Twisted Fate || Loki Odinson

19.

As I open up the pantry, I start gathering all the ingredients I'll need. I balance cans and spices in my arms when a familiar voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Need an extra hand?" Loki's voice fills the air, his presence towering over me.

"Yeah, can you grab a few things?" I turn towards him, revealing my arms full with ingredients. With a subtle gesture and a quiet incantation from him, the objects glow a bright green and float over to the island. "How did you--"

"A simple telekinesis spell," he explains with a smirk, clearly enjoying my astonishment. "Very useful for such occasions."

"No kidding," I comment with a chuckle, amazed yet again by his magic.

"What else do you need?" he asks, ready to assist.

"Uh..." I peer into the pantry, listing off the remaining items. Each one floats over to the island as he effortlessly retrieves them. I catch the cornmeal out of the air and glance at the completed spread. "And that's it."

Closing the pantry, I walk over to the island and look down at my list. "What's on the menu?" he questions, curiosity lacing his words.

"Well, we've got turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, cornbread, and apple pie for dessert," I list proudly.

"That sounds... interesting," he remarks, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I laugh softly. "Trust me, it's gonna be good."

"When was the last time you cooked this much food?" he inquires, genuinely curious.

"It's my first time," I admit, a touch of nerves in my voice. "But I know how to cook everything. It's just a matter of timing and having enough space and hands to help."

"Well, if you wish for me to help you, I can," he offers graciously.

"That'd be great, actually. Can you put on a pot of water for the potatoes?" I ask, handing him a bag of potatoes.

In moments, a pot of water hovers over to the stove. "Really?" I tease, amused by his efficiency.

"What? I'm saving you time," he defends with a playful shrug.

"Okay then, if you want to save me more time, how about peeling and chopping those potatoes?" I suggest, pointing to the bag in his hand.

As Loki begins preparing the potatoes, I focus on the other dishes, feeling a sense of closeness in our shared effort.

We work side-by-side, Loki seamlessly following my instructions with his usual flair when a knock at the door interrupts our rhythm. I glance at the clock on the wall, furrowing my brow. "I'll go see who that is."

Leaving the kitchen, I stride towards the front door and pull it open to find Fiona waiting on the other side. "Fiona?"

"Hey, Cass," she beams, pulling me into a quick hug. "You look amazing!"

"Thanks, Fi. So, not that I'm not happy you're here, but you're early," I point out, grateful for her timely arrival.

"I know, I wanted to come over and lend a hand with the cooking," she explains eagerly.

"Ah, that'd be great if you could help us, Fiona," I nod, raising my voice slightly to include Loki, who's cleverly managing multiple tasks with his magic.

She steps inside, slipping off her shoes and hanging up her coat. "How do you keep it so warm in here?" she wonders aloud as we head towards the kitchen.

"Good insulation," I reply with a shrug, guiding her into the heart of our culinary operation. "Fiona, this is Loki, my... guest." I introduce them, watching Loki greet her with a warm smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he says politely.

"It's nice to meet you too," she replies, casting a glance my way. "Cassie, you didn't mention that he's quite the catch."

I roll my eyes playfully. "Fiona!"

"I'm just messing with you." Her laughter fills the kitchen, adding a lightness to the room that contrasts with the intensity of our cooking preparations. Loki joins in with a chuckle, his presence calming the bustling atmosphere.

"So, what's the plan here, Cass?" she asks, glancing around at the array of ingredients and dishes in progress.

"We're just getting everything ready," I explain, grabbing a cutting board to join Loki in chopping vegetables. "The turkey's already prepped, but we still need to stuff it."

"Stuff the turkey?" She raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds like a job for someone with experience."

"Loki's handling that," I declare, giving him a playful nudge with my elbow. "He's a wizard with food."

He smirks, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he inspects the turkey. "Indeed. Cooking has always been one of my more... magical talents."

She laughs, clearly enjoying the banter. "Well, if you can make a turkey disappear, I'm all in."

"As much as I'd love to impress you with a disappearing act, this turkey is destined for a delicious roast instead." 

As Fiona and I continue with the vegetables, conversation flows easily between us. She updates me on her latest adventures at work while I fill her in on the latest antics in the kitchen. Loki chimes in occasionally with a witty remark or a clever suggestion, seamlessly blending into our circle of companionship.

With the turkey prepared and in the oven, we move on to the next tasks. Fiona volunteers to whip up the cranberry sauce, a family recipe she's eager to share. Meanwhile, Loki and I focus on finishing the side dishes, our teamwork becoming more synchronized with each passing minute.

As the kitchen fills with the tantalizing aromas of roasting turkey and simmering sauces, I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude. I steal a glance at Loki, who catches my eye and offers a reassuring smile, understanding the unspoken appreciation in my gaze.