"Annalise, I've said no."
After several weeks of debating, Annalise and Loki were at a standoff. The little queen crossed her arms and raised her chin. Loki steepled his fingers against his lips and studied her for an excruciatingly uncomfortable minute. Shannon and several of Annalise's charges squirmed as the duo faced off during the middle of lunch. They looked back and forth between the royal couple as if watching a tennis match, waiting for someone to speak.
Finally, Loki broke the silence. "It's a horrible plan."
Annalise daintily stabbed a piece of tuna from her Nicoise salad and popped it in her mouth. She chewed and took a drink of wine, drinking while holding Loki's glare.
Swallowing, she shook her head. "It's a good plan."
"It's a horrible plan."
She shrugged a shoulder, sipping from her glass. "It's the only way I'll go to Asgard with Astrid, and you want us safe with Thor, don't you?"
Loki sat back and ran his knuckle along his lower lip, gauging how serious his wife was. Unfortunately, she was his match in many ways, including obstinacy. Loki shook his head. "I-Yes. He is not happy with me, but he won't turn away his niece. However, it's pointless to ask Thor to join me once you arrive. He won't. Even if he wanted to, the Allfather wouldn't permit it. That Odin allowed him to assist in your rescue is still perplexing. He wouldn't risk his precious trueborn son against a Titan. The inquiry is pointless"
Annalise forced herself to put down her fork before she launched it at Loki's face. "We at least have to ask. He's your family, whether you want him or not. He loves you. He might help. Just let me talk to him. Please?" Leaning over the table, she shrugged her shoulders together until the V-neckline of her Alexander McQueen dress buckled forward.
Exasperated, Loki distractedly stared at her cleavage before gazing up at the vaulted ceiling with a sigh. "Fine. When you and Astrid retreat to Asgard tonight, you may ask Thor to come to my aid."
Annalise straightened with a pleased smile and fussed with her dress. "Thank you."
"But I don't want to hear another word about it."
She nodded demurely, "Yes, my King."
The tension in the room dissipated as Loki and Anna continued their afternoon meal, and the Waldorf staff relaxed for a few hours.
"They'll all fit on the transport ship? And you're sure customs will let them through?" Annalise asked over her shoulder. Waiting for Loki's reply, she darted to Astrid's Gucci diaper bag and crammed her daughter's favorite rabbit plush, Ymir, into the outer pocket.
He squinted in irritation and rubbed his temples. "Annalise, 'customs' only exists if I allow it. The Chitauri escort squad will deliver your charges to Cuba, where they will enjoy themselves. The Cuban government is under strict direction to accommodate their every need. They'll be fine. We just need to get your people off contiguous North America in case Thanos… breaks it. And, based on what my agents have told me, Cuba would do very well in a collapse of global infrastructure should I perish. It's a secure place for your refugees."
Annalise flinched at the mention of his possible demise. Nibbling her lip, she gave a shaky nod. "Okay. I trust you."
Her declaration made Loki uneasy. If she trusted him, that meant he had the ability to let her down. He gave her a reassuring smile nonetheless. She delivered a pained expression in return, wiping tiredly at her face with her hand and pushing her hair out of her eyes.
Ticking off items on her fingers, she nodded to herself. "I think we have everything. Shannon packed the half her wardrobe, some baby food, diapers, books, her blanket… What am I missing?"
"Annalise, you needn't worry. It's not like you'll be stuck in a changing station between flights at one of those ports of aviation. You'll be whisked to the palace immediately where you'll be fitted with the best accommodations. I've sent word to Thor that you're to reside in my personal chambers."
"An airport," she corrected him offhandedly, "And yes, I know. I just don't want to forget anything. It's not like we can come back."
Loki strode to his wife, placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her so she faced him. "Astrid will not be the first baby on Asgard. Though they may not have a Pack n' Play, I assure you that you Astrid will want for nothing."
Annalise nodded, still worrying her lip. "Okay."
Loki was rather certain Annalise still didn't believe him, but they were running out of time. Based on his agent's intel, Thanos was barreling through the universe towards Midgard. He needed to evacuate his family before it was too late. He rubbed Annalise's back and helped her pack up the rest of Astrid's things.
After seeing her charges off, Annalise shifted Astrid in her arms. Seven Chitauri filed out of the Waldorf, carrying half a boutique's worth of Louis Vuitton luggage. "Take everything to Central Park," she nodded in the urban park's direction. They loaded up one of the Jet-Ski-like crafts and flew the supplies to the park's classic carousel.
