Lost in Glorious Mischief

Back to work

The next day you rush to the lab.
After a quick scan and some blood work, it is revealed that your ribs have healed completely. Tony allows you to continue your training. Starting lightly to be on the safe side.
After your exam, you head outside. You take a deep breath. Filling your lungs with the crisp morning air.
After a few stretches, you take off running.
You smile during the first half of your run, relieved that you can now run without being in pain.
After a couple of laps around the compound, you can hear someone behind you. Their steps getting closer and closer.
Part of you begins to panic. You continue to run but pick up the pace slightly.
"On your left, " you hear from behind you.
Before you can react Steve rushes past you.
You let out a breath of relief.
Steve slows down and allows you to catch up.
"I see you are back to the normal routine, " he says, jogging next to you.
"Bruce and Tony gave me a clean bill of health."
"Well, it is good to have you back. We missed you, " he says, smiling.
"It was only two days, I am sure your guys managed, " you say, smiling.
"I mean, I was fine but Bucky was taking it hard. You may need to hug him, " Steve jokes.
"Yeah, I will get right on that, " you say, rolling your eyes.
You both continue to run, the next couple of minutes are silent.
"Will you be training today?" Steve asks, breaking the silence.
"Tony wanted me to start slow; probably just work on my control the next couple of days."
"Well, we will be seeing lots of each other than, " Steve says.
"Are you training today too?" you ask.
"All of us are. We don't know when Thanos is coming and we have to be prepared. The only exception is Peppers birthday party on Saturday."
"Oh, that is this weekend. Thanks for the reminder, " you say, laughing at yourself.
"Tony throws the best parties, you will have a ball."
"It's been a while since I have been to a party. I look forward to it," you say.
"Me too, " Steve says, smiling at you.
"So, what do you say the first one to the front owes the other a drink this weekend?" Steve ask.
"You're on," you say, taking off.
You can hear Steve laughing and his feet hitting the pavement as he runs after you. You push through to be sure he doesn't pass you.
As you reach the final stretch Steve is inches behind you. You both push, eager to beat the other.
You beat him only by a fracture of a second.
"I guess I owe you a drink," Steve says, coming to a stop and chuckling.
"I will be sure you pay up too!" You say, laughing catching your breath.
As you chat with Steve for a moment Loki walks out of the compound toward you. Steve notices,
"I will see you in the training room," he says as he walks away. You take notice of the sudden departure and turn to find Loki walking toward you.
You walk to Loki, meeting him.
"I take it you went and saw Bruce and Stark already? He asked, not looking too pleased with you.
"Yeah, I got up early this morning and had them take the scans."
"Why didn't you wake me? I would have gone with you." Loki asked, looking hurt.
"You needed the sleep. You have been looking after me a lot the last week with the vision and fractured ribs; I just thought you could use the rest," you explain, smiling at him.
"I appreciate that, but you don't need to worry about me, love," he says sliding his arms around your waist.
You place your arms around his neck,
"Next time I will wake you then," you say, as you lean in and kiss him.
"No. Remember there will be no next time? No more broken bones, or injuries, or sudden departures." He says, pulling back to look at you.
You roll your eyes,
"Fine," you say, smiling at him.
He drops his hands, as do you. You both turn to walk into the compound.
"So, what did Stark say?" Loki asks.
"Well, everything is healed and I can go back to training. Slowly, still not allowed to do combat," you explain.
"Good, what shall we work on today?" he asks.
"You're training with us today?" you ask, confused.
"I am technically supposed to be your coach, " Loki says smiling at you.
"Well, Bruce did say my teleporting powers could possibly open portals. We could give that a try?" you suggest.
"Portals? Are you sure?" he asks.
"Worth a shot, " you say as you both reach the training room.
Loki is hesitant but decides that portals would be a lot safer than anything else. He opens the door to the training room and you walk in first.
Steve and Natasha are training.
"Claire," Nat says when she notices you.
She hurries to you to give you a hug.
"I missed you. Did Stark clear you to train?" She asks.
"Yeah, nothing physical. I think Loki and I are going to try some portals," you say, looking at Loki.
"Are you ready for that?" Steve asks.
"I think so. We will try it. If I can't we will move on to controlling my other powers better," you explain.
"Well, I am glad you're back," Natasha says.
She and Steve turn away and continue their training.
"Are you ready?" you ask, turning to Loki.
"Whenever you are," he says.
You both walk to a quiet corner,
"Now, portals are hard. I have used the power of the tesseract. However, since you are somehow connected to the stones you should be able to harness their power and open a portal," Loki explains.
"Sounds simple enough," you say, sarcastically.
"Now it is a lot like teleportation. You must feel the power in your core. Let it take over you without losing control; picture the portal opening and let go."
You allow your power to flow through you.  You keep it locked within, fighting to keep in control. Once you believe you have a grip of it you picture a portal opening in front of you.
You take a deep breath and let go.
Nothing happens.
"You need to focus harder, clear your mind," Loki says.
You clear your mind and focus. Again, you allow the power to flow through you, you grip your control, take a deep breath and let go.
Again, nothing happens.
"Hmm." You drop your hands slightly confused.
"Try again," Loki suggests.
You try again. Again, nothing happens. You begin to get frustrated.
You try one last time. Nothing.
"Maybe Bruce was wrong. Maybe I can't open portals," you say, slightly disappointed.
"Well, you need more practice. As I said, portals are hard. It could take time," Loki says, attempting to raise your spirits.
"Possibly. Let's try something else. We can come back to portals another time." you say walking away.
Your frustration allows you to focus your energy into your other powers.
Loki and you work on your control over your fire and mind powers. Lifting objects and throwing them, aiming fire at a target.
The longer you practiced the more in control you become.
You spend a good portion of the day working on your powers.

