In Little Ways

Chapter 2

Loki sighed as he settled into his loft. Technically it wasn't his loft, but if they were going to give it to him, then it was as good as his. After all, he had seen what the hotel owner looked like from a portrait hanging on the wall, and after simply making himself look like the older man, he tricked the people working there into giving him the key.

He looked around the boring room and let his mind wander, thinking of many things, from his mother, brother, and Asgard, to Midgard and Cecilia.

A pang of sadness hit him as he thought of his mother. She was the only one who ever understood him, and after everything he had done, there was no way she would ever trust him again, especially after the dark elf incident and her near death. Then Thor, well, he was as disconnected as always. Always obsessed with truth and honor. How boring. No wonder he always got along with the star-spangled man.

Asgard...well, obviously, he was the true ruler. But they would never give the crown to him, no matter how much he deserved it. Part of him wished he had gone to Asgard, maybe sent his father to Midgard, then consequently pretended to be his father and then....and then had a statue built in his honor? Yes, a statue sounded wonderful.

And then his mind slipped back to Cecilia and her world that was so different from his own. Loki was a little surprised that he couldn't get her out of his mind and that the more he tried to think of other things, the more she came up. He needed a distraction, like some Asgardian mead. That always wiped his mind of all bothersome thoughts.

Loki sighed again, standing and walking to the window to look around for anything that could give him a distraction. Then he saw it. The name read "The Tethered Soul, Coffee Shoppe and Book Store." He shrugged and walked out of his new house, thinking back to a conversation he had had with Thor once about a delicious drink called "coffee" and how it was led to his winning of Jane's heart. Loki couldn't understand how something so simple could make a woman love you, but Loki shrugged; his brother had always been able to get any woman of his choosing. Loki, on the other hand? Who would want to lay with the God of Mischief?

He faltered in the middle of a step before smirking, 'Who wouldn't want to lay with the God of Mischief?' he corrected himself.

The coffee shop sat across the street from the hotel, and Loki adjusted his coat before strutting in. The interior was decorated simple enough, with bookshelves covering every wall, all labeled on different categories from "Mystery" to "Romance."

"Hello! Welcome to The Tethered Soul! Take a seat wherever you like, and your server will be right with you!" Loki heard and looked up to see that a young man with unruly blond hair had spoken. Loki smiled and walked over to a small booth in the corner. It seemed like an older piece, almost as if it had been leftover from the previous shop.

"Hi. My name is Cecilia. I'll be your server today. What can I- are you following me?" Loki whipped his head around as soon as he heard her voice and smiled, looking up at Cecilia as she glared down at his upturned face.

"Well, actually, sweetheart, I wanted a cup of coffee, and I saw this place. Beautiful, by the way." He watched as her cheeks turned pink.

"Um, excuse me?" She asked, and he looked around the shop, a smirk pulling at his lips.

"The shop. It's beautiful."

"Oh. Well...what can I get for you?" She asked, and he looked down at the paper in his hands, frowning at the confusing labels.

Cecilia didn't seem convinced but sighed and pointed to one of the items.

"This is a regular coffee, and it's called a Coffee Shop because it is based on a type of writing. To characters meet in a coffee shop and..." She stopped and cleared her throat, adjusting her pink apron as he looked at her.

"And what?" He asked, watching a cloud of darker pink dust on her cheeks.

"And they fall in love. Each item on the menu is based on a romantic trope. For example, this one is a Lychee Bobba tea with Mango Bursting Pearls, but we call it the Pirate and the Mermaid. For a story about a pirate and a mermaid. Do you understand?" She said, but Loki had stopped listening.

"I'll have the Coffee Shop. It seems fit for the situation." He watched as she clenched her jaw and practically yanked the menu from his hands before walking away quickly.

While she was placing his order, he walked over to the "Owners Favorite" section, noticing that most of them were critiqued in the most beautiful penmanship. One book, in particular, stood out to him the most. A book called "Pride and Prejudice" was torn slightly.

Loki picked it up gingerly and walked over to the booth once more, flipping to the first page. "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." He read softly to himself and chuckled as he continued to read.

"That's one of my favorites." He heard and looked up, meeting Cecilia's gaze.

"I don't quite like this 'Mr. Darcy.' Quite a solemn fellow, I'd say." He remarked and watched as she fought a smile before rolling her eyes.

"True, but he gets better. Stick with it. Here is your coffee, by the way." She said and put the mug down in front of him before she walked away once more.

"Thank you!" Loki called after her and picked up the mug before lifting the book once more. The beverage was a perfect mix of bitterness and sweetness, and Loki smiled as he sipped it slowly.

***

"Jack! It's the guy!" Lia whisper yelled as soon as she got back to the check-out booth. Her friend looked up at her in confusion, quickly looking around.

"Handsome British guy? With the perfect hair? Where?" He whispered back, and Lia tried to keep him from looking blatantly over at the booth.

"He is sitting in my booth. No one likes that booth!" She whispered, and Jack nodded.

"You're right. It's terribly uncomfortable. But, damn. He is drop-dead gorgeous! Is he gay? Please tell me he is! Or else you need to get over there and tap that!" He said, and Lia shooshed him as Tom looked over the brim of his book, his glasses resting precariously on the tip of his nose.

"I will certainly not 'tap that!' I mean, he is very handsome, but he...reminds me of you-know-who." She said, and Jack nodded slowly.

"Voldemort. I could see that. Or maybe Tom Riddle." He said, and Lia smacked his arm lightly, giggling.

"Neither! I'm talking about the other you-know-who!" She said, and Jack let out a soft sigh, rolling his bright blue eyes at her.

"Not all hot, rich men are like Chad, Lia. He was a terrible guy, but maybe you should give this one a chance." He said, and Lia looked over at Tom again, smiling slightly as she watched him read. He was mouthing the words quietly to himself, stopping once in a while to gasp, just like Kami did.

Lia shook herself from her creepy staring and walked around to the tables, checking on the customers and clearing books or dirty dishes. She fought off the urge to look over at Tom, aware that it was almost time for her to pick up the girls from the neighbors.

"Um, excuse me. I wanted to know if I could get another cup of coffee." She heard and turned, making eye contact with Tom. He was smiling at her and had placed the book softly on the table.

"Of course." She said and walked over, taking the mug from his outstretched hand. He smiled a little wider, and she quickly rushed away, straight up to her grinning best friend.

"Jack, I have to go as soon as I'm done with this. Kami and Bec will need their rest. We are visiting their uncle tomorrow." She said, and Jack nodded.

"Sounds great. And I will see you again at around three, right?" Cecilia nodded and walked the filled mug over to Tom. He had placed down the book and was smiling at her.

"Could I interest you in a night out?" He asked, and Lia blinked before raising an eyebrow.

"Um...like a date?" She asked and tried to keep her tone from slipping towards annoyance.

Tom smiled wider, almost like a smirk, and Lia resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Yes. A date." He purred, and she sighed. All men are the same.

"No." She said and turned, walking towards the counter to hang up her apron.

"I think I misheard you. Did you say no?" Tom asked, and she looked back at him, shaking her head before forcing a smile onto her face.

"Yes, I did. I don't want to go on a date with you. Now, good night. Enjoy your coffee." She said and waltzed out the door, missing the amazed yet confident grin on the man's face.