A/N: Alrighty – sorry for the delay! Work was insane last week and I didn't want to rush this bad boy out just to have it up on Friday. I wrote most of this on Friday, but I needed to go back over it and clean it up, add and subtract…you know the deal! Now, on with chapter 7! Enjoy!


LOVE IS MADNESS

Chapter 7: Boogie Jail

Freedom. Life's biggest lie. – Loki; Avengers

Loki walked through the Great Hall with a handful of guards guiding him with his chains. He could not for the life of him figure out what he was doing there. Mostly because he was told he would never see the outside of his cell ever again, but also because he had been guided out while Darcy slept. Why had she been left behind?

He was greeted by the All-Father who stood from his throne at his son's approach. "Loki, my son."

"Odin…" Loki sneered. Odin sighed and waved to the guards to leave the room. They looked between Loki and their king, but did not argue. "To what do I owe the…pleasure?" Saying such a simple word threw his mind back to the last few days where he had experience more of such than he had ever experienced in his entire existence. He had to be careful, he might actually begin to feel something for the silly girl in his cell. Truly, he was doing his damnedest to refuse the fact that he was, in fact, feeling something for her. It would not do. It would only cause problems for him, but more importantly, it would cause problems for Darcy.

"I have something to discuss with you." Odin stepped forward. Loki just looked on expectantly. It would not matter what he said, if the All-Father had something to say it would be said. Might as well get this over with, he thought. "Have you done any introspection while you've been away?"

"You make it sound as if I've been on a vacation. I've been locked in your dungeon." Loki snarled. Odin did not reply. "I have done much thinking while there as there is not much else to do when caged alone."

"You have not been alone as of late, my son." Odin replied, a hint of a smile ghosted his lips and Loki's lips tightened into a thin line.

"No, I have not. You have locked a fragile young woman in a very dangerous dungeon. You call me evil." Loki snapped. He almost grinned thinking of what Darcy would say if she heard him calling her fragile. She would probably hit me, and he thought of her small hands pummeling his large frame. A warmth enveloped his cold heart and he shook his head imperceptibly.

"She has caused me much trouble, not to mention she attacked me. I could not let that go unpunished." Odin reminded him.

"Yes, because pulling slight pranks on your dimwitted son and his friends is punishable by imprisonment. For the record, Odin…she did not attack you. She was gunning for me." He could not help but smirk at this, thinking of his fiery lover. He wondered what the sex would be like if he riled her up at all. Probably white hot. He had to shift his stance to hide his excitement. This was not the place to be aroused. He needed his wits about him and this was not the way to go about keeping his senses.

"I am not going to continue battling with you over an insignificant human…" Odin sneered and Loki felt rage hit him like a wrecking ball. He did not expect such a strong feeling to engulf him so quickly over a statement he himself would have said not a month ago. He chose not to engage, he would wait to see what else Odin had to say. "I am here to offer you your freedom, well…freedom of a sort. You would not be allowed to leave Asgard and if you cause one more bit of chaos you would be put right back where you have been."

"There must be something else to this. It cannot be this simple." Loki raised an eyebrow. "If freedom is only challenged by being thrown back into a cell, what makes you think I would not just disappear the moment you turn your back? You would not be able to put me back if I was not in this realm, now would you?"

"Do you want it or not?" Odin grumbled. He was beginning to regret allowing his woman to get to him. Perhaps he would just put his son right back where he found him.

"And what of Lady Darcy?" Loki asked. This was what he had wanted since he was thrown in that hellhole, however he could not help but wonder about his lover. She could not possibly be left there by herself while he – a criminal – would be set free.

"She stays, her punishment is not over." Odin straightened, watching his son very carefully. Loki seemed to glow with hatred and anger before he stood to his full height, his chin in the air.

"I decline your offer." Loki replied.


"Darcy my dear." Frigga sat on the edge of the girl's bed and brushed the hair out of her face. Darcy's eyes fluttered open and looked right at her. With a smile she sat up, but then quickly looked around the room.

"Where's Loki?"

"He had an appointment of sorts. I needed to talk to you privately." Frigga smiled.

"Oooook…" Darcy shrugged.

"How are you?"

"Livin' the dream." Darcy grumbled. Truly that wasn't completely a lie – she was actually surprisingly content and happy in this crappy cell now that she was playing tonsil hockey with the sexy beast that was Loki. She shivered thinking about his silver tongue and glorious fingers…not to mention that monument-worthy dick of his. Sweet, sweet mama, she swooned.

