"Water?"
Bella was momentarily confused by the question.
Loki didn't immediately clarify. Instead, his gaze drifted toward the little girl, Sally, who was peeking nervously from behind Bella's legs. The child had been trying to hide, but her curious eyes were clearly locked onto the trickster god. Loki noticed and raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"She's a little special," Loki said, voice soft with intrigue.
"Don't draw attention to her," Bella said quickly, stepping a bit more in front of Sally.
"I know, I'm just asking," he replied with an unreadable smirk. Then, changing the subject without skipping a beat, he added, "I'm planning a trip to a black market... in space. Want to come with me?"
Bella blinked. "To the universe?"
The idea made her frown slightly as she began to think. Her power on Earth had plateaued lately. She had once battled Blood Clans, werewolves, and other supernatural threats with relative ease. But those victories had become routine. Fighting them no longer pushed her limits. If she wanted to grow stronger, she'd need to face threats far more formidable—enemies at least on the level of the Hulk or Captain America.
And how many beings of that magnitude were still on Earth?
Very few.
Would she really go so far as to seek out the Ancient One just to pick a fight? That sounded more like a death wish than a training plan.
But outside Earth... there were countless powerful races, tyrants, and cosmic threats. A whole galaxy of strength and chaos. If 02—her mysterious AI companion—allowed her to venture into space for a year, she might return with strength far beyond her current level.
Of course, that possibility came hand in hand with tremendous danger. The universe was a dark forest, and she was no apex predator. Not yet.
Even a minor universal catastrophe could threaten her life.
Yet, danger and opportunity often came as a package deal.
Loki noticed her hesitation and didn't press. He stood relaxed under the softly falling snow, his arms crossed, watching the girl in silence. Unlike most Asgardians, Loki was half Jotun—ice giant—and the cold was something he found comforting. Snowflakes danced through the air as Bella stood before him, clad in a black, form-fitting sweater and off-white casual trousers that highlighted her graceful, athletic frame.
Loki's eyes couldn't help but drift for a moment.
Something about her always seemed to pull his attention—against his better judgment.
He wasn't sure what he felt toward her. Admiration? Fear? Something else?
It was complicated. Other than his mother, Frigga, this was the first time he had ever felt something so tangled toward a woman.
He remembered the first time they met. She hadn't looked exactly like this then—different hair, a different outfit—but just as striking. Their first encounter had not been peaceful. Bella had singlehandedly ruined one of his carefully constructed schemes. He had nearly struck her down in rage.
At the time, he had hated her. This girl, with her wild powers and unpredictable ways, had thrown his perfect plan into chaos.
After Loki returned to Asgard, that plan's failure had led to the Jotunheim army—led by Laufey himself—attacking the realm. They had nearly succeeded. Laufey almost unleashed the Casket of Ancient Winters right onto Asgard's heart. Had anything happened to his mother that day...
Loki's fists clenched slightly at the memory.
But Bella had returned, just in time.
She had turned the tide, helped defeat the ancient Casket's magic, and—most importantly to him—saved Frigga's life.
After that, Loki couldn't bring himself to hate her anymore.
She stayed in Asgard for a time, studying magic under Frigga's guidance. Loki had occasionally caught glimpses of her—usually reading in the library or meditating under the starlight—and every time, something in him stirred.
One evening, he had passed by and seen her profile bathed in the golden glow of the palace's eternal torches. For the first time in centuries, his heart had stuttered.
It wasn't love.
Not yet.
But it was something.
Of course, everything changed when she stepped into the dueling arena.
At first, Loki thought she would be like every other visiting warrior, showing off a few tricks and retreating. But she went head-to-head with Thor—and beat him. Repeatedly.
Thor was left dazed, confused, and humiliated.
And Bella? She didn't seem done. After smacking Thor around, she turned her eyes on Loki.
He'd been terrified.
This woman was no gentle mystic. She was a war goddess with a mischievous streak to rival his own.
Since then, their paths had crossed many times. And each time, Loki found himself increasingly uncertain about how he felt.
He looked at her now, watching as her brows furrowed slightly in thought. Her arms were folded, and her lower lip was caught between her teeth—a habit she probably didn't even realize she had.
She had no idea what she stirred inside him.
And Loki would never tell her.
He was still the God of Mischief, after all.
Bella, meanwhile, was deep in contemplation.
Was she ready to go into the cosmos? Not for sightseeing. No, this would be dangerous. But what lay out there could finally push her forward. Her instincts whispered that it was the right move.
"Would I need to fight?" she finally asked, glancing up.
Loki's grin widened. "Isn't that why you're considering it?"
Bella rolled her eyes, but didn't deny it.
"If I go, I need to make arrangements for Sally," she added, glancing down at the small child still watching them both with wide eyes.
"She can't come."
"I figured." Bella looked thoughtful. "And this black market… what kind of place is it?"
Loki shrugged. "Neutral, mostly. Trade, rumors, secrets, ancient relics… and the occasional illegal weapon shipment. Nothing you haven't seen before—just… multiplied by ten thousand and spread across a dozen planets."
Bella snorted softly. "You make it sound like a cosmic garage sale."
"It is a cosmic garage sale," Loki said, eyes glinting. "But one where you might find a blade that can pierce a god or a serum that unlocks the full potential of your genes."
That made her pause.
If that were true...
Her journey to space might be the key to finally unlocking the deeper potential within her powers. She'd been operating at a high level for years—but not at her peak. Not yet.
And Earth wasn't giving her the pressure she needed to grow anymore.
But could she trust Loki?
That was another question entirely.
As if sensing her doubt, he gave a small laugh. "I won't betray you, if that's what you're thinking. Not on this trip. It's boring traveling alone, and besides…" He leaned slightly closer. "You're more fun than most Asgardians."
She narrowed her eyes. "That's not exactly comforting."
"I'll take that as a yes?"
Bella didn't answer immediately. She looked at the snow falling gently around them, the icy wind brushing her cheek, the child still hiding behind her, the small quiet moment stretching on.
"I'll think about it," she said at last.
Loki nodded once, not pressing further.
As the god turned and began to walk away, he called back, "Don't take too long. The ship leaves in two days."
Then he vanished, as he always did—like smoke on the wind.
Bella stood silently, her arms tightening around herself as she looked up at the stars above. Somewhere out there were answers… or perhaps destruction. But standing still would mean stagnation.
She looked down at Sally.
"I might be gone for a while," she whispered.
Sally blinked. "Will you come back?"
Bella smiled faintly. "I always do."
And this time, she hoped she'd return not just stronger—but with the knowledge of what she truly wanted from the universe.
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