A/N: To be honest, if you guys thought that scene with the chocolates was steamy, I'm a little scared what you'll think of this chapter. Please don't die on me.

"Your friend is most amusing."

Elsa and Loki were both back on their horses, and Olaf had long since faded into the distance behind them. That said, the trees were quickly starting to thin as their altitude increased, and the setting sun made it clear that their journey was coming to an end… for the night, at least. Loki felt a need to say something, anything, to break the silence they'd been traveling in since meeting the queen's strange creation. Silence allowed him to think, and right now his mind was all too active.

She doesn't care what you are.

Just tell her.

And tell her you love her, while you're at it.

I can't do any of those things!

Of course, she knew many of his secrets now. But that didn't mean the one secret, the one, impossible secret Loki held, was any easier to imagine confessing to her. He'd already told her the evils of the Frost Giants, so what would she think of him, knowing he was one of them? Especially given that their very existence would be difficult to accept. She would no doubt feel deceived, at the very least, and the god really didn't want to risk that, after…after what she'd said.

Oh Loki, I love you too.

He couldn't remember the last time someone had told him something like that. Nothing outside of his family for a long time, and none of them mattered anymore. But this strange girl, this strange, Midgardian girl, had decided to love him, despite everything that was wrong with him. And Loki was beginning to realize he loved her back. He knew it was foolish. He knew this was probably among the most stupid things he had ever done, but that didn't mean he wasn't content going along with it. Elsa gave him hope, and the god wanted to enjoy the bliss it brought for as long as he could.

"Isn't he?" the queen agreed cheerfully, watching the path ahead, "I think we're getting close. If he managed to wander down from the castle, that probably means we don't have far to go."

Loki stared at her, completely distracted. Allfather, she was pretty…

He shook himself. Pull yourself together.

"Ah…" he stammered, "Yes, you're probably right." Brilliant response, Loki. Very witty.

"It feels so strange going back here," Elsa mused, "I haven't been to this castle since right after my coronation."

"That is understandable," Loki said quietly, "Thank you for taking me here."

She blushed, "It's no trouble."

The trees were definitely getting thinner here, the god noted. They had a good view of the sky now, and the bright array of colors brought by the sunset captivated both him and the queen for a moment, causing a blissful silence to fall.

Loki looked away from the sky to the real beauty of this forest. Orange was reflected slightly in her platinum hair, and it took her a minute to realize she was being watched. Elsa stared right back at him, and the god unconsciously licked his lips.

"It's very pretty here," he said softly.

"It is," she agreed.

Once again, the god found himself speechless. He held her gaze for another few moments before finally looking away, mind for once scrambling for something to say. Maybe there was nothing he should say. Maybe silence sometimes held more weight than any words could. Hadn't Frigga mentioned that to him at some point?

As Loki was pondering this, the trees came to a complete, abrupt stop, and he and Elsa stepped out into a clearing. The god's breath caught in his throat as he stared up at the view that greeted them, and he was forced to bring his horse to a halt as he marveled at the picturesque skyline.

The mountaintops looked almost black against the glowing sky, with the snow on them almost blue in the current light. So high they rose that Loki was thunderstruck at how far he must have fallen when he'd first come to Arendelle. Even with his slightly accelerated healing, he was quite lucky he'd crash landed during the winter, when the thick banks of snow were there to break his fall.

What really amazed him, looking up at the mountaintop, was exactly what Elsa had brought him to see. Her castle…her actual castle, gleamed in the light like glass. It was more elegant than Asgard's architecture, and that was saying something. In fact, it almost made the structures there look…dull.

"Allfather, Elsa…" the god murmured, mouth slightly agape.

She shook her head at him, "I know it's pretty to you, but that was a really dark time in my life."

Loki still had his eyes on her masterpiece. Had she really been distressed when she'd created it, or was she just being modest? From how cautious she'd been in revealing her true self to him, he guessed it was the former. But how could someone so broken create something so beautiful? Was that sort of thing possible for him, as well?

Of course not. You're a Frost Giant runt.

"It's…" he struggled to find words, "It's beautiful."

"Thank you."

It was a few moments before they continued their ascent.

br /

"We're going to have to leave the horses here."

