Sorry for the late update, I don't really have any excuses... But enjoy! (:

Loki was pacing their chambers as Thor was preparing himself for things he would need. Time had passed to quickly and it was already time for Thor and the others to leave, they would be departing in the morning, and then Loki would take over for the Allfather's absence.

"Brother please, you're making me nervous." Thor said as he continued to pack.

"You're nervous! You're not the one who has to be the king while father is away!"

Thor turned around and smiled at Loki, "He picked you for good reason, and you have a better head on your shoulders than I do. And mother will be with you."

Loki tried to let that sink in, but it just wouldn't, he didn't want to be the king, even if it was for a short time. He never really wanted to be king, he just wanted to be noticed, and for Thor and himself to rule together. He couldn't help but think of the worst case scenarios.

"Loki here," Thor rummaged through his pack and pulled out a necklace, it was the necklace mother had given him, blue to match his eyes. It was one of the rarest gems in Asgard. It had signified the birth of the prince. Thor smiled and placed the necklace around Loki's neck, "Keep this on, and I'll be with you no matter what happens."

Loki looked up at his brother, "This is yours though, it was created for you…"

Thor nodded, "And it's said it is to be given to the ones' love, and I love you Loki."

Loki blushed as Thor leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.

"I love you as well…" Loki said avoiding Thor's eyes.

"Loki, what else bothers you?"

Loki looked at him, tears forming, "Promise you won't make rash decisions, promise you'll come back home."

Thor smiled took Loki's hands, "Only if you'll be here waiting for me."

Loki nodded looking lovingly into Thor's eyes, "I'll always be waiting."

While Thor was busy in meeting about the details and plans of the mission Loki took it upon himself to spend time with his mother, it had been a while since they two of them enjoyed each other's company. She was heading out into town when Loki caught up with her, she loved going around and seeing the people of Asgard and the people loved her company. She took it upon herself to buy crafts and goods made by them and she loved to tell their children stories of the great Princes of Asgard.

"I'm glad you decided to join me today." She said as they headed to the village.

Loki nodded, "I missed doing these things with you, and I admire you for it. You take the time to visit your people, which says a lot about a queen."

She smiled, "You've always been good with words Loki, that's a good trait for a king to possess."

Loki rolled his eyes, "Now you're sounding like Thor."

She laughed, "He may not be good with words, but he knows what he's saying. When was the last time you came into the village with me?"

Loki thought, "When I was young, and the elder women would fuss over me."

Frigga smiled at the memory, "Yes, now you'll be attracting the attention of young men and women."

Loki blushed, "You're so upfront sometimes mother…"

She laughed, "Forgive me, since we are a good distance now, how are you and Thor?"

Loki smiled, "He gave me this," He pulled out the necklace from under his shirt.

"He is serious isn't he? I told him to give it to the one he wishes to be with forever. It seems he has chosen you."

Loki was rolling it in his fingers, "He wanted me to keep it for when he leaves, so he's with me. I wish I had something to give him."

Frigga smiled as her son, "You'll come up with something."

Thor really wanted out of this meeting, what was supposed to be a simple "go over the plan" turned into the council interrupting them. And not about a topic that Thor felt needed to be discussed.

"I've told you my decision, and I will not change it." Odin said, irritation dripping from his lips.

"We just think it would be wise for Thor to stay, and for Loki to accompany you…"

Thor really wanted to punch them, "What makes me any better than Loki at being king? If anything he's better at making decisions."

Odin nodded, "Loki has a better head on his shoulders, he is my son and this is my choice."

"We understand your highness, but Loki is not of Asgardian-"

Thor slammed his hands on the table, "Loki is an Asgardian, he is my brother and the son of Odin and Frigga. I see no need to blather on any further!" Thor was at his limit, the damn council didn't even trust his brother. He understood that his father had to tell them about Loki, but he wished otherwise.

"My son has said it all, this debate is over. I shall be leaving at sunrise with Thor and the others and Loki and my wife will remain here as rulers until my return. Understood?"

The council had no choice but to nod in agreement, they quickly dispersed leaving Thor alone with Odin. Odin was rubbing his forehead, "I can't get them to put trust in him, it may be their job to place the safety of Asgard first. But at least trust my son!"

Thor sighed, "They'll come to terms with it eventually."

Odin looked up at his son, "Thank you for stepping up for him."

Thor shook his head, "I think I should be saying that, he'll do a fine job father."

Odin nodded and Thor headed out to see where Loki went off too.

"Oh, I remember when you were only this tall.."

Loki was smiling so much it was hurting, it wasn't as if he wanted to smile, but he had to for these old women who had nothing better to do than reminisce on the old times. All he had heard since they got into town was, "You've grown so much!" "We missed seeing you and your brother roaming around here." "You used to sneak into our pasture and pet our horses, it was the cutest thing."

Loki had forgotten all of those days, he was glad he was being reminded. He had managed to sneak away while his mother was in a deep conversation with the women from the bakery shop. He was following the sound of music which he believed was coming from the town square.

The town square it was, it was filled with basic Asgardians moving about and chatting away. Some were dancing in the square and Loki snuck around the crowd looking for a place to sit where he would go unnoticed. Well, he was until someone smacked right into him.

Loki backed up and rubbed his forehead, "Ow, I'm so sorry I didn't see-"

"Brother! I knew I'd find you around here!"

Loki blinked as he realized it was Thor, "What are you doing here! I thought the meeting-"

"It was just a short one, I was told you headed out here with mother, where is she?"

Loki pointed behind him, "Speaking to one of the townspeople."

Thor nodded as he looked around and smiled, "I forgot how lively the people are here, you always loved the music in the square."

Loki nodded, "Yeah, I'm glad I came with her today. I kind of wanted some idea on what the people think of me, and I'm still that little boy who was always causing trouble with you."

Thor laughed, "And that means?"

Loki smiled, "I'm assuming they like me."

Thor took his hand, "They'd be crazy not to." Thor placed a gentile kiss on Loki's forehead. Which Loki backed away from, "What are you doing!?"

Thor smirked, "Relax brother, we did such gestures as kids. It's just brotherly affection to them."

Loki looked around as some of the villagers smiled in their direction, he was a little surprised Thor was right, and then blushed for overreacting.

"Thor, what're you doing here?" Frigga shouted as she came over towards her boys.

"I came in search for you two, the meeting got out early."

She smiled at Loki, "I thought you'd be here, I heard the music playing. Care to share a dance with your mother?"

Loki smiled warmly at her, "I'd be glad to."

They three of them spent their time taking turns dancing with each other, which meant Loki and Frigga followed by Thor and Frigga. Loki wasn't exactly comfortable dancing with Thor, and Thor had no argument so they just enjoyed each other's company and the cheers and smiles of the townspeople. Loki took a seat on a bench and watched Thor and their mother dance, he loved the two of them very much, and his mother had to be one of the most beautiful goddesses to exist. And Thor had to be the most confident looking and handsome, something Loki knew he lacked. Just because he had a sharp tongue didn't mean he was that confident, that's why Loki always tagged behind Thor, because he wanted to be just like his brother.

But none of that childish stuff mattered, this was his last night messing around with Thor until they both had duties to fill, and he was going to enjoy it as much as he could.

Well, there you go! Hope you all have a great St. Patrick's Day weekend! Thanks for your comments and for reading it!