Author's Note - This chapter is rated MA.
Chapter 7 - Support
Hunger, exhaustion and irritability were not a good combination for a woman trained to kill and thirty-three weeks pregnant. Coming off a late shift, Maria's feet burned as she strolled down the last long corridor to her quarters. The sciatic nerves in her lower back twinged and flared, making it difficult to sit or stand for any prolonged amount of time, and there was a constant, draining pain and pressure in her pelvis from the baby growing. With luck, the usual leg cramps would take the night off, but she wouldn't bet on it.
It didn't occur to Maria until she stepped through her doorway that a detour by the infirmary for a session with the massage therapist would have helped. In fact, her doctor would be thrilled to have her follow one of his suggestions for once, but now she had to get off her swollen feet.
Kicking her shoes off at the door, Maria let her hair down and hobbled for the couch. At her current size, getting down to rest proved difficult. The pillows seemed to have plans of their own, which didn't include being flattened beneath her bulk. She caught two of them as they tumbled away, forsaking the rest. She lay on her side, tucking one pillow between her thighs to help with hip strain and the other under her head.
Her communicator pinged in her ear just as she reached up to remove it.
"Still up, huh?" Black Widow asked the moment Maria opened the line.
"Yeah," Maria said with a tired sigh. "I just got in."
"Me too. I went by your office and was glad you weren't still there."
"The doctor threatened to put me on bed rest if I don't conform to the work schedule he submitted to Fury."
"Well, good." Natasha chuckled. "Since it's going to take me a while to unwind, do you need anything?"
"Oh God, yes. I have a list. Are you ready?"
With another laugh, Natasha took note of Maria's requests then promised and succeeded at a prompt delivery.
"Doc said to come by tomorrow to see him because you're not getting any more drugs," Natasha said, twisting the cap off a water bottle before she offered it and a couple acetaminophen to Maria.
Natasha had also picked up a heating pad from the infirmary, which she positioned against her friend's back.
Maria scarfed down macaroni and cheese with ketchup, finally admitting between heaping bites, "The father mystery is over."
"Did someone say something?" Natasha frowned with concern. "Or, are people acting weirder than they already have been?"
"We work with some of the smartest people on the planet, Tasha. Between my demotion and inquiries from the Council, I think they just figured it out."
Maria set aside the empty bowl and picked up a candy bar, tearing open the wrapper.
"Did you see the looks on the guys' faces in that meeting the other day? Like I'd done the worst imaginable thing."
Natasha sat on the coffee table, leaning forward.
"Fuck them. They don't know the horrors you went through in that prison or the circumstances of Loki's involvement."
Maria nodded, took a substantial bite and handed the rest of the chocolate to Natasha. Working through the chewy, sweetened mouthful gave her time to think.
She finally said, "You don't know the details either."
Natasha licked the chocolate from her fingertips.
"It's none of my business. When Clint first brought me here, lots of people thought they could judge my character and guess my intentions without getting to know me or my situation. It sucked. What kind of a person would I be if I treated you like that?"
Maria smiled, accepting that Natasha Romanoff was an amazing best friend and that she was lucky to have her.
Natasha fluffed the pillows one more time then stood.
"I'm heading to bed."
Maria shifted her achy frame to sit up and switch off the heating pad. She'd be heading to bed then too.
"Are you going to make the Thanos briefing? Stark and Quill might actually have news of his whereabouts."
"I'm planning on it," Black Widow said and moved to the door. "You bring the candy, and I'll save us some seats away from the crummy boys."
"Deal," Maria agreed, offering a thumbs-up approval before Natasha left.
Sometimes it felt like Maria was all stomach because the darn thing constantly got in the way. Just getting off the couch took considerable effort. Maria shuffled to the bedroom, but froze in the doorway when her hand flipped on the overhead light, revealing Loki seated on the end of the bed.
