Loki stopped at the doors just outside of the dining hall. He quickly glanced around them, then conjured a cloak and hood to conceal almost all of his blue skin. Once he was certain his horns were also covered, he pulled the cloak around to mostly hide Star, then he walked inside with Laney.

Laney tightly held Loki's elbow and smiled once she saw Desi, who sat with Thor across from Frigga and Odin. "Good evening," she greeted once they made their way to the table.

"Good evening dear. It's nice to see you both up and about again." Frigga said happily.

"We're happy to be out and about. Even if one is a bit shy," Laney replied softly while she squeezed Loki's hand.

Frigga leaned over to speak quietly to Laney. "Has something happened?" She asked, worried about her younger son.

Laney shook her head. "He's afraid of Odin's reaction. Star keeps Loki in his Jotun form."

Frigga sighed and nodded. "We will let him adjust in his own time then."

"I think that would be best," Laney replied as she sat in the open seat next to Desi, then quietly made herself a plate.

Loki quietly sat next Laney, still holding Star. "It's about time I see you again." Desi told Laney, chuckling.

"It's good to see you too. How have you been?" Laney asked, keeping one hand on Loki's knee to comfort him.

"I'm doing a lot better. Thor has been spoiling me so much." Desi giggled. "What about you two?"

"We're doing really well. We do have a question for you though when we're able to talk to you more privately," she said softly, then took a bite of her food before she turned and checked on Loki.

"We can stop by after the meal, if you want. It would be nice to just visit a bit as well." Desi told Laney. Loki contently watched Star suck on the piece of fruit he had given her, while keeping her hidden.

Laney nodded and reached to take a drink of her juice. "Sure. I don't mind you guys visiting."

"We have both been wanting to see Star again as well." Desi admitted.

"That's something I like to hear," she replied with a smile. "She's a really good little baby. I'm surprised that she doesn't cry very much."

"Jotun babies tend to be very quiet. Star is the cutest baby I've ever seen though." Desi said happily.

Laney grinned and looked over at Loki and Star to see that Star was trying to get out from under the cloak. "She's beautiful and we love her, that's for sure."

"Everyone loves her!" Desi said happily. "We should have Dia visit soon so they can play together."

"Wouldn't she be too little to play with others still? She's not that old," Laney said.

"To actually play, yes, but they can still chatter away at each other." Desi pointed out.

Laney shrugged. "That's true." She looked over at Loki and caressed his knee under the table. "Are you okay?"

Loki gave a little nod. "I think I will be more comfortable having dinner in our chambers later." He said softly.

"Okay," she said softly, then glanced up when she felt eyes on her to see Odin smiling at them.

Loki glanced over at Odin, but found no reassurance in his smile. "Could we speak for a moment before you return to your chambers?" Frigga asked Laney.

Laney nodded as she did her best to reassure Loki. "Sure. I don't mind."

Loki gave a little nod, not minding staying behind to talk to his mom. He took the squished fruit from Star and gave her a fresh piece.

Odin continued to watch the little family in between eating and mingling with other members of the family. But his eye always drifted to the tiny girl in Loki's arms.

Frigga leaned over towards Odin to speak without drawing attention. "You should go talk with him." She encouraged.

"What would I say?" Odin asked. "The young man hates me as it is."

"That young man is your son." Frigga said firmly, but never raised her volume. "He doesn't hate you. He thinks you hate him." She reached over and placed her hand on Odin's arm. "He's scared to even let you see him. It is going to take time, but if it's ever going to change, the effort needs to be made."

Odin let out a long breath of air and nodded. "I'm not sure where to begin."

"Help him see that you don't hate him. He needs to know that you can accept him. Start there." Frigga suggested.

"I would like to hold my granddaughter again. She is a darling little thing," he replied.

"Go tell him that." Frigga urged him.

Odin waited until most everyone had left the dining hall before he stood and moved to sit beside Loki. "May I hold her?" He asked Loki softly.

Loki flinched at the sudden sight of Odin next to him. Before responding, he looked over at Laney, then gave a little nod. He hesitantly handed Star to Odin.

After Star was cradled in his arms, Odin smiled down at her, letting her grab at his beard with her sticky hands. "She's beautiful Loki. Truly."

"I won't make her shift and hide like I have to." Loki said softly, refusing to make eye contact with Odin.

Odin looked over at Loki with a frown. "You don't have to hide in front of your family Loki. We're very proud of you and the man you've become."

"Star keeps me in my other form. I know you don't want to see that much of my kind in your palace." Loki said softly.

"Loki... when you were an infant and we first brought you home, you would be blue until we held you in our arms. It took a couple of weeks before your magic naturally adjusted," Odin told him softly.

"I don't want her to have to adjust like that. There is nothing wrong with her." Loki said firmly. "Maybe it's best if we just go now."

