Chapter Text
It was a windy Friday night in New York City, the clock read 9:47pm and Loki realized it was way past closing time at the office. Loki was a successful financial analyst on Wall Street, he made a good amount of money at his job and he was living a more than comfortable life. He, like a lot of his colleagues, had a lavish apartment on the Upper West Side that overlooked Central Park. It was a wonderful location, he and his dog Alioth enjoyed walks there every morning.
Money. Security. Comfort. What more could a man ask for? Loki was even set to marry soon, his college girlfriend and long-time family friend, Sif. Loki and Sif knew each other since childhood but they lost touch until they both ended up attending Columbia University for undergrad. On paper, he had it all. He should be happy, right?
What is the definition of happiness? According to Google, happiness is used in the context of mental or emotional states, including positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.
But internally, inside Loki’s head and heart? He was unhappy. He didn't feel "pleasant emotions" or "intense joy" when being with Sif. He didn’t know if that made him selfish or ungrateful but all they do is argue, they rarely have good days. He even tried to end things before college graduation when he found out she hooked up with one of his roommates at the time and she said “You deserve to be alone, and you always will be… if you don’t stay with me.”
Those words rang in Loki’s head as he sat in his office that was illuminated by his computer screen and the glow of the Financial District. He never had a good dating life, even before Sif. Girls always ended up breaking up with him because he was not “emotionally available”, or he “wasn’t the one” for them, or even because he really liked watching superhero movies. He never was enough for anyone, it just felt like he never would be. He rested his chin in his hands and huffed out a sigh.
Be grateful Loki. Someone wants to spend their life with you, be grateful, and be glad you won’t end up alone.
His thoughts were interrupted when his iPhone rang, it was a text from his best friend Mobius.
Mobius: East Village. Keybar. 30 minutes.
He let out a chuckle when reading over the location. Keybar was a place where he and Mobius spent many nights in college trying to find NYU girls that would be interested in them or just a place to have a good time after a stressful week of classes. Obvious,ly this was before his relationship with Sif, but even looking back now, her painful words rang in his head. He remembered all those girls he’d met there that never ended up being anything real. He always felt more for them than they did for him. They always ended up leaving him, to be alone… like always.
Tired of feeling sorry for himself he logged out of his work computer, grabbed his stuff, shrugged his jacket ,on and made his way downstairs to catch a cab to the East Village.
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“LOKKKIIIIIIIIIIII!!! THE MANNNNNNN. THE MYTHHHHHH. THE LEGENNNDDDDDD. HE’S THE GOD OF MISCHIEF!!” Mobius shouted once he saw Loki enter the bar.
It was extremely crowded, it being a Friday night and all, so no one even blinked an eye to Mobius’s proclamation and Loki was thankful. He approached the booth his friend was sitting in and set his stuff down in the seat parallel and got himself comfortable.
“Ah Mobius, no one has called me that since college but it is very good to see you dear friend” Loki said with a genuine but sad smile.
“Man, are you okay? You seem down these days, you barely come out anymore! I was surprised when you decided to come here, I was so sure you’d ditch” Mobius sipped his drink as he studied Loki’s face.
“Life, you know? Just a lot going on. Work. Alioth. Wedding details and such…” Loki says flagging down the waitress and putting in a drink order.
“OH and 10 shots of vodka please!” Mobius says before the waitress walks away and she just nods like that, a usual order for two people.
“Is that just an appetizer or will you be enjoying more later on?” Loki looks at Mobius and lets out a laugh.
“Here’s what we’re going to do. One shot, one confession from each of us. It’s like therapy but at least we won’t remember any of it tomorrow morning” Mobius says with a content look on his face as he downs the rest of his remaining drink.
Loki just shakes his head laughing. God he missed going out with his best friend, they used to have some really great nights out but ever since Sif… she doesn’t think Mobius is a good influence on him so he doesn’t get to do this often. He doesn’t even go out anymore because of her.
