"I can't believe he came all the way to Asgard because of a hunch."

Loki smiled, "His logic was quite sound. Well, in this instance at least."

"I didn't realize he liked us that much. I mean, he's called me a little-sister type before but I thought that was just so you wouldn't think he wanted to sleep with me." Darcy readjusted her head on his shoulder, "But you guys are really close, aren't you?"

"Not physically."

She giggled, "I thought I heard you say he was embracing you? Sounds pretty physical to me."

"He was attempting comfort, I believe. It was awkward all around. But I suppose I appreciated the gesture. Not many would have dared to offer such to me."

Darcy tried to hide her smile, "You don't exactly put out the warm and fuzzy vibe. But Tony's got balls. I mean he does the whole superhero thing without the whole superpower thing. Although I guess his brain could be his superpower."

"Or his lack of tact. It is truly quite impressive. He called my father a bastard."

Darcy's jaw dropped open, "What? Okay, Tony Stark has reinstated himself as my second favorite person. Volstagg had snuck in there with the mutton, but this totally tops that."

Loki smiled as he continued to absently play with her hair, "Second favorite? Would it be egotistical for me to assume that I am your favorite person?"

"Yes, it would. But in a 'you're so vain you probably think this song is about you' kind of way. Because the song is about the guy. So he's rightfully vain."

"And I am rightfully egotistical?"

She nodded, her face rubbing against his neck, "Yup. I love when you can follow my logic."

"It is difficult, but not impossible. I relish the way your mind works. It is bordering on incomprehensibility at all times."

"You sweet talker." She shifted again, back getting stiff, "So...you and Tony. Should I be afraid that you're going to throw me over for him? He is rich and powerful."

Loki's voice was amused, "But his breasts are not anywhere near as perfect as yours."

"Oh, good point! So you still want me? Forever?"

He slid his hand down from her hair to the small of her back, sending warmth through his fingers to soothe the ache building there, "Yes, surprisingly. But who knows how I shall feel tomorrow. You know how changeable I can be. Oh, that reminds me - I was going to ask you what being a best man entails."

"A best man? Like in a wedding? Well, he stands up there with the groom offering moral support or something. Oh, and he handles some of the little things that need to get done behind the scenes, like tuxes and stuff. Bachelor party too, usually. Why? You gonna ask Tony to be yours?"

"Tony has already informed me that it would be traditional to ask Thor to serve as such."

Darcy hummed, "Oh, yeah. Well, that makes sense."

"Although I will be Tony's best man when he finally proposes to Pepper."

Darcy lifted her head to meet Loki's eyes, "What? He's popping the question! Awesome. And you're gonna be the best man? That'll be a ceremony to remember. Damn."

"So…the best man. It is an honor then?"

Darcy was still mentally giggling at the image of Loki in a tux, "Mmm...a pretty big one. Oh, hey! I have an idea. Since you've got Thor as your best man, how about we make Tony the godfather?"

"The godfather? He is neither a god nor a father, though he might argue the former."

She snickered and kissed his jaw, "No, it's like a best man thing. An honor. But it has to do with Astrid. He'd be her godfather."

He still sounded confused, "And what does that entail?"

"Oh, it would just mean he'd have to look out for her. Take care of her if anything happens to us." She tried to think about how to explain it, "Kind of like an uncle – well, more or less. It would make him family."

Loki's voice was droll, "I like the man, but I do not know if I want to be related to him."

"Not actually family. He'd be an honorary member."

Loki turned the idea over in his mind, "Hmm...I suppose he would appreciate being given a title with the word 'god' in it."

Darcy tried out a very bad Brando impression, "Yeah, you be making him an offer he can't refuse."

"Hmm?"

She shook her head, tucking it back in the crook of his neck, "Movie quote. We'll watch that one later. You'd probably like it."

Loki resumed playing with her hair, "So do I simply appoint him godfather or must he accept the position?"

"You should ask him. Actually, we might want to make Pepper the godmother while we're at it. I'd say Jane, but since we're not going with Thor, we can tell her to convince him that only non-family members can be the godparents. She'll be Astrid's aunt anyway."

"Godmother? I see. Well, at least I know that Astrid will be safe should they need to take care of her. I trust Pepper more than I do Tony when it comes to childcare. Very much more."

Darcy giggled before a thought occurred to her, "It's a shame that Steve can't be the godmother. He probably wouldn't even be insulted. Oh well, we'll just have to make sure we call him 'Uncle Steve' around Astrid. I think he would like that. He's been really cool about all this."

