Chapter 2

A Chance at Hope

Loki sighed heavily, curling up on his bed. He felt terrible. He'd felt terrible for weeks now, alternating between nausea and ravenous hunger, though unfortunately his meals came at intervals that he didn't have any control over. Most of the time he wasn't even given the relief of emptying his stomach. He groaned and curled up tighter as another wave of nausea hit him, making his head swim and his stomach churn. If he ever thought about Thor these days, it was to blame him for what was happening to his body. He knew it was his pathetic brother's fault. Somehow it had to be.

"Loki?"

He looked up at the sound of Frigga's gentle voice. "Hello, mother," he sighed.

"Are you unwell, my son?" She sat down next to him, and he closed his eyes again when he felt her delicate fingers brush his hair back.

"I'm afraid so," he murmured.

"What have you been feeling?"

"Nausea," he grimaced. "That's been the worst of it. And I'm tired all the time."

Frigga nodded. "Is that all?"

Loki hesitated. "…Not quite." He sighed again. Perhaps Frigga could help. "I've also been hungrier than usual, and, I don't know if this is related, but it is abnormal…my chest has been aching…to the point where I can't lie on my front without pain."

Frigga frowned. "Well that is odd." What was even odder was that she recognized the list of symptoms. "Would you sit up for me, so I can take a look at you?"

Loki nodded, pushing himself up with some effort. Frigga cupped his face carefully, and Loki closed his eyes again when he felt her magic flowing into him. He let her in easily, her magic as familiar as his own. This was hardly the first time she had examined him like this. Whenever he had felt poorly or been injured as a child, she had always been the only person he wanted to care for him.

After a few moments, Frigga lifted her hands just barely off Loki skin, moving them down his body slowly, letting herself be guided to the source of the problem. Her initial suspicions were confirmed when her hands settled just over Loki's lower abdomen and she felt the so-called problem.

Loki could feel that Frigga had found the source and opened his eyes. "What is it, mother?" Frigga sighed, her gaze flicking up to Loki's. This would be quite the shock.

"You are pregnant."

Loki blinked. "I-I'm…" he laughed dryly. That couldn't be true. "Mother, be serious…"

"I am being serious, Loki." Frigga took her hands away for now, folding them in her lap. "You're about nine weeks along from what I can tell."

"Weeks?" Loki shook his head. "Mother, how could that even be possible? How can I be…?"

"You know your body is different from that of most Asgardians."

"Yes. I know." His voice was hard. Different from most Asgardians, but perfectly normal for… "I knew that I had certain 'female'," he ground the word in his teeth, "parts to my body. But I wasn't aware that they were all present and…fully functional."

"Well it appears they are," Frigga sighed. "I knew there was a chance that this could happen. I wanted to tell you, but when you were younger it would have meant explaining too much, and with all the chaos as of late there just wasn't time."

"I know," Loki could never stay angry with Frigga. He normally could even get angry with her in the first place. "I know…"

"To be honest, what I am most curious about is who the father is," Frigga watched Loki carefully. "You hadn't mentioned that anyone else had been visiting you, aside from myself."

Loki swallowed hard. There was only one possibility. He looked away. "He hasn't visited in more than a month…I didn't think it was relevant anymore. I was trying to forget."

Frigga nodded. "Were these 'visits' consensual?"

Loki whipped his head around to stare at Frigga. She thought… "No! I-I mean yes…yes they were consensual, but no, no one's been…abusing me."

Tension visibly drained from Frigga's body. "Oh thank the gods," she murmured. "I couldn't bear…" she shook herself, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "So what did happen?"

"We…" Loki sighed. "We had a relationship, or something like one, for barely a couple of months. We fought and I told him not to come back. And he hasn't."

Frigga reached to place a hand on top of Loki's. "If you don't want him to know, or you just don't want to tell me, I will respect your wishes. And…" she sighed. "There are ways to end the pregnancy, if you would—"

"No!" Loki surprised himself with the volume of his own voice. He hadn't meant to yell, but his body had recoiled at Frigga's words, which scared him more than anything. He'd never wanted children; they had never interested him and seemed a burden more than anything else. But now that he had one, now that it was his, he couldn't just get rid of it. He felt ill at just the thought. "No…" he murmured again. "I'm keeping it."

Frigga merely nodded. "If that is what you wish, then that is what we'll do. I'll make sure that you're well taken care of."

"Mother, I'm in prison…"

"I won't see my grandchild born in a cell." Her voice left no room for argument. "I will speak with Thor. He can make arrangements for you."

Loki winced. "If that is what you want, then you will have no choice but to tell the father about my pregnancy."

