Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Banner: "Alright, so - just lie down here."
When Loki and Thor had come back in, Bruce had already prepared everything they needed for an ultrasound scan. He was now motioning Loki to lie down on the stretcher. Loki and Thor both looked at the device Bruce would be working with. They didn't know it. And they couldn’t tell whether something was dangerous if they didn't know it. But Thor knew they had to pull this through, so he pushed Loki down gently, standing right beside the bed.
Banner: "Okay, now - I'll give you a short description of what I'll be doing, alright?"
Loki nodded hesitantly, looking into Thor's eyes. Thor nodded as well and Bruce took that as an order to go on.
Banner: "I'll put the device you're seeing on your stomach and move it a little. The ultrasound will then show us pictures of the baby so I can make sure that there's nothing going wrong."
Loki nodded. The explenation sounded logical, but still, he grabbed Thor's hand, the fear of losing his child nearly overwhelming him again.
Thor: "It'll be fine, love. Just keep holding my hand and don't let go. There's nothing to fear."
Banner: "Exactly. So please - could you put off your - shirt?"
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A few minutes after they're finished, Banner turned back to the asgardians, his face unreadable.
Banner: "So - the good news: Everything's fine with your child. No visible injuries. It's lying in a good spot and it's not to big or small for its age. Only - I was wondering. I mean, your baby will be half of a frost giant. Why's it then still that small?"
Thor: "Our healer told us that it is in the shape of a normal human. At least in the moment."
Tony: "Wait, what? - In the moment? - Does it change shape whenever it likes to or what?"
Thor: " - Exactly."
Bruce: "So - just to summarise - it could easily be that it shifts shape while it's still in Loki's body?"
Thor nodded, looking at the doctor a little confused.
Tony: "I knew there had to be a bigger problem than only Loki being pregnant! Great! Now we have a pregnant criminal who could be torn into pieces by his child practically every second! Guys, I know you have nowhere else to go but, honestly - I'm not crazy about having to clean this whole mess up! So please - the door's to your left."
Thor shot his friend a death glance and Bruce hurried to ease the moment.
Bruce: "Well - in the moment I don't see a danger of Loki bursting. The baby is to small."
Tony: "Yeah doctor but in case you don't know - baby's keep growing."
Bruce: "Thor, did they tell you how you can keep the child from shifting shape?"
Thor: "Well - she told us Loki has to avoid any form of physical or mental stress."
Tony: "Mhm - very easy with an overpowered boyfriend and a doctor who turns into a killing freak from time to time."
Bruce: "Tony, could you once in your life shut your mouth and be quiet!"
Tony: "I'd like to see what you're doing if I say no."
Bruce: "Thor - I suggest you bring Loki into your room so he can start relaxing."
Tony: "Free as always, golden boy! If you want something to eat - just take. But don't ask me to cook for you."
Thor's face turned into a half-smile.
Thor: "Thank you, my friends. We'll come down later I guess."
Thor only said this because of Loki. He himself was already half-way-starving, but he had noticed how quiet Loki had been through the whole conversation and Thor could guess, the trickster was more than exhausted. So he took his hand, leading him a few floors up until they reached the second-highest floor, from where you could see the night sky through the windows. Tony had known why he gave him this one.
Tony(calling after them): "OH AND THOR?"
Thor turned back, answering his friend from 5 floors above with no problem.
Thor: "YES STARK?"
Tony: "IF LOKI SHOULD AVOID STRESS - I SUGGEST YOU DON'T HAVE SEX FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS! I IMAGINE THAT COULD BE KINDA DRAINING!"
Bruce only rolled his eyes, walking back to his lab. Tony was just such a stupid, always-babbling idiot.
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As soon as they entered Thor's bedroom, loki flopped down onto the bed, curling up while still lying on the covers. Thor approached him, lifted him up carefully and spread the sheets above him.
Thor: "Everything okay? I'm sorry for Stark - just don't listen to him. He doesn't reflect on what he's saying."
Loki: "Hmh."
Thor: " - Are you in pain? Or hungry?"
Loki: "No just - tired."
Thor: "If you don't want to eat with the others, I can get something here."
Loki: "Mhm - later. Just let me sleep for now."
Thor: "Alright, just as you wish. I'll just go down and eat myself if that's fine with you."
Loki nodded, hesitantly reaching out a hand to Thor. Thor ignored the hand, wrapping Loki into a soft hug before putting him back down, kissing him tenderly and stroking back a raven curl. Then he watched as Loki fell asleep, a smile on his face and one hand on his stomach.
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