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“Oh, would you stop fumbling with your tie? You look fine.”
“But, wouldn't it look better-”
“Listen Thor, between the two of us, I clearly know style. You look fine.”
Thor sighed and looked over at Loki. “Thank you, brother. I just want this day to go perfectly.”
“It will. Jane loves you, you love her, you've had the bloody rehearsal, the wedding will go perfectly. Can't you relax?”
“Can I use your words if you and Steve ever get married?”
He narrowed his eyes at Thor. “No, you may not.”
Thor let out a boisterous laugh and pulled Loki in for a hug. “Thank you, Brother. I appreciate your words.”
“Yes, yes, stop it you, big child.” Loki shoved Thor off, but couldn't help the corner of his mouth tugging upwards. The door opened and Odin walked in. Loki’s expression shifted into that of a neutral one and Thor instantly picked up on the change in mood.
“Would you like me to ask Father to step out? I can, I'd hate for you to feel uncomfortable.”
Loki smiled at him; he couldn't help it. Thor, dutiful, caring Thor, somehow trying to manage the family’s feelings even on his big day. Loki patted his shoulder and shook his head.
“Please Thor, give me some credit. I need to take my place as your best man, anyway. Don't fumble with the tie anymore, it looks perfect as it is.”
As he left, he could see Thor fiddling with his tie and he rolled his eyes. He was expecting as much. Odin nodded his head towards him as they passed.
“Loki. How are you, my son?”
Any snark he felt, he bit back. It's Thor’s big day, there's no problem with playing nice. “Fine. Just returning to my place as best man. And you, Odin?”
“I am well. Say hello to your mother, she is outside chatting with Steven.”
He nodded his head and walked out. He saw Steve and his mother chuckling. Dodger was resting at Steve’s feet.
“And I trust you and Loki are settling into your new apartment well?”
“Yes ma'am.”
“Oh Steve, you have known me far too long to refer to me in such a formal tone, haven't you?”
He ducked his head. “Yes, I have.”
“I thought so. Hello Loki.”
Steve vaguely looked around and Loki glided up to him and grabbed his waist. Steve made a slight gasp and turned towards him. “Hey you.”
“Hello.”
“Hello love. How are you?”
“Fine. Debating which embarrassing story I will share about Thor in my toast.”
“Try not to have it be too embarrassing, dear.”
Loki pretended to consider it. “I'll think on it.”
“You do that.” She smiled at the pair. “I'm going to go see your brother. It was wonderful catching up with you, Steve.”
“You too, ma- Frigga.”
“That's better.” She left, throwing a quick smile to Loki as she left. Loki looked at Steve, who was fumbling with his tie. He rolled his eyes and began to adjust Steve's tie.
“You and Thor are cut from the same cloth.”
Steve gave him a bashful smile. “Is that so?”
“Always fumbling with ties. There.”
Steve patted his tie twice before nodding his head. “I’m sure it looks fantastic.” He cupped Loki’s face and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
“How kind. Isn't someone being quite the romantic?”
“There's something about weddings that make a guy feel romantic. Remember Sam and Bucky’s wedding? I was kissing you all day and all night.”
“How could I forget?”
Steve shyly smiled at him and stole another kiss. “Are you nervous? About the speech and everything?”
He shook his head. “No, Thor should be more worried than me.”
Steve nudged him. “Stop it. Be nice to him.”
Loki brushed back some of Steve’s hair. “Is everyone seated out there?”
He nodded his head. “Yeah, Bruce and Val told me before I headed over here. I’m really happy that Jane and Thor are getting married.”
“Yes. They really do make a fine couple. Come, I need to take my place as best man.”
Steve got his cane that was resting against the wall and Dodger stood up. “Come on, boy.”
The two walked side by side, the only sounds coming from Dodger’s bell and the light tapping of Steve’s cane. It was rare that he used both at once, but he said since the wedding would be loud and busy, he felt that having both gave him the most confidence. Steve sighed and turned his head to the side.
“Would you look at that?”
Loki turned his head, before realizing that Steve could not have been referring to anything and scowled. “You're a menace.”
Steve laughed and bumped his shoulder against Loki’s. “A menace, you say?”
“An absolute terror.”
He laughed some more before an easy smile settled on his face. “Are you planning on dancing?”
“Well, yes, I was planning on dancing. With a partner, as well. Ideally, a tall, blonde, former soldier, who currently works as a massage therapist, gives excellent back rubs, by the way.” He rubbed Steve’s shoulder. “Why wouldn't we dance? As best man and the fact that everyone loves my partner, even more than me-”
“Loki.”
“I thought it was a given we'd dance. No one will make fun of you or your terrible dancing.”
He smiled to himself. “No, I know. I just… I'm sure I'll step all over your feet.”
“I don't mind. I wish to dance with you Steve.” The wedding guest’s came into Loki’s field of vision.
“Really?” He bashfully smiled and his cheeks turned bright red. “Well… then, I'd love to dance. We're here, with the guests, aren't we?”
