A/N: Erm, yeah. Okay. I'm not dead, and yes, this shall be continued! Just a little bit slowly, because of work and stuff. But hey, look! Plot! Ooh, shiny, new plot…. –cackles-


Loki stared at Jack. Jack stared at Loki. The winter sprite was still trying to proves his best friend's request. Or rather, demand, but he tended to give the Asgardian some leeway when it came to these things.
"You want me to what?" He finally asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
"Come to Asgard with me." It was phrased as an order, but Jack could see the uncertainty in Loki's stature. He grinned abruptly.
"Sounds fun! Can I frost Odin's beard? I've always wanted to do that." He mused. Loki rolled his eyes, but his lips were twitching with a smile.
"You will get blasted by him, but it would be amusing, so by all means. Try it." Jack's grin didn't waiver.

"Great! So, when do we leave?" He asked cheerfully. Loki grabbed his arm and in the next instant they were standing in the blistering heat of New Mexico. Jack immediately felt himself start to sweat and made a face at the sensation.

"Now." Loki said simply and in the next moment they were engulfed in colorful light.

Jack landed on unsteady feet, hand gripping his staff until his knuckles were whiter than normal. For a moment he felt nauseous and dizzy, but then he shook it off, looking around with wide eyes.
"Cool…" He breathed. Everything was brass and gold, and he could just imagine what it would look like with his frost covering it. His thoughts were interrupted by an impossibly deep voice.

"Jokul Frosti. Loki Laufeyson. Welcome to Asgard." Jack stared at the man, then leaned closer to Loki.
"Is he as badass as he looks?" He whispered. Loki barely nodded and Jack was positive he saw the corner of the man's mouth twitch.

"The All-Father is waiting." He said, and Jack swore he detected a note of sympathy in his voice. Loki took a deep breath and nodded before leading the way out of the dome thing. Jack groaned when he saw the long road ahead of them. It was beautiful, but way too long. He turned pleading eyes to Loki.

"Can't you just poof us?" He whined. Loki shook his head, continuing to take long strides forward.

"I do not show off my magic in Asgard." He said tersely. Maybe Jack could understand that, but he didn't appreciate it. Asgardians seemed like they were stuck in the dark ages even more than Earth when it came to magic. He hurried to keep up, then hesitantly tested his powers, calling on the wind. He had no clue if it would be different on Asgard, but it responded the same as on Earth. He grinned, floating a few feet in the air, then shot forward, grabbing Loki as he went. The wind helped him hold the trickster's surprisingly heavy frame, and they were at the end of the road in no time. Jack dropped the god there, lighting next to him with wide eyes.
"You lived here?" He asked, craning his neck to look at the imposing castle. Loki gave him a disgruntled look, straightening his clothes.
"Yes." He said shortly, striding forward once more. Jack followed at a slower pace, pensive look in place as he glanced around.
"I like your loft better." He commented. Loki gave him a sharp look, then gave a nod of a agreement.
"As do I."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Loki." A woman's soft voice interjected into their conversation. Both men whirled around to find an older woman standing there, a gentle smile on her face. Loki sighed and Jack was almost shocked at the expression on his face. It was…soft. Something different from anything he'd ever seen. Loki strode forward to take the woman in his arms.
"Mother. How are you?" He asked, stepping away after a moment. Jack stayed back for the moment as Frigga smiled up at her son.
"I am better now that both of my sons are home." Jack could see the change in Loki immediately. His back straightened and his face lost the soft demeanor, regaining a hard edge.
"Thor is here?" Even his voice was different, now containing a hard edge. Frigga patted his cheek.
"He and Odin are waiting for you. Do try not to fight, you know how they are." She admonished, then Jack felt her eyes fall on him. "I'll entertain your friend."
"He's not my-very well, Mother." Loki sighed again, no doubt at the look Frigga had leveled at him. He then almost glared at Jack.
"Behave." He hissed before walking away, footsteps silent even in the echoing hall. Frigga smiled fondly at his back, then turned her attention to Jack.
"Now, Thor has told me much about you, but there are always exaggerations and I want to know how my sons have been doing. Walk with me." Suddenly Jack could see where Loki had learned to phrase a question as a demand. He swallowed hard and nodded, taking the arm she offered. He was careful to hold back his powers, Loki would kill him if he frosted the trickster's moth, to say nothing of Thor. At her expectant look, he began talking, telling her about Loki's latest prank.