Stronger together

Yes, she was a modern, strong independent woman, but the warm hug it gave her soul to know that he, Lok, Prince of Asgard, rightful King of Jotunheim, Odin's son,  had vowed in public to be her soulmate for life just quite simply made her happy. 

 And happy was in short supply these days. 

Despite their reunion, wedding and impending new arrival, Loki was still struggling. Hard as it was to believe when he walked through the corridors all smiles and battle armour and apparent easy confidence yes, he was still scared. The nightmares attested to that.

A few weeks after their marriage, as they lay sleeping, Ali became aware of an all too familiar noise. Opening her eyes groggily, she knew it was Loki, murmuring and looking distressed in his sleep. She was unsure if she should wake him, sometimes it actually made it worse, but the indecision was short lived. Suddenly he gasped and sat up, wild eyed, sweating and shaking.

"Darling, its ok" she soothed, sitting up with him and stroking the markings on his back, something she had come to know helped him reground after a nightmare. Her voice seemed to startle him and he turned in fright. "Shhhh Loki, I'm here my love. It was a dream" he fell into her open arms with a sob and she cradled his head on her chest as he calmed down.

"Will this ever stop?" He wondered aloud "will I ever be at peace?" He looked up at her from where he lay, his face chiselled from the finest blue lapis in the pale moonlight, a sheen of sweat on his brow and upper lip. No matter the circumstance, she still thought he looked breath taking. He stayed in his Jotun form at home with her now just as she had asked. Her heart melted for him and she leant down, kissing his forehead.

"Yes my love, you will, I promise. Dreams are natural, both good and bad. They process and exorcise the demons. Each one consigns a little more to the past where they belong. Remember, I am here and will keep you safe, as you have kept me - us - safe. " she smiled and stroked his soft raven hair. He seemed to accept this and relaxed snuggling her chest, looking up at her. "Thank you my Queen" he whispered, "I'm sorry to have woken you". He stroked her thigh, his long fingers gliding over her skin leaving trails of fire as he spoke. The way he called her his Queen, Gods, it always made her insides twitch.

"Well since we ARE awake my King...." she giggled softly and wriggled down the bed, easing herself next to him. Kissing him hungrily, she moved his hand from her thigh to her breast and he responded immediately, rolling her nipple between his thumb and fingers. With a small gasp she pressed herself against his hand more, kissing him again "perhaps we could distract ourselves in the best possible way?" She smiled into the kiss as she heard him moan softly grinding himself to her.

"Oh my pet," he growled "you are indeed becoming insatiable - with which I have no issue whatsoever. You really have no idea do you? What the sight and feel of your changing body does to me these days?" he didn't wait for an answer, "Our child grows within you and my love and my desire for you grows with equal measure. Let me show you..." he gently pushed her back onto the pillows supporting her. In the moonlight he leant over her, his raven hair falling like a curtain over his face, she pushed it back, tracing his cheek and lips then ran her hands over his chest and down to his navel. He closed his eyes and moaned, his growing desire self evident against her soft body. She felt herself clench and burn deep down in that way she now knew so well.

He lay down next to her turning her slightly to face him, supported by their bolster, so she would be more comfortable, and began to kiss her. Her lips, her neck, her breasts, down over her belly and her thighs. She felt her body respond to his touch, his feather like lips teasing and tormenting her. With a low and wicked laugh, he scrambled down the bed, kneeling between her legs, his fingers stroking her intimately. He smiled knowingly and slipped a digit between her folds, into her core. As she gripped the sheets, tipping her head back, pure carnal pleasure etched itself on her face. Her voice was low and breathy, her eyes closed,

"Oh Loki, yes, yes my love, that feels..." she couldn't finish as another wave of intense pleasure made her cry out in ecstasy.

"Oh my pet, you think this is pleasure?" he growled, his ruby eyes blazing up at her "You should know me by now darling, I have only just begun" his face disappearing downwards and his hands now gripping her thighs, holding them in place. She writhed and bucked, calling his name repeatedly as his tongue set to work. Some things, she knew in the few lucid moments left to her, would never change.

Other things however, changed more quickly than either ever expected. The doctors in Asgard had kept a close eye on Ali. They knew all about human pregnancy and all about Jotun pregnancy but very little about a mixture of the two. So far, she had pretty much sailed through it. After the first trimester, the nausea had gone. In the second, she had grown larger than expected, probably the frost giant dna and in the third, well, they discovered something else entirely. A new baby entirely. Twins! It appeared the second had hidden behind the first on the scans and their heartbeats were in perfect synchronisation so it sounded like one.

