The fairytale!

The fight was over. The terrorists were beaten and had fled the battle field. Tony and Thor were just struggling to get to each other, barely seeing or hearing anything through the dust and the screaming people everywhere. When they'd finally spotted each other, Thor stepped next to Ironman. The warrior had removed his faceplate now.
Thor: "Excellent work, Stark."
The genius looked up at him, an exhausted grin on his features.
Tony: "You too, sunshine. - Would have been difficult without you."
They both had minor cuts and bruises and Tony's armour had sustained some damage, but the main thing was they were both still alive.
Thor: "What's about the others? Where are they?"
Tony: "A rescue team got Clint and Nat out of the cave. They're all in hospital for a check-up, Steve as well. I guess they'll be back soon. At latest tomorrow. - How does Loki cope with you being away, by the way?"
Thor's smile faded a little, a certain darkness settling in his eyes.
Thor: "Not that well. - He asked me to stay. - He is scared of getting hurt. And - I am as well."
Tony:" - Then we better get back quickly, huh?"
The thunderer nodded, starting to walk toward the Quinjet. When the blonde looked back briefly, he saw that Tony, who was following behind, was limping a little.
Thor: "Do you need help?"
The scientist shook his head.
Tony: "No worries, goldilocks. I'm getting along."
They were halfway there when Tony's phone started ringing. Tony looked at the display, then pausing in his steps.
Tony: "Give me a sec, Pointbreak! It's Bruce!"
The blonde froze immediately, turning to face his ally, his gaze anxious.
Thor: "Wh-what-?"
Tony: " - I don't know, sunshine."
He accepted the call.
Tony: "What's it, Bruce?"
Bruce: "Tony, where is Thor?"
Tony: "Um, firstly - if you wanna know where Thor is, why don't you call him?"
Bruce: " - You came first in my contacts. So - where's he?"
Tony: "We've just finished those guys and are now-"
Bruce: "Ok listen, Loki's going into labour and freaking out 'cause Thor's not around. We need Thor here! Now!"
The scientist was silent for a moment, his glance neutral.
Tony: " - Shit. Okay, we're coming back as fast as this thing can fly."
Tony hung up, putting his phone back and walking up to Thor, stopping in front of him. The asgardian's eyes were focused only on him, clouded with deep concern.
Thor: "What did he say? What is wrong?"
The brunette sighed quietly, returning Thor's look as calmly as he could.
Tony: "Thor, - Loki's going into labour."
For a moment, there wasn't any reaction. The only sign the words had reached him were his star-blue eyes, widening before glazing over with panic.
Tony: "Hey, - no reason for panicking, sunshine. We'll-"
He didn't come to finish his sentence as Thor spun around, heading off to the jet in a sprint that was unmatchable.
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During the whole flight, the blonde didn't sit still, pacing through the tiny vehicle like a caged animal. In this case, Tony was glad he had to steer the jet. Otherwise he would have had to calm Thor down in some way and - not that he didn't want to - but what should he say? The situation was more than dangerous. If Loki didn't keep himself together 'cause his boyfriend wasn't with him and the birth failed ... they all knew what this would mean. And Thor knew it as well. While pacing, he didn't lose one word, his gaze fixed onto a spot at the wall.
As soon as they touched down, Thor yanked the door open, jumping out and heading towards the entrance of the tower. Tony did his best to follow, struggling to keep up. He must have moaned or something, because Thor stopped in his movements, rushing back to him and lifting him off the ground in one quick motion. Tony huffed quietly. Great! Another round of being carried around by a god!
