Morning came too soon. That, personally, seemed unfair to me. I barely got any sleep after what happened. By the time I made it to my guest bed, my head kept replaying the moment over and over again.

We nearly kissed

Loki almost kissed me

And fucking Freyja walked in and Loki ran off

Like fuck dammit Freyja

For a goddess of love, you do way too much cockblocking

The morning next, I stayed in bed for a long time just getting over that. I wanted to get out of bed to work but I couldn't manage it. If my sister was around, she would be making fun of me. She would've kept me up late mocking me. If I got out of bed, she would mock me as we dressed and ate breakfast.

My sister wasn't around to make fun of me. What's the point of doing anything? Nobody in my life wanted to hear about it. Freyja wouldn't take much of it either. She could mock me but it wasn't the same.

Eventually I did climb out of bed. I dressed in a long dark blue dress. Even as I dressed, there was a lighter blue that would've looked perfect on Darcy. It broke my heart all over again.

Still. Things needed to be done. I put down my grief, telling myself to open it up later. There wows work to do. Nothing would piss off Darcy more than me ignoring Loki in favor of her.

The three of us met for breakfast in Loki's chambers. Maybe I was blushing as I walked inside. That's my problem to deal with, leave me alone. Loki himself seemed to be fighting a blush. Or at least he made heavy eye contact with me before remembering Freyja stood there.

As we ate, Loki told Freyja what happened down on Earth with Thor.

"He tried to get the hammer? Seriously?" Freyja snorted as she picked apart fruit to eat. "He's lucky those agents hadn't killed him."

Hawkeye would never

I mean, okay he might but that's a 'what if' I never need to worry about.

I picked at my own food. Asgardians didn't exactly have cereal for breakfast. Even the smaller meals looked out as big feasts. As this was for a King, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Still. The whole roasted chicken seemed a bit much.

Loki hummed. "Thor has the innate ability to get out of trouble."

"It's the puppy dog eyes of his." I guessed. "They're deadly weapons."

Freyja snorted. "Ah yes. Murderous baby blues. Always such a threat, those things."

"You would know." I picked a grape, throwing it at her head.

Freyja caught the grape, squashing it between her fingers. She shook it off onto her plate without missing a beat. "My eyes are green, Morgan."

"What? No they're blue."

"I'm very certain I know my own eye color."

"You're a blonde haired blue eyed lady-" I grabbed another grape, throwing it at her.

Freyja smacked it away. "Oh don't you dare." She grabbed a grape of her own, throwing it at me.

I got it between my teeth. To Freyja's annoyance, I bit into it. "What, mad I'm right?" Grabbing two grapes, I threw them.

Freyja threw two. "You're so childish!"

"Me?!" That time I grabbed a larger fruit, something like an apple but not quite. I launched it at her. Freyja swatted it. "Take that back!"

"No!" Freyja grabbed bread, throwing it.

I threw another apple-fruit-thing.

Suddenly the two foods stopped. They were caught in green/gold magic. Freyja and I looked at Loki. When Loki saw he had our attention, the food fell down to the table. He arched an eyebrow at the two of us.

"Might we go over our talks for Jotunheim again?" Loki asked. "Or would like to continue the petty argument?"

"...I wanna talk about Jotunheim." I replied.

"...spoilsport." Freyja complained. She picked up the bread, picking at it to tuck bits in her mouth. "You would think the god of mischief would like a little chaos."

"Not during my meals." Loki replied. "Queen Morgan, have you reconsidered my proposal?"

"We're not letting Laufey into Asgard just for you to kill him. Or his guards." I reminded him.

"It would be a successful plan. You know it." Loki told me.

"No. It would fail to get anything done." I argued.

"We cannot be sure the Jötunns won't retaliate for murdering their king." Freyja pointed out. "Planets tend to take it personally when you kill their leader."

"They would be cowed, as all are under Asgard." Loki countered.

"...well that just paints the prettiest picture. What next, you drag Jötunns here to work as slaves?" I asked.

"I'm surprised they haven't already." Freyja noted. She sipped at her water.

"They wouldn't fit in the halls." I reasoned. Freyja nodded. "Then again, Odin could just...enchant them small."

"They would need places to sleep." Freyja noted.

"Generally, slaves were given cabins behind manors or even just bad tents. Asgard could reasonably set them up behind the castle."

"Do they have the space?" Freyja asked, conversationally.

"Odin could demand it so." I replied easily. "Or force the Jötunns to fit even if they can't. We're also assuming that Odin would give them living quarters in the first place."

"True." Freyja hummed. "Given what we were told about Jötunn culture, Asgard may just give them ugly tents."

