Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hurtling through realms by Bifrost is absolutely terrifying but somehow less terrifying than having to test fly one of Tony's prototypes, Bri thinks.

The journey comes to a sudden end in a burst of iridescent sapphire haze as her feet touch the ground of London. Thor is completely distracted looking around to notice Bri's heavy sway. He looks back at his friend as she begins to dry heave with tears in her eyes.

"My apologies, Miss Murphy! I forget how jarring the Bifrost is for Midgardians. The unease should pass by shortly.” The imposing golden haired god at least has the good sense to not laugh at her discomfort.

Bri leans over with her hands on her knees willing her stomach to calm. A few deep breaths later she is able to compose herself enough to stand and face Thor.

“Ok, so this is where Heimdall last saw…” A gust of air interrupts Bri and forces the pair backwards.

In the spot where they had been standing appears a beautiful woman laying in the fetal position. Bri leans down to look at her more closely and move the mass of auburn hair from her face.

“Jane? Miss Murphy, can you tell what’s wrong with her?” Anxiety saturates his voice.

Four months have passed since Bri had last helped anyone but once a nurse, always a nurse. It’s why she joined him in the first place.

Clammy hands find the pulse on Jane's neck is racing far faster than should be possible. The skin beneath Bri's fingers feels uncomfortably warm but it doesn’t appear red or damaged in any way. Her soft pants are shallow and slightly labored.

Bri moves her hands to settle on top of the center of Jane's chest but encounters resistance to attempts to sense her injuries. Eyebrows drawn, Bri closes her eyes and concentrates harder on pulling the information from Jane’s body.

Searing pain erupts in Bri's hands, burning up her arms before circulating throughout her entire body. Her strangled cry cuts off as the current overwhelmed her. Through watery eyes she pleads silently to Thor.

I can’t let go. Help me!

As if understanding, Thor leans over and pulls her away from Jane. The burning pain settles deep within Bri's chest but continues to pulsate.

“Miss Murphy! What is happening?! What’s wrong with Jane?” his voice a loud boom trying to understand the state of the two women in front of him.

“Thor? What are you doing here? Wait, who is this?” How the woman sounded so even keeled while her body courses with pure energy is impressive.

“Heimdall said he couldn’t see you,” Thor leans down and offers her his hand to help her up, then helps me stand. “This is Miss Murphy, a friend who came with me to find you. She’s a nurse from New York.”

Bri offers a small smile and waves. “Um, hi. It’s nice to meet you. You can call me Bri. Thor talks about you all of the time.”

Before either could react, Jane slaps Thor across the face. “You were in New York and you didn’t come to see me! I had to find out on the news! And you’re on earth long enough to talk about me all of the time?”

“There is no excuse for my behavior and I vow to discuss it with you at a later time but I need to know what happened to you just now.”

Fury simmering barely beneath the surface as Jane delves into her story of being teleported to somewhere and having some sort of red substance seep into her before being transported back.

“The red substance is some sort of energy. I don’t know how your body can contain that much power,” Bri interjects urgently.

“We need to see the healers of Asgard.” Not asking either woman their opinion, large, overly muscular arms grab hold of Jane and Bri to pull them close. “Heimdall, bring us to Asgard!”

Before Bri is able to formulate a plan on how to murder a literal god her feet land on metal flooring with a clunk. At the center of a blindingly gold domed room stands an imposing man clad in armor of the same hue.

“Miss Murphy, this is Heimdall. He will send you back to New York. I thank you for your assistance today.”

“Greetings your highness. Lady Jane. Miss Murphy, it’s lovely to finally meet you. Your highness, the healers await at your mother’s behest.”

Thor raises Mjølnir and with a flash of lightning he soars away with Jane.

Left standing with Heimdall, Bri can’t help but compare the two men. Where Thor is bulky with golden beige skin and flowing blond hair, Heimdall has warm chestnut skin with muscles that denote strength but aren’t flashy. Heimdall’s reserved and even speech is in stark contrast to Thor’s constant boisterous near shouting.

Her mind begins to race with questions. Why do they all sound British? Does everyone just walk around in metal battle garb? How can Heimdall think straight surrounded by all this obnoxious gold? One question is most pressing though.

“Heimdall, what did you mean by finally meeting me?” His head tilts as he considers the question before speaking. Another difference from Thor who perpetually has a foot lodged firmly in his mouth.

“I am all-seeing and all-hearing, Miss Murphy. I can simultaneously watch over the entirety of the nine realms and keep track of each soul. The birth of a life is signified by a slight blink of light but sometimes the light shines just a bit brighter. You, Miss Murphy, had a beautiful sparkle that is not seen often. When next we meet.”

Without waiting for a response, Heimdall sends her to the front lawn of Tony’s vacation home in upstate New York. Bri really regrets not being able to tour Asgard since the two men she encountered so far are hot.

Jarvis greets her as she approaches the door and allows her entry. Sauntering into the kitchen Bri comes across the half baked apple pie that had to be removed from the oven early when they received the call about Jane.

Bri leans her hip against the marble counter as she attempts to fully comprehend all that had just occurred. Her birth was special according to Heimdall but she doesn’t understand how that could be true.

If anything, Canta’s should have been the brightest of all, Bri thinks.

When Bri held him at the hospital the day after he was born she felt the world was complete. That day he looked into her eyes and she knew he could see her just as she could see him.

Outside of his hazel eyes leaning more green than hers brown, they were exact clones of each other appearance wise. Their mother had declared it a sin to cut their tight ringlets but kept them braided or in ponytails most of the time. Canta had always been fascinated by their dark golden skin in comparison to their father’s pale ivory and their mother’s rich burn umber.

By the time Canta was two the siblings began to play a secret game called “hops”. Canta would suddenly drag Bri in a direction that usually led to an injured creature. It was then Bri’s job to find the ouch and bring the creature to the hospital. Just before Canta’s third birthday a young child was found during their game of hops and Bri had figured out he broke his leg and something in his leg was making his body sick.

Bri was the loud, questioning child while Canta was quiet, observant. They complimented each other so well. Canta’s soul always felt old and he always seemed to live for every moment until he didn’t.

The usual ache in Bri’s chest at the thought of Canta is replaced by physical pain throbbing throughout her body. Collapsing to her knees she cries out in agony, suddenly drowning in grief.

Minutes or hours pass on the floor writhing until the disembodied voice of Tony breaks through to her. “Kiddo, are you ok? Bri?!”

The soothing voice of Pepper fills the room next. “Bri, honey, I need you to take some deep breaths for me. In and out sweetie. That’s it. Again. Good. One more time.”

Pepper’s words bring Bri back to the present gently. She opens her eyes and finds the pair watch with concern etched on their faces. Her attempt to stand is feeble so instead she opts to sit legs folding with her back against the cabinets.

“Hi guys. I’m sorry. I guess I’m just thinking about them a lot again. Some days are easier than others. How are you guys doing? I miss you.”

Pepper looks like she wants to say something but thankfully Tony chimes in. “We’re good kiddo. We miss you too. Where’s Point Break? I thought he was keeping you company.”

“He had to go back to Asgard. Something came up with the infamous Jane. It’s ok. Kat is coming up this weekend and we’re having a Halloween movie marathon.” Her childhood friend Kat always helps her feel normal among the wayward group of superheroes she is always surrounded with.

“Are you sure you’re ok sweetie? Are your headaches coming back? Just say the words and I’ll cancel my meetings.” Hearing the concern in her voice threatens to bring on more tears so Bri decides to wrap up the call instead.

“I’m really ok, Pepper. I’ll see you and Tony at Christmas like we planned. I’m going to go and take a nap I think. I’ll talk to you guys later, ok?”

“Sure thing, kiddo. Call if you need anything. We’re always here.” She wave at the pair as the call is disconnected.

—

“Miss Murphy! Where are you?!” The booming voice echoes throughout the house.

“Thor! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Sure, he doesn’t know how to use technology so she wasn’t expecting a call but do they not have doors in Asgard? “I’m in the living room.”

“My apologies. I was just excited to see you! Ah! There you are!” Without warning giant arms lift her from the couch and pull her into an enthusiastic embrace.

“Thor…mfhfm!” Bri’s hands push against the metal of his armor to try to avoid being crushed.

“Oh! Apologies again, Miss Murphy!” Unthinking, Thor releases her only realizing his mistake when her body slams into the floor. “Agh! I will sit in this chair and not bother anything.” He dramatically flings himself into the nearest chair and places his hands in his lap.

Bri laughs as she hauls herself back onto the couch. She wishes she could take a picture of the giant of a god clad in his silver armor and cape, pouting like a petulant child.

“You’re adorable.” The offended glare twisting his bearded face sets off another round of giggles. “I mean it in the best way of course. How have you been? It’s been three months! Did everything work out ok?”

For the next 30 minutes Thor attempts to explain what occurred in Asgard but she is so lost and finds herself repeating much of what he is saying back to him to make sure she understands what he has said. It was the third runthrough where she grasps the events or as much as she would.

“Ok, so some black elves-”

“Dark elves, Miss Murphy. They’re of a blue hue in fact.”

“Right. So dark elves find out Jane had the Aether, which is the energy I felt,” his nod indicates to continue. “They show up to take her and your mom saves Jane from them but ends up seriously wounded. Your dad flips out and locks Jane up while he figures out what to do. That’s really messed up by the way.”

“Messed up? As in ruined?”

“No. Actually, I guess that could still be right. In this context it means it was an unfair act. Anywho, you break her out along with your brother, who is also in prison, and happens to know of a way to have the Aether removed. Then your friends join up with you guys to find the elf that can remove it. Loki pretends to betray you so the Aether is removed but then gets stabbed and plays dead once it is. You kill the elf king. Loki and your mother are alive and waiting when you make it back to Asgard with Jane. Is that the story?”

“That is quite the abridgement, Miss Murphy. As much as my brother has caused trouble, he has made his amends with his valiant defense of Jane. He was truly stabbed near mortally to protect us. I trust him with my life.”

“The one thing I don’t get is why he played dead. He wasn’t there when you went back for his body but he was home?”

“Ah, I do not know his intention, but he returned to Asgard under the guise of a messenger but encountered our still live mother waiting for him. She’s the only person in all of Asgard who can see through his disguises. Whatever he was planning fell apart immediately.”

Another giggle leaves me as she imagines the terrifying Loki in his shiny gold armor with a gaudy horned helmet being dragged around by his ear by his mother. She must be a strong woman to parent gods like Thor and Loki.

“Enough about your brother. Where is Jane? Why didn’t she come here with you?”

“Jane and I have decided to part ways. While I care for her deeply and likely always will, we can’t be what the other needs.” Bri’s face must have betrayed how she really felt. “No, don’t feel sad. I am glad to have met her. The time I had with her was happy and she brought my brother back into my life.”

“You’re entirely too kind sometimes Thor. You’ve earned yourself a baked treat my friend. Come take a seat in the kitchen so you can keep me company while I make you some cupcakes.”

---

A week after her initial arrival, four large boxes arrived in my name unexpectedly. They contained a collection of fiction, nonfiction, and medical books; manga; and medical journals as a gift from Pepper.

One month in, Tony gave access to his lab in the vacation house so Bri could continue her research into medical devices the Avengers and general public could use. Over the next five months she sent Bruce at least nine concepts for him to create prototypes of.

Kat, Steve, Sam, Thor, Natasha, Tony and Pepper took turns visiting so she didn’t end up stir crazy. On rare occasions Bri was able to convince a few of them to show up at once for games, movies, karaoke, or just hanging out. It felt nice to bond with everyone but she began to yearn for her old life in the tower.

Bri remained in the vacation home for six months after Thor’s visit.

Early one morning in August Jarvis instructed Bri to pack up her clothes yesterday and be ready by noon to return to the tower. The lack of further instruction indicates Tony was about to be extra. In the near twenty years she’s known him, what has always been a constant is how he is both predictable and predictably unpredictable.

Fashionably late, Tony descends in the Quinjet blaring Celebration by Kool & the Gang a little after 3pm. What was the purpose of a silent jet if there were external speakers on it? The ramp opens to allow Tony and Steve to exit and walk towards me.

“This is a jailbreak kiddo! Get in!” laughing at his cheesy words, Bri runs to Tony and throws her arms around him in a tight hug.

“Stevie, you are allowing this crime to occur? Does this mean I have finally corrupted you?” Steve’s smile is always dazzling in its sincerity.

“Doll, how many Disney onesie movie nights have you hosted? Unless corrupting America’s superheroes into Disney adults counts, you aren’t corrupting anyone.”

Bri giggles as she recalls the most recent movie night that was actually attended by all of the Avengers and her best friend Kat. Thor in a panda onesie looked like an adult wearing a child’s size and had sent the group into hysterics. Tony in his narcissistic glory arrived in an Iron Man onesie that earned Natasha $300 from the betting pool.

“I take my wins when I can get them, Stevie. To the tower, bitches!”

“Language!”

