This is the last chapter of the first part. I've decided to continue posting the next parts as chapters and will indicate so with chapter titles. Thank you all for reading and I'm really glad you guys enjoy my magical theory and stuff. Considering that it's the most important aspect of it, it's been really important to me that it makes sense and is interesting and all that. So thank you. The next part might take a while but I'm working on it.
They're in what she supposes to be his study on Earth. It's close to where they usually meet to practice but well enough hidden. She can feel the enchantments around the place. She watches him read and decides to ask what's on her mind.
"Loki, where did you get the amulet from?"
He looks up from his book to see her, wondering where that comes from.
"Why do you ask? Do you think I stole it?"
"No, I know that you haven't. Thor said it's really valuable."
She notices her slip of tongue a second too late and Loki's composure changes instantly. He narrows his eyes at her and closes the book.
"Thor?" He growls.
"Relax… He noticed it and recognized it as Asgardian. He's also noticed that it was me who took care of Clint's arrow. He hasn't told anyone else yet. About anything."
He huffs and rubs his face for a moment. Then, "Come here."
It's not what she has expected him to say but she goes over to where he sits. He's a lot calmer than she has thought he would be when he finds out that Thor knows their little secret. She has expected a tantrum at the very least. When she's close enough, Loki reaches out for the amulet and traces it carefully.
"Have you looked at its back?"
"No."
He moves his hand away to let her take it and inspect it. She doesn't recognize the rune inscribed there. Loki catches her attention by drawing lines in the air between them, keeping them visible with his magic.
"That is my rune." He explains.
Natasha looks at it and notices that the one on the back of her pendant has those lines in it as well, though not only. There is more to the one there than his.
"This one looks different."
"It is yours."
She looks at him, a little surprised. She wasn't aware she has her own rune.
"Why does it use yours as a base then?"
He's pleased by how quickly she catches on and smiles at her.
"Because the amulet used to be mine. Which means it was infused with my own magic. It's weakened over the years, especially since I stopped actively using it. There was still enough magic inside to work and keep up a simple protection. When you infused it with your own magic, they merged. It carved your rune into it as a result. Usually, what was left of me would have disappeared but I assume since our signatures match, they fused rather than one taking over the other. I admit, I wasn't aware that could happen. Magical energy tends to erase traces of another. Yours accepted the residue of mine within the amulet."
Natasha needs a moment to grasp all of that. It was a little more confusing than what he's taught her so far. Certainly interesting though. She gets stuck on one part.
"You gave me your amulet?"
"I have no need for it. You should memorize the rune, it will come in handy with future spells and enchantments. I will show you how to use it once you know it."
She nods and his rune in the air disappears.
"Thor… He knew it was you that took out the arrow?"
"Yes. He said it wasn't yours. The only other option is me and he got to the same conclusion pretty quickly."
"I'm surprised he noticed."
"Why did you do your tests with them so close if you don't want anyone to know?"
At that Loki grins, a hint of mischief in his eyes, and he reaches out to play with a strand of her hair. She lets him. She's too curious to move away and she's almost gotten used to him doing things like that.
"Do you think it was only your skills I tested?"
It hits her like a slap in the face. She realizes exactly what he's done. Of course it wasn't just a test of her skills. He's never that simple.
"A loyalty test." She mumbles, tempted to heave a sigh.
She's been so blind to it. Taking a chance on getting attacked by Clint's arrow is one that is essentially predictable and not doing anything about it leaves him with the chance of her doing it for him. And she has. She hates being predictable.
"And you passed. With me and your friends both. I'm almost impressed that you managed to remain on both sides."
"You want me to be?" She frowns.
"You are loyal to your friends. I do not wish to change that. They matter to you and I gain nothing in changing that. I do not need you to be purely loyal to me. You must remember that I have never asked either of you. You joined me as my pupil of your own will. That is all I need for now."
"But not forever."
She knows the answer to that so he says nothing and released her instead. She appreciates that he doesn't want her to betray her friends at least.
"Have you thought about it?"
Natasha swallows. She's not sure she's ready for this conversation because between her head, her heart, and the magic, she's very much confused about what she should be doing. It's still Loki but she can't say she doesn't actually wish to change it. He's not so bad like this. She's seen another side of him and she understands him a little more now.
"No."
"Will you?"
"Yes." She says without hesitation.
He smiles and lights up a flame in the palm of his hand. She's still fascinated by the green of it.
"There is something I wish to find out."
She waits for him to continue. Loki extinguishes the flame and stands up.
"I haven't yet discovered the element you are most attuned to. I have a natural affinity towards ice and fire. I can use others but they are less effective. Not as strong and stable, and quite basic." He starts. He has an idea already, for quite a while now too, but he wants to make sure and he wants her to find out for herself. "Close your eyes and open your hands, palms up."
She does it without question, lifting her hands and opening them.
"Concentrate."
She's not sure what exactly he wants her to concentrate on but she focuses on the energy flowing through her. She has learned to do that efficiently weeks ago. It's the same as every time she practices a spell. Loki lets out a content breath the second she feels her magic manifest itself and she opens her eyes to see a bright red flame in her hands. She wonders why hers is red and his is green but she doesn't think it's important and she's not even sure Loki could tell her.
"Fire then. As expected."
She's careful not to move; Natasha doesn't think she can control it yet and she has no plans on setting anything on fire by accident.
"It suits you."
"This is pretty great." She says, agreeing with him.
Her concentration falters when he chuckles and she burns herself before the flame vanishes. Natasha lets out a curse and hisses. She hasn't thought she could hurt herself with it but she supposes it makes sense that any kind of magic could be harmful towards its user as well.
Loki takes her hand and the affected path of it is soothed with a simple spell, the naturally cooler body temperature of him helps ease the pain until it is gone completely.
"We'll work on that. It's not that complicated."
"Thanks."
The pull between them is stronger again now that their energies have mingled once more and he takes a step closer to her.
"Would it matter to you in any way if I told you that I do not care if anyone knows you're mine?"
She wants to tell him no, that she cannot be his in any way other than being his student, but the words don't make it out. Loki is the kind of man who would have all the realms know that she is his. That's not right though. Natasha doesn't belong to anybody. But she could belong with someone. As an equal. And she doesn't rule him out of the thoughts.
"Why are you so insistent, Loki? You don't even believe in the concept."
"I do not because I have never met anybody that has found their, how do you put it, significant other? I know of nobody that has. It appears to me like a myth. Do you not agree? Perhaps it is not a myth anymore though."
She watches him for a few seconds. Loki is egocentric and selfish and yet…
She kisses him. He's surprised but not enough not to do anything about it. He returns the kiss and then pulls back with a small frown. It's unexpected and he doesn't know what to do with it. He wants to be hopeful but it isn't like him.
"That doesn't mean I'm yours, you understand?"
"Then what does it mean?"
"That I'm tired of fighting against that pull. I don't want to fight it anymore. It's pointless. Whatever this is, or turns out to be, I will not be yours. Not the way you want me to be. This is my offer."
Loki takes it. There is always time to change her mind, and this is good enough right now. It's more than he has thought there would be, despite his best attempts at swaying her. He is content enough having her as his pupil and her offer is more than inviting. He'd be a fool to say no.