Loki and Ali were astonished and terrified all at the same time. As Avengers, they could face any foe, deal with any crisis, unflinchingly. As new parents, the thought of twins floored them. They sat at home after the appointment in silence, just staring at the ultrasound, then at each other, then back again.

"Oh norns!" Said Loki, even his blue form looking pale and fearful."Yup" was all Ali said "Norns".

Thor on the other hand was much more enthusiastic ,"Yesssssss!" He cried punching the air when they told him "twice the fun for Uncle Thor!" Ali and Loki just shook their heads and smiled. If he could see the positive, then perhaps they should too.

In the end, they didn't have long to wait and worry. One morning a couple of weeks after the fateful scan, she woke with a terrible backache. The twins had been especially active the day before and she thought initially, they had just made her sore. Loki was in the kitchen making breakfast when she waddled through and slipped her arms round his waist.

"Morning Mischief" she said into his back, her size now meaning she couldn't really get much closer.

"Morning my favourite little Midgardian" he replied, turning and kissing her softly, "how are you sweetheart, you were very restless last night?"

"Oh sorry love, " she rubbed her back " I didn't mean to wake you, I'm just really uncomfortable" she tried to straighten a little a relieve the ache. It didn't work.

"Go and sit down, I'll bring your breakfast out , its a lovely morning. Take it easy darling, that's why I'm here" he kissed her again and she smiled

"What would I do without you?" She asked as she waddled away

"Oh probably not have that reason for a sore back?" He smirked and turned back to the stove. He was just plating up when he heard a muffled "ohhhh!". He stopped, about to ask if she was ok when he heard her call out to him.

"Loki?" Her tone sounded odd, frightened even.

He immediately put down the plates and crossed the room, he hadn't even made it to the door when she called again, this time louder.

"LOKIIIII !!" he rushed the last few feet and emerged from the house to see his beloved wife, standing barefoot on their decking, a large puddle seeping from between her feet across the floor. She was staring at it transfixed, her hands on her stomach, the hem of his shirt she wore, drenched.

She looked up, her face was calm, her eyes, terrified. All she said was " Bed. Midwife. Now!"

They had planned to have the babies back at the Campus, Bruce's unit had all the toys, but there was no time. She was weeks early. They'd warned them there was no guarantee she'd go the normal human term but this was still a shock. But if her waters had broken, then home it was. He got her upstairs and into their bedroom when she stopped and clutched herself, a shrill cry of pain escaping her.

" oh Loki, I'll never manage this. I'm such a wuss. Its just begun and I'm in agony. I'm so sorry. " she started to cry. Loki held her hand and tipped her chin up to him" You got this. You're strong, you're amazing and you're going to be a fantastic mum " he tried to help her onto the bed but she shook her head.

" No I need to stand, to lean, it helps" she braced her hands on the edge of the bed. He rubbed her back as another contraction hit her. It was only 3 minutes since the last. They both knew it wouldn't be long." Go get Mrs Gunnerson Loki, there's no time to find the doctor. She can help me" Loki was too scared to argue, he bolted for the door."I love you" he said as he left, feeling intensely ashamed he couldn't help her in her agony when he had partly caused it.

She heard the front door shut as another contraction hit, making her buckle. Suddenly, she knew she had to push. No, she thought, not now. Not alone. Oh god she was scared! Nature however, didn't care, she bore down, the pain ripping into her and she screamed. She knew she was close so she dropped down and squatted with her back to the bed.

Bracing herself she panted and waited, another contraction hit and she pushed. With a scream that would have been heard in Valhalla she pushed her son into the world. He slithered into her hands and onto a blanket she'd pulled from the bed.  Thankful for a pause in the contractions, she scooped him up and wrapped him securely.

"Hello little one" she whispered as she lifted him to her, " your Daddy will be so sad he missed your arrival " she kissed him and felt another contraction bite. She had to hang on, Loki had to come back soon. Oh god she thought, I cant hold on! She cursed profanely and very loudly, feeling the need to push again as yet another wave hit her. Just a few more seconds , she screwed her eyes tight and panted...

Loki burst back into the house Mrs Gunnerson right behind him, he heard a blood curdling curse and he bounded up stairs two at a time."Ali" he yelled" we're here darling "He burst into the room to find his wife now sitting on the floor, cradling one baby as she tried to deliver the second. Mrs Gunnerson knelt, passing the boy to Loki.

