Disclaimer: I do not own Loki, other Marvel characters and "The Avengers" storyline.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This mini-fic came about after discussing Of Madness and Mayhem with a number of people and I came to realize that the story didn't feature enough Loki/Arik moments to satisfy me. So I decided to fill in those "daddy Loki" scenes that were missing in the story. This is by no means a sequel, but a tie-in to Of Madness and Mayhem. It will probably be no more than 7 chapters long, and it won't feature any plot developments. Updates will not come regularly as with the last two major stories. I hope you enjoy this new side of Loki! I know I did coming up with it! ;-)

Please leave ideas for "daddy Loki" moments you wish to see in the review section and I will try my best to work them into this mini-fic!

Daddy Loki

Chapter 1: 'Say Hello to Daddy'

"This isn't mischief" Barbara said as Loki caressed her cheek "nor is it madness"

"Then what is it?" he asked, looking at her with proud satisfaction. Her eyes flashed gold.

"This is mayhem"

He chuckled and shook his head gently at the vehemence of her words. Such a strong utterance from someone so small. She would have her fill of madness and she would gorge on mayhem, he would make sure of it. If she wanted blood, there was plenty he could provide. All he needed to do was point her in the direction of her meal, and watch as she feasted on the blood of their enemies.

But right now, his thoughts were not focused on the revenge that was soon to come. Instead, his eyes and mind were concentrated on the small, gentle and innocent bundle that lay in the crib behind her. The Odinspear disappeared from his hand as he walked around Barbara and walked over to the crib. The child lay quietly inside, looking up at him with wide, wondering eyes. Once again, he took in the thin set of his lips, his high forehead, his raven black hair and piercing eyes. In that moment, Loki saw not the one who would have been his heir. He saw his child. His breath caught in his throat as the full realization finally washed over him...

He was a father.

Instinct took over. He looked back at Barbara who only nodded gently before he reached in and scooped up the babe. Placing one hand firmly around his neck he cradled his head while his other hand held his rump. Holding him before him, he studied the features that were an exact mirror of his own. Unbeknownst to him, Loki's eyes moistened with tears and his lips parted in a whisper.

"Arik..."

The child's face broke into a wide, beaming smile, and his legs kicked and arms flailed at the sound of his father's voice saying his name for the very first time. The sound of Arik's squeal of delight fell on Loki's ears like a benediction.

A tear escaped his eye and ran unrestrained down his cheek as he held Arik against him and kissed the top of his head, inhaling his scent. He smelled new and pure, crisp and clean.

"I should have been there" he said the words before he even realized he had spoken.

"You're not angry?" she asked cautiously "I didn't even know I was pregnant until after you disappeared"

He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "How can I be angry? It's surely unexpected, but not unwelcome"

"It complicates our plans"

"Now you sound regretful"

"No, I just don't want you to be"

At those words, he turned and looked straight into her eyes. "Why did I wed you if not to secure my place on the throne? As king as I was required to take on a wife and father an heir to take my place. Our son would have eventually come to be. I will not regret his arrival, even if it is untimely"

Barbara felt tears sting her eyes and lowered her head to hide her wounded expression. She knew the only reason he had married her was because it was required of him, but hearing him say it hurt more than she had expected. It stung. She stifled a sob. Then she felt his fingers take hold on her chin and gently lift her eyes to his.

"I didn't come upon you in hopes of finding a wife. Had I gotten my way I would have forgone the institution altogether. I didn't need a public declaration to know you were mine. However that is not to say I entered into marriage begrudgingly, it was a duty I took on most eagerly. I was the luckiest of men to have the only woman I've ever loved standing next to me that day"

She exhaled, with relief or due to further injury he did not know. She only looked at him, her eyes two pools that threatened to spill. Their story was not a fairy tale. She had been a lowly human captive, a means to an end and he a ruthless, merciless conqueror. There was no dragon he had slain in order to claim her as his prize. He took her, simply because he had wanted to. And yet, there was something in the prospect of a "happily ever after" when he swore to love her and her alone for the rest of his days that marked it as the easiest and most natural promise he had ever made.

"Stand before your subjects with the woman you love by your side", his mother had said. And so he had done.

He kissed away the tears that stained her cheeks and heard her small chuckle. "That was the most brutally honest declaration of love I have ever heard"

He laughed in response. The sounds of soft babbles pulled them from their colloquy and they both looked down at Arik who was still wrapped in Loki's arms. He was the result of their ardent, unquenchable desire, the product of their love.

"He's beautiful" he said to Barbara, his eyes shining.

Just then, a muffled rumbling sound was heard and Loki felt a tremor in his hand placed under Arik's bottom. He raised his eyebrows and looked at Arik just as a thick line of drool dripped off the toddler's chin and landed on the leather of his coat. Barbara erupted in laughter.

"Then get ready, daddy Loki" she said in between fits of giggles "you'll think he's even more beautiful when you have to change his soiled nappies and he spits all over you when you try to feed him!"

"You've got to be joking!" he said.

"Not at all. Oh, and by the way" she continued "he wakes up at least three times every night, so I suggest you find ways to get your nookie in between his naps. I'm sure you don't want the sound of a screaming baby reaching your ears just as you're about to bust!"

Loki looked at her in shock then he looked back at Arik, who was giggling along with Barbara.

"Welcome to fatherhood, darling" she said, kissing Loki on the cheek then tickling Arik. The child laughed then laid his head on Loki's shoulder and yawned, his eyelids growing heavy as he began to drift off to sleep.

"Ha" was all Loki could say as he moved to wipe off the sticky substance off his coat while trying not to wrinkle his nose in disgust.

Fatherhood, indeed.

End of Chapter 1