Author's Note

Song Lyrics from Paramore - When It Rains
/watch?v=QY9pbOPeLbM&list=PLb-h0TgZRJZpYbnvq7gW1FBvsBMdCI_mZ&index=10

Additional Song: Christina Perri - All That Matters
/watch?v=U9RD2MWd5rs&list=PLb-h0TgZRJZpYbnvq7gW1FBvsBMdCI_mZ&index=16

Whole Playlist:
/playlist?list=PLb-h0TgZRJZooJ-TPIjxWEFoYEnXi2vcl

It took Luciana quite some time to get back to where their ship had landed. She heaved her body over the railing, finding herself on the floor of the boat. There she sat for a while quietly breathing as she felt the exhaustion creeping up on her. But she couldn't rest yet. Not before she had made it home. As she sat, her eyes went towards the steering "wheel". Just a few hours ago Loki had stood there, directing the ship through the air, leading them here. Thinking about it, she realized that she didn't know how to fly one of these boats. She had never steered one of them. Whenever she had found herself on one of those ships during her childhood, Loki had always been the one flying it.

"Need any help with getting this up in the air?"

A voice behind her brought her back to reality. Luciana turned her head in the direction it had come from and her eyes were met with a guard that stood next to the boat. He held the typical spear in his hand while smiling up at the woman. Unsure of what else to do, she nodded, which he took as an invitation to climb on the ship. He confidently made his way towards the steering control and soon Luciana could hear the familiar whooshing sound as the aircraft came to live. She stared at the back of the guard. It was strange for a single one to be here, they always patrolled at least in two after all.

As if having read her thoughts, the man started to speak while the boat slowly took off the ground.
"You're really lucky, Lady Echo. We were just on our way back after inspecting this area on the Allfather's orders, when I saw you climb on the boat. We expected to find the prince here but it seems he got away. You don't possibly know where he went?"
"No. We got separated during our fight against the Dark Elves." she answered his question in a monotonous tone.
"Is that so?" He didn't sound convinced, but he didn't probe any further either. Possibly thinking it wasn't his place to question her, he would most likely hand her over to the Allfather. She didn't look forward to that interrogation.
"Where is he though?"
"Hm? Who?"
"The other guard you came here with."
The man paused before answering. "Oh. He went on ahead with… the body."
"Ah. So you found him." The words came out of her mouth matter-of-factly. If there was any kind of emotion going through her it didn't show. After that the conversation stopped and for the rest of the way the boat sailed through the air in silence.

"We're here." The guard spoke for the first time again after securely landing the ship at its supposed place near the rainbow bridge. It was only when he received no reply that he turned around to look at the woman with him. His eyes widened slightly when he found her sleeping soundly on the ground.
"You really should stop sleeping in these strange places. Letting your guard down in front of a stranger like this…"

For a moment he watched her before gently picking her body up. Carrying her, he made his way over the railing, careful in his movement as to not wake her. Still Luciana slightly stirred in her sleep and she felt her mind returning back to the present, on the brink of waking up. However, as she inhaled, a familiar scent filled her nose. In her drowsiness she couldn't name it but it reminded her of something precious, making her feel calm and safe. Subconsciously her body moved, trying to get closer to that feeling of comfort, snuggling against the man who carried her in his arms. Her breathing started to even again. And soon her consciousness drifted back into a dream as she listened to the sound of a steady heart that had started to beat just a little bit faster.

And take these chances to turn it around
Just turn it around

When she opened her eyes, Luciana found herself in a bed. She noticed immediately that it wasn't the one in her room. The mattress and pillow were way softer and more comfortable than the ones she had at home. This bed wasn't hers. Or maybe it was.
When she propped herself up, letting her eyes wander across the room, she recognized the interior. This was one of the guest rooms in Asgard's castle. Although, it was only a guest room in name. Ever since she had been a child, Luciana had been the only person to ever stay in this one. Being friends with the princes had meant her getting dragged around by the two boys and their other companions for hours. It had often ended up being way after sunset when they had realized how much time had passed. At those times the queen had insisted on the young girl to stay the night, thinking it way too dangerous to send her home at such a late hour. This had happened so often that at one point the brothers had started calling the room her chamber.

As she had grown, the times she had actually slept in it had become fewer and fewer though. Luciana couldn't remember the day she had last slept in this bed. It had probably been after one of the balls held at the castle. Now that she thought about it, back in the days the queen could have just sent a pair of guards to escort the young girl home. Yet she hadn't. She tried to wrap her head around the reason but she came up with nothing. It bugged Luciana to not know why. However, it was too late to ask her about it now...

A knock on the door pulled her out of her thoughts. "Come in." she called out to the person behind the big door. It was a guard, although a different one than who must have brought her here.
"Pardon my intrusion, Lady Echo. The Allfather is requesting your presence."
"Ah. I will be there as soon as possible. Thank you for letting me know."
With a nod the man disappeared again, closing the door behind him. Luciana let out a sigh. It seemed she really would have to do some explaining to the king. Although, she could think of a thousand things she'd rather do.

