For part two of Ari's time on Asgard and her journey towards the Aether. Though, there is so much that needs to happen just for the characters, this is no longer just a two-part section. Just wait for part 3!

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

TW: Mention of rape

Loki woke to Ariana in his arms. He had never felt more content than when she was cuddled into him. He kissed her, unable to stop himself. Ariana's arms snaked around Loki's body, thinking it was the best way to wake up.

Loki tested her readiness before surging forward, burying his large member deep within her. She gasped into his mouth, moaning as he began to move. She had to break the kiss so she could breathe and so she could hold on to him tightly. She wrapped her legs around him, locking her ankles so that he couldn't stop as her vice-like core tightened more and refused to let him go. He whispered her name against the skin of her neck, sending shivers through her and adding to their combined pleasure. She screamed out his name as they both fell over the edge together.

They lay spent in each other's arms, happy and safe in their own little world enclosed within Loki's room. She didn't want to leave it. For the first time in a long time, she was happy and there were no worries or fear getting in the way.

But like all good things, it had to come to an end. Thor burst through the door, saying, "Brother, mother is plan…"

"Get out, Thor!" Ariana yelled as she covered herself.

"I'm sorry, sister, I didn't think…"

"You never do!"

"I'll just…"

Ariana threw a ball of lightning at him, which Thor caught. "I still have a promise to keep, Sparkles!"

"Right."

Thor left and Ariana got out of bed, looking for something to wear. Loki sat up, looking confused. He stopped Ariana after a moment.

He said, "I have some questions."

"Clothes first," she said with a smile. "Then I'll be able to concentrate."

He pulled out a shirt for her and put some pants on. "Better, love?"

"Yes."

"What promise did you make?"

Her smile faded. "New Mexico. I told Thor that if you weren't safe, he and I would be enemies. And you fell off a bridge, presumably to your death! So, yeah, not his biggest fan."

Loki cupped her cheek. "You are not one to be so angry at someone."

"Trust me, I meant it. You were angry and hurt, and no one saw it. They only saw what they wanted to see. So, yeah, I'm not happy with your family here… with the exception of your mother."

"Mother always did have a way about her. She never saw me any different from Thor." He took her hand. "But I am alive and well. So you do not need to keep that promise."

"It lead you to Thanos and you were hurt and your mind taken over. That wasn't safe." Her grip on his hand tightened. "Loki, I can't forget the pain from hearing about your death. So please, understand, I can't let that go." She bowed her head. "It hurt too much to let go."

He made her look at him. "But all of that was my mistake."

"They hurt you over and over. All I asked was for you to stay safe. He couldn't do something so simple!"

"It was my doing, Ariana." He hugged her to him. "I chose to let go. I thought I would never see you again, that they had turned their backs on me. I led myself to that path. But seeing you while in that cell, you brought me back. You helped me get free of Thanos."

She cried into his chest as she spoke. "I lost you, Loki. I felt you but it was so dim… it didn't feel real."

He kissed her head. "That was our magic connecting us."

She stiffened. "I… I could have…"

"No, darling, you couldn't. They saw me fall and disappear. They would never have believed you. It is no one's fault but my own."

She looked up at him. "You really want me to forgive them?"

"At least forgive Thor. He tried to keep his promise and tried to talk me down. I didn't listen. So this is my fault."

"But…"

"If you must hate anyone for what happened, then it must be me."

She shook her head. "I could never." She gave him a gentle kiss. "Okay. For you. I'll let it go."

Loki smiled. "Alright. Now my second question."

"Okay."

"Did you notice Thor called you 'sister'?"

"I… wait, what?"

"Yes. That only happens when someone becomes a consort."

"And that is?"

"On Asgard, it would be similar to 'girlfriend', only of a higher status."

"Oh."

"What has my mother planned this time?"

Ariana ran her finger up and down his arm in comfort. With it explained so simply after everything, she was happy to be his "consort". She smiled.

