Chapter Text
“So...now what?” Jane asks as we take a moment to catch our breath.
“Well, at least the clean up took care of itself. That’ll make Pete happy.”
Jane’s friend, Darcy, and her intern stroll up to us hand in hand. “Woah, Rose, you look like a freaking badass Viking! Jane, why didn’t you get clothes like that?”
Jane rolls her eyes. “If only I hadn’t been preoccupied to ask for badass Viking clothes.”
Thor and I chuckle in response. “If you’re staying in London a little longer,” I look at Jane and Doctor Selvig, “I’d love to introduce you to someone at base. He’d never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t let him trade theories with you.”
“Your base?” Jane asks questioningly.
I point across the river towards Canary Wharf. “Torchwood Prime. We have several smaller hubs located throughout the country, but this is the main one.”
“Torchwood you say? I don’t believe I’ve heard of it,” Dr. Selvig says.
I chuckle. “Officially, neither has she. We’re not exactly as prominent as SHIELD likes to be.” He nods in understanding.
“What about you?” Jane addresses Thor.
He looks at her thoughtfully for a moment. “I should return to Asgard, to tell Odin what has happened here today.” He grunts in pain as he stands up. “And possibly visit a healer.”
“Oh,” she replies, clearly crestfallen.
“But I will return to you, I promise.”
Jane stands on tip-toe to press her lips against his. “You better.”
“How’re you going to get back? Isn’t the Bifrost still closed?” I inquire.
Thor frowns at me. “I honestly hadn’t thought about that.”
I look down in thought, my eyes resting on my Space Hopper, before looking up at the barely visible portals to other realms in the sky. “I actually might have a way.” Jumping up, I ask, “Do you know the spatial coordinates for Asgard?”
Thor continues to frown despite my excitement. “Yes. Yes, of course.”
I start adjusting settings on the teleport, widening the range and power allotment. “It’s a long-shot, but theoretically it should work.”
“What should work?” Jane pipes in.
I hold up my arm to show them. “My Space Hopper!” I’m grinning like a madman now.
Darcy coughs to cover up a chuckle. “Your what now?”
“It’s teleport technology repurposed from the Dimension Cannon I used to cross dimensions a while back,” I wave my hand dismissively over the subject, despite their curious looks. “All I need is the right coordinates, and we should be all set!”
Dr. Selvig gives me a skeptical look. “Should?”
I have Thor enter the coordinates. “Hypothetically speaking. I’ve never tried jumping to another world. But I’ve seen a similar one I copied do it, how hard could it be?” The doctor says nothing in reply. “Place your hand on the hopper and don’t let go. Also, there’s a slightly rough landing,” I instruct Thor. “Don’t worry Jane, I’ll make sure he brings himself back. On three: one, two, three!”
We pop onto Asgard like a lightning bolt. Thor lands steadily, making it look easy. I wobble a bit, but manage to catch myself. One of the best landings yet.
“It worked!” Thor exclaims in surprise.
“Of course it worked, brother,” I playfully punch him in the arm. He smiles at my use of the sibling name. “Can’t believe you doubted me.”
“Not you, just that strange device. Seems much too small to contain enough power needed for travel.” He looks thoughtful for a moment, gently placing his large hand to cup the back of my neck, keeping my attention directly on him. “You should know, Rose, though I have never had a sister, I would have hoped she would be like you. I know...I know you have a family back on Earth, but if you wanted, this could be your home...and I your family.”
I throw my arms around his large frame in a hug, feeling his large arms wrap around me to return it. “I would feel honored to be your sister,” I mutter against his shoulder.
We’re allowed rest for a few hours before Odin sees us. Although I had my little brother, Tony, who I loved with all my heart, it did feel like I had gained another brother in Thor. He seemed more hopeful than I’d seen him. Part of me wondered why I hadn’t told him Loki was still alive, but I wanted to see Odin first.
Thor claps a warm hand on my shoulder as we stand before the throne room doors. “Are you ready, sister?” I nod, and with practiced ease, he pushes the heavy doors open, we walk forward in silence.
I spare a quick glance around as we enter. Most of the rubble had been cleared out, only restorations left to be done to return this part of the palace to its original splendor. Casting my gaze back towards the throne, I see Odin standing there proudly with his sceptre, his one-eyed gaze trained on me.
Once we reach the bottom of the dias, Thor kneels and bows his head. I quickly follow suit, although reluctantly.
