"You really don't need to pack much," Loki chuckled from the edge of my bed, watching me as I tried to shove some clothes into my bag. "Mother will have plenty of clothes she would love to dress you up in."

"That's partly what I'm afraid of." I smiled softly. "I think I would rather wear my normal clothes."

"You won't be saying that when you see the stunning stuff she has." He pointed out. "You're basically like a daughter she never had."

"I do feel sorry for her having to raise two sons." I teased as I zipped up the bag.

"I don't think I turned out too bad." He huffed in mock offence. "Thor, on the other hand."

"Oh, sure." I grinned, throwing the bag over my shoulder as I stood up. "Okay, I think I'm ready."

"Come on, let's go downstairs." He put a gentle hand on my back, leading me out the door and down the stairs.

Everyone else was already gathered there and immediately rushed in for hugs the moment I appeared. It did honestly feel a little rushed, the whole idea to go to Asguard, but I kept trying to convince myself that it was for the best. Plus, it didn't have to be for too long either, so I would be fine.

"Now I'll be holding you the whole time." Loki said as we walked out onto a clear space out the front of the compound. "It will feel a little dizzying, but I'm sure you already remember that."

"Yeah." I nodded, taking a deep breath as he threaded his hands through mine. "It's okay. I'll be fine."

"I know you will be." He gently kissed the top of my head before Thor grabbed my other hand.

"Heimdall!" He called out and seconds later, light barreled down towards us, filling my whole vision and blocking out everything else.

It was like that for only a couple of seconds and I felt Loki's hand squeezing mine the whole time before my feet hit solid ground. While I was trying to prepare myself to land normally, I still stumbled, Loki's hands winding around me as I rapidly blinked to try and clear my vision.

"Are you okay darling?" He asked immediately, green eyes darting over my face.

"You manage it much better than any other mortal that has been brought here." Thor chuckled, dropping my hand as he strode forward.

"I think I can thank Loki's teleporting for my balance." I chuckled weakly, giving a small nod to Loki before we began to walk forward, his hands intertwining with mine again.

The sight of the bridge leading into Asguard still took my breath, even though I had seen it before. But before we even reached it, my eyes fell on a tall man, who I assumed must have been the Heimdall that Loki sometimes talked about. His golden eyes flicked down to the joined hands of Loki and me, a small smile making his stoic lips twitch.

"Good to see you again, Lady Emily." He dipped his head, the metal helmet on his head shining in the light of the Bifrost. "Though, I must say it is much more pleasant to see you when you are not unconscious."

"Nice to meet you." I blushed softly, briefly remembering the last time that I had travelled through the Bifrost to Asguard and had ended up falling unconscious from its sheer power.

"I have alerted Odin to your presence." Heimdall continued, looking away from me to look back at Thor. "I doubt he will be pleased to hear of your brother's arrival."

"Which is why we will be talking to Mother instead." Loki gave Heimdall a pointed look, reaching out to grab Thor's forearm and teleporting us in a flash of green.

This time, we landed outside a pair of large gold doors and I managed to keep my balance completely, causing Loki to smile down at me before he knocked hard on the gold doors.

"Come in my sons." Frigga's voice echoed from the other side of the door and I would be lying if I said that it didn't feel like a big warm hug wrapping around me.

Thor pushed open the large gold doors like they were made of nothing, but I knew if I tried, I wouldn't be able to move them an inch. While the gold of the palace had thrown me off a little last time, I was slightly more used to it now, but only slightly. It was still amazing how literally almost everything seemed like it was made of gold.

"Emily sweetheart." Frigga's voice distracted me and I looked over to see her standing up from a seat on the balcony, her silver dress swishing with her every movement. "I didn't recognise your presence."

She walked forward and wrapped me in a big hug, which caused me to smile instantly and wrap my arms around her too. We held each other for a couple of seconds before she pulled back, eyes running over me like she was checking I was okay.

"You've changed so much since I last saw you." She smiled, reaching out to gently touch a strand of my hair. "You've grown even more beautiful."

"I doubt that." I chuckled softly, instantly relaxed around her. "I mean, I don't feel any different."

"Nonsense, you're stunning." She scolded me gently, straightening as she reached out to take my hand, but paused when she saw it intertwined with Loki's.

