Chapter 27
Loki woke up again to yet another loud cry from the tiny baby. Frigga had sent them a golden crib with green drapes that matched those of Loki's own bed. She had also gifted them a soft blanket she had sewn, which was currently wrapped round the crying child's little legs, and clutched in his tiny fists.
Loki turned to see Tony still sound asleep and sighed, knowing he'd have to get up. How that man could sleep through such a racket was beyond Loki. Although he supposed Tony had gotten as little sleep as he had and he couldn't fault Tony's diligence over the last two days since Jareth's birth.
Loki padded over sleepily, his face lightning up when he saw the screwed up, teary red face of his son. Making funny noises, Loki picked him up, tickling his belly to quieten him. "Someone's all smelly." Loki cooed, changing Jareth's position so his magic could do its work at cleaning him up. As much as Loki loved the little guy, he did not want to be touching smelly baby poo. He'd leave that to Tony.
After a brief snuggle, Jareth had settled down and was falling to the clutches of sleep again. Although tired himself, Loki stood a little longer and watched him, knowing that after today's trial it may be a very long time before he got to hold him in his arms again, and Loki wasn't sure how big he'd be by then or if he'd have forgotten his mother.
He was stirred from his thoughts as he heard a light groan from the bed and looked over to see Tony slowly waking up. He stretch in the massive bed then frowned in infusion as he felt he was alone. He sat up and rubbed his eyes with a yawn before he finally spotted Loki and Jareth then smiled.
"Mornin'." Tony muttered sleepily, having not quite awoken fully yet.
Loki looked up and smiled his good morning back. "Although I don't think it's quite morning yet. Go back to sleep."
Tony made a noise, it could've been an answer but it sounded too incoherent to recognise any known language. He shrugged then stretched his arms up and stood, shamelessly walking naked over to stand with the two. "I'm fine. I need all the waking hours I can get with you today." He smiled sadly.
After putting Jareth back down and tucking the blanket around him, Loki turned to Tony and wrapped his arms around him. "I've gotten so used to having you around."
"I know..." Tony sighed and held Loki is a tight embrace. "I don't want you to have to leave us."
"I'm sure they will allow me to see you. You must give me updates. I don't want to miss anything in Jareth's life."
"I'll use Jarvis to record it all too, so you don't miss it at all." Tony could feel his eyes start to tear up and cursed inwardly as he buried his face against Loki's chest.
"Thank you. I spoke to Thor the other day. Only time will tell if Jareth Has inherited my immortality. If he has not, Thor has agreed to find another apple for when he has reached an appropriate age." Loki kissed his lover's forehead the rest their heads together. "I never thought I would truthfully say this to a mortal, but I love you Anthony."
"Well then, I feel deeply honoured." Tony grinned then leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on his lips. "And I love you too."
"I wish I didn't. It would make all this a whole lot easier." They kissed again, for a little longer this time. "Wrap your arms around my neck."
Tony did as he was told and Loki let his hands slip to the back of Tony's thighs where he lifted Tony's legs to wrap around his waist and carried him over to the bed, laying him down before moving on top of him, resuming their kissing.
"Is this... Okay?... What with... Jareth over... there..." Tony asked between kisses, concerned but not enough to stop kissing his lover, because who knew when he could again?
"We're only kissing Tony." Loki looked over to the sleeping baby. "I don't want to leave him with anyone else. I don't trust them. When are Bruce and Steve back for the trial?"
"Yeah but..." Tony shook his head and smiled. He didn't trust anyone with him either, even though he really wanted to have one last round with Loki before the trial. "Um, about now I guess. It's nearly time."
As if on cue, there came a knocking on the door.
"I'd feel more comfortable leaving Jareth with them than anyone." Loki summoned their clothes to them and rolled onto his back. "Come in, if you dare." He grinned.
Tony raised an amused eyebrow before walking over to the cot. "I don't want to wake him but... Well we can't leave him on his own so... Sorry bud." He said, mostly to himself as he bent down to pick up their son, who started to cry a bit from being disturbed but then settled as Tony calmed him.
Loki had to admit, he was slightly concerned how Tony would be with Jareth but he was doing really well. He glanced over to the door as Thor entered. He walked in and locked gazes with Loki.
"It is time."
