As Steve sat opposite the man, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. The small amount of empathy in his mind had grown bigger and bigger, and he realized he could at least almost know what he felt.

Loki had been the weak one, yearning for praise and doing whatever he could to get it. And so had Steve.

But instead of becoming a 'super soldier', Loki had become king.

And then had it ripped away from him.

He really felt for the guy. Sigyn had told him all about his struggles as the second Prince, how he would try his best to be like Thor. And once he thought he had achieved that, he had found out it was all wrong. Everything he had ever done was wrong. He wasn't even of the same race as them, and instead was some sort of evil giant.

So yes, Steve felt sorry for him. Of course, he'd try to take over the world and killed too many people, but it was within some sick and twisted otherworldly need for love and appreciation, which had now turned sour. He wanted to help the man, there was problems going on in his head. Some sort of emotional abuse had taken its toll and driven him mad. Unless he truly believed himself to be a king.

Steve didn't know. He wasn't a psychiatrist, but he could try to understand as best he could. And for Sigyn's sake, the fact they all seemed to resent Loki's presence was driving the girl insane, her eyes had grown red and herself in general jittery and nervous, as if she was waiting for someone to attack him. Or him to attack them.

The poor girl had been drive up the wall but her own husband indirectly, but no matter what anyone said; she wouldn't leave. She wavered, agreed and confided in Steve. But she didn't have it in her to leave him, the captain knew that. And the worst thing of all; Steve was beginning to like her. She was funny in her own way, a little too timid and quiet unless you caught her at a good time, where she'd be willing to joke and laugh. But those seemed to be rare, and Steve tried his best to bring those moments out. For instance; they'd watched 'The Wizard Of Oz' together the previous day, and Sigyn had loved every moment of it. She'd never seen anything on a television, she had no clue what one was until the picture popped up, and neither had Steve on one that big, but it was fun.

But right now, he had been in the middle of a conversation with Loki about the merit of physical fitness in Asgardian culture. It was incredibly interesting, and Loki's quiet demeanour about himself reminded Steve of the days when he had been a weakling, looked down upon by everyone for the fact he wasn't as a strong and brawny as everyone else.

Just like Loki.

But Loki had the advantage of being a Prince. A handsome, charismatic and charming Prince.

Steve hadn't had any of that. He still didn't have the charisma or the charm either, and if he was honest; he wasn't a fan of his looks.

"So, soldier." Loki drawled, and Steve pulled himself away from his thoughts. He nodded his head, an eyebrow arched as Loki's slender figure leaned back in his seat. The man never seemed to close his legs.

"Steve." He corrected.

"Steve." He said with a smirk, and Steve couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Do you think you'd be accepted in Asgard? From all that I've told you of course."

"I would as I am now, but not always."

"Oh?" Loki urged him on, leaning forward. Steve cleared his throat and stared at the man before flicking his gaze away. It was hard to look at the man when speaking.

"I haven't always been Captain America.. I mean, I was small and weedy at one point, and let's just say not even the Americans wanted me. So I don't think an Asgardian army would."

Steve noticed Loki's eyes softening, and a smile creeping onto his face.

"So the great and powerful Avenger hasn't always been great and powerful?"

"Not always."

This seemed to cheer Loki up, and although his smile became somewhat sad; it grew bigger. And Steve, for some strange reason was pleased to see that he'd made the man smile from something genuine, and not a smirk or evil malign grin. It was comforting to know he had some humanity. And that he felt. Maybe he wasn't that awful for Sigyn to be around after all.

"It's the worst feeling, is it not?"

"The worst." Steve nodded, swallowing as Loki's gaze pierced his own. The sharp eyes hurt to look at, but eventually Loki looked away and Steve grew comfortable once more.

"You weren't great and powerful either?"

"I wasn't great and powerful in strength, but I made up for it in other areas-" He answered quickly, but Steve cut him off before he could finish. Now he knew how the man worked.

"But the Asgardian's don't care about the other areas." He finished for him, and Loki stared for a few moments before wearily answering, his gaze looking somewhere - anywhere - other than Steve's eyes.