"I'm sorry that you are still down here. You should not be in here at all." Frigga frowned and took Darcy's hand. "Which is why I have come to talk to you."

"Thanks, but I really don't think a pep-talk is going to make me feel any better about my current location."

"What if I were to tell you that you are free? What if I told you that you were leaving right now?"

"I'd say thanks but no thanks if Loki has to stay here. That's kind of shitty… Is he coming too? I really think he'd do well getting some fresh air – maybe some sun…" Darcy smiled. She'd kill to see the God of Grumbles tiptoeing through the tulips.

"He cannot come, Darcy. His crimes were too great to get a pardon." Frigga frowned.

"Then you know my answer. Thanks so much for stopping by!" She replied and hopped out of bed to pace. She knew she should jump at this opportunity but she couldn't leave her infuriating roomie. He was just too special to her – which was a problem since she was sure it was probably one sided. The sexy-times weren't stopping anytime soon but she was pretty sure he was incapable of actually giving a major shit about her.

"That is not an option this time, dear." Frigga frowned and before Darcy could protest, Frigga touched the side of her head. Her world faded to black.


"What a crazy fuckin' dream." Darcy mumbled to herself as she stretched out in bed. Hang the fuck on…, she shot up in bed and looked around. She was back in a room in the palace. "No! No, no, no, no!" The tears that burned her eyes and warmed her face shocked her. Of course she was angry, but she was kind of shocked she would cry over this. Over him. "Loki?" She called for him, hoping maybe he'd be in the bathroom or something, hoping he was with her. She knew better, though. He was still in his cell and she had to get to him – now.

She didn't care that somehow she was dressed in a silk nightgown, she just took off down the hallway toward the Great Hall, hoping she could run into the All-Father or Frigga and beg them to let her see him. People stopped and looked at her, shocked, as she ran past them. Finally, she got to the hall and against the protest of the guards, she shoved her way in. Odin and Frigga sat in their usual spots and were thankfully alone.

"Who in the actual fuck do you think you are? I said no, dammit! Apparently saying 'no' in Asgard means nothing to you people. I said I didn't want to leave and you magic'd me out of there against my will! Take. me. back!" Darcy shrieked as she came to a stop in front of the king and queen. Frigga tried to hide a grin and Odin looked like his head would explode. "Do not make me get my taser…" She growled.

"I do not know who you think you are speaking to, but I suggest you watch your tone, child." Odin reprimanded, his voice echoing off the walls. The last time she stood before him she was terrified. This time she was just pissed.

"You don't scare me. There is nothing worse than what you put me through already. Let me see Loki!" Darcy shouted, her fists clenched at her sides.

"You do not get to make demands, little girl." Odin growled.

" ." Darcy breathed. She could feel tears threatening again, but she held them back. "You have no idea what I have been through and I finally find someone who understands me and you tear me away from him. I repeat… Let. me. see. Loki!"

"My goodness, and I thought I was trouble. Here you stand half naked and cursing out the king while demanding things as if you own the place. I must say I am impressed."

Darcy whirled around to see Loki leaning against the wall with a wide grin on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. He looked like sex on legs and that just infuriated her even more.

"I will end you…just after I find out what the hell is actually going on…" Darcy snapped.

Loki threw his head back with a hearty laugh. His eyes danced over the crazy woman before him. The dust gold silk of her night gown clung to her beautiful breasts and thighs, while it wisped over her dainty waist. Her hair was disheveled in a wavy mess that framed her face and fell over her shoulders. She was shaking, and he wanted to clear the distance to hold her. This stunned him. Whether she was shaking from the cold stone floor she now stood barefoot on, or because she was upset, he cared not. All he wanted in this moment was to protect her and comfort her. Two very non-Loki-like things.

"Please, Darcy, I am sorry for my methods, but I need you to try to calm yourself and let us speak to you." Frigga's calming voice brought both Loki and Darcy to attention and he watched as Darcy took a deep, calming breath, and turn to his infuriating mother.

"Fine." Darcy breathed and folded her arms across her chest.

"We have offered you both your freedom in exchange for leaving the other in the dungeon and you've both given up your chance at breathing free air for the other." Frigga continued. Loki watched as Darcy's body stiffened and he could see an almost imperceptible turn of her head, as if she was trying not to turn and look at him. He was grateful he was already studying her when his mother revealed this bit of information because he was almost positive he would have stopped everything to stare at her then.

