Author's Note: Okay so I changed the category of this fic from Avengers / Thor to just Thor. I'm going to do the Avengers part of the story in a sequel so you'll either need to look on my account or heck follow me if you like my work Oh and I've changed the rating of this fic to M. All the M stuff is in one chapter so if you were uncomfortable with reading that, you could go to the chapter after and it would be obvious what you missed… or you could PM me. But I've tried to be tasteful anyway.

Birds of a Feather

Chapter Ten

"One starry night"

"I still don't think this is a good idea," Loki muttered a few hours later, after they had had breakfast and discussed ideas for the Frost Giant leader's demise. "He could hurt you or my mother. Couldn't you get her to leave?"

"Even if I did," said Catherine patiently. "As soon as she heard there was trouble, she'd go rushing back in anyway. At least we can prepare for it."

"Except you can't… not without tipping Mother off that you know what's happening and why," reminded Loki.

"Okay so we'll just have to hope for the best. You can't expect to leave your mother alone and save me," pointed out Catherine. "We can try and hide at best," she said calmly. "Maybe Laufrey won't see us if he's so focused on his target?"

Loki frowned. "I don't know, it's so risky."

"People might wonder why your mother is away from your father's bedside when she's made it clear she won't leave him. It might start panic. If she's left his bedside they might think she's dead." Catherine countered realistically.

"Or they might just think she's having a break?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "Assuming his death is a little dramatic don't you think?" he asked with a slight smirk to his expression.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "After her powerful insistence that she'd never leave her husband's bedside, I don't think there's much else they'd think."

Loki sighed and looked out of the window. His mind raced through ideas and theories but none of them would help the situation in the slightest. He nearly jumped when he felt a hand on his face. Catherine had gotten up and came to his side of the table. She was stroking his cheek gently. The feel of her touch was amazing and a part of Loki wanted to hold her hand there.

"You do trust me, don't you?" Catherine murmured.

Loki stood up, looking down at her. "Of course but this isn't about trust…" he began.

"I mean trusting me to look after your mother," Catherine said warily.

Loki's eyes widened. "You think I don't…?" he asked then put his hands on Catherine's arms. "I know you're finding it hard to believe I trust you after what happened but believe me when I say I do," he murmured. "I trust you with my life and my mother."

Catherine nodded a little. "I know Loki," she said. "I guess I'm just a bit worried. Everything seemed fine before and then-" she began but Loki cut her off.

"It won't be like before, I trust you." He assured her gently. "Please do not doubt my trust in you… even if that is too much for me to ask, please don't doubt it," he told her.

She took a deep breath but nodded. "Then it's settled, I'll sit with your mother, if you can arrange it," she said questioningly.

"I can…. But… The idea of you in harm's way…. You're my closest friend," Loki murmured to her.

"And the idea of your mother being in harm's way?" Catherine asked.

"An awful prospect too but…. after they lied to me for so long… the only real loyalty I feel is to you." Loki admitted. "I can't be a great King without you by my side."

Catherine's eyes softened. "Loki…" she murmured looking up at him.

The connection between them felt stronger and deeper than ever but there was something else there now, something that hadn't been there before. Something exciting, new and sizzling with a chemistry that Catherine had never known they had. As she gazed up at him, she began to realise what was different about the way she and Loki behaved with each other and the new way in which she needed him and cared for him. It had gone beyond friendship now. Catherine began to realise the truth behind her own feelings.

She loved Loki; not as a friend or a confidante but as a lover. Her body ached to be near him, to physically touch him. When he held her it was the best feeling in the world and she knew now why the fight had affected her so physically, rooting itself in her consciousness so. It was because she'd had her heart broken even as briefly as it was. Her heart had been broken and Loki had put it back together again.

She stared up at him as he looked down on her. He pushed back some of her hair slowly and smiled a little at her. "Does that sound callous?" he asked her, his voice low, a murmur against the silence of the room.

"No," she whispered. "It sounds like honesty." She leant in close to him. "I will always be there to stand by your side. I won't let some creepy Frost Giant leader take my life."

