AN: So I realize how unforgivable it is, leaving this story for so long, and I promise that I have been working on it, fixed on a certain idea that just wasn't working. So I scrapped it. A whole chapter with thousands of words that I was unreasonably attached to. But in the end, I am much more happy and satisfied with this new one. I had to go and omit a few things from the previous chapter, but I don't think it will make anything confusing.

A quick recap of what's been going on, since it's been so long: Darcy and Loki are together, happy. No more misunderstandings over the photo Sig had sold of Darcy and Thor to a gossip website. She's happily not pregnant and they are completely trusting one another at the moment. Erik had previously let on to Loki that Thor would propose at their impending holiday party. And Bucky gave a heartfelt apology and explanation to Darcy about his past mistakes.

This is the last leg of the story, and I've broken it up into a few more shorter chapters to make it a bit easier for me to update.

~~::::::...::::::~~

Darcy took awhile trying to figure out what to wear for Loki and Thor's father's annual holiday party. Apparently it was a relatively fancy affair, so she wanted to get it right. Now that the whole world knew that she was dating the youngest Odinson, the famous writer, she knew that everyone who attended would have preconceived notions about the crying girl hugging Thor for dear life on all the gossip websites. She wanted to come off as at least somewhat classy and confident to all of the university president's rich friends and colleagues.

As per usual, Darcy was holding a pre-party session with Jane, upstairs in her room, armed with a glass of wine. She had admitted defeat and was currently laying on the floor, among all the dresses she'd flung there … as they were just not right.

"All I have are boob dresses, I can't go to the party in a boob dress," she said, admitting defeat. "I've been too focused on finishing up the quarter. I didn't think to go shopping."

"But most of these are very classy boob dresses, Darcy," Jane said, rifling through what was left of her closet. She paused and took one from its hanger, located way in the back. "How bout this one?"

She sat up on her elbows to see the garment that Jane was waving in front of her.

Darcy squinted, having torn her glasses off in a huff, as they had been giving her a headache. "Dude, that's my Wednesday Addams dress. It's a holiday party, but I don't want to go looking like a fucking Thanksgiving pilgrim."

Jane shrugged. "But it's a classy Wednesday Addams dress. And you wouldn't look like a pilgrim, it's good and short ... and you can tart it up with fuck-me heels and make-up."

Darcy tilted her head. "Yeah, it's kind of begging for nice 60's eyeliner and hair. I just hate wearing clothes that go up to my neck. So confining. I mean, I don't want to show too much skin, but that's like, Victorian."

"Victorians didn't wear dresses this short, Darcy. Come on. Just wear sexy lingerie underneath … no one will see it, but you'll feel dead sexy, so therefore you will be dead sexy. As always."

She shook her head. "My Janey. So wise. Just … so wise."

Jane gave her a smile. "Don't be so nervous, Darcy. It's gonna be fun. What's the worst that could happen?"

First, she thought about Tony Stark's party at the beginning of the quarter, and all of the misunderstandings born from it began to flow through her head … then Clint's fucking farm party flashed in her mind.

"Don't say that Jane! I can almost hear the ominous music in the background. You're just conjuring trouble when you ask that kinda shit."

"Fine," Jane rolled her eyes. "We're about to have the most miserable night of our lives. Now get into your miserable Wednesday Addams dress before we're late. Erik is already gone."

Darcy beamed. "That's the spirit."

~~*...*~~

As they walked up the steps to the huge and elegant house, Darcy and Jane knew that Erik's influence was everywhere in the holiday decor. There was nothing overly ostentatious with just the right amount of sparkle and warm glow created from the perfectly crafted low-lighting and candles. Bannisters and shelves were lined with fresh evergreens and fairy lights, and instead of the customary red accompanying all the shades of dark green, he'd emphasized golden hues with ribbons and ornaments, and gorgeous white poinsettias accented with smaller and daintier pale flowers.

Jane squeezed Darcy's hand. "Oh, I love poinsettias, they're my favorite … even though they only come around for a few weeks every year. Reminds me of all the Christmas displays in New York."

