Author's Note: Hey guys! This is the last flashback chapter in the four-chapter mini arc. Unlike the previous three chapters, this chapter centers around Loki and works best when it's paired with the b-storyline in Twisted, but it should still make sense to someone who hasn't read this fanfiction. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! :D
Snapshots From A New Strangetown
Chapter Fourteen – Flashbacks: Loki Edition
It's a bright and sunny day at SimSanto Incorporated and the head of the company, Crystal Vu, is sitting at her desk filling out the company payroll with a pen and paper. Crystal groans as sets down the pen, her hand cramping from all the numbers. "God, why couldn't they have made this automated?" she mutters.
All of sudden, Crystal's office door flies open as almost the entirety of SimSanto's physics department swarms into the room and stops in front of her desk. Craig, the leader of the pack, crosses his arms and flashes her a peeved glare, "Crystal, we'd like to file a group complaint against someone."
"Really?" Crystal squeaks, unable to recall the last time she faced a problem with this much strife, "Who?"
Craig steps forward, narrows his eyes at his boss, and hisses, "Loki."
…
A few minutes later, Crystal sighs as she rounds the corner of the second-floor hallway, searching every last crevice of the building for the man in question. She stops when she hears Loki's voice blaring from the third-floor workplace. "Yeah, I always knew I was a supergenius, but maybe if you study as hard as I did, you'll have as much greatness as my left toenail," Loki boasts to a group of SimSanto's interns as he sits on Craig's desk, the blueprint's for Craig's newest invention thrown carelessly to the floor.
Crystal takes a few steps towards him and clears her throat, her arms crossed. Loki turns his head, his face lighting up when he sees her. "Oh, hey sweetie. What are you doing here?"
Crystal cocks her forehead, her expression firm and unchanged since she arrived at the scene. "My office. Now."
Loki nods, clearly clueless about the severity of the situation, "Okay," he states.
…
Crystal sighs as she plops back down into her desk chair, Loki following her into her office. He shuts the door and smiles, a coy expression spread across his face. "So, what's all this about, Crystal Lynn Vu?" Loki quips, gazing at his girlfriend as he takes a seat in the chair across from her, "You know, if you wanted me, you could've just said so."
"Loki," Crystal states sternly as she clasps her hands and rests them on the desk in front of her, "You have to quit acting up, okay? Your antics are bothering the other scientists."
"Who, Craig?" Loki squeaks, quickly waving away the thought with his hand, "What's the big deal? It's not like he's doing anything revolutionary."
"Maybe so, but I can't have you distracting everyone. Every time you do that, I look like the bad guy for putting you in charge."
"Oh, I see," Loki replies, his response causing Crystal to raise her eyebrow, "You're just trying to save face and make a big show for the cameras." Loki leans back in his seat, quickly catching himself before he tips over and falls to the floor. He smiles and scoots forward, trying his best to remain cool. Crystal rolls her eyes.
"Loki, I can't keep giving you special treatment just because we're dating," she tells him, reaching forward and grabbing his hand, "The other scientists are starting to get jealous."
"Please!" Loki waves it off, staring up at the ceiling, "That's because they're not dating me."
Crystal cocks her forehead, flashing Loki a bizarre, disbelieving stare, "Right…" she claims, "either way, you need to actually do work here."
"Ah…I gotcha," Loki coos, the true meaning behind Crystal's words clicking in his brain, "You want me to do work here," he repeats, sliding his arm across the surface and knocking Crystal's belongings off her desk. Loki climbs onto the desk and lounges seductively on it.
Across from him, Crystal is positively horrified. "What are you doing?!" she squeaks, stunned by Loki's response.
Loki shrugs, "I thought it was an innuendo. Isn't 'work' your codeword for Woohoo?"
"No," Crystal chimes. She lifts her head up, now noticing a bunch of her workers watching the display unfold through her front office windows. Crystal's furiously blushes as she nudges Loki off the surface, "Please get off my desk," she hisses, trying her best to avoid the judgmental glares from her workers.