"Or no tent, just let them sleep outside." I countered.

"Yes but I am basing this on the idea that Asgard would like something physical to burn should the Jötunns misbehave." Freyja pointed out.

"Ah! They would do that." I picked up a grape, tossing it in my mouth. "Then comes the matter of food-"

Loki looked between us. His eyebrows scrunched up, curious. "Is this our new plan now?"

Oh damn- he would think we're being serious. "No. Slavery is bad." I stated. Freyja snorted. "It is!"

"You answered just so stoically-" Freyja snickered again at my expense.

"Slavery bad!" I scolded her. Freyja nodded, smiling too wide to be serious. "Genocide is also bad. So we're doing neither. We're going to have a peaceful discussion about peace."

Freyja shook her head. "I hate to say this, but will the Jötunns meet us in good faith? After how we left their kingdom, they must be furious. They could just kill us where we stand."

"And invite more war on their doorstep?" I asked. "More bloodshed to their dwindling population?"

"There is the other option." Loki offered.

"Genocide bad." I reminded him. "But go on."

Loki straightened up. "I reveal myself as Laufeyson."

Freyja and I stared at him.

"And if they don't kill you on the spot for taking that form?" Freyja asked.

"Then we barter for peace." Loki replied.

I sat up. "You'll be okay with telling everyone, even though we aren't killing them?"

Loki took a breath before nodding.

"Okay." I stood up from my seat. "If you're sure."

"I'm not." Loki admitted. "But we need to try something."

I nodded. "Okay."

We can do it his way, if it really makes him happy

If he gets uncomfortable then we leave and try another plan

==L==

The Bifrost brought the trio to that same spot as before. The cold hit him first- wind blowing on his face and snow hitting his eye. Loki recalled the last time he stood on this snow, back when he truly thought the worst thing that could happen was them all dying.

'Funny how priorities change.' Loki mused. He grimaced at the snowy terrain. The snow capped mountains, housing and hiding countless Frost Giants from Heimdall's eye. Loki looked at the cliffs ahead of them, remembering the magic that Queen Morgan cast just before.

Thinking about her reminded him to turn back. He turned to his traveling companions. Freyja scowled at the land much as Loki did. She tried to school her features- no doubt out of some false pretense of sparing his feelings. Her disgust remained clear. She may be Vanir, but Frost Giants were enemies of her people as well. Loki coming from them changed little of her true feelings.

The third of their party had a completely different reaction. Or rather, it was the same as her reaction last time. Queen Morgan- dressed in Sif's armor again- marvelled at the frozen wasteland. She stared at Jotunheim like anyone would gawk at the golden palace of Asgard. This being the same expression she had on the other day. Loki didn't believe anyone could see beauty in this place.

Freyja knocked Morgan's arm. The Queen cleared her throat, schooling her expression. She pulled up her hood, blocking the snow from her hair.

Loki thought it looked...nice.

The three began the trek back. This time without Thor, the Warriors Three, and Sif. Loki doubted the followers of Thor would add anything of value regardless. They had also left behind their weapons. Loki still had his knives and his magic, as Queen Morgan had her's. Freyja was most upset that Morgan didn't even bring 'that dumb stick'.

Morgan kicked up snow. Loki glared over his shoulder. That scowl shook at seeing her giddy smile.

"If you start singing-" Freyja warned.

"I really can't stay-"

"For gods sake!" Freyja hissed.

"-baby it's cold outside!" Morgan sang in a deeper voice, switching between the two as she sang each verse. "I've got to go away, baby it's cold outside-"

Loki cared little for this song. He focused on moving forward towards the King's throne. The King. His father. The father that bore him, that first cast him out, the first that he betrayed. Loki walked on Laufey's snow to bargain for peace for Laufey's people. Loki's people? Loki could not be sure.

Snow crunched under his boots. The stomps were in rhythm to Morgan's song. Not that he listened or cared. Why should he care about a song of a woman clearly trying to escape a man? Or of Morgan's voice around the notes, or of how her eyes glowed as she sang?

"I wish I knew how- your eyes are like starlight now- to break this spell- I'll take your hat your hair looks swell-"

Loki remembered his escape the night before. He quickly threw that line of thinking away. Freyja's return to her chambers gave Loki the reminder he needed. No matter Queen Morgan's words, Loki knew that he could never fully have her heart. He was a Frost Giant. Who could love a beast so terrible as that?

"There's bound to be talk tomorrow, think of my lifelong sorrow, at least there will be plenty implied, what's the sense of hurting my pride?"

The touch of a Frost Giant nearly cost Volstagg his arm. Morgan already suffered his touch when he held the Casket. Morgan spoke so kindly, so sincere and true, but how can Loki be sure? Nobody ever chose him that way before.

