Amelie Stark – Pinky Promise
Amelie Stark – Pinky Promise
I couldn’t help but laugh at the confused expression on his face. “Do they not have pinky promises on Asgard? They’re like, a really big deal here!” I brought my right hand in front of me, lifting my little finger.
Loki studied my hand before looking back to my face, perplexed. Despite his unimpressed expression, there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes.
“So, in order to make a pinky promise, you link your pinky finger with the other persons'.” I gestured to his arm. Slowly he brought his right hand opposite mine, lifting his finger in the same way I did. Hooking our fingers together, I held our hands in-front of us as he raised his eyebrow. “Now you say that you promise, and it means you can’t break it.”
"This is not exactly a magical process."
"No, no it isn't." I agreed. "But people take it seriously all the same."
Loki's eyes glimmered with amusement as he studied our entwined fingers and chuckled deeply. “What makes this unbreakable? It is a simple gesture, nothing more.”
“To be fair, I don’t actually know why, but it’s something that just means that a promise is real. If someone won't make one, then their word probably isn't worth much.”
Loki glanced one last time at our hands before he gave a small shake of his head and squeezed my finger a bit harder. “I promise,” he said, laughing softly. "Strange mortals."
Our hands dropped and he picked up his tea. I couldn't help but smile with a sense of satisfaction at the thought that I had just taught a God something new - a small custom from Earth. It might have been just a simple pinky promise, but in that moment it felt special.
“So now that you have to be honest with me, how much did you hate the coffee?”
Loki smirked. “It was the vilest experience my taste buds have ever had to endure.”
I took a triumphant gulp of my coffee and glanced out the window. The early summer air clung to everything in sight; yesterday’s oppressive heat had been replaced with a dry chill that caused even the toughest of people to wrap themselves up. A red setter puppy ran joyfully among a flurry of small birds, tongue dangling from his mouth as he chased after a ball thrown by its nearby owner. Loki shifted quietly beside me and I felt his bright eyes trained on me. I turned towards him and smiled, waiting for him to speak.
“How long have you lived here?”
“I moved in just before you did, but I’ve been visiting Tony every summer since I was a little girl. My parents live in England, down by the sea.” I paused to take a sip of my coffee, holding it in both hands as I reminisced. “I miss the sea a lot. The beach I grew up on I mean. I spent pretty much all of my spare time there and nothing quite matches the sound of the waves.”
Loki watched me as I spoke, patiently absorbing every word. “Why did you leave?”
I smiled sadly. “I’d been thinking about it for years. My parents and I had a difficult relationship, and they were pretty reserved with their aspirations for me. I wanted more than they could permit me and it broke us.” I looked out at the park again, waiting a few moments before continuing. “It’s funny, I’m more sad about leaving the beach behind than I am for saying goodbye to my parents. That sounds bad, right?”
Loki cocked his head to the side, tea forgotten. “I don't think it sounds bad. One's lives are their own to live, not to be controlled and played out for them.”
I smiled at his response. “Thanks, I’m glad you think so.” We sat in silence for a while, both lost in thought.
I took a palmier from the plate between us and gestured to the other. “You have to try these, they’re amazing. They’re my favourite!”
Loki took the pastry and took a small bite before looking at me, surprised. “Now these I very much enjoy.”
I laughed lightly as he continued to eat, taking another bite of my own.