Panda With A Sweater

"Why?" He cocked his head in defiance. "Are you scared you won't be able to control her?"

"Despite being an heiress, she is still a princess, and princesses tend to... Chew more than they can bite." Odin said simply as if bored by the conversation.

"So you just hide information from her? You know she will become your daughter in law, right?"

"Does that mean you have accepted your role in the alliance?"

"I always have, ever since you forced my hand. But don't try to make this about me. You know what she would do if she had that information, don't you?"

"We can't have her leaving. Until you two are wed, none of you will take a step out of this palace, and if I find that either of you did, I'm dissolving this marriage right now. I do not care if Midgard falls. After all, they say to keep your enemies closer."

...

"So?" You raised an eyebrow as his eyes searched your face, his own devoid of expression.

Loki's gears were turning. What could he say? He needed your trust to keep his side of the deal, but he also knew the consequences of going against his father's wishes. He wouldn't be here if he didn't recognize the power he held.

"We're still waiting on confirmation. But I'll let you know as soon as we have conclusive intel." He said.

True. It wasn't a conclusive answer, but it was an answer nonetheless. He wasn't lying, really, he just needed clearance to reveal the facts.

He noticed your expression hardening. It was strange, you had acted serious, but right now you looked borderline angry.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. As soon as this is confirmed, I promise I will personally come and tell you."

You relaxed just a little at that. "I'll hold you to that."

With a soft huff, you hit the pillows behind you and relaxed in the window seat. Looking out the glass you saw the unwavering sea. You had never been so close to it, at least not until the night when you came to Asgard. It hadn't been that long ago, but you wondered if you could go there again.

Loki saw your expression. He pretended not to notice it though. His mind was still slightly panicky from almost failing to secure your trust. At least in his head. His expression, or lack thereof, made you none the wiser.

"Have you ever seen the sea up close, princess?" He asked without even looking at you, his eyes also fixated on the sea.

"Only once..."

He risked a glance at you to find you still fixated on the shoreline below. "What about a walk down the sea tomorrow?"

You perked up at that, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "Really?"

"If you wish." He smirked.

A shadow crossed your face. "I don't think that would be a good idea..."

"Why is that?"

"My brother. He will be arriving soon, and I'd rather be here for him when he arrives."

Loki nodded. "That's understandable." He adjusted on his seat. "Then let me make a proposition. Once your brother has arrived, I shall take you both on a stroll. After all, I would like to speak to the boy myself."

You raised an eyebrow at him. "As long as you don't place a dagger by his neck everything will be fine."

"If he is anything like you, I would be willing to bet that he has his own." He smirked teasingly.

"Oh, and even if he doesn't, you can bet that I do." You teased back.

"I would not expect less from you, princess." He smirked, the title sounding more like a nickname coming from his mouth.

"We'll reunite then. If that's okay with you."

"Of course," He replied, and then took your hand to plant a kiss on top of your hand. "It will be an honor to get to know your brother, and formally present you to our beautiful shoreline."

You smiled in agreement. "I will wait expectantly." You stood to leave but turned before heading to the door. "When should we reconvene to discuss the book?"

"Next week will probably be busy for both of us. Let's set a date once things have winded down..."

"Perfect. But I hope you know I'll finish it anyway." You teased him.

"In that case, I will look forward to hearing your input."

"And I look forward to hearing your opinions."

You finally departed, it was almost time for lunch. Time flew by, and you didn't exactly notice, did you?

With a quick final goodbye, you left the library and began heading towards your room to freshen up before lunch with the royal family. Steve hot in your trail.

"Your majesty," He called you when you were about to enter your room. "Can we talk?"

"Is there an issue?" 

Don't say nothing about yesterday. Don't say nothing about yesterday. Don't say nothing about yesterday. Don't say nothing about yesterday. Don't-

"I was worried about you yesterday. I couldn't find you anywhere. No-one knew where you were."

...

"Thank you for worrying, but I was fine. I just got lost in the gardens yesterday. Nothing to worry about."

"Still," His tone was filled with worry. "At least give me heads up beforehand, or let me accompany you. I'm charge of your safety, after all. Your father would have my head if something happened to you." He said that last part with a smile on his lips and warmness in his tone.

He really cared, didn't he?

"He would. I know." You smiled, but you tried to convey with your eyes the conflict in you, "However, I want you to trust me that I can take care of myself."

"I never said you couldn't, but we're still in unknown territory. Some people may even be hostile. I can't risk you getting hurt."

"Steve, you trained me. You know the roughness of my hands, the battles we've had to fight together, you know that if it came down to it I can fight."

"That's the thing. I don't want it to come down to it. People out there can be dangerous, but sometimes I worry even more when you are by yourself inside the palace walls."

