"If your mother could see you now," Loki moved closer to get a better look.
"She would probably think we're much more handsome than our father," Vali quipped.
"Chip off the ole block," Stephen muttered. He shook his head.
"Why wouldn't we be?" Nari shrugged. "To answer your question, we won't be like this very long. The Soul Stone sensed mother's connection to us, this is just for now."
Loki chuckled. These were his children. Vali seemed more like him, but Nari had a softer side, more like Sigyn. "Then would you come back again if your mother tried the connection at another time?"
"Maybe," Nari shrugged.
"Would only know when she would try it again," Vali stepped closer. "Now, this is what I have been wanting." He hugged his father. Loki was taken aback for half a moment but he hugged his son tightly as he could. Vali wanted to hug him in this grown up form where he could hug him back with both arms encircling around him.
"Move over, you're taking too long," Nari pulled him out of the way by grabbing onto his collar.
"Hey!" Vali complained as he stepped back. "I'm the oldest." He reminded Nari.
"Not the most spoiled though," he hugged his father next. Loki hugged him the same. His two sons were fighting over him but he would give them each his attention. Vali came back over, moving back in for a hug, pushing Nari out of the way. They were acting like young children.
"Who says you're spoiled?" Vali spat back. "Did you listen to our mother? We have sisters. You're just another child. No longer the baby." Nari rolled his eyes. Loki could only laugh. He brought both of them back to hug them at the same time. These were his sons and they loved him. They acted like him in some aspects. He couldn't wait to get back to the realm he belonged in and to raise them to be these two formidable beings right in front of him. He wanted to spend time like this with them without the foreboding of the Soul World.
Stephen felt as if he was not there. They didn't even care or notice him. It was a sight though. Those around him could say terrible things about Loki, bring up his past on Earth with the Chitauri, but what they couldn't say was he that he was a terrible husband or lacking as a father. It made Stephen remember how he everyone he had ever fought was a being of some sort. It reminded him of how he regretted killing. Everyone had a life.
Stephen kept silent. He watched the three interact, from his view if he had no idea who these three were, it would look like a loving family. Since he knew them, he could see how loving a family they were. He did wish he could see Sigyn and the two girls with them. It would complete the picture. Just have to wait a while. Just need to have more patience.
Loki hugged them one more time. Vali and Nari were smiling and laughing. The next moment, Loki was holding their infant forms once again. He loved them just as much as he had before.
Stephen took this time to slip out the door. He didn't want to infringe any further than he had. It did confirm his assumptions about the chances they had. Wanda saw that he was out finally. She was curious about what had happened. Stephen shook his head. There was nothing to worry about.
Loki set his two sons back in their cribs as they yawned and rubbed their eyes. He couldn't believe what just happened. There was a lot that just happened within minutes or hours, he could no longer estimate the time. Comforting Sigyn who was on the verge of tears and heartbreak, Dr. Strange who thinks he is in charge of everything just because he mastered the Time Stone, Loki rolled his eyes at that, and his two sons, grown up. Two strong, young men. No one could say they weren't his. He could see Sigyn in both of them. They had certain features from her.
He wished he could tell Sigyn, that she just needed to be patient. To keep hope high enough on her mind. She was making it seem like it was hundreds of years that had passed not just a few. It could seem like that for her. He knew that it felt like that here in the Soul World. He couldn't even imagine the emptiness, but then again, he could. It did remind him when he first met Thanos and his goons. It was not a great comparison, but one that was the most similar.
Back in the oasis, Sigyn checked on the two girls before soaking in the warmth of the bath. She found herself seeking warmth when her depressive episodes surfaced. The frequency was getting less and less but there were times where it was a battle.
That night, she layered herself in his clothes, rubbed the cologne on her wrist and neck, and snuggled closely to his side. This became a routine. She was going to have to get more of his oils and colognes as she was using it every day.
The next time Sigyn had visited Tony and Pepper, Tony had a wedding anniversary gift for her. He pulled her off to the side while Pepper was watching over the babies napping.
