Texting #2: The Missing Plant

Tower Universe - Short

Loki’s learned how to text, which means Gwen now gets messages every time he’s bored. This time, his boredom leads to chaos—and the mysterious disappearance of one of her rare greenhouse plants.

Gwen unlocks the tower greenhouse and drops her things on her desk. She tilts her head curiously when she notices something is off.

Text from Gwen: "Were you in my greenhouse?"

Loki smirks as he types.

Text from Loki: “Why? Is something missing, little one?”

Text from Gwen: "Yes, something is missing. I had a rare plant on my desk, and now it's gone."

Loki's smirk widens as he reads her response. He can almost hear the frustration in her voice, and it only amuses him even more.

Text from Loki: "My, my, what a shame. And you're quite sure it didn't just grow legs and walk away?"

Text from Gwen: "Positive."

Loki chuckles at her straightforward reply. He could almost hear the eye roll in her tone. But he can't resist pushing her buttons a bit more.

Text from Loki: "Well, if it didn't walk away, then someone must have taken it. And who do you suspect, little one?"

Text from Gwen: "Well, my number one suspect would be a certain God of Mischief, seeing as how he left behind a little drawing in place of the plant."

She sends a picture of a small card with a sketch of the missing plant.

Loki grins at the picture, delighted that she found his little calling card.

Text from Loki: "Ah, but you see, that was evidence left behind to throw you off my trail. A real criminal wouldn't be so sloppy."

Another message arrives. This time with a photo of the stolen plant sitting on his windowsill, bathed in golden light.

Text from Loki: "Guest of honor. I promise to water it … occasionally."

Gwen laughs despite her initial annoyance.

Text from Gwen: "Loki, I need that plant. Bring it back and I'll try to grow you your own from a cutting."

Loki pauses, considering her offer. He glances at the plant sitting proudly on his windowsill and then back at his phone.

Text from Loki: "You know, it's much more fun when you beg. Give me one good reason why I should return your precious plant."

Text from Gwen: "Why don't you give me one good reason why you need my plant more than I do?"

Loki taps his fingers against his phone, momentarily stumped.

Text from Loki: "Need? Oh darling, we both know I don’t need anything. But perhaps…"

He snaps a quick photo of the plant now perched atop a precarious stack of ancient spellbooks.

Text from Loki: "It likes my chaos better."

Text from Gwen: "🙄"

She stops trying to negotiate with him for now.

Loki smirks at her exasperated emoji, his fingers quickly typing out a reply.

Text from Loki: "Can’t handle a little chaos, little one? I thought you'd be used to it, considering your 'work companions.' "

His next message is accompanied by a photo of the plant now sitting delicately on his bed. It looks utterly out of place amidst the grand, Asgardian-style furniture.

Text from Loki: "It's feeling sleepy. It might just stay here for the night."

Gwen laughs out loud in the middle of her greenhouse. Why is he so cute while being so annoying?

Text from Gwen: "Fine. Babysit my plant. I expect it back in one piece tomorrow."

Loki grins at her reluctant agreement, his thumbs dancing over the keypad.

Text from Loki: "I assure you, I'm a very attentive babysitter. I'll sing it lullabies and tuck it in tight."

He snaps a photo of the plant now tucked under his thick sheets. The plant almost looks cozy.

Text from Loki: "Sweet dreams, little one."

Text from Gwen: "You are ridiculous."

She knows she shouldn't encourage his antics even though she actually loves them... she'd love them more if they didn't involve her work...

Text from Gwen: "I want it back tomorrow. Please and thank you."

She's trusting him to bring it back, but who actually knows what he will do?

Loki chuckles at her begrudging politeness, his fingers typing out a reply with theatrical flair.

Text from Loki: "Oh, 'please and thank you'? How adorably mortal of you. Very well, tomorrow it is. But only because your manners are unexpectedly charming."

Another photo arrives. The plant is now wearing an absurdly tiny crown. Where did he even get that? 