"Hold him!!" she commanded briskly and for once Loki didn't argue. He watched as the older woman calmed his wife with a few gentle words. Then as Ali gave a cry like an animal in pain, that frightened him beyond anything he could have imagined, their daughter came into the world.

Ali flopped back and Loki moved to support her. A second or two later their second child appeared before them wrapped in a blanket and placed into Ali's arms. She rested her head on Loki's shoulder, exhausted. It had been mercifully quick but savage. They were, unsurprisingly, large babies. Holding them close together the parents who put the New into Asgard watched in wonder as their babies wriggled sleepily, mewling like kittens. They were pale blue with red eyes, those eyes fixed on their parents.  As they watched in wonder, the blue faded to pink and their eyes changed to a beautiful sea green.

Loki looked at them astonished that they had the ability he had always thought his alone,  then at Ali. In that instant, with the woman and the children for whom he would sacrifice everything, even his life, his existence was complete. He felt peace that a few short months ago, he could only have dreamed of. And it was all thanks to Ali. Beautiful, brave, smart, loyal, loving Ali.

"Oh you clever clever girl" he put an arm round her, looking down at his little family "I am so proud of you" he kissed her forehead and realised she was silently breaking her heart ," please darling , don't cry" he pulled her tightly to him, trying to reassure her.

"I'm so sorry Loki, I'm so sorry. I tried to wait for you I really did, but I couldn't" she sobbed looking up at him, "I wanted you to see.. to be here.. I know how important that was for you."

"Oh my love, my darling girl. Please don't cry! They're here safe and you're here safe and I'm here now that's all that matters. I love you so much thankyou for our babies" he gently helped her stand and then onto the bed.

" Mrs Gunnerson will help get you sorted. Please darling, don't cry, it's all going to be fine. Just rest now" he sat on the bed and stroked her hair as the Asgardian midwife fussed about with the babies, cleaning her and all the usual post birth activities. Once mother and babies had been gently prepared, she left to fetch the doctor.

"Your Highnesses have two beautiful children, may the Gods watch over you all " she said, and Ali stretched out a hand to her, clasping the midwife's hand in gratitude.

"Thankyou Mrs Gunnerson "she smiled and Loki thought Ali the most beautiful and regal,she had ever looked. Truly a Queen. A gentle radiance seemed to glow from her "I - we - are in your debt" Mrs Gunnerson just smiled and bowed slightly as she left. They knew the word would be round the village in minutes. That was just fine by them.

Loki turned to her, watching as she fed their son and daughter for the first time. For a moment each baby snuffled and mewled then latched and with a contended sigh started to feed. She stroked their little heads, soothing them. She was a natural mother. In awe, he watched as she quietly hummed a tune and realised to his delight was an Asgardian lullaby taught to him by his mother. In turn he had sung it to her to quiet her when she suffered as she'd healed from her own nightmare. She must have remembered. His heart overflowed, he had never been so happy.

"Darling?" Ali interrupted his reverie, "I've had a thought about names " she smiled. " I know we said we would wait a couple of days to see what struck us but I know. I really do. I'd like to name our son James after my dad if that's ok?" Loki nodded enthusiastically. He secretly had the same thought but hadn't wanted to pressure her.

"That would be perfect" he said kissing her and their son. "Hello James Lokison"

Ali smiled and reached out a hand drawing him close, "perhaps, since she's finished for now, you'd like to take our daughter? " he nodded silently smiling fit to burst. She handed the baby to him,"Loki" she said with a serious but smiling tone, " may I present your daughter" he looked down at her and whispered " hello little one I'm your Daddy" he gently kissed her head"Why don't you call her by her name sweetheart" Ali smiled"I don't know it" he said, puzzled by the remark,"Yes, you do " she answered, her eyes filled with tears " she is named for the beautiful fierce warrior Queen that taught you to love and be loved despite what you thought you were and where you thought you came from." He opened his mouth to speak , sure he knew what she was about to say, but what she did say floored him " Her name is Frigga, Frigga Lokisdottir"

Loki's head snapped up from the child to her face, his mouth open and his eyes overflowing.

"Mother" he whispered barely able to speak let alone believe it "darling - are you certain?" was the only thing he could say, his voice shaking with emotion.

" Yes, of course - never forget, I love you Loki Laufe..."she paused "Loki Friggason" was her heartfelt answer.