Once outside, a number of puzzled expressions turn and eye us curiously—as though they'd been wondering what kept us so long. In the meantime, I prepare myself for the ensuing announcement of my departure—which is absolutely necessary, for everyone involved. For the sake of my ability to wring out all the tears bubble under the surface, and for the sake of not embarrassing myself in an otherwise drunken stupor.

"Hey guys," I say intently, scanning their concerned faces. "Sorry I kept you waiting, but...you guys go without me, I'm going to go home."

Among the subtle moans of protest, Pepper frowns. "Cer, are you sure that's what you ought to do tonight?"

I nod heavily. "I just want to go home, Pep," I say quietly. "And go to sleep, maybe."

Understanding spreads across her face, and she sighs heavily. "Do you want me to call a car for you?"

"No," I say. "I'm a few blocks down, I'll be okay."

"I'd like a walk as well." Loki remarks sharply, and all eyes turn to him—including my own. He jumps from face to face briskly, before looking back down at me. "Unless you prefer to be left alone."

I glance up at the sky, seeing that it's getting dark. Despite the crowds still roaming the streets from the festival, it's never a bad idea to walk with someone when nighttime's beginning to approach. Though, still... Whilst staring at the tall god, I arch a brow at the strange thought emanating from his offer—that he's asking for my company.

"Sure, you can come." I mumble a bit perturbedly, and turn to offer my goodbyes. Pepper keeps a hardened look on Loki while I engage in the onslaught of final complements and goodbyes, and gently grabs my shoulder as I turn to leave.

"Cerys," she mumbles with a dark expression. "Be careful walking back."

Her tone hardly matches the severity of walking across town, particularly while escorted by a guy we both know, but I give her a meaningful look anyway. "Always, Pep."

Her lips thin reproachfully as I step away, and turn to head off with him—deeper into the city, and further away from central park. Silence settles between us for a time, allowing me to drift away into my thoughts. An interesting dynamic to engage in with an acquaintance, which usually demands some semblance of small talk.

"So... you like walks," I mutter after some time, as we continue strolling down the bustling streets of New York.

"I do," he says flatly, looking up at the buildings—not even a glance in my direction.

My brows shoot up a bit at the clipped response. "Okay..."

For a moment, the only sound between us is the sound of our shoes against the sidewalk. Which is becoming a bit awkward, now that I've actually tried to engage him in some kind of conversation. Though still, the overall feeling is a bit surreal. Walking down the street with an Asgardian—an alien—when a mere few weeks ago, I had no expectations to even become acquainted with one.

"I'm not particularly fond of...people," he suddenly says. "But you seem marginally less dull than the others."

"Oh," I blink surprisedly—maybe a bit too enthusiastically—and smile as I glance in his direction. Toward the tall alien strutting down the street beside me, with his usual, decidedly dour expression. "Well... if you wanted to be friends, all you had to do was ask."

"I have asked," he says matter-of-factly.

I arch a brow at him amusedly, wondering if this little excursion was, in fact, his way of 'asking.' "Being nice from the start would've made things even simpler."

"Is that so?"

I snort. "Yeah, people who are nice to each other tend to become friends."

He couldn't have possibly not known that. Though I can't tell what he is or isn't really thinking—there's hardly any hint of reactivity in Loki's expression these days. Even now as he saunters forward, hands still nestled in his pockets. "Well, I'm sorry to have angered you thusly."

A soft giggle escapes my throat, and he glances toward the sound. "Don't worry about it, you didn't really anger me," I say earnestly. "It was just strange, I couldn't figure out what I did to upset you so much."

"I wasn't upset." In the corner of my eye, I see him look toward me. "Do you always look to yourself for blame?"

My shoulders sink disappointedly a bit. Some part of me was still hoping to gain a little insight, some understanding of why he treated me the way he did. Though it may very well be more productive to just accept that even he might not have given it much thought.

"Sometimes I do."

"Why?"

I look at him. "'Why?'"

"Yes," he nods. "I want to know why."

Huh. It'll the first time I've really had to put it into words, so I take a minute to consider how I want to present my own reasoning—suddenly treading over dangerous territories involving adulthood insecurities and a desire for approval.

"Well I can't really stomach the idea of people being upset with me," I answer plainly. "And even if it's unfounded, I think reflecting inwardly first makes us better, in a way."

"How do you figure?" he mumbles absently, trailing alongside me as I turn a corner.

"If you can hold on to the idea of your self worth, it's an easy thing to step back and try to recognize a mistake for what it is. Doing that can only make you better."

Silence passes between us briefly. "Sound reasoning."

"It's my mom's philosophy, I can't take credit for it."

"My mother told me something similar." He pauses, glancing up at the starry sky. "That 'a true king must always admit his faults...'"

"Also sound." I grin. "Where is she now?"

"She's dead."

I widen my eyes, and cast them back down to the ground before me. "Oh... I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

With my arms folded across my chest, I glance toward the other side of the street. There's a deeply rooted sadness in his tone, but I wouldn't know where to begin to comfort someone who's just gone through the death of a parent. I've even known anyone who's died, Though Loki also doesn't seem like the type to dish out his feelings to a mere acquaintance.

"So does that mean you're a king, where you are from?"

Something in his expression sinks sullenly, though it's almost too subtle to notice. "No, I was never intended for such a thing."

"But you're supposed to be a prince, right?" I ask carefully.

"I am a Prince of Asgard," he says, and I eye him momentarily—taking in the idea that I'm walking beside a 'prince of something.' "Or what's left of it."

"Sounds like it's complicated," I remark, not wanting to ask any intrusive questions.

"Quite complicated, yes."

"Well..." I pause. "Maybe you can find something to occupy yourself with, now that you're living here. We have more than enough political strife for any one of us to dive into, if you're into that."

"I will continue to aid my brother in governance of our people, for now," he says. "From there, yes—we shall see." I slow down as we approach my complex, and Loki's eyes trail up the building before dropping back down to me.

"This is where I live," I say.

"I gathered that," he responds, raising a brow at the building contemplatively. "It's actually not too far from where we live."

I grin. "I know, I figured that out when I came to visit—so I'll always be nearby, if you ever need me."

His eyes drop down to mine observantly. And something about the plain thoughtfulness of his stare is captivating—something about the idea of occupying his thoughts in that moment, draws a faint bit of heat to my cheeks.

"Well," I pause, turning toward him. "Thank you for walking with me."

"Thank you for your conversation," he says with a nod. In a swift movement, he holds a hand out to me, with the other crossed behind his back.

I look down at it, and then back up at him with a smirk. "My hands are still dirty, you don't want to kiss these things..."

A hint of amusement ghosts his features as he pulls it back. "Very well," he drones in his low, baritone voice. "Good night, Lady Cerys."

"Good night..." I chuckle at his formality, and watch as he turns slowly, making way further down the block. I don't wait for him to turn the corner before heading inside, and upstairs to my apartment.

As soon as I plop down on my couch, a mixture of emotion spins inside my chest— I didn't think I'd enjoy that as much as I did, and I'm grateful for the effort he'd put into forming a friendship with me. Of all the nights he could've picked to serve that up, tonight was perfect timing.

Thank you all so much for reading this far. Things are going to really pick up next chapter, starting with an unexpected intruder in Cerys' apartment. But apart from the angst, we're also going to see Loki and the others integrated more in Midgardian life! i.e. how they fit in to peoples' usual celebration of the holidays, and... seeing the snow! Til next time!