My Friend Loki: Strange Magic

Chapter 16

After our long day, it felt like a relief to reach the Sanctum. Once we approached the doors, I pulled out my smartphone and texted '#1772'. The doors opened for us and we entered the building.

As per Doctor Strange had said, we found he was still up and was sitting on one of the stairs on the large staircase as we walked into the main area.

"Back already?" Strange asked.

"Yes. We came, we saw, we ate... and made fond memories," I replied with a soft sigh, then looked at Loki. Upon seeing him nod in agreement with a contented smile, I handed a shopping bag to Strange, "then Loki and I bought some items at the local grocery for all of us to have breakfast tomorrow."

"Thank you," Strange said, taking the bag. "You didn't have to - but I'm glad you did. We're so busy here, it's hard to find the time to stock the pantry."

"Our pleasure," I looked at him with amused curiosity. "So, how's the universe?"

"Pools of sorrow, waves of joy... the usual," Strange said offhand. "You both must be very tired."

"We are," Loki said, noticing me quietly yawn. "If you don't mind, we'd like to go up to our rooms now."

"Before you do, have you both decided where you'd like to spend December twenty-first?" Strange inquired.

"Oh," I said, looking at Loki with a knowing smile, "I think we have something in mind, but," I turned back to Strange, "can we get back to you on that? We just need to iron out a few things..."

"Do you need any assistance?" Strange asked. "I do have the means to make things less complex."

"Thank you for the offer," Loki replied his voice impassive, "but we'll be fine."

"However," I interjected, as some thoughts came to mind, "we may have need of you later."

Loki gave me a slightly hurt look, but at the moment I chose to ignore it.

"Just let me know," Doctor Strange said, as his hands went into conjuring mode.

"Wha- what... are you doing?" I asked Strange, as the conjuring hands were directed toward us.

After all this, he wasn't going to hurt Loki, was he?

Instinctively I took a step to stand in front of my friend.

"Well, you could walk up the staircase to where you need to go," Strange began to explain. "However, the Sanctum is a very big place. I wouldn't want you to get lost. So, it's best I again send you both to your rooms... and then I can get back to my work. See you both in the morning."

"Ah, understood," I said, then with a shrug, added, "then... goodnight."

And just like that, I was back in the bedroom I had stayed in last night. Once again, Loki wasn't with me, but if I was here, it made sense to surmise he had to be next door.

I then heard a knock on the connecting door. Turning toward it, it took me a second to realize that the door had been fixed.

"Come in!" I said, knowing exactly who it was.

To my surprise, this time the door opened just fine, and Loki entered the room. He took a few steps in, then stood where he was. I could see his expression wasn't a happy one.

"Why did you tell that sorcerer we needed his help?" Loki asked, sounding vexed. "We're fine doing this ourselves."

"Loki," I replied softly, giving him a sympathetic smile, "don't misinterpret my words. Of course, we are going to do this together, just you and I." Then I took his hand and led us to the bed where we both sat. "My reasons for saying that to him is because there is nothing wrong with having, well, for lack of a better term, some backup. Doctor Strange could become a valuable asset to us."