Beneath A Moonless Sky: A Thor Fanfic

Flightless Bird Pt. II

 Loki's arms held Lanie against him steadfast as he bolted down the stairs and flew from the SHIELD base. He had to make it back to Stark Tower before the Avengers caught wind of what happened without knowing the full story. He knew Tony would believe them, he was the only one truly on their side. As he ran, he stole a glance at Lanie, who was curled against him and clutching his armor with one hand and her midsection with another. She wasn't looking so good; her skin held a greenish pigment and she appeared emotionally drained, and yet an intense level of pride was welling in the Gods chest. She had shot another person in his name, she had sacrificed her own mental well-being to make sure he was safe. She was more devoted to him than he'd ever realized, and it wasn't something he had been prepared for.

His Fair One was stronger than she looked. She was brave, she was loyal. She really was the perfect candidate for a place at his side, and he found himself counting his blessings that it had been she who found him that night at the restaurant. She had single handedly saved him from himself, and while he knew he would never be safe from his past, he had found a partner in crime to walk this road with him, and that meant more than he could ever articulate. Her very presence gave his life a new sense of purpose. He had a love to protect, and a child to provide for. He had more now than any amount of Odin's approval could give to him, and while it wasn't what he had wanted, it was everything he never knew he needed.

He felt her body jerk in his arms slightly, and he slowed to give her a moment to breathe. "Darling? Are you going to be sick?"

Lanie wasn't sure. Her stomach was rolling within her, as if she were on the ocean, and her heart was beating rapidly in her ears. She fought to steady her breathing before responding. "Duck through a back alley, I...yes." She decided, fighting to hold her mouth closed as tight as physically possible until Loki skidded to a stop. Loki positioned themselves strategically, sitting her on her feet near an alley dumpster as he concentrated on his astral self. He pushed his illusion from his body, sending it to continue their escape route and hopefully throw SHIELD off their trail, as the sound of Lanie retching bounced off the dingy brick walls. He put a supportive hand on the small of her back, and used his other to pull her hair from her face.

"I-I'm so s-sorry!" She whimpered through heaves, earning a small chuckle from him as he caressed her back in an attempt at soothing her. He hated seeing her like this. He knew the baby was to make her ill, but he hated being the reason that her body brought her harm.

"Do not be sorry, my love. I jostled our child, it is my fault."

Lanie took a deep breath, attempting to straighten up as she felt the urge to vomit slowly subside. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve and shook her head no. She knew whose fault it was, and it wasn't Loki's. "I was already nauseas, Loki. I don't think our baby likes the heat, I feel feverish." Loki felt Lanie's forehead and grimaced deeply, she was on fire.

"We will get you home and in a nice cold bath, yes? But first we must find Stark, we will regret leaving here without explaining ourselves." Lanie nodded in agreement, about to creep toward the end of the dumpster and peak to see if the coast was clear, though Loki grabbed her arm and held her firmly in place. She shot him a quizzical look, though he didn't answer, merely drinking in the look she had about her. Her perfect curls were messy, framing her delicate face as they had come loose from the bun on the back of her head. She was covered in another man's blood, a man she had shot in his defense, and in defense of their family. Her large brown eyes were staring at him, love stricken...trusting...innocent. He knew she was waiting for him to give her an order, and in that moment he knew he had everything. This woman was his equal. She was crazy, she was gorgeous, and she believed in him and was faithful to him, no matter any consequence. Somewhere within him he had always known, but seeing her the way she looked that night, by the pale light of an overhead streetlamp, pregnant and fearless...he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.