As the late morning light filters in through the curtains of the bedroom, your heart laps from your chest as the first thing you notice is that you have yet to hear Anthony's cries from the room next door. The same room Thor had told you he laid Anthony to rest in via a note slipped under your door late last night.
Panicked, you begin to wiggle from Loki's grasp, but he simply tightens his grip, and pulls you in to him.
"Relax, darling. He's with my mother," Loki grumbles, his voice thick with sleep.
"You have to quit doing that," you grumble back, breathing out and allowing yourself to calm down and snuggle back in to Loki's side. "We have a deal, remember? No mind reading without asking."
"And I honor that deal 99% of the time, elskling," he says, rubbing the tip of his nose against your own. "But when the love of my life wakes in a panic and tries to leap from my bed, I feel exceptions can be taken."
"So, your mother is still here?" you ask.
"Mhmm," Loki hums, drifting his fingertips across your chest lightly.
"I thought she left after your private conversation yesterday," you say, clearly asking for more information.
"No, my love. She'll be here with us for a while. It's part of her plan, which is what we were discussing," says Loki.
"And was there a reason I wasn't invited to be a part of it?" you ask.
"Yes," Loki answers simply, not giving you any additional insight.
"And that reason was...?"
"She wanted to know more about your seidr. I think it's quite obvious she doesn't believe my tale in how you obtained it. She challenged me on it, and I refuted her."
"So she still doesn't know that I-"
"No," answers Loki quickly. "And I think it best we keep that piece of information to ourselves for now."
"Do you really think that's the best idea, Lo?" you ask, propping yourself up and draping an arm over Loki's bare chest. "It's bound to come out. Especially when we find Amora. She'll be the first one to rat me out."
"I agree," says Loki. "And if there's one thing I've learned in this life, my love, it is that against every effort the truth will always out. However I do think it would be wise for us to obtain some sort of written pardon from my father for past and present action before that happens, if possible."
You lay back down and think about Loki's approach for a while before another thought occurs to you.
"Lo, if Amora was bound, and she didn't have the Tablet until I gave it to her, then how could she have started influencing Odin as early as my first visit to Asgard?"
"I wondered the same," Loki answers, stroking your hair. "I believe her to have used the same stone you now wear around your neck."
"What?" you ask, your fingers flying to the icy blue glow on your chest. "But how would that help her?"
Loki thinks for a moment before answering.
"Binding seidr is like damming a river, darling. It prevents magic from flowing through the user's body. How much it prevents is up to whoever is doing the binding. For example, when I bound Herkja I allowed a steady stream of seidr to still flow through to her. Not enough for her to conjure dark magic, but enough for her to still heal."
You cringe thinking about Loki binding Herkja. You know that had been a difficult thing for him to do. It was also Odin's attempt to punish Loki for concealing her study of the banished magic as much as an attempt to punish Herkja herself.
"But a seidr stone can be used to bypass that dam," Loki continues. "Like building a trench around the dam itself, allowing the water, or in our case, seidr, to flow as it did before. That is why these stones are considered to be so powerful."
"Then why would she give this to me if she needed it to use dark magic?" you ask.
"Because she was receiving something much more powerful in return - the Tablet."
"How does it work, Lo?"
"How does what work?"
You think for a moment, organizing your thoughts.
"Well, Amora has to translate the runes to unlock the knowledge she needs to grow in her power, right? If Frigga and Odin seem to think her power is growing, then she must have already translated them all. So...isn't it too late?"
"Not quite, darling," Loki says, planting a kiss on your forehead. "The runes on the Tablet are like chapters of a book. Each one contains within it knowledge of its own. Together, they tell a story of indescribable power and all-knowingness. But each chapter delivers to its reader a subsect of that knowledge. Of wisdom. Amora is likely deciphering these runes one by one, and growing her power as she does. She likely has learned enough to be able to conjure the dark magic she needs on her own without the seidr stone, despite still being bound."
"So it really is only a matter of time," you ask, frightened.
"Yes."
For a moment you lay with Loki, running through a million different scenarios in your head, each more disturbing than the last. When suddenly, Loki pulls from your grip and stands. You're confused for a moment before realizing that he's simply going to the bathroom.
You laugh at yourself as you realize how panicked you had been to even have him leave your arms for a moment. It makes you think about Frigga and Odin.
"Loki," you call out to him.
"Yes?" he answers back from the bathroom with a laugh.
"Do your mother and father...do they love each other?"
There's silence, followed by the sound of the toilet flushing and the water running. Finally Loki appears in the doorway, leaning against it and casting you a curious glance.
"What a strange question, elskling. Why do you ask?"
You feel your cheeks begin to flush. Perhaps you shouldn't have asked such a personal question.
"Never mind. I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it," you say, embarrassed.
Loki's puzzled glance travels over you for a moment. Wanting him back in your arms, you reach out for him and he smiles, taking several steps towards you before noticing the bedding.