~

Loki approaches you after you ignited the last target,
"Well, I would say you have mastered your powers," he says.
You smile, proud of yourself,
"Yeah? I was off in that last one," you say, turning to Loki.
"Just slightly, we can practice more tomorrow," he says.
"Actually," you hear from behind you. You both turn to find Nat walking toward you,
"Training has been canceled for the next couple of days. A few of us have a mission. The rest are supposed to hang back and help with the party planning," she says, as she reaches the two of you.
"Party?" Loki asks,
"You didn't tell him?" Nat asks, looking at you.
"Haven't really had the time, you know broken ribs and high in pain killers," you say, looking at her.
Natasha directs her attention back to Loki,
"Peppers birthday party this weekend. Tony moved it up a day," she says.
"Will you guys be back in time for it?" you ask.
"Oh, of course. The mission is only overnight. Gives us a day to heal and rest up for the party," Nat says to you.
"Well then, would you like to accompany me to a party?" You ask, turning to Loki.
Loki turns to you,
"I would be honored," he says, smiling.
After a moment of awkward silence, Natasha breaks it,
"Okay then, I need to get ready to leave. Are we still on before the party?"
"Oh, yeah of course," you say.
"Great, see you then," Natasha says, as she hurries out of the room.
Loki looks at you, slightly confused,
"What is happening before the party?"
You turn to him,
"She wants to get ready. I also need help zipping my dress," you say, embarrassed.
Loki grabs your hips and turns you towards him,
"I better be the one helping you unzip it then," he says, leaning in and kissing you.
"Only if you behave," you say, in between kisses.
"Mm, that is something I cannot promise," Loki says playfully, pulling you in for one more kiss.
You pull away and smile,
"So what do you say; movie and popcorn?"
"Sure," he says laughing.
"Race you back to the room?" you ask, playfully.
"Darling, you know I do not run," Loki says.
"Who said anything about running?" you grin mischievously. Then vanish.
Loki laughs before he teleports himself to your room.