Loki nodded his agreement. They were nearly at the doors of the castle, but directly in front of them was a deep chasm, crossed only by a narrow, elegant bridge of ice. Hooves would undoubtedly slip on the slick surface, and all that extra weight would be dangerous. Ice was strong, but risking a fall to their deaths was not worth the comfort of having their mounts directly outside the door. Tying them up here was the best option.

"We can tie them to the posts and carry our supplies," the god suggested, gingerly dismounting his horse. He couldn't stifle a gasp as his feet hit the ground; switching from horseback to travel by foot was always relieving, particularly when one had been riding all day. He stretched out his arms and legs for a moment, unaware that Elsa was watching him, her mare already tied up, with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Loki asked defensively, finally noticing her mocking expression. The queen smirked.

"Are you ready? Because you can stretch some more, if you really need to."

"Ha, ha," the god rolled his eyes, starting to take the packs off his horse, "Even the Ice Queen cannot pretend it is comfortable to sit on a horse all day."

"Who's pretending?" she teased, starting up the stairs with her own packs, "I was just pointing out you were being a baby about it."

"Elsa, you wound me deeply," he called after her, and she laughed.

"You'll follow me anyway."

It would be a little while before the truth of those words finally hit Loki. The god followed Elsa up the stairs, taking his time so as not to slip. The craftsmanship still caught him off guard, and he found himself tempted to run his hands along the glasslike swirls that made up the sides of the stairway. Finally, he and the queen were side by side at the door.

She turned to him, her eyes a similar color to the ice towering above them, "Are you ready?"

He nodded confirmation, gesturing towards the door, "Go ahead."

To Loki's surprise, there was no lock system or security of any sort on the front door. Elsa merely gave the twin doors a little push, and they slowly creaked open.

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Loki marveled at the walls around him, "By the Nine, Elsa…" he set their packs down, and she did the same, "This is…unbelievable."

The queen shrugged, her hands behind her back in a humble gesture, "It's nothing, really. I was experimenting and this just happened."

"My goodness," he stared up at the chandelier, openmouthed.

"I told you the miniature version didn't do it justice," she said coyly, "Didn't I?"

He looked back to her, expression unreadable, "Indeed."

Loki couldn't think of anything better to say at the moment, he was so taken aback by Elsa's beauty. He'd had romances before, sure, but this…this was something else. The god felt like he couldn't breathe, looking at her now. She made him feel actually inadequate, this Midgardian girl. The term seemed an offensive one to be applied to her. Elsa deserved so much better; better than the Nine Realms had to offer her. Even Asgard was beneath her. He was a pig, undeserving of her affections…though a lucky one nonetheless.

"Would you…like a tour?" she asked shyly, holding onto one arm in a self conscious gesture.

Yes. I'd follow you anywhere.

Yes. Please don't stop talking.

Yes. I need to stop thinking.

Yes. Why don't you show me to the bed-

The god mentally shook himself, flashing her a dazzling grin, "That should be," he strode towards her, taking her hand in his, "lovely."

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"Well," Elsa led him up an elaborate, curling staircase, "I didn't make many rooms, since it was so spur of the moment and I didn't really have a chance to plan."

"You've mentioned that," Loki agreed, trying to focus on something other than the electricity currently buzzing in his veins, "I understand layout being unplanned, but the intricacy of everything is striking. Does your magic naturally make patterns so elaborate?"

"It seems to," she admitted, "I've never had to really think out any of the…designs you see on the doors. It just naturally shapes that way. I think it's just ice. It has a certain beauty to it. Always symmetrical. I've always preferred it to heat."

A memory jumped to the forefront of Loki's mind, giving him a much more unpleasant dose of nerves, "I've always been one for cold, myself," he said quietly, "Though it can be cruel."

The queen looked at him with blue eyes, "Heat can also be cruel," she said quietly, "It's all perspective."

Loki squeezed her hand gently, "Perhaps."

"Alright!" her tone brightened, she thrust open a door directly in front of them, "I haven't been sure what to do with this room, so I'm just going to call it a sitting room. It's usually pretty bright during the day, so it might be good for reading and things. You can see I started furnishing."

Sure enough, the queen seemed to have sculpted numerous chairs, tables, and the like from pure ice and snow. Loki raised an eyebrow.

