"This is how it's going to be," Sam mentioned after an awkward silence between all of them. "Like Sunday afternoons, catching up like old friends for all eternity."
"Some of us aren't even friends," Mantis muttered.
"Well, we can be," Nick amended. "No point in sitting here not knowing one another."
"That means like questions and such?" Peter Parker had his hand half raised.
"Yes," Nick nodded. "It's going to get answered eventually."
"Okay," Peter Parker nodded. He looked over to T'Challa. "I've been wanting to ask this for a long time, are you also a furry?"
Shuri tilted her head back in full laughter. She put her hands on her brother's shoulder. "I never thought about that. You-a furry!" She laughed again. "All the tribes and our ancestors, furries! Oh, they would be mad if they knew." She doubled over with laughter.
"That is not what I am, the tribes, and our ancestors as well are not furries," T'Challa spoke back in a pleasant tone. He knew Peter Parker was merely curious and naïve.
There were some groans from those who knew what a furry meant, while others were curious.
"It's idiotic," Stephen mentioned.
"It's hilarious," Sam chuckled.
"Let's move onto the next questions," Nick sighed. "I'll go next. You call yourselves Guardians of the Galaxy, but no uniformity at all. More rag-tag. How did all of you meet?"
Peter Quill went over a brief summary how all of them met. Mantis, Drax, and Groot interjected.
"I am Groot," Groot asked a question next.
"Perhaps," Loki answered. "We have all joined together, they may have as well." Peter Quill and the rest were surprised Loki knew what Groot was saying. "It was an elective but I learned all the languages."
"Of course, you did," Stephen glanced at him. Loki smirked. "I'll ask the next question. What does your wife even see in you?"
"Probably the same as what a woman sees in you," Loki raised an eyebrow. "But I am happily married. Looks like you're still single."
Some of them reeled back at that comment. Loki was a villain for sure.
"Okay, okay," Sam was smiling until a frown appeared and he was serious. "But seriously."
Loki rolled his eyes. "Everyone wants to know why a mesmerizing woman like her could love someone like me. I ask myself that same question from time to time, what does she even see in me?" He looked down at Vali again who was clutching Loki's shirt with his little fist. "But it's not a question I ask myself often anymore. She's allowed me to have a life I always wanted to have. You can try to see it or not, but Sigyn loves me with all her heart. I wouldn't have these two beautiful sons without her."
Wanda knew how it felt. She felt sympathy for Loki. "She's sounds beautiful." Loki acknowledged her.
"I'll go next," Loki spoke again. "These are your new additions to the Avengers?"
Nick looked at Loki then to the rest of the group. "I guess so. Who was all on Steve's side?" Sam, Bucky, and Wanda raised their hands. "Okay. Who was all on Tony's side?" Peter Parker and T'Challa raised their hands. "Okay. Then Stephen, Shuri, and the rest joined."
"Wait, sides," Loki was interested. "Captain America and Ironman had their own sides." He glanced over them. "And it looks likes the two groups fought."
"Yes, they fought," Nick shook his head. "They had two different ways of thinking and they clashed, but now, everyone came together."
"The enemy of my enemy is a friend," Maria chimed in.
"Who won?" Drax wanted to know which side was superior.
"Steve!" "Tony!" The sides spoke aloud.
"Oh," Nick felt disappointed as he touched his forehead.
"I thought neither of them won," Maria interjected. "Both had terrible losses on each side."
"What were you guys fighting about anyways?" Peter Quill crossed his arms.
"The Sokovia Accords," Wanda explained. "Ultron, an evil AI unintentionally created by Tony and Bruce, wreaked havoc on Sokovia. It wasn't the first time the Avengers were creating destruction. When you," she looked at Loki. "brought aliens to New York, SHIELD and Hydra battling in Washington D.C., and finally Sokovia besides smaller places. The UN decided the Avengers could no longer operate without checks and balances. Either submit or resign."