Loki nods and quickly does what he is told as Crystal walks over to her two office windows.
"Alright, everyone. Get back to work!" Crystal instructs, waving the workers away from her office, "There's nothing to see here!"
Loki walks up next to her as some of the scientists start to disperse. "Yeah, you heard the lady. Get lost losers!" he shouts.
Crystal sighs as she watches the last of the onlookers return to their post. She turns away from Loki and steps towards the back wall, jadedly running her fingers through her hair.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Loki steps forward and speaks up, still lingering towards the doorway. "I'm sorry. I don't why I've been doing such stupid things lately, but…please don't be mad at me. I really like you, Crystal."
At this, Crystal turns towards him, hugging her body. "I like you too, Loki," she states, warmly stepping towards him. She stops a foot away from Loki and grabs his arms, gazing deeply into his eyes, "But I'd be lying if I said that you're not becoming a liability for me."
"Okay," Loki states, not having to give her confession a second thought, "I promise I'll be good," he says, before leaning forward and giving her a hug. Loki shivers as Crystal hugs him back, cringing at what he just promised.
…
Five minutes later, Loki is sitting at his desk in the second-floor science lab, twiddling his thumbs. Loki fidgets in his seat a tad as he anxiously stares up at the hands of the wall clock, which he swears hasn't moved a tick since he sat down. He sighs as he gazes over at Vidcund, who is typing up his latest report on his desktop. Vidcund scrunches his forehead at the screen and taps the enter button at the exact moment his girlfriend, Circe, sashays into the room. Loki rolls his eyes and swivels his chair to the left, turning his back to her.
"Hey, sweetie," Circe coos, strolling over to Vidcund and taking a seat on his desk, "How is my favorite boyfriend doing?" she asks, her tone sickeningly sweet. Across the room, Loki's stomach churns as he turns himself slightly to glare at his ex.
Vidcund gives a small smile, granting Circe his full attention, "Uh, I'm fine," he answers, briefly scanning the room before leaning in closer to her, "You are talking about me, right?" Vidcund whispers.
Circe throws her head back, giving an overly exuberant laugh, "Of course I'm talking about you, Viddy. There's no one I'd rather spend my time with…especially not in this area," she smirks, flashing Loki a smug smile before turning back to Vidcund, "So, where are you going to take me tonight?"
Vidcund leans back in his seat, quite flustered by this question as he nervously rubs the back of his neck, unaware of the fact that Loki is rapidly approaching his desk. "Well, uh-"
"He can't take you anywhere, Circe," Loki states, standing a mere three feet away from the couple, "Vidcund has to work late," he smirks, leaving the premises before a fight breaks out.
…
One month later, Loki is standing in front of Crystal near the back entrance of Strangetown's most popular church, moments away from one of the biggest events of his life. Loki stares down at his watch and rubs his aching forehead with his tuxedo sleeve, praying that his soon-to-be-wife, Circe, doesn't kill him for being fifteen minutes late. Loki steps forward and reaches for the iron door handle.
"Loki, wait!" Crystal cries, sporting her lavender bridesmaid dress as she grabs him by the arm. Loki immediately turns around and gazes down at her. Crystal sighs and places her hand over her queasy stomach. She doesn't know why, but she really doesn't want Loki to go, "Please," she whispers pleadingly, "Please don't do this. This is a big mistake."
"It's not a mistake," Loki states, their breakup still fresh in his mind, "You didn't want me. Why do you even care anyway?"
"Because," Crystal begins, her eyes shining, "I don't want you to marry Circe, okay?" she confesses, "Marry me. I want to marry you," Crystal cries, unable to believe that she is practically begging him to reconsider, the realization of her love for Loki hitting her square in the face, "I love you."