Frigga's eyes widened momentarily, but she just nodded. "Thor is the father." And perhaps Loki's greatest shock was Frigga's complete lack of the same. "You two have always been close, drawn to each other," she said by way of explanation. "Now that you know you are not blood-related…well you wouldn't have needed the powers of prophecy to see this coming. Though the circumstances are far from ideal…"

Loki nodded slowly. He had always suspected that Frigga had premonitions, but that was the closest she had ever come to admitting it. He hesitated. "I don't want to see him."

"He will want to see you. Both of you."

Both of you…that made Loki's heart skip a beat, but he shook it off. "I don't care," he frowned, resting his head in his hands. "I don't want him to know. Make up some lie, tell him I am ill, but keep him away, keep everyone away."

"I will do as you ask," Frigga nodded. "Though, Eir will have to know. You'll need a real healer checking in on you." Loki agreed, despite his reluctance. "Do not worry, she is my oldest friend. If I ask her to keep a secret, she will."

"I believe you, mother."

Frigga was silent for a moment, then rested her hand on Loki's shoulder, only concern showing in her eyes. "And what will you do after the child is born?"

"I haven't thought that far yet." Loki admitted with a sigh. "I just found out about this. I will think of something."

Frigga sighed, but nodded her head. "Alright, my son. I will do as you ask." She rubbed his shoulder gently, then moved to stand up. But when a thought struck him, Loki grabbed for her hand, drawing her attention back. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to know…" he murmured, embarrassed now. "Is the…is it…" He swallowed. "Is everything alright with 'this'?" he just barely nodded to his stomach, but it was enough to set Frigga smiling.

"You child is perfectly fine," she murmured as she leaned to kiss Loki's forehead. "Growing strong and healthy. You have nothing to worry about."

Loki nodded, accepting the kiss. "Thank you," he breathed as a sigh of relief. Frigga smiled again.

"I will have everything sorted out within the week," she promised. "I have no doubt that there will be restrictions, but you will have proper rooms. No baby deserves to be born in a place like this."

Loki just nodded again. "Thank you, mother."

"You're welcome, my son." She kissed his forehead again before straightening up. Within seconds she had vanished.

Loki let his hand fall from where it had been when she held it. Slowly, almost nervously, he lay back down on his side. He pulled one leg up, then the other, lowering his head to stare at his stomach, noticing the slight curve that he had ignored before. He settled one arm under his head and moved the other down, his hand fluttering nervously away once before resting on his stomach.

"We'll be alright…" he murmured, still almost unable to believe what had happened. He was speaking to his baby. Remembering what Frigga had done, he let magic flow from his hand into his stomach, keeping it passive so as not to cause harm. It moved deeper and deeper, until it curled gently around the new presence. Loki gasped out loud when he felt the life force inside him, tiny but strong and very, very real. His breath came out choked as he curled up tighter, keeping his hand pressed to his belly even as he pulled his magic back. He didn't want to make a mistake and hurt the child, his child. "I'll keep you safe," he whispered and his eyes burned with sudden tears. "I'll keep you safe, my little one."

xxxxxx

Nearly three months had passed since Loki was moved into his new room. It was smaller than what his old suite had been, but it was certainly larger and nicer than a cell. The first thing he'd done when Frigga had brought him here was collapse on the bed and almost immediately fall asleep. After more than a year of sleeping on the cot in his cell, a real bed was paradise.

Frigga had explained the rules of his new confinement plainly. He was not allowed to leave this room, and guards would be posted outside day and night in addition to a shield which had been placed around the room, restricting his magic in the same way that the barrier in the cell had. Only Frigga and Eir were allowed to enter and see him. As king, Thor's permission to enter was implied, but he had never acted on it, respecting Loki's wish that he stay away. Frigga had mentioned more than once how he constantly asked about Loki's condition and worried about him, but Loki had never reacted well, sometimes yelling at Frigga to stop bringing him up. The former queen had always taken the outbursts well, and Loki would blame the pregnancy for his raging emotions once he'd calmed down.

At nearly twenty-four weeks along, Loki's pregnancy was obvious. Frigga had supplied him with clothes that hung loose over his mid-section, and brought him remedies to soothe the aches and pains that came with carrying a child. But despite the discomfort it brought, Loki's mood regarding his pregnancy at any given time was something like joyful. Or at least, as much joy as he could feel given his situation. He loved to feel his baby kick and often found himself curled up on his bed or in the armchair by the large window, running his hands over his stomach and speaking quietly to the baby. He knew the child probably couldn't hear him, but it made him feel better. He would talk about anything, from describing the scenery outside to his own emotions, things he'd thought he'd never say to anyone. How abandoned and betrayed he'd felt when he'd discovered that he had been taken from Jotunheim as a baby; how lost he had been and how easy that had made it for someone else to take control of him. It brought him to tears when he found it in himself to apologize for what he'd done, to admit how much he regretted it. He tried at first to make excuses for himself but eventually gave up. There wasn't an excuse for what he'd done; he'd hurt so many people, he'd even tried to kill his own brother, the man he cared for most deeply, more than once. It was his fault that his baby was being born under circumstances that no child should have to suffer. He ended up apologizing for that more than anything else.

