Unbroken (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 29 - Twelve Weeks Miserable

"You have to take it, darling," Loki says, handing you one of your pre-natal pills. 

You groan and put a hand over your mouth, placing the other on your stomach as you turn green at just the thought of swallowing it.

Since you had first noticed a real baby bump almost two weeks ago - only a night or two after Loki had taken you to the castle - it has grown substantially. And in the past days you've been reduced to wearing almost exclusively the loose dresses that Loki occasionally brings back from the city center, as your pants no longer come close to buttoning.

"Please, dear one," Loki looks at you with pleading eyes.

"I can't," you choke out.

"You must," Loki urges. "You've been delaying all morning."

You shoot him a glare, but the fire in your eyes is tempered by a swirl of nausea that causes you to gag as Loki grabs the nearby trashcan and holds it up once more. But you swallow, and push the trashcan away. "See?" you say weakly. "The baby doesn't want them."

Loki sighs, setting the trashcan on the floor and tucking a piece of sweaty hair behind your ear. "Would that I could take this discomfort away from you, my love," he mutters.

"It's fine," you grumble. "I just...need to push through it."

Clearly frustrated by his inability to use his magic, Loki nevertheless places a single, gentle hand on the apex of your stomach. For several quiet moments he simply moves his hand in small circles. Not enough to stir up the nausea, but rather just enough to almost settle it. Enough to give you the strength to hold out your hand for the prenatals. Loki's eyes light up, and he hands them to you eagerly. You make quick work of it, knocking the pill back with a swig of water from the glass Loki hands to you before your body can protest any louder. 

"Thank you," Loki says, relieved as he takes the glass of water and sets it aside on the kitchen counter. For a moment he rummages in the cabinets, pulling out a small silver tin. 

He moves to approach you, but you hold up a hand telling him to stop. He freezes as you take a moment to breath out slowly and steadily, fighting back the vomit rising in your throat. 

It takes a moment to collect yourself, but you finally motion for him to come closer. He gently pulls you to the sofa of the cottage, and motions for you to lie down. He adjusts the pillow behind you and covers you with a soft blanket before sitting near your feet and handing you the tiny silver box. You flip the lid open and begrudgingly slip a tiny ginger candy between your lips. It's strong. So strong your stomach flips. But it only takes a few moments to adjust to its potency. 

Loki lifts your legs gently, sliding beneath them and allowing your ankles to rest upon his thighs. He begins massaging your feet, as he had started to do most mornings. But today, he begins  humming quietly, in a low, effortless voice as he does.

You smile as you listen, recognizing the tune but unsure from where it comes. You only know that on the very rare occasions that Loki uses his velvety baritone voice, it's always the same melody he hums - calming and otherworldly in a minor key.

After two more ginger candies, and several sips of water, the nausea subsides aided by Loki's masterful hands as they knead and squeeze your feet, ankles, and calves. But you find yourself unable to fully relax, a gnawing thought eating at the edges of your mind.

What's wrong, kærasta?

You smile hearing Loki's voice inside your head. Ever since your evening in the castle a fortnight past, Loki has taken to speaking to you inside your mind. It's easier to communicate to avoid anyone from...overhearing. And it allows him use of his favorite pet name, bringing comfort to you both. And although you can't project back on your own, he can still read your thoughts so long as you let down your mental barriers to let him in.