A loud crash and the sound of booming voices jolted Laney awake. For a moment Laney couldn't recall where she was, until she saw the translucent wall across the room in the dim lighting. "Loki?" She called groggily.

"I'm right here." Loki mumbled, waking from his light sleep. "It's just the guards, nothing to worry about." He assured her as he rubbed his eyes to wake up.

She reached out from beneath the blanket to grasp the hand that was closest to her, just as another crash could be heard in the distance. "Are you sure?"

"Nothing is going to happen to you, I am absolutely certain of that." He lifted her hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.

At the feel of his lips on her skin, Laney knew she was blushing. "You're being sweet," she whispered as she turned her hand and caressed his cheek, letting her fingertips trace along his bottom lip.

"I have always been sweet to you." He gave a content sigh and just enjoyed the feel of her warm fingertips against his cool skin. "I don't think it's morning yet, if you want to sleep longer."

Laney hoped the dim lighting hid her rosy face as she smiled up at him. "I don't know if I could fall back asleep... but I do recall that there was a time you went through, thinking girls were bad to be around."

Loki chuckled at the instant recall of memories. "As it turns out, only some girls are bad to be around. Some are nice." He teased.

She raised her eyebrow at him as she watched him lean back in the chair once more, but still kept hold of her hand. "Who would be the ones that are bad?"

"I think it's more important to know who the good ones are." He said, this time being sincere in his words.

She shook her head before she hid it in his pillow. "Are you trying to turn me into a tomato?" she questioned, her voice muffled.

"Sorry, didn't catch that." He joked. The lighthearted feeling of these moments lifted his spirits and he wanted it to last forever. In this moment, it felt like they were together as they used to be, even the feeling of being in the dungeon was fading.

"Loki," she whined as she kept her face hidden. Laney decided to let go of his hand and turn to face away from him, pretending to be upset. You have no clue how it feels to have butterflies beating against your chest because of someone's words, she thought.

"You know what happens if you hide from me..." Loki chuckled, wearing a big smirk. Leaving the chair, the bed creaked softly when he sat on the edge. "I have to come find you!" He lightly poked her side, curious to see if she was still ticklish.

Laney squealed and dodged away from him, almost falling off the bed in the process. She quickly turned and pointed at him. "Brat!"

"Whoa, you can't call me names. In case you've forgotten, I am a prince." He flashed a silly grin at her.

"Oh, yes I can!" she retorted with a laugh. "Prince or not." Her eyes watched him carefully as he looked like he was going to pounce like a hungry cat.

"You have never cared that I'm a prince." Loki laughed. While he liked to tease her about that, it was actually one of the facts he loved most about her. She saw him as just a regular person, which he liked. His smirk widened, then he reached out and tickled her again.

Another loud squeal sounded throughout the dimly lit cell as Laney tried to dodge his hands. She decided to make a gutsy move that came all the way back from her defense training and swiftly grabbed his wrists in both of her hands and used her body weight to push him hard onto his back, pinning his arms around his head. "Like I said," she huffed, "Brat."

Loki looked up at Laney, shocked for the briefest of moments, then his grin changed to a mischievous one. "If I had known you wanted to play like this, I would have consented to being bound." He flirted as he gave her his most flattering smile.

Laney's eyebrows reached almost to her hairline at his comment, before she boldly decided to return his smile. "If I knew you were into bondage I would tell the guard to bind you for my visits."

"Well then, it looks like we have reached an agreement." Loki gave a playful smirk. He had to constantly remind himself this was just a game as his eyes wandered from her lips to the soft skin of her neck. "Make sure they give you a whip as well."

Her eyes widened as she visibly gulped, though she made no move to release him. Oh if you only knew where my mind is headed. "I didn't know you were into such things."

"You have been gone far too long then, I am a chaos god, so it kind of makes sense." He muttered, wondering where her mind was right now. In a spur of a moment, he leaned forward to kiss her, then hesitated and changed his mind, hoping she would not take notice. "I should... see if the guards are back yet." He said nervously.

Laney let go of his wrists, swiftly sat up, and scooted away from him just as the lights in the cell returned to their normal brightness. Was he going to kiss me? She watched him with slightly narrowed eyes as he got up and walked to the translucent wall before she drew her legs up to her chest with a huff then rested her chin on her knees.

