Loki had returned to Asgard for just over two months now, to say he didn't miss the gold and warm welcome would be a lie and it was enjoyable to see everyone he had missed over the year on Misgard. But his happiness didn't last; he grew tired of their loud outrageous attitude and parties, so he found himself retiring to the library or his own chambers. To everyone else, Loki seemed hi usual self; quiet, polite, and he would still rather spend time in the company of books than actual people. But if they observed better, they might have seen his skin was paler that usual, his eyes looked dreary and cold the icy blue eyes were blackened with sleepless nights and tormented dreams. His armour had been worn down, the gold and the greens were much less vibrant, so instead of a son of the king, he dressed like a common Asgardian. If anyone did notice this, no one did anything to help or stop his sadness.

That was until one day; Loki was resting in his chambers. He sat at the largest window, looking across the stars and trying to find the smallest cluster, the ones the humans called the Milky Way, he wasn't sure why he was putting himself through so much torment but he couldn't help it. This particular night was interrupted as a knock came from Loki's door. They didn't wait for his response before coming in. Loki looked over; it was two of the many guards. Their face remained bare of any emotion as the tallest began to speak.

"Prince Loki, Odin wishes for you in the hall." Loki nodded; he stood and grabbed his before leaving. The hallways were long and dreary to crawl down, so Loki read as he went. He had already read the book six times in the last week so he hardly had to pay any attention. The few others that walked past him stared, he was used to it but he knew the reasons were different this time. He eventually found himself at Odin's feet; he looked up at his father, met by his cold frozen gaze. Thor stood at Odin's left, the warriors three and Sif directly below the God of Thunder. His mother stood at Odin's right, her eyes shining at her son while the others eyes remained to the floor. Loki nodded before falling to his knee and crossing his arm over his chest.

"Loki…" Loki looked up at his father, who had stood from his previous position. Odin removed his helmet, dropping it onto his thrown. Slowly the God descended down the stairs till his feet met Loki's knee. He held out a hand, indicating to the boy before him. "Stand my son." Loki stood slowly as he was told, meeting eyes with his beloved father. "Come Loki, we shall speak elsewhere." Odin wrapped an arm around Loki, pushing him in the direction he came from. They left the room quickly, arriving into the halls just before Odin's chambers. Odin's arms fell from Loki's as they turned the final corner. Observing Odin's face Loki could see his creased face, greying with wisdom and age, the lines of battle crinkling into his tanned face like the words of a history book. "What troubles you my son?" Loki looked to the floor, unable to meet his father's eye.

"While on earth I made two friends…I just miss their company." He bit back some of the extra information, not ready to tell his father.

"…Hemidall told me of these two, the lady and the boy. He informed me of what you did to stop them remembering you…" He looked at Odin, who's eyes were tired and saddened.

"I know; it's rather pathetic…" He aligned his fingers together so the fingers tips pressed against each other.

"You're wrong Loki. Given your position you made a wise choice…" Loki scoffed turning away from his father when he heard a whisper break across the floor. He couldn't help but feel paranoid however Odin was the exact opposite. "If you don't believe me ask Hemidall." Loki looked back to his dad, smiling softly.

"I'm the God of Mischief father, I know when you're lying or not." Odin smiled sadly, a hint of sadness covering his pale eyes.

"You said you would never use your powers on me."

"I haven't had to yet, I can usually tell the truth from lies." Odin sighed, grabbing his sons shoulder and squeezing reassuringly.

"Prince Loki, welcome home I must say." Loki nodded, admiring the view of the galaxies in front of them. "You have come daily to stare out to where your friends live, why don't you ask me of their life and save yourself the torment?"

"…I worry of the answer Hemidall…" He cleared his throat, looking to the floor of the Bifrost. "I am aware that time of Asgard runs slower than Misgard, if anything was to happen to either of them…I couldn't forgive myself."

"As you are aware my prince, time is not that different. Also I can tell you neither are dead…" Loki looked up at the taller man, admiring his golden eyes before looking out towards the vast universe.

"How is she?"

"Lady Jane is well; she enjoys the new university much more than the previous, though she does wonder what made her change courses. She isn't aware of it, but she misses the company you gave her." Loki blushed softly, his head falling. "She seems to have broken your mischievous manner Prince Loki." Loki laughed softly, however his mind wandered quickly to more serious matters.

"And what has become of Tony?" Hemidall paused for a long time.

"He is well enough. He feels rather alone but can't seem to find the reason why. Since his parent's death, he has no other means of filling the empty space where you once lay, so he drinks and sleeps around with many women to pass the time until you might return to him one day." Loki had blanked out the moment Hemidall mentioned the word woman. Oh how Loki despised them.

"He misses you also my prince…much more than Lady Jane" Loki bit his cheek, strong enough to draw blood. It was a mistake coming home; he would give anything just to have one more night with Tony. Just to hold him like he used to.

"I see…" Loki's voice was bitter, cold and harsh.

"It is okay to love my prince, even if it is a mortal-"

"As a weak God anyway, I doubt my reputation would get any better with the love of a mortal." Loki spat on the ground, his heart was heavy with the truth and his shoulders sunk with depression. Hemidall remained silent, gathering his thoughts as his hands remained tight on the sword in his hands.

"If you love each other the same, the people of Asgard can only see love and how much you cherish one another's company, there is no weakness in that case, regardless of what you personally believe Loki of your fathers people." Loki thought of Hemidalls words, considering what he knows of the people and what he has seen over his thousands of years of observation and living; Hemidall would appear to be right. Loki sighed, running his hand over his face with failure. "Don't feel bad my prince, you made a wise decision given your position" Loki felt himself smile beneath his finger, the familiar words coming from Odin only moments ago. Hemidall continued to say, "You'll make a wise king one day…"