Thank you so much for all the reviews, follows and favs. Oh my GOD over 100 reviews! Sorry for the late update, school is killing me. For real. But I'm so happy with this chapter! They mean so so so so much to me. I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Thor and Loki were currently lounging on the porch, Tony buried in his lab given that he'd been away from it for near two weeks. Since Malibu, Loki found that he enjoyed the sun immensely because it was not the kind of intense heat of Asgard, he did not need to fear over-heating as he did in his childhood. So many times he spent in the healers room, thinking back it all made sense. He huffed loudly pushing away the thought.
That was until seemed Thor was thinking the same thing, "Do you miss home, even a little?" Thor asked idly through a mouthful of colorful cereal.
"Why ever you would you ask a question like that?" Loki answered as nonchalantly as Thor had asked, thumbing through a magazine of 'baby things', mainly cribs and basinets, his main concern as of late.
"I don't know, I just assumed you might miss some of our old stomping grounds. Given that we're on better terms now, it just got me thinking of our childhood."
Loki's eyes had not left the text, "I miss only my room, that of which has been dismantled, and the libraries where I could not be found by your bumbling friends. And of course Mother, everything else is but a bad memory."
"My friends were your friends Loki," Thor argued, brow furrowed.
Loki slapped the magazine on his lap, "Surely you jest, they were as much friends to me as a snake is to a mouse."
"Well," Thor began, but could not bring himself to finish.
"Why would you bring up such a thing?" Loki eyed him carefully.
"No reason," he said, clearing his throat obnoxiously, "Merely discussion."
Loki rolled his eyes, trying not to bring forth an argument.
It was days later, after a rough battle in central park, Tony gone as well that Loki waited nervously in the kitchen, pacing back and forth. He had offered to help, but Tony had, more or less, persuaded him to stay put unless it got 'rough'. Of which Loki knew better, he knew when he was being 'benched' as Tony had called it. But to be honest he was still suffering from exhaustion and his magic, no matter how much he tried to hone it, would not behave. In fact, it was becoming more erratic the longer he progressed in his pregnancy.
It was soon enough that he could hear boisterous voices in the hall, tell tale signs of his brother's return regaling the stories of battle no doubt. That meant it had gone well, it was coupled with a voice coming through the speaker system, "Lokes, you there?"
"Yes, Tony I'm here, where else would I be since you grounded me?"
There was a light chuckle over the line, "Battle won, kind of a toughy I won't lie. Had to bring in some extras. But I'm heading home, see ya in a bit."
"Very well," Loki sighed in relief, he had an increasing fear of Tony going into these fights, because of the overwhelming fear of losing him and going at this alone. Something he could not even begin to fathom.
The voices got louder in the hall and the main door swished open, "Brother! You're awake, I am so glad, look who is here!"
And they were exactly as Loki remembered, Sif, Volstagg, Fandral and Hogan. He found his heartrate soaring, "What exactly are you doing here with them?"
"The battle got out of hand and they arrived to assist me," Thor replied with that infuriating air of innocence.
"Concerned about the mortals now, are we?"
"Loki, it's been a long time," Fandral smirked, "You're looking…well. You've gained weight, I do not believe I've ever seen you…"
Loki cut him off, "Who gave any of you clearance to enter the building?!" Loki was near growling.
"They are with me brother, they mean you no harm," Thor was frowning now, "I would never willfully bring danger to you. Especially in your condition,"
"Be quiet you oaf!" this time Loki did growl.
"What condition? Are you still recovering?" it was Sif now who was speaking, her weapons tucked away, soot and blood marring her brow, "Loki, we do come in peace."
"Peace…" Loki spat, "You know of such a word?"
"Someone's still touchy," Fandral was smiling.
"Still so disgustingly cocky, as if that ever had any true power over anybody with even an ounce of a brain."
"Loki," Thor started, "Why do you act this way?"
Loki smiled widely with mirth, "Why do I act this way…you bring your friends into this home, my home and you ask me why I act this way? You truly have not changed your views towards me as you say you have!"
"Loki, these are our friends, have been for hundreds of years,"
"Your friends, must I break this down so that a child might understand it?! YOUR friends, they were nothing but four of thousands that taunted me from the time they could form words."
"Sure we poked a bit of fun…" Fandral began.
"You are a special breed of imbecile Fandral, not only were you cruel but your idiocy turned to cruelty when I would not bed you. Is that news to any of you? He pursued me relentlessly until I threatened to turn him into a beetle! Then it was I that was argi and not he!"
Fandral merely shrugged, "We all do things when we're drunk, do we not?"
"The lot of you are nothing but a bad memory, Sif, you, who I respected most of all became no better than the men around you were the first to think me a traitor. Let us not forget Jotunheim, you knew damn well that I could not have taken the throne against my mother's advice, would not even think of it, but you were the first to think it. If I hadn't intervened on that ill forsaken realm, you would all be dead!"
