Darcy's arms held on tightly around Loki's neck as she kissed his lips senselessly. She could feel his new found warmth radiating from his lips, his body, and his hands. Darcy was glad that Loki was here. He was with her and he was kissing her back with passion.

X

Loki felt the same sort of relief. At this moment, Darcy was in his arms once more. Her soft, damp skin felt absolutely magnificent underneath his fingertips. To just have her in his arms, their bodies connected...Loki had no idea that one woman could make him feel this way.

The small body began to shiver within his arms. Loki pulled back and looked down at Darcy as she looked back at him with her brilliant blue eyes. Her skin was pale from the cold and her usually flushed cheeks were devoid of colour.

"Your Jotun skin...it's gone," Darcy stated.

Loki's mind clicked. It was gone. It was gone. He hadn't had proper time to think about the return of his magic yet as the whole ordeal had happened so fast. Loki could finally be himself again, the person that he had known for basically his whole life. Yet...Loki was surprised to feel that he also felt as if he had lost a little part of himself.

Darcy's body started to shiver harder and Loki was brought to his senses. Here she was in soaking wet clothing, standing within the ocean breeze and Loki simply let her be. Loki grazed one arm around her back and started to lead her back up towards the palace. As Darcy's feet and Loki's shoes softly sunk into the fine sand, the hue of Darcy's clothing began to change colour. The water evaporated, leaving her in her dry clothing.

Through the corner of his eye, Loki could see fast movement. He turned his head quickly and saw Thor directing the guards to pick up the man's limp body. Loki would not be bothered by this man's fate at this moment. Not when he had Darcy to attend to. Thor and Loki shared a knowing look, and Loki stopped walking.

"Darcy, hold on to me," Loki asked. Darcy said nothing but moved both her hands around his torso and held on.

Loki took a breath in and focused on the palace healing room. Having the image clear in his mind, he let his magic take over and course through his body. They both started to sway, and Loki could feel Darcy press into his chest harder. The spinning motion was like a second nature to him and when their feet landed at their desired location, Loki couldn't help but smile.

"Mmm...still not my favourite method of transportation," Darcy rasped out slowly. She put a hand up to her forehead and tried to soothe the spinning sensation in her head. She brushed back the hair that fell across her forehead and opened her eyes. Darcy looked into Loki's eyes and felt herself start to smile as she remembered her first encounter with his 'transportation' magic.

Loki reached towards the door in front of him and pulled. "So sorry, my love. These dire circumstances seemed to call for haste."

The large door opened and they took a step into the healing room. The room was absolutely filled with the rapid movement of Asgardians. Ladies and men wearing tailored cream-white uniforms with silver cuffs and collars hustled about from person to person while the loud rumbling of voices filled the room. The usually quiet healing room was crowded with wounded, distraught people and for one moment, Loki was alarmed.

All this had happened in that short span of time?

One of the healers turned to look at the newcomers that walked through the door. As she looked at Darcy up and down, it was obvious what she was thinking. No blood, no broken bones, no loss of limb, she surveyed.

"I am sorry, we are unable to accommodate any new patients," she said to Darcy. The healer took a step as if to walk away but Loki stopped her with his sudden movement.

"Perhaps you will make an exception, Fóstra?" Loki requested, looking directly into the healer's eyes. "In all honesty, I am not adequately skilled in the art of healing."

She looked back at the man and immediately recognized Loki. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised that the outcast Asgardian Prince had made a direct request for her.

"Prince Loki," she said, nodding her head. "You are looking...w-well. Just this way, Lady Darcy."

She led them both to a small room filled with medical supplies. Loki saw Darcy peer closer, as if trying to figure out what certain instruments be used for. Loki motioned for Darcy to sit upon a table as the healer moved aside items to create space.

As the healer worked her way around Darcy, Loki took the chance to just take in Darcy as she was. Her beauty constantly entranced him, and the wit of her tongue kept his mind sharp. What was it that had released him from Odin's punishment? Darcy certainly must have had something to do with it.

He remembered that very moment that the barrier broke. Loki had been willing to cause pain upon his body and in all, sacrifice himself in order to see Darcy safe again. Even without his Asgardian magic within his Jotun body, Loki tried with all his might to save her against all odds. In the end, it was Loki's love for Darcy that made him realize that it was contentment deep down within your very soul, that mattered much more greatly than what was on the outside.

As the healer continued with her examination and questions, Loki noticed Darcy's eyes. A faint redness had washed over her eyes and tears slowly started to build. Darcy seemed to be holding back and Loki knew that out of pride, Darcy was trying to keep the tears from falling. The healer seemed to notice as well and quickly finished her examination.

"You seem to be doing well physically, Lady Darcy. Just be sure to keep warm and also rest for a couple of days," she reassured.

Darcy hopped off of the table and thanked the healer. Loki wrapped an arm around Darcy and thanked the healer as well as they headed back out into the palace halls.

"Darcy, please," Loki pleaded.

Darcy sat on the edge of the bed, on top of the covers, with her legs dangling off the side.

"Loki, I want to see Jane. I need to make sure she's alright," Darcy repeated.

Loki pulled the covers away from the bed until they stopped at Darcy's body. She looked at him with that determined look in her eyes and waited for his answer.

"Please, Loki, I won't be able to sleep without knowing," Darcy added. Loki held her hands in his and knelt down at the side of the bed.

"I assure you that Jane Foster is safe. I need you to rest now, darling. You just went through a terrible ordeal, one that would have been incredibly taxing on an Asgardian, let alone a human," he remarked. Loki could see Darcy's eyelids start to fall in fatigue, but she remained sitting on the bed.

Loki sighed. "I will inquire whether or not Miss Foster is feeling suited for a visit, Darcy. Will you at least keep under the covers to warm up? The wind and water do not do well together."

Darcy shifted herself onto the uncovered portion of the bed and lay her body down. Loki brought the covers on top of her and kissed her lips softly.

"Do you promise?" Darcy asked. She shifted over to the middle of the bed and brought the corner of the bedcovers back.

Loki slid under the covers and pulled Darcy's body to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her as Darcy let her head lean against his chest. Loki gently kissed the top of her head. He could smell the fading ocean salt in her hair, mixed in with Darcy's own familiar scent.

Loki pressed Darcy as close as he could against his own body, wanting to keep the warmth from escaping. He placed one pale hand onto the bare skin on her lower back and whispered to her,

"I promise."

A/N: Thanks for reading! Also, a big thank you to all the reviewers and followers, and to those that have reviewed throughout this story! I'm very grateful for your continued support so thank you so much :) As you may be able to feel, the story will be coming to a close in a couple of chapters so hang on tight to the very end! Have a Happy Holidays, cheers!

Fóstra= nurse