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You were ready to go.Every linen was in its proper place, and every shiny surface was free of fingerprints. You were ready to go.Your fingers and thumb curled around the doorknob, poised to turn. You were ready to go.…After one more walk-through.You sighed. Cursing your perfectionism and releasing the doorknob, you turned to face the interior of what would soon be Loki’s quarters.✨Apartment. “Quarters” sounded so sterile. He really didn’t need his welcome to be any colder than you knew it would be, considering the circumstances under which he was moving to the Tower. The sneering among “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” held a stench of irony that wasn’t lost on you. You’d hoped they would heed their better angels in time; you’d hoped that this “fresh start” they wanted to make with Loki was more than just talk. But you had no control over other people’s attitudes, so you focused on a project where you could do some good.Leave it to Pepper to be of like mind. You’d never had a supervisor you so admired for her fairness and wisdom. You worked closely with her on the design of Loki’s suite, and she was quick to praise what you were accomplishing within the budget she gave you.To be fair, more money wouldn’t have fixed things. You would never be able to give him Asgard — and you would never try, after what poor Steve told you about once waking up in a bizarre imitation of the life and times he once knew. But you still pored over every detail.✨You were proud of the living room in particular. Against the sage-toned wall stood a plush black sofa, with a silver-grey throw blanket folded at one end. Just past the other end was a small table, with a lamp and enough room for a refreshment, perhaps a mug of some delicious hot drink.What you especially hoped he liked, though, were the built-in bookshelves just beyond the table, in the adjoining wall. Thor gave you some insight into just how much Loki’s library meant to him; no doubt he would take at least some part of it with him to the Tower. But just in case something prevented that, you populated the shelves with a few of your own favorites. Some art history, some Shakespeare, some that focused on the stones and herbs of Earth. Tucked into the shelves were open-topped glass jars containing minute strands of fairy lights. You’d assembled these yourself; they weren’t so much for brightness as ambience. Maybe they were silly; maybe they were just the closest you could get to some magic of your own.Across from the sofa was a fireplace. This was the feature that made worry bloom in your mind. Would he dislike a fire? Should you just put a few battery-powered candles in there? Were you overthinking his Jotun heritage? You pictured Loki on the sofa, the throw draped over his legs, as he became absorbed in one of your books. The lamp would light the page; steam would rise from a mug on the end table. And maybe a little fire would crackle in that hearth.He would be happy. Or at least comfortable. But you dearly hoped for happy.✨The light of the bright but cloudy winter’s day filtered in through the kitchen window. For what had to be the tenth time, you readjusted the white calla lilies in their vase on the small dining table. The Tower had a much larger main kitchen, of course, and it was an area where the team naturally gathered. Which was exactly the problem. If current grumblings were any indication, it would take a while for Loki and the others to be comfortable around one another — if that ever came to pass. So for now, you stocked his kitchen as well as you could. Some fresh produce, grains, spices. And if you added some extra snacks, and maybe a tin of your favorite hot chocolate, it was purely to make the pantry look less bare. Did he even cook? You had no idea. You could help him throw a few things together, though, to start with. If he wanted you to.In the cupboard you set some glassware, and stacked a set of bowls and plates. The white dinnerware was simple, and would have perhaps been appallingly so, were it not for the single gold line that accented every piece. You’d intended it as a nod to his royal upbringing. You hoped he would find it elegant. And still you sighed, worrying if it would fall short of his expectations.Maybe the mug would be your saving grace. In addition to the few that matched the dinnerware, you chose one that was just for him. It was a lucky find, in a green so deep it was nearly black. On each side, in filigreed script, was a solitary L. It felt good when you held it in both hands. You imagined it in his, how the warmth from its contents would emanate until all trace of chill left his fingers.