

"Your dress is so perfect." Linnet fondles it as she takes it out of the closet and places it on the bed. "It has Annaka written all over it.

The dress is a cream color instead of pearly white, a decision that Annaka had made years ago. It's a strapless mermaid dress with a sequined-like belt and lace adorning the top half.

"I can't wait to wear it."

 "Then get in it!" Leyna helps Annaka into the dress while Linnet gets the veil and bouquet ready.

After placing the veil carefully atop her head, Annaka steps back and looks into the full length mirror. "How do I look?"

"Fabulous," they both say.

"And with half an hour to spare," Leyna notices.

"What am I supposed to do for half an hour?" Annaka asks, eager to get the show on the road.

"Sit carefully so you don't mess yourself up," Linnet suggests, already fiddling with curls that have escaped.

"And don't eat or drink until later," Leyna adds. "Just to be safe."

***

"I can't do this."

"Yes, you can!" Leyna says enthusiastically.

"What happened to Miss Confidence?" Linnet questions.

"Well now it's happening!" Annaka shrieks, trying to make herself stop shaking.

"It'll be fine," Leyna assures her, rubbing her arms soothingly. "Just follow me out." Leyna was the last bridesmaid to enter, and Annaka takes three deep breaths before going through the doors. Why are weddings so nerve racking? But as soon as she sees Loki waiting for her at the end of the aisle, her jitters disappear, and he's all she can focus on.

Before she knows it, she's handing her bouquet to Linnet and facing Loki. Odin drones on and on about love and sickness and being there for each other, but she barely listened to his unenthusiastic voice. She could tell Loki wasn't listening either. He only listens to the sound of her voice, and his eyes never leave her.

*

The reception is full of wine and people no one knows.

"Brother!" Loki turns to see Thor stomping towards him. "Congratulations! Jane sends her regards as well."

"Thank you, brother," Loki answers maturely. Thor walks away with a broad smile, and Loki turns back to his new wife. "You look remarkable."

"And you, dashing," she responds, making Loki laugh, the noise quite heartwarming and sadly, almost unfamiliar.

"Come, let's dance," Loki says as a slow song  starts playing. He pulls Annaka onto the marble floor and holds her close, humming softly with the song. Annaka rests her head on his chest, feeling safe and loved. After the song, Loki leads Annaka outside to one of the balconies and lets the sky do the talking. Tonight it seems like every star is replaced by a miniature universe that swirls around itself and shines bright. Seeing outer space from the castle is on the not-so-long list of things that Loki likes about Asgard. Also on that list is: Annaka, drinking, pranks, and libraries.

"Every galaxy out there holds millions of tiny universes alike and unlike our own," Loki says, "and I love you in every one of them."

Annaka kisses him once for his eloquence and then again just because. "Y'know, Leyna and Linnet asked me if I was nervous. I wasn't."

"I wouldn't expect you to be."

"I told them that 'if love was a bridge we built it right'. They liked that."

Loki smiles widely. "That's the best representation of us I've ever heard. Perhaps it's because you said it."

"Such a charmer," Annaka comments. "I love you."

"I love you more." Loki kisses her cheek, then her jaw line, then the corner of her mouth, until he finally stops on her lips. "I believe we have one last deed to do in order to make this marriage official."

 Annaka smirks at the mischievous glint in his eye that suggests they haven't done that already. "Lead the way."