The ceremony itself was conducted outside, amongst the adoring masses of Loki's new people. He was supposed to come by boat and stride along the paths of Asgard like he once did as a child. But, thankfully, one of the servants noted Loki's lack of enthusiasm and instead directed him onto the podium where he would receive Thor.

Odin was already there. A makeshift throne having been assembled for his weary body to sit in whilst he waited for the spectacle to begin.

Loki avoided looking at him as much as he could. Even after everything he'd done he still had that childlike fear and wonder at being in the presence of Odin. The Allfather. The one who was supposed to guide the fates of mankind on Midgard and instead was sitting in a chair watching his son-

Loki suppressed a sigh when he spotted Thor. The cheering crowd grew louder as they did too. It wasn't like he was beings subtle. With his mighty hammer in hand Thor landed in the courtyard, Frigga appearing from somewhere to guide him down as the people continued to scream their adoration at their prince.

When they reached him, Frigga gave his shoulder one last squeeze as she asked him to "Look happy for me?"

Everything after that was a blur. He drank when bade, spoke when asked, but if he was asked to pin point a specific part of his marriage ceremony Loki couldn't. It looked like this too would just be another part of his marriage he wouldn't be able to recall.

When he eventually fought for clarity again they were in the feasting hall. Loki's cheeks hurt, the smile he must have painted on his face for most of the day now leaving a sore imprint behind. The food in front of him was untouched, Loki wondering why he had forsaken it in his daze when he picked up a grape and saw the answer for himself.

Nevermind that half of the people gathered had seen Loki eat and drink at one point or another. Nevermind that they had seen him grow up in front of their eyes. He was like a stranger in front of them now. Some new and exotic creature that drew the eyes of all as he popped a grape in his mouth.

Titters followed, like the Asgardians couldn't believe that Jotuns ate like them. It made him want to throw up.

His appetite lessened as the evening went on, the will to eat almost gone by the time the singers broke out into their ballads. A few of them Loki recognised, for what would be a celebration of Thor without the songs the wanderers had created rearing their head in this hall. Only a few Loki couldn't remember or hadn't heard, and didn't care to either as not once did he hear his own name mentioned. Nor would be ever he ventured. Even in Jotunheim Skrymir was probably removing every last inch of Loki from his kingdom. Loki's kingdom that he'd won in blood.

Thor gripped his wrist, a hissed, "If you could look less like you want to stab someone that would be very helpful." Only when he felt his hand let go did Loki realise the knife he'd been holding none too gently.

"I'm tired," Loki excused, thinking maybe he could make his escape early. "I don't think I'm quite yet healed."

Thor didn't have mercy on him, shoving some wine his way. "You'll feel better when the gifts are presented."

Something Thor couldn't have been more wrong about.

When the gifts did come, they were after another round of toasts that Loki didn't like the sound of. It sounded good, Odin congratulating all of Asgard for welcoming their new prince and peace with Jotunheim. But the wording, especially of the ones that followed from the council, sounded like they expected Thor to run Loki through before the month was up. That or they would do it themselves.

If this had been Jotunheim Loki could have just scared them into submission. Alas, once more, he was in Asgard, and these men didn't even think sorcery a feat to be reckoned with in a bar brawl never mind be afraid of.

Needless to say, Loki wasn't feeling good when the presents did rear their heads.

It started with the lowborns. Those of the common folk of Asgard that wished to bestow their congratulations on the wedding. Well, to Thor, Loki didn't really factor into their brief words when they reached the front of the line.

Most of it were needless trinkets. A new cloak so Thor wouldn't feel the cold defending Asgard from perilous monsters. A new head board for the marital chamber, one which, when mentioned, seemed to be inspired by the many mistresses the carver hoped Thor would take. Jewels, braces, vambraces, boots, Thor would need a new wing in the castle for all his presents.

