Thor's coronation is a splendid and gilded affair. Frigga crowns him and blesses his reign while Jane stands with a Valkyrie escort to one side and Loki, dressed in scholar's robes, beside Mobius in formal court garments stands on the other. There are pledges from the Einherjar, from members of the court. There are ambassadors to receive, visits from other regents from other worlds and realms, and declarations of welcome made. Jane stands beside Thor resplendent, gently coached by Frigga between the various appointments and events, Darcy slipping in to remind her to eat, drink water, and making bad jokes so Jane laughs.

Loki has some duties of his own to carry out, though most are more quiet. There are ceremonies to prepare for to welcome those of other realms to Asgard, some with meticulously choreographed narratives and Loki thrives on the research that goes into this element of the coronation. He also sometimes works himself into a mild panic over not getting things precise enough, and when that happens, Mobius keeps him calm and sends for Frigga, who tells him stories from Odin's coronation that never made it into the record books. There were moments of intense doubt, times when the ceremonies went hilariously wrong, and breaks in the facade of perfection that no one minded, moments that humanized the new king. And she assures Loki that their guests will be no less forgiving. This somewhat eases his mind.

Mobius has a much more visible role as the king's clerk. There are official records to keep, documents to have different parties sign, treaties to retrieve from archives and read, and so many pages to file in their proper places. He is very grateful for his staff and he makes sure to tell them this regularly, insisting that every time someone praises his efficiency, the efforts can only run as well as his team does. Despite the pressure, Mobius thrives, his affection for his staff clear as he goes over their agenda each day and debriefs them every evening, assuring them that this flurry of activity won't be forever, it's just something they have to get through thanks to the coronation.

After a particularly long day, one of the newest members of his clerical team drips over the edge of a carpet and the pile of papers in his hands scatter all over the floor. The room falls silent as he starts to try to frantically gather them, pages sliding from the haphazard pile in his arms.

Mobius hurries over, "Hey, are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry, I'll get it all picked up and sorted tonight. I know this is important. I'll stay late-"

"No, you're not going to stay late," Mobius says, gesturing for the others to come closer, "And we're going to help you get this all picked up. Come on, everybody. Let's dump this all on my desk and call it a night."

The clerk kneeling on the floor stares at him, "You're not going to make me sort it right now?"

Mobius shakes his head, "We're all tired, Len. None of us are up for that. It's not like the papers are going to get any more messy overnight or that they're going to walk off and hide somewhere. We can deal with them in the morning."

"But the plan said we had to get this done tonight. There's a lot to do tomorrow…."

"And? We're setting our own deadlines. The ones Thor gave us are kinda loose – you know, times it would be good to get them done by, but if it slips by...well, we'll put the stuff with the firmest deadline first and work around that."

Len gathers the papers, joining the others in picking up; Mobius does the same, "Thank you, sir. I'd heard stories from the older clerks about what it was like to work with the All-Father and how strict he could be sometimes…."

"Well I'm not saying we're never going to need to be hard-and-fast with a deadline or that things aren't going to have to get strict now and then, but I figure if we can work this well on something like a coronation, we'll be fine as we get into the normal flow of things afterwards, you know? It'll be alright," Mobius says. "Thor's not going to be the same kind of king as his father was. That doesn't mean it's going to be all fun and games, but I think he'll be fair and kind."

One of the other clerks speaks up, "Can I ask a rather...impertinent...question?"

"Sure."

"Are you saying this because you honestly think he'll be a good king or does the fact you're Loki's partner sway your thoughts?"

Mobius shrugs, "I'm sure it does, in some ways. But I think that makes me probably more critical. I mean, I've seen what Thor's like when he first gets up in the morning. I've been with him late into the evening when he's exhausted. I've seen him worried, angry, even a little scared, and every time, I still think he's a good man after. I learned a lot about people before I made it to Asgard with Loki. Some of it was pretty bad. But it means I'm a pretty decent judge of character. And I think Thor's going to do his absolute best to be a good king, even if he makes mistakes."

"What's he like?" another asks.

"He's got a good heart," Mobius answers, "Loves his family intensely. Really protective of Loki. Loki's been through some really hard stuff and when it's all just too much, Thor's ready to come by and do whatever he can to help. He's stayed the night in the cottage just to make sure Loki felt OK sleeping through the night. But he's also really playful and funny. He's great with the kids. And I know he wants to do right by Asgard and feels a lot of pressure to live up to his father's reputation. He's hard on himself sometimes when he doesn't. But Frigga's an amazing mom and she does an incredible job making sure both her kids know they're loved and that so long as they're always trying, they'll be alright. And she'll love them no matter what."

The clerks dump the papers on Mobius' desk and Len sighs, "Thanks for being understanding."