"I have held this little girl many times since she's been home. She has never once changed color," he replied. "There's nothing wrong with either of you."

"I wish that was true." Loki said in barely more than a whisper. I wish I could have been so easily accepted.

Odin frowned as he watched Star play with the fabric on his clothes, not caring about her sticky fingers. "I am sorry Loki. I know I was not the best father to you or Thor."

"Yet Thor does not believe himself to be a monster." Loki muttered, then turned away from Odin.

"I don't know how else to help you but to tell you how I feel Loki," Odin replied softly. "If you'd like to go to your chambers, you may. But you are always welcome here, no matter how you look."

"Once I have my daughter back, I will go." Loki answered quietly. He pulled the cloak tighter around himself to ensure Odin could not see him.

Odin sighed and bent to kiss Star on her cheek. "You be good for your daddy sweet girl." He then gently placed Star back onto Loki's lap and waited until he had her in his grasp before he let go. "I am proud of you Loki. I want you to know that."

Loki slumped his shoulders but didn't reply, not having any words. "Darling, are you ready to go?" He quietly asked Laney.

Laney took a drink of her juice then turned to look over at Loki. "I'm full, if you're ready to go back. I can have a plate for you brought with us. I know you barely touched your food."

Loki nodded. "I would appreciate that. I don't feel like I can eat in here right now."

"That's okay hon," Laney soothed. "You can go ahead and take Star. I'll make sure you have a plate of hot food for you."

"Are you not coming back right now?" Loki asked Laney.

"I'll be right behind you. I just need to talk to your mother first," she told him.

"Alright darling." Loki gave her a quick peck on the lips, then stood and carried Star out of the dining hall.

Laney sat back in her seat with her cup of tea. Almost everyone had left the dining hall and it was just her and Frigga who sat beside one of the fireplaces, away from the few others that had stayed. "What did you want to tell me?" She asked.

Frigga looked around to make sure they were alone, before she spoke. "I just want to know how Loki is truly doing. I didn't expect him to show up so bundled up like that."

"It's... hard to say. When it's just us he seems perfectly fine. Loki is sweet, engaging, and wants to be out with Star and me." Laney frowned as she took a sip of her tea. "But when we're around Odin or other royals that are not you or Thor he tends to clam up and wants to hide."

Frigga listened carefully to Laney, then nodded. "I am glad to hear he is more open with you now. I was also happy to hear how Loki stood up for Star and that he refuses to hide her," She said proudly. "It will be hard to teach him to feel comfortable around Odin though."

"I know it will," Laney replied quietly. "I've been trying to help him in any way and I'm not sure it's helping or hindering him."

"I think we just need to get him and Odin to have a sit down and talk it out." Frigga shrugged..

"I'm not sure if that would do much good without them yelling," Laney said honestly. "Loki might also just not speak."

"Yelling might not be so bad. They both have so much to say, I think they just need to say it." Frigga sighed. "It breaks my heart to see Loki hiding himself again."

Laney nodded in agreement. "It does mine too. He has been doing so well with his Jotun form and now it's like he's reverted back into himself again. He's proud to show off Star, but not himself."

"I love how he is with Star. He seems so happy and confident with her and it brings me so much joy." Frigga said sincerely. "I don't want him to revert."

"He's amazing with Star and makes me feel like the last woman on earth." Laney smiled and blushed softly. "I worry about him all the time. More than I worry about myself."

Frigga reached over to place a comforting hand on Laney's shoulder. "Please help me help him. He's come so far... too far to slip back to his old ways."

"I promise you Frigga. I will try and help him as much as I can."

"Thank you dear. I can't lose him again." Frigga said sadly.

Laney felt tears well in her eyes and she sniffled. "Neither can I."

Frigga gave Laney's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "He has always had issues with his self confidence. Odin won't challenge him again though." She promised Laney.

"That's a relief at least. I should get back to him though. He barely ate any food tonight," she replied.

"I have already had a plate sent for him. Please make sure he eats, and don't hesitate to send word if he needs anything." Frigga said, then moved her hand off of Laney's shoulder. "I'm really glad he has you."

Laney smiled sweetly as she stood from her seat and placed her tea cup on the table beside the chair. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

Frigga returned Laney's smile, then watched her leave. He couldn't do this without you.

Loki was sitting on the couch with Star asleep in his arms. He still wore the cloak, but it was not wound so tightly around him now as he stared at the fire within the stoked fireplace.

Laney quietly walked into their chambers and slipped out of her boots before she walked further into the expansive sitting room. When she saw Loki she smiled softly before she walked up to him and carded her hand through his hair, making the hood of the cloak fall. "Are you okay?"

Loki looked up at Laney and gave her the best smile he could manage. "I think so. It's just hard to be around him, and even harder with Star."

