Author's notes: I'm going to try to keep this updated on a frequent basis, but please be understanding with me. I work a very intense 40 hour week job and can only write in my spare time. Thank you so much for reading!

"Jarvis, do we have any Christmas decorations?" Tony asked, heading to the kitchen in his quest for Loki. Loki would only be in one of two places: His quarters or the kitchen. Mischief Incarnate was a fabulous pseudo-wife.

A speaker overhead responded, "Negative, sir. All of the permanent Stark decorations were disposed of for laboratory expansion."

"Hrm. Well, order the largest tree that will comfortably sit in the main ballroom of the tower and then order complimentary red and gold decorations. Make it a rush job. I'd prefer it to come pre-dressed. Oh," Tony made a circle motion around his ear as he ticked off his mental checklist, "and deposit the usual amount into Pepper's account. The usual pretty, post haste."

"Done sir. Is there anything more you require?" the ceiling politely inquired.

Tony reached the kitchen and placed his cup in the sink. No sign of dancing banana pajamas. "Yeah, is Loki in his room?"

"Yes, sir. He appears to be having a late dinner with his mother."

"Mother?" Tony scratched his head in confusion, "When did Frigga get here?"

"Lady Frigga appeared on the premises at approximately 7:30pm, sir. She appeared directly to Mr. Odinson, and with the exception of Mr. Odinson acquiring food, they have been in his chambers since."

Tony threw his hands in light frustration, "Why didn't you tell me she was here?"

"I did, sir," came the quick, if not indignant, retort, "You promptly responded, 'Unless she asks for me or they blow something up, whatev,' and continued working. You were in the midst of soldering a shoulder piece together when you received the message."

"Ah," Tony mumbled, slightly embarrassed to be told off by his A.I., "Sorry about that."

"It is quite all right, sir. If you plan on speaking with Lady Frigga, I would suggest you do it soon. It appears that that dinner is drawing to a close."

"Pass the message that I would like to speak with her. I'm just going to jump in the shower real quick. Ya know, do what I can to be presentable."

There was a moment of silence as Tony made his way back to his rooms. A side panel near his door chimed, "Message received, sir. The Asgardians patiently await your presence."

Tony showered quickly, pausing just long enough to rinse the sweat from his body. He took care in choosing his clothes, doing his best to appear formally causal. He doubted Frigga would have cared if he had just shown up naked, but there was something about her that encouraged him to be at his best.

Tony made long strides to Loki's room, noting the small touches the god had included in his walkway. A curling vine design on the door frame, a vase of roses beneath the hall window. Talk to Loki about architecture, Tony added to his mental checklist.

He raised a hand to knock, but the door opened before he could touch it.

Frigga peered out and smiled. With her gold hair tousled in loose ringlets that blended in perfectly with a gorgeous, bejeweled gown, impeccable makeup, and the air of confidence and charisma that only Frigga could exude, Tony was momentarily taken back in awe. Odin's fair lady giggled and gently pressed against his chin to close his mouth. He had the grace to be embarrassed and gave her a wobbly smile in return.

If there was one thing to hate about Asgardians, it was the damn way they threw a person off balance.

Frigga opened the door wider with a flourish and gestured to a seat near Loki's bed.

Banana pajamas had also decided to dress for the occasion and had his traditional black and green in the form of a simple suit. He sat on his bed, pages of his essays spread around him. He was in the process of gathering them back into a large pile when he looked at Tony and smiled.

Tony took a quick glance around Loki's room and realized it was the first time he had ever entered the space (in person) since it had become the god's living quarters. One could almost mistake the room for a plant nursery for all the foliage it possessed. Tony started to question where Loki could have acquired all the materials for his little project when the answer hit him.

Jarvis.

Tony spared a quick glance to the ceiling. He and a certain A.I. were going to have an unpleasant little chat.

Loki cleared a stack of papers off the chair Frigga had gestured to and gestured Tony again to sit. Tony sat and wanted to squirm at the sudden attention. Loki may have not been Frigga's blood child, but seeing such an imposing stare of undivided attention in stereo was more than a little unsettling.

