A COUPLE OF DAYS HAD PASSED SINCE FREYJA HAD BARGED INTO ASTRID'S CHAMBERS. A couple of days since the Allfather had fallen into the Odinsleep. A couple of days since she last spoke to Loki. As Astrid sat on her throne speaking to a few workers about upcoming events, her mind went travelling back to her night with Freyja and what she said.

Before she could think further, the gates of the Bifrost opened up. A person she was not accustomed to arriving through.

"What is your business?" Janus' voice boomed through the room, cutting into the hushed voices of workers.

The intruder gulped. The boy was small and frail. "I come from Asgard. The King requests Your Majesty's presence," the boy spoke, his confidence lowering and lowering. "... if you don't mind."

Jinx and Janus nodded, turning to their ruler who had not heard the request, having been occupied by the event organisers. The workers were arranging her outfit for Freyja's upcoming birthday. And of course, Freyja wanted everyone attending to be above and beyond in appearance. And of course, the ball was in a day's time and Freyja had forgotten to send messengers with invitations. Of course, Astrid was already on top of it, knowing when her friend's birthday is and that she would hold a ball in her honour. "What is it?" Astrid asked as she saw her guards waiting for her to be done.

"Your attendance is requested in Asgard, Your Majesty," Jinx recited the messenger's announcement.

Astrid tensed up, thinking of the worst. She turned to the organisers, telling them that Zithara will sort it out. "You two can stay here," Astrid spoke to the twins. "I'm sure I'll be fine." The twins nodded, believing she would not be in harm's way under Asgardian watch. Astrid stood, grabbing a white cloth from the side of her throne that she had been embroidering. She brushed her skirts down as she approached the young Asgardian boy. "Hello there," she smiled. The boy could not have been older than 10 years old. She extended her hand out to him in concern, confused why Odin would send such a small child to retrieve her. "My name is Astrid, what's yours?"

"I'm Niko, Your Majesty," he spoke, feeling a little more comfortable at Astrid's warm greeting. The Bifrost opened and the two were sucked in, arriving in Asgard's Observatory.

"Hello Heimdall," Astrid smiled to the watchman. The man nodded in return. Niko led the blonde queen towards the palace, making small talk. On the way, they stopped off at a market stall where Astrid purchased a loaf of bread for Niko to eat after hearing his stomach rumbling.

"This is where I leave you, Your Majesty," Niko bowed his head. Astrid copied him, squeezing his hand before letting it go. "Thank you again for the bread."

"No problem, Niko, and please call me Astrid. I hope to see you again," she waved goodbye as he rushed away. The guards by the doors opened them for Astrid to step through. Expecting to see Odin, or even Frigga, on the throne, she was shocked to see Loki sat proudly in his father's seat. His legs were spread, conveying a strong air of confidence. On his head sat a pair of golden curled horns and in his hand laid a tall spectre. Astrid gulped as she scanned his demanding figure, refusing to let her blood rush to her cheeks. "Loki? Where's Odin?"

"He's not here," Loki smiled as he answered.

"But I was requested here by the King?" She spoke, confused.

"You were. By me," Loki continued, his smile growing further. His eyes glanced down her figure, seeing a white cloth weaving between her fingers as she fidgeted. "I requested you here, Astrid."

Astrid's eyes widened as she raised a hand over her mouth. "Is... the Allfather...?" She questioned, unable to bring herself to finish her question.

Loki rolled his eyes. "No, he's still alive just sleeping," he breathed out in annoyance. "For now," he mumbled. "I wanted to let you know that until he rises again, my mother has granted me Asgard and the title of King," he smiled widely. He gestured for her to ascend the stairs.

With a mix of trepidation and intrigue, Astrid made her way up to the throne where Loki awaited. As she approached him, he scanned her figure once again, catching another glimpse of the white fabric in her hand, seeing glimpses of green and gold. She stood before him in front of the throne. She tilted her head, studying Loki as he looked up at her. "Why did you request me?" She quietly spoke.

