Our first night home with the children dragged as if the sun would never rise. Vali refused to sleep anywhere but in my arms. Narvi appreciated nestling into Sigyn's chest, skin against skin, finally fussing in a signal for hunger. It was only when we attempted to put the boys together that we achieved any rest at all; the twins hugged one another in a tight embrace and drifted into quiet snores.
I should've passed out from exhaustion then, but I couldn't help but rock beside them and watch their peaceful faces for hours. My life had turned a corner, and while a past version of myself wouldn't have recognized me as the same man, I was confident Mother would have praised my love for family—after all, until they were born, I'd never truly known anyone who shared my blood. Therefore, I owed them mine, however they required me.
"Loki?" Sigyn said, shaking me awake. "Freyr will be here soon. You remember agreeing to forage with him today, don't you?"
It was a blink of an eye. A quick dream. Their first year of life passed in what felt like a day, and she roused me on a sunshine-filled morning after the children had already had breakfast. "Of course. Yes." I stretched and stood from the rocking chair, my favorite spot to think—a restless night for Vali meant he needed my presence at his side, and the chair was a decent compromise to his wanting to be in my arms.
"Are you taking them today?" she asked, tying her hair back to prepare for her own plans. After making sure I was awake, she walked backward to peer around the corner at our dining table to watch the boys.
"Yes. Freyr agreed to stay near in case someone starts to fuss." I tied my hair as well in a small bit of twine; it had mercifully grown beyond my shoulders and made me feel more like myself. Sigyn preferred it loose for our private time together, but there were advantages to keeping it out of my face so the children couldn't tug at it.
I splashed my face with water and glanced at myself in the looking glass—my eyes were puffy and tired, but I recognized myself. Life's sacrifices were written across my skin. Every late night, every frustration, every lost moment of quiet. I tried to remind myself that their time in youth was limited, that I couldn't waste a moment to soak in their excitement because, someday, I'd miss it.
Sigyn let Vali and Narvi loose in the house and, though moving at a wobbly pace, they turned the corner quickly and bolted for me.
"Far," Vali cried, wrapping his arms around my legs tightly.
Narvi snuggled in next to him, pushing his head into my shins.
I chuckled. "Good morning, my sons."
"Far," Vali said again, beaming up at me.
"That's right. Father. Almost got it." I ran my hand through Narvi's light hair. "Have you anything to say today?"
Narvi giggled, but he said nothing. He was a sponge but rarely let anything out.
Tiwaz snuck past us, spurring the boys to follow him. "Tee," they yelled in unison, squealing with joy toward the front room.
"Don't chase the cat," Sigyn said, rolling her eyes at the futility of trying. "How can I help ready them?"
"Help me strap them in, and don't worry while we're gone." I kissed her softly—a routine now, but no less special than it ever was.
She blushed, proving we still had power over one another.
The sling gifted to me before the boys were born was quite useful; it wrapped around my torso tightly and let me rely on my back instead of my arms. It lived on a permanent peg by the front door. The boys excitedly stomped when I put it on. Vali preferred to ride in front, facing out—ever a predator, eyes forward and sharp—while Narvi slept against my back. Sigyn helped me fasten the straps and bid us farewell for the day.
YOU ARE READING
Loki of Vanaheim (Part 3)
FantasíaLoki, content as a father and husband, is now Yggdrasil's first defense against a legendary foe who seeks to destroy all the gods. Will he uphold his newfound honor and rise to the occasion, or will he let his so-called brother have another victory?
