When Bragi was in their hall, he moved as if he'd never left. Bragi did not ask where things were. The only places he walked lightly were around the sleeping animals. He opened drawers and doors without the tentative hesitation of a visiting guest. Bragi didn't visit Idun. He never visited. He only came back. When Idun put her hand over his, the same thought occurred to Bragi that always did soon after he returned to his wife smiling before him. What if he just stayed? Why couldn't he stay? Bragi put his other hand over hers for a moment. To help add stability.
He pulled his arm away quickly to dodge the incoming swat. Then he put it back even faster so that Idun would not miss. Bragi planned to look appalled by the tingling mortal wound he had just been dealt, but when Idun had started laughing, so had Bragi, and he didn't quite have it together in time to pull that off. Instead he slid his foot out from under him and nudged her toe. Revenge.
Bragi bit his lip and tilted his head to the left, and then to the right. He smirked and nodded. Yeah. Yeah, he did actually. “You're just lucky I didn't bring up thimbles,” Bragi deadpanned. He casually plucked the cherry off of his sundae by the stem and put it on top of hers. Now those who might accuse her of cheating at sundae eating by consuming the topper before the sundae wouldn't have any evidence to back their case.
There was a bird theory that Bragi had. It was simple. If Bragi were a bird, he'd be a parrot. He knew this. He'd take it. Parrots were cool. But if Idun were a bird, she'd be a firebird. The most mystical and passionate of birds. Did a parrot have any chance of earning the love of the most sought after bird in the universe? Well it certainly made for an interesting story. Watching the excitement spill over the walls Idun had created to contain it didn't change the theory much. It just added a new element. Idun was a firebird. With the heart of a hummingbird. Bragi laughed. The world was right when she was happy.
“Yes,” Bragi said, “On all counts.” With her hand still on his, he reached down with her and retrieved another spoonful to offer. “Vidar's up for it. I thought it would be best if you asked Lottie. Do you think it would be better to have dinner here or go out someplace?” He paused and grinned. “Lottie's first words to him were 'hubba hubba'”