"Now, I know this is not a replacement to the replacement," Tony joked. Sigyn gave him a wry look. "I'm sorry-sorry. This is serious though. I have a special gift for you that might make this time without him a little bit better." His voice became more hushed. "Now, Pepper doesn't know about this gift. I didn't know when your wedding anniversary was but I think you deserve this."
Sigyn was confused by his choice of words. Tony moved away to show a table with items on there that had Sigyn give him a peculiar look.
"Open them," Tony gestured.
There was a thin book. Sigyn opened it to reveal pictures of Sigyn and Loki. Pictures that were taken from SHIELD and similar organizations. She flipped the pages to see pictures of her and Einmyria, and then pictures of Eisa with them too. It was such a thoughtful gift. There was a family tree with all their names. Sigyn loved it.
"There's more," Tony urged. Sigyn saw a device. She glanced at Tony for an explanation. "It plays music, anywhere and can charge anywhere. Solar powered mostly. I don't know about your music taste, but I thought I would make some playlists to remind you of the past. Just remember to be benevolent when you listen to it."
There were a few more gifts that Tony explained. Sigyn loved each and every one of them. She never celebrated her wedding anniversary after the snap. Sometimes she would reminisce their past adventure in Jotunheim.
"Okay, this is the last one, but," Tony was made sure Pepper was not coming in. "This one, not a replacement." Sigyn didn't want to ruin the surprise. She waited for him. "Close your eyes. No peaking on all accounts, got it?"
"Yes," Sigyn chuckled.
Tony brought out an item that was hidden in a closet. "Alright, open your eyes."
Sigyn opened them to see a pillow of Loki in his royal attire, horned and all on a white background.
"It's a body pillow," Tony explained as he saw Sigyn stare at him with curiosity. "All the rage for some people. Anyways, I should have made one earlier, helps with pregnancy." Sigyn smiled. Tony was thoughtful. "Now, this side is normal. Don't judge me, too harshly." He flipped the pillow over to show Loki in a risqué type of pose with little clothes on. Sigyn raised an eyebrow. "I said don't judge." He flipped it back. There were folded up sheets next to the pillow. Sigyn eyed them, glancing back at him. "I didn't know which one would make you happier. There is one where he's in the suit he wore back in Germany, other side, well you get the idea." He waved it off.
"I love them," Sigyn hugged him. "Thank you, Tony. I appreciate it. I will cherish them."
"I am glad you love them," Tony still felt a bit embarrassed about the body pillows. "Now, don't let Pepper see. At all." Tony warned. "I don't want her to think I was cheating on her with images of Loki." This made Sigyn laughed. "She knows we had a bit of a bromance, but that's as far as it goes."
"This pillow will help me sleep," Sigyn comforted him.
"Oh, I did make a sleeping version," Tony informed. "I think I do have a bromance with him." He let out a sigh.
"You two may have tried to outwit one another with words," Sigyn smiled. "But both of you got along so well. He would have appreciated what you did. I know he would." Tony hugged Sigyn.
Tony let her know she could not leave with the gifts in view. She had to wait until then. Sigyn gave him her word that she would not say anything or give anything away. Tony hid the gifts so that Pepper wouldn't come across them by accident. Tony did feel guilty for teasing her but he wanted to make it up to her. Sigyn was stronger than she sometimes believed.
When it was time to go, Tony would drive Sigyn back to the closest portal. She wouldn't say where the portal was but only the vicinity. Tony had the gifts in the trunk. She thanked him once again.
Sigyn traveled with the two girls wrapped in fabric on her back and on her front. She carried the gift with one hand as it was all in a bag. She would set what ever she carried down first then she would undo Einmyria who was on her back. Einmyria would usually play around. Eisa would crawl about. Einmyria would sometimes take her little sister to play. Since the girls were older than the boys, it made the home much livelier.
The girls learned lots of things from their mother. Einmyria would always have a wooden sword and dagger in her hands. She would slash down the grass then stab it next. Eisa still played with dolls. Sigyn would have to stop Einmyria from time to time, as Einmyria would try to play with Eisa with those wooden toys.
