Frostwitch

“I want to clarify from the start that I didn’t plan to drag you into this. It wasn’t my idea,” Natasha said in a calm tone, standing over a counter full of various ingredients, bowls, and other kitchen gadgets.

“Did I say anything?” Loki rolled his eyes, placing his hands on his hips.

Seeing him dressed in a black shirt and fitted trousers, topped off with a kitchen apron covered in colorful polka dots, the redhead nearly burst into laughter. She covered her mouth with her hand, but it didn’t help— a soft chuckle slipped through her lips.

Thor, about a dozen hours earlier, had assigned them the task of making a birthday cake for Wanda. However, despite the entire team’s efforts to get her involved throughout the day, she had stayed in her tower, leaving them no choice but to start baking late at night.

The clock was approaching one in the morning. They had to finish making the creams, baking the sponge cakes, and assembling everything by three. The cake needed at least two hours to chill in the fridge so they could decorate it first thing in the morning. It was going to be a long night.

“Well, since we’re both properly dressed,” Natasha said, still trying to suppress her laughter, “you can take care of the cake, and I’ll make the creams.”

Loki, without another word, grabbed one of the large metal bowls and the necessary ingredients. He and Natasha had spent the entire day planning the cake’s design, flavors, and decorations. They had everything sketched out on a few sheets of notebook paper, now scattered across the kitchen.

The plan was simple: a two-tiered cake. The bottom tier would be layered with pistachio cream, white chocolate, and raspberry mousse. The top tier would have lemon cream and a strawberry-basil mousse. All the sponge layers would be pink, as would the frosting and decorations. At the very top, a white inscription would read “Wanda M,” alongside a large number eighteen. Quite simple.

Loki didn’t know why he had agreed to help with all these preparations. He could have easily washed his hands of it and left it to someone else. It wasn’t like he cared… right? And yet, something in his mind had pushed him to assist. Guilt? Pfft. Someone like Loki Laufeyson couldn’t possibly feel guilt. And yet… something—or someone—had nudged him into this decision.

It unsettled him.

His thoughts swirled around the same questions. Why had he done this? What did it mean? Was this the start of something different? A shift in his nature? Was he finally stepping out of the darkness and into the light? The answers would come soon—though Loki didn’t yet realize it.

“Do you think Wanda will like the gifts?”

A soft, slightly tired voice pulled him from his thoughts. Natasha stood with her back to him, working at the kitchen island.

Loki hesitated before answering, even though the response came to him immediately.

Why wouldn’t she be happy with such a surprise? Thor loved throwing surprise parties, which was why he had delegated tasks to the entire Avengers team—some bought and wrapped presents, others decorated the common area and the tower. Thor himself had planned the activities for the birthday girl.

Someone would have to be a complete fool to not appreciate a surprise like this.

And yet, Loki was that fool. He hated surprises, despised cheerful birthday parties, and loathed the tea-filled social gatherings that were so common in the palace. It was why he hadn’t celebrated his own birthday in years.

“Why wouldn’t she like it?” he sighed, pausing his stirring.

Natasha hesitated before answering. “Because… these are her first birthday without them.”

Loki frowned. “Without who?” He didn’t understand.

She turned to face him. “Last year, during one of our missions, Wanda lost her brother. And before that, she lost her parents. We took her in because she had powers she couldn’t fully control… and because she was alone.”

Loki said nothing. Natasha took his silence as understanding and returned to mixing the ingredients for the cream.

The god felt lost. He had never struggled for words before—never been at a loss for a response, a retort, a sarcastic remark. But now? This was too… mundane for him.

Loki had never been asked about such trivial matters. Or at least, he had always considered them trivial. He had always viewed others as fools for concerning themselves with such things.

And yet, in this moment, he was the fool.

***

This day was bound to be difficult.

Even the night before, Wanda hadn’t felt right. The thought of spending her first birthday without her parents and brother weighed heavily on her.

For the first time, she had to endure what was supposed to be a joyous day alone. A day she had always loved now brought nothing but painful memories.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. Then another. And another.

Turning onto her side, she pulled the warm blanket over herself, pressing her face into the fabric. She wished—more than anything—that someone would hold her. That someone would simply be there, as she battled the emotions crushing her chest.

