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Chapter Text

Hiding in my room, pacing up and down, I construct a text message to my Dad. 
I fear facing him after what Peter and I did to his prototype. Surely he won’t be that mad. Right?

*Text Message*

Isla: Dad, hypothetically, if Peter and I were to have broken the Arc Reactor Prototype... how would you feel, and what would you do? Hypothetically, of course…

Billionaire Father: Isla!!!!! You have only been back here for less than 24 hours, and considering I have a massive meeting tomorrow, that was my only prototype at hand since Morgan took the other one in for show and tell... which ended up getting bedazzled during arts and crafts. I’d say hypothetically, y'all better run and beg Jarvis and Bruce to make one asap!!!!!!!
Better bring us coffee 😒🙃

Isla: ON WAY ASAP LOVE YOU!

Billionaire Father: Ohhh, and consider yourself grounded!

Isla: But Dad, I’m 24. You can’t still ground me, come on!

Billionaire Father: I may not be able to ground you anymore, psychically, kid, but I am going to tell Fury you are ready for your chat! 

Isla: NOOO PLSSSS I TOLD YOU I WILL TALK TO FURY MYSELF. Dad, DON’T YOU DARE ...... I’ll clean all your sunglasses for 2 weeks and your cars!!!!

Billionaire Father: Knew you’d crack 🤣I’ll leave my sunnies and keys on the kitchen countertop.

*Few hours later*

Billionaire Father: Stop sulking, Isla, and come to the living room. All the rest of the team are back from their mission. I want them to finally meet my stubborn child.

*Walking into the living area*

“Team, I know some have had the misfortune to already know them, but for those of you who haven’t, I want to introduce you to…” Gesturing to me. As soon as I see Nat, I run into her arms.

“AUNT NAT!” Noticing over Aunt Nat's shoulder. “Uncle Clint, Uncle Bruce! How have you all been?” Both men grin from ear to ear, giving a nod that they are well. 

“We’re Good Trouble.” Uncle Clint's silly nickname for me.
“As I was about to say until I was interrupted. This is my oldest Daughter, Isla”. 
Everyone’s eyes are already on me… I hate being the center of attention. “Hi, Nice to meet you all.”
“Hello, Miss Stark. I am…”  Letting out a giggle. As THE Captain America takes my hand and firmly shakes it. 

“Captain America! Hi Steve, nice to finally meet you. I feel like I know you all already. Dad has told me so much about you all.”  I make my way around the room offering my hand to shake. 
“Sam, Bucky, Wanda, Pietro, Yelena, Kate, Thor, and mmmhh I don’t think I can quite put my finger on your name… Wait, oh yeah.” Turning to Dad. “That’s Reindeer Games! Mr Thinks he is all full of Mischief, and I can take over the world energy? Logan? No wait, Loki, that's it.” Isla glares at Loki, giving him a grin full of mischief and a bit of anger. 

Nearly being knocked off my feet, with a slap to my back. “HAHAHAHA Oh, good one, Lady Isla. I feel like we will most definitely get along. Brother do, lighten up. You did attack her loved ones a few years ago.”

I still place my hand out to try to be respectful to him. After Thor nudges him, he returns the offer. I CANNOT believe they live with this guy after everything he has done. How do they even feel safe with him here?

“Stark, how come we never knew of Isla before? Where is that accent from, Doll?”

“Scotland, Buck. My Mum and I live in Glasgow. I have stayed there my whole life. Living a secret life as Tony Stark’s daughter here, but in Scotland I am a normal kid from a rough area.” Feels weird every time I go to open up to people after keeping both lives so separate. 
“I would love to get to know you all. I am almost all unpacked. If any of you want, we can catch up soon here or wherever you all hang out, and we can chat.” Pep and Dad follow me to help me unpack a little faster. 

We walk back to the living area where everyone is sitting around with Dad’s favorite meal. Shawarma. It is really a surreal feeling being here, with them all. Normally, those who knew of me just come to visit Glasgow to minimize my involvement with the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. I always knew one day I would most probably be ready for this, but I wanted it on my terms. I lived a semi-normal life with my Mum before I have to join this chaotic life. I guess now is the time for this part of my life to begin. I hope I don’t fuck up and get us all killed.

“Hey, Sis, we ordered you some food if you are hungry.” Peter has become a little brother to me; he belongs in this family. 
“Thanks, Pete. Can I sit next to you, Wanda? Is that okay?” Wanda shimmies her bum over to create more room for me and shines me the brightest smile I think I have ever seen. 
“So… I’m shit at letting people get to know me. Ehh, I guess if anyone has any questions, go ahead.” Silence falls over the group for a second before Kate speaks up. 

“What was it like growing up in Scotland? I know there are so many differences to American Culture.” Kate seems so sweet. I can’t wait to get to know her. 

“Well, I guess an important thing to put out there is that we speak a whole lot faster than most people. I tone my accent and speed down a lot in front of others out of habit. A lot of people who aren’t familiar with Scots don’t seem to quite understand us. So feel free at any point to stop me if you don’t catch what I’m trying to say.” Speeding up the last part of my sentence to test the waters and give a glimpse to the team of what I mean. 
“Also, we use a lot of swearing, different slang, and we love a wind-up. A joke. We have a particular dark humor from time to time.” The group let out a laugh. A few eyes shot Cap a look. Knowing fine well, I am in for a few telling-offs in the future for sure. 

“What is your Mom’s family like?” I turn to Yelena, smiling at the thought of my family back home. 

“Well, it is complicated. My Mum,Lucy, remarried to my stepdad, Ben, when I was around ten. I guess I am fortunate enough that I don’t just have the family that brought me into this world. But I have a great extended family. Mum has always brought me up to believe that you meet your family along the way in this life. My Mum is an only child. I grew up with my Gran, who gave up everything to help bring me up in Scotland… I owe everything to her, and I like to think everything I do in this life will honor her sacrifice.” 
My eyes start welling up thinking of the Mother figures I have lost. 

“In my stepfamily, I have Step Uncle and Step Aunt. My Aunt is married with three kids, and my Uncle is divorced with two kids. I’m the oldest of them all. I love spending time with all the littles, and my step-grandpa is a widower. My Step Nan was a big part of my life too. Not doing well in the Grandparent department, pretty sparse.” I let out a laugh, and so did Dad. I look at him, not knowing really what else to say. I don’t like to mention much about them, since they live quiet lives. 

“Honey, why don’t you tell them about you in school. One of the reasons Barton calls you Trouble.” I uncontrollably let out a loud laugh, thinking of all the shit I got into trouble for back then. 

“Ehh, half of the mischief I got up to was well validated. Hoff of those teachers deserved it! Right, when I was in High School, I took loads of different subjects throughout my five years there, but I’ll just tell you the funny ones I got into trouble with. I had Drama, against my will, Art, and Biology, I think, were the main ones… Well, in High School, at least. We will not talk about my feud with my Primary 7 teacher.”
Dad translates into what that would be in American Grade. 
“So in Drama, I originally chose Dance, but the teacher wouldn’t stop getting up to the duff. Pregnant.” 
Laughs burst out at the Scottish reference to being pregnant. 

“So I had to take Drama, because I was not about to take double lessons of Gym or double Mathematics, since I was already asked to drop the second-lowest level. Since I’m that stupid, the teacher just so happened to leave the answer sheet at my table so I’d pass. Back to my point about Drama, I got told off by the teacher that I was monotone, I couldn’t do accents for shit, and I read too slow… Oh, by the way, I have Dyslexia. Just no one caught on until I was in university.” I notice a confused Thor. 

“When I read, it takes forever for my brain to unravel the words in front of me. Some describe it as if your letters are mixed or backwards, kinda.” He nods slowly, trying to figure it out… I will explain it to him later, ahah. 
“So I got to a point in school that I was just there for a wind-up, messing with her a few times. Until I met my new seat. The cupboard… That bitch sensed me walk into her class by the second year I had her and wouldn’t even look at me, would instantly tell me to go into the cupboard. Bitch knew fine well I’d just slag her.” Dad says, ‘Make fun of her.’  

“The full time, so valid on her behalf. Got her back, though. When it came to her beloved shows, the Drama class would put on every summer. Could she fuck find any of her important costumes that I hid from her?” Laughter fills the room at my bluntness; even my cap doesn’t bother telling me off. Can’t tell a story without swearing; it adds to the fun. 

“Art is a whole 10-part series that Woman Hates the Ground I Walk On. She denies even teaching me. I think I traumatized her that much. I’ll keep it short in case I bore you all. I was resisting Art. I started giving up on education. I was now failing the class for the second time, until the teacher wrongfully isolated me at a table by myself and told me I would amount to nothing, and she was going to get me kicked from the class. Bear this in mind up until this point: hand on my heart, I had never caused trouble in this class; I never troubled teachers until they annoyed me. I went home and googled ‘smart Art words to describe things’ and remembered all the words, and I started slapping them in sentences. God knows if I was using them right, but to my surprise, I got my first ever full marks on my homework. The glory was short-lived. the bitch accused me of cheating, so I showed her what determination to prove her wrong gets you. I sat my prelim. My test exam to see what I might get in the real one. Got the only full marks within my resit class; the teacher accused me again of cheating. I let her rant the full time, saying she will report me to the education board, that I will have all my previous awards taken from me, and that I will be refused entry and my upcoming ones. First off bitch I am in a resit class for a reason. I got three F’s last year, and little did she know I had something up my sleeve that would bring her down a peg. I told her to go get the head of the Art department, a man who has been backing me up the whole time I raged my war with her. Knowing fine well, I probably was being a menace to her, but I knew I was never going to cheat. He walks in, addresses her in front of the full class, lets her give her statement of basically I’m a cheating bitch. He lets her finish before she asks me. 
‘Isla, where were you sitting in your exam?’ 
‘Front row, sir, next to the wall.’ 
‘And this is a severe accusation to bring to my attention, is it not? So we would have to investigate how you cheated and who was not doing their due diligence to make sure you couldn’t cheat.’
For context, we normally have people called invigilators who are normally old people, walking up and down, making sure we don’t cheat. 
‘Isla, can you please tell me who was stationed in front of you for the FULL EXAM?’ 
‘You sir.’
‘So, Miss Clarence, not only have you now accused one of the only students in your class who has shown potential in passing a resit. You are now accusing the head of this department of allowing said student to cheat. I think it would be best if you just leave this as it is before you regret it.” 

Everyone burst into laughter. Thankfully, I was so nervous that I was ranting too much and was boring everyone. 
 
“Doll, I wouldn’t think you to be the outgoing and misbehaved type.” I tilt my head. 