Loki tensed a little and a slight smirk crossed his lips. "I'm a creepy Frost Giant you know…"

"No, you're Loki, who happens to be a Frost Giant, raised as a man of Asgard… and you're not creepy," smiled Catherine. "You're also not ugly either, unlike Laufrey…" she mused with a smile.

Loki didn't smile back. "Do you want to see my Frost Giant self?" he asked, his eyes full of vulnerability and shame. "Maybe you won't think me good looking after all."

Catherine looked up at him quizzically. "Let me be the judge of that." Loki took a step back and began to turn around but Catherine took his hand. "No, I want to see you change," she said.

Slowly Loki's skin began to turn into a pale shade of blue, slowly growing darker until it was prominent. It started in his fingers, covering his hands and moving up his wrists. It disappeared under his robes and crept above the collar of the robes before spreading out over his face. Catherine watched in awe as her childhood friend was transformed in front of her into a Frost Giant. His skin was soon completely blue and his emerald eyes were a pale red.

Loki watched her carefully. "You see what I mean?" he asked.

Catherine stared at him for a few moments, her eyes wide in disbelief. It was one thing being told and another being shown. She took a step forward and touched his hand. She pulled back, it was freezing. She looked up at Loki who was watching her movements intently. She took a breath and walked forwards and cupped her hands around his face, wincing a little at the cold. She moved closer and looked up at him.

"This makes no difference to me. Frost Giant or not, you're still Loki to me."

Loki blinked at her words and looked down at her in confusion. "You're not repulsed?"

Catherine smiled. "Not in the slightest. I think it's rather... as the Earthlings say… cool." Loki laughed a little and she grinned up at him some more. "Now turn back to normal… I want to give you a hug," she instructed playfully.

As he turned back into his Asgardian appearance, Catherine pulled him into a tight hug. "Never doubt my love for you, Loki. Always will I be here for you." She felt his arms wrap around her and she sighed in relief, resting her head on his chest.

XMARVELX

Catherine didn't expect Loki to be waiting for her after her shift, all dressed up in his kingly outfit and holding out some sort of beautifully wrapped parcel. She smiled a little as he offered the parcel. She took it gently and began to unwrap it. "What's this in aid of?" she asked.

"Just something for tonight," he told her.

Catherine paused in her wrapping and looked up quizzically. "Tonight?"

"Yes. I thought we might try dinner again. Third time lucky perhaps?" Loki suggested.

Catherine laughed at that. "I would love that and yes maybe it will work out better this time."

"I have a meeting with Heimdall now and then I'm going to visit my father," Loki explained. "So shall we say about ten?" he suggested.

Catherine nodded. "Yeah that sounds good. It gives me a chance to change," she smirked a little.

"Damn and I was hoping you'd make an appearance in those red robes of yours," grinned Loki.

"Fat chance of that," said Catherine amused. "I'll see you later."

As she walked back to her original apartment, Catherine sighed heavily. She had only just come to terms with how she felt about Loki and the invitation to dinner set her nerves on edge. She'd been making an effort the last few times and thought nothing of it but now, and especially after the accusations thrown at her, she wondered just how much she should doll herself up. She wouldn't want to give him the wrong idea. That said, she also wanted to look nice for him.

Then there was the fact that she still had to figure out how he felt about her. All these feelings could simply be a one way street as far as she was concerned. There was nothing to suggest that he returned those feelings and she had a horrible feeling that she'd find out for sure if she broached the subject. Not to mention they were on eggshells around each other anyway. This would surely wreck things. No, Catherine decided, it was best she didn't say anything until she was sure he returned those feelings. That was the sensible thing to do.

XMARVELX

Catherine stared at the beautiful dress Loki had given her. She'd finally unwrapped the present after her bath. She stared at the soft velvety material in awe. It was a beautiful shade of maroon with a low neckline and two slits either side of the dress. She was shocked at how alluring the dress was and as she sat on the bed, confusion filled her mind.

Why would he send me such a sexy dress? Is he trying to send me signals? Or is it just a nice gesture and he doesn't realise how alluring it is? But how can he not have noticed the slits? Is he just clueless about stuff like that? No, Loki is never clueless but even so… this dress is very alluring. I can't help thinking that there might be something behind his choice of dress even if I can't outright accuse him of anything. I'd sound arrogant and narcissistic and if I'm wrong… well that would be humiliating.

