My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 8

So, fun fact- I am not good at cooking or baking. I can make a pretty good tea or hot chocolate, but as far as kitchen skills go, that's about it. I was disappointed and annoyed but not surprised when the kitchen began to smell like something was burning. Sage entered just as I was taking out the smoking cookie tray from the oven.
"What are you doing?" She peered over my shoulder, mildly curious.
"Trying to make cookies," I sighed, tossing the tray down onto the stovetop upset.
"Those are cookies?" Her eyebrow rose up. She picked a spoon up and poked the black mess.
"They were supposed to be. I wanted to make Loki some sugar cookies as thanks for the flowers."
"You're not gonna give him these, are you? They look like trash." Sage scrunched her nose up.
"No, I'm not; they're too burnt," another sigh fell from my lips.
"Why didn't you just buy him cookies?" Sage plucked one up for inspection.
"I wanted it to be special. No one's ever gotten me roses before."
"I do believe that is a lie. Father bought you a rose bush" she smirked, attempting to nibble off the edge of the very brown and black sugar brick. She made a face and threw it back down onto the tray "Nasty," Meanwhile I sent her an unimpressed scowl.
"You're clever," there was no holding back the sarcasm in my tone.
"Well, hurry up. We want to start the movie. I just came in here to make the snacks; Cassia's setting the hologram up."
"Can you give me a minute to clean all this up?"
"Ugh, fine. But speed it up. We need to start the movie,"
"I don't even want to watch a romcom," I rolled my eyes. Thanks to Thor's Friend, The signal needed to make our phones work was so strong that we picked up holograms from Midgard which I believe are called movies. I let my two younger sisters pick the film for tonight's entertainment. I wish I hadn't. I hated romantic comedies. So cliche. Sage totally ignored my comment, taking out a big bowl and adding dry snacks to it. She was just about to go back to where Cassia was waiting when a voice bellowed from the man cave downstairs.
"Sage!" Alder could be heard from all the way up here, causing me to roll my eyes again. She dumped her bowl on the side and stood at the top of the stairs.
"What?!" She was just as loud as him.
"You know you are my amazing sister?" He had that tone of a begging child. I rolled my eyes and put my baking trays in the sink.
"What do you want?" Sage leaned on the door frame.
"Bring me down an ale please," Of course, he was too lazy to come to get it himself. So typical of my brother. The Featherwine boys and Thor were having a 'guys' night tonight. They were watching this game from Midgard called Tennis. I didn't know the details exactly all I knew was that it is two people on a court smacking a ball back and forth, grunting as they did so. Thor had invited Loki to join them. That's when I got the bright, or not-so-bright idea in this case, to make him cookies. I wanted to surprise him with them on his way home. But I can't bake. Sage is right, I should have just gone out and brought the blasted things. Sage couldn't have looked more apathetic to Alder's request.
"Get your own ale! I'm busy!" She said as she looked at her nails.
"But I'm really thirsty!" Was his lame plea?
"Yeah, I could use one!" Heath hollered up.
"Make that three if you're coming down," Thor added. I had to stifle a grin at the disgusted look on my sister's face. She glared towards the basement door like it housed a bunch of entitled pricks. I mean, let's be real. If just to get them off our backs and let us enjoy our movie in peace, I went to take out a six-pack of ale from the fridge. Sage blinked at me.
"What are you doing?" Sage tilted her head at me.
"I will take the boys their drinks and then meet you upstairs and we can watch the hologram."
"Firstly, It's called a movie and secondly, You're not their servant, Willow."
"No. But I can choose to do this if I want. Especially since I'm leaving soon. Besides, Loki is a guest." She, of course, rolled her eyes.
"You spoil them."
"No, I don't." I frowned.
"Yes, you do," she chuckled. Having enough of her nonsense, since I'm about to deal with a lot more, I took the ale downstairs.

