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"Loki, this is amazing!" said man smiled brightly and chuckled when Ven took another sip of the drink Loki made for him.
"You've gotten good, Loki; almost as good as Haruven!" Neville complimented.
"He is already as good as I am," Haruven said as Loki took a seat in the armchair beside Haruven.
"You're giving me too much credit," he said, although his lips were tilted into a small, prideful smirk.
"Loki, did I ever lie to you?" Haruven said only to wince and place his hand on his quite big stomach.
"He's kicking again?" Loki asked worriedly and Haruven nodded, closing his eyes as he waited for his son to calm down again.
"I can already tell that he will have Thor's strength." Haruven muttered and Neville and Loki exchanged a glance.
It's been 6 months since the war.
Loki lived with Haruven in the loft above the Starborn Café since everyone agreed life at the Avengers Tower was a bit too exciting for someone who needed to stay calm and move as little as possible.
The moment Starborn Café reopened and Haruven redid the runes he had on the café, people came pouring in. Loki thought he would have to hide while they were there considering the whole world knew his face, but after the first few customers came and after a few words from Haruven, word got out about what happened to Loki and no one had problems with his presence.
Haruven taught him a lot of things. Loki had to admit that these past 6 months were the happiest in his life.
He never even imagined he would enjoy working with so many people. He managed to meet both oldest and newest friends of Haruven, and even made a few friends he remained in constant contact with.
He enjoyed working there. He enjoyed helping the wizard. He enjoyed listening to people; talking with them, learning from them.
He enjoyed life.
"Teddy sends his greetings," Neville said and Haruven sighed and finally relaxed in his chair, closing his eyes for a second. "Are you alright?" Haruven hummed lowly.
"I am," he said and rubbed his growing stomach absentmindedly. "I'm as well as I can be. Loki has been a huge help here in Starborn and he's been taking great care of me. I don't know if I would have made it without him."
Loki blushed when Haruven gifted him with that grateful smile of his Loki still couldn't look at without feeling that slight tinge of guilt bite at his consciousness.
But he wasn't insane enough to mention it. Last time he did Haruven held him under a Tickling Charm for 3 hours straight!
"What kind of brother-in-law would I be if I didn't stick around to help you?" he said and a knowing look glimmered in Haruven's eyes making Loki chuckle uncomfortably.
Even though Haruven was 7 months pregnant, which was making it highly difficult to move and his magic now greatly concentrated around the baby, Loki learned Haruven was still a force to be reckoned with.
Just under a month ago a group of demons that fought in the war, namely Urameshi Yusuke, Yoko Kurama, Jaganashi Hiei and the Prince of Makai, Koenma came for a drink, and Yusuke and Hiei, obviously being their normal selves, got into a fight. They ended up hanging upside down from the roof for an hour when Yusuke accidentally broke a glass. Even though they were demons they couldn't break Haruven's spell.
Loki got a taste of Haruven's magic as well several times.
Every time he would mention redemption or the fact that he did wrong, Haruven would either hex him or smack him over the head if he was close enough.
Loki still couldn't believe that the wizard forgave him for what he did to him, for what he did to everyone, but the fact was that he did. Haruven accepted him, talked with him, smiled at him, teased him and taught him so very much.
Loki realized after the first few days of living with Haruven why his brother loved him; why Thor was willing to sacrifice his life for Haruven.
Loki was ready to do whatever Haruven asked just to make sure that the wizard would smile. He came to love Ven just as much as he loved Thor.
"I almost forgot!" Haruven looked at Loki. "You're having a date this Saturday, right?"
Loki rolled his eyes. "I already told you I'm not going. There is a chance we'll have work on Saturday night and I can't leave you here alone."
"And I already told you that I can handle it!" Haruven exclaimed in exasperation. "Besides, I can simply close the café when you go to pick up Rogue." Haruven shrugged and Loki pursed his lips doubtfully.
"Listen to him, mate." Neville advised. "You need to get out, and I can tell you really like this girl."
"Besides, now that Bruce and Betty are back together, you've lost your playmate." Haruven teased, referring to Loki's and Bruce's Chess duels they had every Saturday night for the past months.
"I know, and I really do like Rogue, but I don't wish to leave you alone. Maybe we could stay here…"
"So I could feel like the third wheel? No." Haruven stated dully, and Loki sighed. "You're forgetting that I am pregnant not sick, and definitely not crippled."
