Disclaimer I don't own anything.

Big thanks to my beta My2BrownEyes who is an awesome author. Also a big thanks to all of you who read and review. Thank you for your suggestions as well. Keep in mind the The Justice Friends are not The Justice League.

CHAPTER11

Loki thought of himself as a patient man. He could track his prey for months, and wait for the perfect moment to strike. He could stand face to face with his enemies and never flinch. He could look down the point of a sword into his own death and never lose control. Yet he found his tolerance growing increasingly thin with Earth's Mightiest Criminals. There was nothing remotely heroic about any of them. If they were actually honest with themselves they'd stop pretending to be something they're not.

He had been sitting in Stark's common living area while the 'heroes' were off saving their precious ball of dirt. Apparently his invasion caused an uprising in super criminal activity, but at least the criminals were honest about who they were; while S.H.I.E.L.D. harbored their criminals and labeled them heroes to the ignorant hordes of the blood-pumping, wheezing, sniveling masses.

It's ingenious actually; the ruling body letting their kept criminals fight the unlawful of their realm. Who better to outwit criminals then the ones who think like them. That is why S.H.I. . has been in a deadlock with their criminal counterparts for years. It's a continuous cycle of destruction. If there were any true heroes in the world they'd have to think about the morality of their actions, and how they'd feel in two decades. People like Steven Rogers. He didn't know why but Rogers unsettled him and he could not figure out why. He felt a blooming anger whenever Rogers was near. Possibly it was because he had the legitimate basis of hero. But if his assumption held any merit young Rogers would have checked upon his well-being. After being left in a room he was assigned, he was left to his own devices for three days. Even Asgardian criminals were given two meals a day. No he wasn't angry he was rather elated. It let him know there was no difference between him and them.

Since he was ordered by Stark not to touch his stuff, he therefore couldn't literally touch his stuff. This caused his magic to swell to help him. The bracelet was built to read his needs. Call it emergency precaution. He was able to open a portal up to relieve himself, a spell for cleansing, and a spell that allowed him to summon no more than fruits and water for hunger. He and Thor may be gods but even gods had normal bodily functions. Lady Natalya discovered this in a rather precarious way.

Lady Natalya opened the door without knocking and discovered him relieving himself in an open portal. He could see the mortal through the mirror and reveled as he watched her reaction. She instinctively went for her weapon in the waistband of her jeans. A split second later her mind caught up with her reflexes, upon seeing the flow of urine streaming from him. She waited as he finished, but seeing as she made no move to give him privacy he decided to give her a good view, up close and personal. It didn't hurt that he wanted to unnerve the woman, plus he was bored. Without tucking himself in, he turned to her letting his perversion hang out the laces of his trousers. He may be the runt of the giants, but he was endowed with one impressive tool. His ego was stroked when her eyes winded in the slightest fraction before returning to her stonewall expression. The lady trickster knew she had been caught and deflected.

She walked into the room and gave him an appreciative look. "And all this time we all thought the helmet was compensating for something."

He lifted an eyebrow with clear amusement written on his face. "Well…," he started at the lack of cleverness in his response as he began to lace up his leather trousers, and cleansed his hands in wisps of green smoke.

She gave a laughed at his lack of retort, and as good an actress as the spy master was he felt the lack of earnestness in it.

"My dear lady, I didn't know it was customary for you to judge your enemies so perversely."

"Well any time a guy asks billions to kneel; you're right I do believe he's trying to make up something he lacks."

"Then what is it that you lack, my lady?" he ask tilting his head in question. "Surely a woman who spends their life as a chameleon lacks something. Every time she meets someone new she rouges on a new personality. Where does the truth start and the lie end?," he presses.

Apparently, like a predator stalking its prey, he could smell the fear radiating off of her. He had hit a sensitive subject matter but wasn't foolish into thinking she'd give a straightforward response to his inquiry. And by the Nine does he hate being right all the time.

"Our true selves have been buried under a whole host of expectations, fears, disappointments, doubts, pains, should and shouldn'ts that we haven't the faintest clue how to recover ourselves," she answered in a velvety voice.

She smiled while turning, seeing as he wouldn't pursue the matter any longer. She knew she had hit a nerve as well. "I'll see what I can do about getting you out of solitary, maybe some clothes, and maybe a toilet to use next time."

Before leaving a thought came to her. "Loki? Where does that portal lead too?" she asked turning back towards him.

He was staring at her with a wicked mischievous smirk on his face that he was sure made her skin crawl from the look on her face.