Then came the nobles. Sif was first, not even looking at Loki as she handed over a knife 'in case the wedding night calls for it' were her exact words. The Warrior's Three followed, Volstagg giving over some clothes far too small for both Loki or Thor, the mere mention of children bringing an aghast hush across the hall. Fandral, thankfully, only had some good advice and wine that Loki promised to steal when they were alone before Hogun was before them. Whatever Loki had been expecting it hadn't been the tattered book Hogun handed over to Thor. The cover read something about an Edda , and since no further talk came the book landed in the pile along with the others.

The rest of the nobles came, their gifts far more lavish and far less appealing than the common folk until Loki was looking upon Freyja. "For you," she said, not to Thor, but to Loki, and in her arms was another book, one Loki remembered seeing in Vanaheim. "Thor told me it was you who discovered what happened to him. To Frey. I know there are many who condemn you for the uproar in Vanaheim but I don't. They were traitor's. Every last one of them."

"They were certainly troublesome," Loki hedged, knowing better than to speak his complicated reasons for involving Vanaheim in his scheme. "I will treasure this. Just like your brother in my heart."

She nodded, giving Thor a brief bow before flouncing off back to her table.

More people were after Freyja, Loki barely listening now he had something else to occupy himself with. Rude he heard some people whisper, but since they had nothing to say to him he didn't see why he should give them his attention. After all, he'd promised to play along, and even if he had been happy on this day Loki would have ignored them after he got a gift like Freyja's in his hands.

He did look up when Odin and Frigga approached. Balder had been before them, Loki wondering once more about the boy's significance in Asgard. The wonder quickly fading as Frigga started. "Your father and I have gifts for both of you. But I think it best that Loki receives the one from his brother first. This is for you as well as.." She handed over the scroll, while a few motions of her hand had the guards disappearing.

There wasn't much on the scroll, just Skrymir's scrawled, the other is in place . He mused on it until the commotion outside the hall drew his attention. The guards gave a few quick shouts before something was being dragged inside.

Distantly, Loki saw Thor lean forward in his seat, an eager fascination taking hold of him. Loki on the other hand, had never felt dread like he felt in that moment.

"No." His voice startled the wolf held between the guards, its eyes that haunted Loki's dreams meeting his own before Fenrir broke free and scampered over.

He was out of his chair before Fenrir even got close, the guards taking their sweet time trying to decide whether it was worth capturing something that even a Jotun was afraid of. He felt Thor tugging him close, stepping between Loki and Fenrir, but didn't really see much more as Skrymir's note started to make sense in his mind.

The other. Skrymir had said the other was in place. In the tales, Fenrir was in Asgard, bound in chains because of his size, while Jormungandr, he slithered beneath the surface of-

Of course. No wonder Skrymir took him to Midgard. When he went out, leaving Loki on his own on the pretence of business he was probably putting poor Jormungandr in his prison. Skrymir really hadn't left anything to chance.

A warm wet nose touched his before the guards managed to tug Fenrir off him. Loki felt his hand brush against the soft fur of his face just as he was taken out of reach. His son had grown in the months they had been apart. He was still a child, barely up to Loki's waist, but his girth was what had the people of Asgard fascinated. He was large despite his height. There was a sense of size in the meat of his paws and the shape of his head. Fenrir was still growing, and would continue to until he was the biggest wolf in the nine realms.

He was taken out with the promise of meat, Thor guiding Loki back into their chairs as the king and queen bestowed their own gifts onto them. Like before, Loki barely heard what they were, but this time it was Fenrir that kept him from seeing past his own two hands.

It was his fault Fenrir was here. Not just because Loki's seed had created him. It was Loki that thrust Fenrir into Alfheim. He had thought, at the time, Fenrir would be safe. But no. All he had done was deliver Fenrir into the hands of Skrymir. He had told Fenrir to stay away from everything, always with the thought that should someone know about him they would report him to Asgard. Never had Loki thought there would be an active search for Fenrir. If he had, he would have kept the pup with him in Jotunheim.

As for Jormungandr… he didn't know what he could have done for him. Looked for him maybe? Even gave him the same instructions to watch where he dwelled instead of leaving him to fend for himself.