“Bucky, have you met my Dad? If you heard the stories, my Mum got up to in school, in her day, teachers could hit you, and believe me, she hit back.” 

I feel a little more at ease. I hate the feeling of awkwardness. The rest of the night, people took turns telling me their stories, so I decided to take a step back from mine. I always have the fear that I take up too much space. I only answer direct questions to myself and try to keep my sentences shorter. Dad notices that too and realizes I am getting overwhelmed and in my head, but before he can say anything. Pep was five steps ahead. 

“Isla, love, do you want to help me check on Morgan? I know she will be so excited that you get to tuck her in at night.” Dad mouths ‘Thank you’ to Pep. I catch their small interaction as I am making my way to the elevator. 

“Good Night, guys. If you are all away by the time I am back. It’s so nice getting to know you all.” 

Everyone shouted their Good Nights. Well, except Loki, who has been quiet the whole night. Sat in the corner next to Thor, shooting eye rolls in reaction to his Brother's storytelling. I wonder what the hell happened between being an innocent trickster child to becoming the Mr World Domination we have now? Why do I care? The less I speak to him, the better chance I have of not flying and kicking that son of a bitch for hurting all those people.

Chapter Text

https://uk.pinterest.com/creativestorytelling00/chapter-two/

Morning comes, and I get dressed in my gymwear. Black leggings and a light grey sports bra, with my freshly dyed cherry red hair tied up in a ponytail with my curtain bangs to frame my face. 

“Dad, is it ok if I use the gym here after I go for my walk? Or is that only for the Avengers?” 

“Isla, of course you can use it. This place belongs to you! Don’t you recall being a Stark? Anyways, you will be an Avenger soon enough.” I shoot him a glare and hush him. 

“Shhh, Dad. Enough of the Avenger talk. I haven't even spoken to Fury yet, never mind told the others why I am all of a sudden here. Let me fit in first, and we will all talk.” Man can’t keep his big mouth shut. Unknown to us, a little snake was in the shadows, lurking and listening to our conversation. God, that man cannot be trusted. I have this uncomfortable feeling towards him; it’s like he is always watching, like he is in my head. I fill up my water and pack a protein bar for my walk.

The new compound is so pretty. I never really visited Stark Towers much, and when Dad had more involvement with Shield and The Avengers Assembled, that's when they started visiting me instead. I can’t believe the parallel from back home to here. It feels so extremely surreal and almost like a dream state. I have known my full life that my Gran’s origin was not usual and that, of course, my Dad is legit Tony Fucking Stark and his parents were super rich as well as geniuses. One thing I always thanked my Mum for was sheltering me from the disgraceful side of the Stark weaponry. Dad became blinded to the true pain they were causing the world and Mum hide me from it as long as she could, once I was growing up to an age to understand more and learnt the hurt he was going through himself, once he met Pepper and he let me and her show him that he could do so much more than cause pain and destruction to this world and opened his eyes to the brain washing his Dad had him under. I am so proud of the man he has turned himself into now, especially for Morgs. I wish he had listened to someone like he is now. Mum, once they split, not long after I was born, he shut us out, went down a dark path for years. Don’t get me wrong, he sent money, gifts, and called me constantly. But as soon as he felt Mum was trying to pull him out of that self-destruction, he would hide again. He knows that she had an act for seeing his true intentions, especially my Gran. She would have bitch slapped him if she were still here for letting himself get so bad. She saw him as a son, and for all the bad he has done you would think they would have hated him, but they know that he would never want to hurt me nor them and know in that time of his life he was not ready to see the light, that he was protecting me from knowing him like that.
As I finish my walk, I start walking to the outside entrance of the gym. I feel a familiar presence to my left. She never seems to let me see her fully while awake, but I always know she is watching over me. I wonder if I will start seeing her in my dreams again. She has always stayed true to her word to my Gran in this lifetime, and after that, she will always be near me as my guidance within this world. 

I refocus on where I am going as I can see people through the glass floor-length windows, sparring in the battle room next to the gym. As I go to walk into the gym section, a bang at the window from the battle room echoes through the room. Thor was being heavy-handed, banging on the window and gesturing for me to come join them. I can’t help but smile at the kind thought to include me. I walk into the room with Thor, Steve, Bucky, Sam, Peter, and Loki. Looks like the boys are having cute little boy time haha. 

“Hey, guys!” Peter doesn’t take long to meet my side, asking how my walk was. 
“Yeah, it was good. It’s lovely out there. How is the sparring session, boys?” Bucky is wiping sweat from his face with a towel. 
“Good Doll, do you want to jump in? Or we could give one of the girls a shout to spar with you?” 
I tilt my head to Bucky. “Bit sexiest there, Barnes. Think I couldn’t handle one of you boys. A Woman could easily kill a man. With the right motivation?” The fear in his eyes when he realized the way it came across. Before he could plead for forgiveness, I put my water bottle on the floor and made my way to the middle of the room. 
“Come on then, Buck, let's see if I, an innocent, tiny human girl, can keep up with a strong, muscular, looking. Winter Soldier, that is old enough to see the dawn of time.” I shoot him an ‘innocent’ smile. The rest of the group laughs and takes a seat, ready for the show.

“Isla, I didn’t mean any disrespect. I will spar with you, but please do tell me if I am going too far.” I nod, knowing fine well I might do a little more damage to him than he knows. Sam counts us down like a silly race to make sure it's a fair start lol. Bucky throws first with his normal arm. I dodge with ease, wrap my right leg around the back of his as I duck and pull his leg out from under him. He falls to the floor. Disbelief that I could be strong enough to have him on the floor and quick enough before he could notice throws him off. The other guys burst into fits of laughter. I offer him my hand to help him up. 

“Ok, so you have been training with Nat. Fair play.” 
I scoff, thinking that I can only know things because of an assassin. True, I have learnt a few tips from Aunt Nat, but I have always felt this thing within me that I don’t even control. My body just knows what to do. 
“Round Two?”
Cap intervenes. “Let me have the honor.” 

Bucky swaps places with him. Again, they are counting down. This time I won’t be so fast. I just had to show off to bruise Bucky’s ego. We are sparring for a good few minutes. I deflect and hit back at Steve's every combo. 
“It’s like she already knows what he is going to do before he even knows. Peter, does she have a spidey tingle like you?” I can hear Sam from the sideline. 
“That’s my sis for you, Sam. Always one step ahead, and also remember we aren’t biologically siblings. You do know that, don’t you? It’s important for me that you know that. Also, she wasn’t bitten by a spider. But she is.” 
I grab Cap’s arm mid-hit. Unintentionally crushing my hand around it out of surprise at Peter’s words. 
“PETER! SHUT UP!” His little face. I scared him. Shit, I didn’t mean to shout at him. 
“OUCH! Isla.” I flip my head back to Cap. 
“Omg, Steve. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me. Shit, omg please don’t be mad. I was thrown off by Peter.” 

I start to panic. I am ruining this already. They’re going to fear me before they even know me. 
“Isla. Calm, it's ok. I know you did not mean it. I was just not expecting you to inflict that much pain just by your grasp.” Steve walks back towards me after I scurry far away from them all, to protect them from me. He places a caring hand on my arm. 
“Lady Isla, how do you possess such strength? Are you a super soldier as well?” My eyes are wide and start to water as I realize the time to tell them is coming quicker than I intended. 
“What? No, Thor. I ehh. I can explain later, but I need to speak to Fury before… Yeah, wait, uh, does anyone know where my Dad is? I really need him.” It feels like the walls are caving in. Shit, I haven’t had a panic attack in so long. 

“Isla, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to open my mouth. I’ll call for Dad. Just sit down. Drink your water.” Everyone starts coming towards me. I feel so overwhelmed. 
“Lady Isla, are you ok? Can you hear us?” Suddenly, the only voice I can hear is so unexpected. 
“You, Olaf, she’s having a panic attack… Take deep breaths. In through your nose and out through your mouth.” 

My heart slowly stops pounding out of my chest, but before I can thank him and truly acknowledge that Loki just helped pull me out of a panic attack. 

My Dad rushes to me, pulling me into his arms. 
“Hey, kid, it’s ok. I’m here. Peter told me what happened. I think it’s time to talk to Fury. You can’t keep this all bundled up and keep this secret to yourself any longer. Look at us all. We are a bunch of freaks who are all super handsome and talented. Did I mention handsome?” I let out a giggle. “There she is. Welcome back, my girl.” I give him a quick hug. 

Then turn to the worried group in front of me. “Sorry if I scared you all. Also, sorry again, Steve, for hurting your arm. I forget how much strength I have… Is it ok if we all meet later after I meet with Fury, and I promise I will explain everything?” 
Steve flashes me a smile. “Of course, Isla. Take your time. We will all be here to support you when you are ready, and please, no need to worry about my arm. Just glad to know one day we might have another strong woman on our team.” I smile and head towards the door with Dad and Peter. I playfully nudged Peter. “Loud mouth, haha.” 

“Hello, Isla. It has been way too long since we have seen you. Look at you all grown up.” Fury is in the meeting room with Maria and Pepper. I shake his hand and cuddle Maria. 
“Glad to see you both again after all this time. Let’s just say the last few years, I have started realizing maybe it is time to rethink your offer. Of course, if it is still on the table?” For the first time in my whole life, I see a genuine smile appear across his face. 
“Took you long enough. There has always been a spot for you in the Avengers, Isla. I am glad this chat is going down this road, or this would be slightly awkward, as I have invited two important people whom I would like you to meet finally.” Fury orders Jarvis to let the others know to come in. 

A blonde-haired woman walks in wearing a blue and red super suit, and a man with black hair with a grey strip at the side wearing… wait, not wearing that cape floating itself. WTF. The man speaks first. 

“Hi, Isla. I am Dr Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, the primary protector of Earth against magical and mystical threats.” Can he do magic? “Nice to meet you, Stephen. feel like they could’ve used you against Mr God of World Domination.” They let out a laugh. 
“She sure is a Stark. Hello, Isla. I am Carol Danvers.” I interrupt. 
“Wait, you’re Captain Marvel, right?” Fury lets out a hearty laugh. 
“See, it’s catching on, Carol. She hates hero names.” I smile at her. 

“I think it’s badass. We need more women out there saving the world. This world has been overrun by male role models for too long… No offense, guys.” Carol gives me a shy smile. 
“So, Isla, do you feel comfortable showing us your powers at some point? We know you might need some time, but we would love to see them firsthand. I believe you know sort of the origin of your powers, if I understand correctly?” There it goes again, that pit in my stomach, the reality of what agreeing to this all means. I guess hiding it for my whole life has given me more hassle mentally than I realized. 

