Chapter 27: Happy Birthday to You
According to all the documents they had on Loki, it was his birthday soon. In November and December, they had celebrate the birthdays of Natasha and Bruce. Even though Loki didn't get to give them gifts, he had given them both a card. But now, it was his birthday and the Avengers were not sure how to handle that.
"The guy clearly said birthdays are not celebrated every year on Asgard," said Rhodey.
"He said every decade is," said Sam. "For what we know, Loki was born in February 965. Not 1965, just 965. So in 2015, it would have been a new decade for him, but given that he was locked up, he did not get to celebrate. I think we should throw a party for him this year."
"He would say that slaves don't get a birthday nor party, probably not even cake," said Steve. "But he is not a slave."
"What about the gifts," asked Tony. "I'm not talking about money, because now that he has money, he doesn't even use it. Or he will use it later for his children. We should give him something he would enjoy."
"How about we throw a double party," proposed Wanda. "His birthday is on the 9 and mine is on the 10. We could have a joined party. Like that, he would feel less in the spot light, more at ease. The attention won't be only on him but I don't want to steal his party."
"If we do something big for you and nothing for him, he might be jealous," said Rhodey.
"No, I don't think he will," said Sam. "He is not expecting a party, but we should treat him like one of us like we always do. For this year, it could be a joined party with Wanda."
"And it should be before or on his actual birthday, if it's a surprise. Or else he might think we forgot," said Natasha. "Do we want it to be a surprise?"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Why yes?"
"Okay, calm down," said Cap. "It won't be a complete surprise party because Wanda already know. But I think we should not surprise Loki. Just tell him we will do something for his birthday, without being specific."
"Well, who is going to do what," asked Tony. "I can buy a cake or two. Which kind of cake?"
oOo
Loki was aware his birthday was coming. Even though Asgardians would not celebrate birthdays, Frigga would still do something special for her children every single year. But since Thor's ruined coronation, Loki had not had that. Right now, he missed it. He missed his mother because she was always kind.
Loki did not care about not having a party or even gifts. The other Avengers had their birthday and they were happy with the party, but for Loki since the beginning of his sentence, he had just wanted to be out of the training facility like any other past year. But this year, he was out and it was all that matter. For his 1050th anniversary, he had been in training and not even aware which day had been his birthday. He had drawn a symbolic cake in the dirt of his cell and blown the candle — not a tradition exclusive to midgardians — but no one had acknowledged it. With Alex at the daycare, he had to explain to the boy that birthdays were something regular that every child would have and Alex had been looking forward to his own birthday for a while now. Loki was just sad the boy never get to celebrate his own birthday before, with the exception of the two of them in the cell, but that did not really count.
Needless to say, Loki was surprised when the Avengers started talking about his upcoming birthday at dinner one day.
"So we will have a party on the Friday," announced Tony. "A joined party for both Loki and Wanda. So what flavour do you want for the cake, Loki?"
"Cake?"
"Your birthday cake."
"I don't know... I've always loved almond or hazelnuts. But you don't have to celebrate my birthday. Slaves..."
Considering nuts as candy on Asgard, those kinds of cakes were popular. But then again, slaves!
"You are not a slave, Loki," repeated Steve. "And you can have a birthday here. We, midgardian, celebrate birthdays each year."
"What he is trying to say, but is too polite to really say, is that we want you to have the same right as everyone else," said Bruce. "Be treated like a normal person on Earth."
"Even prisoners can celebrate their birthday," said Natasha. "But we can do better than a real prison."
"What I'm hearing is that you want an almond or hazelnut cake," said Tony. "And Wanda, you want a strawberry chocolate cake. You got it!"
"I have already installed the money and suggestions pot," announced Sam. "So you can all contribute."
It was a tradition among the Avengers to put a pot to collect money in order to buy a gift for the birthday person. They all put a confidential among of money in the box and those who have gift suggestions wrote their idea and put the paper in the same box. So someone, most likely Tony or Steve, would buy a gift with the amount of money they had collected. But, for the cake, Tony was in charge of buying it when no one wanted to bake one.
So far, Loki had been told by Steve that it was okay to not contribute for the birthday gifts, but that was before he had a job. He still had contributed by asking Steve to exchange some stars with money for the pot or he had given candies to the person, because a lot of what he could get with the stars were for children or privileges, candy being the exception. Now, he had money and could contribute. And he wanted to contribute because Wanda had always been nice with him and his children. He just did not have physical money. Tony had told him how to have access to his pay check and how the salary was delivered into Loki's bank account and how to know how much money he now own, but Loki had never used that money so far.