"Where indeed."

He broke from his memory when he felt the magical hum of Mjolnir nearing. Thor landed on the pad terrace. He watched as the thunderer stalked in with soot staining his face, clothes, and armor. Thor whispered his greeting hoarsely and unceremoniously dropped Mjolnir on the expensive settee smearing it. He watched him at Stark's bar drink a water bottle greedily and quickly started on a second. By then his companions started filing in. All of them looking battle weary.

Tony plopped down and was about to close his eyes against the beginnings of a fresh headache, until he eyed Mjolinir having a seat on his upholstery as if it belonged there.

"Hey, hey, hey whaddid I tell you bout leaving that thing around?" Tony said shaking his finger at the mighty hammer. Tony had been picky about Thor's untidiness around his home.

Steve was walking past knowing Thor put in a lot of work today, and told the god to stay put that he'll get it. Wrapping his hand around the leather hilt Steve felt a hum that sung to his soul. It was a melody eerily reminiscent of death, but the music dipped and rose and trilled and shimmered into a crescendo of immaculate peace as he lifted the weapon.

Loki felt his stomach as it plummeted to the proximity of his ankles, and he narrowed his eyes in fury at the mortal who took up Mjolnir as if he was Thor himself. Rage raced through his veins as fate once again played with their favorite fool. They allowed a mortal to succeed where he had failed.

The spies, Tony, and Bruce knew the true significance of Steve being able to lift the fabled hammer. Apparently the implication was lost on their Captain who looked around warily as he felt stares boring into him. Steve suddenly felt like a naughty child and placed the hammer on the carpet gently. He hated being under scrutiny as his face exhibited his uncertainty.

Everyone besides Natasha and Steve had tried to lift Mjolnir once, perhaps twice and three times if your ego couldn't accept defeat when the laws of science are destroyed. Bruce felt one try was good enough for him. Clint had tried his hand and come away with sore joints. Tony had tried with the suit until all the hydraulics and gears had given out, and came back for more, much more. Once Thor explained that only the worthy could lift the weightless hammer Natasha didn't bother trying, knowing her worth didn't lie with Mjolnir. Steve just never felt the need to with his shield at his back.

The spies eyed each other across the room. Fury would need to know this new development. As much as they liked Thor they knew his loyalties were to Asgard first. Any advantage they could get would be needed if things ever went south with the now shocked Asgardian whose water was trickling out on the carpet.

Tony finally snapped everyone out of their trance. "You're missing, you're missing," he called out to Thor. Thor briefly woke from his astonishment as Tony pointed out the liquid pooling at his boots.

Thor set the bottle down and strolled over to the where Steve set his hammer slowly. His mind raced, his eyes moving from one spot on the floor to the other furiously as he refused to meet the eyes of the captain. He then eyed Mjolnir as if she had betrayed him and felt wary as if she would reject him now. He gripped the handle and felt a mental release when he wasn't denied her embrace. Without a word he cradled the head to his chest and retreated from the room like a scolded dog.

Loki let the smallest smile touch his lips. One good thing that came from all this was Thor's jealousy. He hoped the imbecile choked on it. Thor's inability to see anyone as his equal had always been a constant arrogance on his part. Because of his incapability to share his fame, he never saw the need to share resources or to credit others. There can only be one in Thor's mind. When things didn't line up to his expectations he pouted like a child.

Steve had an urge to shove his hands in the non-existent pockets of his suit. He felt as though he'd done something wrong, but he knew he didn't. It's just Thor had never regarded him with such coolness. He'd seen Thor's wrath in the heat of battle, his mild annoyance with Natasha, Loki, and Tony, his kindness with him and Bruce, and his rapture of boisterousness. But never had he been touched with Thor's unfriendliness.

"Perhaps I should go talk to him."

He heard Loki's mirthless laugh. "If you wish to have your head caved in by all means," he said leaving the threat hanging. Tony snorted at the thought of the blond who polices his every action's head being on Thor's proverbial anvil.

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"Rumor has it that the only person who can lift Thor's hammer are those who are deemed worthy. No one else has accomplished this feat, until just now. Aside from Thor you've been the only one who has been deemed worthy," Natasha pointed out. "This is a big deal for him, Cap. All Thor's friends and other warriors of Asgard who Thor thought worthy couldn't even get it to budge. Think about it."

Understanding dawned on Steve. No matter how ridiculous the notion of Thor being jealous was. "Are you telling me Thor is jealous of me? He said voicing his thoughts.

