Imagine Loki

Library

Your job at one of your university's libraries wasn't too bad. Pretty much all you did was check for student IDs before people came into the library and checked out lap desks to students. The only time it really got busy was during finals, and even then it wasn't like there was a lot of trouble for you. You weren't going home during the winter holidays, so when your boss asked if anyone would be willing to work over the break, you volunteered. About ninety-percent of the students were gone and all university buildings were officially closed during the break, so all you'd have to do was stay in the library and make sure that things that were checked out and couldn't be replaced were checked back in. It was easy work for decent pay.

Your shifts were eight hours as opposed to your usual four hour shifts during the semester, but you didn't really complain about it because you just spent most of the time wandering around the library or watching Netflix on one of the computers. The holiday shifts were split between you and one other student, Loki. You'd worked a few shifts with Loki over the past few years you'd worked in the library, but you'd never really talked to him outside of those shifts. You'd heard that he was a decent guy, and his brother was on the rugby team, but other than that you didn't really know much about him.

You were working through one of your shifts the day before Christmas Eve, checking over the returns once again, when you were startled out of your work by a voice you vaguely recognized. "There's no one here, it's not like a return's just going to appear out of nowhere."

"Shit, don't scare me like that," you cursed, turning to glare at the newcomer. The raven-haired guy was taking off his scarf, laughing at your reaction. "Glad you found it funny."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Loki," he introduced himself.

"Yeah, I kind of figured," you replied. "(Y/n), also known as the only other person willing to work here over the holidays."

"I suppose we're both a bit crazy in that way," Loki told you with a small smile.

"So what brings you here so early? Your shift doesn't start for a while," you said, turning away from the computer. "I know I don't show up early if I don't have to."

"I was going a bit stir crazy in my apartment," Loki said, sitting on the desk you were at. "I had nowhere else to be so I figured I may as well show up and perhaps provide a bit of company."

"Well, that's where we differ, Loki. You have New York at your fingertips and you chose to come to the university's library," you teased, nudging his leg a bit. It was really a bit surprising; there was so much to do in New York and he really chose to go to work when he was bored? You wouldn't be able to understand the boy.

"Well, there's nothing for us to do here, and since you so clearly pointed out that New York has plenty to do, why don't we go out into that city?" Loki asked you.

"Loki," you said, drawing out his name.

"C'mon, (y/n)! You know nothing's going to happen here, we might as well have fun," Loki tried convincing you. "Do I have to beg?"

"Fine, but during your shift! I only have a couple hours left in my shift if you can survive that," you gave in. Sure, you might not know the guy, but you figured that a couple hours in the city after your shift wouldn't do you any harm.

"I think I can survive," Loki said, putting his legs up on the desk with the rest of him.

--

"Alright, where to?" You asked as you locked the library door behind you.

"Let's walk around, let something to do come to us," Loki suggested. "After all, it is New York. There's bound to be something to do."

"I don't like when you use my words against me, Loki," you said with a fake pout. Loki laughed, waiting for you to turn back so the two of you could walk together. The snow crunched underneath your boots as you walked through the streets, talking about various things. You started with the one thing you knew that the two of you had in common - working at the library - and then school.

As the two of you continued walking, you forgot about finding something to do, just enjoying each other's presence. The two of you actually had quite a bit in common, not even mentioning that you apparently had a few friends in common. "No, how'd you meet Clint?" Loki asked as you finished telling a story about the friend in question.

"Mutual friend's party. He had a bit too much to drink and ended up stealing an entire pizza and her dog," you told him, laughing. "And how'd you meet Tony?"

"He was in a business management class I took. He was insufferable but amazing in the class, and we ended up being friends," Loki explained. Once again you had to laugh because that definitely sounded like the Tony you knew. "How is it that we have friends in common but never truly met?"

"How did we manage to both work at the same library for four years and never hang out?" You countered.

"That's a fair enough point," Loki said. "We should make up for the lost time then."

"And how do you suppose we do that?" You asked, looking up at him.

"Well, we do have the rest of break working in the library. It's not like we have to be completely honest with our hours," Loki replied, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "We could close up a couple hours before we're supposed to and hang out."

"You know, for someone that went to work when you were bored, you sure do seem keen on skipping work," you teased.

"Well, I've enjoyed spending time with you. I'd like to do that a bit more often," Loki said with a shrug.

"Yeah, I'd like that too," you told him, a small smile on your face.

"So, where to?" Loki asked, taking your hand in his.

"Let's see what comes to us."