✨In the bathroom, you tried to create as hospitable a haven as you would want for yourself. This is where you splurged. A small, faceted glass bottle sat on the vanity, with reeds diffusing a woodsy oil blend. Candles stood in the corners of the bathtub. Towels in every size waited on hanging rods and tucked away in the linen closet. You chose shampoo and conditioner and soaps made of natural ingredients. No doubt his nose would have identified (and been offended by) the sorts of preservatives and fillers that rounded out the ingredient lists of so many, well, Midgardian things. You’d become desensitized to all of that. But he deserves better, you thought to yourself.Finally you reached the bedroom. You tried to ignore the mixed feelings in the pit of your stomach, the pressure you felt to make this space comfortable for not just one person but quite possibly two. He’s worth it, you told yourself in blind faith. In honesty, you didn’t know him. You didn’t know what he was truly like, or what he would favor in a companion, or if you had the right to know in the first place. He’s worth it, your mind insisted nonetheless.A nightstand with a lamp stood on either side of the bed. You stayed in budget with cotton bedding, choosing the highest thread count you could manage. The duvet cover was a rich emerald — you were thrilled that the color was just right. The sheets were just a simple white, but you chose them for their softness. They would be so comfortable against the skin. Against the soles of the feet. Against the palm of a hand when the fingers grip them tightly…You strode to the window, parted the curtains and threw open the sash, breathing deeply the bracing winter air. That’s enough about his bed, you thought.Besides, it wasn’t even the most personal item in the room.Your decorating budget was nearly maxed out when you realized the wall above the low-profile headboard looked completely bare. So you scraped together some of your old paints, paid for a stretched canvas with the last bit of the company card, and prayed that you were halfway decent at knocking out an abstract work.In your estimation, you didn’t do half bad. Broad strokes of evergreen mingled with ice blue highlights and deep brown shadows. Flecks of silver shimmered here and there, making the canvas look lit from within. And throughout the painting, in gold, was a repeating shape that resembled the tip of an arrow. Two simple lines forming an angle. Would he know how carefully you chose the rune? Did you depict it well enough? Was this all too personal?Crossing your fingers, you walked back through the rooms and toward the front door. “I’ve done all I can,” you said to the empty apartment. It wasn’t much comfort, but it was a fact.He would be here soon. And you were ready to go.✨After an evening reception that was on the chilly side of courteous (the team let you down, even if they weren’t overtly hostile), the elevator ride to Loki’s floor was awkward. It turned out that a disdain for small talk was one thing you had in common. But what were you supposed to say to him? “How was your trip”? He didn’t even want to be here. Nonetheless, you babbled out your best effort.“I hope your find your qu- apartment to your liking.”He responded with a curt nod.You walked down the hall together, and when you reached his suite, you took measured breaths to calm your racing heart and try not to drop the key. You showed him through, room by room. You couldn’t help but notice how he walked the perimeter of each one, like a cat acclimating to new surroundings.His reactions were infuriatingly neutral.“Oh!” he said in response to the books you gave him.“Hmmm” he hummed when he saw the filled pantry shelves.“Good, good” he murmured once he toured his bathroom.And in the bedroom, he regarded the details with several polite nods.Great. He hated it all.His voice startled you out of your over-analysis. “Begging your pardon, I’m afraid I’m quite tired.”“Of course!” you fumbled. “Please let me know if there’s anything you need. I hope you have a restful night!”He gave you another polite nod as you got the hell out of his utterly mid quarters. You wondered why Pepper ever gave you any assignments at all. With your heart somewhere around your ankles, you hurried back to your own suite, dejectedly washed up and brushed your teeth, and got ready for bed.✨You had been asleep for nearly an hour when your phone rang, despite your nighttime settings.“Is it too late to thank you?”Oh, that velvet voice. He sounded a little more refreshed than he did before. Your heart leapt in your chest, but you chuckled softly. “Does this mean you like your apartment?”“It does, yes. I know I failed to express that when you walked me through earlier.”You laughed it off. “Oh, I didn’t pick up on that at all. And anyway, you barely had a chance to put your luggage down. Don’t worry about it.”“I am honestly impressed, and touched, that you thought of everything,” he continued. “Presently I am… halfway through the book of your Pre-Raphaelite artists and models. And you have my gratitude for stocking my kitchen so thoroughly. I was famished, but I hated to venture back down to the main level this evening.”You basked in the glow of his praise. A win! This was definitely a win!“I’m so glad you like it, Loki.”“The painting above the bed is quite eye-catching,” he said with complete nonchalance. “I assume your use of that rune was intentional?”You tensed, then relented. You never did determine if the painting was good or garbage. Your response laid you bare.“I did my best.”There it was, in 4 words. Your entire character, for better or worse, in all its imperfection.He replied with a tenderness you didn’t expect. “It’s lovely.”After a pause, he began again. “Do you know, there’s a fire in the hearth at the moment, and I have two mugs of hot chocolate that smell divine…”Was that… an invitation? Disbelief gripped you. Your cruel mind pulled a protest out of midair.“Loki, it’s midnight!”You could almost hear him smile. “A scandalous hour,” he smoldered. “Still, what a shame it would be to enjoy these pleasures all by myself.”His voice then lowered in volume. Had you been in the same room, you’d have had to lean in close to hear it. Close enough to feel the warmth of his breath.“To return to my question… is it too late to thank you, darling?”