“Sorry. I’ve been here for so long I forgot how to act. Forgive me?” Bri flutters her eyelashes as exaggerated as can be mustered. Her reward is a poorly suppressed laugh and a nudge to her shoulder.

“I hope you bring this fun side of you back to New York, Nightingale.” He picks up the bags and walks back to the jet.

“He’s right, kiddo. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you so relaxed. Try to take it easy when we get back.”

“I look more relaxed because I nap during the day since I still don’t sleep well at night. I really miss seeing everyone all of the time and I miss my job. Hell...sorry Steve... Heck, even the therapist you sent thinks I am good to go. Tony, I want to go home but I’ll be sure to have more onesie fun since everyone seems to enjoy it.” She shoulder bumps him as they walk to the jet.

“Favorite? I’m the only metal hero you know!” he scoffs. Rhody must not count to him but she keeps that thought to herself.

“Ok, ok. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Text

The tower looks absolutely stunning but Bri expected nothing less from the Tony Stark. Steve offers to bring in your bags while Tony gives you the grand tour.

“You know what’s on the main floors already. We restored and improved all of the businesses and are all up and running. The Avenger floors are protected and only Avengers are allowed,” he looks over to watch Bri’s expression as they enter the elevator. “Top floor of course is my penthouse and personal lab. The next is the training floor that has the gym, weapons range and full combat training room. Floors 91, 89, and 87 are the residential floors. Kitchen, dining room, lounge are on 90 and the lab and medical are on 88.”

The unwelcome throb of a headache begins to take hold but Bri tries to ignore it to enjoy her tour. “Does the favorite nurse of Avengers’ Tower get a special all access pass to host movie nights in the lounge on the Avengers’ floor? The employee quarters lounge offers no privacy for the heroes to be able to relax.”

“I didn’t set up the system to allow that type of pass. Let’s stop by floor 91. I’ll give you the short tour since it looks like your head hurts.”

Bri tries unsuccessfully to hide her wounded feelings. The new tower had more advanced security but she had hoped her actions proved her worthy of access.

“On this side of the floor is Point Break’s suite. I thought my taste was excessive but have him show you the interior when he’s back. Over here is another suite. Jarvis, open Nightingale’s door please,” my head whips to face him.

“Did…did you say Nightingale?” her voice barely above a whisper.

“I did, kiddo. You should have had a space up here when I created the Avengers’ area the first time. You’re always here to patch us up and take care of us when we need you. You’re family whether you like it or not, fluffy."

A heartbeat passes before Bri jumps into his arms."Thank you, Tony. You and Pepper are my family too. And the rest of the Avengers of course."

Shifting uncomfortably with the extended display of affection, he steps back and ushers her into the apartment. "I'll let you explore on your own but there are a couple of things I wanted to show you personally. Jarvis controls everything in the apartment so you only need to ask. You can tell him who can have access to your apartment so they can enter anytime. Otherwise he will alert you to visitors.”

After explaining more of Jarvis’ functions Tony leads Bri down a short hallway and turns to her with a grin. “The room to the right is a guest bedroom,” gesturing to the other room with a grand flourish of his hand he continues. “Pepper spent so much time on the design for your place but this room and your bedroom she took extra time on. She may still fire the intern that scheduled a meeting for today so she couldn’t be here. Anyways, go ahead, Kiddo.”

Bri walks into what will most certainly be her favorite room in Avengers’ Tower; her own personal library. Nestled in front of the floor to ceiling window is a wooden daybed covered in fuzzy pastel colored pillows. The opposite wall houses an ornate white electric fireplace with a sound system resting on top.

Lining the entire room are white bookshelves filled with books. Bri touches the spines, noting the old editions mixed in with the brand new ones. She recognizes a majority of the books but there are some new titles. There are empty spaces left throughout for new books to be added.

Her vision becomes blurry with tears as Bri turns back towards Tony. “This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. It’s absolutely perfect.” All it takes is one look into his eyes for the tears to finally spill over, setting off sobs.

Strong arms pull her into a hug where he lets me cry out all of my emotions that Bri’s bottled up for months. When the noises slow to the occasional hiccup he peers down with a small smile. “I’m glad you like it, kiddo. I meant what I said. You are family.”

With another quick squeeze, he encourages Bri to explore the rest of the apartment and heads out. The room across from the library contains the guest bedroom themed in soft shades of white and gray. Heading back down the hallway, she glances at the picture frames lining the walls holding my most cherished memories with family, friends, and Avengers.

The apartment has a rustic, farmhouse theme with a gray and white shade palette to give it a warm feel in stark contrast to the view of the city outside of the massive wall length windows. Based on the guest room, library, and couches alone, Pepper must have bought out a pillow factory to furnish her home.

Too excited to continue to tour, Bri decides to spend more time in the library looking at the books that had been added to more than quadruple my book collection. The soft reading nook begs to be broken in and she’s all too willing to oblige after sending Kat a text message about the new apartment. The familiar smell of books helps to sooth the headache as she settles in.

Two days later Sam is loudly proclaiming his superiority over the trained assassin, super soldier, and their marksmen protege. His taunts continue as the group removes the used targets and secure their weapons in the vault. Glancing at Natasha and Steve, Bri knows they have the same thought: whatever it takes, they can’t let Sam win ever again.

Jarvis’ voice rings out overhead in the elevator as they head to grab lunch. “Mr. Stark requests your presence in the conference room to discuss an urgent matter.”

The doors open to the floor that houses the kitchen, dining room, lounge and meeting room. “I’ll catch up with you guys later!” Bri calls after the group.

“Mr. Stark requested your presence as well, Miss Murphy.”

Bri wonders if this will be a party announcement. It’s been a while since a Stark blowout. Upon entering the room she realizes the occasion will not be a happy one judging by the obvious anger rolling off of him.

“Thanks for joining me. I’ll cut to the chase. Hydra has stolen the Scepter we took from Loki last year. I knew we shouldn’t have let Shield take it but it is too late for that now. We need to get it back as soon as possible so they’ve decided to have Loki help find it.”

The sharp inhalations and quiet exclamations confirm everyone is as concerned and confused as you are.

“Guys, I know. I hate it. I would never have agreed had it not been for Frigga, the Allmother.”

“Tony, do you mean Thor and Loki’s mother?” Natasha never minces words.

“I know, Tash. Frigga is their mother but she is the Allmother first and foremost. She knows what Loki did here and does not condone his actions. He’s proved himself by some heroic act there and has been doing acts there that have earned him a pardon on Asgard. That pardon is contingent on him helping us here.” Bri’s never heard Tony sound so tired before.

“How can we be certain that he won't wreak havoc once he arrives on earth again?” The soft spoken words of Bruce echo Bri’s own thoughts.

“Frigga has cuffs that will completely block his magic, effectively making him human. Well, as human someone without a soul can be. Thor will be here with him and will be solely responsible for him. I will have final say on his movements. Once he’s found the scepter and helped us take out Hydra he will be allowed back to Asgard and we’ll be rid of him. Listen guys, I don’t want him here any more than you all but I would rather him be here where we can keep an eye on him instead of out there with just Thor watching him.”

Silence envelops the room as they take in all of this information. Loki being in the tower is absolutely terrifying. Bri can’t comprehend how Thor would be able to keep charge of someone like Loki but from the look on Tony’s face this is happening whether anyone wants it to or not.

“Um…Tony? Where’s Loki staying?” hoping the answer won't be what Bri suspects.

“That’s part of why I asked you to join us, kiddo. He’s going to be staying with Thor. Frigga is going to enchant Jarvis to ensure Loki can’t bypass him when she delivers Thor and Loki in 2 days. He will not be able to leave the apartment until…”

A sudden roar in her ears drowns out the rest of what Tony is saying and darkness creeps into the edges of Bri’s vision. I can't breathe. The blackness is closing in and Bri feels the sudden need to run.

Something soft touches her hand but when Bri turns to face what is touching her clenched fist her eyes aren’t able to focus. Someone is saying numbers but she doesn’t understand. The voice is insistent on numbers. What can I see?

“I see Tony, the table, Sam, light, and Tasha.” deep breath “I feel Sam’s hand, chair arm, table, and pants.” deep breath “I hear breathing, air system, and the projection equipment.” deep breath “I smell Sam’s cologne and my deodorant.” deep breath “I taste coffee.” deep breath.

“There you go, sweetheart. Back with us?” Sam watches carefully as Bri nods slowly.

“Sorry guys,” she whispers to the group. Multiple pairs of eyes regard her with concern.

“Don’t worry about it, kiddo. That’s it for now everyone. If anything changes I will let you know. Otherwise, we will regroup in a few days after Loki shows up.” Tony watches as Bri is guided out of the room by Sam with Steve close behind.

Everyone files out of the conference room and walks towards the elevator. It’s still hard to focus on the voices surrounding her but Sam’s arm around Bri’s shoulder helps keep her grounded. Moments later she realizes she is being guided into her apartment.

“I’m really sorry guys. I don’t know why I reacted so much. I mean, Thor talks about Loki all of the time. I have actually been curious about meeting him, just not in my home. You know?”

As usual, it’s Sam’s soothing voice that breaks the spiraling. “Bri, it’s completely understandable. You have triggers like all of us. It takes time. We’ll all be here. Now, give Steve and I the grand tour of your place. I heard you have your own library here.”

The men banter and point out small details that scream Pepper or Tony had a hand in it. They agree that there were touches of both of them but they somehow came together to make it fit Bri perfectly.

“All right. We’re going to head out. Are you sure you’ll be ok?” Steve envelops her in his warm arms. How can a man with superhuman strength hug so gently?

“I’m good Stevie. Thanks for keeping me company guys. You’re the best.”

Both men regard her for a moment, determining she would be ok on her own. Sam captures Bri in a crushing hug before they stroll towards the elevator just outside of the apartment door. Jarvis closes the door after them automatically.

In the silence the nagging headache that’s been present since moving in kicks up in intensity. There is a good chance she’ll end up with an ulcer with all of the ibuprofen she has been taking lately. Pushing that thought out of her head she grabs the bottle of pills from the kitchen and takes a dose. Her therapy session tomorrow will hopefully help push the headaches back again.

Two nights later Bri awakens with a pounding migraine fighting a surge of nausea. The slight movement to reach the side table where the ibuprofen is rocks her too much to keep moving. Her hands cradle my head as she rocks herself, on the verge of tears.

Without warning a warm feeling washes over Bri wrapping her in a peaceful calm. It’s the first time in as long as she can remember that her mind is settled. Another wave hits her and pulls her into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Arriving in the Avengers tower Loki is suddenly assaulted in the force of someone attempting to gain entry to his mind. He looks over to find Frigga wincing once before regaining her composure. Curiously, she waves her hand in a movement Loki knows calls forth her seiðr but is unable to see the white glow with the cancelation bracelets on.

The onslaught of attacks on his mind ends as suddenly as it began, no doubt thanks to his mother. He tilts his head towards her but she responds with a barely visible shake of her head before turning her head towards Tony.

“Mr. Stark, I am aware this is an onerous undertaking you are being tasked with. The deeds of my son resulted in the loss of lives, physical and emotional damage, and destruction of homes and businesses. He fought valiantly to redeem himself among the people of Asgard but his father and I will not allow a pardon until he atones to the people of Midgard.”

Loki fights to avoid rolling his eyes at the notion of Midgardians could ever be worthy of any of his attention let alone apologies. His mother sends him a warning glance, before continuing.

“Both of my sons understand the restrictions and guidelines that you and I agreed upon. I hope you will forgive me but the last time I was here I did pry into your mind to ensure you would be able to not harm my son. While there I saw you have been in search of a specific metal. Here.”

A large metal cube materializes onto Tony’s open palms. Any outrage at the invasion of his mind is instantly forgotten as he stares at the vibranium.

Frigga looks towards her sons in preparation to return back to Asgard. Her oldest son hugs her with his usual overenthusiasm. Given his propensity to hug others, she is shocked he hasn’t caused more broken bones on Midgard.

Turning her attention to Loki she looks at him with pride and affection. The gentle embrace they share reminds Frigga of the sweet boy she hasn’t seen in a millenia.

She whispers to him softly, “Be helpful, my son, for it will return you to me more whole.”

Loki kisses her check softly and steps back to stand next to Thor.

“Mr. Stark, my sincerest gratitude for allowing Loki to aid in the recovery of the scepter and to eradicate the organization who has been corrupting it. I look forward to updates from Thor on the progress.” Frigga bows slightly as she evaporates from view.

“Your mother really knows how to make an exit, Point Break. Loki, you know the deal. You can’t leave the apartment unless accompanied by Thor and I. The sooner we find the scepter and Hydra, the sooner you’re out of here. Let’s work hard and fast so we can be rid of each other.”

Loki barely contains the sneer threatening to erupt on his face. “I shall work diligently to rid myself of these cuffs and return to my palace on Asgard.”

“Jarvis, protocol ‘reindeer games’ is now in effect,” Tony calls over his shoulder on his way out of the apartment.

Chapter Text

“Kid! Where are you?! There you are! Are you ok?!” Tony is startled to find Bri’s small form balled up and sobbing in her nearly pitch black room. “What’s going on?”