"None of us work well when we're this tired. Let's just all go get some rest and we'll start up again in the morning," Mobius says, "We're all in this together."

Len smiles, "It's good to hear you say that, sir."

"Remember...you don't need to call me 'sir.' I may be your boss, and I may be the king's younger sibling's partner, but neither of those things means I'm more valuable than you are. I'm just another clerk."

"We're grateful to you for that," another clerk says. "And we'll see you in the morning."

"Take care, everybody," Mobius says, walking with them to the door. He turns out the lights and locks the door before heading back to their rooms in the palace. It is late and there is a warm bed waiting, likely with his beloved already snuggled down under the blankets.

After all the hustle and bustle is done, Jane wants to escape home to Earth with Darcy. There is a friend there they both miss and they need to be away from the intensity of the coronation. Thor elects to go with them. It is not unusual for new kings to disappear for a few days after they are first crowned and so Loki is left in charge as steward. He is nervous and hopes to avoid visibility as much as possible. Mobius and his clerks keep the business end of ruling Asgard moving along smoothly while Loki spends most of his time bringing the issues of the day to Frigga so they can talk them through before he has to make any decision. Even if she is merely a sounding board, he doesn't trust himself to rule, especially not after all the years of seeking power to fill the holes in his heart. He curls up against Mobius every night and expresses his doubts and fears, starting off each day with Mobius' reassurances from before they fell asleep still echoing in his memory.

When Thor returns on the Bifrost, he, Jane, and Darcy bring with them a rather large crate balanced on a rickety metal cart. Heimdall stares at it suspiciously, but Thor reassures him it is a great treasure from Midgard, a gift to show someone in his family just how much their hard work means to him. Heimdall lets them pass without questioning this. The cart's wheels squeal in protest as Thor happily drags it along the bridge to the city, Darcy skipping alongside him, excited over what the gift will mean to the person for whom it is intended.

He parks the cart in the courtyard and then goes to seek out his family. Randi greets him with the Einherjar and Liv walks with Thor, Jane, and Darcy to the cottage where Loki is playing with the children. They rush out to meet Thor, giggling as they all jump on him for hugs. Frigga and Brunnhilde hurry across the garden from the palace with Mobius close on their heels, ready to rescue Thor if they need to.

Loki steps out of the cottage after the children, wiping her hands on a dish towel, "Once you're done trying to climb my brother, you still need to come put your dishes in the sink. Excitement doesn't absolve you from taking care of what you used at lunch." They scamper back inside and she walks to Thor, offering him a hug, which he gladly accepts, "It's wonderful to have you home, Brother. How was your journey?"

"It was a good break after the rush and bustle of the past few weeks. Was your time as steward too stressful?"

"Not at all. And our mother did a lovely job keeping me steady while Mobius' clerks were absolutely incredible with their work to keep everything running like clockwork," she says, still in his arms and he in hers.

Thor smiles at her, "I knew you would do a beautiful job, despite your doubts. You would make a wise ruler, Loki, and I intend to draw on that wisdom as often as you allow."

Frigga places her hand on Thor's shoulder, "You were right to put your trust in her," she says, "And does your mother get a hug on your return?"

He lets go of Loki and draws in Frigga, "Of course. And how are you on this fine day?"

"Wonderful – I am so happy to have you home."

Mobius steps up to Loki and kisses her cheek, "Have the kids been this energetic all day?"

"From the moment they arrived," she answers, "they've been nothing but joyful and thrilled to greet Thor on his return."

Mobius steps back to scan Loki's outfit; she wears a long shawl wrapped around her shoulders in mottled watercolours of autumn leaves. It drapes elegantly down her back and obscures her gown, but Mobius knows the feeling of the fabric by heart. It is her beloved light brown dress, the one she had wondered if she would ever wear again.

"You're absolutely stunning today, sweetheart. And you're wearing the dress."

Loki nods, "Yes. After you were gone and I'd taken my tea, I took a slow morning before the children arrived. I decided that this is the day for beginnings – it is the true start of Thor's reign and it almost feels like an entirely new chapter of our lives has begun. So in the name of all things renewed...I decided to give it a chance, too."

"And how are you feeling about it now?"

"Happy," she answers, "Frida said it's the softest dress she'd ever felt when she crawled up on my lap. Frode said I looked comfortable and thought the fabric would keep me pleasantly warm, given my skin is always just a little cold. And Arne said I look lovely today, as if I had an extra reason to be happy. He's right. And I'm so glad that they said what they did. It told me it was all the more important that I not step back into the despair of that moment and toss this garment aside once more."

Mobius leans in and kisses her cheek, "It's just as beautiful on you as it was the first day I ever saw you in it."

She blushes, "Thank you."

Their conversation is interrupted by Darcy's boisterous announcement, "Gather 'round, everybody! We brought presents!"