Anxiety flooded her system as he rose to his feet. So many thoughts cluttered her mind. Yet, "You shouldn't be here," was the first to escape her lips and sounded more tolerant than she'd expected.
He stepped back along the side of the bed, allowing her space to enter or flee.
His voice was soft and tone mindful as he said, "You're in pain, and have been for several days."
Maria reached up, her hand hovering over the Aries charm resting beneath her tightening throat.
"You've been spying on me?" she accused.
"I wouldn't call it that," Loki insisted. "It's mostly sensations and strong emotions that come through."
He studied her, looking uneasy with her prolonged stare.
"I just want to help, Maria."
It disturbed her how sincere he seemed and that her anxiety dissipated so easily. She'd been ordered to have no further contact with him and to report it immediately if she did. Though, since being demoted, and with the constant scrutiny from her superiors, Maria's rebellious side had been surfacing more.
"You're going to get me in trouble."
Loki gestured to the bed.
"Come lie down." He added playfully, "You can tattle on me later."
She promised that she'd never again get this close to him, or be beguiled by his tender ministrations. Yet, his offer to help was welcoming in her condition. She met up with him at the bedside where he helped arrange the pillows while she settled on her left side on the mattress, leaving him no room to perch on the edge.
"I'm huge," she said. "Makes everything harder."
His eyes narrowed with astute coyness.
"I've heard that harder is better."
Maria remembered saying that to him at the cabin as he stood before her in the buff. Their night together felt forever ago, yet she could recall his various, delectable parts with little effort, even if the actual sex had taken place in the dark.
Truth be told, Loki got sexier when not acting like an asshole.
She snapped out of her thoughts when his hand came to rest on her stomach.
He tensed, focusing as if he expected to gain some insight or information from the touch.
"Have you chosen a name for him?"
Maria hadn't mentioned she was having a boy, but it didn't surprise her that he'd figured it out on his own, being a resourceful wizard.
"No. I considered naming him after my father, but…" her tone softened as she confessed, "we aren't close."
With a nod, Loki reported, "He's so still. I think he's sleeping."
"Lucky him," Maria joked, though she noted Loki's earnest interest at the topic. "Can you see him?"
"I only sense him and the energy he gives off."
Maria drew open the nightstand drawer, fishing around inside until she found the latest sonogram pictures. She held the postcard-sized photo sheet out for him to take. Loki studied the shots with a heartwarming reverence.
"In that bottom one, you can see a bit of his face. Cute, huh?" Maria smiled. "The doctor says he's healthy."
Relief brightened and relaxed his features, making the trickster appear younger. Loki set the card on the stand, propping it up against the base of the lamp before returning his gaze to her.
"Your discomfort will affect him too in the long run."
"So what do we do? Can you heal me even if I'm not exactly injured?"
"Hmm. Let us see."
He leaned forward, using his right hand for balance then set his left hand upon her hip, sliding it down to her lower back. His fingers pressed firmly through her uniform into the inflamed sciatic nerves, causing Maria to gasp and jerk with pain.
"There's one of the culprits."
Warmth radiated from his hand, penetrating the material and skin. Within moments, the knotted muscles loosened and the pain eased away. The sudden relief made Maria groan with appreciation. Already she felt a hundred times better, and Loki'd only addressed one of the problems.
His hand returned to her hip, hesitating while he appeared to assess.
"There's also pain— here," he said, shifting his touch to a central spot right above her pelvis.
"Growing pains," she said. "Causes a lot of pressure."
"I've heard the usual way to relieve that pressure is with intercourse."
He said it so matter-of-factly that he didn't even sound like he had an ulterior motive. His comment didn't perturb Maria until the mischievous grin peeked through at the corner of his mouth.
"No." Maria shooed away his hand. "You lost your privileges. For being a jerk before."
He pursed his mouth and shook his head like he might truly be disappointed.
"You're determined to not forgive me for that— even though I'm risking capture by being here."
