"Stop using the damn kitchen for your potions!" Music blasted through the speakers as you stirred the concoction, ignoring Tony’s grumbling.
"What? Can't hear you!" Singing happily, you took a spoonful of the bubbling purple liquid. Just as the elevator chimed, Thor and a stranger stepped out. "Thor!" Blowing on the spoonful, you offered it to his lips.
"I would rather not, Y/n," Thor said, a polite but firm refusal.
"Oh, you're no fun," You turned to the newcomer, assessing him with a curious glance. "I’d ask *him* to try this, but wouldn’t want to scare him off… Pietro!"
"That is Y/n, she is a very skilled witch and quite the jester," Thor grinned. Pietro took a mouthful of the purple liquid and promptly transformed into a snail.
"Ha!" Picking up the snail, you admired the silvery shell. "Perfection." A quick kiss on the shell, then you started bottling the potion.
"She seems very child-like for a skilled witch," Loki scoffed from the corner.
"I *may* be childish, but I have over six hundred years of knowledge on how to deal with men like you," you retorted, not missing a beat.
"There are no men like me, mortal," Loki snarled.
"If you're any different, it’ll be a fun learning process," You moved Pietro off your shoulder and into your arm, then turned toward the fridge. "How about a nice strawberry?"
"Over six hundred?" Loki’s tone was laced with disbelief.
"Witches can live up to half our life span… but it is time to introduce you to the tower, properly," Thor looked to the ceiling. "Friday, would you so kindly announce our arrival?"
"Of course, Mr. Odinson," a voice replied from somewhere above.
"Is there a person living in the ceiling?" Loki mumbled, bewildered.
"That is the artificial intelligence Stark installed," You explained casually.
~~~
"You can't just bring a criminal here without telling us!"
"He could try to kill us! Again!"
"Mr. Stark—"
"Not now, kid, adults are talking," Tony snapped.
"Thor, I don't think this is a good idea," Steve Rogers said, his voice laced with concern.
"We don't have any protection if he chooses to pull some magic crap on us!"
"How do we know he isn't doing it already?"
"Oh, will you all stop whining!" You wiped ash from your hands, revealing yourself from the hall. "Honestly, for adults, you act like toddlers."
"Y/n, you know what he did!" Clint exclaimed.
"I don't know what he did, and I don't care to ask. All we need to know is if he's willing to cooperate," You sat down beside Cap, holding out your hand to Loki. "I don't think we've formally met. I’m Y/n L/n."
"Loki, Prince of Asgard, the Rightful King of Jotunheim, God of Mischief and lies," he said, grimacing as you offered your hand.
"Oh!" You squeaked, a genuine burst of excitement. "You’re *the* Loki! You were one of the few gods I studied two hundred years ago. My friend has the biggest altar dedicated to you." A light laugh escaped your lips. The Avengers stared at you in stunned silence.
"Uh, Y/n, this isn't the same Loki from the books. This psycho tried to take over New York and kill us!" Tony protested.
"Calm down, Stark. He won't try anything," You said, dismissing his concerns with a wave of your hand.
"How do you know?" Clint growled.
"Is my intuition ever wrong?" After a collective sigh, you smiled. "Good. Now I think we should get you settled."
"Wait— hold on, L/n," Tony spun on his heel, searching for an excuse but coming up empty. "Nevermind."
"Well, Loki, you can have the room beside Thor's. You’ll have your own bathroom and everything." Leading the two gods down the hall, you stopped and picked up Pietro. "Trying to escape?" The former speedster opened his mouth hopefully. "Alright… Thor, can you show him to his room? Pietro is getting hungry."
"Of course, brother. Follow me," Thor replied smoothly.
~~~
"Knock knock!"
"Was there a point in saying the action if you were to do so anyway?" Loki snarled when he opened his door.
"It’s a habit… May I come in?"
"For what reason?"
"To help you decorate, of course! I know your powers are a little drained, so I thought you should save them for something else," You said casually, your fingers sparking with blue energy.
Loki opened the door wider, a quirked brow betraying his curiosity. "You knew of my drained energy and chose not to assure the team of their safety by using my drained magic as a reason?"
"They don't need to know about such a thing. It's not exactly comforting for a magic user," You blew into your hands twice, igniting them with blue flames. Sparks erupted from every corner, engulfing the room. Furniture jittered, rearranging itself. Wallpaper peeled off the walls, curtains twisted into knots before tightening into velvet versions. Sparks shot from the bathroom, dimming the lights to a warm tone. "Still got it," You shook away the smoke, watching Loki as he walked around the transformed room.
"Impressive for a mortal," he admitted grudgingly.
"You may be a god, but Thor told me even *you* are mortal," You said with a playful smirk before turning to leave. "Enjoy your stay, your majesty."
"Yes, thank you," Loki dismissed you with a hand, then turned to admire his new surroundings.
~~~
Keyboard go brrr
- Anna ❤️