The clock read eight in the morning. She could still lie in bed for a while without anyone questioning it.

Outside the window, snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground.

Her lips parted slightly in surprise.

It was the first time it had ever snowed on her birthday. Sokovia’s climate usually meant the snow had long since melted by February.

Slowly, she got out of bed and approached the window, placing a hand against the glass.

Could this be a sign? A small message from her loved ones, telling her they were still with her?

Maybe. But she would never know for sure.

Taking a deep breath, Wanda turned toward her closet. She pulled out a black hoodie with white accents on the shoulders, a short black skirt, and a fitted white long-sleeve shirt. After dressing, she fastened a necklace around her neck—inside was a locket holding pictures of her parents and Pietro.

It was the closest she could get to them today.

She inhaled deeply and reached for the door handle.

As soon as she crossed the threshold of the room, colorful confetti was launched at her from both sides, and in front of her stood a group of her friends, who began singing “Happy Birthday” in unison. A wave of warmth spread through her chest, wrapping around her from all sides. Maybe this birthday wouldn’t be so bad after all?

“Happy Birthday, Wanda!” they shouted at the end.

Natasha, Clint, Sam, Bucky, Steve, Thor, Tony, and Pepper—all stood before her, holding gifts in their hands and a massive cake carried by Thor. It was completely pink and had two tiers. She had never dreamed of such a beautiful cake, or any cake at all…

A few stray tears ran down her cheeks, quickly wiped away by the people who pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Thank you,” she laughed through her sniffles.

“It’s all thanks to Thor. You should thank him. He planned everything and organized us to make it happen,” Steve replied.

As the group loosened their embrace and started placing candles on the cake, Wanda had another chance to express her gratitude to the blond god.

“I don’t even know how to thank you. I… I’ve never had a birthday party like this before,” she said, hugging herself.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine. Next year, we’ll throw you a birthday celebration as grand as those in Asgard!” he grinned, wrapping an arm around her and leading her toward the kitchen island, where the cake with lit candles stood.

Asgard… She wondered what that mythical place looked like.

“Hey! I think someone’s missing,” Thor suddenly called out.

Indeed… There was no sign of Loki anywhere. Even though he wasn’t technically part of the Avengers, he was still here, so he could have shown up. Did he not like birthdays? No… Everyone likes birthdays and fun surprises, right?

After a brief moment, the two brothers entered the living room. Thor was smiling, his arm draped around his brother’s neck. Loki, on the other hand, looked utterly unimpressed, as if he had been forced to be here. His gaze swept across the room before he subtly straightened up, assuming a slightly less sulky posture.

“Well? Blow out the candles,” Natasha instructed.

“And don’t forget to make a wish!” Tony added playfully.

Wanda brushed her hair back and leaned slightly forward, blowing out all eighteen candles. Cheers erupted, and soon, they started cutting the cake. Once everyone had taken a slice, they settled onto the couches, indulging in the dessert, snacks, and a movie playing from a DVD.

“Oh my God,” Wanda sighed, her mouth full of creamy cake. “Who made this? It’s phenomenal.”

Natasha glanced briefly at Loki, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, she beat him to it.

“Actually, Loki made the entire cake,” she said quickly. “I just helped a little.” She smiled, shrugging.

All eyes turned toward the dark-haired god with admiration. He wasn’t sure how to respond. He knew his culinary skills were above average, but should he boast about it or feign humility? What was the better approach?

“Who knows? Maybe I poisoned it,” he said coolly, a slight smirk on his lips. A moment later, however, he let out a dry chuckle, signaling to everyone that he was joking… or was he?

He didn’t have much time to dwell on it, because suddenly, someone’s arms wrapped around his neck. It was her. The scent of vanilla cookies surrounded him like a pleasant mist. Yet, her touch wasn’t so comforting. Her skin burned against his, and emotions churned inside him.

At that moment, he realized he was losing control.

He already knew that going back home would be very, very difficult—perhaps even impossible. He wanted her, and he didn’t care whether she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

She was his damn light at the end of the tunnel, and despite the pain it caused him, it was pulling him in. And he had no intention of resisting.

He had to have her… and it had to be tonight.