"Do they not break? Are they comfortable?"

Elsa blushed, for reasons unknown to the god, "Um…for Olaf, they are. I never really go up here, so I haven't furnished it with real stuff, yet. Plus, it's such a long journey. And if there was ever a particularly warm year, you can imagine what would happen."

He frowned, "That would be upsetting. All this work gone to waste."

"For the last time," she rolled her eyes, towing him to the next room on the left, "It wasn't a lot of work for me. If anything, Olaf would have more reason to be upset. He likes pretty things, so I told him I'd let him decorate if he wants to or has an idea."

"I still…" Loki's brow furrowed in confusion, "Olaf, Elsa…"

"Yes?" she paused, her hand on the door.

"Why did you make him?"

Her hand stiffened in his, and the god turned to the queen, concerned. He'd only wondered…

"Forgive me," he apologized softly, moving his thumb in small, comforting circles over her hand. She relaxed, giving a squeeze in response.

"It's all right. You just reminded me of… something that wasn't pleasant."

"Tell me?" he offered.

Elsa grinned in response, surprising him with a tap on the nose with her free hand, "After we're done with the tour." Loki was almost reminded of Anna by the playful gesture, and for a brief moment he wondered if the Olaf story included the redhead before he followed the queen into the next room.

"Sorry about the mess" were her first words as they entered, but 'messy' wouldn't have been in the god's top 100 words to describe what was in front of him. What looked like thousands of glass beads, strung together in strands as tall as the queen herself, littered the floor.

"Is this ice?" he muttered, gingerly picking up the strand nearest to him.

"Yeah!" she shrugged again, "Do you like those? Olaf found them on the trees a little ways down the mountain. I never took the path he talks about, but apparently it happens naturally. He must have taken them here to decorate, but not have finished yet."

Loki brought the ice closer to his face, examining it, "I am quickly starting to like Arendelle more than Asgard," he muttered. It was, unfortunately, true. Everything was so perfectly simple here. Things fell into place, into patterns without even having to try. Here no one was ostracized, the future wasn't feared, there were no wars or feuds or troubles…

"Good," she said firmly. The second half of the sentence was unspoken, but Loki could infer it just as clearly as if she had said it aloud. You can stay longer, then. It was hard for him to believe that the hand intertwined with his was the same hand that had slapped him a few days before. Maybe that was what made Elsa special. So many Midgardians were so unbearably simple, but she was unquestionably an exception to the rule.

But then again, Anna had proved him wrong as well, hadn't she? Bubbly and cheerful one moment and cold and distant the next. What if all Midgardians were this complex? By the Nine, was everything he knew a lie?

"Well, um…" Elsa's voice shook Loki of his thoughts again, and he noted a slight tremor in it, "The only room left is the…." She trailed off, turning towards the door in question as they stepped out of the bead room.

The god was about to say something when, to his surprise, she spoke again, sounding less afraid.

"I'll just show you, then," the queen marched off towards what was undoubtedly the bedroom, practically dragging the god behind her.

"We'll just see if your decorating skills are up to par," Loki said sarcastically, praying that the amusement in his voice would ease her fright. It never ceased to amaze him how she could be just as adorable as she was mysterious. How could the same queen who fought a Chitauri be afraid of simply showing him a room in her castle? Of course, there were certain connotations that went along with this particular room, but…

Without answering, Elsa flung open the door, and the god walked inside behind her. Her resolve seemed to be quickly dissolving; she had nervously crossed her arms again, finally dropping Loki's hand, to his disappointment. She had fallen dangerously silent.

He pretended to study his surroundings critically, "Hmm," he hummed, frowning, "All in all, I'd give you a…seven out of ten."

The queen balked; her mind having clearly been elsewhere, "What?"

"I said, you get a seven out of ten for décor," Loki smiled crookedly, "Given your resources you had available, the creativity is impressive, but as far as bedrooms go, this is fairly bas-"

Elsa covered her mouth with a hand, shaking with nervous laughter, "Stop it." Loki's chest warmed and he couldn't resist a smile. She was so lovely when she was happy…

He took a step towards her, cocking an eyebrow, "Stop what? You're the one who gave me the tour, and as your critic I like to personally give recommend-"

She laughed a little louder, now clutching her stomach, "Loki, stop-" she shoved him gently, "I don't build castles for you."

