"And this is where Barney and I would run errands." Clint pointed towards a line of small shops. This was one of the few sights he had pointed out to Natalia. Each one had been related to his family in some way.
"Clint," Natalia finally spoke up, "you don't have to keep talking about them if you don't want to. Please," she added. "If it upsets you-"
"I'm not upset." He smiled for her with a carefree grin. "I like remembering them, you know? It reminds me of happier times."
"So you're unhappy now?" she blankly asked.
Clint sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "No-I am happy. Just… it's okay to miss my parents."
"Are you trying to say that I don't miss mine?" Natalia stopped in her tracks.
"No!" He quickly turned to her and shook his head. "I swear I didn't mean it like that, just… to each his own?" Natalia began walking ahead of him and he knew he had said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry, Nat-I didn't mean to sound cruel…"
The princess stopped and shook her head. "I'd rather not think about my past," she stated. "The future is what's important now."
"You sure you're not mad?"
Natalia searched his eyes and wondered how he could remain so positive after what the witches had done. The world was cruel-especially to him. "How does it not upset you?" she asked.
Clint managed a small smile. "My job helps me get revenge. I can't think of a better way to let my anger out than on those bastards."
"Promise me you won't stop. Keep killing them-that's my order as your queen." A look of determination flickered in her eyes.
"But you're not my queen yet," he laughed. "Why should I listen to you, 'Princess.'"
Natalia knew he was joking and rolled her eyes.
"Can I just take you to one more place?" he asked. "Really quick…"
"Okay," she agreed, following after him.
"Ivan, have you seen Natalia?" Loki asked as he poked his head into the servant's room.
The man shook his head in reply. "I took a walk through the market not more than an hour ago and overheard that she was walking with who I assumed to be Clinton. She should be safe, my Lord-please try not to fret…"
Loki sighed and shook his head. Of course she would be out and about with Barton… "We have to speak to the public in a few hours time. I shall find her," he declared.
"You shouldn't wander alone, my Lord…"
"Please don't worry, Ivan," the prince coolly answered. "I believe Clinton told me he was taking Natalia down by the river. "That area is safely guarded by Anthony's men." He turned on his heel and briskly left the room. No, Clinton didn't tell him anything regarding his fiancé's whereabouts. But he could easily find the two-there was no hiding. Loki hurried to his bedroom and reached for his leather jacket he had worn on the ride into town. There was a long strand of red hair clinging to the fabric and the prince smiled to himself. He opened his palms and let the single piece of hair levitate before catching aflame and revealing to him a small portal. Staring into the gateway, Loki could see Clint leading Natalia down a row of small houses. He wasn't sure where they were, but within seconds, Loki's body vanished into a cloud of thick green smoke.
"So this is where you used to live?" Natalia eyed the wooden cottage that stood before them. It looked homey enough and small houses felt very Clinton-like to her.
"Not exactly," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "This is an entirely new place…"
So a fire had taken everything from Clint, as well. "I'm sorry," she murmured.
"Don't be. My home is in Asgard, now," he said bravely. "I'm happy there."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry I yelled at you before… I don't hate you!" she quickly added. "I was just upset that day. And I lashed out on you."
"It's okay, Nat, really-"
"Natalia!"
The princess quickly whipped her head around at the sound of Loki's voice. She thought she was going crazy, but there he was, staggering towards them with a forced smile across his lips. "Loki?" As he drew closer, she noticed the bags under his eyes and the sweat across his brow. "Are you alright?" she worriedly asked.
Loki paused to catch his breath and attempted to straighten himself up. "Just fine," he grinned. "I've had my day's worth of exercise trying to find you two." All a lie-but was this the first and last time he would lie to his bride? The transportation spell had left Loki feeling physically drained, but it worked. He successfully managed to transport himself. Loki felt very pleased of this accomplishment.
"You look as though you haven't slept," Natalia noted.
"Last night's festivities made it hard for me to sleep." Lie number two. Loki stopped himself from worrying about lying-this was for Natalia's well-being. He couldn't have her worrying about him.
She reached up to cup his cheek. "You'll need to tell Stark 'no' next time," she smirked. "My husband clearly needs his rest."
Clint shot Loki a cold glare. "How did you find us?" he questioned. Clint hadn't told anyone on where he was planning on going-how could Loki conveniently know?
"Word spreads quickly throughout town when royalty is involved," Loki cockily grinned. "Come, Natalia, we best head back before we speak to the townspeople."
Natalia nodded and turned to Clint. "Guide us back, Clinton."
Loki and Natalia both stood in the town square, accompanied by a group of guards as they waved hello and announced their marriage to the city of York. Natalia did most of the talking, explaining how she and Loki planned to work on establishing witch hunters throughout the city in an effort to better the people's protection, as well as provide money to families in need. She chose to speak since Loki looked ready to pass out. Behind his smile, she could see how drained he looked just by staring into his eyes. Maybe it was a sleepless night like he had said, or maybe it was stress? Regardless of the cause, she worried for his health and was grateful when they finally entered the carriage to take them back to Lord Stark's.
