Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Donner des Mots de Tristesse

“Don’t forget to stretch today, Lokes. You worked hard.”

“I thought I told you not to call me that.”

“Yeah, but it’s still fun. See you tomorrow.”

“See you, Nat.”

Loki sighed as she hung up the phone and locked the door to the Black Widow Ballet Academy for Teen Girls (or as he affectionately liked to call it, BWAT) and made their way to the bus stop. Her job was fun, but the physical demands always wore him out at the end of the day. They just needed to get home to their apartment and take a nice, long shower, and sleep in her nice bed with the soft sheets, and…

“Loki! Over here!”

Loki tensed, then relaxed when she realized Thor was parked across the street, ready to pick him up. She jogged across the street to meet him, getting in the car just in time to avoid the worst of the rain coming down outside.

“This is a pleasant surprise, brother.”

“I hoped it would be! I noticed it was going to rain, and happened to have some free time, so Bruce suggested I pick you up. How was class?”

“The girls were lovely, as always. Aliyah finally nailed her triple pirouette, and the intermediate class just started dagger training with me. How was yours?”

“My lab partner- yes, I know you know I’m talking about Bruce, no need to roll your eyes- and I started a new project. Professor Howard let us move onto the three body problem before anyone else. Probably because Bruce has been carrying us through the semester, he’s so smart-“

“We all know you’re just as smart as him. There isn’t enough room for two self-deprecating idiots in this car.”

They both laughed, enjoying the peaceful ride home and unloading the stresses of their respective days onto each other’s shoulders. For that 10 minute ride, they were just kids in London again, riding the school bus home and talking about their classes without a care in the world.

“Are we still on for the library tomorrow?”

“Yes, I believe so. Around two, right?”

“Yeah. They just hired a new librarian, Bruce won’t stop raving about him. Apparently he’s the ‘best coworker he’s ever had’.”

“Afraid you’ll be replaced, brother? I thought you were below such insecurities.”

“Pfft! As if! No measly librarian would ever be able to take my Bruce from me. Especially not someone with a name like Mobius.”

“Alright, no need to be all lovey dovey in front of me. I’m fairly certain I’m allergic. And who names their child Mobius, anyways?”

“No clue. Goodnight, Loki.”

“Goodnight, Thor.”

—————————————————————

After a shower and a good nights sleep, Loki packed up their laptop and textbooks and started walking to the on-campus library. It was an uncharacteristically nice day for late March, and Loki stopped for coffee and a croissant at Heimdalls Place, the corner coffee shop by the library. Finishing up her pastry and ordering a second iced coffee to take with them into the library, they smiled upon seeing Val and Yelena walking arm in arm.

“You two seem close. Do I smell a romance budding?”, He cheerfully yelled after them. Laughing slightly fearfully at the daggers they stared at him over their shoulders, she headed into the library positive the day was going to go well.

Heading to his and Thor’s usual table, they were surprised to find a note on top of a book that he had left in Thors car the night before. The note read:

“Sorry I couldn’t stay. Bruce got off early because of the new recruit, and there’s a new astronomy exhibit at the museum in town. Hope you understand. Also, you forgot this in my car last night. Bruce says he likes hamlet better. Signed, Thor”

Sighing, Loki picked up her book and sat in the comfortable armchair next to the table. She was supposed to finish annotating this book in about 2 weeks, but they loved Macbeth so much they decided to start sooner rather than later. About two hours into his reverie, casually noting certain phrases and important plot points on his computer, they heard a cough come from above.

“Uh, mind if I sit? I’m the new librarian around here. I don’t think I’ve seen you around campus before, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen your brother. You’re Loki, right?”

Momentarily shocked by the beauty of the man standing before him, she cleared their throat before speaking.

“The one and only. And you are?”

“Mobius M. Mobius. Funny, I know.”

“I actually find it quite endearing. I’m Loki Odinson, but you already knew that. What does the M stand for, pray tell?”

“…Would it be terrible if I said it was Macbeth?”

“You’ve got to be joking.”

