Thor watches quietly as Loki, Bruce, and Tony all pick each other's brains. Loki has been demonstrating his different healing spells and potions all morning. Bruce and Tony took particular interest in the potions. They want to know what ingredients are in them. Loki was more than happy to provide a list, but to their dismay, many of the ingredients cannot be found on earth. But that does not deter them. Tony wants to see if there are any earth ingredients that can be used as a substitute. Loki humors them but doubts their success. Loki is leaning over a diagram of Tony's chest reactor. He perches on his elbows as his skinny butt pokes out in the air and sways in a curious fashion. Thor has to look away from it.
After Loki healed the burn victims at the crash site he went to the local hospital and took care of the severely injured victims. One of them almost didn't make it. Others had sustained disfiguring burns on their faces. Loki healed them all. Loki would have healed every person in the hospital if he'd had the energy to do so, but on the last burn victim Loki collapsed from exhaustion and Thor had to carry him home, cradling him like his virgin bride on their wedding night. That was a month ago.
The pace of their formal courtship has been agonizing for Thor. More than once Loki had to remind Thor to calm down during a passionate kiss. Loki had come close to caving in, but he is a prince and by the Norns Thor is going to earn it. Loki can hear Thor through their shared bedroom wall sometimes. On more than one occasion the two of them masturbated alone in their bedrooms at the same time.
Word spread fast of Loki's heroism fighting the dragon and healing the victims. People want to know what other diseases Loki can cure. The media frenzy that followed was a nightmare. Thor and Loki have barely left the tower since.
"Okay, you guys really need to talk to the media. It's getting ridiculous out there." Steve says sounding exasperated. The tower is surrounded by hungry media types begging for an interview, and desperate people begging to be healed. It is becoming a security problem and it ruined his morning run. One of the reporters along with his camera man were decked out in jogging suits prepared and waiting to follow Captain America on his morning workout. Steve sprinted as fast as he could and left them in the dust. Things are reaching critical mass and Steve fears they are about to have a riot on their hands. Thor and Loki have been debating this for weeks now, but it seems the inevitable is upon them.
"Anthony….tell your people to make the arrangements. Loki and I are ready to do an interview." Thor says sounding defeated. It has been fun teasing the media and feeding them only breadcrumbs but this little game is no longer fun and it is affecting the lives of their friends.
XxXxXxXxXx
Thor and Loki opt to dress like Midgardians for the interview. Loki in a very fetching black suit with a green print silk scarf and Thor in a grey suit and a green tie, Loki's shade of green. Loki's hair is combed straight and is free flowing without any beads to adorn it. Thor's hair is braided back into a single rope and his beard is trimmed short and neat. Their outfits are almost perfect, save for the golden circlets atop their heads. This one detail makes them both stick out like sore thumbs. They take their seats on the stage in front of the cameras next to the interviewer. It is a woman, Debra…something or other. Loki doesn't care. She is unimportant in his opinion.
"So everyone has been dying to get to know more about the newest member of the Avengers. Who are you?" She asks Loki.
"I am Prince Loki of Jotunnheim. Third born son of King Laufey and a student at the Healing Art Academy of Asgard, which is the realm that his Highness Prince Thor hails from." Loki says gesturing to the man sitting next to him. The formal way in which Loki refers to Thor surprises the interviewer given the gossip of their intimate relationship.
"What is a Jotunn?" She asks. "How are you different from say Thor's people or humans?" She asks.
"Jotunns are commonly called Frost Giants by the other realms. We are called such because our natural appearance is blue of skin and red of eye. Normal Frost Giants are at least twice my size, but I am a runt among my people." Loki explains.
"So you normally have blue skin and red eyes? Why don't you look that way right now?" She asks.
"Because your climate and Asgard's climate is too hot for me. The change in my appearance is necessary for me to survive here." Loki says.
"Would you be able to show our audience a glimpse of your real appearance?" She asks. She knows she's pushing her luck but Loki obliges her. He briefly shifts his form so that all may see his blue skin and red eyes. He lets it linger for a moment before shifting back.
"That was amazing. What were those markings on your skin?"
"The bloodlines of my household. They are proof that I am a prince of Jotunnheim and son of Laufey. All Jotunns are born with them." He explains.
"What other differences are there between your people and ours?" She asks.
"Well, my people are of the single gender." He says.
"Single gender? What does that mean?" She asks.
"Among the nine realms Jotunns are the only race that is not split into two different genders." Loki says. The reporter's eyebrows are arched in surprise. She wants to know more but doesn't want to ask anything that might be considered rude. She looks at Thor and something occurs to her.
"Are you and Thor dating?" She asks. Thor decides it is time he added to the conversation.
"Yes we are. As denoted by the royal circlets upon our heads we are currently engaged in a formal courtship."
"So you two plan to get married?" She asks with a smile. Thor and Loki smile also and Thor grasps Loki's hand.
"That is the idea, yes." Thor says.
"But you two are not the same species. Will you be able to have children together?" She asks hoping it will answer the indirect question of what exactly Loki has between his legs.
"Yes. The Aesir people hate to admit it, but they and my people are actually very closely related. When the time comes, it is my hope that Thor will sire my children." Loki says as he looks at Thor with love in his gaze.
"It would be my honor." Thor says quietly to him. Loki leans in and kisses him, however briefly, with just the lips. Their little moment lasts for only a few seconds but it swells the hearts of millions. The internet blows up. The interview progresses and eventually they get on to the topic of Loki's healing powers.
"You mentioned you are a student at the Healing Arts Academy. There have been dozens of stories attributed to your miraculous healing powers. Are they true and could you do it again?" She asks.
"Yes they are true. I am a healer by trade. It is what I do. It was the reason I was sent here to Midgard, to assist Thor and his fellow warriors during their missions and offer immediate medical aid when they suffer injuries." Loki explains.
"Yes but you healed civilians as well. Would you be willing to offer up your services to the public during times when you are not fighting? What kind of illnesses can you heal? Can you cure cancer for example?" She asks.
"I have been considering such a service, both to expand my understanding of human anatomy and to provide a service to the public. I have been learning about your disease called cancer. It does not exist among my people or the Aesir. I do not know if that is because we are not disposed to it or if it is a beneficial side effect from all our healing magics. I would have to perform experiments on willing human test subjects to find out." Loki explains.
"Well, considering the benefits, I'm willing to bet you would have no trouble finding willing volunteers. Humans suffer from a great and many incurable diseases." She says. At this Thor clears his throat to interrupt.
"I am sorry Loki, my lady, but I do not think such a thing would be permitted." Thor says. Loki turns to him looking upset.
"Why ever not?" Loki asks.
"There is a limit to how much my father will let us intervene in the lives of mortals. Humans must learn to make their own way. Humans have already learned how to build great buildings and space ships and other fantastic things. We must not rob them of their own spirit of discovery. These are answers they must discover on their own." Thor says. Loki disagrees wholeheartedly.
"Then why are we even here? If we are not supposed to intervene why are we here at all?"
"To keep other realms and evil creatures from disrupting Midgard's development. We are here to prevent their extinction and annihilation. In providing too much assistance we do them a disservice and even dole out unintended injury."
"We'll continue this discussion later." Loki says with folded arms.