Now, observing men watch sports is a fascinating experience. It's really something to see grown adults get so worked up over something like a sports game. And don't me wrong; I know what it's like to route for a specific team, I used to cheer my governess on when he did her fencing tournament. But men are a lot more... abrasive, let's say. They yell and holler and jostle and scream like the players can't hear them. Personally, I find it entertaining and a little scary, but that's just cause I'm a pacifist by nature and don't like confrontation.

Alder was the first to spot me over by the staircase, likely because I was holding ale.
"Hey, Willow!" He waved all energized and excited. All heads had to rotate from the TV screen to me, which was rather comical to witness. They were like robots moving in unison. Thor and Loki's faces lit up; hopefully for different reasons than Alder's.
"Willow! Hi! Didn't hear you come down!" Thor announced, also with eagerness.
"I'm surprised you can hear anything with how loud you have the... thing," I pointed to the cloth screen as I came over to set the cans on the table, chalked full of candy wrappers, empty soda and ale bottles, and crisp bags everywhere. Thor muted the TV and the four descended on the poor, unsuspecting cans. Then they all grinned up at me.
"Thank you, little sis" Alder beamed.
"Yeah, thanks, Willow," Heath grumbled. Alder elbowed him as he whispered something in our brother's ear "I was being nice,"
"Thanks, Will." Thor grinned.
"Thank you, Willow." Loki bowed his head at me. Well, at least they're still gentlemen; got to give them props for that. I smiled; my hands clasped together in front of me.
"You're welcome." Loki took a drink from his can and then glanced at my face, or more specifically my cheek.
"Baking something?" He inquired. Confused how he would have known, I brushed my right cheek with my fingers, only to find it had flour on it. My eyes rolled up toward the ceiling, completely unimpressed with myself.
"Oh, yeah. I was trying to make cookies for you to take home but..."
"cookies?" Loki blinked baffled.
"Cookies," I clarified. Heath stuffed a walnut into his mouth casually.
"I wouldn't try one. My sister cannot bake. It is the only thing she is not good at."
"Thank you, brother, I will remind you of that insult next time you are trying to play the piano. I wanted to try all the same. It was to thank you for the flowers you sent on Easter," I told Loki. His eyes widened a little.
"You were baking something for me? No one's ever baked me something before." Loki's face softened a little. Thor nodded his head approvingly at this.
"I think that is a great idea! Where are your sisters? Why weren't they helping you? Loki got them flowers too."
"one is asleep and the other two are busy trying to decide whether we should watch. Some romantic comedy," I tacked on under my breath. They all laughed.
"Girls, man. I'll never understand 'em," Heath noted.
"I do not doubt that," I didn't hesitate to concur with a side-smirk. Loki patted the couch cushion beside him.
"My lady, Would you like to join us?" Loki offered. Alder and Heathr rolled their eyes.
"Yes, come join us, Willow! The match is just getting to the good part," Thor also encouraged. I don't know how any part of a tennis match can be classified as good. Not that it mattered. I raised my hand up in a grateful but passing fashion.
"I'd love to stay but..." A familiar voice came rushing down to suddenly interrupt me mid-sentence.
"Willow! What's taking you so long?! How long does it take to deliver ale? You can side-flirt with your Romeo Montague later! Hurry up!" Sage could have been one of those old-timey criers if she wanted to be.
"That's why. My sister is being impatient," While they all seemed confused, I couldn't have internally cringed harder. I wore the world's least thrilled expression on my face, staring off into space for a moment. It's moments like this where I really wish I only had brothers.
"Who's Romeo Montague?" Alder asked no one in particular.
"Do we know any Montague?" Heath added.
"Do not worry about it. it's nothing. She's just being a moron; just ignore her," my hand ran down my face in sheer agony. I couldn't have gotten out of there fast enough. I said good night to all of them before making a mad dash upstairs. They were back to their cheering and ruckus by the time I closed the door up top.