And he didn't know how much he should contribute to the pot.
So, after dinner, Loki ran to Steve and asked.
"Mister Rogers, I would like to withdraw some money from my bank account."
Of course, Loki was monitored even with his own money, he needed permission to use his own money.
"What for?"
Of course, Steve needed to know why Loki needed money.
"Well, I would like to contribute to the pot for Wanda's gift. Now that I have money, I can contribute."
"Oh, sure. I can withdraw money for you, if you want. How much should I take?"
Tony had explained that a few people would also have access to Loki's bank account and, with his authorisation, could manage the money. Steve was one of them.
"I don't know. How much would be appropriate for a gift?"
"Well, you are not buying a gift, just contributing to the it. So everyone put the amount they want and Tony or I will buy the gift. Basically, if six people each put twenty dollars, we can buy one $120 gift. You just have to decide how much you want to give for the gift."
But Loki still didn't know how much he should give. He was not familiar with the midgardian economic and he was lost.
"How about I get you twenty? That's a reasonable amount. It's around one hour and twenty minutes of work with your $15 per hour salary. Too much? Not enough?"
"No, I think twenty dollars would be good."
"Great. And with our system, you don't have to go through the trouble of coming up with the idea of the gift or going out to buy it. Well, you know how it works."
Yes, Loki knew. He was to stay inside the boundary of the compound and never go out. In Asgard, sometimes, a master would order his slave to go buy things outside. Well, most masters would count the gold and make sure nothing was missing. And it was only the most trusted slaves who could get that responsibility. But still, it was a chore slaves could do. But not Loki.
He had seen more of Midgard in the three days he had terrorised the planet that in the months he had lived here so far. But was that bothering him? What was bothering him was that he was locked up, just because he was. But really, he would not complaint. Life was good with the Avengers.
oOo
"So, what do you think your father would like for his birthday," asked Natasha to Alex.
They were driving back from the daycare, and Natasha would often drive Alex there. She was not the designated driver, but she was having fun driving the boy to his daycare. After all, she had done it for Clint's children a few times and she would never get to do it for her own children because she knew she would never get children of her own.
"We could get him a car. He would like that," said Alex. "We have a small car at the daycare to play with."
"But beside a car, what would he like?"
She should try to find a reasonable idea, not a toy car like Alex wanted.
"Something to relax. He said he wants to relax more."
"He said that?"
"Well, he said he is worried a lot and that he should relax more."
"Did he say why?"
"No. He said he loves his job and he loves to be with the Avengers and he loves to be with me."
"Alex, does your father love to take baths?"
"He does. But I don't like baths. But I prefer it here. Before, we only have cold water. But even with warm water, it's still water and I don't like it. I don't like to be clean but daddy does."
So Natasha got an idea that would help Loki relax.
oOo
On the morning of Loki's birthday, it was raining. Not normal rain, rain that just started suddenly. It woke Loki up and he sat up in his bed.
"Friday, can you detect any bifrost energy?"
"Well, now that you talk about it, yes, I do. Someone just appear on the front lawn."
Loki, knowing it was not time for him to get out of his room, took the time to dress and take care of the children. Alex was happy to hug his father and be the first to tell him happy birthday.
Well, giving Thor's visit, it might not be so happy if a raven was with him. So Loki was surprised when there was a gently knock on his door.
"Enter."
The door opened and Thor came inside.
"Brother! I wish you a merry anniversary."
And Thor hugged Loki. A good, brotherly hug. And Loki was happy. It also meant the raven was not there.
"So, I didn't tell father I was coming. But I had to see you today. It's your birthday, Loki."
"Thank you for coming, Thor, it's really nice of you."
Oh, Loki had missed the morning in Asgard when Thor would barge into his room to wake him up on his birthday. Well, he had complaint times and times again about Thor waking him up, but it was nice to have someone who cared for Loki and it was only once Loki did not have Thor anymore that he realised he love being wakened up by Thor on his birthday. So it was really something to have that back now.
"Come, breakfast is ready," said Thor.
The two brothers plus the children made their way in the kitchen and Loki realised Thor had kept his promise and brought food for Asgard.
"I remember it was your favorite. Mother used to make it for your birthday," said Thor.