"Major Glory managed to get the one person who shouldn't envy him resentful."

Loki snickered at the inside insult to the Captain that he and Stark shared. They theorized the good director had been watching the children's program Dexter's Laboratory segment of The Justice Friends when he decided to incorporate his Avengers program. There is an uncanny resemblance to Rogers, Thor, and the green Beast depicted in said broadcast.

"Let it go, Cap," Natasha said, looking at the trepidation that adorned Steve's face as she left to help an exhausted Bruce to his room. Bruce thought the wall was a nice place to sleep.

Steve threw up his hands and flailed them as he left the room muttering,"I'm not going to stop being who I am because Thor feels threatened that I became worthy of his hammer."

Worthy, Loki thought. Worthy of what exactly? All it did was make Thor more of a Neanderthal than he already was.

"Let me guess; you can't lift it," Tony's sardonic voice said as he read the thoughts on Loki's face.

As he had always done, Loki deflected when it came to his abilities being called into question against Thor's. "I have no need for a war hammer."

Tony remarked in a deadpan voice, "Let me guess. Daddy didn't buy you one."

Tony knew this drill like the back of his hand. The need to be wanted. The need to be needed and recognized. Clearly Mjolnir was another sore spot for One Eyed Willie's affections. And why the hell did he leave us to sort out his meatball headed sons anyway? That's one thing he could say his dad never did. He didn't take a three day long nap to avoid him, and he certainly didn't leave it up to him to sort himself out. That's why he had Jarvis to do it.

Loki felt a shadowed figure fall over him. He knew the familiar silhouette and sighed in an exasperated fashion. "It's obviously burning at your insides keeping in whatever childish insult you've come up with, so spit it out."

"That must been humiliating to watch," a voice said dripping with sweetness. "A mere ant picking up the weapon of a boot."

'And here we go.' Tony thought amusingly. 'My mom always said don't poke at beehives unless you're prepared for the swarm.' Obviously Clint never got that lesson; that or he's an idiot. My opinion, yeah he's an idiot. He decided to watch the film "Son of the Mask" starring Alan Cummings where the wearer of the mask would gain the powers of Loki. Throughout the movie Odin threatened and berated Loki with comparisons to Thor. Of course the real Loki got his own back by questioning the whereabouts and demanding the return of his property; The Mask. Loki ranted about Odin, Thor, and his mask. I guess I didn't help any by me playing along and having JARVIS search all references to the mask. Thanks to our convincing performance, S.H.I.E.L.D. was still burning through resources trying to find something that didn't exist. You would think they would ask Thor about the mask considering the source is the God of Lies, but no they're afraid Thor would return it to Asgard if he knew. S.H.I. . is like a giant magpie of idiocy.'

Clint continued, "It must eat you up that Steve can do the things you can't. Oh and he looks more like Thor then you do, like real brothers. I bet no one would have doubted Steve was a son of Odin the way they did you. "

In true Loki fashion he didn't answer the question but yet answered it in his own aggravating way. "Speaking of brothers how is yours? Still on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most wanted list; Hmmm?" He pushed up from the table. "Are you still aiding the elder Barton in eluding capture? Are you still feeding S.H.I.E.L.D. false intel and having them chase shadows?

Tony who was only slightly awake turned his full attention to the words Loki spoke. He didn't know this; why didn't he know this. His eyes became bright and a grin spread across his face at a slightly alarming rate. Clint looked as if he suddenly developed a case of instant constipation.

"I can only imagine that Lady Natalya will find her loyalty misplaced if I were to divulge the true reason why a six month operation in Moscow was a failure. Should I tell her you left her to a fire fight not because your communications system was malfunctioning but because you were getting your cock sucked?"

Clint felt a wave of guilt as it passed through him, followed by more anger and hatred. It dawned on him just how much Loki knew. There were horrors in his past he never spoke of not even to Tash. Things he never wanted others to know, and this jackass knew everything. You would think even he'd have sympathy upon him considering they had shitty fathers in common. But no he was only concerned with his own daddy issues. Loki looked at him with an arched eyebrow and bored expression. There was a complete and total lack of reaction. None, nothing, zero, and to add insult to injury Loki said that he was acting petty.

"Don't come to me with your threats and less than clever remarks for your childish need for revenge," Loki added haughtily. As if he was above such behavior.

"Hate to say it, but it sounds like he's got you by the balls," Tony said, adding to Clint's suffering.

