Loki had to do something to distract himself. His meeting with Thor was not until noon and he had stayed up until four in the morning thinking up non-vanilla things to do with him. He visited the local sex shop right when they opened at 10am, feeling like a pervert for being there so early in the morning. He looked over all the toys, debating what to buy. He saw the whips and handcuffs, and made a face. Those were not his cup of tea. He saw the vibrators but he already owned one of those, and a butt plug too. So, something less vanilla than those two things was required. It was next to the vibrators that he saw a new product he'd never seen before.

"Miss, what is this?"

"Oh, those are new. They are chastity belts. They come in designs for both men and women. Are you looking for yourself or a girlfriend?"

"Um, me, I guess. Why would a man find enjoyment in wearing one of those?"

"From what my male patrons have told me, they say that they are helpful for building up tension. When you finally orgasm, it lasts longer. You wouldn't be able to masturbate while wearing it, making you more eager for your partner. If you're into the BDSM scene, you could put the lock on it and give the key to your lover. Then they'd have control over when you get to have that magic moment."

"I see," he said. Thor would love it. This was the sort of thing that was right up his alley, if their first encounter was anything to go by. Loki, on the other hand, didn't know if he would like it for himself.

"This model is very popular. The soft silicone breathes and stretches, but still restricts access, and is easy to clean," she said.

"I just met the guy," Loki muttered. It was very, not vanilla.

"Oh, it is a bit adventurous. Perhaps something less, intense, for a budding relationship."
she offered. "We have some very nice anal beads on the shelf over here," she said. Loki stood there, chewing his lip. Thor was a giant bull of a man. His huge biceps held the promise of strength and violence. It made him nervous in an excited way. Eager. Yes, he was eager to see him again. Thor liked to tease, to play cat and mouse. It appealed to him. Thor was a challenge. But the device implied a submissiveness that he wasn't sure he actually felt, let alone wanted to give to a man he didn't really know yet. Frankly, he didn't know if the cock cage screamed desperation or adventurer. Or fucking weirdo. And damn it! The sales girl was still looking at him. Judging him. Fuck.

"Well, I am willing to try anything once," he muttered with his arms crossed. "I'll take them both," he said. He decided the beads would come out first and then if Thor looked bored by his choice he could pull out the big gun. He made his purchases and went home.

The minute he got there, he had buyer's remorse. What the fuck was he thinking? A cock cage? Didn't he just tell this guy the night before that he just wanted regular sex and a committed boyfriend? Gah! He wanted to turn right around and go back to the shop to return the items, but it was too close to noon and he had to meet Thor.

"I'm crazy and stupid," he said to himself. He looked in the mirror once more to double check everything before leaving out the door again. "You're a horny nervous bastard," he said to his reflection. He grabbed his emerald scarf and fussed with it as he continued to ramble. "Buying a ridiculous sex toy like that. I might as well hang a sign around my neck that says I'm a desperate loser. Please fuck me. Pity fuck!" he yanked the scarf off and stuck it on a wall hook. He puts his hands on his hips and sighed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He needed to get a grip. What the hell was his problem anyway?

He opened his eyes and looked in the mirror again, and saw a human shaped shadow move behind him. It startled him.

"Hello?" he jerked around to look behind him. "Motherfucker, if you're here to rob me, I have a gun!" he lied. Loki took a couple of steps towards his coat closet and pulled out his home security system, a Louisville Slugger. He crept into his kitchen, but found it empty. He turned back into the hallway and walked towards the living room. There was a man standing there, facing away from him, looking out the window.

"Hey, asshole! You've got the wrong apartment," Loki yelled at him. The man was of a slender build, and tall like him. His brown hair was trimmed short and neatly combed. He was wearing a lab coat and scrub pants. Whoever he was, he worked in the medical field. The man did not move nor speak, but stayed where he was.

"If you do not leave, I'll call the police!" Loki threatened. The man turned around. His head was cast downward, hiding his eyes. His lab coat had a DiamaCorp logo on the breast pocket. Loki tightened the grip on his baseball bat. The man took a step towards Loki, breaking the last of Loki's nerves. Loki took a swing. He didn't strike the man, he was still too far away. It was a warning swing.