Was he hiding something? It looked like he wanted to say something else, but he didn't. Did he know something you didn't?

"Then help me understand." You softly placed a hand over his arm, encouraging him to speak.

"I-I can't." He turned away from you. "Sorry. Everything I do is because I want to keep you safe."

You wanted to believe, you really did, that it was more than just him having to uphold his duties. That maybe you had a place in his heart, but... 

"So you're not going to tell me anything?" 

You sounded way more stern than you meant, but it did the job because he met your eyes again.

"I can't."

"So you'd left me unprepared. Ignorant that there is anything that may cause me harm. I am only defenseless without knowledge, but I understand how hard it must be to not be able to keep me on a tight leash." 

Your words were sarcastic. It hurt you in your heart to say them out loud, especially to someone who had been with you ever since you both were little. They tasted bitter, but they were necessary. What other way was there to keep yourself informed? You knew Steve, he was stubborn, like you. He was never going to slip you information if he thought it would protect you. But if his defenses were down, then maybe...

You turned to head inside your room.

"A chroí..." He called suddenly.

His nickname for you.

You turned to find him gazing worriedly at you. He had recently grown a beard, and you had to admit that it looked really nice on him. With his partially open lips, you wondered how it would feel to touch it.

"Please, don't misunderstand me. I know you're strong. I know you don't need me to care for yourself. I know. I trained you, I know that better than anyone. Even your father." He began getting closer, just a few steps away, and the distance kept reducing slowly.

"But I want to care for you. Not because you are weak, or incapable of doing it yourself but because-"

He stopped himself. Like he couldn't get those words through his lips.

"Because?" You encouraged him, closing the distance some more and squeezing his arm encouragingly.

He looked into your eyes. His blue eyes... They looked at you with such warmness. No one had ever looked at you like that but Steve. It was different from the warmness that your father showed you, or Pepper, or even Peter. This made you feel safe in an entirely different way and made you feel warm, starting with your cheeks all the way down to your toes.

It seemed like an eternity had passed with how you both stared at each other, but it couldn't have been more than a few seconds when-

Steve pecked your lips.

It was quick. Fleeting. He might as well not have done it, because it was so fast that it took you a second to process it.

Without looking back you pushed the door to your room open. Wanda was already out getting lunch with Vis, and Sigyn was busy with lunch around this hour.

You both entered the room in synchronization and Steve closed it without breaking eye contact. Not that you really wanted him to. 

As soon as the door was closed, you cautiously approached him again. There was nothing in the world but you and him at that moment. You took a moment to closely examine his face, feel the softness of his beard. Play with the falling locks on his forehead. He placed his hand delicately on your hips. 

Once again you both closed the distance and ended up on a kiss. However, this one was not a peck. It was a full-on kiss.

You were both inexperienced in this. That much was obvious. You knew for a fact that Steve had never kissed anyone, ever. And you hadn't either. So you began with simply pecking each other's lips and from time to time staying locked on the kiss for longer. Until you decided to do something a little bolder a begin kissing his bearded jawline and began kissing his neck. 

He let out a soft sigh, and guiding you face with your hand he made you look at him.

"Sorry, I know that I should be more experienced. Give you a proper first kiss but..."

"No Steve. It's alright. This is perfect." You smiled softly.

A knock suddenly woke you both up from your daze.

You shot him a panicked glance and mouthed: Stand here.

Quickly, you fixed your hair to make sure everything looked good.

"Your majesty?" A voice came from outside. "May I come in?"

You sat at your vanity, which was far from Steve and the door.

"Yes. You may."

The door opened to reveal a young girl, no more than 16.

"The Queen has requested that you attend lunch with her. I am to take you to her."

"That's alright, I was just speaking with Captain Roger's about some security matters. I will be with you in just a moment." You quickly lied.

"Alright, I will wait outside." The girl said, and then she closed the door.

You both let out a quiet sigh. 

Distance. Yes. That was best.

After all, what oN EARTH WERE YOU THINKING! You were engaged! It is true that you would rather be with the man in front of you, but you had agreed on this! Both you and Loki were losing a lot! You couldn't betray his trust like that! You both said that you had to leave the ones with the key to your hearts behind. It had been a mutual understanding.

Your mind kept plaguing you. It kept condemning about what had happened, and what could have happened if the Queen hadn't called for you. 

Steve cleared his throat. "I shall go, Princess."

"Yes. We will... Discuss this matter some other time."

And then he left. Leaving you confused and broken-hearted.

Now not only you had to worry about your engagement. But you also knew that Steve reciprocated your affections. 

And for that single reason, he couldn't stay here much longer.

-

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