In the morning, Loki wakes and wonders if he has once again fallen out of bed. It takes a moment for his brain to recall the previous night. He looks up. Jane's arm still hangs down over the side of the bed. He pries himself off the floor, stiff and chilled from the stone, and leans against the bed, wriggling his shoulder under her arm, holding her hand against his chest. He smiles to himself. It isn't exactly the life he wants, and he certainly can't fathom living without Sigyn, but he has a friend who doesn't seem to mind his unpredictable moods. It is something new and kind. He wonders when it will end. A habit, he admits, that he made from his own actions.

Jane stirs in her sleep, tugging her arm back, hugging around his neck, "My dear girl, don't strangle me."

"Mpf...strangling snuggles." She nuzzles his hair and he laughs, "Nice to hear that."

He twists to face her, "Oh?"

"You're the most relaxed I've ever seen you. And you have a pretty smile."

"Rub the sleep from your eyes, my lady. You are imagining things."

"No, not imagining. You're a good looking young man. Cute. And my friend. Darcy'd be proud I'm being so blunt."

"I think you will find I am a poor example of friendship."

"Nah. You're alright. And I always know right where to find you."

"Oh, you cut, dear. You cut." She shoves his shoulder and he catches her hand, lightly kissing her fingers, "But I will be a benevolent prince and forgive your slight."

"Is that a joke? Is the trickster going to live up to his name?"

"I have hardly yet to begin."

"Get too adventurous and Darcy'll barge in with a taser."

"Ah. The lightning device that threw Thor to the ground, correct?"

"Yep. Bzzzt. Boom."

He drops the back of his hand across his forehead, "Alas, Jane, you would not save me from such a fate?"

She giggles, "If she comes down here to zap you, you'd likely deserve it. Turned my breakfast to snakes or something."

"Oh, how mundane! I am far more fond of turning dishes into snakes. Food is far too easy."

"If my coffee mug escapes, then you would deserve a tasing."

"I have yet to be introduced to this luxury of coffee. Thor has spoken of it as though it is the nectar of gods."

"Pretty much."

"What is it like?"

Jane has to think a moment to try to describe coffee, "It's dark brown and tastes...brown. Earthy. A little smoky. And good brews are smooth and a creamy without the bitters of something burnt. I like heavy cream in mine. And just a little chocolate, if I can get it."

Loki's eyes are closed as she describes it and he hums in contentment, "That sounds utterly delightful. When does one traditionally drink it?"

"A lot of people start the day with it and don't drink it other than in the morning where I'm from. In other countries, it's an all day thing. So any time you damn well please."

He turns entirely around so he can lean on the edge of the bed, "Do you think you could procure me some?"

She laughs, "Sure, I can. When I go back to help Darcy get the rest of her stuff, I'll bring a few more pounds of coffee. I 'owe' Thor a lesson on how to make a good cup of coffee...supposedly some payment for him talking to Odin about Darcy."

"You owe him nothing. He owes you the world."

"Well then it's a good thing I don't want the world. And don't get any ideas in that fluffy head of yours. After he's married, Sif's next"

"Ah, yes. Bumped out of line by the queen."

"Don't look so glum."

"It's just another perk of being second born. Though given that I'm not an Odinson at all, I likely have no place there, either."

"You're still a prince, Loki."

He nods, "Thank you for the reassurances, dear girl."

There is a noise outside the cell and he turns to see Thor escorting someone to visit, "Here they are. Just as I suspected."

"Oh thank god, she wasn't kidnapped by space pirates."

Jane sits up slowly, "Good morning, Darcy."

"Hey." The barrier drops and Darcy bounds over to the bed, dropping onto the foot, "So. You didn't come back last night."

"I didn't think you were going to, either."

"Yeah, well, I didn't. Came back this morning. Couldn't find you. Asked Thor if space pirates were a thing."

Jane rolls her eyes, "Oh my god, Darcy."

"What? I've seen Treasure Planet."

"Disney. Fiction."

"And? If you haven't noticed, we're in a Norse fairy tale."

"True."

Darcy turns to Loki, "So. You're the crazy brother of Thor. Hi. I'm the crazy friend of Jane."

Loki bows his head in acknowledgement, "Good morning, Lady Darcy. I hear congratulations are in order- you have become one of us and wed Fandral."