Loki moved to the end of the bed, gathered up her feet to allow him room to sit then placed them in his lap. Avoiding Maria's critical stare, he tugged off her socks and went to work. His hands glowed, dulling the persistent burn with massaging rubs.
She didn't appreciate his pouty martyr act, but did concede that he had a point. He was making a habit of showing up when she needed him. Wasn't that deserving of something? Leading ladies in romance novels swooned at such treatment, offering up various favors for their prince charmings.
And Loki is a prince, she reminded herself, openly smirking at the thought of fighting off waves of dainty damsels to claim him as hers. A modern reversal on the age-old expectation of the man rescuing his lady fair from unwanted suitors— or a dastardly villain. How daring and ridiculous on her part to consider the notion. She fought for justice and to protect people, not lust or breeding rights.
Then what DO you want? her mind demanded to know.
It was one thing to be attracted to Loki, but entirely another to let him know he had such a power over her.
Best to let him walk away, none the wiser, she decided, already hating the idea in the next moment.
Was she being logical or a coward? How could she tell for certain? Loki, by his very nature, was unpredictable and threw her off balance. Did Maria's constant need for order somehow draw her to Loki and his craving for chaos?
Maria couldn't see his expression that well. His frame had a solemn slouch and weariness to it as he kneaded on in silence.
"Loki, are you alright?"
He startled, as if shaken out of a daydream. He turned to her, his features slack with some unvoiced burden.
"It's nothing."
She wasn't accepting that answer.
"You look exhausted. Are you sleeping?"
His hands stilled.
"With so many people looking for me, I have to keep moving and don't get much rest."
This news caused various questions to form in her mind, but Maria didn't feel right asking them. They weren't in a relationship. He might regard her inquiries as an informal interrogation, which he didn't deserve.
A swell of pity filled Maria's chest, tempering her aggravation. She pulled out of his grasp and patted the mattress beside her.
"Come here then. Unless there's an emergency, I can't be disturbed until eight o'clock. Doctor's orders. No one will be looking for you in my bed."
He frowned. "I don't understand you."
That makes two of us, she admitted only to herself.
"Sleep. I want you to sleep, nothing more."
He shot to his feet.
"I don't need your compassion. Save such sentiments for our son, who deserves better than I can provide!"
This tantrum seemed to surprise him and he quieted again. His hand raised to rub at his eyes and brow.
"I should go," he muttered. "Make your call. Tell Fury whatever you must to avoid reprimand."
With effort, Maria managed to sit up.
"Wait," she requested, realizing that by upsetting him, she'd only compounded her own guilt.
"You said it yourself," he said, inching toward the door. "I shouldn't be here."
The pain in her pelvis flared as Maria stood, emphasizing the stupidity of chasing after him and forced her back down with a wince, which caught Loki's attention. He returned to her, kneeling in his tight leather to cradle her stomach in both hands.
"I'm pathetic, I know."
"That's not the word that came to mind," he assured her with a hint of cheekiness.
The soothing warmth of his magic did its work while she watched his expression. He appeared both concerned and irked at the situation, though tried to keep up a strong facade despite the signs of exhaustion. Maria never considered herself a mother-hen type, but he was the father of her child, in need of a firm intervention, and apparently didn't have anyone else to fuss over him.
"How's that feel?" he asked in time, glancing up.
As expected, the pain had mostly ebbed.
"Much better. Thank you."
He nodded, moving his hands to either side of her to assist in pushing up onto his feet. In the process of him standing, Maria took the chance to catch a loose hold of his neck. He froze, his gaze not quite conveying displeasure as much as uncertainty.
"Sleep for a bit," Maria said.
Though the words didn't sound like a command, she hoped they didn't come off as begging either.
He fidgeted, looking away from her hopeful scrutiny with an obligatory sigh. Maria took that reaction to mean he was reluctantly surrendering to her wishes. She touched his chest, skimming the black, gold and green armor until she found the hidden clasps and started undoing them.