Loki smirked, "How about Uncle Nick?"

Darcy snorted loudly, "Oh man...yes! That would be hilarious! And Uncle Phil."

"Uncle Clint, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Natasha."

Darcy giggled, "Man, our kid will have such a big family. A big, weird, dysfunctional, heavily-armed family."

"Good. Especially the heavily-armed part."

Darcy paused a moment before asking, "Why is that good?"

"I have made a few enemies in my time. It is good to have people you…well, trust is going too far – people you value watching out for your family."

Darcy smiled, "You value Nick?"

"Of course. Someone has to play the daddy role with that many egos in the same room."

"Wait, what does that make Coulson?"

"The mommy of course."

Darcy burst out laughing, "Now that's a visual."

Loki smiled, tilting his head to place a kiss on her hairline. A pleasant silence descended.

After a minute, Darcy's voice rang out, "You don't think Tony is really going to try sitting on your dad's throne, do you?"

"Yes, I am sure he is."

Darcy sighed, "You should probably go save him. He did travel all the way here just to check on you."

"To check on us."

"Mmm-hmm."

Loki groaned, "Fine. I will go protect Tony from my father."

Darcy struggled to keep her face straight, "Told you that you'd make a better hero than Thor."

"Shh…you're delirious again. Get some rest." He eased himself off the bed, careful not to jostle her. With one last lingering look, he left the room in search of his friend. He mentally chastised himself about the Tony situation. Now there was yet another fragile creature he had to protect because of…feelings.

How irritating.

"Seventeen stories. Not too bad."

Sif shouted, "But you could have died! You should have died."

Loki tilted his head, trying to follow the conversation he had stumbled upon. Tony was alternating between swigging from a tankard and talking enthusiastically to the captivated Warriors Three and Sif.

Tony continued, "Thor caught me. He was doing that weird propeller thing he does with the hammer. I still don't understand how that works. Simple aerodynamics should make it impossible for him to achieve such directional shifts. But I know, I know – he's a god. I can't tell you how many times Loki does weird shit around me. I'm learning to deal, but it's hard. I like explanations that make sense. Magic isn't one of those explanations."

Loki interrupted, startling everyone, "That is because you think too literally. You and Jane Foster, people of science. It is frustrating trying to explain to you how I am able to do such things if your response is the metaphorical equivalent of sticking your fingers in your ears. You have to open your mind. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

"Oh, Billy Shakes? Nice. How's Darcy?"

Loki smiled, "Resting. She wanted me to check on you."

Tony flashed a crooked grin, "She doesn't trust me?"

"Of course not. She knows you too well."

Tony conceded that one with a nod, "Well, sit down and join us. We were talking about you anyway."

Loki stayed where he was, still not certain he would be welcome at the table with his old friends. There was an awkward silence until Hogun shifted slightly, motioning for Loki to take the seat beside him. Loki had to refrain from smiling, not wanting them to catch on to how much such a little gesture meant to him these days. He walked over slowly and eased himself down with as much careless grace as he could muster.

"What about me were you discussing?"

Sif answered, sounding peeved, "The time you threw this friend of yours out a window."

Ahh…now he understood. He turned to Tony, "That was only seventeen stories? It seemed much higher." Turning back to Sif, he said calmly, "In my defense, I was not his friend at that point in time. And he was being very cheeky."

Tony snorted into his tankard, "Cheeky? You popped up in my building and taunted me. 'I have an army.' Who says things like that?"

Loki smiled wryly, "Well I did have an army. I was giving you fair warning. But that mouth of yours is relentless. It will be your downfall one day. You may be a god among men, but you are no longer among men. Now you are but a man among gods."

Tony gave him a look, "Hello Mr. Ego, we meet again."

"What is that Midgardian saying about pots and kettles?"

Tony laughed, "Touché, my friend. Though I've got to say you were totally wrong about Sif. She looks nothing like the wrong end of a horse. And my balls are still toasty warm despite being within a few feet of her – so that whole theory that she freezes them off with her frigid bitchiness is just patently untrue."

Sif glared daggers at the God of Mischief. He merely smiled benignly and answered Tony, "I also said she had no sense of humor."

"That one might be true," Tony acknowledged. Sif turned her unhappy glare on the mortal. He jerked, head spinning back around to Loki, "Never mind. You were right. Balls are definitely feeling the chill now. Although…wait a minute. She said you cut off her hair once. Is that true?"