"You could say that."

"But you ended up being King?"

"Yes, yes I did." Loki said with a sad smile, and it looked as if he was remembering. His gaze turned soft, and then suddenly hardened. And Steve regretted saying a thing.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want."

"I don't want." Loki said through clenched teeth, pushing a hand back through his hair.

"Loki, listen.." Steve began, it didn't take long for the other man to shoot his eyes back towards the soldier, who in turn gulped out of nervousness. "I know we aren't exactly..."

"Friends." Loki finished.

"Yeah.. But I'm glad we can come to an.."

"Understanding." He finished again, and Steve rolled his eyes.

"Please don't do that, it's annoying."

"Apologies." Loki said with a grin the size of a Cheshire cat. "And as for our understanding, I am pleased too."

"Good."

"And I'm sure Sigyn will be too. She grows fond of you." Loki lifted himself up from his seat, and smoothed out his clothes. Steve stared, confused as to why the God would leave at such a time. They had been in the middle of an important discussion, and now he was choosing to leave. It wasn't like him to avoid conflict.

"Where are you going?"

"I agreed to let Stark and... Bruce." Loki had to force his name out, and Steve knew he was trying to stop himself from saying 'Hulk' or 'monster', "To use some samples of my blood and hair for their research into Asgardian magic."

"Have fun." Steve said, the idea of Loki being poked at and prodded by Bruce and Tony amused him to no end.

"I'll try." The God responded dryly. And then he was gone.

It surprised Loki how easy it had been to get Steve to talk to him, the man was too sentimental. Even more so than Loki, who had his fair share of sentimentality when he needed it. But Steve was something different, this man was passionate and caring - perhaps the biggest weakness a soldier could have. Loki knew that Steve had more information on him than he was willing to say, Sigyn had a habit of not being able to keep her mouth shut unless it was about her feelings. Probably the most annoying thing about her, if Loki had to decide what he hated most. But at the same time, it played off well; Steve felt as if he knew Loki, so he didn't waste as much time in letting him know the secrets. He didn't say them directly, of course; but Loki was a sorcerer, a magician, a Liesmith - he knew how to read people, he knew how to tell what made people tick by just watching their movements for a few hours. And Steve, poor, large, super solider Steve had told him everything he could have known with just the gestures of his hands and eyes.

Loki would have loved to have stayed and talked more, but alas; he really did have to go an meet the Doctor and the playboy philanthropist; an encounter he would have preferred to forget. Whilst Bruce was polite (always so polite, Loki couldn't decide if it was infuriating or endearing.) Tony had mocked him, but it was to be expected. Stark had a tendency to be annoying, even more so than Sigyn (which was no mean feat) but he knew how to push his limits, and eventually fly past them. It took everything Loki had in him not to use some sort of spell, but he couldn't risk them finding out that he retained all of his magic. The Allfather hadn't taken it away and stored it in a box as was custom, instead he hadn't made a mention of his magic; maybe he had forgotten?

No, no one could ever forget Loki's skills.

Maybe he had chosen to forget.

That seemed more likely.

But either way, no use of magic would pay off in the end. He would have perfect control, no energy lost and all his resources would be full. But until then, until it he'd have to be as submissive as he could be, even if it drove him mad.

Speaking of submissive, he mumbled inwardly to himself as he pushed open the door to the room he'd been given, to see Sigyn, as he'd expected, lying on the bed. She didn't move or flinch as he moved closer, and at first it seemed as though she was asleep. But as he moved closer, he saw the patterns of her breathing that showed she was definitely awake.

He stood at the edge of the bed, hand hovering over her as he called her name once, "Sigyn."

No answer.

And being ignored wasn't exactly something he enjoyed.

"Sigyn.." He said again, this time his hand almost touched her arm, but she batted his hand away.

A grin rose to his face.

Life.

"It is unlike you to be so physical." He stated, a smirk on his face as Sigyn rolled onto her other side.

"Leave me be." She muttered, and Loki's smile faltered for a moment.