Loki stands in place. Even though he's waited months to hear Crystal say these words, something about this whole situation doesn't feel right. Loki sighs as he stares down at his ex-lover, knowing that for once, he's going to have to take the high road. "Crystal," Loki states, "I can't marry someone who loves me, it'll just hurt them in the long run. They'll just keep thinking that they can change me and they can't. No one can," Loki tells Crystal, gazing into her heartbroken eyes, "I can't be faithful to you, and that was fine, you know, when you didn't love me. But now that you do, if we get together, you'll just have your heart broken time and time again. And I can't bear to put you through that," Loki whispers, leaning towards Crystal as he gently whispers in her ear, "I love you too much to do that," he confesses, the words painfully leaving his body. "I'm sorry," Loki sighs, "but I have to go through with this, no matter how many of us may not want me to," he states, trying his best to not break down in tears. Loki struggles to keep his expression devoid of emotion as he stares deeply into her eyes, "Goodbye, Crystal," Loki squeaks, turning his back to her and exiting into the church before he can change his mind.
The large iron door shuts, the raucous sound of the door locking behind him signaling that there is no turning back. Loki sighs as he takes one step into the dimly-lit hallway, his body drenched in regret.
…
Twenty-five minutes later, Loki is standing with Circe at the front of the church, the couple midway through their vows. Crystal sighs as she stands behind Circe. Circe's puffy, white wedding dress is doing a good job of shielding Crystal's body, but it isn't blocking the pleading gazes that Loki has been shooting in her direction throughout the ceremony.
"Now," the priest continues, turning to the crowd, "if anyone here among us has a reason why these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Loki narrows his eyes at Crystal, urging the young townie to say something. Crystal frantically but subtly shakes her head no, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
…
That night, Loki is lying down on his side facing the wall on the king-sized bed in the honeymoon suite that he booked for himself and his newest wife. Fortunately for Loki, Circe is exhausted from the wedding and has left him alone for most of the evening, but unfortunately for Loki, Circe is lying down only a few feet away from him.
Loki rubs his forehead, quietly sobbing into free hand over his snap decision to leave the love of his life. After a few moments of audible sobbing, Circe slowly sits up on the bed, flashing her husband a bizarre look. "Loki, are you crying on our wedding night?" she squeaks, crossing her arms at the peculiarity of this situation as she glares over at him.
"No," Loki sniffs, wiping a couple of tears from his eyes before facing his wife. Circe raises an eyebrow.
Loki quickly turns back towards the wall and continues to quietly sob into his palms. Circe lets out a heavy sigh and rolls her eyes.
…
Two weeks later, Loki is sitting at his desk on the second floor of SimSanto Incorporated, thoroughly embracing his secret love. Loki smiles from his desk chair as he gazes up at Vidcund, who is sitting in the center of Loki's desk. "You're really cute," Loki coos, pulling back a bit and holding Vidcund at arm's length, "It's crime to be this cute."
"Is it?" Vidcund grins, cocking his forehead.
Loki nods, having a hard time keeping his hands off him, "Yeah."
"Loki?" Crystal speaks up from her open office, "Circe is here to see you."
Loki's eyes widen like saucers, "Oh God!" he shrieks, quickly shooing Vidcund off his desk. Loki lets out a huge sigh of relief when Vidcund makes it to his seat before Circe blazes into the room. He turns to Crystal and flashes her a gracious smile.
...
One hour later, after Circe awkwardly ate lunch at Loki's desk while her husband covertly stared across the room at Vidcund the whole time, Loki knocks on the door of Crystal's office. The physicist carefully steps into the room once she grants him entrance. Loki smiles as he stares down at Crystal, who just returned to her desk chair and is now delicately arranging the papers on her desk.
"Hey," Loki greets, taking a step towards her, nudging the door closed with his foot, "thanks for that," he states as Crystal looks up at him, "I know you don't support infidelity, but honestly, if you hadn't have said something, my body would probably be in a lake right now."
Crystal nods, setting the stack of papers back down on her desk and giving a shrug, "Yeah, I wanted to help you out, and I kinda figured this would be a one-time thing."
"Oh," Loki squeaks, his heart sinking at this news, "Great."
"Yeah," Crystal agrees, standing up from her desk to grab something from her handbag. She walks past Loki, who is staring longingly at her. Loki briefly glances out the window before walking over to Crystal and affectionately grabbing her by the arm.