“Yeah, I can show you all. I haven’t used them in such a long time, though. I don’t know how well it will go. Also, to answer your other question,  I only know kinda who helped me with my powers, but never where they originate from. I hoped you all could help me…”

We decide to talk to the rest of the team and catch them up before I show my powers. It would look strange if anyone were to walk past and I were glowing. Everyone is called to the large meeting room. 

“Hi, everyone, so I have something I wish to share with you, since you have all kindly opened up to me.” I look towards Dad for reassurance. He smiles at me, but I know he is just as nervous as I. Suddenly, I feel her presence. I recall her voice telling me, 
‘When the time comes, my dear, I will be with you every step of the way. I shall watch over you in every lifetime.’ I take a deep breath. 

“Here goes nothing… I am half Stark, and the other half, well, originally, I guess my Gran was not of this world. Where? I am yet to find out. She always told me that when the time came and I was ready, she would tell me. My Mum never wanted anything to do with the origin of my Gran. She accepted that the decision was made for a reason: my Gran was to leave Earth, have my Mum, and then, I guess, for me to be born. I always asked Why me? She would simply say, It is the way it has been foretold. No clue by whom? Doesn’t seem like Jesus’ type of scene. Recently, I have come to terms with the suppressed feelings of wanting to know and a sense of belonging. Ever since I was little, my Gran and my Mum agreed that if they ever sought me, they would show me the way. And around my fifth birthday, my Gran introduced me to the most beautiful woman. Her beauty was for sure out of this world. I instantly felt the power of her presence and the importance of her presence from such a young age. Unfortunately, she never disclosed her name. I always got the sense through her visits that maybe she was doing this of her own accord and maybe in secret, but I’m not sure. She started teaching me, and I feel silly saying this, but I guess if anyone wouldn’t find it strange, it would be you a lot.”
I let out a nervous laugh. 
“She taught me magic.” I let my hands glow, just long enough to make sure everyone sees it. 
“So… I am here to learn more about this whole thing in hopes I can finally understand more.” 

Sam is the first to speak. “Can I ask why you cannot ask the lady?” 

I stand still for a moment. I can feel her still here. “She does come to me in my dreams, like she has almost my entire life, when I require guidance. But I think she has been leading me to the team. I am so unsure why. In my dreams, I cannot answer her; I just listen. I have not been face-to-face with her since not long after my Gran passed away. She visited a few times, but about a few years ago, I have only seen her in my dreams, and I can sense her with me. I don’t know why. Maybe it is too hard for her since my Gran passed. I believe they must have been dear friends back where they originate from. She has always told me,  
‘When the time comes, my dear, I will be with you every step of the way. I shall watch over you in every lifetime. Even when the time comes that I resign in Valhalla,’ 

Thor springs from his seat. Loki looks even paler if that is even possible. He looks like he has just seen a ghost. “Lady Isla, did I hear you right? Valhalla? Are you sure she said Valhalla?” 

I darted my eyes between Dad and Fury, fear in my eyes. Did I say something wrong? I look at Stephen. He gestures for me to answer. “Yeah… Yeah, Thor. She mentioned Valhalla a few times. Explaining that it is a magnificent haven, a warrior's heaven where the souls of fallen warriors go after they pass.” 
Thor looks gobsmacked but intrigued. “Would you mind describing her features more, Lady Isla? Perhaps you could show us some magic she showed you, too?” 
I nod, and both Brothers look at each other and lean forward in their chairs. 

“As I mentioned, she was incredibly beautiful, and she looked regal? If that’s the correct wording, she always wore gowns that looked like she was wealthy and of a well-established family, maybe even royal. But she never had us call her a title like Queen or Your Majesty.” 

Just as I finish my sentence, it is like a film is playing out in front of me. A memory? So vivid. It’s you, isn’t it? You are showing me this? 

“Wait, I think she’s showing me a memory. I must’ve been about seven. It was just around my birthday. She brought me this necklace.” I touch my chest to where the necklace is tucked into my shirt and start describing everything I see. 
“She had only given me a new magic trick for my birthday, not that I minded. learning all these amazing things was never tiring to me. Spending time with her was one of my most favored memories in my whole life. I knew near my birthday she would grace us with her presence. This time she gave me the necklace I remember now my Gran said thank you before she left, she would always wish her a goodbye separately from me, this time I was just so grateful for the necklace I went to run back to thank her once again, but I stopped near when I heard my Gran address her.”
‘Thank You again, your Majesty.’ 
“I can see it replay in front of me right now. I lean in closer to the wall, listening in. She answers my Gran.” 
‘Please, Maya, you know fine well we know each other well enough to not go by such formalities. I am always Fri.’ 
“Oh yeah, she catches me lurking. I turn on my heels and run away, knowing well it's impolite to ease the drop. I got into so much trouble for that one.” 

The memory ends, and I refocus back to the room, catching Thor and Loki, stunned, looking at each other and me. Thor’s eyes glistening. “Frigga… Her name was Frigga. Our Mother.” 
The wind gets sucked out of my chest. I can feel her presence; she is beaming with pride. “Your Mum? Wait… you said what? Her name was Frigga?” I burst into tears uncontrollably. I feel like I have just lost my Gran all over again. 
My Dad and Pepper rush to my side. 

“Isla, it’s ok, breathe. Isla, you need to breathe. You’re going to pass out.” I meet Dad’s eyes and follow his instructions. Peter hands me water, and I make it to the nearest chair. 
“I’m ok, I’m fine, sorry. It’s like I could feel so many emotions at once. I could sense her… I mean, Frigga, wait, sorry, her majesty? Sorry, I am kinda freaking out right now. I mean no disrespect in not using her title.” Thor places his hand over mine. 

“Lady Isla, your Grandmother was one of our Mothers dearest friends. She would have wanted you to call her Frigga just as she allowed your GrandMother.” Hearing that warms my heart. I always felt guilty that my Gran gave up everything for us and that she never really had anyone. “Thank you, Thor. Wait, you know of my Gran?” Thor nods. 
“Yes, I will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about our knowledge of her, as long as you answer our questions with your time with our Mother? Perhaps you can show us the things she taught you, if you feel fit enough?” 
I nod and stand from my seat. “She began teaching me small things when I was five. Then, as I became of age, she started teaching me more enchantment spells.” I start small, allowing the mist to grow and intertwine within my fingers. I turned my hand and projected an image of a flower within my hand. “She first taught me projection and how to visualize images and show them from my mind. One time, she was teaching me. I had just fallen and scraped my knee just before she arrived. My Mum was trying to console me, but I was hysterical. Frigga said that when her son was sad, she would show him this.” 

I project fireworks above my hand, looking between Thor and Loki to gauge their reaction as to which son she was referring to. His face told me all I needed to know. Little God of Mischief, I almost feel sorry for him. I guess I am feeling sorry for the old him, the innocence of a child. 

“That’s beautiful, Isla, Thor. I didn’t realize you both could do stuff like this.” 

“I cannot, Lady Natasha. I took on the power of thunder. Loki, on the other hand, received our mother's teachings. He unfortunately used it for evil.” 
Oof, that one hurt even me. Damn, Thor brutal, but we were all thinking it. I continue in hopes of drawing away from the awkwardness. I spent a while running through my basic ability to summon weapons out of thin air to protect myself, teleportation within a few meters, and I explained to them the time I tried shape shifting, but I panicked too much and couldn't focus to turn back from a bunny rabbit, so Frigga had to save me. I have gotten the hang of illusions of myself, but more than two, they become very weak illusions. 

“I learnt to use an illusion to hide my mess in my room when I couldn’t be bothered tidying. But your Mum saw right through that, never being so embarrassed with just a wave of a hand, she uncovered my untidy bed and the nail polish I spilled over my rug.” 

Loki speaks up. “Fury, why have my brother and I never been called upon for a council when you knew of the similarities between us?” Fury clears his throat, about to explain. 

“Well, considering we have only just started to trust you, Laufeyson, and it wasn’t until Thor started to tell us more about your origin that we started to put things together. Also, the biggest reason was that Isla hadn’t come to us, being interested in learning more. Once the similarities cross paths, we will have Bruce cross-check Isla’s blood with you both. Of course, she would only be half, but it came back to connections to Thor. Considering you are adopted, Loki, we assume that she is part Asgardian. We were truly unaware of who the lady was who helped her with her powers. Maya would never discuss with us, nor would Isla’s Mother. They kept their word between one another until the end. Once Maya passed we hoped that the ‘Lady’ would have told Isla, but she kept to her word that she would only teach Isla a new power each year and only when she was ready to find out more we assumed all would have been revealed and we were only going to disclose this information to Isla and you all if you both naturally confirmed that her powers were Asgardian.” Everyone looks at me. 

“I was in a constant fight within myself to just ask to find out more, but I was so worried that my life would change too much. Once I got into my mid-teens, I even struggled sticking to the agreement of once-a-year teachings. I just wanted to pretend that none of that part of my life existed. I also knew the severity of my Gran’s words, that no matter how I felt, one day, as the higher being had foretold, I would be needed. I stuck to the bare minimum throughout the rest of the years. After all, I genuinely loved the time with Gran and Frigga. No matter where I was in my life, come my birthday, I would take time off, work, or university and head home to spend time with the three women who have raised me my whole life. I will never forgive myself for losing the opportunity to know your Mum fully, if I wasn’t being such a stubborn teen who tried to think I had a say in this much greater life that I guess is already chosen for me.” 

“Don’t blame yourself, sweetheart. We can’t tell the future. Well, most can’t. The world works out the way it’s going to. Maybe this is the way, sadly, it was meant to be. If you had known all of it, you probably wouldn't be here with us now, and you wouldn’t be here living with your old man. I, for one, am grateful that you are with us now. Your Gran will be so incredibly proud of you no matter what path you went down, your Mum, StepDad, Pep, and I are here to support you through it all and I am almost positive her Majesty would be proud of you finally taking the step to learn about your heritage, plus maybe she wanted you to meet blondie over there.” 

I wipe my eyes, which have let out a few tears, thinking of my Gran and Frigga. I let out a laugh at the thought of Dad’s alluding to Frigga trying to matchmake me with Thor. 

“Thanks, Dad. Well, if it’s ok, does anyone mind if I head to bed early? I think I have drained myself and cried enough for one day. Thor, do you mind if we catch up at some point tomorrow?” 

Smiling Thor. “Of course, Lady Isla, we have much to discuss. Goodnight.” 

I say my goodbyes to everyone, and sleep finds me fast tonight, thankfully.

