‪‪❤︎‬

You shook your head feebly against Loki's leg. “Just tired, that's all.”

Loki, who'd made a point to sit with his legs folded if only to lessen the striking height difference between you, suddenly straightened up.

A cool, cobalt hand encircled your waist and ever so carefully plucked you from your place at the table. From the moment your feet left the ground, Loki held you effortlessly in his hand, his fingers cradled around you as if you were the most precious thing in all the nine realms. Had you not been so worn out you would have marvelled at his strength and the sheer contrast in size between his hand and your own. The weightlessness you felt lasted only moments as Loki placed you in his lap. He unfurled his fingers ever so slightly but didn't remove his hand from around your body. You sighed and relaxed as your back met the cool skin of Loki's stomach. Loki's breathy sigh of fond amusement washed over you in the form of a gust of cold air.

He trailed two fingers down your back with immeasurable care and precision. The feeling was heavenly and you involuntarily shuddered as he continued to carefully trace your spine. Loki smirked at the sight.

You both eventually zoned back into the conversation unfolding at the table. Each time Loki spoke you felt his voice surround you entirely. Each of his chuckles vibrated through your chest and uprooted you from your position in his lap. And when the conversation would occasionally dip, the table quietened and Loki fell silent, each of his steady breaths gently nudged you forward before pulling you back to him with each exhale. The comforting sensation, along with the careful fingers still tracing up and down your back, was beginning to lull you to sleep.

You battled to keep your eyes open, to laugh, or at least grin, when the rest of the table did so in response to a joke or comment. If only to prove that you were capable of out drinking otherworldly beings. But your mind was tired and sleep was fast approaching, you could only ward it off for so long.

Upon sparing a glance down towards where he was still holding you snuggly in his hand, Loki noticed your struggle and promptly melted at the sight.

“Oh, my Sweet. Perhaps it's time we take our leave.”

“No,” you managed, making a futile attempt to push against Loki's fingers that had already begun to circle back around you. “I'm fine. I'll– I'll be fine. I just need a minute.”

You knew how much Loki enjoyed a good party as well as spending time with Thor. You didn't want him to call it an unnecessarily early night because you couldn't keep up.

Loki huffed an amused sigh as he watched you struggle to hide a yawn that he found nothing short of adorable.

His fingers began probing into your side softly, carefully trailing across your stomach and looping under your legs. When you didn't complain or show any sign of discomfort, Loki secured his hold on you and raised you into the air until you were level with his shoulder. You were a solid seven feet off the ground, and that was with Loki still seated. Sometimes his enormity truly made you feel dizzy.

Loki used your new position to his advantage as he turned his head and pressed his lips to your side in a single kiss that spanned from your neck all the way down past your shoulder.

“So small,” Loki mused, his quiet laughter sending waves of cool air over your chest. “And delicate, beautiful.”

“Stop it,” you warned playfully, your hand falling against the bridge of Loki's nose. Heat was rising in your cheeks and spreading from your ears down to your neck. Loki took notice and smiled slyly.

“I'm sorry, my love.” He spoke slowly and purposefully. It wasn't helped by the fact that his lips brushed your side with each word. “But you are simply ravishing. And I intend to make it known that my sweet little Midgardian is by far the fairest in the realm.”

His words turned you to near putty in his hand and you gave in, allowing Loki to cradle and dote over you as if you were the most delightful thing he'd ever encountered. As the party raged on, Loki withdrew from the crowd and devoted his attention solely to you.

Now that you were no longer struggling to stay awake for the sake of the group, sleep had quickly taken you as you relaxed in Loki's arms. The moment your head lulled against his chest, Loki smiled softly and ever so carefully rose to his feet. He cradled you close and took care not to jostle you awake. It was time to call it a night.

As Loki began to retreat from the crowd he happened to coincidentally stumble into the crowned prince of Asgard.

“Loki!” Thor greeted boisterously. “You're not leaving, are you? Fandrals dared me to go over what the mortals call ‘Niagara Falls’ in a barrel! You have to come and– what?” Thor raised his brows when he noticed the giant in front of him has risen his finger to his lips with a disapproving look.

Tilting his head upwards, Thor smirked when he noticed you curled up in Loki's arms. But his smile was gone just as quickly as it had appeared when Loki moved past him and continued on his way.

“Wait, you're not coming?” Thor asked incredulously. Loki shot him a warning look over his shoulder and the elder prince immediately lowered his voice with an apologetic and sheepish grin.

“Sorry brother, not tonight. I've got my priorities in order.” Loki said simply. He glanced down at you with a warm smile. “Besides, what kind of lover would I be if I left my sweet all alone?”