The Scientist (Loki x OC)

Pt. 28: The First Snow

Trudging through the doors of the apartment complex, Luna stamped her boots off and shook the loose snow from her hat.

"Phew! We made it," she breathily praised, brushing the shopping bags she'd set at her feet.

"Yes, good," Loki replied. He was glad to be back inside. The new gloves and hat he got helped with blending in, but style-wise, they could be better.

Setting down the cardboard boxes he was tasked with carrying, Loki mimicked Luna in dusting the snow from his clothes. As he did so, he wondered about the contents of the containers he moved. He hadn't been paying attention when Luna picked them up, being too preoccupied in studying what the shop referred to as 'mistletoe.' Alas, it was vastly different than the thing he knew growing up.

He could have taken everything into his arms, but like always, Luna insisted on toting the groceries while he took up the larger items. Something about preventing him from accusing her of using him as her 'pack mule.' He knew she would never be so derogatory towards him, but nonetheless, he complied.

Upon entering the apartment, they took turns in putting their parcels down and shrugging off their outer layers. Luna pulled off her boots and rubbed her cold hands together.

"Alright, everything is in. I'll go get changed and then we can put the groceries away."

Loki nodded, pulling his own shoes off, and watched Luna shuffle away to slip into something more comfortable. In her temporary absence, he opted to do the same. He had to be quick about it, for there were minor chores to be done and he couldn't risk being seen unclothed.

Odd, he felt, for him to be concerned about such things. He never had been. Well, of course not. Everything was done for him before any semblance of thought could be spurred about it. Luna did so for him as well, but not out of obligation to him. It was her culture and personality. However, those pieces of the puzzle did not make up the whole picture, and he was intent on completing it. Luckily, he liked getting to know his new friend.

Of course, think of the devil, and she may appear. Back into the living room walked Luna, now clad in blue-and-white patterned leggings, fluffy socks, and the same concert shirt Loki had seen earlier that morning. Not a warm outfit, but comfortable enough for the house.

Without a word, the two got to work; Loki dividing up the items to go in the fridge and Luna putting everything in their appropriate places. They were done in half the time it took for Luna to do it alone. Smirking to herself, she noted another excellent reason to have Loki around as a friend: receiving tidbits of help without having to ask made life feel nice.

Sipping from a glass of fresh water, Luna stepped back out into the living room.

"Ok, so I was thinking we could set these up first," she pointed to the unopened boxes still sitting by the door, "before I do any cooking. Is that ok?" Loki nodded. "Great." She smiled, setting her glass down. "I'll get the box cutter." And off she was again to her room.

Loki moved one box further into the room for Luna to have more space to open it. Knife securely in hand, she sliced through the tape as if it was hot butter. Inside sat more packaging material surrounding the object of interest. Curious, Loki crouched down to Luna's level on the floor and inspected her deconstruction of the Styrofoam and plastic.

"What is it, exactly?" He asked as he watched the thing in question slowly reveal itself.

"Oh, it's a little electric fireplace, just for us," Luna smiled sweetly.

'Just for us.' A nice sentiment. It allowed Loki the temporary belief he could stay with her forever, the two of them enjoying a fake fireplace.