Fair warning, I teared up writing the outline for this chapter.

Chapter 210: The People's Queen

Nidavellir

Sigyn sobs as she stands before Apollo proposing to Freya with a sword right in the middle of the battle-struck Nidavellir right after a fight against giants that he may or may not have staged (she isn't sure anymore and doesn't care). He's on one knee, holding a sword up for his People's Queen. A custom craft based on her father's sword with her mother's ring design. Dwarfs circle to watch awestruck, seeing the true purpose of the weapon they built. The remaining dust settles around them like mist, electrified with lightning sparks and magic.

"Apollo…" Freya whispers as she looks down at him.

"I've been fixing my proposals and thinking about what you said," Apollo states.

"Wait," Sigyn interrupts but doesn't care about ruining the beautiful moment, "proposals, plural? There's been more than one and nobody told me?"

"This is the third time," Freya explains calmly, "He first proposed before you were even married."

Sigyn pauses, wiping her tears but ends up smearing dirt on her cheeks. "Well, third time's the charm. Anyways, go on."

"Thanks," Apollo looks back at Freya; she smiles hopefully at him. "We were both on the same page regarding the future of Asgard but understood the words differently. You spoke about immediate survival and I was addressing longevity. We want the same thing, Freya, for Asgard to be okay after everything. You said it yourself that Asgard doesn't need a sacrifice or a champion but they'll need a hero. An heir. If a nation cannot provide a hero, then it should perish but I won't allow it. I know you will be the best to care for and rule over our home."

"I…" Freya says softly. "I could be Queen of Asgard?"

"You are meant to be queen more than I'm meant to be king. You know more about royal duties than I do."

"Do not," she laughs a bit. "Is this even legitimate? Would I still be Queen if you die before a coronation?"

Sigyn doesn't even know and sees the uncertainty on Apollo's face. It reminds her of how Freya asked if Xavier is technically an illegitimate Prince Consort since she's an illegitimate princess. She still doesn't know the answer.

"I am the prince and will always be one. You have my word. I can't promise that I'll be with you till your last breath, but I can promise that I will love you until mine. I would marry you in a heartbeat. You have my love and trust so long will you reign. Freya Sorsdottir, will you be the People's Queen?"

-o-

Apollo could only dream of it like a lover, with a simple longing. Wordlessly, Apollo holds the sword, looking at her expectantly. A silent spell seemed to have fallen over them. Freya holds her breath as she puts her hand in his and pulls him up. Neither of them dares to speak as she takes the sword into her other hand. She looks at it for a moment longer before back at him. Their faces are close, each of their hearts beating, deafening in their ears.

Xavier and Sigyn married regardless of Fate but Apollo and Freya know what this gesture means: that their love could never be true because of Ragnarök. There will always be a reason much more powerful than them.

They've been through a lot together, even more in the seven years he lost his mind to Fate. From start to finish with trials and tribulations, Freya was there. It's why he's always glad she's there: so he'd know everything will be okay. They've always been committed to each other whether confirmed aloud or not. They could try and step away to be unspoken lovers, but would it work?

His blue eyes meet her dark ones again. "I love you, Freya. I'm in love with you and I have been for so long. Is that okay?"

Freya looks at him, more vulnerable than she's ever seen him with his heart laid out for her to hold.

"It's okay," Freya whispers with a soft smile. "Actually, I prefer that because I love you too and probably have for longer."

Apollo can't hold back a grin. "Have not."

"We'll discuss timelines later."

He rubs his face at a beard that isn't there so he can't even try to hide his smile. Freya mirrors his expression and he exhales a breath of relief he's been holding for what felt like his whole life. He knew that Freya loved him, or had some type of love for him, but knowing that she has for maybe longer than him (and he didn't know it was possible since it almost feels like forever for him), makes his heart race giddily.

"Then why did you say no at first?" Apollo asks her.

"Yeah, what the hell?" Sigyn interrupts again.

Freya nods, realizing. "It's hard to say yes when your heart is so heavy."

"I know," Apollo responds. "It's hard to ask when your heart is in the same state. I mean it, by the way. I don't want you thinking it's the trauma distorting anything. It was all of me and I mean it."

"Fair warning, I said what I said and meant it too. Prince Apollo, I will be the People's Queen and marry you."

