Leah had gotten up early the next morning leaving a sleeping peacefully Loki in bed, it was far to tempting to stay with him but she needed to get back in shape. She had missed the time she had spent exercising, it was time for her to think and be alone. Leah got into her running trousers and crop top. She checked on Astrid who was still fast asleep, she could not complain about this child's sleeping patterns. Astrid slept completely through the nights since she had been born, Leah knew that was not normal however this was not a normal child. Leah placed a small kiss on the little girls head before setting off on a run.
Leah had been running for a while till she stopped at the edge of one balcony panting, she had not run for months and it showed. She was completely out of shape and her fitness was non existant, Leah just placed her hands on her hips as she tried to calm her breathing. She just ran her hand through her sweaty hair,as she readied herself for another battle with herself, when she heard footsteps turning to see Thor coming up to her smiling.
"Morning" Thor grinned staring at her slightly unsure about her choice in clothing. She knew that it was not something any of woman in Asgard would wear but it suited its task of keeping her comfy and cool while exercising.
"Thor." Leah said still slightly out of puff. "How are you?"
"Well." Thor sighed still smiling at her. "How is the new mother, my niece and brother?" She noticed how Thor seemed to raise an eyebrow when he mentioned Loki suggestively.
"I am good and I hope they are still sleeping." Leah replied smiling just thinking about Astrid, completely ignoring Thor's comment.
"Would you walk with me for a moment?" Thor asked looking thoughtful.
Leah just nodded a little curious about what he wanted, she followed Thor out of the palace, they started walking the Bifrost bridge. Leah hadn't been here since with Loki but it was still just as beautiful as she remembered. They hadn't said a word since leaving the palace, till Thor looked down with her.
"Loki spoke to me how I upset you about your and your brothers relationship." Thor began sounding a little concerned. "I am sorry, I did not mean to upset you."
"It wasn't you." Leah shook her head looking down thinking about it for a moment. "It's just between myself and Clint. I didn't think he would be like this after all we have been through something so stupid has torn us apart."
Thor just nodded like he understood. She guessed in a funny way he could, with his relationship with Loki, they had been though so much together aswell. They arrived at an observatory was the only word Leah could think of describing it but it was magnificent. Leah just remembered the dead-end that was here last tim, when Loki brought her here on their kind of date she guessed. The building was stunning, she never expected it to look so beautiful, it was perfectly round with almost like a cannon point at the top, which Leah expected helped with direction where people were sent. Leah turned to look at Thor questioningly, she wasn't really sure why he had brought her down here.
"It's just finished being built." Thor answered her unspoken question. "I know how much everyone back on earth means to you. There is someone I would like you to meet who may be able to help you keep them close to you." Thor took her hand taking inside the golden globe. Leah saw the tall man with golden eyes standing there. The building was even more stunning on the inside.
"So this is the new member of Asgard." He said his voice rich and smooth, he seemed kind and gentle which made her relax slightly.
"Heimdall this is Leah Barton." Thor introduced them.
"I have heard plenty about you." Heimdall nodded.
"Right." Leah blushed not really knowing what to say.
"Heimdall is the gate-keeper of all of Asgard, he keeps an eye on the universe all of it." Thor explained to her smiling at Leah. "I have spoken to Heimdall, he will keep an eye on your brother and give you updates only if you wish. He will be able to tell you where he is and what he is doing, I hope this may help ease the pain of your parting."
"Really." Leah looked at the pair of them a little shocked and stunned by what she had been told. She looked at the tall gate-keeper curiously, not really sure if Thor was actually being honest with her. "You can do that?"
"Yes." The man nodded not looking that baffled by her surprise.
"Oh right." Leah just moved around the large round room running her hands on the textured wall, Leah just looked out at the universe which was exposed through a hole in the observatory. The glimmering lights and the colours were extraordinary and stunning. She paused looking out through it studying its beauty. "Where is he now?"
Heimdall walked up to beside her standing next to her, he was really tall. Leah actually felt small standing beside this giant of a man, she had never felt intimidated by any one apart from Odin but Heimdall was up there now too. Leah just continued to look out at the universe mesmerized by it.
"He is still at your healers and he is in pain."
"Pain?" Leah glanced up at him frowning.
"Inner demons he fights. He is struggling with his recovery and loosing you. He is very confused and angry at the moment." Heimdall continued looking out a the universe with her, not once looking at her directly. "There is a red-head with him, she comforts him but he misses you. He struggles to walk which causes further suffering too."
"He's paralysed?" Leah gasped looking horrified feeling her stomach sink.
"No he walks but he has lost his strength. He was injured badly?" Heimdall told her looking down at her frowning slightly, Leah just nodded not really what else to say knowing that he must be actually seeing her. It sounded too much like Clint and the injury he received was bad. "He will walk again, he is determined."
"So did you see what happened to me when I was on earth?" Leah turned to question this man. She noticed how he looked at Thor who just nodded back at him. Obviously there was things that he would not answer if she came on her own and asked further questions. However Leah partially knew this was the case most places she went in Asgard, but it was strange to actually see first hand how much authority Thor actually had.
"Yes." Heimdall said looking down at her nodding.
"Did Loki come to you then to ask?" Leah muttered frowning slightly as she tried to get a better picture of what happened while she was on Earth.