She nodded in agreement. "Erik did a pretty damn good job, I have to hand it to him. There is no way Thor could have done this on his own, even with Loki's help."

The party was already in full-swing when they arrived, as per usual with the pair, and they met their dates in the entranceway, where the guys were still greeting their guests. Both Loki and Thor looked devastating in their tailored suits, and when they saw their ladies walk through the door, both seemed as if they'd been whacked over the head by their appearance, and couldn't help but plaster big goofy smiles on their faces. Any nervousness that Darcy had conjured over her choice in outfit for the night, disappeared by the way that Loki looked at her.

He quite formally held out his hand and she took it, feeling like a member of the nobility attending a ball for a second, before he pulled her in for an embrace. "You look stunning," he said in her ear, his lips brushing the skin of her temple. She had a vague thought of getting him alone for a few minutes, perhaps in a closet somewhere, before she looked over at Jane and Thor for a second. They seemed just as happy to be in each other's presence as she and Loki, but for some odd reason, she couldn't help but think that Thor looked nervous. His eyes were darting around the room, and he was adjusting his tie over and over again. Darcy wasn't sure that she'd ever seen him so fidgety.

She was broken out of her observation by Erik sprinting over to them. "Fucking finally," he huffed. "Don't tell me you were knee-deep in a bottle of wine and crying over all of your perfectly amazing dresses, before settling on …" Erik made it a point to look Darcy up and down … "something that would get you V.I.P. access to the Mayflower."

Darcy's face fell and Jane gave him a playful shove. "Don't. She was going for conservative. It's not pilgrim, it's sexy Wednesday Addams."

He grinned. "You both look gorgeous, of course. Come on Darcy, I think you'll like the spread I created for the evening … full of classic holiday bites that your people enjoyed during the first Thanksgiving, right before they plundered the natives of this land."

She rolled her eyes. He wasn't going to let it go for the rest of the night, or perhaps their entire lives … so she decided to just go with it. "Fine. But if there's not pumpkin pie of some kind, then my people are going to plunder you."

The two couples followed Erik into the grand parlor, where tables of food and a bar was set up. "What is your obsession with pumpkins?" he asked.

"Dude. Pumpkin-spiced lattes are the new reason for the season … totally replaced "goodwill towards men", menorahs, and Christmas trees."

"I am disappointed in your choice of suburban mom trends, what's next, soccer practice with the kids?"

Jane gave a mock gasp. "He just called it 'soccer'! Your European-card is gonna get revoked, calling football 'soccer'."

Erik turned around and faced them, a look of horror on his face, and Darcy couldn't tell if it was real or put-on. "A minor slip. Never tell anyone! Promise?"

She grinned. "No more pilgrim jokes?"

He looked conflicted for a moment. "Done." His look of shame turned into one of amusement. "But I did sort of make you pumpkin pie, I know it's a favorite for you both."

Jane and Darcy took in the elaborate offering of dishes, painstakingly made into elegant bites of food. They went straight to the end of the table where the desserts were, and found perfectly round and tiny pumpkin cheesecakes sitting on top of shortbread crusts. They looked like a work of art. "They look amazing," Darcy said, then she looked at the little spheres adorning their tops. "But what's with the caviar as a garnish?"

Erik shook his head. "Really Darcy? Those are maple pearls."

She smiled. "Of course. How could I expect you to not work your molecular gastronomy science in at least somewhere."

Jane was busy taking a plate and piling it with various treats. "Oh my god, Erik," she said. "It's like you prepared all of my favorite food and made it fancy … are those like, cute little ice cream bombes?"

"Peanut butter and chocolate," Erik said.

"Holy shit," Darcy and Jane both said, in unison.

"I can't take all the credit, Thor helped," he said, grinning.

They both turned around to see the usually confident football player nervously adjusting his tie again. "Um … well, yes …" Thor managed to say.

Loki seemed to notice and came to his brother's aid, changing the subject. "Come," he said. "We'll have time to eat later, people have been asking for you."