Loki removed his bracers and the heavy overcoat, dropping them on the floor before lifting off the torso piece to reveal a gray cloth undershirt probably needed to avoid chafing.
When he sat to remove his boots, Maria got up to undress in the bathroom and slip on a clean pair of pajamas. She felt worlds better. Surely she'd sleep well that night if they could avoid arguing.
Loki remained seated on the end of the bed when Maria came out. He wore only a pair of underwear that were almost knee-length, yet so thin and form-fitting as to leave nothing to the imagination. Maria tried not to react, stare or let her mind run amok.
Sleep, dammit! We need to sleep.
Maria passed him to get to her favored side and climbed into bed. She fought with pillows and the sheet to get everything just how she wanted it. Then Loki scooted up behind her, his hand again on her hip. He was so close that she guessed he might be sharing her pillows despite there being two others on the opposite side of the full-sized bed. His breathing rustled her hair and tickled along her neck.
That's fine. He's a cuddler. No big deal, really. Just go to sleep.
When Maria stirred, she found she hadn't moved at all in the passing hours. The bedside clock read almost five in the morning, her usual time to wake. Lately, she'd been hitting the snooze button, allowing herself to steal a few more minutes after restless, pain-filled nights. This time she felt good, calm and refreshed.
Loki's hand had slipped farther off her hip to the side of her stomach during the night, but fell away completely as she got out of bed. First she turned off the impending alarm then made her way in the semi-darkness to the bathroom to use the facilities. Maybe she hadn't been at her best in some regards lately, but she'd become a peeing champ for sure.
If not for the sleepover, Maria would have considered getting on with her day. A pile of reports sat on her desk that she could get through by day's end if she sneaked in early. But, she did have a guest and thought it rude to just leave Loki sleeping in hostile territory.
Shame on you. Sleeping with the enemy, her inner agent scolded. Tsk. Tsk.
Oh, shut up! Maria thought. It was just sleeping— this time.
She tried not to dwell on the possibilities of the next time. Best not to escalate any future misdeeds with the act of premeditation.
Maria turned on the shower, letting it warm while she stripped out of her nightwear and glared at her reflection in the mirror. No matter what people said about the beauty of pregnancy, she looked lopsided, too front heavy with her swollen breasts and belly. Even her larger-than-usual ass didn't balance out the sight of her. She missed being thin, unencumbered and coordinated. It had been months since she visited the gym for anything more than a brisk walk on the track, and that had become impossible with chronically-aching feet.
Maria shuffled into the stall, making a slow twirl to allow the water to drench her entirely before reaching for the shampoo. She caught the sound of the door opening while sudsing her hair and fought the urge to peek past the curtain.
"I'll try not to take too long," she called out, so he'd know she was aware of his presence.
Loki didn't respond to this, though the toilet flushed about a minute later. Then the curtain slid aside and the very naked prince joined her in the limited space. His gaze moved down her body, his features contemplative.
"You couldn't wait your turn?" Maria teased to help cover up her discomfort at being vulnerable to his inspection.
She closed her eyes, working her fingers through her hair then startled a bit when his hands cupped the back of her neck and pushed up into her soapy mane. Maria lowered her hands, letting him complete the task as he seemed determined to do so.
His eyes met hers when Maria peeked at him. She didn't know what to expect. He appeared so content just standing there, washing her hair like it was the most natural thing.
"Shall I?" she asked, reaching for the shampoo bottle with one hand and touching his silky locks with the other.
Loki leaned forward, dipping his head under the shower head to dampen his hair for her then returned to washing hers while trails of water ran down his face and chest. Maria worked some lather into his long hair, wondering what he was thinking about, but not wanting to mess with the mood by asking.
