My thoughts were awake before I was. My consciousness was standing in a small cottage. There was a gentle fire burning in the hearth to my right. The flames flickered and licked towards me, as if drawn to my skin.
I was standing in the sitting room. The kitchen was laid out in front of me. I could spy a small library or work room just beyond that, and there was an open bedroom door to my left.
My feet carried me into the kitchen. The shelves were lined with potions and salves and every type of herb I knew. Fresh flowers were cut and placed into colorful vases, blue and pink and yellow. They caught the light from the window and stained the floor with their light.
The kitchen island held a basket of pomegranates along with a knife and cutting board. Whoever's home I was in had abandoned their work. There were crushed herbs on the board with a bottle of oil nearby.
Confused, I turned around to face the front door. I opened it and stepped out to the grassy field. There was a garden gate beside me, and I heard gentle humming coming from behind the black iron rods.
The sea glittered in the distance. Sparkling white waves crashed to the shore some distance away. The sand looked abnormally white and untouched.
My head spun a bit at the overwhelming scenario, but I pushed past it. I walked through the garden gate, wincing when it creaked.
The humming continued, steady and relaxing. I spotted a woman kneeling before a bush of rosemary. She held garden shears in one hand, and a basket was in the grass beside her.
She seemed to know I was there for her humming stopped, and she turned to look at me. She was beautiful. I saw the summer sun in her eyes, bright and warm.
The air moved around her like a fresh spring breeze, gliding through her slightly wavy hair and tickling the hem of her silky skirt. Her skin glowed as if she held the sun itself in her chest.
"Hello, daughter," she said as if she were singing a song.
My heart skipped a beat. Anxiety rocked through my body. I felt as if I had stones in my throat.
She laughed, bubbly and feather-light. "There is no need to be nervous, my dear." She stood and walked towards me.
Persephone was about my height. Our eyes were level with each other, and I searched for myself in her features.
We had the same nose, the same curve of our jaw, our hair was wavy, but while mine was black as ink, she was strawberry blonde.
She smiled at me and lifted her gentle fingers to my arm. "Here," she whispered, "come inside."
I let her take me back in. My feet padded across the dark hardwood floors, past the dying fire, and towards her unfinished potion-making.
"You must be wondering where we are," she said as she picked back up her knife. She didn't wait for me to reply. "I know you have been working diligently with your magic. Your father and I have been surveying your progress so far. I am quite impressed."
Her eyes lifted to mine, and I noticed we shared the same dimples in our cheeks. "You are still so young, my girl, but you have made great strides. I'm sure that wicked bitch's grasp on your memory will not hold for long," she spat. Her sudden aggression startled me for a moment.
"There is so much I'd like to tell you, but there is not enough time. Before I am forced away from you again, I'd like you to know that this place," she motioned her hand around, "is your birthday gift from your father and I."
She smiled at my shocked expression. My eyes drifted around the cottage as she continued. "I know you visit the mind-library of that Asgardian. This place is similar. It does not truly exist except in your mind; however, I hope you will enjoy it nevertheless.
"It works the same as his. The items in here are tangible. You may bring them back and forth from reality to here. I've given you many tools: draughts, salves, books, and anything else I could imagine you'd need."
Our eyes met. She looked sad. "You cannot come home yet. But I know you will someday. Continue to work hard, Princess." She scooped the crushed herbs off the board and into the jar of oil. "Now," she breathed, "I must go before the spell breaks and the Olympians see me here."
Her hand reached across the kitchen island, and I felt how cold she was. "I will see you again, daughter. And always know your father and I watch from afar."
With a blink of my eyes, she was gone.
I looked around the cottage again. The fire was out, and the coals were flickering in their last breaths of life.
This is mine.
A smile appeared on my lips. I said a silent thank you to Persephone and Hades and turned back to the kitchen island.
The cutting board was gone, cleaned and stacked where it was meant to be. In its place was a small cream white box wrapped with pink ribbon.
My fingers pulled the box towards me and carefully pulled the ribbon off. Inside was a delicate golden necklace with small garnets hanging from the chain.
I looked back to the pomegranates in front of me. There were six garnet seeds adorning the golden necklace. One for each month my mother spent in the Kingdom of the Dead.
Gently, I secured the necklace around myself. It would follow me to reality. The thought alone made me smile.
Goddess? Loki's voice echoed in my ears. Where are you?
I grinned, Follow my thoughts. I have something to show you.
He appeared in the sitting room in the same place I had. His eyes widened in shock as he looked around. "Did you create this?" He asked.
I laughed, "No, my mother did."