Darcy peered at him, curious. Something was going on, she could sense it, but she was momentarily distracted by Steve and Bucky joining them. Though before properly greeting them, she gave Loki a raised eyebrow that said, "I'm onto you."

He only gave her one of his classic wicked smiles in return.

~~*...*~~

Darcy took the time to greet all of her friends, old and new, while Jane popped mini peanut butter and chocolate ice cream bombes into her mouth. Nearly everyone was there, Dr. Odinson of course, and a various array of rather stuffy-looking university big-wigs, as well as other important-looking people that she really couldn't care less about. Eventually, the party-attendees she was most comfortable around were all hanging out in the same room together. Natasha and Clint were laughing to each other, near the grand piano, where a hired musician was playing mellow wintery tunes … and Bruce, Tony, and Pepper were involved in their own conversation with glasses of champagne in their hands. On the other side of the room, Thor had seemed to calm down a little, in the presence of a few of his football buddies that he'd invited to town … three Vikings players, who had flown in at his request for the night. Jane had beamed as he'd introduced her to his best friends from his team. Darcy had marveled at the size of Volstagg, the offensive-tackle, who had shaken her hand with what she could only describe as glee.

She was rather taken aback, though, as she was casually introduced to a stunning woman named Sif, who as it turned out, made sure to attend all of the Odinson's holiday parties, and had done so since meeting them in high school. After being introduced to Jane, Darcy observed that the beautiful ex-college football kicker, and current badass female commentator for ESPN, looked a bit sad … though keeping up a brave face, smiling as if she were on camera.

Darcy turned to her boyfriend, who had been talking to one of Thor's football friends, some blonde dude named Fandral. Loki's arm came around her waist, his hand on her hip, dipping perilously low, almost on her ass. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to push back the desire he created in his touches. It was in the way he did it, a silent tease, and yet he was completely comfortable with it, as if he'd been touching her for years. It was also a bit possessive, as he always seemed to holding her in some way … holding her hand, or putting his on the small of her back, like some old-world gentleman, telling the room that she was his. She couldn't say that it bothered her in the least, as it was actually quite comforting, in a way. It felt like he was happy and proud to say to everyone in the room, "this is my girl, my lady … to tease with my fingers brushing the top of her ass."

She switched her glass of champagne into her other hand and laced her fingers through his, removing them from her hip. "Easy now," she said. "There are people here. Your dad is just in the other room … let's keep this at least PG for now? At least until later?"

He looked down at her and smirked. "PG? Is that what you're trying to achieve with that dress? Because I must tell you, it's only making me wonder what's underneath of it even more than usual," he said, in his deliciously accented baritone. It nearly left her breathless. He took his other hand and lightly brushed his fingertips at the hem, about mid-thigh. Loki bent down and spoke low in her ear. "What do you have on here?" He strategically shielded her body from the rest of the room with his, and nearly touched the garters she had holding up her stockings.

She took a small jump back, nearly splashing her champagne everywhere. "Will you quit it?"

He only gave her a low laugh, his eyes dancing, a glittery green, picking up the emerald color of his tie. He looked absolutely gorgeous, with perfect suit, and his stupid perfect face, and hair tied back in another stupidly perfect man-bun.

Fucking hell. Why are man-buns so hot?

Darcy looked around the room, trying to steady herself, but she only noticed that both Thor and Bucky were wearing man-buns as well. It was too much.

"You're all trying to kill me," she said, rolling her eyes.

Loki grinned. "I'm sorry?"

She looked him in the eye. "Stop trying to seduce me in front of all these people, alright? I'm trying to look like a respectable girlfriend."

His face softened into one of sincerity. "Darling, you don't even need to try. You simply already are a respectable girlfriend."

"Fine. Then be the respectful boyfriend."

He shrugged. "I'll try," he said, moving to put his arm back around her. "But I can't make any promises. At some point, I will find out what's underneath this lovely dress."

Darcy raised an eyebrow. "If you answer a question, I'll give you a hint."

He gave her a dark stare. "Go on."

"So Sif," she said, nodding to the dark-haired beauty who was talking to Thor's football friends. "You know, your first love and all that."