Once her hair was free of the soap, Maria turned them around to get him under the shower head. Loki took over then, managing the rinsing on his own. Maria moved on to the body wash, starting with his neck and boldly moving down his body, careful to reach every spot along his chest and abs. Loki turned his back to her when she'd reached his waist. So, she started at the top again with a new handful of soap, spreading it over his shoulders and back then finally sliding her hands down to caress and squeeze his fine butt cheeks.
He glimpsed back at her. Maria froze, seeing the uncertainty in the look. What had she been thinking? Had she been thinking?
Loki picked up the body wash, pooling some into his hand while eyeing her breasts.
"May I?"
"Soft touches," Maria requested, taking him by the wrists and guiding his hands to her tender nipples.
He lathered the skin, spreading the soap across her whole chest before returning to the swollen boobs.
"Sore?" he guessed.
Maria nodded, yet pushed into his palms, testing the limits of the pain. He stared longingly at her while holding the mounds in his hands and circling the sensitive nubs with his thumbs. It was just the right amount of pleasure and pain to kick-start Maria's desire. She went for his mouth, and he eagerly obliged. Their lips met, smashing together like two mini sumo wrestlers before transitioning into more crafty and sensual maneuvers. It was a tactical proposition, a series of impassioned moves and countermoves until the initial burst of enthusiasm waned and they slowed their zealous motions into less of a competition and more a smooth, cooperative dance.
He backed her against the cool tile, pressing in with his warm, wet body. One hand slipped from her breast to grip her ass with long, insistent fingers. Her hands held him too, one working its way back into his hair while the other glided down to sweep along his genital region.
With an appreciative hum, Loki bucked his hips, rubbing his nethers into her hand and moved his kisses to her neck where they grew more forceful again.
"I must have you," he warned, his voice husky with lust and fingers digging into the meat of her ass.
Maria's mind flooded with thoughts and emotions. She knew she had to say something, make a decision— the right decision— but what was it? This was just sex between two consenting adults. Who could it hurt other than themselves? Perhaps one other, tiny person.
As his mouth migrated up to her ear, lavishing the flesh with his greedy kisses, Maria managed a soft request.
"Don't hurt the baby."
"Never," he whispered, then took her earlobe into his mouth, capturing it between his teeth for a gentle, yet possessive, bite.
Loki reversed course, licking, kissing and teasing. He crouched then knelt before her, positioning her leg to rest over his shoulder. His hands gripped her thighs, helping hold and brace her against the wall as he lifted Maria just high enough that she could barely stretch her free leg to touch the floor with her big toe.
A wave of excitement rushed through Maria and into her pelvis as Loki touched her sex with his mouth. His lips and tongue kneaded the outer labia before slithering and probing along the inner folds, bathing them in his hot saliva and awakening every nerve ending. He slid a finger into her heat while lapping and sucking her clitoris with a persistence that was almost cruel.
Maria couldn't move. He had her pinned and at his mercy. Her body shuddered and ached in response. She bit at her lip, trying to hold in sounds that would betray them if they grew too loud. Her hands squeezed and teased at her breasts. Then she moved one to the back of his head, pulling desperately at his hair as he thrust inside, frantically tongue and finger-fucking her into a wave of unrelenting orgasms.
"God Loki!" she cried.
His assault sent jolts of pleasure throughout her lower body. She bucked and shivered, realizing with each quickening pulse that she couldn't stand much more.
"Please?" she begged. "I have to move. I have to move!"
He slipped from her opening then made one last, sweeping lick through her delicate folds before he eased her down then stood in one continuous motion. Maria's legs trembled beneath her, threatening to give out completely, but Loki pressed in, his engorged member poking at her large stomach. He licked her juices from his lips while taunting with a fiery gaze, obviously eager for more play.
I'm definitely in violation of my orders right now, Maria mused in her oversexed delirium, but how could she care?
