I Die Without You

Prompt 6: Terrible Pick Up Line

"I understand you and Loki have plans for Valentine's Day," Sasha said in a cheerful tone, "if you don't mind me asking, what's on the agenda for you two?"

Beverlee and Loki looked at each other, and then looked at Sasha. Loki seemed a bit shy but then said, "Well... we made reservations at Serendipity. But we're still trying to decide what else we should do before going there."

"I could make a suggestion..." Blitz said in a certain tone along with a specific expression, but Sasha hit his arm as a preventative measure to discontinue his train of thought.

"Oh, that's so sweet," Minerva said, "you both are going to have a great time there. Do either of you skate?"

"Ice skate?" Beverlee asked, "I haven't since I was a youngster. Loki?"

"I'm not sure what that is," Loki said, looking to Beverlee and Minerva for some clarification. 

"Midgardians wear a special type of boots with metal blades attached to the sole to move on the ice," Minerva explained, "it's fun and great exercise. And when the perfect song is playing in the background - it's magic."

"If you do go, skate at Rockefeller Center - like out of that movie..." Sasha said, with a smile on her face. "I'm not one for love at first sight, but I met a nice guy there that I dated for a while. What he said was a terrible pickup line, but it just knocked me off my feet," she giggled, "really - I fell, and he helped me stand up again."

"What did he say?" Minerva asked, keenly curious.

"It was cheesy, but his timing was right," Sasha blushed, "he said, 'are you a professional ice skater? 'Cause, damn, what a figure.'"

"Aww!" Beverlee said, "cheesy, but creative."

"Beverlee, would you like to go ice skating?" Loki asked, "we do enjoy trying new things together."

From the corner of Beverlee's eye,  she saw Blitz smile mischievously, but Sasha shot him a withering look - his smile quickly changed to one that was benign.

"I'd love to," Beverlee said, "it's also going to be fun finding our balance wearing those skates!"

"Perhaps," Jamal said, "if you find you both enjoy skating, we can play some hockey in the near future."

"That would be wonderful!" Beverlee said, "Loki," she looked at him with an adoring smile, "with a hockey stick? It would be glorious...."

"A hockey stick is a weapon?" Loki asked.

"Only for the opposing team," Jamal said with a laugh.

***

With supper over, they chatted a little longer then broke for the evening. 

Loki and Beverlee walked down the corridor that would lead to the Initiative's quarters. Upon reaching Thor's door,  Loki pressed the door chime. 

There didn't seem to be an answer. 

"Brother, it's me, let me in!" Loki said a bit loudly. 

"Go away!" Thor's voice boomed through the door.

"He's in a bit of a mood, isn't he?" Loki said, looking at Beverlee. He turned back toward the door, "Thor if you don't let us in, we'll come in by other means."

The door slid open after a few seconds.

 Loki whispered to Beverlee with a small smile, "I really don't know how to enter his quarters surreptitiously - yet - but don't tell him that."

They entered his quarters, and Beverlee could see there wasn't much in them. They were spartan, but then what would Thor need of decorative things, short of items from people he cared about and awards/accolades he had earned from the battles and challenges in which he was involved?

The God of Thunder was sitting in a comfortable chair, drinking a mug of something, and he didn't look happy. 

"It's unwise to be in my company right now..." Thor said, taking another drink from his mug.

"Who said I was wise?" Loki said with a small knowing smile, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. 

Thor smirked, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Don't want to talk about what?" Beverlee asked, moving to sit on the arm of Thor's chair, "You know you can tell us anything."

"Beverlee," Thor said, "seeing you with Loki makes me sad."

"What?" Loki said with surprise, unsure if he should be offended, "I-I don't understand, I thought you approved of our friendship..."

"You misunderstand me, brother," Thor said with some annoyance, "you and Beverlee are so good for each other. But it makes me sad I do not have someone like Beverlee in my life."

"I'm sorry, Thor," Beverlee said, touching his arm, "but trust me, that will come in time. Did something happen recently?"

"Yes..." Thor said quietly, "I asked Sasha if I could court her... she rejected my request."

"Wait, someone rejected YOUR advances?" Loki said with more surprise, and a touch of sarcasm, "how is that even possible?! The God of Thunder slipping - that's unheard of!"

"Loki," Beverlee gently chided, "this isn't the time for ribbing your brother."

"You mean there IS a time?" he chuckled.

Beverlee rolled her eyes and gave Loki a look of admonishment. Loki nodded, then got back on the same page. 

"Believe me, Thor, you won't always be alone," Beverlee put her hand on his huge shoulder, "and don't take Sasha's rejection too hard, maybe you're both not right for each other. It's not a failure by any means."

"Did she say why she couldn't accept you courting her?" Loki asked.

"She said she was already seeing someone."

"Curious who that would be," Loki mused.

"Well that's not important right now," Beverlee said, "your brother's happiness is," she gave Thor a sympathetic smile, "I'm, umm, staying overnight tonight. It would be nice to have breakfast in the morning before you both start your day."

"Thank you, Beverlee, I'd like that," Thor said, his large hand reached up to cup her neck, "I appreciate your compassion."

"It's alright," she said, "but please know BOTH Loki and I were concerned about you."

Thor looked at Loki, who made a nodding gesture with his head that conveyed what Beverlee had said was true.

"Then I thank you both for your compassion," Thor said, corrected, then turned to his brother again, "I heard you were taken to Med Centre, are you all right?"

"I..." Loki wasn't sure what to say. Despite having this tender moment with Beverlee and Thor, the last thing he wanted was his brother taking something that was worrisome to him and making light of it, "it wasn't anything too serious..."

"Yet Beverlee is staying over with you..?" Thor said matter-of-fact, a mischievous smile on his face. 

Loki opened his mouth to say something, then stopped. He looked to Beverlee for assistance.

"Thor, " Beverlee said, "all I can tell you is Loki is suffering from something, but we're not exactly sure what it is. It doesn't seem too serious right now, but Doctor Lowenstien is keeping a careful watch. I'm staying over because, like you, he needs some compassionate care."

Loki walked over to Beverlee and put a hand on her shoulder, "I certainly do, and I'm grateful that she cares so much." Loki looked down then up at Thor, "like Beverlee said, I do believe you will find such a person someday, but in the interim, when you find yourself in these moods, brother, please tell me or Beverlee. She has taught me a special power. Talking about it."

"You once told me, open communication was never our family's forte," Thor said in a sombre tone.

"Yes, I did," Loki admitted, "but... maybe we can change that."