~ Chapter 52 ~
Only minutes later and Loki more or less collapsed in Thor's arms. As he scooped up his mate the Midgardians came closer and showed him back to Loki's 'room'. He carefully lay Loki down and Bruce Banner once more strapped on wires and strange machines which started to beep the moment they were connected.
The Midgardian administrated a sedative to help him rest.
Loki held onto his hand for as long as he could, Thor's thumb stroking the top of his hand as his eyes closed and he fell asleep. Thor trailed the fingers of his free hand over Loki's forehead. He was amazed on how much his new pale skin felt like Aesir skin. Loki's blue skin had been blue, smooth with the exceptions of his markings, and neutral in temperature. Neither warm or cold unless he put his on him. Now it was warm and inviting right from the start.
"You own us an explanation." Tony said from the door. "Fury wants to know why your.. fiance blew up a good part of his base, and what he tried to do on the deck."
Thor nodded before he gently let go of Loki's hand and stepped back. It pained his heart to leave him so soon, but he knew it was his duty to explain the situation to the Midgardians. He followed the man of iron to a room where all of the strong Midgardians were gathered, along with some he had never seen before.
"All right." Fury said as he took his seat and glared hard at Thor. "I want to know who you both are and where you come from." there was no arguing in his voice.
While many of the others sat down, Thor remained standing and put his hammer down on the table in front of him to show he meant no harm.
"My name is Thor Odinson, God of thunder. I hail from Asgard, the realm of Gods. My father is the Allfather Odin, ruler of Asgard. My fiance is Loki Laufeyson, eldest prince to the throne of Jotunheim. That's one of the nine realms. He is a Frost Giant."
"Thor and Loki?" Natasha repeated. "Like the Norse Mythology?"
"Nine realms?" Fury questioned without waiting for Thor to answer The Black Widow's question.
"Long ago, far longer than anyone remembers, a tree started to grow in a lonely realm, the world tree Yggdrasil. From Yggdrasil's branches, nine realms was created. The three worlds above the earth, in heaven: Múspellsheimr (Muspelheim), Álfheimr (Alfheim), Ásgarðr (Asgard). The three worlds on earth: Vanaheimr (Vanaheim), Miðgarðr (Midgard), Jötunheimr (Jotunheim). The three worlds below the earth, in underworld: Svartálfaheimr (Svartalfheim), Niflhel (Hel), Niflheimr (Niflheim)"
"Sound like a magic fantasy." Tony commented.
"You call it magic. We call it science." Thor countered.
"Oh, really?" Tony could feel Fury's eye on him. "Then, how are you and the smurf related?"
"We are not related." Thor corrected without thinking. "Some time ago, I met Loki when I went to Jotunheim looking for adventure. Many things happened and before we knew it, Jotunheim and Asgard were fighting a war against the Heklas."
"Heklas?" Clint pronounced it wrong.
"A monster of hellish might. A child of theirs could easily destroy this ship. It brought Jotunheim almost to ruin many millenniums ago when it took over its underworld. This time, the Heklas came for the surface where the remaining Jotuns had made their home. It was a gruesome battle and many died. In the end we prevailed with the aid of Loki's magic. To create an alliance between our realms, and peace, our fathers arranged for Loki and I to marry."
"So it's an arranged marriage." Fury concluded.
"Yes, but I love Loki and he loved me. Our union will be the beginning of new possibilities."
"Be that as it may be," Fury's tongue burned to ask the most pressing question. "What are you doing here?"
"That I don't know. I was alerted to that Loki had been taken from our room and thrown onto Midgard. Why and how still escapes me."
"So you don't know anything," Tony said in simpler words. "until the other wakes up."
Steve looked like he wanted to strangle the man but he refrained, knowing it wouldn't be a good impression. "So how do you go home?"
"Through the Bifrost which brought me here, but I'm reluctant to take Loki through as he is now. Nothing about Loki is simple. He's a powerful sorcerer. One of few. If his skin changed then it might be a reason, before I take him back to Asgard I want to know why and if he will be fine."
"Bruce might be able to find an answer but we all know very little about magic."
Tony looked like he was deep in thought, "There might be someone who could answer those questions." he said pulling his goatee.
"Who?" asked Fury before anyone else.
"Someone I crossed paths with once, but I don't know where he is. He's..." he looked at Thor. "complicated."
"Call him." Fury ordered without missing a beat before looking at Thor. "Until we have the answers I want you to stay by Loki's side. I will not have you walking around causing more damage. Dismissed."
Fury left with his men, leaving Thor and the Avenger team behind.
"Tell me one thing, thunder boy." Tony leaned forward to focus on Thor now that the big boss was gone. "I don't know how you do it back home but don't you need an heir or something? If both of you are male that will be impossible."
"Loki isn't male." Thor answered without really looking at the little man.
"Liar." Tony countered. "I saw his thing. He is male without a doubt."
"Tony." Natasha warned.
"Loki is a Jotun. They all look male, but is neither male or female. They are born from a rock when two Jotuns decide to start a family." Thor said as a matter of fact.
The genius watched the God carefully. "You do realize that sounds like crap, but let's pretend I buy it." he hurried the last part to save himself. "But how will that help you? You are not Jotun. There is no way of knowing their way will work for the two of you. He might be ice but you are flesh and blood, I hope." he whispered the last part but Thor heard it anyway.
"Loki's magic is strong. When the time comes we will be able to overcome that." Thor sounded sure but Tony's words had actually sown a seed of doubt in his mind. It was true, he wasn't Jotun.
"I don't mean to burst your bubble." Tony said in defense. "But it would suck if you stand there and nothing happens."
Thor took his hammer and tied it to his belt. "As long as I have Loki I will be happy." and he walked out, not wanting to talk any longer.
Natasha kicked Tony under the table.
"Ouch! What the hell?"
"Nice going, genius." she said sarcastic.
"It was just a question." he didn't see the big deal, for all he could be wrong.
Thor walked back to Loki and while he was happy that he could be by his betrothed's side, his mind was plagued by the question the man of iron had asked. There was actually no knowing if Loki's magic could overcome the difference between them.
He had never thought that he wanted to have children because when he learned how Jotuns had them, he was sure that was how they would have them too.
But now he wasn't so sure.
He knew in his heart that as long as he had Loki he would be happy.
But now when something he had taken for granted might be denied, he found himself wanting children more than ever.
TBC
