Loki led them out of their room and down to Tony and Pepper's apartment.

"This isn't where I thought we were going," Asta said as Loki put his hand on the panel. It blinked green and the door opened.

"Well, the common area is probably full of the other denizens of the tower. And while they'd mean well, they would definitely overwhelm you. Tony's apartment here is the second largest area in the building besides the lab and medbay, so we'll have plenty of space here.

They walked into the living room and Tony smirked. "You know, I should ground you for having a boy in your room! And making out with him too!"

Asta's face lost all color as she sat. "But we're… you all said that we're—"

Loki took her hand and kissed the back of it. "We are married, love. Tony is just being bizarre."

"It's part of my charm!" Tony protested.

Pepper entered then, carrying 4 huge pizzas.

"Who is going to eat all of that?" Asta asked.

"Tony stress eats," Pepper sighed.

Loki nodded. "Hmmm, true. My darling, shall I get you some pizza?"

Asta nodded. "I suppose you know what I like better than I do, so yes please."

Loki smiled as he got a plate and gave her 2 slices of pepperoni. "Now, where shall we begin?" he asked as he sat next to her.

Asta took a bite. "First things first, this is delicious."

Tony grinned. "It's Roberto's. That's your favorite."

She nodded. "Well, I guess my first question is who are these other family members you keep talking about?"

"Diving right in, I see," Tony said. "Well, there's no easy answer there—"

"Let me stop you," Asta interrupted. "All of you seem to keep telling me that I am this strong woman. So, stop coddling me with this. I can handle the truth. Please just tell me about our life here so I can start to remember it!"

Loki took her hand. "You're right, my love. You are strong, so we should tell you everything. It's just a lot to take in at once. But we'll answer any question completely and honestly."

Asta's lips fell into a tight line. "Well, then, who lives here?"

Tony wiped his mouth and sat back. "This is Avengers Tower. The home of the Avengers. We're a team of superheroes."

"Superheroes?" Asta said.

"Yep. Each of us has some sort of ability or gimmick that we use to fight evil in the world. Still with us?" Tony answered.

"Sounds crazy, but it's so crazy that it's probably true." She turned to Loki. "What's your ability then?"

Loki grinned. "I have magic. Lots of magic." He turned his hand and a steaming cup of hot chocolate appeared.

Asta's eyes widened. "Well, that's handy. So you conjure things?"

"That is one of many things I can do. But we can focus on that later."

"Ok, humblebrag," Tony said, rolling his eyes.

"I guess you want a turn then?" Asta asked with a laugh. "What superhero are you?"

"Iron Man at your service. Genius, billionaire, philanthropist. But I also design and build really awesome suits for the team, especially me and your mom. They're built for flight, conflict, protection, and if I'm being honest, they just look damn cool."

Asta looked to Pepper.

Pepper raised her hands in defense. "Oh, don't get me mixed up in this! I have a suit, yes. But I'm not the one flying everywhere as a spectacle. I just run the company."

"Company?" Asta asked.

Tony flourished his hand. "Stark Industries. My father started the company and I turned it into the global domination it is today."

Loki leaned to whisper in Asta's ear. "As you can see, modesty is not one of his powers."

"I heard that, Reindeer Games!"

"Now ridiculous monikers, that is one of his specialties," Loki added, rolling his eyes.

"And what do I do in all of this? Do I have powers? Do I have a ridiculous moniker?"

Loki tensed. "Here we go," he sighed. "You and I, my love, are not from here."

"Here?"

"Earth."

"We're not from Earth?!"

"No, we are from a realm called Asgard."

"So we're aliens?"

"I suppose on Midgard, er, Earth, we would be considered as such. But where we come from, we were gifted with abilities. Considered gods, even."

Asta was silent for a few moments. "Ok, everyone was right when they said this is a great deal to take in. Well, what is my ability then?"

"You have healing powers. On Asgard, you were made the goddess of healing."

"And what is your god title?"

Loki smirked. "God of mischief."

Asta rolled her eyes. "Now that I believe." She gasped. "That's why we had a second ceremony for your family. They really do live far away." She paused again, letting some information click. She looked to Pepper and Tony. "Wait, if we're both from Asgard, and you guys live here, how are you my…"

Pepper smiled sadly. "We aren't your birth parents. But we happily adopted you!"

"I see. And are my birth parents on Asgard?"