“Not in the slightest. My parents were literature professors. Either that, or they both hated me as a kid. It’s pretty hilarious either way.”

“Our meeting must be fate, then. I’m reading the book dedicated to your namesake that I got from the library you work at. Nothing coincidental about it.”

Mobius smiled, and Loki felt like his heart could implode at the sight. This could definitely become a problem.

“Do you believe in that kind of stuff?”

“Coincidence?”

“Fate.”

“That’s awfully… introspective, for a man I’ve known less than 5 minutes.”

“Well I’m an awfully introspective man. Cons of being a psych major, I guess.” Said Mobius with a smirk.

Oh, yeah. This was definitely going to become a problem.

“I’m debating on wether or not to answer that question honestly.”

“Do you want to answer it honestly?”

“Are you asking as a psych major, or as a friend?”

“A friend. If you’ll let me be one.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t?”

Mobius paused at that one, seemingly lost in thought. Loki was lost in his eyes, but that’s a story for another time.

“You take me for someone who doesn’t trust all too easily.”

“You take me for someone who’s good at earning peoples trust.”

“Does that mean I’ve earned yours?”

“Not quite, but it does mean I’ll answer your question honestly.” They smiled, finally closing their book and laying it on the table.

“And your answer?”

“I believe everyone was put on this earth for their own glorious purpose. Whatever that purpose may be, is something that’s up to us. Not any higher power.”

Mobius smiled. Loki absolutely did not notice that his teeth were crooked in a somewhat adorable kind of way.

“You’re quite something, Loki Odinson. Quite something indeed. Now if you’ll excuse me, there appears to be a little girl looking for someone to help her find a book. I hope I’ll see you around sometime soon.”

Loki sighed, packing up his things and getting ready to leave. There’s no way she could study with… him around. That insufferable, nosy, witty, genius, beautiful man…

Oh, yeah. Loki Odinson is fucked.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2:

“I’m fucked.”

Ravonna chuckled, clearly amused at her unfortunate roommates plight.

“Fired already, Mobius? It seems you’ve set a new record.”

He let out a sigh, dropping his keys on the side table and plopping down onto the couch, throwing a dramatic arm over his face and turning on the TV.

“No, not fired yet, I haven’t fucked up that bad. It’s just…”

“Oh. Oh no. I smell love sickness. What’s their name, age, major, social security number, and every life detail. Now.”

“I’m not telling. And I’m not lovesick, Vonna, it’s just-“

“Quit that. You come into my apartment- yes, I know we both pay rent- into my apartment, sighing like you’ve just left your 9 to 5 office job and turning into a blob on our couch, and you expect me to think you’re not crushing? Now tell me their name.”

Knowing he’d lost, Mobius sighed and started browsing Netflix for something to kill the time with.

“Do you really wanna know?”

She smiled, already prepared to judge the poor soul Mobius had decided to crush on.

“More than anything.”

“Their name is Loki, Loki Odinson. He’s sweet, and funny, and likes Macbeth, and her smile, oh god their smile is so-“

“I knew it!!!! You’re practically in love. And I’ll give you a pass on the social security thing, since I already know them.”

“You do? And has anyone ever told you you’re overprotective?”

“Yeah, Hunter’s little sister Cee goes to Nat’s ballet studio. She teaches there. He’s great with kids, very respectful and helpful from what I’ve heard. Hunter will be pleased.”

Mobius let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, glad there wasn’t some gross asshole side to the stunningly radiant person he met at the library. And a ballerina, too… Nope. He will not continue that train of thought.

“So he’s not an asshole? Great to know.”

“Oh, he’s certainly an asshole. Nat and Yelena bitch about her all the time, apparently they pull more pranks than Tony does. And Tony pulls a concerning amount of pranks.”

“Yeah, I’m surprised they haven’t banned him from the chem lab yet. Good to know she isn’t bland, though. Who doesn’t need a bit of mischief in their lives?”

Ravonna grinned maliciously, a plan already forming in her mind.

“You know, apparently Loki is doing a production down at Asgard Theatre. Gisele. I only know because Cee is one of the ensemble dancers, but I could probably get you his number! Give me 2 minutes.”