He'd been stupid to let his fear rule him that day in the mountains. He should have taken his children when he first heard them and guarded them with his life. He should have done a lot of things he hadn't.

"Thank you father," Thor said, his hand back on Loki's and bringing back into the room.

"Yes, thank you," Loki remembered, waiting until Frigga and Odin had once more taken their seats before trying, "I'm really not feeling well Thor."

The hand on his tightened slightly, Thor's mouth pinching as he stood bringing Loki with him. "Fine," he said, announcing to the room, "I'm afraid we must retire. The excitement of the night has gotten to us both. But please, do not think that you too must leave. Eat, drink, celebrate our new union as you will."

There was a toast, a few whispers afterwards of staking out the marital chambers in the morning and then Loki was retreating up the familiar stairs to his new rooms. He snatched his hand away the first chance he got, falling onto the bed regardless of his clothes.

Thor mumbled something, but, honestly, Loki hadn't been lying when he said he hadn't been feeling well, and with Fenrir making an appearance he soon found himself falling asleep.

He woke late, almost evening the next day really, and to the room being cleaned around him. Loki had never been one for shyness, fright on the other hand, had him clutching his bedsheet around him. He dropped it as soon as he realised what he was doing. The servants continued on like they hadn't seen him, cleaning whatever specks of dirt they found in a room that had barely been used last night.

He watched them for a whlie, the notion of having servants, Asgardian servants even, not wholly repulsive. Yes, he'd had servants in Jotunheim. Well, he had people he could order around. But he didn't have anything like Thor had in Asgard. Loki had seen them, the people mulling around, running too and fro on the behest of their superior's. Mostly he'd just stayed out of their way, the servants, seeing as Loki wasn't noble nor one of their own, having no trouble telling him off should he find himself somewhere he wasn't supposed to. The pay, he heard, was good for a servant to the royal family. Loki should have sought out an occupation in there. It certainly would have been preferable to the torment he was tuck in now.

Eventually he got up, noting as he did, that someone had undressed him through the night. So long as Thor didn't make a point of telling him Loki was willing to forgive the intrusion. This once that was. The next time it happened he was taking fingers.

Not one of the servants gave him any instruction as he dressed. Nor did they direct him into someone who could when he asked. It seemed, from the pointed glances at anywhere but Loki, that they had either been instructed to leave him alone, or were too afraid of him to give him a straight answer. Either way, it meant Loki had nothing to do and more hours to spend reacquainting himself with the situation he'd found himself in.

He made a visit to his hut first, finding the thing torn down since last he'd been. He spared a moment there, lamenting all the hard work he'd put into making it before moving on to the town.

As predicted, the people just didn't know what to do with him. It wasn't much different from his last long stay in Asgard. Only, this time instead of being known as the troublesome light fingered annoyance with the Queen's ear, he was now the troublesome, light fingered Jotun warming their beloved prince's bed. The looks varied depending on who he went past. All of Sif's former friends, naturally, had nothing but scorn and disgust for him. Regardless of their families, no doubt, telling them to play nice in the hopes of some reward, the prospect of kissing up to Loki was just as repugnant as it had been when they were youths. Truthfully, the only woman his own age Loki didn't see outright scorn him was Sigyn, and she had been a surprise when she popped out of nowhere.

She was like a leech, latching onto his arm from the shadows and not letting go as he tried to steer them into an unsavoury part of town. She carried the conversation well, he had to say, everything from her worry at his disappearance to his return was covered until she was recounting his wedding in excruciating detail back to him.

"I guess I should have guessed there was something wrong with you," She finished, the two of them lingering over a stall she had taken a fancy to. "I mean, first you weren't interested in me. Then when you were we didn't even kiss. I should have known you were hiding something. But, you know, I wouldn't have minded. I think it's quite fascinating. You have both right? I bet your fingers are-"

"Sigyn," he cut in, saving both himself and the merchant paling behind his stall from any further torture. "As lovely as it is to see you I don't think my genitals should be discussed in the middle of town. Nor should you even be thinking about them. They're Thor's problem now."

