Here is my Christmas present to you! It is late, I know, and I'm sorry, but it wouldn't go up until now. Internet here has been glitchy, sadly.

Your POV:

"Has it all been coming back, then?"

I nod to Natasha as I tie my hair into an intricate mix of braids, trying to copy what the screen in front of me shows.

"It has, luckily. Still, do we have to do a huge party like this?" I let out an angry sigh, hitting the counter, as I do it wrong again. With an amused chuckle, the female spy comes to stand behind me, unmaking what I had braided.

"You know how Tony is, he'd use any reason to throw a party. It's one of the first times that we have an actual reason." Saying this, she smiles at me through the mirror. "We were all worried about what could happen. This could have ended badly, but it seems that Loki's indeed more than a simple trickster."

I try to turn to look at her but she holds my face forward, so, all I can do is glare at the mirror in front of me.

"Don't speak of him that way!"

"Calm down, wolfy, I was just kidding," is all she says, smirking smugly. I roll my eyes at her.

"Seriously, Nat?"

Instead of an answer, she steps back and proclaims, "Done!" with a simple raise of her eyebrow. I stand up and turn to look at what she had done.

"It's exactly like the picture! How the hell did you do that?" She just shrugs with a smirk.

"It's a gift."

I cannot help but shake my head in silent laughter. Why am I not surprised by that answer?

"We should hurry up, the party has already started."

Looking down at my dress, I smile softly.

Green, black and gold mix to create mysterious but beautiful clothes that make me feel like a princess. It is logical, considering Loki is a banished prince. I wonder what he might be wearing to this party, probably something extravagant, knowing him.

"We should get going then!" I suddenly yell out, putting my small shoes on as Natasha makes sure her hair and dress are well done.

Quickly, we both come out of my room and jog over to the large elevator, going to the right level. Soon, music can be heard through the doors and I feel anxiety creep into my heart, tapping my foot at a fast rhythm.

"Hey," says Natasha, making me turn to her. "It'll be alright." I wordlessly nod, giving her an awkward smile as the doors of the elevator open.

We walk out of it, seeing what must be hundreds of people discussing with each other around the dark-but-still-well-lit room. I mutter to myself as we walk over, everyone staring as we pass them. "Stay calm, don't panic. You can do this."

I feel relieved when we reach two of our friends who smile at us as we arrive.

"I was wondering when you'd come out of hiding," jokes Tony, making me raise an eyebrow at him. "What? We've been waiting for hours!"

"He's exaggerating, as always," starts Steve with a roll of the eyes. "It has only been a few minutes."

I look at Tony again after that. "Really, Tony?" He shrugs with a smirk that shows he isn't ashamed.

Before I can add anything, though, I hear a smooth voice that makes me involuntarily grin. "This dress looks wonderful on you, love."

Turning to Loki, I put my hands on his shoulders and peck his lips. "You look great as well!" I glance at his own clothes, a black suit with green and gold embedded in its fabric.

Smiling softly, he looks me over. "I see you found inspiration in what I wear."

"I did." I see no need to lie about it either.

His smile turns into a smirk at my answer and he grabs my hand, leading me away from the other three and into the crowd of people before I can say anything.

"W-what are you doing!?"

Instead of answering, he continues dragging me along. Soon, I realize that we are on the dance floor.

"Not to burst your bubble, Loki, dear, but, I only know waltz. You thaught me. This isn't the kind of song we can waltz to."

https://youtu.be/lL-mcKChOIw

It then changes from a pop song to a tune I surprisingly recognize. With wide eyes, I look at Loki who nods, answering my silent question. Immediately, I place my right hand in his left one and my left on his right shoulder as he places his right hand on my hip.

We start dancing, my dress flowing along to our swift movements. Like on, we move flawlessly across the dance floor, those around us disappearing as we get lost into the music we have practiced to so many times in the past. I find myself remembering more of my past, of what has happened, of what I have experienced.

The wicked just like the enjoyable moments, I remember them all in this whirl of emotions that seem to appear all at once. Without much thought, I leaned over and kissed Loki, closing my eyes.

All was going so wonderfully well, yet, in the back of my mind, I felt a darkness like no other. I chose to ignore it for the time being.

You will be back in the second book of "Loki x Reader" for many other adventures.

Hopefully, old foes will stay down.