"She came to you?" He asked, surprised.
I nodded and walked towards him. "She said this was my birthday gift. It's like your library."
He admired the cottage and peered out the window. "This is nothing like my library. This is an entire island," his voice was like I'd never heard it, awe-struck and inspired. "The power it takes to create something like this," his voice trailed off, and he shook his head."
We walked outside, and I pointed out the garden to him along with the white beach and glittering ocean. His eyes took in every detail they could as he followed my steps.
"With the tools she has given you," he said as we inspected the herbs she left growing, "you may not need me anymore."
I rolled my eyes, "I still need guidance."
He hummed and followed me towards the back of the cottage. We discovered a side door that led to the library by the kitchen.
There was a small workbench with empty bottles and tools of every kind. Books lined the shelves with space for more to be added. She really had left me a lot to use.
"Magic is mainly will," Loki mused. His fingers glided over some of the book spines. "You are one of the most headstrong people I know. With this," he waved his hand, "you could rival even the greatest witches."
I stared at him, "My mother said something about a wicked bitch's grasp on my memory. Could that be why I fell from Olympus? Some wicked bitch wanted me gone."
Loki sighed and stared out of a window. "I don't know, darling. My apologies." He looked back at me, "Did she say anything else?"
My head shook, "Not really. She said she couldn't stay long. There was a spell hiding her from the view of the Olympians, but it wouldn't hold for long which is why she had to leave. I definitely think someone wanted me gone, Loki."
He nodded slowly, letting his eyes drift away from me. "Try not to think about it," he mumbled. "Emotional distractions like that will only impair your magic or make your problem worse."
I sighed. My problem. The black inky magic that dripped from my fingertips anytime I lost my temper. That problem.
Loki was watching my face. "Come," he offered me his arm, "let us go for a walk and explore your new space."
I laughed and took his arm. He could be sweet sometimes.
We walked together in silence for a while, weaving through trees that dotted the landscape and climbing rolling hillsides.
But my curiosity was getting the better of me. I turned to him, hoping to hide the eagerness in my voice. "Loki," I said already too loudly. "Are you happy on Midgar?"
He laughed, "I suppose so. You and your mortals are better company than my horrid father and his court of jesters."
"You seem like you enjoy watching us bicker with each other," I noted.
"It is quite amusing," he sighed. "They are not so bad."
I grinned at him. "You should come downstairs more. I think you'd have fun."
His eyes rolled, and he didn't answer me. I knew he was anxious. About what, I wasn't certain. But I also knew he craved friends. He wanted to feel a part of our world.
"Thank you for coming to my birthday party and my elopement," I said lightly.
He smiled and helped me step up a rock. His hand was warm on mine as he carried my weight up the steep slope.
We had reached the northernmost point of the island. Waves crashed below us violently.
"Thank you for saving me, goddess," Loki said as he looked out to the horizon.
I turned to him, smiling. "I'm glad you're on Midgar with us. Swear to come downstairs more?" I asked, hopeful.
He laughed and turned to me. "Only if you swear to let me come back to your island."
I stepped away from him and extended my hand. His eyes rolled, but he took my hand and shook it. Swear, we both said.
We walked back to the cottage, skipping over stones and talking about what we saw growing across the island. Wildflowers and herbs of all kinds were in abundance. There were grape vines and strawberry patches, peach trees, peppers, and even hemlock.
Inside, Loki sat in a seat near the hearth. The flames lit themselves, and I sat in the chair beside him. "Your mortal men seem kind," he said suddenly.
I turned to him, grinning. "They don't like you very much."
He breathed a laugh, "I do not blame them."
"I think you three could get along well if you tried. They're sweet boys. And I know beneath all your stubbornness, you're kind as well."
His eyes turned to me, disbelieving. "You are sorely mistaken, stupid girl. I do not think it will be easy for your mortals to even tolerate my presence."
"Maybe not," I mused. Steve and Bucky were just as stubborn as Loki. Headstrong and possessive of me. They didn't like his arrogance and time spent alone with me.
"I simply mean to say I am glad they seem to love you so much. Perhaps your fall was a blessing. The life of a nymph on Olympus is scarcely a happy one," he said simply.
I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
He sat back in his seat and sighed. "Nymphs are good for two things: dowaries and sex." He turned to me, sympathy in his eyes. "Not my beliefs," he clarified.
"You would have been married off to someone, a prince, maybe, a son of Zeus, who knows." His eyes were still firm on mine. "I do know you would not have found love like you have now if you had stayed there. Perhaps you should thank that wicked bitch, whoever she may be, for casting you down."
