A Tale of Mischief and Mutants part 2

Library

—-Sam—-

I go over to Thor's I need help getting to New York. I know it's still really early in the morning and nobody will probably be up but that doesn't mean I can't wander my old home until they are. Despite basically having a panic attack I can't say yesterday was completely awful I had fun reconnecting with my friends and I got to show Loki the deliciousness of Cinnabon not to mention his adorable smile after those women wanted a picture with him.

I need to go back because A. I want to and B. I still have some decisions to make. I've decided on a few things from yesterday but I don't have enough people in mind for the wedding party. It's a Saturday so I'll have time to just hang out there without disturbing classes this should be enough time to figure stuff out. The ones I have decided on for bridesmaids are Laura, Jubilee, and Kitty but I need more people. I also need to figure out when I'm dress shopping and oh I'm getting overwhelmed. 'Sam hold on let's just see how today goes.'

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Thor drops me off in front of the school and I wave goodbye before entering the code for the doors that are always locked at this hour then enter the school. The halls are completely quiet I look at a clock -'3:00 AM'- I'll have to keep myself busy for at least two more hours before people start waking up.

For now though I need to occupy myself. 'Where to?' I would need a spotter for the Danger Room, it's too dark out to visit the garden, and I don't have anyone to play games with in the common room (though if I checked it's completely possible someone's in there at this hour that's always seemed to be the case), maybe the library?

...I haven't visited the library in forever. While I'm not a heavy reader and the library isn't really a place I hung out at just because, when I was a student here me and my friends would spend hours in there studying together or more accurately pretending to study together while being a distraction to each other. I start down that way grabbing some cereal from a dispenser in the cafeteria on my way.

I enter the library munching on my mid morning snack. Dang it the quiet atmosphere is making me sleepy yet it's the middle of the day for me. I look around for one of my favorite comic series, Mister Miracle by Tom King I had read the twelve issue series faithfully when it first came out but never got to finish it before I was taken.

Now I see the twelve issues have been collected into one book. I've always loved the relationship between Barda and Scott. I always thought that's the kind of relationship I would want to have with someone someday I never thought we'd be quite as broken as those two though. Come to think of it I guess I got what I wanted.

In some ways I have a similar relationship dynamic with Loki to the one depicted between these two characters, if nothing else we certainly share the same level of trauma and it's side effects coping with it by leaning on each other much like the characters do. I take the book from the shelf and sit down in a bean bag chair.

I'm suddenly hit with memories this is my spot I'd always sat here. It's even the same beanbag. I flip through the comic popping cereal into my mouth as I do. I begin reading from the beginning, though I know the first few issues well, I need a good refresher on the story. I hear a thud and I jump spilling some cereal as I hear a voice.

"You know Samantha our no food policy in the library hasn't changed in the past six years."

I spin around to see Hank giving me a teasing look. He's standing near the resource room holding a book. I relax smiling at him mischievously. Hank was probably reading while hanging upside down in there and heard me come in. He's been known to spend nights reading when he's got something on his mind.

"Hank you scared me."

"My apologies, is Loki with you? I have some new recommendations I think he'd enjoy."

I smile slightly Loki and Hank had become long distance reading buddies. It's nothing official but they read each other's recommendations then discuss them whenever they're together.

"No sorry it's just me today he's wedding planning."

He nods knowing me well enough to figure I'd be uninterested in the process and observant enough to figure out that, that kind of thing is right up Loki's alley. I observe his tired eyes.

"Have you slept at all?"

"No these are troubling times, with your biological father running for office and all I fear I've found its been a bit difficult to rest."

'What?!' 'How hadn't I heard about this?!' I thought I'd been keeping up with the rest of the world but I guess living in New Asgard's rubbed off on me. He studies the look of bewilderment on my face.

"You didn't know?"

"No I'm sorry I just guess I wasn't paying enough attention."

"It's alright Samantha this year's thrown a lot at all of us..."

He chuckles slightly.

"And we thought 2020 was incongruous."

I shift uncomfortably.

"I... I ah... wouldn't know..."

I had of course read about it but it just isn't the same as living through it. He looks for a moment like he wants to kick himself. Then looks at me in regret.

"I'm sorry Samantha I-"

I smile reassuringly.

"It's alright Hank it's late why don't you just try to get a nap in before this place becomes too lively for sleep?"

He nods.

"An excellent suggestion. I bid you farewell Samantha."

I smile fondly as his bulky blue figure makes his way out the door.

"See you too Hank"

I return my attention to my book continuing to munch on my cereal... it's good to be home.