Erna found their home charming. While it was a far cry from the vast spaces she'd grown used to in the palace, it was warm and reminded her of where she grew up in Alfheim. She repeatedly found herself drawn to the tidy little garden at the back. It was surrounded by a wooden fence on all sides, so she felt marginally screened from view. Loki would certainly protest that anyone wishing to do her harm would ignore such a flimsy barrier, but she couldn't stay in the house all the time.

It quickly became her habit to settle in one of their lounge chairs and star gaze each night before bed. The Midgardian sky was just so different from the one she saw from home. Jane offered her a telescope when she'd noticed Erna's interest, but she gently refused. This way it was relaxing to watch the stars that shined over the same realm that once worshiped her husband as a god.

Thor joined her on the third night, quietly trying to slip into a seat and failing miserably at the task. He was just too large to be silent. She got the distinct impression he was guarding her, but decided to let him if that was his wish.

He left her in silence for several minutes before curiosity got the better of him. "Are you looking forward to becoming a mother?"

"I already am a mother. But yes, I'm looking forward to meeting her finally."

"Sister, I meant no disrespect."

"I know, Thor. I think it's different for men and women. I've been told a woman is a mother from the moment she finds out about the baby, while the man becomes a father once he lays eyes on the child. It's an old adage, and probably incorrect, but in my case it's the truth."

"You think it will take seeing her for Loki?"

"I think it will take this crisis being over. He's so focused on me right now, that I don't know if he's able to ponder his future as a father."

"Please don't fault him for that."

"I don't." She patted her brother-in-law's arm reassuringly.

"He loves you and he's just trying to cope with the danger to you."

She made a noncommittal noise, unwilling to either refute or agree to his pronouncement. But Thor, for all his bluster, was more perceptive than she gave him credit for. "You don't see it, do you?"

"See what?"

"That he loves you. Fiercely, I might add."

"Thor, that's really none of your-"

"Business? Aye, that's mostly true. But I have a vested interest in my brother's happiness. And whether you believe it to be true or not, he adores you."

She stared back at him, mouth hanging slightly agape. People assumed they were in love all the time. In fact, they'd cultivated that image when they began their courtship. But the funny thing was, Erna long stopped caring how others interpreted her behavior towards Loki. She simply did as she pleased. Even before the wedding she'd given up trying to frame her actions in the scope of their arrangement.

Surely Loki was still focused on the impression they left on others. Although the more she thought about it, the more uncertain that became. He didn't act around her, never had really. He didn't generally care enough about what anyone else thought to have much effect on his behavior. Aside from pretending Erna was an innocent, virginal bride, they hadn't put on an act.

And apparently it came across as love. But of course that's what Thor would see. Thor read simpering poetry and saw soul mates wherever he turned.

"I... Thor, the thing about Loki is..." She faltered trying to find a way out of the conversation.

His reply was so condescending she almost wanted to slap him. "Sister, I know he doesn't always express himself directly, but trust me. I know Loki."

As if she didn't. She'd be the first one to notice if Loki was in love with her, damn him. Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes and she wasn't sure if they were in anger... or something else entirely.

Erna shook her head quickly and sputtered out an apology. "I'm sorry, Thor. I'm just too tired and emotional right now to talk about this." She made a show of placing her hand on her stomach to signal that the abrupt end to the conversation was baby-related.

He jumped up as if stung by a hot poker, exactly as she'd hoped. "I didn't mean to distress you, Erna! You must rest. Allow me to escort you back to your chamber."

"That's very kind of you, Thor." Anything to get him of his previous track. She took the arm he offered and he escorted her back to her room at a glacial pace. He apparently thought she'd collapse from fatigue unless they took it very slowly. Thankfully, he kept to platitudes before leaving her for the night.

She had every intention of going straight to sleep, but her mind seemed disinclined to rest. It kept going over Thor's assertion and cross-referencing it with Loki's behavior towards her. But as much as she wished Thor to be right, she simply didn't think it was possible.

Erna reminded herself for probably the thousandth time that she wasn't some simpering maid, filled with delusions over their relationship. It really couldn't be plainer, because Loki had told her outright that love wasn't something the two of them could ever expect. It was enough that they enjoyed each other and more importantly, that he respected her and treated her as an equal. It was enough, she reminded herself. It was.

Because it had to be.

-XXX-

Darcy came to visit her on the fourth day. Erna insisted on receiving her from anywhere but her bed, so they congregated in Jane's living room. She was happy to talk to a friendly face. That and not knowing what was happening on Asgard was staring to wear on her. The uncertainty was causing her more anxiety than she anticipated. Darcy would be welcome distraction.

Once Erna was settled, or more accurately beached, on the couch, Darcy didn't hold her tongue. "Jesus, Erna! Just how pregnant are you? You're huge!"

Amused rather than offended, Erna explained as best she could. "I'm only about five months in. Loki's child is just bigger than my body can gracefully handle."