Loki smiled, glancing toward the empty throne beside him. The one where Frigga would usually sit beside Odin. "I wish for us to rule together."

Astrid laughed.

"Excuse me?!" She giggled. "Oh, Loki you're so funny! You know I can't do that."

Loki squinted up at her. "Why is that?"

Astrid's simpers died down but her gentle smile remained. "I have my own realm to look after. Also, you're only king for a short time."

"And?"

Astrid tilted her head once more, examining his features with purpose. "You're being serious?" She asked. She saw no reluctance in his gaze. "Loki, I'm flattered at the... proposal. However, it would be impractical. My duty lies in Menvǫllr. Yours lie in Asgard. Besides, you can't make such a request when you're only King temporarily."

"And what if I were King permanently?" Loki asked.

Astrid could not think of what to say. Her words ripped from her throat as she wondered at the possibilities. "What are you asking of me?" She interrupted her own thoughts, deciding to get to the point.

"What do you think I'm asking?"

Astrid pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please, no more games, Loki."

Loki grinned, placing his staff to lean against the throne as he stood, his head tilted down to not look down at Astrid. He led them both down the steps, towards the garden they sat in a few days ago. "I suppose you'll have to find out."

Astrid's face flushed red. Her heart was racing, her stomach flipping, hands sweating. Astrid cast her vision away from Loki's face as he grew closer and closer. She sat on the same bench, not bothering to dust the fallen petals off the seat. She tried desperately to change the subject. "Well then... Oh! Uh, have... have you been invited to the Goddess of Love's birthday ball?"

Loki nodded with a smile. "It was strange. She had never invited me to one before. I thought it was for Thor or to Odin and Frigga but it was addressed to me," he spoke. "Why do you ask?"

Astrid cursed Freyja quietly before finally answering. "No reason, are you planning on attending?"

"Are you planning on attending?" Loki smirked, never answering her questions until she does.

Astrid gulped slightly. "U-uh... yes, yes I am, she is my best friend after all," she chuckled.

"Well then, I suppose I'll be there too," Loki grinned, "I'd be rather bored if I didn't have any friends there."

Astrid smiled timidly. "Perfect," she whispered. "I suppose it will be beneficial to have someone drag me away from Freyja's endless attempts of setting me up with suitors," she rolled her eyes.

Loki furrowed his brow, his jaw clenching slightly. "Suitors?"

Astrid nodded. "Freyja is determined to get me a partner. I suppose it's so she can take me on double dates with whoever she has her eyes on at the time."

Loki nodded. "Perhaps, if you'd like, I could accompany you to the ball."

He was met with a wide blue-eyes gape. "Oh, that wouldn't be necessary! I would not want to be a bother to you," Loki disagreed, stating it would be his pleasure. Running out of ideas, she sighed. "Alright, but I'll be travelling with my family so it's best to meet at the ball. Will your Mother be joining you?"

"I doubt it, she'll most likely stay by Odin's side."

Astrid nodded. "How is she?"

"As well as she can be," Loki answered, looking towards the sky. "I'm sorry for being rash in there. I think I let the power get to my head. Everyone has been treating me like there would Odin."

Astrid smiled. "Of course, it's no problem. I took no offence,"

Loki smiled, grateful that she accepted his apology. "Do you think I would make a good king, Astrid?"

Astrid looked at him, examining his side profile. "Time will tell, I'm sure," she spoke, not knowing how to answer. "What of your brother?"

"It would be unwise for my first command to undo the Allfather's last. On the brink of war, Asgard needs continuity and strength," he stated. "I cannot bring him back."

Astrid nodded gravely. "That is a shame...," she sighed. She sensed his agitated mood so changed the tone to one of playfulness. "He's going to miss Freyja's ball."

Loki chuckled, his gaze falling to her hands, hands that still remained fiddling with the embroidered cloth in her hands. "I suppose it is."