Author's Note: Hello again friends! Not much to say about this chapter, it's pretty straightforward. It takes place a few years after Rika moves into the palace. I've had this idea in my head for a while and finally decided to write it while I'm trying to find inspiration for the "first time" chapter I promised you. It's still upcoming, I swear, I just really want to do it justice so it might take a while. Bear with me. Anyway, thanks to everyone who has read, favourited and followed. And big virtual bear hugs to my awesome reviewers DoctorLokiLove, Moonlight Calls, HistoryGeek1993 and thisnameisnowtaken. Thanks guys!

Disclaimer: Same as always. Marvel's, not mine. Sadly.

I step into the spacious training room where those of us who are gifted in the magical arts come to learn and practice spells. It is, as I hoped, deserted this late in the afternoon. I close the heavy wooden door softly behind me and make my way across the polished marble floor; the room is very warm due to the bright sunlight streaming in through the many windows, so I open a few of them to let in a light breeze which ruffles my long hair and flutters my tunic around my knees.

After gazing out at the palace gardens for a few moments, I turn away from the windows and cross to the far side of the room where a small pool of water is situated by the wall. I stare at the clear water for a long moment before raising my hand to hover over the still surface. Another long moment passes during which I concentrate hard on the water, trying to bend it to my will. Nothing happens.

Sighing deeply, I close my eyes and picture a thin column of water rising from the shallow pool towards my outstretched hand. I focus on that image, blocking out everything else, and when I finally open my eyes I see that it's working.

Sort of.

I've managed to create a kind of awkward bump in the water below my hand, about three feet high. It's not much, but it's just about the best I've ever managed with water manipulation, and I feel a small burst of triumph. Maybe I can get the hang of this after all.

Water spells have never come easy to me. Fire, on the other hand, I can make do just about anything with very little effort; but the two forces are very different and water gives me a lot of trouble.

Summoning every bit of concentration I can, I try to pull the water higher, and I force it up a few more inches before the door bangs shut behind me, disrupting the calm atmosphere and scaring me.

I lose my tenuous hold on the water and it splashes back to the carved stone basin, forcing me to leap back to avoid getting soaked. Whipping around, I find Loki standing by the door smiling sheepishly.

"Sorry, Rika," he says, crossing the room to stand next to me. "I did not mean to startle you."

I shake my head as my heart rate returns to normal. "It's alright, Loki. I was just trying something."

He nods. "Yes, I noticed. You were doing quite well."

I shoot him a disbelieving stare. "Liar," I say with a slight smirk.

"It's what I do best," he replies with a laugh and I elbow him lightly in the side, causing him to laugh harder. After a moment I can't help but join in.

Our laughter gradually subsides and with a smile Loki gestures to the pool. "Would you like some help?"

"Well, I was planning to practice on my own to avoid embarrassing myself, but it's too late for that now, isn't it?" I say, a joking lilt clear in my voice.

Loki chuckles again. "It certainly is," he says. I smack him lightly on the arm and he pretends to be offended for a moment before his face breaks into a smile once more.

"I am only joking, of course. Deepest apologies, my lady," he teases with an exaggerated bow. I roll my eyes.

"Yes, alright. You are forgiven," I reply. "Now, are you going to help me or not?"

Loki nods and nudges me back to the edge of the basin. "Hold out your hand as you were before," he instructs. I do as he says, stretching my hand out over the water, palm down. "Now try to draw the water up to your hand."

"Thanks, I don't know what I was doing before," I say sarcastically; Loki shakes his head.

"Are you going to keep being a smartass?" he asks, arching one eyebrow.

I shrug. "Probably."

Loki lets out a rather un-princely snort of laughter and I grin widely. "Alright, just let me show you." He moves to stand behind me and reaches out to grasp my wrist with gentle fingers. As his fingertips brush my skin I feel a funny little jolt in the pit of my stomach; that's odd. I ignore it and focus on what Loki is doing.

He moves my hand in smooth, flowing motions, and I feel his cool magic flare to life alongside the warmth of my own. Funny how we can perform so many of the same spells, and yet our magics feel so different; I suppose it has some relation to why I can manipulate fire so easily, while Loki barely has to think to make water or ice do as he commands.