With a low growl, I was about to go find my sister and give her an earful. That's what I would have done if my phone hadn't started to vibrate on the kitchen counter where I'd left it. I was watching how to make sugar cookies on YouTube; not that it helped anything. A quick check of the screen made my eyes grow.
"Hello, Mrs Clark!"
"Hello, Willow. Sorry; I know it's late. I was on a conference call."
"No! No, not at all. I'm just happy to hear back from you," I grinned, happy to hear her voice.
"I read over those research proposal ideas you sent me. They need some work."
"Of course! Just let me get a pencil!" Completely forgetting about the movie, I ran up to the desk in my room- where I stayed for the next two and a half hours.

We didn't talk for that long; more so between forty minutes and an hour, but I wanted to take detailed notes of everything she said. There were a lot of changes I'd have to make. After the call ended, I scribbled down anything I missed and began looking up chapters to read and making notes of stuff I'd have to do.

By the time I exited my room again, it was after ten. The house was quiet now, what with the tennis match being over and my sisters' movie ending. Cassia came up to demand what I was doing in my room, but they left me alone when I pointed to my phone and made a 'hush' gesture with my finger to my lips. The only one I saw again that night was Sage, who was in the kitchen making herself a cup of tea. I was mentally fatigued and wanted a nice mug of hot chocolate before bed. My sister spun her head to me as I re-entered the kitchen.
"Where is everyone?" I glanced around, a little surprised by how unexpectedly quiet it was.
"In their rooms. Loki went home."
"Oh," my head nodded somewhat unthinkingly. Then I looked down at the cookie tray still on the stovetop. To my wonder, the burnt cookies were all gone.
"I see that you threw out the cookies?" I picked up the tray to go clean it. Honestly, I wouldn't be upset if she did; no one was going to eat those black bricks. But, much more to my shock, Sage shook her head. I gave her a puzzled look prompting her to continue.
"I did have every intention of doing so but by the time I got around to it, Loki had already taken them." This couldn't have floored me more. He wasn't supposed to take these! He was never even meant to see them. Granted, that was partly my fault since I left them unattended in the kitchen. Why would he want those things? They're practically inedible. Only good for the trash, launching at someone's head, disposing of small armies and whatnot.
"Why? And why did you not stop him?" I hid my face in my hands. Loki is never going to want to come around again.
"I did try and stop him but he stood firm on the matter. He said you made them for him, so he wanted to take them. He also didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that they were not edible,"
"How could you let him take them?! He's going to think I'm the worst baker in the world!"
"Uh, you kind of are, sis," her eyes narrowed in that obvious way. My hand flew up to my forehead.
"What's he going to do with burnt, disgusting cookies?! Why didn't I just throw them out?! I'm such an idiot! Why am I such an idiot?!"
"Oh, my god. How dense can you be, Willow? You know, for someone who's in Masters, you can pretty thick. you know that?" Sage's hands planted on her hips. I looked at her dumbfounded by this statement. Her eyes lowered onto mine, softer this time "He wanted them because you made them for him. He doesn't care if they're burnt."
"What? That's obviously not what's going on," I said before I gave myself time to think about it.
"Uh, yes; it is. And if you two weren't so against relationships, you'd see how much you really like each other." My cheeks turned a bright shade of red.
"Say what?"
"Well, why else would you make him cookies?"
"To thank him for the roses. Er, flowers; flowers he sent all of us," I quickly corrected myself. Her eyes rolled.
"Uh-huh. And why do you think he sent us flowers?" Sage crossed her arms as she stared at me.
"Because he can." How am I supposed to know what the god is thinking? I can't read minds.
"No. It's because he likes you! Loki clearly has a thing for you."
"Yeah, as a friend. He's made it apparent more than once that he's not interested in dating well anyone; not just me."