"The morning meal should be here soon if all has returned to normal in the other cellblock," Loki said softly. His playful tone now distant and sad. What was I thinking! I can't make her kiss a monster! She deserves better, he thought to himself as he rested his forehead against the translucent wall.

Her only response was a simple nod, even though Loki could not see her. She sat there for close to a half an hour before Odin himself presented himself at the wall of Loki's cell along with a guard. "I am sorry Lady Laney," he stated, "I would not have left you down here last eve if it was not necessary. It is good to see that you are alright."

"Of course I'm alright," she snapped, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Odin narrowed his only eye at the young woman. "Watch your tongue girl," he growled authoritatively, then held out his hand for part of the wall to disappear, "Come on out, I am sure you would like to eat and wash up."

Better do his bidding, she growled in her head. Laney huffed but climbed off Loki's bed and silently walked out of he cell to stand next to Odin while he resealed the cell, but gave him a wide berth.

"You watch yours good man. I may be in a cell, but I will not have anyone disrespect Laney." Loki spat at Odin. He stayed right where he was, but his expression gave his anger and hate toward Odin away. "I hope you will visit again soon." He then told Laney, but his tone was soft and sincere when he spoke to her, happy to see the tiny smile in response to his words.

Odin let out a long harrowing sigh, then turned to the guard. "Please escort her to her chambers."

"Yes All Father," the guard quickly responded before he gently took Laney by the elbow and walked away with her.

Once Laney was gone, Odin turned back to stare at his son. "Are you always going to be so hateful towards me?"

Loki glared at the man, carefully considering his words before speaking them. "Alright, give me one good, honest reason why I shouldn't be hateful towards you. If you can do that, I will stop. If you fail, I get a day out of the cell." He challenged, but quickly added an afterthought. "Stealing me from Jotunheim doesn't count and nothing that mother made you do for me counts."

Odin smirked. "You know, you are more like me when I was younger than you will ever know," he said as he glanced at the floor, then back up at him. "I have been talking to your mother, you know she has the gift of foresight. She has told me of something that I am having a hard time believing, but I wish for it to be true."

Loki rolled his eyes, feeling very annoyed at the moment. "We both know I never should have been thrown in this cell. You could do what is right and let me go... that would make a good argument for me not being so hateful towards you." He explained, refusing to let Odin sidetrack him with other thoughts.

Ignoring his outburst, Odin kept on his topic. "Your mother saw a shadow sitting at the helm of the throne room. The man that sat there was big and burly, which would be your brother Thor." He watched as Loki tried to interrupt but he quickly held up his hand to silence him. "Beside Thor stood a tall and strong man with a woman swollen with child on his arm. The nine realms were at peace your mother said she could tell, and felt it certain that this will happen but I no not when."

"What could this possibly have to do with me? Even if you did come to your senses and let me out, I could never get near the throne again." Loki laughed, but it was full of sarcasm. He saw no humor in Odin's tale and had no desire to believe it lest he hear it directly from his mother.

Odin sighed quietly and took a step forward. "Loki... my son. I tell you the truth. I also know of the horrors of The Mad Titan and of those who follow him. But I cannot let your crimes go unpunished. What would you have me do? You tried to destroy an entire race and you were a part of an invasion whether you were of a sound mind or not."

Loki shot Odin a glare, then took a breath to calm himself before replying. "Did you hear of my capture? How I went with The Avengers quietly without further incident? When I regained control of my mind I surrendered! I never wanted to be part of that invasion, my mind was not my own. I was just a tool he used! Would you punish every slave for their masters actions?" He nearly yelled, working himself up at the thought of Odin's continued hate for him.

Odin took a long breath before his head suddenly turned to look down the hall before Frigga walked up to him and stood by his side. "Dear husband, do you not see the pain in your son's eyes or hear it in his voice?" she questioned. "He has been through much torment and grief. He needs time to mentally heal from his wounds and he cannot do that locked in this cell."

Odin turned to look at Frigga, a look of frustrated disbelief on his face. "You would have me release him? You know he cannot be trusted." He said, trying to reason with her. "The attack on Midgard was not his first crime..." he tried to remind her.

"I know this. I am not saying completely release him, but put him somewhere he can be comfortable and be able to heal with watchful eyes over him that would include our own."