She laughed, agreeing wholeheartedly as she steered them to another stall and started on something else. Namely Balder and her flame for him still running high despite him taking an interest in the bland Nanna.

They started back the way they came as Asgard started to run into fields and trees, Sigyn still chatting and the people still staring. Their looks were even harder now Sigyn was firmly attached to his arm. They seemed to be of the persuasion that either Loki was trying to seduce another respectable Asgardian or he'd forced poor Sigyn to be his companion. None of them even thought about Loki being the poor soul trapped in the Sigyn's company.

They reached the palace without anyone stopping them at least, Loki still keeping an eye out regardless as he stopped them before they started up the steps. "Okay Sigyn, why are you really hanging around me?"

Her affronted scowl came a bit too late for it to be believable, and quite frankly her, "Because we're friends," was just laughable.

"Since when?" he challenged. "While your company isn't completely abhorrent you and I have never even been lovers nevermind friends."

She kept the scowl for only a few moments longer before it fell, a more believable one taking its place. "Fine. I need a position in the royal household. And since I knew no one was going to be jumping at the chance and we do get along I thought it best to come to you."

"Sneaky," he appraised. "So for what purpose do you need this position then?" Since he was sure Thor would have mentioned some misfortune befalling Sigyn's family last time they were on amicable terms. "If I'm to consider your proposal I'll need to know your reasons," he prompted.

It quickly had her spilling. "I need access to the inner court life. For some reason Balder has been slowly being more and more integrated in Thor's circle, and if I have a hope of knocking Nanna out of his eyeline I need him to see me more regularly. Also…" she hesitated, "I need some extra money."

"Cards or dresses?"

"Both," She said. Sigyn, while dainty to look at, was one of the best cards players Loki had ever met. It was one of the things they had bonded over, their love of guessing people's motives. She was as good at cards as she was at dice, but, over the years she did make quite a name for herself and as a woman not known for her skills with a knife sometimes it was better to just give her winnings over than cause a fight. As for the dresses, well, it was pretty self explanatory. Especially since they were almost always for Balder's benefit.

"Fine," Loki agreed. "I'll see about you being my companion or something. But be warned, everything I tell you must stay confidential, you aren't to abuse the generosity I'm giving you, not there or in any other way. If I find you have just know I can plant some kind of misfortune upon you."

"Fair enough," She said, her smile not wavering once. It was one of the downfalls of talking with someone who had seen him go through his teenage years. No matter how much he threatened he would always be the boy that wore that stupid collar around his throat and allowed her to parade him everywhere like an overpriced pet.

They parted ways now Sigyn had got what she came for. Loki sent word with a messenger he wasn't completely sure would even deliver the message that he was employing Sigyn to the Queen. Then after that, well, he had nothing to do and no one to tell him what was expected so Loki was left to his own entertainments once more.

He considered going back to his chambers, only, the thought that the servants might still be working had him walking away rather than towards them. He eventually ended up in the kitchens noting that even here he was given special treatment, and not in a good way. Instead of being chased out as he expected, the cooks just looked at him. They didn't greet him, didn't ask if he wanted anything, just looked at him from their pots and their flames until Loki understood his presence there was not welcome.

Leaving would have been the wise thing to do. Unfortunately, while in the kitchens, Loki remembered that he wasn't in Jotunheim anymore, and that meant no more horrid giant wine.

He tried to be discreet in his search, using his magic to seek out that precious Vanir wine he knew had to be lying around somewhere, as the cooks continued to just look at him. Eventually he found a stash hiding beneath a rather plump boy who wasn't even trying to soften his glare like the others did. Loki didn't even sugarcoat his thieving, sending the cupboard door into the boy's dick and retreating with a laugh loud enough for all of them to hear, bottle held high.

If he was going to be the feared Jotun then he was going to bloody well enjoy it.

A good portion of the bottle had been drank by the time Loki stumbled upon Thor. Loki had decided a tactical retreat after his thieving was a wise decision, servants be damned, and had gotten to the staircase that led him up to his chambers when he saw him.

