Author's Notes: Here is my early Christmas gift to you guys. "Dream a Little Dream of Me" by Cass Elliot inspired this chapter.

It was well past midnight when Loki arrived in The Abyss. As soon as he materialized, the lights immediately switched on.

"Hello, sir Tom," the AI greeted promptly.

"Hey JARVIS. Nice to hear from you again," Loki responded, smiling at the ceiling out of habit.

"Do you want me to notify sir Tony of your arrival?"

"He's still up?" the god asked.

JARVIS would've rolled his eyes if he had the capability. "Yes. He always goes to sleep late. Or at all."

Loki snickered at the AI's obvious frustration. "It's a battle we have no hope of winning JARVIS," he said, as looked around his old place. It gladdened him to find it exactly as he had left it more than a year ago.

"He's at his workshop, upgrading his suit," the AI informed him.

"Thanks. I'll go ahead and surprise him then," the god said, teleporting directly to Tony's location.

Tony was hunched over a steel table, soldering gun in hand. He didn't notice the trickster standing nearby, too engrossed in his work.

"Why are you still awake? It's almost two in the morning," Loki commented, looking over Tony's latest project.

The billionaire almost fell off his chair. "Tom? Am I tripping right now?" he exclaimed, mouth dropping open in shock.

"Hi Tony," Loki said, beaming widely.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you lording over the giant Smurfs?"

"I asked Mimir to let me take a break."

Tony cocked his head to the side, dubious. "Really?"

"I had to make some concessions," Loki admitted, wincing. He was not looking forward to fulfilling those.

"Is that one of them?" Tony asked, pointing to the diamond crown tucked under Loki's arm.

The god nodded. Mimir insisted he bring it with him, as a reminder of his vows to Jotunheim.

"I bet rappers would give their left nut for that kind of bling," Tony joked, as Loki laid the crown on the table. Then his expression turned serious. "So…what's your plan?"

"Well, I have several options. I could return to Asgard and spend time with Thor. Victor is also asking if I could help him conquer the world."

Tony's face fell.

"...or I could stay here with you," Loki said, staring at the floor, unsure. "That is, if you'll still have me."

"You mean you're staying for good? You're not leaving anymore?" the billionaire asked tentatively, not daring to hope.

"You said it yourself; we geniuses have to stick together," Loki said, mouth curving into a grin.

Loki suddenly found himself with an armful of Tony.

"I can't believe you're here," Tony breathed against Loki's shoulder, holding on tight.

Loki's heart lurched at the wonder and disbelief in Tony's voice. His best friend had been abandoned so many times; he didn't think anyone would actually come back for him. The god swore to never let it happen again.

The trickster embraced Tony back. "You're stuck with me I'm afraid. Who else is going to pester you to eat salad and make you go to bed like a normal person? Bruce and Steve are too soft on you."

Tony emitted a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a sob. When he pulled away, Loki's shirt was soaked.

"Not that I'm complaining, but aren't you supposed to be producing heirs or something?" Tony ribbed, his watery smile morphing into the familiar shit-eating grin Loki had so grown fond of.

Loki sighed. "You're not going to let that go, are you?" he grumbled in mock annoyance.

"Nope."

Thor tapped his fingers idly on the arm of his throne, half-listening as an elderly noblewoman vented her outrage about a land dispute that had been going on even before he was born.

It turned out, to the thunderer's dismay, that ruling a kingdom involved long stretches of tedium. Usually it was Loki who handled the mundane aspects of managing Asgard; the unappreciated, yet vital, everyday matters that kept the realm running smoothly.

His brother may be gone, but his extensive influence over the kingdom's affairs remained. The god of mischief's treaties and trade agreements were still in effect; Asgard's enduring prosperity was largely due to Loki's efforts. He never really got to thank Loki for that.

For the nth time that day, the god of thunder found his thoughts drifting to the Jotun king.

Heimdall had informed him that Loki had returned to the Midgard. Thor had hoped his brother would spare himself from needless pain; gods were not supposed to form an attachment with mortals. Still, he didn't begrudge Loki for choosing his friends over him. The trickster was happier there than he had seen him anywhere else.

Thor's musings were cut short when an attendant announced that he was being summoned by the All-Father. He was glad for the interruption; the noble was still rambling about past grievances and there was no sign of her stopping anytime soon. He excused himself and hurried to his parents' chambers, much to the woman's chagrin.

Thor knocked on the door and entered.

Odin was giving food to his ravens, while Frigga sat at her loom, weaving.

