The sounds of a hungry Fredrik woke the royal couple again just over an hour later.
"Definitely his father's appetite," Asta muttered as she sat up.
Loki stood to fetch the baby and handed him to his mother. "I do apologize, my darling. Perhaps that's the Frost Giant side coming out."
Asta scoffed. "I'm just teasing, Loki. I don't mind. If my baby is hungry, I'm going to feed him. I don't care about the reasoning."
Loki stayed silent as he watched the baby eat. He didn't want to push the issue further with his wife, but he did feel guilty that perhaps his Jotun genes were making the baby hungrier than the average infant.
Asta stayed silent as well. She knew what Loki was thinking, but chose to not argue about it. He'd come around eventually.
Once Fredrik had finished eating and was properly burped, he snuggled against Loki's chest and looked at the world around him. The little family cooed together before there was a knock at the door.
Frigga poked her head in. "May we come in?"
"Yes, of course," Loki replied. He beamed as his mother approached.
"Oh! Look at that little angel!" she squeaked. "May I?"
Loki stood and gently passed her the baby. "Please meet Prince Fredrik Lokison."
"Fredrik. Oh yes, you will be have power and peace around you always. I can feel your magic already! I am your Bestemor, and I am just in love with you already!" She cuddled him close as she sat and whispered an old Asgardian blessing over him.
It was only once Odin cleared his throat did anyone even notice he entered.
"He is quite handsome," Odin said softly.
"Thank you," Loki replied. "We are certainly inclined to agree."
Odin nodded as he walked over to his wife. "He looks very much like you, Loki. Though, I do see Asta as well."
Frigga looked up from her cooing. "Did you need to glamour him?"
Loki sat on the arm of the chair. "Yes, but not much. And he actually did some himself."
She looked back at the baby. "Of course he did! He's a wonder already! Aren't you, Fredrik? Yes, you are a wonder already! Bestemor's smart little man!"
Loki glanced carefully to Odin and was surprised to see a smile on the former king's face. Perhaps Fredrik would finally bring a change to the old man's heart. It certainly wasn't something to expect, though.
"Can you feel his seidr?" Frigga asked as she looked up to Odin.
"I can. He truly is gifted," Odin replied quietly.
Asta watched the interaction and took it all in. Like Loki, she noticed how Odin was handling everything. It would definitely be a conversation later.
Frigga's response broke Asta from her thoughts. "The sky is the limit for his powers. I'm certain he'll be blowing us away for quite some time." She rubbed her nose to Fredrik's and the baby gave a tiny smile. "He's just perfect," she sighed as she stood. Frigga gently passed Fredrik to Asta and kissed the top of her head. "You've done well, my dear. You've risen to every challenge presented to you and now you've been blessed with a beautiful child. Jeg er så stolt av deg." (I am so proud of you.)
"Takk, mor." (Thank you, Mother.)
Frigga smiled, stroked the baby's head, and walked to Loki, placing her hands up on his shoulders. "And my sweet son. Life hasn't been easy for you, but you have persevered in ways that have made my pride soar. Du er en velsignelse og jeg elsker deg, kjære barn." (You are a blessing and I love you, dear child.)
He kissed her forehead. "Jeg elsker deg også, mor." (I love you too, Mother.)
The former queen beamed. "Now, we shall take our leave so you may continue to rest and bond as a family. We'll be back later. Perhaps we can all have dinner with the Starks soon." She led Odin to the door. "Love you all!" she whispered as she closed the door behind them.
"Well," Loki began. "That was something."
"You saw it too, did you not?" Asta asked.
"I did. And it was unnerving."
Asta rolled her eyes. "Loki, don't be so dramatic. But it was strange to see Odin so… soft? I can't even come up with the correct word for it."
"Perhaps soft is accurate. He wasn't the harsh and stiff Odin that he typically is."
"Indeed." She looked down to Fredrik. "Perhaps he's having a change of heart because of this little prince?"
Loki chuckled. "Perhaps. If there is any creature in all the realms that could finally crack Odin, it would be this tiny wonder."
Asta paused for a moment. "You don't think Fredrik… I don't know… got into Odin's head?"
"And altered his thoughts or personality? No, I doubt that. Fredrik is powerful, perhaps incredibly, but I doubt he has the power to break into Odin's head. Or the will to even do it."
Asta ran her finger down Fredrik's cheek and he glanced up at her. "Well, let's just be safe and leave Bestefar's thoughts alone. Ok, søt sønn?"
Fredrik closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Loki smiled and sat on the bed. "Well, can we take that as a yes?"
"I do hope so," she replied with a laugh. "You know, I think I do know why there was a change in Odin."
"Enlighten me."
"Well, this is the first grandchild. And before you can bring up blood lines, I understand that. But you were still raised here from infancy. He has that connection with you, whether he likes it or not, and whether you like it or not too. And now you have this beautiful little boy and that's his grandson. And despite not having that bond with you, he's getting a chance to have one with your son. Does that make any sense?"
"That both makes perfect sense and yet none at all."
"Yes, I know. But such is life with Odin."
"My darling, as usual, you are right. I suppose now we just see how this plays out. Maybe we shall see a whole new Odin. Or we shall see the same bitter and spiteful man that made me miserable and I'll be damned if I see that happen to my own son."
Asta placed a gentle hand on his cheek as best she could. "My love, we already know that you will protect Fredrik from whatever, even Odin himself. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's see what the grumpy old man does. Then we'll act accordingly, yes?"
"Yes, that is exactly what we'll do. However, I may need you to keep me in line, as per usual. I don't want my temper to get in the way of a possible hatchet burying with Odin."
"Well, good, because I—" Asta was interrupted by a stomach growl.
"Hungry, my love?"
"I suppose I am. I don't think I even realized that we haven't eaten yet."
"Yes, it slipped my mind as well. We need to keep you well fed so you can feed Fredrik well. Let me alert someone to bring breakfast here. Or, brunch now, I believe. What would my queen wish for her meal?"
"Honestly anything at this point. Though, bacon would be wonderful."
"Bacon and anything it is. Let me notify the kitchen and we shall be eating soon."
Asta kissed her baby's head as she watched her husband alert the palace worker that they were in need of food.
"Fredrik, your father is the best man I know. It may take some convincing for him to believe it, but my sweet boy, he would move mountains and burn worlds for us. Or in this case, get us breakfast as soon as possible. I can't wait to watch the two of you together as you grow."
When Loki returned to them, he carefully took the baby into his arms.
"What were you two talking about?" he asked.
"Just what a wonderful king Asgard has."
"Well, I've heard that the queen is even more wonderful."
"Well, I've heard that the new prince is just the cutest thing!"
"Ah, there is one thing we can agree upon!" He smiled at his bride. "Why don't you take a five minute nap whilst we wait for the food? Fredrik is content, and you need to rest."
"I think I could do that. And after brunch, we need to discuss this little prince's announcement."
"We'll get to it when we get to it. Sleep for now."
Asta closed her eyes but she knew this conversation wasn't over.