Loki took her hands. "They're both gone, my love. But since you've been here, Pepper and Tony have taken excellent care of you."

Asta nodded. She wasn't sure how to mourn people she didn't know. "And your parents? Any of them?"

"Well, I said it was complex. I am actually from another different realm called Jotunheim. But was adopted into Asgard. My parents in both realms are… well, they're the king and queen."

"You're a prince? In two different realms?"

"Yes."

Asta laughed awkwardly. "You were not kidding when you said this was complicated. So, to sum up so far: I live in a tower of superheroes. My husband and I are both adopted. We come from a magical world where we are considered gods. My husband is also a prince. And my family on Earth are billionaires. Am I done?"

Tony grinned. "I suppose you've hit the bullet points. Any questions now?"

"Well, I'm still wondering what my ridiculous moniker is," she said with a smirk.

Tony laughed. "You are actually the toughest for me. You've got Doctor Who, Doctor Spock, and Resident Alien. Usually Doctor Who. But since we adopted you, you've mostly been sweetie."

Asta was quiet. She took another bite of pizza then looked at the expectant stares around her. "What?"

"You're taking this surprisingly well, my darling," Loki said.

"Hey, everyone said I'm strong. I'm handling it," Asta answered with a shrug and another bite of pizza.

Loki looked to Tony. "It's a wonder she isn't actually biologically your daughter."

"I'm thinking the same thing," Tony said with a chuckle.

Pepper rolled her eyes at the men. "So, Asta, do you have any other questions?"

Asta put down her plate. "No. If I'm being honest, I feel as though I've gotten the best hand I could be dealt. My birth parents are gone, but I have loving ones here. My husband should have been raised elsewhere, but instead I was lucky enough that he was adopted into the world I lived in. I apparently have gifts to help others and I do use them for that, with a slew of family-friends that also help others. I do wish I could remember everyone properly, but for now, I'm just glad that I don't have a terrible life."

Loki beamed at her. "My beautiful wife. Such an optimist!"

"If only we could break down the walls keeping my memory locked up."

Loki sat up at that. "Well, now that everything is out in the open, perhaps I have something that could help?"

Everyone spun to look at Loki.

"One of my other talents involves the mind. I can read minds quite well. I have, in the past, entered others' minds. I wonder if could do that with you and see what the blockage is."

Tony frowned. "Um, Marilyn Manson, why haven't you suggested this earlier?"

"Because entering another's mind is tricky business. And when I have done it in the past, the mind wasn't as fragile as Asta's currently is. I had hoped that our talks would make things happen, but that doesn't seem to be the case." He faced her and ran a hand through her hair. "My love, would you be willing to try that?"

"I'm willing to try just about anything at this point. And I trust you with this."

Pepper smiled. "Not that you shouldn't, but why are you so ready to trust him, even though you don't remember him?"

"I don't know. I just look into his eyes and realize I trust him."

Tony cleared his throat. "Ok, well, let's do this."

Loki shook his head. "It's not that simple. I cannot just dive into her mind."

"Then what's the process?"

Loki ignored Tony's question. "Asta, if you are agreeable to it, we shall try this first thing in the morning. I want you to be well rested and relaxed."

Asta nodded. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Pepper looked to Loki. "Can you read anything from her mind right now?"

Loki put his fingers to her temples. "With your permission, my light?"

Asta smiled. "Go ahead."

Loki allowed her thoughts to flow to him. "It's as I suspected. There is a block to all her memories. All I can feel is her anxiety and also her happiness to be near us all."

Pepper gave a little choked sob. "Oh, sweetie! We're so happy you're here too!"

Asta tried to hold her sob in as well. "Ok, let's finish this pizza so I can get to bed. Maybe you can tell me about you guys? How did you meet?"

Loki sat back. "Well, now you opened a can of worms…"

And for the next hour, Tony told of his and Pepper's love story.

After that, Loki and Asta returned to their room.

"Can I see our other wedding album now?" she asked.

"Of course, darling." He retrieved it and sat next to her on the bed. "But please keep in mind that it will look very different to our wedding here."

Asta opened the book and her mouth dropped at the first picture. "Loki… I thought you looked handsome in a tuxedo, but whatever this is… it's even better."

"You flatter me, princess."

She could tell he already knew that. "The helmet is… Is there meaning to it?"

"The horns signify my mastery of sorcery."

She pursed her lips and nodded and her face showed her approval. "You must have quite the mastership with those horns!"

