Zaylee's POV

I walked to the music room, following Frigga's directions. I had told Aqueriel that I would meet her there after dinner, so when I got in I saw her tidying up. She saw me and smiled.

"Hello Zaylee."

"Hey Aquee. Do you know how to play?" I asked. She sighed but chuckled a little.

"I can't even read," she laughed.

"Oh..." I muttered, a little embarrassed about exposing her like that. "Well, do you like listening to music?"

"Yes," she replied. "I love listening."

"Do you want me to play a Midgaurdian song for you?" I asked.

"Yes please."

We walked over to the guitars and sat down. I can't believe they have guitars here. Well, I made sure it was in tune before pulling up the chords to 'Wait For It' by Hamilton on my phone. I played the whole song, stomping my foot when the drums would beat, and finally I finished it off. Dean and I knew that song by heart, even though he was 'into Metallica, not musicals'.

"Wow, that was great Zaylee!" Aqueriel laughed. I smiled and handed her a guitar. "What?"

"I'll teach you how to play this song and we can memorize the lyrics," I smiled. "Then you can show off to all the others."

"I don't know what to say! Zaylee you are so nice," she smiled.

"I try."

Aqueriel is a very fast learner. I taught her everything I could in three hours. She ended up being able to play the first portion of the song and sing some of it by the time Loki came by.

"Zaylee, it's time for you to go to bed," he said. "Servant?"

"This is Aqueriel, Frozone," I introduced. "She's a buddy of mine."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Aqueriel," Loki said. "Come on, Zaylee."

"Okay," I chuckled, placing my guitar down. "I'll see you tomorrow, Aquee."

"Good night Zaylee."

I walked to my room and buried myself under the covers, feeling Loki kiss my head. I wasn't five anymore, he shouldn't tuck me in, but it felt nice.

As I drifted off to sleep, I heard Loki close my door and felt darkness consume me.

~

The next morning I woke up to the sunshine in my face. Normally, people love waking up to that. Me? I absolutely hate it. Well, I pulled myself out of bed and got into a pair of jeans and a tee shirt along with Dean's warm Green Day jacket. I decided to try and text him, even though I knew it probably wouldn't work.

Badass🖤Baby: dean?

Two minutes later

DeanBean: yeah baby?

Badass🖤Baby: holy hell! You got that? Im on asgard!

DeanBean: holy crap! no way. Send me a pic

Badass🖤Baby: {picture} thats a picture of the rainbow bridge. {Picture} and thats the dress I met the king and queen in.

DeanBean: beautiful as always.

Badass🖤Baby: well, I'm gonna go meet up with Loki and Medusa. I love you.

DeanBean: love you too.

I walked out of my room to meet with Claudia and Loki. I saw Claudia resting on a balcony and tilted my head.

"Where's Frozone? Aren't you two, like, glued together?" I teased. She rolled her eyes and stood up.

"He had to help his father out. I just came to read," she said, holding a book I didn't know. That's new. I know a hell of a lot of books.

"Cool. How long have you been out here?"

"Bout an hour and a half," she said. "You just wake up?"

I nodded and chuckled. "Yeah. To the morning sunshine. It was awful."

"Of course, you night owl."

I stuck my tongue out at her and leaned on the railing to the balcony. "Medusa, I have a question."

"Go ahead."

"Okay..." I sighed. This was big. I had been thinking about it for so long, too embarrassed to ask, and I had a burst of confidence. "I know it's sudden, and I understand your answer, good or bad. But..... Will you and Loki adopt me. Like, legally?"

She looked shocked. I understood if she didn't want me. I was never the best kid. I got in trouble sometimes and I never opened up to anyone. My grades were decent, but that really didn't make up for everything. And, hell, I've been abandoned once. I can handle it again. Probably.

"..... You okay Medusa?" I asked.

"...."

"Yeah, got it. It's okay," I said, taking that as a no. She probably doesn't want me now. She probably never did. She probably just felt bad for the new kid. "I'll just go talk to Aq-Aquee..." Stupid voice crack.

"Z...."

"No, Claudia. It's fine. Forget I asked," I muttered, my face starting to heat up and my eyes watering. Why doesn't anyone want me.

"Z... I'd-"

"Hate to."

"NO! I'd love to! I've wanted to adopt you for so long, I just didn't want to pressure you!" She cried. My attention snapped to her immediately. She wants me.....

"R-really...?" I asked.

"Yes! Z, why wouldn't I?" she asked.

"Well, I'm not exactly a good kid, I never open up. My grades are okay, I guess..."

"That's why I care about you so much," she cried, grabbing my shoulders. "You're rebellious, willing to prove yourself! You remind me so much of Loki it's funny how you two aren't related."

"I do?"

"Yes!!" She smiled. I started to smile too and my eyes filled with hapoy tears, a rare occurance. "Oh, Z, what's wrong???"

"Nothing! Nothing at all! This is the best day ever!" I cried. I hugged her, causing her to laugh, and relished in the thought of being adopted.

"But what about Loki?" I asked.

"I asked him about it. He seemed content with it. And, Zaylee, he cares so much for you," Claudia smiled. I laughed.

"I love him too!"

"Well come on, daughter. Let's go tell him."

"Yes ma'am, Mom."

She looked so surprised at the name 'Mom'. I smiled and punched her arm. "I won't call you that if you don't want it."

"Yes! I'm perfectly okay with the name!" She smiled. I returned it and we walked out to the hallways.

"Okay, business questions. What about Dr. Doom. He wants me dead, he wants the world to end- which is dumb as heck, because if the world ends so does he, but- OOF!" I ran into someone while I was looking at Claudia. "My bad, si-" I saw a tail. A red tail. Then horns. He was red, huge, and clad in royal robes. "I'm sorry."

"Watch where you're going!!" He growled. I recognized him as Surtur from some lore books I read, and I knew he wasn't someone to mess with.

"Of course, sir," I nodded, making eye contact with him. He had red eyes, like mine. I flared mine in a peace sign and he nodded.

"Good girl," he smiled softly. I returned it and bowed slightly. I have no idea why, but I felt connected to this guy. "What realm are you from?"

"I'm midgaurdian with benefits," I chuckled.

"Benefits?" He asked.

"Yes," I willed a flame to dance in my hand. "I control flame, like you."

"You know me?"

"King Surtur."

"Good girl," he smiled. I returned it.

"Please excuse me, sir, I must go find my father," I said. I saw Claudia smile slightly and I bowed.

"You are excused. I do hope I meet you again, little one," the king gently patted my shoulder and walked off, allowing me to do the same. It was weird, though. I felt something burning above my head when he touched me. Claudia followed me, looking surprised.

"Zaylee....." She was very pale.

"Medu- mom? Are you okay?" I took her arm to help her stand.

"When he patted your shoulder...."

"Yes?"

"There was a flame crown above your head."

Oof.