The god licked his lips, his smile quickly disappearing from his face to be replaced with a more complex expression, "You already have."

A brief silence fell between them. The calm before the storm, the air was buzzing with desire and unspoken words; things that no one ever felt a need to say aloud. The god and the Ice Queen leaned in, and like two stars, their lips collided.

The kiss was far different from their first. Nothing about it was gentle or hesitant. Now, Loki pulled Elsa closer to him with nothing less than pure desperation. He felt her hands on his arms and her lips on his and he knew, he knew that she was now what mattered most to him. Asgard was a petty problem that was no longer relevant. All that mattered was that he get closer, impossibly closer to the Ice Queen. The god pressed their bodies together, deepening their kiss more still as she gasped, his skin tingling where her fingers brushed against it.

Slowly, he took a step towards the snowy bed in the corner of the room. Allfather, she was so perfect…so lovely...He took another step, then another, not noticing that the enthusiasm in her kisses was lessening, and before either of them had time to really realize what had happened, Loki was on top of her, kissing the Midgardian Queen of Ice…

"Loki-" Elsa murmured in between kisses, "Wait-"

The god blinked, slightly dazed. Regretfully, he pulled away from her slightly, eyes glittering down at her.

"Problem?" he tried to soften his voice as much as he could, though there was still something harsh there that he didn't think the queen entirely deserved.

She blushed, looking away, "Um, I just…we should stop…"

Loki sat up, frowning, "Was it something I-?"

"No, no, no!" Elsa said hurriedly, "No, Loki, everything was…fine. I just…I don't want children right now."

Oh…. That made sense, he supposed. Midgard, especially Arendelle, it seemed, did not come remotely close to Asgard in terms of technology. Of course they would be behind in medicine, as well. Here they didn't have the preventative measures available to Asgardians.

What a grim way to live, Loki thought cynically.

"You have my apologies nonetheless," he said quickly, getting off the bed of snow completely and holding out a hand to her, "Shall we have dinner?"

She took the hand, nodding eagerly, "That seems like a good idea."

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Elsa cautiously sat down beside Loki, taking the goblet he offered her. They'd laid out most of the remainder of their food, and were currently sitting on one of the fur pelts they'd brought, making a sort of picnic on the main floor of the castle. The queen had opened the doors to the front balcony, so that they could watch the now starry sky during dinner. Neither had said much after their recent failed encounter, and the queen was starting to become desperate to break the silence. To her surprise, it was not she who spoke first.

"You know, we're going to have to talk sooner or later," Loki pointed out, and she nodded.

"Are things different in Asgard?" she asked, and after his surprised look, quickly backtracked, "Not like that! I mean, not only like that. I just wonder….wonder…" she struggled to find words.

He tore a roll in half and started buttering it methodically, "Well, since you ask, things are…very different. Both ways. It's like being in a different world, sometimes."

Elsa waited, and he laughed gently.

"You want to know why I'm so forward," he inferred, eyes glimmering mischievously at her in a way that reminded her of ice. It was an unpredictable look; she had to be careful so as not to lose her balance.

"I didn't think you were overly forward," she mumbled.

"Really?" he cocked an eyebrow, and she looked away, "Hmph. That's what I thought. In Asgard, things are less…protected than they are here."

"You mean…?"

"Making love is more a pastime in Asgard. It doesn't mean as much as it does here. There isn't risk of children every time."

The queen frowned at him, confused, "But how is that possible?"

A flash of something almost akin to pity crossed his features, "We have our ways," he said mysteriously.

"Have you been with many Asgardians, then?" the question came out sharper than Elsa intended.

Loki smiled at her, "It doesn't matter."

The queen looked away. That was the smile she liked. It lit up his eyes. Mischief was fun, but there was something undeniably warm behind that look. Loki was undoubtedly damaged, but he wasn't the monster he thought he was. Elsa knew that, now.

"You know," she said quietly, "It wasn't only because I didn't want children."

He fell dangerously silent, but surprised her pleasantly with his eventual response.

"…I know."

"You know?"

