A New Start
"Look at that view, isn't it beautiful?"
"Looks expensive."
"As I recall, it was your idea to get a lake house in order to ride your precious jet ski."
Mobius took Sylvie's disregard for his beloved machine as a personal affront.
"You can't expect me to leave Wanda cooped up all the time! Loki help me out here!"
Loki looked at his two lovers bickering in the backseat of the car and shook his head.
"Oh no, I remember what happened the last time I tried to come between you two during an argument, you'll have to settle this without me."
"Spoilsport."
"Love you too dear."
"Ugh, Moby," Sylvie huffed before laying her head on Mobius's shoulder, "remind me again why I married him?"
"Probably for the same reason I'm dating him, he's adorably inept at confrontation."
They weren't wrong. One of the reasons their unique relationship had formed to begin with was because Loki hated to fight. He and Sylvie had been married for nearly two years when they'd met with Mobius to discuss a manuscript. Loki had fallen head over heels for the easy going publisher with a penchant for watercrafts. Several months of bickering and jealousy later, Sylvie fell victim to the same folksy charm her husband did, and a triad was formed.
They got lucky professionally too. Between Loki's way with words and Sylvie's engaging illustrations, they were able to publish more best-sellers than anyone else in the horror genre. Mobius was a genius at promoting, and he ensured that his loves got several lucrative deals from art galleries to movie adaptations. Life was hectic, but it was good.
Now, they were ready for a change of pace. Mobius wanted to retire from publishing and Sylvie wanted to start a family. Loki, wanting to find some new inspiration for his work, started searching for a place that could accommodate all of their dreams. Hence the house they were driving too now. It had plenty of rooms and was right on the lake, a perfect setup for both of his loves. Plus the location was secluded enough that Loki could recharge his creative batteries but still be able to contact civilization.
He made a turn down a long driveway, and stopped in front of a sprawling Victorian mansion.
"Is this the place?"
"This is it."
Mobius gave a long whistle when he stepped out of the car.
"Sure is fancy, Lo....say what's up with the smaller building next to it?"
"Oh that must be the carriage house. I thought we could use it for when guests stay over."
"In other words," Sylvie smirked as she walked over to them, "you wanted somewhere to stick Thor and Tony at night so you wouldn't have to listen to them."
"Can you blame me? I'm still traumatized from the last time I overheard those two perform late night 'gymnastics'."
"They are newlyweds dear, it makes one a bit overenthusiastic."
"Well they can be overenthusiastic somewhere else, now come on you two, lets go greet the realtor."
The agent, Susan, was already in front of the entrance and she waved upon seeing them.
"Hi there! You must be Mr and Mrs. Odinson," she greeted cheerfully before pausing to look at Mobius, "and you are....."
"Wilson,Mobius Wilson," he said as he stuck his hand out to shake Susan's, "I belong to these two here."
"He's our partner."
"For sex."
"Sylvie!"
"Well he is!" She said with a gleeful expression, "among other things."
The realtor looked a little freaked out by the conversation, but quickly brushed it off.
"Right, well, if you all will come inside I can give you the full tour."
They followed behind her as she unlocked the door and stepped into a large foyer.
"I really think you're going to love this place. There are six bedrooms in the main house, and four in the guest cottage. Each room has its own en-suite bath, and the master bedroom has a private balcony and fireplace."
Mobius followed along behind everyone else, looking around at everything as the woman droned on. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he felt something pass behind him. He stopped and quickly turned around, but there was nothing there.
Sylvie noticed that he'd fallen behind, and left Loki to deal with the agent while she came and wrapped her arms around him.
"Are you alright?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, yeah, I'm fine Vi, just thought I heard something."
"Well, if you're sure."
"I'm sure," he said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, "now let's go rescue Loki before Susan talks his ear off."
********************
Most of their stuff wouldn't arrive until the next day, but they'd made sure to pick up a nice bottle of wine on the way up. Sylvie and Mobius got the fireplace going in the master bedroom while Loki fetched their wine glasses from the car. He came back in to find a roaring fire and his two favorite people cuddled up in front of it.
"Well," Loki said as he stretched out next to them and handed out the drinks," here's to our first night in our new home."
"And the start of a new chapter in our lives."
"Mmm," Sylvie moaned as she downed her glass, " what do you boys say to breaking in this new bedroom properly?"
"I'd say that's the best idea I've heard all day."
Loki put his glass down and stood, holding his hand out to his wife. He pulled her up and kissed her, then he did the exact same with Mobius. They stumbled their way over to the bed, kissing and groping as clothes flew in every direction. They landed on the bare mattress and proceeded to light each other's fire for the rest of the night.
*******************
The occupants of the house were so preoccupied with each other, that none of them heard the creaking noises downstairs.
Or the shadowy figure standing out front.