Sylvie
The next morning Arya was being introduced to a new drink. Red coffee. Shocker it was a mix of black coffee and A+. She sat in the kitchen with Loki and Natasha in a pair of dark jeans and a green tank top loaned to her by Natasha. Seeing that she was so hell bent on getting out of dodge that she didn't pack anything other than the clothes on her back. Thankfully though, Loki had a spare phone charger.
"How do you two know each other anyway?" Arya asked and Loki and Natasha looked at one another almost bursting with laughter.
"That is a story for another time, my dear." Loki said and Arya groaned.
"Trust me. You don't want to know." Natasha said half laughing and Arya just waved her off. If they didn't want to tell her, they didn't have too. But she would be bugging them about it later.
"I should probably quit my job, huh?" Arya asked and Loki raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you quit your job?" He asked.
"Because she has no use for one now. Duh." Natasha said hoisting herself on top of the kitchen counter.
"You can keep your job." Loki said and Arya smiled slightly at that. She wanted to keep her job, to have a sense of normalcy where she could. And Bruce was involved with vampires and worked at the hospital. But then again, she was a vampire. Could she be around so much blood without lunging at the first trauma she saw?
"I want too, believe me. But I'm around blood all day. I don't think I could handle it." She admitted.
"Leave of absence. Go back in a few months. If you want. You can't let this life take everything from you." Loki said. It was the most words he had ever said to her in one breath. He seemed genuine as well.
"It's just going to get her killed. One rumor that there's a vampire working at the Mystic Falls Hospital and the hunters will be all over her. Trust me, honey. Quit the job." Natasha said and Arya considered her words. She looked up to Loki who's expression was blank again.
"I'll call Stephen." Arya said standing up then turned to look at Loki. "Thank you, for saying that." She said and Loki simply nodded to her.
Arya made her way up the stairs to the bedroom she was staying in and shut the door behind her. She grabbed her phone from the charger on her nightstand and tapped on Stephen's number. She willed herself to tap the call button. She took multiple deep breaths in. After a few long rings it picked up.
"Arya, hey. You alright?" He asked and Arya's eyes began to brim with tears. She knew what she had to do. And she hated the manner in which she had to. She loved her job, she cared for her coworkers, and most of all she enjoyed helping people. She felt like she had a purpose.
"Actually, my health has taken a turn and I won't be able to return to the hospital." Arya said and Stephen paused.
"Did something happen? I didn't see that you were admitted." He said, confusion laced in his tone.
"I don't want to talk about it. But consider this my official resignation. I'm sorry Stephen." Arya said then hung up the phone.
That's when the tears flowed. She didn't sob but she did allow the emotions to flood her body. She originally did plan on simply taking a leave of absence, like Loki suggested. But it was all too much. She knew herself. She couldn't handle all the blood. At least not now. And working in a hospital just wasn't what she could handle. Every fiber of her being wanted to call Stephen back and tell him she was joking. But she knew it was the right decision. So wrapped up in her own feelings she hadn't noticed the door open, or the soft footsteps approaching. What she finally noticed was the long arms that wrapped around her from behind as she stood mourning the life she once lived. She knew who it was. And this time she didn't back away. This time she leaned into it. Turning around and wrapping her arms around his welcoming body. Breathing in the sweet scent of pine. She felt his lips to her ears. Cool and soft. Kissing her lightly on the tip of her ear.
"I know what it's like to lose your choice." Loki said softly. Arya pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed. Loki sat next to her.
"How did you become a vampire?" Arya asked between sniffles.
"Sylvie." He said and Arya looked at him.
"Who was she? And don't say an old flame." She said and he broke out into a small smile.
"First love, I would say. Known each other since childhood. Grew up together. Played together, learned together, loved together. But she changed."
"How?"
"Hela voluntarily turned. She went looking for a vampire crazy enough to do it willingly. Her and Sylvie were the closest of friends. She convinced her to turn as well. Then Sylvie begged me to turn."
"So you could be together forever."
"Precisely. But I didn't want too. I had no desire to live an immortal life. But she turned me against my will. At first, I was angry, I avoided her for years. And then Thor got sick. Hela turned him. I sought out Sylvie, I needed her. But she wasn't the person I once loved in my youth. And I wanted my revenge."
"What happened to her?" Arya asked and Loki averted his eyes from her.
"I gave her death." Loki said and Arya grew quiet. "You're not the monster. I am." He said and began to stand but Arya caught his hand and pulled him to look at her.
"You're not a monster." She said running her thumb over the back of his hand. Loki leaned down, inching toward Arya with a fever. Until her phone rang. She cleared her throat and answered it. "Hello?" She said standing up and walking over to her bedroom window. Leaving Loki to stand slightly embarrassed in the center of the room.
"I know you needed some time. But how are you doing?" Erin said through the phone and Arya smiled.
"I'm doing okay."
"When are you planning on coming home. No rush, just worried about you."
"Not sure. I already feel a bit better. But I do have some news."
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just... quit my job."
"Oh... I'm sorry. I'm sure they will miss you a lot at the hospital."
"It might not be forever. But for now, I need to focus on this new path I am on."
"I understand. How's Loki?" Erin asked then chuckled.
"Fine..." Arya said looking over her shoulder and seeing that Loki was sitting on her bed scrolling through his phone. But Arya knew he probably could hear every word they were saying. "How is Thor?" Arya asked and noticed Loki's face drop slightly. But he quickly composed himself.
"Annoying. Poor guy won't stop asking about you. He's been sleeping on our couch."
"He has Jane. He'll be fine." Arya said and Erin groaned.
"He and Jane aren't a thing anymore. It's obvious he has a thing for you."
"A thing?"
"A crush."
"I'm twenty-eight years old, I'm not into crushes." Arya said and she turned her head back to Loki when she heard him chuckle lightly. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Probably too soon to be getting involved with someone anyway." Arya continued looking back out the window.
"If it feels right, it's probably right." Erin said and Arya thought about her twin's words for a moment.
Arya hadn't dated much. Only had a few serious relationships. She was usually the one to break it off. Never felt that spark. But with Thor she felt something. A flutter of emotion she hadn't realized was there until the moment she left Mystic Falls to galivant with Loki around New York City. And now she was confused. Confused as hell. She hadn't even fully processed her new found immortality, let alone her feelings for Thor. And now here Loki was, his brother at that, constantly trying to kiss her. Or so it seemed. What was she to do?
"I have to go. I'll see you soon, promise." Arya said and hung up the phone.
"If it's my brother you truly want. I'll take you home right now." Loki said suddenly appearing at Arya's side.
How could she make this decision right now? In this moment Loki looked like heaven. And yet Thor still stood in the back of her mind. Thor was kind, generous, and willing to take a step back from his own desires to help others. Loki was reserved and hard to read. And yet in the short amount of time they had spent together, without prying eyes, he had opened up to her more than Thor had. And while she didn't expect either of them to spill their souls to her, she did appreciate Loki's openness.
"I can't make that decision. I don't know who I am anymore." Arya admitted and Loki shut his eyes for a moment. When he opened them he looked almost hurt.
"I'll take you home." He said gruffly.
"I didn't say I wanted that."
"You didn't say you didn't." He said then turned and began leaving the room. "Be ready in five minutes." He said not looking back at her.