"Of course." Loki got up in a huff. "Odin can't even allow me a good fuck before I'm sentenced to indefinite celibacy." A golden glow cast over his body and his armour formed around him. "Right, shall we go then?" Loki snapped, looking at Thor expectantly.
Thor nodded then turned to Tony and Jareth to smile sadly. He then turned around to leave. "Come."
Loki walked with his arm round Tony, his mind racing at the possibilities of his sentence.
Tony leaned into his touch, trying to get in as much contact as he could before they had to split. "So where am I to stand with Bruce and Steve?" He asked, not really caring, but more because he wanted to hear Loki's voice.
"Ask Thor. They haven't even told me if the trial is to be public or not. No doubt the citizens of Asgard want their fair throw of the rotten fruit."
"It'll just be a select few. Myself, Mother, The Warriors Three and Lady Sif, Bruce and Steven, Tony and Jareth, and a handful of guards." Thor spoke from in front of them. "Speaking if which, Loki, I'm afraid we'll have to place you in chains..."
"Of course. It is not enough for Odin to take away everything I love, he wants me in chains too. Then again, it is only to be expected for appearance's sake."
"My turn to see you chained up this time." Tony couldn't help but say, making sure to keep his voice quiet so Thor wouldn't hear. "Although the circumstances could've been better for it."
Loki smirked and gave Tony a sideways glance.
"Something to look forward to when I next see you?" He suggested playfully, using humour to cover up how upset he really was. He wasn't going to spend his last moments with Loki crying his eyes out, he wanted to see him smile and laugh.
"Perhaps."
The journey took less time than either of them had hoped and soon Thor was leading them up tp the double doors that led to the throne room which would serve as the makeshift courtroom.
Two guards awaited them outside, ready with the chains that would be attached to Loki. Before stepping over to be locked within them, Tony stopped him and pulled him into one last kiss, not particularly caring if they had an audience.
Loki held Tony's face in his hands, careful not to squash Jareth between them. Once he'd pulled back from the kiss, Loki reached down to cup Jareth's tiny face in his hand, stroking his thumb over the babe's little mop of hair. He only let go at Thor's loud cough behind him. Loki schooled his expression as he let Thor attach the heavy chains. Gone was the Loki of the past few weeks and back was the Loki Odin and Thor had driven him to become since his adoption.
Tony sighed as Loki walked away to be locked up, and followed Thor ahead off him into the throne room.
It was silent as they entered, and Tony felt unusually nervous as all eyes fell to them. Thor nudged him forward when he froze and whispered for him to go and stand with Bruce and Steve, who were standing to the left of the throne itself along with Frigga. The Warriors Three and Sif stood in the other side, with Odin sitting up high on his throne. Tony took a deep breathe then walked towards where he was motioned, while Thor stood by the door to walk in with Loki.
Loki held his head high as he walked before the Allfather. Frigga gasped at the maniacal grin Loki wore. "Loki."
"Hello mother." Loki spoke with venom though the words burned him. "Have I made you proud?"
She shook her head lightly in disbelief. "Please, don't make this worse."
Loki tilted his head with his smirk. "Define worse."
"Enough!" Odin's voice echoed through the room. "Step forward."
Loki rolled his eyes then swung his legs in front of the other, until he came to a halt a few paces forward, mockingly stopping as if he were a soldier standing tall. He stood like that for a mere moment before he laughed and held his hands apart from each other the best he could within his confines. "I really don't see what all the fuss is about?"
Odin sighed tiredly. "Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes? Where ever you go, there is war, ruin and death."
"I went don't to Midgard to rule the People of Earth as a Benevolent God. Just like you. Aren't you proud of me, Father?"
"We are not gods." Odin said firmly, ignoring the question. "We are born, we live, we die. Just as humans do."
That came as news to the three, well, two of the Midgardians currently in the room; as they didn't know different. Tony had already known that they could die and wouldn't live for eternity, so he'd had doubts in his mind. Although then again, Asgardians were such a god-like race, that the title fit. Even if Steve still refused to believe that because if his own religious views.
Loki snorted. "Give or take five thousand years."
Tony snorted at that retort, earning him a subtle head shake from Thor, who had come to stand next to him and Jareth.
"All this because Loki desired a throne..."
"It is my birthright!" Loki shouted, making Tony jump and Jareth start to cry.