Odin sighed and shook his head. "I know you love that boy, but not even you can control him. This cell is the only way to contain him." He said, speaking as if Loki was not right there listening to them. "However, if it will ease your mind, I can have some nicer furniture brought into his cell." He offered, knowing it would not satisfy her.

Frigga narrowed her eyes at her husband. "If you recall, we are a magical family, and we have a very talented guest here as well. Laney and I can make a strong containment spell on Loki's chambers. He would not be able to leave and only certain people would be deemed to enter. What are your thoughts? I could even unlock the adjoining door that would lead to Laney's chambers so she would have eyes on him at all times."

Odin took a moment to think about it. "It might be possible, but I would require some form of oath from him. Some form of assurance he would obey the two of you. If you can make him agree, I will consider moving him to his chambers." Odin finally agreed, though not hiding his reluctance.

A smile quickly reached Frigga's face. "Husband, if you must, you can witness the casting yourself and be sure of its strength." She turned to face her son, for once feeling hopeful. "Well?" she questioned him.

Loki looked between Odin and his mother, feeling uncertain. "I guess we could try it, but I have a condition of my own... I deal with you and Laney only, Odin is to leave me alone if he wishes to have me behave." He said firmly, knowing he could never find peace with the All Father breathing down his neck.

Frigga looked From Loki to Odin, then back again. "Until you are ready to do otherwise, Odin will not be a part of anything you do while in your chambers. If he has to be, you will not deal with him directly." She looked over at Odin and raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you agree?"

Odin's expression darkened. "I am the king of Asgard, I am not taking orders from a jo... child!" He said, quickly changing his words to avoid Frigga's wrath.

"Don't you dare," she scolded sternly, not caring that he was The All Father. He was her husband, she would not let him walk all over their children any longer. "Just because you have a sore spot for the Jotun race does not give you the means to mistreat your child, your own blood or not. Besides, you and I both know for a fact that your great grandfather was half Jotun and Volt wedded to a beautiful Jotun woman Jari. It is in your blood no matter the distance. It is in how you speak and in your temper."

"Wait a damn minute, he is part Jotun?" Loki asked Frigga, completely ignoring Odin's presence. He was utterly shocked and the betrayal he felt now was unbearable. "You have Jotun blood, yet condemn me because of it!" He spat, finally addressing Odin, barely keeping tears from his eyes. Turning his back on them, he walked back to his bed. "Go, I'm done talking."

Frigga stood before her husband with her arms crossed over her chest and a stern look on her face. She hadn't meant to tell him of the distant family like that, but there was nothing she could do now. Her own temper had caused the truth to be spilt and new wounds to be opened, but she silently felt that these wounds could help them both.

While Odin silently left after nodding, showing his agreement to the terms, Frigga turned to watch her son as he sulked on his bed. "Loki... would you like me to get Laney?" she asked quietly.

Loki dried his eyes on the sleeve of his tunic, then turned to face his mother. "No... I can't answer the questions she will surely have, and I don't even know that she would agree to be alone with me right now." He said softly, remembering how distant she had become after his pitiful attempt to kiss her.

"I am sorry Loki," she murmured, "I did not mean for the history of the family to come out like that. He made me angry. Your momma has a temper of her own." She stepped forward and made a door in the wall and quietly walked into his cell, leaving it open behind her as she sat beside him on the bed. "Why wouldn't Laney want to be with you?"

Loki kept his tear filled eyes on the floor, feeling more hurt than he ever thought possible before. "Why does he hate the Jotnar? What crime did I personally commit against him to earn such hate?" He asked, then leaned over, resting his head on his mother's shoulder. For all of the times he spent acting strong, he wanted the comfort this time. "I... I tried to kiss her. I didn't actually do it, but came close enough to it that she knows it almost happened." He admitted, feeling very ashamed of himself.

Frigga wrapped her arms around him and gently began running one hand through his hair. "My sweet boy. I could never give you the whole answer to that question because I do not think he knows himself." She kissed his forehead and held him tight to her chest. "He does not hate you Loki. When we first brought you home, he mentioned how scared he was that you would perish. When he found you it was unsafe to leave the realm for almost three days, and in that time he took care of everything that you needed." She pulled away to meet his bloodshot eyes. "You are a son to him Loki. He just has so much inner turmoil I do not believe he knows how to deal with it but to lash out."

