Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Bruce had gone down into his lab to continue his work, while Thor was sitting on his bed. Loki was lying next to him, his head in Thor's lap. Thor gently stroked his fingers through Loki's raven curls. Loki had fallen asleep about half an hour ago, and Thor hadn't moved since then, careful not to wake him. Suddenly, Thor's phone started ringing. He quickly took it from his pocket and answered the call to stop the loud noise.
Thor (quietly): "Yes?"
It was Stark's voice at the other end of the line, sounding a little out of breath. There was loud shouting and shooting in the background.
Tony: "Um, Thor? - Think we could need you over here."
Thor: "Wh-what? - What has happened, Stark?"
Tony: " - Quite a lot. Cap's been knocked out a few minutes ago and they delivered him to a hos-pital. Clint and Nat have been trapped in a cave and can't get out, and these bastards aren't really done yet."
Thor: "But - why me? Why can't you call Banner in? - I have to stay with Loki, as you know."
Tony: "Look, - I know about your promises and everything, but in this case, I think Bruce would be a better help anyways if something really happened. - And I don't really want to have the Hulk around. He's useful, yeah, but the aftermath's another story. - You're coming?"
Thor remained silent for a moment, looking down at the figure sleeping in his lap.
Thor: " - I'll talk this through with Banner. One of us will come for sure, don't worry."
Tony: "Ok, sunshine. - See you then."
Thor hung up and texted Bruce to join him for a talk. When the scientist arrived, Thor still hadn't moved an inch, a look of concern and seriousness on his features.
Bruce: "What's up, Thor?"
Thor: "Stark called me. The team is in trouble, and he needs help defeating the terrorists."
Bruce: "So, - one of us is going to join him then, right?"
Thor: "Yeah, - he told me it'd be better if I came so you could stay here."
Bruce studied him briefly. Then he sat down next to him, patting his back reassuringly.
Bruce: "You know, - I don't say this often, but he's probably right. If Loki needs medical help —sorry to tell you, but I know a bit more than you in that area. And nothing else will happen. I'll tell Jarvis to let no one but the team inside until you're all back. Then he can't be attacked, kid-napped, or anything. Okay, buddy?"
The blonde hesitated shortly, pulling Loki a little closer. Then he nodded slowly.
Thor: "I'll just tell him. I'll be gone in one minute."
The doctor understood and left them, waiting in front of the room. Thor gently placed a kiss onto Loki's lips. The frost giant moved slightly, his eyes blinking open.
Loki: "Th-Thor?"
Thor: "Yes, right here, my love."
The thunderer pulled his lover against his chest, letting his head rest on his shoulder.
Thor: "Loki, - I have to assist my team in a mission. I'll be back very, very soon. Banner will stay with you to make sure you are alright. He'll also ensure no one can harm you. Stark has invented an artificial intelligence that can control who's coming in or not. Nothing will happen until I'm back, love, alright?"
It was obvious this was hard for Thor as well. He was worried his team could be injured — or even killed, a scenario he didn't even dare to imagine — and knew that it was the smartest plan to leave a doctor with him. But the events of the past made him doubt his own decisions. Loki, on the other hand, seemed slightly scared, gripping onto Thor's cape.
Loki: " - You're sure? What if — what if—"
Thor shushed his arguments with another tender kiss.
Thor: "Shh, - no what-ifs this time. It will be well, Loki. You're safe here, even when I'm not around. You might not consider this your home, but it still is mine, and there shall not be a place I call home where my love is hurt."
The blonde got up then, looking at Loki one last time, sending all the love and passion he felt for him out to him in a single glance. Then he laid him down, stroking a hand through his hair one last time.
Thor: "Goodbye, dear. I'll return to you immediately when everything is over. I promise."
Thor could already hear the battle from afar. He had flown as quickly as he could and was now closing in on Texas. The gunfire and the screaming and crying people could be heard from miles away. When he sank lower, the Man of Iron wasn't hard to spot. The fighter was merciless as ever when fighting, killing the enemy with apparent ease. Stark was surrounded by opponents trying to shoot him and was more than busy with moving out of the way. Thunder cracked through the skies as Thor came down, vanquishing half of the men with flashes of lightning. Iron Man turned, seeing his friend up in the air, annihilating the people that had been attacking him. You couldn't see it through his faceplate, but a wide grin was plastered on his features.
Tony: "Good timing, Goldilocks! Let's get these bastards over with."
Bruce had taken his work upstairs. He didn't particularly think something would happen, but he knew Thor was worried and he thought it better to stay nearby in case Loki needed his help. Now he was sitting in a chair across from the bed, looking up at the trickster from time to time. All went well. He just wanted to ask whether Loki wanted something to eat when he noticed it. Loki was curled up on his side, his breathing flat and faster than usual.
Bruce: "Loki?"
The black-haired man only looked up shortly, an expression of pain on his face. The scientist moved closer as Loki started moaning quietly.
Bruce: "Loki, can you hear me? Can you tell me what's wrong?"
He clutched at his stomach, obviously struggling to speak.
Loki: "H- hurts... Thor..."
Bruce knelt down, turning Loki onto his back and taking his hands from his stomach. This time it was different. It didn't look as if the baby had changed again. Loki wasn't screaming or falling unconscious. Bruce had never seen a frost giant go into labor, but the signs were obvious, and the scientist was more than sure that this was happening right in front of him. And Thor was on a mission...
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