At this, Crystal immediately turns towards him, her body filled with shock. Loki steps towards her, but Crystal shoots her hand up, stopping the physicist in his tracks.
"Don't do this. Please don't do this," Crystal pleads, having a hard time meeting his gaze as she struggles to contain her emotions, "I mean it, Loki. We're done."
"Alright, I'll respect that," Loki softly replies, unclasping his hand and taking a step away from her, "But come on, Crystal, we both know that's not true."
Crystal sighs as she watches Loki walk briskly out of her office, never feeling more conflicted in her life. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, she knows Loki is probably right, but she couldn't risk having him stay to find out. Crystal groans as she places her hand over her slight baby bump, wondering how much longer she'd keep this from him.
…
One year later, Loki is sitting at his desk, hard at work changing his desktop. He grins as he finishes placing a large photo of himself front and center on the computer screen. Loki turns the screen in Vidcund's direction and swivels in his seat to present it to him. "So, what do you think?" Loki wonders, shifting his face to mirror the enthusiastic expression that desktop Loki is sporting.
Vidcund smiles, "It's great," he compliments, nodding at his partner before quickly resuming his latest plant report.
"Uh, Loki?" Crystal's voice chimes from her office, the uncertainty in Crystal's voice causing Loki to instantly turn around, "There's some men here to see you."
Loki looks up from his desktop slightly, cautiously putting his pen down and sitting up at his station as a group of formally-dressed men walk into the workplace and swarm his desk. Across the room, Vidcund has moved away from his report and is intently watching the scene unfold in concern.
One of the men steps forward, holding his hand out to shake as he stares down at Loki, "Congratulations, sir. You've been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics!"
Loki cocks his head a tad, dubiously aligning the stack of papers on his desk. "Yeah…" Loki says, clearly not buying it. He circles his chair 180 degrees and waves them away, "Pascal works on the third floor," he tells him.
"We know," the guy speaks up once more, "He told us you were down here, Dr. Beaker."
Upon hearing his name, Loki drops the papers and swivels back the men's direction. He brings his hand up to his mouth, hoping to hide his shock from whom he now recognizes as some of the Nobel Prize Council's most prestigious scientists. Loki exhales, quickly regaining his composure. He slowly puts his hand down and faces the men, his confidence returning as his signature Loki smirk makes its first appearance, "Well, then it's about damn time."
…
A few months later, Loki races towards the bathroom at Strangetown's fanciest banquet hall as total pandemonium erupts behind him. The newest Nobel Prize winner halts in the center of the hallway, finding himself face to face with his boss, who traveled a hundred miles for the occasion. Crystal smiles down at Loki, her pale pink dress sparkling courtesy of the twelve-thousand-simoleon glass chandelier above them.
"Congratulations, Loki," Crystal beams, her tone casual but sweet.
Loki cocks his forehead, his signature smirk spreading across his face. "Congratulate yourself, Crystal," he replies, "one of my inventions was your idea."
"True," Crystal nods, tilting her forehead as well, "but you were the one who built it."
Loki steps back and lets out a small nose-laugh, waving her point off, "Either way, it wouldn't feel right if I didn't return the favor."
"You don't need to do anything for me."
"I know," Loki replies, his eyes shining, "but I want to." Loki steps forward, delicately grabs the sides of Crystal's face, and leans towards her. Crystal steps back and restrains Loki's arms, stunned by his blunt advance.
"What are you doing?" Crystal squeaks, her face filled with horror, "You just professed your love for Vidcund!"
Loki sets his arms at his sides and shrugs, "So? He knows we're in an open relationship."
"Okay," Crystal replies curtly, "but I'm still engaged to Lazlo."
Loki rolls his eyes and laughs, "Yeah, like that's going to last," he mutters, causing Crystal to instantly shoot him a glare, "Come on," Loki speaks up, gently grabbing her hands, "you told me that if I ever won the Nobel Prize, we would date again."
"What? No, I didn't!"