"Yes. He did." Heimdall answered "He then asked me something I cannot to, defy the king. I wouldn't let him leave Asgard to help you. He then tried to escape though one of his other routes off Asgard. I had to tell the king."
"Ok." Leah took in all the information this man had told her. It made more sense that Loki had his own ways on and off Asgard. She guessed with Heimdall being all-seeing, he was watching Loki's movements for Odin. She knew that Heimdall was only doing his job and in a funny way protecting Loki from further punishment.
"Come Leah." Thor said interrupting her thought process. He walked out of the observatory, Leah just followed behind Thor still thinking about what had been said. Thor slowed his stride as he looked down at Leah.
"Has Loki thought any more about my fathers offer?"
"I do not know." Leah shook her head, they had barely had time to really talk much about it and Loki wasn't in the humour for her to really delve into it. "He has not told me anything, we have barely discussed it."
Thor just nodded a they walked purposely back to the palace, Leah parted way's with Thor heading back to her room. She shut the door to hear crying, Leah just quickly walked into the bedroom to see Loki still in bed with Astrid against him. He was trying to calm and soothe the little girl but she could see that he was failing and that was upseting him
"Where have you been?" He asked sounding a little angry and worried which made her heart melt how he was. She knew he wasn't that angry that she had been gone a while. SHe just shook her head and smiled at him as she went over to the bed.
"I went for a run and bumped into your brother we talked." Leah went to pick up Astrid before sitting in a chair and started feeding her which silenced the crying child immediately. Loki took a moment to watch them before sitting up further the sheets pooling around his waist exposing his naked chest.
"You went out dressed like that?" He frowned looking at her attire for a moment.
"Yes." Leah drawled at him. "And don't even think about saying something like you forbid it because that won't work."
"Really." Loki raised an eyebrow looking at her, she knew that look well. It made her bite the corner of her lip as his eyes told her that he was not going to take no for a answer. "Perhaps I would not want my wife revealing that much of herself."
"Jealous much." Leah laughed at him. "You have nothing to worry about, there is only one prince in my eyes." She mocked him slightly while smiling cheekily.
"Mmm." He sighed pulling a book out reading it occasionally glancing at her. "Was the talk with Thor of any interest then?"
"It was actually." Leah laughed at how he was pretending to not being interested but she knew he was. "I met Heimdall, Thor has giving him permission to tell me how my brother is doing." Loki just sneered slightly, Leah knew it was because of what happened on Earth, even though he couldn't blame Clint for that. "I still love him Loki, he is my brother."
She knew that he was pretending not to listen now, they were never going to see eye to eye about her brother and SHIELD at all. She knew that all too well but it would never change her own feelings about her friends and family.
"Thor also asked if you thought about what your father offered?"
"Mmm. Still considering it." Loki smiled obviously pleased how they asked about him. Leah placed Astrid over her shoulder and burping her. She just stared at him not really wanting him to do anything stupid. She knew what this meant to be offered something like this but if Loki was to do anything the consequences could be horrific. "Do not worry yourself." He smiled obviously noticing her gaze and concerned expression on her face.
"Your planning something Loki?" Leah stared at him seriously trying to work out what he was actually doing. "I know it, I can feel it."
"You do not need to be concerned." Loki let out a long sigh staring at her, looking at her with his emerald eyes seriously. "I am just keeping one stride ahead of them. My mother has also requested you to spend the morning with her."
"Oh god." Leah looked at herself in the mirror, seeing what a mess she actually looked. "You look after her." Leah placed Astrid in his arms before she started to run the warm water into a bath tub. She stripped out of her sweaty running clothes before coming back into the bedroom. "Pass her back." Leah held her arms out.
"I may join you?" Loki smiled up at her.
"Of course." Leah laughed as she took Astrid off of him stripping her out her baby clothes.
Leah just eased herself into the warm water holding Leah against her. Astrid started screeching, not enjoying the experience of a shared bath. Leah tried to calm Astrid down, as Loki got into the large tub. He came over to her, getting Astrid's attention as he made water fish which had her smiling again.
"Your amazing." Leah smiled sitting on the seat beside Loki, as she held Astrid against her chest begging to wash her with the water. She then handed her over to Loki before washing herself only laughing as Astrid's hands started splashing the water making Loki grin.
"Think she's enjoying herself." He added
"Your brilliant." Leah leant over and kissed him on the lips. "I am going to get ready to meet your mother, you okay looking after your daughter for a minute"
Loki just nodded before leaning forward and kissing her again before she climbed out of the bath tub. Leah just dried herself off before placing her underwear on and collecting Astrid off of a still smiling Loki.
"I will let you enjoy your bath now in peace." Leah smiled as she dried Astrid down by the towel. "Will you consider speaking to your brother about this offer at least?"
"I may go and see my.." Loki paused thinking for a moment before continuing. "Odin today to discuss it further."
"Good." Leah nodded before leaving him alone in the bath room so she could get herself and Astrid ready to see the Queen. Feeling pleased that he had at least agreed to speak about it to them, that was a step forward in her eyes. Leah knew that thier relationship was never going to be the easiest after what had happened but perhaps it would only get easier if there was something to build it on.