“Hurts. My head.” The chopped words are all Bri can manage between the pounding and sobbing.

“Ok. Let’s go to Bruce’s lab and get you checked out.” He calls out to Jarvis to confirm Bruce is still there. Receiving the affirmative, he walks to her ornate bed and picks up the shaking body.

As he nears the front door he stops to consider if Bri needs a blanket since she’s clothed in just a worn Paramore t-shirt and booty shorts.

In a surge of pain, Bri clutches to Tony tightly. “No blanket. Go.”

Confused, Tony nods and makes his way down 3 floors to the lab and medical floor.

Bruce is pacing in the medical wing and at the sight of an ashen Brigid he ushers them into the first treatment room. The soft whirl of the medical equipment starts the moment she is placed onto the enhanced hospital bed.

Bri considers that maybe coming down to the medical lab was not the best idea. The bright lights paired with Tony’s voice echoing only amplifies the already unbearable pain. She tries to focus on Bruce through her pain induced haze but he sounds odd.

“Poor thing. Bri, honey, can you see me?” Bruce sees her head shake. “That’s not good. I need blood but I can’t bear hurting her more.”

“TAKE THE FUCKING BLOOD BRUCE!” The voice that leaves her sounds completely unfamiliar with its roar of power. Bri barely registers the pain of the IV being inserted but less than a precious minute later she is hurtled into unconsciousness.

Bruce injects her with a medication and then takes out a needle to draw the blood. The moment the needle touches her skin Bri fades from consciousness.

For the first time in almost two weeks Bri wakes up with only a dull headache. It takes a couple of minutes for her to realize she was not in her own bed. Eyes opening slightly she finds the room occupied by every single Avenger currently residing in the tower. A soft groan leaves her as she shifts in the bed.

“Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling? You really scared us back there. You’ve been out for hours.” The nonchalant tone is betrayed by the anxiety in Tony’s eyes.

“I’m ok. My headaches have been so bad the last week but today was the worst one. It doesn’t feel too bad right now. Did you give me something?” looking over at Bruce who looks like he wants to ask something else.

“I gave you a mild painkiller and an abortive migraine medication.” He glances at Tony anxiously but continues. “Bri, do you remember yelling at me to take your blood?”

Bri cringes. “I do. I’m really sorry, Bruce. I wasn’t thinking straight. It just hurt so bad.”

“I understand better than everyone here about that. Don’t even worry about it. I wanted to know how you knew I wanted to take your blood.” The rest of the Avengers glance between Bruce and Bri trying to follow the odd line of questioning.

“What do you mean? I heard you say it to Tony.”

“I didn’t say anything to him. I was thinking it, Bri.” Bruce’s gentle voice did nothing to soften the impact of his words. When Tony added in what happened in her apartment when she answered his own thoughts about a blanket anxiety sets in. “Has this happened before?”

There have been instances where she has had people say they hadn’t been talking when she asked them to repeat themselves but there was nothing specific she could recall.

“Might I make a suggestion, Miss Murphy?” Receiving a nod, Thor continued. “If you are looking to investigate the possibility of mind reading you should speak with my brother. Outside of our mother, he is the most talented in all of the nine realms.”

“As long as you’re there, I think it’s actually a good idea. Best case, he has answers. Worst case, I learn nothing.” The booming voice that interrupts Bri startles the room’s inhabitants.

“That’s the worst that could happen?! With the god of lies? Back me up here Cap! She can’t talk with him!”

“Tony! Don’t you dare tell me what I can and can’t do. This discussion is over. Thor, let’s get this over with.” Shooting a glare at Tony she storms out of the room and onto the waiting elevator with Thor on her heels. The ride up three floors is completely silent as she continues to fume.

“Come in, Miss Murphy. BROTHER! We have a visitor!” The reprieve from her migraine swiftly ends with the help of Thor’s boisterous voice.

Bri had assumed the gods’ apartment would be full of gold and marble but is greeted instead by rich, dark colors and the smell of books to her delight. The floor is a glistening oak that complements the deep gray walls. Straight ahead lies the living room where an occupied large black leather sectional sofa faces the wall of windows like her own.

“Who-” Loki turns to face Thor but instantly focuses on Bri’s weary face. Moving towards her with burning emerald eyes he spits, “Who and what are you?”

“Um… I am. I mean, my name is Brigid Murphy” she anxiously stammers forcing herself not to cower when Loki invades her personal space to scowl down at her.

“Why have you been trying to get into my thoughts? It’s been a week now. Haven’t you figured out it will not work?” his mouth fixed in a sneer. He runs a hand through his raven hair, a stark contrast to his alabaster skin.

Loki listens closely as Bri stumbles through her denial of attempting to gain access to his mind while simultaneously actively doing so. To his consternation, he detects no lies in her words. Frustrating him further is the familiarity of the seiðr she uses but is unable to place why.

When she finally stops speaking, the pain she experiences using her power is evident throughout her features. Bri’s shoulders slump over as she rocks back and forth slightly. Both gods determine she should leave but it is Thor who speaks up, suggesting she seek out Tony to help her.

“He’ll be here in just a second,” the words leaving her mouth without considering what she was saying. A heartbeat later Tony storms into the apartment roaring Loki’s name. “Tony, if you don’t lower your fucking voice you’ll be the one that will be sent to Valhalla.”

The temporary silence the men are shocked into is broken by Loki’s low but furious voice as he finally places why her seiðr is familiar to him. “It’s the same seiðr as the scepter. Explain this right now Stark!”

As Tony adamantly denies any sort of experimentation Loki again finds no lies. It is then decided Thor, Bri and Tony will head back to the lab to talk with Bruce to determine the connection to the scepter.

Loki watches the group leave as he continues to seeth at being trapped in his accommodations. Thor vowed to share information gleaned which was a small mercy.

Back in the lab, Bri is questioned more about the nature of her headaches and when they began. The private doctor Tony hired to care for her at his vacation home diagnosed her with ptsd and said the headaches were related to it since they began the day of the attack.

Jarvis compiles all of Bri’s movements the day of the attack and begins to play it for the small group. Most of her day had been spent running around providing first aid when needed in the tower. It felt like a lifetime ago that Bri had been able to actually practice nursing, setting up an ache in her chest.

One screen a large piece of concrete debris crashed through the window of the clinic where Bri had been and struck a doctor in the chest. She rushed over to the fallen woman, reached her hands out, and held them over her. At that exact moment there was a blinding flash of yellow light that obscured the camera. When the light dissipated, Bri was holding her head.

“Jarvis, where was the scepter at that exact moment when the flash went off in the lab?” The AI pulls up the footage from the roof and plays the moments just before the light. They watch as Natasha shoves the scepter into the portal to close it at the exact time of the flash.

“If no one else in the tower experienced any effects, there has to be something special with Bri.” Bruce muses, almost to himself. Looking up at Bri, “I always wondered about your ability to sense the internal body status. There must be some relation to the use of that ability and you absorbing part of the scepter’s power.”

The revelation terrifies Bri and worsens the migraine ravaging her head. Bruce notices her obvious discomfort and offers her another dose of medications with strict instructions to go right to bed for the night. It only takes 30 minutes for her to fall into a painless sleep.

Several hours later Bri shoots up in her bed drenched in sweat with her head throbbing. It was the same nightmare she’s had nearly every night for close to 20 years.

Usually she would take a cool shower and have some tea to settle her mind but it hadn’t helped in the week she’s had the migraines. Instead she changes her clothes to a black fuzzy two piece pajama set, curls up on the couch in the living room under her favorite down throw blanket, and turns on Bob’s Burgers.

Half a season later there is a knock on her door. When Jarvis notifies her that it’s Thor waiting, she considers if she could tolerate his volume right but she knows she could never say no to the giant golden retriever. Instead, when she opens the door she warns him about her migraine and how sensitive to sound she is.

“That is actually what I wished to speak with you about, Miss Murphy. My brother has requested to speak with you if you are up to it. I believe he may have an idea of how to help.” Quickly agreeing, they head back to his apartment to find Loki seated at the kitchen counter with a cup of tea.

“Good morning, Miss Murphy. Can I interest you in some tea? I trust you slept as poorly as I did last night.” He observes her frown along with the shift of her honey brown eyes and realizes his mistake. “I surmised you didn’t sleep well as I felt your attempts to reach my mind for the last seven hours or so. You were kind enough to allow me four hours of sleep which is the longest stretch since I’ve been here.”

Bri felt incredibly guilty that she hadn’t considered how he would be affected. Her entire life she has prided herself on making others happy and healthy and now she was the cause of Loki’s misery. The whispered apology did nothing to alleviate the turmoil.

“Forgive me, Miss Murphy. In my fatigue I find it difficult to word my thoughts considerately. My brother informed me of what was discovered last night. I agree that you contain the seiðr of the scepter within you. I believe the lack of control over your telepathy to be the origin of your headaches. I offer you my assistance if you are interested.”

“While I would appreciate it, why would you want to help me?” Concern she will offend him laces her words.

“A fair question. Firstly, I fear I will not have a full night of sleep until you maintain control over your seiðr. Secondly, I am terribly bored being stuck in this apartment with only books and Thor to entertain me.”

Bri appreciates that he did not try to butter her up by saying he wanted to help her. She wouldn’t have believed him and probably would have said no to his assistance. Tomorrow morning will be the first training session and Thor offers to stay until she is comfortable with Loki.

Thanking the brothers, Bri heads out to speak with Tony. Jarvis indicates that he is in his personal lab attached to his penthouse suite so she opts to have Tony come to her apartment when he has free time. Three hours later he finally meets with her.

“I had a feeling I knew where this was going. I can’t talk you out of this can I, kiddo?” seeing her head shake he continues, “If Thor will be there the entire time it should at least be safe enough I guess.”

“Thank you for not fighting me on this. I really need to do this and your support definitely helps.” Tears gather in her eyes as she wraps her arms around his waist. Heavy arms pin hers in his version of a bear hug.

“Maybe I should start working on a suit for you, kiddo.” he muses with a wink down towards Bri.

Saying their goodbyes, Tony walks to the elevator to head up to his penthouse. The door to Bri’s apartment closes as she hears Tony’s thoughts. I hate this so much. Sure, he can help her but he could just as easily manipulate her and use her somehow. I don’t know if I could ever fight her if it came down to that. I might need to do something to stop this.

In that moment she decides she will not be around the people she cares about until she has control over the mind reading. Her heart couldn’t take hearing other people she loves think she could hurt them or that she was weak.

Chapter Text

At ten exactly, Bri finds herself standing in front of Thor’s apartment door debating on if she could handle spending long amounts of time around Loki. Everyone has spent so much time warning her about the trickster god that it's difficult to put much faith in Thor's assessment of his brother.

There really isn’t another way for her to learn though so she announces to Jarvis she’s there and is given access. Thor greets her loudly with a giant hug before guiding her to the couch where Loki waits.

“Thor, if you don’t lower your voice around me while I have these headaches we’ll find out if a god can be castrated.” Bri glares as she sits in the middle of the sectional while Thor sits at the far end.

A deep, almost liquid chuckle draws her attention to Loki. “I assure you, Miss Murphy, it can be done with the right enchanted blade,” he quips. Shared laughter fills the room while Thor stares in horror at the pair.

Once the laughing dies out Loki asks Bri to explain how she has been feeling over the last week. He reasons the headaches increase when there are more people around, especially unfamiliar ones, it is likely connected to the seiðr trying to protect her. The fact that Loki can block her attempts must be causing her seiðr to put forth more effort to gain entry, resulting even more pain presumably.

With that in mind, they decide to focus on Bri gaining control over when her seiðr reaches out. Loki realizes that his connection to his seiðr has been felt for as long as he can remember so it’s difficult to describe to Bri. His frustration increases as he is unable to access his seiðr to help describe how he relates to it. Ultimately he opts to use the way the scepter felt in his mind instead.

“When the scepter seeped into my mind I found it felt much like a shock from Mjølnir. Thor, it is rumored you are able to reduce the power of Mjølnir to induce a gentle shock to a lady. Could you shock Miss Murphy’s hand?”

The embarrassment Bri feels at the implication is replaced by pure amusement as she looks at Thor to find him blushing. As he calls for Mjølnir Bri attempts to stifle her laughter when he almost misses the handle.

Loki considers Bri with a curious eye. She is not what he would expect from the supposed pseudo ward of Tony Stark. Thor had told him how competent of a nurse she is and her research into medical treatments. The famed pajama parties in themed outfits seemed like an exaggeration until Loki saw her pajamas yesterday that had cat ears attached to the hood of the top.

He is brought out of his thoughts by a loud yip and then louder string of creative curses. Bri holds her forearm, scowling at Thor who is apologizing profusely. Apparently the shock had caused her arm to jerk reflexively and struck the unmoving Mjølnir with considerable force.

Furious, Bri turns from Thor only to be met with Loki’s dark emerald eyes sparkling with laughter and mischief. Her scowl deepens as considers the best way to hurt the two gods before her.

