All The Little Pieces

Dance With Me

The change from the dark of the garden to the gold and blazing lights of Asgard's banquet hall was dazzling. Elizabeth tried not to stare around her as she and Loki made their way to their seats. The table seemed impossibly long, heavily laden with platters of meat, cheeses, bowls of bread and fruit, all sorts of wine, and mouthwatering desserts. She kept her hand wrapped tightly around Loki's arm and let him lead the way to the head of the table. He pulled out her chair, then seated himself directly on Thor's right.

Loki glanced over at her. "So, what do you think so far?"

Elizabeth tipped her head back and surveyed the painted ceiling and intricately carved pillars. "This is unlike anything I've ever seen. The room and the food, and...everything. It's amazing." She smiled and inclined her head. "And the company, well, your company is pretty much the best."

Loki leaned close to her. "I couldn't ask for better," he said quietly. "And I've been through all the Nine Realms. You are very, very special to me. You know that?" He reached for her hand and wove his fingers through hers.

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed and Loki chuckled. "I tell you how special you are to me and you turn pink, but after...that down in the garden, not the slightest hint of a blush when we came upstairs."

"I told you, I'm not good at expressing emotions with words. Granted, I mean, I've never stabbed anybody to make a point."

Loki threw back his head and laughed loudly.

"What's so funny, brother?" Thor stood beside them, like Loki, dressed resplendently in shining armor under his crimson cloak.

Loki looked up. "Ah, Thor! I don't think you'd find it funny so much." He and Elizabeth burst back into laughing fits.

Thor glanced from one to the other. "All right, then. I have to say, the two of you look better than you have all week. I was beginning to seriously worry about the both of you."

Elizabeth smiled. "We're fine now. We had a talk, and we're...good."

The seats around the table were nearly full. Thor took his place standing at the head of the table. "I welcome you all, dear friends and family, on behalf of myself and my brother. Months ago, you know how the Bifrost shattered. Heimdall has ever been a faithful keeper of the bridge, and he has found a way to repair it. Asgard will once again be connected to the rest of the Nine Realms." He smiled broadly and lifted his cup. "I ask you, my friends, to join me in celebrating the rebuilding of the Bifrost, and the restoration of Asgard in the universe."

The guests drank together, and Thor seated himself. Around them, conversations and laughter resumed as everyone began feasting. Each dish Elizabeth tried was delicious, and she relaxed, finally free of the sadness of the past week. She glanced at Loki to her left and found his eyes resting on her, a small contented smile on his lips.

He reached for her hand. "Dance with me?"

They moved out to the terrace. Elizabeth took his hands tentatively. "Like I said, I don't really know what I'm doing."

Loki positioned her hands and encircled her waist with an arm. "Just move with me. You'll get comfortable."

He was superb dancer, and after a few minutes, Elizabeth relaxed and could follow his movements without tripping. She looked up to see him watching her with the same smile and look in his eyes as earlier.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

His smile grew. "You're so beautiful. It sounds silly, but I don't want to take my eyes off you." His gaze traveled down her dress and then back to her face. "You're wearing my colors, I see."