"It is unlike you to be so abrupt." He stated again, staring down at the girl. What had he done now?

"And it is unlike you to take notice of my actions."

"I have noted your actions since the day you began to cry over your impending marriage."

Sigyn sat bolt upright as soon as he had mentioned that, and turned her attentions to him completely. The dishevelled appearance and almost mad glint in her eye was something new, but not in a bad way. She glared at him, and Loki was sure others may have squirmed under her gaze, but he knew better. He knew she was upset - and royally so if her ways were anything to show of it. "I did not cry."

And there it was, the spark. The thing that separated her from others. She may have been weak-willed, but she was strong. Not submissive at all as she would lead everyone to believe, even him. But she was too modest, and ultimately too kind to correct people. The idea of her being the innocent little mouse was something she hid behind, so then she would never have to let people see her inner fire. She did not even let Loki see the rage she had built up inside, and he knew that she did not even let herself. Out of sight, out of mind - metaphorically speaking. But it was nice - incredibly nice to know that although she was his timid and seemingly weak, but she had something inside he had found in another, she actually felt. And not in the form of just emotions, but with her mind and heart; and she was loyal to a fault - which meant everything was focused on him, whether it be good or bad; it didn't matter. She would not get distracted, her iron-clad determination to love him (though he believed her to be failing as of late) seemed to overpower everything around her, and if he was honest with himself; it was nice to know that at least someone would not disregard him. At least someone did not think he was a complete monster.

"I believe you did." He answered, his hands folded over his chest as Sigyn leaned forward, now refusing to look him in the eye. When she didn't answer, he realized that this approach would not work.

"It does not matter, I did not choose to marry him." She finally answered him, her hands in her lap as she stared back up at him.

"Sigyn," He said, kneeling down on the bed, he grasped Sigyn's hands in his and held them up, "Please, what bothers you?"

"You." She answered blankly, and Loki narrowed his eyes for a moment.

Him? What could he have possibly done now? He had been locked up in the tower for weeks now.

"I bother you?"

"You bother my every thought."

"That is what happens when in lo-"

"Do not." She grit her teeth together, and Loki scowled, gripping onto her hands tighter until she yelped and pulled them away. Her gaze travelled from her palms up to meet his, and she squeezed her eyes shut as soon as his came into view. "Why do you keep me around?"

So Midgardian.

"For many reasons." He winked as he spoke, a smirk covering his face as Sigyn groaned, turning her gaze away from him again.

"That's too vague." She muttered, and Loki knew he had to at least try and understand her. In all his years, all the women (though most had been foul to him afterwards, earning him a great hatred for them; but the most had been servant girls) had never been as complicated as her. She was more of an emotional mess than he had first thought. Maybe it was his doing.

"You wish for my reasons?"

She nodded.

"You are kind, prettier than you care to believe, you are sweet, strong and as strange as anyone I've ever met." A slick smile spread across his face, but Sigyn seemed unperturbed. She instead stared directly at him, almost bored before she finally began to speak.

"Your silvertongue has never worked on me."

"Sometimes a lie is preferable to the truth."

"And you would know all about that." She knew how to push his limits, and as his face filled up with anger, Sigyn knew she had finally hit him where it hurt. But instead of feeling good, she felt ashamed.

"Do not try so hard to anger me, my love."

"The same could be said for you."

"You are gentle, not angry. Even now as you're, as Stark would call it; 'pissed off' you regret being harsh." His smirk returned as he watched her shake in anger. It was true, she was gentle. Too gentle, and she took it too easy when he lost control.

"Perhaps you would prefer a wife who can hold a candle to your temper."

A laugh escaped his throat, and he shook his head in disbelief. Was this why she had been so upset? Where had she gotten that from?

No, wait.. She had been spending a lot of time with her dearest Steve, and he seemed to be a big fan of 'cable' or whatever it was called.

"You have been watching too many soap operas."

Sigyn stared at him for a moment, before recoiling and staring in another direction. So there it was, her mind had been brainwashed by the box filled with moving pictures. It had happened to Thor, too. So it didn't serve as a surprise. They weren't as adaptable as him.

