Part VI

One thing that struck me as odd after the night I reluctantly begun to realise there was a possibility I was completely in love with the idiotic, childlike oaf of a man I called my brother was that nothing changed. We still lay together in much the same manner and I had long since given up trying to expel him from my bed chambers due to all the conveniences it offered me and once Thor had spent himself and gathered me into his arms it was near impossible to get him to move. We still ate breakfast and dinner together, still spent time talking together near the pond he had claimed as our spot, he would still 'sneak' behind me and pull me into kisses for no reason and I would still use my magic to trip him before he got too close so we could laugh and I could be the one to kiss him. It was almost like we had always been in love but that was impossible, surely I would have been intelligent enough to know my own feelings from the start.

But through all that there was still a new aspect to our interactions, fear. The fear that while my pregnancy had brought us together in a way that I hadn't dared to dream about since I was but a boy on the cusp of adulthood would also be the thing to rip us apart if my giving birth lead to my death. I could see it in his eyes sometimes and believe me seeing fear in the eyes of Thor was something one did not want to witness. I knew the news had affected me too; there was no denying that being given a death sentence had changed my outlook on a lot of things.

"Thor, brother, you are a man of your word are you not?" I asked him one afternoon 3 weeks after Banner had found the second heartbeat as we sat on the sofa together, not really paying attention to anything as we both picked at the remaining pizza we had ordered and I scanned over one of the more sensible baby books Stark had sent me. He gave me a look when I asked this, the confused look he used to get before he would ask me if I could read his mind. I did not question this look as I needed to stay focused on what I was about to say, it had taken me over 2 weeks to build myself up to ask him what I was about to ask and I needed to get it out now

"I like to believe so brother, when I give my word I always keep it." He seemed strained as he said this but I carried on regardless

"And if I were to ask something of you, you would give me your word you would do it, right?" this piqued his interest, the best way to make sure Thor did something was to make it a challenge

"Anything Loki. What do you need of me?" I put my book down and turned to face him

"When I die-" I started but had to stop to glare Thor into silence when he tried to interrupt with his reassurances. Once he had quieted I started again "If I die giving birth to our children will you find my other children and tell them?" I did not like that he was looking at me like I had lost my mind, it was a simple request

"Loki your children are-" he trailed off

"Monsters, like their Father? Unworthy of your time?" I knew that getting into an argument with him was not the best way to get what I wanted but my hormones took control once again. It seemed to work anyway as his face softened

"Your children are not going to lose you, we have been through this. Twin births are not the same here as they are on Asgard," I gave him a pointed look, not wanting to hear the same spiel he had been reciting for weeks. He seemed to get the picture "But if my word will make you feel more secure then you have my word I will speak to your children,"

"All of them." I demanded and he agreed "Even Jormungand."

"Yes Loki," He looked pained when he agreed to this as I knew he would. There was a pause that I was content to let happen knowing I could trust his word but then he had to go and spoil it by opening his mouth once again "Brother, while we are talking of serious matters and the meaning of my word there is something I need to discuss with you." Serious Thor normally lead to things I was not pleased with and in this case it was no different "I've been asked to take a mission for SHIELD," The hesitant manner in which he told me about this caught my attention, he'd been on missions before and while it meant he'd be away for a few days I had Steve and contrary to popular belief I was perfectly capable of looking after myself. That meant something about this mission would be something I didn't like. So when I put two and two together and thought about the thing I didn't like more than anything else on this world, Jane Foster

"And how long will you be in Puente Antiguo?" I asked him calmly while I felt a storm brewing inside me, I was not about to send him into the arms of that harlot Foster

"You knew already?" He asked confused

"No brother, you told me with the way you acted. You wish to return to Jane Foster and now SHIELD is giving you the perfect opportunity to return to your love," He silenced my ranting with a kiss, a deep kiss that I believe was meant to have a deeper meaning than 'There is a hardness in my pants you should take care of Loki' as many of our kisses meant

"You are my love, Loki. What I felt for Lady Jane, for Odin's sake what I have felt for any I have claimed feelings for pale in comparison to what I have felt for you since we were mere babes. I have always wanted nothing but to protect you, to keep you close and make you smile. However when I was banished Jane offered me shelter, clothing and company and I gave her my word I would return for her."

"And you gave me your word we would marry, which do you plan to keep Thor?"

"Both. I do not mean to return to her to take her as my own, I will tell her of you and I and explain to her how happy we are then I will complete my mission and bring Jane's invention back to Nick Fury so that I can come back here to you. Is that acceptable, brother?"

"No." I told him plainly and he looked like he was about to argue but I did not let him "If you go you will not return to me, you will return with me." He still looked confused "I am going with you."

