A Mother's Love

Chapter 15

As I crouch down next to Volstagg, I see Loki running across the field, faster than ever before.

Stark scoffs and declares "Home boy is an animal."

I give him a confused look, before I see Loki cast the boulder up with his magic. As he drops into the tunnel, the boulder follows and I scoff at it "I remember that Loki."

Fandral pats my on the shoulder, before Loki comes through the earpiece "Banner, open the portal!"

I cross over to the entrance of the tunnel and ask "Need help gathering those daggers?"

There's silence on the other end of the line, before Loki sighs "I'm sorry, Thor."

I furrow my brow and ask "What are you sure for?"

He takes a moment, before declaring "I'm not taking Jormungandr to Midgard."

I give a confused "But, Frigga?"

"Tell her I'm sorry." Loki insists, softly, before explaining "I just... I need to insure Thanos won't be after Jormungandr, and I'll be back to help defend Midgard from his attack."

In confusion, I ask "But, who will care for Jormungandr?"

He takes a moment, before asking "Do you know the lesson I've learned from being a parent, Thor?"

When I don't reply, he downcastedly states "Sometimes, when you want something, you just shouldn't have it."

I sit there for a moment, thinking of what to say, before he declares "I'll be back in a week, once Jormungandr is settled."

I furrow my brow and look back to my friends "Loki, you don't need to run and hide, anymore."

After a moment of not replying, I continue "I know that that's what you've always done, but just listen. Keep your earpiece on and listen."

As I search for words, it snaps together and I start "Just remember the hurt you felt when you discovered that you weren't of Asgard. How you felt when you discovered that you were abandoned by the one person who was supposed to love you, unconditionally. What will Jormungandr feel when he discovers that his father gave him away?"

When there's no reply, I sigh "I know Odin wasn't a good father, and that I wasn't always there for you, but I promise you, Loki, Jormungandr will have so many people who love him."

I look back to the warriors and continue "You've got me, and Frigga, and the universe's best nanny."

Sif presses her earpiece in as the portal begins to open "You know, we've got the four of us."

Natasha presses against her earpiece and states "All of us are suckers for kids."

I give a weak smile, before declaring "You know, we'd was a race of gods, a secret service, a billionaire, a doctor, a super soldier, and two assassins who are willing to pretty both you, and Jory."

There's absolute silence on the piece, before I ask "Loki?"

Sif moves closer to me and speaks softly "I don't think he's coming, Thor."

I look to her and shake my head "I'm not leaving without him."

She nods, before rubbing my back "I know you missed him, but you have to remember that Loki is Loki. He'll come back when he's sure he's safe."

I furrow my brow and look down the tunnel entrance. After a moment, Sif sighs "We should go, Thor."

I sit there for a moment, before she looks behind us and orders "You guys go ahead."

As they slip through the portal, Sif sits with me and insists "He's not coming back, Thor."

I sigh, before ordering "Go, Sif." After a long moment, she steps away and I just sit there.

After another five minutes, Fandral pokes his head out of the portal and declares "Your friend says we shouldn't keep the portal open much longer."

I sigh, before looking back to him "I just need another minute."

He pulls his head out and I look down the tunnel. Fifteen seconds later, I hear the sound of sand under foot and I drop down into the tunnel to find Loki teary eyed. His face is blotchy from crying.

He motions towards the sleeping babe on his chest "He's almost as vulnerable as a mortal's babe."

I nod, before declaring "We'll keep him safe."

He nods, before looking to the side of stating "They know how to kill me." I give a shocked look, before he looks me in the eyes and corrects "How to kill us."

I furrow my brow and ask "Does it have anything to do with the scars on your back?"

He looks to my stomach and declares "You weren't supposed to see that."

I shrug, before asking "What is it?"

He shakes his head, before telling me "Some kind of ash. I don't know where it comes from."

I nod, before asking "Is there something that Jotun are allergic to, but Asgardans are not?"

He furrow his brow and declares "We're deities, Thor. We don't scar."

I nod, before looking over his terrified face "Come here." I speak softly, before grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him towards me.

As he rests his head on my shoulder, I hear him sniffle. I give a soft "What's wrong?"

He shakes his head, before pulling away and wiping his eyes. When he straightens up, he smiles "Dare I say, I missed you."

I give a weak smile, before declaring "I missed you, too."

He nods, before walking past me to collect the two daggers "You are a rather nice sight to keep in view."

I give a smug smirk, before remarking "You're so queer."

He motions me up and I leap up with ease. As I pull him out, he remarks "I do say, you don't strike me as a magnificently conservative rug muncher."

As he places the rock back, I walk towards the portal and joke "Wait until you meet my lady."

He steps forward and asks "Jane Foster, was it?" I nod and he sighs "Mortal's have such weird names."

I scoff, before insisting "You first."

Obediently, he leaps into the middle of the portal and flips around as he does. With ease, he lands on the balls of his feet and his fingertips.

With a smug smile, I leap through and fall on my face. As the portal closes, Loki smirks "Always so graceful, aren't you, Thor?"

I glare at him and remark "Bite me!"

Loki nudges me with his boot, before joking "Don't tempt me."

Or, at least, I think he was joking...