Astrid stepped out of her coach with a smile on her face. Her eyes found the window of the room in the palace that she knew was his, as they always did, as she went inside.

Frigga would be in the garden, so she started there. That was, after all, the reason for her visit. The only reason she would admit, anyway.

As soon as Frigga saw her approaching, Astrid stopped to curtsy.

"My Queen," Astrid said.

"Astrid, sweet child." Frigga extended her hand. "Walk with me. How was your trip?"

"It was wonderful. I want to thank you again for allowing me to represent the palace along with my father. It was such an honor."

"You are well worthy of it. You've practically grown up before my eyes, running around the palace with my sons."

"Speaking of your sons," Astrid said, "where might I find them?"

"I believe Loki is in the library."

"And Thor?" Astrid asked, as she tried to keep her feelings out of her voice.

"He's away at training. He should be back tomorrow."

"That's disappointing. I was hoping to say hello."

"Well, my dear, you know you always have a room here."

"I may take you up on that, My Queen. I think I'll go say hello to Loki."

She curtsied once more, and waited for Frigga to nod at her before she turned away. Swift feet carried her to the library, but she hesitated going in. She had rehearsed the moment a million times in her head, telling Loki that she was in love with him. The long trip away made her realize just how deep her feelings were.

She took a deep breath and entered through the large, heavy doors. On the far side of the room, Loki sat back in a chair, book in hand with his feet on the table, crossed at the ankles. Astrid smiled and walked toward him. When he looked up at her, she lost her nerve.

"Astrid!" He stood and embraced her, his book forgotten on the table.

"Miss me, Loki?"

"Darling, I always feel your absence. When you're gone it's just Thor and his warrior friends. They can be such bores."

"Aren't they your friends as well?"

"If we must put a label on it. How was your trip?"

Loki guided Astrid into a chair, and she told him all about it. She noticed how intently he listened. He always listened to her that way.

"Welcome to the world of Nobility," Loki said and sat back in his chair. "It starts off fun, then steadily becomes a burden."

"It's an honor."

"It's a duty."

"Not for me. I hold no office or station. I was allowed to go along with my father. I don't know how often I'll get the privilege."

Astrid played with the long, flowing folds of her dress, and stared at her lap while her mind raced. She should tell him, but how?

"What's troubling you?" Loki asked.

"Nothing. What could possibly be troubling me?"

"I don't know. That's why I asked."

"But why would you think-"

"Because you have your troubled look."

"My what?"

"You always stare at your lap and fidget when you're anxious about something," Loki said. "It would be cute if I didn't know that worry lay beneath it."

"Honestly," she hesitated, "there's something I desperately want to tell you, but I don't know how."

"Just say it, Astrid. Spit it out."

"This isn't something you just spit out."

Loki took her hand. "You're starting to make me worry. Is it bad?"

"No... At least, I don't think so."

"Well, then, just say it."

Astrid stared at her hand in his, then looked up into his eyes.

"I love you, Loki."

Loki smiled. "I love you, too, darling."

Astrid shook her head and stood. She pulled her hand from Loki's and turned away.

"No. I love you. Not like a brother or a friend I grew up with. I am in love with you."

She felt his hand on her hip, and her hair brush away from her ear, replaced by Loki's warm breath.

"And I'm in love with you," he said.

Loki's hand slid across her back and came to rest on her other hip as she turned to him.

"You are?" she asked. "I had no idea."

"I always kept it to myself. To be frank, I thought you had feelings for Thor."

"Of course, I love Thor, but-"

"You always seemed to gravitate toward him. Whenever we're all together, you're usually at Thor's side."

Astrid smiled, and a blush touched her cheeks.

"So I can look at you without anyone noticing that I'm staring," she said.

Loki chuckled. "Well, your deception worked. Half the palace thinks you're in love with Thor."

"Stop exaggerating."

"I'm not," Loki said with a chuckle.

"Does Thor think that?"

"No, he's so blinded by his training. That's all he thinks about."

"Thank goodness for that! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I bring that up?"

"Honestly? I can't believe you didn't tease me over it."

"Darling," he whispered and pulled her closer, "I know I tease you mercilessly over many things-"

"Many, many things."

"But I tease you out of love. To tease you over your attraction to another man would be torture for me. Even more so since it was Thor."

"But I'm not attracted to Thor."

"I know that now, but only because you told me. I wish you would have said something sooner."

"I didn't think you felt the same way, and I didn't want to ruin what we have as friends."

Loki lifted her face with a finger under her chin.

"You're the only person I've ever cared to call 'friend,'" he said, "but I'd rather call you 'my love.'"

"I'd like that," Astrid said with a smile.

Loki leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. He sighed when he pulled away.

"You can't imagine how long I've wanted to do that," he said.

"Yes, I can."

Loki brushed his thumb across her cheek. "We've wasted so much time."

"I know." She put a hand to his chest. "Maybe we can make up for some of it?"

"What did you have in mind?"

Astrid watched as a grin spread across Loki's face. She lifted herself on her toes and pressed her lips to his. His arms wrapped around her waist and he lifted her from the floor as he deepened the kiss.

He placed her back on her feet as he broke the kiss, but he kept his arms firmly around her.

"It's getting late. As much as I hate to let you leave, you shouldn't be on the road after dark."

"Your mother graciously offered me a room for the night."

