The Scientist (Loki x OC)

Pt. 24: Bad Trick

Taking a bite of her sandwich, Luna pondered her upcoming statement to Loki. Once done, she spoke.

"We should go out."

Loki nearly inhaled the bite he had taken. He sipped his tea to clear out his throat. "In what way do you mean?"

"You know, out. To have fun." Luna could keep up the confidence charade for only so long. She needed a 'yes' or 'no' and fast.

"Any particular reason?"

Luna grinned. "Actually, yes. I had a very productive day at work, and I feel like celebrating. You're included, of course."

Loki tapped his fingers against the countertop. He did feel cooped up. Wherever he ended up, it almost didn't matter at the moment.

"Did you have anywhere in mind?"

Luna fiddled with her thumbnail. "Depends. Are you a 'bar' kind of guy?"

Loki smirked. "Where you plan to go, I will follow."

----------

Loki quirked a brow, observing his new surroundings as discreetly as he could. "So this is what passes for a bar on Earth?" He moved out of the way of someone stumbling past him.

"Eh, yeah." Luna shrugged the opposite way. "Not particularly glamorous, but at least it's in walking distance from home. I'm a lightweight, and I don't want to be behind the wheel. Speaking of which, I strongly suggest a two-drink limit. These things are expensive." She moved slowly through the small crowd, clutching Loki's jacket sleeve in fear of losing him. If anyone in the room recognized him, it would be pandemonium before she could say the word.

Luna pulled Loki to the bar and waited for the attention of the barkeep to be turned on them.

"What can I get ya?" He asked once he was close enough.

Luna held up a hand. "A Jack-and-Coke for me, please." She glanced to her side.

"Martini, dry." Loki requested, his hands folded atop the counter.

"You sure know your way with drinks," Luna commented.

"Simple mixtures don't change much. The names vary, of course, but they're easy to catch onto."

Luna giggled. "My goodness, space alcohol? Those drinks must be a trip." Loki smiled humorously.

"Depends on the system. Though, Asgardian mead is to die for."

"Literally or figuratively?"

Luna posed her question as innocent rhetoric. Loki picked this up and sent her a sly smirk with a twinkle in one eye.

The two stared at the array of bottles lining the back of the bar, each independently trying to read the labels and guess the contents. No sooner did they identify a bottle of vodka, their drinks arrived, Luna's in a short crystal glass and Loki's in the signature martini glass. Luna extended thanks to the man and shelled out a few bills, getting only a brief tight-lipped smile from him in return. The bar had grown in volume and capacity, so he was ungratefully looking forward to serving potentially less polite patrons.

Anxious he wouldn't hear her, Luna leaned in close to her companion. "Come on, let's go sit at a booth. It's a little quieter," she spoke into his ear. He gave her a brief nod and trailed after her in search of an empty, clean place to sit.

A ways away from their previous seats, they spotted one. A tad secluded, but they preferred it so. Luna slid in first, letting Loki sit next to her. He left some room between them, enough for their elbows to jut out a little. Luna swirled the dark liquid and lifted it up, propping her elbow on the table, and angled her body to Loki.