Thor took a step forward, "Loki, brother, I did not mean to upset you,"
But Loki was far past the point of simply losing his temper, "If any of you had spared a kind word, would it have ever been so hard?!" and the memories of not only verbal abuse but physical abuse began to swirl in his memories. Fandral's relentless advances alone caused nausea, "The non-stop mocking of my talent, a true talent, more powerful than any swinging of a sword!"
Hogan broke into the argument, "The all-father may have pardoned your crimes, but I have not. You attempted to destroy an entire realm and to kill your brother…"
"When have we not wanted to kill a sibling?" Volstagg gave a nervous laugh.
"That may very well be, but did you not hear of what Loki endured this past year," Sif's ever calm voice seemed to hum.
"Enough! Can't you see you're upsetting him," Thor shouted silencing them all, when Loki was clutching the counter, face suddenly sheening with sweat, and he was thankful he took notice because he moved just fast enough to catch Loki as he collapsed.
Tony had gotten the message from Jarvis that Loki had fainted in the kitchen and he was running breathlessly down the hallway to the infirmary. Jarvis, bless his non-existent heart, had alerted Bruce to meet them there. He near skidded across the slick tile as he came to a halt after bursting through the infirmary doors.
"Tony, calm down," was Bruce' immediate response.
"Calm down? Jarvis said he fucking collapsed!" Tony spat angrily, eyes falling on Loki laid out on the hospital bed. Before Tony could start screaming 'what is wrong?' Loki was groaning.
Loki's greenish blue eyes fought to open, feeling glued together, his sight falling on Dr. Banner, "What happened…" he slurred.
"Hey there, welcome back," Bruce was smiling, palm resting on Loki's forehead and then he was checking his eyes, "Look here for me," he very briefly flashed a flash light past Loki's vision, "You had a drop in blood sugar also there was a spike in your blood pressure, you got too upset is what I got from what Thor. Good thing he caught you."
"Huh?" Loki cleared his throat, still feeling lightheaded.
Bruce frowned, "You fainted, Loki, how much have you eaten today?"
"I-I haven't, I don't think, I meant to. But I was worried…about the battle."
"Loki, you can't do that," Bruce said, bringing the stethoscope ear piece into his ears, pressing the flat piece to Loki's chest, "Take a breath for me, good, good," he pressed it to his throat counting his pulse, "The baby wants food, and at a higher rate now, that means if you don't eat it's gonna take anyway."
"Are they both alright?" Tony was breathing far too fast, Loki's hand already intertwined with his.
"Yes, he's fine, both of them are fine. Be quiet for sec here," he pressed the stethoscope to Loki's abdomen, moving from one place to another, "Right there, heartbeat, and it's strong too. Tony, take the ear pieces, put them in Loki's ears, don't wanna lose the spot."
Tony did as he was told, "It's okay, you hear through them," he assured Loki when he flinched.
Loki sat for a moment, confused, but then when he heard the fast whoosh whoosh whoosh his eyes began to burn, he managed to swallow down the need to cry, "That is the child?"
Bruce was grinning once more, "Damn I didn't wanna believe it but yeah, that's it."
"Don't be a hog!" Tony groused and adjusted the ear pieces, "Oh wow," he mouthed more than spoke.
"So, the babe is alright?" Loki spoke softly, thankful he hadn't managed to hit his head or something equally stupid in the storm of his temper or his brother's stupidity.
"Sounds healthy to me," Bruce said, putting the tool away, "Ya know, it isn't like Tony doesn't have the money, you could bring in equipment that would allow us to actually get a picture of the baby. I was required to take OBGYN classes, so I know about this stuff. I mean, only if you want my input that is."
Tony was thinking, Jesus, they couldn't exactly take Loki to a hospital, "Loki, what do you think?"
"I-I would appreciate your help Dr. Banner, as much as you are able to provide that is, my anatomy is not exactly human. I do not know what you could garner from internal pictures."
"You'd be surprised," Bruce offered another smile, "Make sure you keep your blood sugar up, got it? That means eating! Then you won't have any more faintin' spells, no matter how mad you get, which I'm figuring is often. Get some rest." He gave Loki's shoulder a pat.
"T-Thank you," Loki breathed, eyes breaking away and locking on Tony as Bruce left the room.
"God, fuck, you scared me," Tony huffed, leaning his forehead against Loki's, "What got you all flustered?"
"My idiotic brother and his friends," Loki sighed, pulling Tony forward urging his arms around his frame, "They are who came to your aid. Why I am not sure, although I have an idea, Thor more or less warned me they would be visiting. They have not exactly been in my 'good court' as you would put it."
"You want me to add them to the list of assholes not allowed to enter?"
Loki exhaled loudly, "It matters not…can we leave this place…it is too cold…"
"Sure sweetheart, come on, can you walk?"
"Of course I can, it was merely one moment of…passing out…"
"You fainted, just accept it," Tony smirked.
"I am no maiden, and I will make you very sorry for making some dainty comparison." Loki growled as Tony took both hands and eased him off the bed.