"He said that, but you can't stop yourself from falling in love. It just happens. There's no off-switch for feelings." She said this, and my lips parted a sliver. No. I can't do this. I can't fall for him. Love isn't meant for people like me. it's not even worth thinking about. Besides, it's not like Loki and I could ever get married. He doesn't even want to get married again and I can't stand the idea of being someone's baby machine. I drew in a deep breath and met my sister's gaze straight on.
"Look, I appreciate what you're trying to say, but you're wrong about this one, Sage. The Prince and I are friends. that's it. That's all either of us wants. And despite what you or anyone says, we are happy with the way things are. And besides! What would happen if we got together and I went back to Midgard? Don't forget, I'm flying back soon; this is not the time to get romantically involved with anyone." She stared into my eyes for a moment, letting a pregnant pause slip in.
"So you haven't caught feelings for Loki at all?"
"No. I mean, he's great to hang out with and I feel like crying whenever he smiles. Plus I admire the person he is on the inside. But that's normal between friends, isn't it?" Her eyes narrowed onto mine suspiciously.
"Have you ever felt that way about anyone before?" I don't know how long I watched her, but eventually, at some point, my lips opened again.
"Well, no; but that doesn't automatically mean I like him. In that way," Sage shook her head incredulously.
"You don't get it, Willow. If you don't sink your claws into him soon, he might slither away."
"And I will let him go. I'd never want to trap Loki," I sighed. Sage rolled her eyes.
"Come on, sis. Don't you think he's one in a million?"
"Oh, I think you're wrong there, Sage. Loki isn't one in a million," I looked out the window and stared at the place "He's more like one in a lifetime."

The next day, Loki invited me out for a slice of apple pie. (His brother was out courting Sif again) We went to this cute little market in downtown Asgard. It was full of families and other couples. We sat up on the step at this two-person table. Loki ordered two slices and two sweet rolls. I also noticed that Loki requested they bring us water too. It did make me happy though. He's being conscious of my condition. I smiled at him. The waiter brought Loki's food out first.
"You should eat."
"I'll wait for when you have a plate," Loki countered softly.
"But..."
"I'm not taking a bite until you get yours," he shook his head. My grin grew clever in the corners.
"That's not what they do in polite society in Midgard."
"Well, you're not in Midgard and this is Asgard and I'm going to wait," his eyes met mine. I didn't say more, still smiling at him. This guy is so stubborn.

My Apple Pie and beverage were delivered soon enough. This kind lady set it down in front of me with a smile.
"Here we are," she grinned at me.
"Thank you," I mirrored her expression. Loki waited for me to pick up my spoon and take the first nibble of dessert; only then did he tuck in on his now cold treat.
"It's delicious," I remarked casually, taking another spoonful. He nodded.
"Best Apple Pie in Asgard." I took a sip of the water and wiped my mouth with a paper napkin. My eyes couldn't stop themselves from wandering back over to him, no matter where else I looked.
"How'd you find this place? It's so charming."
"My governess used to bring me here when Thor and I were children," Loki explained.
"You had a nanny?" I pondered. His head shook again, he wiping his mouth now too.
"Odin was very old-fashioned. He had me watch around the clock when I was young. Apparently, I was a troublemaker as a child."
"That does sound like you," I smiled.
"I think if he had his way, he would have sent me off to boarding school," Loki scoffed. It sounds like he didn't have the best relationship with his dad. I mean, my father's and my relationship wasn't perfect either, but at least we loved each other dearly. He was the dearest man in the world to me before he died. Doesn't sound like Loki felt the same about his dad, however. Seeing my reaction, Loki smirked and scooped up some more Apple Pie.
"Ah, it's all in the past. Plus I would have liked boarding school."
"Any chance to cause trouble somewhere else?"
"Always," He grinned, he leaned back in his seat, watching me "Tell me something else,"
"About what?" I ate some more Apple Pie and glanced at him. He shrugged.
"Anything. Tell me something about you. something I don't know yet." I contemplated for a moment.
