It was almost seven now, which meant the rest of the compound will soon be in for a surprise upon seeing the one who was understood to be dead. Part of you dreaded it, you just hoped that you'd be able to break the news to more than one person at a time. You opened the cabinet and reached for two small mugs for tea. Setting water to boil, you began hunting for tea bags, which you found in the last cabinet there was yet to check.
"Nice to have you back." You whirled around to see Natasha walking into the kitchen. She smiled and gave you a hug.
"Thank you. It's good to be back." You pulled away to see her. "You won't believe what I found out." At that moment, Loki walked in with a solemn face. Natasha gasped.
"Loki! You're-?"
"Alive, yes." He replied.
"It's a long story." You add. The water boiler turned off. Turning to finish the tea, Natasha takes a seat at the island. "I have extra water, would you care for some?"
"Sure, thanks." You pull out a third mug as Loki took a seat two chairs down from Nat who turned towards him. "Is everything okay? I mean back home."
"We shall know upon my brother's return." He replied sipping his tea. You briefly explained the story to your friend to ease her curiosity. You and Loki quickly finished your breakfast of fruit and fresh bread with marmalade to avoid the incoming trickle of avengers, informing Nat that she was more than welcome to share the news. You then both went upstairs into your bedroom. The bed was still made from the day before, wrinkled from sitting on it after discovering both tragedies. You hugged yourself as you walked to the bathroom, trying to remember where you left the pregnancy test, which you found in the sink. You stared at it for a brief moment contemplating the future with a new addition. You wondered what kind of a father Loki would be. You looked up at the mirror, meeting your lover's gaze who had been admiring your reflection from the doorway. You giggled at his sneaky ways of lingering around, staring. You turned to see him for yourself and leaned in for a hug. He squeezed you tight in return and kissed your forehead.
"You haven't yet told me how you feel about this." You said softly, running your fingers along his dark green vest with gold edges. You admired the fine handiwork of his clothing, made with the greatest detail suited for a Prince of Asgard. You turned your eyes up too meet his. You saw a new sadness you hadn't seen before mixed with happiness and worry. You pull away to face him directly and searched his eyes. "What's wrong?" You reached up and ran your hand down the side of his face down to his neck, running your thumb over his soft lips. You didn't realize you had glanced down at them and back. You inched forward. "Must I read your mind again?" You threatened with a smile.
"I have nothing to hide, darling." He whispered back. He closed in the space between you, kissing tenderly. Nothing in the world seemed to matter in his warm embrace. The sweetness of it melted the very core of your body into a helpless little girl. He began kissing your face and down your neck. You were helpless, forgetting to even read his mind. All too soon, he backed away holding your chin and running his thumb over your lower lip. He rested his forehead against yours. "To answer your question, my love, I am overjoyed and terrified at the same time. I do not know if I am worthy to be a father." You placed your hands on his and kissed them.
"Oh, my Prince." You whispered. "I truly believe that you will be a wonderful father." You kiss him again passionately, seeking to express your genuine love and care. Thunder shook the building, rumbling the floors and walls. Everything you wanted was right in front of you. Loving you. Finally, after the intimate moment and simply holding each other in perfect silence, Loki reached out and picked up the pregnancy test. He smiled at himself before disposing it into the trash can. You stood there, slightly dazed and feeling very much in love, admiring your lover's physique. Tall, sharp figures, slender face, shiny black slick hair that fell freely unto his shoulders. A smile that sent shivers through your body and eyes—well, a galaxy as was described earlier.
"Darling?" You snapped back to reality, not having realized that you were staring through the mirror. Your cheeks turned a pale pink in embarrassment as you tried to suppress a big smile. "Were you staring?" He asked in a teasing tone. You looked away, blushing all the more. Loki laughed and kissed your cheek. "You simply can't help yourself around me, can you?"
"Oh, nonsense." You pretended to be annoyed. But your twinkling eyes and pink cheeks gave you away. Amused, Loki brought you near the bed and sat down, cuddling you in his arms.
"My dear, you are scrumptious." He complemented. He began twirling your hair with his fingers. He loved your hair, long and soft. He specifically requested that you never cut it, to which you readily agreed. It was nearly nine o'clock, and you longed for a hot shower.
"I think I'm going to bathe before the sonogram. Then after that I'll come lie down before lunch. Is that alright?" Loki was now caressing your face gently, which grieved you to end.