She dried her hair and sprayed some perfume on herself before brushing her hair into soft waves falling down her back. She changed into the dress and found that it was a perfect fit. The dress hugged her body in all the right places and the lightness of the bottom against her legs felt absolutely divine. She wondered if the dress had been magically altered in any way to make it perfect or if Loki had simply chosen right.

Once she was ready, she set off for the Royal Chambers and was about to approach the guards when the doors opened and Frigga stepped out with Loki. Catherine immediately bowed her head to Frigga as she approached. The older woman smiled at Catherine.

"Good evening, Catherine," she said. "It's good to see you," she added warmly.

Catherine smiled serenely. "And it is a pleasure seeing you, your majesty? Might I ask how your husband is?" she asked since Loki was King now.

Frigga smiled brighter. "He seems to be recovering his strength quickly," she said. "I look forward to telling him more about what a good job Loki has done." She turned to her son. "Anyway I shall return to his bedside. I will see you tomorrow." She brought Loki in for a motherly hug, kissed his forehead and left with a wave at Catherine.

Loki turned his attention to Catherine and froze. For a moment Catherine thought she might have worn the wrong dress but then she looked closely at his face. It was awe; Loki was staring at her outfit in a good way. She almost blushed at the thought.

"H-hey," she said nervously.

Loki regained composure. "Good evening, come in," he said gesturing for her to go in. She walked into the chambers with him following closely behind.

The table was set again and Catherine was reminded of the two previous attempts. They'd each managed to ruin one dinner, perhaps this one would go well. She hoped so anyway. She allowed Loki to pull out her chair again and sat quietly. She watched as he sat down and shot her a rather nervous looking smile across the table. "That dress really does look lovely on you…" he said clearing his throat a little bashfully. Catherine's hand automatically went to the neckline of the dress, feeling the material beneath her fingers.

"Thank you…. And thank you so much for getting it for me. It's exactly my size," she murmured in return. Both were glad when the waiters arrived with the jug of water. Pushing conversation over those boundaries was not a good idea.

"So… is everything set for tomorrow night?" asked Catherine.

"Yes, I should think so," said Loki confidently. "Afterwards I'll arrange a feast to celebrate our escape from war with Jotunheim," he added taking a sip of his water. "I'm sure it'll be a day to remember."

Catherine smiled a little. "You sound so wise…" she murmured. "You really are the best candidate for King," she added quietly.

Loki paused, the drink halfway to his lips again. "You really believe in me don't you?"

Catherine looked away embarrassed. "Of course, I do. I've always believed in you. You know what you're doing, you always have."

Loki smiled as if a little embarrassed by the compliment. "You really are too kind…" he told her.

"Oh yes, I'm wonderful," grinned Catherine and was relieved when he laughed. "Are you arguing with me?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Loki laughed lightly. "Of course I am," he said. "I knew your modesty was a front for your secret narcissism," he jested.

"Damn, you foiled my cunning façade," Catherine smirked as she took a sip of water.

"Not much of a façade really," Loki shrugged playfully. "I always knew there was something vain about you, I hear people on Midgard even have a song for it. You're so Vain," he mused.

Catherine scoffed and raised her eyebrows. "You follow Midgardian culture?"

Loki snorted. "Like I would do that. Thor was talking about some songs he'd listened too when he went there for a visit last year."

"I was going to say, you've never shown an interest in Midgard," said Catherine honestly.

Loki chuckled. "Never have and never will. Asgard is the only planet I'm interested in."

"That was so cheesy," giggled Catherine.

Loki laughed in disbelief. "Are you calling your King cheesy?"

Catherine wriggled her eyebrows playfully. "Maaaaybe…" she said taking a sip of water. She soon spat it back out when she tasted prune juice. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "Urgh, Loki!" Loki was chortling at her from across the table. She pulled a face and mock glared at him. "Very mature," she joked.