"But I…"
"One night alone won't kill me." Haruven cut Loki off, shooting him through with a glare. "I still have two more months until the due date, Loki, please go out and have some fun."
Loki groaned, rolling his eyes and tilting his head back. "Can't you let me win an argument just once?"
"No!" Haruven looked at him incredulously and Neville laughed.
"I told you!" he muttered.
"Fine! I'll go out with Rogue." Loki flailed his hands in a jerking motion and Haruven grinned at him slyly.
"And you won't come home at least until Sunday afternoon," he said and Loki glared at him.
"Now you're crossing the line."
"You haven't gotten out of this café since we moved in!"
"Well, hello kettle I'm the black pot!"
"I'm pregnant!"
"The same reason why I hadn't gone out!"
"Oh, so it's my fault you have been postponing asking Rogue out?"
"No!"
"Well then what's the bloody problem?!" Haruven snapped and Loki shut up. "Like I said, Loki, I'm pregnant. I'll just lock the Café and read a book. Maybe even pay a visit to Tony and everyone on Sunday."
Loki sighed and rubbed his forehead tiredly, glaring at Neville when he snickered. "I just can't win against you, can I?"
"You deserve some happiness in your life, Loki." Haruven spoke wisely, urging Loki to listen to him with a pleading stare.
"But I am happy." Loki insisted and Haruven shook his head.
"Rogue likes you a lot. You're immune to her powers, you both have the same sense of humor and I do believe that you would be happy with her. Don't put your life on hold just because I'm alone." Haruven said and the other two frowned.
"There's been no word…"
"No." Haruven answered Neville's unfinished question and heavy silence settled between them. A moment later Haruven smiled and looked at them with his head tilted to the side and his eyes glimmering warmly. "But I'm not losing hope. I can feel he's well. I can feel his warmth, his strength. He will come back; sooner or later. I know he will." Loki and Neville smiled at him and nodded.
"I have no doubt about it." Neville said. "No doubt at all."
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"Dean! Cas! I'm so happy to see you!" Haruven called out.
"Take it easy there, baby seal!" Dean teased with a big smile when he saw Haruven trying to get out of his fluffy armchair. Loki chuckled and helped Haruven up and Dean hugged Haruven lovingly. "How are you two?" he rubbed Haruven's stomach before he made place for Castiel.
"Active," Haruven said and hugged Castiel tightly.
"Indeed," Castiel said when he felt the kick. "He is strong."
"Can I bring you something?" Loki asked.
"Just our usual," Dean said and Loki nodded.
"Sit, you," Loki said to Haruven and the raven haired man rolled his eyes while Dean snickered at him and Castiel chuckled.
"He's acting like I could give birth any minute." Haruven muttered taking a seat in what was deemed his armchair.
"Well you sure look like it," Dean said and Haruven glared at him.
"Just for that I'm charging you double." He grumbled, crossing his arms over his stomach.
"You look well," Castiel said and shot Dean a small warning glance, making his lover roll his eyes.
"I'd look even better if this little one allowed me to get more than three hours of sleep, and I'm told it will get worse!" Haruven pouted, rubbing his stomach, obviously trying to calm his active baby.
"Well, be happy it's that way. I'm still peeved at you for that stunt you pulled. Fighting when pregnant…"
"Dean, we've been over this." Dean rolled his eyes and Haruven huffed. "Please, leave it be?" Dean sighed. "Tell me, how is Sam?" Haruven changed the subject, much to everyone's amusement, but it appeared as though they were willing to please him since both Dean and Castiel backed off.
"He passed his exams," Castiel said. "And it seems there is something going on between him and Sado, since the two remained in contact for a while."
"Yeah, two gentle giants those two." Dean muttered and Haruven chuckled.
"Any news from your brothers and sisters?" Castiel shook his head.
"No. Ever since they informed me that they didn't join the fight because they saw we would win, they hadn't contacted me. Although there has been commotion among them as of late. I just cannot understand why."
Haruven hummed. "They would warn us if there was something dangerous at foot," Haruven said. Castiel and Dean smiled at Loki when he brought them their drinks and took a seat in the armchair beside Haruven.
"How has everyone been?" Dean asked.