It took a few days to convince Thor to let me accompany him to New Mexico, not that I needed his permission. When I decide I'm doing something I will do it. My brother had many reservations about me being on the trip though. He didn't want me to put myself in danger but I have magic and I do know how to fight so that excuse was out. Then he didn't want Jane to feel overwhelmed with me there as well but I told him I didn't actually have to meet her I just got to be close enough that he was still spending his nights with me. After that he had very few other excuses which I easily talked my way around and he quickly relented allowing me to form a plan.

We were set to leave by one of Stark's jets then we would spend a night in New Mexico while the object I had been told nothing about was loaded into a SHIELD issue carrier which Thor would then guard the cargo on the way to lands unknown and I would take the Stark aeroplane back to New York. I would have no contact with Foster or anything SHIELD related but I would be there to make sure my brother did not do anything I would not approve of. Foster however had other plans.

As we stood to leave the plane I glanced out with window and saw three people standing on the empty runway waiting for us. I instantly recognised the man in the group as Erik Selvig; a man who had worked for me briefly during my last visit to Midgard. Stood next to him was the love of Thor's life (for all of 5 minutes), Jane Foster and another woman. And how did I know which one was Jane Foster? It took but a simple deduction after she all but leapt into my Thor's arms as soon as he left the aircraft and proceeded to assault his mouth with her own. If it hadn't been for the immediate way in which Thor detached her from him I assure you I would have cursed her seven ways to Sunday and I must admit I was still tempted to. "Lady Jane, Lady Darcy and the good Sir Erik it is good to see you all once more my friends," He announced in that truly pompous and dramatic way of his "We have much to discuss," I believe he directed that to the confused looking woman he was still holding at an arm's length "But first allow me to introduce my future husband-"

"Arik Úlfrson." I interrupted him as I exited the plane to stand next to him.

I hadn't meant to ever use the Arik disguise again. The last thing I wanted to do was to make Thor suspicious but the oaf was about to introduce me and as his intended no less. Of course that was probably to show me that Foster was not a threat but still the smarter thing for him to do would have been to take his little humans away and meet me back in our hotel. So when I heard him start to make his big announcement I knew I couldn't just let him announce to the world that Loki Odinson was back on Midgard, interfering in SHIELD business to people like Selvig who worked for the organisation and had quite a good reason to hold a grudge against me. I had to act quickly as well in order to interrupt him which left off creating a new alias as that kind of magic takes more time than I had. The term 'Future Husband' had significantly lowered the amount of disguises I had prepared as most of my Midgardian transformations were based on the milk maidens I would use to seduce foolish men centuries ago. My magic took over at that point and I performed the last transformation I had used without much choice. It was to be expected that my grip on my magic would begin to weaken as my pregnancy progressed but I had not expected to lose my ability to shift at will and especially not this early.

While my new form was an inconvenience but one I was sure I would have many ways of talking my way out of any trouble should Thor have concerns later. And it was worth the hassle for the amusement I got seeing all the shades of pink little mortal Jane went as she heard the news of our engagement. The young mortal, Darcy was not able to hold her composure in the same way. The girl had double over in peals of laughter which her friend ignored, instead addressing me directly "So, will you be with us all weekend? It's just I don't know if there will be enough space in at the loft," She said politely although I could see the way she grit her teeth and I couldn't help but rub her nose in it, just a little. After all the worry and jealousy she had caused me I deserved it, right?

"Oh no, no, no. I would never dream of imposing myself on you like that. My darling Thor has reserved us a room in a charming hotel not far from here. It's a bit more private, you know?" I gave her my most innocent smile and leaned against my brother's side in a show of pure affection but it also gave me a chance to feel how tense he was. He was stiff, most likely confused and angry by my actions but he wrapped his arm around me so I had hope that I would be forgiven for my indiscretions, after all it was Foster's fault she had to see this display as she decided to ambush us as we got off the plane and have her tongue invade places that weren't hers to invade. "But I've taken up so much of your time; I should go check in at the hotel while you conduct your top secret business." I went to pick up my overnight bag but Thor picked it up before I could

"I will help you find a mode of transport, Arik." He looked to Jane and her cohorts "I shall be back momentarily but do you know of a way I can find my intended a carriage to our hotel?"