"I would love to see you at breakfast."

"I would like that, too."

"But, perhaps, you can sit next to me, instead of my brother, if he has returned by then."

"If you insist."

"Oh, I insist."

"Then I have no choice but to obey my Prince."

Loki groaned. "What shall we do the rest of the night?"

"How about a walk?"

"Not what I had in mind."

"Let's not rush this, Loki."

"Just so long as I can kiss you, my love."

"I insist upon that."

"Then I know of a field, just beyond the city borders. It has large trees, and a running stream. We could ride out and be there by sunset."

"And how do you know this place? Is this where you take all your conquests?" Astrid asked with a grin.

"I've never taken anyone there. I go there to get away and be alone, but I would love to take you there."

Astrid kissed him and agreed. In the stables, Loki helped Astrid onto his horse, then climbed up in front of her.

"Put your arms around my waist to hold on," he said.

"I was going to do that anyway," she whispered in his ear.

They remained quiet as they rode. Astrid kept a firm grip around Loki's waist. His hand occasionally rubbed over her arm when the terrain was smooth, and he could control the horse without both hands on the reins. They rode through the city, toward a forest that lay at its edge. Loki led the horse a few kilometers into the trees before turning off of the path.

"I thought you said this was a field we are going to?"

"You'll see," Loki said.

They rode for several minutes before Astrid saw that there was a brighter light in the distance. As they got closer, she realized it was the tree line, which they soon broke through. It was indeed a rolling green field.

"It's beautiful!"

Loki pointed to the right, far ahead, to a shimmering light.

"That's the stream," he said. "Crystal clear water. It sparkles best at sunset."

He rode toward it, where it was shaded by a few lush trees, where Loki could tie up his horse. He helped Astrid dismount, and pulled her into his arms.

"Welcome to my hidden paradise."

"How is it that no one else has found this place?"

Loki shrugged. "A little bit of magic."

"A shield?"

"Of sorts."

"It's amazing."

Loki took her hand and sat close to the bank of the stream. Astrid watched the water move swiftly over the rock bed beneath. She felt Loki's hand brush over her back, then to her neck.

"I've imagined bringing you here so many times."

"And what did we do here in your imagination?"

"This. Just sit together." He moved behind her and pulled her back to him, so that his legs were on either side of her. He kissed her neck. "And maybe some kissing."

"I like that."

"And maybe, something more..."

"Loki-"

"I know. You don't want to rush."

"I don't want to skip this courting phase," she said with a smile.

"Ah, you see, you always played rough with the boys, but I knew you secretly loved the girly stuff."

"My mother made sure of that."

"However, I do recall one time when Thor refused to let you on his new horse. He had just turned fifteen, and you were twelve."

"Goodness, Loki, that was ages ago!"

"I know. I still remember the tears in your eyes... but you refused to cry. I saw that stubbornness in you, even then."

"And you let me ride your horse, instead."

"I got you up, got behind you-"

"And you let me take the reins."

"I just wanted to see you smile."

Astrid giggled. "So, what you're telling me is that you knew you loved me even when you were fourteen?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Astrid sat up and turned to Loki with a her mouth agape.

"I was joking, Loki."

"I'm not. It started out chaste and innocent enough. I knew I always wanted to be the one to make you laugh, smile, or just make you happy. I wanted to protect you. It wasn't until you turned sixteen, and your mother started making you dress a little more like a Lady that I realized just how beautiful you are. I mean, I always thought you were beautiful, but..." Loki brushed his fingers over her cheek, "Darling, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known."

Astrid shook her head and tried to take in everything he told her. "I don't know what to say."

"Tell me you love me."

"I do love you. So much."

She kissed him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her fingers played in his hair as he returned the kiss so fervently that she had to lean back in his arms. Astrid slowed the kiss until Loki stopped for breath.

"How long have we wasted?" Astrid said. "We could have been together so long ago... centuries."

The last ray of light disappeared as the Asgardian sun fell below the horizon. Astrid ran her thumb over Loki's jawline.

"How is it that your eyes shine so brightly even in the dim moonlight?"

"Because they see you."

"Loki, I've never heard you speak this way before."

"I wouldn't speak this way about anyone else, and I couldn't when I thought you wanted Thor."

"Why not?"

"I just wanted you to be happy, my love."

Astrid just stared at him.

"I've left you speechless again?"

Astrid simply nodded.

"Then just tell me you love me, darling. That's all I need to hear."

"I love you."

They kissed under the stars for a long while before Loki stood.

"We should get back."

"I hate to leave this place," Astrid said.

"We will return. I promise."

Loki helped her to her feet and back onto the horse.

"I'm not quite sure how to tell you this," Astrid said, "but my father may not be too pleased about us."

"Displeased that your chosen suitor is the Prince of Asgard?"

"I think he's always wanted to make that choice for me, in a way... to find me the perfect husband. Or, what he considers the perfect husband."

"We will figure out how to tell him. Until then, we won't tell anyone."

"A hidden love affair?"

"Do you object?"

"No," she said with a smile. "It's kind of romantic."

Loki escorted Astrid to the room she would be staying in. It was the same room that she had stayed in so many times before throughout her life.

Sure that no one was watching, Loki pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. His hands moved over her back until she pulled away.

"We'll get caught," she whispered.

Loki groaned, but released her. "I'll see you at breakfast."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."