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Haruven sighed as he slowly woke up. He tensed up and his eyes opened wide when he realized someone was littering light, butterfly kisses over his shoulder and that a big, warm hand was rubbing his stomach comfortingly.

Quicker than he thought was possible in his condition he turned around and his breath hitched in his throat when his eyes fell on the smiling face of his mate, his husband, his lover; the father of his son.

"Good morning…" Thor murmured only to grunt and lose his breath when Haruven kissed him hard, flattening his body with Thor's as much as he could.

"I thought it was a dream." Haruven gasped against Thor's lips. "I thought – I thought I dreamed of you coming back as I did so many times."

"I am here, min líf." (my life)Thor whispered as he hugged Haruven close. He kissed him back with just as much love and joy and suppressed pain. "I am with you. This is no dream."

Haruven swallowed difficultly and rested his forehead against Thor's, soaking in his warmth and scent and overwhelming presence. "How?" he breathed out. "How did you come back? What happened?" Thor kissed him to stop his questions and cupped the back of his head. He entwined their legs under the covers and pulled Haruven's head to his chest. He kissed the top of his head as he combed his fingers through long raven strands, while he rubbed Ven's back comfortingly with his free hand. A small smile pulled on his lips when he felt the slight kick against his stomach and Haruven tensed up a bit.

"I drifted in the void for a while." Thor started speaking. "I do not know for how long. I was weak and drained and tired. I was constantly thinking of you, trying to think of a way to get out of there, but I could see no way out. Everything was dark. I could see nothing. All I could feel was the bond between us. Your warmth, you magic – it kept me sane. I didn't know how much time passed, but I started losing myself. I tried so hard to concentrate on you, and the thought of our son, but the void was starting to get to me. At one moment I did not know if it was a dream or reality. I started to lose touch with what was real and what was not. At one moment I started seeing light. I heard your voice in the darkness. Even though I was in pain, even though I had barely any strength left, I did my best to follow it. The light grew brighter and I finally lost consciousness."

Haruven pushed back a little and looked up at him with a frown. "What happened then?" Thor smiled at him and kissed him.

"I woke up in a white room." He caressed Haruven's face with the back of his fingers. "I wasn't alone. A woman and a man were with me. He had short, raven black hair and she had long, flowing, fiery strands and eyes as green as the first strands of grass in spring."

Haruven's breath hitched in his throat and his eyes widened, and Thor smiled and nodded at him.

"I was saved by those who created you, mín mani." (my moon)

"Mom and dad?" Haruven spoke in a strained, raspy voice and Thor nodded.

"Yes," he said. "They told me a lot of things as I healed. Since I am not human, they could not heal me. Apparently the powers of Angels differ greatly from those of Asgardians. They told me that the Goa'uld sent me in a world between worlds; that time flows differently there. What felt like days to me, was months here. I panicked. I asked them about you and they told me to calm down; that I was injured and weak and that I had to heal. They said that they had troubles finding me. That almost every available Angel was dispatched to look for me."

Haruven frowned at that. "Castiel. He told me that there seemed to be a commotion among Angels for a while. So it was…"

"Because of me." Thor chuckled. "They told me that they didn't join the war, but they observed everything from afar, and that they were allowed to go look for me when they saw your pain. They said that they have seen your struggles and that because of everything you did for Midgard, everyone you saved, and all the good you did, they were allowed by the Higher Powers to help me come back to you. I wanted to go back immediately, but they wouldn't let me. They said I needed to heal first and restore my powers."

"So – so they brought you back to me?" Haruven whispered with tears in his eyes. "They saved you and…"

"They are so proud of you." Thor whispered and kissed Haruven lovingly. "They asked me to tell you that they have always watched over you. I met several other people. I met those you lost and all of them are so proud of you, sváss." (beloved)

Haruven choked up a sob and buried his face in Thor's chest.

"I met one Remus Lupin and a charming lady who refused to be known as anything else but Tonks." Haruven laughed weakly and his shoulders shook. "They told me to thank you for raising their son; for raising him into a strong young man. A man named Sirius threatened me." Haruven chuckled again and hugged Thor tightly. "They all want you to be happy. All of them want you to live a good, long life. They are watching over you and they love you still." Haruven nodded against Thor's chest before he took a deep breath and raised his head.

"They brought you back to me," Haruven said. "I can't ask for anything else."

Thor kissed him lovingly only to pull back when Haruven winced. "What is it?" Thor asked worriedly.

"Your son likes to hit my bladder every once in a while." Haruven rolled away from Thor. The God of Thunder laughed and got to his knees when Haruven stood up. The sun shining through the window outlined Haruven's body in a soft, golden glow and Thor's heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Haruven's hand and stopped him before he bowed down to take his pants and shirt. "Thor…"

Thor kissed him. He placed his hand on Haruven's stomach, feeling the baby kick against his hand. He parted from Haruven's lips and bowed down to kiss the baby bump. "Do not torture your módir, nídr." (mother, son) Thor spoke teasingly and Haruven raised an eyebrow at him.

"What did you just call me?" Thor chuckled as he straightened again and stole a kiss from Haruven's lips.

"His mother. You are the one who is carrying him and who will give birth to him."

Haruven hummed and raised an eyebrow when his son actually calmed down. "I cannot believe this." He muttered and Thor laughed. "You've been here one night and he already listens to you." He bowed down slowly to pick up his clothes and pulled on his shirt. "I will be right back." He cupped Thor's face in his hands and kissed him lovingly before he all but ran for the bathroom.

Thor chuckled and looked around before he lied back down, sighed and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath taking in the scent of his beloved. 'I am home,' he thought and a smile pulled on his lips. 'I am finally home.'

