Loki had grown up in the wealthy little town of New Bronxton. The population was primarily Scandinavian with strong ties to the old world. Reputation and bloodlines had been everything in New Bronxton. As son of the town's mayor and grandson of the head founder, it seemed that Loki would have been born blessed. The reality was far different.

It was Thor, the firstborn who had been blessed, while Loki grew up in his shadow. Even from his earlier memories had come the feeling of being second best and never good enough. From the way every slight accomplishment of Thor's was repeated excitedly by everyone Loki knew to having most of his own accomplishments ignored or downplayed. After a while, Loki found himself sharing his triumphs less and less.

After all, constant semesters of perfect grades just yielded comments about how Loki needed to get out and be more social, stories of what he did with the friends he had were just background noise and what few trophies and certificates Loki did earn filled up the spare room of Thor's trophy case nicely.

Despite the fact that Loki's family was rich and influential, Loki was told that he would have to work hard to make it in the world on his own constantly. Thor's his whole future had been assured thanks to the indulgence of a grandfather who had died before Loki had even been born with both a trust fund and legacy position on the board of a highly successful company.

The condescending pity and endless reminders that Loki would have to work hard to earn even a fraction of what was being handed to Thor on a silver platter became an endless torment. Loki had to bite his tongue once Thor cottoned on to the fact that there was a fortune waiting for him to come of age. Between the gloating and the countless 'loans' Thor had taken from Loki, a deep resentment fell between the brothers. Loki had spent the night of both of his proms cursing Thor for his not being able to afford to go.

When he wasn't asking Loki for money or ignoring his brother, Thor liked to boast about his prowess in sports and tease Loki for his academic talents. Thor dismissed the need to spend much time with books and deemed little knowledge useful. As a star of the major teams of school, he was never short on those who would follow his lead with various degrees of nastiness.

And yet despite this, Loki's heart shattered the day he had been cast out of his home. All his years fearing anything less than a perfect academic record. The time in clubs that Loki hoped would improve his chances of finding a good enough job to please his parents and working summer jobs was rendered meaningless as his laptop was shattered on the driveway of what never had really been his home.

Despite all that Loki had lost, his pride and stubbornness had not been broken. With all ties to New Bronxton severed, Loki stormed towards the town watching the rear of his father's car get smaller and smaller. By sunset, Loki left with only the clothes on his back, his meager saving and a determination to never set foot in this city again. Little did Loki know that leaving his past would not have been so easy.

At first, Loki tried a runaway shelter in Tulsa only to narrowly escape arrest and extradition to New Bronxton for the crash. Loki didn't trust anywhere to sleep for two days as he put as much distance between himself and his former home. Determined not to let no longer having a home to support him, Loki took jobs where he was paid cash under the table and studied in libraries when he had the chance. He slept on the streets or in homeless shelters when he had the chance. He learned to bathe in sinks and sometimes got so desperate for food he would eat the leavings in outdoor restaurants or food courts. The remainder of Loki's teen years became a string of attempts at a new beginning on his life, often with diminished expectations.

No matter what steps Loki took to better himself though, it always seemed there was some tragedy looming. His places of work got raided for illegal hiring, his meager possessions got stolen and once he was nearly kidnapped by a mugger. Loki had had a couple of close calls with sexual assault and that was the only mercy fate seemed willing to grant him.

New York was the new beginning that had lasted the longest for him. One of the few friends Loki had made had tipped him off to a job and then he had met Esteban, a courier for Tindalos. There, Loki used his basic knowledge of computers to organize the company's paperwork and answered calls. The people of the company were friendly enough, if slightly off-putting and while Loki was an outsider in their circle, he never felt an intruder. The pay wasn't quite enough to survive upon, but his work with them was enough of a recommendation to get a second, more seasonal job.

Between the two jobs, Loki was able to rebuild his life. He had a new identity, a safe home that so long as he paid rent could not be taken from him easily, and was slowly working towards a promotion at his other job. In a few years, Loki could see himself as a manager at the import company, working one job and working his way up to regional manager.

Loki sighed and sipped at his coffee. That had been the dream but now it was over. Loki had killed someone and the odds were good that the police would not believe his claims of self-defense. Loki had seen enough to know that there was a different justice for people like him. No, it was far more likely that soon the police would be coming for Loki, that he would be locked up in jail for the rest of his life.
Tears started to prickle Loki's eyes at the prospect. Even on the run, Loki tried his hardest to avoid breaking the law, he had heard enough to know what jail would be like for him. Yes, there had been the times he shoplifted to survive but that was the only criminal act Loki was willing to commit.

"Still time." Loki said as he emptied two packages of ramen into a pot. "It will be a few days, perhaps a week before they know to look for me. I get paid Thursday, more than enough time to see the sights before I go." Loki's gauze grew distant as he imagined claiming a unique souvenir before leaving the city for good. Now Loki's only problem was thinking up a decent cover for seeing his beautiful dark-haired stranger once more.