Loki

The twin suns were peaking over the horizon as Loki his way to the Bifrost.

This is his favourite time of day. There's a mist that settles over the Rainbow Bridge, hiding the golden dome of the Bifrost. His horse huffed as he slowly urged it alone.

He had left quietly and swiftly. Neither his guards nor servants noticed his absence.

The Bifrost hummed with ethereal energy, its swirling lights illuminating Loki's pensive face as he approached Heimdall, who stood tall and unyielding at the gateway.

The All-Seeing's golden eyes fixed on him, as though he already knew what Loki would ask.

"You come with questions, Your Highness," Heimdall said, his deep voice echoing against the walls. "Speak and I shall answer."

Loki inclined his head, his tone sharp but laced with an edge of vulnerability he was starting to detest. "You told me Maya was on Midgard but she is hidden. I need to know more."

Heimdall's gaze grew distant as if searching the realms for an answer. Then his expression darkened. "I can feel her presence is on Midgard but no matter how I search I cannot see her."

Loki frowned, his heart quickening. "How is that possible? Who would have the power to conceal her from you?"

His mind raced with all sorts of scenarios.

Heimdall's silence was unsettling, his usually omnipotent gaze now clouded. "I cannot say. This is no small matter. It takes a great deal of energy to conceal someone's presence from me."

Loki's jaw tightened, his mind racing with possibilities. "If you learn anything, tell me immediately," he ordered.

"Of course, Your Highness."

He turned sharply and strode back toward the palace.

It made no sense to him.

He had spent all night mulling over this. It was no secret that he kept tabs on her whereabouts. It was a compulsive thing.

Loki had always been obsessive to a degree.

Maya had once told him that he was a touch too possessive. She was joking of course but it did contain a grain of truth.

Ever since he was a child, he was a bit territorial over his things. Toys, books, daggers and even to a degree—people. It was always that way, what was his was simply his.

Loki snuck in through his mother's gardens, casting cleverly crafted glamour over himself till he made it to his chambers. When he was young he had found a secret passage that led directly to his room.

The stone was inscribed in ancient runes, with moss half covering the faded words.

It had taken him months of carefully combing through various tomes in the ancient library till he translated the runes. All he had to do was cross-reference the words with a book on sorcery and he had found his answer.

Loki glanced around, making sure there were no guards or royal servants around before he pressed his fingertips against the runs and whispered a spell.

The runes lit up silver before fading away. He felt the stone give away, revealing the stairs that led to his room.

It was quite useful when he wanted to sneak into the city as a youth—escape palace life and get up to some well-needed mischief. (And also for sneaking lovers in and out of his chambers.)

His chambers were the same as he had left him. The covers of his bed were still unmade.

Loki got ready quickly, eager to get ahead of his mother's maidservants.

His chambers had an adjacent bathing pool where the waters were always heated. Loki soaked himself in the healing waters, feeling his aching muscles relax.

He dressed in a sage green tunic and tossed on a leather coat with gold designs on the shoulders. Loki did his best to wrangle his hair into something presentable as he made his way out of the room.

Thor was already in the Communication Hall. It was located on the very topmost floor of the palace, directly adjacent to the Bifrost. Its energy fed the room, allowing them to communicate with Midgard.

"You're late," his mother chided as he flung the doors open dramatically.

His mother and Thor were gathered around a circular table engraved with runes that glowed blue. It was a fascinating marvel engineered with advanced machinery and half magic.

"I had some business to attend to." He said.

The Communication Hall in the palace was lit by glowing orbs of soft gold, casting a warm light over the holographic figure of Tony Stark. The ever-confident Avenger stood with his arms crossed, smirking as he addressed Thor and Loki.

It was strange to see the man after so long.

His image flickered for a moment before returning. "Whoa, how much energy are you guys using to keep this going?"

Frigga smiled. "Enough to overwhelm you, Mr. Stark."

Loki smirked.

"I mean no respect, Your Majesty." Tony held up his hands. "This tech is new and it has my name on it. I just want to make sure it works."

Thor laughs. "I'm sure with time this will improve," he said, stroking the table they were gathered around. "By that time I'll be in Midgard, fighting side by side with the Avengers."