Well, them.

With two hands firmly planted to Thor's face Sif seemed to be trying to devour her poor victim. It was rather reminiscent of their young years, enough that Loki fought the urge to roll his eyes. He supposed he should have been offended, Thor was effectively dismissing their marital vows after only a day of being publicly tied, yet Loki knew from the moment he'd stumbled into this little get together that the kiss was very much one sided.

Thor was already pulling away, fighting Sif off as she tried to keep him where she wanted, and it ended with both her fists held down by her sides, Thor speaking too low to hear. No doubt it was about honour and all that and had Loki not been very much tired and annoyed by the short day he'd had he would have let the whole thing slide.

As it was, he slipped past them without making a sound, hurrying to his chambers the wine seeming to disappear once more as he shooed out the one remaining servant lighting the evening candles.

Setting his wine down he drew a bath, lighting the last of the candles with a wave of his hand and slipping into the water just as Thor stormed in. Loki heard the boots being tossed off, the cape slung to the side, and just as Thor stepped through to their bathing chambers he took a pointed swig of his wine.

"Have a nice day?" Loki drawled, not turning around.

He expected something along the lines of 'it's none of his business'. Yet Thor shocked him by mumbling, "It was okay."

Loki cleared his throat, getting comfortable once more, "Just okay?"

There was a sigh, Thor edging closer still, "Do you honestly care or are you going somewhere with this Loki? I've had a long day."

"Yes, I saw. You know, while this marriage wasn't exactly wanted on either side I would still like to be asked before you go finding yourself a lover." That came out a bit more petulant than he had anticipated. He thought about smoothing it over but, it turned out he actually was a bit annoyed by Sif's actions.

"I don't have a lover," Thor said.

"So it was just my imagination that conjured up you and Sif embracing in the hallway? Next time, keep your dalliances to closed rooms. We don't need the whole of Asgard turning on me even more." He took a swig of his wine, the fruity drink calming him once more so he could remember the point of this whole argument. Namely, his need to make himself feel better.

Loki thought he could hear Thor actually gulp as the man tried to gather his thoughts. Really, all Thor had to say was that Sif had forced him into it. That way Loki could have a bit fun wheedling some kind of gift out of his new husband before eventually forgiving him. Instead, Thor went along the route of, "It wasn't a dalliance. But even if it was I didn't think you would be this annoyed by it."

"I'm not." He was. A little. "I don't care where you stick your cock so long as you tell me before you do so, and you do it in a more private setting. If I'm going to be forced to be your husband then you may as well give me the respect I deserve."

"Respect?" Thor laughed. "You want to talk about respect? How about the respect I showed you in Jotunheim. I could have dragged you back to Asgard as soon as I found you but I didn't. I let you stay, and what did I get for it? Betrayal."

"Justified betrayal," Loki shot back, finally turning. It looked like they were going to have this conversation now and Loki would not keep his back to Thor should things grow worse from here. "You know as well as I do that the casket was the only way to save Jotunheim."

"If it was even in peril," Thor argued. "I wanted to believe that maybe you had no choice, that you were forced. I did Loki. But everyone I asked said Jotunheim should have been fine. This attack was unprovoked."

"You saw with your own eyes. You saw what was happening. Jotunheim was not fine. It was as far from fine as it could get. Someone was tampering with the land, filling it with dark magic. I had no choice but to get the casket."

"Of course you had a choice. You could have asked for help." Thor lowered his voice from the near shout it had been, "You know, if you had asked, I would have helped you."

"And what could you have done?" Loki challenged. "Asked your father for aid? Help me track down who was destroying Jotunheim? You can think I had a choice all you like but I didn't. I didn't know what was happening to the land until Skrymir took me. Not really. And as for your father, you have Heimdall don't you? The ever seeing watchman? He should have told Odin what was going on. He probably did. For months we were suffering, my brother almost lost a child, and your father didn't come to our aid. No one was. So I did what I thought was right and I took the casket back."

