Clatters rang through the tower from the kitchen. Pots banged together as bottles and boxes were tossed. Thor and Loki were discussing the terms of the trickster’s stay when the noise escalated.
“What in the nine realms is going on?” Loki peered towards the ruckus.
“Oh, Y/n is doing her monthly cleaning. Best to ignore it,” Thor said.
“Oh, by the gods! I found another jar!” Your squeal bounced off the walls as you skipped down the hall, clutching a handful of trinkets.
“She finds joy in such dull things,” Loki scoffed.
“She’s a simple woman full of positive energy. It’s hard not to enjoy what she does,” Thor replied.
“I find it tedious,” Loki grumbled.
“Find it what you will, but not even your silver tongue can convince her to stop doing what she enjoys,” Thor laughed before turning serious. “So are we clear on the regulations?”
“Yes, yes. No stabbing anyone, no killing, no mass destruction, and no leaving this wretched place without an escort. You’ve made it quite clear, you oaf.”
“Oh, and stabbing *me* is prohibited.”
“Now that’s just cruel,” Loki scowled, swiftly turning away.
“I mean it, Loki!”
~~~
Nat sighed, arranging peas, carrots, and steak into neat rows. She glanced at Clint, who shrugged and pointed to Pietro. This continued down the line of Avengers until it reached Thor.
“Y/n, what seems to be troubling you?” Thor finally asked, giving in to the pestering.
“What? Oh… nothing. Magic stuff.”
“Well, I grew up alongside magic. Surely I’s be able to help,” Thor boasted, leaning closer to hear.
“Okay… the Sigil I created seems blocked by an external force my client is trying to overcome.” You arranged your food into the shape of the sigil. “I tried rearranging the intent, moving the words around, even a different candle. Something’s wrong, and it’s… it’s just really stressing me out.”
“Right…” Thor pondered. “Have you tried shifting the shapes?”
“Shifting the shapes won’t do anything, you oaf. It may just create malintent.” Loki looked up from his food, turning to you. “What you need to do is apply the sigil onto a Mugwort leaf to—”
“Banish the negative energy! You are brilliant!” You pushed your chair back and hugged the god before dashing back to your room to complete the spell.
“Well done, brother,” Thor clapped a hand on Loki’s back, causing the god to scowl.
“Get your hands off me.”
~~~
“Hey, thank you so much for your advice. I wanted to repay you.” Loki looked up from his book, then down at the strips of paper you were offering.
“I have no use for Midgardian valuables. It’s merely paper with economic worth.”
“You’re not wrong, but I feel like I should give you something considering I wouldn’t have gotten the spell done without you.” You glanced around before spotting a candy wrapper on the kitchen counter. “You like sweet things, don’t you?”
“Yes… why do you ask?”
“Get dressed in some Midgardian clothing. We’re going out.” Without waiting for a reply, you were gone with the wind.
~~~
After much persuasion, Tony allowed Loki to leave with you. You decided it was best for him to experience everything a Midgardian would, so instead of a car, off to the train it was!
“What is that noise?” Loki growled after you bought his ticket.
“That’s a train, which we will be taking.” You led him to the right platform just as the train arrived. “You might want to hang on.”
“This contraption is incredibly suffocating,” he mumbled, watching the city fly by.
“But it’s a normal occurrence for a Midgardian, so you’ll have to suffer.” You stumbled slightly at the stop and nearly fell into Loki’s arms.
Lights flashed across screens as tourists awed at the normal scene of Time Square.
“This is… overwhelming,” Loki muttered distastefully.
“Don’t worry, where we’re going, you’ll like.”
~~~
“Very… colourful,” Loki scanned the decorative wallpaper and items he knew weren’t edible.
“The colours are to attract people, which is working.” You pointed to people collecting sweets. “But you’ll love the candy.”
Loki looked around, watching as you explained each candy. He was put off by a few and intrigued by others. Though he’d never admit it, he was enjoying himself. You weren’t the worst company, and you actually understood his humor.
There were a few scolds whenever he caused too much chaos, but you found it equally funny.
~~~
“Okay, okay, now close your eyes again and try this.” Loki sucked on a sweet, chewing it and thinking before smiling.
“Nougat?”
“Well done, your majesty.” He opened his eyes with a wide grin. “Your turn.” Doing as he did, Loki rummaged through his bag and took out a red sweet he knew was spicy.
“There you go.” He placed it in your mouth and waited for your reaction. Your lips tilted and confused, then concerned.
“Why is it spicy?!” You spat it into a tissue. Loki burst into laughter and took out more of the same candy, popping it in his mouth. “That’s disgusting.”
“Suit yourself. I think it’s quite a treat.”
“You have odd taste,” the god shrugged, happily watching as you chugged a bottle of water when the heat rose again. “Let’s head back now. See if they’ve burned down the tower.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?” Loki mused, walking with you to the train.
“Yes, because I have all my things in my room… and I guess everyone would get hurt too…” You remarked slyly. Once on the train, you were deep in conversation when the train jolted, and you fell right into Loki’s arms. “Sorry.”
“That’s quite alright,” Loki smirked at your blush.
~~~
“I would like to thank my depression for giving me the motivation to ignore the real world and make books :)”
- Anna ❤️