"Jeez I thought you were about to blow any day now."

"Not keen on delivering the baby for me, Darcy?" She offered the woman a raised eyebrow.

Darcy thew up her hands and waved the thought away. "That's what they make doctors and nurses for."

"Fine. If you don't want to be part of the team, I'll just put you on babysitting duty once she's here." The appalled look on her friend's face was enough to put her out of her misery. "I'm just kidding, Darcy."

"Thank goodness. I don't even know how to hold a baby, let alone Loki's kid. He'd probably zap me into oblivion if I let her cry."

It was an absurd statement, but Erna laughed all the same. "He won't be as bad as all that."

"I hope for your sake he won't." She fidgeted in her place on a nearby chair and looked slightly guilty. Erna assumed she was regretting the comments about Loki, but was surprised when Darcy finally came out with it. "So I wanna do my thesis on the Asgardian governmental model and how it compares and contrasts with the setup in America."

"That sounds like a fine idea. I'd be happy to read it once it's complete."

"Well, but the thing is I need more than just that from you. I need firsthand knowledge I can only get in Asgard." As Erna was about to reply, Darcy rushed forward, clearly on a prepared track. "And I know now is a horrible time, so we can wait until after people are trying to kill you and stuff, and if we need to wait until the baby is here that's cool too. It's just that this is such a unique opportunity for me and I think I could help the people here better understand you guys up there in space. Like you may be super hopped up versions of us, but you're not that different. And I can wait to actually start, because I have to get the idea approved by my thesis adviser first. I wanted to ask you before I brought it to her, because you know if you're not cool with it-"

"Darcy, would you like us to host you while you complete your studies?"

"Yeah. Please. And I know it's a huge imposition and I won't bother you guys at all once I'm there. I'll be the quietest, most well-behaved guest."

Erna waved a hand for her to stop, before she started promising to help out in the kitchens. "It would be no trouble. Guests are constantly coming and going from the palace, so it really isn't an imposition. And I would love to help you in whatever way possible."

"But what about the dark prince... I mean king?"

"I'm sure he'll be happy to help." Or he would once Erna told him that's what was going to happen. "He respects education in a way I don't think you realize. And as you pointed out, there are other benefits."

"Yeah, he seems like he's kind of okay now. Super intense though."

"That's Loki's nature, like it or not. But I can assure you, he'll support me in this."

Darcy grinned back at her, much more at ease than before. "This is seriously cool. You're basically saving my academic life here. Nobody is gonna come up with anything better than this!" She looked suddenly sheepish. "But you know, the whole cultural understanding thing is good too."

"Darcy, it's not wrong to feel pride in your idea. It's a good one. Too often women are taught that humility should be part of our very makeup, but if men can feel accomplishment in such things, then women should be able to as well."

"Thanks, Erna. You're the only queen I've met, but I gotta say you're pretty cool as monarchs go."

"That means a lot coming from such perceptive, capable woman, Darcy. Thank you." She had no idea what it really mean to be cool, but judging by the context, it was a good thing.

The conversation she had with Thor when she arrived came back to her. "Will you have to clear your project with SHIELD first? They seemed very concerned when Jane traveled to Asgard for the wedding."

"Nah. I'm not on their radar like she is. Not only is she the reason they get to have Thor at the ready, but she's working on all kinds of special projects for them. I'm just someone who happened to get involved when a god came to visit."

"Well, I hope you know, SHIELD involvement or no, I can vouch for your safety while in Asgard."

"That's cool. I trust you. It's kinda weird, but I've known you all of like four minutes and I trust you. Still not a hundred percent sure about your hubs, but if you say I'll be okay, I believe you."

"That means a lot to me. I don't have a lot of friends and I'm honored to count you as one of them."

"Quality over quantity, Erna."

"I like to think so." Her smile turned into a wince when her stomach growled loudly. "Apologies. My stomach has long since abandoned proper behavior."

"Oh! I almost forgot." Darcy pulled a small container from her bag. "It might be a little melty. Sorry. I got nervous about asking you about my thesis. I should have put it in the freezer when I got here."

"What is it?"

"The best ice cream you will ever taste."

"Ice cream?"

"You'll love it, trust me. I don't normally go in for hipster stuff, because like if I think you wear too many toboggans then you probably have a problem, but these guys know what they're doing."

She ran to the kitchen to procure two spoons before cracking open the tub. "This is salted caramel and it has something in it that I can't place and those foodies won't tell me what. But it's totally amazing."

Erna took a small spoonful, assuming that the woman was exaggerating, but not wanting to be rude. She later decided that the noises of pleasure she made after that first taste were far beyond her control. It was frozen heaven.

They spent the rest of the afternoon watching people talk about their poor life choices on something Darcy called reality TV while they finished off the pint of ice cream. It was more fun than Erna had had in a long time.