Illusions | Loki & Jane

18. Yggdrasil

"I'd like a gin, please," Loki said to the bartender as he settled into the back of the bar, not looking like himself, while eavesdropping on the two men seated next to each other at the counter. His heart raced as he listened to Thor, who wore a sad frown, speaking more to himself than to Erik.

"I had it all backwards. I had it all wrong," Thor lamented, his voice heavy with regret.

"It's not a bad thing to find out that you don't have all the answers. You should start asking the right questions," Erik replied, attempting to offer some wisdom.

Thor looked at him with gratitude. "It's the first time in my life that I have no idea what I'm supposed to do."

"Anyone who's ever going to find his way in this world has to start by admitting he doesn't know." Erik's insight surprised Thor, who hadn't anticipated such depth from him.

"Seems Darcy's a terrible intern but a talented hacker," Erik added, trying to lighten the mood.

"Thank you for what you've done for me," Thor managed to say, his expression sincere.

"Don't thank me; I only did it for Jane," Erik replied.
The men on the counter got distracted by someone behind them in a corner, who was having a coughing attack. "Are you alright?" Thor asked, looking concerned at the man, who looked like a local to him.

"I'm fine." The man croaked. "I just swallowed the wrong way."

Thor gave him an acknowledging nod and turned back to the scientist next to him.

Loki tried to get his breath under control. He didn't want to get too much attention from his brother. Nevertheless, hearing her name coming out of Erik's mouth made him choke on his drink. What did he mean by he only did it for Jane?

"How do you know her?" Thor asked, curiosity piqued, returning to their conversation.

"Jane's like a daughter to me. Her father and I taught at university together. He was a good man, but he never listened."

Thor nodded, recognizing the sentiment. "Neither did I. My father tried to teach me something, but I was just too stupid to see it."

Erik studied Thor with a fierce intensity. "I don't know if you're really delusional, and I really don't care. I just care about her. I've seen the way she looks at you."
A knife.
Maybe shattered glass.
It could be a grenade that had just exploded inside of his chest.
At all events, it hurt Loki immensely hearing that line. The thought of Jane looking at Thor in any way ignited a rage within him. And why was Erik so concerned about him hurting her. Oh hell no. This could not be true. This had to be a nightmare.

"I swear to you, I mean her no harm," Thor said, his face earnest, and Loki's heart sank further. Oh, he liked her. He really did. This certainly was MORE than a nightmare, it was hell. His own cold and icy hell. Maybe he had died and he hadn't noticed.
"WHISKEY, PLEASE!" Loki yelled at the bartender, signaling for another drink to drown his sorrows.

"Good. In that case, I'll buy you another round, and you will leave town tonight," Erik said to Thor, who nodded slowly, uncertain but acquiescent.

"Two boiler-makers!" Erik ordered, and the bartender, who had just returned from bringing a whiskey to the table behind them in the corner, set down mugs and shots on the counter. Thor watched with interest, wondering about the drinking habits of the Midgardians. As Erik downed his mug the god of thunder followed suit, grimacing at the taste.

Loki couldn't hide a smirk. So, he discovered that alcohol tasted different on this planet, he thought, downing his own drink.

As the two men engaged in their drinking contest, Loki joined them from afar, ordering even more to numb the pain.