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Thor walked into the kitchen and leaned against the doorway, watching as Haruven prepared breakfast for them. He stood by the stove flipping pancakes like a master. His shirt danced around his body, falling to the middle of his naked thighs, and his hair was bound in a messy bun at the top of his head.

Thor chuckled and Haruven started a bit. "Don't scare me like that!" he breathed out with one hand on his heart and the other on his stomach.

Thor sighed and walked over to him, rubbing Ven's stomach and kissing him, grinning when Haruven smacked his shoulder before he went back to the pancakes, trying to hide a grin.

"If I give birth to your son a day before the due date, I'm blaming you for that," he said as Thor took a seat at the kitchen table.

"And I shall accept full blame." Haruven snorted.

He spared a small glance at Thor taking in his sun kissed skin, his strong, muscled torso and his low hanging jeans. His eyes lingered on the new scar on Thor's stomach and his heart clenched a bit.

Thor frowned when he noticed the change in Haruven's stature and stood up.

Haruven swallowed as he finished the last pancake and placed it on a plate, and he shivered when Thor wrapped his arms around him, his big hands rubbing his stomach through his shirt.

"What is it, beloved?" he asked as he kissed the back of Haruven's neck. Haruven sighed, closed his eyes and leaned back against Thor.

"I just…" Haruven spoke only to choke up. He swallowed difficultly and Thor turned him around.

"What is it, sváss?" he asked, trying to look in Haruven's eyes. The wizard raised his hands and rubbed his face almost furiously before he looked up at Thor and the God of Thunder frowned at the tears in Haruven's eyes.

"It's just – You – You slipped from my hands, Thor." Haruven spoke in a wavering voice. "I waited for months, hoped and prayed that you were alright, that you would – you would come back, and now – now you're here and that scar reminded me of everything and I – Merlin, I don't know what's wrong with me…"

"Hush…" Thor whispered and kissed Haruven's forehead before he hugged him close. They stood there, swaying slightly to music only they could hear; a rhythm only they could feel. "I am here. I am alive. I am well. We are together again." He moved back a little, cupped Haruven's face in his hands and lovingly kissed his quivering lips. He wiped Ven's tears away with his thumbs and smiled at him. "No more tears. No more sorrow. From now on I only wish to see you smile."

A small smile tugged on Haruven's lips and he nodded weakly at him. "Alright." He choked out. "As you wish."

Thor smiled and kissed his forehead. "Now; I have not tasted your cooking in a long while and I must admit that I am hungry."

Haruven laughed at that and Thor grinned happily. "Take a seat then. I didn't make this just for me," Haruven said and was about to reach for the plates he prepared but Thor beat him to it.

"No. You take a seat. You have been standing enough."

Haruven groaned and rolled his eyes. "Oh, heavens; not another mother hen." He moaned but took a seat while Thor chuckled. He carried the plates over to the table before he took the orange juice Haruven prepared and two glasses from a cabinet.

"Now, the Angels told me about everything that happened, but I wish to hear it from you." Thor said as he started to eat and Haruven chuckled around a bite.

"Well." He swallowed. "Everyone went back home shortly after the war…"

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"Ven! I'm home!" Loki called out the moment he entered Starborn Café and took his jacket off.

"Coming!" Haruven shouted from above and Loki rolled his eyes.

"You should be resting!" he called out as he looked around. He frowned when he found a down turned chair. "I didn't leave you like that." He muttered as worry blossomed in his chest. "Ven! What happened here?!"

Haruven chose that moment to walk into the café and Loki's eyebrows jumped to the line of his hair when he saw the huge smile on Haruven's face. The wizard rushed over to him as quickly as he could and pulled him into the warmest hug yet.

"Alright, who are you and what have you done with my brother-in-law." Loki asked warily, squinting at Haruven while the wizard laughed.

"Come, you will tell me about your date later. First you need to greet someone." He started to pull Loki towards the back of the café. Loki sighed and shook his head as they climbed the stairs.

"Haruven, if it's another old friend of y…" Loki's breath hitched in his throat when they entered the living room and his eyes fell on his brother's figure.

Haruven smiled and took a small step to the side.

"Loki…" Thor said with a small smile and nodded at his brother. In the next moment Loki ran over to him, wrapped his arms around Thor's shoulders and buried his face in his brother's neck.

"Brother!" he gasped and Thor smiled with a sad look in his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Loki. He hugged him tightly and buried his face in his hair.

"I am here, brother. I am with you."

"I am so sorry." Loki pushed away from Thor to look in his eyes. "For everything! I am so sorry. I promise, I will make everything right, I will…"

"Enough." Thor raised his hand to stop Loki's ramblings. "Haruven told me everything, brother," Thor said and placed his hand on Loki's shoulder. "If anything I am in your debt. You stayed with my husband and took care of him. You helped him when I was not there to do so. I owe you a lot, Loki."

The Sorcerer shook his head. "I needed to make things right. I needed to…"

"It wasn't your fault, my brother. I am as much to blame. I should have been there for you. I was selfish and I saw nothing but myself. I am sorry, Loki. I promise if it is not too late I will do everything in my power to be a better brother to you. I swear."

Loki's eyes filled with tears and he looked at Haruven who was standing in the back with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the wall with a beautiful smile on his face, and his eyes shining with love and pride. He nodded at Loki and the man of Asgard looked at Thor again.

"And I will never doubt you again, my brother."

Thor squeezed Loki's shoulder and Loki smiled at him.

"Well," Haruven said as he winced slightly. "I will go to the bathroom. Again. And you two can get ready for lunch. I think I feel like eating something Italian." Haruven left the room, leaving the two brothers alone. They looked at each other and smiled.

"It is good to have you back, Thor," Loki said and Thor nodded.

"It is good to be back, my brother. It is good to be back."

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