"Oh my," Loki says to Mobius, "I wonder what the Lady Darcy has deemed suitable gifts for her family?"

"Not just me," Darcy replies, "Jane and Thor, too. And some of them are just fun things, some of them a little more serious. But I think you'll all like them." She digs into a large bag she is carrying and hands Brunnhilde a brightly coloured package. For Frigga, the box is smaller. There are gifts for the children, for Liv, and for Randi. The children tear into theirs first. They find chocolate and candy and LEGO kits. Darcy promises to help them build them as soon as they've given out the rest of the gifts.

For Randi, there is a long and slender sword, a glove, a metal mesh face mask, and a white padded shirt. Jane explains they're for a swordplay sport. She has brought back her own and intends to show her how to use it. Liv finds an antique mirrored microscope in her package along with a few playful science kits, one on making slime, one on growing crystals, and another for oobleck that Jane thought she would enjoy as an example of what Earth considers a way to introduce science to children. And given that Elmer's glue isn't prevalent in Asgard, Darcy thought slime would be a fun new thing for the whole family, an extra gallon of the stuff in her bag.

Frigga's package contains a tarot deck themed after fairies and an oracle deck of crows. There is a book with them and it fascinates Frigga that some Midgardians practice this form of divination. When Brunnhilde opens her gift, she starts laughing. Darcy giggles, too. Brightly coloured horses, some with wings, some with horns, and all with little icons on their rumps, stand in a row in a windowed box.

"These are My Little Pony characters," Darcy says, "It's a kids' show back on Earth where these horses and unicorns and pegasuses all learn about friendship and stuff. I thought you'd like them, what with the flying horses and all. Also, I brought back comics and DVDs from my own stash so we can watch them together."

"They're incredibly cute," Brunnhilde replies, "And I'm going to have a lot of fun bringing them to places I probably shouldn't. Imagine me, sitting with the king's advisors, with one of these little horses just sitting near my notes…."

"That would be hilarious and I'll make sure to watch what people do when you adjust it, or maybe trot it across the page. It'll be super funny."

Jane brings a bag over to Loki, "And these...these are something special. They were my mom's...and some of them were mine, too, but they're all from when she was young. She's been dead since I was a kid and I can't wear them, but...well, you're tall and willowy like she was. I think they'll fit."

Loki takes the bag and draws out one of the garments and holds it up; a long pale-blue gown with a high waist and bright flowers printed down the skirt flutters in the breeze, it's butterfly sleeves elegantly catching the wind, "This is beautiful, Jane. I'm honoured."

"She wore that one on her first date with my dad."

Loki folds the dress and sets it back in the bag, "If you don't mind, I'd like to look at these later, when things have calmed down and I can spread them out on the bed. Out here, I'm afraid something would be dropped and stepped on."

"Yeah, that's fine."

"I'll invite you in to tell stories when I do."

Jane smiles, "Thanks...that would mean a lot to me."

"It means a lot to me that you would entrust these things to me," she replies.

"Well, I'm never going to wear them, and realistically, I'm never going to see any kid Thor and I might have live to be old enough to wear them, so I thought it would be nice for them to make you happy now."

Loki offers Jane a hug and hands the bag to Mobius; Jane accepts and Loki holds her close, "My dearest Jane...thank you so much for sharing your beloved mother with me in this way."

"You're welcome, Loki."

As they step back, Thor approaches them, "And there is one more gift to give – Mobius! Asgard would be far less organized without you beside me. Follow me to the water's edge. There should be something waiting there for you."

Mobius glances at Loki, confused, "I...have no idea what this could be. Come with me?"

"Everyone's coming with you!" Thor declares, "This is truly a day to celebrate my family!" He drapes his arm over Mobius' shoulder and they all make their way to the palace with him. They cross though and exit through the outer courtyard, walking past the place where Brunnhilde first touched her ship down coming home. Mobius squeezes Loki's hand as they pass and they share a smile between them.

When they get to the water, there is a something draped in a red blanket and a pair of Einherjar attending; Thor gestures to them, "Behold!"

The Einherjar lift the corners of the blanket and dramatically flip it aside to reveal a gleaming white, black, and blue jet ski.

Mobius' excitement can't be contained and he laughs, shouting, "Yes! Yes! It's a jet ski! Loki, look! I've got a jet ski!"

"Well, why don't you try it out?" Loki says, kissing his cheek.

Thor walks behind it and picks up a life jacket, "There are a few of these in different sizes to go with this vehicle. We made sure to get them in sizes that would allow you to take any one of us along as guests."

Mobius finds the one in his size and buckles it around him, "Well, Thor, do you want to be my first passenger when I get back in after my inaugural ride?"

"I would be delighted!" Thor beams.