*Later as I drift off to sleep*

Frigga appears in my dream, but this time I don’t have that feeling of restriction of not being able to speak. 

“Child, I am so glad you have finally taken the step towards learning about your origin. It has been such a tough journey to keep this from you, but we can see that you are indeed ready.” I can’t believe this is finally happening. 

“Frigga, I cannot believe I finally know who you are. I mean, I have known you almost my entire life, but I may now hopefully learn more about you if that is permitted… I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had known. I don’t know if passing on Asgard is the same as a funeral, but I do apologise for not honouring you as you did for my Gran.” I lower my head in shame. 

“My dear, never feel guilty for that. You weren’t to know of my passing; my life was taken too soon. But no need to dwell; you and your Gran are together in Valhalla. Don’t worry, my Child, you are making us both so proud.” 

If it is possible to cry while sleeping, I definitely am sobbing. 

“I am so happy to hear that you both are together once again. I should have known you two were best friends. Thor informed me how close you both were. Frigga, can I ask? Were you leading me to Thor? Was my path destined to go this way and find him?” Frigga’s smile is so maternal. 

“My Dear girl, I cannot discuss if the path you chose to get here was the correct path, but just know the stars are indeed a lining, and I would hold off on your Father’s assumption of my matchmaking towards Thor. Besides, I know my son’s heart belongs to another Midgardian, Lady Jane. While I have you here, I only ask that you give my youngest son, Loki, a chance. I know your resentment against him and everything he has done. There was greater foul play that I foolishly missed before. Loki has great power, and once he uses it for good, he will become a loyal mentor towards you.” Frigga’s words take me back a little. Trust him? How could I ever? He is a monster. He could never be loyal to anyone. 

“Frigga, I cannot promise that. Loki has done so much bad within my world. I understand your mention of foul play, but how could someone who was brought up with a Mother like you turn out like that?” Frigga sighs. “No disrespect, sorry if I have overstepped with my words. My apologies.” Frigga takes my hands. Wow, I can feel her like she was with me. She is so incredibly powerful. 

“All I can ask from you, my dear girl, is that if you see even a glimpse of hope within him, you may let it shine.” I nod, mostly out of fear that I offend even more with my big mouth. 

“Thank you, Frigga, for everything. I never got to tell you that enough. Can you tell my Gran I love and miss her loads, please.” Frigga pulls me in for a cuddle. 

“Of course, dear, but you know she already knows that, and don’t worry, she is watching over you and hears your calls.” 
As our cuddle parts and I let out one last smile, I awake in bed, my pillow covered in tears, and my face damp with tears still trickling down my face. I guess that answers my question. You can cry in your sleep. 

Chapter Text

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I crawl out of bed after noticing it’s just after 8 am, not too bad of a sleep. I drag myself in for a shower and pop on a tank top with basketball shorts on with white socks and my white trainers. I wave my hair and put on my normal gold jewelry. Frigga’s necklace and the only silver ring that Gran passed down to me. 

I head to meet Thor just as Jarvis informs me that he is available to chat if I want to grab coffee with him. As I approach the living area, I overhear an argument. 

“Come on, Brother, I want to help Isla. She is one of us.” Loki snaps. 

“Oh, you oaf, don’t you recall, I am just your adopted Brother who was stolen to be used as a pawn for a chance at peace within a war. I am not ‘one’ of you at all. I am the monster that they tell their children to frighten them. I will not help this silly little girl who had no interest in her magic until it suited her.” Thor stops Loki from storming off. 

“Brother, you should know, no matter blood or not, you are my family. You are the only Brother I have and will ever know. Mother saw some sort of potential from Isla, or she would not have risked secretly educating her of such magic. I cannot teach her more about her powers without you, Brother. Please, I am pleading with you.” 

Stubborn ass Loki, doesn’t let up. He pulls from Thor’s grasp and rushes past me, almost pushing me off my feet. We make direct eye contact as I slam into his chest and look up to his face. “Watch where you're running off to. I thought royalty had some sort of grace and decorum.” Loki growls at me, seething in anger. He continues to storm away to his room. 

“PUSSY!” I shouted, knowing fine well he probably doesn’t even understand the insult, but it felt right to me lol.

“Lady Isla, I am sorry if you overheard our disagreement. You weren’t meant to be in the middle. Did he hurt you? he almost threw you off your feet?” Thor is so considerate; he gives Big Brother energy. 

“I’m fine, Thor. Don’t worry. Thank you… Shall we head? I think Nat said there’s a cafe near where we can chat.” We head out. I am raging at the audacity of Loki. I don’t need his help. He is so arrogant. 

Frigga, if you can hear me, I need all the luck and whatever prayers you have in Valhalla that we do not end up scraping.

“So, how about I start? I can tell you all I know of your Grandmother up until my knowledge of her disappearance. I have spoken to Heimdall. He is the watcher of Asgard. He sees all. He can see us just now.” No clue why, but I laugh and say 

“Hi, I guess.” 

“He confirmed that your Grandmother Maya struggled with fertility for many years, and she and your Grandfather Aegir were granted by the Goddess of fertility a baby girl, your Mother. 

But the only reason she was granted this is that the Gods had sensed that through this arrangement, they saw that one day there would be another baby girl born with the potential to do great things for our realm as well as win over the heart of another who will turn our realm's destiny on its head. But unfortunately, your Grandfather died in battle. 

Maya’s heartbreak could not stand being in Asgard for any longer, so my Mother and Father agreed.

That she would live out her life on earth. Revoke her chance to live the same lifespan as normal Asgardans at her request, as she wanted to be with your Grandfather again sooner than if she were fully Asgardian. 
Your mother was allowed to have a normal life and choose whether she knew of her origin or not. But she chose not to; she wasn’t the one that the Gods foretold, and they assumed if Maya was never to have another child, that the prophecy would end there. 

Your Mum never knew any in-depth detail, as she did not want to risk telling you without it being your choice. Truly, they did not think that the prophecy would not be meant directly for Maya's child. 

Your Mother fell for Tony, and they were both surprised by you. Odin has always known about you and my Mothers relationship, but he kept her word in not seeking you out once she passed and to let nature run its course. 

All Loki and I knew was that Mother’s dearest friend left for Midgard after the heartbreak of her husband. We never. Well, to my knowledge, Loki and I knew nothing else, nor did we pay it any mind or  attention to our Mothers, ladies.” 

Wow, that’s a lot to take in. Ok, well, I guess that makes sense in a weird ass way. I’ll unpack this all later alone. 

“Thank you, Thor, and to you, Heimdall.” I look up. I assume he’s up there. I don’t know. 

“I appreciate you cutting to the chase and telling me this all. It’s strange. I almost feel like I have known you my whole life. I wonder if my Gran and Frigga felt like this. Like siblings haha… My turn, I guess.” 

I go over basically everything I said yesterday, but with more detail. Trying to give Thor every detail of Frigga’s outfit, demeanor, and anything I can think of in hopes my memories could maybe give him something new. I can’t even imagine having any more new memories with my Mum; it’s hard enough without my Gran. 

“The only thing your Mum let slip about her life was stories of you and Loki. Of course, I imagine she adapted them in hopes of minimizing certain information to allude to our heritage. Norse Gods are known on Earth, as I’m sure you are well aware, but I never had much interest, or I guess I would have connected Valhalla. I can confidently say that there is so much information out there that is a hundred percent false, so I never bothered listening to the tales.” 

We both laugh for what feels like forever. We decided to head back. I decided to share my dream, or I guess vision? 

“Frigga is pretty persistent on Loki, and I am at least trying to work things out so he can take over my teachings. Whatever Gods there are, I hope they all pray for our sanity.” We let out a laugh. Thor stops in his tracks. He looks like he has an Idea. 

“What’s up, Thor?” He shakes his head. 

“Nothing significant, I just had a thought towards what the Gods might have in store.” Why is everyone always so secretive? 

“Better not be about the part to do with my supposed destiny to fall in love and fix something that is broken? What a life, destined to be a fixer-upper.” Thor pats my back. 

“Don’t worry, Lady Isla. That's not your only destiny. Remember the part of you that holds great power and stuff.” Really? 

“Oh, thanks, Thor, for denying I am here in this life already promised to another, but great, I don’t know who they are? Do they know me? Wait, so I could have found this out and saved myself a few heartbreaks if I had just found the son of a bitch I’m here to be with. Assuming I have no choice in the matter. I swear they better be good in bed, at least if I have no other choice.” Thor spits his coffee out of his mouth and laughs at my statement. We return home. 

Thor wishes you goodbye. He and World Domination are heading off on a mission for a few days. Good riddance to that insufferable man. 

Chapter Text

‘Notification’ 

Peppermint: Hey, Sweetie. All the guys are away on different missions. How about all of us ladies and Morgan have a girly weekend?

Isla: Ohh defos, sounds great! I’m looking forward to getting to know the other girls. I will grab the supplies to make homemade face masks, just like we used to, and you grab the blankets. I’ll order pizza for dinner later and snacks!

Peppermint: Perfect! See you soon x

I start making avocado face masks, and Wanda walks by and offers her assistance. Good to know she loves making things from scratch; she seems as though she’s so maternal. 

“Where did you learn to be so creative, Wanda? You have displayed those so cute! I end up just scooping it into a random bowl and cutting cucumber if I can be arsed.” Wanda’s sweet little laugh escapes her. 

“Once Pietro and I arrived here, I took to baking and making crafts. It helps me refocus my energy after a hard mission or when I feel overwhelmed from my powers.” She tells me the story of Sokovia, how the hurt Stark weaponry inflicted and destroyed their life. I apologize profusely. 

“It’s ok, Isla, you had no part in this, please do not feel the shame of stuff out of your control. I can tell your mind is already heavy with troubles of its own. I am here if you wish to have someone to refocus your thoughts, too.” I smile in response to her sweet words.

I am not really used to having friends who show such affection. Throughout the years, I had loads of ‘friends’ but I never kept them. I always knew the day would come that I would need to uproot my entire life for whatever the Gods had in store, and after my heartbreak from my experiences of accidentally falling in love. I never want to be connected to someone as intimately as that again. 

All the other girls fill the living room of Dad and Pep’s floor, as it is so much cozier. Aunt Nat and Yelena bring in the pizzas and snacks. We dug into the food before we did face masks and self-care. Morgs sits between me and Pep, and I love the age she’s at just now. So eager to spend time with us and following us around like a puppy, I know there will definitely be a time in her teens that she probably will hate the oxygen I breathe, but until then, I will never not play dress up, tea parties, and let her almost blind me when she tries to do my makeup. 

