New Set of Clothes
"Unf!" Loki grunted from the bedroom. "Dammit!"
"Darling, what's with all the grunting and cursing?" Tom called from the bathroom where was shaving.
Loki waddled to the door, jeans wide open with a gap of about three inches between the fabric, shirt ridden up to expose his creamy belly, red stretch marks marring its surface. Loki tried to tug the shirt down again, pouting when it didn't fit over his tummy. "I'm fat," he said softly, head down.
Tom put the razor down, wiped his face, and turned to face his dejected god. "You," he said, crossing the space between them in two long strides to place a warm, comforting hand on Loki's belly, "are not fat. You've just entered your second trimester and the baby's shifted positions is all," he reassured him soothingly, massaging gentle circles into his tight flesh. He could still feel a soft layer of fat beneath the skin, but it didn't feel as thick as before.
Loki sniffed pitifully. "Really?"
Tom tenderly caressed Loki's cheek before turning his face up to look him in the eye. "Really. And you know what?"
"What?"
"I'll still love you, even if you get as fat as Volstagg or as big as a bilge snipe,"
Loki groaned at the thought, but agreed to let Tom out of his sight just long enough to get him some new clothes.
***
The mortal returned a couple of hours later with several bags from a local men's store, along with a bag containing something that smelled absolutely divine. "Ah-ah, not yet," Tom slapped Loki's hand away from the food. "Try your new clothes on first,"
Loki dutifully obeyed, predictably dissatisfied with everything but a ridiculously snug pair of low rise jeans that rested below his belly and a shirt that couldn't quite stretch over his bump. "Much better," he announced with a satisfied smile.
"Lo,"
"Yes, Thomas?"
"Your belly?"
"What about it?"
"It's on full display like the Mona Lisa at the Louvre,"
"Yes, well...I decided I like it that way. Then the baby can get some air,"
Tom glared at him in irritation. "Then why did you make me get you new clothes if you were just going to wear ones that were snug?!" he asked, voice rising in frustration.
"My old clothes were boring," the god wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Now...what's in the yummy smelling bag?"
"Why should I reward your childish behavior?"
"Because, Thomas, I'm pregnant with your child, who's making me positively ravenous, not to mention feel as big as a whale,"
Tom sighed, resigned, and pulled Loki close to him. "God, I love you. Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"
"No," Loki said flatly, looking at Tom with so much insecurity in his eyes that it made the man's heart ache.
Tom took a shaky breath to compose himself before saying confidently, "Well, you are. Especially now..." he crooned, gently caressing Loki's belly. "Thank you for giving me this,"
"Thank you for making me feel beautiful. And loved. And safe. It's been a very long time," Loki whispered.
Tom's eyes prickled with tears. "I know, baby. I know," he said, voice breaking. "But I swear to you that I won't let anyone, or anything, hurt you ever again," he murmured, holding the god even closer, burying his face in the black locks. And he meant it.
"I know," Loki said, pulling away. "But Tom? What's in the bag?"
The mortal chuckled. "Shepherd's pie. Lamb and beef with gravy and veggies, topped with mashed potatoes,"
Loki's eyes widened. "Last one to the kitchen is stupid Thor!"