"Yes. And it's fine. You seem the more rational of the two of us, anyway."

A compliment from Loki that degraded himself as well as elevated her. This was new. No longer was he the arrogant prince who'd continually harassed her, bombarding her with false words and innuendos. He'd…grown.

"Would you like to know something? About Olaf?" she said suddenly, making a decision. She'd promised to tell him this earlier, but hadn't been sure about going through with it. Now that he seemed to have proven himself, it was time to share.

The prince raised his eyebrows briefly, but nodded, "Of course."

"He used to be a character Anna and I invented when we were very young. This was before I ever actually…created him. She and I used to sneak out at night and play with my powers. But one time I accidentally…hurt her with them."

"Elsa…"

"No, it's okay," the queen persisted, looking at the floor, "She was cured, but I had to be locked up afterwards. So when I think about the time I first invented Olaf I just remember being alone; isolated from everyone but my parents."

Elsa felt like she was going to cry, thinking about it now. It had been a long time ago; it was in the past, but it still hurt.

She wanted more than anything to hug Loki. When she looked up at him, he seemed to be debating whether or not to do just that, trying to read as much as he could out of her current expression. There was sympathy in his eyes—he understood what she was feeling. But maybe Loki was used to so little affection that he wasn't sure how to give it to others. He'd certainly given evidence towards that idea before.

Suddenly, the queen felt a slight pressure on her hand, and she looked down at it to find that the prince had placed his palm over hers, molding them together in what was, as far as Elsa was concerned, the same thing as a hug, for Loki. Her heart was beating out of her chest, regardless.

The two sat there in silence for a moment, watching the stars. The queen wondered how far away Asgard was.

"Loki?" she asked quietly.

"Yes?" he murmured back. Funny, that they had this entire castle to themselves, and still felt a need to whisper.

"You can create illusions, and make people see things, right?"

"I can."

"Show me what Asgard looks like."

A very quiet moment followed, and Elsa had just started to think that Loki hadn't heard her speak, when he got up to stand. A brief flash of green circled the walls around them, illuminating the ice, and the queen gasped at what followed.

It was like she'd fallen into a different world. No longer was she surrounded by frozen walls, all cool colors and simple elegance. The walls that surrounded her were, quite frankly, fit for gods. Everything was gold. But not only that. She'd thought Arendelle's ceilings were high, but the room she was inside looked to have been built for giants. Monolithic windows showed a golden city, with buildings stretching towards the sky like mountains. And, at the center of it all, seated high above her on a gilded throne, sat Loki.

Only, it didn't look very much like the Loki she knew at all. This one wore a tall, golden headdress, one that reminded her strangely of horns. The way he sat up there sent up a red flag in her mind, though she wasn't sure why.

"Your wish is my command," the prince smirked down at her cheekily, clearly pleased with her reaction.

"Loki," Elsa gaped, standing up, "This…This is where you…live?"

"Lived," he corrected, looking irritated, "But yes, this is Asgard's throne room."

The queen let out a hysterical giggle, "You have horns!"

Loki scoffed, rolling his eyes arrogantly, "Our royals do not dress so simplistically as yours do."

"But-!" she spun around, still not believing her surroundings, "This is…I've never seen anything like this!"

"Just because you haven't seen it," he said simply, "Does not mean it is not real."

"You live like gods," Elsa muttered, taking a few steps towards the throne, "How was all this built? How long did it take you?"

"I know not," he said frankly, watching with amusement as she tried to touch a sculpture, her hand disappearing inside of it briefly, before she pulled it back with alarm.

"Can you show me your family?" the queen requested eagerly, "Your brother, and your mother, and…your father?"

He frowned, but did as she asked, and soon a very tall, muscular blond in a red cape and winged helmet stood directly in front of her, smiling arrogantly.

"Is this Thor?" Elsa was unable to keep the excitement from her voice. Loki's magic had impressed her before, but to be able to show her this much in so much detail was…unprecedented.

"Yes," Loki grumbled bitterly, "That is Thor. The golden son. While he's here, I may as well add his father in."

"Your father…" she uttered as another figure appeared. This one, a stoic looking elderly man, wearing what looked a bit like an eyepatch. Although it seemed somehow…firmer, like it wasn't made out of fabric.