She hastily got ready and soon made her way towards the throne hall. On her way there she spotted Thor. He looked pretty worn but when she called out to him his face brightened up just a bit. They walked the rest of the way together and the blonde explained to her what had happened with Malekith on Midgard.
"And once more the God of Thunder saves the day! Although it seems like you took quite a beating." she exclaimed with a laugh. "What are you gonna do about Jane though?"
"That's what I came to talk about with my father. I didn't know you had the same idea though."
"Oh, I didn't. He sent a guard to me, requesting my presence."
The blonde raised an eyebrow at her words. "That's strange. I already explained everything to him, taking all responsibility. There shouldn't be any reason for him to talk to you."
"Great. I came here expecting to get punished or something. But not knowing what he wants from me is even worse."
The prince put a hand on her shoulder, trying to reassure her. "I'm sure it's gonna be fine. I mean, what's the worst he could do?"
"Put me in a cell for all eternity?"
"Well… He could also have you executed."
"Not helping Thor." She punched the man in the side before they both started laughing.

Inside the big hall the Allfather was waiting for them on his already rebuilt throne. If he was surprised to see his son enter together with the woman he had requested, he didn't show it. In fact he addressed him first. Luciana was surprised when she heard the reason Thor had come to talk to his father. He was turning down the throne. The God of Thunder didn't want to be Asgard's king any more.
"One brother who wanted the throne too much, and the other won't take it." the Allfather noted. It was quite ironic really.
The prince was ready to hand back Mjolnir but Odin refused to take it, saying it belonged to him, if he was worthy of it.
"I hope to be."

As their conversation drew to a close, the blonde turned around. He would leave Asgard. She didn't know where he would go and it scared her a little. Knowing she wouldn't get to see him around the castle anymore made her heart drop. Upon seeing the sad look on her face, he walked over and placed his big hand on her head, tousling her hair. "Don't look so sad Lucy. It's not like I'll be gone forever. Asgard is still my home after all."
"You better come to visit, idiot!" She threw her arms around his tall body, hugging him tight. He laughed but returned the embrace. "I promise."
They stayed like this for a moment before separating. This was goodbye. But it wouldn't be forever. Still as Luciana watched Thor's broad back disappear down the hall she couldn't stop the tear at the corner of her eye from rolling down her face.

"It's quite strange." The Allfather's voice resounded behind her after his son was gone. "You grew up alongside both of my sons, calling them your friends. Yet it seems like you're sadder about the one that is temporarily leaving than the one that is forever gone. Are you not mourning his death?"
She interlocked her hands behind her back as she answered, an amused undertone in her voice. "Well, I can't mourn when there's no one to mourn about, can I?" A playful smile on her lips, she turned around to face the Allfather, who was scanning her suspiciously. "How many more times do I have to tell you that your illusions don't work on me before you believe me?"

A crooked smile appeared on Odin's normally hardened features. It was a strange sight that didn't match the Allfather at all. "Maybe I already did a long time ago."
"Hmm~ Then why am I here?"
"What?"
"Well, surmising you knew I'd see through your trick that easily, wouldn't that make me a threat to your plan?"
"I suppose."
"Then why didn't you get rid of me? You had plenty of time when you brought us back from the Dark World. I even fell asleep along the way. That would have been the perfect chance."
For a moment "Odin" seemed to be at a loss of words. Seeing that Luciana's smile grew a tiny bit wider. "You couldn't hm~? Get rid of me that is. Or rather you didn't want to."
"That-"
"I've been wondering why you were making such a pained face at that moment." She turned slightly, facing the wall. "It makes me a little happy to know that you wouldn't enjoy slicing my throat." she spoke with a small chuckle.
He drew in a breath. "You saw…"
Luciana looked back. Her smug grin was replaced with a genuine smile. "Of course. I always see you after all."
The "Allfather's" one eye widened in surprise. And it took him a while before the following words left his mouth. "You know that offer from that time still stands. So, if you want to be queen…"
"You're asking me this, while looking like that? Gross!" she scoffed before turning her back on him, taking a few steps down the hall. "Just don't do anything stupid, Loki~ Or should I say my king?"

"Lucy, wait!" the familiar voice called for her to stop. And it didn't belong to the "Allfather" anymore. She turned back. In place of an old man her eyes were now met with the image of the God of Mischief himself, who had finally discarded the illusion.
"What gave me away?" Loki asked the woman in front of him. He was no longer sitting on the throne, instead standing in front of it. He watched her with an earnest curiosity in his eyes. Luciana smiled. "Your heartbeat. Back in the Dark World when you played dead, I could still hear it."
"So, when I approached you disguised as a guard-"
"I knew it was you from the start."
With that the brunette spun around again, making her way to the exit. "Did you really think I would trust a stranger enough to just fall asleep like that?" her last words echoed against the tall walls.
For a moment Loki lingered in his position, staring wide eyed at the end of the grand hall where Luciana had disappeared. Then he slowly sat back down on the throne that was now finally his, a smile gradually spreading on his lips.

You can take your time
Take my time

F I N