"Yeah. And spent one hell of a night celebrating. Whoooeee!."

"Darce..."

"What? Fandral's got some moves. There's still stuff I need to teach him, but he's not bad by a long shot."

Loki nods, "Oh, I agree. He does still have some areas in which he is lacking. But he is an eager student. I assure you, he will learn quickly and well."

Darcy's eyes widen, "Wait, what?"

Jane raises an eyebrow, "OK, so you can't just tease like that."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find I can."

Thor, still waiting by the door, interjects, "Loki, do not be cruel to the ladies- tell them of your misadventures with Fandral."

"I hardly consider them misadventures. We were both quite happy with the outcome, even if we did not choose to continue it for very long. And why are you still here, Thor?"

"Whoa, wait. You and Fandral...got frisky?" Darcy asks before Thor can answer.

"Oh, more than frisky." The glint in his eyes has Jane wondering just what is truth and what is a story told for the best shock, "Let us just say that I taught him a few tricks of my own."

Darcy grins, "You're not going to tell me anything else, are you?"

"Mmmm, no, I will leave that to your imagination."

"I've got a pretty dirty one. Are you sure you want to do that?"

Loki bites his finger, mocking, "Oh, however will I endure the possibility that you will make our exploits under the sheets more explicit than they were...oh, wait, no, I don't think that's possible."

Jane can't stop giggling; Darcy turns to her, "Girl, what were you up to last night?"

"Loki's been the perfect gentleman. We just talked."

"Unlike with Fandral, apparently."

Loki, still smirking, adds, "Oh, no. I let him be the gentleman."

"Oh god, I don't want to picture this," Darcy says as Jane giggles.

"I am certain you do, actually."

Darcy shoves Jane, "Goddamnit, what have you been telling him."

"Only the truth."

"So...truth about last night?"

"Talking."

She turns to Loki, "Sister telling the truth?"

"Of course. Her honour is unquestionable."

"And yours?" Darcy asks.

He shakes his head, "Oh, far from it, but I have not lied to her. I do not intend to." He glances towards Thor, "Unlike him." He rises, straightens his shirt, and sits at his desk, distancing himself from the conversation.

Thor nods to Darcy, "I will be outside when you are ready to return."

Jane shakes her head, "It's OK, Thor. I'll take her back up. You go ahead and get back to your day."

Thor takes the strong hint, "Thank you, Jane. I appreciate it." He is gone quickly.

Darcy looks between Jane and Loki, "O...K... So I take it things are still pretty frosty between the boys."

"An understatement...," Loki quips.

Jane kicks off the blanket and walks over to the desk to hug Loki from behind, her lips resting beside his ear, her voice a whisper, "You OK?"

"Yes. Thank you."

She raises her voice so Darcy can also hear, "We'll talk later, Darce. After breakfast." She kisses Loki's cheek, "They're going to expect us for food. But thanks for being my host. I'm happy."

She steps back and he catches her hand, "And thank you, my friend, for the company. If I do not see you later today, I may not for a few days- I...there are things that happen around the anniversary of my fall from grace that are less than pleasant. I do not want you here for them." She looks puzzled, "Not now. If you return, I will tell, but if you do not have the opportunity, ask Thor." When she raises an eyebrow, he whispers, "Please," and she takes a deep breath, nodding. "Thank you."

She squeezes his hand and returns to Darcy, "Come on. Food's waiting. And I'd bet your sexy fun husband is up there as well."

"We almost had breakfast in bed but we realised we'd probably just forget about the breakfast part."

"Did not need to know that, Darce..."

Darcy grins, "Bye Loki! See you later!" She waves. He nods his acknowledgement and picks up a book.

After breakfast, Jane reminds Darcy of Thor's role in the situation in which she and Loki have found themselves. Darcy takes a minute to think over everything.

"They're never going to trust each other, are they?"

"No, they never will."

"And you're stuck in the middle."

"For now."

"For now?"

"Yeah. For now. Until I fall out of love with Thor."

"How likely is that to happen?"

Jane stares at her tea, "Well...given everything...who knows? Nothing's really certain anymore, is it?"

Darcy puts her arm around her friend's shoulders, "Nope, it isn't. But you're going to be OK. I know it."