"I suppose," the prince said almost inaudibly, leaving a dreamy Elsa wondering what he was responding to.

"So this is the king of Asgard?" she asked for confirmation, and was shocked when not Loki, but Thor answered.

"Indeed," he said in a deep, strangely accented voice. Now that she thought of it, she supposed Loki shared the accent, "One day, I will take Father's place as king of the Nine Realms. Together, we will bring peace to all of Asgard."

"Oh my gods…" Elsa marveled, slightly disappointed when the illusions of Thor and Odin disappeared. She saw a flash of green out of the corner of her eye, however, and when she turned, all other thoughts vanished as her eyes met the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen.

She looked to be around the age Elsa's mother had been when she'd died. Her hair was as gold as the throne room that surrounded her, and she wore a floor length gown that single handedly put everything in the queen's closet to shame. Her eyes had the same glimmer of mischief that Loki's held, though perhaps a bit less pronounced.

Elsa stared, and was forced to shake herself. This was Loki's mother…

"Queen Frigga…" she murmured, still slightly dazed as the woman smiled warmly at her. Looking at her was like looking at a star, only up close and in the flesh. "Loki, your mother is beautiful."

Unexpectedly, the illusion around them completely disappeared, all at once, leaving the queen slightly dizzy. The icy room felt much darker now to her now, after being surrounded by so much gold. She turned to Loki, who looked suddenly more than a little bit sad.

"You have to take me to meet them," she begged, "Why didn't you say they were so wonderful? I knew you lived far away, but it's like another planet there-"

Elsa froze, noticing the quickly darkening expression on Loki's face.

"I'm sorry," she apologized hurriedly, "That was thoughtless."

The prince took a shaky breath, "Elsa," he said darkly, "You can never meet them."

"Not ever?" she asked quietly.

He thought for a moment, "Well," he said finally, looking away, "Perhaps someday."

"But not soon," Elsa finished.

"Yes," he smiled, eyes sparkling as he took her hands in his, "But perhaps someday."

"And you can show me your city!" she beamed, "With the golden buildings!"

Loki smirked, "Only if you don't get lost in our palace," he teased.

"You'll introduce me to Frigga, and Thor, and Odin?"

"Mmm…" he pretended to consider, "How about I introduce you to Fandral and Sif, instead of Odin?"

"Who are they?"

"Sif is a warrior, and Fandral is…" the prince struggled a moment, "He's Fandral. I think he's a bit like your Kristoff."

"I'd like that," she nodded eagerly, "Asgard is so beautiful."

"Mm," Loki avoided the question, "Arendelle is prettier."

Elsa's pulse fluttered under his gaze. She had just realized how close they were standing.

"You think so?" she prompted, leaning in.

"I know so."

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Loki pulled Elsa closer to him. They were sitting back on the pelt they'd layed out on the floor, though their dinner was long forgotten. The god had draped another fur around their shoulders, because despite its unnecessary insulation, it was quite a pleasant feeling. The queen's head rested on his shoulder, just as his arm wrapped around her waist. They watched the stars, uncaring about things of cosmic significance as they looked out the balcony doors.

"I still don't understand," Elsa marveled, "Your palace, Loki…are you sure you aren't exaggerating?"

The god chuckled, though in reality he wished desperately that he could tell her the truth of what Asgard was, "I'm sure. That's exactly the way it looks."

"Your buildings are so tall. They're like mountains."

"We have those too," he said, "But yes, both are tall. Excessively so, compared to Arendelle."

"It must be such a change. There to here."

Loki sighed, "…A change, yes. But not an unwelcome one. I like Arendelle better."

"Because it's far from your father?"

He smiled crookedly at her, "Because it's closer to you."

Suddenly, the queen moved and slapped a hand on the top of his head. At first, the god was confused by the motion; it wasn't until he felt the familiar wet chill of snow that he realized Elsa had created and smashed a snowball into his hair.

"What was that for?" he exclaimed, feigning offense.

"I thought we weren't going to act stupid," she grumbled, leaning back down onto his shoulder and spiking his pulse.

