Siren's Song

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Bucky finally admitted. “I clean my own place.”
“Huh,” I smiled. “Well, never mind then. You probably won’t coax any of them to you anyway.”
“Wait, aren't you joking with me?” he asked.
“I’m sorry Bucky,” I said innocently. “Maybe it’s because I grew up from the age of six, knowing I was a Selkie’s daughter. Maybe if you put a little honey and cream out for them, mine might come help you.”
He looked at me for a while, then shook his head. “Really?”
“Maybe,” I said optimistically. I waved goodbye as he got off the elevator, then quickly pressed Loki’s floor.
The elevator stopped and I ran down the hallway. I skidded to a stop again, this time in front of Loki’s room. I knocked rapidly.
“Go away Thor.”
“It’s me,” I called. “Quick! I need your help!”
I heard running, a thud with colorful words and the door opened. A very anxious and messy Loki looked at me with concern.
“What is wrong?” he asked.
“Oh,” I blushed. “No, not help in a bad way. Like, I’m not in trouble or anything.”
The door slammed in my face.
“Please Loki!”
“Go away mortal.”
“Loki! I really do need your help! I’m just not in any trouble.”
“You are the most annoying mortal I have ever met!” He was still in front of the door.
“I know. We covered that, remember?” I sighed dramatically, then quietly muttered. “I guess I’ll have to find another way of pranking Bucky, maybe Wanda would help.”
I turned to leave and heard his door open behind me. I smiled, HOOKED!
“You. You are pranking someone?” he asked.
“I want to,” I turned to face him, pouting. “I have it all set up. I just need to deliver so that I can make it believable.”
“Fine,” he growled. “Come in, but do not touch anything.”
“Of course not, Highness.” I gingerly squeezed by him.
He shut the door and waved me into the living room. Trying to milk this for all I could, I giggled at him and sat down. He rolled his eyes and snorted.
“What do you need me to do for you?” he asked bluntly.
“Straight to the point,” I shrugged. “Okay, I need you to magic Bucky’s rooms.”
“How?” he eyed me suspiciously.
“Do you know anything about Earth’s mythology, other than yourself, I mean?” I asked.
“Some,” he admitted.
“Do you know what a brownie is?”
“Chocolate that ingredients are added to and baked?” His eyes lit up.
“Huh, a chocolate loving alien. Who would’ve guessed?” I whispered. “No, the little people that clean homes?”
“Oh that myth!” We were finally on the same page. “What about them?”
“I need Bucky’s rooms to only be clean if he puts honey and cream out. If he skips a day, it doesn’t get cleaned.” I explained. “And the honey and cream have to be gone, like someone ate it.”
“Wait,” he looked closely at me. “You got Barnes to try putting out honey and cream for Brownies and now you want me to help fool him into thinking you weren’t lying?”
“Right,” I confirmed.
“What’s in it for me?”
“Ah, you want to bargain!” I clapped my hands together. “What do you want?”
He smiled at me and I started to worry. He looked just like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. He chuckled darkly and started pacing in front of me.
“For starters, brownies.” He stopped and looked at me. “You got me thinking about them and now I need some.”
“Can’t you magic anything you want?” I asked perplexed.
“Yes,” he admitted. “But they taste so much better when actually made by a person.”
“Fine,” I laughed. “What else?”
“A promise,” he said seriously.
“Okay,” I agreed. “Let's go.”
“Wait,” he said shocked. “You don’t even know what I want you to promise!”
“I trust you,” I jumped up and grabbed his hands. I tried to pull him with me but he wouldn’t budge. I turned to look at him. “What’s wrong? I thought we were pranking Bucky?”
“I will do my part,” he said through his teeth. “You need to go. Now.”
“Is everything alright?” I was starting to worry.
He looked at me. “You shouldn’t trust me.”
“Why?”
His gaze softened and he shook his head. “I am the monster parents warn their children about. Do. Not. Trust. Me.” He pulled his hands away from me and went back into his room, closing the door behind him.
I stood there, dumbfounded. What was that? I needed to find Thor, something was off. No one thinks of themselves like that unless there’s a story behind it. I walked down the hall to Thor’s door. I knocked and waited for a reply. After five minutes I knocked again and placed my ear to the door. I heard snoring, LOUD snoring. I checked the door, locked. I went back to Loki’s door and knocked hesitantly.
