Finally, the day of the coronation came.

"How about we just don't do this part?" Asta mumbled as the sounds of the servants in the other room woke her.

Loki chuckled as he rolled to face her. "My love, I think this is the one part we are required to do."

"No, I'm certain if Odin just said, 'Loki is king now. Farewell!' it would be considered law. Could we just ask him to do that?"

"And when has Odin ever been so agreeable?"

"Ugh, you're right. Fine!" she said, throwing back the covers. "I can't wait to wear the heaviest gown ever put together."

"I hate your discomfort, my sweet. But you look absolutely divine in that gown."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, silly prince."

Loki sat up and stretched. "Use that nickname whilst you can. A few hours from now it will be incorrect."

"Yes, yes. I'll change it then and only then, my silly prince."

He stood and reached for his robe. "My wife, the tease."

She rose from the bed and put hers on as well. "Your wife, the purist. Besides, I already have plans for your official title. You'll know when it's the right time."

"Say what you want. I say you're being a tease," Loki said, coming around to her and putting his hands on her waist.

"And I say you're being a baby about it."

Loki stuck his tongue out at her and she pushed it back into his mouth. "That's hardly a kingly way to behave," she admonished.

"My bride has always encouraged my mischievous side, so why should I stop now?"

"True, true. She's obviously a bad influence on you."

"More like the other way around."

"Perhaps an equal bit of both?"

"I like the way you think, my love. Always have. In the meantime, I suppose it's time for a bit of breakfast and then we'll get ready. Before we know it, we'll be crowned king and queen and be forced to deal with the feast and the ball and all the pageantry that Odin will make us suffer through. Though, I do recall my love enjoying the pageantry a little bit."

"Still holding that over my head, I see?"

"Wait until you see my crown. The horns might be the biggest yet."

Asta suppressed the shiver that wanted to show how much she loved his horned crowns. "I'm sure you'll look very handsome."

Loki smirked, obviously noting her struggle. "Yes, and you shall look ravishing. Now, do you think we have time for some early morning encouragement?"

She quirked an eyebrow. "'Encouragement?'"

"It's going to be such a long day, my love." He bent to kiss her cheek. "I'll need all the support I can get from my beautiful wife." He kissed her neck. "Something to get me through all the heavy clothes and boring ceremonies." He kissed just above her breasts.

"You know the others are waiting for us," she sighed, knowing he was going to win this.

"And who will say anything to the king and queen?" he asked, running a finger just below her neckline.

"Each and every one of the Avengers," she answered with a laugh.

"True. But when have we ever cared about that?"

It was her turn to smirk now. "Well, I suppose one last encouragement as the prince."

Loki's eyes darkened as he scooped her up. He tossed her onto the bed. "Ooh, my precious is still in the taunting mood?"

"I won't be if you would just get down here."

He growled at that as he quickly knelt between her thighs. "After this, you'll be fucking a king."

"Mmmm, and I'm rather looking forward to it. But there can't be an 'after this' unless you get to this now."

"Then I shall waste no more time," he said as he vanished their clothes and kissed her thoroughly...

Once they finally joined the others for breakfast, they were greeted by a sea of knowing smiles.

"A bit late, aren't ya?" Clint said with a wink.

Loki pulled out Asta's chair next to Morgan. "Yes, well, couldn't be helped. So much to get done today before the coronation."

"That include each other?" Natasha muttered to Clint with a grin.

His attempt to muffle his laugh failed.

Pepper rolled her eyes. "So, what's today's schedule? I'm used to having an exact agenda in my hands."

Asta sipped the waiting cup of tea before her. "Today's schedule for all of you is to just relax until the ceremony. After breakfast, you'll head to the spa and then be escorted to the dressing rooms where you can choose your formal wear. Your valets will bring you to the grand hall for the coronation. That is very short, by the way. Much shorter than a Midgardian one. Then there's the feast and ball that will last likely until well into the night. Your job is to enjoy it all."

"And your job?" Tony asked.

"To suffer through," Asta mumbled.

"Oh, it won't be so bad," Tony said as he reached over Morgan and ruffled Asta's hair. "At the end you'll be a queen and you can watch Baywatch get absolutely trashed."

"Hey!" Thor replied.

"Sweetheart," Jane interrupted, putting a hand on his arm. "He's got a point. Maybe you should limit the mead tonight."

"And the wine," Loki added.

"And the cider," Asta said.

"And the beer," Morgan giggled.

"Young Lady Stark!" Thor laughed. "Even you?"

"You do drink a lot of it at parties!" Morgan said, still giggling.

Loki lifted his palm and gestured to his young sister-in-law. "See? From the mouths of babes."

"Fine, fine. I shall restrain myself and limit my alcohol intake. I must, however, participate in the necessary toasts and celebratory drinks."

"Naturally," Loki muttered as he rolled his eyes.

Asta cleared her throat to change the subject. "Right then. So, everyone except Mom, Dad, and Morgan will be shown into the ballroom after changing. You three will join the processional in. Mo, do you want to throw flower petals with the village children?"

"Of course I do!" Morgan replied with a smile.

"Great! You all will lead the whole parade in. And you'll get a flower crown!"

"Ooh, can it have little flower horns? Like Loki's crown?"

Loki's smile almost split his face. "Lady Morgan of Midgard, I will absolutely make that happen."

"I always know you mean business when you talk like that,"

"Indeed. And a king does not break his vows," Loki added with a wink. He held out his pinky and Morgan happily linked hers with it.

The breakfast continued on with light conversation and laughter until it was time for Loki and Asta to get ready.

"See you there, Queen Sweetie," Tony said as he kissed her head.

"Thanks, Dad." Asta wiped a tear away.

He hugged her tightly. "We're very proud of you, you know. You've handled this last decade with a poise that most people couldn't muster. You really are a Stark."

Asta gave a laugh through her sob. "It's good to know I'm bringing some of the best of Midgard back to Asgard."

"The kingdom can only benefit from it," he said, grinning.

"Indeed." Asta shook her shoulders and straightened up. "Ok, well, I will see you at the ballroom doors. Don't be late!"

"Hey, your mom is always the late one!"

Pepper smacked the back of his head as she walked by. She turned back and kissed Asta's cheek. "We'll be there. Don't worry," she whispered before pulling him away with the rest of the team.

Loki stood behind Asta and wrapped his arms around her middle. "Are you ready for all of this?"

"Probably not. But I don't think I have a choice, now do I?"

"This is probably your last moment to run."

She spun around and put her hands on his face. "Not a chance, Laufeyson. I'm in this for the long haul. Basically, you're stuck with me."

"That's not at all how I would describe it. Also, I suppose it's back to Odinson whilst we're here."

She gave him a sad smile. "I suppose so. But you know on Midgard, we're officially and legally the Laufeysons. Got the cutesy sign in our living room and everything."

Loki took her hands from his face and held them at his waist. "When did my life become this complicated and wonderful?"

"Probably all those years ago when I moved into the palace with my father," she said with a wink.

"Without a doubt in my mind, my dove. For now, though, I suppose it's time to prepare. I'll miss you."

"Loki, we're just going to get ready. I'll see you in an hour or two."

"Still too long." He raised their hands and kissed her knuckles. "Until then, my light, my love, my wife."

Asta pulled him close and kissed him. "Until then, my handsome prince."

He rolled his eyes. "You're so mean."

"You love me anyway."

"I do." He kissed her once more. "I love you, sweetness."

"I love you as well, my mischief."

And with that, they went to their separate rooms for preparing.