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Your cheeks were the ones that hurt the most. The constant smile you had to put on was draining. But you knew their incessant questions would be more work if you didn’t have it on.
The “Are you ok?” or, “How are you feeling?” or the ever-wonderful, “You’re such a champ. How do you do it?” always demanded more thought energy from you than necessary. You knew their hearts were in the right place, but it was exhausting trying to prove to them that you were fine. You were ok.
Really.
So faux-smile it was. You walked around the party like Lazarus, back from the dead. Like someone who had their life together, waiting for the opportune moment to hide out from the party and leave.
Your saving grace was your husband, Loki. He could tell when your smile was genuine. He knew because he made sure he was the recipient of most of them. He held your hand throughout the night and gave you someone to lean on when you got tired.
“Would, you like to leave now, darling?” he whispered in your ear.
“No. I’m ok,” you smiled up at him.
“You don’t have to pretend with me, love,” he said kissing the top of your head. “Let’s hurry before the Captain makes a speech about sacrifice and glory. You know he will likely go on forever,” he laughed in your hair, tickling your nerves, and making you giggle genuinely.
“Too late,” Natasha said coming up next to you. Her gaze made you both look up on stage as Roger’s stepped up to the podium, holding a glass of champagne.
Low groans could be heard sprinkled throughout the crowd. Most likely from team members who’ve been victimized by his straining speeches.
Steve was about to speak when Tony came up and patted him on the back. “I think what the good Captain was trying to say…”
“I haven’t said anything yet,” Steve said surprised.
“…is that’ we’re glad to have our friend back.” He raised his glass towards you as the spotlight moved in your direction and blinded your eyes. “Cheers, my friend to your health and speedy recovery.” He raised a glass and everyone else did the same.
You forced your smile just a little bit wider. Just a little bit happier, and waved to everyone. “Any reason for a party, eh Stark?!” you yelled out, making everyone laugh at your quip.
When the lights finally left you, you whispered a silent ‘thank you’ to Tony, and he nodded in return. “I think that’s our queue to leave,” Loki rubbed your back and led you out toward the private hallway to your quarters.
He intercepted greetings and well-wishers along the way for you as he guided you further and further into the private quarters of the team.
Once in your room, you let out the biggest sigh and launched yourself on the bed, almost falling onto the floor. “That was exhausting,” you muffled in the pillow. Loki came up behind you kneeling on the bed. Instinctively, you spread your legs apart at the thought of your godly husband behind you.
He reached for your foot and tried to untie the straps of your shoes. You tried to wiggle your foot away, but he held them with a firm grasp. Chuckling, he lightly twisted your leg to signal you to turn.
“Loki, you don’t have to do that. I can take them off myself,” you smiled. You turned your body over, as he placed your foot on his chest. He fingered the delicate straps of your heels, deftly taking them off.
“I know, but please, allow me.” He gave you a chaste kiss on your ankle as he set your foot down and reached for the other. “You did say you were exhausted.”
You smiled up at him. The one heart that kept you going even when yours wanted to fail. He finished untying your shoes and set them gently on the floor.
“Did you see the look on Roger’s face when Stark commandeered his speech?” He said crawling up next to you, leaning his head on his hand while the other wrapped around your hips.
You laughed, turning into his chest. You snuggled up against the heat of his neck, feeling the strong pulse of his heartbeat. You could smell his cologne and the clean scent of his shirt. “Poor Steve. You know we’re not gonna get away without him saying that speech one way or another.” you chuckled.
“Do you have enough energy to change, darling, or would you like me to use my seidr?”
“I’m comfortable here in your arms. Please don’t make me get up,” your voice muffled against his skin.
“Seidr it is.” He snickered. With a snap of his fingers, a warm heat shimmered over your body. Rough organza gave way to soft jersey fabric, and you sighed with contentment. His linen shirt was replaced with soft ribbed cotton and you could feel his heartbeat quicken.
“How are you feeling?” he asked. You looked up into his worried eyes. The passion and devotion in them were enough to render you speechless.
With Loki, you didn’t have to pretend. You gave him your genuine smile. The one smile you save only for him and said, “I’m happy Loki.”
“Good. So am I,” he sighed as he captured your lips in a heated kiss.