"Yeah, about as mature as calling your King cheesy," Loki retorted.

"Well technically some cheese is considered mature…" Catherine bit back with a smile.

"In which case I shall have to congratulate it on being more mature than you," Loki said tipping his glass towards her. Catherine glared down at her own which made him chuckle. "It's safe to drink now by the way," he added.

"How do I know you're telling the truth?" demanded Catherine playfully. "For all I know you could have filled it with spit or something."

"That's gross, why would I fill it with spit? More importantly how do you know what spit tastes like?" Loki asked in amusement.

"Exactly, I don't so I wouldn't be able to taste it, that's what makes the possibility so horrible," Catherine shuddered at the thought.

Loki chuckled at her some more and Catherine relaxed. It had been a long while since she and Loki had joked about like that before. The past fortnight had been insane and she couldn't wait for tomorrow night to be over so they could at least try and establish something normal in their day to day routine. She was sick of unpredictable chaos and just wanted something every day and ordinary. Was that so wrong to want after the last few weeks?

"So," Loki broke the silence. "How is your fascinating job going?" he wriggled his eyebrows.

"It's fine," Catherine smirked. "Still enjoyable actually."

"You have a rubbish sense of enjoyable," joked Loki.

"Well of course you'd say that Mr God of Cheeky Pranks," Catherine shot back playfully.

"God of Mischief sounds better. If you're going to insult me, at least use my title" said Loki, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Catherine noted how long it had been since his eyes had held such light hearted fun. Determined to let it continue, she took a sip of the water. It tasted fine.

"So… believe me now?" smirked Loki.

"I 50% believe you," giggled Catherine.

"Only 50%?" Loki faked a hurt look.

"You are also the God of Lies," Catherine pointed out.

"Never to you…." Loki spoke softly. "Never to you…"

Catherine looked up from her glass. "No… never to me…" she whispered.

The food arrived shortly and as they started eating, Catherine glanced out the window at Asgard. It really was beautiful at night with its glittering lights. She took a sip of her water musing how much of a perfect night it was. She and Loki enjoying a meal together, with Asgard lit up beside them. As they made light conversation, Catherine felt a warm pressing on her chest. She tried to ignore it but she couldn't stop the thoughts rising up inside her.

How long had she been in love with Loki? She couldn't remember ever thinking of him that way before the last fortnight. Maybe the troublesome two weeks had brought them closer in different ways. All the turbulence around Asgard had ran her through the mill in ways that she hadn't imagined. She'd never say anything about it to Loki. Gods knew her problems were petty compared to those of his family. Besides she wasn't a whiner.

She looked out over Asgard again. How different it all seemed now compared to two weeks ago when Odin was awake and Thor was still here. Now it seemed like she was looking out on a different kingdom. A better kingdom, there was no doubt but the change was unnerving.

"Are you alright?" Loki asked quietly over his food. "You seem distracted."

Catherine pulled herself out of her reverie. "Oh sorry… were you saying something?"

"Not really…. It's just you seem distant…" Loki murmured. "Is it because… is it because this reminds you of what I said…?" he asked looking troubled.

Catherine immediately shook her head. "No, I wasn't thinking of that."

"Bet you are now though," Loki sighed.

"No," Catherine insisted. "I'm not."

Loki leant back in his chair. "I want to believe you… but I wonder if I pushed things too far last time."

They ate in silence for a while. When Catherine finished eating, full to the brim, she waited until Loki was finished before standing up and walking over to his chair. "Stand up," she murmured. Loki gave her a quizzical look before doing as she said. She led him over to the window as the servants began to clear up. She gestured to the vast city outside the window. "This is what I was looking at," she explained. "The same city we've been staring at for years but under your rule, it looks completely different… better. Because I know you're a good King. Whatever happened days ago… it no longer matters… friends fall out. Misunderstandings happen…. But all of this is your legacy, Loki. It's something for you to safeguard and protect. This is your chance to prove yourself. I want to be right by your side whilst you make it happen."

Loki stared out over the glittering horizon. "I still have trouble believing that it's mine."