"By the balls. You wanna talk 'bout balls? How 'bout you not having the balls to tell Pepper Loki is back on Earth and currently sleeping not even a hundred feet from you? Don't worry 'bout who's got my balls," Clint said stalking angrily out the room.

"And all this time I thought they were located in Natasha's sock drawer," Tony mused out loud earning a chuckle from his house invader.

Tony moved behind the bar to get himself a drink and evaluated Loki as he went back to his reading. He had watched Loki for the past few weeks as he railed against Thor and rejected Thor's sorry attempt at brotherhood. He felt the need to defend the big dope, but the words died in his throat every time. Loki was like a piece of glass and when broken the ones who try to pick him up get cut on his jagged edges. Timing was everything when it came to Loki. Loki is precision but every now and then he'd have a break in his meticulousness, and open himself to suggestion like now.

"You're right you know."

Loki lifted his eyes from his readings and eyed the inventor quizzically.

"About childish revenge."

"Do I detect a heart to heart coming," Loki retorted dryly.

"As you already discovered my heart just doesn't work that way. What I mean is revenge feels good but in hindsight it generally makes things worse."

"That's easy for you to say. You've never lived at my side. You don't know my story."(A.N. I think this came from a song. I can't remember.)

"Yeah I have. I was saddled by an inner need to always seek my old man's approval and acceptance, which rendered me incredibly insecure and anxious growing up. I faced a lot of scrutiny and ridicule, because of who my father was, and who I wasn't. I wanted to become more famous then my father to compensate for what I didn't get growing up. How I'm doing so far?"

Loki wore a stoic face but gave off a foreboding appearance.

"Your problem is you've been an outcast so long that you just don't want to be known as the lesser son who came crawling back to his family. You want them to need you, to beg you. You want them to not be able to go on without you."

No he and Loki weren't that different. He had claimed to be a victim in life, and for a long time he continued to let his past to hinder him. But the only life he continued to compromise was his own, and Loki was the same way.

"I have some amazing people in my life with the patience of a saint to call bullshit every time I've tried to isolate myself and act out. They made me ask questions of myself: Will I find any inner peace by spreading my anger? If I succeed at getting even, will it really change my reality? Does it make me the better person to do to them what they've done to me? But hey if fuckin' around with Clint's head is good for you I hope it something that's going to last and going to keep you warm at night."

"It is through no fault of my own that the Elder Barton shits on his brother's attempts of making nice."

"Kind of how you shit on Thor's." Loki grimaced knowing he walked right into that one.

"You have a guy who genuinely wants to be your friend. That's more than what anyone on this planet wants to be. And those asshats at S.H.I.E.L.D. wanna to see you like that. To them its one step closer to serving you up to their scientist," Tony argued as he made his way down stairs to his lab, but climbed back up till Loki could only see his head.

"You could use a friend right now, and as far as our association…I don't like labels," he added before disappearing again, leaving Loki to his brooding thoughts.

Later that day Tony felt himself grow tired at the nagging thought that not even his latest brainchild couldn't overcome. With a final sigh he pushed his project away.

"JARVIS, dial Pepper please."

Sigyn took in the view as she is served tea. The Queen had invited her to take midday tea with her. Honestly she was surprised that the invitation hadn't come sooner. However those thoughts were laid to rest once the King appeared through the open doors of the private courtyard. She and the queen stood at his entrance. While she curtsied and lowered her head, her highness only nodded as ceremony dictated.

She and the Queen took their seats again as the King claimed his. In all honesty she feared what was to come. The King always had an agenda, but she feared the Queen's intentions most. The ones before her were fooled by her queenly mild mannered behavior, not knowing the inferno that lay behind her kind smile and calm eyes. The woman was defiant, and if you preyed on her boys then you would become subject to her wrath as some found out before. Speaking up for Loki only got her into a private meeting with the Queen. No, this woman who loved her little boy more than any precious stone throughout the Nine intended for her to labor to stay at his side. She often wondered if that is where Loki got his slyness from. Now the King he was simple. He'd burden the ones he deemed unworthy with impossible tasks. That was his plan for Thor's mortal woman. For herself, she had the slightest clue what to expect. She was of good stock and at a time the King and her father often spoke of uniting their families.

"Lady Sigyn," Odin's voice greeting her. "My Queen and I haven't formally thanked you for being a witness for my son."

"Your thanks are not necessary your highness. Loki and I have been very cordial for over a century."