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They heard the moans as soon as the door of the elevator had opened. They were muffled and quiet, barely audible through the doors. The blonde ran through the corridor, pushing the last door open violently and finally letting the scientist down to his own feet. Loki was lying stretched out on his back, his face contorted in discomfort. His breaths came frantic and flat, interrupted by moans and sobs. The trickster was crying, his body shaking visibly. Bruce was sitting next to the bed, telling Loki to take deep breaths. But either Loki didn't hear him or, and that was the worse option, he didn't manage to obey, too wrapped up in panic to control it. After letting Tony down, Thor was at his side in an instant, dropping to his knees beside the bed and gently taking one of Loki's hands into both of his. His fingers were icy cold, shaking as well.
Thor: "Loki!"
The god of mischief slightly turned his head at the touch. As he spotted Thor kneeling next to him, he cuddled closer, his sobs subsiding slowly. Thor looked over at the doctor.
Thor: "I-is he - is everything alright?"
Banner seemed relieved now that they were back.
Bruce: "Yeah, I think now the whole thing looks different. I really was scared he'd fall unconscious from a panic attack - then I wouldn't have known what to do either. But I think the chances he might manage it are definitely higher now."
Thor managed a strained smile, putting a gentle kiss to Loki's hair.
Thor: "Everything's alright, love. I know you're strong enough to do this. - Everything's fine now. Try to relax, yeah?"
Then he took both of Loki's hands, rubbing them gently. The trickster calmed down slowly, his sobs disappearing and his breathing slowing down to normal. Tony, who had texted the others of the team in the meantime, sat down in a chair nearby.
Tony: "How far is he?"
Bruce: "Quite at the beginning, I think. He only seems to be preparing until now, but that can change any second. That's why I was so anxious of having Thor around. - Everything ok with the rest?"
Tony: "Yeah, I guess they'll come soon. - Just the routine check-up in hospital, you know."
Bruce: " - So you two skipped that part."
Tony: " - We'll survive."
Bruce eyed them both. The men were quite beaten up, their clothes drenged in blood (probably a mixture of their own and their enemies'). But neither of them seemed to care right now. And as far as Bruce could see, it was nothing too serious. The scientist leaned back, preparing for a long time of waiting. Tony did the same, checking his messages, while Thor stayed right where he was, kneeling next to his lover, holding his hands as if fearing to let go. After a while, Loki had relaxed nearly completely, his expression relenting to one of utter peace. That was until the next convulsion hit him. The black-haired gritted his teeth to suppress a moan. Thor stroke a hand through Loki's curls soothingly.
Thor: "Shhh, it's alright. You're doing so well, dear."
Loki only shot him one short look and Thor knew what to do to calm him down. Bruce and Tony watched as Thor kicked off his dirty shoes and threw his bloody cape aside. Then he sat down on the edge of the bed, gathering his lover in his arms. For a moment, he only held him tight, one hand supporting his back, the other on his stomach. Then he started rubbing gentle circles with his fingers. He proceeded slowly, intensifying when he felt Loki needed more. Loki's moans subsided as he cuddled closer, trying to get as much of the touch as he could. The scientists grinned simultaneously. Obviously, their short briefing a couple of months ago hadn't been for nothing.
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When they were finally allowed to leave the hospital (it had taken a promise from Steve to have bed rest for one day and one from Clint to not go to work for the following days), they were all rather exhausted. Natasha went to call a cab. Meanwhile, Clint was checking his phone. Steve watched his face darken as he read a message.
Steve: "Is something wrong?"
Clint: " - You could probably say that. Loki has been going into labour while Tony and Thor were on the mission."
Steve: " - And?"
Clint: "Na, it's fine. They're back now and hopefully have everything under control. Still, I think you can skip that day of bed rest."
The archer grinned tiredly, leaning against a park bench.
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As the hours passed by, at least part of Bruce's assumption appeared to be true. They'd only been at the very beginning. Three hours later, the convulsions hit with less time in between and far more brutally. Loki found it more and more difficult to lie still, his moans growing louder and more painful. Thor kept massaging him whenever the pain started fading out, giving him some time to recollect his strength. After an especially hard cramp, Loki was nearly in tears, exhaustedly leaning his head back against Thor's shoulder. Thor gently put a hand to his stomach, holding him securily. He was out of breath, panting heavily now.