Loki looked up towards the ceiling. "She was not my first love."

She gave him a smirk. "Fine. First unrequited love, whatever. Does Jane know about her? How she was ... or still is, in love with Thor?"

He sneaked a glance at Sif. "I think not. Thor has always been a bit obtuse in her case. I certainly don't see how. She's always made her affections towards him quite obvious." Loki looked down at her with concern. "Her presence here isn't upsetting, is it? I've had absolutely zero interest in her for years and years now."

Darcy shook her head. "No, of course not. It's just, she seems really nice, and also kinda sad. I feel a little bad for her."

Loki nodded. "She is nice, when she wants to be. But she can also be intensely fierce, if you get on her bad side. Freshmen year, she gave her boyfriend a broken nose for kissing another girl at a frat party. And I doubt she's changed since then."

"Hm." Darcy began to think, the wheels in her mind starting to turn. "I think I want to introduce her to someone. Maybe cheer her up a little."

"Oh, dear gods, I don't want to know," Loki said. "But what I do want to know …" his voice trailed off as the evil glint in his eyes returned.

Darcy sighed. "Fine. Whatever it is that I have under my dress … it's black." He raised an eyebrow and gave her a look that said he was unsatisfied with her answer. "And some of it might be made with lace," she added.

He perked up at that.

She gave him her sweetest smile before walking towards her new mission.

~~*...*~~

She'd been talking to Steve and Bucky for awhile before Loki figured out what she was up to. He shook his head, but made his way over to Sif, apparently deciding to help her out.

Darcy took a sip of her bubbly, her attention divided between the two guys in front of her, and Loki sparking up a conversation with his old friend. "So are you guys going back to Brooklyn for Christmas?"

Steve nodded, though he looked uncertain. "Probably. For a bit anyway."

"I'm gonna stay at my sister's for a few days," Bucky said.

"Cool," she said. "We should get a few beers together on Christmas night. Me and Jane will be there too."

Darcy didn't miss the smile on Bucky's face. She knew it wasn't about wanting to get back together with her any longer, but just about being part of a group again. Included. Ever since their conversation a few weeks earlier, she was able to tolerate his presence a lot more, and the mention of his name didn't automatically cause her brain to go in murder-mode.

It was those thoughts of Bucky that distracted her enough to make a bit of a faux-pas. She decided to ask Steve something simple, something she was pretty used to asking. "So where's …" She caught Bucky looking at her with big eyes. He gave a slight shake of his head, telling her not to finish her sentence.

"Err … so where's ... your, um … glasses?"

Steve laughed and looked down. "You were going to ask where Sharon was?"

She feigned innocence. "What? No! I just noticed that you've still got the beard … but the hot horn-rims are curiously absent."

He grinned at her. "You know I only wear those when I draw."

Darcy sighed. "Fine. Sorry. I was gonna ask where Sharon was."

"We broke up."

She grimaced, internally cursing her big mouth. "I'm sorry, Steve."

"Don't be. It was amicable. It's just now I have to suffer Bucky as my date."

Darcy laughed. "You're know you're only adding to the mystery of 'will they, or won't they'."

Both of them chuckled. "Tell me something," Steve said. "You and Jane have been best friends for as long as we have, you live together, go to parties together … do people ever think you're dating?"

She thought about it for a second. "It's different with girls. I guess it shouldn't be different, but it is. But having said that, yes, we've definitely gotten it a few times."

"Does it bother you?" Steve asked.

"Nope," she said, without hesitation. "Not at all."

He shrugged. "Doesn't bother me either, especially now that I have him back after being M.I.A."

Darcy couldn't help but to smile from ear to ear. "Dang, bro. You're killin' me with the feels over here," she said, before taking a sip of her drink.

Bucky shook his head, obviously touched, but also a bit embarrassed. "Steve, I wish I knew how to quit you."

She nearly choked on her champagne as she started giggling, which made them laugh right along with her.

Loki then picked the perfect time to walk up, with Sif next to him. "Sif, I want to introduce you to two of our resident heros," he said to her. "They seem to be choking for some reason right now, but as soon as they recover, I'm sure they will impress you with their gentlemanly manners."

