Halloween Hearts • Loki Odinson

7 • Affinity

At the end of the party, everyone was saying goodnight, about to leave the house, and Viv just finished talking to Natasha about something before she started heading out.

"Did you enjoy the party, Loki?" Viv asked, spinning around to face him. He was temporarily stunned before answering.

"Not particularly typical for me. But it wasn't bad." Loki said.

"So if I host a Christmas party you'll come?" Viv asked with a small smile.

"We'll see." Loki said.

"I'll take it. You'll probably see me at the compound some time soon. If you don't hide in your room." Viv said.

"Loki?" Thor asked, ready to leave the house.

"That's your cue." Viv said, smiling sweetly. And although she had met him only a day before that night, she was feeling a little more brazen than usual, and she was compelled to do something she would never normally do.

"I'll see you later, Loki." Viv said, kissing his cheek quickly. She looked down at the ground like a teenager and shifted her weight to her other leg, slightly behind her to put some distance between them.

"Yes. Of course. I will see you later." He repeated, clearing his throat and walking very stiffly towards a teasing Thor.

And soon enough, the door shut behind him.

"Falling for the God of Mischief? You only met him yesterday." Kat said.

"I went trick-or-treating with him. And after doing it with you and Marsh for years as kids, you know that's a sacred bond." Viv laughed.

"Sure, sure. Come on, Ria's already sleeping. You can stay the night here."

...

"So..." Thor started once everyone was back at the compound, and Loki glared daggers at him.

"What?" He deadpanned.

"Viv." Thor finished, poorly holding back a grin.

"Viv? What about Viv?" Rhodey asked.

"Hm, I'm not sure. Ask Loki." Thor teased.

"Go ahead. I won't have an answer. I don't know what you're talking about." Loki crossed his arms.

"You can't be serious."

"I am."

"We all saw that!" Thor protested, looking around at the group.

"Saw what?" Clint asked.

"Loki! And...well, V--"

"Well what, Thor?" Loki asked, a slight smirk on his face at Thor's defeated expression.

"Oh, you're not getting away that easily! I'll prove it! I swear!" Thor marched off to his room and Loki just chuckled at his brother's feeble attempt to humiliate him.

"What the hell just happened?"

...

Despite his cool composure during Thor's outburst about what he had seen, Loki's mind was racing that night.

It was well past midnight but Loki wasn't tired. No, he was speculating. Vivian's small affectionate act had thrown him off guard. Normally, he'd begin to lie when his mind was knocked off balance since it came quite naturally to him, but in that short moment with Vivian, he was speechless. How could he not be? All he could muster was a professional goodbye, engraved in his memory from times when Odin had council members and other nobles around the palace.