AN: Hope it's all good stuff below. (P.S thank you for the reviews, I do love to hear what you think and sorry I'm not replying to them- I won't unless there's a question, but they are still much appreciated! .)

Just to cover something which I think has popped up more than once, this fic isn't very likely to have Mpreg in, I'm sorry if this disappoints anyone and perhaps there could be…but right now I have a plot in my mind without it. Also, I don't want give any spoilers (so turn away now if you don't want even a hint) but Thor has to have an heir…so yeah but I promise this will have a happy, resolved (ish) ending but it's a long road yet. So…if anyone is concerned about this let me know :) Always happy to hear opinions. x

Chapter 14

Loki left the hall slightly breathless, with flushed cheeks and clenched fists. He felt almost sick and his body shuddered when he remembered Fandral's words; the thought of it…he shuddered again and quickened his pace back to his room.

He turned another corner and sharply and immediately walked into another, "S-sorry," he mumbled collecting himself; then his eyes widened when he saw Odin in front of him.

"Loki," the King greeted shortly straightening out his clothes. "You were attending the celebrations," he commented a hint of surprise in his tone.

"Yes," he said, "You're back from Jotunheim."

"That I am," Odin replied.

"What was agreed?" He asked, a little nervous for the answer.

"We are ruling it for now, Laufey has been imprisioned for war crimes," he answered monotonously. "I need you to come talk with me tomorrow, just before noon."

"I'll be there," Loki nodded, "What of the casket of winters?"

"We'll talk tomorrow," Odin repeated ignoring the question before he turned back down the corridor to the celebrations.

Loki half grumbled at the lack of an answer and continued down the corridor towards his room. He paused outside of his room when he heard rushed footsteps behind him, he cursed in hope that it wasn't Fandral before turning round.

It was Thor, to his relief, and he couldn't fight the smile which formed.

"Loki," Thor sighed as he walked up to him. "I'm so sorry about Fandral."

"I'm sorry about throwing him onto a table," Loki replied.

"No you're not," Thor smiled and Loki chuckled.

"I'm going to fetch your sceptre and my hammer tomorrow," Thor said. "So I won't see you till late afternoon most likely, you'll be alri-"

"I can look after myself for an afternoon Thor," Loki assured him leaning against the wall of the corridor. "Your Father wants to see me tomorrow."

"About what?" Thor frowned.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Loki said. "Unless it's about Fandral but he can't have known about it; at least not yet."

"How you reacted was perfectly reasonable," Thor assured him. "Fandral's not usually so…forward; it's just drink affects him in an undesirable way."

"I'll trust that you're telling the truth," Loki nodded.

"Trust?" Thor echoed with a hopeful smile.

"Just a turn of phrase," Loki sighed making the smile disappear. "Good night Thor," he said reaching for his door handle.

"Loki wait."

The Jotun paused and turned to meet the other's gaze, "What?" He asked softly.

"Nothing…" Thor sighed. He placed a hand on Loki's shoulder briefly and squeezed it gently, "Just sleep well." Then he turned around and headed off down the corridor to his own room.

Thor didn't sleep well, in fact, he barely slept; tossing and turning with a frown glued to his features that was conjured up his thoughts. Something Fandral had said was haunting him, echoing in his mind.

"It's alright for me but for you, it's not because you have to produce an heir and I don't."

His mind wouldn't stop churning that statement over and over, digesting it even though he knew it was true; it had always been true but now he'd met Loki he didn't want it to be. He grumbled and buried his face into his pillow as he tried to face the fact, the fact that this time he really had no choice; Asgard had to come first. His gut wrenched at the thought.

"It is good to have you back safe dear," Frigga smiled contentedly as she linked her arm through her husband's on the way back to their room.

"It's a comfort to know Asgard is once again safe from Jotunheim," he said a little wearily.

"Speaking of such, it was admittedly a surprise to find Thor bringing Loki home," she said.

"Ah yes, his Father banished him," Odin sighed. "I thought it only right I allowed Thor to bring him here."

"That was very kind of Thor…"

Odin made a noise of agreement, "But I'm having doubts now; letting a Jotun into our home so easily. I know that he saved Thor's life but…I find I cannot trust him."

"What are you going to do then?" His wife asked.

"I'm meeting with him tomorrow," Odin said gravely. "And to ensure everyones' safety; I shall block his magic."

"Whatever you thinks' best dear...personally I think he appeared to be a charming young man."

"That's partly the problem; I think Thor is quite…taken with him."

"What do you mean by that?" She asked squeezing his arm lightly.

Odin's brows furrowed ever so slightly, "I don't know."

AN: Sorry it's short but the next one will be longer (I hope…).