Special Agent 2: The Dark Soldier

Chapter 19

The day was brilliantly fine as Loki escorted Bishop down to the lakeside shore, her arm tucked in his. A soft breeze brushed past his skin, setting her blonde hair to waving on the wind, rippling out behind her. The soft grey dress she wore, made in the Asgardian style, with subtle gold stitching along the waist and neckline, looked beautiful on her.

"You'll love the lake," Loki told her. "It's beautiful, especially at this time of year."

Bishop smiled up at him and he smiled back. "I can't wait to see it," Bishop responded. "Asgard is even more beautiful this time."

"Asgard in spring is simply lovely," Loki agreed. "Although I do love the forests in autumn, when the leaves turn gold and orange and the winds are cool. You can feel the change in the air and it's exhilarating." He smiled again, looking down into her eyes. "In the fall, we'll have to come back."

The lake came into sight as they continued along the smooth stone path, spreading out away from the city. The sun glinted off the rippling water, almost blinding the couple for a moment before they descended the last set of stairs onto the terrace and the angle of sunshine wasn't as strong.

A large picnic basket was waiting on the table, although no one else was around. Bishop glanced over at Loki after she spotted it. "Did you have that brought here?"

"Being a prince has its benefits," Loki replied. "I felt you might enjoy this more than remaining in the palace for the rest of the day."

"Thank you," Bishop said. "This is great. Besides, we never did have our second date."

"Right," Loki said. "Well, it may be long overdue, but it's here at last. Let us enjoy it."

He escorted her down to the thin golden table, seating her on the bench before sitting down beside her. Bishop opened the picnic basket and pulled out a couple of silver plates. "Ooh, your Asgardians are fancy when it comes to picnics."

Loki laughed. "I believe my mother packed this. She must have gotten wind of it from the servants."

"Your mother is amazing," Bishop said, and Loki laughed again.

"Yes, she is."

The two talked while they ate the sandwiches and freshly baked pie inside the basket. "Asgardians eat sandwiches?" Bishop asked at first seeing the food.

"Well, ever since Thor spent that time in New Mexico, we've tried out a few new food types here from Midgard. Thor's even been joking an 'American' bar will open up soon to serve exclusively Midgardian food."

"A tip to whoever opens that bar," Bishop said. "Use mayonnaise on the.... What type of sandwiches are these, anyway?"

"Quail," Loki said. "Usually, we don't make sandwiches out of them, but Thor said you mortals like to put birds on bread. And sometimes cattle."

Bishop just laughed at him.

As soon as they had finished eating, Loki grabbed Bishop's hands and pulled her up off of the bench. "Come with me, darling." He led her down off of the terrace, toward the lake shore. "Isn't this magnificent?"

"Truly," Bishop said, shading her eyes from the sun. "It's even better being here with you."

Loki turned to her and wrapped his arms around her waist as she draped her arms over his shoulders. "I wholeheartedly agree. That it's better being here with you, I mean."

Bishop leaned into him, lifting her face up to his as she smiled softly. "I wish it could be this way always."

Loki felt a slight ache inside him, knowing he yearned for the same possibility. Someday. Someday, I swear. "Me, too, Ellie. I want that more than anything." There was a long, serious silence for a moment as he just held her, before he added, "Although, perhaps, we should finish our second date before we start discussing the future."