"Well, Natasha and Clint are together now. Tony and Pepper are thinking of widening their family a bit. Steve as much as I understand has been talking with Dr. Jackson a lot, so there might be something brewing there, and Bruce and his old girlfriend Betty Ross are together again." Haruven counted and looked at Loki with a teasing smirk. "And my dear brother-in-law managed to catch the heart of the greatest bachelorette in the world."
"Ven, please…"
"What?" Ven shot Loki an innocent glance and Loki rolled his eyes.
"Any news from Asgard?" Dean asked and Haruven sighed.
"No. Odin and Frigga came to visit a few weeks ago. They wanted me to come to Asgard, but to be perfectly honest I don't want to leave Earth just yet. Maybe right before the due date. Besides, by then Loki will be able to completely replace me here at Starborn."
Loki tsked and shook his head. "No one will ever be able to replace you here, Ven. Starborn is yours. Always was and always will be."
"You're right about that," Dean said and toasted Loki with his beer.
"Did you think about names?" Castiel asked and Haruven smiled.
"I didn't have to think much." He placed his hand on his stomach and gently rubbed the baby bump. "Gilead. His name will be Gilead."
"Starborn," Castiel said and Haruven nodded.
"That's a good name," Dean said.
"You think?" Haruven asked. "I thought that Thor would like it."
"I'm sure he will," Loki said and placed his hand on Haruven's shoulder.
"He'll love it," Dean said and Castiel nodded. Haruven chuckled lowly and looked at them.
"Yes. He will."
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"Good Heavens, Loki, please; just go already!" Haruven begged, watching the Sorcerer of Asgard as he hopped in his place, wringing his hands together nervously.
"Maybe I should call her and tell her I'll be a few minutes late. I'll just swipe the…"
"Loki the damn floor can wait until tomorrow, alright?!" Haruven groaned and pulled Loki into a hug. Loki chuckled when he felt the baby hit against his stomach. "See? Even your unborn nephew wants you to go," Haruven said and took a few steps back.
Loki rolled his eyes, straightened and spread his arms slightly to the side. "How do I look?" Haruven looked him over. The pale green turtleneck tucked into black trousers and a black leather jacket looked good on him. It accented Loki's strong build and stunning eyes quite well.
"Good enough to eat." Haruven winked at him, and Loki chuckled.
"Will she like it?"
"She'll love it. She already loves you. Now go!" Loki laughed, quickly darted forward to kiss Haruven's cheek before he left Starborn Café and walked out into the chilly late autumn wind.
The moment the door closed Haruven sighed and looked around the café. The clock Thor gave him showed it was 19:25, and Haruven walked slowly to the back of the café. He turned to look around again and with a snap of his fingers the fires burned out. He walked up the stairs and into the living room. Taking a seat on the couch, he pulled a blanket around himself and turned the TV on. He changed channels until he came upon some documentary about owls and settled on the couch. He raised his legs with a groan, put a pillow under his stomach and rested his head on the armrest of the couch.
He couldn't believe that it's already been a year since Bruce Banner walked into his café for the first time.
He could hardly believe that everything that happened, everything they went through managed to fit into a single year.
He placed his right arm under his head, while he rested his left hand on his stomach.
It wasn't often that he was alone, but when it would happen, everything would come crashing down on him. Memories of the battle would flash through his mind overlapping with the Wizarding War and all the missions he undertook as an Auror and then an Unspeakable.
It was at those times when Thor's absence weighed on him the most.
He could smile, he could laugh, but he couldn't lie to his heart.
He missed him. He wanted him close.
As the due date for their son's birth grew closer and closer, Haruven wanted more and more for Thor to come back. Even though he had the support of his friends and family he couldn't help but fear that without Thor he wouldn't make it.
His magic focused more and more on his son and creating a birthing channel. He didn't say it to anyone, but he was afraid. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to handle the birth. He was afraid that he would leave his son alone, just like he was left practically alone.
He closed his eyes and rubbed his stomach when his son kicked slightly.
"I'll do my very best, my son." He whispered lovingly. "I'll do everything in my power to give you the childhood I never had." Sleep was slowly starting to claim him. "I promise." He whispered as he fell asleep not feeling the slight shift in the air, nor seeing the skies darken with clouds.