Loki shifted closer to his mother, hiding in her arms as he had done as a child. "If he cared about me so much, what changed? Something had to happen to cause the hate he shows now... if I did something, please just tell me. I can't deal with this anymore." He said, crying against her shoulder.

"Cares sweetheart, he cares. He just doesn't know how to show it too well anymore." Frigga let him sob against her while she played with his hair like she used to do when he was little. "I think it deals with his own father and... your biological father. They always fought and treaties were ignored on both sides, which caused the war over the casket. Odin was brought up that the Jotun were an unkind race and when he found you abandoned, that sealed that thought for him." She looked down as she finished off a small braid, then started on another. "I saw his memory of finding you, through his eyes, and I could feel the will to protect you that he felt. When you changed to look like an Æsir he felt like you had chosen him."

Loki listened carefully, not making a sound other than the occasional sniffle. "I don't know how we got from that point, to where we are now. Sure, I like my pranks, but I always tried to be a good son. I just wanted to be recognized as his son, as an equal. When I found out what I really am, that's where all the pain came from... if I had done something to cause him to reject me, I think I could have handled that, but knowing it was nothing I did, nothing I could change... knowing I never once had a chance... that is what hurt me so deeply and caused me to react so badly. And now, finding out he shares that same blood..." he sighed and held onto his mother tighter. "I don't know what to do anymore." He admitted, feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted. Part of him wished he had never heard that truth about Odin's family. The other part of him just felt ashamed for showing this level of hurt and weakness.

Frigga rubbed his back and kissed his forehand once more, trying to soothe him. "He has always wanted to protect you. He wanted to protect you so badly that he hid your heritage from you and part of the family tree. Thor does not even know. He never meant to hurt you Loki, nor did he mean to be so brash. He was hard on both of you boys and even now Thor seems lost in his own path just as you are."

Loki took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He wanted to wrap his mind around this the best he could. He needed to if he ever hoped to make sense of it. "I can see why he would want to withhold the truth. That part makes sense and I can accept that. But knowing what I am... what he is... why did he work so hard to ensure I knew the Jotnar were monsters? He must have known the truth would come out someday." He truly wanted to understand, at least for the sake of his own healing. He refused to believe the Jotnar were irredeemably evil.

Frigga continued to make braids in Loki's hair, making an elaborate Viking design while she thought how to word an answer. "Odin could tell you more, but I know that Volt was a very harsh and unforgiving man. I have heard stories of him going after his own armies for the slightest wrong doings and he did the same when he raised his children. I am actually surprised he wed because he was so brash and unforgiving, but Jari melted away some of that I assume."

Loki was quiet for a long minute, trying to process all of this information. He felt as if his brain would burst at the moment. "I will stay here in my cell and I will behave. The best way to fight back is to prove to Odin that not every single Jotun is a monster. I don't know if it will ever change his opinion, but at least I won't further prove him right." He said, full of determination to prove he could be more than a monster.

Frigga narrowed her eyes and made Loki sit up so she could meet his eyes. "Loki, you are not a monster and do not ever let me hear you call yourself one. Odin has agreed for you to have your rooms again and Laney's is just next door. They will be connected to each other but both of you will have privacy if you need it. He knows you are no monster my boy and he knows he has made mistakes that may not be able to be healed."

All Loki could think to do at first was nod, not having the will to argue the monster topic at the moment. "What do I do about Laney? What if she doesn't want to see me again? What if she does?" He asked, not sure which thought caused more anxiety at the moment. "Now that she's come back, I don't know how to control my feelings." He admitted, not wanting to jeopardize the best friendship he's ever had.

"Let your heart guide you," she replied simply as she stood and held him by the hand. "Your heart knows it's true feelings and will lead you. It can be painful at times, but in the end the heart is almost always right." Frigga pulled gently and helped him stand. "Now, let us get you to your rooms. Don't let your father know that I have already done the spell at a basic level. I will have to reinforce it with Laney's help."

"I already know what's right, I just don't know how to only be her friend. I don't know how to watch her fall in love with someone and convince her I'm truly happy for her..." he dried his eyes again, then gathered his books to leave the cell. "I won't tell him anything, you have my word." His thoughts drifted a bit to his memories of writing that final letter to Laney, asking her to visit. At that time, he had worked up the courage to confess his feelings, when she visited. Right now, that felt like a different lifetime.

