Project LOKI Imagines

Keychain

~~LokiStair and keychains!

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"Remind me again. Why am I with you shopping for these things?"

Alistair handed the female cashier a 500 peso bill. He glanced sideways at Loki. "Dahil iniisip ni Lori na baka paggu-gupit-gupitin mo lang ang mga paper hearts na gagawin nilang design para sa Valentines day."

"Does she seriously think I'm that petty?" Loki scoffed, his hands in his pockets.

A little. Alistair replied in his head, thanking the cashier with a smile as he took his change.

"You're done? Then, let's go."

Loki walked outside the National Bookstore with Alistair following suit. The latter considered asking Loki for one of the plastic bags but decided against it because they weren't particularly heavy.

Besides, Alistair knew that he had never been fond of moving around. He'd rather stay indoors and read a book or play a mind-stimulating game rather than go out and let the sun do its job at providing him Vitamin D.

Alistair was passing the clothing store when his eyes were once again pulled to the small crane machine in front of it. Unlike usual crane machines, this one does not feature stuffed toys. Rather, it contains a variety of keychains.

The Libra keychain glistened under the soft lighting of the clothing store that seeped between its glass walls. Even though its centimeters far from him, Alistair knew that it looked intricate and pretty. He didn't even realize his steps were slowing.

His trance was only broken when a pair of bored eyes and messy hair blocked his view.

"You look like a lovestruck fool, Alistair. If you like the keychains that much, why don't you just go and get it?" Loki impatiently told him.

"Sorry, Loki." Alistair smiled at him apologetically. "Huwag na. Alam ko namang gusto mo ng umuwi."

Loki knitted his eyebrows. "And you've been gazing wistfully at that crane machine as if it were the final thing you needed to complete your existence."

He's definitely exaggerating, Alistair thought to himself. But he didn't tell Loki that lest he wants to irritate his friend more.

"The Libra keychain is one of the oldest keychain made here in the Philippines." Alistair explained. "Gawa ito ng anak sa isa sa mga famous lawyers nabuhay dito sa ating bansa. Since then, naging patok ito sa masa especially sa mga students na nag-e-aim maging lawyer."

His gaze then move from Loki to the crane machine. "It's definitely a surprise to see one here considering na halos pahirapan ng hanapin ang keychain na 'yan."

"I never thought you'd be fond of keychains." Loki raised an eyebrow, his tone curious and amused. "Do you collect them?"

"Sort of," Alistair was about to scratch his neck from behind, but then he remembered his hands are currently full from the things they bought. "'Yan na lang kasi ang kulang ko mula sa law-themed keychains na meron ako. It's not being produced anymore and no one wanted to resell theirs because it's said to have some good luck charm."

"Those aren't true." Alistair expected Loki to say that. "If they are truly dedicated to becoming defenders of justice, then they'd become one, with keychain or without."

"I agree to some extent," Alistair nodded his head. "However, know that some use it as their source of strength. I understand why people choose to hold on to a piece of object because it reminds them of their goals and origin."

Loki shrugged his shoulders at his answer. "Well, I know that you don't need those things. Your resolve and dedication are charming as it is."

Alistair felt cheeks blush a little at his words. A compliment from Loki is rare. He finds it nice to be recognized by him.