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Sylvie usually woke up from her sleep in a rush. Either because of the earthquakes, the loud sound of explosions, or the blinding light from various apocalypses. Growing up in the end of thousands of works made her used to it and she had to be on guard. But she doesn't have to anymore. While this world seems stable, she no longer needs to live in apocalypses.
Then Loki came into her life. He always makes sure that Sylvie falls into a peaceful sleep and wakes up well rested, without rushing her. Loki reassures her there's no more massive explosions or that the screams of people around would wake her up. He keeps her warm and safe, cuddles her until she falls asleep, stays with her all night. So, waking up with his arm around her isn’t new to her, and yet it always feels amazing.
But something was different this morning because she feels her right arm holding an unusual weight...and it moves. That thing kind of nudges her arm. Sylvie scrunches her nose. It feels too early to wake up, she thinks. But this moving thing annoys her, so she opens her eyes slowly and adjusts the light from outside.
With her sleepy eyes, Sylvie stares at what woke her up this morning. And of course it is Loki, because who else if not him?
“Good morning, my love.” His voice was still hoarse. It's typical of someone who had just woken up. But his green eyes glow with excitement looking at her. His head is in her arms, rubbing his forehead and giving her small kisses there. Sylvie grins.
“Mmmh, morning. But isn't it too early?” Sylvie says while rubbing her face with her other hand.
She then moves closer to Loki, places her face close to his equal and wraps her arms around his waist. Sylvie pulls him closer and hides her face in his neck. She nudges her nose there and gives him small kisses. “I’m still sleepy.” She tried to sleep again in a more comfortable position.
Loki lets out a small laugh when he feels her nose tickle him. This clingy Sylvie in the morning is his favorite and he would sacrifice anything to stay in this bed with Sylvie. Just cuddles and small talk. But there is something that they have to do today. Loki hugs her back and kisses the top of her head. “I don’t think it’s too early. We have to get up. Come on.” He gets up after giving Sylvie a last kiss in her hair and grabs her hand to get up with him.
“Ugh, no.” Sylvie pouts her lips, disappointed when he is out of her reach.
Loki keeps pulling her hand until she gets up from their bed. Of course still with annoyance in her face. “What time is it? Why do you want to get up this early?” She looks at the window which is still covered by the curtain, but the morning sun is still visible and then looks for the clock. Apparently it's not too early to wake up.
“It's the second Saturday of the month!”
Oh.
Sylvie smiles immediately. There is something about the second Saturday of the month. For once a month they usually go shopping for daily needs at the biggest market in the city. It is the most exciting thing for them because, well, it reminds them about the night when they first met. To be honest, not really a good meeting, but still memorable for them.
So, Sylvie gets up and now she is the one who pulls Loki’s hand towards the bathroom excitedly.
“Hehe, let’s get ready then.”
-
When they enter the door of the shopping center, it doesn't look too crowded. There are only a few people and it is a good thing. They walk hand-in-hand to the place where the trolleys are placed.
Sylvie wants to release her hand from Loki's hold, but instead Loki holds it tighter. She frowns and looks at Loki in confusion. “Let my hand go?”
Loki shakes his head with a small laugh. “No, I will not. Remember last month when you got lost-”
Her mind travels back to last month’s grocery shopping. She remembered the exact moment when they got separated, because she spent too much time thinking about which kind of cereal she should buy that month. Loki was impatient, and so he went to another section alone. When he got back, she was no longer there. And then he got lost in that huge grocery shopping, panicking and trying to find Sylvie. She wants to laugh just thinking about it.
“You mean you got lost.”
“What? No-. Well, the point is I won’t let you out of my sight this time,” Loki said with a proud smile.
This is absurd, she thinks. “What? You are going to hold my hand the whole time?”
“Yes, I am.” Loki grabs a trolley for them and starts walking while he tightens his hold on Sylvie’s hand. “Also, just in case you randomly want to enchant people and they can give you the last product that you want… or, I don’t know, go through the Timedoor to escape?”
Sylvie grins. “Well, if I go through the Timedoor, you would follow me and get me, right?”