When Eisa would nap, Sigyn would show Einmyria simple fighting styles. They would practice by the waterfall, allowing the horses to graze. The newest foal would get spooked by the two girls.
The two were practicing long enough that Eisa woke up. She started to follow the two of them. When the two girls moved their arms in a slashing motion, two puffs of fire emitted. Sigyn scrunched her eye brows. Did that just happen? She moved in the same motion again, this time watching them more closely. Einmyria and Eisa made each a puff of fire. Sigyn stopped. She came over to Einmyria first.
"How did you do that?" Sigyn crouched down. "Show mama."
Einmyria smiled. "Wike dis." She still couldn't enunciate. Einmyria moved her arm, opening her hand to show a small fire coming from her palm. "See!"
Sigyn stared wide eye. "I-I see. Very good. My little girl is so strong." The fire was still being emitted. Sigyn only let her hand transform into a Frost Giant as she touched Einmyria's hand that was emitting the fire. Her arm changed blue. The flame did too. Sigyn let go as if she got burnt. "You can stop the flame now, okay?"
"Okie," Einmyria closed her hand into a fist. "Aw gone!" She giggled.
"Yes, all gone," Sigyn praised. She clapped and Einmyria clapped with her. "You can go and play." Einmyria picked up her wooden sword to try to cut the grass down again. Sigyn headed over to Eisa. "Want to show mama too?" She smiled at her.
Sigyn tested her the same way. Eisa was the same as Einmyria. The two were the exact same as Sigyn. She tested them if they had the rest of the powers. They did not. She did not know enough about her two sons, if they could have the same powers as her. Sigyn took them both in when they were ready. She fed and changed them. Einmyria played with the dolls. Eisa crawled over to her.
Sigyn went to one of her jewelry boxes. She grabbed two small, gold bracelets. These were bracelets she was given by her father to keep her powers under control. She came back to place one on each arm. "Pretty, just like mother." She showed them her jewelry. They smiled and giggled, showing off their arm with the bracelet on it. "Now, keep on unless I say so, okay?" She didn't think they would since they were so young, but she tried.
The next day, Sigyn carried them through the portals to Muspelheim to Surtur. The two girls were intrigued. Calling out and pointing all around. Sigyn explained to them what everything around them was. She walked along the path she made. Surtur was sitting on his throne. The two girls pointed to him.
"This is Surtur," Sigyn explained to them. "A dear friend." She stopped to look up to him. "Surtur, these are two of my children, Einmyria and Eisa."
"Nice to meet you," Surtur nodded his head. "I think I may know why you are here and it's an obvious answer."
"Obvious?" Sigyn questioned. "My girls can wield fire just like me, both Frost and Fire Giant, but my sons, I don't believe they did or at least I never sensed it."
"Like I said," Surtur repeated. "Obvious. The snap erased so many. As you became the last of your line to survive, the powers I gave to your family could not wait generations. Both of your children gained them."
"My sons, did not then?" Sigyn wanted to make sure.
Surtur shook his head. "No. They were born before the snap. After the snap, many different things happened to balance out the universe."
"Then, if by some miracle, everyone comes back, what will happen?" Sigyn was worried about them.
Surtur thought for a moment. "The Infinity Stones have been destroyed. There is no way they can come back."
Sigyn let out a breath. "What if?"
Surtur stared at her. Sigyn was not backing down. She needed to know. "If everyone could come back, I don't believe they would come to harm." Sigyn raised an eyebrow. She needed more information. Surtur sighed. "What's done is done, cannot be undone. Powers like that are not taken away, unless I take them away." Sigyn nodded. He was relieved she liked the answer. "They don't have all the powers you have."
"No," Sigyn answered. The two girls were in awe and hadn't spoken as they were watching Surtur.
"It is because you were the first to morph," Surtur explained. "They look just like you." He placed his hand down so she could step on it. Sigyn walked over. He was careful bringing her to the arm rest. When he set her down, he became the same size as her. He wanted to see the two girls. "Hello, little ones." Eisa reached her little hand out. Surtur took it. She transformed into the Fire Giant version. Einmyria placed her hand out too. She wanted to transform too. He grabbed her hand. She transformed.