She gave up her freedom for me? His mind whirled. He had never deserved love of any kind. Refusing to believe his 'family' loved him had become easy but seeing that Darcy gave up everything because he could not be freed felt like a shot to the heart. He wanted to shout at them all and tell them to stop playing foolish games, to let her go and for her to never look back. He was not worth her happiness.

"I wondered if you had learned anything while away, my son…" Odin began. Loki felt like he was spinning, his equilibrium was betraying him. His eyes snapped from Darcy's back, settling on the All-Father. He could feel his anger rising but did his best to keep it under control. He had to be calm, he had to see what this was about before he allowed his anger to rage. He could not risk Darcy simply because he hated this man. "I see that you have learned something very important: self-sacrifice." Loki blinked, Odin was right, he had sacrificed his own needs and wants for this woman who stood in the center of the Throne Room and as he quickly thought back he realized there was never a choice – it was just the way it had to be. This was not good. This was not good at all. "You are both granted a reprieve. However, there are rules that must be obeyed while you are granted a probation of sorts."

"There has to be a huge 'however' if you're letting us both out… So, think maybe you could quit with the dramatics and just get on with this new fresh hell?" Darcy broke Loki from his thoughts and he smirked. Frigga smiled, but Odin frowned. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

"You will stay in the same suite with guards outside. The guards will follow you both around until I say otherwise. If either of you disobey me you will be punished." Loki could not find any real problem here. He would be able to keep his lover by his side, he would be out of that damned cell, and he was most certain he could get past any punishment Odin had to offer. He opened his mouth to speak, but Darcy beat him to it.

"Hold the phone… So, we can come out of the dungeon if we agree to be in a much boogier Oz situation? I mean, what you're suggesting is still jail. Guards, one room, guards… And frankly, I don't do too well with guards. I really think if I have the choice of guards and the dungeon I'd like to go back to the dungeon." Darcy said. Loki frowned, he knew why she did not want to have guards around her so closely but she did not know what she was truly giving up. He opened his mouth to speak again… "Also: punishment? What are we? Your pets? 'Don't piss on the rug or I'll rub your nose in it! Bad dog!' I really think this is a trick." Darcy finally turned from the king and queen and looked directly into Loki's eyes. He froze. Her bright eyes always stunned his senses. "This is a trick, Loki. You're the God of Mischief, can't you see right through this? There's something off about this." At first he thought she was just angry, but now he could see how truly afraid and uncertain she was.

He pushed off of the wall and in a few long strides he was at her side. She looked so small next to him, so fragile and vulnerable. Again – something he would never dream of telling her for fear of great bodily harm – but he could see it and it made him burn. "I believe the All-Father has many strings attached, as Midgardians would say." She nodded, her face filling with determination again. Perhaps all she really needed was reassurance. She truly was incredibly strong when she wanted to be. "What part of his offer concerns you the most, Lady Darcy?" Loki moved his arms from his sides to clasp his hands behind him, as he moved he brushed the back of his hand against Darcy's hip. He'd much rather pull her close to protect her, but the tell would give Odin way too much power over him. Darcy shivered.

"Punishment." Darcy breathed, barely audible to anyone else. Loki nodded grimly. Of course she would be. She should be. Asgardian punishments were not for the faint of heart.

"Well, Odin, All-Father, perhaps you should explain to the Lady what kind of punishment we could be looking forward to if we were to disobey your ridiculous orders?"

"You should not dwell on that since I would think neither of you would disrespect your King's generous gift of freedom in the first place." Odin's reply answered nothing, just as Loki would have expected. Though, he had hoped for once the insufferable old man could surprise him.

"I can't take an offer I don't know everything about. It's just not the American way." Darcy said and Loki laughed.

"We're not in America anymore, dove." Darcy's eyes snapped to his and her mouth pursed. He grinned wolfishly.

"Obviously." Darcy rolled her eyes. "Still doesn't mean I'm gonna just agree to this weird deal with the one-eyed-one-horned-flying-purple-people-eater over there." Loki laughed again.

"Mother – perhaps you can put us at ease instead of attempting to manipulate and explain the details in a clear way so that we know what we may or may not be agreeing to." Loki smiled at his mother which seemed to always work in his favor.

