Mischief and Magic

Chapter 23

Loki realized his mistake soon into the training session. He had forgotten how drained of magic he was. It was something he shouldn't have forgotten. He'd gotten lazy and cursed himself for it. He was so used to working magic on Asgard, where there was magic in the air to draw on. There was no magic in the air of Midgard and he'd had to use his own natural power with no supplementing it.

They barely got through the basics of finding Morgan's power and crafting a basic illusion over her ears and tail before they were both too exhausted and magically drained to continue.

Loki was used to hiding his condition from everyone and managed to lead Morgan back up to the common room without displaying how exhausted he was. He smelled the dinner that had been ordered and followed the scent, Morgan's hand in his so she wouldn't fall asleep on her feet and not make it to dinner. "Let's get you fed, little one," he told her gently as they approached the food.

Loki looked at the pile of Chinese takeout in the kitchen with confusion on where to even start. Morgan beamed when she saw her usual order in its own bag set off to the side. Once she had secured her dinner, she helped Loki pick out things he would like, steering him away from anything spicy, for which he was grateful.

They took their food into the other room where the team was gathered and Morgan took her usual spot to eat her Chinese, cuddling up under a blanket on the couch. Loki sat beside her, leaving his side open for her in invitation. He wasn't at all surprised when she immediately cuddled up to his side, tucking her legs under her.

Thor, however, was very surprised and raised his eyebrow in question, in a very Loki-like expression. Loki didn't let people touch him. He especially didn't invite physical contact with anyone. Loki rolled his eyes at his idiot brother. "She's a kit, Thor. They're extremely cuddly already, but even more so with people who they know they can trust. She knows she can trust me because I cured her need for her arc reactor."

"That doesn't mean you let people touch you without stabbing them," Thor reminded Loki. Then he considered and corrected: "Anyone besides mother,"

Loki sighed. "Fine. I may or may not have a soft spot for the kit." He tried to keep exactly how much of a soft spot he had for her from his voice, but it was obvious to anyone who knew him in the slightest.

Morgan giggled and decided to bail Loki out. "I bullied him into being my friend," she explained to the room at large.

Thor chuckled "Now that I believe, lady Morgana," he replied fondly. The whole team loved Morgan as part of the family. She was found family to them and had adopted them all as such. Except Loki, who was being claimed in a completely different role.

Loki had the grace to blush at the statement.

The conversation soon turned to Morgan's birthday bash that was happening in a few days on her birthday. It was a huge event for the Stark heiress to be coming of age. Loki let himself fade out of the conversation then. Parties weren't his thing, though he kept an ear out for the details. Morgan wasn't a big fan of them either, but this one was important and she coudln't skip out on her own birthday party. Loki stayed quiet and let them talk about the party. As he did, he thought about what to get her as a gift.

Before Morgan could pass out on the couch (and Loki admittedly would have joined her), Nat brought them the exact thing they needed: a plate of fresh brownies to share. They both needed to replenish their magic Loki thanked her and split the brownies with Morgan. He was capable of sharing sweets, though very few people received that honor.

Loki purred softly as he ate his sweets. He could feel his seiðr boosting. His purrs were so soft that only Morgan could hear or feel them. That was another honor that was reserved for only the closest people to the god.

Morgan's eyes began to glow green. Her magic was still boosted from the healing. That caught Loki's attention and his purrs stopped as he looked at her eyes."Darling, you're glowing," he told her gently, trying not to spook her into unintentional magic.

She tilted her head when she looked up at him and Loki couldn't help noting how adorable she was. "Hmm?"

"Your eyes are glowing," he repeated, keeping his voice soft and calm. "Your magic is right at the surface."

"That doesn't sound good," she sounded concerned. The team looked on, concerned as well. They had heard enough of the dangers of stray magic.

Loki chuckled, then offered her his hand. "Here, I'll show you how to pull it back in." She placed her hand in his and looked up into his eyes, hers full of trust. It was the most anyone had trusted him in years, as long as he could easily remember. Loki savored the moment before he continued, letting her ground herself with physical contact. "Now, I want you to close your eyes. Clear your mind and focus on your power. Feel it at the surface. Can you feel it?"

Morgan closer her eyes and concentrated. Her brows scrunched in concentration. "I feel it," she said softly, careful not to break her concentration.

"Now, try to grab it. Grab it and pull it back into your center. It doesn't matter right now if it's not perfectly settled, we'll work on that later. We just need to get it under the surface." Morgan nodded and her eyes fluttered behind her lids in concentration as she pulled her magic back to her core where it belonged. When she opened her eyes again, they were no longer glowing. Loki watched her work, watched her magic draw back in under the surface of her skin where it belonged. "Beautifully done," Loki praised her warmly.

Morgan lit up at the praise. Praise from Loki seemed like it was a rare treat indeed. "Thank you"

Loki nodded. "You're welcome," he replied warmly as the team relaxed, the danger of uncontrolled magic gone.

Once dinner had wrapped up entirely, the boost from the brownies already began to wear off and it was time for Morgan to get to bed while she could still walk there on her own. She had school the next day after all. Loki led her up to her suite, insisting to no one's belief that it was just to make sure she made it there safely.

Morgan let him walk her to her suite, knowing he was overprotective. It wouldn't do any good to argue with him and she really didn't mind. "Goodnight, Lokes" she said warmly when they arrived safely.

"Good night, Darling," he replied just as warmly. "Sleep well," he bid her and worked hard not to show his surprise at the hug and kiss on the cheek she gave him before she ducked into her room to head to bed, blushing fiercely.