Reeling in nirvana, Maria had to turn away to get even a moment's break from the intensity of him. She rested her forehead against the wall while gasping and trembling. It wasn't long and Loki's hands were back on her, massaging and dispersing body wash over her shoulders and down her back to her bottom, where his attentions lingered. He slid soapy fingers between her ass-cheeks, then followed with his erection. A low growl escaped his throat with the steady glide of his shaft up and down along her crack.
Loki took her hands, holding them up against the wall of the shower. He kissed the exposed side of her neck. The gesture feeling sweet and almost concerned for her well-being despite being pinned again. Maria looked back, catching his mouth with hers and allowing the entrance of his talented tongue for the most passionate kissing she'd ever experienced as he could be dominating one moment then willingly submit to her assertions the next.
Maria broke the prolonged kiss to suggest, "Let's not continue this in here."
Loki pulled away to rinse off and step from the stall. Maria followed after doing the same.
They didn't make it far. Loki turned her toward the sink, placing her hands on the sides and pulled back her hips so her stomach wouldn't be smashed against the counter. She quivered, yearning to feel him deep inside her. Natural lubrication spilled down the insides of her thighs. Loki collected some with his hand, wiping it over the pink, swollen head and shaft while Maria watched him in the mirror above the sink.
He lined up, guiding the head to her vaginal opening. His eyes closed and a needy growl escaped him as he invaded her slick channel in one smooth motion. His girth gave her just enough of a stretch to feel both amazing and especially sinful.
Loki held the position long enough for Maria to sense the tickle of his damp pubic hair against her butt then pulled back, dragging out the sensation of losing every thick inch. He left her completely before gripping her hips and pushing back in, again moving excruciatingly slow.
How can he control himself? she wondered.
Maria certainly couldn't, not this time. She leaned forward over the sink while bucking back against him to fully ensheath him. The bold maneuver won her a smile from him and a few energetic jabs before he started a new, more determined pace. The increase in speed caused the dangling Aries charm to swing on its chain.
Maria didn't close her eyes through the mounting pleasure. She stared transfixed at Loki's reflection above hers. His eyes were closed, lost in his quest to reach wonderful release. Water ran down his face and chest from his hair, shaking off on Maria's back and ass with each of his thrusts. The image was hot and primal, yet decisively personal. She wondered if he thought of her at all during this time or if he was consumed with his own satisfaction.
"A little harder," she dared to request, again pushing enthusiastically against him.
Her breasts and the little ram bounced at the jarring movements. She realized that she needed to get out of her own head to really enjoy herself. With a final look in the mirror, Maria closed her eyes, letting go of that small piece of control.
What a difference this act of surrender made, shifting the focus fully to their coupling and toward more frenzied heights of passion. Her drenched vagina made loud sucking and squishing sounds as the tensing muscles tried to keep a hold of Loki's member. The vigorous motions felt fantastic, leaving Maria somewhat unable to take in a full breath and gripping the sink for dear life.
Loki gasped between his grunts and hums of pleasure.
Then the unexpected happened. The baby moved, and not just a little, more like a full-on roll inside Maria's womb that set off a string of powerful orgasms. She shook and gasped at the unbelievable onslaught. Bam, bam, bam. One after another. Each more powerful than the last.
Bam. Bam. Her knees threatened to buckle, and she had to bite her lip hard to hold back screams of pleasure, though some sputtered out as winces and distressed whimpers.
Don't black out, she thought with fierce desperation. You might fall on the baby.
Loki gripped her shoulders, drawing her back against him. She didn't fight, nearly collapsing against his chest as his right arm secured around her torso. He continued to pound her throbbing tissues. Then with one last thrust, he came, twitching powerfully within her as he emptied his load into the tight space.
Her prince leaned against the wall, keeping her close as they panted, taking a while to drift down from the debilitating high. Even his hard-on took time to soften enough to slip from inside her. Only then did she move, cautiously turning in his embrace to rest her head on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked after a while, planting a single warm kiss upon her ear.
"Yeah."