Mobius looks to Loki and shrugs, "Sorry, sweetheart, but...he got me a jet ski."

Loki laughs, "I understand, my love. Now go, have fun. I will be here on shore, cheering you on."

Mobius takes it into the water, hops on, and fires up the engine. He whoops with glee as it takes off across the bay, skipping across the water under the skiffs flying above.

Before long, palace staff have come to see what the commotion on the water is about and they gather to watch the laughing man on the jet ski. When he comes back, his smile is bright and his enthusiasm catching as he encourages Thor to join him and takes off once again. Throughout the day, the children will take short turns before they are tired and eager to return to the cottage for their LEGO kits. Darcy and Loki take them back and settle in on the cottage floor, happy for a break. While the joy of their family is thrilling, Loki needs the moment of quiet and Darcy is willing to give it to her when she needs to step away from the children's energy for a few moments.

Loki walks to the library and takes in all she and Mobius have created there – the folders of notes, the drawings she's made, the manuscripts they have in progress on their own shelf. Content, she moves to the bedroom and sits on the foot of the bed for a moment. This is where she has found so much peace in the arms of her lover, and, over one heartbreaking night, also beside her protective brother. It was then she knew that what had been broken between them was healed. It is where she feels she has found a haven. She stands and steps out into the garden, settling her heart and listening for the life that buzzes, chirps, sings, and grows around her. The garden that she and Mobius tend together and invite their family to enjoy with them, the hidden places delighting the children as they play. She looks to the sky. Somewhere far beyond Asgard, there are a few people she wishes she could bring to this place, to sit with them in the bright sunlight, and to share the safety of this little sanctuary. But they are in a world beyond time and she has no idea how she could even tell them they are welcome in her home. The thought saddens her a little. The other Lokis – the child, the alligator, the elder, even the ones who were up to no good...they didn't have an Asgard like this, or if they did, they were stolen from it. Sylvie as well. Loki feels indebted to her for giving her this chance to defy the role spelled out on the sacred timeline for a Loki.

"I am not simply the tool for others to use to become the best versions of themselves," Loki says, "I don't have to suffer. Neither did they. And I will live fully because they cannot." It is a vow she has thought over and over again, but saying it to the gentle breeze with her eyes lifted seems to make it both a promise and a prayer. "Thank you, Sylvie. I won't forget you."

When she is ready to return to the house, she pauses at her wardrobe and glances through the gowns hanging beside her tunics and trousers. This is also where she has found her voice and found the happiness that comes from letting herself be whomever she needs to be in any given day. Her eyes drift to her hand as it rests on the hangers in the wardrobe, her attention falling on her ring. She smiles. There is something poetic about their rings being of two different worlds across time when they, too, are from two different worlds across time. This is also the room in which her beloved Mobius made it clear to her that they were bound to one another, regardless of how they chose to express it.

She returns to the front of the house where Darcy happily helps the children read the directions in their LEGO sets, patiently guiding them through finding pieces and snapping them together. Loki goes to the kitchen and prepares hot chocolate for everyone, taking her time, allowing herself to settle into the magic of the everyday ways in which she cares for her family. This is a life that suits her, one that makes her happy, and one she is so glad to share with her beloved Mobius.

She delivers the hot chocolate to the living room and sits down beside Darcy, "So...show me what you are building, my young friends."

"Vehicles," Arne says, "Like none I've ever seen."

"Ah. I see! Yours looks like some sort of flying contraption."

"Darcy calls it a 'helicopter' and says it is known to hover in the air by the power of its rotor," Arne says.

"Mine's a race car!" Frode announces, "Darcy says they were made to go really fast!"

"I've got a dinosaur!" Frida says, "I'm not sure what a dinosaur is, but it looks pretty wild!"

"I'm going to have to get into a natural history lesson for that one, kiddo," Darcy says, "So keep building and we'll have story time with Darcy."

Loki smiles, "I think we'd all very much like that."

"Good, because you know there's not much that's going to stop me."

"Indeed," Loki says, "Carry on, carry forth."

And Darcy begins. Loki realizes, listening, that she very well may be experiencing the absolutely perfect day. Her family is safely home, her beloved thrilled to find himself the proud owner of a jet ski he never thought he'd have the chance to ride, and the children are happily playing beside her. Unlike when she left Asgard, when it was a place she had taken for granted and then striven to leave, this Asgard is a part of the fabric of her soul, a place entirely hers, even though it is not the Asgard of her birth.

She smiles at Frida and reaches forward to help her with a tricky block. The little girl happily hugs Loki in thanks.

Loki kisses the child's cheek and hands her back the LEGOs. She knows, without a doubt, that there is a rightness to her being in this place, and she feels so incredibly lucky that she has found a home in this Asgard after the long journey that brought her so far away, out of time itself, and back again.