He laughed at that. "Well, I don't usually brag to you, but yes, I can do a great many things with my seiðr."

"We're so serious in this picture," Asta said, tracing the horns in the photograph.

"Yes, well, that is our official royal wedding portrait. I think you'll find the next page more to your liking."

Asta turned the page and found two very different pictures. The first was the same pose as the official photo, but with such happy smiles. The second was the bride and groom making the silliest faces for the camera.

Asta laughed. "This seems over the top, even for you!"

Loki beamed at the memory. "Oh how Odin hated that we even considered this picture!"

"Ah, so this was just a jab at him?"

"Not entirely. You wanted to be silly, so we were. Odin's aggravation was just a bonus to it all."

She looked at the writing below the pictures. "What does this mean?"

"It's old Asgardian. 'Min ugagn' and 'Min kjære.' My mischief and my darling."

"That's beautiful. I can't wait to remember the language."

Asta turned the pages and looked at just how different the two ceremonies were.

"So, these are your parents?" she asked.

"Yes, that is Odin and Frigga."

"I can see the love in her eyes. Even not knowing her, I can tell she loves you very much."

"She loves you very much as well. Frigga is a blessing to all who meet her."

"It looked like a wonderful time."

"Yes, royal decorum did take some of the flexibility out of our ceremony. Thor saw to it that the reception was just as lively. But you were a beautiful bride and you were all I saw the entire time."

She put her hand on his cheek and smiled. "You are quite the romantic, Mr. Laufeyson."

Loki instantly leaned into her touch. "You're giving me hope. Moments like this let me know that you're still in there, my love."

"Do I do this often?"

"Often enough that I miss it desperately already."

Asta nodded, but kept her hand in place. She began to lean in again.

Loki swallowed hard. "My princess, are you sure you want to do this again?"

"Just kiss me, Loki."

He met her halfway in a searing kiss. He hoped that it would be like a Disney movie and her memories would snap back into place after their kiss. But it was not meant to be.

Asta pulled back and smiled. "Well, I stand by what I said earlier. You are definitely a good kisser. A great one even."

He couldn't help himself. "Why thank you, pet."

She tilted her head. "Pet… do you call me that often?"

"No. No, that is reserved solely for our alone time. I'm sorry for using it now. It doesn't feel appropriate."

"No, Loki, it's fine. I want you to treat me as if nothing is wrong."

"Tomorrow, if all goes to plan, nothing will be wrong. I'm going to do everything in my power to help, my light."

"I know. And I know you will do it. I can't explain how I know, but I just feel as though you would move mountains for me."

"Sweet Asta, I would burn worlds for you. Ask anything and I shall grant it."

"Perhaps we'll leave the worlds intact. For now, we should probably sleep. I feel as though mind-entering is going to be hard on you as well."

"I'm not concerned for myself."

"I know you're not. So, let's climb into bed and get some rest."

Loki sputtered. "I should probably sleep on the couch or the floor."

"Nonsense! Unless you don't want to share the bed with me," Asta added sadly.

"No! My dove, never, ever let that thought cross your mind! I very much want to hold you tonight. But I don't want to make any presumptions."

"I feel safe with you, Loki. I still can't explain why, but I know you will care for me. Now, let's put on some pajamas and sleep. Yes?"

He smiled. She was acting very much like herself at the moment. "Yes, my love. Shall I make it easier?" He wiggled his fingers and she laughed.

"Ah, this is the convenience of being married to a sorcerer! I wonder how often I take advantage of that!

"Quite a bit, my love. Quite a bit."

She grinned. "Well, I suppose I would like to see you in action again."

Loki twisted his hand and they were both in matching green plaid pajamas. Very non-assuming, all-covering pajamas.

"Safe choice, but I understand your reasoning," Asta said with a laugh. "Now, which side of the bed is mine?"

He pointed and she climbed under the covers. "Come on. I won't bite. Unless that's something I normally do?" she teased with such a cheeky look in her eyes.

Asta winked at him and it took everything he had to not ravish her right then.

Instead, he crawled over to her and pulled her into his arms. Loki couldn't believe how much she trusted him and relaxed into his embrace. He felt her breathing even out and instantly began working on his plan. Scenarios, both good and bad, played out in his mind. Finally, he let sleep overtake him, confident that his queen would fight and be back to him before they went back to bed the next night.