"I know, love. But you have all the support you could ever ask for." She bent down and placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. "I'm going to shower. Feel free to join me if you would like to, after you finish your food."

"I will lay Star down, then I will come join you." Loki promised. "What did I do wrong? Why can he treat her with kindness and not me?"

"Darling, he was very kind to you tonight and spoke his true feelings. You know I can sense when people don't," she clarified.

Loki shook his head. "He's not proud of me. He has never been proud of me. One dinner with no ill words doesn't make up for the lifetime of cruelty."

"I know Loki, but he's trying. Please try for him too," Laney said softly. "I'll be in the rain shower," she added, then walked towards their bedroom.

Loki gave a little nod, then stood up to carry Star to her crib. He followed Laney into the bedroom, then went the opposite direction to the nursery.

Laney stood in front of their floor length mirror while she stripped out of her dress and found herself staring at the tinge of blue along her stomach.

Loki tucked Star in, then returned to the bedroom. When he saw Laney in front of the mirror, he walked up behind her and slowly wrapped his arms around her. "Admiring your beautiful body is my job darling." He said sweetly.

She grinned and leaned her head back against his shoulder while enjoying the feeling of his touch on her skin. "I was just looking," she murmured.

"And I am admiring." Loki smirked, then trailed his hands down her sides. "You are so beautiful." He said, then kissed her neck.

A blush filled Laney's cheeks as she tilted her head to the side for him. "That feels nice."

"I cannot wait to make your entire body feel like this." Loki whispered in her ear. "Speaking of that, we should hurry up with the shower before Desi shows up."

Laney chuckled and turned to run her lips along his neck. "I wish I had the chance to speak with her before I left the dining hall," she whispered.

"She did say they would come by, so you can speak with her soon darling." Loki promised. He tilted his head and closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her soft lips.

"I know, but I feel a bit tempted even though it's a little frightening. I need to take vials first," she replied against his neck.

"No darling, you need to be cleared first. I can't risk your health." Loki told her.

She turned and wrapped her arms around Loki's neck before she placed a slow kiss to his lips. "I know. It doesn't stop my body from doing what it feels like though. It's a battle," she chuckled.

Loki smiled and kissed her again. "I know darling. Hopefully she can clear you tonight, or at least give us an idea of how long it will be."

Laney rested her forward against his and caressed the side of his neck slowly. "We will see. Might as well shower though... going to join me? Or will it be too much?"

"I can control myself darling. I will join you." Loki said, then released her to slowly strip his clothes off.

"Then we will have to see if I can," Laney replied as she let go of Loki and watched him remove his clothing.

"If it's too much for you, we can wait." Loki said truthfully.

"We can get a little playful... if you're up for it. We don't always have to have sex," she said softly. "There's plenty of options."

Loki nodded. "Alright darling, but we aren't doing too much of anything until you are cleared." He insisted.

Laney nodded and turned to lead the way into the large bathroom. Once inside she walked over to the shower and stepped down into the large alcove so she could turn on the water. "I love this thing. It's like standing in a rain shower or storm."

"I used to partially freeze the water and make my own little blizzards in here." Loki chuckled. "It's a good way to relax during the hot months." He said, standing only a few steps back from her.

Once the water was a temperature they both could be comfortable in, Laney turned to face him before she walked under the spray and let the water soak her hair. "That sounds interesting."

"I can show you sometime, if you want." Loki offered, then reached over and grabbed the cloth and soap.

She smiled at him as she watched. "I'd love that."

Loki lathered the cloth, then stepped behind Laney to wash her back. "It might be more enjoyable for you if we wait until it's warm again."

Laney nodded as she leaned into his gentle touch. "That sounds like a good idea."

Loki caressed her back as he washed her, then moved on to her sides, then down her legs. "I can't get over how beautiful you are."

"Why is that?" Laney asked out of curiosity. "You've seen me nude quite a few times now."

"I know, and each time you are more beautiful than the last." Loki said softly, then stood and moved to stand in front of Laney. "Can I wash your front as well?"

She smiled sweetly at him as she reached out to run one hand down his arm. "Of course you can."

Loki returned her smile then knelt down in front of her to gently wash and caress her stomach.

Laney gently ran her hands through Loki's wet hair, feeling her body tingle at the feel of his touch. "That feels wonderful."

"I'm enjoying it as much as you are darling." Loki grinned. He washed down the front of her legs, between them, and then moved on to wash and massage her feet one at a time.

"That felt like a tease," she murmured softly as she continued to watch him. Laney held one hand onto his shoulder to help keep her balance while he continued to wash her body.

"It wasn't nearly as much of a tease as it could have been." Loki chuckled. Once he finished washing her body, he pressed a kiss to her lower stomach before standing up.

Laney grinned and gently pulled him to her by grasping his hand so she could place a kiss to his lips. "Thank you for taking it easy on me then."