It was indeed Loki's favorite breakfast. There were no equivalent for it on Earth and the name was untranslatable, so neither Thor nor Loki lose time over the pronunciation of the word. Thor had brought enough to feed a small army, or himself and the Avengers, so everyone could taste Asgardian food.
"This is amazing, truly," said Tony.
It was a Friday, and so a work day, but Steve had asked Camila for a day off for Loki.
oOo
To have Thor by his side on his birthday was special. Thor was not coming often and it was surreal for Loki to not have to work, have his brother by his side and just be utterly happy.
"Thor, I want to tell you I love you. I came to realise that, even though we had our differences, I love you and you are the best brother I could even dream of. I missed you when I was in training and..."
There come the difficult part.
"Thor, I am sorry for all the hurt I caused you. I wish to apologise. I ruined your coronation because you were not ready to be a king and I knew you would be punished for attacking Jotunheim. I wanted you away. I told you I just wanted to be your equal. It is true I never wanted the throne, it felt to me when father went into the Odinsleep and mother could not leave his side. I discovered I was a Jotun just before and suddenly, it all made sense. I was never supposed to be your equal because I was not the same. We were always supposed to complete each other. Once I knew the truth, it was easy to blame you for all my faults.
When I let go of Gungnir on the bifrost, I felt. It was my fault, you did not toss me into the abyss. I was a king, but I was not supposed to be. But neither were you. We were not ready. I just want to apologise for the wrong I caused you, brother."
"I forgive you, brother."
"I will try to live to do good and never cause any trouble again."
"No, Loki," said Thor laughing. "I love you as you were, as you are. But you bring the mischief wherever you go. Don't cease to cause trouble, just don't cause death and destruction anymore."
"I think I can live with that."
"So you admit we are brother again? That Odin is your father?"
"I would not go as far as acknowledge Odin as my father, but you are an insufferable oaf and I love you with brotherly love."
Thor was really glad to see Loki was changing and becoming more like the brother he knew. Thor was so glad to have his brother back, even if he knew they would never be like before, under the same roof. But Thor would take what he could get.
oOo
Thor had apologised to Wanda because he did not bring her something special for her birthday, but she brushed it off saying it was okay. Supper that evening was exotic and diverse. Tony had called it a pizza night, but Thor had brought asgardian food, so it was fusion style and everyone was just really happy.
Loki could educate Alex in asgardian cuisine and tell him what food was which. Storm was in her highchair for supper and she was just looking at everything and everyone with her big eye.
Clint had come over for Wanda, but he was also there for Loki. As for Scott, he was a more important member of the team nowadays, even though his probation as a member was not over yet. Tony had given Scott a room inside the Avengers' wing of the compound so now, Scott would be more present.
Thor was glad to be able to develop a relation with his niece and nephew. Currently, he was holding Storm in his arm and he was showing her the food and the people and telling her about Asgard. Tony and Steve lighted up the candles on both cake and everyone starts singing for both Loki and Wanda. Even Alex knew the song and Storm was following the music with her hands.
"Happy birthday Wanda and Loki, happy birthday to you!"
"Wanda, you go first, blow the candle," invited Sam.
Wanda, in front of her strawberry chocolate cake, blew her candles in one blow and everyone clapped. The Avengers usually just put a small among of candles, not related to the age of the person, a rule that had been established because Steve was older and he didn't want to have way more candles than everyone else. So Loki, despite being way older than Wanda, had the same among of candles on his almond cake.
"Loki, your turn. Can you blow them all?"
Seriously, yes, he could. So he blew them in one go and everyone clapped again.
Then, there was a gust of wind in the room. Not cold, but just fresh. Loki turned toward Storm that was just smiling at seeing the result of her action. And it made Loki smiled.
"Brother, you did not tell me she already had some powers," said Thor still holding Storm.
"Well, just basic Jotun abilities, really. I'm pretty sure she could freeze things if she wanted."
"This is great. She will be very powerful when she grows up," said Thor proud of his niece.
They separated the cakes and everyone was just enjoying the evening. Wanda had requested to not have loud music for her party and Loki would have made the same request if he had been bold enough. Therefore, it was more a party where everyone was speaking with everyone else.
Eventually, Loki had to put Alex and Storm to bed, so the adults tried to be a bit more quiet. Tried...
Giving that Tony was there, there was also alcohol. For midgardian, it was normal at a party. And for Thor, he could handle his alcohol. But for Loki, it was strange to drink in front of Thor. Strange in the sense that a slave never get to drink alcohol. Strange in the way that last time Thor was here, Loki had been the one to serve him alcohol. It was also strange to drink once again in company of his brother.