"Your birthright." Odin punctuated, ignoring Jareth's cries as Tony attempted to comfort him. "Was to die. As a child. Cast out onto a rock. If I had not- will you cease that infernal racket?" He snapped, cutting off mid-sentence and glaring at Tony.
"Well if you weren't shouting at each other, this wouldn't be happening!" Tony snapped back with a glare, then looked down at Jareth and silently pleaded for him to calm down.
Loki looked over guiltily, but didn't move over. Once Jareth had quietened down Loki addressed Odin again. "Look, if I am for the Axe, then for Mercy's sake just swing it."
Tony's eyes widened dramatically and he took a tentative step towards Loki. He hadn't thought he might be killed from what happened, just expecting an imprisonment or perhaps even a banishment. Although maybe that was just all he'd hoped would be the worst to happen.
Ignoring his lover's reaction, Loki carried on. "It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just... I don't love them."
"Your new... family is the only reason you are still alive." Odin said through gritted teeth, casting a warning glance over at Tony and Jareth before looking back at Loki. "And you'll never see them again by the time you are released. Neither the child not the human will have lived long enough, as you'll spend your days sitting in the dungeon repenting."
"And what of Thor? You'll make that witless oaf King while I rot in chains?"
"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have done. He'll bring order to the nine realms and then, yes, he will be king."
Thor looked a little uncomfortable as his father spoke of him, not wanting him to have more reasons for Loki to dislike him.
"And I'm supposed to be released when they are dead and then I really have nothing to lose? How do you expect that to work out for you, Odin?"
"It is the punishment you will receive for your crimes against Asgard, Jötunheimr and Midgard." He answered back in the tone of a complete lack of care. "For attempted usurping, attempted destruction of a planet, and the attempted subjugation of another."
"Usurping? Do you think I wanted the throne, while Thor was banished. It was my duty to Asgard. And wasn't it you who tried to kill all the Frost Giants? Well," Loki held his hands as far to the sides as he could. "You missed one."
"Killing an entire race does not bring about peace, Loki. And it was you who led the Jötunns into Asgard with the intent of slaying the former king in his sleep." It sounded strange for Odin to talk about himself in third person like that, but Tony ignored it and focused on the trial again.
"I killed Laufey, my real father before he could get you. And I am still not worthy."
"That alone is not your only crime. There are still the others to take into consideration, which is why a timed imprisonment would be the best punishment."
"Other crimes..." Loki dropped his hands, making the chains jingle loudly. "Did I drop a prized vase in the banqueting hall?"
Odin growled and shook him head. "Silence." He hissed, trying his best not to raise his voice so there were no more interruptions from Jareth. "My word is final. You are to spend time in the dungeons until I believe you have repented for your crimes."
Loki looked down in resignation. "Will I be permitted visitors, or will my confinement be solitary?"
"We will consider it." Odin answered, a little calmer than before. It almost seemed kind compared to everything else he'd said. Almost. Tony actually found himself growling at that. Angry that he might not be able to at least visit Loki with Jareth or on his own whenever he could.
Loki nodded and made his way over to where Tony stood, resting their foreheads together and speaking in hushed tones. "I love you, Tony. I will come back to you." He kissed him firmly on the mouth before looking down to Jareth. "I pray you will still be a child when I see you again. I love you so much." Loki kissed his son's little head softly.
Tony's anger against Odin had subsided the moment Loki has spoken to him, and after the kiss and watching him with their son, everyone watching them be damned, a single tear rolled down Tony's cheek. He wasn't aware he was even crying before, but now he looked at Loki through slightly blurred vision as his eyes threatened to shed more.
"Shhh." Loki whispered, practise helping him to keep his own tears at bay. "Look after your dad." Loki said, kissing Jareth one last time before he was being led away.
"Loki..." Tony moaned, trying to follow him out but being held back by Steve and Thor. He struggled against their grips, making sure to keep hold of Jareth so that he wouldn't fall from his grip as he tried to free himself, watching helplessly as Loki was led away. The moment he was out of sight, Tony managed to free one arm, and outstretched it to where Loki had disappeared from. "LOKI!"
AN: The next three chapters are epilogues that spread out over quite a long time period, and then that's the end :) Has a happy ending though, despite Loki being taken away from Tony and Jareth here... Stay tuned to find out!