Sigyn let out a sigh. "They're going to be enjoying this. Glad I put the bracelets on them."
"Afraid they will lose control?" Surtur smiled at them.
Sigyn gave him a knowing look. "They're toddlers, still trying to get a handle on their own emotions let alone maneuvering around."
"With an all-powerful mother," Surtur touched her so she would change as well. He enjoyed seeing two generations of his powers in front of him. "Surely it would be easy to stop their mistakes."
"Yes, I could," Sigyn blinked. "But I prefer to teach them and they learn to control it on their own. I don't like to teach with fear. I prefer them to have confidence and be comfortable when they are ready. Some instances can be a little push but not everything does."
Surtur brought his hands back down to his side. "I am proud my powers have gone to benevolent being like yourself."
The three of them stayed with Surtur as he wanted to show them what all their fire powers could do. The two girls were enamored with his skills. When they were done there, Sigyn made her way to Jotunheim. She hadn't been visiting there in a few years.
The two girls pointed at everything again. Sigyn kept explaining. The two girls loved trying to catch snowflakes with their mouths and hands. As she was trekking her way through, the beasts of Jotunheim that knew her, came running up to her. The girls pointed and yelled. Sigyn stopped, letting the beasts slow down up to her. One of them sniffed her. The two girls were clutched onto their mother out of fear.
"It's alright," Sigyn soothed them. "These are my friends. Mother has lots of friends. We're going for a ride." The girls still clutched onto her. "Want to go for a ride?" She glanced to them. They were scared but they nodded their heads. One of the beasts laid down to let her own. Sigyn climbed back on the beast like she used to and held on tight. The beast raised up and headed out. The other beasts ran with them. Sigyn brought the fabric over the girls to shield them from the wind.
The beasts reached the palace within minutes. Sigyn climbed down. They had stopped in the same area where she was only allowed to move around. The guards were surprised to see her come through this area.
"More of mother's friends," Sigyn brought the fabric back down to let the girls see. "We're going to see one of your grandmas." Sigyn spoke that with joy but her throat clenched. It was hard. "This is your grandma on your father's side. She hasn't seen me in a while and will be very surprised." She nodded to the two guards. They brought her to the throne room where Farbauti was sitting there, boredom written all over her face. "Farbauti, it has been a long time." Sigyn greeted. She walked around to the front.
Farbauti perked up in surprise. "Sigyn! It has been a few years." She saw the two girls wrapped in fabric around her. "These two little ones?" Sigyn nodded with a smile. "I will not question it, but they look exactly like you."
"This is Grandma Farbauti," Sigyn undid the fabric to let Einmyria down first. "We are just like her, like Uncle Surtur." The girls kept calling him uncle and she couldn't change their minds.
"Hello, little ones," Farbauti got off the throne to crouch down to them. "I am your grandmother." She reached out her arms to Einmyria.
"This is Einmyria," Sigyn introduced them. "This one is Eisa. We Just came from Uncle Surtur because we have the same powers." Farbauti jerked her head up. "Yes, we have the same powers but not all of the powers. Let me take off your bracelet and you can show grandma." Sigyn bent down to take off the bracelet.
Einmyria was shy. She didn't step further but reached out her arm and produced a flame. Sigyn changed into her Frost Giant form. She touched Einmyria, who changed as well. The flame went blue.
"Exactly like you," Farbauti nodded. "Two sons exactly like their father and now two daughters exactly like their mother." Einmyria closed her hand again. "Come to grandma." Einmyria looked back to Sigyn who nodded. Einmyria turn back around to run into Farbauti's arms. Farbauti held her in a hug.
The four were in the throne room for a few hours. Farbauti asked them to stay the night. Sigyn agreed. It would be nice for the girls to learn about who they were. Farbauti had them stay in Sigyn's old room. The rest of the Frost Giants were curious too. At the dinner with everyone, the little girls met several giants and played with infants around their size.
