The Next Generation

     Of course, all that celebrating was bound to have consequences. Two of them, in fact, lovely twin daughters, he named them Hel and Sigyn. Much to Loki's dismay, they were both perfectly mortal, just like their mother.

     Hel was fair haired and blue eyed, like Kriss, and while she had no power to speak of, she was a bit... odd, an observation Loki only made outloud once, before having his ears firmly blistered by his wife. After all, when his life consisted of gods, magic, thrones, monsters, and superheroes, where did he get off calling his daughter odd? Sigyn was brown haired, and the boldest toddler anyone had ever seen. If there was room for her in something, she crawled into it, and sometimes if there wasn't she tried anyway. She loved the outside, and being covered in dirt, and finding new things to put in her mouth. They instilled a love of books in their children early. 

     Loki began to dismay that he would have a proper heir with Kriss. Maybe her human body wasn't capable of carrying one. Not that this stopped either of them from trying. Not long after, another child was born, a boy, and the first time he was placed into his father's waiting arms, Loki's heart nearly stopped. He had a bluish tint to his skin, and he practically smelled of power. This was the one, his heir. Loki named him Fenris. 

     And life continued happily. Kriss returned to work at the hospital, this time as a science researcher, and the children flocked to their charismatic father, who insisted they learn as much as they play. 

     As they grew, while there was no uncertainty that little Fenris was the heir, both parents showered their daughters with time and love, Loki being no stranger to the pain of being 'not the favorite'. He promised he'd never make his children burn with the same agony he'd felt his entire life. Not that the girls didn't have their own little delusions of grandeur from time to time. 

     Still, Fenris was right behind them, waiting for his time to come.