Sylvie set the last box down with an exhausted sigh. Despite the freezing temperatures, hauling things up and down stairs all day had left her sweating profusely in her jeans and jumper. But, she wasn't perturbed by the situation. After all, it was a great deal leasing her business space and the apartment above it for one monthly fee.
Lamentis Bakery was opening in less than a week, and Sylvie couldn't wait to get started. But first things first, it was time to greet the neighbor.
There was only one other apartment next to hers, a studio occupied by an artist. The landlord, Mobius, said he was a brilliant painter who was world-renowned for his work. He was also a total recluse and had been alone in the building for a very long time.
Too long in Sylvie's opinion.
She decided to introduce herself by bringing over a basket full of handmade breads and sweets that would be featured at the bakery. Her outfit wasn't exactly screaming professional, but she figured an artist wasn't going to be squeaky clean either.
"Well, time to go see if I'm living next to a psychopath or not."
Sylvie grabbed the goodie basket, took a deep breath, let it out, and marched across the hall.
************
Loki was elbow deep in pastels when there was a knock at the door.
"Odd, I didn't think Mobius was coming for the rent until next week."
He stood up, and wiped his hands on a towel before straightening out the wrinkles in his shirt.
Instead of seeing his landlord when he opened the door, a petite blonde wearing a rainbow sweater and holding a basket of baked goods was standing there.
"Hi there! You must be Loki. My name is Sylvie, and I'm your new neighbor."
"Oh! Uhm, hello. I hadn't realized that Mobius had rented out anything other than the commercial space."
"That's mine too,actually, I'm opening up a bakery next week. Here's some samples of the items we'll have."
"Thank you very much," Loki said as he took the basket from her hands,"would you like to come in for a moment?"
"I'd love to."
**********
"I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of refreshments right now, but I can brew some tea if you like?"
"Tea sounds wonderful."
Loki smiled and headed into the kitchen area while Sylvie looked around. It was a lovely studio despite being sparsely furnished. Canvases in various stages of completion leaned against the wall, along with racks of different paints and brushes. There was one painting still sitting on the easel, of a beautiful woman with sparkling blue eyes.
"Lovely, isn't she?"
Loki came back in with a tray containing a very old and well-loved tea set.
"She's beautiful! Is it someone that modeled for you?"
"No, nothing like that. It's a picture of my mother."
"Oh, well you can tell her from me that she's quite stunning."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate it," Loki said as he poured hot tea into the cup and handed it to her," unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, I've long learned to manage the grief of losing her."
"Is that why you live alone?"
"It's part of it, the rest is a very long and complicated story that's best saved for another time....Now tell me about this bakery of yours."
They talked for hours, Sylvie telling him about her plans for the business while he divulged all the nitty-gritty details of the art world. It was well into the night by the time Loki walked her to the door.
"Thank you for the tea,Loki."
"My pleasure,it's the least I can do in return for such wonderful pastries."
She smiled, and started to walk back over to her place when he called after her.
"Oh Sylvie?"
"Yes?"
"Uhm, I was wondering, if it's not too much trouble, that I be able to come downstairs to the bakery to work on my sketches. I'm more than happy to purchase something if need be, it's just that the light in there hits the perfect angle for...."
"Loki, it's fine, really," she interrupted with a laugh," You're welcome anytime you like."
"Thank you, I appreciate it...goodnight,Sylvie."
"Goodnight."
He closed the door and Sylvie headed into her apartment, pleased that her first encounter with the mysterious artist had went so well.
**************
Opening day for the bakery was on Valentine's Day, so Sylvie went all out on the decorations. She even made a special batch of her heart-shaped red velvet cake donuts to display on the counter.
Her best friend Beatrice(jokingly referred to as B-15 since that's the age that they met) worked the front while she and a teenage intern did all the baking.
"How are things going out here, B?"
"Amazing. Sales have been off the charts and those heart donuts are real popular...the hottie in the booth over there has bought 3 of them."
Sylvie peeked in the direction B-15 pointed towards, and saw Loki sitting there, focusing intensely on the sketch he was working on. He looked up briefly and smiled when he saw her wave at him.
"I'm going to assume you know that guy?"
"Oh yes, that's Loki. He's my upstairs neighbor."
"Loki.....as in Loki Óðinsson?"
"Yes....."
"HOLY SHIT!" B-15 shouted before lowering her voice to a whisper after people started staring," do you have any idea who he is?!"
"He's a talented, world-renowned artist."
"Yeah, who also happens to be the son of Óðin Börsson, Head of the infamous Ásgarð mafia."
Sylvie's eyes bugged out of her head. The gentle painter had not given off any vibes that he ever belonged to the mob....then again he did say his story was a complicated one.
Speaking of complicated....
"Uh-oh, Judge Psycho at twelve o'clock."
The baker groaned when she saw her ex-girlfriend, Ravonna Renslayer, enter the shop. She was a family judge for the local district and an utter control freak, one of the reasons Sylvie had broke things off and moved out in the first place.
"You want me to toss her out?"
"No, I'll handle this," Sylvie said as she walked out from behind counter," What are you doing here, Ravonna?"