They beam brightly at one another like Nidavellir's exploding star as Sigyn and the dwarfs cheer. Freya holsters her new sword, sticking her hip out to see how it looks and she bounces on her toes excitedly. Apollo holds her waist close to him, the sword sandwiched between them.

"Okay, good, glad to put that out there," he says. "I thought you would've said yes out of pity."

"That would've been cruel," Freya teases.

"You pushed me in a lake."

"You deserved that."

"And kneed me over."

"Out of love."

"Wow, Freya. As if you could resist me."

"I could still say no again."

"As if. You said it yourself that you've loved me first and for longer."

"So you could kiss me if you want."

Apollo's face burns as she nuzzles up to him, grinning. They've never kissed before other than on the forehead, the cheek or the temple. On the lips? Never. That always felt like crossing a line neither of them dared to walk.

"I wouldn't mind…" Freya continues, her voice trailing. "That's what people in love do, right?"

Apollo pauses, unsure what to say or do. Is he supposed to kiss her now? Sigyn's making hand motions gesturing for him to do it but she could also be choreographing a cheer routine.

"I guess. Never had the experience," he clears his throat, "but good to hear, Freya. Okay … let me know if you need any encouragement."

Freya grins, not trying to hide it. "Will do. Now, let's find some giants to show my sword."

-o-

Asgard

They plop in the middle of the palace's hallway outside the throne room thanks to Sigyn's magic, battered and covered in dirt and scratches. Sigyn cusses loudly at them as she rolls on the floor, lying on her back. She looks up at them since they have no regard for her. Freya holds her sword, still giddy about it as she wields it around. She bounces in front of Apollo who hugs her tightly with one arm and kisses the side of her head.

"Congratulations!"

Sigyn's body shakes at the sound of Thor's thunderous voice echoing through the halls. She rolls over to see Thor and Jane approaching them. Freya steps over her and runs up to Thor and Jane, showing them her sword. She holds it at a certain angle so they saw the message in runes and she points it out.

Freya rambles, her hair still a mess from the battle that she fought. She even starts telling them about fighting the giants in Nidavellir and after they left to go battle more giants. Sigyn looks over at Apollo and he's watching her until she gestures for him to come and he does, wrapping his arm around her waist as she continues talking.

And she's forgotten. Again. Great.

Sigyn stands, brushing herself off before standing. When she approaches her family, Thor claps her back so hard it nearly winds her and keeps his arm over her shoulders. She holds up the weight, grunting.

"Your parents would be as proud as possible," Jane tells Freya. "I don't know if they ever thought you'd be one of Thor's warriors, but now you're the future Queen of Asgard."

"I'm also engaged to your son," Freya tells her.

Jane waves a hand, dismissing it. "That's lucky for him more than you."

-o-

SHIELD Headquarters - 16:42 PM

If there's one thing Xavier hates about being their team leader, it's all the fucking paperwork. He's been putting it off since Camp before he got cleared for the field. Half the time he doesn't even think about what he's filling out since it's automatic for him to check boxes and sign at the bottom. His sister destroyed another quinjet, Stark didn't want to be there, etc. He's so accustomed to it that he doesn't notice when Sigyn appears in front of him, magic billowing around her. She's messy and torn for battle with dirt all over her face, outfit, and tangled in her hair.

He looks up at her when she circles his desk and stands beside him.

"Hi, honey," he greets, turning his chair to face her. "How was the Asgard business?"

Sigyn's looking at him but not saying anything. Her chest moves up and down with her breathing as her arms lay limp by her sides.

"Sigyn?"

Xavier stands and her eyes flicker up to meet him.

"Busy day," she states. "Asgard Business."

"Yeah, dear, I asked you how it went."

"Oh."

Sigyn smiles excitedly as she hugs him tightly, hooking her arms up on his back so she's nearly touching his shoulders. Xavier rubs her back as she leans into his chest. She smells like a burning fire and melting metal which confuses him even more.

"I can feel your heart pounding against mine," Xavier states.

"As it should," she responds. "Thor and Jane, and fucking Nidavellir are keeping it hush-hush but I don't have to. Apollo asked Freya to marry him and she said yes."

"What?" Xavier yells.

"That was my reaction when he got down on a knee and gave her a sword!"