"Yes your relationship," he called out hesitantly earning an uneasy look from his wife, but continued "I had not suspected you of all people would fall in favor with my son."

"None had. Loki wished us to remain cloaked in darkness, but I knew not why. It has only become clear to the logic in his thinking."

"Oh how's that?"

"Most men saw me as a star. Hung in the night, unreachable, and unattainable. Once they saw Loki had captured what they sought-after the stares began to linger and the whisper grew louder than usual. Men have found reason to pursue me in a sad attempt to woo me away from your son," she explained hoping the man before her knew what she was hinting at.

"You are a beautiful woman, Lady Sigyn, surely you get this nature of thought all the time," Odin replied. Sigyn was crushed that the king hadn't seen what was truly transpiring. Either that or he was playing one of his own games.

"In all honesty these same men would have not dared if I was in courtship with Thor." There she had finally put the exclamation point to her thoughts.

"And what are your feelings on my eldest son whom you rebuffed courtship after numerous attempts?" Odin knew he was straddling that invisible line he knew he shouldn't cross where Frigga was concerned, judging by the storm brewing in her eyes. "On many occasions your father and I discussed a betrothal between you and Thor, long before your dalliance with Loki."

"Speak clearly, husband. Do not be so obscure with your words," Frigga ordered with a blank face. While she hated Odin's line of questioning she wanted to know how far she would go for Loki.

"My lady, your king's words were worded vaguely but the line of questioning was quite clear," holding a bit of defiance in her voice which earned her points if the slight curve of the Queen's lips was anything to go on. "I would never call what Loki and I have a dalliance. I save that term for nameless men and women who are privileged at gaining the attention of any lord. There are countless stories of powerful men even women lusting after those who are beneath them, their servants, and individuals of a lower class. Also, there are a number of establishments that offer high quality, high class entertainment for any man with who would pay a weight in gold for their services. But make no mistake I am not one of those women."

Odin thought he should be offended, but he had pushed the issue and his damnable wife…is she smiling at his anger. Apparently his wife was delighted at the direction this conversation was turning as the young girl continued.

"I am neither nameless nor faceless in Loki's eyes, and I shouldn't have to justify our relationship to anyone," she answered in a smoldering tone with anger very much present. "As for Thor, that's easy, and please forgive me for my bluntness. He lacks, though many loathe to admit it humility. He also lacks shame and tolerance. He's a bad sport, arrogant, greedy, and spoiled beyond anything reasonable. Beyond that he is attractive, loyal, and honest to a fault. He will seek justice in most aspects and I know he'll fight till he draws breath no more in defense of Asgard. Any woman who is trying to get a foothold to your throne would be clamoring for his attentions, but it will not be me."

Odin gave a long hard look, but the she refused to wither under his eye. "I see Loki has you trained in Thor's shortcomings."

"You contradict yourself, your highness. You yourself said I rebuked Thor's offers long before my dalliance as you call it with Loki. There was nothing more Loki could tell me that I didn't figure out on day one of meeting Thor."

Frigga regarded the young woman when you first set foot on her terrace. She was beautiful and one of the more respectable ladies she'd met. She certainly carried herself as a queen. Yet Frigga had crossed paths with many who looked the part, but beauty had nothing to do what was inside. As a woman she knew women could not be trusted. They weakened men physically, mentally, and emotionally. She had seen the strongest men reduced to sniveling, simpering shells of themselves under the hand of a woman. She had also seen trusted men betrayed and put to death on the word of a woman who sought to move up in society. Yes she quickly discovered the devilry that lay silently underneath and the greed that corrupted their hearts.

The horde of wretched beastly women and the garland of threats they brought with them troubled the Queen. She had had to shoo quite a few of them away from her family. It vexed her spirit that her boys could never find a woman of worth. Thor wasn't as much of a problem as Loki was. Thor changed his consorts as much as the servants changed his soiled sheets. Thor never got attached to just one. Loki though more selective of his partners, had had more than his share of bedmates. He'd use some of them as much as they used him. He would grow attached to one every now and then only to have their relationship go sour when he felt a threat lingering in the future. One such example was Amora.