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Haruven woke up with a start when he felt a warm wave of power wash over him. "What the…" he sat up as quickly as he could when something crashed downstairs. His heart started beating loudly in his ears. He looked at the digital watch under the TV and frowned.
It was only 23:17.
Loki shouldn't be anywhere near home.
'Unless something went wrong,' he thought and slowly stood up. It was getting increasingly harder to do so.
"If you get any bigger son, I won't be able to go down the stairs." Haruven muttered as he walked slowly towards the door. He turned the light on in the hallway, making his way down the stairs, one hand on his stomach and the other on the wall.
He couldn't hear any sounds coming from down stairs as he slowly pushed the door open and entered the darkness of the café. "Loki?" he called only to stop in his tracks. Weak light was coming through the windows at the front of the café outlining a tall, muscular figure.
Haruven's eyes widened, his breath hitched in his throat and his heart started beating loudly in his chest. 'It can't be,' he thought as he slowly moved over to the bar holding on to it with a trembling hand since his knees felt like they would fail him.
"Ven?" a familiar raspy voice tickled his ears and Haruven weakly flicked his wrist. Fire lit up in the fireplaces, slowly lighting the room and tears came to Haruven's eyes.
"Thor..." He whispered brokenly and the God of Thunder swallowed difficultly. He took small, hesitant steps forward, almost as though he was afraid that this was a dream.
He took Haruven in from head to toe. His long lean legs, dressed in white, wide, comfortable looking pants. His slightly rounder hips, the obvious baby bump; the big, white shirt that fell over his right shoulder and his long, raven hair that danced around him in velvety strands. His slightly fuller cheeks; rosy lips and wide, beautiful eyes.
Thor fell on his knees in front of Haruven, looking up at him with glassy eyes.
Haruven let go of the bar, and reached with a shaking hand to brush a strand of Thor's sun-kissed hair away from his forehead.
Thor raised his hands slowly and placed them on Haruven's thighs. He bowed his head and rested his forehead on Haruven's stomach.
Haruven shivered and entwined his fingers in Thor's hair. Tears were flowing down his cheeks freely, his heart was beating loudly in his ears and he felt as though he would faint.
"I thought I had imagined," Thor whispered as he kissed Haruven's stomach lovingly. "I thought it a dream."
"Is this – is this a dream?"
Thor looked up at Haruven, holding his breath. He stood up on shaky legs, cupped Haruven's face in his big, warm hands and looked into his tear filled eyes. "I am here, min stjarna." Thor whispered. "I came home to you."
Haruven's lips quivered. His hands fisted in Thor's white, button up shirt and a sharp breath left his mouth. "You're back." His voice broke as a smile pulled on his lips. "You're back!" in that moment Thor bowed down and kissed him.
6 months.
6 long months of hoping and waiting and praying.
6 months of not knowing whether either one was alive and well.
6 months of fearing they were alone.
Thor laughed weakly when he felt a hit against his stomach and looked down in Haruven's eyes. "Your son welcomes you home." Haruven choked out and Thor swallowed over a lump. He reached down and placed his hand on Haruven's stomach and shivered when he felt another, softer kick. "Thor, what…"
"Hush..." Thor gasped and kissed Haruven again. He rested his forehead against Ven's and pulled him as close as he could. "There will – there will be time for that." He pushed his hands under Haruven's shirt to feel his soft, warm skin.
Haruven's breath hitched in his throat and he kissed Thor hard. He yelped when Thor picked him up and moved for the back. Haruven wrapped his arms around Thor's neck as the God of Thunder carried him over to his bedroom kicking the door open and walking right over to the bed. He laid Haruven on it lovingly and crouched over him, careful of their son.
He kissed Ven again and moaned when Haruven's hands fisted in his hair. "I missed you." Thor growled between kisses. "I missed your scent. I missed your smile. I missed – I missed your touch and voice and…"
"I know…" Haruven gasped and moaned. "I dreamed – I hoped – I waited – I waited for you. I knew you would come back to me. I knew you would come back to us." Thor groaned and nibbled on Ven's bottom lip as he pushed his hands under Haruven's shirt and pushed it up and over Haruven's head.
He stopped and hesitated before he crawled back and kissed Haruven's stomach lovingly. He looked up and saw Haruven's beautiful green orbs looking down at him with so much love, desire and passion that his heart felt as though it would break.
