I don't own anything except any original/own characters and any original plot.

💫

Chapter 34 - Iona & Kari

💫

A/n: IT'S BACK BITCH! For those of you who don't follow me and didn't know, I'm going to be extending this story to include Endgame because there are so many things I wanna fix. This chapter is pure domestic fluff and filler to prep for what's to come. Welcome back and enjoy!

~*~

"I don't feel comfortable hanging around the Avengers home base."

"Loki, I love you, but you are the least of anyone's problems right now. I mean that with love and care."

Running a hand over her stomach, (Y/n) stared at the picture in front of her. Immediately after the Snap, (Y/n) was rushed into the Wakandan palace for a checkup. Even with all of the chaos, and all of the collateral damage, Queen Ramonda set aside her grief for (Y/n) to make sure the children were okay.

Two girls was what came of (Y/n)'s first ever ultrasound. Two girls and another tearful call to Loki that ended in Thor summoning the Bifrost to bring him to Earth. The rest of the remaining Avengers were sent off almost immediately to deal with collateral damage.

For nearly a week there was no time to mourn. Tony was still MIA, Pepper claiming he got on the spaceship in New York and never came back. After the first week of chaos, (Y/n) made it a point to create a memorial at the Snap Point. The day was a dark one, and everyone cried at least once. But it was necessary, and everyone felt ready to regroup and return to the Avengers compound after that.

"Perhaps you're right. Have you thought of names?"

"A few, but we still have a bit of time before they come and I don't want to focus on it until we have to."

Nodding in understanding, Loki was content with sitting beside (Y/n) with a hand on her stomach. He was using magic to get a better feel for the children, communicating with them on a base level that would reach their magic cores.

"Perhaps we should ask my oaf of a brother if he has any ideas. It might lift his spirits. And before then we should contact Valk- (Y/n), your nose is bleeding."

Running a finger over her upper lip, (Y/n) realized with a start that Loki was right. Meeting her husband's concerned eyes, (Y/n) opened her mouth to say something. The pain started.

It was indescribable. (Y/n) wanted to peel off her own skin to take away from the sensations overcoming her body. But below the overwhelming sense of doom, was a detoxifying feeling. The reassurance that if she were to rip off her skin, it would come back better than ever. It was weird, and overwhelming, and by the time (Y/n) felt herself coming back she heard yelling all around her.

"...healers escaped, get them..."

"Orveon... bifrost and fast enough to..."

"We can't risk it... far enough along... I can start the surgery now."

Surgery? What was happening? In the back of her mind, (Y/n) identified Bruce, Loki, and Thor speaking. There were other people around her, mumbling, but they weren't as loud.

"Doctor, please..."

"I know."

Something was fitted over (Y/n)'s face, and she fell back into darkness.

Clean, clean, clean.

Hello?

Owner, Master, Equal, Me.

Reality Stone. What's going on?

The Aether is gone. The parasite attached to our being for eternity has been destroyed by my siblings. Our body could not sustain the pain of our family being harmed. But the parasite is gone. No more darkness, no more you. Only us.

Siblings? Us?

The Infinity Stones, destroyed by the being who brought us together. But not all of us. I survive, and the Aether is no more. The Aether was a parasite, wedging between us and severing our bond. Weak, unsure. But no more. We are strong, and we are now one. Alone, and yet forever bound. My silence is your voice, and your voice is my essence. Our destiny has been achieved.

Squinting, (Y/n) let out a slow breath through her nose. She was waking up. Her conversation with the Reality Stone stayed in her mind, forever fresh as a memory rather than a dream. Even then, sleep made her thoughts hazy and she wasn't processing everything in its entirety.

"(Y/n), my darling," a familiar hand grabbed hers, and (Y/n) turned her heavy head to see her husband, "There you are. You're awake."

"Yes," (Y/n) slowly rose to sit up, noticing an acute soreness in her stomach- "The twins! Bruce was saying something about a surgery and healer from Asgard-"

"They're alright!" Loki was quick to assure, "They performed what the Midgardians refer to as a 'C-section', due to the stress your body was put under. Strong, healthy, beautiful girls. All of their traits received from their mother."

"Are they blue?" (Y/n) found it in herself to joke.

"No, thankfully. Although they do have red eyes. A worthy compromise. Do you know what happened to you?"

Bruce chose that moment to step into the room, "I'd like to know that too. Complete organ shutdown for at least two minutes, and the brain scan came back with unimaginable activity that I'd compare to encephalitis. Your mind was on fire."

"The Stones!" (Y/n)'s eyes widened, "The Stones were destroyed! My body reacted to the Aether Stone being destroyed the way a body fights off a fever, in a more extreme light. It was always a parasite, and I held it close to me as if it'd save me. But this entire time, it was the reason I was so disconnected."

Bruce and Loki exchanged equally confused looks, "(Y/n), did you just say that the stones were destroyed?"

"Yes. Yes. How long have I been out?"

"Two days. A lot has happened since then. Tony and a woman named Nebula landed her, he's okay but neither of them came back with the other team members they were in space with. Tony's recovering now. He's was exhausted, starved, and dehydrated."

Giving Loki's hand a squeeze, (Y/n) gave him a smile, "Tell the others about the stones. But before that, show me my girls."

Bruce was the one to call the others together. Loki left the room and returned a few minutes later with Eir, the head Midgardian healer, by his side. In each of their arms was a bundle. Eyes widening, (Y/n) was quick to adjust so she could hold both of the girls at once.