"You almost started a war. People died Loki," Thor's arguments were growing weaker even as he spoke, the fight just as tiresome for him as it was for Loki right now. "You used me," he spat out after a moment, the crux of his woes in regards to Loki's actions.

"I did." It was no point denying it. "But only at the end. We didn't even decide to attempt to steal the casket until your visit beforehand."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?" Thor huffed.

"No," Loki turned around once more, they were both done for the night, "It's late. I don't care what you believe about me. Just don't let me or anyone else catch you fucking in the hallways again."

"We weren't-" Thor huffed one more, the stomp, stomp of his feet carrying him out of the bathing chamber.

Loki downed the rest of his wine, luxuriating in the silence. He knew his little jibe was going to result in Thor lashing out at him, but he hadn't expected the topic to sway so much to things that, in all seriousness, Loki thought wouldn't be breached for a good week yet. He didn't quite know what to make of its sudden appearance.

It told a lot about the state of mind Thor was in, that was for sure. While the silent treatment had never been Thor's forte, he was sure that the man would be have been going out of his way to avoid Loki until he was ready to confront the hurts between them. This sudden topic showed that Thor was more hurt by Loki's actions than previously anticipated.

Loki knew why, objectively, Thor would be upset. Yes, Loki did use him, and while he did have reason the betrayal would still have stung. But Thor should have also thought about this in ways that Loki did, that Frigga did. She hadn't condemned him, at least not to his face, for his actions. She understood why he had acted the way he had, and while she didn't know the other details, like just how Loki trapped Thor, and Loki was hoping Thor hadn't told her, there was still enough wrongdoings on Loki's end that she should have found something to pick a fight with if that was what she wanted.

But, Loki supposed, Frigga had lived through a war herself. Thor was still young. The most he had done was gone on a few quests with his friends. Even then, were their adversaries that battle hardened? The frost giants they had cut down under Odin and Laufey's commands were most likely sickly, poor and wouldn't know how to wield a blade. They were desperate beings that were seeking aid because their king didn't give it. When Thor came calling, Loki doubted they put up that much of a fight. The other quests too. The troll they had been sent to deal with in Alfheim, the one that was, most likely, just as hungry and desperate as the frost giants if it had to resort to stealing from the nearest village. While the elves may have thought it a nuisance and the troll a monster they wouldn't have even spared a moment to wonder why the troll was acting the way it did in the first place.

Thor had grown up without knowing what it was like to be so desperate that any solution was better than none. He had grown up with parents that coddled him, a kingdom laid out before him like a banquet and people giving him respect because he'd been born lucky. He hadn't lived like Loki, like Frigga. He hadn't been starving as a child because there was nothing to eat. Or been forced to fight as soon as he could stand because the Asgardians were attacking once more into Vanaheim. He hadn't experienced anything close to hardship, so how could Loki expect him to see the other side?

The answer was he couldn't and he had known this a long time. That boy that had changed on Midgard hadn't fully grasped the severity of every action he made. He'd turned his back the first chance he got on diplomacy, or at least mercy and Loki knew that Skrymir was well aware of this fact too.

He could see the plan plain as day now. The binding while he was unconscious so he, like Fenrir, wouldn't have reason to leave. He was a prisoner here, and Skrymir probably hoped over time that Loki would grow to resent his capturers. That fate would intervene at one point and bring misery so great on Loki that he would set off Ragnarok itself.

He picked himself out of his bath before his thoughts took a darker turn. He had more important things to think about than his brother's stupid plans. Like why there was a cat on his pillow.

"What is that?"

The fluffy thing was still young, and when Loki tried moving it the cat sunk its teeth into his hand. Thor, from his side of the bed, didn't even look over at the hiss of pain. "My mother gave her to us as a wedding gift."

"Oh." He hadn't thought it would be the same here. On Midgard, he knew, that a cat was given to a newlywed couple to help them start their lives off together. The cat would catch the mice that would get into the sparse food available, and hopefully help bring prosperity to the couple in the long run. "I would have thought Freyja would gift us with her." Since usually it was Freyja's name invoked in the gifting ceremony.

