It was several hours later when my eyes next cracked open. The pounding in my head had lessened, and the sun hung lower in the sky, casting great swathes of golden light across Loki's chamber. I lay motionless, the hard press of the still sleeping god against me as my gaze roamed over the room. It had been far too dark to discern much of my surroundings the previous night, so I took the opportunity to indulge my curiosity.

The first thing I noticed was the overabundance of books. Books overflowing from the tall cases that lined the room. Great stacks of them next to a writing desk. Piles covering the top of a dresser. Hundreds and hundreds of tomes everywhere that I looked.

Not surprising, really. From the earliest moments of my time with Loki, his thirst for knowledge was apparent. He wanted to know everything and had a million and one questions. 'What is this thing?' and 'How does it work?' and "What purpose does this serve?'. He was like a two year old. A giant, megalomaniac two year old that wanted to rule the world.

Which, come to think about it, isn't really all that different from an average toddler.

The mental image that accompanied that thought prompted a low chuckle, and Loki stirred at my side. He gave a sleepy murmur, and then stretched expansively before his eyes drifted open.

"Morning, Princess," I rumbled.

Loki's gaze slid to the archways and the bright sunlight beyond before returning to me. "It seems we have slept away the morning, my Hawk. Perhaps a 'good afternoon' would be more apt?"

"Nah," I shrugged. "Whenever my eyes peel open, that's morning for me."

"As you wish," he smiled. "And how did you sleep?"

"Better the second time around," I answered. "Plus, I always prefer to wake up on my own without anyone yelling at me."

"Yes," Loki agreed. "I apologize for Thor's intrusion. He has never been one to respect the privacy of the bedchamber."

"No harm done," I returned. "Plus, you two managed to work out a few things, so I suppose it was a good thing he showed up when he did."

Loki nodded and rested his chin on my chest, spearing me with his bright gaze. "I would have preferred had you not been caught in the midst of that."

I reached out and combed my fingers through his tousled mane, murmuring, "I'm a big boy. A few harsh words aren't gonna kill me."

"No, I did not think they would. But still…" Loki's words trailed away, and he leaned up to press a quick kiss to my throat.

I gave a pleased hum and tightened my arm around Loki's back, ever mindful of his injuries. "So we've got a few hours until Thor shows up again. What's the plan?"

"If I had my way, we would not leave this bed," Loki purred. "But alas, we must be presentable for the council. And I expect that Mother will want to see me prior to that meeting."

"And we need to get some food into you," I said, my fingertips stroking over the prominent ridges of Loki's backbone. "I'd say we burned more than a few calories last night."

"Yes, we did," he replied smugly. "It was well worth it, though."

"Glad you think so," I replied, dropping a kiss on his crown. "Now. Where's the bathroom in this place? We'll get clean first, and eat after."

Loki pulled free from my arms and slid from the bed, extending his hand to me. "Come, my Hawk. Something tells me you'll be well pleased with the comforts of an Asgardian bath. I have seen what passes as a washroom in your realm, and it leaves much to be desired."

I kicked my way clear of the blankets and stood to my feet. "Lead the way," I chuckled, twining my fingers through Loki's own. "God knows I could do with a good soak."

x-x-x-x-x

We spent the next hour lazing in a bathtub the size of a small swimming pool. The scented water rose to our shoulders, and the temperature was just this side of scalding, which worked wonders on my tension-knotted muscles. We talked of everything, nothing, and all that fell in between.

There were a couple awkward moments, of course. How could there not be?

But those were few and fleeting, and by the time we emerged, clean and relaxed, we'd seemed to have found an even footing. I still wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around all that had occurred in the previous 24 hours, but really, I was starting to become less concerned with that, preferring just to enjoy the present.

It had been far too long since I'd been this comfortable, and truth be told, I didn't want this day to end.

Back in Loki's chambers, we found a large tray of food waiting for us. I made sure to steer clear of the mead, and instead downed several glasses of cool, fresh water. We picked at the various offerings as we dressed, and by the time our hunger had been satiated, Frigga had appeared, just as Loki thought she would.

The Queen gave me a curious look when she entered, and I retreated to the balcony to allow mother and son time to speak. Even though I knew Loki wasn't her child by blood, it was glaringly apparent that Frigga paid that small detail no mind. She had raised Loki, mothered him in the place of another, and she still carried him in her heart.

That made me feel just a bit better about Loki's treatment in Asgard. Odin may have become a distant influence to the dark god…but Thor and Mama Frigga still had his back.

I leaned against the railing, looking down at the great city sprawled out so far below as the low murmur of voices lulled me. From this height, Asgard looked like any number of towns I had frequented during my travels. Granted, all it took was one glance at the sky to remind me that I was very far from home. The sight of unnamed galaxies wheeling by made me feel very small, so I focused instead on the tiny, bustling figures that filled the streets below.

Roughly half an hour passed in this manner before I was joined by Thor. We stood together in silence for several long moments before he finally spoke. "Come, Clint," he rumbled. "It is time."

I huffed out a deep sigh, shoving myself upright. "Ok," I replied. "Let's get this done."

Thor stalked back into Loki's chambers, and I trailed along in his wake. Frigga was holding Loki in a tight embrace, whispering something in his ear, and we held back slightly as they finished. The Queen pressed a soft kiss to Loki's temple before making her exit, and the dark god stood very still, staring after her.

"The council awaits us in the throne room, Loki," Thor intoned.