Frigga knocked and entered as she said, "There is a ball tomorrow. I have had chambers made up for your…"

"Mother, she was my girlfriend," Loki tried to explain. "I haven't had time to properly ask her to…"

"She risked herself for you, defended you, and loved you. I only wanted to give her a proper welcome."

"Thank you, but I don't know any of the customs on Asgard," Ariana said. "Like, what is the duty of a consort?"

Loki looked at Ariana in surprise, his mother smiling as she continued. "Can you dance?"

"My mother insisted on dance lessons, yes."

"Then you are all set. The rest of it is merriment, a speech from my husband, and a meal with heavy drinking."

"I see."

"You will enjoy it. I promise. Thor spoke highly of you and it has made me want to learn more about you."

Ariana went to speak, but nothing came out. She couldn't understand why Thor would do that. Loki chuckled, causing her to glare up at him.

"What's so funny?" Ariana asked.

"Even he could see that you aren't good at being upset with someone."

"Great. So, your family knows I can't hold a grudge even if I lost you." She went to get up. "I need some air."

He kept her tight against him as Frigga explained, "No, it is that you were always tied to Loki. You may not have consciously been aware, but subconsciously, you knew he was alive. But come. Today, we will go shopping and learn about one another. I have a dress all ready for you."

Ariana looked at Loki, who nodded, so she replied, "I would love that."

Loki watched them leave before getting dressed. He went to look for Thor. When he found him walking back from the Bifrost, Loki joined him.

"Why did you call Ariana your sister?" Loki asked.

"Because she is your consort," Thor said.

"Well, she wasn't when we arrived, but she may be now."

"We are just happy she makes you happy."

They stopped to watch Frigga and Ariana enjoying themselves in the market below them. Loki couldn't take his eyes from her. Her dress was a soft green, showing off her free-flowing hair and captivating eyes. He couldn't look away, even if he wanted to.

Thor said, "It is good you have found her, brother. She brought you home."

"No, Thor," Loki said. "She is my home." Thor looked at Loki, not understanding. "You know. Home? Where you feel safe and loved and accepted no matter what? Where nothing bad can touch you?"

"I see. She is your safe place."

Loki blinked a moment before smiling. "Yes, but more."

Thor patted Loki's shoulder. "Then, it is good you have found her."

"I worry about father's game."

"His game?"

"He always has a plan for something. There is always an ulterior motive."

"So, why did he send you to Midgard? Do you think it odd that was the punishment he chose?"

Loki thought about it. "He wanted this to happen, or at least a genuine friendship."

"You know father, he often seems uncaring, but his reasons come from a good place. Mother probably told him to do it."

"Now, that seems more likely."

Ariana looked up at the two princes, smiling. Frigga saw her and saw who she was smiling at. The queen shook her head with her own grin. Neither man noticed, but the love in Ariana's eyes shown each and every time they landed on Loki.

"Thor always goes to the Bifrost to check on his own lady," Frigga said, wanting to help Ariana forgive Thor. "He knew you could hear him, but Lady Jane…"

"What do you mean, Lady Frigga?" Ariana asked.

"He has felt awful about not saving his brother. To punish himself the first time, he didn't leave a goodbye message with you for Lady Jane."

"But he didn't have to do that. As upset as I was, I would have told her."

"He told Heimdall that he didn't deserve his message to be sent since he broke his promise to you, dear."

Ariana looked down, feeling ashamed of how she has treated Thor. Anytime they were together, she treated him as if his opinion was less than others or he wasn't as bright. Yet, he was always punishing himself for that day, starting with informing Ariana of what had happened but not leaving a goodbye message for Jane.

"I had no idea," she said in a small tone.

"Thor is a good man, child. But let's…"

"What is she doing here?" came a voice.

Ariana turned and saw the woman that threatened her in New Mexico. Frigga said, "Lady Sif, this is Loki's consort, Lady Ariana Stark. She has come to seek aid."