“Please, I can’t Lily.”
“I need to talk with Thor but he’s asleep.” I said through the door.
“I am not poking the bear.”
“How ‘bout unlocking his door?” I asked sweetly.
“Done.”
“Loki?”
“What?”
“You’re not a monster,” I said. “And thank you.”
Silence. Maybe in time I could wear him down. I speed walked over to Thor’s door and turned the knob. As I stepped in I had to hold back a giggle, I hadn’t had this much fun since I moved out on my own. I opened the freezer and took out three ice cube trays. I placed them next to Thor and used my abilities. The ice rose from the trays, became fluid again and I had it hover over Thor. I made sure it was in just the right spot, then slowly backed out of the bedroom. I didn’t stop until I was standing in his doorway, as I closed his door I released the water.
“AAAHHHHH!” Sputtering. “LOKI!!!”
I sprinted for Loki’s room and knocked repeatedly very quickly. The door was flung open, a irate Loki tried to speak.
“No time, let me in.” I pushed past him and pulled him in after me, then closed the door. I started laughing hysterically. “Shhhhh!” I shushed him.
There was the sound of a door slamming, then stomps coming to Loki’s door. I looked at Loki and whispered.
“Will he knock if he’s mad?”
“No!” He hissed. “What did you do?”
“Quick, I’ll explain later!” I grabbed his face and kissed him as the door flung open.
“Lo-, Oh. Um, excuse me?” Thor changed gears quickly.
I let go of Loki and smiled at Thor. “Excuse me!” I winked at Loki and stepped out the door.
“Loki,” Thor looked at him. “What is going on?”
“I have no clue,” Loki looked at me. I put my finger to my lips. “Is there a reason you barged into my room before knocking?”
Thor looked behind him at me . “I thought you had pulled one of your tricks, but you were obviously busy.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “My apologies brother.”
Thor turned and walked back to his room. Loki glared at me and closed his door before saying anything.
“What in Valhalla did you do?” He growled at me.
“I may have dropped freezing water on top of him while he slept.” I admitted. “It was too good to pass up! Then he automatically thought it was you, so I ran here and covered.”
“Why?”
“Now he doesn’t think you had anything to do with it,” I said. “And he’s confused about who would have played a trick on him. Win, win.”
“You covered for yourself too.” He accused.
“Of course I did! Alibi, man. You have to make sure that you have one and if there is someone else involved, they have one.”
“I am not helping in this!” Loki opened his door. “Leave. I will continue the magic on Barnes prank but I will not help you any further.”
I walked out and turned to apologize.
“No. Do not come back.” The door closed.
“Fine, I don’t need his help. I can do this on my own.” I kept muttering to myself as I got to the elevator. Then I remembered that I needed to talk with Thor. I rolled my eyes and went to his door to knock. The door opened and there stood Thor towel drying his hair, bare chested.
“Work out much?” I asked. “I need to talk to you.” I walked in and started pacing.
“How can I help you Lady Lily?”
“Just Lily.” I corrected. “What is going on with Loki?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well.” I explained how I had wanted his help on a ‘project’, he told me fine but then asked what was in it for him. I got through the rest of the conversation but never mentioned that I had gone back to get him to unlock Thor’s door. “He told me not to trust him, that he was the monster parents warned their kids about. Then he shut the door.”
“I am sorry but how did you two kissing happen?” There was another knock at the door. “Excuse me.”
Thor left to open the door and I heard a burst of laughter.
“Most people put the towel over their naked parts Thor,” I heard Tasha.
“You mean I’ve been talking to him this whole time and he doesn’t have any clothes on?!” I ran toward the door, I got there in time to see Thor place the towel around his hips and tuck in the corner. “I missed it! Does he at least have a cute butt?”
“Uh huh!” Tasha grinned.
“Ladies,” Thor smiled. “I have to put clothes on. I’ll be back.”
“Okay Terminator.” I saluted.
Thor went to his room to change and Tasha slapped my arm as soon as the door closed behind him.
“What?” I rubbed my arm.
“You seriously didn’t notice all those rippling muscles?”
