Loki lay curled up on his bed in Asgard. He clutched a pillow tightly to his chest as he lay in the dark.

He had been in the same position for nearly a day, not allowing anyone to enter as he wanted to be alone with his thoughts but after a while his shields slipped and his mother entered the room with Thor.

"Loki?" She said softly, taking a seat behind humongous the bed and placing a hand on his side.

"Please leave me mother, I need to think."

She sighed. "Loki, you've been on your own for a day. I know you're grieving but it's not healthy to hole yourself away. Please dear?"

"What do you know of grief?"

"I have lived far longer than you, do not ignore the fact that I have lost people close to me to," she said in a tone that had a hint of warning in it before she shook her head and smiled softly. "You know where I am if you need to talk, okay?"

"But you always had something left. He is my entire world. I have no one else."

"You have myself, your father, your brother, and your friends." She said with a smile. "Just give it time... Or a place." she added mysteriously, giving Thor a wink which Confused Loki as she turned and left.

"I don't have any friends." Loki spoke in barely a whisper. "Anthony was my friend."

"Loki, you don't mean that. What about the guys back on Mudguard?" Thor said after Frigga had left.

"They're Tony's friends, just like the warriors three were always yours."

"Okay. I'm not going to argue with you on this as no matter what I say, you're probably not going to listen on this issue." Thor didn't give him much of an opportunity to answer as he carried on. "Myself and mother have been talking and we've discovered there's something we can do to... Well... Get Tony back..."

Loki turned over on the bed to face Thor, his swollen eyes opened wide. "Tell me."

"There is a place where you can make a special concoction that raises loved ones from the dead. But it can only be brewed on one night of a year, which is a week from today and by a powerful sorcerer..." he paused. "And only Heimdall knows the spell."

Loki snorted and rolled onto his back to stare at the ceiling "You get my hopes up for this? Heimdall would never help me, not even on the AllFather's command. It is supposedly foreseen that we will kill each other on the day of Ragnarök. My best hope is for Hela to find a way to smuggle him out. But since our more recent argument, she and I are no longer on speaking terms."

"What if I asked him? or mother? "

"Have you researched this properly? Will he still be him?"

"Yeah, well, that the thing. You can bring him back any age and he'll still have the memories from before." Thor grinned.

"And you're sure about this?"

"Yes. Mother researched it."

Loki was across the room in three long slides, royal attire forming around him. Thor had trouble keeping up with him on the way to Asgard's gate.

Heimdall Watched them carefully as they approached, already knowing their reason for coming but holding his silence.

"Heimdall, take me to this place." Loki's voice had regained its strength, but held also a dangerous edge. That was intentional. "Take me there, or I shall strike you down where you stand."

Heimdall raised an eyebrow. "You know i cannot leave my post. I can tell you, however there are two things you should know before going."

"Tell me." Loki came to a halt opposite the gate keeper. "Quickly."

"One, the ritual is only able to occur once every year. That day is next week so even if I sent you now, you wouldn't be able to do anything. Two, you need to actually learn the ritual first and unfortunately I do not have it. I only know the location of the practice."

"Well then send me to the person who knows how."

Heimdall paused, as if knowing that what he said next would not please Loki. "I believe the All Father knows it."

Loki turned, "Thor..."

"I think you should try to ask him Loki..." Thor said with a pleading look. "You never know, he may actually tell you if you ask."

"Will you not go for me?"

Thor sighed. "He's your husband. There's more of a chance of him telling it to you than me who was just his friend. I will accompany you though."

Loki nodded. "Then we have no time to lose."

Odin was on his usual place on the throne when the brothers arrived, and he looked up and smiled when he saw them. "My sons, welcome." He said before actually smiling kindly at Loki. "I am sorry for your loss."

But the smile just felt like Odin was mocking him. It brought back old anger and recent pain. "I come seeking your help. Heimdall spoke of a ritual..."

"A ritual? Of what kind?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Resurrection."

His expression darkened slightly. "Are you sure you wish to know? Would it truly bring peace to you if your mate was resurrected?" he paused. "And would he be grateful to have been brought back?"

"Allfather, please." Loki looked up at him with sad eyes, sinking to one knee. "It is no convenience the day is so soon. The Norns..."

"I didn't say I would not tell you Loki, I just want you to consider this is what you truly want first."

"I have."

The corners of Odin's mouth twitched up momentarily before he nodded then stood and walked over to where Loki stood. He reached into his cloak and produced a small book before holding it out to Loki. "You'll find the spell in here. You'll need to gather the materials inside before you do remember, and you have a week until you can."

"Thank you." Loki stood up, taking the book with a nod, and walked away quickly, his cape flying dramatically behind him.

"Oh, and Loki!" Odin called after him, stopping Loki in his tracks. He turned around with an annoyed expression but it softened slightly when Odin spoke next.

"Good luck."

Loki nodded before leaving, going back to his room to study the book.