"Tony was in favor of the Accords," Maria mentioned. "Steve was against it."
"If Thor was there, what do you think he would have done?" Sam asked Loki.
"It probably wouldn't have mattered to him," Loki assumed. He knew Thor well enough. "These Accords sound as if it was over the Midgardian heroes and not Gods. It could possibly go either way on which side he would have taken or he would have made both sides just fight it out somewhere. A sparring match that would not inflict any more damage to civilization."
"What about you?" Sam continued.
Loki chuckled. "Someone like me? Isn't it obvious? I am already in your records. Wouldn't even have to sign up." He got a knowing look from the Midgardians. "Aright, alright. Neither side. I would make it worse and then sit back and watch."
An awkward silence came again. Loki sighed. He got up with Vali still in his arms. He left to go put him in his crib. Loki came back with a few items that he placed upon the table.
"If we keep these questions up, we will be tired of one another," Loki had placed a deck of cards, books, board games, and knives. "We might as well entertain ourselves another way. Enjoy your stay here. I am going to retire for the moment and check on my children." He left as the group stared at the items upon the table.
Loki believed it would be easier for all of them to get along without of the time being. He also wasn't comfortable with talking about Thor and the others. He had already spoke enough about his side. It was enough to bring back the depression he was trying to keep at bay. He laid upon his bed, staring up at the ceiling before turning on his side. He didn't want to turn to Sigyn's side. It would make him feel worse. It didn't help either. There he looked upon the side that held their ceremonial attire. The same attire they both wore for their wedding.
"Sigyn," Loki muttered. His reached his hand to sketch the outline of Sigyn's dress. "I am truly sorry." His eyes began to water. He clenched his fist before bringing it back. Loki closed his eyes and drifted into slumber.
The group was still staring at the items on the table.
"He is right," Nick grabbed a knife. "Alright, I am going to head out. I'll be back." He got up. "Keep within the rules." He headed out.
Wanda grabbed one of the books. She flipped through it. It was one of the books she had not read yet. Stephen was also curious on some of the books on there. Drax, Mantis, and Groot decided to walk around the area. Maria grabbed the decks of cards. She started to shuffle them.
"Poker anyone?" She shuffled them again.
The rest nodded. She dealt out cards to the others who stayed. Wanda took a comfortable chair a few feet away from them. She was feeling the waves of depression as well. Wanda understood how Loki was feeling. Stephen was sitting on a chair across from her. He brought the books over to read through. Everyone needed their own space at this moment. This kept on for a while.
Loki would show every now and then but he was a recluse with in his chamber with his children.
Sam, Bucky, Drax, and T'Challa took turns sparring one another. Stephen and Wanda continued to read. Maria was updating Peter Quill about Earth. Peter Parker and Shuri would play the card game speed, go fish, and whichever one they could think of while discussing an arrange of topics from the sciences and physics to pop culture and gossip.
On Midgard, Sigyn was still in the hospital bed. She didn't speak much to the Healer or doctor who was attending to her. Val would come by from time to time to ask how she was doing but wouldn't be able to visit with Sigyn. She could see through crack of the door, Sigyn was just staring outside the window, looking into the sunlight.
Val could no longer take it. She walked over to Sigyn. "How about a walk?" Sigyn didn't even acknowledge her. "Lady Sigyn, it is a beautiful day. Come. It will be a short walk." Still no response. Val grabbed Sigyn's hand.
This jolted Sigyn. She jerked her head towards Val, trying to retract her hand but Val would not take it away. Sigyn could see the events unfolding in her mind. Val's life as a Valkyior, climbing the ranks to finding love, battling for Allfather against Hela, seeing her lover sacrifice for Val, and trying to drown herself away with alcohol.