He was no closer to a plan for what to do once the baby was born. Every option seemed more awful than the last. His worst fear was that he would be forced to give the baby up, that it would be taken to be raised by another family, and that he would go back to prison, never to see his child. The very idea made him weep. And what if the adoption were to be unveiled later? Loki couldn't bear the idea of his child going through what he had. More than anything, Loki wanted to keep his baby, raise it as his own, but he knew that there was only one person who could help him do that.

Thor had to be told.

He'd come to that conclusion slowly, reluctantly, but surely. It was a risk, but it could not be denied that he would need the king's help to plan for his future. At the worst, Thor would react out of anger and decide to send the child away, and at best Thor could banish Loki to raise his child alone. There was no way that Thor would want the baby, a bastard conceived with his own brother. For all his words of love, Thor had to have a limit.

Loki sighed heavily, leaning his head against the window pane. Today was the day, he'd decided. Today he would tell Frigga that he wanted to speak with Thor. He was expecting her to arrive at any moment, since it was nearly midday and she was the one who delivered all his meals. They'd thought it best to involve as few people as possible, and that included keeping servants away.

He looked up when he heard the lock click, and the door opened a few seconds later. Frigga smiled at him gently, sending a cart in front of her before entering the room. The cart rolled up next to his seat, seemingly of its own accord, though Loki could tell Frigga was using magic to control it. The former queen crossed the room after it, sitting down gracefully in the chair across from Loki's.

"How are you today, my son?"

"Well enough," Loki murmured, already having begun to eat. His taste for sweets had only grown with his pregnancy, and fruit was now his food of choice, since Frigga would hardly allow him to eat pastries for every meal.

"Any problems?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," he shrugged. "That mixture you gave me has helped by backaches significantly."

"I'm glad to hear it." Frigga smiled, though she was carefully watching Loki's face. "Is there something on your mind, love?"

Loki sighed. Frigga had always been better at reading him than anyone else. "I've been thinking…" he began.

"Of course you have."

"Mother, please be serious." Frigga quickly schooled her smile into a solemn expression.

"As you wish."

Loki shook his head, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "I need to speak with Thor. This won't work unless I have his help."

Frigga merely nodded. "I know."

"You know?"

"I also knew that you would never accept that conclusion unless you came to it of your own accord."

Loki resisted the urge to pout. "You're probably right…" he sighed.

"So what shall I say to him?"

"Just say that I want to see him. That there's something we need to discuss." He gestured to his stomach, glancing down. "Once he's here, this will speak for itself."

"Indeed."

Loki looked up at Frigga. "So will you bring him here?"

"Of course," she nodded. "When would you prefer?"

"As soon as possible." He shook his head. "Before I think too much about it." Frigga chuckled softly at that, though there wasn't much humor in her expression.

"He'll be busy for the rest of the day, but I can send him here tonight, after evening meal." Frigga reached to place a hand on Loki's knee. "I'll be here with you if you really want it, but I think it would be better for the two of your to meet alone. There is much that needs to be said in private."

Loki sighed heavily but nodded. "I suppose you're right."

xxxxxx

The day could not have passed more slowly. By the time darkness had fallen outside and Loki knew Thor would be arriving soon, he was pacing back and forth. His heart was pounding as he tried to predict what Thor would do or say, but he couldn't think straight. When he heard Thor's footsteps coming down the hallway he very nearly panicked, quickly sitting down in his chair by the window and watching the door. He tried to take deep breaths, to calm himself if only for the sake of the baby, who probably wasn't pleased by the adrenaline surging in Loki's system.

Thor opened the door a few moments later, and at first looked more surprised than anything else. "Loki…" he murmured as the door clicked shut. "You look…well?"

For someone who was supposed to be suffering from some terrible illness he probably did look well. Loki quickly realized the Thor probably couldn't see his stomach's new shape because of how he was sitting. He sighed. The words wouldn't come, so he just carefully stood up, watching Thor's face change. The expression really was priceless, something between shock, confusion and…fascination? Loki wished he was in a mood that would allow him to appreciate it a little more. They were quiet for a long while, but when Thor's eyes fell to Loki's stomach one too many times, Loki rested his hands over it protectively.