"You both are free to go anywhere you'd like in Asgard as long as your guards are with you – until further notice. That is it. Nothing underhanded, nothing hidden, just a chance to prove yourselves changed." Frigga smiled. Loki did his best not to sneer at his mother. She, also, withheld the punishment part and that only created more concern for him than it should. He knew he could handle anything the All-Father created in his imagination, but what about Darcy? He could not imagine her going through any of the torture he had been through.

"Fine."

"Fine?" Darcy squeaked. "They didn't explain…"

"We accept. Now, may we go?" Loki looked directly at Odin, sparing not one glance at the woman next to him.

"You may." Odin smiled and nodded. Loki grabbed Darcy's forearm and all but dragged her out of the throne room. He'd had enough Odin for a lifetime.

"What are you doing? You have no idea what you agreed to!" Darcy shouted trying to get her arm out of his steel grip to no avail. "Loki – come on! Talk to me!" Since removing her arm wasn't working she tried to stop him from damn near running down the hall only to have him wrench her forward. "You're hurting me!" She gasped as his grip tightened and she felt a twinge in her shoulder. Maybe she shouldn't have tried to stop a God on a rampage… He was actually kind of scary.

Loki barely heard Darcy's complaints as he rushed them through the palace. He had to get to the privacy of their rooms so that he could decompress. Today had been a little too much and he was afraid of himself and his emotions. He needed to get away and he needed her to ground him but he could have none of that in front of prying eyes.

They got to their rooms and he had them inside, the door locked, and Darcy wrapped in his arms in an instant. Her face was pressed to his chest and if he wasn't so damn sexy she'd bite him for crushing her to him like that. Wait a second, he tried to rip my arm off, Darcy thought dramatically. "Let. me. go!" She snarled and pushed away from him. He let her go – obviously – because had he not wanted to there wasn't much she'd be able to do. He just stared at her and that pissed her off, too. "You agree to some shit we don't even know everything about; for both of us I might add… Then you drag me through the halls like I'm some child – you probably strained my shoulder by the way – so thanks for all of that. And now you think you can just cuddle with me or whatever the hell it is you just did. I don't think so, Mister!" She stood her ground and put her fists on her hips, wincing a bit at the pinch she felt in her shoulder.

Loki watched her as she yelled at him and wanted to laugh. She truly was a vision when she was angry. Wait, what was that? I hurt her? He snapped to attention then and took a tentative step closer. "Let me see." He whispered.

"Let you see what?" Darcy rolled her eyes.

"Your arm." He growled, furious with himself. How could he hurt her? She held her arm out and he could see the angry red marks that fit his hand so clearly begin to bruise. He trailed his fingertips up her arm to her shoulder and pressed gently. He thought she would shoot through the roof. "Oh, Darcy, I am sorry." He couldn't look her in the eyes but he could heal her wounds which he did. Not to hide them or hide from them, simply to comfort her. He would never be able to look at her again without seeing the damage he'd done himself.

"Why the long face?" Darcy asked breaking him from his reverie. Had it been anyone else she would have never thought to forgive this kind of behavior, but somewhere deep down she knew he wasn't thinking of his own strength and truly would never hurt her if he could help it.

"I hurt you."

"And the Pirate King is a dickbag – these are both facts. However, you didn't do it on purpose. I believe Pirate King strives to be the biggest bag of dicks he can be." Darcy grinned and Loki laughed, a real, genuine laugh. She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him. "Can we get to the sexy-times now?"

Loki raised an eyebrow.

"Please?" She grinned and he laughed again.

"Since you asked so nicely…" Loki swooped in and lifted his confusing, beautiful lover into his arms, pressed her back to the door and wrapped her delicious thighs around his waist. "This is a good look for you. Perhaps you can wear these night dresses all the time."

"Asshole!" Darcy shouted and slapped his chest. Yes, that was exactly how he expected to react. His own personal hell cat. How perfect? "Oh!" Darcy's anger dissolved from her face as he reached his hand between them and under the silk.

"Say my name…" He grinned as he proceeded to make the guards – the whole palace – jealous of his Darcy for hours to come.


Another long chapter. Or maybe it's just a "regular" chapter at this point. I wrote this in a day and I'm not sure how I feel about it… BUT I needed to get them out of that dungeon! What do you think? Do you think that Odin will have to dish out punishment? What kind of punishment do you think Odin is planning?

Thank you for reading/reviewing/adding to your reading list/kudos…everything!
XO,
Joie