“So Kate, Yelena. Tell me more about you both? I know mostly everything about Aunt Nat, well, except her having a sister apparently.” I give Nat a raised eyebrow. 

“I have had the delight of chatting to Wanda. I’d love to get to know you more, but I'm sad that Carol had to leave early this morning for her own mission. I’m sure I’ll corner her at some point to force her to be my friend haha.” Yelena and Kate look at each other to see who will go first. Yelena gestures for Kate. 

“Well, back when the whole invasion happened, my family's penthouse was being destroyed, and my Mom couldn’t get to me in time, and then in came Clint to save the day. From that day on, he became my hero. I wanted to help the world as I witnessed him doing all those years ago. A normal human who had the skill set and the empathy to help save a young girl while the world around him was being destroyed in chaos. 

I had a run-in with Clint on his mission. I was listening to a police radio and tried to lend a hand. Clint refused to let me help as he just assumed I would get in the way.  I did, in fact, fall through the roof, but in my defense, it was a really old building, and anyone could have fallen through it. 

After basically begging him after I kept turning up to his missions, he brought me to fury, and I have been in training ever since. Now his payback is branding me as Young Hawkeye, not even allowing me my own cool hero name. He said ‘If you want to be me so bad, you’ll have the burden of my name’ I think he secretly likes my company, haha.” 

Yelena continues on from Kate. “I met Kate during a time when I was commissioned to kill Barton. We had all thought Nat was killed, and the people we worked for wanted him to pay. I didn’t know back then that she was, in fact, alive, and they were just trying to get rid of her and him since they were their best assassins who turned good. Kate helped me see that Barton wasn’t so bad as an old assassin, I guess, and we all uncovered Nat’s location together. I am sure you know all the parts of us in the red room. 

My experience was mostly the same as hers, but before all of that, we were stationed in a family, we were brought up as sisters with a family, Mom and Dad.” We continued to chat, watched a Disney film with Morgan, and did our face masks. I put Morgs to bed and we all had a semi-early night. 

The next day, we all went out for brunch, went to the park with Morgan, and I grabbed a few things from a stylist I am collaborating with for the upcoming New York Fashion Week. I finally get to attend now that I am here permanently.

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Sunday comes around, we are all doing our own thing, but promise Morgan we will have a dance party of sorts later, before the boys come back from their missions. We all get dressed up in pretty dresses, hair done, and makeup done. The full nine yards. Making memories like these and having her remember all the effort we put in, even to a small thing like a dance party, will stay with her forever. We crank up the big speakers, and Pepper and I start hitting out with embarrassing dance moves in hopes of starting our attempt to embarrass Morgan. We have to get in practice for her 21st when we will be ‘uncool’ to her. 

Blaring current and some banging throwback tunes. We danced the night away, dancing on the tabletop as well as Lena and I pretending we were headlining a Glastonbury or Ibiza DJ set. Screaming ‘Black Widow’ By Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora, of course, winding up our own Black Widow, Nat. 

“I GONNA LOVE YA”
“GONNA LOVE YA”
“BLACK WIDOW BABY” in unison.

Just as we head into hour 2 of dancing, I introduce them to rave music. Lena instantly loves it and takes on the role of my DJ partner. Morgan already basically has the rave fever in her veins. I have had her around this music every time they visited. We turn the main room into a rave with Morgan's plug-in disco light. You would think we had an illegal rave going on in here. Just as Scooter is blaring, the main doors open. In walks ALL the boys with Steve covering his ears and Uncle Clint turning off his hearing aid. Yelena calls over to the innocent by standards to come join in the fun, and soon they are all roaring in laughter at us giving our DJ shout-outs. 

‘AVENGERS ARE YOU READY’

Wee Morgan is jumping up and down, forcing Wanda to join in against her will. Aunt Nat, beer in hand, raises it in tune with the beat. Kate tries to hide with Peter, not knowing him, and Sam is ready to join the fun. Pep is welcoming everyone back. All of a sudden, Hannah Laing ‘FWTDJ’ comes on, and with the first note, Dad instantly knows, 

“Isla Stark, turn that over now! Do not influence your sister to swear.” I hide my phone and order Jarvis to ignore my Dad. 

“Come on, Dad, she knows she’s not allowed to sing the bad words. Where was this attitude when you let me listen to much worse? She even knows when the beat drops. Show them, Morgan.” He gives in and lets Morgan show how she anticipates the beat drop, crouches down as she instructs the fun ones of us to follow. I hide behind the counter and put Morg on my shoulders for the big moment, and then we have the crowd going wild as we jump up at the drop. 

“Isla, don’t drop your sister, I swear to God.” Dad can’t hold back his smile at the sight of me, Morgan, and Peter. 

His silly kids are all together and getting along so well. 

We turn the music down a little to keep as background music as everyone debriefs about their mission, as Morgan runs a riot, making Peter give her a piggyback around the place so she doesn’t hear the adults talk.

We all take in the information that another Hydra base has been taken down. God, they seem to pop out of nowhere just now. You’d think they’d give up, knowing that no matter the size of their army, the Avengers will destroy them. 

Thor informs us of their visit back to Asgard, as Odin wanted to check that the God of being a pain in the ass was behaving as well as to be briefed on my new interest to find out more. 

Thor tells me that Odin has said that when I am ready for his counsel, I shall be brought to him, just call Heimdall or request via Thor.  

“Isla, did you remember to go get your outfits for Fashion Week?” 

“Yeah, Dad, I picked them up when we were out yesterday. They are so insane, our vision has definitely come together. I can’t wait for Fashion Week.”

“That’s right, Trouble. Congratulations on Graduating from University this Summer. We’re all so proud of you, especially for not getting kicked out or dropping out.” A well-deserved eye roll met Uncle Clint’s direction.

“What did you study, Isla? Assuming Fashion by the sounds of it?”

“Yeah, Sam, I studied Fashion Styling. When I had an idea, I was going to be here long enough, finally, for New York Fashion Week. I decided to collaborate with some connections I made during my internships throughout my degree. I am working with amazing brands to wear sick outfits to watch their shows. It’s honestly insane the stuff I get to do within the industry. Don’t worry, Sam, I'll set you up with a couture super suit next, haha.”

“Honey, I’m so excited to see them. I love when you went to London’s one and you’d reveal them every morning and give us a spin before you headed out.” I smile thinking of the new and improved crowd I now get to flaunt in front of, haha. 

“Don’t worry, I’m sure I can give you an outfit check before I leave, and Happy is taking me this year, so no need to worry about me getting gawked at by weirdos for wearing insane clothing. Oh, Dad, Tom Ford and Vivienne Westwood have extended an invitation to you for their shows on Friday if you are free? They still have your measurements from your tailoring at the start of the year. I’ve just texted the team, and they'll have a suit dropped off in time.” A few whistles fly his way. 

“Of course, honey, as long as you’re ok to officially be seen as the daughter of THE Tony Stark.” Pep nudges him. 

“Right, have yourself on Tony, in the Fashion world, you will be known as the incredibly talented Isla’s old Father.” She smiles proudly as everyone is now slightly bullying him. 

Chapter Text

The week goes along well, training with everyone. 

Beginning to learn the rules and instructions from Fury and Maria about what to do in emergencies, as they want to get me on the field as soon as I am comfortable with my magic… On the topic of magic, I refuse to ask that idiot Laufyson to teach me anything, and he refuses to even look in my direction. 

Determined that ‘Over his dead body, he will show this silly half-Asgardian his impeccable skills as a God; he should not have to lower his standards.’ I swear, as soon as I learn magic on my own time, I will be making his life a living hell. 

Where the hell do you find out how to learn new magic that isn’t fake magician stuff? UGH, why is this so difficult! I ask Thor if he could grab me any books from his next Trip to Asgard. Maybe they will help? Surely someone wrote a guide to this shit. 

Frigga isn’t any help. She has not come to me in a dream since she was insistent that I work with Loki, even if I wanted to work with that psychopathic murderer. He doesn’t want to help me either, and I will be damned if I run after someone for help and of a man no less. 

“Lady Isla, you are doing very well. Try teleporting outside the window into the garden.” I close my eyes and imagine being outside. *flash* , I vanish. But instead of reappearing on the other side of the glass, I slam into the glass, still on the inside of the building. How embarrassing. 

“Ouch, shit. Why the fuck can’t I do this? You’d think it would be easy now that I can teleport further distances.” When all of a sudden, I hear this agitating, grating voice.

“HA. I told you, Brother, she is no sorcerer. Maybe our dear Mother was wrong about her destiny.” Before Thor could catch me, I teleported in front of Loki, baring a dagger towards his neck. 

“Don’t you dare think you have the right to question your Mum. I do not like the idea of me having to become whatever the Gods want me to become, either. But who do you think even mentions her name? From what I have heard, you were the reason the Dark Elves knew of the secret staircase.” Oh, that struck a nerve for sure. Loki tossed Thor across the room and bound him in place, and had me up against the nearest wall, knocking my dagger from my hand and replacing it with his own. Now digging into my neck. 

“Do not try scolding me, dear, about my actions. I forever have to live with the consequences of my stupid actions. But I will not stand here while you, of all people, try to use them to your advantage to try acting tough.” He gets closer and whispers into my ear.  

“Trust me, I can see through the front you put up.” Loki slowly scans my body, sending this shiver down my spine. He makes me feel sick, like he is thinking of every possible way to kill me or torture me. 

Before anything could take a turn for the worse. It was like a bomb went off; we covered our ears from the ringing. Thor is let loose, the magic seeming to disappear. No one runs into the area to see what happened. It’s like Loki and I were the only ones who could hear that dreadful sound. 

When we both refocused, a glowing figure appeared in front of us. “Mother?” Thor stutters. 

“Yes, my sons, it is me.” She darts to Loki and me. 

“Do you two know how much magic I am using to show myself to all three of you? I am supposed to be resting in Valhalla, but instead, I need to come and split you both up! Explain yourselves. NOW.” I fold my arms smugly, looking at Loki, thinking he was about to get ripped a new one. 

“Oh dear, I wouldn’t act so innocent. I heard what you said to Loki and pulled a dagger out to him, really? If this were my son a few years ago, when he was being brainwashed by that titan, then he would not have hesitated to slice through your throat, my dear.” Brainwashed? 

“I apologize for my outburst. I was embarrassed that I failed my magic, but you didn’t have to poke fun at me, Loki.” I turned to him. 

“If I knew where to properly learn these skills, I wouldn’t be winging it off of books that Thor needs to translate for me as well as just hoping and praying that the next spell I try doesn’t kill me.” Frigga clears her throat to indicate it's Loki’s turn to somewhat apologize, too. 