"You did beautifully, my darling," Loki began once they were free of the public eye. "They've already warmed up to you-I can tell."
"And I can tell that you need rest."
"That will have to wait until after dinner," he chuckled.
"No." Natalia moved to sit on the bench beside him and force him to rest her head on his lap. "You can get a quick nap in until then." She ran her fingers through his silky hair and Loki hummed in approval.
"You are far too good for me," he said as he rested his eyes. "My Natalia."
A smile formed across her lips. "We can't have the prince fainting in public. People will worry for your health."
"Knowing that you worry for me is enough. I'm happy to have such a loving wife."
She pressed a finger to his lips. "Rest."
He tiredly chuckled and took pleasure in her soft fingers brushing against his jaw. Despite the carriage's rocking, Loki easily drifted off, only to awaken to Natalia poking his cheek.
"We've stopped," she murmured, scooting away from Loki and letting his head rest on the bench. "Be sure to go to bed right after dinner."
"Now you sound like my Mother," Loki laughed as he sat himself upright.
"You're sure you can't stay another night?" Tony asked the following morning. He and Pepper wanted to personally see the prince and princess off.
"Another time," Loki promised. He had slept soundly through the night and felt much more lively. "But we have other places we must venture to."
"Thank you for accompanying us," Natalia added. "We hope to see you at our wedding."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Tony winked.
Natalia softly laughed and waved goodbye before hopping into the carriage with Loki. "You're more of yourself again," she noticed. "I approve."
"Sleep does wonders for a man," Loki chuckled.
"Try not to wear yourself out again," Natalia warned him. "I'd hate to have my husband drained on our wedding day," she smirked.
Loki's grin widened. "I am afraid I will be far too excited to sleep on the eve of our wedding."
"You're a child," Natalia playfully remarked, rolling her eyes.
The following five days of travel was spent visiting three different towns and meeting the native folk. During the nights, Loki would practice spells, working to better his magical abilities. On the night before leaving for Asgard, Loki decided to pay Natalia a visit in her bedroom. It was well into the early hours of the morning and she was fast asleep. Loki watched her sleeping form, admiring how peaceful she looked. When his eyelids grew heavy, he quickly and quietly vanished to his own room.
"What the hell?!" a voice exclaimed in the darkened bedroom.
Loki felt every muscle in his body stiffen. "Clinton?!" For once, he had been taken by surprise.
"What the hell was that?!" Clint demanded. "You just popped out of nowhere!"
"I don't understand what you're talking about." Loki decided to play dumb and see how things would play out.
"I know what I saw!" the archer yelled.
"Sleep must be playing tricks on you." The prince steadied his tone and began to chuckle. "You should return to sleep. Preferably in your own room…" He narrowed his eyes.
"I heard a noise coming from in here. Actually, I've been hearing things coming from every room you've stayed in, my Lord," he icily bit.
"It would be best for you to mind your own business, Clinton…"
"So you are up to something?" He casually approached Loki to better look him in the eyes. "It may be dark, but I swear I just saw you appear from out of nowhere! If this is magic, you better explain how the hell you're-!"
Loki seized the man by the neck, desperate for him to shut his mouth. He knew he needed to act quickly before Clint ratted him out… Not that anyone would believe him-they would assume he had gone mad. But if Clint was believed to have gone mad, then Natalia would be upset, and Loki couldn't have that. He would allow for the archer to live. For now, at least. "Look at me, Clinton," he growled.
"Natalia needs to know!" he seethed. "She'll believe me! Believe me, she-"
"Shut up!" Loki's threatening shout reverberated off the walls. Without thinking, Loki pressed his hand over Clint's face. A chant passed from his lips as a green glow emanated from his palm. He threw Clint's body to the ground with a thud. The archer's body was still as Loki hovered over his unconscious form. "Sweet dreams, Barton," he whispered before he transported Clint's body back to his own room.
The next morning, Ivan came knocking at Clint's door to awaken him. "Clinton!" he called out. "We leave for home in an hour."
Clint sat up in bed, groaning as he scratched the back of his head. He couldn't sleep last night. Nightmares about Loki going mad made it hard for him to sleep. Yet somehow, the nightmares felt real. He felt a lump on the back of his skull and wondered if by some unlikely chance that it was all real… Even if it was, Clint knew he would need proof before he could accuse Asgard's future king of witchcraft. Until he could gather evidence, he needed to get himself ready for the journey home.
"You look even worse than after Stark's party," Natalia said as Loki took her hand and helped her into the carriage. His usually warm hand felt cold and she couldn't help but worry. "Loki…" she breathed.
Between the transportation and mind-erase spells, Loki could hardly keep his eyes open. He desperately needed rest and he knew just how to relax. Natalia took her seat and Loki sat beside her. "Do you mind?" he softly asked, briefly glancing down at her lap.
"Please," Natalia smiled. "Get your rest before we return home." He laid his head against her lap and she began stroking his hair. "I never would have guessed that Prince Loki's life could be so stressful," she laughed.
Loki smiled to himself as he drifted off into a much-needed sleep. If only she knew…