Loki: " - H-how - how long?"
Bruce: "It's going to happen soon, Loki. Everything has been going alright until now."
That was the moment the birth turned into a nightmare. From when the next convulsion hit Loki onward, there were no breaks or fade-in and outs anymore. The pain was so violent and lasting that Loki started writhing in Thor's gentle hold, sobbing and screaming now. Thor kept mumbling soothing words, simply holding his lover tight. Bruce got up, preparing everything.
Bruce: "Very good, Loki. You're nearly done. - Keep holding him still, Thor. It should happen very soon."
But it didn't come. Thor kept holding Loki in place, barely able to watch the smaller one. Loki was sweating now, his skin as white as snow. Half an hour passed, and no signs of the baby. Thor's eyes were full of despair as he kept reassuring his love, telling him everything would be fine soon, although he guessed he couldn't listen anyway. The trickster had gotten too exhausted to scream, sobbing relentlessly. His whole body was shaking, his breathing coming in short gasps.
The time the rest of the team arrived, Loki had started screaming again. They came up immediately, gathering around Tony who filled them in on the details. Meanwhile, Thor was looking at Bruce, a helpless plea in his eyes.
Thor: "Banner, I don't understand! You said the child should come soon, why - why - ?"
Bruce:" - I don't know, Thor, I-"
He was interrupted as Loki threw himself into Thor's arms as best as he could, his face a mask of pain and agony. Thor caught him, gently stroking his back. Loki didn't even seem to feel the touch, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Loki(whispering): "M-make it stop. P-please Thor, m-make - make this stop! I - I can't-"
His voice was barely above a whisper and frail as if breaking every second. Bruce came closer.
Bruce: "Thor, step aside for a sec. - I think something's wrong here."
Thor hesitated before letting go of Loki in order to leave his position. As soon as he started moving, Loki gripped onto his tunic with a shaky hand, trying to pull him close once more.
Thor: "I'm staying right here, my love. Don't worry. I'm not leaving."
He released Loki's fingers from his clothes, keeping them securely in his grip while sitting down on the floor next to the bed. As soon as Thor wasn't holding him anymore, Loki curled up on his side, pressing his hands against his back. Bruce, who just had wanted to start examining him, looked frustrated.
Bruce: "Thor, could you ...?"
Thor gently took Loki's hands into one of his, flipping him over onto his back and reestablishing the support on Loki's back with his other hand. Loki, now forced to lie still, kept crying in pain. Thor had never been good at seeing Loki cry and could barely stand the sight. But he pulled himself together for now.
Thor: "Shhh, shh, it's going to be over soon, Loki. Just hold on. I'm with you."
After a short examination, Bruce looked up. His face wasn't suspecting anything positive.
Bruce: "The child's lying in a wrong position."
Thor's gaze got even more alarmed, his eyes darting between Bruce and Loki.
Thor: "Wh-what does that mean?"
The blonde looked scared now, gripping onto Loki's hand.
Bruce: " - Means that it can't get out like this. Loki can't give birth to it like that."
The silence that followed was filled with horror. The other avengers had listened in as well. Nat was now staring at Bruce, Steve at Loki and Tony and Clint kept their eyes fixed on Thor. And Thor? Thor was staring into nothing, as pale as Loki. Said frost giant had started screaming once again. It were screams full of torture, anguish and exhaustion, not even sounding human.
Bruce: "We've got one chance. - Tony, tell Jarvis to prepare the medical room for a surgery."
Tony: " - You wanna get the child out? Bruce, you're not-"
Bruce: "Do you see another doctor in here?"
Tony got up then, walking out to fulfil the instructions. Bruce turned to Thor.
Bruce: "Thor? I need you to listen to me now!"
The blonde lifted his head slightly, his gaze still on Loki.