Loki returned her kiss then pressed his forehead to hers. "As much as I've missed that side of our relationship as well, your well-being means so much more to me. I would never intentionally tempt you before I know you're ready."

"I respect that," Laney replied. "It's just hard to ignore my body sometimes," she added, then kissed the tip of his nose. "I love you, my Loki."

"I love you too darling, more than anything." Loki said truthfully, then pulled her into a deeper kiss.

Laney sighed into his kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck beneath the warm spray of the water. She pulled away only to run her tongue along his lips with a small smile.

"Now who's being the tease?" Loki said playfully. "Are you ready for me to wash your hair?"

"You can whenever you're ready," Laney answered. Loki kissed Laney again, then stepped around behind her again. Taking the shampoo, he added it to her wet hair and started massaging it into her scalp. "That feels wonderful," Laney sighed as she tilted her head back.

"I am happy I can do this for you again." Loki said truthfully, very content.

Laney smiled. "I'm getting used to being spoiled by you."

"Good, because I don't plan to ever stop spoiling you." Loki promised.

She laughed and continued to let Loki continue to wash her hair. "You're the sweetest man in the world."

"You are the most amazing woman in the realms and I'm lucky to have you." Loki said sincerely, then he helped her rinse her hair.

"I'm lucky to have you," she replied.

Loki kissed Laney's shoulder, then lathered the cloth again and started to wash himself. "Star is absolutely perfect."

Laney turned and gently took the cloth from him and began to lather his shoulders and chest. "You helped me create her."

"She got all the best parts from you though." Loki said softly, letting Laney take over.

"She has your eyes," Laney countered softly as she ran the cloth down his chest and along his stomach. "Which makes me happy."

"She has my skin tone as well..." Loki said hesitantly.

"Which makes me happy as well," Laney replied. "She's beautiful."

Loki gave a little nod. "She is, truly. I just wish I could have been as accepted as she is."

Laney pushed him back gently so the water would rinse him. "I know. But I want you to at least try to relax about everything." She bent forward and kissed his shoulder, then his chest.

"I am trying to, but it feels impossible around Odin. He's the only one I don't feel safe around. Him and those overly loyal to him." Loki said softly.

"It will take time. Nothing happens overnight." Laney walked around to his back and kissed between his shoulder blades before she lathered up his back.

Loki relaxed when he felt Laney's soft kiss. "I don't know how to trust him. My gut tells me to run every time I'm near him."

Laney massaged and lathered his back, letting her hands wander to his hips and backside. "It's been ingrained into you since what happened. It will get better."

"How do I start though? I know I need to make that first step, but I'm lost as to how." Loki sighed. He leaned into her touch, relaxing more.

"I will help you in any way I can. But maybe talk to your mother?" Laney suggested. "She could help too."

"I will. I just don't want to talk with mother in front of him. Maybe I should ask her to visit us here tomorrow." Loki sighed.

Laney smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist once she'd rinsed him of soap. "You can if you'd like."

"I just think it would be the easiest way for everyone." Loki said truthfully. He placed his hands on Laney's. "We should get out soon." He said softly, not wanting either of them tempted too much.

"I know. I'm just comfortable. It feels like ages since we've done something like this," she murmured.

"It has been ages. At least a month if not longer." Loki replied. "We can have showers together regularly now though." He promised.

"That sounds lovely," she said softly, then kissed his shoulder.

"I want things to go back to normal again." Loki said softly.

"They will darling. I assure you." Laney shivered slightly as the water became cold.

Loki waved his hand and the water turned off. "Let's get you bundled up and warm."

Laney grinned and shivered again. "That sounds nice."

Loki cast a little spell and instantly dried and warmed Laney. "What do you want to wear?"

"Is it too early for sleep clothes?" Laney asked, though her hands continued to wander over his skin, unable to help herself.

"It is never too early for sleep clothes darling." Loki chuckled. He led them back into the bedroom, using the same spell to dry himself. "Do you want the warm sleep gown?"

"That sounds nice. Maybe the green one?" She suggested as she walked over to their dresser to retrieve her brush.

"I will go get it for you." Loki told Laney. He walked over to the closet and picked out the green gown then brought it to Laney.

Laney thanked him before she pulled it over herself, then tied the sash around her waist. "Desi should be here any time. Is Star still asleep?"

"I will go check on her." Loki said. He pulled on his robe then walked into the nursery. He returned a minute later. "She is sound asleep."

"That's good. She needs the sleep. It helps her grow." Laney walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck before she stole a gentle kiss.

Loki returned her kiss and held her until he heard their main door open. "That would be Desi and Thor. I left a note that they could just come in."

"Are you comfortable asking Desi questions in front of Thor?" Laney asked.

Loki nodded. "Yes. I trust my brother."

Laney nodded and let go of him. "Let's go then."