"Of course, whatever you wish. I shall then go down and see if Thor has returned. I will meet you in the medical room at ten." You kissed him one last time and made your way to your dresser to select fresh clothes. You found some faded blue jeans and a black loose-fitting blouse that would make the sonogram an easier task. Refreshed after a ten-minute shower, you pulled some of your hair up in a messy bun and threw on some mascara and eye shadow as well as tinted chapstick. Much better. There was a thick, large, very soft blanket you pulled out of your closet and set a timer at five before ten for your appointment. After settling on your bed wrapped in the blanket, you fell fast asleep.
Downstairs, Thor had returned a few minutes before Loki had descended to meet him when you were getting ready for your shower. After brief welcomes and congratulations from the rest of the team, the two brothers stepped out onto the balcony to discuss the major problem rising.
"How can we defeat him?" Loki was not pleased to learn that his you were in danger.
"Together. It will take the three of us minimum to eliminate Theron. He is powerful, and undefeated. But he is not invincible." Replied Thor. Loki shook his head in disapproval.
"I will not let y/n have any part in this. It's too dangerous. If anything would happen to her, I-."
"Unfortunately we cannot do it without her. It will take a Celestial to beat Theron." Knowing what his brother would respond by the way he began to gesture and begin to speak, Thor added, "I know this is not the right time, brother. Which is why she must remain in hiding until she has the child and regains strength. But it will also be important that Theron does not know that she has a child, for it too will be a Celestial." Thor took his brother by the shoulder in reassurance. "Father also admits that he acted rather harshly towards the both of you. Although he abides by his reasoning, he is willing to make peace when you decide to come back and give you a proper wedding. He said you are also welcome to remain in the palace as well."
The younger brother sighed and rubbed his face in frustration. He thought for a while before replying, "We shall see about moving later. For now, I think that this is a safe place as long as Theron knows of no connection between you, myself and y/n. Thor nodded in agreement. Loki turned to go back inside when Thor called out.
"Mother sends her love." Loki turned around. "And she asks to not wait too long before visiting. Asgard is also safe for y/n." He nodded in reply, and went inside.
Nat was talking to Steve on the couch, and turned to see Loki come in. They both had questioning looks as to what was the decision. Loki stood near and answered the unspoken question.
"No one is going anywhere for now. But I shall ask where she wishes to spend the end of her pregnancy."
"How far through is she?" Asked Nat.
"I do not know. She will have a sonogram later this morning."
"Have you thought having a wedding at all?" Added Steve.
"In Asgard, perhaps. When, I know not."
Nat turned towards Tony who just walked in, catching the last couple of sentences. "You could have one here too." He said. Loki sat in the other couch facing Nat and Steve. "I mean, might as well be married on Earth since you'll be hanging out here. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just to mark the occasion."
Loki thought for a while, concluding that it wouldn't be a bad idea. "I don't see why not. I'll ask y/n about it when she comes down."
Your reached out from under your warm covers to turn off your quiet alarm buzzing on your night table. Feeling much better rested, you slowly crawled out from under your covers, slipped on some socks, glanced at the mirror, and headed downstairs. You found Nat and Wanda peppering Loki with some sort of ideas, who seemed to be intrigued by the inspiration.
"Ah, my dear." He said rising from the couch. "Your friends feel that we should have a wedding here in Midgard. What do you think?" He wrapped you up in his arms and gave you a kiss. Smiling in surprise, you turn towards your two girlfriends.
"I think that's the most brilliant idea! What are our colors?" You mused, knowing they had it mostly figured out by now.
"We thought about a dark shade of green with gold." Answered Wanda. "Unless you have another idea, of course. And we could have velvet and white roses."
You laughed as Loki kissed you again. "I think it's perfect. I know I can count on you guys for help." Your two friends grinned in excitement and started chatting among themselves about food options. Meanwhile, the both of you headed over to the medical room. Loki held your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours. "We will have to think up some names." He commented.
"Yes," you nodded. "We'll have to think of one for a boy and one for a girl."
"What do you wish to have?"
You thought for a moment, swinging Loki's hand. "I will be happy with either one." You glanced over at him. "Is there one you wish for?"
"Well," he said thoughtfully. "I had my heart set on a son, but I should be equally content with both." The glass doors slid open automatically as you stepped inside the bright, technology-saturated room. On the walls were displayed digital charts and spreadsheets of records and different monitoring systems. Three nurses and doctors were working quietly at the far end of the room. One of the three lifted his head and greeted them.