"Are you going to say anything?" he muttered.

"Is it mine?"

Loki sighed. Of course that was the first thing out of Thor's mouth. "Yes, Thor. It's yours." He sighed as he sat back down, pulling his legs up into the chair as well, curled up around his baby. Thor was across the room faster than Loki would have thought possible, but evidently hadn't thought through what he was going to do once he got there. He awkwardly sank down into the chair across from Loki, watching him the whole time.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think you needed to know."

"You didn't think I needed to know?" Thor's voice was caustic. "You're pregnant with my child and you didn't think I needed to know?"

"I am pregnant with my child!" Loki hissed, curling up tighter. "Ours is a stretch I am barely willing to make. He is by no means yours."

"He?"

Loki could have slapped Thor, but just ended up slapping his own hand against his forehead. "It's just a pronoun, Thor. I don't know anything for certain yet." Frigga had already confirmed that the baby was indeed male, but surely that wasn't their primary concern.

"But you can find out, can't you?"

"Would you listen to yourself!" Loki exclaimed, staring, incredulous, at Thor. "You just found out that I'm pregnant, something we didn't even know was possible, and your only concern is whether it's a girl or a boy?!"

"I have other concerns as well, Loki…" Thor muttered, and it was only when Loki noticed how Thor had shrunk away from him that he realized how loudly he had been yelling. He shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he tried to relax back into his seat. Thor seemed to take that as permission to keep talking. "I am simply curious about all of this, about the condition of you both."

Loki sighed. He needed Thor's help, might as well throw him a bone. "We are fine. Healthy and growing normally." And Thor beamed at that. Loki just wanted to slap him again, but he was distracted when the baby started moving. He groaned under his breath, trying to readjust himself. "Not the time…" he murmured, rubbing his stomach gently in the hopes of calming the baby.

"What's wrong?" Loki was surprised by the look of concern on Thor's face.

"It's nothing," he lied. "Just nausea." Thor nodded. Even he would know the most common symptom of pregnancy, even if he couldn't recognize that Loki was far enough along so that nausea wouldn't be bothering him anymore.

"Do you need anything?" Thor was poised to stand, to bring Loki whatever he wanted. "Can I…help?" Loki raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected that.

"Yes Thor, you can help. But not with this."

"I'll do anything I can."

Loki sighed, leaning his head on his hand. Why did Thor have to seem like he cared so much? "Once the child is born…" Loki didn't notice when Thor nodded eagerly. "There is the matter of where he will be raised."

"Do these rooms not satisfy you?"

Loki's gaze flicked up to Thor's face, watching for any sign that Thor wasn't being completely genuine. He found none and that only made him more suspicious. But he might as well see where this could lead him. He folded his hands over his stomach and shrugged. "Well they are fine while it is only myself in here, but as the child grows he'll need more room to run around."

"Well he'll have the whole palace for that, of course, but I'll make arrangements for you to be moved to somewhere more suitable. You should be comfortable for the time being."

Loki could only stare. "I'm sorry, I believe I misunderstood you…"

"What did you not understand?"

Loki narrowed his eyes at Thor completely open expression. There was some catch. There must be. Thor couldn't mean…

"Did you think I was going to send you off somewhere to raise him yourself?" There was a long pause.

"The thought had crossed my mind…" Loki kept his voice level, but inside his heart was breaking into black. Of course, that's what Thor had meant. Loki had taken the risk and lost. Thor was going to take his baby away from him, but keep the child for himself. On instinct Loki put his arms over his stomach, protecting. Thor was still talking.

"Well of course he'll be raised here," Thor said it like it should have been obvious. "There's no reason for an innocent child to be confined."

"And what are your plans for me?"

Now it was Thor's turn to look confused. "What do you mean?"

Loki growled under his breath, shoving himself up out of the chair and moving away from Thor. "You'll lock me up again, never let me see him." He only made it as far as the bed, gripping the frame with one hand and covering his stomach with the other. He could hear Thor behind him, and slapped the man's hand away when he felt it brush his arm. "I won't let you take him!" Loki hadn't realized he was crying until now as he felt a tear slip down his cheek. "You won't take my baby! I won't let you!"

"Loki, wait, I'm not…"

"Yes, you are!" Loki screeched. Forget listening to Thor or to his own reason. He shoved Thor back, not that it did much, before stumbling to hit the wall and covering his face with one hand. "Please don't take him." And now he was begging. "Please, please I can't…if you take him…I…" He didn't even know what he was saying.

"Loki, you will raise him here." Loki looked up when he heard Thor's voice from directly in front of him. "No one will take your baby away from you. I promise you that."

