The next morning, the pair went down to breakfast to a sea of smiling faces.
Steve passed the toast to Asta. "How you feeling today? Both of you?"
"I'm completely recovered," Asta replied, taking two slices.
"Yes, and thanks to my beloved, I am feeling completely in order as well," Loki answered, reaching for the eggs.
"And that new power of yours?" Steve asked.
Asta looked up from buttering the toast. "What new power?"
"That… weird… laser healing?"
"Steve, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Thor spoke up then. "No, Asta, he's correct. I saw you fire some sort of healing beam from your finger to Steve's head."
"Yep," Steve added, rubbing his forehead. "Cleared the cut right up."
"Not to mention the pink glowing as you healed my brother."
Asta's eyes scrunched. "Ok, now I'm very confused." She looked to Loki. "Any thoughts on this? You're my magic authority."
Loki paused for a moment. "Well, a theory could be that your powers have grown."
"Grown? I thought I could just heal and that was that."
"Yes, but I've always wondered about this. Love, you came into your powers just over 5 years ago and then you became a goddess and were sent here. Your goddess eminence would have amplified your gifts, but then you received no training. My mother would have likely helped you develop your abilities in a healthy way. But coming here and not learning about them may have actually stunted their growth."
Tony spoke up. "So, what triggered this?"
Loki slowly shrugged. "My current notion would be her panic over me."
Asta sat up a little. "So my love and concern for you was the catalyst to my powers breaking free?"
"Essentially, yes."
She thought for a moment. "Well, what do I do now? Will you train me?"
"Of course, darling. It would be my honor to help. But perhaps once we return to Asgard for our wedding there, you should speak to my mother. She likely has some other methods of teaching that would benefit you."
"Yes, I like that idea."
Tony clapped once. "Perfect. Seeing as how you two are off for the next 2 days – no arguing, you almost died," he interjected, pointing at them both. "You can play Hogwarts and learn a little magic."
Nat stood up from the table to take her plate to the dishwasher. She leaned close to Asta's ear. "You can play school, just don't call him Professor Snape. That would be weird."
"Natasha!" Asta hissed.
"What? Magical men with long black hair? Could be a thing."
Loki held back a laugh and shocked everyone when he held out a fist to bump. Natasha happily returned it.
Asta rolled her eyes. "Great. You too."
"I wouldn't mind if you called me professor, darling," Loki said.
Asta stood up and pulled Loki with her. "All right. Let's go. Before this can get any more bizarre. If anyone needs us, we'll be in the magic proof room. Apparently I don't even know what I'm capable of, so that's probably the safest."
Tony stood to leave then. "Good idea. I really don't want to have to replace another section of the building anytime soon."
As the pair left, they heard Natasha and Peter humming the Harry Potter theme. Asta turned around and stuck her tongue out at them.
When they arrived at the training room, Loki looked around.
Asta closed the door and pressed a series of buttons. "What are you looking for?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. You said this was a magic proof room, so I'm curious as to our purpose here."
"No, that's not what I meant. This room was specifically designed by all the top minds of the group. It's doesn't prevent powers, but keeps them within. Especially good for those with powers like Wanda. They can get a little volatile sometimes. And since we have no idea what my powers are going to do, I thought this was for the best."
He walked a few feet away from her. "I see. Well, that does seem like the prudent way to go. Now, let's start with something you know."
"I don't see how. There's no injury to—Loki!"
In an instant, Loki conjured one of his daggers and sliced his thumb.
"Not to worry, my love. Just a little wound. Now, heal it, but do it from over there."
"You're insane!" she said breathlessly.
"I've been called worse. Now, how were you feeling when you healed Steve from afar?"
"Loki, I don't know! I don't remember doing it. Probably panicked?"
"Panicked because of me and because Steven was also injured? Probably even a little annoyed?"
"Likely, yes, but more worried and terrified. But you've said my powers come from love. So, how does that work?"
"My princess, you love people. It's at the core of this all. The other emotions merely forced it out. So, come on. Heal me."
Asta pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well, I'm certainly feeling annoyed right now," she muttered. She held up her finger and gasped when a wispy pink beam shot from her hand to Loki's thumb, healing it instantly.
"Well done, my love!" Loki exclaimed.
"I can't believe that worked!"
"Now, let's go bigger!" And before she could protest, he sliced into the palm of his hand.
"Loki! What the hell are you doing?!"
He tsked at her. "Language, Miss Gostadottir. Are you going to heal me or am I going to get blood on the nice, clean, white floor of the magic proof room?"
Asta didn't know where her anger began and her love ended. It was all one emotion at this point. She held up her hand and shot a powerful healing ray at his palm.
"Wonderful!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, it's great," she deadpanned. "Can you stop hurting yourself now?"
"Sweetheart, I believe you are mistaken. I'm using my own dagger. It's magically protected so that it cannot hurt me. I bleed, yes. But I've never been in pain."
"Well, you could have told me that!"
"Ah, but where would the motivation have been?"
She was silent. He was right, but she certainly didn't want to admit it. "Fine. Are we done for now?"
"Perhaps for a bit, but there are a few other things I'd like to see if you can do."
"Loki, I'm the goddess of healing. It's right there in the name. What else do you expect me to be able to do?"
"Anything that might help you aid others. And you are a goddess. I think within time, you might be able to do many things."
"I think you're delusional."
"Again, I have been called worse. Perhaps we should adjourn for now, but I do think we should talk to my mother about this. Once you train with her for a while, she may come to the same conclusion as I have."
"We'll have to see… Professor Snape."
Loki frowned. "Now, you had me at professor, but you lost it all at Snape. I've read the first 2 books like you've asked and that character is just dreadful."
"Well, yes, that's the point. And I'm just teasing. You can teach me anytime… Professor Laufeyson."
An involuntary shudder went through him. "Now that is more like it. I'll gladly tutor you anytime."
"And if I need extra credit?" she asked as she batted her eyes.
"Careful, my love. We made a promise of chastity, but you might tempt me into forgetting that vow."
"Two days, my mischief. I believe in you and your willpower."
She began to leave the room, swaying her hips as she did.
"I'm glad you do," he muttered as he followed her out.