“Alright.”
“WHAT?” Mobius almost spits out his drink and smiles widely at him.
“I said ALRIGHT! I need a little fun and who knows, maybe it will be helpful… ”
“NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT BUDDY BOY!” He smacks the table in excitement and they both tumble in laughter.
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They were 4 shots in each and Loki had to admit he hasn’t drank in a while. He was never a light weight (he was a college kid for god’s sake) but he hasn’t had so much of a sip in months so he was feeling it alright.
“Ok ok ok ok ok OKAYYY your turn Loki and make it a good one! So far you told me about rent, your boss being a dick, and easy stuff. We need to search WITHIN dude!” Mobius said as he banged on his chest with a fist.
Loki nervously played with the empty shot glasses in front of him as he thought of what to say next. He knew what it was and GOD the vodka wasn’t making it hard to admit.
“Alright let’s see… ummmm… I’m not happy! I’m not happy with Sif. I KNOW she’s not happy with me but she keeps telling me OH YOU WON’T FIND ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WOULD WANT TO BE WITH YOU and that I’m always going to be alone! And that I deserve to be unhappy!” Loki lets out a bitter laugh.
“Oh OH and she made me propose to her. Did you know that? She said if I didn’t propose to her this year then I was a coward? I’m not sure how that makes sense but I gave in. She also doesn’t show me any affection… if you know what I mean… and of course I would never force her to do something she didn’t want to do but she just acts like she despises me all the time. The only thing that makes us a couple is this engagement! It pleases her family, my family, but does it please me? NO! I also think she is cheating on me? I always smell cologne that’s not mine on her and her clothes. She always gets these random texts and phone calls when we are together and then she leaves with a bullshit excuse. She doesn’t stay the night like she used to and why I ask her about it she tells me I’m stupid and delusional. We barely live together. We are barely a couple. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY SHE WON’T LET ME GO!”
He shouts that last part and he feels a tear on his cheek. Mobius looks at his friend sadly, extends his hand to touch Loki’s arm. It's silent, there are no words exchanged but he understands and appreciates the comfort of his best friend.
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That moment of weakness and confession sobered Loki up a little, more than Mobius, so around 12am they made their way out of the bar and to the street corner. The city was still alive and buzzed around them while they waited for a cab. One came to a stop a few seconds after Loki signaled towards it. Opening the door, he sat Mobius in and told the driver his friend’s address.
“You’ll be fine my friend?” He patted the top of the taxi as he asked.
Mobius just gave him a big smile and a thumbs up. Mobius’s head was spinning and he just could not formulate real words at this moment. Loki laughed at the sight.
“Alright but do please text me when you have arrived, okay?” He said out of genuine concern for his best friend.
Another thumbs up was sent his way and Loki nodded his head and closed the taxi door. He watched as the car turned the corner and looked down towards the street for another cab. He raised his hand to signal one. He saw a car way down the road and prepared himself to get in. Just as the car was about to make his way towards him, someone from the store next to the bar exited. This person was small, held a handful of books, a canvas tote, and wore a large black trench coat with a hood. They stepped into the street signaling the same taxi he planned to get in and it stopped before them. Loki ran up to this cab stealer (he couldn’t think of anything better at the moment considering the circumstances) ready to protest.
“HEY! That’s my cab. I was waiting for that one” He says, a little annoyed.
He watched as this mystery person already had the taxi door open and set the books into the seat and faced him. They let down their hood and blonde shoulder length hair cascaded down her shoulders, she looked up at him with confusion with an equal amount of annoyance.
“Well, it stopped for me so it looks like we are in a pickle aren't we” she said with a hint of sass.
Loki just stared at her. He has never seen someone so… beautiful? Breathtaking? Gorgeous? He didn’t know what word to use but he noticed the city lights shine into her eyes revealing this magical blue color. He has laid his eyes upon many women in his day but no one ever took his breathe away like her. Even though she was clearly irritated by him, he couldn’t help but stare.
