A Tale of Mischief and Mutants part 2

Peter's "Date"

—-Loki—-

It's about an hour into the film when I see Peter abruptly leave the theater. So his 'date' isn't going well. I look over to Sam and it's obvious she also knows something's wrong by Peter's departure. She nods to me knowing I'm planning on going after him.

"It's fine go."

As I shuffle past her to get out of the aisle I glance at Mary Jane to see she looks a bit confused as to why Peter suddenly left. It's probably not anything she did wrong per say, Peter's just hesitant to form any sort of romantic relationship right now and likely got spooked by something she said.

I leave the auditorium and look around not seeing Peter immediately I start to look up and around. I spot a staircase that leads up a floor and take it. I look around once I've reached the second floor and see the door to a nosebleed section of the cinema next to this door is a fire exit that looks to have been tampered with as not to sound the alarm upon the door opening.

'There he is.' I step out the door holding my breath as I open it unsure if Peter's crude solution preventing the alarm from sounding will continue to work upon further tampering. I'm relieved when it closes behind me without making a sound. I glance around not seeing my friend anywhere.

"Peter?"

I hear a voice from above me. 'So he's on the roof.'

"I'm fine Loki just go back in and watch the movie with Sam."

From his voice I can tell he is not in fact fine.

"Peter you should know better than to lie to me my friend, I can tell. ...What happened?"

He sighs.

"You're not going to leave until I come talk to you are you?"

I smile.

"No but only because you've extended the same courtesy to me."

"I guess that's fair."

He makes his way down from the rooftop and stands on the fire escape with me leaning on the railing and looking down into the alleyway below. I walk to stand beside him and also look down into the alleyway.

"Didn't go as planned?"

"No. it was fine really, but well, she just told me she lied about only being able to bring me and she didn't invite Logan because she wanted to spend time with just me. I know that doesn't have to mean anything but I feel like it does and if it does..."

"If it does then what Peter?"

He looks at me grasping for a response, an excuse not to pursue anything with Mary Jane that isn't just his guilt. He shuts his mouth having come up with no good answer for me, he looks back into the alleyway in silence. I go on.

"I may not be the most competent when it comes to relationship building but you already told me my advice was solid, you're allowed to want to form relationships with new people and you're allowed to pursue those relationships if you choose. It doesn't mean you don't value the time you had with Michael."

He shakes his head still looking at the ground below.

"You don't get it, I can't do this again."

"Do what again?"

He looks at me and seems to be on the brink of tears.

"Let somebody get too close. ...Everyone I get close to dies! Mom and dad, uncle Ben, MJ, Mr. Stark... I can't do it again!"

Tears escape his eyes at his last statement. If theres anyone I can't stand seeing cry it's a tie between Sam, Thor, and Peter. I put my hand at his neck I know he understands it's a gesture of affection in Asgard from how much time he's spent with Thor and myself. I speak softly

"Come sit."

I move my hand to his shoulder and gently lead him to come sit on the staircase of the fire escape with me.

"Peter... believe me when I say I understand what you're feeling... I lost so much and for a while it seemed easier to just cut myself off from forming any new bonds especially with the difference in lifespan. But take it from me, it's not a good solution. I don't know where I'd be today if you hadn't kept pushing yourself into my life but it certainly wouldn't be here at a movie premiere with my best friend and my beautiful wife. Please trust me when I say it will only bring you more suffering if you cut yourself off."

He nods but still looks upset.

"It's just so hard. I miss them so much."

I nod feeling tears form in my own eyes for the ones I've lost.

"I do too but they wouldn't want us to spend our days dwelling on that."

He nods again and wipes his face of tears.

"I know. I've always kinda known, I just feel so guilty every time I even look at another girl and think that way."

I nod.

"It's understandable if you're not ready to pursue a romantic relationship right now but don't let it be that you're cutting yourself off because of guilt or fear of loss. Michael wouldn't have wanted that I know she would only want for you to be happy."

"I know. I... I need a little bit but I think- I think I'm going to go back inside because honestly I- I do really like Mary Jane... I just need a minute."

I nod smiling at the fact that he's not going to let his misplaced guilt keep him from being happy. I stand to leave.

"I better get back to Sam she's going to have a synopsis of the last ten minutes of the movie ready for me when I get back."

He smiles softly and chuckles slightly.

"Yeah you better go I'll be in in a few."

I nod then head back inside praising the Norns when the rigged fire alarm is once again silent.