After they returned from their Asgardian honeymoon, the couple was greeted back at the Tower to hugs and congratulations.
But none were as loud as Morgan's.
"Asta! Loki! You're back!" she cried as she ran for Asta, who instantly scooped her up and embraced her.
"Hey, munchkin! Did you miss us?"
"I did! Wanna watch a movie?"
Loki chuckled. "Can we get settled in first?"
Morgan rolled her eyes. "I guess."
He reached out to her. "May I have a hug in the meantime?"
"Yep!" Morgan happily switched to his arms and squeezed him.
"Ah, these hugs are amongst the best in all nine realms," Loki said as he pulled back. "Now, why don't you go prepare the film and Asta and I will join you as soon as we can."
"Ok!" Morgan hopped down and ran off.
Tony chuckled. "I like having you guys here. Gets the rest of us out of the Disney marathons."
Asta rolled her eyes. "Sure, throw us to the wolves."
He kissed the top of her head. "Shush, you love it. Now, go get ready or you're gonna have to deal with her wrath."
"True."
Tony smiled as the others wandered away. "It's good to have you back, kiddo," he said to himself.
Loki and Asta only took a few moments to put their bags in their room and change into Midgardian clothes. He snapped his fingers and suddenly they were redressed.
Asta laughed. "You know, she can wait a few extra moments."
"Ah, but she knows I have magic," Loki replied. "We're lucky she let us even bring our belongings here instead of me teleporting it."
"I suppose that it true. But maybe I wanted to watch you change."
"My bride is a spicy one these days! Was 2 different weeks of walking around with barely any clothing not good enough for you?"
She shrugged. "Eh. I'm not sure it'll ever be enough. You're very… craveable."
"I'm not sure that's a word, darling."
"Perhaps not. It doesn't change the fact." Asta sighed. "But we really should get to the theater. She'll be pounding on the door soon enough."
"Indeed. Don't forget your tiara, my love." He turned his hand and she was suddenly wearing an ornate plastic crown. "These events do have required dress." He repeated the motion and his circlet with tiny horns was on his head.
He offered his arm and together they walked down to the theater.
"Finally!" Morgan cried as they entered. She was wearing her Belle dress and a crown with a rose on it.
"It's all your sister's fault!" Loki said. "She was dawdling! I tried to speed her up!"
"Yeah, I figured," Morgan said as she plopped into a seat.
"Hey!" Asta said indignantly. Morgan ignored her as Loki took his seat and winked at his wife. "No respect around here." She sat between the two of them.
Loki turned to Morgan. "What is our cinematic feature today?"
"Beauty and the Beast!"
Asta tried to hide her cringe. She hoped the tale of the isolated, moody prince wouldn't affect Loki.
The movie went on with the usual singing and dancing. But Loki noticed Morgan sitting more and more still as the villagers began to plan to storm the castle. She climbed onto his lap as soon as they broke through the door, and tucked her face close to his chest once Gaston began to look for the Beast. He conjured a blanket and tucked it around both him and Asta allowing Morgan to hide behind it.
As the Beast turned into the prince, Asta glanced over and saw that Morgan was fast asleep. She nudged Loki and smiled. The scene definitely melted her heart. Asta turned off all the movie equipment and Loki carefully carried Morgan to her room.
They passed Tony and Pepper along the way and smiled. Loki gently placed her on her bed and tucked the blanket all around her.
When they returned to the sitting area in the Stark apartment, Pepper smiled.
"She barely slept last night, knowing that you guys were coming home today. I'm not surprised she conked out."
"Awww, sweet girl," Asta said with a sad smile.
Tony grinned. "She idolizes you guys. Take the compliment. You know she doesn't dole them out often!"
"True. Well, we'll go finish unpacking. Someone practically threw our things into the apartment to get back to the movie."
Loki feigned offence. "I was saving everyone the hassle of an impatient, grumpy Morgan. You're welcome, by the way."
Asta rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. Let's go deal with the mess now. Then we can properly see a much more rested Morgan after a much needed nap."
The pair went back to their rooms and Loki turned his hands and made the suitcases unpack and everything was put away.
Asta got onto the bed and flopped back to her pillow. "Couldn't have done that in the first place?"
Loki joined her. "This way was much more dramatic."
"I appreciate your honesty," Asta said, turning to kiss his cheek.
"I wonder what our next Disney feature will be," he wondered out loud.
"My guess is 'The Little Mermaid.' Think you're ready for life under the sea?"
"I've spent time on an underwater planet, so I think I'm prepared, yes. Are you afraid this film or it's antagonist will offend me as well?"
"Picked up on that, eh?"
"It's a bit difficult to miss."
"No, I don't think on this one. You'd probably be more like Ariel: willing to do anything to be with your love. Even dealing with a sea witch to change your entire self."
"I'd gladly deal with a witch from sea, earth, or sky to be with you."
Suddenly, Asta grew quiet. Something Loki did not miss.
"My darling? What's the matter?"
"Well, Ariel makes the deal to change her entire species to be with Eric and have a life together."
"And? Oh. You're worried about… our differences."
"Loki, you know I love you and I wouldn't change anything about you. But… but I do wonder if it will affect having children."
He sat up and pulled her to do so as well. He took her face into his hands. "Asta, my love, I want you to hear me. Every time, every time we make love, we make love. That's the strongest life-force there is. Whether or not that results in another little person, to me it is creation. You fill me with life."
Tears sprang to her eyes. "Oh, Loki. I feel the same way."
"But if there comes a time where we realize that we cannot have children, I will not hesitate to step aside and let you—"
"Do not finish that sentence," she interrupted. He dropped his hands, startled at her tone. "If, if, we cannot have children, then that's it. If I am to be a mother, then it will only be with you by my side."
"But—"
"No buts. And, if we do discover that, there's always adoption. It's something we're both rather invested in."
"Well…"
"Ok, well, you didn't exactly get the gold star father, but you were raised as a prince. And you did get a really great mother and brother. So, 2 out of 3 ain't bad."
"Meatloaf…" Loki muttered.
"Is a talented artist, so hush. And I got adopted by some fine people as well. So, it's always an option. An option that we might not even need. There are no guarantees either way." She put a hand on the side of his face. "But regardless of anything, it's you and me, every step of the way. Deal?"
He sighed. "Deal."
"Good. Now, let's –"
"Darling, I think I have a better plan," he said as he gently kissed her neck.
End note: Super gold stars to those who found the '90s superhero TV show quote in this chapter!