"What...what do you mean?" The familiar tug of fear pulls at Loki's stomach as he opens his mouth to respond.

"The Titan is coming. He promised. If I failed, He promised He would come for me." Tony's fingers tighten around his own, but he feels far away now.

"We'll fight him." Tony murmurs.

"You can't." No one can. He is inevitable.

"Perhaps not." Thor agreed. "But you can." Don't you know I tried?!

"My failure in that regard is obvious, brother." The word slips from his lips and he doesn't care to correct it.

"You were weak-" Loki scowls at him, "-I say it not by way of insult brother, but by fact. We'd fought. You struggled against Mjolnir, I remember I heard one of your ribs crack. The force of the Bifrost's destruction wounded me greatly. I spent many days with the healers, and you...falling in the void for so long...only to be found by Thanos and tortured..." Thor trails off when Loki turns his head away. "If Thanos really is coming, then we must prepare. Loki, when you are well and strong you could crumble this world to dust with the sheer strength of your magic. I know it so." Loki stares. Tony's whistle is loud in his ear.

"Y-you never cared for my magic."

"Nay, until I went to Mother for her help. She told me then, how powerful you were. More powerful than the Allfather himself, she says. When Thanos comes, we will be ready this time."

"I cannot grasp it," Loki finally admits quietly, pulling his arm across his stomach almost protectively.

"They...they took it from you?" Thor's voice is horrified and Tony shakes his head.

"But you used it before, in my lab, and to get dressed? I mean it was wonky but..." Loki nods.

"Yes, but it is damaged. My seidr, I mean. They...suppressed it, and seidr should not be suppressed. It turns on itself when it is. I know not how to heal it without my magic, and that I cannot reach."

"Then I shall send for Mother," Thor announces, rising from the bed.

"Pardon?"

"I shall send for Mother. Surely she will know what to do."

"But Mother is in Asgard! The only ruler present. Surely she has more important things to do."

"None more important than her children. Mother is a powerful sorceress, surely she can manage to keep Asgard protected long enough to see her son." Loki frowns.

"But...I'm not..." I'm not her son. The words hurt too much to say out loud, but Thor's face still softens in understanding.

"Just like you will always be my brother, you will always be Frigga's son." He says calmly, moving forward to place his hand gently on Loki's neck. "I will return shortly with Mother, you needn't wait long." He turns to Tony. "Son of Iron, my many thanks to you. My brother seems...close with you, and in turn you to him. I am much appreciative that my brother and my good friend find happiness with each other. I wish you both many good years." Loki resists the urge to roll his eyes at Tony's obvious discomfort, who's fumbling with a mock salute.

"I shall return in moment's time," 

"Gentle on the floor, eh Point Break?" Tony calls weakly.

"Heimdall?" Instead of the bright explosive light of the Bifrost, Thor simply shimmers out of sight. Mother's magic.

"Woah, cool. Totally did not expect him to listen to that one."

"My mother's magic is far more gentle than that of the Bifrost, though it should be fixed now I suppose," Loki muses, rubbing his eyes. The weight of his panic from earlier, the feeling of The Titan lurking in the corners, and this new dump of information by Thor had left Loki more exhausted than he'd been since Tony'd ripped off his muzzle. The reminder brings the uncontrollable urge to poke his tongue out his lips back in full force. Pathetic.

The sudden shapes of Thor and Frigga shimmering into solid form beside them prompt a small shriek from Tony and another wave of emotion for Loki.

"Damn! That's some Star Trek shit right there!" The inventor exclaims at the same time that Thor unnecessarily announces, "I have returned!"

"Loki," Frigga rushed forward a few steps before halting and turning to Thor and Tony. "Might I have a moment alone with my son, please?" Thor nods, stepping away to the door. Tony squeezes his hand before following suit, shutting the bedroom door softly behind him, but not before calling a soft, "I'll be back," over his shoulder.

"Loki," his mother once again crooned, rushing forward and scooping him into her embrace. He sags against her, the familiar feeling of her silk dress and the soft smell of vanilla she always seemed to carry bringing tears to his eyes once again that he tries desperately to hold in. Haven't you cried enough now? Pathetic.

"Hush darling, let it out." his mother whispers against his hair, running her hand soothingly over his back. She didn't need to tell him twice. Pathetic.

"Oh, Loki, my sweet, sweet child." She pulls away just slightly, cupping his cheeks in her hands, his tears collecting on her fingers. He shakes his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

"But I'm not."

"Child, a mere blood technicality cannot take away our relationship. You are my son."

"Amma," Loki sobs, and she pulls him back into her embrace.

"My dear child, hush now. All will be well. You have endured so much, but you are safe now."

"I'm not," Loki whimpers. "The Titan is c-coming. He promised. Thor says I can defeat Him but I-I don't think I can."

"Loki," his mother's voice is gentle but firm. "Look at me, child." Loki does. "You can, and you will." Loki stares at her for a long second, the implications of her statement ringing loud in his ears. Frigga is a powerful sorcerer, raised by witches. She can communicate with the Norns. She has clairvoyance.

"Have you..." Loki trails off. He knows she can't tell him what she has seen. Did I win? Frigga smiles gently at him.

"Your seidr, Thor tells me, is damaged." Loki nods, his eyes were still blown wide at her implication. "Lay back, my dear. I shall heal it." With her aid, Loki lays back, his head resting on her lap as she closes her eyes. "This may feel uncomfortable, but it should not hurt very much. After, you will just need to rest and build back up your strength. I can see it, your seidr is simply damaged, weakened. Not lost." Her words remove a heavy weight he hadn't realized he'd been carrying. Oh, but it will hurt. You know that as well as I do, Mother. Tendrils of Frigga's silvery-blue magic begin to wrap around his chest, and he closes his eyes, gritting his teeth against the pain. It will just get worse. 

"It is done, my child." Frigga's gentle voice comes after a few minutes. The familiar buzz of his seidr thrums through his veins, fresh tears springing to his eyes at the feeling. Gods how I missed that.

"Thank you, " Loki whispers, opening up his eyes drowsily to see her face.

"You will be tired for some time, but do not be alarmed," she murmurs, her eyes dark, brushing the hair from his face. Surely you know how painful this will be, don't you? "I must go now." her voice is sad, and his unhappiness must be been clear on his face for she bends down and presses a gentle kiss to his forehead, smoothing his hair a little more. "Worry not, dearest. You are well protected here, it seems. Know that you will always be welcome in Asgard, should you choose to return." Loki squeezes her hand, and with a gentle smile, she faded away.

He is not alone for long.

"Hey, Princess," The sound of the door opening and closing along with Tony's gentle footsteps. "I asked Thor to hang back, you seemed a little overwhelmed. Feeling any better?" Tony climbs into the bed beside him, and Loki decides he could give a damn about looking regal. He turns, sighing softly as he dragged himself into Tony's lap, who responds with a gentle hand through his hair. No need to worry him. You can handle the pain yourself. 

"I'm not sure what to make of this newfound maturity in Thor. But yes, I can feel my magic again. Mother said I would be tired, though."

"That's alright, we've got all the time in the world." No, we don't. Loki doesn't feel like arguing.

"You know what, Snowflake?" Tony speaks after a moment of peaceful silence. Loki hums.

"Loki Friggason has a ring to it."

"Loki Friggason," Loki repeats, a small smile stretching across his sleepy face. "Yes, I suppose it does."