"I wouldn't do such a thing," Tony said, trying to tuck the smile on his face, "Well, you heard Dr. Brucie says you need food."
"Yes, that seems smart,"
"So," Tony was grinning madly, "That heartbeat huh?"
And despite his irritation Loki was smiling as well, "Yes, that was amazing, I-I didn't think something so small…could be so powerful."
"I'm getting one of those machines so we can see our kid in action," Tony vowed, leading them to the elevator.
"I don't quite understand what it was you two were tottering on about, but if it means to see the child, yes, I look forward to it as well."
Tony pressed lips to Loki's cheek, "Pizza? What are you craving?"
"What if I were craving more than one?"
"I'd buy you a pizzeria?" Tony laughed, "Anything you want.
"I desire pineapple, cream cheese and artichokes oh! Green olives, black olives, anchovies," his hunger was eating up any kind of trepidation of his earlier encounter.
"I knew it!" Tony grinned, "I knew that was gonna come in somewhere."
"What's that?"
"Nothin' as you wish your majesty, you got that J?"
"Yes sir, order has been sent,"
"Thanks honey," Tony answered, he maneuvered Loki into the living room, hoping it was empty but found Thor there looking like a whipped puppy.
"Thor," Loki began.
"No, let me start," Thor had his hands out, moving forward without thought, "I was stupid, and unthinking like I always am. I upset you and made you ill. I threatened the life of your child. I should have thought and I didn't, I am so stupid, so very stupid."
"Thor," Loki's shoulder's slumped, feigning to mock his childlike behavior.
"No," Thor spoke sternly, "I should never disregard your emotional state, not anymore. I was so …stupid," he said once more, "I will never push aside how these things affect you. Never. I-I told them to leave, to not speak to you, but Sif insisted on speaking to you. But brother, I will turn her away as well. Without thought, you are my first priority I do hope you understand that."
Loki found it hard to blink or swallow, taking in the honest loyalty on his brother's face, he straightened his features, "It is fine that she speaks."
"Lokes, come on, you've had enough today," Tony started.
"I'm fine," Loki interrupted sharply.
Thor nodded and shortly after was directing Sif into the living room, "Loki," she gave a kind of nod.
"Lady Sif," Loki huffed.
"I came here not to make war with you…" she began, "I-I know…of the babe…" she gestured with delicate hands, "I was foolish in my youth…I was trying to defend my own status and you got in the cross fires. It was never about you, never, in fact, I've always admired your magical prowess. It was never something to be ashamed of…I know this is an apology a long time coming…well, I am no idiot, I will not ask of some acceptance of forgiveness. You and I are too much alike whether you'd like to believe or not. I welcome you as a friend, I know that is probably not a concept you'd like to accept I would understand. But I am sorry. You always supported my status, you ignored what other men said about me being a warrior and you supported me…even though I scorned you for your magic…"
"You did," Loki muttered, eyes turned down at the floor, wanting them to be burning and menacing but too tired to make them as such
"And I shouldn't have," Sif quickly added, "I only came to say my part, I do not want to cause you more pain." And she didn't seem to give Loki any kind of reply time as she quickly departed from the room.
Loki gulped, covering a cry, so much so that Tony was pulling him close.
"Hey, you okay?"
Loki only shook his head, dark hair shuffling as he did so.
"Come on, food and a movie," Tony tried to sound as cheerful as possible in his sarcastic, hopeful tone, "Come on," he urged, tugging to the couch, "I'll rub your feet until the food gets here."
Loki's grin was brief, but it was there, "Okay," he allowed Tony to practically push him to the couch and shortly after he was lighting up the TV. Soon after they had three different pizzas on the large coffee table, near half eaten.
Loki's legs were resting across Tony's lap, one of Tony's hands massaging one exposed foot the other resting on Loki's belly rubbing in close, careful circles.
Loki was almost asleep, eyes falling heavy, watching idly as Tony stayed glued to the screen, palm on his belly rubbing.
"Whoa!" Tony gasped.
Loki was riled out of any kind of sleep, "What?!"
"I felt it!"
"What?"
"I felt a foot, that was a heel, I felt it!" Tony laughed.
When the baby kicked once more, Loki grunted, "So you did." What Loki didn't expect was for Tony's eyes to water over with thick tears.
"That's our baby," Tony gulped, hand pressing firmer to the taut flesh.
"Yes," Loki spoke softly, taking note of Tony's reactions, "Baby is saying hi."
"Oh my God," Tony found himself crying, "My God," he sobbed when Loki positioned his hand over the area of 'kicking' "Oh my God" he kept saying.
"Tony,"
"That's our baby," Tony wouldn't admit he was crying, but he was, straight up crying.
"Tony," Loki near whispered.
"I love you Loki," Tony stuttered.
"I love you too, you foolish mortal," Loki grinned, pressing Tony's hand on his belly closer to the kicking limbs of their child.
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