Unbroken (Loki x Reader)

As you're being lifted once more from Herkja's deep sleep, it's the fear and the panic in Loki's voice that you notice first - not the blistering pain of your stomach or the painful pounding in your hips.

"It's too early, Her!"

"It has to happen now, Loki - her body cannot tolerate this any longer."

"NO! YOU HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER WAY!"

Fully awake now, adrenaline courses through your body as you hear Loki shout. You try to call out to him but the only thing that comes out of your mouth is a howl of pain.

"My love," Loki says, rushing to your side and giving your shoulders a gentle push back into the bed. In your pain, you had naturally begun to curl up. "Shhh, relax, darling. Please."

You open your mouth to speak once more but the horrible, bone splintering pain in your hips and in your chest prevents you from making any words, and you simply let out another aching moan. Your head is pounding, and you can feel every tense muscle in your back as they run down your sides, straining as if on fire.

"Her, can you soothe her?" Loki asks, turning to Herkja to had come to the bedside.

"I have eased her discomfort all I can with magic. I warned you Loki, she will need to do this on her own."

Your eyes widen and you begin to panic. Seemingly unable to speak, you look at Loki pleadingly, praying that he understands that you want him in your mind. But you're quickly overtaken by another wave of harrowing, stabbing pain and throw your head back onto your pillow, your eyes squeezed shut, letting out a cry. 

Easy, love. Please, you have to stay calm, you hear Loki's voice inside your hear.

Loki it hurts, you can hear a whimper even in your own thoughts.

I  know darling. But it's almost over. 

Over? What? This is happening now?!

"Shhh," Loki hushes you once more as you let out another scream. "You're so, so strong my Valkyrie. I'm here...I'm here," he says, running a hand through your sweaty hair.

You feel another hand on your stomach, which has swollen even larger than the last time you were awake. You can hardly believe that your skin hasn't split around the sides. And truthfully, you're not sure it hasn't. A purple haze encases your entire abdomen, and it looks like the sinews of your own skin and muscle are being held together by magic, and magic alone as Herkja crawls onto the massive bed and now kneels at your feet. 

"Pretty one, it's time," she says quietly. She nudges your legs apart and positions herself, ready to begin the delivery. "Loki, conjure me the things we discussed," Herkja says fully focused on you. You can see the green of Loki's seidr, but you toss your head back once more, another cry escaping your perilously chapped lips.

You don't know what's happening. You can't seem to keep your eyes open. They instinctively remain squeezed shut as tidal waves of agony roll through your body. You let out a few more screams, unable to keep them in. 

"I will start moving the baby out," says Herkja over your moans and yells. "But be warned, both of you, this will not be easy."

"Please Her, just -"

Loki is interrupted by the glowing rune by the door. Both Herkja and Loki look at each other, panic in both their eyes. Loki drops your hand, and dashes to the bedroom door. He begins casting, placing enchantments. 

"Her...," he says, his tone low and dangerous.

"There's nothing we can do, Loki. You should go. I'll take care of her."