My head hurt. Loki seemed to notice. He stood from his seat and wandered towards the potions that lined the walls of the kitchen.
He returned with a ghastly looking draught, deep green and viscous. "This won't taste good, but it'll ease your mind's wandering." He popped the cork from the top and brought it to my lips.
His hand found the back of my head and tilted it back. The feeling of his fingers in my hair made my heart skip a beat. His eyes were steady on mine as I took a few sips of the dreadful liquid.
I coughed at the taste. It was vile. Loki smiled and placed the cork back in the stopper. He stepped away from me, and the air felt cold.
"You should wake up," he said from the kitchen. "That draught is going to force you back to reality soon enough regardless."
"What does it do?" I asked.
He smiled and returned to his seat beside me. "It's for headaches and nausea. Forces the mind back to itself. It'll likely knock you back to your sleeping self."
I nodded and touched back to reality. It was dawn. The sun was rising over the forest near the compound. Alpine was kneading the blankets at my feet, and Steve and Bucky were still dreaming on either side of me.
"Will you come downstairs for breakfast?" I asked Loki.
He nodded, "I overheard Stark saying we were going to brunch." He laughed at his own absurd situation. "For your birthday, I suppose."
I smiled at him, dragging my mind back to the cottage. I already felt the draught working. My mind wanted to leave. "Okay," I whispered. "I'll see you soon."
With a blink, I was back to sleep in my bed. My mind felt steady, less swirling thoughts and anxieties clouding me like fog.
I forced myself to wake up. Alpine chirped and bumped her head into my hand. I grinned and scooped her into my arms, carrying her with me to the bathroom and setting her on the counter.
She liked to watch me get ready. Her sparkling eyes followed every movement of my hairbrush, the mascara wand gliding through my lashes, the lipstick staining my lips.
The boys stirred, waking as the sun began to filter over their faces. They stumbled into the bathroom as they still rubbed sleep from their eyes.
I grinned at them and stood on my tiptoes to kiss their beards. "Good morning, my loves," I said softly.
They groaned and moved to brush their teeth. Usually, they woke up before the sun did, but on special occasions, they skipped their morning runs and slept in.
It was harder to get them moving on those mornings. Their bodies didn't want to cooperate; too relaxed and over-rested.
I smiled, leaving them to their self-pity and misery as I walked to our closet. Alpine stayed with the boys, happy to watch them.
Tuesday morning brunch with the team. I sighed and sifted through the racks of clothes. A soft rosy sundress caught my eyes. It was pretty and light, perfect for the hot summer morning.
I dressed and paired it with white sandals and gold jewelry. My fingers lingered over the garnet seeds of the necklace my mother had given me as I looked at myself in the mirror.
The boys joined me noticed the new necklace immediately. Bucky ghosted his fingers along the chain, "What's this?"
"Persephone visited me last night," I said, trying to keep my voice level. "She gave me this and something else."
"What else?" Steve asked.
I smiled at their reflection. "She made me a space to practice my magic. It's like Loki's library. It's in my mind, and I can go there whenever I want."
They grinned at me and wrapped their arms around me as they pressed kisses to my head. "I'm glad," Steve mumbled.
"You like it?" Bucky asked.
"Oh, it's beautiful. I want to figure out how to show it to you," I said. I described the island to them, the crashing waves, small library, rolling hills, and the garden.
They watched me as I spoke, quietly dressing and nodding along as I spoke a thousand words a minute. They loved to hear me talk about my magic even if they didn't understand it. Their thoughts swam with adoration for me, and my heart skipped a beat.
When I finished, I was slightly out of breath. Adrenaline ran through me, and my boys were smiling. Bucky started to say something, but there was a knock at the door.
He rolled his eyes and went to answer it. Tony greeted him, abnormally ecstatic this early in the morning. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty," I heard him say. "Can you Prince Charming and Elsa be ready to go in half an hour?"
"For what?" Bucky groaned.
I heard Tony scoff, "It's your girl's birthday, dum dum. We're all going to brunch; my treat." He was walking away now, not accepting any answer but okay from Bucky.
He shut the door with a huff and turned back to Steve and I. "We're going to brunch," he announced.
Steve nodded and started to roll his sleeves up. He wore simple blue jeans and a white button-up. Classic and handsome as always.
Bucky had thrown himself on the bed and was staring up at the ceiling. He looked like Steve's exact opposite. He wore black jeans and a simple black t-shirt, tight against his broad shoulders.
I smiled between them. We looked like such an odd couple.