“Ok, I should not have teased you. Although I did enjoy your huff of frustration at not succeeding. I guess I could let you borrow some of my books that I have in English so you can read more easily.” Frigga smiles, knowing how much Loki’s books mean to him. 

“And…” She pushes him more. 

“And I guess I could spare some time to help you learn your magic. Clearly, if you mean this much to my Mother to show herself finally to Thor and I from Valhalla. I could return the favor only for her, not because I want to help you.” Frigga huffs, why does he have to add on and be a bitch? 

“Deal, bare minimum interaction is fine by me. As long as you're pretty clear with instructions, I hopefully will pick up quickly and we can be rid of this insufferable arrangement.” Frigga looks towards Thor. Giving him a smile of reassurance that what he is thinking is correct. 

“Perfect! I will take what I can get from both of you. Now I must take my leave. Thor, my darling firstborn, please take care of that gorgeous Lady of yours, Jane, and good luck keeping these two in line. You are such an amazing Brother figure to them both, and even better, God. I am so proud of you. Until we meet again, my Son.” 

She turns to me. “Lady Isla, my dear, do not continue to dwell if you do not pick up these skills as easily as you once did when you were a child. You have so much going on in that head of yours, just relax and trust my sons to keep you safe. Also, your Grandmother is doing well, and your Grandfather is so proud of you as a lovely young woman.” 

Now to Mischief. “Now, you, my son, Loki. Can I have a word with you separately, please?” 

Thor and I leave to go out into the garden, given that we don’t want Frigga to use more power to move about too much. We turn back just in time to catch Loki trying to reach for his Mother’s hand, but unfortunately, she is overusing her magic; it is not as stable to feel her touch like it is in my dreams. 

Thor and I wave back at Frigga as she begins to disappear. 

We return to the room. Loki looks as though he had let tears fall. “Tomorrow at 9 am sharp. The library. Meet me there.” Before I could argue, he started to storm off.

Chapter Text

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Friday morning, I shoved my hair up in two messy braids, put some light makeup on, put baggy jeans on, trainers, and an oversized sports jersey on. I grab my tote bag with my laptop, notebook, and stationery. God knows what I will need for this. I bring water too. 

The last thing I need is his majesty, Loki getting pissed for being underprepared. I arrive five minutes early, and to no surprise, he is here early. I walk to the table he is sitting at. 

Here goes nothing, I guess. “Have a seat, Isla.” Loki gestures to the seat across from him. God, this feels like I am getting into trouble with my head teacher, so formal. 

“Good Morning, Loki.” He nods in acknowledgement of my words but doesn’t answer. I try not to make it obvious I am nervous and just start by bringing out my notepad and pens and setting up my laptop that has my dyslexia programs built in. I see that he has an array of books already stacked up. 

“I have a few English books for you to look through now, then I will set up a few spell exercises for you to try. Sound good?” Omg, he wants me to read in front of him, I take so long, especially with books. 

Idk why, when reading from pages, I lose my place, and the words jumble up loads. 

“Yeah, no problem. Do you want me to start with a particular one? Do you also want them all read right now?” He ponders over the stack and chooses the second-smallest book. Thank fuck. 

“Start with this one, it has information you will need for the first spell. Do you have anything else lined up for today that might take a while?” I shake my head, letting him know I’m free. I start reading, the pages aren’t too hard to read, but I do have to hover with my finger to stay on track. 

I must've taken too long on a sentence, which Loki caught onto. 

“Are you struggling over there?” I can’t help but blush. I didn’t want to tell him I couldn’t quite figure out this word. “Yeah, sorry, I am trying to figure out what this word says. I doubt you would remember me mentioning I have a thing called Dyslexia. It takes me a while, especially if it is a word I am unfamiliar with, written down.” He doesn’t seem bothered. He walks up behind me, and I point to the word. 

“Grimoire. It is described as the textbook of sorcery and magic. Don’t suffer in silence if you don’t understand something, whether that be the meaning, spelling, or just reading. I do, in fact, remember you mentioning your difficulties. I had Jarvis explain it in full to me before our session since it sounded like something that would hinder your studies today.” Wow, I didn’t expect that from him. I guess it’s more of a benefit for him to know the level of difficulty my learning might be, I guess. 

“Thank you for understanding. It can be really embarrassing to ask for help from people I am not used to. Especially at my age.”

Loki looks puzzled. “But why the embarrassment? Is it not something that is incurable? It would be different if you were simply incompetent and did not want to learn. But correct me if I am wrong, you cannot help this?” Why is that the sweetest way I have ever heard anyone explain it, haha, and coming from the God of Mischief, wow. 

“You are correct, yes, there are things that can help make it slightly easier, like on my laptop, I have loads of things that can help too.” I smile at how well that went, thank god this might not be as dreadful as I think it will be. 

I read as much as I can before Loki is ready, to help take off the stress of trying to read it all at once. He gave me a page to read up on by the time he was done with the most important parts. 

The book mentioned different types of spell books and beliefs throughout different mythologies. 

The part we were focusing on now is illusions and strengthening them to be more believable. 

“First, clear your mind as well as you can. Only focus on building a wall of protection. This will act as your illusion wall. The more you practice building the foundation of the wall, the stronger and better your illusion will be. Like this.” All of a sudden, the library looks like a golden palace, and Loki has changed from his black shirt and trousers to a regal green, black, and gold outfit.. 

“Now walk around, observe every detail.” I look at the golden pillars carved with such precision. I walk closer to Loki and notice the incredible workmanship of the seamstress. It is so intricate. 

“Now reach out and touch something.” I move pass Loki and try to touch the wall, and it all disappears in front of me. Loki appears on the other side of the room. 

“Wait, even you weren’t real? I just assumed it was an illusion of your clothes; you were even talking.” He chuckles at how much I have to learn. 

“Just you wait until you master this skill; no one will be able to see past your unkempt room ever again.” I can’t help but giggle at the memory of Frigga. 

“Apart from me, I will probably see past it; it will take you quite some experience to fool me, little one.” That’s a new nickname. Normally, it’s the condescending ‘Dear’. 

“Bold of you to assume you’d ever see in my room to see through my illusion.” He lets out a genuine laugh. I got him there. He couldn’t argue with that. 

After over an hour or so, just hitting around 11 am, it took me a while to read and learn stuff. I am getting the hang of imagining the wall and trying to change the illusion in front of us. Still really shaky, but I am getting there. 

“Do you wish to take a break? Are you hungry or anything?” I realized he must have heard my stomach rumble. I am not really a breakfast person. I tend to have a breakfast bar, then eat later. 

“Sort of, but it’s ok. We can continue. I don’t want to drag on our lesson longer than it is needed.” He gestures for me to sit. 

“Have I made it that insufferable already? You want to hurry up? And here I was holding back for a bit to catch you off guard.” I roll my eyes. 

“No, that’s not what I meant. Surprisingly, it hasn't been as terrible as I had thought it would be. I just assumed you would be eager to end your suffering by teaching ‘a silly, half Asgardian girl’.” We both chuckle. 

“I guess there are worse things on this insufferable earth. I also promised my Mother I would really try to teach you, not my fault when you inevitably crack under pressure and give up, I can say I tried.” I scoff, rude. 

“Before your stomach gives me a headache, go and get yourself food. Before I change my mind about you being not insufferable.” I laugh and get up and start to walk towards the door. Wait, should I ask him if he wants to come with me? Is that weird? Just cause he is semi-nice right now doesn’t take away from him being who he is deep down. Before I can finish thinking I stupidly turn on my feet. 

“Loki?” He lifts his head. “Do you want me to bring you something? Or do you want to grab food?” Omg, that sounds so pathetic, kill me now. 

“I had something early this morning.” I nodded and almost ran out of the room, but before I left, he spoke again. “Thank you for the offer, Isla.” I let out a smile and basically run like fuck towards the kitchen. 

I walk in on Wanda just finishing making what looks like a fruit platter and chocolate muffins. OMG, can I marry her already? I can’t bake for shit. 

“Hey Isla, I was about to text you to offer you some food, you weren’t here for breakfast, and I know you have lessons with Loki today. So… how is that going?” I smile and take a muffin and some fruit on a mini plate. 

“Thank you, Wanda, you are incredible, do you know that?” She blushes. 

“It surprisingly is going well, thank the Gods, I guess. I am learning a lot already.” 

“You know, if it gets too much. I can help you, too. I definitely don’t know quite as much as Loki, yet. He is centuries older than us, but I am happy to help if he gives you a hard time.” I shoot her a smile. Why am I reluctant to immediately cut ties with Loki and accept her offer? Oh, wait, yeah, the crippling anxiety to be a people pleaser and obey my Gran and Frigga. Perfect, I love being too scared to let people down, even if it means dealing with a serial killer God. 

“Thank you, Wanda. I will definitely send an S.O.S. if I need you. I am going to try it this way, my Gran and Frigga seem to be very adamant that we need to give this a try, and for both of our sakes, we want nothing but for the elders to be happy to live an easy life.” We both start laughing. I quickly eat and wash our plates. 

“Shit, I just splashed the water all over me. I’m going to need to change, fuck off, man.” I give Wanda a hug to thank her, grab two waters, and head to change quickly. 

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I shove on leggings and a tank top. Kinda a godsend, come to think of it. It is so warm today. I walk to the library.

I place the water on the desk near Loki, but be cautious of the books in case it spills. We exchange a slight smile. I sit back down, and he takes a second to speak. 

“Can you manage the rest of that book?” I nod and pick it up. The rest of the book, I seem to fly through after becoming familiar with a few terms. I take notes on things I have to ask and further check. 

“Loki, I have finished this book.” He turns around from roaming the aisles of the library. 

“Do you want a prize?” Bitch, the fuck? 

“Rude, I was just telling you in case you wanted to instruct me on the next book to read.” Why switch up all of a sudden? See, just to prove that he really is a prick. He smirks. 

“The largest book.” Oh, this prick. Does he want us here all day? “Why the change of garments?” I look down, forgetting I changed. 

“Oh, I was washing up after food, and I splashed water all over my clothes. They were soaked, so I changed, and since it was roasting today, I just changed into comfy clothes.” Loki took a while to reply. 

“Roasting?” Oh yeah, slang. 

“It means it is warm, like if you were to overheat or take a bite of really warm food. ‘Oh, that’s roasting.’ It's insufferably warm.” He slowly nods in acknowledgement. I continue to read. He sits on the other side of the library. 

