Loki Laufeyson - Men Like Me
Loki Laufeyson - Men Like Me
I strode quickly away from the group, my mind spinning with thoughts and emotions. I had kept my cool under pressure and had managed to keep the dangerous part of myself at bay, but my victory felt hollow. A small voice inside me whispered that perhaps I could have done more for those whom I had hurt. But, deep down, I knew it was impossible.
I shook off those thoughts and focused on putting one foot in front of the other, pushing forward, determined to put as much distance between myself and the conference room as I could. It was clear that despite Tony Stark's unexpected willingness to forgive me, not everyone shared in this sentiment. Although I didn't care what other people thought of me; or at least I liked to pretend I didn't, their reactions still hurt me deeply.
The sun had begun to set by the time I finally arrived at my room. I entered silently, clicking the door shut behind me as I faced the empty space.
The dizzying thoughts churning in my mind were a relentless whirlpool and I collapsed onto the bed, my forehead pressed against the palms of my hands. Taking in a deep breath, my eyes fluttered open and I stood up to take refuge at the window. The skyline had began to be illuminated by the fiery hues of the descending sun, casting an oddly calming presence on the cityscape below.
My thoughts were still racing and I knew that there was no way I could relax in this environment. I needed to clear my head so that I could make sense of all that had happened today.
I descended the stairs and stepped out onto the busy city streets. The air was heavy with humidity and there was no relief from the warmth in the breeze. Street lamps illuminated the sidewalks, casting a glow over the pavement. People were walking their dogs, arm-in-arm, or wandering home after an evening out. Music blared from open windows and cars roared past me as I made my way through the streets. The city should have been quieter due to the late hour but they still retained their energy; such was life in New York. As I continued my walk, I could feel myself begin to relax and let go of the negativity that had been weighing me down.
The moon was visible in the sky by now and its light cast a soft glow on everything around me. The evening was clear and stars shone brightly overhead, reminding me of just how vast this world was.
The soft breeze blew gently across my face as I started walking aimlessly toward Central Park, bringing with it the smell of freshly-cut grass. I noticed a figure sitting alone on a park bench in the dark. As I got closer, I saw that he was an elderly man with wrinkled skin, yet his gaze seemed to pierce the night sky with its deep-rooted wisdom.
Slowly, I approached and sat down next to him, offering him a gentle smile of greeting. He looked up at me with kind eyes and nodded, seeming to understand that I didn't need any words for his presence to be felt. We continued to sit in silence for several minutes before he finally broke it. "You have changed."
I quickly turned towards him in surprise, my gaze raking over his features. No recognition came to me and he let out a soft laugh. I furrowed my brow in confusion. "I'm sorry, you don't seem familiar."
His old eyes met mine as he regarded me warmly. "Not to men like you."
I blanched, looking down at my hands as I recalled the memory. "There are no men like me." I said quietly.
The man smiled. "There are always men like you." I intertwined my fingers, hunching forward on my legs and regretting that I hadn't stayed in the comfort of my room. It was silent for a moment before the man spoke again. "But..." I looked to him in surprise. "You stand out because you have changed. Men don't always do that."
I regarded him for a moment before sitting back, turning my head to the stars. "For what it's worth, I am sorry." I said, feeling that the sentence was wholly inadequate for something this important.
The man smiled at me, nodded in understanding before standing. "Come," he said. I looked up at him in surprise and then slowly stood, following him through the darkness. We began to stroll through the park, the street lights casting an orange glow on the world around us. As we walked, the elderly man told me stories about the life he had lived; of battles fought and friends lost. He talked of love found and dreams achieved with passion in his eyes, sharing with me the lessons he had learned throughout his life; of how we must never give up in the face of adversity and always strive to be better than we once were. He assured me that I was capable of great things and that I should never let anyone define who I was or could be. His stories went on, a song in the night air, until the first rays of sunlight began to peak through the horizon.
He stopped walking then, turning to me with an outstretched hand. I shook it firmly, feeling my throat swell as I thanked him for his wisdom, for reminding me that change is possible and growth is inevitable. With one last nod he turned back towards Central Park and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts as we both watched the sun rise open a new day.