"Okay, do something easy, don't fuck it up..." Viv mumbled to herself, scouring the cupboards for ingredients. She quickly gets to work on pasta bolognese, one of Ariel's favourite dishes. She starts on the sauce and meatballs, and she leaves it for a short while before starting on the actual pasta.
"Need any help?" Loki asked, and Viv spun around, smiling at the man before her.
Trust Gene, just talk to him casually.
"And make the Prince of Asgard help a humble maiden like me? No, I think not. But you can stay and keep me company." Viv said, taking a few of the meatballs and beginning to cut at them, making shapes.
"Why are you cutting them?" Loki asked.
"Ria likes shapes in her pasta. I've been doing it since she was able to eat pasta. Stars, moons, hearts, cubes, she just prefers it if it's in different shapes. Apparently, it's yummier that way - her words, not mine." Viv smiled.
"Where is my little gremlin, by the way?" Viv asked.
"I believe that Banner is entertaining her. Or maybe she's with Morgan." Loki said.
"I'm glad she's making friends with adults other than her family," Viv said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Loki asked.
"Well, I want her to be able to trust more people since she doesn't have a father," Viv said as Loki nodded slightly.
"But I've always been sort of anxious. I don't know, ever since I had Ria, there's been this dark cloud over my mind. What if her father just shows up? I haven't moved since I broke up with him, he knows where I live. He knows where my siblings live. He knows where I work. What if he comes to my house and demands to see her? And what if Ria wants to see him too? What if her curiosity gets the best of her and he ruins everything?" Viv asked.
"Ruins everything how?" Loki asked.
"He was a pretty manipulative, convincing guy. If he told Ria something like, I don't love her, or she's a mistake, she'll believe it. What if he convinces her that he's a better parent than me-- I'm an emotional wreck, I wouldn't have the strength to keep Ria with me against her own will. I can't. And then she'll be gone and I don't trust that he'll treat her well. What if he neglects her or pushes her to live a certain lifestyle to fit his image, that's all he ever cared about anyway. I'm not great at parenting but he'd be so much worse based on what he did to me." Viv said bitterly, realising that tears were welling up in her eyes. She grabbed a tissue and dabbed her eyes before apologising.
"I'm sorry, this is really stupid. I'm being vague and pessimistic and crying for some reason, I'm fine really." Viv said, seeing Loki's expression twist into something of sympathy.
"It's not stupid. You don't want to lose your daughter to someone who might hurt her. Perfectly reasonable." Loki said.
"Thanks. I feel like I've known you longer than I have, Loki. Three days and I'm crying in front of you, nice going, Viv." Viv said, washing her hands again and mixing the sauce with the meatballs, adding the boiled pasta into the pan next.
"It's alright," Loki said, offering her the best comforting smile he could muster, making her laugh.
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Tony asked, entering with Thor and Bucky.
"I'm talking shit about my ex while Loki listens. Or pretends to." Viv laughed, continuing to cook.
"I was listening," Loki said.
"Yeah, right. Please, Lo. I thought the God of Lies could actually lie." Viv chuckled.
"Lo?" Bucky asked.
YOU ARE READING
Halloween Hearts • Loki Odinson
FanfictionWhen Loki Odinson was forced by his brother to serve time in the Avengers compound, he did not expect to be pouring tea for five year old girls and an assortment of cuddly toys. He also didn't expect to meet the most effervescent and irresistible wo...
