Seventy Five
I awoke in our bed. It was eerily quiet. I winced in pain, my ribs still hurt. I found I couldn't open my jaw either. Either I was hurt worse than I thought, or Loki was that tired from helping rescue people today. I slowly got up and gingerly walked the house looking for anyone else. I tapped a screen to see what day it was. It was still today. I looked out to the garden after finally hearing voices.
"You were with child, brother! How is that even possible?" Thor's voice boomed through the courtyard. It was obvious by the darkened sky, he was still furious.
"If you stop beating people senseless and read a book, you might have that answer. Oh, I forgot. You never learned to read elvish." Loki jabbed back.
"And you were unwed!" Thor again. "What would mother think?"
"I think she'd be happy that I found someone I truly care for, and wanted to settle down and stop causing problems for the kingdom."
I looked in on the scene, Hulk holding back Thor as he was struggling to get away and possibly beat Loki. Loki's armor scuffed, and scorched, his face bloody, possibly from defending my passed out body. Pepper and Nat sitting on the bench on his sides. Pepper holding his hand, trying to sooth him, Nat pointing a large weapon at Thor. I stood in the doorway, listening, but unable to speak. It was beautiful hearing my lover pour his heart out in my defense.
"Loki, remember the last time you were with a male. How father chastised you? How he punished you? Asgardian royalty is forbidden to marry members of the same sex." Thor lectured.
"I am not Asgardian royalty!" Loki stood, shouting. He approached Thor. "I am Jotun royalty, where there is no male or female. We are one in the same. I am one in the same! Your father kidnapped me and raised me to be a bargaining piece to bring our worlds together in peace. Then you fucked that up by starting war with Jotunheim! It was that day I found out who I really was! But even finishing off your war and saving his life did not impress Odin Allfather. I was just another stolen relic, locked away until I was useful to his plans. Even now, he believes me dead as he rests in eternal Odinsleep."
Thor stood slack in Hulk's grasp. He was starting to settle down listening to Loki's words. He seemed to accept what Loki was saying.
"I hoped you would be happy for me too. Someday." Loki sighed and walked towards the house. His eyes brightening in concern at seeing me in the doorway. I smiled the best I could.
"Tony. You belong in bed."
I nodded, holding out a hand for him. I took him in my arms, cradling his head on my shoulder.
"You heard all that?"
I nodded, still holding him.
"You can't speak again, can you?" Loki asked. I shook my head, and tugged him in the direction of the bedroom. I would have words with Thor, when I could speak again. Now I just wanted to rest in the arms of my love.