The Ashborn Dimension was quiet when Hela spoke.
"The fight for the throne is over," she said calmly.
Several heads turned toward her.
Hela crossed her arms. "Thor won. He will be crowned King of Asgard."
Alex didn't look surprised.
He sighed.
A long, tired sigh.
"…So it's finally decided."
Around him, his wives exchanged looks.
Retsu nodded gently.
"Makes sense."
Morgan smirked. "Asgard is about to get very loud."
Scáthach added bluntly, "And very damaged."
Alex pinched the bridge of his nose.
"He's going to give me a headache," he muttered.
That earned several quiet laughs.
Hela looked at him. "You don't regret refusing the throne?"
Alex shook his head without hesitation. "No."
Hera smiled faintly. "Good. I agree."
Alex glanced at her, amused. "You would."
"I've ruled," Hela continued calmly. "Power doesn't suit you when it comes with chains."
Alex nodded. "Exactly."
He stood.
"I'm going to see Loki."
No one objected.
They all nodded.
Back to Asgard
Asgard greeted Alex with familiar golden light.
The palace felt unchanged—
yet different.
He found Odin and Frigga together.
Frigga smiled warmly the moment she saw him.
"My son."
Alex inclined his head slightly. "Mother. Father."
He glanced between them.
"So… Thor is king?"
Odin nodded once. "He is."
Alex and Frigga sighed at the exact same time.
Perfectly in sync.
"…The havoc," Frigga murmured.
"…The chaos," Alex added.
Odin closed his eye slowly.
He knew that sigh.
He knew it very well.
Thor had fists.
No brains.
Loki had brains.
No restraint—and not enough strength.
Alex had both.
And yet—
He had never wanted the throne.
And now—
Even Hela shared that opinion.
Odin exhaled.
"…I don't even know what to say to you two."
Frigga smiled sweetly. "Then don't."
Alex spoke again. "I'm going to see Loki."
Odin nodded. "Go."
Brothers and Wine
Loki's chambers were quiet.
Alex entered without knocking.
Loki looked up.
Then smiled.
"…You brought wine."
Alex held up the bottle. "I brewed it."
Loki raised a brow. "You always do."
Alex poured.
They sat.
Drank.
Silence settled comfortably between them.
Then—
"Remember when we glued Mjölnir to the floor?" Loki said.
Alex smirked. "Thor cried."
Loki laughed. "He threatened to kill us."
Alex took a sip. "He still does."
They laughed together.
For a moment—
No thrones.
No destinies.
Just brothers.
Loki glanced at him. "So… what now?"
Alex shrugged. "What are you going to do?"
Loki leaned back. "I'll think about it later."
Alex nodded. "If you don't come up with anything—come to me."
Loki looked at him.
"…You'd help?"
"Yes."
Loki smiled.
His gaze drifted to the daggers resting nearby.
The ones Alex had given him.
Perfectly balanced.
Immaculate.
Treasures.
Loki touched them lightly.
"…I'll remember that."
Alex stood. "Good."
He turned to leave—
Then paused.
"…How about a prank on Thor?"
Loki's grin was instant.
"You read my mind."
The King's First Lunch
The great hall was full.
Thor sat at the table in royal attire, laughing loudly with his friends.
Food everywhere.
Alex and Loki exchanged a glance.
Loki whispered rapidly.
A plan.
Alex nodded once.
Simple.
Effective.
Alex lifted his hand subtly.
Illusion magic flowed.
Suddenly—
Thor stood.
In full kingly grandeur.
He stepped onto the table.
Cleared his throat.
Held up a chicken leg like a microphone.
"My people!" Thor boomed.
The hall went silent.
Thor continued proudly.
"I, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard—"
He gestured wildly with the chicken leg.
"—promise great feasts, greater battles, and—"
He paused.
Looked at the chicken leg.
"…This is a good chicken."
The hall erupted.
Loki collapsed against a pillar laughing.
Alex laughed so hard he had to hold his side.
Thor froze.
"…Why is everyone laughing?"
At that moment—
Odin and Frigga entered.
They stopped.
Looked.
Thor.
On the table.
With a chicken leg.
Frigga covered her mouth.
Odin sighed.
"…Loki," Odin muttered.
"And Alex," Frigga added gently.
Thor finally noticed the illusion break.
He looked down.
"…Oh."
The hall exploded again.
Loki laughed harder.
Alex wiped tears from his eyes.
Thor groaned.
"This reign is cursed."
Frigga smiled fondly.
Odin shook his head.
But—
He was smiling too.