"Ok, here's one. I love snakes,"
"snakes? You?" His eyebrow lifted mildly surprised.
"Mmhmm, I've always loved them. father wouldn't let me have one when I was little because apparently 'snakes are for boys'. But I still have all the snake teddy that I handmade when I was a small girl."
"Really?" Loki cracked a wide grin, to which my head nodded.
"It is sitting on my shelf in my room," Happily, I took another sip of my drink. Loki merely continued to grin my way, running his forefinger across his bottom lip "Now you tell me something."
"It's my turn, is it? Heh, I don't know how I'll top snakes but... Let's see," he took some time to think about it. Soon enough his hand lowered away from his face "When I was little, I used to wake up early so I could sneak downstairs and feed my pet dog,"
"You had a pet dog?" My eyebrow raised a tad unimpressed with younger Loki's choice of television programme. He seemed slightly offended by this.
"I do and you may have heard of him. His name is Fenrir. I adopted him when he was a pup. He was normal size once. I was messing with magic. Some spells that I had stolen from The Frost Giants, He got in the way and hasn't stopped growing since," Loki smiled "And I might have also told people that he was going to swallow Odin whole,"
"Hold on? Fenrir as in the massive wolf that lives on the east side of Asgard that ate Tyr's arm?" I asked, my mouth hung open. I love Fenrir. He enjoys a good chin scratch.
"The very one. Odin thinks that he is to be killed and eaten by Fenrir. I paid a witch to scare him after a little family argument. Little does he know that after Fenrir bit Tyr's arm off, Fenrir became a vegetarian. something about how Asgardians taste like sewer water" Loki chuckled a little.
"I should tell you that I love that wolf. When I used to live here, every time I went over to the east side, I would go and give his a chin scratch," I sighed, remembering. I really should go pay him a visit. Loki chuckled gently, lowering his eyes.
"That would explain why he sulks when I go see him," After a second, the Prince's eyes rolled back up to me "What else?"
"My turn again? Mmmmm, let me think... Oh! Here's one. I've never drank a cup of ale in my life."
"Well, that's no surprise. You shouldn't drink with your condition, should you?" His arms folded nonchalantly.
"Never stopped my father," I muttered under my breath, taking a quick sip of water.
"So you have no idea what ale tastes like?"
"Oh I've tried it before; just like a sip, then I spat it back out. It was my first week at Midgard and under the impression that ale would taste sweet, like apple juice, for some reason. Haven't had a drink since."
"You haven't frequented the party scene in Midgard?"
"Never. Not that I would want to go anyway. These balls and socials Thor drags me along to are more than enough as it is," My hand rose up to rest on my forehead. Loki grinned at me.
"It's a good thing he did, otherwise we wouldn't have met." This caused me to stare straight at the Prince, just realizing that he was right.
"That's true" If I had never gone to the Social, Loki and I wouldn't have met and we would never have become friends. The very notion made me feel better. Wearing a smile yet again "I guess Thor has his uses" I tucked back into the rest of my apple pie. Loki watched me for another second before descending back onto his.
"Is it really hard, living with your condition?"
"Not really. It used to be but it does get easier. It doesn't stop me from doing anything I want to," not yet, anyway. Thank the gods that I don't want children. I couldn't bear it if they inherited this problem. Loki nodded, peering down at his Apple Pie bowl.
"You just have to keep on top of it then."
"Heh, easier said than done. But I'm doing alright." Still, Loki poured me another glass of water. I blinked at it, then back at him. Our eyes met and I grinned. He took one of the last spoonfuls of Apple Pie he had, still smiling.
"Ok, your turn. Tell me a random fact about Lady Willow Featherwine."
"I think it's actually your turn."
"No, it's yours. I'm rather enjoying this. learning meaningless, little facts about you," he polished off his dessert and leaned back in his chair. I mirrored his pleasant, relaxed expression.
"Meaningless, are they?"