I let Loki's magic wash over me and guide mine; within seconds a thin, stable column of water rises up from the pool's surface towards our linked hands. Loki raises our hands and then makes a little tugging motion, and the column snaps itself free to become a completely separate ball of water, floating in the air in front of us.

Sweeping our hands back and forth we move the bubble of water through the air. Loki gradually lessens his influence, giving me more control bit by bit, until finally the glittering sphere is being held in the air by my magic alone, though Loki still holds my wrist and gently guides my movements. Emboldened by my success, I raise the water higher and continue to move it back and forth over our heads.

Loki shifts slightly behind me, his free hand coming to rest on my shoulder, and all of a sudden I am acutely aware of his chest pressed against my back. My cheeks heat up with a blush. What is wrong with me?

"You are doing very well, Rika," Loki whispers. His warm breath tickles my neck as he speaks and suddenly all I can focus on is him, his closeness. My concentration slips, my magic falters, and -

The water bursts free of its magical confines and cascades down on top of Loki and I, drenching us.

With surprised yelps, Loki and I jump apart. My cheeks are still burning with embarrassment as I turn to face Loki, who looks just as shocked at our sudden soaking as I feel.

"Oh gods, Loki I am so sorry! I don't know what happened..." My voice trails off; in fact I do know what happened, but I don't quite know how to explain it, so I choose not to try.

Shaking out his wet hair, spraying little droplets of water everywhere, Loki shrugs. "It's alright, Rika. Lapses in concentration happen."

I nod slowly as the heat slowly recedes from my face. "Of course. I'm really not very good with water."

"Actually, you were doing very well up until... Well, up until you weren't," Loki says, his eyes sparkling amusedly.

I sigh heavily, dropping my face into my hand.

"Hey now," Loki says, and I hear his footsteps as he returns to my side. A second later his arm is around my shoulders and my nerves jump again at his touch. Good almighty gods.

"I was only teasing," he continues. "You're making good progress. We can keep practicing if you like."

I remove my hand from my face and look up at him. "I know you were just teasing, Loki. And I think right now I would prefer to go change into some dry clothing."

Chuckling, Loki gives me a brief squeeze before dropping his arm from around my shoulders. "I was hoping you might say that." We head towards the door side-by-side, Loki pushing it open when we get there and holding it for me as I step into the corridor. He shuts it carefully behind us and I raise an eyebrow at him.

"So you are capable of closing a door without deafening everyone in the vicinity."

Loki grins. "On occasion. I shall see you at dinner?"

I nod, smiling back at him. "Yes, I will be there."

"Until then, my lady," he replies with a wink before turning on his heel and heading down the corridor towards the royal wing, leaving wet footprints behind him.

I gaze after him for a moment before giving my head a little shake and taking a different hallway that will lead me to the warriors' wing. My footsteps squelch quietly as I walk and I am looking forward to getting out of these wet boots. My thoughts turn back to why I got an impromptu shower in the first place.

Loki has casually touched me countless times before and it hasn't affected me like it did back in the training room. There is a possible explanation for it poking at the back of my mind, but I try to push it down. After all, it's ridiculous...right?

No matter how hard I try, however, I can't banish the thought from my mind, and by the time I arrive back at my quarters I have to admit it to myself.

I'm developing romantic feelings for Loki. For my best friend.

I mull this over as I dry myself off and change into a simple airy gown for dinner; the pale blue material hugs my arms and torso, and flows into a loose floor-length skirt that swishes lightly when I walk. My thoughts continue to centre on Loki as I settle a thin silver belt at my hips. By the time I am pulling my hair into a braid I have decided to put these feelings at the back of my mind and act as if nothing has changed. There's no reason to make things awkward between Loki and I.

And maybe if I ignore them for long enough, these weird feelings will go away.
Feeling a little more like myself, I slide on a pair of dark blue slippers and leave my quarters. By the time I reach the dining hall and take a seat between Loki and Thor I think I just might be able to make this work.