NOTE - This chapter hints at mild spoilers for Thor 2. If you haven't seen the movie, you should skip all of the Mischief chapters.
Mischief, Part 2
"It's time you told me what's in that complex mind of yours." Natasha raised one eyebrow and tilted her head back to capture Loki's glance. He turned away to look out of the window, and she took his chin in her hands. "No, this isn't when you spin me a long silver tale about honour and glorious purpose. Tell me what the hell you are planning, and I want the truth this time."
There was a long silence, punctuated by the soft babbling of their daughter talking to herself as she arranged the set of mechanical soldiers on the nursery floor down the hall in one of her unending battles. "I just never got to say I was sorry," Loki admitted at last.
Natasha dropped her hand. "And so you thought you would ride off to Valhalla, is that it? Do some ridiculous stunt and get broasted in Helheim for another age, while we are left behind to mourn you here? Well, I am not having it, Loki, and if you dare consider…"
He stopped her by wrapping his fingers over her mouth. "It is not Valhalla. She is somewhere much more mysterious, much more difficult to find."
"Fólkvangr?" Natasha guessed.
Loki jerked his head back. "Yes. How did you know?"
"I'm not a total dunce when it comes to geography here in Asgard, and I do read my scrolls. My immediate thought when – when it happened - was she would go there. But I know nothing about the place."
"I do not know that much myself. No one does." Loki let her go and turned away. "I would be lying if I said I was not planning anything. But I would not attempt anything too foolish – at least, I do not think I would."
Natasha came very close to him and stood on tiptoe. "That little girl needs a father," she whispered fiercely. "If you think I will let you go without me, you are indeed foolish and beyond help. Whatever you are planning, I am part of it."
"She needs a mother as well. What if she lost us both?" Perhaps it was the thought that made him drop to his knees, wind his arms around her, hide his face in Natasha's waist.
"Babe, we defeated an Elder god, a really nasty troll witch twice, and rescued each other from the nine ages. I think we'll be okay – as long as we work together and you stop this nonsense now. Also, you must promise me the idea is to get a message through to Fólkvangr, nothing more. No kidnapping, no onslaught, no wars…"
Loki looked up. Natasha loved that view of him – hair streaming back from his face, eyes filled with passion, arms upheld as though he were reaching for something. "I promise," he vowed.
She nodded. "Well, alrighty then. Let's get started."