Loki ended the trail of bodies streaming from the Waldorf, his face solemn and lips pursed as he watched Annalise give orders. Parting with his family was as brutal as he expected. He cleared his throat, catching Anna's attention. With a nod, she waved her guards on before breaking off to speak with Loki.
"We will say our farewells here," he said.
"Aren't you coming with us to the park?"
"I am, but I'll not have my men see me in such a weakened state."
She sighed as Astrid gazed at her father. The little girl lit up around him, and she was squirming excitedly. "She's going to miss you," Annalise murmured.
"And I'll miss her."
Irritated that her eyes stung with tears, Annalise pulled Loki into a one-armed hug. He wrapped his arms around her and their baby, burying his face against her neck and inhaling deeply. Untangling Annalise from his grasp, he squatted so he was eye level with her tummy. He leaned forward and kissed the little protrusion, murmuring and running his hand along her belly. He stood rigidly, looking over Annalise's shoulder into Central Park.
"This may be goodbye. For good."
Annalise pulled back and almost slapped him. She stood on her tiptoes to grab his chin. "Don't you dare start with that. We'll see you when we come home and I won't have you thinking otherwise. I forbid it."
With a sad smile, Loki cupped her face. "I'll miss you, little peach."
Due to trust issues with the reliability of her voice, Annalise whispered, "I'll miss you too. I love you."
Loki hesitated, his cheeks heating. He grit his teeth to force himself to say the words—not because he didn't mean them, simply because love made him uncomfortable. "I-I love you too, Annalise."
The pair shared a chaste, tender kiss, breaking apart after a few seconds.
"And you," Loki said, his eyes resting on Astrid as hoisted her into his arms with a grin.
"Daa," the baby hummed.
"My darling girl." He nuzzled his nose against her cheek. "You'll be good for Mama?"
Astrid cooed and grabbed for Loki's mouth, her little fingers trying to work their way between his lips. Her father let out a genuine laugh, turning his head to the side and guiding her arm down. Annalise's hesitant voice distracted him from his daughter's adorable antics.
"While we're gone, will you consider something?"
"What is it?"
"What… What if you weren't king anymore? When all of this is over? Just… think about it?"
Loki's brows furrowed in surprise and he shook his head. He started to speak, but Annalise held up a hand. "Just think about it. I'm not asking anything of you yet."
He nodded warily, his eyes flicking back to his daughter. He gave a heavy sigh, distressed at being separated from her. "Daddy loves you," he murmured against her hair. The baby hummed and reached for her mother. Annalise collected the child as husband and wife walked arm in arm to a Chitauri aircraft. They boarded, followed by a pair of aliens that escorted the royal family to Central Park.
As they landed on the grass, Annalise hefted Astrid onto her hip. She slipped her hand into Loki's as they neared the half circle of Chitauri. Fanned out near the Central Park Carousel, the beings were chittering amongst each other. Annalise turned to her husband with a raised brow, unable to understand them.
"They're concerned Heimdall won't include them when he brings you to Asgard," Loki translated to Annalise. "They feel protective of you. I will admit Thor is not happy about bringing the Chitauri to Asgard, but I insisted upon it."
Touched, she gave the aliens a reassuring smile and squeezed Loki's hand. "How does this work?"
Loki nodded at Shannon, Annalise's three SHIELD agents, Chitauri and their small mountain of belongings. "Gather together," he motioned with his hands. "I'll call for Heimdall to open the Bifrost. Once he does, you will be transported to Asgard… depending on Heimdall's mood," he grumbled.
The gaggle of bodies coagulated with Annalise and Astrid in the center, faces raised to the sky.
Looking up, Loki called out, "Heimdall!" He was met with the pleasant melody of a nearby bird, but not a peep from the sky. Clearing his throat and putting forth all effort to sound as kingly as possible, Loki tried again. "Heimdall, open the Bifrost. My wife and child seek refuge in Asgard."
Again, his request was answered with ambient park noises.
"Heimdall, I know you can hear me. Annalise and Astrid are innocent. They do not belong in this realm while Thanos is a threat. They need the Thor's protection."
Nothing happened. He exhaled, staring at the sky. "Please let them up," he said under his breath.
Apparently Heimdall had good hearing. Rainbow light burst from the sky, accompanied by an ear-splitting crack that echoed for miles. Loki's hair whipped his face as he watched the shaft of illumination draw Annalise, Astrid and their crew into the sky. As quickly as it appeared, the bright light blinked out and Loki stood alone.