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4

"I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with your invention." I hovered over the stew that was simmering on the stove. "Maybe I should hire you full-time." I shot him a cheeky grin.
"Think you could afford it?" He smirked, taking the pepper down.
"Ouch, that was low!"
"Out of my way," he said, all business-like as he carried the pot of stew to the island to cool.

I waited for the toast to pop and went to get a plate from the high shelf. Damn the builder who nailed the shelves so high! I could just about reach them, but no –

"Don't mind me saying this, but," Loki reached up for the plate I was trying desperately for, "you're a really horrible cook for a woman."
"Yeah well you have really soft and manicured hands for a man." I shot back.
I could feel him frowning into the back of my head. Nice, can you be more awkward?
"Don't expect this to be a routine affair, though, Paton. I'm only helping because you haven't been well. Also, I need a break from your poor culinary skills."

I sat down at the island, buttering toast. Just then, it occurred to me how dull life at Riverside had been before The God of Mischief came along. Between naps and deliveries and house-calls and the occasional visit to the bar, I had grown three years older, none the richer or more enlightened. As pleasant as it was to watch Loki pattering about, occasionally using his magic when the machines got bothersome, I couldn't help but wonder if Gregory McAllister actually made sense when he ranted about the dead-end I was bound to run into.

"Penny for your thoughts," Loki sat down, pushing a bowl under my nose.
"You know, I don't think I have a purpose either."
"You make the deliveries."
"But it's not enriching my life."
It was almost as if the roles were reversed. I brooded over my stew and toast, taking a swig out of the glass Loki had placed in front of me.
"What's this?" I stared at the dark liquid. It tasted like – "Wine?"
"There was an old bottle of grape soda in the fridge."
"Loki what did I say about expiration dates?"
"Lots, but look, my strength returns and my magic with it."
That's right where did he get those damn vegetables for this stew?
As if he read my mind, he said, "Your neighbour next door had a surplus. I'm sure he won't be missing them."
"You stole them? I thought you magicked them!"
"I can't create matter, Paton, even you know that. Let's not be ridiculous, now."
He scoffed and snapped his fingers to the bottle of pop on the fridge. It shot across to the island like it had been launched by an invisible hand. He unscrewed the top and poured himself his drink.

All you need now is a vase of flowers and some candlelight and you've got yourself your first ever date.
"What?" He asked when he caught me staring.
"Just curious, what are you going to do now?"
"Well, I'm not washing the dishes, I've done enough."
"No, no, I mean in life. I mean, do you think you'll ever go back?"
"To Asgard?"
I nodded.
"It's physically impossible, even if I wanted to."
"Do you?"
"I'd be happy if I never stepped foot in Asgard again."
"What's your plan of action then?"
"Sounds like you want to get rid of me, Paton."
I froze. No, don't let him leave! Your life just isn't interesting enough! "Of course not. You haven't threatened me once in the past six hours; I'd say we're getting on rather well."
"There is something, though," he said thoughtfully.
"Out with it."
"Something I might need to retrieve."
"You really don't like letting on do you?"
Loki looked up at me for a long moment, staring hard. I found I could no longer eat my food under the surveillance and took a gulp of wine to ease the nerves he was wracking in me.
"Something of great value, a hypercube, but the details are not important."
"What does it do, then?"
I thought I saw him hesitate. "It is key to my full recovery."
That sounds too simple. What's so great about this cube anyway?
"So, where do we find it?"
"That's the question, isn't it?"

Well. Spoilers: The Tesseract will definitely be making a feature.