Bruce: "Get Loki down into the medical room, okay? But be careful when picking him up. Don't make him move too much."
Thor obeyed, getting up hastily and lifting Loki up to his chest. The man tried to free himself, but Thor held him in a secure hold, careful not to apply too much pressure. Then he left the room, still cradling Loki close. On half of the way, Loki, who had shut his eyes close the entire time, opened them a little, looking around in panic before finding Thor in front of him.
Loki: "Th-Thor? - Wh-what-?"
His voice was cracked and fragile, he was barely able to form words. Thor looked at him, banning all the worry and agony from his eyes for a moment and smiling at him as lovingly as he could.
Thor: " - It's alright, love. - Banner's gonna help you."
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They had positioned Loki on a gurney and everything was prepared for the surgery.
Bruce: "Ok Thor, I'm gonna narcotize him now so I can open his stomach and get the baby out - hopefully."
Thor nodded, not moving from his lover's side. Loki was still crying, his hands shaking in Thor's grip. But when Bruce approached him with the syringe, ready to start the procedure, Loki suddenly unleashed his magic, throwing Bruce back against the wall. Thor stepped in front of the gurney to look at Loki directly. His eyes were filled with panic. And that was the moment Thor panicked himself. If Loki didn't let Bruce take the child out, there was no chance either of them would make it out alive.
Thor: "LOKI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"
Loki looked up at him, his features a mixture of pain, panic and maddening fury.
Loki: "I WON'T LET HIM TAKE MY CHILD! NOT AGAIN! I - I WANT - I W-WANT TO - TO - have my - baby!"
Thor couldn't see clearly anymore, his vision was blurry. But he saw the tears in Loki's eyes - or were they his own?. The Asgardian sank to his knees, still gripping onto Loki's hands like a lifeline. As he spoke, slowly and quiet, his voice was shaky, breaking at nearly every word.
Thor: " - Our baby will live. - You will live. - Do you really think I'd let anyone harm you or our baby? Do you really think that? - Loki, please - I beg you, - let him help you. - I'm here."
Loki couldn't say a word. The screaming and excitement had taken all of his energy. Now he was lying limp like a doll in Thor's arms, shaking and moaning in pain, his breaths gasping and laboured. But as the god of mischief looked up into his lover's clear-blue eyes, reflecting nothing but love and longing, he knew that as long as Thor was with him, nothing could possibly go wrong. It was an oath that Thor had given him dozens of times. It had been broken a couple of times, but the majority of occasions it hadn't. So all he managed was a barely noticeable nod. It was enough for Thor. The blonde bent down, lifting Loki's face up gently and kissing him. The kiss wasn't passionate, not even long. But it was one of the truest they had ever had.
Thor(whispering): " - I love you. - Never forget that. - Never."
In the meantime, the others had arrived as well, recollecting the stuff Loki had thrown aside. When they returned, Loki was unconscious. Thor was kneeling on the floor beside him, his hands still entangled with Loki's.
Bruce: "Are you ready?"
This time it was Thor who couldn't speak. So he just nodded, a sign Bruce took as a starter. When the syringe pierced Loki's vein and the unconsciousness drifted over into a peaceful slumber, Thor's guard fell at once. He shook nearly as badly as Loki had before, gripping his hand so tightly the others were scared he might break it. When they looked at their friend, he was crying on the floor. All the security he'd kept up to assure Loki only minutes ago had left him now and the events of the day were crashing in on him. Bruce turned to face the others.
Bruce: "Maybe you go out as long as I'm working, huh."
Tony nodded, walking over and kneeling down beside him. Bruce started his work while the rest went out. Tony was leading their golden warrior along, Steve, Natasha and Clint were closely behind them and Loki still lay motionless, breathing through the oxygen mask. And all the while, the clouds, which had collected in the sky all day long, as dark and black as death itself, finally broke, a low and threatening growl announcing the storm that was yet to come.