"Why?" Loki shook his head, now with both arms over his stomach. "Why would you let me? There's no reason why you should. I'm a prisoner. I'm a criminal." He found himself with his face buried in Thor's shoulder, sobbing as the other man wrapped his arms gently around Loki. "You shouldn't even want him. Why would you ever want him?"

"I want him because he's ours," Thor murmured. Loki shook his head weakly as he whimpered, though he wasn't sure why. "And because I love you and I want to have this child with you. I would never take him away, and I'm not sending you back to that cell either."

Loki looked up at Thor, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Then what will you do with me?"

"I will keep you safe," Thor smiled. "I'll keep you both safe and with me."

"You'll keep me as your whore," Loki cried, continuing despite the protests that quickly followed from Thor. "That's all I'll be, the king's whore."

"No, no you won't!" Thor insisted, holding Loki by the shoulders. "I won't force myself on you. I'll never touch you in that way again if you don't want it. But I will not allow the person I love, the person who has given me a child, to remain a prisoner. I won't stand for it."

Loki tried to shake his head again. There were so many flaws in Thor's foolish plan. Even as king he would never be able to make the rest of the realm accept it. But none of that mattered because Thor was suddenly kissing him hard. Loki spared a moment to whine softly but quickly gripped onto Thor, kissing back desperately. When Thor suddenly pulled away he whined again.

"I'm sorry," Thor murmured, dropping his hands to Loki's shoulders. "I said I wouldn't and then I just did—"

"Thor." Loki murmured and the blond met his gaze. "I'm in your arms, I'm kissing you in return; does it look like I don't want this?"

"Well…" Thor held his tongue for fear of saying the wrong thing. Loki shook his head.

"Let me rephrase. I'm in your arms, I'm kissing you in return; I want this." He pressed his lips against Thor's for the briefest moment. Thor nodded dumbly and Loki had to smile. "Kiss me already, you fool."

Thor smiled back and nodded again, but didn't lean in immediately. He moved one hand up to brush over Loki's cheek, then through his hair. Only after he'd cupped Loki's face in both his hands did he kiss him, gentle but unwavering. Loki rested his hands against Thor's chest, trying to move closer, though eventually his stomach got in the way. He huffed in annoyance but Thor chuckled.

"Just imagine what it will be like when he's even bigger," Thor spun Loki around, pulling him in closer so his back pressed against Thor's chest. "I'll only ever be able to hold you like this."

Loki allowed himself to laugh, o course Thor would be the one to make him laugh, though it turned into a purr when Thor kissed his neck, starting at the base where it met his shoulder and slowly moving up the pale column of skin to stop just below his ear. Thor's arms were fitted around him, strong and warm, and Loki relaxed into them easily. He had missed being touched like this.

"Would you let me…?"

"Hm?" Loki pulled himself out of his trance when he heard Thor speak.

"We don't have to if you don't want to…" Thor almost sounded nervous and Loki finally registered that the man's hand was hovering just above the tie that held his robe together. He smiled softly.

"Go ahead." He looked over his shoulder to kiss Thor lightly. Thor smiled briefly, deepening their kiss as he untied Loki's robe and slid it down his shoulders to pool on the floor. But when Thor's hands came back up to work on the tunic that had been underneath, reality kicked in and Loki stopped him, covering Thor's hands with his own and breaking the kiss.

"What's the matter?" Thor asked softly, only looking concerned. Loki bit his lip.

"It's just…" he looked down, away from Thor. "I look quite a bit different than I did when we last were together."

"Loki, I can see that even with your clothes still on."

"Well it's even more obvious when the clothes are off," Loki sighed, exasperated. He hadn't expected to be self-conscious like this, but it was impossible to deny that there had been a change in his body from the presence of the baby, not to mention the change in his eating habits. His body was now softer and fuller in many places that had never been soft or full before.

Thor rested his head on Loki's shoulder. "I told you I wouldn't try to force you, and I am going to stay true to my word," he kissed Loki's shoulder lightly. "We can just go to bed if you would prefer, but I want you to know this: I don't care that your body is changing." He smiled. "As far as I'm concerned, it's changing for the noblest cause there is. And that only makes you more beautiful to me."

Loki nodded slowly as he took in Thor's words. They didn't surprise him at all, now that he really thought about it. Besides, what was he going to do, hide himself completely from Thor for the next several months? Hardly… He looked over his shoulder again at Thor, who smiled back gently.

"And if I let you have me tonight, are you just going to leave once you've finished?"

Thor shook his head with surprising seriousness. "I will never abandon you again. I promise you that. I will spend my nights, and my days whenever possible, with you, if you will have me."

