Chapter 2
Loki made a mental note to come back to this café in the mornings to catch a glimpse of that Mobius.
He went a few times a month, when he passed the street. Unsurprisingly, he never saw those silver hair again.
The café itself, though, found a tender spot in Loki’s heart. Each and every trainee was always sent to him first. It was a means to break the ice with the working world and let all their hopes down and up at the same time. If they could manage Loki, code name: the Prince, then they could deal with any customer and it would make their jobs so much easier.
Really, it was his little pleasure to tear them apart, being exigent, being demanding, being a Loki.
Loki’s favorite spot was in a corner where he could see the street. As he was smirking to himself, he spotted well cut silver hair and a non-descript suit. Loki felt his heart race at the implication that it could be Mobius.
Loki rose and went to the counter, starting a whole speech on why his order wasn’t fulfilling. He felt his back burn and hoped the stranger was indeed Mobius and that he would come in to drink a coffee.
The poor girl behind the counter kept apologizing and sending nervous looks to her manager.
—If you keep apologising but never doing anything to rectify your mistakes, you won’t make it far in life, Loki huffed.
He could feel anticipation burning on his nape.
The cashier paled and started to babble incoherently. Loki smirked in his head. This part was always gratifying.
—S, sir? What is it that you’d like? I don’t understand what was wrong with your drink…
The girl startled and took a step back at this imposing man’s thunderous eyes.
—You don’t know what is wrong with my drink…? Loki purred, gesturing to his cup.
Ah, finally, the tears coming.
—N, no uh, I don’t, I don’t understand.
—It’s not the right temperature, you fool! Loki roared.
—Don’t worry… you won’t have to do this job all your life, a reassuring voice said. How can you please someone who lets their tea grow cold and then blame it on you, Mobius chuckled.
The cashier looked at him with awe. A sweet soul!
—Know what? I’ll a take a plain black coffee, I don’t really care which kind. And, let’s see… a muffin? the ones with fruit. Also, why don’t you brew as well whatever would make you feel better? It’s on me, Mobius smiled.
The girl smiled weakly and laughed. She tried to refuse but Mobius gently but firmly insisted.
Loki just stayed still during the whole exchange. He didn’t really know when his cue to introduce himself again would come. After all, this little show was just a pathetic scheme to talk to the man.
—Well, well, if it isn’t Loki, ice prince who enjoys making poor baristas jobs hell… Mobius drawled, turning around on his last words.
Loki was struck. Mobius was exuding so much power and charming confidence even in his relaxed posture. It made Loki warm all over.
—Walter! Loki replied, smirking. It’s not my fault really how bad this girl is at her job.
—Oh, and a liar at that. The list of qualities never ends, Mobius chuckled.
The girl didn’t know when to address Loki to know what became of his drink and how to fix it.
—The customer is king, Loki stated.
—And also a person, just like the clerks. It doesn’t change anything to your day, being nice and respectful, but it changes entirely theirs. Why not change, then?
Loki pursed his lips. He was about to respond when he was interrupted.
—Hum, excuse me, sir? What about your tea? Do you want me to heat it up?
Loki closed his eyes in annoyance and stared at her as if she were dirt on his shoes. But then, something magical happened. His face recomposed itself in a neutral expression. It was so bizarre, the girl just gaped at him.
—No, thank you. I’ll take another tea. Mint. One sugar. I believe the gentleman hasn’t answered… Eat in or take out...? Loki said, slowly turning to Mobius.
—I was on my way, Mobius started, making Loki sweat.
—...but there’s such good company here… I’ll stay.
—O, okay sirs, hum, you can go be seated where you like. I’ll bring your orders shortly.
The two men walked back to Loki’s corner. Mobius sat opposite him, divesting himself of his jacket. The table was really small, and their knees were almost touching. As Mobius leaned in to take off that jacket, Loki had a waft of his aftershave. He gulped and crossed his legs, a flash of naked skin against naked skin playing in front of his eyes for a second.
—So, has life been treating you fairly, lately? Mobius asked, falling easily into conversation.
—Well, that little exercise back there was quite painful, Loki said.
—I’m sure it was for you… Mobius chuckled.
Their knees touched for a brief moment, and Loki’s treacherous mind kept going back to that flash of wet skin.
—What about you, Mobius? Loki slowly said, putting emphasis on the s.
—Oh you know, being a Walter, nothing too exciting ever happens to me, he grinned.
Oh dear. Loki was attracted to him.
—My life, It’s, uh, low key intense… Mobius smirked. That man. What could Loki do, really?
—Now I can spot a lie when I hear one, Loki said, trying to appear composed.
—Well, you know what you said directly after the first glance, Mobius shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips.
Loki internally cringed but put on a façade.
—I'm sure your first impression of me was not merciful at all, so we can call it even. The answering smile on Mobius's lips made Loki overheat. Spirits.
—Why do you actually do it, Loki? Those poor souls are in a transition in their lives, they badly need the money for studying or just staying afloat.
—It's just so untertaining, Loki said condescendingly. Sometimes, I lie about what I ordered and repeatedly claim they got the order wrong until they believe it, it's just so funny how stupid they can be.
—It's called gaslighting and it's actually a form of abuse. Manipulating the information you present as the truth to break the mental barriers of others, making them doubt what they know and what they remember saying or doing... your name suits you oh so well.
Loki shivered at the hint of disaproval in Mobius's eyes.
—Well, it seemed harmless until you put it like that, Loki admitted, craving Mobius's good side. They sipped their drink for a good two minutes in silence.
—What is it that you do, anyway? Loki asked, trying to keep the conversation going but secretly wanting to know the answer.
—Oh, I work in an office, it would all be pretty underwhelming for someone of your standing, Mobius replied with a crooked smile.
Loki almost sighed. How could he have not seen Mobius at first?
—And what is it that you do, Loki? Let me guess... Are you rentier..? or part of a royal family, perhaps...? The way you dress, it's quite striking.
Loki looked down at his his expensive suit. Black shirt, black tie, the way he liked it. Sometimes, green and golden, too.
—You would be surprised, Loki said mysteriously. But I do have large sums of unearned income from my family. I'm very wealthy. We're all very wealthy.
—Oh, Mobius tutted, I couldn't tell, he said sardonically.
Mobius looked at his watch and said he had to go. He paid for the two of them and bid Loki goodbye.
—Mobius, Loki called before the man could walk out.
—I feel like you're unintentionally flexing your job. I'm really curious now and I'd like to satisfy my thirst for knowledge, here's my number. I hope we can grab dinner later in the week.
Loki sweat, awaiting Mobius's answer.
—Sure, Mobius said, typing in Loki's number. I'll text you, see you later.