Loki woke in the middle of the night, Ava tossing and turning next to him. "Ava, darling, is everything alright?" He asked, sleepily.

"I just can't get comfortable." Ava answered. "My neck is killing me."

Loki sat up. "Here, let me give you a neck rub." He then helped Ava sit up and she turned her back to him. He began to gently kneed the muscles of her neck with his long fingers. "Does this help any?"

"Yes." Ava answered, closing her eyes and relaxing with the feel of his touch. "You have magic hands."

Loki chuckled. "You would know the magic these hands can do first hand."

Ava giggled. "True."

"Is there anything else these magic hands and I can do for you?" Loki asked, kissing her neck.

"Hmm..." Ava murmured as she pursed her lips in thought. "I am craving something sweet."

Loki pulled Ava closer, wrapping his arms around her. "I've been told that I'm pretty sweet." He replied, kissing her neck and slipping a hand under the strap of her night dress.

Ava giggled. "I was thinking more along the lines of something to eat."

Loki chuckled. "What would you like?"

"Some chocolate covered strawberries would be nice." Ava answered.

Loki placed a gentle kiss on Ava's neck once again. "I'll be right back with that for you." He then got up out of bed and slipped into his robe. He made his way through the halls to the kitchen. He found a pot and some chocolate. He put the pot over a fire and put the chocolate in it to melt it. He then rummaged around the kitchen, looking for the strawberries. He finally found them. He began to dip them in the chocolate.

"The late night cravings have started, I see." The familiar voice sounded from the entrance to the room.

Loki turned to see his father. "Yeah." He replied, unsure of what else to say. They hadn't spoken since earlier when Loki and Thor had returned from the market place.

"Your mother would get some of the strangest cravings." Odin said, trying to make conversation. "I remember one time she wanted a roasted pheasant with a strawberry and hazelnut glaze."

Loki chuckled. "That does sound strange." He then turned and dipped another strawberry in the chocolate and then placed it on the tray.

"I know that I was a little harsh on you earlier." Odin admitted. "And you did the right thing by eliminating the threats before they can happen."

Loki knew that this was Odin's way of apologizing without actually saying the words I'm sorry. "Thank you." Loki replied, as he dipped the last strawberry in the chocolate. "I had better get these back to Ava...before she changes her mind and wants something else."

Odin chuckled. "Alright...I'll clean up in here for you."

Loki nodded and picked up the tray and exited the kitchen. He soon arrived back at their chambers, Ava was still sitting up in bed. "I have the chocolate and strawberries." He announced.

Ava grinned up at him. "You're the best."

Loki sat down beside her and picked up one of the strawberries and held it to her lips. Ava opened her mouth and bit down on the strawberry. "Are they good?" Loki asked.

Ava nodded as she chewed up the sweet treat. She swallowed and smiled at him. "Very good."

Loki fed Ava the rest of the rest of the strawberries. "Is there anything else you need tonight, Darling?" Loki asked.

"Well, there is one other thing." Ava answered, pulling her husband to her and kissing him.

Loki grinned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around his wife. She untied his robe, while he slid her night dress from her body. Loki pulled back and appraised his wife's body. "Hmm...I'm definitely keeping you pregnant all the time." He said, kissing her belly.

Ava grinned and giggled. "Well, with behavior like this, that won't be an issue."

Loki chuckled. "I suppose you're right about that...but with a wife as beautiful as you, you really can't blame me." He then began to cover her in kisses.

Thor...

Eira had just removed Thor's soiled bandages. She looked at the wound on his chest, right in the center. The wound was a large burn that took on the form of a sunburst. She dipped a cloth is water that had a special blend of herbs meant for healing and then began to dab at the wound and clean it. "What exactly happened?" She asked.

"We had just defeated most of our enemies," Thor began, "when some strange woman appeared out of nowhere. She had to be a sorceress of some kind. We fought her...and she threw fireballs at us...I took one to the chest."

"That's terrible." Eira said. "Loki shouldn't have asked you to go with him."

"I would have found out about it and gone with him anyway." Thor replied. "He is my brother and Ava is my sister. Those children she carries are my nephew and my niece. It's what family does for each other."

Eira nodded. "I can see that...I just wish that you hadn't of gotten hurt."

Thor lifted a hand to cup her face. "But I am fine...besides now I get to spend plenty of time with you."

Eira felt the blush rising to her cheeks. "I suppose there is a bright side to everything." She replied, as she finished cleaning his burn. She then picked up a salve and began to rub it on his chest. She allowed her eyes to wander over Thor's bare upper half. She couldn't help but to notice the strong rippling muscles of his chest, abs, and arms. She began to entertain thoughts of what it would be like for those arms to be wrapped around her, pressing her close to his muscular chest as they made love.

"Is something wrong?" Thor asked her.

Eira felt her blush deepen. "Nothing is wrong...I was...just...uhm lost in thought." She answered.

Thor gave her a look of confusion, wrinkling his brow. "About what?"

"Oh...just how glad I am you're alright." She replied, coming up with his answer quickly.

Thor smiled and pulled her to him for a kiss. "I am glad that I have a reason to return home safely...and someone to make recovering from my injuries enjoyable."

Eira smiled. "Let me get these fresh bandages on you." She picked up the clean bandages and began to wrap them around Thor's chest, covering his burn. She finished. "There we go...what time is it?"

"I'd say around midnight." Thor answered.

"My goodness...that is late." Eira said, surprised by how quickly the time had gone. "My parents will be wondering where I am."

"Mother has already spoken with your parents and told them that you would be our guest for the evening." Thor replied.

"You mean...I'll be staying the night here in the palace?" Eira asked.

Thor nodded. "Yes. More specifically, right here." Thoe answered as he wrapped Eira in his arms and pulled her into the spot next to him.

"You mean...I'm sleeping here with you?" Eira asked.

"If that is alright with you." Thor asked, unsure all of a sudden.

Eira thought it over for a moment. "Spending the night in your arms, that really doesn't sound too bad." She replied.

Thor grinned. "I am glad to hear you say that." He replied, kissing her forehead.

They snuggled up and fell asleep, wrapped in each other's embrace.