My Friend Loki: Strange Magic

Chapter 4

While getting ready for bed, I heard Loki call out from his room.

"Beverlee, did you bring your device?"

"Yes, Loki, I did."

Smiling to myself, I knew where this was leading, but it was perfectly fine.

"May I listen to some of the selections on my playlist?" he asked.

The last time Loki and I were together, I had an opportunity to teach him how to use my smartphone and it eventually led to us discussing music. I learned that Loki really enjoyed listening to music from Midgard - well who could blame him, especially when he came from a place that didn't offer such various genres? In turn, it led me to create a specific playlist for him.

Even with keeping the adjoining doors open (well his anyway, as mine was still on the floor), I suspected Loki's request meant he still harboured some anxiety. Knowing that listening to music would help alleviate his mindset, I grabbed my smartphone and carefully wrapped my earbuds cord around it.

Walking into his bedroom, I saw he was sitting up in bed. I tossed the phone over to him - he caught it with one hand.

"Thank you, Beverlee," he smiled and started to unwrap the earbud cord.

Returning his smile, I was about to go back into my room but stopped. Instead, I walked over to Loki's bed, sitting on the edge beside him.

Something Doctor Stephen Strange said earlier was now bothering me...

"What is it?" Loki asked, looking at me curiously.

"Loki," I said, hesitant, "I need to know something."

My friend gestured with his eyes to go ahead with my request.

"What were you really doing in that bar?" I asked.

He seemed taken aback by my question.

"I-I wanted a drink," Loki said shyly, looking downward.

"You could buy alcohol anywhere, my friend."

Beholding an expression of uneasiness, Loki looked away, thinking. After a moment, he again met my gaze.

"I... wanted to pay tribute to her," Loki said, his voice still quiet.

"Tribute to...?"

"My mother... my adoptive mother, that is." Loki said, swallowing hard. "It was around this time she..."

Loki didn't finish. He didn't have to, because he had told me about his adoptive mother at a time when I had learned one of my uncles had passed. We both had gone to a licensed establishment, had a few drinks and commiserated with each other.

Loki's sad expression on his face made him look very fragile. I reached out and pulled him into a hug. He didn't resist, and his arms came around me quickly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked in a whisper.

"I didn't... want to be a bother."

"Loki," I said gently, "believe me, you're never a bother." I hugged him a bit closer, "if you need me, I'm here for you. There are no strings attached." I released the hug a bit so I could look at him. Freeing one of my arms, I reached up to brush a few stray locks of his dark hair away from his face, "tell me, how did the fight start? Yes, I know your suit may have played a factor, but... I suspect there is more to this."

"My clever girl," Loki said with a bittersweet smile, "you are correct." Fully releasing the hug, save for holding my hand, he explained, "I was drawn to enter the establishment when I saw the name of it. As I was having my drink in a quiet corner, suddenly, right before my eyes, I saw a man at another table disrespect a lady. I felt I had to do something..." he reached out with his other hand to briefly touch my cheek, "I mean, what if that had been you, Beverlee? I couldn't let that brute get away with that. I assessed the situation, and made my move." Loki pursed his lips, and a thoughtful look came to his face, "I just didn't realize that he had two friends with him. Luckily, they were no match for me."

Damn, I said silently to myself, Doctor Strange was right.

I looked at Loki with a sympathetic expression.

"What?" my friend asked upon seeing the look on my face, "was it not right of me to defend the lady's honour?"

I swallowed hard, not quite sure how to explain what I needed to tell him. I would have to be delicate. The last thing I wanted was for him to feel rankled, but I had to make him understand.

"Your actions were gallant and chivalrous, you had your heart in the right place..." I said, again hesitant.

"But..?" Loki asked.

I smirked. It was a blessing and a curse he was so perceptive.

"As you are very aware, hands down, you are much stronger than any Midgardian. Those men had no clue they didn't stand a chance against you," I said.

"When it comes to battle strategy, is it not the adage here, 'a good defence is a strong offence?'" Loki asked, concern in his voice.

"In battle, yes, I would concur with you," I said, carefully choosing my next words, "but this was... a bar. Despite Doctor Strange being able to reverse events, you were lucky that you simply knocked out those men and didn't leave them with other serious injuries."

"Beverlee, you make it sound like I don't know my own strength. I'm aware of the fragility of Midgardians and how much force I need to use when necessary."

"I'm sure you do, my friend. However, when it comes to Human nature... and I also suspect Frost Giant nature, things can go awry. There can be certain variables that can make things escalate and cause... accidents... to happen." I took both his hands and held them, "promise me you won't do this again, it would kill me if you became the cause of one."

"Are you saying I cannot act when help is required?"

"Not at all," I smiled with a glint in my eye. "Loki, you are the God of Mischief. Asides from what you are instructed to do on assignments from the Initiative, I simply suggest you deal with these... miscreants... more craftily." I took a deep breath, "do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes," he said. He took my hands and kissed them, "how you continue to go out of your way to look out for my safety and protect me - even from myself..."

With a broad smile, I said, "it's all part of the..."

"'Friendship Agreement?'" Loki finished for me, smiling.

Releasing our hands, I stood from the bed and began to walk back toward my room. As I reached the threshold of the adjoining doors, I turned around and playfully leaned on the door-frame.

"By the way," I said giving him a look of affection, "your mother... she would be proud of you."

"I hope so," Loki said quietly.

"Well, I know I am. Sweet dreams, Loki."

I then continued on to enter my bedroom to have some of my own.