"You didn't?" Loki squeaks as Crystal lets go of his hands in a fluster. Loki brings his hand up to his chin ponderously, deeply puzzled by this revelation, "Huh. Maybe that was a dream I had."
Crystal rolls her eyes up at the ceiling before staring down at her ex-boyfriend once more, her head throbbing from this whole situation. "Loki, we've been through this – twice," she states, rubbing her aching forehead briefly before rigidly staring down at him, hoping to pierce this rejection in his mind, "This is not happening again. You and I are not getting back together."
Loki watches as Crystal storms down the hallway, her demeanor cold and driven. "Crystal," Loki chimes, already appearing lost without her, "Crystal!" he shouts at her retreating figure, completely oblivious to the familiar bystander walking up behind him.
Circe steps forward, stopping a few feet short from the man who just single-handedly ruined her life. She smirks as he turns towards her, the young woman basking in his desperate state. "I have question for you, Loki," Circe purrs, the physicist not even bothering to meet her eyeline, "What happens when a man who is used to getting everything he wants doesn't get something?"
Loki sighs and turns away from her, clearly already having enough of this conversation, "Circe, I don't have time for this-"
"You know, Loki, it's actually quite simple what the man does," Circe replies, the devious expression still plastered on her face, "He spends the rest of life driving himself crazy over the one thing he can't have," she coos, aggressively tapping Loki twice on the shoulder before sashaying off the premises.
Loki stands in silence, Circe's comment resonating in his core. As much as he wants to dismiss Circe's claim as nonsensical badgering, something about it rings true.
And that's the part that drives him crazy.
…
One week after the most awkward almost-wedding in Strangetown, Crystal saunters into SimSanto Incorporated, whistling a cheerful tune as she walks up the staircase and heads towards her office. She stops in the hallway and peeks into the second-floor workplace, which is surprisingly empty on a Monday morning. "Huh," Crystal chimes, perching her hands on her hips in wonder, "I could've sworn at least one of them would've shown up today."
Crystal shrugs as she opens the door to her office, a bizarre moaning noise chiming from underneath her desk. Crystal quietly closes the door before cautiously approaching the source. She slowly climbs onto her desk and leans forward, only to find Loki moaning under her desk chair, sprawled out on the carpet. He is dirty, smelly, and looks like he hasn't shaved in a week. Crystal sighs, hops off her desk, and kneels next to him, "Okay. What's the problem this time?"
"He dumped me, Crystal," Loki squeaks, covering his face with his hand, "Vidcund dumped me. Left me at the altar when we were two words away from marriage," he moans, flopping over on his side to face her, "This is how villain backstories are made!"
Crystal stares up at the ceiling, releasing a heavy sigh. "You're already a villain…and this is hardly a backstory."
Loki sighs and lies down on his back, "Tell that to Olive Specter."
"Alright, come on, no more wallowing in self-pity," Crystal says, grabbing Loki firmly by the arm and nudging him upright, "Let's at least get you up."
Loki groans as he sits up in place, the light from the ceiling fan causing his head to ache. He moans and blinks a few times, slowly regaining his vision. He perks up slightly once he sees Crystal's classic purple pantsuit. "Hey, you look good. Is that a new outfit?"
Crystal throws her head back at the ceiling, folding her arms over her torso, "You do this every time, you know?"
Loki cocks his forehead, unsure where she is going with this, "Do what?" he asks.
"You try to jump into a relationship to avoid your problems," Crystal vents, narrowing in on him, "Tell me Loki, what's so bad about being vulnerable?" she questions. Loki stares down at the carpet as Crystal drives her point home, "You need to tell people what you want. Otherwise, you're never going to get anything," Crystal says, tapping Loki twice on the hand before standing up from the floor, leaving Loki to puzzle over her words in silence.
…
That night, Loki sighs as he stands at Vidcund's back door at the Curious residence, Crystal's words racing through his mind as he waits for an answer to his knocks. Vidcund swings open the door, stunned when he sees Loki.
"I want you back," Loki states, never looking surer of something in his life.