Frigga let herself smirk as she watched him. This young man has no clue. "Can I tell you something on a lighter note? It may cheer you up." She led him out of the cell and up the stairs as she now held onto his elbow.

"I'm not sure about being cheered up, but you can tell me." Loki agreed, mostly because he was curious as to what was on her mind.

At the top of the stairs, a guard waited, chains in hand, to bind Loki for the transfer to his chambers. "My apologies Lady Frigga, we are under orders to ensure all prisoners are bound." He said, bowing respectfully to her.

Frigga shook her head. "By my order, he will not need it," she stated firmly.

The guard gave her a nervous look. He did not want to disobey his previous orders, yet did not wish to disobey her orders. "Yes, my queen." He finally answered and stepped aside to let them pass.

Frigga nodded at the guard politely and continued to hold Loki's elbow as they walked. "Now, where was I? Oh, right... have you paid any attention to Laney's jewelry she wears?"

"No, not really." Loki admitted. I get far too lost in her eyes and smile to notice anything else.

"She wears your pendant on her middle finger as a ring. You carry the ribbon, she wears the charm... kind of special if you ask me," she said with a smirk as they rounded a corner.

"We've always been best friends, it's normal to keep some of the gifts we exchanged." Loki said simply, too closed minded to think she could return his feelings. He looked around as they walked, actually enjoying the thought of being back in the palace.

"Think my son," she said, "You have been separated for ten years and she has never removed it, even after she believed you dead."

"Best friends are like that, mother. Until she moved, we were inseparable." He said with a little shrug. He could sense what his mother was trying to hint at, but refused to believe it was possible.

Frigga chuckled as they turned down another hallway. "If you insist dear."

"Don't even think about it mother. She deserves better than I can give her and I'm man enough to admit that. I just have to figure out how to control my feelings better so I don't stand in her way." Loki sighed softly, but sincerely believed he was making the right choice.

"I just know what me and Laney have talked about. Don't be afraid to show your feelings son, you may get some of them in return." She stopped at a pair of dark cherry wood doors and turned to open them. "Welcome Home Loki."

Loki turned and looked at his mother when they stopped. "Has she told you she has feelings for me?" He asked, not sure if he even wanted to know or not. He pushed the doors open and walked into his chambers. It was a very welcome sight after being in the prison cell for what had felt like an eternity.

Frigga closed the doors behind them and smiled at how relaxed Loki looked for once. "Us girls talk about things just as you and I do. I don't feel it right to voice what she's told me, but I will say that she cares for you deeply." She turned and walked to a small door that was beside a full bookcase. "This door leads to Laney's chambers. It seals when it is shut but when you knock and she answers you can walk as far as her sitting room. Otherwise you can roam your entire chambers."

Loki nodded, knowing his mother would never break the confidence Laney had placed in her, and he would not ask her to. "Is leaving my chambers with an escort a possibility? Like, could you take me to the library or garden at times?" He asked, wanting more books and fresh air, if it would be possible. He walked over and sat on his bed. It was soft and comfortable, the exact opposite of the hard bed in his cell.

"Perhaps. Let's try in here for a week first," she replied.

"Alright mother, a week in here first." He agreed, knowing he had to prove he could cooperate if he wanted to earn more privileges. "Do I still have to eat the prison food?"

Frigga turned and faced him as tears welled in her eyes. "I have not heard you call me that in over two years," she whispered.

Loki looked away, ashamed of himself. For the first time, he felt the full impact of the pain he had caused his mother. "I'm sorry... I was mad at everyone who was part of the lies, without considering the actual role they played." He said softly, then leaned his head on her shoulder again. This time to give comfort as well as receive it.

She smiled and gladly wrapped her arms around his waist. "Loki, it's alright. I am just happy to hear you say it."

"Just so you know, even when I said terrible things, and even when I denied it, you have always been my mother." He said, starting to drift off to sleep in her arms.

"Always my boy," she murmured, then kissed his temple. "Why don't you get some sleep. I believe Laney is asleep as well. I will get you both a meal when you wake."

Loki gave a little nod, then walked over to his bed and stretched out on top if it. He had forgotten how soft it was. "Can I have more vegetables with my meal please?" He mumbled, then dozed off. Laney's words about how they used to share a bed were on his mind as he drifted off.

Frigga watched for a few moments. "Of course," she said quietly, then turned and left, making sure the seal was in place.