The fitted sheet on the corner of the bed has ridden up the side. Loki stops to fix it, and you can't stop the laugh that spills out as he struggles with it, finally giving up and using his seidr to get it back in place.
Loki hates fitted sheets. And when they come untucked, it drives him mad.
Once fixed and in place, he sits on the bed and takes your hand, placing a kiss in your palm.
"Why did you ask that, Y/n?" Loki asks, referring to your question from a few minutes prior. You shiver at the use of your name. You know he's serious whenever he uses it.
"I-I...I don't know. I guess I just wondered how Frigga could afford to be gone from the palace for so long. Won't Odin grow suspicious? I mean, you only left bed for a moment and I wanted you back," you say bashfully.
Loki grins, and you see the tips of his ears turn pink as he reaches out and pulls you into his chest, planting several light kisses on your neck and cheek before simply holding you close, and answering your question.
"He loved her once. But after so many years, and by nature of his position, the Raven will now go many weeks without laying eyes on my mother."
You're not sure why, but Loki's answer makes you sad. Sad for Frigga. Sad for Thor. Sad for Loki. You've always believed that the best thing a man can do for his children is love their mother.
"This upsets you," remarks Loki after a moment of silence. "Why?"
"I can't explain it," you say.
"Will you allow me to feel it then?" Loki asks quietly.
You nod, and allow Loki to step into your mind. You openly share with him how you feel, and after a moment he withdraws.
"I see," Loki says, stepping out of your mind. "They are not us, darling. It does not matter how much time passes, my love for you will not fade as theirs has. They never had what we do to begin with," Loki says.
You feel inexplicable relief course through your veins at Loki's words. You hadn't realized that what you were feeling was dread. Dread that you and Loki could one day find your love had run cold. But Loki had identified your fear the moment he stepped into your head, and knew just what to say to assuage it.
"Thank you," you whisper, leaning into him.
"Never doubt that you are my sálufélagi, Y/n," he whispers, kissing you gently. "Now come, let us find our son, and get you something to eat."
You giggle in excitement, starving from your active evening with Loki. You stand from bed and head towards your discarded silver bracelet on the ground. But before you reach it, you feel the warm and tingly static of Loki's seidr, and gasp as you watch a beautiful rose colored kyrtill fall down your legs. You reach a hand up to your hair and find that it has been pulled up and off your neck.
You cast a glance back at Loki and roll your eyes.
"I imagine you've grown tired of the suit," Loki says with a smirk.
"You know me so well," you say, floating over to him and giving him a kiss before taking his hand and pulling him from your room.
"Where are you leading?" he asks.
"I don't know...I'm just following the smell," you say, your mouth beginning to water as you can already taste the pastries and meats through their scents wafting through the halls.
You only take one wrong turn on your way to the dining hall, where you find Frigga has already fed Anthony.
"Mama!" he squeals upon seeing you. Frigga turns and casts you a smile over her shoulder.
"Hi baby," you answer, taking a seat next to Frigga, and allowing Anthony to climb onto your lap.
"Thank you for watching him, Frigga," you say, smiling back.
"It was my pleasure dear. I'm assuming Loki has already filled you in on our plan?" she asks.
"I haven't had the chance, mother," Loki replies stiffly. "Let us eat before we discuss," he says.
Frigga nods. "I'll be in the sitting room when you're ready," she says before departing the dining hall.
Loki's tone immediately raises your suspicions, but you don't have a chance to probe further as Anthony's little hand is in your hair as he babbles at you.
"Mama! Omi eat cakes and and and now thirsty juice?"
You let out a laugh and wipe a sweet, sticky substance from the corner of Anthony's mouth.
"Omi fed you pancakes this morning huh?"
"Yeah mama...juice please?"
You glance at Loki who hands you a small cup of juice that he had already poured upon hearing Anthony's first request. You smile and take the cup gratefully, handing it to the boy who eagerly sips on it before nearly spilling it as he sets it down. It teeters on the edge of the table for a moment, but you catch it before pushing it farther back.
Anthony now satisfied, sits on your lap and plays with a small doll that you vaguely recognize from Loki's childhood bedroom.
"Where For?"
"Thor went home, honey," you answer through your own mouthful of toast.
"For come play today?"
"No honey, I don't think so," you say, once more trying to get a bit through Anthony's incessant talking.
"For go bye bye?"
"Let's let your mother eat, vennen mín" says Loki, reaching over and taking Anthony from your lap. He struggles for a moment, reaching for you but you hand him the doll he dropped, and suddenly he's content to sit in his father's lap, giving you a moment to scarf down a few bites of the food laid out on the table in front of you.
You and Loki trade between holding Anthony and eating. Once you both have your fill, Loki takes Anthony, holding him on his hip as he holds out his hand to you. You take it, and allow him to begin leading you to the sitting room.
"So, there's a plan?" you ask him as you walk.