Ravonna looked around the bakery with an air of disdain.
"So this is what you moved out for? Some foolish little pet project?"
"This is a place of business, so I suggest you make a purchase or get out."
"Oh I'm not going anywhere. I've come to take you back home."
Sylvie was flabbergasted. What part of they were done did this woman not understand?
"I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"Oh yes you are, it's about time you learned your place...even if I have to beat it out of you!"
Ravonna raised her arm to slap Sylvie, and was shocked to find it caught in a firm grip.
"Hey! What do you think you're....."
The words died on her tongue the moment she saw exactly who had ahold of her.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
"Mr. Óðinsson! I was just..... this really isn't something you need to bother yourself with...."
"How dare you try to harm this woman in my presence, who gave you the right?!"
Ravonna continued stuttering and stumbling over her words while Sylvie stared at the scene in confusion. She'd seen alot of emotions out of her ex, but this was the first time she'd ever seen fear.
Fear of Loki at that.
"ENOUGH!" Loki shouted, causing everyone in the bakery, including Renslayer, to go silent," You are going to leave this place, and never return....otherwise I might have to remind my father about a certain debt you owe that is yet to be repayed....Are we clear?"
She nodded shakily, and as soon as he released her she fled out the door without looking back. Seeing that the drama was over, the other patrons went back to what they were doing while Loki turned his attention to Sylvie.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine,yes, thanks to you."
"It was no trouble, really."
"All the same," Sylvie murmured as she wrapped her arms around his waist,"Thank you."
He froze for a moment before slowly returning the embrace.
"You're welcome."
**********
They developed a bit of a routine over the next few months. Loki would sit in a booth by the window and draw, while Sylvie went about the bakery. At closing time, he even helped her and B-15 clean up before heading upstairs. Afterwards, they'd have tea at one or the other's apartments, although lately it had been just at Sylvie's place, as Loki was working on a special project for an upcoming art gala.
One day, whilst Sylvie sat with Loki in his booth to work on the books, a tall, handsome gentleman with long, blonde hair and blue eyes came into the shop...immediately setting Loki on edge.
"What are you doing here, Thor?"
"Is it a crime to come see my own brother?"
"Knowing you, it probably is. If you'll excuse me, Sylvie darling, I've suddenly developed a rather large migraine."
He gave Thor a glare before gathering his things and stalking off towards the door to the stairwell.
"Loki, come on, be reasonable....Loki!"
But Loki was already through the door and up the stairs. He made to follow, but Sylvie stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"It might be best to let him cool down a bit. Why don't you have a seat, and I'll bring over some coffee and cake."
Thor nodded and slumped down into the booth with a sigh. Sylvie sat the drink and pastries down on the table before sliding into the seat across from him.
"So, Thor is it? You and Loki are brothers?"
"Hmm, yes, he's the youngest. My twin sister Hela and I were nearly 10 years old when he was born."
"Is your sister going to be visiting as well?"
Thor's face took on a look of anguish as he set his cup down.
"Hela's been dead for some time now....didn't Loki tell you?"
"Loki hasn't mentioned any of his family outside of his mother, and that was only to say she'd passed."
"I'm not surprised," he said with a hint of bitterness," he always did like to suppress things instead of confronting them...especially when it comes to that night."
"What night is that?"
"The night our mother and sister were murdered.....Loki was the one who found them."
************
"Loki?"
Everything was quiet inside of Sylvie's apartment, but something told her that he was there. Sure enough, he was sitting in the floor in front of her bed, cuddling Arlo, the rescue cat that Loki had recently helped her pick out at the shelter. She came over and sat down next to him, offering silent support until he was ready to speak.
"Is he still here?"
"No, I told him to try again tomorrow....he told me about what happened...with your mother and sister."
"A robbery gone wrong, they said, but that was utter bullshit! They were killed because of the connection to my father, by a rival family that Thor had managed to piss off with his horrid negotiation tactics."
"Oh Loki," Sylvie whispered as she laid a hand on his arm,"I'm so sorry."
"You want to know the worse part? For years, mother begged Óðin to go legitimate, and before everything happened....he was actually considering it."
"And now?"
"I don't know," he replied in a watery voice," I left after that, finished my degree like mother wanted, and started selling my art. I finally had a new life, away from all of th, where I could forget and move on...and now...."
Loki didn't finish as he broke down into sobs. Sylvie quickly shooed the cat away and pulled Loki towards her until his head was in her lap. She wrapped her arms around him and gently carded her fingers through his hair.
"Say the word and I'll never let them through the front door again...and if they try the back one I'll send them donuts full of laxitives!"
His tears soon turned to laughter as he imagined Sylvie trying to take down the mob with diarrhea.
"Somehow you always know the right thing to say to me, Sylvie....thank you."
"Don't mention it, it's the least I could do for someone I lo—ike....really like..."
Loki turned over so he was facing upwards and tucked a lock Sylvie's hair behind her ear.
"I really like you too."
"Well I should hope so, seeing as how you're laying in my bedroom floor."
They both broke into fits of giggles at that, the drama of the day temporarily forgotten.