"I mean it asshole. You have to go," he said. The man lifted his face then, and that's when Loki saw that he had no eyes at all. His pale skin had a tinge of blue to it. And with his dark brown hair and angular facial features, he looked so much like himself. Loki screamed and ran out of his apartment, taking the bat with him. He jumped in his car, and peeled out into traffic, cutting off two other drivers in the process. He drove to the café and did a shitty job of parallel parking. His hands were still shaking when he took the key out of the ignition.

"Hey!" Thor said, poking his head in through the passenger window. Loki gave a loud undignified squeak and jumped in his seat. "For a moment there, I thought you stood me up," Thor said with a big smile. "What's wrong?" Thor asked, noting Loki's pale and frightened complexion.

"I…um…" Loki stalled. He couldn't tell him that he literally just saw a fucking ghost! "There was a burglar in my apartment! I…he's… he's still in there!"

"What?" Thor opened the car door and climbed in. "Take me there." Loki pulled an illegal U-turn and headed back to his apartment. He pulled up in front and looked up to the third floor at his living room window. Thor grabbed Loki's bat and they both got out of the car. Loki realized then how stupid this was. What the hell was Thor going to do?

"After you," Thor said. Loki's keys dangled in his trembling hands as he schlepped up the stairs to his apartment door. It was unlocked. He'd left in a hurry.

"It's open. You can go in," he said. Thor held the bat aloft and entered. He did a sweep down the hallway, through the kitchen and then back down to the living room.

"Check the bedroom," he told him. Thor pushed open the door and found…nothing. He checked the bathroom and in all the closets too.

"All clear. Whoever he was, he's gone now," Thor said.

"Thank you for doing this for me," he said. Loki curled up into a ball on the couch, still frightened and unsure of what he'd seen. Perhaps his grandmother's death had affected him more deeply than he realized.

"You're shaking," Thor said, pulling Loki into his arms to comfort him. "Do you want to call the police?"

"No, no…um…I didn't get a good look at him and describing him would be hard. Nothing's missing from what I can see, so…"

"Okay," Thor kissed his hair, and let him calm his breathing.

"I'm sorry I ruined our date," he said.

"No need to apologize," he said.

"Would you like to stay in with me instead? We could watch movies and order take out," he asked.

"I'd much prefer that anyway," he said. He gave Loki's whole body a gentle squeeze.

"You smell nice," Loki said. He was looking up at Thor with big vulnerable eyes, looking so reverent and grateful.

"You're beautiful," he said. Thor tilted his head down and kissed him. Loki still tasted faintly of the mint toothpaste from earlier, fresh and clean. He broke the kiss and smiled at him. "Do you have a blanket? We can cuddle up."

"Yeah," Loki got up and grabbed the afghan off the back of his recliner. "I can make some hot chocolate too."

They walked into his kitchen together. Thor kept his hand placed on the small of Loki's back, following and watching him as he moved around the cupboards. Loki looked at Thor at one point. A touch of fear that perhaps Thor was judging him for being afraid, but Loki only saw sweetness and caring. After fiddling with the microwave for a couple of minutes, their drinks were ready and they settled back onto the couch and turned on Netflix.

Loki selected a nature show. He listened to the narration and watched the Praying Mantis eat her mate. But he also listened to Thor's breathing, and felt his fingertips resting on his ribcage as he breathed in and out. He supposed he should be asking Thor all the normal date questions. Who are you? What do you do? Where are you from? He preferred the intimate silence though. It was peaceful and far more romantic than the quasi-job interview that first dates often were. However, gorgeous and distracting as Thor was, he could not overwhelm the presence of the ghost in forefront of his mind. He'd never seen one before, had never believed in them. He questioned the severity of his grief for his grandmother and pondered if he should seek professional help. The show ended, and Loki felt the call of nature. He was afraid to go into the bathroom alone, but he had to.

"I'll be right back," he said. Loki was on edge the entire time, afraid to look in the mirror and see some ghoul standing behind him in the reflection. There wasn't though. It was just him, looking like a silly nervous man. Loki dared a glance and saw his frightened face. He squared his shoulders and stared himself down. He needed to exude confidence. Guys don't dig other guys who are pussies.

