A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

A Complicated Cat

—-Sam—-

It's Tuesday I'm supposed to meet Valkyrie and Sif at the Drekka pub at 7:00. I'm so nervous. I pace around the bedroom as Loki reads a book.

"You're going to wake the Draugar if you keep pacing like that."

He senses my confusion.

"That's what father used to say to me when I fretted about as a child."

"What are the Draugar?"

He looks up from his book and deadpans.

"Undead monsters who from time to time rise up from the grave to torment and feast on the flesh of the living. They reek of decay and have the hideous visage of a dead body. They are much like the creatures in that show you showed me a few episodes of. I believe it was called The Walking Dead."

'What the fuck Odin?' No wonder Loki has issues. I stare at him for a moment not knowing what to say I finally settle for humor.

"Charming."

He laughs at my sarcasm. Though that thought was less than comforting, his explanation had pulled my mind from the anxiety I had been consumed with and I realize he had likely said that for that exact reason. He's smart.

I smile at him letting him know I see what he's doing. He looks back at his book with a mischievous smile. My phone goes off and it's a text from Valkyrie -'at Drekka where are you?'- I look at the clock it's 6:48 a little early but not unreasonably so. I get up to leave putting on my winter coat. I'm walking, the pub is less than three blocks away.

"They're waiting for me there."

Loki shuts his book giving me his full attention.

"Would you like an escort?"

I smile and nod glad for the offer. He holds his arm at his side gesturing for me to link my arm through his, to which I gladly comply. We walk together to the bar. When we arrive we unhook arms he looks down at me with worry. I reach up and brush some hair from his face then cup his worried face with my hand.

"I'll be fine."

He still looks anxious about leaving me here so I stand on my tip toes just barely reaching tall enough for my lips to briefly connect with his. I look into his blue green eyes they're still full of tension.

"I promise."

He smiles slightly likely remembering his own promises to me and nods. He brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear then cups my face with his hand.

"If you'd like me to I can come back to escort you home if you contact me before leaving."

I nod leaning into his touch.

"I'd like that."

He gives me a kiss again before leaving. I take a deep breath then step inside the bar now alone.

——————————————————————

I spot Valkyrie and Sif sitting together at a booth near a more secluded part of the bar I'm thankful for this. When they see me approaching they greet me with a smile.

"Glad you could join us!"

Valkyrie exclaims lifting her half drunken bottle at me as I sit down. Valkyrie has seven bottles sitting on the table, she's currently on her third one. The waiter rushes over to take my order.

"I assume you'll have a root beer?"

I smile this guy's served Loki and I at this bar often.

"Actually I'll take a Midori made with Sprite Ferdi."