In Exile

Chapter Seventeen

(Just a quick chapter to tide over the holidays! Hope you all have a good one, however you spend the day.)

You and Loki had started to live almost separately, you would barely see each other unless you both happened to have a day off and even those days were spent doing different things within your own company.

It was amazing to see the shift in Loki, he appeared to have calmed down and the teasing was getting lighter until you could both sit in a room comfortably together, doing your own things without him throwing you a shady look or having to give a snide remark.

It was nice and peaceful.

By the time that you had gotten a lump sum of the money you had signed the contract for, Christmas was around the corner and Loki was starting to get bemused about the situation and the sudden shift in the air.

There was something horribly endearing about Loki's curiosity and at times you'd find yourself refraining from 'aww'ing at his confused but fascinated expressions.

You took it upon yourself to teach him about the various celebrations of the seasons that you could in between shifts, though this mostly consisted of you both lounging in your seats as you lazily read out Google definitions.

During more calm moments of rest after long hours at work, you simply both sat down so that you could show him the wonderful majesty that was a traditional Christmas film, not something you delved into too often but everyone had at least one they favoured.

Tonight was a classic that thankfully wasn't a soppy Hallmark film of overly saturated colours, irritatingly happy people and ridiculous plot misunderstandings that wouldn't happen if people simply talked to one another.

"The Muppet's Christmas Carol?" He asked, glancing at you as the title screen came up, "what exactly is a Muppet?"

"Something I have to look at every day," you mumbled back, giving him a sarcastic smile.

"Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"Typically yes, but as you don't understand it we'll let it slide, yes?"

"That works for me, I suppose."

You both watched the film in relative silence after that, occasionally there would be a comment here or there, but mostly it was humoured laughs or just a comfortable quiet.

Every now and then you'd spare a glance at Loki, seeing him smile in a way that made your stomach flutter uncomfortably.

You still weren't going to fully admit that you liked him like 'that', but there was no denying it internally.

After the film, you stretched out on your couch and let out a small groan as Loki watched the names rolling through the credits.

"So that is what Christmas is about?"

"In a way," you laughed, tilting your head to look at him, "but there is much more to it."

"I see," he nodded, suddenly looking thoughtful. "Do work Christmas parties go like that? People sitting around a table, laughing and eating together?"

"For some yes," you sat up once you'd had a satisfying stretch and turned to face him better, pulling your feet up onto the cushion so that you could protect them from the cold with your blanket. "Some go for meals, some have in-office parties, some just get a small bit extra in their pay, it varies."

"Thank you for explaining."

"It's not a problem, but why do you ask?"

Loki looked at you and gave a light shrug.

"I suppose it's no surprise, but my work is having an office party and I didn't quite know what to expect."

"Oh," you hummed, chewing on your lip a little, "that does remind me actually, do you want to come to mine?"

"Pardon?"

"Well, my work place is going to the ramen place in town and we can bring a guest, so I was wondering if you'd like to come along."

Loki regarded you for a silent moment then nodded slowly, eventually a genuine smile crossed his lips and you found your stomach fluttering once again.

That handsome smile, one of true sincerity and not full of mischief that brought up a hint of worry, was aimed at you.

"I would love to," he replied.

"That's great, I'll add your name to the guest list," you grinned, hoping that he couldn't see the redness that was starting to flare up in your cheeks from the look he was giving you.

Not that it was anything even hinting towards romantic or mutual attraction, it was just friendly and pleasant, unlike him.

"Then I also suppose it's only fair that I invite you to my office party," he continued, "I'm sure the others would love to meet you."