As they approached the clearing, Loki goldenrod himself. He would need to be on his highest level for this.

More cold air blew on his face. Loki could feel his tainted blood now, beneath the illusion. It sickened him that it came so easy. He hated how Morgan and Freyja would react.

Frost Giants slipped out from the shadows. Loki spotted them more easily now. Was that because of his true nature, or because the blue monsters saw no reason to hide?

The King himself stood out. His place on the throne, glaring with bright red eyes at Loki and his companions. Loki couldn't see any resemblance between them. Laufey's nose was too sharp, Loki's cheeks were rounder. Maybe in his birth skin, Loki would resemble his father. He was in no rush to see.

"Kill them." Laufey ordered.

Loki tilted his head, grinning at the King. "After all we've done for you?" Loki countered.

The Frost Giant King narrowed his eyes on the (false) Asgardian King. "So you're the one who showed us the way into Asgard."

"That was just a bit of fun really. To ruin my brother's big day. And to protect the realm from his idiotic rule for a while longer." Loki explained. As he spoke, he could recall each step Thor took towards his downfall. Each step that revealed to Loki his origins. "We also ensured your people a safe return once they had done their part."

Two Warriors straightened. Loki did not spare them a glance. They looked to their king, nodding their heads.

"I will hear you." Laufey decided.

Loki heard the underlying threat. If what he said displeased Laufey, all three would be cut down. "We have banished the one responsible." Loki told Laufey. "He will never again set foot on Asgard."

Laufey considered this news, quickly sneering at Loki. "You would coddle him still? My people are owed blood."

"We can only offer his banishment. Along with the Casket." Loki explained. "So you can return Jotunheim to it's former...glory."

Laufey stood up from his throne, shock on his face. The Frost Giants around also reeled back in surprise, red eyes wide.

"You cannot afford more bloodshed." Loki reminded the King. Laufey schooled his expression to be more cautious. "Your people would not survive a second war. With how many Thor fell during his last bout, you can't-"

"Not as much as you seem to think, young one." Laufey countered. "You saw our lands as you arrived, yes? They were ravaged during your last bout here."

"They did not look ravaged." Loki noted.

"That is because of her." Laufey narrowed his red eyes on Morgan.

Loki tensed. He remembered the magic Morgan cast as they retreated. A shield, warm and protected against attack. Loki hadn't looked back as he retreated, focused instead on getting the Warriors to the Bifrost point. Had it truly treated the damage done to the lands behind them?

He glanced over to the Queen. She smiled at Laufey, seemingly unshaken. Maybe she'd known what her magic would do, all of it a part of her plan to bring peace between Asgard and Jotunheim.

"What has she done?" Loki asked. He feared she escaped to Jotunheim on her own, did something to restore the land without his or Freyja's knowledge.

"Her magic." Laufey stated. It confirmed Loki's reasoning. "It restored the lands beneath your feet. Wherever Odinson and his brood trampled, you repaired."

Morgan hummed. Under her breath, below the wind, Loki heard her whisker "oh that's interesting..."

"If she promises to do it again, to restore our lands along with giving back the Casket, we will accept peace." Laufey replied.

Loki fought to keep shock from his face. He heard Freyja shift closer to Morgan. "The Casket would heal your lands-"

"Over time." Laufey cut Loki off. "Time my people do not have. The witch's magic would strengthen us to keep from overwhelming the Cube. With it gone so long, it would take that much more power. I will not let Asgard trick us into weakening our greatest resource."

Loki considered this. He would need to hear from Morgan if this was what she wanted. Instantly he wanted to refuse the King. Morgan had fainted the last time from magical exhaustion. As the Cube was limited in it's power, so was she. Loki would not lose her to Frost Giants.

Look what your 'peace' brings you, Morgan

Will you still pursue this?

"Well met, King Laufey." Loki nodded his head at his much despised father. "We will return with our decision and the Casket."

"I accept." Laufey replied.

Loki turned, walking back. Freyja and Morgan followed in his steps without saying a word. Or singing. Loki might have appreciated that. If Morgan sang, it would mean she wasn't actually silently considering accepting that foolish bargain.

==L==

They returned to the Observatory of the Bifrost. Heimdall had his golden orange eyes on the trio.

Loki needed no powers to read Heimdall's feelings. "What troubles you, Gatekeeper?" Loki asked.

"I turned my gaze upon you in Jotunheim, but could neither see you or hear you." Heimdall replied. Loki wanted to grin if his mind was not so troubled. The spell to block Heimdall's sight still worked. "You were shrouded from me, like the Frost Giants that had entered this Realm."