Immediately, the babies seemed to sense who was holding them and they squirmed slightly, grunting in the most adorable way. (Y/n) let out a choked laugh, quickly followed by a sob. Loki was quick to pull his chair close to her and hold her close.

"Thank you Eir," (Y/n) was quick to thank the woman, who smiled under the praise. (Y/n) knew that without her, Bruce would have been partially lost and things would have been much harder, "And thank you Freyja for blessing us with such healthy children."

Loki was right when he said the girls had red eyes. It shocked (Y/n) slightly when they opened them, but she found herself holding them tighter all the same. One had slightly darker hair than the other, both a shade of (H/c). (Y/n) loved them.

"They've been feeding off of formula for the past two days, but I believe it's important that you take over if you feel well enough. It will not only make up for the bonding missed, but will help them develop further and make up for their early birth," Eir advised.

"Right," (Y/n) gently ran a thumb over each of the girl's mouths, noticing how they puckered immediately, "You're hungry, now, then."

~*~

Thor didn't come see the girls until much later that evening, and by that point the sun had set and the pair was fast asleep in their clear, temporary cribs. Now that (Y/n) was awake, she easily healed the wound on her stomach, but Eir advised that she rest longer. The healer didn't understand that (Y/n) now held a full connection to an Infinity Stone and could bend reality completely.

"You're in your armor," Loki noted Thor's appearance, pushing the spare chair towards him, "Your quest?"

"(Y/n) was correct. The stones were destroyed. Which means no chance of getting everyone back," Thor seemed devastated, and struggled to get the words out, "But I went for the head."

"Oh, Thor," (Y/n) whispered, reaching out to place a gentle hand on his arm, "We'll get through this together. If I could recreate the stones I would."

"You can't?"

"To create the stones with a stone isn't how it works. Reality is fickle and bends to my will, but to recreate the stones would be like shattering it. But I've noticed something. Look outside," (Y/n) pointed out the window, "What do you see?"

"A forest?"

"Yes. Thanos wanted to kill half of everything. Plants, animals, humans. But he couldn't, because he didn't hold the full power. That's why there are still so many trees and animals. Tomorrow, we'll have to speak to the Asgardian people and create a new Asgard, but until then it's time for you to meet your nieces."

With a wave of (Y/n)'s hand the cribs shifted from the other side of the bed to in front of Thor. His eyes widened, and it was easy to see the tears pooling along his waterline.

"If you promise not to crush them, you can hold one," Loki picked up Baby Girl 1 and passed her to Thor's arms slowly, "Cradle the head and hold her close, yes."

"What are their names?" Thor sniffled.

Pointing at the girl still in her crib, (Y/n) said, "That's Kari. You're holding Baby Girl One. We haven't named her yet. Traditionally, when a child is born into the royal family, direct lineage or not, the king chooses the name. So, what will it be?"

Looking to (Y/n) and Loki several times, back and forth as if waiting for one of them to say it was a joke, Thor finally lamented and looked down at the girl in his arms again, "Iona."

"Surprisingly good choice, brother," Loki mused, "Then meet Kari and Iona Lokidottir. Princesses of Asgard."

"Their godly titles?" Thor looked at the current heirs in awe, and (Y/n) was relieved that he was able to forget about the mission failure for even a moment.

Godly titles are given at birth by the parents based on their magical signatures. Traditionally, it's only for royal or high up families. Which was why (Y/n) didn't officially have one, coming from a common family - though she didn't need one. Holder of the Reality Stone was a good enough title for her.

"Kari is the Goddess of Sexuality, and Iona is the Goddess of Safety." Worthy titles, ones that (Y/n) was sure they'd live up to.

Thor stayed in the hospital room until it became too late and Bruce had to come in to announce that "visiting hours were over".

The next morning, Thor was back again and simply basked in the presence of the room. Him and Loki often talked about the Asgardians on Orveon, and where they would create New Asgard on Midgard.

Throughout the day the other Avengers popped in. Their moods were dark when they arrived, but eventually brightened the longer they spent with the children. Babies always had a way of doing that. Pietro stayed the longest - besides Thor - and often flitted out for a few seconds only to return with something baby related. You never bothered asking where the item came from.

"Two girls. Imagine if Wanda and I were twin girls," Pietro chuckled, though it was weak and pained, "Twins have a connection, no matter what. They'll always remain close."

The last to arrive was Tony, still hooked up to an IV pole.

"Well, well, you two were certainly busy," Tony greeted, Pepper hovering close behind him.

"Stark," Loki greeted coldly, although the quirk of his brow showed that all was forgiven if Tony would give the same courtesy.

"Sup Reindeer Games. Scored yourself a good wife, that's for sure. Cute kids too. Never really liked them, too loud and... sticky," Tony stood over the girls, a small smile forming on his lips, "But I've warmed up to them. How's that unimaginable power, coming along Powerhouse?"

"Stronger than ever. We're finally one."

"That sounds strangely ominous," Tony chuckled. (Y/n) waved her hand and two seats appeared for the pair to sit down in, "What are your plans for the tykes now that the world has gone to hell?"

"Tony."

"It's okay, Pepper. We're hoping to raise them here, in New Asgard."

"New Asgard? Where's that gonna be?"

Thor cleared his throat, "Loki and I have come to a decision."