“Ah, I will always get you wherever you go, darling,” Loki said while giving her a quick kiss on her temple and putting their hands in his coat pocket.
Sylvie rolls her eyes, and can’t help but smile shyly.
-
They walk, still hand-in-hand, through aisles of various kinds of snacks. The trolley that Loki pushed, easily with one hand, was partially filled. Most of it is full of instant food and snacks. They cannot cook that well. But recently, Sylvie tried to learn some simple recipes even if it doesn't always go well.
Sylvie takes a pack of bubble gum and places it into the trolley. Loki wrinkles his forehead. “Didn’t you already buy it last month?”
“I always buy it every month?”
“You still have it at home.”
“And? I will still buy it.”
Loki shrugs, arguing with the person at his side is useless. They walk around this grocery store again until his eyes stop on the shelves of hair-dye. He remembers that Sylvie colors her hair regularly, keeping her hair blonde. But for now, her hair is a little bit longer and he can see her natural hair color more.
He knows the reason why she decided to dye her hair. But actually he is really curious about how she looks with her natural hair. Would she try to grow her hair this time? But that thought is gone when Sylvie picks up a pack of hair dye sets.
“I think it’s been a while since the last time I cut my hair and dyed it,” she says and stares at Loki. “Do you think I have to do it again?”
Even though he wants to see the natural color of Sylvie's hair, Loki instead says, “Do what you like. I’m sure you look beautiful no matter what hairstyle you have.” Loki shows a playful smile, and he genuinely means it. Sylvie always looks beautiful in his eyes no matter what.
Sylvie can't help but smile and continues to stare at Loki with her tender gaze. She doesn't say anything, just shakes her head slightly and pulls on Loki to continue walking.
Loki can't help but follow Sylvie's footsteps with a glorious smile. Ah, he always knows how to silence Sylvie with his sweet words.
After walking down a few aisles, their trolley is filled up. They pass a hallway full of clothes. Various clothes are displayed on mannequins with various models. Sylvie looks at the clothes like she is curious and it doesn't go unnoticed by Loki. He also realizes that Sylvie had been staring at a mint green dress in the middle of the section for too long.
“Do you want to try it?”
Sylvie flinches, then looks at Loki in confusion, “Uh, what?”
“That dress. You want it right?”
Sylvie pauses and thinks, as if hesitating to answer. Loki looks around and realizes there are no people around them. Loki doesn't wait for Sylvie's answer and raises his hand that was previously used to push the trolley. With a snap of a finger, Loki made the clothes that had previously been attached to the mannequin now in Sylvie’s body.
Sylvie is taken aback by Loki's sudden action. She glances at her body. The dress fits beautifully on her body. Loki pulls her towards the mirror, and Sylvie can see her reflection more clearly. She smiles when she sees her reflection. That dress is really beautiful.
Loki can't stop looking at her with admiration. He has never been able to take his eyes from her since the first time they met. She is just so perfect with this dress. He could stare at her all day and never get tired of it. Loki can’t help but smile at her. He makes her twirl with his hand so the dress will flow like they are dancing. Sylvie gasps, but then she starts grinning. When she feels her body stop spinning, she rests her other hand at his chest and looks at Loki with shining eyes.
“You look…” He can’t finish his words and Sylvie hasn’t taken her eyes from him.
“What?”
“I... can’t describe it.”
Sylvie doesn't stop herself from kissing him right there. She doesn’t care if someone sees them. All that matters is his lips on hers. And what can Loki do if not kiss her back?
When their lips part, their eyes never leave each other. They admire the beauty of each other's eyes. After some time, they realize that they are in a public place, even though no one is around them.
“Do you like it?”
Sylvie looks at herself in the mirror once more. She loves this dress, really.
“Yeah, I do. But I don’t think I really wanted it. It’s not quite my style and I don’t know when I can use this kind of dress.” Sylvie says.
“Okay then,” Loki says while snapping his fingers. Instantly, Sylvie's clothes she wore earlier returns. "It's not a lucky day for that dress to be yours."
Sylvie smiles and nods. Then, she grabs Loki’s hand again and continues to walk. There are more things that they should buy.
