Chapter 23
Chapter 23
This time Thor really had been right. A few days later and Loki's sickness had passed. he prince of Asgard was as relieved as Loki himself, as hiding Loki's pregnancy was much easier to hide now. Loki was still as slim as before and the boys still thought their secret hadn't been discovered. Right now, Thor had left for his usual training and Loki was alone for once. Thor had had to promise he'd be back soon for half an hour before Loki allowed him to leave. Loki tried to read a book to distract himself, but after a few minutes he put it aside. He felt alone, exposed to danger without Thor by his side. Deciding he'd eat something in search for company, he stood up and left, heading for the dining hall. On half of his way he suddenly felt a hard punch in his back, which sent him falling face down to the floor. For a moment, he lay in shock, before the pain in his stomach exploded.
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Thor was sparring with Farndral. They matched each other quite well. Farndral was extremely quick and nimble, Thor was definitely the stronger one, fighting with strength as much as with grace. But their fight was interrupted when a guard sprinted into the arena, heading towards Thor.
Guard: "Your highness! Your br - Loki … he - he collapsed!"
Thor immediately stopped, staring at the man who had just stopped speaking.
Thor: "Where?"
Guard: "In the corridor to the dining hall!"
The guard didn't come to say more as the prince of Asgard was already out of sight.
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When Thor reached Loki, he skiddered to a halt, kneeling down beside him. Loki was conscious, but clutching his stomach in pain.
Thor: "Loki?! Wh-what-?"
Loki: "The - the baby!"
Thor picked him up immediately, rushing to his chambers and putting Loki down on the bed. He watched in shock as the sheets turned bloody.
Loki: "Get help! - Please! - It mustn't die as well."
Thor: "Y-yes - stay right here!"
Thor yanked open the door, not dearing to leave the room.
Thor: "GUARDS!!!! GET ANY HEALER YOU CAN HERE IMMEDIATELY!"
Then he returned to Loki's side, taking one of his trembling hands into his.
Thor: "It'll be fine. Everything will be fine, love."
When the first healer entered the room she gestured Thor to leave. Thor hesitated but then stood up and left, not wanting to stand in her way.
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Hours passed as more healers entered the room, talking something inside which Thor couldn't identify. After a while that Thor remembered as the longest hour ever, a nurse came out, her expression exhausted but relieved.
Nurse: "He's alive. He and the baby as well. But it was a matter of minutes. A few minutes later and we couldn't have saved them both."
Thor got pale, watching as she and the other healers left. Then he knocked hesitantly.
Thor: "Loki? - May I - may I come in?"
Loki(quiet): "Hmh-"
Thor entered, looking at Loki right away. He looked impoverished but the pained expression had faded. Thor went over to the bed, gently slipping beneath the covers beside him.
Thor: "Anything you need, dear?"
Loki: "Just - just hold me, okay?"
For a while they stayed in comfortable silence until suddenly, Loki's eyes filled with panic.
Thor: "Loki? What's it?"
Loki: "Thor - this today wasn't an accident."
Thor: "What do you mean?"
Loki: "He knows about us! - He knows about the baby!"
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