"Inconsequential, let's say," he amended. Satisfied with this, I nodded. Then I blinked thoughtfully.
"Well, I've never been in love before."
"Nooooo?" He said sarcastically, making me send him a playful glare. A calm, gentle pause fell over us before I continued.
"Your sarcasm has been noted for a later date," I sighed, finishing my pie "I think if I ever did fall in love, I think I'd like it to be the Pride and Prejudice kind of love."
"Pride and Prejudice?" Loki tilted his head. I nodded "And here I thought you would like Wuthering Heights,"
"So did I but I feel like Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth Bennet is ridiculously close to home. We both share a Marriage-minded parent," Loki's forefinger ran across his lip again, curiously this time.
"And what is the Pride and Prejudice kind of love exactly?"
"Every love relationship and marriage depicted in Pride and Prejudice is distinct. There is old, compulsion, disrespectful love affair, settled but most seem to be based on pure love," I sighed. I guess I was a hopeless romantic at heart "When I read Pride and Prejudice. It made me believe in pure love. When loving someone who does not wish to pursue their own goals. When you share your ideas, perceptions, feelings, and understanding, you are experiencing pure love. Love is not something that can be measured or exchanged; it is something that you share naturally as a relationship." Loki nodded in understanding.
"There's something there. I think there's something there." Then our eyes met again. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Loki smile- he was smiling again. A soft, sincere smile and was aimed at me "There you go, teaching me again."
"Oh... Oh! I am sorry! That wasn't my intent-" My hands shot up in front of me. But he also rose up one of his hands. He shut his eyes and shook his head. Then his gaze met mine.
"Just for the record, I think you're right. There is nothing more attractive than selfless devotion and protection."
"I couldn't agree more," my eyes softened in their corners. We looked at one another for I don't know how long until I shook my head as if to pull myself back to reality "Alright, enough about me! Your turn now! Tell me something different; tell me what's the last thing you've ever tried for the first time," I saw that question online once on one of those 'what to discuss with friends' forums. Loki continued to stare in my direction; his lips morphing back into a deep, knowing grin.
"A first for me is... Going out for Apple Pie with a beautiful lady." This, of course, made me blink in shock and astonishment at him. My balled hand rose up to my flustering chest. My cheeks sizzled a light pink.
"Really?" And he nodded with such sincerity.
"I never went out with Sigyn to get pie as she was allergic to pastry. And you're the first one I've ever become friends with; to this extent anyway."
"And other than Thor... You're the first guy I've really become friends with as well," Saying this out loud only made my cheeks glow brighter. I wish there was a way to turn the blushing off?! It's embarrassing! Loki didn't appear bothered by this, mind you. He simply chuckled and shook his head.
"Looks like we're both pretty tame in this area."
"I agree," I muttered.
"It's alright though. It gives us time to figure it out to grow together." My eyes found the courage to peek back up to his eyes once more. He smiled, and I couldn't help but imitate his expression.
"Yeah, it does. And thank you, Loki."
"Huh? For what?" He blinked a tad confused. My grin merely, effortlessly widened.
"For telling me all this. I feel like I'm seeing a different side of you- gradually, I mean... It's nice seeing a softer side. We've never opened up and talked to each other like that before, like real friends." A not-so-awkward pause fell between us. Loki just sat there for a minute; his eyebrow eventually raising.
"And that makes you happy?"
"Why not? We're friends; we should feel comfortable around each other. If not, we can't be doing this whole friendship thing right." Then Loki laughed.
"You make me sound lonely and in desperate need of companionship." I shook my head, still smiling ear-to-ear.
"No, just someone who's spending time with his friend. At least you know you're not alone." Loki's eyes shimmered onto me. His mouth opened, then closed again "You look like a fish," Finally he grinned, a profound expression I hadn't seen from him before.
"It's true. I'm not alone anymore. Somehow, without my ever noticing it, it felt so natural having you near."