GREEN MAGIC
LOKI DOESN’T LOOK UP WHEN HE HEARS OLIVIA FLOP DOWN ON HER SIDE OF THE ROOM. He doesn’t really see a need.
“I finished that comic book on your shelf,” he informs her, “Batman?” He scoffs quietly to himself. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand how you can even stomach to read that drivel, much less enjoy it—,”
“Would you please just shut up,” Olivia groans from her side of the room. He blinks twice, astonished, and looks over at her. All thoughts vanish from his mind when he lays eyes on her.
Olivia is sporting a nasty bruise on her jaw, a busted lip, a bloody nose, and a small cut on one side of her forehead. None of them are bleeding— probably because this is a dream— but they all look painful. From what he can see of her skin, she has numerous more little cuts and bruises along her arms and likely her torso.
“What happened to you?” is all Loki can think to ask, staring blankly at his injured soulmate. She closes her eyes in agitated exhaustion.
“Remember how I said I owe my old boss?” she reminds him bitterly. “Well, they give their shittiest and most impossible jobs to their expendable associates. That is now me. Today was one of the days I’m gonna have to waste on them cashing in.” Loki stares at her for a moment, lost.
“How… how many favors do you owe them?” he inquires, almost dreading the answer already. She sighs deeply.
“A lot,” she answers wearily. It’s a simple answer, but it tells him so much. He hesitates, but steps over the line from his half of the room into hers. She sits up.
“How recent?” he wonders quietly. She shrugs, brushing her fingers lightly over the bruise on her jaw.
“Two hours, tops,” she admits. “I barely had time to shower before I passed out.” He stares at her, struggling to manage everything he’s feeling right now.
“I don’t get you,” Olivia decides after a long pause. “One second you act like an asshole, and the next you’re— what— worried? I mean, I know feelings are complicated, but can I maybe get a clue what’s going on in there?” She watches him tiredly for an answer. He grimaces a little, recognizing the truth of her words.
“I’m not a healer,” he admits. “Healing has never been my strong suit. Less so when you aren’t even physically present. But… I might be able to take some of the pain away, if you’ll let me?” He raises his hands a little to hover between them. Olivia glances between them and his face, then nods.
Loki’s hands move outward to gently cup the sides of her face, and green magic swirls around his fingers.
“I’m… sorry,” he apologizes quietly as his magic does its best to alleviate whatever pain it can, “for how I’ve acted. You did nothing to earn it.” She remains still.
After a long silence, Loki finally retracts his hands, offering his soulmate a small, hesitant smile.
“Any better?” he prompts. She pauses thoughtfully, and then nods.
“A little,” she admits. She looks away. “…thanks. For your help. And on the condition that you at least try to be less of an asshole, I accept your apology.” An amused smile forms on his face.
“I believe I can do that,” he agrees, relieved by how easy he got off. “…what was the job?” Olivia sighs deeply.
“I can’t talk much about it,” she reminds him, “but I had to pick up a package from another associate, whose favorite drop-off point is located in a place where they don’t really like us.” Loki sighs, frowning at her injuries.
“Does it get any worse than that?” he asks, wanting to be prepared for future favors. She nods immediately.
“I got off easy this time,” she advises him. “I could’ve even made it out intact, if I didn’t suck so bad at stealth.” He smiles a little, halfheartedly.
She seems like the type that would suck at stealth, doesn’t she? He can even hear the little “shit.” she’d mumble when she gets caught.
“I… think this will be the last time you need to surprise me,” he sighs. “I learned my lesson. You have my respect.” She tosses him a lopsided grin as she leans back, flopping fully onto the couch.
“Oh good,” she jokes, “I thought I’d have to follow Tony’s advice and punch you.” Loki raises his eyebrows at her quizzically.
“What?” he prompts, confused. She chuckles to herself, settling more comfortably into her spot.
“It’s, uh… God, you kinda had to be there,” she admits. “Luckily for us, you can be.” She vaults to her feet, walking over to her door, and opens it up to reveal Bruce’s lab. “You wanna see? We can get ice cream after.”
“…sure,” Loki decides, following her. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about with Midgardians and their ice cream.” The door shuts behind them, and their journey together finally splutters to a start.