“I noticed he didn’t have a shirt on,” I admitted. “But I needed to talk with him.”
“Sure,” Tasha teased.
“Thor, I’m gonna go.” I called out. “Drop by later, I need you to pick up something and take it to Loki.”
“As you wish Lily,” I heard from his room.
“See ya Tasha.” She nodded at me and I left.
I got back to my room, put the box of books down and started going through the cupboards to see what I had on hand. I could use a few things, especially if I was going to be making brownies. I thought about it and remembered that Tony said that he paid me to learn, wonder if that means after I learn or as I learn.
“F.R.I.D.A.Y., how does Tony pay us?”
“Mr. Stark gives you a credit/debit card and makes regular deposits on a monthly basis.”
“Oh. Where would my card be?”
“Your card is in the welcome basket that Ms. Potts sent to you.”
“Last question.”
“Mr. Stark has already transferred money to the account.”
“Cool. Where are the twins?”
“They are in their shared apartment. Would you like me to reach them for you?”
“Tell em I’m going after groceries. If they want to go, meet me in the lobby in 15.”
I made a complete list of things to get, then took the stairs to the lobby. I waved to the twins when I reached the lobby.
“Hey!”
“What all do you need?” Wanda asked.
“This and that,” I replied. “I hate to go alone and thought you two might like to come. Should we ask if anyone else wants to come or have us pick stuff up for them?”
“F.R.I.D.A.Y.?” Wanda said.
“Thor would like to go with you and everyone else said they would text if they needed something.”
“Wait!” I looked at Wanda. “How do we get there? I don’t have a car.”
“Tony let’s us use one of his cars. He leaves the keys in the car and we just don’t use the really nice ones.” Pietro replied.
“Good day to you Ladies, Pietro.” Thor came around the corner.
“I’m driving,” I yelled. “Which way?”
“Cars are down one level. Let’s head that way.” Wanda jerked her head toward the elevator.
“I’ll meet you there,” Pietro said, then disappeared.
“Wanda?” She glanced my way. “Does Tony have a mustang?”
Her answering grin was all I needed. We made it to the grocery store that Tony had an account with and started shopping. Thor stayed with me while the twins got a few things for themselves. Thor grabbed about fifty boxes of poptarts and said he was set.
“Lily, about that talk earlier.” Thor looked slightly uncomfortable. “When did Loki’s demeanor change?”
“I told him I trusted him and he got all dark and brooding.” I explained. “He said that I shouldn’t trust him.”
“That was what I thought,” he sighed. “My brother has had a hard time lately. He does not feel worthy of trust or friends. I believe that if we continue to work gently at his walls, they will come down.”
“Why does he think he’s a monster?”
“Normally I would tell you to ask him,” Thor bit his lower lip in thought. “I believe that you should know this. You will surely see it before he will tell you of it.”
“Okay.”
“He is not of Asgard,” Thor explained. “He is what is called a Frost Giant from Jotunheim.”
“He’s tall but I wouldn’t call him a giant.” I replied.
“He is also blue,” Thor looked at me, gauging my reaction.
“Doesn’t look blue,” was all I said.
“It is a glamour. His true appearance is blue skin and red eyes. His natural body temperature is so cold that if he is touched, the person’s skin turns black and must be cut off.”

“That is so neat!” I had gotten to the frozen section by now (the irony) and was trying to pick what kind of ice cream I wanted. “You know, he’d be great on hot summer days. Just have him walk next to you and you have your own personal a/c unit.”
“My Lady, I do not think you understand.” Thor shook his head. “The Jotuns are a fierce people. On Asgard children are told stories about them, how if they do not behave the frost giants will get them.”
“‘I am the monster parents warn their children about’” I quoted Loki. “That is a terrible thing to do! Your parents told these stories as well? Knowing he was a Jotun?” Thor gave a hesitant nod. “That is so wrong! No wonder he hates himself!”
“Verily, I did not know he was a Jotun until after he had found out,” Thor admitted. “I dare say that my reaction to Jotuns did not help. I had said that they needed to be made to fear us. That was before I knew, I swear.”
“Thor!”
“I should talk to him,” Thor sighed. “My brother does not like to speak of the subject, I fear I will anger him should I bring it up.”