Loki smiled. "You really mean that, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

Loki smiled wider, laughing softly. "Go sit on the bed."

Thor looked confused for a moment, but at Loki's urging moved back, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Loki came to stand a few feet in front of him, slowly unlacing the front of his tunic before pulling his over his head. He kept his eyes on Thor and didn't drop the shirt right away, letting it rest on his forearms for a moment. When he finally tossed it to the floor, he watched Thor's eyes move over him slowly and smiled at the nearly reverent expression that came over the man's face.

"Come here." Thor held out his hands to Loki, who took them as he moved to straddle Thor's lap. When their hands parted, Thor's rested at Loki waist, while Loki draped his arms around Thor's neck.

"So how do you find me, brother?" Loki purred, leaning in closer when he felt Thor's hands move up his back slowly. Thor smiled and kissed Loki briefly before moving to kiss at his neck. Loki tipped his head to allow Thor easier access to his skin, winding his fingers in the blond hair that had been tantalizing his fingertips.

"Never think that you are unattractive, Loki," Thor murmured, and Loki sighed in contentment as the words brushed over his neck. "I will always find you beautiful, no matter what."

Loki gasped softly when that promise was sealed with a sharp bite to delicate skin, but smiled. "You've always been a sentimental fool," he breathed, his lips right next to Thor's ear.

"Well one of us has to be." Loki laughed at that, allowing Thor to kiss his lips again and eagerly returning the gesture. In a flash of playfulness he pulled Thor's lower lip between his teeth and nipped, smirking when Thor started at the suddenness of it. He pulled back slowly, pressing a light kiss just under Thor's mouth, though any apology that might have construed was diminished by the mischief in his eyes. Thor just smiled and shook his head.

"I love you," he murmured. Loki sighed and sat up a little as he ran his hands through Thor's hair again. "Truly I do," Thor continued, tipping his head to kiss the inside of Loki's wrist. "I would never lie about something like that."

"I know, Thor," Loki sighed again before kissing Thor lightly. "I know."

Thor nodded, pulling Loki closer to kiss him again. After a few moments, he laid him on the bed. Loki smiled and went easily, sliding his hands down to undo the clasp that held Thor's cloak together, shoving it out of his way. Thor chuckled as he tossed the cloak off the bed, his shirt following shortly after before their mouths were on each other once again. Loki kept his eyes closed even as Thor began to move down his body, placing a quick nip at the hollow of Loki's throat.

"You're just going to lie there, aren't you?"

"I think I've earned that." Loki smirked a bit, lazily glancing down at Thor. "You have no idea what carrying this child does to my body."

"I have some idea," Thor said, and the defensiveness made Loki chuckle. Hesitantly, Thor moved one hand to hover near Loki's stomach. "May I?"

Loki cocked an eyebrow. "No, Thor," he said sarcastically. "I want you to make love to me, but you must completely avoid touching my stomach." Thor still looked uncertain, but when he began to move his hand away Loki grabbed it, propping himself up a bit. "Gods, you oaf, yes it's alright!" he huffed.

"Just making sure you meant it," Thor muttered, carefully placing his fingertips on Loki's stomach. He very lightly traced the curve up to where Loki's chest flattened out, then back down, resting his palm just below Loki's navel. Loki gasped softly when the baby kicked sharply at Thor's hand, but he smiled when he saw the look of wonder cross the blond man's face.

"Was that him?" he breathed. Loki chuckled softly and nodded.

"Yes, he can be quite active, keeping me up all night just like you."

Thor smiled at Loki before looking back down at his stomach. He placed a light kiss at the spot where he'd felt the last kick, chuckling when another followed right against his lips.

"Stop making him kick me," Loki huffed.

"Sorry," Thor murmured, still obviously captivated by his new discovery. Loki allowed him a few more moments to explore, tracing light patterns on Loki's stomach, before he hit Thor's side with his knee. He raised an eyebrow when Thor looked up, confused.

"Forgetting someone?" Thor quickly looked sheepish when he realized that he'd been ignoring Loki.

"Sorry…" he mumbled again, moving up to kiss Loki, who tilted his head at the last moment so the kiss landed on his jaw.

"As much as I enjoy you touching me under any circumstances, I would much rather your intent be to touch me."

"I know…" Thor sighed. "I was just distracted; this is the first chance I've gotten—"

"I know," Loki cut Thor off and tipped his head to nuzzle Thor's cheek. "I'm not angry with you," he smiled. "Just mildly annoyed at most."