"The taxi rank is out in front of the airport." Selvig supplied, pointing toward the exit and I sped off in the direction, hoping to avoid whatever my brother clearly wanted to say in private from the mortals. However it took me too long to find a mortal taxi and Thor had caught up to me by the time I was ready to get into one. He grabbed my wrist and pushed my bag into my hand

"We'll talk when I get home, Loki." He told me before closing the door on me and allowing the car to take me away

"Brother," He called out shutting our hotel room door behind him and turning to see that I had already dropped my guise and faced him as Loki once more. His tone was far more serious than normal, it was the kind of tone that he used when he'd chastised me for my small acts of mischief when we were younger "If I were to ask you a question would you give me an honest answer?" Never a good thing for Thor to ask, it meant I would have to use the most convincing lies I could manage or some other more satisfying tactics

"Of course Thor but I do not feel much like talking right now," I practically purred as I attempted to tangle myself up with him in invitation. However he did not relent and after a brief kiss he pulled me off him and gently placed me so I was sitting on the end of the bed

"Now is not the time for your distractions Loki," He walked to the furthest end of the room from me and I looked at him, crestfallen "Do not pout at me in such a way,"

"I am not pouting." I insisted and he laughed but I could tell he was set on having this discussion "Go then, ask your question. If you are not capable of satisfying me tonight then I wish to sleep and leave early tomorrow."

"Who said I was not capable?" I saw lust flicker in his eyes and thought for a moment I had succeeded in distracting him but as quick as it appeared it left, replaced with absolute resolution "No more of your trickery brother. Now tell me was there ever an Arik Úlfrson?" Of all the times my brother could have become smart, I cursed whatever decider of fate who chose this one. I am sure Foster is to blame in some way I just have yet to figure it out. Until then it was time to find out if the repentant little brother act would still work on him. I looked down at my feet in shame

"No brother. I just wanted to be close to you and I couldn't exactly show up at the castle and expect a full pardon," I told him. Bad idea, he looked angrier than he had before

"So you decided to use my love for you? Create something wonderful with me and sully it with your plans and schemes, was that it brother? Was I naught but your way back into the graces of the royal family?"

"Of course not."

"I said no more of your lies brother!" He wasn't even looking at me anymore. The only time he'd ever been so mad he could not look at me was the time I accidentally vanished Mjolnir and could create a spell to return it for near a month. It was an unpleasant month, he was angry and Father was angry and I felt guilty I could do nothing but scour almost every book in every library until I found a working spell. I did not want to feel guilt for my actions this time and so I tried a new approach, the truth

"At first I will admit that I thought getting close to you was a just a way to get what I wanted but I thought wrong Thor. I love you and I think I have loved you for longer than I can even remember, trust me." I had walked over to stand beside him by this point

"How can I trust you, Loki when all you know is lies and trickery?" Hearing that hurt, I will admit but I suppose on some level Thor had a right to be angry at me. Although I should also be angry at him. Perhaps if he had not been so easy to manipulate in the first place none of this would have happened. Although when I told him as such he did not see it my way. Our shouting match intensified from that point until I think we were just arguing for the sake of arguing.

I swear we had been arguing for hours, my voice was hoarse and I was so exhausted all I could think of was sleeping so I decided that it was time to put an end to this silly quarrel. "If my lies offend your ears so much then next time you attempt to fumble your way through intercourse do not expect me to fake enjoyment to serve your male pride."

"Of course! And that must not be the only lie. Tell me brother, what do you truly think?"

"I think I obviously do nought but tell you lies brother and watch as you eat from the palm of my hand. Asgard is sincerely doomed if its future is a gullible king like you." I knew this comment was underhanded but I was tired and I want to shock him into silence so I could get some sleep. I had not expected him to raise his hand to me. It had been done before, we were two boys who had been raised together and trained in battle together, and many of our arguments had ended in violence. I had never been with child before though. All I could do in the seconds before was curl myself around my protruding stomach and upon instinct let out a begging "Don't hurt them!" This act stopped Thor in his tracks before he could even strike a blow. My fear snapped him out of his rage as quickly as my selfish comment had brought it on

"Loki I'm so-" he tried but his actions had sent me into a rage of my own. I sprung away from him and headed to the door before he could even finish his sentence

"We will talk when you get home. I need some time alone and you obviously need to work on your anger issues before you're in my presence again. When you're ready to talk about this like men I will be with Steve."

And with that I left the hotel and headed toward the Stark jet I was meant to use the following morning hoping the pilot would still be around in order to take me.

I am so so so sorry this has taken so long but I have an excuse! I started University! It's big and scary and involves a lot more essays and stuff than college ever did... Plus I was struggling with this chapter before I moved away and then when I moved and went to go back to it I realised I'd left all my fanfiction notes at home so I had to wait till I visited home to pick them up~ But they're here safe with me now and I can start writing again!

Thank you to everyone that read and reviewed even during my absence~ I hope you like the new chapter and to everyone that stuck with me while I was faffing around at uni thank you too and I hope this chapter was worth the wait :)

Please as always let me know what you think :P Your reviews mean the world to me and they always make my day :)