For Wanda, the birthday was always bittersweet. It was her birthday, but also Pietro's. And since he was gone, she had no one with whom share that day and it was weird. So to have Loki sharing her birthday was a relief.
"You know that I used to have a twin," said Wanda.
"Yes, I know," answered Loki. "I'm also aware he is not among us anymore. I'm sorry."
"Well, it would have been his birthday too. I asked if we could have a joined birthday so it would be easier on you, to not have all the spotlight. But I should tell you it also makes it easier for me as well. Pietro was always there for our birthday, but this is only the third time he is not here and I found it hard."
"It is hard to be far from the person we've lost on special days like this one," said Loki with compassion. "We realise how much they were important. But other people on our life are making the moment memorable. You have Vision in your life now and you would never have guess how much he would be important. I saw him earlier when he tried to replicate a sokovian tradition. Traditions help us be closer to the one that are missing, to honor them. I am happy and honored to share this birthday party with you, miss Maximoff."
Then come the gifts for both of them.
"Mine first, daddy!"
Alex was pointing a gift on the table and Loki was a bit surprised. His son had managed to get him something.
Steve took the gift in question and handed it to Loki who opened it to reveal an assortment of bubble bath and other stuff for bath time.
"You pour a bit of it when you are running the water and you will have bubbles in your bath," explained Natasha. "So you can enjoy a nice warm bath when you are tired."
"Thank you Alex, I really appreciate it. And thank you, miss Romanoff, for the instruction and everything else."
Needless to say, Loki suspected she was behind that scheme.
Wanda opened her first gift. Clint had got her a new case for her guitar, and she seemed really happy.
Then came the gift from everyone. Loki opened it and revealed a professional camera.
"Wow, this is nice," said Loki.
"It will allow you to photograph what you want, like your children, or nature," said Bruce. "And it can also film."
"It is more for a pastime, leisure time," said Rhodey.
"The instruction manual is pretty detailed, but I can show you the basic when you want," said Steve.
"Well, thank you everyone. I am really grateful," said Loki.
Then it was Wanda's turn to open her big gift. The team had given her a new guitar.
Steve had wanted to give Loki something more and gave him a small package.
"It's not much, but it's something I think you would like," said Steve.
And Loki found a copy of Hamlet, the Shakespearian play. Loki smiled. Lately, when he borrowed books from the living room library or from an online library on his tablet, he had started to read Shakespeare and actually enjoyed it very much. So it was a good gift to have a physical copy of the book that belongs only to him.
"Thank you very much, it's appreciated."
"That's also from all of us," said Tony. "There was more money in the pot that just for the camera, so we got you two gifts."
Wow, so the Avengers had contributed more than for just one gift for him. Loki didn't know how much money it was, but he felt like the members of the team actually care for him. And that made him feel special in a unique way.
After that came another gift for Wanda. Vision had given her some news partitions for her guitar. There seemed to be a theme for Wanda's gifts whereas Loki's gifts revolve around pastime.
Thor had not brought a gift for Loki, but he had brought food from Asgard, and that was worth more than a gift from his brother. All in all, it was an amazing birthday on Earth, something Loki never thought he would have.
oOo
In the evening, Thor and Loki spent sometime together, but Loki also wanted to talk to the others. In the living room, Thor, Loki, Steve, Clint and Scott were sitting on the couches.
"I wanted to ask you questions about fatherhood," said Loki.
"Sure, go ahead," said Clint.
"Well, a few weeks ago, Alex pushed Storm and it got me worried about his future. I fear he could become like me. I am worried he had a bad start in life with the slave training and that, giving I'm his father, he could become a criminal. I am not just worried about Alex, but also for Storm. She will never really have a mother, and I worried she won't have a feminine model. Also, giving that we live on Midgard, they won't have an example of Jotun nor Asgardian. I just wanted them to be okay."
"You worry a lot," said Scott. "I know because I've been there. I worried I was too young to be a father, not responsible enough, not wealthy enough. And then I became a convict. It also got worse when I became Ant-Man. The first bad guy I fought went after Cassie and tried to kidnap her."
"Loki, as a father, it is our job to worry for our children and continuously wanting them to be safe," said Clint. "I kept my identity secret to protect Laura and the kids. Even Shield don't know about them. We all do our best to give everything to our children."