They both have shoulder length hair so maybe it’s important to Asgardians. I should cut it in their sleep. I’ll dye Loki’s blond and Thor’s black. Should I dye their eyebrows? I’ll probably get caught if I do that. I wonder if laxatives work on gods. Oops. Loki said something to me.

“I said, did you notice the seiðr mixed with the shock, Miss Murphy?” Receiving a confirmatory nod he continues. “Your pain is centered around your head so try and locate that within your mind.”

Without closing her eyes Bri is able to feel that same tingle. She is suddenly aware of a sensation of hitting some sort of resistance. The more she tries to push against it the worse her head aches but a panicked urgency compels her to continue trying.

A familiar voice murmurs something but sounds too far away to decipher the words. The voice says something more insistently but Bri continues to stare forward, eyes unseeing.

“Brigid, look at me,” demands Loki, her attention snapping to him. Bri blinks to find dark green eyes focused intently. “I would greatly appreciate it if you refrained from trying to force yourself into my thoughts.”

Loki leans back to give the appearance of disinterest but keeps a close eye on Bri. There is a risk in his continued training of her if she has this much power without even trying. He decides to take the night to formulate a new plan that will keep himself protected but help her stop bothering him constantly throughout the night. Thor interrupts the silence.

“Miss Murphy, allow me to take you to see Dr. Banner for pain management? Steve relayed his intent to break into your apartment to drag you to movie night. I believe it is so he doesn’t have to listen to Sam sulk another week. I would gladly keep them out if you really do not wish to attend tonight however.”

Thor expects a quip or sarcastic comment about Sam so when Bri makes no sound other than a soft whimper he looks towards Loki with concern. He receives a noncommittal shoulder shrug to his frustration.

“I’m sorry to waste your time, Loki. I hope we can try again tomorrow if you are up for it,” Bri groans softly barely acknowledging Thor who is picks her up to carry her bridal style to the clinic.

“I will be here, Miss Murphy. You are welcome to join me if you are up to it.” Her weak promise to be there is endearing. Loki admires the determination. He finds himself more curious about her, hoping to solve the puzzle that is Brigid Murphy.

Bri insists on the smallest dose of medication to keep her upright. She needs to come up with a long term treatment plan if she is unable to stop the pain by working with Loki.

Over the next few hours Bri, the resident clinical pharmacist, and Bruce worked on a cocktail of medications that would take just enough of the edge off of the pain so she could function still. Once the correct combination is determined Bruce creates a transdermal patch that will deliver a continuous dose. There is no way to fully thank Bruce for the small piece of normalcy given back to her so for now she hugs him tightly. She only takes leave when he promises to join movie night tonight.

Stopping at the lunch room to find a snack, Bri takes out her phone to text Kat.

Bri: Do you have plans tonight?

KitKat: Nope. Why?

Bri: Movie night in the new tower!

KitKat: You looking for a hot date?

Bri: Yup! Please? It's a sausage party

KitKat: find me a ride home after and I’m in

Bri: Deal! Dinner at 8. Chinese

It is Tony’s turn to play bartender so it’s of no surprise when everyone who is drinking, ends up drunk before dinner is even finished. Bruce doesn’t usually drink so it makes Bri feel better knowing there is at least one person sober with her. They had quietly decided on the movie between the two of them knowing the others are past caring.

The rowdy Avengers all pour into the movie room and each claim a luxury recliner. They had supposedly cost Tony an exorbitant amount to have them custom built to accommodate the size and weight of the team. Bri’s favorite feature is that the arm rests pull up and Kat never passes up a chance to snuggle with her best friend.

“Ladies, gentlemen, and Tony,” the indignant exclamation from Tony only spurs Bri’s speech more. “I present a movie that never fails to make me laugh, featuring the one Avenger missing tonight. Robin Hood: Men in Tights!”

Two hours later the group is still laughing. Thor has not stopped his Little John impression that is surprisingly spot on after only seeing the movie once. Kat whispers over to question what it would take to convince the guys to dress like merry men for halloween, sending Bri into hysterics.

Tonight has been exactly what she needed after this past week.

As fatigue settles into her, Bri confirms Steve will be driving Kat home. The super soldier serum allowed him to drink and have it fully out of his system within a couple of hours so he is often the person to drive Kat, not that Kat minded.

Each of her friends is hugged tightly before Bri heads off to bed.

The peace of her night is shattered on schedule far before dawn with the familiar nightmare. Bri has long since abandoned her childhood wish to wake to sunshine, having not seen their eyes haunt her.

***

Bri is certain that she is hallucinating when she sees Tony walk out of the elevators while she is walking over to Thor’s apartment. She can’t recall a single time he has made an appearance before 11am, let alone 9am like it is now.

“Morning, kiddo. Steve got last minute tickets to a Yankees game and is taking Thor. Everyone else is busy so I am going to keep you company while Reindeer games trains you today.”

“Absolutely not. Nothing would be accomplished with you two making snide comments at each other. I’ll just work with him alone today.” At an attempt to interrupt, Bri shoots him a glare. “Tony, I really want to be able to go back to my old life and this is the only way. I promise to call for help if I need it but I don’t think I will.”

A long, dramatic sigh leaves his mouth before he responds, “You’re killing me, kiddo… Fine. I will be in the penthouse all day, ready the moment you need me.” He shoots a pointed look towards her direction as he boards the elevator. “I mean it. Call me.”

Nodding her head, Bri watches as the door closes before continuing to Thor’s place. When the doors open she is greeted by Thor wearing what is likely supposed to be an oversized jersey but ends up almost too tight on the massive god.

His wide grin accompanies his usual bear hug as he swings you into the apartment. Giggling, Bri begs for him to put her down but he doesn’t relent until he is deep into the living room. He peers behind her clearly looking for Tony.

“I told him I would be fine. They’d be at each other’s throats the whole time and I don’t have it in me to play referee today. Why are you and Steve leaving so early anyway?” Bri recalls the game not starting until 7pm.

The strong New York accent belonging to the patriotic Avenger calls out, “I’m bringing him around my old stomping grounds and having lunch at a diner out there. Today’s game is a double header that starts around 3.” Steve hugs her briefly before indicating to Thor they needed to leave.

Bri demands the two stop by her place when they return so they can tell her all about their day out. They promised to call her on the way back in case she and Sam haven’t had dinner so they can pick something up on the way home. Thor bids farewell to Loki as they walk out of the apartment.

Loki watched Bri as she interacted with Thor and Steve from the partially obscured location of the reading nook next to the living room. She was more at ease and didn’t appear in as much pain as yesterday. Upon hearing her plans for the night, Loki found himself jealous of the freedom exhibited around him while he remained trapped. He didn’t hear her approach, caught in the bitterness of his thoughts.

“Good morning, Loki.” Bri smiles apprehensively as she shifts on her feet. She looks at the book in his lap and exclaims, “The Comedy of Errors! Are you a fan of Shakespeare?” her smile widening.

Loki is momentarily stunned by the excited sparkle in her eyes and genuine smile. “Good morning, Miss Murphy. The three I have read thus far have been quite enjoyable.”

They continue their conversation about his favorite so far, ones she had read, and other books he has been reading. The shelf he indicates housing the books he has read include ones labeled in languages she doesn’t recognize but does see the familiar title The Twelfth Night to her delight, relaying it is her favorite of all of his works.

Loki is surprised to find himself eager to reread the play with the intent to discuss it with her in more detail in the future. The discussion of books continues across genres with Loki mentioning the concepts of some popular Asgardian stories.

Glancing at the clock and noting the time in surprise, Loki suggests they begin the train. “It’s been two and a half hours since Thor and Mr. Rogers left. As much as I am enjoying our discussion, we should probably start training for the day. I was thinking today we could focus on trying to reign in your seiðr now that you know what it feels like.”

Loki guides Bri to the far end of the sectional couch and takes his seat next to her. He would have allowed her more space but with how she became so easily overwhelmed yesterday he wanted to be able to ground her if needed.

“All right. Do you recall how your seiðr feels within you?” She responds affirmatively. “I want you to try and focus on sensing it outside of your body. Your lack of control is allowing it to radiate away from you. Can you feel it?”

Bri inhales deeply and focuses on the space around her. There is an energy similar to her seiðr but it feels wild and difficult to pinpoint. Each time she starts to have a sense of it, the feeling shifts and she is thrown back at square one.

Eventually Loki decides to end the day’s training as the longer she doesn’t have results she becomes more frustrated. He can see signs of her physical pain and subsequent increase in subconscious attempts to gain access to his mind.

Bri’s phone rings, interrupting whatever Loki had begun to say. She apologizes quickly and answers the call from Sam. His timing couldn’t have been better since her pain was severe enough she planned on seeing Bruce. They agree to push back their meeting time an hour back. Ending the call she turns back to Loki.

The previously pleasant tone he had been using is replaced by the cool one he had used the day prior. “We’re done for the day. Try again later if you aren’t too busy with guests all night. Sam must be pleased to have your company two nights in a row.”

Bri looks into the deep emerald eyes trying to understand the sudden change. “I guess so. I think Tony put him up to checking in on me since he has experience with PTSD and runs a support group. I’ve had nightmares every night for almost the last twenty years and they’ve been worse since you attacked last year.”

Why did I just tell him that? Bri reflects, shocked at her words. Tears begin to gather in her eyes as she thanks Loki and they set a time for the next day to train. She retreats from the apartment and heads down to the lab to see Bruce.

The rest of the night is uneventful for Bri. Sam probes her not so subtly about how she is doing but it is clear it’s the counselor in him, not an allegiance to Tony that drives him.

When Thor and Steve join them at her apartment, the former proudly displays the baseball he caught barehanded at the end of the second game. They’d managed to fly under the radar before then but the moment Thor’s face was projected around the stadium the pair of Avengers fled.

Shortly later, the men gather their hugs from Bri and head back to their respective apartments. Still unsettled by the day’s events, Bri draws a bath to try and relax as much as possible. When that fails to help, she just heads to bed, hoping to sleep for at least four hours before waking up. Emerald eyes flash through her mind as she drifts to sleep.

Chapter Text

Bri’s hesitant movements towards the reading nook remind Loki of his behavior yesterday and the hurt it caused. It was nice to have a conversation with someone he didn’t have to worry about ulterior motives and he repaid it by lashing out.

Standing to greet her, he waits until she is arm’s length away before speaking. “Miss Murphy, good morning. I sincerely apologize for my abhorrent behavior yesterday. There is no excuse for my words.”

“I appreciate the apology” her voice barely above a whisper. Tilting her head as if it would help her understand him better, Bri regards him closely. She considers asking why he lashed out but the finality of his tone gives her pause.

After a short pause of awkward silence, they begin their training with renewed focus. Loki had spent part of the night brainstorming various beginner training methods and settled on how his mother taught him when he was just a few decades old.

He beckons Bri to sit on the sofa and takes his place next to her.

“When I first learned to wield seiðr my mother had me visualize it as something that brought me comfort. What brings you true comfort?”

Without hesitation Bri replies, “blankets and the beach.”

Loki considers the two options and settles on using a blanket as the visual representation of her seiðr. He explains that while her eyes are closed he would touch her leg to ground her if needed.

Eyes closed, Bri focuses on the seiðr coursing through her body. The need to force entry into Loki’s mind begins to consume and overwhelm her until she feels cool hands squeeze her knees. A voice far away tells her to take slow breaths and focus.

Without warning, Bri’s eyes snap open to find Loki kneeling in front of her. Surrounding him and across the entire floor is a shimmering golden blanket that waves gently as if disturbed by a breeze.

Loki watches as tears gather in Bri’s eyes as she continues to look around the room. Delight barely contained, she doesn’t seem to notice when the tears begin to spill over.

The pleasant silence is broken when Bri composes herself enough to look back to Loki and smiles brightly. “It’s so beautiful. It even feels warm.”

“How your seiðr manifests is unique and represents something of deep meaning to you. Now, are you able to see the ends of the blanket?” Seeing her head shake, Loki continues. “Visualize yourself pulling the blanket towards you until you are able to see an edge.”

Bri sees herself pulling the blanket but is rapidly overtaken by the volume surrounding her. It should be terrifying but all she can feel is comforted by the warmth and softness. Her eyelids close as she hums a song from her childhood happily.

“Miss Murphy? Can you hear me?” Loki touches her legs again. “There you are. Sometimes the seiðr enchants us, especially when first learning to use it. Try again to pull it in.”

All of her focus centers on the act of pulling the blanket, not where it falls. Bri finds the act unexpectedly mentally and physically tiring.

Only five minutes later Loki instructs her to stop after she begins to sway and hunch over.

“Would you like some tea? I have a special blend from Asgard that has slight healing capabilities that would be beneficial to you. It is one of my favorite teas.”

“That sounds nice. Thank you.”

Bri watches from the stool at the counter as he prepares the tea with his usual fluid movements. To her surprise, Loki tells her a story about the time his mother brought him to pick the herbs for the tea that inexplicably resulted in a fire that consumed a forest. A mischievous gleam plays in his eyes and he chuckles.