"Is this what has been troubling you? You do not think you are worthy? Or jealous?"

She didn't answer, but the blush that rose to her face said it all.

"Jealousy." He answered for her, and Sigyn turned away. "What have you to be jealous of? Who have you to be jealous of?"

"No one."

Ah, that look. He'd seen it before. A long time ago now, but it was the same. She was insecure about his past lovers. The glint of shame in her eye, and the look of worry on her face said it all. She felt bad for allowing another woman to have her heart broken so she could get the life she wanted, and she was worried that another of his lovers - who in fairness, were all strong, seductive and powerful women would reclaim their place in his life, and Sigyn would be left confined to life a loyalty to a man who did not want her - and she would never be allowed to leave the marriage, or fall completely in love with another.

He stared at her expectantly again, but she did not say a thing. Even as the moments passed and she stared at him, taking a deep breath and then exhaling, causing the hair that framed her face to flutter slightly; she did not speak.

And then, as if by magic, her voice could be heard once more.

"Amora and Angrboda."

Her jealousy of Amora seemed to be never ending.

"Amora is nothing more than an ally, yes; we had our... dalliances, but nothing more. You think I would allow such a slippery woman to claim my heart?"

Sigyn stared meekly for a moment before shaking her head half-heartedly, like a child.

"And Angrboda... the less said the better."

At this her eyes brightened up, and she found the strength in her voice she had been searching for again. "But I wish to know."

"Wishes don't always come true." He muttered, and that was perhaps the truest thing he had said for their whole conversation. Wishes did not come true - hardly ever. It was lucky for Sigyn that her wishes always seemed to, but only once she had pulled herself out of a hole. But such was the way of life.

"Please, tell me about Angrboda."

"Have you ever met her?"

"Yes." She answered blankly. But now Loki was angered once more. The memories of her was fresh in his mind, it was almost horrifying. The gorgeous, evil, seductive witch. His heart went out to her, her touch had been like a drug and he wanted nothing more than to spend every waking hour in her bed, almost as much as he did with Sigyn - but would never admit.

"Then that is all you need to know."

"No."

"You do not know a thing about Angrboda and I, and so it shall stay." He said through gritted teeth, and Sigyn furrowed her brows. He knew she was going to keep pushing, it was what she did best; nag until he had to give in. But not this time.

"Angrboda and I... that is something special that I do not wish to speak about with you." He spat, and Sigyn's eyes darkened again as she scrambled from the bed in her long nightgown, she stormed towards the door to the bathroom and slammed it behind her.

She just didn't know when to stop.

Oop, I hope Sigyn's growing a bit of a backbone.. I really don't want her to become one of those 'I'm super strong, I'm an intellectual rival to Loki AND can do now wrong."

So I hope she's not turning into that.

Sorry I haven't updated as fast as usual, lots of real life things. But here it is!

I'll try to update tomorrow too, I'm due to take over baby sitting duties (I regret ever reaching the age where I can look after kids) next week, and I'm on holiday so I doubt I'll be able to update, sorryyyyyyy.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and Favorited and alerted this, alerted and favored me, it means a lot! Like I always say. It means a lot to know people are reading this alone, but those on top of it really make my day.

I-de-BadBad-Wolf: Aw thank you very much for your review! You're always so lovely! I hope he doesn't come across as devious and cruel as normal in this chapter. ;)

hallelujahsunrise: I'm really glad you like Sigyn! And I look forward to reading your Sigyn oneshot, there's not enough of her on FF in my opinion! Thank you very much for your review! It's lovely to read such nice feedback, and makes me want to write more~ So thank you!

WonderWomanFan: I feel bad for her too! I just want to give her a cuddle and a cup of tea, I feel like she needs one! Thank you very very much for you review!

HiddenMagic421: Tony and Bruce are adorable together full stop (I think my otp is leaking through, oops) And I can't have a fic about Asgardians without mentioning Jane Foster! ;) Thank you very much for your review!