She was a regular for both her sons. Loki was fond of her growing up. They learned the art of seidr and Loki loved having a companion who understood it, and didn't belittle it. Eventually they became more, but Amora had her eyes on the throne and on Thor. It was a lesson learned hard for Loki; yet he continued to slake his lust with her. In an odd twist of desire the witch coveted both of her boys as they passed her back and forth between them. Had Amora been the one sitting before her she'd be yielding and submissive to Odin when she clearly wasn't if her overly sexual brazen behavior was anything to go on. Frigga had originally thought Sigyn submissive, but she had proven she was anything but. She was passionate and a risk taker. As much as it pained Frigga, for anyone being in a true relationship with Loki was risking their sanity. Also she was a mastery of the subconscious to stand up to Loki's inner demons for as long as she had. Yes Sigyn was a good match so far. She may have past her first round in Frigga's challenge by letting Odin speak so freely without interruption on her part when he spoke out of term. Time would tell if she survived under a gaze of a Queen and a mother.

"You have much faith in him," Odin spoke abruptly.

She turned to eye Odin almost challenging. "Someone has to, as he has little of his own. Loki mostly lives in a world of logic, and when logic fails him it leaves him following instincts something not often used; he needs someone to help navigate through."

Odin nodded, and Frigga smirked as Sigyn asked to be excused to perform her duties as ambassador. Of course Frigga being a gracious host escorted her to the doors while Odin crossed the room and sat down in his favorite leather chair, letting his head rest against the back. He watched his wife through a slited eye speak in hushed tones with Sigyn as he waited to be reprimanded.

"Quite interesting, your line of questions and your careless thoughts," she said tersely. "Do you wish to remove her from Loki's path and into Thor's bed?"

The look on her face spoke volumes of his suspected underhandedness, but she misinterpreted his intentions. "Do you think Loki will continue to play the part of an Æsir prince? Do you really think Sigyn would carry on with a Jotun? Do you not think he'll not wish to humiliate us by letting it slip that we raised the enemy under the noses' of our people?"

"You sent Loki to Midgard to learn, but you already foresee failure."

"It is not my wish to see Loki forsake his upbringing."

"Yet you have no conviction, which I must say has been the bases of where Loki's doubts emanate."

"It's not that I don't wish to see Loki joyous and with a willing woman as fair as Sigyn, but I fear it will not last once the truth comes to light. It is better with haste to extinguish their flame now while his wounds lay raw," he replied tiredly as he remembered his conversation with Tyr a moon ago.

"It has always been easier to destroy than create with you hasn't it," she smiled cupping his cheek only for him to turn away from her.

"That seems to be the general consensus of this family now," he grimaced at how his carefully crafted family was collapsing under the bitter veil of deceit. "There are too many hurts, in this family starting with my sins against you."

"Odin, do not let the past overshadow the love we share now."

He huffed. "Love," he spat. "By rights you shouldn't love me. If you remember our wedding was when I stormed your father's palace forcing you as my bride and took control of your kingdom with the taking of your maidenhood."

"You make it sound as if I was some simpering girl that lay beneath you." No it was not the way she envisioned her wedding night, but she knew the risk that came with being a princess.

"No you definitely weren't simpering. If I recall correctly a sword wielding enthusiast was dispatching my best men."

"Those were your best men?" she says mockingly. "It makes me wonder how we ever lost to the Asgardian scum if they were your best."

"That warrior then turned their blade towards me and charged. I had to defend my life."

"Defend your life? As I recall there was an arrogant prince telling me to be proud that I would have a good death and to be honored it came at the point of his sword," she says stepping closer to her husband.

Odin pulled himself up for his leather seat. "Imagine my surprise at the revelation the most striking woman lay underneath a man's armor. A woman whose eyes burned hotter than the realm of Muspelheim, whose beauty could be compared with the elder gods and whom I loved at first sight. Also imagine my heart plummet when she cursed and spat at me."

By then the two were wrapped in each other's arms. "Despite how they came together this woman fell in love with this man when she discovered there was more to him than his conquering nature. There actually lay a heart behind all his bravado."

She once again lifted her hand laying it against his face. "I love you," she said as she pressed her lips to his.

He pulled her tightly to him, deepening the kiss, staking his claim. He wanted her to feel and taste and remember that kiss long after he left her.

"I love you, too, he said as he finally broke the soul-searing kiss. He put on his nonsense façade of the king again before he heard his queen's voice.

"Know if you undermined Loki and Sigyn's relationship in any way, you'll be seeing that warrioress again."

She knew he was smirking when he said, "Of that I have no doubt," before leaving to attend to the duties of his throne.

Yes I know its late. Between work and school I have little time but you guys have been great about everything. So please keep the reviews coming. Comments and suggestions welcomed.