When We Lie

Chapter 3

The next day starts with Loki cheerfully waking you at the crack of dawn. You try swatting at him, making him, in revenge, grab your covers and pulls them off you.

"What in the nine realms!" you shout. "Damn you, Loki. It's not even four in the morning!"

He grins. "I know! Time for sightseeing."

"What?" you ask. When he ignores you, you ask again, "What?!"

"First, we should eat breakfast, then—" he turns to look at you, "—do you think I can borrow your bathroom?—then, afterwards, you will show me around so I don't have to get lost."

You put your feet on the ground and rub your tired eyes. "Who died and made you king?"

Loki look at you. His mask of indifference is back. "My father." He laughs at your horrified face. "Oh, I am so going to like spending time with you."

You silently wonder how hard it would be to kill him. Then you realise something. "Where the hell did you sleep?"

He points at your sofa. "Where else? They haven't prepared a room yet."

***

By some miracle, you make it to the kitchen without falling asleep. Loki chats away throughout the walk and doesn't stop even after you've arrived.

"What do you serve here? Is it better than prison food?"

That wakes you up. "Prison?"

He raises an eyebrow in disappointment. "Where do you think I spent my time till now? A vacation resort?" He pauses when he sees your wide eyes. "You... honestly did not know?"

"Why would I?!" you hiss. "I don't ask Thor about you—it's a sore topic. Jesus."

"My name is Loki." At your deadpan expression, he snickers. "You make this too easy, dear."

"Don't call me that."

"Then what should I call you?"

"By my name?"

"Why should I have to learn that?"

You drop an egg in the frying pan and curse. You throw it in the trash and clean the pan before trying again. "Your narcissism knows no bounds, does it?"

Loki cocks his head to the side. "It was an honest question."

You throw a quick glance his way. "Seriously?"

He nods. "You are like ants, why should I care about your individuality?"

There's no reasoning with madmen, you already discovered that on the first day as an intern.

"What are you making?"

"Äggmacka," you reply without thinking.

"Sounds delicious, but... I'm vegan."

You look up at him. "Vegan? Aw, shite." You make two egg sandwiches for yourself before putting down two new slices of bread, cheese flavoured yeast, spinach leaves, chia seeds and hummus on the counter.

"Is that for me?" he asks, suspicion dripping from his voice.

You nod. "A friend taught me how to make this. It's honestly the tastiest sandwich I've ever eaten. She's vegan, so no worries."

"Hm."

You serve him his breakfast and sit on the farthest side of the kitchen island. He smirks, but you ignore him.

"Do you always eat alone?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I have nothing better to do."