"Even after what Loki did to Thor?"

"He was pardoned after he helped to save Midgard."

"I do not trust her, my queen. She was there the day of the attack on Thor."

"She is in pain, Lady Sif. He never blamed her, knowing it was all Loki at the time. He has worked with her since."

"I still say she had a hand in Loki's plan, my queen. I would not trust the mortal."

"The 'mortal' is standing right here," said Ariana as the three of them began moving through the crowd to the next stall. "I never expected to become fast friends with anyone of Thor's pals. I just want to get healed. Odin and Frigga are nice enough to allow it." She smiled at the queen. "I don't know what would happen to me without that kindness."

"Nothing you didn't deserve," said Sif, louder than she meant to.

Ariana stumbled and fell. Loki and Thor ran down to them as Frigga wrapped her arms around Ariana to keep her from getting hurt. Sparks began to appear around Ariana, who was going into a panic attack quickly. Thor and Loki arrived just as fast, with Loki picking up Ariana and Thor going up to Sif.

"What happened?" he asked.

Sif explained and said, "Clearly, something is going on and none of us who cares for you trust this mortal or Loki." Ariana's gasping breaths caught her ear, and she looked at how Loki and Ariana looked into each other's eyes. "Even now, it looks as if they plot something sinister."

Thor looked back at Ariana, who looked at Sif after hearing her words. Ariana looked hurt and even a little fearful. Loki looked at Sif with eyes of warning. Thor knew then that the two of them had communicated telepathically.

"Sif, that woman has suffered greatly," said Thor in a soft tone. "She doesn't deserve more malice directed toward her. I will explain privately. But she…"

"I was raped and forced to kill," Ariana said breathlessly as tears fell, having Loki put her down despite how unsteady she was on her feet. "I was beaten and tortured… for six months… my mind was destroyed over and over." Loki had to catch her as they folded underneath her. "It hurt… I was made into… into… I-I can't breathe…"

"Before or after Loki betrayed Thor?" Sif asked in anger.

"Sif!" Thor said, turning back to his friend as Loki, Ariana, and Frigga went to the healers. "She works to protect Midgard with the other of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, myself included. Loki joined us after she was first controlled. She had no hand in the Destroyer's attack and brought attention to a rift in our family. She deserves respect. She has suffered greatly at the hands of cruel people and your careless words have hurt my future sister greatly." He turned to follow them. "Go learn of her story, my father knows. Perhaps then, you will understand what has happened today and what power your words have."

Thor left a shocked Sif and joined his family with the healers. Loki was working while the others tried to help Ariana calm down. Frigga directed everyone. The Soul Forge showed the battle within Ariana's mind, and it didn't look good.

"How is she, mother?" Thor asked.

"She fears what was done to her," Frigga said. "It is natural. But what HYDRA has done to her will always have an effect on her."

Loki and Ariana looked at Frigga and Thor as Loki said, "It will take time to remove what was done to her. For now, I am focusing on the panic attack, but…"

Frigga placed a hand on Loki's shoulder, "You will help her like no other can. It will be your love for her that will aid her. Follow your heart and instincts."

Ariana took Loki's hand to get his attention as she said, "I'd only trust you, Loki. Please…" Loki kissed her hand before going back to work, so she turned her eyes to Thor. "I'm sorry… I wasn't… nice to you, Thor."

"I understood, sister," said Thor. "I cannot say I wouldn't have behaved the same in your place."

She smiled, her breathing returning to normal and exhaustion creeping in. The Soul Forge shut off and Loki picked up Ariana. She fought the desire to sleep.

"I'm sorry our shopping was cut short, Frigga," she said.

"Do not worry, child," said Frigga. "We have time."

"I want Snow White gone as soon as possible. Then, I can heal myself the way I need to. I need to learn who I am. Everyone tells me, but I don't feel her."

"We will all do our best to aid you. Rest, relax, and enjoy your stay here."