They both sobered up as they saw Thor and Loki's gorgeous friend in an equally gorgeous red dress. Darcy couldn't help but plaster a mischievous grin on her face.

Steve visibly straightened and held out his hand. "Steve Rogers, pleased to meet you."

"Sif, and it's a pleasure," she said, placing her fingers in his. All of the previous subtle sadness gone from her face. Darcy's grin spread even wider.

Bucky then cleared his throat, and Sif turned to him. "James Barnes," he said, with his old ladykiller smile.

My work here is done, Darcy thought.

~~*...*~~

Darcy was having fun standing in a corner with her champagne, watching Jane across the room, talking to Bruce with a faraway fangirl look in her eye, while Thor stood next to them, slightly frowning. She then turned her head to find Sif laughing, completely comfortable and relaxed, while chatting with Steve and Bucky.

Loki walked up, taking her nearly empty glass and replacing it with one that was full. "I believe there will be a toast soon, you'll want a new one."

She smiled up at him with an incredibly peaceful feeling deep in her chest. Everything seemed to be perfect for a moment and she wanted to savor it. "Thank you," she said, to the handsome man she was helplessly in love with.

He gave her a knowing smirk. "Which one were you trying to set her up with?" he asked, nodding towards Sif.

Darcy shrugged. "Well, I knew Steve and Sharon were in their death throes … even though he can be obtuse, like Thor. But if he likes her, he'll definitely do something about it. And then with Bucky … I mean, if he ever did anything Bucky-ish to her, she'd beat his ass. So either of them. Either is good."

She inclined her head, watching them. "Or both. Both is good."

Loki frowned. "Both?"

A slow grin came upon her face. "If you believe the rumors, they've been known to … at times … you know."

He started to work out what she was hinting at in his head, and then suddenly looked very alarmed. "Have you?" he asked, with something that looked like fear on his face.

She laughed. "Have I ever been in the middle of a Steve and Bucky man-sandwich?"

He blinked rapidly, unable to come up with a response.

She wondered what that would do to a guy's confidence, knowing that his girlfriend had been a part of a threesome with two gorgeous and perfect male specimens.

Darcy shook her head, taking pity on him. "Hell no, I was always afraid of being the one in the threesome who was inevitably left out."

Loki raised his eyebrows. "Are you being serious?"

"Huh? No … I mean, yes. Sorta."

"Darcy."

She held up her hands, giggling. "I swear to you, Loki. I have never been in a threesome with Steve and Bucky. Or anyone for that matter."

"Hn." He still regarded her with suspicion.

Darcy put her arm around him, pulling him down, so she could whisper in his ear. "Besides, you're the only man who's made me come so hard that I completely forget who I am or where I'm at, or even what planet I'm from."

He cleared his throat and suddenly grabbed her hand, starting to lead her out of the room. "I believe we might have some time before the toasting starts … have I ever showed you my bedroom in my family home?"

She hastily set her drink down on a table, nearly knocking it down, as he dragged her along. "You know, I don't think you have," she said, steadily anticipating the moment they could get their hands all over each other.

"How unforgivably rude of me. I'll have to remedy ..."

Loki abruptly stopped and she nearly crashed into him. "Remedy what?"

Darcy then noticed that his whole body had become tense as his gaze was fixed on something that alarmed him … or someone.

She turned to see who he was looking at.

Her stomach jumped into her throat, as she saw a guy that Darcy recognized as one of Jane's fellow-residents, standing next to the bar and requesting a drink … with Sig on his arm.

"What is she doing here," Loki growled, low so that only Darcy could hear him.

Sig then turned, as if she instinctively knew that she'd been spotted, and slowly smiled.

"I knew things were going a little too well," Darcy said under her breath.

~~::::::...::::::~~

XXX

I've learned not to make promises anymore regarding chapter updates with this story, but I assure you, dear loyal readers who have not abandoned me, the muse has returned. It is strong with this one. Again. FINALLY.