"You are not conceited like your brother. You have not been spoilt, like him," said Catherine. "You're uneasy because you're unaccustomed to it. You deserve to be confident and wield this power with absolute certainty and security."

Loki looked at her. "How can you know that I'll be a good King?"

"Don't you want to be?" Catherine asked.

"Well, yes," said Loki. "I will be a great King, far greater than my brother. I will keep peace in Asgard. I will not be some foolish warmonger who would threaten our people with disturbance of their lives and happiness. I know that Father will awaken someday but I will have proved to him that I am the rightful heir," he insisted.

Catherine smiled softly. "You still call him Father," she murmured.

"Yes…. I suppose old habits die hard…" Loki murmured, looking back out the window.

"Why does that one have to die at all? He brought you up and loved you… yes you might say he favoured Thor but he has paid for that with Thor's rebellion and arrogance. You remembered all his teachings. You are the son he can be proud of," Catherine pointed out.

"My mother has corroborated his reasons," Loki said. "She says that they didn't want me to feel different, that I was their son no matter what."

"Do you feel different?" Catherine asked as she looked out the window.

"Yes…" said Loki. "Now I know the truth, yes I do."

"That's why I said what I said last week…. That in some ways you were better off not knowing," Catherine insisted. "So that you could be spared the pain that I know you felt."

Loki shook her head. "No, I'd still rather know. I don't want to be some sheltered Prince whose family have lied to him to keep him happy."

Catherine folded her arms. "You're happy now right?" she asked uncertainly. "This isn't some kind of mask of pain or unhappiness… because you can tell me…" she turned to face him looking dismayed.

Loki looked at her in surprise. "You think I'm unhappy… that I'm faking this?" he asked. "Catie, I have everything I want…. I have a chance to prove myself, I have my best friend by my side. I am most certainly not unhappy."

Catherine looked up at him worriedly. "I hope you mean that." She walked away from the window slowly and Loki watched her carefully.

"Why do you seem so sad?" Loki asked, following her. "Your eyes tell me that you're the one in pain, not I…" he murmured.

Catherine shook her head. "No, I'm not… it's just…. Well I didn't like to say but the last two weeks have been crazy… I did not wish to ruin dinner third time lucky…"

Loki laughed. "You haven't ruined dinner. You're still conscious and talking to me so I'd say that is an improvement," he grinned cheekily.

Catherine laughed at him. "That's very true," she admitted.

"I know it's been mad but they do say the first few weeks of a new King's reign are the most difficult," Loki said calmly.

"Not for the best friend!" laughed Catherine.

"Well…. I'm a one of a kind King, what affects me, affects you," said Loki, his eyes mischievous.

"You're one of a kind, alright." Catherine retorted smirking.

Loki began to advance on her, his eyes playful. "What's that?"

Catherine giggled. "I said you're-" she cut herself off with a giggle as Loki leapt towards her. She dodged out the way and ran to the other side of the room only to find herself lifted up by arms around her waist. She turned her head to see a second Loki grinning at her. "Cheat!" she shouted, laughing as he dropped her. She turned and he'd vanished but the original Loki was now backing her against the wall. "No fair! No fair!" she laughed as Loki pounced on her and tickled her.

This continued for a few minutes with Catherine trying to fight Loki off, batting her hands away half heartedly, tears of laughter pouring down her cheeks. Eventually Loki pulled back a little but they were still close enough that their chests were touching. Catherine looked up at Loki, her chest heaving as she tried to come down from her childish high.

"Definitely one of a kind," she murmured.

That was when Loki slammed his lips on hers and kissed her.

Author's Note: I told myself I wouldn't be a tease or clichéd and do this but I couldn't help myself. The chapter was taking up 9 pages in Word so I figured it would be a good place to stop. On another note, some of you might think Loki is out of character here but I'd like to remind you (even though you are entitled to your opinion but I'm going to defend my writing anyway) that Loki didn't really turn evil until Avengers. He probably would have been a half decent King in Thor. At the moment the way the fic's turned out, I'm exploring his slightly uncertainty about his role. If you see the deleted scene where he becomes King, you'll also see that aspect there too. As for the mischief… well that's all just a bit of fun… right my friends?