Thor sighed deeply as he sat on the chair beside a very specific bed, at the human hospital.

The beeping still kept going on and on, as well did the heavy breathing. Even if Loki miraculously did look better.

His beforehand blistered skin was now pale and smooth like it ought to be. Sadly, Doctor Strange had told Thor that Lokis insides were still a mess. And that the strain off travelling across space in his astral form now forced even Lokis conscious to rest deep inside of himself.

"It's okay brother." Thor assured. "You have done more than enough. You saved our lives so we could regroup, and you made sure I got the weapon I needed to defeat Thanos. You done far more than your share to defeat this Titan." he said as he reached out, then grabbed one of Lokis pale hands with both his hands, then held it tight.

"The Asgardians are doing remarkable well. Many asks about you, they are worried and wish to see you well." Thor informed. "Even the Jotunns keeps asking if you will soon be doing better. We are all ready for battle now. Thanos could come any day. And I promise, we are ready now. Everyone is working together. We'll do this, we'll defeat him! And then Loki… Then we can rebuild Asgard. Together! All of us, can you imagine?" he asked.

There was no reply as Lokis breath kept sounding from behind the mask.

"I need you to pull through okay." Thor swallowed. "I'm sorry, you've done so much. More than anyone else. But I still need you." he said letting go of Lokis hand with one hand, only so he could touch Lokis hair and brush it aside and away from his face. "One thing is the battle you know, but what about after?" he asked. "Rebuilding, starting from scratch, finding peace between realms. What if I screw up? It scares me… I need your guidance. And I swear, if you just pull through now. I will listen to you. So pull through all right?" he asked he leaned over, leaning his own forehead on Lokis. "Let me handle Thanos, your job right now is to pull through. Got it?"

As predicted there was no reply. The door opened and in came Sif holding two cups of hot chocolate she had said she would go get, allowing Thor a bit of privacy.

"Here you are." Sif offered Thor a cup which Thor accepted.

"Thank you." Thor smiled.

Sif smiled slightly in return then sat down on the other empty chair next to Thor. Then she glanced at Loki. "Man… Not very talkative today are you Loki?" she asked. "That's really weird for you you know."

Thor smirked.

"Look. I'll cut a deal." Sif stated. "It's a one time offer! Wake up and you get to talk all you want all evening and I wont complain. Just this ones."

Thor glanced at Loki, as if expecting Loki to open his eyes to take Sif up on her offer. Sadly no such thing happened.

"Reckless idiot." Sif sighed deeply as she took a sip of her own coco. "Thor, when he wakes up. Can we tie him down or something? So he wont pull any stupid crap like this?"

"It does sound very tempting." Thor admitted. "Alas I fear that even if we tried, I sincerely doubt it would work."

"Yeah." Sif sighed deeply. "Just get better you moron." she muttered as Stephen Strange entered.

"I thought I might find you here." Strange commented as he walked to the other side of the bed where they could see each other. Then he halted, his eyes landing on Sif.

"What?" Sif asked in a snort.

Strange frowned. "Am I right to assume you intend to enter the battle with Thanos?" he asked.

"Yeah. So?" Sif asked.

"Doctor Strange I assure you." Thor spoke up. "Sif is stronger than most men. She can hold her own."

"Hey. If she wants to risk her own life, that is her business." Strange commented. "I would just advice against it in her condition. It is not only her own life she would be risking!"

That made both Sif and Thor silence.

Thor blinked then he looked up. "What?" he asked.

Sif as well looked stunned. Then she frowned. "Excuse me, are you implying I am with child?" she asked. "I can assure you I am not!"

Strange frowned. "Yes you are." he simply stated. "There are two sets of life forces coming from you. You are with child!"

"How?!" Sif asked as she stood up. "That's impossible!"

Strange looked at her. "Do I really have to explain this?" he asked. "You do know what sex is right?" he asked.

"Of course I do!" Sif exclaimed. "But we aren't married! I haven't received the all fathers blessing. So I can't be with child yet!"