Holding the delicate tea cup Loki had placed in front of her, Bri takes a hesitant sip. A barely audible moan escapes as she savors the complex floral and citrus flavor. The next sip feels like it settles directly in her chest and radiates warmth throughout her body.

The reaction Bri is having to the tea is completely unexpected. Loki never felt more than a slight tingle with its consumption but Bri appears to be absorbing every bit of seiðr it contains.

The desire that sparked hearing her moan had drawn a sharp intake of breath but to his relief all of Bri’s senses seemed to be engrossed by the tea’s effects.

Regrettably draining the last bit of tea, Bri opens her eyes that she didn’t realize she closed at some point. The lighthearted, playful expression Loki that graced his face previously is replaced by a darker gaze with suggestive smirk.

She turns away as heat creeps up her face hoping her skin was dark enough Loki wouldn’t notice her blush but the snicker she hears indicates he can. Bri rushes through thanking Loki for the tea and training as she escapes back to her apartment.

In the safety of her own space she inhales deeply in an attempt to control her surging emotions to no avail. Her hand twirls a curl of hair from her ponytail as she settles on finding distractions instead of analyzing unsettling feelings.

The phone is unceremoniously discarded on the kitchen counter as Bri walks through her room and into her bathroom. While she would love to soak in the oversized jacuzzi tub it would allow her time to ruminate on her feelings. Instead Bri ends up taking a lukewarm shower and listening to a random top popular song playlist.

Freshly scrubbed Bri slathers on her favorite vanilla scented lotion all over except for a small area where she places her medicated patch. When she comes across where the nasty bruise from being hit with Mjølnir had been just two days prior she is shocked to find it almost completely gone. She theorizes that perhaps the seiðr from the weapon caused the expedited healing.

Dressed in a soft, hunter green tracksuit Bri heads down to see Bruce to work on a prototype for a medication delivery system more. It is a fantastic distraction and allows Bri a few moments to feel like she was in her old life.

Hours later Bri wanders back into her apartment feeling accomplished with the amount of progress she and Bruce are making. She stops in the kitchen to grab a carton of cookie dough ice cream and a spoon and saunters into the living room to flop down on the couch. Pulling up the tv menu she finds a new anime to start and decides on a shonen everyone had been talking about.

—

For the first time since agreeing to keep watch over Loki and control him if needed, Thor questions if he would truly be able to. Loki has been in a terrible mood since the last minute meeting called by director Fury this morning interrupted his training with Bri. Tony arrived moments later to escort Loki to the conference room after giving Jarvis the approval for this one trip.

Now, seated next to Thor and an empty chair, Loki is forced to tolerate the presence of the rest of the Avengers. The schooled mask of uncaring is only betrayed by a clenched jaw muscle only Thor is able to recognize. He looks around to find the rest of the Avengers on edge waiting for Loki to make a move.

“You need not worry about my harming anyone in this room and it has nothing to do with my seiðr being bound. I would not risk my return to Asgard on your worthless lives. Now, where is Fury so I can return back to my luxurious prison cell?” Loki huffs.

As if summoned, Nick Fury’s face is projected onto small screens in front of each avenger’s seat at the oblong table. “Good morning. Sorry for the last minute meeting. There has been some movement in the Hydra facilities we have been monitoring so it seems the best time for Loki to share the intel he has with the group.”

With a heavy sigh Loki launches into the observations he made while controlling some of the minds in Hydra. A singular name was mentioned by most of the agents, Strucker. Loki never figured out who it was or where to find the person but had determined they weren’t important for his needs at the time.

“Couldn’t figure out how to use him like you used other people against their will?” Clint sneers.

“Some people had temporary use to me, Mr. Barton, but they all would have been disposable,” grins Loki.

Prior to more words being exchanged Fury as Loki continue with the intel.

Launching back into his recollections, several countries and cities were mentioned but Las Vegas, London, Brazil, South Africa, Sokovia, Canada,and Madagascar had been the most commonly repeated ones.

Fury interjects that Ontario is one of the facilities that had recent movement. Typing quickly he pulls up some maps and discusses details with the Avengers while Loki listens passively. The meeting adjourns after Tony and Fury set up a time to meet again. The room clears out leaving Tony, Thor and Loki.

“Do you need to make this so difficult?” pinching his nose in frustration, Tony stands focusing his glare on Loki. The only response he receives is an eye roll and sigh.

Loki moves towards the elevator not waiting to see if Tony and Thor would follow. They are his prison guards after all. Arriving back on his floor he looks towards the door opposite Thor’s apartment. His eyebrows raise ever so slightly at the realization that Tony has placed himself between Loki and the other door.

“What lies behind that door, Stark? You appear protective of it,” feigned sincerity dripping in his words.

“Nothing important is over there. Come on,” voice gruff with annoyance.

“Mr. Stark, while my seiðr is currently bound, my ability to detect lies as the god of mischief is still thoroughly intact. Something of significant importance is housed behind those doors.” Eyes sparkling he adds, “or should I say someone?”

Not waiting for a response he walks into Thor’s apartment and enters his room. He picks up The Twelfth Night from the bedside table it was discarded on the night prior and settles into the plush forest green armchair.

Sizzling pressure hurtles into the barrier in Loki’s mind with startling force causing him to drop his book. It hadn’t even registered that her normal presence was missing until that hit sensation hit him.

Smiling, Loki picks up the leather bound book. He is looking forward to his day with the little mortal tomorrow. She is full of surprises and he could use some welcome distraction.

—

“Good morning, Miss Murphy!” The tight hug she is wrapped in is exactly what Bri needs today.

“Morning. Looks like you’re off to train. Who is the lucky Avenger?” Reluctantly Bri steps out of his embrace to look up into his face.

Steve and Sam walk into the apartment as if summoned and immediately pull Bri into hugs. The smile she attempts to give them almost breaks their hearts.

“My dear lady Brigid, your left pinky is looking divine today!” Sam loudly declares as he bows grandly.

A look passess between Steve and Thor and they quickly chime in with increasingly verbose compliments about random focal points. One of her canines, a specific coil of hair, left inner tear duct, lower right earlobe, and left elbow are among her favorites of the day.

Through giggles, Bri declares Sam the winner for the compliment of her right palm crease intersection. She hugs each of them again as they leave before grabbing the book she brought to find Loki.

Loki sits in his reading nook focused intensely on the book in his hands written with characters she has never seen before. Tension has pulled his shoulders up and his brows are furrowed. She calls to him while waving to catch his attention.

Standing with a fluid grace, Loki moves to stand in front of her. “Lady Brigid, I find myself in awe gazing upon divine exquisiteness of the fastidiously secured diminutive strands that adorn your visage.” The twinkle of mischief gives away his intent despite his serious expression.

“Did… Loki, did you use all of those words to compliment my baby hair?” The giggles quickly devolve into full blown laughter that has Bri gasping for air.

She looks up to find Loki smirking at her amusement once she is finally able to stop laughing. The book she hands him is even more deserved at this point. His eyebrow quirks up in silent questioning.

“As You Like It is the first Shakespeare play I read and started my fascination with his works. I noticed you didn’t have it in your collection so I bought you a copy. I wanted to give you something to thank you for taking time to help me,” Bri reveals with a wide smile.

Loki stares at the hardcover book in his hands. His seiðr suppressed and not allowed to leave the apartment leaving nothing she could be manipulating him to gain with the gift.. Only his mother has endowed him with a sincere gift with no expectations. With a slight smile he thanks her before placing it on the table next to his reading chair.

“Let us begin your training. When you visualize drawing the blanket, how do you see yourself accomplishing the task? How does your seiðr feel?” he questions as he guides her to sit on the couch.

“Um. I guess I treat it like a real physical blanket and use my arms to try and pull it to me but there is too much resistance. My seiðr feels like a warm sparkling buzz flowing in and around me” Frustrated, Bri sits in a huff.

Loki looks out of the enormous floor to ceiling wall of windows across from the sectional. His hands run through his silky hair in frustration over not having access to his seiðr knowing it would make training so much simpler.

He takes a deep, calming breath and suddenly turns to drop in front of Bri. “Do you recall the way the seiðr felt when you closed your eyes? Subconsciously you were able to focus it to try to gain entry to my mind. Once you are able to center yourself intentionally with your eyes closed you will be able to accomplish it with them open.”

“What if I can’t stop myself? I don’t want to hurt you. Should we have your brother come back before I try?”

Loki scoffs before regarding how anxious Bri appears. “We do not require Thor’s assistance. Trust that I will be able to ground you if you lose control, even without access to my seiðr.”

The soft cotton of her favorite baby pink sweater provides little comfort but Bri grasps the ends of her sleeves anyway. She draws up her legs clad in black leggings to criss-cross on the couch to assume her usual meditation pose.

Loki is perplexed by the mortal before him. Her pupils are blown wide in fear and the tension in her body pulls her shoulders high. She is terrified of something going wrong but is also putting all of her trust in him.

He wants to admonish her for trusting so easily but also feels honored that she has placed to much trust in him. The worry clawing at him that someone could take advantage of her trust to harm her annoys him.

“Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. I can feel you focusing on my mind. Try to look for your seiðr.” Loki continues to feel the assault on his mental barrier with increasing intensity. His hands lay on Bri’s knees and squeeze tightly.

“Listen to my voice. Find your seiðr blanket around you. Feel the warmth and glow of it. Once you sense it, open yourself and call it home.”

Loki watches as Bri the rigidity of her body eases and within moments a wild outpouring of seiðr flows from her. Beneath his hands what formerly was a light pulsation of her body swells to coarse tremors. The probing attempts lessen the stronger Bri shakes until it disappears completely.

Those with seiðr are blessed to see it contained where it resides in the surrounding world. Even with his contained, Loki is able to see a scant glow now emanating from her body.

“Well done. Now, don’t try to force the seiðr to stay within you. Feel it settle where it belongs.”

Loki senses the seiðr oscillate in intensity until it dulls and becomes nearly undetectable to him.

A soft hum whispers from Bri before her lips curl upwards at the newly found warmth and comfort. The owner of the thumbs rubbing circles on her knees draws her attention from within herself.

Her eyes finally open. Loki is startled by Bri springing up from the couch to jump excitedly. He quickly stands in front of her with his trademark smirk taking in her antics. Realizing the intimacy of their distance he steps back subtly.

For the first time since meeting her Loki takes notice of Bri’s facial features. He’d never noticed the bronze flecks in her hazel eyes or how they seem to glow when she laughs. Dark brown spots scatter across her face. Thor said they call them “freckles” he thinks. Her round cheeks are accentuated by her smile. Loki contemplates how her hair looks loose as she always wears it in a massive bun in an attempt to contain all of her burnt umber coils.

“I can’t believe I did it! I feel it humming inside me but it doesn’t feel like I’m fighting to keep it in anymore. It feels like the sun is warming my skin all over. It is so nice, Loki.” Bri’s voice sounds wistful with a slight giggle.

“That is most wonderful, Miss Murphy. Does the pain in your head persist?”

Bri halts her happy movements at the question. The pain was gone. It has been a presence for over a year and it’s no longer there. Her eyes fill with the realization.

“It doesn’t hurt,” she chokes out. “Loki, it doesn’t hurt.” Bri sobs in joy. She steps forward towards Loki but he pulls back. Her smile falls slightly but doesn’t pursue him further. “Thank you so much. You’ve given me the most precious gift and I have no idea how I could ever repay you.”

Loki gazes at her for a moment. He had started helping her more for him so she would stop assaulting his mind but he found he enjoyed her company. She is smart, curious, and is guarded around him. Worry sinks in that she will no longer be spending time with him.

“It does feel odd not feeling your presence in my head. I am glad you finally have relief, Miss Murphy.”

“Loki, I swear. You and Thor with your ‘Miss Murphy’ are killing me. Anyway, would it be ok if I still come by in the mornings? I want to know more about my seiðr and what I could possibly do with it.”

Of course it made sense that she would want to learn more but Loki is rattled to find he is saddened that it isn’t his presence she seeked, only his education.

“It would be my pleasure to continue to teach you,” Loki answers with a slight head nod.

“Thank you so much! To be honest, I also like spending time with you. I swear, no one else in this tower actually reads except for Bruce but he is always working.”

The two stand in silence staring at each other. Bri notices Loki’s eyes seem to soften briefly before returning to his steely indifferent stare. The heat searing her face is only slightly noticeable on her dark golden skin.

“Um… Do you mind if we stop here for the day? I want to see if I can be around other people or if it’s just you because I feel safe and trust you.”

Those words hurtle into Loki’s chest. She said it so freely and honestly.

“As you wish, pet. Go see if you are able to tolerate Stark even with your seiðr contained. I still do not know how you did so before this.” Loki moves to sit in his reading nook.

Bri notices he picks up The Twelfth Night to read, clearly being far in his reread. She thanks him once again as she walks out of the apartment.

