Notes: This was born in winter 2012 and belonged to the By watchfires and thrones 'verse, before the series took on a life of its own with By thrones of crowned kings, leaving me no way to use it, lol. Just imagine this happening after Thor and Loki have walked a long, difficult path of reconciliation and amends, but still face understandable problems.
Title inspired by Marquez's famous book.

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Love in the time of dynasties

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Then one morning he wakes up and his body has a different balance. He sinks back into the pillows, light-headed, and stares at the canopy until his magic has stopped buzzing. He couldn't explain how, but he knows right away. He's... he's–expecting a child.

They're going to have a child.

And for the Nine, Loki would have laughed in the prophets' faces, but this changes everything.

"Are you still certain about it?" he asks, while Thor is touching his belly in every possible and conceivable way, mesmerized.

"If I'm not certain of this, I'll never be certain of anything" is the answer, spoken against his stomach.

Rough, warm hands on his back, keeping him near.

"You've still got time, you know."

"Time for what?" Thor asks, disconcerted, lifting his head. "Repudiate you and disown them?"

Loki answers in rather firm a voice, and he's proud of that. "Yes. Three fourths of the council would accept it without discussion. And the people too. Asgard's future king, a half-Jötun? You'll sooner find someone who wants him half-bilgesnipe."

Thor sees through the pretence immediately and his puzzlement turns into anger. "The king of Asgard is half-Jötun" he says with gritted teeth, gripping Loki's hips. "Or have you forgotten? My grandmother was Bestla, daughter of Bolthorn, sister to Mìmir. You're the one who told me that."

"Yes, but–"

"But what? But she – he – wasn't deformed? He wasn't an orphan deserving to be exposed? Because if this is what you were about to say, Norns help me, Loki, I–"

Loki averts his eyes. Thor shakes him gently, still kneeling before him.

"Why do you always have to think the worst of yourself? After everything you've done, after the hardships we've overcome thanks to your constance, too... I don't understand."

Loki lets himself be hugged and thinks that, doubtless, his children won't grow feeling neglected. Or misunderstood.

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