After they both settled down, Loki let out a sigh as he sat up.
"I'm going to have to face them, aren't I?"
"Only if that's what you want, but I do think it might give you some peace of mind."
"Very well, I'll give that oaf a call.....you'll stay with me when they come....won't you?"
"Of course," Sylvie said as she put a hand on his knee,"I wouldn't be anywhere else."
************
Thor didn't come back until a week later, and this time he wasn't alone. On his arm was an elderly man with long, snow white hair and a leather patch over one eye. He appeared fragile, but the steel in his gaze told Sylvie he was anything but.
"Hello, Thor."
"Hello again, Miss Sylvie, I'd like to introduce my father, Óðin Börsson."
Sylvie stuck her hand out in greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure is all mine," he said as he took her hand in a surprisingly firm grip," I must say those donuts that Thor brought home were quite delightful."
"I'll be sure to have another batch ready next time he comes around."
The grin Óðin flashed was blinding, and it reminded Sylvie of the one Loki always greets her with.
Speaking of which....
As soon she let go of the elder man's hand, the artist appeared in the lobby, clutching a medium-sized canvas. She recognized it right away as the one he'd been working on of his mother, only now there was a second woman sitting alongside her.
'That must be his sister,' she thought as Loki approached his father and brother,'she looks identical to him.'
He looked back at Sylvie for guidance, and at her encouraging nod, he handed Óðin the painting. The old man carefully ran his fingers across the picture, moisture causing his remaining eye to glisten. He gently handed it to Thor before gathering his youngest into a tight embrace. Despite an initial hesitance, Loki returned the hold just as fiercely. His brother joined in as well, which amused Sylvie to see such tall men embracing their much shorter father like they were little children again. Once they broke apart and headed to a table, she decided to go into the kitchen and work on some more donuts and give the family some much needed time alone.
****************
Sylvie had the bakery closed for the day due to Loki's family, so she went directly upstairs to her apartment after packing up another batch of donuts for them.
She was about to turn in for the night when someone knocked on her door. She opened it to find Loki, looking drained but also much lighter than she'd ever known him to be.
"Loki! Are you okay? How did everything go?"
"It went....surprisingly well. Apparently, father took mother's advice after all and has been transferring his empire into legitimate ventures. By the time Thor takes over, the Ásgarð mafia will be no more."
"That's excellent news! What about the relationship between the two of you?"
"Nothing gets solved overnight, but I think we finally have a good start."
"I'm so thrilled for you,Loki," she said as she wrapped her arms around him," you deserve all the happiness in the world."
"While we're on the subject of happiness, it would give me a great deal of joy if you could attend the opening of my new exhibit at the art museum on Saturday."
"Ooooh, does this mean I'll finally get to see that secret project you've had locked up in your studio?"
"It does."
"In that case,I'll be there with bells on....or a clean dress at least."
He sported a brilliant smile as he bid her goodnight. She waited until he'd entered his own apartment before closing the door. As she crawled into bed that night, Sylvie thought that she wouldn't mind seeing Loki smile like that more often.
***********
She'd never been to an art gala before, so she had no clue what to wear. Luckily B-15 was an expert in fashion, and helped her pick the perfect dress for the evening, a floor length, off the shoulder emerald piece that clung in all the right places.
She entered the building and tried to spot Loki, but couldn't make him out in the crowd. Several of the other patrons stared as she went past them and began whispering excitedly. Sylvie had no idea what they could find so fascinating about her....then she saw the artworks.
There were sketches and paintings in a variety of sizes and colors....all of her. Pictures of her at the counter in the bakery, pulling cookies out of the oven, laughing with B-15....even one of her sitting in the floor playing with Arlo...it was all there on display.
The centerpiece of the exhibit was a large painting of her sporting the rainbow sweater she'd worn when they first met. She almost felt as though she was looking in a mirror. It was so detailed and yet, held some kind of ethereal quality, as if he saw her in a way No one else had.
There was a plaque on the wall beside the portrait, and she was shocked when she read it.
"The Little Things"
A collection to showcase all the reasons I fell in love with you.
Turn Around, Sylvie.
She did as it said and saw Loki standing there holding a long-stemmed red rose.
"Loki....you...."
"I know this is a bit much, but I'm not the best at being vocal about my feelings, so thought I'd show them instead."
He handed over the flower before taking her free hand into his.
"From the minute I first opened my door, you've been a breath of fresh air. You see me, in a way No one else ever has. You're kind, smart, wickedly funny, and make the best donuts I've ever tasted."
She gave a watery laugh at that before urging him to continue.
"I suppose what I'm trying to say is....I'm in love with you,Sylvie, I have been for awhile now."
"Oh Loki...."
She surged upwards and pressed her lips to his. The flower fell to the floor as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him tightly against her.
When they finally broke apart for air, Sylvie leaned forward and buried her face against his chest.
"I love you too.....thank you...for all of this."
"I should be thanking you, after all you are the inspiration for this series."
"How about you take me home and I give you some inspiration in a different area?"
Loki didn't need to be told twice. He took her by the hand and ran towards the exit, ready to paint a new portrait of their lives....together.