Forty One

I woke up during the night needing to pee. My chest felt better and I figured I could move again. I started rolling out of bed only to be forced down again by two powerful arms. Loki had ahold of me and was snuggling me like a teddy bear. I smiled, but still needed to pee. I pried his arms off me and rolled quickly before he could catch me.

"Mmm…come back." He moaned in his sleep.

"I will." I promised, pulling the IV needle out of my hand. I snuck off but not before turning and watching the sleeping God for a moment. He was so peaceful.

I pissed, showered and generally cleaned up. After all it had been a week. Loki's magic seemed to healed me up well. Breathing seemed easier and didn't hurt as much. I wanted to test my voice, but didn't want to wake Loki.

"Tony," he called as if reading my mind. "You okay in there?"

"Yes." I croaked. I drank some more water to ease my aching voice. I crawled back into bed to be clasped by tightly strong arms.

"Better?"

"Yes, thank you." I said, my voice sounding better. "I expected you to be gone."

"No, not if Hydra agents are going to keep trying to kill you." He snuggled me closer, his chin on my head. His hands running along the tense muscle of my bare back. "Do you want me gone?"

"No." I breathed. "Thank you for saving my life."

"You did the same for me. I'd be happier if I would have got the bastard who pulled the trigger."

"Don't worry about it tonight." I pushed my fingers under the hem of his shirt. I ran my fingers over the scarred tissue from removing the arrowhead.

"How is this not healed? You have your magic back?"

"It's no longer life threatening, so I've stopped using my magic to heal it. It will be scarred for a few years, but it will be a reminder to watch my back around that archer friend of yours."

"And these?" I danced my fingers higher to the long scars that I had seen on his chest.

"They will take a while to heal as well. There is one I am more concerned in healing." He sighed a mournful sigh and pushed my fingers down his chest to the space between his legs. There was an empty space where I expected his cock to be. I looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Thanos…he…." He stammered. "He castrated me. As part of my punishment for betraying him."

My eyes went wide in horror. Loki kissed me gently on the forehead.

"I'll be alright. I've put most of my magic into healing… That."

"Is that…"I started shakily. "Is that why you were a woman when we met?"

"Yes, and why I left and spent a lot of time away from you before returning. I spent a lot of time in Alfheim, working with the light elves to help me heal. It's taken awhile. I don't know if I'll ever be whole again." He sighed, speaking with his lips just barely touching my forehead. I moved my fingers back to his stomach, leaving feather light touches across his skin.

"Did you enjoy being a woman?" I breathed. He pulled away from me holding me by the shoulders.

"Immensely. You are a wonderful lover. Tony, you knew exactly where to touch me. You are an addiction that I can't get enough of." He smiled. I liked it when he smiled. I pushed forward crossing the distance between us. I hesitated, our lips barely brushing. Loki closed the distance meeting me in a soft kiss. His lips weren't as plush or pouty as Lana's, but firm. My kisses became more demanding and passionate before turning away coughing at my shortness of breath.

"You need to heal. Sleep now." He said, pulling me back into his arms. I buried my face into his neck, kissing the soft flesh that wasn't covered up. I felt him kiss the top of my head as I fell asleep, safe in his embrace.