"And they will have me as an aesir example," declared Thor. "I will be there. I will visit as much as I can."
"Thanks Thor. Scott, how did you adjust to the worries?"
"I never did. I just hugged Cassie whenever I can," said Scott.
"Cooper is growing up and doesn't want me to hug him," said Clint. "But I still want to. You never cease to be a father. It's a full-time job, never a day off. It is easier when it's a team work, but it's never totally easy. Laura is an ex-shield agent, I am a former assassin and Natasha, who's the aunt, well, you know her. Are we good examples for the children? Well, we make it work."
"And the children have many models nowadays," said Steve. "Television, school, superheroes, movies. There are good and bad examples everywhere."
"Don't forget the Internet," said Scott. "The Internet is big. Maybe not for Alex because he's still young, but it will come."
"I was worried when I got a boy because I didn't know how to have a son, and then I got a daughter. I was nervous because I didn't know how to take care of a girl. I was even more worried for Lila because I know what men think of women. I regret every dumb thing I ever said to a girl," said Clint.
"It is only when the responsibility is placed upon oneself that we realise how much there is to said responsibility. You knew I was not fit to be king and it took me time to see it," said Thor. "Now, I am more mature and I know I'm not ready to be neither father nor king."
"But for you, Loki, it is different," said Steve. "You never had a say in Alex's arrival. You were forced to have him, and then have Storm."
"I had a say for Storm. You offered me abortion. And also, if I had had just been less rebellious at first during training, maybe that part of the training would have been done faster if I had not put up such a fight. And then, that training would not have beginning again and Storm would not be here."
"No, Loki. You are not to blame for bringing those children into the world," said Thor. "When I'm king, I would abolish that part of the slave training. And then slavery as a whole. That was raped and we should not condone rape in Asgard, no matter the identity of the victim."
"Would you have said the same was I not raped? Was I not a slave?"
"Sure! Well, maybe not… I must admit I didn't care about slaves as much as I should have before."
"Me neither. We all turn a blind eye toward slavery," said Loki guiltily. "Unfortunately, one day, Alex and Storm will be asking questions about how they were conceived. What should I tell them? I cannot tell them I was raped, that they were not even wanted."
"Do you have a problem with the fact that you don't want them to know you were raped or is it the fact they were not wanted," asked Clint.
"Isn't it the same," asked Thor.
"No. If I was raped, that doesn't mean they were conceived then. If I tell them they were not wanted, it would affect them more. I don't want them to know either. While it is true that I never wanted them in the first place, I really love them both. They changed me."
"When a parent loves his children, it showed," said Scott. "And you show you love them."
"You were worried they would turn out to be like you, but we will help and support you. No one is a perfect father," said Steve.
"You have no idea how many times I thought I was the worst father in the world. And then, on a mission for Shield, I was a man that was truly evil," recalled Clint. "On the outside, he looked like the perfect man. But in private, he was the most evil person I've ever seen. And I saw you in New-York, Loki. That man was worse than you. You want to know why? He abused his own children and did unspeakable things to them, mostly the girls. I won't go into details. I got a report from Shield because I shot him when the mission was just to arrest someone else. I could not live well with myself if I were to let someone like that life. But you, you will never hurt Alex nor Storm. I would even trust you with my own."
"When I went to prison, I thought I was the worst father there was," said Scott. "Maggie, my ex, she hated me for doing what I've done. And she was right… in a way. I was right for what I did too, but that's beside the point. In Cassie's eyes, I am the best because of what I do when I am with her."
"It is not about what a person does or how one treat others, but how they treat their own children that is important for those children," said Steve. "We are complex individuals and we contain multitudes. Just because you do a bad thing one day, doesn't mean you will become a dictator in the future."
"There is a passage in Harry Potter," started Scott. "What? I read it to Cassie. Anyway, someone said in those books that you should judge a man on how he treats is inferior. I thought it was beautiful. A lot of CEOs and other rich people will treat their inferior like they are nothing. A lot of people in powerful position does. Like presidents, kings and multiple others."
"A wise king should care for his people, not for his power," said Thor. "Never seeking out war."
"But must always ready for it," completed Loki.
"A true king admits his faults and try to do the best by his people. The best for his people. A king needs to put his people above everyone else, even his own family," said Thor.
"Odin would have some meetings even on our birthdays," revealed Loki. "Sometimes, it feels like we were raised by a single mother or even the nannies. Odin always put the asgardians above his own family."