The baby squirmed at the exact spot where her stomach touched Loki, giving both parents a mild startle.
Maria chuckled at Loki's bewildered expression.
"You woke the baby, by-the-way."
He placed his hand upon the suspect area, looking both pleased and ashamed of himself.
Maria broke away, leaning on the counter. With his seed oozing down her thigh, she really needed a few minutes to collect herself and clean up.
"If you want to go back to bed, I'll join you in a bit."
"Oh. Umm..."
He did a terrible job of hiding his disappointment. Apparently, he wasn't quite ready to be apart from her and the baby, even if only temporarily.
Maria gifted him a lingering smooch while reaching around to pinch playfully at his ass.
"I won't be long. I promise."
Loki nodded, yet his mood didn't brighten. He sauntered out with his head low and face turned from her inspection. The sight gave Maria a terrible sinking feeling in her gut which was further agitated by more of the baby's fidgeting.
He's never been quite this active, she realized, caressing her stomach. Maybe the babe could sense his father like Loki could sense him.
When Maria stepped out of the bathroom, once again in her pajamas, she found Loki in the process of dressing— yanking on his boots to be more precise.
"You're leaving?" she asked, coming right up to the bed so her stomach bulged a bit into his private space to hinder the rebooting. "Is this because you're mad at me?"
His eyes shifted from one side of the bedroom to the other, avoiding directly looking at any part of her, big or small. It was a pathetically exaggerated attempt at avoidance, especially for someone as shrewd as him.
Maria could have laughed, but chose not to. The hope was to get him talking, not use his feelings as a punching bag.
"I've stayed too long," he said, scooting aside to find room to complete his task.
He didn't address her other question at all.
"Well, I'm glad you got some rest," Maria said.
As she was about to sit beside him, Loki stood, hurrying around the side of the bed to retrieve his long overcoat and bracers.
"Seriously? You're going to clam up on me now?"
He dropped the metal bracers on the bed to pull on the coat.
"What should I say, Maria? This was a fling. Another stupid mistake. Can't you see that?"
Maria balked, a quick tightening in her throat making her next words all the harder to push out.
"I think you're being mean to distance yourself and hide something important from me."
She grabbed his bracers before he could, holding them away from him, which made Loki glare with frustration.
"Damn you, Maria. Don't make me take them from you."
"Tell me what's going on, and I'll let you go with no more fuss."
He made a feeble grab for the armor pieces, but missed since Maria anticipated the move and dodged him. She blocked the doorway and stared the trickster down with utmost determination.
He drew in a substantial breath, releasing the air with another slighted growl before admitting, "Thanos has bounty hunters tracking me. A team of them recently failed to recapture me in Alfheim."
The constriction in her throat returned, forcing Maria to swallow before asking, "Do you know where Thanos is hiding?"
He didn't move, not even to look away.
"At least some of his forces are in the caverns within Svartalfheim, the Dark World."
Maria remembered reading a report in which Thor detailed the desolate conditions of the Dark World. She had to get more out of Loki, if he would cooperate.
"How do you know?"
Loki's frown deepened with what might be regret.
"Thanos learned of the existence of magical passages between Yggdrasil's realms. He acquired that knowledge from me, and I followed his mercenaries there from Alfheim."
Maria thought over this information, asking, "Where can he go from the Dark World?"
"Svartalfheim has passages to Asgard, Nidavellir and Jotunheim. All three of which have passages into Midgard."
Maria left the doorway, moving forward to use proximity to her advantage in calming him.
"I think we could really use your help on this."
He shook his head. "I'm sure Fury and the Avengers would beg to differ."
He held out his hand to receive the armor pieces. His frame stiffened and eyes turned cold as they stared into hers. There was no use saying or asking more. His demeanor made it clear he had run out of patience.
Maria gave him the bracers.
Loki skirted around her for the living room. His form dissolved behind a concealment spell right before the door leading out to the corridor opened and he slipped away.