Loki follows in her footsteps while pushing their trolley.
-
Sylvie’s lost.
Or actually he’s lost again.
He swears.
They separated because he needed to go to the toilet. But when he returned to where they had parted, she was no longer there. Loki thought he wasn't in there for a long time. He grumbles in frustration. They should not be separated in the first place. So he tries to go down the surrounding aisles in a hurry.
He found Sylvie finally, only three halls away from where they had been before. Loki heaves a sigh of relief.
“Sylvie!”
He calls her with a worried but relieved voice.
Sylvie waves at him without feeling guilty. “Hi, I just took a bit of a walk.”
“Yes, you worried me. And why the hell are you here?”
Loki looks around him. This is a pet section, filled with pet needs such as food, toiletries, and toys. Then he realizes Sylvie holds an animal collar with a green bell. She shakes it so that he hears the tinkling sound of the bell.
“What is that for?”
Sylvie smiles widely. “What do you think about adopting a pet?”
Loki puts on a confused face. “What? Adopting a pet?”
“Yeah, a cat? Or maybe a rabbit?”
Loki looks at Sylvie with a strange look. She does often do and ask him strange things, but adopting a pet? It never crossed his mind. Especially a cat or a rabbit. It must be so exhausting work. That's ridiculous!
But seeing Sylvie's enthusiastic face makes him think again. Maybe adopting a pet isn't a bad idea. But not for cats or rabbits. That animal is not for him at all. He has to think of other animals.
“What about a gecko?”
Now it is Sylvie who looks at Loki with a strange look. Among the many cute pets, including cats and rabbits, Loki chose a gecko as a pet? “Ew, why are you thinking about adopting a gecko as a pet?”
“Why not? They are cute.”
With disbelief, Sylvie says “How? They are terrifying.”
“And I can't make a gecko wear this!” add her while shaking the animal collar in her hand again.
“Really? You want to adopt a pet so you can make them wear that?”
“No, I want a pet in general, and this necklace is kinda cute!” Sylvie insists.
Loki rolls his eyes. “No, we're not going to adopt a cat or a rabbit.”
“So, are we going to adopt a gecko? Absolutely not!”
“It’s better than a rabbit or cat. They are annoying.”
Before Sylvie can continue her argument, Loki grasps her hand first. He pulls on her so they can continue their shopping activities.
Even so, Sylvie keeps talking about her desire to adopt a cat or a rabbit. So they argue all the way as they walk out.
-
The sun starts to go higher.
They walk down the road to their house after finishing their shopping. Still holding hands. They don't want to let go of each other. And thanks to Loki's sorcery, they don't have to bother with carrying their huge shopping bags.
After shopping, they usually go straight home. Spend the day alone, and maybe watch a movie together (Sylvie really loves watching animated movies!) or just cuddle in their bed. But today it looks like Loki has other ideas.
They stop at one of the cafes heading in at a crossroads. Not many visitors around them. Even though it's just a couple of girls chatting and a guy busy with his laptop, they try to stay far away from other people. So they choose to sit in the outdoor area.
Silence approaches them, just staring at the people around them passing by. Sometimes they steal glances at each other.
“I don’t think we’re ready to adopt a pet.” Sylvie says out of nowhere.
Loki chuckles a little. “Yes, they’re gonna die within a week.”
Their gazes turn to each other. It's silent again, with them trying to look into each other's eyes. There was an indescribable tenderness there. It felt familiar, and reminded them of a moment in their past.
Sylvie smiles, and so does Loki. His hand slowly crosses the table and touches Sylvie's. Holding it tightly without taking their eyes off each other. Oh, Loki can do this forever as long as that person is Sylvie.
Loki's thoughts carry back to their difficult times. When the night they first met was full of terror. Twelve hours together when the world was about to end, fighting together to bring down the person behind TVA ended with their differences in paths, painful separations, years of longing.
But in the end they will always find each other. Fight together and become the saviors of the multiverse.
And here they are, able to rest while the world stabilizes after all these years. He never expected them to finally find peace, but they can finally figure it out. Together. Loki had never felt more grateful than now.
Together with the most important person in his life.
