Presents
For their daughter's birthday, Natasha insisted on a five-present limit. "We don't want her to get spoiled," she said.
"Five! But that is nothing. I planned to give her a pony, and a shelf filled with books, and a set of magical fighting soldiers, and fantasy paints. And those are just the start. What of dresses, toys, pets, jewels, and a voyage?" Loki folded his arms and tilted his head back.
Natasha felt her head whirl. "Hang on. There's so much wrong with what you just said I don't even know where to start. First, what are fantasy paints?"
"Oh, nothing much really. Whatever she paints with them comes alive for a few hours."
"So we have paint splotches chasing each other all over the castle?" She felt her hands curl into fists.
"Exactly! It was a great deal of fun when I was a boy." Loki chuckled at the memory.
"And what about this voyage deal?"
"On her own flying longship, of course." He drew Natasha close to kiss her neck.
"Oh, no. Don't think you're getting to me that way. I'll say Yes to the magical fighting soldiers and the books, and maybe the pony. And if you both actually behave for a few hours, I'll agree to the paints. But we will certainly not hand out a flying ship to a kid about to turn seven."
Loki's teeth nibbled her earlobe. "Very well, darling. How about just a trip on a flying longboat? With her responsible parents, of course?"
Natasha humphed. "Responsible parents? If you run into any, send them in to me so I can say Hello."
"Yes, yes. I suppose the waterfall pool and exploding slides are out of the question then?"
"You suppose correctly." Natasha slid her arms around his neck. "And close the door if you're going to keep that up."