Nothing happens for a few minutes. Strangely, no one was present in the large hall but the three of us. Finally, Odin speaks. “Thor, my son. You once said there would never be a wiser king than me. You were wrong.” Thor’s head looks up in surprise. Odin continues, “The Alignment has brought all the realms together. Every one of them saw you offer your life to save them - you and the golden warrior beside you.”
My head pops up, eyes narrowing slightly. There’s something different about him. He’d never willingly offer me a complement. Even the way he’s standing is off: too relaxed for someone like him.
“What can Asgard offer its new king in return for such an act?” Odin asks Thor.
“My life,” Thor says solemnly, “As well as Rose’s.” He stands to address his king, taking a step forward. “Father, I cannot be king of Asgard. I will protect Asgard and all the realms with my last and every breath, but I cannot do so from that chair. Loki, for all his grave imbalance, understood rule as I know I never will. The brutality, the sacrifice...it changes you. I’d rather be a good man than a great king.”
“Is this my son I hear, or the woman he loves?” Odin asks, not even a hint of malice present like I expect.
Thor smiles. “When you speak, do I never hear Mother’s voice?” Odin sighs in response, looking saddened for a moment. “This is not for Jane, Father,” Thor continues. “She does not know what I came here to say. Now, forbid me to see her, or say she can rule at my side. It changes nothing.”
Odin sits in his throne - casually, leaning to one side. It seemed strangely familiar. “One son who wanted the throne too much, another who will not take it. Is this my legacy?”
“Loki died with honor,” Thor boasts. “I shall try to live the same. Is that not legacy enough?”
I bite my lip so as not to say anything, once again wondering why I hadn’t told Thor his brother was in fact still alive.
Odin nods his consent at Thor, who holds Mjolnir up in offering. The king waves it away with his hand. “It belongs to you. If you are worthy of it.”
“I shall try to be.”
“I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune.”
Thor’s head nods in understanding. “I know.” He turns to walk away, stopping as Odin speaks.
“If I were proud of the man my son had become, even that, I could not say. It would speak only from my heart. Go, my son,” he smiles at Thor.
“Thank you, Father,” Thor replies with a proud little smile.
I turn to leave with him, but Odin stops me. “Not yet, Rose Tyler. I still wish to speak with you.”
Thor raises his eyebrows in question at me, before dutifully turning to exit the throne room, leaving only myself and the King of Asgard. Again, he sits there saying nothing, simply staring at me.
“You did say you wanted something,” I chime in, the uncomfortable silence making me squirm where I stand.
“Why is it you have not told Thor the truth?”
I’m taken aback. I glance at the ground to hide my surprise.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“We both know Loki still lives, you better than anyone.”
“I…” I begin, unsure what to say as I face him again. Although it’s not Odin sitting there, but Loki. No wonder the casual nature seemed familiar. “Loki! You son of a -” I charge up the dias, only to be forced to a stop as he raises his hand, an invisible barrier blocking me.
“Now, now, little wolf. Where are your manners? Kneel, before your king!” He smiles at me smugly.
“Bite me,” I snap.
“Ohhh, believe me, I would love to,” he growls in return. “All in good time.”
“What did you do to Odin?”
“Exactly what I told you I would. You just chose Thor instead. And now he’s accepted me as his king.”
“He accepts Odin as his king, not you!”
“But who will believe Loki is still alive, and impersonating that old fool? Thor saw my lifeless body for himself. You, darling, are the only one who knows the truth.”
I throw my arms up in a shrugging manner. “And now you have what you’ve always wanted.”
“Not quite,” he rises from the throne, leaning his sceptre against it and stalking towards me. The invisible barrier appears at my back, blocking me in so I can’t escape. “I’m still missing a queen,” he whispers in my ear, his teeth catching my earlobe. “I find it amusing, you know. You make play that you’re still pure and innocent, but we both know who you really are when the lights go out. How you desire my touch, my cock inside you.”
A shudder of arousal creeps down my spine, and I suppress a moan as he begins kissing my neck in just the right spot. “I have seen the way you respond to my kiss, my touch. But it seems that my voice holds a special power over you, my love. Do you truly find it so irresistible?” His lips hover over mine, teasing me, daring me to bridge the gap between us. “Be my queen, Rose.”
“Loki, I -” but he cuts me off as his lips crash against mine.
“I can never resist my name on your lips,” he breaths against me, his hands finding my hips and pulling me flush against him. “Rose, be my queen.”
I blush, feeling him so close against me. “You said yourself, everyone thinks you’re dead. How could I possibly…” All words and thoughts escape me as I watch him take a step back and kneel in front of me, his hands grasping mine, his eyes full of hope.
“Marry me.”