Jane wasn't an early morning person. She wasn't even a mid morning person. Who was she kidding? She was a mid afternoon personality if there had ever been one.

In the early morning hours around New Asgard, Jane had decided a nice long quiet stroll around the palace might put her over the point of exhaustion and shove her straight into sleep. Especially since she hadn't been able to sleep at all for several nights since Loki's leviatation demonstration and what had come afterward.

Was it possible that she wouldn't be the only one risking heartbreak? No, this was Loki, God of Mischief and Lies. He couldn't possibly have changed enough to make falling in love possible.

As she turned down the hallway towards the more private living quarters of the Asgardian royalty, she heard a voice.

"What?!" She instantly recognized Thor's voice.

"You heard me." And Loki's.

Jane stopped and moved her back against the wall. She probably shouldn't be here.

Thor spoke to his brother in shock, "You're not serious."

"I've never been more serious in my life," Loki spoke from across the room.

"Did I really hear you correctly? You want permission to court Jane?" Thor asked in an incredulous tone.

"Yes."

Jane's breath caught in her throat.

"Why?" Thor asked, his tone one of skepticism and disbelief combined.

"Shouldn't that be rather obvious?"

"Brother, if you want my blessing, you will tell me why."

Jane eased herself down the wall, closer to the doorway where the voices were coming from.

"I've never met anyone like her, Thor," Loki's voice was softer. Almost...reverent?

"Go on," Thor urged.

"She's remarkably intelligent."

"For a mortal?" Thor asked.

"For any being, mortal or otherwise."

Jane's eyes widened. This was the highest possible praise from Loki.

"Is that the only reason?"

"No," Loki replied smoothly, "Jane is a remarkable woman, one worthy of more than just a simple seduction and retreat."

Jane winced slightly. He was goading Thor now. Why?

"Is that what you believe happened between Jane and myself?" Thor challenged his brother in return.

"Do you not think I know your patterns? I've watched you break many a maid's heart in the Nine Realms, Brother."

There was a period of silence, and Jane really wished she was a fly on the wall so she could see what was happening.

Thor cleared his throat after a moment, "Why this? Why ask my permission to court her?"

"You are King, are you not?" Loki's question seemed flippant.

There was a pause then Thor's voice broke in an astounded tone, "Wait, are you saying you wish to wed her?"

Jane felt herself grasp the wall for balance and only hoped she hadn't made a sound in the effort. Why would Thor think Loki wanted to marry her? She hadn't even let him kiss her yet.

"I'm saying that if I am right and Jane does feel the same for me, I would want the option to be available to us," Loki's voice was soft but resolute.

Jane silently clamped her hand over her mouth to stop the sound of her gasp. She closed her eyes as she processed this news. He feels for her? That's probably the lust talking, her inner voice told her as she tried to reason herself out of a panic.

"You believe Jane has fallen in love with you?" Thor asked seriously.

Oh god...had she been quite that transparent? 'Please say no. Please say no.' She repeated in her mind.

"I believe she is waiting for me to convince her of my feelings for her. But, to answer the question, very nearly," Loki replied simply.

"And your feelings for her?"

"Are you her father or my brother?" Loki questioned, bristling at Thor's continued questions.

"I am King," Thor's voice sounded like a declaration through a cheeky smile, "Answer my question, Brother."

"I care for her more than I have ever cared for anyone," Loki's voice, on the other hand, seemed annoyed with his own answer.

Jane had heard enough. She didn't need to hear any more. It would be bad enough to hear him tell her he wasn't capable of loving her. She didn't need to hear him say the same to Thor. She moved back down the hallway as stealthily as she could manage, ready to burst into a full fledged sprint the first chance she got. She never heard the rest of their conversation.

"That sounds dangerously close to you declaring your love for her," Thor teased with a smile as he approached his brother.

"It's as close as it will get for now," Loki replied as he watched Thor move to stand before him, "She will be the first to hear the depth of my feelings for her, not you."

Thor observed his brother for a moment before he offered his arm, "You have my blessing, Brother."

Loki took Thor's forearm with his and half smiled, "Thank you."

"But, should you also break her heart..."

"In that case, I am certain I would welcome the death blow," Loki offered before Thor could advance the warning. There were arrangements to be made so that he could start properly courting Jane and make her his once and for all.