Aftermath

“You must be Thor’s mother. Allow me to escort you, your Majesty.” Steve says very formally as he extends his arm to her. Queen Frigga smiles approvingly and takes it, though her eyes do not hide the concern that still resides there.
“Is that a sword tucked into the folds of her dress?” Clint asks Natasha.
“Yep. And that pretty metal overlay on the top of her dress is armor.” Natasha mutters back.
“Don’t fuck with mama. Got it.” Tony says. They all follow quietly behind the Queen to the medical bay and file into the room after her. When Frigga enters the room she finds Loki back on all fours again in a hospital bed. He is alternating between breathing and crying his way through another contraction.
“Oh Loki!” She cries. The last she had seen her son was before the Bifrost was destroyed. That was three years ago. Now here he is, very much alive, and giving birth to her first grandchild…..out of wedlock. “Loki? Who is the father of your child?” Frigga asks. Knowing that her grandchild is about to be born a bastard makes her heart ache. Illegitimate royal children are not afforded the same protections as legitimate children in Asgard. Loki turns his ruby eyes to gaze upon Thor, who is looking very guilty. Thor and Frigga’s eyes meet and horror overcomes her features.
“No….You didn’t. Tell me the two of you did not make love as brothers.” She almost whispers in disbelief.
“No, mother, we didn’t.” Loki quips. “Thor held me down against my will and took his pleasure on me….as his brother. Then he sucked my cock as an apology. THEN we made love. By then we were total strangers to one another.”
Frigga’s mouth hangs agape as she looks back at Thor for confirmation, whose guilty eyes confirm his statement. Frigga closes the distance between herself and Thor and slaps him in the face hard. Everyone gasps in horror.
“Did Loki just accuse Thor of raping him?” Steve asks Tony over his shoulder. Tony nods. Everyone looks at Thor with new eyes. Frigga steps back and narrows her eyes at her two sons. The shadows in the room seem to collect around her and bend the light and air. A menacing crackle blooms in the air around her and there is no doubt to be found about her rage.
“Thor, I am going to call on Heimdall to fetch the Temple Priest to come to Midgard and make ready for a hand fastening ceremony, in which the two of you WILL take part. Do I make myself clear?”
“Mother No!” Loki cries.
“Loki you must do this for the sake of your child if not yourself. Your child will be offered no protections unless it is legitimate. You know the people of Asgard would never recognize it otherwise, especially since it is you that is the mother. My grandchild will not be born a bastard! It will be the next heir, so help me Valhalla or I will make the both of you pay.” Frigga seethes. Loki is shocked. His mother has always been a formidable presence in his life. Loving and gentle yes, but he has always feared her wrath. She is in many ways, more frightening than the Allfather when angered. Loki looks over at Thor, who seems…well…not very upset about this proposed arrangement. Is that asshole smiling?
“So be it.” Loki chokes out through clenched teeth. Another contraction is hitting him. Frigga walks out of the room to find the balcony and call out to Heimdall. The others all stare at Thor and Loki, taking in the new information.
“So a hand fastening ceremony…that’s ah…a wedding right? Clint asks.
“Yes.” Thor says.
“So you are about to marry your brother?” Steve asks.
“He’s not my brother.” Loki and Thor answer in unison. They look at each other and a small smile glances over the pair’s lips. Frigga re-enters the room after a couple of minutes and surveys the room.
“I will need witnesses, but as soon as the ceremony is over I want everyone out. Thor you will of course remain.”
“Ma’am, my name is Bruce and I have medical training. If you wish I can stay behind and assist with the birthing. I understand what all these instruments are and what they do. And I know where all of our supplies are located.”
“Thank you Mr. Bruce, your aid will be most helpful.” Frigga says politely. After several minutes goes by another beam of light brings down The Temple Priest, Lady Eir and another one of the healers. Tony escorts them into the room. All three stare at Loki in open mouthed shock. Loki is a Jotunn?! Loki is pregnant AND giving birth?!
“Your Eminence Thor and Loki are to be married immediately. The witnesses are gathered. As you can see time is of the essence so get straight to the vows.” Frigga instructs.
“But my Queen….” The priest sputters, “Thor and Loki are…”
“Having a baby together. Loki is giving birth to the next heir. You WILL hand fasten them. Do you understand?” Frigga looks the man squarely in the eyes so that he knows this is a command.
“Yes My Queen.” He gestures to Thor to stand next to Loki and take one of his hands. The priest pulls out a ribbon and wraps it around their wrists. He begins speaking words which are not in English. Steve, Tony, Natasha, Clint, and Bruce look on as Thor and Loki speak words to each other that they can’t understand. As Thor speaks the words it becomes obvious to everyone that, whatever he is saying, he means them. He is looking at Loki purposefully and meaningfully. There is a happiness in his eyes that he cannot hide.