A waiter comes over, interrupting their moment by bringing their order. They spontaneously let go of their hands and look down shyly with suppressed smiles when the waiter places their orders. Two cups of coffee and a piece of cake which they themselves didn't know was in it because of its weird and complicated name.
Sylvie is the first one to try the plate of cake they shared. Her expression showed a strange face when she tasted it. Then she hands his spoon to Loki.
“Is it good?” he asks, not sure about the cake.
“Just try it,” Sylvie says and drinks her coffee.
Loki tastes it and his expression isn't much different from Sylvie's when he finishes swallowing it. “Well… this is weird, but not that bad.”
“Yeah, I have eaten something weirder in the future or even on another planet.” Even though Sylvie doesn't seem to like the cake very much, she continues to shove the pieces of cake into her mouth.
Loki just silently watches Sylvie while drinking his coffee. He doesn’t really understand coffee, but the coffee that he sips is really good, and might be his favorite. He thinks he likes the way Sylvie eats, but, oh, he likes everything about her. There is always something unique about her. He totally adores her.
Looking at her for a long time, he notices that there is cake frosting stuck in the corners of her lips. Loki smirks when he sees it and he finds it adorable of her.
“There is something on your lips," he says while giving a gesture pointing to the corner of his lips.
Instead of wiping her lips, Sylvie shows her mischievous smile (or theirs). “Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna wipe it with your hands, like we're in a cheesy romantic movie?" she says defiantly while biting her lower lip.
Loki holds his breath. Oh, she is teasing him. But then he returns a smile similar to hers.
“No, actually, I want to do this.”
He brings his face close to Sylvie's so she can feel his breath against hers. Then he licks the cake cream on the corners of Sylvie's lips until there is nothing left.
It feels so fast and Sylvie is frozen in her place. She can’t believe what Loki just did.
Even though Loki was in his original position, she can still feel his breath against her face and his warm tongue on his lips.
“It's so much better, isn't it?” Loki says with a smirk still on his face.
Sylvie realizes her face is warm. She closes her eyes as if still processing what just happened. When she opens her eyes, Sylvie looks at Loki with an annoyed look. She lets out a grunting voice and Loki can't help but find it very cute.
“No, it is disgusting.”
Loki rolls his eyes and grins. “Come on, Sylvie. You liked it.”
Sylvie doesn't answer, but her face is still filled with annoyance. She continues to eat her cake. But undeniably, Loki is right about that. She likes it.
As she chews the cake in her mouth, her gaze falls on the less crowded street. Only a few cars passed and the occasional bus.
But her mind is lost today.
When she wakes up in the morning with him. Doing routine shopping activities with him. Until finally they sit face to face here.
With Loki.
She really doesn't know what would have happened to her if Loki hadn't been in her life.
And what was even more confusing to her is how Loki could stay by her side after what she did to him. Pushing him away when all he wanted was her safety. Looking for her despite going through many battles. Found her at her lowest point. Convincing her that they still have a place in the world. And stay with her until now.
Sylvie looks at Loki who turns out to be looking down with a street cat. She smiles. There was something she wanted to say but could never come out of her mouth.
“Have you finished?” he asks. When Loki looks up, he realizes that Sylvie had been staring at him.
“Ah, yes.” Sylvie snaps out of her reverie and nods.
Loki gets up from his seat and reaches out her hand. Sylvie holds his hand but when she stands up too, she holds back Loki's steps. He turns to Sylvie in confusion.
“Loki, uh-”
Maybe it is time for her to say how grateful she is to have Loki in her life. How important Loki is in her life. How much she loves Loki.
Sylvie smiles nervously. She tries to avoid Loki's eyes. “Maybe this is really random, but-”
But she stops and tries to look at his beautiful eyes. The next thing she does is close her eyes, approach him and kiss his lips gently. Her hand slowly touches his cheek. She stays still for a while and finally pulls herself. But she feels a hand on her waist holding her back. Then she feels Loki's lips landing on hers again.
As their lips part, Sylvie looks into his eyes and says, “You’re the best thing that has ever been mine, Loki.”
And so suddenly Loki forgets how to breathe.