Jarvis indicates Tony is in the conference room with Steve and has granted her access to the room. Bri hurries and finds herself hesitating at the door. If the control she has at this moment fails then she might hear their thoughts and she isn’t sure she could bear to hear Tony’s lack of faith in her again. Mentally shaking herself she enters the room.

“Hey, kid. We’re just wrapping up here. Take a seat and we can talk after,” Tony turns back to Steve and they continue their conversation.

Bri tries to follow along but notices the longer she spends with them the more her seiðr attempts to reach out. The familiar drum of a headache returns to her dismay after fifteen minutes in the room.

“Alright kid, what brings you down here? Is Loki giving you a hard time?”

“No, he’s been wonderful actually. With his help I was able to fully control my seiðr for the first time today!” Bri expects the men to be as excited as she is about the news but they share an odd look before offering reluctant weary smiles. “What?”

“You called Loki, the god who tried to kill us all, wonderful. We don’t want you getting too close to him, doll.” Steve’s jaw is rigid as he adopts a neutral expression in contrast to Tony’s palpably angry one.

“I know what he did, guys. I’m trying to make the best out of a shitty situation with this whole seiðr now being a part of me and he is the best person to help with it. He has been nothing but kind and has not given me any reason to distrust his current actions. You need to trust me. I’ll catch you guys tomorrow.” Not waiting for their response, she strides out and rushes to the elevator.

Bri considers their words carefully. It’s not like she hadn’t thought about his actions. Thor was her dear friend and she can’t imagine he would allow Loki to hurt her, even if they are brothers. That alone allowed her to put her faith in Loki’s ability to help.

There is also something within her that screams to trust him. Usually her intuition about people is gentle but the call to trust Loki blared in her mind from the moment she met him.

Entering her apartment, guilt wells up within Bri’s chest. No one else besides Thor intends to treat Loki with any amount of kindness. She would have gone crazy if the Avengers and Kat hadn’t visited her so much while she was at Tony’s vacation house and she had access to the whole property.

Thor loves her baking and has complemented it on more than one occasion. Brownies are her favorite treat to make and Thor had yet to try them. Trying to make enough food for one god was a challenge already but she has no idea how much food Loki eats compared to Thor.

Bri settles on a normal sized batch this time and would make larger ones if they liked them next time. Jarvis begins to play her usual baking playlist when she pulls out the supplies. Humming softly, she dances around the room pain free and in her happy place hoping Loki will like them.

Chapter Text

“Not that I don’t appreciate the coffee and pie delivery but I know that’s not really why you’re here at 7am. What’s really going on?” Bri takes the coffee mug being offered to her while leading Sam to her living room.

“I wanted to see for myself how you were doing and I’m glad I did. Is it the whole cedar thing or are your nightmares getting worse?” Sam takes a seat beside his clearly exhausted friend.

The pink sweater she was wrapped in yesterday is one only worn when she’s upset or struggling. Sam has not shared this observation with her nor does he intend to since Bri tends to not share her struggles with the team.

“First, it’s seiðr. Say-der. I've been able to control it better thanks to Loki. And yeah, it’s the Nightmares," her breath hitches. "They’re so much worse. I don’t even bother trying to go back to sleep. It picks up right where I left off when I try,” she confesses, eyes fixed to her fists clenched on her lap.

Sam shifts closer so that he can pull her into an embrace that shatters the tenuous hold Bri has on her composure and she falls apart. Her nightmares have plagued her since childhood but she has yet to confide in Sam about their contents so he accepts to support her like this for now. He gently whispers comforting words hoping she can hear them over her own sobs as his hand rubs her back.

Bri lets herself enjoy the comfort of Sam’s arms for a few moments after she is able to stop crying before leaning back. There is a lightness in her chest taking the place of the heaviness that she hadn’t been aware of. A muted smile accompanies the thanks she offers Sam.

“For you, anything. How are things going with Loki? I heard you’re spending a lot of time with him,” his tone usually filled with insinuation is one of concern instead.

“If you’re asking for Tony you can fuck right off. If you’re asking for yourself, he’s been a great teacher and I would be a mess,” Bri rolls her eyes at the snicker from Sam. “more of a mess without him.”

“That’s all I needed to hear. I am asking for myself. I learned a long time ago to not take his words at face value and fact. I know you have a good head on your shoulders,” the genuine smile Bri shares is encouraging. “I have to go to DC while Steve, Tasha, and Tony are off doing recon. Promise me you’ll call if you need anything at all.”

“Promise to call if I need help,” both knowing Bri won’t call unless in serious danger. “Love you Sammy. Not as much as I love Sarah though. Learn to bake a pie like her and you might become my favorite Wilson,” she laughs.

“I love you too.” Sam stands and pulls Bri up to him to wrap her up in another hug. “Stay out of trouble while we’re gone. I think Loki’s help has been good for you but be careful, ok?” He feels her nod against his chest.

Bri watches Sam leave and sits back down on her couch. Emotional turmoil and exhaustion war for dominance causing her head to throb. To her surprise she finds herself asking Jarvis if Loki is awake.

Upon confirmation, Bri grabs the plate of brownies she made yesterday and walks over to their apartment.

She is greeted by Loki dressed in a finely tailored black three piece suit paired with a deep forest green collared shirt. The black leather dress shoes shine but aren’t too reflective. It’s the first time Bri has seen him in Earth clothes and it short circuits her brain.

“Wow. No armor today? You look pretty. I mean your clothes look pretty. I mean good?” Just kill me now, she thinks.

“I understand your intent, Miss Murphy. Thor suggested you may be more comfortable in my presence if I opted for Midgardian garments. Your attire today is absolutely delightful.” The smirk Loki displays reminds Bri of what she is currently wearing.

In her haze Bri completely forgot to change out of her pajamas. The bubblegum pink sherpa set is a size too big but is the softest she owns. She paired the outfit with plain black slippers, thankful she was at least aware enough to not show up barefoot.

Everyone has been telling her to be careful with what she shares with Loki but Bri can’t help feeling compelled to talk with him. She admits to her lack of sleep from nightmares and bribes him with the brownies to watch a movie adaptation of The Twelfth Night as a way for her to unwind.

Loki accepts the brownie offered to him on a plate with curiosity. Bri tries (and fails) not to watch his mouth as he takes a measured bite of the baked treat. Heat rises to her face when he closes his eyes and hums in pleasure.

Opening his eyes, Loki gazes back to see Bri’s pupils dilated and lips slightly parted. He opens his mouth to comment about her current state but stops short looking at the shadows across the rest of her face.

“This is delectable, Miss Murphy. Thank you so much for this lovely treat.” Loki is rewarded with a shy but bright smile.

Loki walks to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea to compliment the chocolate pastry. The blend he selects brews quickly and he deposits a generous amount into an ornate tea cup.

He indicates the remaining teacup on the counter is hers on his way to the couch holding his own cup and the plate holding the remainder of his brownie. Loki sits in the middle of the sectional at the corner so he could spread out and not crowd Bri no matter where she decides to sit.

When an additional brownie joins the partially eaten one Loki looks up to see Bri’s playful wink. She sits an arm’s length away from him, kicks off her slippers, and swings her legs underneath herself. Bri calls out to Jarvis to dim the lights and play the movie.

Loki finds his attention split between the movie and watching Bri covertly. Her chestnut hair is in a bun of chaotic curls that makes his fingers itch to touch to see if they are as soft as they appear.

The first thirty minutes of the movie Bri manages to remain awake and upright but eventually succumbs to her exhaustion. Her form slowly falls over until she ends up leaning against Loki's arm.

Loki glances down to the sleeping woman in confusion. There had been time to move so she could lay flat but he wanted to remain close to the one person who seems to genuinely enjoy his company.

Bri could have remained in her apartment to attempt more rest or even watch television herself but she chose to seek him out instead and that knowledge is overwhelming to him.

A war of emotions rolls through him, ones that he doesn’t know how to process. He shouldn’t care about this Midgardian. It shouldn’t bother him that she has nightmares every night even though when she has them he can feel the tingle of her seiðr in his mind.

More perplexing to him is he had dismissed the idea of using her against Tony Stark in order to gain his freedom faster. She clearly is important to Stark but the thought of manipulating her leaves an acrid taste in his mouth.

Loki’s thoughts are interrupted but a soft whimper beside him. Bri draws her legs to curl herself even closer to Loki as she begins to shiver. He shifts slightly to pull the throw blanket Thor keeps hidden beneath the sofa. Carefully he places it over Bri and smooths it over her arm in a comforting gesture.

The moment his hand lays on her he is pulled into her dream.

A forest shrouded in the darkness of night manifests around him only lit by a nearly full moon. The unfamiliar location is silent except for the cries of a young child. Loki follows the sound until he locates the tearful child who is oddly familiar.

“Loki?” he crouches down to gaze at the small person who called his name. Leaves and blood matte her hair but the curls and hazel eyes are easily recognizable.

“Yes, sweetheart. Are you ok?”

Child Bri shakes her head and looks down at her bloodied jumper. She loved that blue jumper and it was ruined forever.

“Daddy and Canta are gone! Mama is going to die too and it’s all my fault!” she cries.

Tiny arms wrap around Loki’s neck and he doesn’t hesitate to pull the child closer. Not a thought is given to the dirt and blood now staining his designer suit as she sobs for her family.

“Loki, please stay with me. I’m scared,” Bri’s muffled whimper begs.

“I will stay, Love. I promise,” Loki croons softly as he sits down to allow the child to curl up in his lap.

A drop in temperature pulls Loki’s attention away from Bri. Glowing green mist encroaches on the forest accompanying a sweet cinnamon odor. A sense of calm and comfort settles over the forest.

Bri pulls back to offer Loki a sad smile before he is hurtled out of her dream.

Only a few minutes must have passed despite the hours it felt like in the dream. He moved his hand away from Bri’s arm only for her to whimper until he placed it back. Idly his hand rubs her arm softly.

When the movie ends Loki considers how to occupy his time. Bri has been asleep for 90 minutes with no signs of stirring. To disturb her the least amount as possible he quickly walks to the shelf and blindly selects a book to rejoin her. His hand returns to its previous spot.

Bri wakes from the most restorative sleep she has had in years which seems odd since she’s sleeping on the leather couch. Her thoughts halt as she realizes it isn’t her own couch she fell asleep on but Thor’s while watching a movie with Loki. One eye squints open to try and see if she could locate him.

“I am aware you are awake, Miss Murphy,” a deep voice rumbling next to her.

Bri sits up swiftly glancing down to the blanket that was covering her and then over towards Loki. His arm closest to her lays across the back of the couch and the other hand holds the book he is reading.

“Hi. I can’t believe I fell asleep. How long has it been?” Panic rises when she realizes almost three hours have passed. Bri apologizes profusely for wasting his time.

“It is quite alright. You appeared to have needed the rest. Did you sleep well at least?” Loki asks, curious to see if she was aware of what happened.

“I think I slept better than I have in a long time. Thank you for letting me sleep.” Bri smiles brightly. “So what did you think of the movie?”

Bri is thrilled to find how much he enjoyed the movie. There were even details she had missed in the dozens of times she has seen the movie that Loki managed to catch.

Loki requests another attempt to watch the movie with Bri promising to stay awake. Excitement sparks in her eyes while she suggests a movie marathon instead featuring some of her favorites.

Mouth quirked, he tilts his head in a slight nod. “Agreed. Could I convince you to bake something else for the occasion?”

Before Bri has a chance to respond Thor storms into the apartment loudly calling out his greeting to the pair. The admonishing look Bri throws at him is effective at reminding him to lower his voice around her.

Loki is intrigued by the way Bri interacts with Thor. At times they banter playfully while other times she is able to reign him in when he’s being over the top. Even when she chastises Thor there is no resentment.

“Brother? Did you hear me?” Thor waits until Loki scowls, indicating he heard him before continuing. “I said Lady Sif arrives shortly so we may train together. She will stay the night in my quarters before returning home to Asgard.”

“Thor Odinson, sharing a bed with Sif when your brother is in the next room?” Bri feigns being utterly scandalized.

“I thought better of you, Thor. Does Lady Sif know of your intentions?” Despite his grave tone the twitch on the corner of his mouth gives away his amusement to Bri.

They enjoy the flush consuming Thor’s face as he attempts to clarify his original statement. They agree with him while winking at each other exaggeratedly to suggest they don’t believe him.

Bri eventually is the one who breaks. Through laughter she explains that she and Loki know what he meant. Thor chuckles as he observes how Loki doesn’t appear as guarded around Bri as he is with anyone else, including himself.

“Miss Murphy, you appear in exceptional spirits this day or perhaps in the entirety we have been friendly. Does this indicate improved control over your seiðr or did something else occur?”

“I didn’t get to tell you yesterday! I can stop myself from trying to reach people subconsciously for the most part. You were right. Loki is an amazing teacher and I can’t thank you enough for suggesting he could help. I actually made you guys brownies as a thank you.”

Thor doesn’t wait for further invitation as he shoves an entire brownie into his mouth. If his focus wasn’t on devouring as many as inhumanely possible he would notice the momentary look of awe that flashes across Loki’s face in response to Bri's compliments.

