Midgard; Germany; a small town far away from Stuttgart
For the first time in months the lights were on in Ullmann's bookstore on Main Street. Someone was working inside, obviously preparing a re-opening. The people of Breklum were curious to see who'd take it over after the old man had passed away. A relative, maybe? But the young man who'd come to town didn't look anything like Gottfried Ullmann,so the town folk agreed that he probably bought it. He stood out a little with his long black hair, but those who had met him briefly at a shop or the post office said he seemed nice enough. And then one day a brand new sign appeared over the door that read "Buchhandlung Laufensen".
Loki sat down on the floor in the store's back office with his legs crossed. Frigga had taught him that position when she'd first introduced him to her magic, explaining that it would improve his focus. He was long past needing a specific position to do a spell, but when he worked on something important he found it did help him to focus. And this was important. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, clearing his mind of the past few days.
~o0o~
The store's front door opened a crack, and a young woman with long brown hair peered around it.
"Hey, are you open yet?"
Loki looked up from the box he was unpacking.
"Not officially..."
The woman slipped into the store and closed the door behind her.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but it's kinda urgent."
Loki stood and squared his shoulders. Something cracked in his back. He rolled his shoulders once.
"That's OK. Emergency purchase. I understand."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Maybe a little. But then again needing a specific piece of literature and not having it is an emergency in my – pardon the pun – book."
She chuckled and told him what she needed. He closed his eyes.
"Got it", he said after a moment. He turned and retrieved the book from one of the unpacked boxes.
"Wait, how do you know where anything is in this chaos?"
"Chaos is my middle name", Loki grinned. "I've learned to master it a long time ago."
Before she could say anything, a young boy with Loki's dark hair appeared in the doorway to the office, holding up an exercise book.
"This doesn't make the slightest sliver of sense."
Loki grinned at his customer.
"Math. Not his strong suit. I'm afraid I'll have to take care of it."
She looked at the boy.
"Hey there!"
Billy waved.
"I'll be with you in a second, OK?", Loki said with a smile.
"'kay", Billy pouted and disappeared again.
"How old is he?"
"Eight. He'll start third grade after summer break, but I need to bring him up to speed first. Hence the homework."
"Are you raising him on your own?"
"Yeah."
"Where's his mother?"
Loki looked down for a moment but then pulled himself together.
"Our parents passed away recently."
She looked at him blankly, and then the penny dropped.
"Wait, he's your brother?"
It was Loki's turn to be confused.
"Well, yes?"
"I thought – never mind. I'm very sorry for your loss. And for intruding. It's none of my business."
From the office Billy called again, obviously losing patience:
"Are you coming? This is stupid!"
Loki shrugged apologetically and made for the office.
Billy was frustrated to the point of tears. He was smart, but math just didn't sit well with him. Loki ruffled his dark curls.
"So what's the problem?"
"The problem is that this is stupid. Or probably I am. It doesn't make any sense and I don't get why I have to do it anyway. It's not like I'll ever need this once I'm famous."
"Well how are you going to keep up with the shitload of money you'll be making?"
"I'll have people for that."
"Who will steal it from right under your nose if you don't know how to read the numbers."
Billy gave an exaggerated sigh.
"Fine. Explain it again."
Loki grinned.
"What's the magic word?"
"Screw you."
Loki tackled his kid brother and started tickling him until Billy was laughing and crying at the same time.
"I give up! I give up!", he panted.
"Are you pleading for mercy?"
"I am! I am! Pleading, see?"
Loki let him go and waited for his breathing to return to normal. Then he looked him straight in the eye.
"You're smart, Billy. There's nothing you can't do if you really want it. And sometimes we have to do things we don't want. Tell you what. We finish this before it gets dark, you get a present."
Billy's eyes widened.
"It's not my birthday or anything."
"No, but I found something you might like. So do we have a deal or what?"
Billy worked really hard and tried his best, and even if it was technically well into dusk by the time they were done, Loki decided he'd earned his present. He took a wrapped parcel from his desk and handed it to Billy.
"Here you go."
Billy unwrapped it. It was a note book, plain pages of high quality paper, with elaborately decorated covers. Billy ran his fingertips over the lines and flourishes.
"It's gorgeous", he said.
"I saw you doodle. You're good. And an artist needs the proper material."
Billy looked up.
"Thank you, Loki. You're the best brother a kid could have."
"Welcome", Loki said, and his voice sounded funny to his own ears.