"I thought we gave up that act when we fell off our horses," Loki countered playfully, moving his hand to give her shoulders a squeeze. Elsa giggled, and he could feel each laugh shake her small form, warming his heart.

They fell silent, each into their own thoughts. The god examined the view in front of him, thinking deeply. Midgard was very beautiful here. It wasn't so terrible, when the mortals didn't…try as much. Things weren't as loud here, and that set it above even Asgard in his mind. Everyone was so loud. Here, things could be silent and no one would think it was shameful. Nothing about Arendelle could be shameful; Elsa ruled it.

A howl brought Loki back to the present. He'd heard it before, the first night he'd come here.

"Wolves," Elsa murmured, moving a little bit closer to him, "We're…" she yawned, "…safe here."

"Wolves…" the god repeated dreamily, the new word sounding strange on his tongue, "Why do they howl, I wonder?"

"They howl at the moon," the queen answered, to his surprise, "In packs."

'The' moon. Midgardians only had one, so why name it? Loki wasn't sure why, but he found the idea strangely…cute.

"You sound tired," he murmured.

She looked at him, "I am."

Oh, what to do, what to do. They needed to sleep, but sleeping arrangements were something awkward that he'd hoped to breeze over. Now, it was clear that he would have no such luck.

"We should sleep," he suggested unnecessarily, "We have to ride back tomorrow."

An uncomfortable silence fell. Clearly, she saw the problem as well. They'd already established that they wouldn't be sleeping together, but whether or not they would actually be sleeping together was another issue.

"I could make a second bed," Elsa finally broke the quiet with an idea that, probably, neither of them enjoyed, "It's only snow. It would take seconds."

"Or…?" Loki prompted.

"Well," she said nervously, "The other option is obvious."

"We'd share the one you already made," the god mumbled, voicing the other, forbidden idea.

"…yes."

It seemed another silence was about to descend on them, so Loki made a point of speaking before the lack of dialogue became stifling.

"You know, sleeping together doesn't have to mean sleeping together," he pointed out.

"I know," she said quietly.

"I wouldn't try anything, Elsa," the god murmured soothingly, "You've made your stance clear. I will honor that. Or if you'd like we could do separate-"

"I don't want to be away from you," she interrupted, her desperation catching him off guard slightly.

"…I'm right here," Loki uttered.

"We should sleep together. I trust you," Elsa conceded.

You probably shouldn't, a voice vocalized from one of the darker corners of the god's mind.

"Alright, well let's go," he started to get up, but a hand on his arm stopped him from making it very far.

"I don't want to move," she whispered, "Let's stay here."

Loki looked at her incredulously, "But it's so much more comfortable upstairs. Do you really want to sleep on the floor?"

The queen's eyes glittered, "Is it too much for Prince Loki to handle? Sleeping on the floor like a peasant?"

He snorted good naturedly, "Point taken. Do we want more blankets?"

"Cold doesn't bother me," Elsa winked, already starting to lie down.

Loki was silent. She was so like him, yet so, so different. After a moment's hesitation, he copied her movements, moving the fur that had originally been around their shoulders so that it covered them like a blanket.

They took a moment to get settled, finding a comfortable position so that their heads weren't on the floor and no one's arm was getting crushed. Eventually, they were still, the god on his back with one arm behind his head and the other around Elsa, and the queen hugging him close, her head resting on his chest. Loki wondered if she could hear his heartbeat. Either way, she had to know at this point that she held it in her hands.

"I love you," the god mouthed the words to himself, and then, on a split second decision, said them a little bit louder, though still barely audible, "I love you."

For a brief, horrifying second, Loki thought the queen was already asleep, but this worry was mercifully quelled as she responded with a simple, sleepy, "I love you too, Loki."

A/N: So sorry for the wait, but I have decided on something, since most of you guys want faster updates than I can give. If you visit my profile on this website, I have provided my tumblr URL. If you visit that site (you don't need a tumblr to see it) and go to the top left hand corner (where Loki's helmet is), there will be a tab labeled 'Black Ice'. If you hover over it, I will post quick updates on how the next chapter is going. That way, at least you can see how close it is! Much easier than me messaging you guys, and this way you won't be getting spammed, either! Thank you all SO MUCH for all your fabulous reviews and feedback, and I'll see you next time. ^_^