The plate sits empty, even of crumbs to Bri’s surprise. Thor thanks her again and quickly heads to his room. He reemerges dressed in his full Asgardian armor and carrying Mjølnir proclaiming he will bring a pizza back with him after his training with Sif is complete. The whirlwind that is Thor departs leaving Bri and Loki staring at the now closed apartment door.

“That was… a lot,” Bri sighs with a chuckle. “Are you up for actual training today? It’s ok if you don’t want to. I’ve already taken up your morning.”

“I would be delighted to continue training if you so desire. I have felt your attempts to enter my mind at various times since you left yesterday. It would be prudent to focus on control in all circumstances.”

Loki’s plan is simple. Bri needs to remain in control when Loki tries to scare, hurt, and startle her. Recalling a similar scenario in an anime she had seen she suggests a movie.

The movie they selected to put her on edge was a suspense/horror flick she had been terrified to watch, even during Avengers’ movie night when everyone was present. Somehow with just Loki sitting with her she was actually enjoying it and found herself moving closer to him during a tense moment.

Loki faces the television but watches Bri out of the corner of his eye. Needing to be close enough to touch her without her noticing meant she needed to be close but he was not expecting her to move even closer as if seeking comfort. He allows himself to indulge in her warmth before beginning his assault.

“Ah! Damnit Loki!” It takes the entirety of his willpower to not laugh at her glare at being pinched on her arm.

“You lost control,” he murmurs without taking his eyes away from the television. A huff is the only response he receives.

Over the next hour Loki discovers what affects Bri’s control more than others. He thoroughly enjoys her startled noises and flares of anger she displays but her control improves. Even his cold hand hovering behind her neck no longer elicits a reaction.

It’s not until the end of the movie where the love interest sacrifices himself that she loses control again. The massive spike in seiðr felt in his mind is crushing as the tears flow freely down her face. Sniffling soon gives way to full sobbing.

The usual pain of a headache is anticipated but Bri is surprised by the burning and tingling dancing across her skin. In desperation she leans into Loki and wraps her arms around his torso.

Loki freezes at the contact. Carefully he encloses her in his arms and gently rubs her back as she cries.

He realizes he has never had to comfort anyone before and doesn’t know if he should be doing more or saying something. He isn’t the person anyone seeks out for anything other than fun or for power. Until this day he has never had someone he wanted to comfort.

Bri pulls tighter as her sobs die down to the occasional whimper with Loki mirroring her actions. Even when she relaxes her hold he lets her sink into his embrace.

The shutters finally stop but Bri feels reluctant to let go of Loki. Everyone treats her differently and she finds herself comforting them when she says they can’t help her. It’s exhausting.

Leaning back slightly to peer down to his courageous pupil Loki queries, “Do you care to discuss it, darling?”

“No. This helped though. Thanks,” Bri whispers as she dares to peek up into his eyes that darkened to a forest green.

“Then we shall sit like this until you have fully settled. Just say the words when you’re ready,” the usual bite on his words is completely absent.

Bri nods against the soft silky fabric of the black vest Loki wears. His discarded jacket lays carefully draped along the back of the couch next to him. Loki’s chest is muscular but not bulky like Thor’s.

Loki’s scent is a combination of pine, smoke, and cinnamon that somehow smells warm yet has the bite of a cold day. Bri inhales deeply once more before releasing Loki completely.

Reluctantly Loki withdraws his arms and offers Bri a small smile. The one she returns carries her thanks but is in contrast to the heartbreak haunting her eyes.

“Back with me, Miss Murphy, I see. Would you be opposed to partaking in more movies of the lighthearted ilk instead of training for the remainder of the day? After scaring you for the last hour and a half it would be pleasant to hear your laughter instead.”

Bri pauses to consider the request. Whether the reason is truthful or not, she really had no desire to train after the emotional turmoil of the last few hours. She nods in agreement and picks up the remote to put on her favorite show starting from the first episode. Settling back into the couch she pulls the blanket around her again as the intro starts.

“Brother! Miss Murphy! I have returned with Lady Sif and pizza!”

Somehow Thor announces his arrival into his own home louder than when he enters other people’s space and it is beginning to grate on Bri. She debates asking Jarvis to announce Thor’s impending arrivals so they don’t scare her as much.

While Sif and Thor deposit the pizza in the kitchen and gather tableware Bri thanks Loki for a mostly pleasant day.

“It was my pleasure Miss Murphy. I would greatly enjoy watching more of Bob's Burgers with you. Perhaps we could end our seiðr training with an episode or two from this point forward.”

Bri easily agrees and not just because she'll use any excuse to watch the show. The pair rise to join Sif and Thor at the dining room table now that it was set.

Loki glares at the gooey cheese pizza slice before him. He doesn’t trust Thor in the slightest about the validity that the mass is edible. Only after Bri takes a bite of hers does he cautiously bite into the slice.

A barely audible moan of appreciation escapes Loki that draws Bri’s eyes to him. When he gathers himself and peers over at her she averts her gaze and focuses on her own pizza. She tries to focus on her face that is rapidly warming in embarrassment.

Dinner passes with easy conversation with minimal comments from Loki to Bri’s unease. He seems more closed off in the presence of Thor and certainly Sif though his eyes do light with humor when he finds out about the bet he lost with Tony that resulted in Thor having to bow to him in greeting for a month.

After dinner is finished Bri offers to clean up. Thor and Sif bid her goodnight as they head to his room so she can shower and he grabs linen and pillows to sleep on the couch.

Alone once again, Loki joins Bri in the kitchen as she finishes loading the dishwasher. Her logical brain tells her she should be concerned that he is able to sneak up on her so silently but all she finds is comfort in his presence.

Bri turns to Loki to find his expression pensive and somewhat perplexed. “What’s wrong?”

“I have traveled across the nine realms, hunted fantastical beasts, seen civilizations born and die, and entertained all manner of folk. To my bewilderment, doing little more than watching the television and chatting with you without use of my seiðr has been one of the more enchanting days I have experienced.”

The hushed confession sets a glow within Bri. She has not had as exciting of a life as Loki, she was unable to recall a day where she felt this in peace.

“I understand what you mean, truly. I’ll work on a list of movies, shows, and books we should try to get through before - ” Bri stops mid sentence at the uncomfortable twinge at the thought of Loki leaving. She considers talking him into promising to visit if he is allowed but opts to save that conversation for later.

“Only if I may share a selection of my favorites.”

“Deal. Night, Loki. I really did have a great day.”

“Good night, Miss Murphy. I shall see you tomorrow.”

Chapter Text

Jarvis informs Bri that Tony, Steve, and Natasha are assembling at the launch pad for their reconnaissance mission. Quickly donning running sneakers, Bri hurries to the elevator to catch them before the =y leave

The doors open to find the three Avengers looking in curiosity at the new pajama clad arrival.

“Morning! I missed sending you guys off when I was upstate,” she yells over the gusting winds as she jogs over to the group.

The slight smile Natasha wears as Bri approaches her grows when she wraps her into a rough hug to whisper, “I missed them too. If you tell anyone I said that I’ll deny it.” She pulls back and winks.

“Be good, kiddo. Be careful and don’t let your guard down.” Tony offers Bri a side hug before pushing her towards Steve.

“Be safe Stevie and please keep Natasha from killing Tony,” Bri laughs in to his chest. He pulls back to look at her before barking his laughter.

“I will do my best but there is no chance of saving him if she really wanted to. Be safe yourself hun. Get some sleep. You look terrible.”

The silence that descends on the group is only interrupted by the loud slap to the back of the head Tony delivers. Natasha all but drags Steve to the Quinjet shouting her goodbye. Tony’s snort and two finger salute match Bri’s salute as he boards.

Returning to her apartment Bri heads straight to the bathroom to check the mirror for the horrors that apparently adorn her face. Steve was right. Her eyes are swollen with dark circles beneath.

That knowledge still doesn't make her regret hitting Steve in the arm at his thoughtless comment. A snicker slips out as she recalls the kidney shot Natasha landed once they reached the entrance to the Quinjet.

5am seems too early to barge into Thor’s apartment, especially with Sif staying with them, so Bri instructs Jarvis to notify her when all of the Asgardians are awake and dressed. With a huff she sits at the desk in her library with her tablet and laptop to read the newest medical journal studies with hopes of being inspired.

Stretching her achy hands, Bri stares at her notes in frust are open on the desk as Bri is referencing information from a promising study when Jarvis’ voice startles her. He apologizes before relaying that the inhabitants of Thor’s suite are presentable and anticipating her arrival.

Bri looks at the clock and is surprised to find that almost five hours have passed. After a quick shower she dons cream leggings and a rich blue cable knit sweater dress. It’s wash day so she doesn’t bother doing anything more than throwing her hair into an oversized messy bun of curls.

“Miss Murphy! As always, I am glad to see you although you do not look well.” Before Bri could calculate a response, Sif slaps Thor in the back of the head while scoffing.

“Thor, why in the nine realms would you think it acceptable to tell a woman she appears ill?” Sif rolls her eyes as he realizes his gaff.

“That was not my intent! Miss Murphy, my apologies. I just meant… I mean… You look…” the sputtering god looks to Loki for help but all he receives is a slow head shake. Loki knows better than to step on the landmine.

“It’s fine Thor. I know what you mean. I woke up early to see Tony, Steve and Natasha off and am a bit tired.” Bri assesses his attire. “Training again?”

“I am told we are to spar with daggers in the place known as Central Park. From there I shall return home.”

Bri does not miss the flash of anger or is it jealousy? that flashes in Loki’s eyes at the mention of daggers. She recalls Thor mentioning his mastery and enjoyment of the weapons.

Now that she has a moment to think about it, Loki is known for his seiðr also. It was seen as a precaution but knowing what she knows of Loki, denying him access to his seiðr is a punishment worse than imprisonment.

The shift of mood in the atmosphere drives Thor and Sif to hurry out of the apartment after Sif agrees to a girls’ day next time she visits. Bri steals a glance at Loki before exclaiming she needs to grab something from her residence that she forgot.

Announcing her return, Bri beckons Loki to join her in the kitchen where she lays out an array of ingredients.

“You’ve had brownies but I’m going to introduce you to warm brownies which are a whole nother realm of wonderful.”

The Asgardian prince is fascinated by how effortless Bri makes the baking process appear. He surmises the recipe must be one she uses often by the lack of hesitation when measuring out the ingredients.

Outside of the occasional question about an ingredient, a comfortable silence settles as Bri completes the batter and places it in two pans. After Jarvis signals the oven is preset, Bri places the pans carefully on the rack.

“We have around 15-20 minutes to kill. What is the plan for today anyway? I mean, besides the brownies.” Bri smiles.

“Those already smell divine, Miss Murphy,” Loki enjoys the shy smile he receives from the normally confident woman. “Now that you are proficient in keeping your seiðr drawn to you we can now focus on finding out how else you can wield it.”

In the whirlwind of learning what the power is and how to not hurt herself Bri hadn’t considered the possibility of doing more. A mental list of questions and possible abilities form quickly.

Loki is fascinated by watching how all encompassing it is when Bri thinks. It’s almost as if she uses every single part of her body. Her thumb taps each finger on one hand rhythmically . Her lips ever so slightly mouth words silently. He is content to just let her work through her thoughts.

“Oops. Sorry. I got lost for a second. You have more experience in this. What do you think is something I could most likely do?”

"I discern that your seiðr manifests through telepathy. A fitting approach, given its origin in the mind stone. Telepathy is the most rudimentary form of such control, for it allows for communication on a level that transcends mere words. With the power to project your thoughts into the minds of others, you may readily ascertain their innermost workings and secrets. What say you to starting there?"

Jarvis’ disembodied voice signals the completion of the baked goods. The pans are placed on top` of the stove to cool.

“Ok. I want to try but first, brownies and milk time.”

Still warm brownies are served to loki on a plate with a fork. A large glass of milk sits in front of him. From the skeptical look in his eye, she realizes Loki has never had the beverage before. He takes a careful bite and closes his eyes in pleasure. Bri tries not to stare as he licks his lips. She is fixated on his adam’s apple when he opens his eyes.

The familiar glint of mischief dances in his eyes as Loki debates on how he should tease her on the blatant ogling but he hesitates. This day has been so pleasant he doesn't want to spoil it so he instead opts to lavishly complement the treat instead.

To avoid just watching Loki eat, Bri cleans up the last bit of the kitchen. She then turns her attention to putting one of the pans of brownies in a plastic container after serving one more to Loki

“These are for you. Hide them in your room. I want you to be able to enjoy these without Thor eating them all on you again.”

Loki stiffly nods and huffs a thanks to Bri as he takes the container and hides it in his room. It allows him time to absorb her words and actions. Unlike with most people, she put Loki before Thor to make sure he had something for himself.

Requesting Bri join him on the couch, Loki sits down in the middle. When she sits to his right he turns to face her completely.