"Mother persuaded her not to. Besides, she had something else to give you." There was a shuffle, Thor turning more firmly until he was almost on his stomach.

The message was clear, he didn't want to be spoken to.

Loki lay down as best he could, the cat still refusing to move. It got to the point where Loki changed himself into a cat to pick the damn thing up. But, apparently, now he'd shown he was secretly a cat the kitten decided he was some kind of parent and lay on him the rest of the night.

Needless to say, come morning, Loki had little scratches littering his chest and arms.

But that wasn't to say Loki hated the kitten. Once he got used to sharing his new chambers with her he kind of liked her, and Sigyn absolutely adored her. Most often than not when they were out and about, floating around Asgard, he'd see Sigyn carrying his cat. The poor thing loved it, and while Loki had to suppress the flashbacks of being in that exact position, he had to say it was nice not being constantly talked to if Sigyn had a little companion.

As for Sigyn's presence herself. Well, Loki was kind of glad he'd taken her up on her proposition. With no one still, save Frigga, talking to him, it was nice to have someone to complain to. It was also nice helping her catch Balder's eye.

Wooing had never been Loki's strong point, but Sigyn had said she didn't need Loki to woo for her, just get her to the right places at the right times. It was challenging, and entertaining, a true game of wits he'd sorely needed to alleviate his dark thoughts.

Often times, when he felt the weight of Skrymir's schemes weigh heavy on him, he would seek Balder out in the palace and play some harmless prank on him. A prank which, almost always, had Sigyn waiting like some heroic rescuer at the end of them.

"What about this one?" Sigyn modelled, turning to and fro in the silk she'd pulled from the stall. "I can have red embroidered on it. I'm sure Nanna would balk at the idea that I'm in Thor's favour too." For with Thor's favour she could be impressed more firmly onto Balder as a better marriage proposition.

Yet, "Hate it." The silver didn't really go with her hair. "In all honesty you should go for softer colours. Balder likes his girls bland and tasteless. Ergo, the best way to catch his eye is to look bland and tasteless yourself."

Sigyn pouted, mostly because she preferred her bright colours. But Loki had been paying special attention to Nanna lately when Balder started using her as some kind of shield against Loki's schemes. It was laughable to think Nanna would stop Loki. In fact, all Balder had done was put the girl in Loki's eyeline.

He appraised the stall, ignoring the vendor shuffling uncomfortably on the other end. He found the colour he was looking for hidden under a rather colourful gold. "This one," he handed over. The blue was as bland as it came, pale and so plain it was painful to look at. But Loki had seen Nanna wear something of a similar colour just yesterday. "It's his favourite colour," he remembered when Sigyn was just as upset at the colour.

"Fine," she huffed, paying the vendor and dragging Loki to the seamsters. "I was thinking, once my new dress is done, perhaps we could work on getting him to stay in my presence for longer than a few seconds."

While Sigyn had come to Balder's rescue, the boy hadn't done much more than thank her before journeying on his merry way. It wasn't exactly conductive for Sigyn since she kind of needed him to have a conversation with her if he was to realise she was the right girl for him.

He knew, perhaps, he should consider this from a different point of view. Maybe that Balder just wasn't interested in Sigyn, and no matter how much she tried it wasn't going to make a difference. But, then there were two things that helped Loki stay on track and ignore that thought. One, he didn't care, and two, Loki had spotted Balder with Sif and the Warrior's Three the other day. He wasn't a master of reading lips but from the way they fell silent and watched him like a hawk until he left just told him they'd been saying something that shouldn't reach his ears. Ergo, he was thrusting Sigyn into his path as many times as it took until either Balder came looking for a fight or Loki calmed down enough to grow bored.

Neither of which had happened yet.