"Not now." Loki murmured as her eyes instantly fell onto his face, and I looked up at him to see the top of his ears tinged a soft pink, causing me to grin a little.

"Come on sweets, let's get you settled down." Humour lit up her voice as she beckoned for me to follow her.

"You go ahead." Loki's hands gently untangled from mine. "Thor and I should probably go talk to Odin."

I looked back up at him, worry filling me at first at the thought that he had to face that wretched man, but as he shot me a soft smile, I knew he was doing it so I wouldn't have to face Odin's initial wrath and smiled at him gratefully. I was tempted to hug him in gratitude, but considering his reaction to Frigga's look, I doubted he would be comfortable with that kind of physical affection in front of family. His eyes seemed to recognise this and his smile grew slightly before he slowly turned around and walked back out the door with Odin.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Frigga asked as she gathered up a couple of things from where she had been sitting on the balcony, placing them on the desk as I stood in the middle of her grand room.

"About Loki?" I asked, watching her dress in slight awe as it moved around. "I mean, depends on what your questions are."

"How long has he been courting you?" She turned around to face me, a smile lighting up her face.

I was slightly startled that she didn't ask how he was treating me; that was normally the first question that anyone who knew us asked. But I reminded myself that Frigga was different and didn't really know what HYDRA had done to me, or at least not fully.

"Courting me?" I repeated, confused by the question.

"Oh, my apologies." She chuckled, gently leading me towards the door out of her room, pushing it open with ease. "I believe you Midgardians call it... dating?"

"Oh yeah." I nodded, smiling softly as she led me down the halls of the castle. "I'm not too sure actually." I furrowed my eyebrows as I thought. "It's probably been about two months, maybe a little bit less. It was just after Christmas. That's a celebration that we have-".

"I know what Christmas is." Frigga chuckled and I flushed in embarrassment. "I've heard stories from previously visiting mortals." She turned her gaze back ahead as we continued to walk. "Are you happy with him?"

"Very." I startled myself a little with how quick my answer was and I went even more red. "He's really sweet and kind. And very thoughtful. He's been trying to keep back all of my nightmares and doesn't complain when I do wake him up from one. He always does things for me; it's like everything he does is based around me. And that does get a little overwhelming at times, but I do like it at the same time. I just..." I trailed off and looked down at my shoes as they hit the tiled floor with each step. "I just wish I could sometimes do the same for him."

"You don't strike me as someone who would be selfish in a relationship." Frigga raised an eyebrow.

"That's where I'm stuck." I nodded, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. "I mean, I don't feel like I'm being selfish, but I also don't seem to be able to do as much as he does. I'm very limited in the things that I can give, like physical touch alone is a massive roadblock for me. And that's like the main thing in a relationship."

"Not necessarily." She shook her head. "A relationship is based on much more than affection in a physical sense. Feelings towards the other are the main building block. Affectionate touch is only a side piece. You shouldn't have to force yourself into giving something that you are not comfortable with, for whatever reasons that are yours to know personally. From what you are saying about my son, I am sure that he understands this too."

"He does." I nodded again. "A whole lot. But I can't help but feel like he wants it, and I hate that I can't give it to him."

"I will admit, affectionate touch may be a wish for some in a relationship." She replied. "But only in the right circumstances. I am sure he won't appreciate it as much if he knows that you are forcing yourself to do it, and then that kind of blocks your intention."

"But what if he wants it?" I looked up at her again. "What if he does want to constantly hold me or... whatever, but he's holding himself back because he knows I can't do it?"

"Then he is doing the right thing." She pointed out. "But if you really want to know how he is feeling around that area, then you should talk to him."

"I can't talk to him about that." I murmured. "It's so embarrassing."

"You just talked to me about it." She chuckled. "And I'm his mother. Shouldn't that be more embarrassing?"

"Yes." I realised, flushing bright red. "I'm sorry. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."

"Far from it dear." She smiled comfortingly. "It's nice to be able to finally talk to someone about my sons other than Odin. And I'm happy that Loki has found someone like you."

"You are?" My eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"I couldn't wish for anyone better for him." She nodded. "I don't think there would be anyway."