Pushing Buttons

Sweet Poison

He hated crowds.

It was a well known fact among his own kin, as well as everyone within Asgard that Heimdall wasn't the most popular figure at social gatherings. The loud music, the drunken brawls, the pointless schmoozing small talk, and the gossip that it brewed; He hated it all.

He was more of a fly on the wall rather than a social butterfly, keeping an eye on every person coming in and going out, and listening in on bits and pieces of conversations.

People avoided him like the plague, and he preferred it that way.

"—don't you have any faith in me?!"

"I'm just trying to look out for you!"

His enhanced hearing picked up on the heated conversation, though a quick glance around the room revealed that the familiar parties weren't mingling with any of the guests in the Great Hall. And based on the distance and acoustics, he determined that they were likely in the little runt's room.

"I don't need a babysitter!" Loki argued, "I'm learning things—searching for answers that will help us in the long-run."

"But Odin—"

"Wants answers just as much as I do."

There was a stretch of silence, but just as Heimdall thought of turning his attention elsewhere, they continued.

"And what will those answers cost, Atreus?" Her voice had lowered, likely trying to prevent any outsiders from hearing, "What are you willing to sacrifice for them? An eye? A leg? Your life? Your father's life—"

"Who said anything about sacrifice?!" Heimdall could practically see the jötnar shaking his head and flailing his arms.

"There's always a price," She warned, concern laced in her voice, "I just..." Her voice trailed off as she sighed, "I'm worried about you."

There was another pause. Loki shifted his weight, though the deep breath he took hinted that he was currently reigning back his emotions. "Worry more about yourself. Just leave me alone."

At the sound of a door opening and footsteps approaching the Great Hall, Heimdall watched the little runt turn the corner. The two locked eyes for a brief moment. He could see that the teen was tempted to pick a fight with him in an attempt to blow off steam. Golden teeth flashed into a taunting grin. "An angsty teen walks into a party...wow, your life truly has amounted to nothing more than a bad joke at this point."

The redhead's nose scrunched up, a clear glare plastered onto his face. He took a single step forward, but then seemingly reigned himself back. His intention to get in the Aesir god's face dissipated, replaced by a dismissive shake of the head. "Whatever, you're not worth it." He turned and instead wandered into the crowd, determined to put some much needed space between both the mind-reading god and his human companion.

She followed soon after, footsteps heavier than usual and a dour expression plastered onto her face.

"Ah, the scatter-brained mortal herself decides to grace us with her presence." Upon looking up to meet his gaze, Heimdall smirked and took a sip of his drink. "Decided to socialize and make more friends?"

She wrinkled her nose, "No," Her fingers reached and snatched the drink from his hand, and tilting her head back, she took a swig of the liquor, only to grimace afterwards. "I'm here to drink."

While he was irked that she had robbed him of his own drink, the sight of her downing the freshly brewed mead was as comical as it was...depressing. "That so? In that case, my half-wit older brother would be much better company."