A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

THIRTY THREE

     Astrid opens her eyes. Her vision slightly blurry but she slowly comes around, seeing that she's in an unfamiliar room. She sits up slowly wincing at her pain. She pulls her shirt up that Eir had changed her into to see a scar. She tries to get out of bed but instantly falls to the ground. At that point Loki walks him, as he sees her on the floor he runs to her.

"What do you think you're doing? You shouldn't try to move yet." He helps her up to place her back on the bed.

"W-what happened?" She holds her head as her sudden dizziness passes.

"You got badly injured, from going up against Hela... What were you thinking?!"

"Did we win?"

"Yes, it's over."

"It's over?" He nodded to confirm as she wraps her arms around his neck. "So we can go home?" Loki's smile dropped. It had been a few days since Ragnarok, he realised that she didn't know anything about it. He pulls out of his embrace to hold her hands.

"Astrid. Asgard was destroyed a few days ago." Astrid's smile dropped as a single tear slid down her cheek.

"What?"

"The only way we could defeat Hela, was to set Surtur free." Astrid only nodded at Loki. Hela was incredibly strong. Astrid, Valkyrie and Thor couldn't land more than a single hit on her. But Asgard was her home. It's the place she met Loki, the love of her life, got engaged, found out she was pregnant. It's where she found her family.

Astrid then places a hand on her stomach, she remembers Hela trying to kill her unborn child, she remembers Hela stabbing her. Panic instantly runs through her body but Loki instantly calms her down placing his hand on top of hers.

"No need to worry love, Eir checked you both out. He's a little weak now but he'll be okay." Astrid suddenly looked up at Loki.

"He?" Loki only smiled at her. She let out an excited giggle before jumping into Loki's arms.

"We're having a baby boy?" She pulls away to hold Loki's face in her hands. "We're having a son?"

"We're going to have a little Prince." Loki kisses her. "I thought I could let you do the honours of telling Thor."

~

After getting changed, the couple walked down to find Thor in a room on his own staring into space... literally. Astrid went ahead as Loki stood in the doorway, she tried to pull him in but he just shook his head. She wasn't sure why but let go of his hand to walk up to Thor.

"Thor?" She could tell something was bothering and placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

"Astrid? Glad to see you're awake."

"Thank you, your majesty." She chuckled to herself. She had heard that Thor had been appointed the King of New Asgard. Thor however only gave a sad smile before looking away again.

"Thor? What's the matter?" She hated seeing him upset. He was always full of joy.

[flashback]

"Thor, move out the way!" Loki had just arrived on the cruiser and heard that Astrid was in critical condition and he was trying to get into the room. Eir however was still working on her and Thor was given strict instructions to forbid anyone from going in, including Loki.

"Loki listen to me, I know you're upset but-"

"Upset... Upset?! You have no idea how I'm feeling right now. That's my future wife and my child in there fighting for their lives!"

"Loki-"

"How could you let this happen?!" Loki grabs Thor's neck, pushing him back brutally into the wall

"I didn't mean to. I tried protecting her. You know I would never put her in harms way on purpose."

"Wouldn't you?" Loki releases Thor pushing him slightly.

"Loki, you know I wouldn't!" Thor seethed.

"Then why didn't you try to stop her from going back there in the first place? I had a plan and you ruined it. Again! You're not fit to be a king..."

Thor looked down staying silent as Loki walks away.

"Get someone to come find me when she wakes."

[end of flashback]

"I put you in harms way Astrid, you could've died and for that I can't forgive myself. I don't deserve to be king. When we land on Midgard, I will appoint someone else to that title."

Meanwhile, Loki was at the doorway starting to feel guilty.

"You realise this wasn't your fault, don't you? I am responsible for my own actions. Not you, not Loki, me." This made Thor feel slightly better knowing that she's right. She's always been stubborn like that. Loki walks up to Astrid placing an arm around her waist, giving a slight apologetic smile to his brother.

"Besides, your nephew needs you with us." She places a hand on her stomach which now has a visible bump to all.

"Nephew... it's a boy?" Thor looks between Astrid and Loki.

"You're going to be an uncle to a Prince, brother." Loki and Thor both smile at each other, both forgetting their argument they had.

"Besides, someone's got to teach him how to fight. I'm leaving the tricks to his father." Astrid places a hand on Loki's chest and rests her head on his shoulder.

"Yes!" Thor jumps around a moment before pulling Astrid and Loki in for a group hug.

~

Another day had past and Astrid had spoken to Loki about getting married sooner than expected. After her near death, multiple times now, she didn't want to risk anything. Loki agreed without a second thought. He couldn't wait to call her his wife.

It was only a small ceremony, and a traditional Midgardian wedding as Bruce was the one to officiate. With Thor being the best man and Valkyrie being the maid of honour. They weren't prepared or dressed up at all for it. They just wanted to say 'I do'. The only other ones there to witness them marry was Eir, Heimdall, Korg and Meik.

Finally, they sealed their marriage with a kiss. They were officially Husband and Wife.

~

They spent the evening where they had their previous conversation with Thor, staring out the window at space. They were just happy to be enjoying each other's company. Thor walks in to congratulate them again.

"Ah, the happy couple." Loki rolled his eyes as Astrid welcomed him with a smile. It had been a few days but they were close to Midgard now. Something had been bothering Loki though so he just had to ask.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to go back to Earth?"

"Sure! They love me there." Astrid giggled at Thor's stupidity, she knew what Loki meant.

"Let me rephrase... Do you really think it's a good idea to bring me back to Earth?" Thor smiles getting it and pats Loki on the shoulder.

"Probably not. But don't worry, brother, I've got a feeling that everything's going to work out."

Astrid notices Loki's concern and nudges him.

"It will." Loki kisses the top of the head.

While the three of them are stood there. They see a massive warship approaching. Loki instantly recognises it and feels his heart drop.

Thanos.