The All-Mother smiled at her eldest as he came in. The All-Father continued to feed Huginn and Munnin, his back to Thor.

Odin sighed inwardly. He didn't need to turn around to see the listless expression his son was wearing. He only had to peek outside the window to gauge Thor's mood; today the sky was overcast, as it had incessantly been for the past few months.

At least it wasn't raining anymore, thank the Norns for small mercies.

"This has to stop," Odin stated, apropos of nothing.

The god of thunder paused, mystified. "Stop what, father?"

"All this brooding and moping. You wandering the halls like a ghost."

Thor had the grace to look embarrassed. He opened his mouth to explain but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

The All-Father wasn't finished. "Your mind is always elsewhere and it's affecting the whole kingdom. You should know better," he rebuked. Odin had lectured his son so many times on to act like a proper king, but he just wasn't getting through.

Thor recoiled from Odin's harsh tone. "I'm sorry I've been remiss in my duties, father," he mumbled feebly.

Frigga stopped weaving and stood beside her son, offering him moral support. "My dear, please don't be so hard on Thor. He's trying his best," she implored.

Thor smiled at his mother gratefully. What she said next drove the air out of his lungs.

"Our son is in love. You cannot fault him for that."

The All-Father brushed a hand across his face, resigned. "I know."

Odin had seen it long before Thor and Loki realized it themselves. His sons had always been close; more than what was considered normal or even healthy. The two of them falling in love was not so much as a surprise but a foregone conclusion. He didn't have any objections with their relationship; it was only when it interfered with their obligations as sovereigns that he had a problem with.

He had thought Thor would be able to keep his personal issues separate from his official duties, but apparently his son still had a lot of growing up to do.

Seeing the thunderer look so pitiful made Odin's ire dissipate. "Thor, you dreamed of being a king since you were young. What is it that you truly desire?" he prodded gently.

Thor stayed silent, finding it difficult to articulate his thoughts. It was the question he had asked himself countless times, and not once did he arrive with a definite answer. He had wanted to rule Asgard for as long as he could remember, but ever since he started it felt more like a chore. All he had now was this hollow, devouring weight in his chest; and the thought of doing this for the rest of eternity, completely alone, was too much to bear.

There was no need to say it in words. Odin saw the despair lurking in his child's eyes, and found all the confirmation he needed.

He was strict on Thor because he had to, for Asgard's sake. Nevertheless, he didn't want his son to be unhappy. There was no point keeping the thunderer here against his will, watching him waste away. Odin looked at his wife, and Frigga nodded encouragingly.

"Go to Loki. Stay with him as long as you wish. When you return, promise me you'll be the king this realm deserves."

It took the god of thunder a full minute before he could form a coherent sentence. "But father, who will manage Asgard while I'm gone?"

The All-Father chuckled and patted his son's head kindly.

"I've been taking care of this kingdom longer than you have been alive. I think Asgard's going to survive a few more years without you."

"Hey, Steve and I are going to Earl's for a couple of sundaes. Wanna tag along?" Tony sang, plastering himself by his co-CEO's side.

Loki's fingers hovered over the keyboard. "No thanks. I still have a bunch of emails to send," he responded distractedly.

"Tom, it's Friday night. Workweek is over," Steve reminded him.

The god blinked. He hadn't noticed.

"Come with us. You look like you need a break," Tony wheedled.

"But isn't that against the Bro Code? Don't crash another bro's date?" Loki pointed out. Plus, he didn't want to be the third wheel in the group.

"If ice cream would help snap you out of this funk you're in, what's one broken Bromandment?"

"I'm not depressed!" Loki denied on cue.

Tony snorted. "Could've fooled me."

"Are you alright? You seem glum lately," Steve inquired, sitting across the trickster.

"He's pining again," Tony answered for him. "When are you going to make a move on your blond? You need to get laid; those twins told you so," he nagged, exasperated at their lack of progress. Molasses climbing uphill was going faster than these two.

Loki stopped his work and pinned Tony with his gaze.

"I waited for Thor my whole life. I can wait some more," the god said simply.

Tony went quiet. He kept forgetting his best friend had already lived through more than a dozen lifetimes, had seen empires rise and crumble at his feet. The billionaire swallowed, humbled in the face of such immutable devotion.

"Really, I'm fine. Don't let me keep you from your date." Loki resumed typing, signaling the end of the conversation.

"Ok Tom. Let's go, Tony," Cap said, getting up and dragging his boyfriend with him. Unlike Tony, he knew when to give the monarch his space. Tony tried to wriggle out of his grip, but Steve held fast.