"Good morning! How are we feeling today?"
"Hi Bruce." You recognized him. "I'm feeling very well today, thank you."
"And you Loki?" He turned to your partner. "I hope you're all recovered from, uh-… New York?" He stuttered awkwardly. You giggled.
"Quite well, thank you Bruce." He answered quickly. The three of you walked to a corner where there was a reclined chair next to some electronic devices and a screen. The doctor pulled a couple of curtains around to close off the corner and provide privacy. Loki took a seat next to you, who had settled into the reclined chair.
"Alright." Bruce turned on the machines and sanitized his hands. "Have you been experiencing any morning sickness?"
"A little bit yes. It started a couple of days ago." Just then Tony walked in.
"Ah, see we have begun. Have you checked vitals already?" He asked Bruce.
"Not yet, I was gonna do it after the sonogram."
"Okay, sounds good." Tony leaned in next to Bruce to watch the screen. You took Loki's hand, who gave you a squeeze. You knew he felt awkward around the others after all that had happened. It will take time for him to get more comfortable, but you were in no rush. As long as he knew that you loved him, what the others thought of him didn't really matter. You laid your head back and relaxed as Bruce scanned your abdomen with the machine. It was still quite early to tell the gender on the scan, but Bruce suggested taking a blood test to find out, or wait until 10 weeks to see for sure. It was decided that waiting would be alright, and Loki even suggested not finding out until birth for a surprise. You didn't expect him to make such a suggestion, but after he mentioned it, you had a half mind of doing so.
"That would be exciting." Commented Tony. "I had a couple of friends in the past who did the same thing. The only thing they did was get tests to monitor the health of both the baby and the mother."
"Speaking of the mother," added Bruce as he closed down the sonogram machine, "let's do the physical exam. The last one we did was back when you first got here after your recovery. I'm sure a lot has happened between now and then."
You sat up and followed the doctor's lead as he examined you. Your powers seemed to be growing, and everything was normal. Bruce even said that you wouldn't experience the fatigue regular women experience during pregnancy. Tony paused for a moment in thought.
"What is it, Stark?" Asked Loki.
"Oh, Pepper has been acting kinda off lately. Not wanting food in the morning, tired all the time, headaches…"
"Why hasn't she come for a checkup?" Asked Bruce.
"She keeps saying she's fine." Tony shrugged. "Can't change a woman's mind."
With that, you returned to the living room to find Wanda and Nat still there, looking at a laptop and taking notes. You laughed and joined their party. They had already located the best wedding gown shop and a few selected food items to choose from for a menu. You admired their work, also reminding yourself that they rarely get the chance to be their creative selves due to the all the hard missions. You were more than glad to let them do the thinking. Loki joined Thor in the library, so you settled in to make some serious wedding plans. Tony agreed to help make the major arrangements, including the location and catering. He suggested that the ladies focus on the details. After a couple of hours, all that was needed was a set date, and shopping for wedding outfits.
I'll go ask Loki about the day. I'm sure there won't be much to consider. I'll be right back!" You hurry out into the hallway down to the last door leading to the library. The double doors were not latched, and there was a gap big enough to peek into the room without being noticed.
"What does Odin plan to do about it? Nothing?" It was Loki. You paused before entering, curious to hear what they were talking about.
"He never said that, but he does have the protection of Asgard to consider. A war against Theron would be catastrophic."
"How can we be sure that Theron doesn't know where y/n is? I don't want to move her if it isn't safe." You continued to listen. Who is Theron? Why is he dangerous?
"Like father said, he dwells beyond Midgard and Asgard. As long as word doesn't leak out, she is safe." Thor kept a calm voice despite the fact that his brother grew irritated.
"Well we will see how long to stay. In any case, I don't want to take any risks."
You heard the the cracked library window swing open from the gush of air outside, which would have flung the double doors open as well if it weren't for the fact that you kept them shut. A candle that was sitting on a shelf blew out. You decide too make entrance by throwing a single flame across the room and light the candle.
"Who's Theron?"
The two brothers whirled around as you crossed your arms, unhappy about not being informed of what was going on. Thor shook his head and chuckled.
"Y/n, you have a terrible habit of listening behind doors. I shall have to check the hallways every time before speaking to anyone."