Text from Loki: "Making sure royalty returns home in proper style."

Deep down, he will return it, just not without one last mischief-filled flourish.

Gwen laughs again. Let's see what tomorrow brings...

With a flourish of dramatic flair, he captures one last image of the plant, now wrapped in a makeshift cape made from a torn piece of his own clothing. 

Text from Loki: "Ready for adventure."

He sends the photo to Gwen, already savoring the thought of her reaction. This little game is much more fun than he had expected—not that he'd ever admit it, of course.

Gwen is sitting in the common room with the team, sipping her coffee the next morning and checking her messages. She sees the latest picture from Loki. Is that a cape?! She laughs and nearly spits out her coffee. The team looks at her, and she apologizes.

She texts back.

Text from Gwen: "Oh? And what was this adventure?"

Loki—currently sprawled elegantly on his throne (a repurposed chair in his apartment)—sees her reply and smirks.

Text from Loki: "The kind involving daring escapes from greenhouse tyrants. Alas, our hero is weary after such trials."

A new photo arrives: the plant now draped dramatically over a tiny armchair, looking thoroughly pampered. The caption?

Text from Loki: "Post-adventure recovery."

Text from Gwen: "Am I the greenhouse tyrant?"

The team continues to look at her in confusion as she laughs and types on her phone, completely ignoring them.

Loki grins at her question, his fingers deftly typing out a response.

Text from Loki: "Well, if the shoe fits…" he sends back, followed by an excessive number of winking emojis.

He can just picture her face... and the confused expressions of the Avengers behind her.

The thought of her enjoying his mischief just as much as he's enjoying her reactions only makes him all the more eager to see how far he can push this 'game.'

Text from Gwen: "Fine. Will you ask your little green hero to come back for a little while? He's late for work."

Text from Loki: "Oh? Late for work, you say? I must have lost track of time amid the daring exploits."

He snaps another photo. The plant is now posed atop a tiny desk, surrounded by a makeshift "workstation" of paperclips and pencils. 

Text from Loki: "Office antics."

She rolls her eyes and laughs again. She needs her plant, but she is having a lot of fun seeing what Loki comes up with.

Once she is back in her greenhouse, she takes a picture of the empty spot on her desk where the plant belongs.

Text from Gwen: "So sad. So lonely. 😢"

Loki's grin widens as he sees her dramatic pouting. Now she’s playing along properly.

Text from Loki: "Oh, don’t be too tragic. I may have a solution."

A new photo arrives. The plant is perched in the palm of his hand, its leaves practically glowing under the golden light of his magic.

Text from Loki: "I could be persuaded… for a price."

Text from Gwen: "Sounds like ransom...Alright, what price would that be?"

Loki's smirk returns at her use of the word ransom. He loves where this is going.

Text from Loki: "Well, seeing as I now have the advantage…" he replies, accompanied by a series of devious emojis.

Another photo comes through, showcasing the plant now sitting regally on a makeshift "throne" of stacked spell books.

Text from Loki: "You will provide me with a steady stream of entertainment."

Text from Gwen: "What do you mean by that?"

Loki lounges back, savoring the moment. She’s hooked.

Text from Loki: "Simple, I steal your plant whenever I feel like it … and you pretend to be annoyed."

A final photo arrives: the plant now balanced precariously on his shoulder, looking oddly smug for a leafy specimen. 

Text from Loki: "Part-time mischief partner."

Text from Gwen: "Deal."

Text from Gwen: "You know, if you wanted to talk to me, you could have just texted or come by without the thievery."

Loki pauses mid-smirk, caught slightly off guard by her directness. Clever little mortal.

Text from Loki: "Where’s the fun in that?" 

Text from Loki: "Though I suppose if you insist on being… civilized about it…" 

He sends one last photo: the plant neatly repotted, looking suspiciously well-cared for.

Text from Loki: "Returning your precious hostage."

He won’t admit it, but her company might just be worth more than the chaos.