"And that's why you got such a big sentence, brother," said Thor. "Even a member of the royal family must be held accountable for their mistakes."
"And now I admit my mistakes, Thor. I should not have done that."
"I know you do," said Thor. "But do you also understand that father had to punish you?"
"Yes, I understand that part. I just wish it didn't include all it does. I regret destroying our family. I know what I've done, and why I did it. I've changed and I tried to not be that person anymore. It took me having children to truly learn about responsibilities."
"Well, with great responsibility comes great power," said Scott. "No wait, that does not sound right."
"With great power comes great responsibility, that's how it goes," said Clint. "It basically means that the people who have power need to be responsible on how they use it. Or, in other words, no one is doing a great job."
"But a great king should be wise enough to use that power responsibly and make his kingdom and people thrive," said Steve.
"And that's what I should do," said Thor.
"It also means to get great advisors. You don't need to rule by yourself," said Loki.
"And you don't have to raise your children alone. They will go to school. Alex is already going to pre-school. They will have a lot of people around them to guide them in the right direction," said Steve.
"And I'm not letting you down either, brother," said Thor.
"I knew a woman who was so worried about her daughter that she actually went to the daycare to ask how her daughter was doing," said Scott. "And she did the same on the first day of kindergarten. That's the woman I marry and she said I'm the crazy one because I called the daycare a dozen times that same day."
"Laura made me spy on Cooper the first time he went to a friend's house," said Clint. "I said I did it for her, but actually, I already had a couple of microphone inside their house, and at school. When Natasha found out, she said I was overreacting."
"Tony did a background check and hack into each daycare we were considering. He then check if any of the parents of the other children had a criminal record. And I let him do that part when I found out," admitted Steve. "So it's not only the parents who can be a little crazy, but also people around a child."
"It takes a kingdom to raise a child," said Thor. "Remember that saying, brother?"
"Now that you say it, yes, I do," remembered Loki. "Thank you all. It's really good to know I'm not the only one worrying so much for my children."
"I actually bought a book on how to raise a teenager, I can give it to you once I'm done reading it," said Scott.
"You got a book on that? I did not and Cooper is already a teenager," said Clint.
"Well, I worry about guys and what they could do to Cassie."
Loki smiled. It was good to just talk to people about a subject so familiar as raising children. His own may not have the best start in life, and maybe not the best father in the universe, but they will have the support of the Avengers. What could turn out wrong with that?
oOo
Outside of the living room, outside of the building landed a raven beside another raven. Yes, those ravens. Always the same two ravens. Odin's spy flew into the night once it had been replaced by the other raven. So the first one took off.
Far away from Midgard, the raven landed on Odin's shoulder. Oh, the wise king knew his son had departed for Midgard to celebrate his brother's birthday, but Odin had not stopped Thor. By his raven, Odin now knew everything that had transpired for Loki that day and it made the AllFather smile. Loki had been happy and Thor had brought a part of that happiness.
Ever since Odin had sentenced his own son to slavery, he had thought of him on his birthday. The first few years, Frigga had been in her room sobbing all day on Loki's birthday. For Odin, it had been even worst on those days once his wife had passed. Now, Odin had known Thor was preparing something and saw right through his trick to get out of Asgard. Loki had used the same trick far too often. But Odin did not interfere and had let Thor go. So today, for the first time since he had felt from the bifrost, Loki had had a proper birthday and Odin was glad. He was also proud of his sons' progress in life, to repair their relationship, but also for everything else.
oOo
The next morning, Steve went to talk to Wanda and Loki.
"Hey guys. So, first, happy birthday Wanda."
"Thank you, Captain."
"You're welcome. I wanted to talk to you, Loki, about magic. You wanted to give Alex some magic lessons. So, I was thinking that, once a week on the weekend, you and I could sit with Alex and I will give you the orders you want regarding your magic," said Steve.
"It is appreciated, mister Rogers," said Loki.
"And Wanda, you could also come if Loki agrees. You are the only two people I know that practice magic."
"I could give you advice on how to use magic in a battle," proposed Loki to Wanda.
But he was really looking forward to those magic lessons.
oOo
Later that day, it was time for Thor departure.
"Promise me you will come back," asked Loki.
"I will. I will be back. I don't know when, but I'll come back, brother."
And then, Loki hugged Thor. It must have been ages since the last time they hugged, but Loki just wanted to know his brother was there. Because he had his brother back, and so did Thor.
