Chapter Text
You’d known Loki for a few years now but only at a distance. Friend of a friend, and although you’d found him impossibly handsome, he had always been so standoffish with you that you’d long given up your attempt to pursue a deeper connection. Still, you found yourself smiling down at your phone as you read the text you’d received from your friend Liz just a few moments ago: "Cottage booked for Friday night — Loki’s coming ;)"
Of course your friends knew your interest in the man, and they’d always mentioned you both had a lot in common, only half joking when they’d try to get you alone together. He’d just never been more than polite, in the way you were convinced your affection was one-sided. And yet you found yourself on Friday morning packing your good underwear and shaving your legs, just in case.
You slid into the car as it pulled up to your house, untangling your scarf as you made yourself comfortable inside next to Loki. Blue eyes piercing you as the familiar scent of citrus and leather filled your nose. “Hey.” His greetings were always so short, as if to remind you there was nothing between you. You’d never been known for your subtlety and neither had your friends, so although you were certain he was aware of both your crush and the feeble attempts to push you together, he never purposefully made things awkward. Just… distant.
The drive wasn’t long to the cottage, a small traditional home owned by the aunt of your friend Liam. You’d all been there during summer before, taking advantage of the pool and the hiking tracks. This, however, would be your first time in the winter, and you were excited to see the sparse landscape covered in snow.
“So Eddie is bringing Kate,” Liz suddenly announced, a sparkle in her eye, “meaning you’ll both have to sleep in the guest quarters this time.”
You and Loki exchanged a quick glance, before he smiled ever so politely at Liz and nodded. “Fine by me.” He usually slept in the guest quarters - a small one bedroomed building detached from the main home - on his own during these trips, claiming he was a light sleeper and preferred the solitude. You matched his smile and nodded, before he quickly looked back at you and added “Don’t worry - I’ll take the couch.” You were positive this was just another one of Liz’s schemes to get you and Loki closer, and you were already making a mental note to just sleep on the couch inside the main house when Liam pulled the car into the driveway, interrupting your musings.