Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 8

Loki still mock-grumbled at her, trying not to laugh instead. "I was four," he growled at her. She could hear the teasing in his voice.

She laughed. "I'm aware," she teased him.

He grumbled in annoyance. Annoying little chit knew too much. "It was Thor's fault," he said defensively.

She tilted her head and looked confused. He thought she looked like an adorable kitten. "Thor knew I was displeased that a maid was giving me a bath that night instead of mother. He informed me where mother was so I could go find her. Unfortunately, she was in the throne room with the Allfather, greeting a group of dignitaries from Alfheim," Loki explained, his cheeks purple in embarrassment. Morgan laughed, and Loki decided that a little embarrassment was worth getting her to laugh, was worth seeing her so happy.

But only a little embarrassment.

She finally relented to properly changing the subject. "I don't really feel like cooking tonight. Do you like Chinese?" she asked him warmly. Loki was still amazed that she seemed to care what she wanted, or at least his likes and dislikes. And she cared that he was fed.

"Chinese is fine, little one," he told her warmly.

She nodded and dialed the Chinese restaurant that always delivered to the tower. And placed their order, guessing what Loki would like, since he didn't say. She knew his food preferences well enough by then to pick something out. Loki couldn't find it at all surprising when she placed the order in Mandarin. "Dinner will be here soon," she told Loki after she hung up the phone.

Loki nodded. "Shall we head to the common room then?" he asked her warmly. That was the lowest common area to the lobby and therefore the closest to the food being delivered. It also had the big TV, which Loki found he liked. She nodded and swung her legs out of the bed. He was on his feet in an instant and offered her his arm as she reached for it, reached for him.

Morgan gave him a bright smile when she found that his arm was right where she needed it to be. She was impressed that he cared enough to make sure she was escorted safely. It was also clearly of his own volition at this point and not on her dad's orders.

They made their way to their usual couch in the common room and took a seat to wait for the Chinese to arrive. Morgan asked Jarvis to start the first How to Train Your Dragon movie while they waited. Morgan couldn't help smiling when the familiar theme started, though as they watched, she listened more to Loki's reactions to the familiar scenes than to the movie itself. Loki was watching in absolute delight, excited to see one of his favorite books come to animated life.

Jarvis automatically paused the movie when he announced that dinner had arrived. Morgan started to get up to go get it, assuming Loki wouldn't want to deal with the deliveryman. Or that it wasn't safe for Loki to deal with the deliveryman. That was probably more accurate. Loki could get stabby when he was agitated. Or hungry. Or because he felt like it. Or Thor was nearby.

Loki tended to get stabby frequently.

He gently pushed Morgan back down onto the couch. "I will get it, darling," he told her warmly.

"Are you sure?" she asked with concern in her voice. Thor couldn't be trusted to go get the delivery. How could Loki be trusted to do it? His temper was even more volatile than his brother's.

Loki chuckled. "Yes, darling. I'm sure. I will be back shortly,"

"Alright," she agreed, cuddling back up in the blanket Loki had draped around her.

Loki headed down to the lobby and successfully rescued the food from the deliveryman. The deliveryman was, of course, shocked by his appearance, but wisely didn't comment on Loki's sapphire skin, or crimson eyes, and definitely didn't dare say anything about the horns. Though he wanted to. He also wanted to stay alive. Loki appreciated that, if nothing else, the stupid mortal had a decent sense of self-preservation.