"It's not mine, love. You can rest easy," he says with a laugh.
You roll your eyes and follow until you reach the same living area you had spent time in the day before. The hearth is already lit.
Loki places Anthony down on the ground, and conjures a small barrier in front of the hearth, blocking heat and access just in case Anthony was to grow curious by the flames. You smile at Loki's parental instinct before turning to Frigga.
"So. A plan. Let's hear it. Because frankly I'm feeling like everyone here is a little too relaxed considering a power-hungry and revenge-driven sorceress has the key to unlimited power and is trying to take over the King's mind," you say.
"Understandable, my dear," answers Frigga. "But our best course of action is to wait."
"So you've said before," you answer, frustrated.
"My mother is right, darling," Loki answers. "My father has his best soldiers tracking Amora. Once we have a lead, we'll step in. But for now, it's better that we make sure you're...prepared."
"Make sure I'm prepared?" you ask, confused.
"Amora is a powerful sorceress, dear," Frigga answers. "You have only just inherited your seidr. There is much for you to learn should you wish to be able to fight her. I believe it would be wise for Loki and I to spend the time between now, and whenever we receive credible information as to her whereabouts, assisting you in growing your magical prowess."
You're stunned. Personal teachings from the Queen and Prince of Asgard? Sure, to you they are just Frigga and Loki. But stepping back and taking even a moment to think about the implications of what Frigga is offering, you can't help but feel...incredibly grateful.
"I would be honored to learn from you," you say, speechless.
"Then it is settled," Frigga says with a smile. "We shall begin this afternoon."
"Wait," you say as she rises. "I have one condition."
Frigga raises a brow and looks at you. Loki does the same.
"If we're going down this path, I don't want Anthony here. It's not safe. I want him on Midgard. With my family."
Frigga and Loki are both quiet for a moment.
"If that is what you wish," Frigga says. "I shall call for Thor to deliver him."
"No," you say.
Loki's stare turns to one of confusion. You feel him tapping at your mind, asking for permission to enter before you speak aloud. But you don't let him in. You know he won't agree to what you're about to demand.
"I don't want Thor taking him," you say, turning slowly to face Loki. "You need to go with him, Lo."
"Kærasta-"
You hold up a single hand, firmly silencing Loki. Walking up to him, you place a single, gentle hand lightly on his face and press your lips to his for a moment before gesturing down at Anthony playing on the ground.
"Look at him, Lo. He deserves to have at least one of his parents with him. And if I'm to stay here and train, then you need to be the one to go with him," you say. "Besides, Frigga taught you, didn't she? So I'll be learning from the best."
"I'm the best, darling," Loki says sadly. "But I suppose my mother is an allowable alternative."
"You know I'm right about this, Lo," you say quietly.
"I know," he says. "But there's no need for us to leave now."
"I disagree," you say staunchly. "I don't want him here while I'm using weaponized magic. What if something goes wrong? What if I blow something up or set something on fire? No. It's safer for him to go now. Which means you go now."
Loki lets out a frustrated sigh, but sees that your mind is made up. You nod at him, and turn towards your son. Crouching down, you hold out your arms to Anthony who pushes himself upright and waddles over to you, falling into your arms and giggling as you blow light raspberries on his neck.
"You wanna go see Grandma and Grandpa with Pater?" you ask him excitedly, your eyes beginning to tear up slightly, not knowing how long your boys will be gone.
"And Hulk GRRRRRR," growls Anthony in a cute, little rumbly voice.
"I suppose so, yes," you laugh. "Uncle Steve, Aunt Nat and Uncle Clint too!" you say, taking his little hands in yours.
Anthony giggles and jumps up and down on his little legs, reaching up for you as you stand. You pick him up and walk him over to Frigga.
"Say bye bye to Omi, honey," you say.
"Bye bye Omi," Anthony says.
"Goodbye, mitt kjære barn," Frigga says as she reaches out and pats his cheek lovingly before brushing a few dark locks away from his bright green eyes.
You then hand Anthony to Loki, who pulls you in by your waist, kissing you deeply and causing your eyes to flutter closed as your hand finds his chest.
"Do not forget that the gatekeeper is with us," Loki says, breaking away. "If you need me, call for me. Heimdall will deliver me to you."
You nod in understanding.
"I love you, ástin mín," Loki says, casting you a soft smile and nodding to his mother before disappearing with Anthony in a flash of green.
You stare at the empty space where Loki had just been for several long moments before you feel a hand on your shoulder.
"Fret not, my child. They will be safe on Midgard, and I will be with you here."
"I know," you say.
"Then why do you worry so, my dear?"
You let out a steadying breath and look up at Frigga.
"This is the beginning of the end, isn't it?"
Frigga looks back at you sadly.
"We have quite a road to walk, I fear. But yes. I do believe it is."
Letting out a deep breath, you look up at Frigga and nod.
"Then let's begin."