This book is on the origin of Asgardian magic, the traditions, and loads of lore of the realm. I feel like I could’ve read this myself, but I can’t be arsed arguing with him right now. I look at the time on my phone. It is just after 3 pm. Fucking hell, I am nearly done with this book, thank fuck. I have taken notes and googled loads of words to ask later. Another half an hour later, now just after 3:30 pm, I finish. Right, surely it’s ok to ask before I just start the next one? I don’t want to shout, so I get up to stretch my legs and walk over to him. He has his back towards me, reading. He turns as I get close. 

“Stuck on a word?” I shake my head. 

“No, actually, I am done. I used my laptop to explain words I didn’t understand and took notes of things I need to ask you later about. What now, or am I being stupid, or should I have known through telepathy that I should have continued to read the last book?” He rolls his eyes. 

“No, you’re right to come tell me you are done. You read it quicker than I expected. Right, let's go for a walk, we have been sitting for some time.” What? Why is he prolonging this lesson even more? 

“Loki, it’s fine, just keep teaching me whatever you have for today. I don’t need a break.” Before I could continue my rant. 

“Slow down, I mean, yes, it will let us stretch our legs, but the main reason is that I want you to practice teleportation.” Oh, wait, that makes sense. I sound stupid, oops. He gestures for me to take my leave first. I notice he has rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned his top two buttons. He clears his throat and fixes his stance. Did my eyes linger for too long? Ew! 

We teleport in straight lines first. Then he starts running and teleporting rapidly. “You need to learn how to teleport while on the move constantly. You can’t always risk becoming a target standing still.” That is smart, actually. I always stand still and am too focused. Maybe thinking less will help me loosen up. We start darting around the compound. I follow him as well as I can. 

Until he teleports through the window into the garden, I freeze with the fear of failing again. Loki gestures for me to keep going. I close my eyes to try it, I take a few steps, and just imagine myself on the other side. I start to feel a breeze, and I slowly open my eyes to see Loki in front of me. We’re outside! Omg I did it. I embarrassingly let out an excited squeal. Loki laughs at me, and as I go to acknowledge his help with my success. 

Suddenly, Morgan screams of terror echoing through the compound. I turn on my feet, ready to flee towards her, where she was. Loki grabs my arm. “Trust me.” I nod, and with a flash, we have teleported in front of Morgan. 

Chapter Text

I drop to my knees, grabbing Morgan close to my chest. Everyone else races into the room. “Morgan, what happened? Where does it hurt? Did you fall?” I basically smother her with cuddles. 

She pulls back for air, and in between her tears, she explains that she was trying to climb the cabinet to try to find a vase for the flowers she picked for all the girls at the compound. “I wanted to do something myself, I slipped coming back down, and the vase smashed before I hit the floor, and I think the glass cut me while falling.” 

My little Morgs is trying to do something so nice, and she gets hurt in the process. My heart hurts for her. I wish I could bubble wrap her so she can never be hurt in this world. 

Dad and Pep come and assess her wounds, as does Uncle Bruce. They clean her up, while the rest of us make sure there is no more glass hidden anywhere. I turn to Wanda, placing all the flowers in a new vase and placing them on the center table so Morgan can see them when she is back from the infirmary. You can see that she must have been trying to find different flowers for us all; she has the kindest heart. We all need to protect her at all costs.

I head to the library to collect my things, totally forgetting that Loki and I technically did not dismiss my lessons for today. As I enter the library, he is already there reading. 

“Shit, Loki, I was so worried about Morgan, I totally forgot about our lesson. I hope you haven’t been sitting here long?” Loki looks up from his book. 

“I tend to spend most of my time reading anyway, Isla, do not fear you have offended. How is littlest Stark anyway? She has a kind soul.” Does God of Mischief have a heart after all? 

“She is fine, thank you for asking. I think it was just the overall panic of the situation, and she was disappointed she couldn’t succeed in her mission to do something nice for us girls.” Loki stops reading, holding a page between his fingers before he turns it, his vision narrows at my gaze. 

“Sounds like someone I know. Too stubborn to ask for help, emotional when she fails in her mission, and cries hysterically when she wounds herself.” I smile, thinking of our similarities. 

“Before Morgan hurt herself, I was going to talk to you about me succeeding in teleporting through the glass, and also, I owe you for thinking fast and teleporting me to Morgan. I really appreciate it. She is my whole world. I don’t know what I would do in this life if I didn’t get to her fast and she was in a worse shape.” Loki smiles at your kind words of thanks. I assume he probably doesn’t hear it often. 

“You’re welcome. I could sense your panic, and I just acted. I know how it feels to have the dread of wanting to rush to the aid of a loved one, but in that moment, you just cannot think clearly.” I smile in agreement with his words. 

“Go be with Little Stark. We can continue our studies another day. Just let me know when you are free next.” I nod, and before I turn to leave, Morgan runs into the library. 

“Isla, I couldn’t wait for you, so I came to get you. Can we watch a movie, pleaseeeee.” She notices Loki. I haven't actually seen how she interacts with him. I assume he probably scares her a little. “Hiiii, Mr Loki. What you reading?” She walks up and pulls the chair I sat on earlier to sit next to him. 

“Morgan, don't bother him while he reads. I’m sure he wants peace.” Loki closes the book and puts it on the desk. 

“Hello, littlest Stark, how is your leg?” She kicks her leg out to show him her Hello Kitty plaster. 

“It still hurts lots, but Mommy said I am so brave, so I know it will only hurt for a short time.” I laugh at her for the fact that she has no fear talking to this God who scares big men. 

“Glad to hear that you are ok.” He leans in and lowers his voice. I don’t know why, but it panics me; he doesn't have me convinced that he is trying to be a better person.

“When I was little, like you, and when I hurt myself, my Mother would show me magic to make me feel better. Would you like to see it?” She beams with excitement. 

“Yes, please!” Loki’s green mist flashes, and the most gorgeous burst of colours shoots up from his hand… The fireworks Frigga once showed me when I grazed my knee all those years ago. A tear falls down my face. 

“Isla, look how cool he is? Wait, Isla, are you sad?” I hate how obvious and observant kids are. I whip my tear before Loki could see. 
“I’m ok, Morg, just someone very special to me also showed me that trick too when I was little. I miss them and my Gran lots.” Loki lets Morgan admire the illusion a little longer before I tell her to thank Loki for showing her, and we make our leave. Before I forget. 

“I am free tomorrow, I mean, if that is ok with you? I have Fashion Week starting Monday, and I don’t want to stray from my studies too long. If not, we can do it some other time.” Loki looks up from his book, which he has delved right back into. 

“Tomorrow is adequate. 11 am? I assume that little miss there will have you up to no good, late tonight.” Morgan laughs at his statement and pulls me to hurry me away. 

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I had a sleepover in Morgan’s room last night, so I woke up around 10 am. She has already gotten up and is playing quietly with her dolls. I miss being able to have a sugar rush at night, staying up late, and still somehow waking the next dawn early again, excited to play. I kiss her cheek goodbye when Pep comes to the room to take her out for the morning. I head back to my room for a quick shower to wash the makeup she tried to do to me last night off, again, since shit has stained my face. I changed into jiggies, Ugg slippers with a white tank top and a cardigan. I'd say it is in case I get cold, but really, I want Autumn already, it is weird in between summer and Autumn. I rough-dry my hair and throw it into a ponytail. I picked my tote bag back up since I never unpacked it and headed to the kitchen for a quick bagel and a water bottle. 

To my surprise, Thor and Loki were in the kitchen with Sam, Kate, and Peter. I say Good Morning to all and listen to their conversation. “Isla, you seem to be a confident girl; your little bro is having trouble listening to our advice on how to ask MJ to the Homecoming dance.” I nudge Peter teasingly. 

“What’s up, baby bro? You can talk to Kate, Nat, Yelena, and Wanda. They’re all beautiful. Why are you so scared to ask MJ? Haven’t you been friends forever?” Peter goes red. 

“Isla, surely you were nervous the first time you asked someone out? Surely you get it. Come on, I am justified, guys, women are scary, especially the ones you really care about. How did you ask Alex out?” I ponder for a minute, that’s a name I haven’t thought about in a while. 

“Well, when I went out with Alex for the first time on a date, we both didn’t know if we were both into women like that, so we sorta went out calling it a girls' night out.” Sam almost choked on his coffee. 

“Alex is a girl, wait. Wait, you bat for the same team. We have lost a good one, boys.” He saluted me. I start laughing, I don’t know what is funnier, Sam or that I can see Thor’s brain trying to figure out his term. 

“Sam, shut up, like any of you would care, anyway. But for your information, as you’d put it, ‘I bat for both teams, ’ I am Bisexual.” I look at Thor. 

“It means I like both women and men, Thor. Don’t tell me on Asgard you only have opposite sex relationships because I’d like to pass right now on one day going there.” Thor lets out a hearty laugh. 

“Your Midgardian terms. Yes, we know what Bisexuality is, and no, Lady Isla, actually, in Asgard, it is very normal for same sex relationships to be throughout the realm. We are very educated in fluidity when it comes to love and gender for most. We see love as such a diamond in the rough. No matter who you fall for.” That is the sweetest thing ever. I wish the earth were like that, understanding. 

“Aww, Thor, that is such a lovely way to see it.” I turn to Peter. 

“Right, little bro, get her some flowers and turn up to her house. Maybe get her some of her fav snacks and just straight up ask her. MJ would hate the full American, cringy prom-posal, ya’ll can be hella embarrassing. She seems like the chill type, and you are a nervous wreck; the less planning the better.” I give him my card and tell him to go and grab some stuff. Kate offered to babysit him to make sure he doesn’t buy cringe shit when he is out. 

“Thanks, Kate, don’t worry about any prices. Don’t even bother looking, it’s linked to Dad's account, haha, so go wild, little with nice flowers, bro. Hey Loki. Are you ready for our next lesson?” He nods as he finishes clearing his breakfast. I say my goodbyes and meet Loki, who is slowly walking down to the library.

I awkwardly walk slightly behind him. I don’t want to walk side by side, but is it also awkward that I am behind him? We make it, and he holds the door open for me. I thank him and head to our table. “So, what is the agenda today, Professor Loki?” 

I figure, why not wind him up today? I am running on little sleep as it is. Why not fuck with him a little? “Oh, trust me, if I were your professor, you would have failed my class the minute you walked in. I also would not tolerate your sass, you seem to have this morning.” I huff, knowing he is not going to stand for my wind-up. 

“Here is the last book I want you to read today, so far, it is about Telepathy. Take notes, then hold your questions until you finish the book. I will answer all your questions after, and we will work on this new skill today. The one thing I need from you is your word that you will only use your telepathy wisely. Assess the situation, ask permission if suitable. 