“You can hear them milling about and chatting.”
“Yep. Luckily, I can still hear Dodger’s bell.”
“Here we go, right next to where my parents will be.”
“I still can't believe they wanted me seated all the way up here.”
“Remember Steve, everyone in the family adores you. Of course they'd have you up here.”
Steve slowly lowered into his seat and Dodger lay across his feet.
“Alright, I need to take my place. See you after the ceremony.”
“Bye hon.”
Loki took his place next to Bruce and Val, his brother’s groomspeople. He stood up straight and looked out at the crowd, comfortable with the role he needed to play.
It was a beautiful ceremony. Both Jane and Thor had cried by the end and Loki had rolled his eyes at the display, but not in a malicious way. He had told a mildly embarrassing story about Thor (nothing like Darcy recounting a time when Jane’s hair had caught on fire at the lab), one that had elicited laughs from everyone. A safe joke. Thor had taken Steve aside, they were talking about something, he wasn't sure what. Jane, Darcy, and his mother were chatting, while Val was chatting with his father. He and Bruce were sitting in silence, watching everyone enjoy themselves.
“Your business must be doing well.”
“Yes. You know, it does exceptionally well during wedding season. Many couples feel a need to destress and come in for incense or massages.”
“And you and Steve are going strong?”
He looked over at Steve, who was laughing at something Thor had said. A dreamy smile drifted onto Loki’s face. “I believe so. We have a thriving business and love life, so everything seems to be going right.”
“I'm really happy for you guys.” He chuckled. “I was kind of surprised when I met him. He's rather different than…”
“Yes, yes, I know. He's not snarky or distant or cold or anything like that. He really is something, though.”
“Yeah. I've known you since high school and I've never seen you any happier.”
Loki looked over at Bruce and nodded his head. “Nor have I felt happier. Thank you, Bruce.”
“Are we going to be going to your wedding next?”
He laughed. “Steve and I aren't interested in rushing it. If it comes, it will, if it doesn't…” He shrugged. “It's our love that matters.”
“So saccharine. A surprise from you, Loki.”
They looked up and saw Valkyrie standing across from them. She smirked and had a sliced apple.
“Hey. What are you two doing here, all alone?”
“Having a lovely time until you showed up.”
“Just relaxing from the festivities.”
“Seems like your boyfriend has been stolen.”
Loki looked over and now saw Jane and his parents over with Steve and Thor. “He's popular.”
“Yeah. They know if they're having back problems, they can go to him. I suppose you can always give them a nice candle.”
“My store is much more than a ‘buy Loki’s candle, have a massage from Steve' place.”
“Sure.”
“Be nice, Val. They also have these really delicious chocolates that they sell.”
Before Loki could protest, the DJ said, “And now the lovely couple will have their first dance.”
While Jane and Thor made their way to the dance floor, everyone who had been gathered with them made their way back to their tables. Dodger faithfully led Steve back to the seat he was previously sitting in, next to Loki. Steve slowly leaned back and Loki made sure to hold him.
“What was Thor boring you with?”
“Be nice, you. He was just telling me some stories about you, actually.”
“Me?”
“Mm.” Steve slowly leaned back more and Loki lowered him so his head could rest on his shoulder. “Yeah. Apparently, you lost quite a few bets to him when you were younger.”
He rolled his eyes. “He brought those up?”
“You stole Halloween candy because you lost a bet?”
“I was young, okay? And yes, I lost a bet to Thor. Like you've never done anything stupid because of Barnes.”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that.”
Loki chuckled and clapped as Thor and Jane’s first dance ended. He saw his parents rise to get on the dance floor. He kissed Steve’s cheek and started to help him sit back up.
“Is it time for us to dance?”
“Steve, if you don't want to, I don't want to make you-”
“Dodger, sit, okay boy?”
Dodger lay back down and Steve set down on his cane on the chair. He stuck his hand in Loki’s general direction.
“Loki Odinson, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
Loki chuckled and took his hand. The two walked out onto the dance floor and although there were some stumbles, Loki truly enjoyed dancing with Steve.
“Stark’s not here, but his present arrived. It's the biggest one on the table.”
“He must feel guilty about not being able to make it.”
“Something tells me Jane and Thor will still be receiving gifts from him.” He rested his head against Steve’s shoulder, so content with where his life was. He couldn't remember the last time he felt the turmoil that had plagued his mind throughout his teen and most of his 20s. It was nice. Peaceful.
“If someone had told me, three years ago, that when you walked into my… new business, that I would gain not only my future business partner, but also someone who I could see spending the rest of my life with, someone who could only change my life for the better, I would have laughed in their face and insisted that Stark must have put them up to this. But… Steve, I…”
Steve smiled and gently kissed the top of his head. “I feel it too. I love you.”
A light smile came on his face. Seemed that Steve was right. Weddings really did make a person feel more romantic.
“I love you too.”