"Ven." Thor whispered and quickly climbed over Haruven again kissing him for all it was worth.
"Love me. Please. I haven't felt your touch in so long." Haruven whispered in a wavering voice.
"I don't – I can't …"
"It's alright." Haruven whispered and entangled his fingers in Thor's hair. "We just have to be careful. It's alright."
Thor groaned and rested his forehead on top of Haruven's head. "I have dreamt of this for so long."
"Show me. Remind me of your touch, Thor. Please. I missed you so much."
Thor nodded and looked in Haruven's eyes. "As you wish." Thor kissed Haruven lovingly as he dragged one hand up his thigh and side. His thumb passed over Haruven's left nipple and the wizard moaned into the kiss.
Thor moved back and kissed down Haruven's neck and shoulder until he reached his other nipple and latched his mouth onto it, and Haruven groaned in pleasure and arched closer to Thor.
His whole body was shivering and pleasure was coursing up and down his spine. His breath hitched in his throat when Thor moved lower, brushing his hands down Ven's sides and pushing them inside his pants as he kissed down his stomach. He moved back and pulled Haruven's pants down, taking off his own shirt as he gazed down at his beautiful husband.
The skies cleared and moonlight broke through the window, bathing his Wizard into silvery light.
"Thor?"
"You are beautiful, my sweet." Thor whispered as he unbuttoned his pants and got off the bed to take them off.
Haruven moaned at the sight of his god's beautiful, strong, muscled body, and proud cock, his own twitching in expectation. He pushed himself higher into the middle of the bed as Thor kneeled on the edge, crawling closer to him. He settled between Haruven's parted legs and kissed the inner sides of his thighs. Haruven moaned and threw his head back when Thor took his cock into his mouth, sucking on it hungrily like a man thirsty for water.
Haruven moaned loudly, his head thrown back as Thor sucked him off. "So long – too long…" breathless moans left Haruven's lips as he trashed on the bed in throes of passion.
He arched off of the bed almost completely when he felt Thor's finger breach his tight entrance and he came with a choked up scream.
Thor climbed over him, kissing his stomach in passing, his finger still working its way into Ven's tight channel. He kissed Haruven lovingly as he pushed in the second finger, making Haruven moan. He took Thor's face in his trembling hands and pulled him into a kiss. Thor pushed one hand under Haruven and raised him up slowly as he kneeled on the bed. He pulled his fingers out of Haruven and then pulled him to his knees.
He settled behind his wizard, his hands on Haruven's waist, and pulled him against his chest as he aligned his cock with Haruven's loosened entrance and slowly, ever so slowly pushed in. Haruven moaned, his hands gripping Thor's wrists as he took him in inch by inch.
After what seemed like an eternity later Thor was fully inside Haruven. He placed one hand on Haruven's stomach while he wrapped the other around Haruven's chest and hugged him close, kissing Ven's shoulder, breathing in his scent and soaking in his warmth.
"Thor – please…" Haruven breathed out and Thor moved his hands down to Haruven's hips. Haruven was holding on to Thor's wrists as though they were a lifeline, and he threw his head back when Thor started to thrust slowly. "Oh god!" Haruven gasped as Thor grabbed his dick and started pumping slowly in time with his thrusts.
He grunted and buried his face in Haruven's neck.
He was close.
He was so close.
6 months without Haruven's touch.
6 months without his scent.
6 months without his warmth.
It was 6 months too much.
"Please – more – I need – Thor – I…"
"I love you." Thor gasped as he started moving faster. Haruven's mouth opened in a silent scream and he leaned his head back on Thor's shoulder. "I'll always love you."
"Thor…"
"Always."
"Thor!" Haruven screamed as he came, and Thor grunted lowly when the tight heat around him grew even tighter.
He wrapped his arm around Haruven's chest as he came, holding on for dear life. He slowly raised Haruven and laid him down on the bed. He pulled the covers over the both of them as he lied down behind his half asleep husband, wrapped his arms securely around him and kissed his shoulder. "I love you, mín líf; mín ástr, mín mani edam stjarninn." (my life, my love, my moon and stars)
"I love you too, my Thunder God. I love you too."
And for the first time in 6 months they fell asleep in each other's arms.
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