"So, are you hungry? Or um, would you like to watch another movie?" Loki asked.

"I'd like to stay all day and night and make you feel safe," he said. Loki looked down.

"You must think I'm pathetic," he said. His face flushed red with embarrassment and a little bit of anger. This was not the first impression he wanted to make.

"No. I don't," Thor said forcefully. His eyes were trained on him now. "I can see the wheels turning inside your head. You're worrying about things that you don't need to."

"Oh? And what am I thinking?" Loki asked, feeling snippy.

"Whether or not you want to suck my dick first or eat out my ass," Thor said with a wolfish grin. Loki's eyes went wide and he uncrossed his arms. He hadn't been thinking about that at all. He'd been…oh…right. A smile spread across Loki's face and he laughed. Thor chuckled with him and walked over to him to hug him. He kissed Loki's forehead and smiled.

"I think vanilla is just the right flavor today, don't you?" he asked. Loki took in a sharp breath, feeling excitement curl up his spine. Finally, the good kind.

"Perfect," he said. Loki leaned in and pressed their lips together, grabbing Thor's shirt to bring him closer. They fumbled into the bedroom, and fell onto the bed. Loki giggled a little from it. They kissed some more as their hands roamed. They pawed at one another under their t-shirts, taking their time. Loki squeezed Thor's massive bicep. They broke the kissed and looked at his arm together, smiling. Thor flexed for him.

"Damn," he whispered.

"I'm strong," he said.

"I can see that."

"I can protect you Loki. Anyone or anything that comes in here and tries to hurt you—I'd kick his ass," he said.

"I can defend myself you know. I have a bat," he said.

"Yes, but I've got the big guns," he said. Thor got up on his knees, hovering over Loki and removed his shirt. He struck a pose, flexing both his arms and displayed his rippling muscles. Loki laughed at him.

"My god, you must spend hours at the gym every day to look like that," he said.

"In the beginning. Now I just maintain," he said. "Your turn."

"My turn? My turn to what? I'm a scarecrow!"

"You're a porcelain doll. I want to hold you, touch you, and nuzzle every crevice. Now strip!" he said.

"Mmm, if you say so," he said. Loki pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. To his credit, his chest muscles and arms were well defined, thanks in no small part from lifting heavy elderly patients at work on a regular basis. He still felt like a small bird compared to the golden Adonis above him, however. His reservations must have been apparent on his face, because Thor knew exactly what to say.

"You've got everything I want baby," he said. Thor pressed kisses down Loki's front until he hit his belt buckle.

"Wait…I want to touch you. You've been so good to me. I want to take care of you," Loki said.

"Okay, but let's finish getting naked," he said. They each unzipped their pants, watching one another as they finished disrobing.

"No hair," Thor observed, when he looked at Loki.

"I like to be smooth. It makes me feel sexy. You're hairy, but you're groomed. Thanks for that. I hate getting hair between my teeth," he said.

"Same here," Thor said.

"Lay down," he said. Thor watched Loki as he got onto the bed. Loki crawled up between his legs and Thor splayed them wide to give him more room. Loki got on his belly and propped himself up on his elbows, positioning his head for fellatio.

His licks were languid, stroking up one side of the shaft and down the other. He found Thor's musk very pleasant and wondered if Thor thought the same. He pressed kisses around Thor's cock and on the tip. His mouth caressed him, sweet and tender. Unlike the lurid blow job Thor had given him in the alley, this one was affectionate. The slow gentle pace built up incrementally. Thor's breaths became short and labored. His balls felt heavy and full and his abdomen strained. He hips bucked hard involuntarily when it all became too much. Loki took him deep and fast then, sensing Thor's need.

"Loki…Loki…baby…" he was so close and he didn't know if Loki wanted it in his mouth or not. "Do you want to swallow?" he asked, petting Loki's head. Loki answered by taking him deeper and Thor let go. "Oh, so good. Oh, Loki…baby, thank you. Thank you," he muttered as Loki sipped down his seed, continuing to suck gently until he'd gone completely flaccid. He rested his head on Thor's thigh, looking up at him.

"What else should we do today?" Loki asked.