"So, Anthony," Frigga asked warmly, "What brings you too us?"

"Well, um," Tony swallowed, "I had apparently missed the memo the when you first arrived. I thought it would be rude to, uh, let you pass through and not say hello."

"Oh," Frigga giggled, "Well, hello. How have you been? Has my favorite son," she ruffled Loki's hair affectionately, "been staying out of trouble?"

"Oh yeah," Tony nodded, "He's a great roommate. Quiet. Makes sure I get fed on a regular basis. I actually have someone intelligent to talk to."

Loki chuckled, "I do what I can. You prove to be most difficult at times."

Tony gave him a devilish grin, "It wouldn't be fun if it were easy."

Loki snorted and rolled his eyes. Frigga giggled and lightly patted him on the knee, "Ah, just like old times with you and Thor." She smiled warmly at them both, "I'm so glad you get along. It warms my heart that your time on Earth would be filled with glad tidings. Hopefully it will make your return to Asgard all the faster."

Loki returned his mother's smile with sincerity and raised her hand to kiss her knuckles, "It is my fondest wish and I look forward too it."

Something in Tony's heart clenched in a bittersweet way and he tried to push it aside. Ironman couldn't cry twice in one day. Tony politely interjected, "Is that the reason for your visit? I mean, to check on him?"

Frigga smiled again and happily shook her head, "Oh no. This eve is Mother's Night and Loki asked me to celebrate it with him. Given our arrangement, I had hoped you wouldn't mind if I spent the time with him."

"Not at all!" Tony was quick to refute, "You're welcome here anytime you'd like. I'm just curious though, Mother's Night? Doesn't that happen in spring or something?"

Loki shook his head, "No, Mother's Night is the first night of the Yuletide. It is a time to give gifts and thanks to our mothers for all they do. It is a night above all else to show how much we honor and respect them."

Frigga giggled, "It's not only for mothers, but all the strong women in one's life." She pulled Loki into her embrace, "It is nice to be reminded how much our children care, though."

Loki returned her hug and Tony had to look away. Loneliness and bittersweet want roared at him. Damn it, he was Ironman and Ironman was NOT going to cry twice in one day.

"Ok," Tony said, trying to steer himself back onto steady ground, "That's what the cup was for. Thank you," he gestured to Loki, "it was very good." He pondered for a moment and then looked at Frigga, "Well, I guess I need to ask you for a favor."

"Oh?" she straightened and smoothed down her dress, assuming the pose of a business woman.

"I realized earlier that I haven't celebrated holidays since my mother's death and, well," Tony swallowed his embarrassment, "I'm pretty sure I'm going to be terrible at it. Would you mind…would you mind helping me plan out a party? I mean," Tony gestured to Loki, "I know he's supposed to be being punished, but I'd really like to celebrate the holidays with him. It'd seem in a bad taste to throw an event and keep my living library locked up like a mistreated house elf."

Tony winked at the shocked expression on Loki's face, unsure if it was because he had almost admitted they were friends or because he'd pulled a literary reference out of his ass, and turned back to Frigga.

Frigga clapped her hands and almost squealed with glee, "Oh yes! Oh, this is going to be marvelous! Hrm, here ,darling, allow me to return to Asgard to make arrangements for my absence and then we can discuss this more."

She stood, spun in a tight circle, and soundly kissed Loki on both cheeks, "Oh, a wonderful holiday with my favorite boy. This is..oh, my!"

Frigga clapped and giggled again, too excited to speak. Once she could mostly compose herself, a flood of gold rushed Tony as she enveloped him into a hug.

She was warm and smelled like honey with a tiny dash of cinnamon. "Oh, thank you!" she whispered, "This is be an event for the ages!"

Tony suddenly found himself unblinkingly staring into deep amber eyes, "We will make your mother proud!" Lady Frigga promised before engulfing him for another hug.

Torn between ravenous joy, unbridled excitement, exhaustion from a long day, and the lingering taste of bittersweet sorrow, Tony let himself go in her hug and her warmth.

For the second time in a day, Ironman cried.