Sigyn ripped her hand away, curling into herself while crying aloud. Val was at a loss. She stared at Sigyn and her hand. Val could see the fear on Sigyn's face as she was clutching it. Sigyn didn't want those memories in her mind. It hurt more since she believed that was how her life was going to end up. A reminder of a curse she believed that her and Loki could never truly be together. Her sobs and wails grew stronger until a sharp pain erupted in her lower abdomen. She stopped. Val looked to her. The same fear and anguish were written on Sigyn's face again. The pain started to spread.
"Ah!" Sigyn clutched her lower abdomen.
"Ah-Healer!" Val yelled out. "Healer!"
Sigyn's cries and wails were now due to internal pain. The Healer and doctor rushed to them. Val stepped away as the Healer and doctor started to look over Sigyn. Val left the three and decided to come back. She felt that she had made more trouble than necessary.
Val didn't come around for about a week. She noticed the Healer was coming out of the hall of worship that was still in the process of being built.
"How is she?" Val kept her voice low.
The Healer glanced around to see if others noticed. "Follow me." The two headed off to a secluded area. The Healer looked around again. She let out a breath, gathering courage. "Lady Sigyn did not know she had the underlying symptoms." Tears started to form in her eyes. "Lady Sigyn's body was not able enough to carry a child through these times." Val felt guilty. "It is not your fault. It was only a matter of time." The Healer placed a hand on Val.
"Where is she now?" Val tried to leave but the Healer grabbed the other side of her as well.
The Healer had tears in her eyes. "She wants to be alone. Lady Sigyn is not on Midgard anymore." Val started to have tears running down her eyes. The Healer hugged her. "It's still hard on all of us. Let Lady Sigyn mourn."
The Healer let Val know if she needed someone through these times, she could talk to her. Val was in a daze. Sigyn had no one. Val followed some of the other Asgardians into the hall. She saw the murals in the back. Odin, Frigga, Thor, Loki, and Sigyn. Val walked over to the mural where Sigyn's mural was next to Loki's. Val saw two paintings between Loki and Sigyn. It was paintings of their sons. Offerings were placed along the murals. Val could no longer stay anymore. She did not look at the other murals along the other sides of the walls. She didn't notice the mural dedicated to her and the other Valkyries. It took a while for Val to get over what had happened.
Sigyn had left Midgard after she was stable enough within that week from the fluids and medical care. Sigyn left on horseback through the portals. She stopped at her hidden home to drop off the horses only to keep heading through the portals. Sigyn ended up in Muspelheim.
Surtur watched her tread through barren land with no purpose. "My child, what brings you here?" He was sitting on his throne with his head resting on his hand.
Sigyn fell upon her knees. "I am lost." The tears that rolled down her cheeks ignited a fire around her whole body.
"My child," Surtur raised his head. "Let it out. Let all of your suffering out." He extended his hand to her. "Let yourself be engulfed by the flames you were born into."
The flame around Sigyn grew and became even brighter. Her body changed into the fire demon form. Her tears kept streaming as she wailed out in pain and anguish. She had lost so much in so little time. She now only had objects as reminders of the life she once lived. Her flames grew larger and brighter. Flames colorful before turning white. Her wails shaking the ground. The volcanic openings erupted, spewing around her.
In the Soul World, Loki started to feel hot. It was something new. He took off a jacket. Perhaps it was all in his head. His sons started to cry out. Stephen and Wanda looked towards the sound. The two looked over to one another before sounds started to get louder.
Thud!
Stephen and Wanda did not care about the rules at the moment. They burst through the door to see Loki on the ground, covered in sweat. He was down to his tunic and pants.
"I'm burning up!" Loki saw Stephen and Wanda. "My sons! Check on them first! Ah!" He gasped out.
Wanda felt how hot the two were. She was worried that if this keeps up, they would no longer survive. She checked them again only to recoil in pain. Vali and Nari were at a temperature that it could burn her skin. She checked her hand to see that it was fine.
Stephen kneeled beside Loki. He tried to check on him as well but recoiled due to the heat.
