Loki took Astrid's hand as they walked to the throne room. As he ascended the steps, she slipped her hand from his and bowed. When Loki turned to take his seat, he saw her and walked back down the steps.

"My darling, you are never to bow to me."

He pulled her upright.

"But you are my King."

"And you are my love. I would sooner kiss your feet than have you bow to me."

He led her up the steps, and smiled as he sat on the throne. His hands ran over the sides of it.

"How does it feel?" Astrid said.

"Wonderful."

Loki pulled her into his lap and cradled her in his arms. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Have you ever imagined," he whispered in her ear, "what it would be like to make love on this very throne?"

"We would give the guards an eye-full."

"I could send them away."

"And if someone were to walk in?"

"Hmmm... close your eyes."

Astrid squinted her eyes at him, but Loki just smiled.

"Trust me."

She closed her eyes with a sigh, and soon felt Loki's hand on her breast. Her eyes flew open, but Loki wasn't touching her. He sat back on the throne with a smirk on his lips.

"Trust me," he said.

She closed her eyes, and the sensation of his hand on her breast returned, followed by an image of her straddling his lap and lowering herself onto him. With her eyes still closed, she gripped Loki's tunic. Her body shivered as it connected with his in her vision.

"Loki," she whispered.

"I have you," he said as he pulled her against him.

Astrid buried her face in Loki's neck, but kept her eyes closed. The Loki in her vision began to thrust into her.

"I feel you," she whispered.

"Yes, my love."

"Do you feel me?"

"Every inch." His breath became ragged against her ear. "Which is why I must stop."

The vision disappeared and Astrid opened her eyes. Her hand still fisted his tunic.

"Why?"

"That was more intense than even I anticipated. To hold you this way, so close. The connection was too strong."

Astrid caressed his face.

"I love you."

Loki smiled, and kissed the top of her head.

"As much as I would love to keep you here, there may be people who wish to see me, and business to attend."

Astrid groaned. "I suppose I cannot keep the King to myself."

"It is a downside to the throne."

She slipped from his lap and went to his side, taking his hand in hers.

"May I stand at your side?"

"I fear you will be most bored. Would you not rather go riding?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked with a grin.

"I must admit that you would be a distraction. A most welcome one, but a distraction nonetheless."

He kissed her hand, and they were smiling at each other when the warriors entered. They could not hide their surprise at seeing Loki on the throne, and Astrid saw Sif's gaze linger on her and Loki's joined hands before meeting her eyes.

After they were told Loki was King, the warriors bowed with hesitation as Loki stood before them. Sif asked that he put an end to Thor's banishment, but Loki refused.

"My first act as King cannot be to undo the Allfather's last. Perhaps if father does not awaken soon, I will consider, but I am hoping for Odin's expedient return."

Sif's eyes shifted back and forth between Loki and Astrid as one of the other warriors pleaded with Loki.

"We're finished," Loki said.

When the warriors were gone, Loki returned to the throne and took Astrid's hand again.

"They suspect us of some treachery," she said. "Did you see the way she was looking at me?"

"Yes, darling. They likely do not know you are no longer Thor's wife. Me on the throne, and you at my side, I would be surprised if they were not suspicious."

"But we have done nothing wrong. Rule falls to you, and I am free."

"No need to convince me, Astrid," he chuckled. "I know the truth."

"Of course," she said with a sigh. "I just meant that-"

"I know what you meant," Loki said as he stood, "and I agree. You were right in your advice to me. I will fill the void, guard the throne, protect the realms as needed, and await Odin's awakening. No one can think me in the wrong if I act as what I am, an interim King. And your presence at my side will come to light as more than proper."

He kissed her forehead, then her lips.

"But, perhaps for now, you should not be seen so much at the throne. People will talk. Let's not give them reason."

Astrid nodded, and dipped her head. "Yes, my King."

Loki groaned. His eyes stayed on her until she left the room, then he took his seat on the throne.

Astrid decided to follow Loki's suggestion and go for a ride. As happy as she felt to be free to be with Loki, she couldn't help but think of Thor. Part of her felt responsible for his reaction to the Frost Giants. He felt he had to prove himself; to mend his wounded pride. After everything, she still wanted to call him her friend. There was too much history between them to dismiss it.

When Loki's day was over, he made his way to Astrid's chambers, but she wasn't there. He removed the top layers of his clothing, leaving him in his cloth tunic and pants, then he lay on top of the bed to wait.

He was drifting off to sleep when her door opened. He opened his eyes to see her smiling as she walked toward him.

"This is an unexpected surprise."

"I have felt quite abandoned lying here all alone. What kept you?"

"I took your suggestion and went riding. I helped out in the stables for a while. A day with the horses left me wanting for a bath."

Loki took in her flowing night dress, and her hair pulled up with a few tendrils falling loose. He held out his hand to her.

"Join me, darling."

Astrid climbed over him, gently kissing his lips as she went, then lay at his side. He wrapped his arm around her as her hand settled on his chest. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled the clean scent of lavender.

Astrid sighed when she felt Loki's fingers in her hair. Tending to the horses had left her exhausted, but Loki's presence kept her from falling asleep.

"This is so much nicer," she said.

"Nicer than what?"

"All the sneaking around; rushing through making love so we wouldn't get caught... which we did anyway."

"Well, we are together now. No more hiding."

He kissed her head.

"How was you day, my King?"

Loki groaned. "What is it about the way you say that?"

Astrid smiled. "The way I say what, my King?"

Loki flipped Astrid onto her back and pinned her arms next to her head. She let out a squeal before laughter took its place. Loki ran his nose along hers, then captured her lips.

"I cannot tell you how many times I thought of you today," Loki whispered.

"Same."

"Did you think of the vision I gave us on the throne?"

Loki kissed her neck, and Astrid moaned.

"Yes."

"Had those guards not been there, that would have been no mere vision."

Astrid moaned again, and Loki's hand traveled down her arm to her breast. Her now freed hand tangled in his hair.

"That was no mere vision. I felt you as if you were inside me. I was quite frustrated when you stopped."

She smiled and pulled him into a kiss.

"As was I," Loki said between kisses.

His hand slid down between her legs and pulled up the fabric of her dress before slipping beneath. Astrid gasped and rolled her hips against his hand.

"Nothing beats the real thing, though," Loki said. "Right, my love?"

He didn't wait for a response. His lips captured hers in a deep kiss.

Astrid turned her head to take a breath, and pulled Loki's earlobe between her teeth.

"I am finally yours," she whispered.

"You were always mine."

"Always."