Chapter 3
Loki blearily looked at the clock. His shift was almost over, and he couldn't wait to go home. When he was bartending, he was never idle. Usually, the supermarket kept him busy either with customers or restocking, but today was especially slow. It probably didn't help that he was running on crappy coffee. He'd kill for a good cup of joe.
"I need assistance! I cannot locate the gouache paint!" A burly blond man with an accent exclaimed. He was easily the biggest man that Loki had ever seen in height and in muscles.
Loki blinked himself out of his exhaustion and tried not to drool. "Sure, it should be in the craft aisle." He forced himself to his feet and headed toward the craft section with the giant on his heels like a puppy.
"I am not certain what gouache paint is," Blondie admitted sheepishly.
Loki grabbed the package that he'd stocked earlier in the day. "It's a mix of watercolor and acrylic."
"Thank you!" Blondie boomed way too enthusiastically.
"Just doing my job." Loki shrugged.
"Where is the gift packaging?"
Loki held back a laugh at the strange wording. "Over here."
"It is for my brother's birthday party. He is an artist, so I wanted to get him something for his profession," Blondie explained.
"I'm sure he'll like it." Loki didn't really care, but he was doing his job.
"Thank you for your assistance!" Blondie boomed with a blinding grin.
"Have a nice day," Loki said directing him to Val's check out. His shift was over, and he was more than ready to go home.
Handsome strangers were a big no in his book. Besides, he had better things to worry about than the giant blond man. He had decided not to pick up a shift at the bar that night which meant that he could catch up on some sleep but more importantly spend some time with his kids. He'd probably have to pick up a double shift the next night, but it would be worth it. The second he opened the door, he had five kids throwing themselves at him.
"Daddy! Daddy!"
"Babies!" Loki wrapped his arms around them.
"You're home early?" Fenrir asked.
"Not working tonight," Loki explained.
"With us?" Hel asked.
"Yup!" He kissed her nose making her giggle.
"Dwinner?" Narfi asked.
"It's dinner!" Zali corrected.
"No sandwich?" Jo asked.
"No, daddy will make something homemade and fresh!"
His kids cheered.
"Movie?" Zali asked.
"Sure, we can watch a movie."
Hel held up her arms. "Up."
"Ok, baby." He scooped her up and walked into the kitchen. "Spaghetti sound good?"
"Yes!" Fenrir grinned and Jo clapped.
Narfi settled at his feet.
He set Hel on the counter and set to work.
"Daddy, why can't you stay home every night?" Narfi asked voice trembling.
"I wish I could." He sighed. "But daddy has to work."
"I don't like work," she decided.
He laughed. "Me neither!"
"Work scary." Hel whimpered.
"It's not scary, baby. It can even be fun if you go to college and do something you love!"
"Not you?" She asked.
"I didn't finish college, but that's ok. My best job is being your daddy!" His heart warmed watching his kids cover themselves in noodles and red sauce. After dinner, he made the littles take a bath and allowed Jo and Fenrir to pick a movie.
They didn't have cable, but Loki had gotten an old DVD player at a garage sale.
If they had extra cash which was rare, he'd try to find some good kid movies in the discount bin. He'd found some classics like Anastasia, Storks, and Ice Age.
The kids had watched all of the movies at least five times now, but they still loved each one.
Fen and Jo picked Storks.
Curling together on the futon, Loki allowed himself to fully relax. He wished every night could be like this.
***
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