Sigyn let all of the pain that was inside out. The pain that was etched into her soul, burned bright in Muspelheim. She let that suffering burn until she was exhausted. The fire died down rapidly along with volcanic eruptions. Sigyn fell face first into the ash upon the ground. Surtur got up from his throne and headed over to the frail being that exhausted her energy and was now sleeping. He scooped her body up with one hand and brought her back to his throne.
"Sleep, young one," he soothed as he laid her down upon his arm rest. "We shall recover day by day."
Loki and his son's temperature were getting back to normal. Loki could get up on his own. Wanda and Stephen check on the two sons.
"I am sorry for breaking both rules," Stephen turned to Loki who sat upon the bed.
He waved them off. "In this case, it was necessary. How come the others didn't follow you?"
"That's because they are outside, sparring each other and betting which one will win," Wanda shut the door in case the group came back in.
"It is interesting," Stephen mused. "We are all contempt. No hunger, no thirst, no fatigue, nothing of the sort. Yet you and your sons had temperatures that well exceed the normal range of a human. It was so hot that you burned us, but we have no burns."
Loki raised his head. His eyes shown panic. "You don't think something happened to Sigyn?"
Stephen knew that was a possibility. "Perhaps, but I don't know how it would affect you three to have those kinds of temperatures."
Loki glanced away only to view the volumes of diaries him and Sigyn wrote. He stood up and strode over to them. He looked through the volumes. "Sigyn, all powerful being, part Asgardian, part Frost Giant, and part Fire Giant."
"She's hot and cold," Wanda raised her eyebrows.
"She's on the same level as you," Stephen eyed her. "She can destroy worlds if she wanted."
"Ah," Loki placed his finger on top of the book and slid it out. He flipped through the pages. "'We now have made a blood pact to be forever bonded. I give unto you my seal of protection as a Valkyrie. With any obstacle that tends to strike at us, we will always be connected, either through words like our diaries or the bonding of our souls. I will never leave your side.'" Loki's lips curved into a sadden smile.
"Connected through souls?" Stephen did not understand.
"She's a Valkyrie," Loki shut the book and placed it back with the rest of the volumes. "She has the ability to see souls and guide them to Valhalla. Since Hela wiped the Valkyries near to extinction, the list of that ability was to given to all the Valkyries. She can even leave her body and guide souls with her own soul."
"I didn't see that at all," Stephen raised his eyebrows. "That means she won't be able to save us that way."
"Didn't see?" Wanda was confused.
"This stays between us, but we do get out of here, but only five years later," Stephen didn't want to say anymore.
Loki grabbed one of the books. He glanced through the pages. It was the timeline when he was disguised as Odin and her time through her first two pregnancies. It cheered him up a bit but a thought brought it all down. "You're a doctor."
"Yes?" Stephen was wondering what he was getting at.
"When are the months a miscarry can happen?" Loki closed the book and put it back.
Wanda covered her mouth. She started shaking her head. She looked over to the two children who had gone back to sleep.
"Loki, that's not possible," Stephen glanced over to Nari. "He's almost two weeks old, a newborn. Sigyn's body could not possibly be able to carry another child let alone be able to reproduce again at that state."
Loki glided his fingers over the new volumes. "Asgardians have a healing stone. You just have to crumble it in your palm over the area that needs healing and its as if it was never been touched in the first place. After I came back from Sakaar, fought against Hela, and destroyed Asgard, I came back here. She had given birth to Nari and I." He paused, thinking to himself how much of idiot he was. "I wanted to be in her loving embrace once more, so I used a handful of healing stones on her body."
"Loki-no!" Stephen bid him to stop.
He scoffed. He had hurt his wife in a way her never thought he would. "When can a miscarry happen?"
"Usually in the first trimester, that's the first three months," Stephen felt a wave of sadness and sympathy. "There are some that happen around twenty weeks."