When Loki speaks the words it is through clenched teeth. He is having a contraction and the pain is obvious. However, in Loki’s eyes there is fear, resentment, and reservation. He speaks the words, and one word in particular, Loki seems to balk at. Steve turns to Tony.
“I wonder if that was the Asgardian word for obey?” Steve mutters under his breath.
“Mmmm.” Tony nods. He suspects so also.
When the words are finished the ribbon around their wrists begins to glow and then disappear into their skin. Thor leans in and kisses Loki and everyone gasps at the sight.
“I love you. I promise you we will figure this out.” Thor says to Loki most seriously.
“Okay guys, time to go, I need the room.” Bruce says.
“Drinks in the living room. I know I need one.” Tony says.
The Avengers file out of the room, along with the temple priest. Tony heads for the bar and starts pouring drinks. He hands one to the priest.
“Here you go Padre. You look like you could use one of these.” Tony says.
“Thank you.” The priest says quietly. These Midgardian people are strange creatures. Their dress is strange. Their architecture is strange, but their liquor is delicious!
“So I guess Thor will be going home soon. I mean, he finally found Loki…and married him… and they are having a baby in the next room.” Clint says.
“I have a feeling they aren’t going to leave just yet.” Natasha says.
“Why wouldn’t they. They have every reason to go home. Loki has to face judgment for his crimes.” Steve says.
“Exactly. Do you really think Loki is going to allow himself to be tossed into a prison cell and be torn from his baby? Do you think Thor would allow that? We all saw the way Thor was looking at Loki in there. The man is in love.” Natasha says.
“What are you suggesting? That they stay here and raise Rosemary’s baby?” Tony inquires.
“Thor isn’t going to be in a rush to take Loki back to Asgard and have his new little family torn apart. In any case, I don’t think Loki will be in any shape to ride the rainbow wave for at least a few days. We should probably get some basic baby supplies.” Clint says.
“I’ll call Pepper.” Tony says.
In the birthing room, Lady Eir and her assistant guide Loki through the contractions. Lady Eir has only read about Frost Giant births but she doesn’t let on that she feels nervous or insecure about herself. It would upset the mother. That male human seems surprisingly calm about all this. These strange devices and the noises they make are apparently telling him things are going well. Humans are so strange. Loki has been at it for a few hours now and the hole in his stomach is fully dilated. He feels the need to push.
“I think I can see the head.” Bruce says.
“Breathe Loki breathe.” Thor says as he rubs Loki’s back. Loki is in his birthing position on all fours huffing and puffing.
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” Loki screams as a child slips from his gut in one fluid movement. It lands on the towels beneath Loki and squeals loudly. Lady Eir swoops in quickly to clean and check the child.
“It’s a girl.” She says. Her skin is pink, her eyes are blue, and her hair is jet black. Lady Eir wraps the baby in a lush soft towel before handing the child off to her father. Thor beams as he looks down upon his daughter.
“You are a most gracious and unexpected gift this day my child. I will love you more than all the stars in the heavens. Frigga reaches out to stroke the child’s little scalp with her palm. She holds back tears of joy as she looks down upon her granddaughter.
Loki finishes pushing out the afterbirth. The other healer removes the mess of towels and goo beneath him and Loki lies back on his back and finally rests. His stomach looks strange. The hole that was his belly button is stretched out and puckered. His stomach looks flatter than it has in months, but it also looks like a deflated balloon. Loki wonders if he will ever get his old stomach back.
“Hand me my daughter.” Loki says with his arms outstretched. He cannot conceal the fear in his voice. Now would be the moment that they would snatch her from him. Thor walks over and places the child in its mother’s arms. Loki breathes a sigh of relief when he has her. He will never part with her. Immediately Loki looks around for a means of escape. He is too drained to simply disappear and he doesn’t have the strength to run right now. Thor and Frigga pick up on Loki’s anxiety.
“Loki my son, do not fear. We are not taking you back to Asgard right now.” Frigga says soothingly.
“But you will take me back.” Loki says.
“You are too weak to travel by Bifrost and the child is too fragile. It will be several days before that will be possible for either of you. I will talk to your father about all of this. Loki, is there anything you can tell me on your behalf to sway your father?”
“Yes! Tell him I’m sorry for all of it! I won’t be a problem! I paid for my crimes. I compensated everyone and healed lots of people. I paid for it three times over like he would want me to do! Please don’t take my baby from me.” Loki’s desperate plea turns into a tearful sob. He is so afraid.
“I am going to return to Asgard now with the healers and the priest and give your father a full report.” Frigga says.
“Should I come with you mother? Maybe my words will sway him to give Loki leniency.” Thor says.
“You let me worry about your father. The two of you have bigger problems to solve.” Frigga says.

Notes