For instance, I would ask you if I can use it on your mind, as one would not want to overstep, as you are a stranger to me, and it would be a violation of your privacy. But if it were to be used for one's safety, you decide if you cross that line. As for bad guys, well, the rule to me goes out the window.” I laugh, here we go, I might have a chance to wind him up. 

“So after today, I get to access your mind whenever I want. Are you not the prime example of a major bad guy?” Loki snaps his head towards me. 

“If that is how you still perceive me, then the bad guy, I shall be. I have no interest in changing your mind, Dear. I am simply here to stick to my Mother’s request. I do not intend to be friends with you, and why would I not want you to perceive me as the evil creature and monster that I am? I am only giving you grace during our studies. But trust me, darling. I can and will show you how bad I can be.” Shivers run down my spine, and I do not cower down to his challenging glare. 

“Trust me, Laufeyson, I am not blinded by your glimmer of kindness. I am fully aware of your capability to wreak havoc and destruction. No matter who is within your path. But you have my word, you put my little sister or the rest of my family in any danger again. I will not stop until you wish that evil titan took your life after your failed attempt at world domination, instead of the fate he endured from your Father ending his life.” Loki quietens down. I know he is not backing down, but he is trying to hold his temper. Truly trying for Frigga. 

“He is not my Father… Now let’s continue with your studies.” 

I finished the book fairly quickly. It is more of a tutorial book. With tips and tricks. The book looks to have someone’s notes on telepathy written throughout. By the penmanship and composure, a little juvenile. Is this Little Loki’s handwriting? I do not see him defacing a book nowadays. I trace the writing, knowing that he would have been learning this with Frigga and even potentially trying to take notes as she taught him. I finish the book and head to the other side of the room, where Loki has set up a few candles in a circle on the floor. 

“Loki, you should’ve just asked if you wanted a date?” He scoffs and rolls his eyes. 

“Enough, let's get started already.” HA, good, he is pissed. Serves him right, thinking he can pretend to be nice and assume I will fall for it. I sit in the circle, Loki sits opposite. 

We are both sitting criss-cross. Facing one another. “Clear your mind. Focus on opening your mind to me, imagine a bridge from your mind to mine. Close your eyes if it helps.” 

I follow instructions, close my eyes, and imagine it. 

“I will imagine my bridge and meet you in the middle. Now I am going to only speak to you through your mind. Do you permit me to continue? I need your consent.” 

I nod. 
“Use your words.” 
Wow. 
“Yes, I consent.” 

‘Telepathically’

I am going to continue asking you yes or no questions to start off easy, so you don’t find it as difficult to answer. I will continue the easy questions until you answer. Do not get agitated if you cannot answer straight away. Do you understand? 

Silence, but you are trying to keep relaxed and not get annoyed already. 

Is it correct that your name is Isla Stark? 
Is your Father Tony Stark?
Is your hair long, flowy, and a deep cherry red, that just sits above your waist?
Are you the most insufferable pain in the ass throughout all of the realms? Stay quiet if yes?

‘Outloud’

“Prick, you set me up. You knew I couldn’t answer. Not fair.” Loki opens his eyes. 

“The world isn’t fair, princess.” Sarky bitch. Man, he is so annoying. 

“Give me your hands. It will strengthen our connection. Imagine your seidr flowing through your body and let it mix with mine.” 

Reluctantly, I take his hands. I have strangely small hands anyway, but god damn mine are tiny compared to his. I watch as my seidr meets his green seidr glow. 

“Close your eyes again and reimagine everything.” 

‘Telepathically’

Do you have green eyes?
Are you fully Scottish?
No
Well done.
Are you the most insufferable person in all of the realms?
No… You… Are.
Good to know you can bring your attitude here, too.
How has your day been?
Well… until now
Ouch, harsh words. 
Describe me in the best or the worst way you wish
You are… Infuriating… You have such an evil past… I don’t trust you.

You caught on quickly. Well done, let’s continue. 

Projecting memories into my head. This will lead to you being able to draw information from enemies and get answers from them without their consent. Think of a memory that you do not mind sharing with me. Preferably one I do not know, so it is easier to acknowledge it is definitely you sharing it and not my mind filling in the gaps instantly. Before you think of one. Imagine a closed door that holds your memories individually and only open the one you wish to share. 

Take your time.

‘Telepathic Projection’

Suddenly, a memory shows, and I lose control. 

Shit, not that one. 

It happens too fast, like it is sped up before I can speak up. 

It is the day I broke off my engagement to my ex. I can see it replay out in front of me. He and I are sitting in his flat, and I take off the engagement ring. We are both sobbing, and I place it into his hand. I kiss his cheek, I say my final goodbye, and as the door to his flat closes, I rush down the hall to the exit in hysterics. 

I open my eyes. His are already on mine. I pull my hands from him. “Can we forget you saw that?” He doesn’t wait for me to ponder running away from the situation. He places a hand on my arm, and I close my eyes. 

A memory flashes past at a much more normal speed than mine. It is what I would presume to be little Thor playing with three other boys and a little girl. 
All of a sudden, Thor picks up a green snake, chasing the girl with it. I watch as it changes into a young Loki, who surprisingly attacks his unsuspecting Brother and cuts his face a little with his sharp blade. Loki giggles and runs away. 

The perspective of the memory follows as Loki runs while looking back at Thor in victory. He comes crashing into someone, and he turns.

It is a man. With an eye patch over one eye. The vision ends just as he is being dragged by the arm by the man. I can tell the aggressive force he is inflicting on him… A child.

I open my eyes, slowly. We sat in silence for a while. Loki has removed his hand from my arm.

“Let’s call it a day, you have done well. We can continue our studies after your week ahead.” I nod, and I help Loki tidy up. We don’t exchange words until we are about to part ways. It is now dinner time. 

“See you at dinner. I need to drop this stuff back in my room. Bye, Loki.” He doesn’t answer and just walks in the opposite direction.

Time for dinner. I walk towards the dining room, and apparently, Wanda, Kate, and Pep have cooked us a big dinner. I assess the room and notice he is not here yet. I sit next to Yelena and across from Peter and Kate. Peter sends me a text to say thank you and that he has gotten everything to ask MJ, and that he plans to ask her tomorrow. 
He discreetly left my card under my napkin. Stealth mission just for a credit card.

Dinner contains loads of laughter, updating each other on our day. Then Wanda asks what I learned today. All of a sudden, I notice the empty seat next to Thor. Is he missing dinner? 

“Telepathy.” I am really glad he is not here, that means I can bend the truth when I need to answer their questions… Never mind, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Shit. 

“Sorry, I am late.” He takes the empty seat, and Pepper, who was already fixing Morgan's plate of food, hands Loki his food. He thanks her, and she flashes him a genuine smile. I hide from his eyeline. 

“So… how did it go?” Sam, you bitch. “Yep, it went well.” Peter tilts his head. I know fine well his senses can feel the tension. 

“She is a remarkable learner.” I finally darted my eyes to Loki. Did he just compliment me? What is he up to? 

“Quick learners, us Starks.” Everyone laughs. 

“Dad, did the suits come? If it did, does it fit ok?” I am shifting this conversation asap. 

“Yeah, honey, they fit perfectly as usual. Are you still ok with me attending with you? It is a big step.” I smile at him, being cautious of pushing me into this. 

“Of course, Dad. I am totally ready to let the world know that I am an available heiress on top of being a great fashion stylist. The industry is all about status. Father got to milk the name as much as I can.” I smirk as everyone erupts into laughter at me, teasing him that I am only being seen with him to benefit myself. 

“Have you learnt projection of memories through telekinesis yet? Or just exchanging words?” Wanda, I did like you until now. Her eyes narrow as if she already knows the answer, little witch. 

“We started on it, Wanda, but I had to attend to a matter for the AllFather, so I had to cut the lesson short. Apologies again, Isla.” Thor looks between us, he clearly knows too well, Odin would not ask him to do something over asking Thor. But he does not press the lie. 

Thankfully, no one else questioned it. “No need for apologies, Loki, if Odin calls, duty calls. We can continue after Fashion Week.” Why did he just cover for me? Wanda accepts this answer thankfully.

I do the dishes. Dad is too used to cleaners, so I try to get as much done before he attests.  

Loki, with Thor following suit, brings me the rest of the plates; our interaction lingers as he passes me the dishes he holds. Then the ones Thor held. Thor whispers between us. 

Everyone is now far enough away in the main room not to hear. “Whatever happened today, if you require my counsel, please do let me know. Especially if things are not working out. I am sure we can work on another arrangement to find Isla another tutor.” Loki looks to me to answer. 

“I have no idea what you are referring to, Thor. Your Brother, I will say, is the perfect tutor; I do not require another teacher. Unless he wishes to drop me as his student?” Loki raises his eyebrow. 

“I do not wish that, you are finally becoming interesting and actually worth teaching.” I scoff and flick water at him. Thor and I laugh as Loki wipes his face and walks away. I turn back to the dishes. Unknowingly to me, Loki turns to look back at me. Thor and Peter notice. Peter was making his way to me, knowing he could sense something earlier.

“Hey sis, can we talk?” I pass him a towel to dry the dishes I have just rinsed. 

“Of course, little Spidey. Listen before you ask, just listen. It wasn’t anything, really. Loki was teaching me to show him my memories, and I got out of hand with my memory and showed him when I broke off my engagement to Zach. It sped through the memory so fast it didn’t matter how quickly we both tried to break the link… He saw it all. All of the hurt. We never spoke about it. I asked him to drop it, and surprisingly, he did.” After I dry my hands, Peter gives me a massive hug and whispers. “He was looking back to you when he walked off.” 

I briefly close my eyes, and when I reopen them, I catch a few eyes on us. Including him… We rejoin the group.

“What was that about, you two?” Peter saves me. 

“Isla. Gave me advice again for tomorrow about asking MJ to Homecoming.” I place my arm around him. 

“Yeah, you heard it here first. I was nice to him, ok. Take a mental picture of this Moment, everyone.” Before I can let him go, Sam has snapped a pic and sent it into the group chat. Captioned ‘The Tin Woman has a heart,’ I flipped him the middle finger as I read it. 

“Piss off, Birdman, I am so loving. I’m just picky about who I show it to. Being mean to people saves you from all the hurt in the world.” Those words mean so much, maybe a bit too much sharing for tonight. 

“Right, Good night, everyone. Have to get my beauty sleep… Shut it, Samual.” I stop him before he interjects. “… Loads of shit to do before Fashion Week begins.” I start to walk away. “NIGHT LOVE YOU ALL.” 

This time Pietro speaks up. “Is the roof about to come down on us?” 

Little shit.