Loki and Freyja tensed.

Morgan snorted. "Maybe your attention were elsewhere once again, Gatekeeper. Was Thor doing well?"

"Or perhaps someone has found a way to hide, that which he does not wish me to see." Heimdall accused. He narrowed his eyes on Loki.

"You have great power, Heimdall. Did Odin ever fear you?" Loki asked.

"No." Heimdall replied.

"And why is that?" Loki asked.

Heimdall's jaw tightened. "Because he is my King. And I'm sworn to obey him."

"He was your King." Loki corrected. "And you are sworn to obey me now. Yes?"

His grip on the Bifrost sword tightened. Heimdall took a minute to respond. "Yes."

"Then you'll open the Bifrost to no one." Loki ordered. "Until I have repaired the damage that my brother has done."

Heimdall took his post. He stared out from the gateway.

Loki reached for Morgan. He stopped before his hand could touch her's. His body still felt the chill of Jotunheim. He could not risk injuring her here.

Freyja had no such qualms. She took Morgan's arm, dragging the Queen behind her. Morgan kept in pace with the Vanir lady. Loki joined them. Loki and Freyja had a lot of work ahead of them to convince Morgan to decline.

==L==

Oh yeah I am totally gonna do it.

Neither of them have a chance of stopping me.

Loki brought us to his chambers again. In a flash of green/gold magic, our words were muffled to Heimdall's sight. I settled in the same chair I used for breakfast.

"So-" I began.

"No." Freyja stated. She walked in front of me. She glared down at me with her definitely blue eyes, dammit. Okay maybe they had a touch of green but they were mostly blue.

"You don't even know what I'm gonna to say." I replied.

"You were going to go along with it." Freyja scolded. "And either put yourself into magical exhaustion again, or straight out kill yourself."

"Laufey himself said I would do a better job-" I pointed out.

"Killing yourself? Exactly!" Freyja argued.

"Hey he was right." I sat up, trying to make eye contact with her as I spoke. "That magic, it healed up their land!" At first, I didn't notice anything wrong with the place. It looked just as beautiful as the last time. It occurred to me as I sang that it was just as because it showed no damage. I had no idea how that could be possible until Laufey made his demand. "If I have the chance to help them-"

"Not every fight needs you in it!" Freyja snapped.

"Then why did you bring me in?!" I yelled, rising up out of my chair and into her face. "You know what i'm like!"

Freyja stepped forward, her shoes giving her added height to glare in my eyes. "I didn't think Thor would start an all out war! You were supposed to stop him before he got that far!"

"I TRIED! You flogged the slow ass mother fucking guard yourself!"

"I won't let you kill yourself helping them!"

"Then what do you suggest we do? You can't do it, and neither can he!" I snapped at him.

"Neither can you!" Freyja yelled.

"You wouldn't have a chance and neither do I!" River Song yelled at the Doctor and I.

I hate arguing with a time traveller. You end up having the same argument over and over again. Especially with Freyja- River- whichever that she was here. She seemed plenty angry at me either way.

The argument stayed in my head. I gave it a hard shake. The last thing I needed was to be emotional. If Freyja/River Song asked me why, I wouldn't be able to answer. That day was still far in her future. She couldn't know what happened. It would crush her. No matter how mad I am with her, I'll never tell her I watched her die.

As with this morning, green/gold magic flashed. Freyja and I were pushed apart. I took a breath, collecting myself. Loki stepped between us, holding up his hands. No doubt he kept them there in case he needed that spell again.

"Like it or not, Freyja, she is right." Loki told his friend. If I blushed hearing him say that, I will never tell. "She is the only one who can use that magic."

"See-" I boasted.

"But that doesn't mean you need to overexert yourself." Loki replied. I gawked. My blush (that definitely wasn't even) vanished. "You barely managed a mile of their lands. If you died fixing their entire planet-"

I sighed, sitting back down in a chair. "I would barely save anything." Loki nodded.

"That's what I bloody said-" Freyja argued.

"Enough." Loki scolded. Freyja backed down, huffing in annoyance. "She has conceded your point."

"But what if I can do it better?" I asked.

Loki shook his head. "You could still-"

"No I mean- what if I knew a way to do it without dying? Of doing it faster and making it spread farther than I can reach? Manage the power properly?" I asked.

"Heal the whole planet at once? It's impossible." Freyja replied.

"I could do it. I know a way." They looked at me, intrigued and with a healthy amount of concern.

==L==

AN: So...yes I finished this fast. I am trying to catch up with the Loki premiere in four weeks...I am so excited...literally breathless...never happier...I am slowly losing my mind without it.