"Damn you and your sexy muscles," Tony complained, as the super soldier manhandled him to the elevator.

"You love it when I hold you down," Steve quipped, smirking.

Tony reddened. It still bowled him over, seeing this provocative side of Steve. "You know what, let's skip the sundaes and go to the main event," he growled, hands wandering lower.

Steve flashed him a look that could only be described as coquettish. "Why can't we have both?"

"Kinky."

Loki plugged his ears. That was it. Tony had achieved the impossible; he had finally corrupted Captain America. "You two sound like something out of a bad porno," he shouted across the room.

"You're just jealous 'cause you ain't getting any," the billionaire yelled back. "Blue balls is a real medical condition, you know."

Loki tuned Tony out.

The doors were closing when the god spoke again.

"Hey guys…just try not to hurt each other, ok?"

Tony stopped groping Steve. The couple exchanged knowing looks, aware that Tom was speaking from experience.

Steve and Tony nodded solemnly, their hands clasped together.

"We won't."

Bruce and Darcy had also gone out to watch a movie, leaving the Jotun king alone in the tower.

Once Loki finished composing his emails, he took a shower and changed into something more comfortable. Knowing he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, he padded over to the balcony.

It had been a while since he gazed at the stars.

Not that there were much to look at. Too much light from the skyscrapers and air pollution had obscured Manhattan's night sky.

Loki debated whether he should do something about it. Normally he refrained from using his newfound powers, but it wouldn't hurt, just this once.

The trickster raised his arms, and concentrated.

Those who happened to glance at the Manhattan skyline that moment were astounded by the sight. It was as if a veil had been lifted over the entire city, revealing the glittering cosmos.

The stars were especially bright that night.

Loki regarded his work with satisfaction. It wasn't as magnificent as compared to Asgard's, but it would do.

Meanwhile the god of thunder arrived on top of Stark Tower through the Bifrost. A voice piped up from nowhere, startling him.

"Good evening, sir Thor. How may I assist you?" JARVIS chirped.

"Ah, hello again, spirit from yonder. May I come in?" Thor requested, feeling a tad silly talking to air. Midgardians were so strange. Why didn't they simply have regular attendants with bodies?

"Of course." The elevator dinged. Thor could swear the incorporeal being sounded amused. "Sir Tom is in The Abyss," the AI said good-naturedly, bringing the thunderer to the appropriate floor.

"Thank you," Thor said, as he stepped out. Loki's place was dimly lit, and there was no sign of the younger god anywhere.

He walked to his brother's room and knocked.

No answer.

Thor hesitated; perhaps he should just wait until morning. Yet he found himself opening the door, hoping to catch a glimpse of the brunet.

Loki was leaning against the railing, face titled to the sky. Despite the frigid weather, his feet were bare and he was only wearing a loose white t-shirt and gray sweatpants.

Thor thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. Man or woman, Aesir or Jotun, Loki was stunning in every form, gorgeous beyond belief.

Loki's eyes widened when he saw Thor standing in the doorway.

"Thor? Is everything alright?" he inquired, as the Aesir king approached him.

The god of thunder looked sheepish. "Father kicked me out," he muttered.

"Odin banished you again?"

Thor bristled. "What? No! This is completely different." It peeved him that Loki didn't seem too surprised about it.

"If you say so," Loki said, eyes twinkling with mirth.

Thor scowled.

Loki chuckled, tugging the indignant blond to him. "You've always been so easy to rile up, brother," he whispered to Thor's ear.

Thor shivered. It was true; the trickster was the only one who knew how to push his buttons without even trying. He realized belatedly that Loki had so much power over him, right from the very beginning.

"Did you miss me?" Loki asked, his mouth so close that Thor could feel the words on his skin.

The god of thunder responded by skimming his hand up to the side Loki's neck and softly pressing their lips together.

Adrenaline and desperation fueled their first kiss, all teeth and bruising force, lacking any tenderness or finesse.

So Thor made sure to be gentle and deliberate this time around, teasing Loki's mouth open with slow, languid strokes of his tongue. Loki raised a trembling hand and slid it around Thor's nape, fingers tangling through hair, pulling him closer.

They kissed until they were both flushed and lightheaded, breathing each other's air.

"Welcome back," Loki murmured, smiling against Thor's lips.

The god of thunder closed his eyes, at peace for the first time in years.

He was finally home.

FIN

Author's Notes: This is the end of the Reluctant Royal series. Thank you for all the reviews, the support, and generally sticking with this fic even with the infrequent updates. I love you all.