“Miss Murphy, I want to thank you for the brownies. They are truly delicious, and your thoughtfulness means a great deal to me. It is rare to encounter such kindness in this realm, and I am genuinely touched by your gesture. Thank you,” sincerity shines through his features.

Being around Loki is bound to cause whiplash with the change of his moods. Bri is worried that she is annoying him with her presence but at least he is trying to help still.

“Let us return to our plan for the day. We know that you possess the ability to enter people's minds, but this time we shall do it with intention. As for the blanket you mentioned earlier, I want you to focus on visualizing a single string emanating from your finger, and then wrap it around my head. Be mindful not to aim for the throat, just to be safe,” he chuckles with a wink.

Bri focuses on the warm gold within her mind, where the seiðr resides. The tingling moves through her chest and down her arm. Seiðr thrums in her arm, begging to explode and ensure her safety. Drawing back until there is a small spark in just her finger she releases a small golden string.

“Loki! I made the string!” Bri looks at the shimmering soft thread as it continues to extend. Embodying serpentlike movement, the string slithers towards Loki. She is so enthralled in the glowing string she almost misses the flash of pride across his face before resuming his usual mask of indifference.

Bri focuses on the golden thread’s movement, willing it to surround Loki’s head. The string floats in a circle and settles like a crown on his raven black hair.

“Well done, Miss Murphy.”

“I did it?!”

“I am not speaking out loud right now. Try speaking to me through the connection. Not everyone who can read minds or hear thoughts is able to.”

Bri considers his words and realizes how much she wants that extra connection. Do I just push my thoughts through the string? Maybe I somehow throw my thoughts at him like a bra at a concert.

"Pray tell, is throwing a bra considered a ceremonial act in this realm? And if so, where exactly are these undergarments thrown? Do the wearers of said bras retrieve them at the end of the show? I must say, the customs of mortals never cease to amaze and bewilder me."

Unsure of what had allowed her to speak telepathically Bri continues nervously, “Um, it’s a thing at a concert sometimes. I’ve never done it. Anyway, this is amazing. I could do so much in the field with telepathy. I can’t wait show everyone!” Her mind begins to wonder to how she could be useful to the Avengers in a whole new way.

“Hold off on telling the rest of the Avengers about this specific power,” Loki interrupts the frenzied thoughts being hurtled at him. “Let us tread carefully here. Of all the seiðr abilities, the power to control others' minds is the most feared. And in this particular case, there is an added layer of complexity, given that I am your instructor. It is possible that others may suspect my intentions for aiding you, and that could give rise to fear and mistrust of your abilities, rather than celebration.”

The memory of Tony thinking Loki would manipulate her the day before she started training with him comes to the front of her mind. A heaviness settles in her chest as she accepts he is correct in his assessment. All she can muster is a small head nod in agreement.

Learning how to converse telepathically took less time than Loki anticipated. He scolds himself for not taking into account that she already displayed more advanced skills, even if she isn’t aware she is doing it. He’d have to thank Lady Sif more sincerely for bringing a book about telepathy sorcery among others for him.

Loki retrieves the book, paper, and pen before joining Bri back on the couch. They continue to communicate strictly through their minds to strengthen her confidence until she is able to do so without having to visualize the threat around him. Through Loki’s translations of various Asgardian texts the pair is able to identify a comprehensive list of psychic manipulations Bri would like to explore further.

The cheerful but obnoxiously loud greeting called out by Thor slices through the comfortable silence, sending Bri into a panic. Loki grimaces at the sudden pressure of her seiðr in his mind. To his surprise the pressure is removed almost as quickly as he sensed it. His mouth quirks in a half smile as his head tilts in silent acknowledgement of Bri regaining control so rapidly.

His smile fades as be observes the subtle shift in her posture that is now slightly hunched over. Tension courses through his body as he glares at Thor ready to unleash on his thoughtlessness but is stopped by a soft voice in his mind.

“It’s ok. I was just startled.” Loki relaxes slightly in response.

Mouth full of brownies Thor lavishing praise once again. He clunks loudly over to where she and Loki sit glancing at the stack of books and scattered papers. He asks how the day was and if anything had been accomplished besides reading. Slight unease slides through Bri at the thought of lying.

“It seems we have successfully unraveled the mysteries of Miss Murphy's telepathic abilities. Together, we have compiled a list of skills she hopes to acquire, as well as a few that I myself have suggested she attempt,” Bri stares at Loki in shock. He hadn’t lied to Thor when he easily could have. Sure, he omitted some information but that wasn’t the same.

“Thank you Loki.” One corner of his lips quirks in silent acknowledgement.

“I have no doubt with your tutelage she will be an excellent sorceress, brother.” Thor beams proudly.

Clearly uncomfortable with the praise Loki rolls his eyes and gathers the books and papers scattered across the coffee table. The list they created is placed in his favorite beginners book before carrying the pile over to his reading nook.

Bri looks at her phone and is surprised to find how late it is. She had spent over five hours researching with Loki but it only felt like a half hour at most. The grumbling in her stomach reminded her that she hasn’t eaten anything since this morning after returning from the roof.

“I am heading back to my place. I’ll see you guys in the morning, ok?”

“Might I make a request? Would it be possible for you to establish a mind-to-mind link with me before we commence our activities tomorrow, so that we may speak in confidence? It is my understanding that my dear brother Thor will be joining us for the day.”

“Of course.”

“Sleep well, Miss Murphy! I look forward to watching you learn how to wield your seiðr with the assistance of my brother.”

“Good night, guys.” her eyes soften ever so slightly when they shift from Thor to Loki.

“Pleasant dreams, Miss Murphy,” the words carrying more weight than just pleasantries. Loki nods his head slightly as he takes his leave to his room.

The connection that was in place all day dissolves in a shimmer leaving Bri with a wave of loneliness. She smiles but can’t will it to reach her eyes as she turns to leave.

Back in her apartment Bri finds her phone on her end table in the living room. The flashing red notification indicator draws her attention to the fact she hadn’t had her phone all day and didn’t notice.

Messages from Steve, Kat, Sam, Pepper, and Natasha clog the notification bar. She fires off responses to her concerned friends.

The lack of message from Tony only confirms her suspicion that he had Jarvis watching her. She debates on calling him out but decides to just let it go for now. If it starts to bother her more she could always reach out to Pepper.

Just as she was about to start cooking the phone buzzes again with a new message. This time it is from Chef Chantelle to let her know she made her something special and to come pick it up before Thor finds out about it.

Laughing, Bri heads down to the cafeteria. Usually when most of the Avengers aren’t there the chef has the day off.

Chef Chantelle grins and heads to the table holding a steaming plate of food. She places it down gently and pulls Bri into her usual mama bear hug. “It's just so good to see you with those clear eyes. I won't lie, I was mighty worried 'bout you for a spell. Why don't you come on over here and sit down? Let's catch up and have a little chat!”

Bri sits in front of the plate holding her favorite comfort meal. “Miss Elle, you didn’t have to do this for me. This is too much work just for me,” she chokes out.

“Oh, sugar, don't you be talkin' nonsense now. You know you're my absolute favorite, and I'll tell Mr. Stark himself if I have to. Besides, I've missed having you down here somethin' fierce. Now, spill the beans, hon. Is it true that Thor's brother's been lendin' you a hand?”

Not missing the clear concern in the older woman’s face Bri stiffens. “Yes. He’s an excellent mentor. He has been so patient with me and thoughtful with his advice. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

Elle sits in contemplative silence as Bri takes a bite of mac & cheese. “You aren’t scared of him,” she says as a statement rather than a question.

“No. Everyone keeps telling me I should be scared or worried he will manipulate me,” Bri sighs while looking down. A pale wrinkled hand reaches out and settles on Bri’s shoulder.

“Oh, honey, I've been watchin' you struggle for more than a year now, and it just breaks my heart. But anyone who helps bring you back to us can't be all bad, now can they?” she offers.

“It’s weird. I actually feel.. Relaxed? No. I’d say I’m more at peace around him than with anyone I’ve ever met which doesn’t make sense.” Bri steals a look towards Elle worried she’ll find fear or worry on her face. Instead she sees understanding.

"Well, I ain't gonna lie to you and say that it makes any kind of sense, sugar. The person who brought so much destruction to New York suddenly bringin' peace? That sounds like some kinda magic to me. But hey, maybe that's just what you need. Maybe once you get a handle on your own magic, it can help with those nightmares of yours. Have you talked to him about 'em, hon? Perhaps he's got some suggestions or somethin'."

Bri shakes her head as she continues to eat, enjoying the sweet ham and garlic green beans. Her mind drifts with each bite.

In the near 20 years Elle has known her, Bri’s read on people has never been wrong. The ability to sense health status often overshadows her intuition about people to such a degree that Elle doubts Bri even realizes the talent. There is little chance of Elle not worrying at all but she is now more at ease with Bri training with Loki.

The women chat about Elle’s family and newest grandchild from the son Bri grew up with. Elle laughs freely and tells Elle about all she hopes to be able to do with her magic, promising a special show when she is able to do something visual. The plate is long empty when Thor walks in to eat.

Elle stands to gather Thor’s plates. “I couldn’t make food just for Bri even though she’s my favorite,” she winks at Bri. “Sit and I’ll bring the plates to you.”

Each large plate holds a different food item. They have long established a rule that Elle would make a plate of each and then Thor would cook round two once he finished eating.

Bri bids the pair farewell after receiving a hug from Elle. She swears the older woman’s hugs contain all of the love she holds in her tiny five foot two inch body.

It feels like it’s been a lifetime since she’s felt any peace and Bri isn’t ready for the day to end. Finding her earbuds she throws on her favorite playlist of pop and R&B music. What starts as an attempt to clean her apartment quickly falls apart as she is lost to the music. Her hips swing and gyrate to the beat as she belts out the song after song into the broom handle.

The one person concert ends with Gorilla by Bruno Mars. She is so engrossed in the song that she doesn’t realize how loud she’s singing until the final notes when her voice echoed over the fading music.

Bri puts her supplies away and grabs a book to bring to bed. Foregoing the overhead crystal chandelier lighting she turns on the side table lamp and settles into the covers for the night.

---

When Bri wakes up she gently probes Loki’s mind to see if he is awake.

Through their link Loki told Bri since she wanted to avoid mind control of any sort that she would have to learn more advanced skills. She had no idea how difficult it would be, especially with Thor around.

It has been three hours and all she has accomplished is not murdering Thor which is actually impressive. Even with over a millenia dealing with his noise Loki seems frustrated with him too.

“Do you think we can stop for the day? I don’t want to be the cause of an intergalactic war because I killed Thor but if I have to hear him chewing for a minute longer I won’t care.”

Loki’s snicker morphs into a convincing cough. “Certainly my lady.I cannot help but envy your ability to escape these trying circumstances.”

Speaking out loud Loki stands up from the couch. "Miss Murphy, we have been working long and hard today, and I fear that if we continue at this pace, you will become burned out. I suggest you go home and relax for the remainder of the day. If you find yourself awake early tomorrow, feel free to wake me up, and we can practice without disturbing Thor. Your progress has been impressive, but even the most diligent of students require rest and rejuvenation.”

"Brother, I have received word from Tony that we are to convene for a meeting in the morning to discuss what they have found. If it pleases you, we can collect Miss Murphy after the meeting."

Bri wonders how early the meeting could be if Tony is expected to be there and speak somewhat coherently. While agreeing with Thor verbally she links to Loki to tell him she will talk with him in the morning to see if they could train at her apartment instead.

“I’m heading out. Don’t have too much fun without me,” she smiles at Thor who shares a wide grin. Loki’s scoff only makes her smile more.

The gods bid her farewell as she dashes to the elevator. Jarvis confirms Bruce is in the lab as if the man is ever anywhere else.

“Hey Brucie. What are you up to?” Bri walks into the research lab while putting on her white lab coat.

Bruce glances up from the vials of milky blue substances scattered in front of him at the sound of her voice. His Other stirs just beneath the surface in excitement hoping to be released.

“Brigid, I wasn’t expecting you for a few hours. What brings you down so early?” He bumps shoulders with Bri in greeting.

She sighs heavily, “I was supposed to start more advanced training today but it requires too much concentration than I can muster with Thor around. I swear he even blinks loudly.”

“There is a reason he is not allowed in here. He always manages to rile up my Other and I refuse to replace the doors again when he can’t manage to leave as he wants,” amusement fills his voice recalling Tony’s complaints about the new doors. “Come closer. I want to show you something.” She walks over to the bench where he is pointing to the vials.

“These are various versions of a potential medication compound for your delivery system. I was hoping we could work on the delivery system more now that you’ll be here longer.”

“Sounds great. You know the deal though.” Bri looks at him expectantly.

Bruce shakes his head slightly as his Other stirs again. “Jarvis, protocol Gigi please.”

“Invite and driver standby sent to Kathrine Lahey. Pizza on order to be delivered in 4 hours. Now playing Gigi’s lab playlist. Will there be anything else, sir?”

“That is more than enough. Thank you. Let’s get to work, Brigid.”