"I don't know how it works at your planet." Strange huffed. "But here on earth, when the penis enters the vagina. Yes a woman can become pregnant."

"That makes no sense, why would it be different just because it's another realm?!" Sif asked.

Thors eyes widened. "Oh… Norns. Now I remember, mother told me."

"Told you what?" Sif asked.

Thors face was deep red. "I didn't want to listen, it was so embarrising with my mother telling me about these things."

"Get to the point Thor." Sif demanded.

Thor cleared his throat. "Well, it has become common practise on Asgard to enchant all the beds and blankets preventing unwanted pregnancies. The blessing of the all father doing marriage ceremony grants a couple a way to bypass these common enchantments when together. And that's why you shouldn't have sex outside of Asgard."

Sif paled, simply paled. Her hand on her stomach. "So… So I am."

"You are." Strange assured

Sif was stunned, simply stunned. She looked at Thor who also looked shocked.

Sif swallowed as she looked at Thor… Oh god, say something you idiot.

Slowly Thor stood up so he now stood in front of Sif. Sif kept looking at her, her body shaking and then Thor reached over and pulled Sif into a warm embrace.

"What a wonderful blessing in these dark times." Thor breathed. "I can't believe it."

Sif was shaking. "This wasn't supposed to happen. Not like this."

"All the same. It is an amazing blessing." Thor stated, his voice broken. "Among all this death, a life is being created. That is a miracle."

Sif was silent, silent as she stood then finally Thor let go, only so he could gently grab Sif's neck and rest his forehead against hers.

"I'm so happy." Thor whispered.

"You… You are?" Sif asked.

"Aye." Thor swallowed, his one eye wet. "For the battle, I have a special task for you."

"Yes Thor." Sif replied.

"I want you to guard Loki." Thor informed. "He is vulnerable and a target for Thanos. You will guard him."

Sif glanced down. It was smart of Thor, a way out for Sif so it would still look like she was fighting honourable. All of Sif's being told her to refuse, she wanted to fight!

But then she realized, there was a life inside of her. Thors child… Her and Thors! Their child. Her duty to that child was absolute.

Sif looked up as Thor cupped her face with his hands and then kissed her deeply. Sif's heart melted again as she leaned into a kiss and they let go as Thor used a thumb to swipe a tear away from Sif's eye. "Sif… I love you." Thor said.

Sif gasped and then she swallowed. "I love you to."

Thor smiled, his smile genuine but also a little sad. "I want to rebuild Asgard." he said. "I want to create a good home for our child to grow up in. With you, with Loki… and everyone else. That is my goal." he said as he took Sif's hand in his own and then kissed it gently.

Sif swallowed then nodded. "I will do what ever I can to aid you. Always." she said.

And Thor smiled at her, his one eye so warm.

Suddenly Sif realized how wrong she had been. She had said Thor was an easy man to love while Loki was difficult.

No… When it came to Thor. He loved almost everyone with equal measure. If you are not someone able to share, to accept that Thor will love many others. As brothers and sisters, the realms he loved. If you could not accept this, that you will always be sharing. You should not fall in love with Thor.

His duty was to his kingdom first, family only second. But… His love was real. The happiness and love shining in his blue eye was real.

And dammit… Dammit Sif loved this foolish man so much. There was no way this was going to be easy. A nasty of Sif wanted Thor all to herself. But that was never going to happen. never.
It wouldn't happen for anyone. That was the nature of Thor. If she decided to be with him, it would be to always support him and ease the burden. She would be the one there to support him while always having to share.

How-ever, Sif was up for the challenge! She had decided, in this moment. Dammit she would take the challenge. She would stay and accept what was.

"So win this fight my love." Sif smiled cheekily. "You have a child now you need to watch over while it grows up! You have to win now!"

Thor grinned as he grabbed Sif's torso and then swung her around. "Indeed you are right!" he laughed. "Nothing for it now. We have to win!" he beamed.