Steve walked over to Bucky and pulled him from the mattress and back to the bathroom. The boys finished getting ready, fixing their hair and trimming their increasingly unruly beards.
I smiled, watching them as I touched up my own hair. I thought about Persephone and her seemingly effortless beauty. The way the world seemed to bend and shape itself to compliment her.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I wondered if I would ever experience the world as she did. Flowers and flames bending to grace her. Light filtering itself to perfectly halo around her head.
"You look breathtaking, doll," Bucky said suddenly. His hand was paused halfway through his hair, eyes wide and a smile pulling at his lips.
Steve was the same. He was staring at my reflection in the mirror with his hand mid-stroke through his beard when he stopped to stare at me.
A bashful smile overcame my features, and I couldn't ignore the blush that donned my cheeks. "Thanks," I mumbled.
JARVIS came over the speakers. "Pardon me, the team is waiting for you downstairs," he said.
We made our way down to the garage to find everyone piling into a large SUV. Happy Hogan was in the driver's seat, yelling at everyone to buckle their seatbelts.
He smiled when he saw me, "Happy birthday, Stella." His face faltered. "Barton, I swear to God, if you touch that again, I'll kick you out."
Clint grinned and removed his hand from the child locks on the door. I rolled my eyes and followed the rest of the team inside.
We were off to some fancy brunch spot near the river. Tony looked excited; he was practically bouncing off the walls of the car. Bruce sat next to him, wincing and leaning towards Thor every time Tony got too loud.
I already regret coming, Loki said to my thoughts. His elbow was resting on the door, and his head was perched on his fist as if he were in agony.
His eyes were glaring at me, so I grinned back at him. You'll have fun when we get there.
I will not, he retorted and left my mind.
There wasn't much traffic on the road. It was Tuesday, and most people were at work by now, but Happy drove like a grandmother. We finally crawled into the valet loop of the brunch spot, and Happy stepped out to open our doors.
Bucky took my hand and led me out of the car. Cameras flashed, and my eyes widened in surprise. This is why Tony was so giddy. He loved the cameras.
I smiled politely at some of the paparazzi, but the boys frowned. Steve walked on my other side, blocking the camera's views of me. I looked up at him. He was glaring at the back of Tony's head as we made our way up the steps.
The boys were incredibly possessive of me. My heart skipped a beat everytime I caught a glimpse of their sharp eyes, furrowed eyebrows, and lingering hands that ghosted around my frame.
They sat on either side of me, still frowning as waiters came to serve us water and bottomless mimosas were ordered.
"You two seem unhappy," Loki noted. His tone was undetectable, but his eyes gleamed with mischief.
My boys turned their glares towards him. "I hate leaving the compound," Steve finally grumbled. He reached for a small stack of toast and put a slice on my plate and Bucky's.
Bucky slid us the jam and butter as he continued to frown. Both of them looked cute with their angry faces.
I laughed and let my hands fall to their knees. "Darlings, it's really not a big deal. Relax, and enjoy the brunch, please."
They both exchanged glances and sighed, downing their mimosas in one gulp and already waiting for another.
My head shook, and I spoke to their thoughts just as they were raising their second glasses to their lips. Both of you settle down before I give you a reason to be so worked up.
Bucky nearly spit out his drink. He coughed loudly and looked at me with narrowed eyes. Steve was clearing his throat, avoiding looking at anyone.
Natasha seemed amused by this, "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Steve breathed.
Pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, and many other brunch foods were brought to our table buffet style. We all filled our plates and ate happily, forgetting about the previous few minutes.
The team was together and happy, joking and occasionally waving to very obvious paparazzi that snuck around inside.
Loki seemed to be having a better time than he predicted. His eyes wandered over the table, picking at pancakes and smiling softly as people talked.
Bruce and Thor were sneakily whispering into each other's ears. They smiled and exchanged grins and knowing glances.
The rest of the team was oblivious, gossiping and laughing too loudly in the echoing restaurant. I felt people looking at us, but I ignored them.
My boys put food on my plate and poured me more mimosas. They hovered around me, fretting over every little thing. I rolled my eyes at them. They were so cute, and I knew how much they loved me.
Every now and then, Steve would reach for my left hand and give my ring finger a gentle squeeze. Bucky's fingers ghosted down my back, combing through my hair and sending tingles over my skin.
I smiled at them. My boys. If this was the beginning of my year, I could only hope the rest of the year would follow suit.
My mind swam with all our plans for the year. My favorite of which: another wedding. Mrs. Rogers-Barnes. My boys and I, planning and living our own fairytale.
Twenty four would be a good year for me. I was sure of it.