Magic and Mischief

The Magic on Midgard

Earth 2012

Seconds that felt like hours ticked silently on by while the quiet hum of the fluorescent lights filled the room as Liv and Loki stared at each other in stunned silence.

Liv lifted her hand up to the transparent wall of the cell where Loki's hand was pressed on the other side just inches away.

"Liv, I thought you dead," Loki said quietly, a relieved smile still stretched across his face. Tears of joy stung his eyes as he took in the modern beauty in front of him. Liv's time on Midgard had changed her, but Loki could recognize those eyes anywhere across the realms.

"Houdini!" Tony called out.

Tony and Thor ran down the hall just outside of the basement and threw the door open, letting it hit the wall. Despite the frantic commotion, Liv's eyes never left the phantom image in front of her.

But Loki's did. His gaze left Liv's eyes and his expression fell at the sight of Thor and Tony entering the room. What little relief he felt upon seeing her was replaced with dread and guilt of his actions over the past few days.

"Come on, Houdini," Tony said quietly as he came up behind Liv. "Let's go." He gently took her hand off of the cell and led her towards the exit.

Tony led Liv out of the basement and as the door closed behind them, Loki could see Liv look over her shoulder back at him, her eyes filled with hurt and disappointment.

It wasn't until after the door slammed shut that either Loki or Thor spoke.

"Why is she here?" Loki asked Thor.

"I do not know," Thor answered him, his eyes fixed on the door.

"Do not lie to me! Why is she here?" Loki demanded once more, his fist pounding against the cell wall.

"Believe it or not, Brother, I had only just seen Liv moments ago. Do not place your anger with me for what you have done."

Loki turned away from the wall of the cell keeping him locked away.

"Give her time," Thor finally said to Loki as he left the room.

After Loki was sure he was alone again, he dropped to his knees, defeated.

"I truly am my father's child," he said quietly. With his hands clenched into fists, Loki's glowing green magic emanated from his hands sending the furniture crashing against the walls of the cell.

"A monster."

~~~

"Knock, knock," Tony tapped his fingers against the doorway of the training room. Crossing his arms, he stood at the entrance watching Liv repeatedly throw glimmering green daggers at the target in front of her, each time piercing the center. "Keep it up and you'll owe me new equipment."

Liv ignored him as she walked up to the target and ripped the daggers from the metal sheeting.

"So," Tony started to say as he walked into the room. "That's him?"

"What do you want, Stark?" Liv asked, her eyes fixed on the target in front of her.

Tony clutched his chest, pretending to be hurt. "I thought we had something. All this time you were just using me for my equipment? My Weapons?"

Liv threw the daggers again, both of them piercing the existing hole and tearing the metal further apart. "As you can see, I have no need for your weapons."

Before she had a chance to remove the daggers again, Tony stopped her, his fingers wrapped firmly around her wrist. Liv's hand twitched, sparks flying out from her fingertips.

"Hey, settle down there, Houdini," Tony tried to calm Liv. "I'm not here to hurt you, you know that."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Well, first of all, I own the place." Tony released Liv's hand and pulled the daggers from the metal, handing them to her. "Secondly," he turned her shoulders to face him. "There's clearly history, and the sooner you get it figured out, the better."

"It's not that simple, Tony." Liv tucked the daggers away in the black and green leather holsters on either side of her legs.

"Oh, so we're back to 'Tony' now."

Liv couldn't help but smile. In the short time she's spent on Midgard, Tony has been nothing but protective and caring. "Do you prefer Stark?"

"I prefer whatever makes you happy and keeps that at bay," Tony said pointing to her still glowing hands. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in, kissing her forehead.

Liv took a calming breath and the glow faded safely away.

"Now, go. Talk to him."