He dutifully guided the seamstresses to what best style dress would fit their needs, then wandered off to look at the capes while Sigyn got her fitting. The seamstresses, at least, weren't as bad to him as the majority of Asgard. It probably had something to do with how much he was in there since Sigyn had needed at least four new dresses since becoming his 'companion'. They weren't nice, but they did offer to sew up his tunic when he ripped it strolling through the gardens.

The rest of the day they spent it in Loki's weekly routine. They visited the lower town, where, regardless of his Jotun heritage, he spent hours talking and listening to the people there. Most of the dock workers had softened to him, one even asking if he wanted to try his hand at fishing since that was all Jotun supposedly ate. A kind gesture, if a bit misplaced, and one Loki may have taken up had the worker not been part of a crew who seven out of eight hated him.

Really, he found the only people who didn't seem that intolerant of him were the children. They seemed to creep around him when he was visiting the lower town. One moment he and Sigyn were staring out into the wide sea and the next they both had a kid in their laps asking Loki a hundred questions about Jotuns.

"Is it true that they drink blood?" One girl asked today.

"Well," Loki considered, noting the girl didn't even try and shift away as he didn't outright deny it. "Normal Jotnar don't. But the royal family? They sometimes drink the blood of those that have wronged them. Why my brother Byleistr drained his poor mate dry when he found him with another giant."

Sigyn snorted beside him. By far the blood drinking was the most popular question he'd been asked, and after the first time Loki took in detail to tell Sigyn and the children that Jotnar did not in fact drink blood she hadn't asked him herself privately.

Another little girl pulled his hair, using it as leverage to shift herself into his lap, "What about teeth? Do you have teeth? Normal ones like me? Or are they sharp?"

He hummed, flashing his own for the children to get a good look at them. "See these? The Jotnar take them from beasts. But me? Well, the beasts in Jotunheim are too big for me, so I went to Midgard instead. In exchange for small deeds they gave me their children's teeth."

The kids all clutched their gums, "You take teeth?" the same girl asked. "Why?"

"So I can eat. Children's teeth are strong you see. Much stronger than adults. You ever wonder why adults don't bite things as hard as children. Or why they don't chew on things like we do? It's because they're frail. But children's teeth. The ones I collect anyway," he reached for a coin in his purse, biting straight through it and spitting the gold out for the kids to see.

Some of them screamed and ran off like he knew they would. The others just looked at him on awe and asked if they could have a go. It took a while to convince them not to bite everything in sight, and after he answered a few more questions they too tottered off back to their parents.

"You're good with them," Sigyn said.

"Is that surprise I hear?" He wasn't actually a monster, no matter what people said. Besides, he liked kids. He had kids. Ones he just, didn't know what to do with.

"Of course not," Sigyn said. "If anything I'm surprised you haven't got one along the way. Thor's fertility is highly renowned."

Yes, Loki knew. No sooner had the first week passed did women start appearing at the palace with babies and children they offered up as heir. Apparently the thought of a half Jotun on the throne was just as abhorrent as the idea of Loki marrying Thor. Then again, maybe it was just him and his children they didn't want on. They had no problem with Odin after all.

"Again Sigyn, my bed is not up for discussion. But if it were you should know Thor isn't exactly as opposed to playing the mare as he would have people believe."

She laughed once more, hauling him up when it started to get truly dark, the two of them starting back towards the palace. Sigyn, the whole way, regardless of Loki warning her, tried to wheedle out more information about his bedroom habits. According to her it wasn't fair that Loki was privy to all of her own comings and goings and receiving nothing in return.

To that, Loki laughed, "It's not like you have many men of your own to tell about." He thought only after he said it that his words might be taken the wrong way.

But Sigyn either didn't notice the offence he might have caused or just ignored it as she said, "It's not my fault that Balder likes them innocent. Trust me Loki, had I not had my eyes set I would be telling you many more tales than you've already heard."

"I suppose I should be thankful then."

"Yes, you should."

They parted ways, Sigyn making him swear not to sleep in tomorrow as he promised they would start on their new wooing plan. He was sad to see her go, retreating back into the palace and to his chambers alone.