A/N: I. AM. BACK! I have felt beyond uninspired for the longest time, and almost depressed after losing my grandmother earlier this year. But lately, I've been on a Marvel kick and thought what else could I do but bring a twist to Loki's tale.

Not even as a child had I enjoyed the adventures down to this pit of Asgard where not even Odin's crows would land their droppings. Until now, I never saw a reason to come down aside from mere foolishness or childish abandon for rules the Allfather had put in place both for me and his sons, my oldest and dearest friends.

But now, as I look into the eyes of the guard, my fear; the unfriendly chill of the brick walls, the cold, black marble at my feet giving way to cobblestones ahead...all that melts away in my search of answers from the one I love.

"Queen Frigga sent me." I reply to the unasked question, the demand of my reasoning to be down here.

It doesn't take long for the guards to look to each other, give a nod and step out of my path. They know me well enough by now to either know I am not so reckless to risk my own life for a fruitless escape attempt; or they believe I am too stupid to even think of a way out aside from through them.

The cold follows me down, deeper into the abyss that always left the hair throughout my body to stand on end. The long royal blue cloak I wear drags behind me as I take the stairs deeper, into the abyss of the abyss itself, ignoring the calls of the aberrent prisoners Odin has held captive for who knows how long, keeping my head straight and my eyes forward to prevent such a satisfaction.

It isn't hard to find his cell. The Allmother, ever the kind hearted woman, had stocked it with the best she could bring him, a bed, a place to sit, and mounds of books. I can't help but crack a smile. He loved his books, even as a child.

"I must admit, it is a surprise to see you down here." his knowledge of my presence shocks me, knowing that his eyes were focused on yet another book. A small smirk touches his delicate features. "You never were one to sneak up on me, Nettie. I could hear the sickening catcalls from way down here."

"That is your primary concern, Loki?" I question. "The comments of a group or groups of deprived men?"

"When they speak ill and insult the beauty before me, yes." the book slaps shut and he rises to his feet to face me. "You haven't changed a day." he murmurs softly, his now blue eyes meeting mine.

"Neither have you. Not physically anyways." I hug at my arm with a sigh, evoking a sigh from the raven haired man behind the confines. "Why?" I murmur. "Eighty people in two days."

"I wanted to make you a queen." Loki murmurs, putting a hand at the glass, a small outline of gold appearing to keep him in.

"You know I don't care about being queen. And you never cared about a throne until Thor's banishment." I whisper. "What's gotten into you? What happened to the Loki I know and love?"

"I'm still here." he insists. "Just a touch more...ambitious than I was."

"This is way more than a touch ambitious." my breath catches and I can't help but hide the urge to cry. "What's poisoned you? This isn't who you are. I don't know who you are anymore. Even your eye color is different." his eyes flash, and I see one of his eyes turn green once more.

"I wish I could tell you. I really wish I could." he whispers. "But this path is not for someone as pure hearted as you." he turns away from me. "Trust me when I say you are safer not knowing what happened to me when I was shoved over the Bifrost."

"You were never shoved. Thor and I pleaded with you to hold on. You refused to listen. Your fall was your own doing, not your brother's/"

"He is no brother of mine." Loki replies sharply, earning a flinch from the ice cold tone of his voice.

"Damn your adoption. Laufey was not the one who cared for you. Laufey left you for dead. Odin saved your life." I insist. "Odin gave you a home, a family, one that I would have killed for." I come up the steps and slam a fist on the glass. "You are throwing away everything I ever wanted Loki. I. Have. No. Family."

"You have me." Loki turns to look me in the eye.

"Do I?" I ask, a tear leaking down my cheek.

"I did what I did in New York to become a king. To rule over them as a benevolent god. I keep truth from you now to ensure your own safety. I hope one day you will understand why."

"I will find out. I will not live like this." again, my voice cracks.

"Then I release you." Loki's words are quick, almost heartless, but the quiver in his voice gives it away.

"I don't want to be released." I insist. "I want you. The real you. The you I grew up with."

"You know Odin would never let us marry. He'd sooner you marry his true son as opposed to the Jotun he took in out of pity."

"I don't want anyone else." I repeat, clearing my throat so the words come out unbroken, firm. "I will not have anyone else. I made a vow to you all those years ago that it was you and I." Loki flashes a small grin and turns to look at me, earning a small smile for myself as I think back to the events that led us both to this point.

"You and I until Hel freezes over."