Thor smiled back, cupping Loki's chin to kiss him and this time Loki didn't resist. He returned the kiss slowly, wrapping his arms around Thor's neck and pulling the man with him as he lay back on the bed. Thor took the initiative to deepen the kiss, slipping his tongue into Loki's mouth, which opened readily to allow him access, and Loki responded with his own tongue against Thor's, sliding them together as he let out soft sounds of contentment and pleasure. He knew how Thor loved to hear him, so he didn't hold back. Thor's hands drifted down his body and Loki sighed at the fingertips caressing his skin, moaning softly when he brushed against a more sensitive spot, or when teeth came into play during their kiss. When Thor pulled away and began to lay kisses across Loki's body, his moans grew louder and he tangled his hands in Thor's hair. It was so gentle, so adoring, and Loki's body warmed under the soft affection. He eagerly kicked off his pants when Thor tugged them down, and helped Thor off with his just as quickly.

Thor was back to kissing Loki's body almost immediately, now laving attention at Loki's nipples. Just Thor's tongue there made Loki moan and shiver, but when Thor took on in his mouth to suck, Loki arched his back and whined far louder than he'd expected. Thor pulled back, worried he'd hurt Loki somehow.

"Don't stop." Loki was panting softly. "They're just more sensitive now, because of…"

Evidently Loki didn't need to say more, because Thor smirked and quickly returned his attention to Loki's chest. It quickly became clear that Thor was trying to discover just how sensitive Loki was now, and Loki shocked himself with the answer as he writhed and moaned, arching up against Thor's lips. He'd never felt so much from so little; his thighs were trembling, squeezed around Thor's waist, and Thor had to be aware of how hot and wet Loki was growing between his legs.

"Thor…" he whined, but was unable to frown when Thor only glanced up and smirked before starting to suck Loki's nipple again. Instead he cried out, gripping Thor's hair tightly and letting out a long moan when Thor didn't stop. He was going to come, just from this, he could feel it growing. "Thor…Thor, I—AH!" Loki arched his back sharply when Thor bit down and seconds later he was coming, shaking in Thor's arms as the blond continued his ministrations until Loki was whimpering beneath him.

"That's another change I like," Thor smirked and, through his daze, Loki only nodded weakly, which drew a chuckle from Thor. He cupped Loki's chin and kissed him lightly, though it was a few seconds before Loki responded in kind.

"That was purposeful, wasn't it?" he breathed.

"Of course," Thor trailed one hand down Loki's body and to his slick entrance, carefully sliding two fingers inside. Loki's let out a low moan and rolled his head back as he eyes closed. He was still hypersensitive all over from his orgasm, being touched inside just made his head spin. Thor smirked. "You always like it more when I enter you after you've already finished once."

Loki smiled, gasping softly when Thor started to move his fingers in and out. "For a fool, you can be very observant," he teased but let out a whine when Thor pulled his fingers out. "Where are you goin—!" Loki's words were cut off by a yelp when Thor suddenly pulled him to the edge of the bed. "What are you doing!?"

"It will be easier for us both this way," Thor shrugged, just smiling. He still had a firm hold on Loki's thighs, and the dark-haired man finally realized how Thor had them positioned. The taller man was standing next to the edge of the bed with Loki's legs on either side of his body. Clearly, Loki's stomach would not get in their way like this.

"I see," Loki nodded, quickly wrapping his legs around Thor's waist. "Now hurry up."

Thor smiled, sliding his hands up Loki's thighs to hold his waist before starting to push into him slowly. Loki let out a gasp, thankful that Thor was gentle. He seemed to fill Loki impossibly. It had been far too long.

"Oh gods…" he laughed breathlessly. "Slow down."

Thor nodded in reply and, of course, obeyed, staying still inside Loki for several moments before he began to rock his hips, just barely moving inside Loki, like he had during their first time together. And just as it did then, the gentle movement set off stars behind Loki's closed eyes and brought a hint of smile to his parted lips as he revealed in the sensation of being filled by Thor. His smile grew when he opened his eyes lazily to find Thor eyes meeting his.

"You must find me fascinating to stare at me so," he teased, his voice airy from his pleasure.

"I find you beautiful, perfectly beautiful," Thor replied. "And I almost can't believe that you would allow me to have you this way."

Loki shook his head, almost rolling his eyes. "Believe it, darling. I'm not going anywhere right now."

Thor smiled. "And once we're finished here, are you going to run off?" Loki had to laugh softly at Thor's teasing, all thoughts of his confinement forgotten.

"Not if you continue to treat me like this," he grinned. "But for good measure, I think you should make me come so hard that I can't stand up to get away."

"By Hel, Loki…" Thor groaned and Loki only smirked more, letting out a soft moan.

