26. Return
Natasha's fieldwork took longer than she expected, and her return to Asgard was delayed by a week. As she rode back to Loki's castle, she knew he would be brewing with bad temper; she couldn't remember the last time they had been separated for so long. Of course she sent messages whenever she could via Heimdall, but Loki would seize the chance to have a mighty tantrum.
As she entered his study, she lifted her chin. Natasha refused to be intimidated by his rages.
Every line of Loki's body sang with anger. He turned from the fireplace to face her, and his instant look of relief was instantly replaced with one of cold fury. "Well, madam?" were his first words.
Actually, it was exhilarating to have that much power over such a fitful being as her husband. "Madam, huh? Wow. It's that bad?"
"Yes, it is."
He turned away from her, but she knew her part. She would play it to the hilt. "I don't know why you're so annoyed. I told you the case was complicated and could require my time for longer than …"
"Annoyed!" Loki flung the cup he was holding to the corner, where it shattered. "Annoyed? This is not some missing book or blot on my writing! My wife was nowhere to be found for days! When was the last time you were gone for so long? And do you know what I thought? That you were dead, hurt, kidnapped, gone from me forever? And do you further know, madam, what my life is when you are not here? A return to darkness, solitude, without any light or friendship?"
He stopped, panting with emotion. Natasha felt her jaw drop. She had expected a tirade but not with quite that amount of passion; perhaps she had started to take Loki for granted after years of marriage.
"It doesn't matter if I'm here or not – we are always together where it counts." She dared to put one hand on his sleeve; that he didn't fling it off showed he had worn off the worst of his ire. "But I am sorry it took so long. And couldn't you go hunting with Thor or Steve while I was away?"
"Thor! Steve!" Loki gaped at her with astonishment. "I daresay, but I cannot do this." He crushed her to his chest, kissed her with impetuous lips, bit her neck and earlobes.
Natasha hid a grin in his long, black hair. The worst was over, and now all she had to do was remind him how very much she had missed him as well.