Loki shot me an anxious look, and I gave him a gentle smile in return. "Remember what I said," I murmured. "It's all gonna be okay. I promise."

The dark god's brows knit together and he gave a slight nod by way of reply. Giving voice to a soft sigh, Loki lifted his chin and stepped to Thor's side. "I'm ready," he stated firmly. "Whatever may come of this…I am ready."

x-x-x-x-x

The hallways of the palace were oddly deserted. No guards, or hand maidens. No pages bustling about with messages to be delivered. The entire place seemed to be holding its' breath, waiting for the final chapter of Loki's story to be told.

Thor led the way, pointedly ignoring the silence surrounding us. I stayed at Loki's side, a few paces behind the Thunderer. We didn't speak, holding our tongues as we made our way to the throne room, and the awaiting council.

At least, we did until we rounded a corner and caught sight of Fandral leaning against a pillar at the edge of the great staircase. Thor stopped short and Loki gave a low growl as Fandral sent an insolent grin our way.

"My prince," he said, pushing away from the pillar and slightly inclining his head to Thor. "Off to speak to the council, are we?"

"Be on your way," Thor rumbled. "You know well enough my destination, and my reason for such. I'll not be so quick to restrain my friend should you again offend."

Fandral's grin widened and he briefly touched the mottled mark at the corner of his mouth. "Oh yes. I still carry his gift of yesterday. I daresay he'd like to make it a matching set…provided his master allows it."

My fists balled at my sides, and I felt the hot rush of rage in my veins at his words. But I held my place. It wouldn't do to go in front of the council with bloody and bruised knuckles, no matter how much I might want to punch that smug grin off Fandral's face.

Fandral leaned to the side, looking around Thor to meet Loki's eyes. "And that would please you, would it not? To have your tribute defend what little honor you have left?"

Loki stiffened, lifting his head high to peer down his nose at the man before him. "As if anything you say could impugn my honor. And contrary to popular belief, I do have a modicum of such left within me."

"Odd," Fandral mused. "I would have thought the last shred of that lost when you enslaved the mortal at your side. And how strange to see him accompanying you! After his denials of yesterday, I would have thought that the last place I would find him would be at your heels…like some eager lapdog."

My vision washed red at that final barb, and I took a step forward. Fuck the council; this asshole needed to be taught a lesson, and I wasn't going to stand idly by while he ran his mouth.

Seems that Thor had the same thought, because before I could even take a second step, he'd crossed the distance to Fandral and twisted one large fist in the fabric of the other man's tunic.

"You dare defy me," he snarled. "Heaping insults upon my team-mate and my brother?! I do not know why you harbor such anger against Loki, but it ends now. You have no business here, Fandral, and would do well to heed my words. Be. On. Your. Way."

The sandy-haired man paled slightly at the thinly veiled rage on Thor's face. "Of course, my Prince," he murmured, lifting his hands in an attitude of surrender.

Thor released his grip upon Fandral's tunic, and scowled down at him as he smoothed his clothing. Giving a slight bow, the smaller man spun on his heel and stalked away.

"What in the ever-loving fuck is that guy's problem," I demanded, still thrumming with rage.

Loki's hand lit on the nape of my neck, fingertips stroking softly as he answered, "Fandral has long been at odds with me. During Thor's banishment, those issues were…compounded. He thinks me a threat still, and I doubt that will ever change."

"Soon as I set eyes on him, I didn't like him," I growled. "Like him even less now."

Loki hummed in agreement. "He has too large an ego and too small a brain. A combination that may prove lethal to him someday."

"Hope I'm there to see it," I said, staring after Fandral's fast retreating back.

"Come," Thor broke in. "We're nearly there, and I wish to be done with this. The waiting has been interminable."

"Of course, brother," Loki murmured, giving one last squeeze to my nape before pulling his hand away. "We shouldn't keep them waiting any longer."

The remainder of the journey was uneventful, and we soon found ourselves at the door to the throne room. Loki paused outside, the panic evident in his eyes.

"Wait…please," he whispered in a trembling voice. "Just for a moment, if you would."

Thor gave him a curious look, but dropped his hand from the knob, allowing Loki to regain his composure before we continued.

"I wanted to say thank you," Loki breathed. "To you both. Thor, for never giving up on me…and Clint, for believing that I have changed; that I sincerely carry remorse for my actions. Thank you."

"How could I do anything else," Thor questioned, giving Loki a fond smile. "You are my brother, and I will always be at your side. No matter what."

I had a moment where I wasn't sure if I could even respond to Loki's words. That goddamn ache was back in my throat, and it felt like it was choking me. And the weight of that poison green gaze upon me, waiting for my response, so I did the one thing I knew I wouldn't fuck up somehow.

I stepped forward and crushed my mouth to Loki's, letting my searing kiss say what my tightened throat couldn't.

Thor looked away, the shine of embarrassment brightening his eyes, but I didn't care one bit. Hell, he'd walked in on us in bed just that morning, so bearing witness to one little kiss wouldn't kill the guy.

Loki's arms twined around my waist, pulling me tightly against his lean frame, and I broke the kiss, nipping at his lower lip. "Told you, Princess," I panted. "I got your back."

"Yes," he replied, leaning his forehead against mine. "My protector."

Thor cleared his throat and we disentangled ourselves, Loki's eyes still locked with mine. "I'm ready now," he stated. "It is time to face my fate."

And with a quiet sigh, Thor opened the door.