Control
It had been a few weeks since the Nidavellir incident and things had begun to calm down. You were currently in the garden practicing controlling your power. Frigga had left some time earlier after speaking quietly with a guard. The sun had begun to set behind the castle casting darkness across the grass. You used this as an opportunity. You gathered some flames in your hand and took aim at the nearest unlit lamp post. You took a deep breath, your flames building and falling with your inhale and exhale. You gathered your nerve flicking your wrist in the direction of the lamp post. It erupted in a ball of flames, scorching the wall behind it. Too much. You exhaled turning to the next lamp post on the wall. You took a breath again focusing on dwindling the flames slightly. You raised your hand to the lamp post, flexing your fingers slightly. A small flame shot out from your palm but dwindled before reaching its target. You clenched your fists in frustration causing the grass around your feet to burn.
“Mother is not going to like that.”
Of course he would see that. You closed your eyes and steadied your breathing slowly the flames in your hands disappeared. You opened your eyes again before slowly turning towards the voice. Loki was standing at the garden entrance leaning awkwardly against the wall. Your face dropped. Somethings wrong.
“I thought you would have mastered that by now.”
His snarky remarks lacked their usual edge. He pushed himself off the wall and crossed the garden to you.
“It cannot be that hard.”
It wasn’t until he stepped into the little light that remained you noticed the cuts and bruises that littered his face. He smirked when he caught your reaction.
“You should see the other guy.”
Usually, you would smack him for such a stupid comment, which is probably why he flinched when you brought your hand up to his face. You carefully inspected each wound before letting your powers take over and begin to heal each one. Loki quickly brought his hand up to try to pull yours away but you merely swatted his away.
“You don’t have-“
“Oh shut up.”
The sun continued to set dropping the garden into darkness save for the one lit lamp post and the soft amber glow from your hand.
“You going to tell me what happened?”
You took his silence as a no and sighed softly.
“Okay then.”
The last bruise slowly vanished from his eye and you slowly pulled your hand away. Loki’s eyes did not leave the ground the entire time. You knew something was wrong but you also knew better than to push him. Instead, you turned back to the last remaining lamp post. You took a breath and felt the flames ignite in your hand. You slowly aimed at the remaining lamp post.
“You try too hard.”
You flinched slightly, you had figured Loki left, instead, you felt him move closer behind you.
“What do you mean?”
You kept your gaze on the lamp post in front of you.
“You are focusing too much on failing. It clouds your mind. Focus on the task, nothing more.”
You felt the frustration well up inside you. What do you think I’ve been focusing on? You were about to give him a piece of your mind but froze at his next words.
“I know you can do this.”
You felt multiple emotions wash over you, the biggest one being confidence. You glared down the lamp post in front of you. You will light. You flicked your wrist up towards it. But you will not burn. A flame erupted from your hand but dwindled as it reached its target. You didn’t think it actually hit it until the lamp post lit up perfectly. You let out a surprised laugh, unable to look away from your success. You slowly came to your senses and turned quickly to thank Loki. But you realized the garden was empty. Where did he go?