"But you—!"
"Shhh." He raised an eyebrow. "You're making too much noise, pheasant girl."
Rose stared at him, completely red in the face. Her arms awkwardly wrapped around his neck, trying not to fall. His body was warm. Strong. And the way he held her like she weighed nothing… was infuriatingly swoon-worthy.
"...Thank you," she mumbled against his shoulder, annoyed by how fast her heart was beating.
"Hmm? What was that?" he teased, his breath brushing against her ear.
"I said don't drop me," she grumbled.
Loki chuckled, low and soft. "Don't worry. I wouldn't drop something so precious."
And Rose, who never blushed easily, wanted the sidewalk to swallow her whole.
The rest of the walk was silent, except for the soft sound of his boots against the pavement and the thundering of her heartbeat in her ears.
She didn't realize it, but Loki had the smallest, most satisfied smile on his lips the entire way back.
***