“Hello??? Earth to crazy? So I’m just going to get in and go okay? The meter is already running and I’m really tired, I just finished my shift and I...” she starts to get into the cab when he moves forward to stop her.
“What if we just share one? It’s late. We both want to get home. From what I see there isn’t another cab in sight.” He lets out a little too fast.
“Are you a murder or something? Because I know judo and I will take you down” she says holding her purse tight but keeping a serious, murderous look on her face.
“No I assure you I am not, I promise” reaching into his wallet for his business card, he takes one out and hands it to her.
“HEY!! Get in or I am leaving without any of you, I don’t care” the taxi driver screams.
She studies the card, then him, then the card again. Defeated and tired, she drops her arms to her sides and shrugs and gets in. He silently follows behind her.
“311 East 73rd street” she says, making eye contact with the driver.
“15 Central Park West” he says after and he hears her let out a little laugh.
“And what’s so funny?”
“Of course you’d live there. Well atleast I know you aren’t a murder but a stuck up, finical bro prick!” She laughs again and shakes her head looking out the car window.
“Woah you don’t even know me?”
“I don’t have to. I’ve dated plenty of guys like you. You are all the same. Assholes who want the perfect girl, Malibu Barbie, some kind of trophy wife. News flash, that doesn’t exist.”
“Oh trust me, that’s not my type”
“Ah okay, so tell me… what is your type Mr. Wall Street?” She looks at him with a challenge.
“Well… I don’t know. Just a genuine, nice girl. Someone who is wise but also strong and can stand up for herself. A kind heart but also a warrior. I think a scholar wouldn’t hurt, a girl who loves to read and is knowledgeable is very cute in my book…” The vodka is catching up to him again and he doesn’t notice this but she looks down at her books and blushes a little.
“I don’t know. I just have always had a hard time with girls, believe it or not.” She rolls her eyes at that comment.
“They always end up leaving. No matter what I do or say, I try to be the “prince charming” every girl wants in a guy but it never seems like enough for them. I’m always left in the dust with my heart broken.” He looks towards the road, trying to avoid eye contact, but she sees the tears forming in his eyes.
She was about to make a snarky joke but sees it is very much real to him.
“Hey. To be fair, those girls didn’t deserve you then. You deserve better than them. You’ll find her one day” He looks up at her and they keep eye contact for what feels like eternity and he gives her a sincere smile that she returns.
“And to you as well madam, you seem like a catch so those guys you dated… forget them. They are stupid for not seeing what was right in front of them” she smiles at him.
“Sylvie”
“Pardon?”
“My name is Sylvie”
“Ah, well Sylvie, it is a pleasure. Loki” He extends his hand and she connects her own.
It was sudden but they both played it off, they both felt something. It was like a shock of lighting coursed through their hands. Sylvie quickly released his hand and placed it back into her lap,playing with her jacket nervously.
“311 East 73rd street” the driver shouted.
“Oh that’s me” Sylvie gathered her stuff quickly and rummaged into her pocket to grab some cash.
“Hey let me get that for you, I’ll just pay him once I get to my apartment. It’s the least I could do for inconveniencing you tonight” He says with nothing but genuine sincerity.
She looks at him for a long time before snapping back to reality and smiling and murmuring a pathetic thank you. She was nervous. She didn’t know what to do. What to say. How to feel. She wasn’t used to this. She never felt this before. She needed to go lay down or something and take this all in. She began to open the door and just as Loki thought that was that, she turned before stepping out.
“Loki?” he turned and looked at her, her hair blowing in the NYC wind. She looked like she stepped out of a Vogue catalog or a movie scene.
“Thank you. Just… um thank you” She stumbled out nervously.
“My pleasure” he told her with a smile that melted her soul.
She watched as the taxi drove down the street and once it was out of sight she stumbled towards the wall of her apartment building and put her hand on her chest. Her heart was beating like crazy but little did she know… his was doing the same.