Loki's eyes unfocused as he smiled fondly, reminiscing. "Oh, the good old days."

"Loki!" Thor's bellow carried across the hall, causing everyone to turn and look at the God of Thunder. He and Jane – who still seemed drained and haunted from her experience in the darkness – were making their way to the table where the motley group sat.

Loki waited until Thor and Jane had reached him before responding, "Yes, brother?"

"How fares Darcy?" Thor's concern was echoed in Jane's eyes.

"She is doing well. I have left her alone to rest, which she could not do without knowing that Mr. Stark was behaving himself."

Thor let out a relieved laugh, "An impossible task, right Tony? But I am so very glad that she is well, brother. I was most worried for her. And for you."

Loki smiled tightly, "Thank you for the concern." Uncomfortable with the sentimental display, he changed the subject, "Tony was wondering how Mjolnir enables flight. Explain it to him, brother."

As Thor made a sincere attempt to enlighten Tony, Loki felt a hand touch his arm through the layers of leather and fabric he wore. Jane was staring down at him, face attempting to smile. She had not yet gotten over the emotional fallout from her test – but Loki had faith that she would. He looked down at her delicate hand on his arm, realizing that this was an unprecedented occurrence. Excluding her post-test breakdown, Jane Foster had never voluntarily touched Loki before.

He kept his voice soft so he would not be heard over Thor's booming speech, "Yes, Jane?"

She answered equally softly, "I'm glad Darcy's okay. If she wants some company, just let me know and I'll go see her."

"I am certain she would like that. I will send for you as soon as she is feeling up to visitors."

Jane nodded, giving his arm a squeeze before releasing her grip. Loki resigned himself to the fact that Jane would be his sister – and she wasn't quite as useless and weak as he'd imagined. Boring? Yes, very. But so was Thor. They suited each other. Loki stood quickly, reaching for Jane's hand and placing a kiss upon her knuckles. All conversation ground to a halt at his actions.

He smirked at the expression on Jane's face, "Sister." Her eyes widened.

Then Loki turned to Tony, "Now is the appropriate moment. Father is in his chambers. We must hurry."

Tony just stared at him, "What?"

"Get up; move quickly. Would you like to borrow my helmet? Although I think you would look better in Thor's. No offense intended though."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Loki smirked, "You wanted a picture in my father's throne, did you not?"

Tony jumped up immediately, "No shit! You think I could get away with it?"

Loki just started walking quickly toward the open door to the throne room and Tony hustled to catch up with the god's longer strides.

"Wait, Loki! Are you sure your dad isn't going to kill me?"

Loki turned his head to catch Tony's gaze, "I will protect you. After all, I cannot have my daughter's godfather dying before she is even born."

Tony nearly tripped over his own feet. "Wait! What? Godfather?"

Loki reached back, deftly sliding one hand into Tony's coat and pulling out his Blackberry. He flipped it over in his hands, trying to figure out the camera function. He finally answered, "Yes. If you would consent to such."

Tony's voice was odd, "Hey." Loki looked up. Tony continued, "You really want me to be her godfather?"

Loki smiled, "Are you not my best friend? I thought I heard you bragging about such a thing earlier."

"Yeah, I just…," Tony seemed lost for words. "Wow."

"Is that a yes?"

Slowly, a cocky smile slid over Tony's face, "You like me. You totally like me."

Loki shook his head, "It was Darcy's idea."

Tony nodded patronizingly, "Sure it was."

"You still have not accepted the position."

Tony smiled genuinely, "I'm too busy being touched. Of course I'll be the godfather. I'll spoil your little brat rotten. What's the age minimum on a bouncy castle?"

Loki ignored his question, "That reminds me – do you think Pepper would consent to be the godmother?"

Tony laughed, "Yes. Although she'll probably try to hug you when you ask."

Loki thought it over, "I shall let Darcy inform her then."

"Good move. And thank you, Loki. I'm genuinely honored by this, you know? Even a little flattered."

Loki smirked, "Try not to let it go to your head."

Tony threw his hands up, "Oh! Speaking of heads – I'm thinking a helmet might be interesting. You don't think it'll clash with my suit though, do you? Or is it overkill?"

Loki looked up at the imposing golden seat and then back down at Tony. "If overkill is your concern, I do not think the helmet is what you need to worry about here." Loki reached out a hand and a helmet flew off of the head of the nearest guard and into his outstretched palm. The guard took one step toward him before Loki looked up and smiled threateningly. The guard stepped back and broke eye contact – smart man.