"It still feels early, doesn't it?" Loki let out a breath. "So far it seems like hours in the Soul World, when in reality, its only been about three months. I believe if it was more than that, I would be able to see Sigyn through our connection if it came to that."
"Loki, I-" Stephen started to let him know how sorry he felt.
"It's alright," Loki waved him off. "I'm a villain, remember? The only thing I do is hurt people, even those closest to me. No one is safe, not even my wife." He let out a breath. "Thank you for coming to our rescue, but let's keep this between us, and it would be best to leave me alone for now."
Stephen and Wanda understood and headed out. Thankfully, the others were still outside, so no one knew what actually had happened.
Loki saw the frame of a picture hidden away. He pulled it out from its hiding. It was a giant picture, a bit taller than him. He placed it on a wall. Loki retreated a few steps. He crossed his arms only to have his thumbnail into his mouth as he chewed upon it. Tears started to swell into his eyes. It was the picture of him with Sigyn and Vali. Sigyn was pregnant with Nari and Vali was swaddled in gold. Both of them were happy in that painting, yet in reality the two were suffering.
He turned away from the painting. No longer keeping that gaze of a family that was in perpetual serenity. He went to kiss the tops of his sons' heads. Nari slow blinked before yawning. Vali wanted Loki to come back. He pulled his way to stand in the crib. Loki let out another sigh. He would have to deal with these feelings later. He put on a smile towards Vali as he picked him up. "Yes, your father is here." Vali reached for the toys on the ground. Shifting his weight in Loki's arms. "Alright, wait a moment." Loki let him down to crawl towards the toys." Vali spoke in gibberish. "Yes, those are the toys I brought home."
Vali grabbed the toy, but wanted to sit down. He fell to a sitting position while holding onto the toy. Loki reached towards him. Vali just waved the toy and gave a gummy grin. Loki felt a bit of relief. He laid upon the ground on his side. Vali was showing his father his toys. Loki played with him until Vali started to yawn. Loki kissed his cheek as he picked him up.
"Let's get you back in bed," Loki started to place him in his crib until he started to cry. He let out a sigh. "Okay, okay. You can sleep with me." He lifted him p to view him. Vali smiled again. Loki brought him close to him. Loki laid upon the bed with Vali snuggled in his arms. Vali wanted to roam around but Loki brought him back. "No, you were yawning earlier. This is not the time to play. This is a time to nap." He patted Vali's behind a few times. "Look, your father is going to sleep." He closed his eyes and bringing Vali closer. He heard the coo of a yawn again. Loki smirked as he felt his son snuggle into his chest, clasping onto his shirt. He kept his eyes shut until he heard the faint pattern breathing of his son asleep.
Loki opened his eyes, peering down upon his son, his black hair was in the way. Loki kissed the top of his head and scooped him up in his arms. He placed his son back into the crib, placing another kiss. Loki turned back to the painting then glanced over to the new volumes he never got to read.
He felt guilty for the suffering he caused Sigyn but he was also wanting to be back with her. He didn't care if she blamed him for the cause of their third unborn child. He just wanted her again. He would endure whatever she dealt him. He only wanted to his family to be back together. He wanted to come back home to the warm and loving atmosphere. He wanted to star gaze with his wife upon the grassy meadow, naming off the constellations to his sons.
He headed over to Sigyn's side of the room. Fingertips gracing all the areas where she would touch and perform her routines. He saw the jewelry glimmer in the wooden boxes. This reminded him of something. He patted himself down until he dug into one of his many hidden pockets to find the embroidered handkerchief. He unfolded the cloth to see the delicate threads. He knew he wasn't going to get her scent off of it but he brought it to his nose anyways. Hoping by some chance there was a faint whiff of her. No scent. He closed his hand into a fist in anger. Again, the reminder of her was only in objects. He unclenched his fist as he remembered what was still in his hand. Loki smoothed it out and refolded it to place it back in his hidden pocket.