Disclaimer: I still don't' own anything : )

Author's Note: This was a short chapter, all about Loki!

Loki sat outside of Odin's chambers, glaring at Odin's guard. The guard stood directly in front of him and returned an uncomfortable stare. Loki could tell his presence put the guard on edge, and while half of him enjoyed it, the other half of him squirmed. Despite his desire for power, control, and dominance, he still felt small and powerless sometimes when in Asgard. He hated that about himself.

Loki closed his eyes, sighing to himself. The muzzle was beginning to become uncomfortable and the way in which Natasha had secured his shackles was beginning to hurt. He tried to reposition himself on the floor of the palace. After shuffling around awkwardly he finally managed to find a comfortable position, lying on the floor, his head in his hands, staring at the ceiling of the palace. He shut his eyes, trying unsuccessfully to turn his mind off. The more Loki thought about the things that were bothering him, the more uncomfortable he felt. He almost felt as though the angrier he became with his current situation, the more blinded his rage made him.

He had put on a front for the Avengers, that he didn't plan on letting down anytime soon. In all honesty, he barely remembered the attack on New York. He also could not remember what had happened to him between falling from the Bifrost and waking up from the Hulk's attack. He remembered becoming aware of his surroundings while being flung about by the green monstrosity. He tried to will his mind to fill in the missing pieces to no avail. The last thing he really remembered was killing Laufey, failing to destroy Jotenheim, and the look on his father's face as he dangled from the Bifrost.

He hated his father and his brother for their stupidity. How could they ever understand his plight? Thor was the golden boy; the one everyone loved and could never live without. Loki was the outcast. He mentally chided himself for not figuring out the truth of his parentage earlier. He always had felt different from Thor and Odin, but finding out he was a Frost Giant was too much. For his entire life, he had been told stories of the war with Jotenheim, Odin's victory, as well as the Asgardian views of the Jotun kind. He could not believe that Odin had allowed him to grow up alongside them, knowing the entire time that he would find out someday. What did he expect?

While his plans to destroy Jotenheim and kill Laufey were half driven by Loki's rage at his true heritage, they were also fueled by a strong desire to show that he was not the weakling that everyone thought him to be. As much as he hated his father, he still longed for his respect and admiration. He wanted to be entrusted with ruling the kingdom and leading the family in the same way that Thor had been throughout their lives. He wanted Odin to give him the same time and attention he had given Thor. All those battle strategy lessons and training exercises the two had done together, leaving Loki alone to practice magic or cause mischief. Deep down he just wanted the same things that the people around him took for granted.

He was so deep in thought, he had not noticed the presence of another person until they were speaking his name.

"Loki?" a voice full of concern and empathy echoed in the small room. He knew right away that it was Frigga. Who else would still care about the Jotun prince?

Loki could not reply, he just kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see the look on his mother's face. He still viewed Frigga as his mother, and still cared for her, as she was the only one who showed him the respect and love he longed for from the other Asgardians. He rolled away from her, wanting nothing more than to disappear into the floor.

"Leave us." She said to the guard standing watch outside of Odin's chambers. The guard looked surprised at her request. His eyes grew wide and he looked from Loki to Frigga, as if silently asking her if she was sure of her request. She sent the guard an icy stare, giving Loki's a run for its money. She motioned for him to leave again and he reluctantly left his post.

Once she was alone with her son, she took the time to study him. His green armor was scratched and damaged and he still wore many cuts and bruises from his attack on Midgard. She noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his unusually pale skin. She sat down next to him, still silent and placed a hand on his arm. He flinched when she made contact, not used to being touched by another person. He opened his eyes and met her gaze. She did not look angry. She had the same loving expression she had always shown him. His eyes looked tired, and she saw sadness in them, sadness that she had never seen before.

She saw the cuffs that held Loki's feet and wrists together, and gasped. The ones around his ankles had begun to wear the leather around his boots due to their tight grip on the leather. She then studied the marks on his wrists. The cuffs looked like they were cutting off his circulation. Loki said nothing, but he didn't have to. Without a word Frigga closed her eyes and concentrated. Loki knew she was using magic, but for what he was not sure. Within seconds he could feel the cuffs loosen. While they did not come undone completely, he was now able to move more freely.

Loki watched his mother, the glow of her magic wearing off. He studied her, his eyes full of questions, almost glad his muzzle prevented them from spilling out. She just smiled and placed a hand comfortingly on his cheek. He could feel tears forming in the corners of his eyes and he blinked, trying to hide them.

"Shhhh." Frigga said quietly, trying to keep Loki's emotions in check. She knew what was coming, and she knew that it would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do, perhaps in her entire life. Not only would she face having to watch one son suffer a lifelong punishment, but she would have to watch the other find out one of their family's most hidden secrets, that he was not the only Odinson.

This one was another short chapter, I was just in the mood for some good Loki feels, and I felt like his relationship with Frigga would be an interesting thing to write about. More to come, hopefully soon.