“No, Vonna, don’t-“

“The text has been sent. It’s done.”

Huffing slightly at his roommates meddling in his romantic affairs (when did this become a romantic affair? You met her at the library once, Mobius, get a hold of yourself-), he settled on the couch to finally put something on. He decided on Scott Pilgrim, one of his all time favorites, and lost himself in the story to the faint sounds of Ravonna making dinner and his neighbors arguing from apartment 4-C.

————————————————————-

“You won’t believe what happened today.”

Unlocking the door to Thor’s apartment (he copied Thor’s key without him knowing. Thor knew, and just didn’t do anything about it.), she instantly grabbed a glass of wine and flopped on the couch.

“What happened today, brother? Another prank gone wrong?” Said Thor, long accepting his siblings tendency to just enter their apartment without knocking.

“No, nothing like that. I met that fantastic new librarian Bruce told you about-“

“Why are you in my house, Loki?” Said Bruce, quietly watching the spectacle happen from behind a mug of tea.

“Shut up, Banner, you’re fucking my brother. I’m still mad at you for not introducing me to Mobius in the first place. Anyways, he’s smart, and well spoken, and has the most gorgeous hair-“

“Did he just-“

“Sounds like someone’s got a crush. And speak to Bruce like that again and I’ll put him in your precious pointe ballet shoes.” Thor said, already preparing Loki another drink. It seems he’d be driving him home tonight after all.

“No, I don’t have a crush, I hate him. And you. And everyone. Anyways, we spoke for hours. He was so easy to talk to, and he has the most vibrant and intoxicating eyes- Why are you looking at me like that.”

Thor snickered, handing Loki her drink (a martini, as always).

“Like what, Loki?”

“Like- like you know something I don’t!”

Bruce tried interjecting again, to no avail. “Are we seriously going to ignore what he said to me-“

“I do know something you don’t.”

“And what, pray tell, is that, brother?” Said Loki, taking the martini in his hand and downing it in one gulp.

“That you have a crush.”

“No I don’t!!!! It’s simply a matter of thinking he’s one of the most captivating people I’ve ever met- dear God, I do have a crush.”

Already in the process of making another martini, Thor laughed and patted his sibling on the shoulder.

“Bruce, my love, would you mind running down to the corner store and grabbing more vodka? We’re nearly out. Looks like it’s going to be a long night.”

Still grumbling from Loki’s earlier comment, Bruce grabbed his keys and kissed Thor on the cheek before leaving their apartment.

“Thank you, darling! Stay safe!”

“I will, promise. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Waiting for some scathing and slightly rude (albeit funny) comment about Thor’s use of pet names, he was surprised to see his sibling staring at his phone in slight shock.

“What’s wrong? Is everything alright?”

“No no, everything’s fine, it’s just… read this.”

”If you’re pranking me, Loki, I’ll-“

“I’m not. Mobius texted.”

Thor raised an eyebrow, taking the phone from Loki’s hands to read the text.

“Hey, this is Mobius, from the library. Hunter B from your dance studio had your number, and you left your hair clip at the library? I wanted to return it.”

Thor laughed. “This seems like a perfectly sweet message. Nothing abnormal about it. What’s got you so ghastly?”

Loki huffed out a shocked laugh, still slightly reeling. She’d never felt this way before.

“Read the next one.”

“If you say so.”

Thor picked the phone back up, reading the next message.

“I… probably shouldn’t lie. You didn’t leave a hair clip. I’d just like to know when I can see you again.”

The older sibling slowly smiled, glee apparent on his face.

“Someone’s got a crush, someone’s got a crush-“

“No! Absolutely not! I don’t like him, he certainly couldn’t like me, so I shouldn’t think anything of it. Now where’s that second drink.”

Thor let out an affectionate, exasperated sigh, and went to grab Loki their drink. Noting that Thor’s back was turned, she sent a quick text back to Mobius before quickly turning of their phone and grabbing the drink.

“I’m free tomorrow at 4. Meet me at the library?”