You woke bright and early the next morning. There was a lot of work to do and not a lot of magic to do it with. In fact, you had no magic to do it with. You were already fed up with not having your powers. This was going to be a long nine months indeed.
A very long nine months.
You climbed out of bed and stared at your closet. You couldn't remember the last time you'd actually dressed manually. You usually used magic to change your clothes. It was so much faster and easier. Especially with the complicated Asgardian gowns you had to wear here.
You turned to your husband with illogical pleading tears in your eyes. You shouldn't be crying over a dress. You weren't crying over the dress. You weren't hormonal enough for that, it was far too early for such things. You realized you were crying over the frustration of the lack of magic.
"Can I burn my entire wardrobe of formalwear and replace it with clothes that I don't need an army of maids to dress me in?" you growled as you stared at your formal dresses.
Loki chuckled, until he saw your frustrated tears. "Darling, what is this really about?" he asked you gently as he came up and wrapped his arms around you from behind, pressing a soft kiss to your hair as he wrapped himself around you. You were used to such affection from Loki. He'd been touch starved for so many centuries that he still craved any amount of contact he could get. He only seemed truly content when he had you in his arms, or vice versa. Especially vice versa.
You never minded in the slightest.
You sighed heavily and leaned back against Loki. "I hate not having my magic," you admitted, trying not to whine. You felt like you were whining. "I've just... always had it and the thought of nine months without..." you sighed again. You and Loki both had so much power that you had to bleed it off so it didn't go haywire from disuse. So you were used to doing so many everyday things with magic that you could do by mortal means, to blow off power, or admittedly just for ease. You couldn't even remember the last time you'd done your hair or makeup by hand.
You weren't sure you actually knew how to do makeup anymore.
Or if you ever had.
Loki turned you to face him and pulled you into his arms. "We'll get through this together, my love," he reassured you gently. "I will be with you to help you every step of the way. I know it will be difficult without your magic, but I am here for you, all you ever need do is ask," he said and kissed your forehead. You relaxed in his arms, comforted by your husband's presence and reassurance. "Now, let's get us dressed and ready for my coronation," he stumbled over the last word as if he still couldn't believe it.
You leaned up to kiss him softly. "You'll make a wonderful king someday, Lo," you reassured him. "As well as a wonderful father,"
He didn't look so sure about either.
*
About an hour later, you found yourself on the steps before the throne in your formal finery: a lovely green gown with gold embroidery, as well as your golden circlet. You actually needed it today. You had made your way up to the throne alone for the first time you could recall in a long time, and the first time for such a formal event. Thor and Sif had already made the procession and taken their places on the stairs when you followed behind them and took yours. Sif was across from you with Thor one stair up from her. Odin was sitting in his throne with Frigga at his side. The entire royal family was in attendance for this event. The swearing in of the crown prince was a realms wide event. There were dignitaries in the crowd from the other realms as well as the nobles of Asgard.
Even without your powers, you could practically feel Loki's nerves.
He was waiting just outside the double-doors for his cue to make his procession. He quickly ran out of time as Odin nodded to the guards and the doors opened and Loki's procession began. He looked absolutely stunning in his formal finery, his golden horned helm, his green cape as he strode confidently to the stairs of the throne. His spine was straight and he exuded an air you knew he didn't really feel.
The crowd watched as Loki made his way to the stairs. Most had seen that this was coming, especially with how often you and Loki had taken the throne in recent years. Though Loki hadn't seen it. He had still thought that Thor would be heir. Probably until the very moment he was striding toward the throne.
No, not even then.
You saw the realization truly hit when Loki dropped to one knee at the steps to the throne, removing his helmet as he did and setting it carefully beside him. Each movement was proscribed, part of the ritual of this ceremony.
You caught Loki's eye before Odin started and gave him a reassuring smile. Everything was working out exactly how it was supposed to.
Odin banged his staff to call the crowd to order, to start the formal announcement of his heir. The crowd silenced instantly. "I have called you all here today to confirm my choice for heir to the throne of Asgard," he started. There was a pause as the crowd took in his words. You glanced at Thor and saw that he had finally accepted Odin's decision and was glad for his brother, glad Asgard would be in your capable hands. You were glad that the realms seemed to accept the decision as well.
There was some unspoken signal and Loki looked up at Odin, ready to swear his oaths. Odin continued speaking when Loki looked up at him. "Today I entrust you with the greatest honor in all the Nine Realms. The official claim as next in line to the sacred throne of Asgard. I have sacrificed much to achieve peace. So, too, must a new generation sacrifice to maintain that peace. Responsibility, duty, honor. These are not merely virtues to which we must aspire. They are essential to every King," he turned his attention solely on Loki. Solely on his son. And you realized, that finally, after all these centuries, finally Odin saw Loki as his son. Not a pawn. Not an adopted child. Not lesser. But his true son and heir.
Odin actually had pride in his eyes when he spoke to Loki. "Loki Odinson do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"
"I swear," Loki replied in a firm, clear voice.
"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear,"
"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself only to the good of all the realms?" Odin was more forceful on the last and most important of the oaths.
Loki didn't hesitate before his replied with his "I swear." You could see the smile he was trying to contain at the actual pride on his father's face. It was his dream come true.
"Then I, Odin Allfather, on this day, proclaim you crown prince of Asgard, to ascend the throne as my successor when I step down or upon my demise," he announced and banged Gungnir again to make the proclamation official. Loki was allowed to stand and the gathered crowd roared in applause. Pride was evident on all of your faces at Loki's accomplishment, though Odin's was the one Loki most appreciated in that moment.
"Congratulations, my son," Odin told Loki with real pride in his voice when he had come down the stairs to his son.
"Thank you, Father," Loki replied before Frigga, then you hugged him.
Even Thor got a hug that day without being stabbed.
Loki must've been in a good mood indeed.