Loki threw the helmet to Tony, who caught it and put it on. He held out his arms, "How do I look?"

Loki tilted his head appraisingly, "More ridiculous than you did a moment ago. But less ridiculous than you do any time you are Iron Man."

A voice shouted out behind them, "Loki! What do you think you are doing?" Sif sounded both incredulous and furious.

He didn't spare her a look, but answered, "Repayment."

Loki gestured for Tony to climb the stairs and he did so quickly. The mortal paused just before the throne. Everyone seemed to freeze at the blasphemy that was occurring.

Loki grinned, "Quick, Tony. Someone is bound to be informing my father as we speak."

Tony sat down gingerly and the hall broke into shocked whispers. Loki held the phone up to his face, frowning at the screen.

"Own it, Tony. You are sitting on a damn throne. Do not perch – sprawl."

Tony loosened up, slouching over in what he assumed was a devil-may-care fashion. Loki considered the pose, "Better." He snapped off a few pictures. "Now move quickly."

Tony didn't need to be told twice. He hopped up and ran down the steps, detouring to the right to hand the poor guard back his helmet. "Thanks, man."

Suddenly Loki was holding Tony's arm. He had a manic grin on his face, "Now say goodbye to everyone, Tony."

Tony looked up at him confused, "Umm…goodbye?"

Just as Odin came through the door, Loki and Tony disappeared.

Pepper screamed as the duo suddenly reappeared in Tony's office. She had been sitting at the desk, a chewed pencil in one hand and her cell phone in the other. After gathering her wits, she jumped up and nearly vaulted over the desk in her haste to get to Tony. He opened his arms as she got nearer, but instead of an embrace she simply shoved him.

"Where the hell have you been? And why is Loki bringing you back? If you tell me you went to Asgard…just don't. Don't even think about telling me."

Tony stared at her with an apologetic smile. She let out a groan of frustration.

"You don't even have your suitcase with you! These are the people who threw Thor out on his ass and sewed Loki's mouth shut!"

Loki tilted his head, "Does everyone know about that? Thor is a worse gossip than my mother."

Pepper turned her blazing eyes to Loki, "And you!"

Loki blinked, "And me?"

Pepper took a moment to collect herself. When she spoke again, her voice was astonishingly caring, "Is Darcy alright?"

"Oh. Yes, she is. It was a very long, very harrowing night. But she is well now. How did…oh yes. The doctor. I forgot about him. I shall return him later, I promise."

"You should call Darcy's parents. They were worried when you just left without saying anything. They didn't think you'd be that rude without a reason."

Loki took a deep breath, "Indeed. I would like to tell them that everything is fine, but I know that Darcy would not want me to lie to them. They are my future in-laws, after all."

Pepper gaped, "You're proposing!"

"I proposed," he corrected with a smirk.

It was Tony's turn to gape, "Damn, you really stick to the schedule. I'm assuming everything turned out okay."

"She said yes." Loki tried not to sound too happy.

"Of course she did." Tony mused, "And now she'll live forever. Scary thought."

Pepper's face became confused and she turned to look at Tony questioningly.

He whispered in her ear, "I'll explain later." She just nodded, still looking a bit stunned.

Loki spoke suddenly, "I actually need a favor. From you both."

Tony smiled, "Oh yeah! Guess what, Pep? I'm going to be a godfather."

"That was not what I was referring to."

Tony ignored Loki and continued, "And guess who they want to be the godmother?"

Pepper opened her mouth to speak, but Tony cut her off by shouting, "You!"

Her mouth closed with a smack. She turned wide eyes to Loki. "You want me to be your child's godmother?"

Loki sighed at how far off-topic they had gotten but still replied, "Yes. It would mean a lot to both myself and Darcy if you would consent to such."

Pepper let out a shrill squeal, "Really?" She stepped forward and threw her arms around Loki. From over the woman's shoulder, Loki could see Tony smirk and mouth the words 'I told you so'.

Smug little mortal.

Loki sighed and gave Pepper a perfunctory pat on the back. She pulled away and smiled at him with tears in her eyes. Women.

"I'd be so honored! Thank you."

Loki gave her an artificial smile, "No, thank you. And now back to that favor I need…."

As he outlined his plans, Loki couldn't help feeling that he was tempting fate. The future was still so uncertain. The birth…

But Loki Odinson would not focus on the horror of what could be. He knew what he wanted the future to hold and he would find a way for it to happen. And if he could find no way – he would make one.