In Little Ways

Chapter 6

"-ake up. Lia? Wake up." Lia's head shot up from the table, her hair a mess of tangles. She had spent the whole night between the hospital and Tony's loft. Going from taking care of Peter and her kids, sleep was not important.

"Sorry Jack. Long night." She mumbled and stood slowly, rubbing her eyes.

"Did you not get any sleep last night?" He asked and Lia chuckled tiredly.

"Not a wink. I will get to work right away." She said and forced a smile onto her face, even though she didn't feel like smiling.

***

Loki walked into the shop and smiled as he saw Lia walking around. He noticed after a second that she had dark circles around her eyes and she trudging past everyone.

"Tom, you're here!" Jack called from the cash register, sounding positively relieved that he had arrived.

"Hey Jack. Lia, are you okay love?" Tom asked her as she passed and Lia looked up at him, her face blank. Being closer, he could see that her eyes were bloodshot and her nose was red.

"Hi Tom. I-I just had a bad night. My...my nephew got shot!" Loki watched as her wall broke down, tears pooling in her eyes. A sob raked through her as she dropped the plate she was holding, it immediately shattering. The whole coffee shop cringed and Lia squeeked, pushing her hands into her face.

"I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to!" She cried and fell to the ground, trying to grab all of the shards. Loki fell down beside her, stopping her hand from cutting on one of the shards.

"Love, wait. It's okay. What can I do? We can go anywhere you like and do anything you want. Please honey." He pleaded, feeling helpless. Lia hiccupped another sob and looked up at him. Loki smiled kindly and placed his hand on her cheek.

"I-I'm sorry Tom. I'm sorry." She whimpered and Loki shook his head, helping her to stand.

"It's okay sweetie." He whispered back and looked at the sympathetic people around them.

"I'm sorry everyone." Lia mumbled, brushing away a tear. Jack came up with a broom and told them it was okay, patting Lia on the arm softly.

"Where do you want to go?" Loki whispered as he led her from the shop. Lia sniffled before smiling shyly.

"There is one place I haven't been since I was a kid." She said and Loki sighed, happy to see her smile.

"Anywhere you like, love."

***

"Coney Island? What is this place?" Loki asked, watching the people walk past, children giggling and people screaming on the rides.

"I came here once with my father before he passed away. It was out if nowhere you know? He didn't even tell me he was sick, just said 'Hey kiddo, let's go have some fun. I'm gonna be gone for a while.' And we came here. I got so sick on cotton candy and other treats, but I went home with a huge smile. It was the happiest day of my childhood." She said, smiling widely.

"He passed away a few weeks later." She added, her tone sad. Loki wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close in a side hug.

"Well, let's recreate it, shall we?" He said, smiling as well. Lia giggled and nodded, bouncing slightly on her toes.

"Let's do that." He said, pointing towards the large slow spinning circle. Lia laughed and shook her head.

"Nope! That's always last." She said and pulled him towards a booth filled with stuffed animals of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Loki watched her as she spoke to the worker, laughing at his puns.