"Come on, I know you can." And he certainly wasn't disappointed. Within moments Thor was slamming into him, making the bed shake with each thrust and Loki threw his head back to cry out in pleasure. "Thor!" he shouted, eyes shut tight as he gripped the blankets with both hands. "Gods! Thor, yes! Just like that!" He could barely hear Thor's quieter sounds, past his own yelling, but smiled when he did, forcing his eyes open. Thor's eyes had been closed as well, but he seemed almost to sense that Loki was looking at him, for he returned his gaze moments later.

"Loki…" he panted, and when he leaned closer Loki pushed himself up as much as he could to meet him for a kiss. It was messy, rough and their mouths could hardly touch because of their contorted position, but it was perfect nonetheless, and teeth and tongues took over when their lips failed, often causing sweet pain that only fed their pleasure. Loki had to collapse back onto the bed after his arms gave out, weakened by the shockwaves that each of Thor's harsh thrusts forced through him.

"Touch me…" he begged, his eyes closed again. But no sooner were the words out of his mouth then did Thor thrust hard into him and stop moving completely. Loki shouted in frustration and he eyes flashed open to glare at Thor, but he found only amusement looking back at him.

"Why should I touch you, Loki?" Thor panted softly, and Loki shivered when he felt Thor's fingertips trialing over his inner thigh. His whole body was tense with the need for release, but he would not be denied because Thor decided to play a game with him. He smirked, trying to ignore the unsatisfying pleasure that burned through him at having Thor just stay still inside him.

"Because I need to come," he purred, tightening himself around Thor suddenly and smiling when that pulled a soft groan from the man. "Isn't that what you want to see?"

"Of course," Thor replied and Loki gasped when he began to move slowly in and out. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough, but it kept his body tense and wanting. "Can't you touch yourself and make yourself come?"

Loki whined softly as he looked up at Thor. He pretended it drove him crazy, but he loved when Thor played these games. There was nothing like being made to wait. His whole body was trembling with the need for more. "Because I want it to be you," he breathed, moving his hands up Thor's arms to grip his shoulders. "Please, I want you to make me come."

And of course that was just what Thor wanted to hear. Within moments Thor was thrusting hard and fast into Loki, who nearly screamed when he felt Thor's hand on his length, stroking smoothly and quickly. He toes curled as he locked his legs around Thor's waist, arching his back with a shout as he finally came, his body remaining rigid and trembling for several seconds. He was vaguely aware of Thor's warm release inside him as he collapsed back against the bed, gasping for breath as lights sparked behind his eyes. He could hear Thor's heavy breathing as well and smiled, giggling the way he often did after Thor made him feel like that.

"Good work, brother," he panted softly, looking up at Thor, who returned his gaze when he heard Loki speak. "I'm not going anywhere." Loki laughed as he relaxed back against the bed. "Hel, I can barely feel my legs!"

"Well I'm glad to hear that you won't be running off," Thor laughed softly too, pulling out of Loki after a moment and laying beside him as their laughing quieted. They were silent for a long time, not even touching for a while until Thor laid his hand next to Loki's and their fingers intertwined. Loki smiled softly, though he kept his eyes facing the ceiling. He was utterly content.

"I love you." Thor's whisper broke the silence, and when Loki looked over he wasn't surprised to find Thor looking back at him. The blond man smiled a little. "I love you so much."

Loki sighed, his smile almost sad. "You want to hear me say it back, don't you?"

"Can you blame me?"

Loki shook his head, rolling onto his side so he and Thor were facing each other. "Do you think that I love you?"

"I hope that you do…"

"That is not what I asked," Loki sighed. He glanced down at their joined hands, running his fingers over Thor roughened palm. "Do you think that I love you?"

Thor was quiet for a while. "I am not sure," he sighed. "You can be so open and tender, and then suddenly you'll change and push me away. I never know which one to believe."

Loki nodded slowly. "I suppose that's true."

"So what are your feelings for me?"

Loki hesitated. He had always known what he felt, but saying it aloud would make it frighteningly real. He kept his eyes down. "Do you remember what I said to you before your first coronation those years ago? After you told me that I was incapable of sincerity…"

Thor chuckled at the memory. "You told me that, even though you are sometimes envious, I should never doubt that you love me."

"Well remembered," Loki smiled shyly. "What I said doesn't just apply to envy. Sometimes I am angry, or upset…even afraid." He slowly looked up at Thor. "But even then, you should never doubt that I love you."

He had expected passionate kisses from Thor at the confession, but all that came was one light kiss on his forehead, soft and pure as a gentle hand brushed over his cheek. "Thank you, my love." Loki smiled. That was really all he needed. And when he fell asleep next to Thor for the first time that night, he was certain that he had never been happier in his life, warm and safe in the arms of his beloved.