Tony smiled although he didn't look convinced. "The Avengers will be more than happy to have you back, big fella. Uh—I mean Your Majesty."

"Worry not. What need is there for titles between friends?" He said. "Now tell me...what news do you bring me?"

"The United Nations is happy to proceed with the talks," Tony said, his tone casual but firm. "They're a bit twitchy about Asgardian intervention, but they'll play ball. Norway is more than happy that you want to establish New Asgard there. Just don't go swinging hammers at the delegates, Point Break. They're a sensitive bunch."

Thor chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Asgard seeks peace, Stark. I'll leave the hammer swinging to you."

"I'll have to be able to lift it first."

"Oh please." Thor gestured to Mjolnir. "Be my guest."

Loki watched the exchange with mild amusement, his arms folded. "I assume you'll be at the forefront of these talks, Stark? Heaven forbid diplomacy proceeds without your sparkling wit."

"Always a pleasure, Reindeer Games," Tony shot back with a grin. "Nice hair. Suits you, gives you a Severus Snape kind of vibe."

Loki resented that.

He had read enough of Midgardian literature to catch that reference. He didn't understand why he and that particular character drew comparison.

For a moment he debated if he should ask Stark about Maya. Where she was and what in the Nine Realms was she up to?

He didn't know what type of answer he would get. Stark was capable of lying.

It was no secret that the Avengers had played a part in their separation. Although not directly. They had kept Maya's whereabouts a secret from him, respecting her wishes to be alone. They neither scorned nor hated him when he crawled back to the tower, desperate to win her back. Instead, they treated him with undue compassion and kind words.

Loki had waited in the tower for two whole weeks, waiting for Maya to return to her rooms. He had ignored Thor's countless messages.

Maya never came back and he was forced to return to Asgard.

"It's a relief you haven't disgraced Asgard with your presence, Stark," he shot back, smirking. "Lest we drain our store of mead for you."

Tony smirked back, knowing he won this round. "I'll take a rain check on that legendary mead of yours. I'll leave you two to your godly squabbles. Call me if you need a mortal's perspective. Stark out."

The hologram flickered out, leaving the room quiet.

Frigga was the first to break the silence. "Well...that went well." She said. "I'm happy to see that The talks with Midgard are progressing nicely."

Loki crossed his arms over his chest. "He's still an oaf after all this time."

"Stark is an acquired presence," Thor said.

"He's irritating."

"He has his moments."

"Yes, of questionable judgment."

"That's adorable," Thor smirks. "All your fronting and yet you don't mean a single word. Your time with the Avengers was good for you. Admit it."

Loki rolls his eyes. "Perhaps. Now, before I attend to the Valkyries and their inevitable shenanigans—again, there are certain matters to discuss."

Thor turned to Loki, his expression curious with delight. "What did Brunnhilde do this time?"

He shrugged. "I believe she may have gotten into a bar brawl. Fandrall was very specific with the details."

Frigga raised an eyebrow in surprise. "The Warrior Three are drinking with the Valkyries."

"Yes...well, according to my reports, she punched a man in the face when he refused to stop harassing the woman in the establishment." Loki couldn't keep the grin off his face. "I'm sure we can support her reasoning."

"Hmm, I do hope she doesn't cause any more trouble." She said. "We've had too much of it already."

"Speaking of trouble...Vanaheim grows more persistent," Thor said, his voice heavy. "They press for an answer to their...er...proposal. They even brought it up in the council meeting this morning."

"Oh right. That." Loki sighed, rubbing his temples. "They're not going to wait much longer, are they? Give me some time. I'll choose one of their maidens if it satisfies their demands."

Thor frowned. "Are you certain this is what you want?"

"What I want hardly matters," Loki replied, his tone clipped. "This is about what Asgard needs."

Before Thor could respond, Frigga placed a hand on his shoulder. Her eyes were solemn. "If this is the path you must take, Loki," she said gently, "perhaps you should take the time to truly know these women. It may help you find someone suitable. Marriages have been built on much less."

Loki nodded curtly, though his expression betrayed his discomfort. "As you wish, Mother."

Thor sighed. He was displeased by all of it. "Very well. I'll inform the council and the delegation. I hope you know what you're doing, brother."

