Weeks later, Holly could see a clear change in Loki's demeanor. He had become much more humble in his ways, his mother had commented that his voice had been restored to being gentle and soothing as it was before the incident in New York City. At night, he insisted that Holly sleep in his bed, wrapped in his strong embrace. Odin was genuinely surprised at Loki's change and praised Holly for bringing out this change in him.

It was nearing that time where Loki would have to ask her to marry him or send her back to Midgard. He prayed that she would say yes. He prayed that she would stay and spend the rest of eternity with him. He still had yet to tell her the three words that he hoped to hear from her first. Soon that would happen. One of them would break down and say it.

Holly and Frigga had convinced Odin to allow his adopted son to sit on the throne while Odin attended to some business in Valhalla. Loki was still confused as to how the two women had managed it.

As he looked over Odin's duties he had begun to get bored. There was very little to do on that particular day. Perhaps that is why Odin let him try his hand at the throne. Lost in his thoughts, he felt a hand settle on his shoulder with a gently caress of a thumb. As he turned his head, Holly pressed her lips against his, arm curling around his neck. He was taken aback by her forwardness, but quickly reacted by resting his forehead against hers.

"I missed you." She whispered, placing kisses from the corner of his mouth down to the side of his neck. "I wanted to see you."

Loki snapped to his guards, pointing towards the door. They hurried out, closing the large doors to the throne room. Holly continued her attack on his neck, teeth gently grazing over his pale skin. He pulled her skirts up over her hips as she undid his trousers, his member springing free. Without a word, Loki pulled her down onto him, eliciting a moan from her.

"Oh, Loki!" she gasped, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck and pressing her forehead against his. His hips moved at a steady beat, his eyes on hers. Her eyes closed as he sped up, moving her faster up and down his length. "Yes," she groaned, kissing him deeply. His fingers dug into her hips as he lowered his lips to her shoulder, biting her to leave a mark on her body. Holly cried out in response, her fingers tugging on his hair.

Suddenly, Loki had her up against the wall, pounding her as hard as he could. Holly cried out once again, hands searching for something to hold onto. Her head flew back against the wall, giving him better access to her neck.

"God, Loki!" she moaned, lifting her head from the wall and placing her lips next to his ear. "I'm so close." She whispered, sweat rolling down her back. Her legs began to tremble around him, body slowly losing all control. "I love you," she whimpered in his ear. She came around him, collapsing against his strong body. Loki was shocked for a moment, his hips slowing their pace. He was right behind her, collapsing against the wall, her body pinned beneath him.

Her face was buried in his neck as he recovered, readjusting her dress and fixing his trousers. Loki lifted her from the ground once again, carrying her out of the throne room and to his chambers, laying her on the bed. He gently undressed her, discarding her clothing to the floor. His clothing followed, joining the pile.

"Bedtime, my dear." He whispered, pulling the covers back and allowing her to crawl beneath them. Carefully, Loki followed, pulling her back to his front and molding his body around her. She was silent, hands trembling. A single tear dripped down her face and absorbed into the pillow. Did she regret saying those three words to him? Did she only say them out of pleasure? "Holly," he whispered gently, fingers searching for hers.

"Yes," she replied, quickly wiping her tear away.

"I love you." He whispered into her ear, hand gently taking hers. Holly looked back at him, eyes wide.

"You… you do?" she stuttered in disbelief.

"Yes." He smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead. She rolled over to embrace him completely, burying her face into his neck once again.