"I'll be fine, Thor."

—

His footsteps felt light as he returned to his office.

He dreaded the mountain of paperwork that awaited him. Loki was certain that he wouldn't be sleeping tonight.

He was surprised to find a familiar face waiting near the door, her sharp gaze fixed on him.

"Sigyn," he said, his tone guarded.

She wore a soft pink dress that wrapped around her curves. Her hair held flowers that were intricately arranged.

Loki knew a trap when he saw one.

"Loki," she replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're a hard man to catch these days."

He regarded her warily. "What is it you want?" He asked. "Did you lose your way?"

"I merely wished to see how you were faring," she said, stepping closer. Her eyes flicked to the dagger strapped to his side. "What an odd dagger. You were always so fond of them when we were younger."

Loki's fingers brushed against the hilt of the dagger, a small smirk playing on his lips. "It suits me."

Sigyn tilted her head, studying him. "A trinket from a lover I assume. Are they aware of what's going on?"

He said nothing, his expression carefully neutral. Anything he could say would betray him immediately.

"Oh, I see." After a moment, Sigyn shrugged and stepped back. He could still smell her scent. "The weight of duty suits you, but don't let it crush you. I'll see you around. Take care, Loki."

She left, leaving Loki to ponder her words as he made his way to the one place that always offered solace: the library.

The library was quiet, its vast shelves towering above him, filled with knowledge from countless realms. Loki moved through the aisles with practised ease, finding his usual corner hidden among the ancient tomes.

To his surprise, Jane Foster was already there, surrounded by stacks of books and scribbled notes.

"Jane," Loki said, announcing his presence. "I see you're not assaulting the scribes with your questions. Did you give them a day off?"

She glanced up, a small smile gracing her tired features. She wore her reading glasses.

A steaming cup of coffee sat on the table.

"Loki," Jane said, her voice betraying her irritation. "Fancy seeing you here. Have you finally found your 'glorious purpose' yet?"

Oh, she was in a mood today.

He sat across from her, his curiosity piqued.  The more he ignored her jabs, the more tense with him she became. Thor often warned him to not infuriate her. But how could he stop when it was so amusing?

"What are you researching this time? Another way to defy mortality? An elusive answer to life? How to win a man's heart?"

Jane chuckled softly, sliding her notes out of view. "Not quite. Just... trying to make sense of things. There's so much I don't understand about Asgard, the realms, everything."

Loki leaned back, observing her. She was a terrible liar. He knew every single book in this library.

"If I don't know any better, I would say you're up to something." He smirked "Am I wrong?"

She looked guilty, averting her eyes away. "It's none of your concern."

"Knowledge is a dangerous pursuit. It tends to uncover more questions than answers."

"Maybe," she admitted, her gaze thoughtful. "But it's worth the risk, isn't it? To understand the bigger picture?"

Loki's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Perhaps. Though understanding often comes with a price."

"Maybe."

"Have you considered my offer?" He asked.

Jane toyed with the edge of a page. "I don't know. There has to be another way."

"Immortality can be gained."

"But everything I've read doesn't say anything promising." She snapped. "It's like you said, it all comes with a price. And it says only the Allfather can grant immortality—you really think your dad is gonna do that for me?" Jane looks around and lowers her voice. "If he were still awake, he'd kick me out of Asgard."

Ah, so that was it.

"So you're researching a cure instead?"

"I will always look for a cure." She said. "I won't give up."

"And neither with Thor." Loki pointed out. "If I simply presented the idea about you becoming queen—"

Jane narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't tell him anything. He's already under enough pressure. I can't..." She paused, swallowing hard. "I'm not going to be a burden."

Loki regarded her, watching the way her eyes pleaded with him. A rare moment of vulnerability. Jane was proud and prideful of herself and her work.

And she loved Thor.

They were a fine pair of idiots, both of them.

He sighed, picking up a book and flipping it open. "Fine," he said. "Don't say I didn't try to help you."

They fell into a companionable silence, the weight of their burdens momentarily forgotten.

He thought briefly about Sigyn's words. Her flower scent and gentle touch.

He never considered his duty to be a burden.

But he did have regrets. So many of them.