Vidcund steps backward, stunned by Loki's bold honesty, "What?"
…
Fifteen minutes later, Vidcund and Loki are standing at the very top of the Curious residence's signature three-level lookout tower staring out at the stars. Vidcund sighs as he gazes at the galaxy, his boyfriend lovingly holding him in his arms. "I'm so glad we got back together," Vidcund coos, pressing himself further into Loki's chest.
Loki smiles, "Me too," he beams, leaning back slightly. "Whoa!" Loki cries, waving his arms in circles as he tries to regain his balance before ultimately failing and falling down three flights of stairs.
Vidcund cringes as he holds onto the nearest railing for safety, watching Loki endure the wrath of thirty-six separate steps before flopping down on his back on the linoleum black tile. "Loki, sweetie?" Vidcund cautiously calls down, praying that he's not too hurt and doesn't intend to sue his brothers for all they're worth, "Are you okay?" he asks, cueing an elongated groan in response from Loki as he lays sprawled out on the roof.
…
Three years later, Vidcund is sitting on the living room couch at the Beaker castle deep into a parenting book. Vidcund is holding a two-year-old Ceres at his side while his other adopted child, Atom, plays with a plastic robot on the carpet in front of them.
The basement door flies open as Loki quickly steps out carrying a spray bottle, monstrous cries bellowing from within the basement walls. Loki sprays the creature down, causing it to morph its cries into a slight growl. Loki sighs as he sets the spray bottle down, blocks off the basement door, and dusts his hands off on his lab coat. Loki turns away from the door, whistling nonchalantly as he makes his way to the kitchen.
"Loki?" Vidcund chimes, setting his book down as he soaks in what just occurred, "Do you think maybe it's time to sell the house?"
At this, Loki immediately rushes over to sofa and waves his hands out in an x, "What?! No!" he cries, vetoing the idea as quickly as possible, "The house is fine, Vidcund. Perfect for raising children!"
"Really?" Vidcund sarcastically spews, cocking his forehead at his boyfriend, "Because there's at least twenty safety hazards in the basement alone. Not to mention all the Santas and failed clones you buried in the crater."
"Hey! The crater is public property, Vid," Loki animatedly retorts, "Those could be anyone's failed Loki clones!"
Vidcund shakes his head and rolls his eyes up at the ceiling. "It's not only that," Vidcund begins, grabbing Ceres before she can crawl off the sofa, "but this house doesn't exactly scream 'children'."
"Well, it used to," Loki mutters, folding his arms in a pout, "Besides, what do you know about tasteful, family-friendly architecture? Remember your first house?"
Vidcund sighs, "All I'm saying is…it wouldn't hurt to look at other options."
…
Finally, after three weeks of persistent convincing, Vidcund and Loki find themselves exploring their first family-friendly house with their real estate agent, Meredith Lillard. Meredith smiles as she leads them into the kitchen, which is equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and a lovely breakfast nook. "And this is the kitchen, the heart and soul of this gorgeous colonial estate!" Meredith presents, watching as Vidcund gazes at the bright, sunny room in awe. Next to him, Loki continues to remain unimpressed by everything in sight.
"Wow, Loki! Isn't this place beautiful?" Vidcund beams, clasping his heads in front of his chest as he stares out at the garden.
Loki flatly turns to Meredith, his arms folded over his torso, "So, how much space does the basement have for human prisoners?"
…
"Unbelievable!" Vidcund cries, throwing his hands up as they exit the fifth house Loki rejected that morning, "I can't believe you! What was wrong with that one?"
Loki stops and turns to his boyfriend on the sidewalk, surprisingly calm in his demeanor, "I don't know," Loki states sincerely, "It just seems like something's missing."
"Loki," Vidcund sighs, his voice returning to its original register as he stares into his partner's eyes, "there are hundreds of houses in Strangetown. Do you honestly expect me to believe that we live in the best one?"
"Yes," Loki replies, not having to give the question a second thought, "Why go for better when you already have the best? That's why I'm with you," Loki states, struggling to push these words out of his body.
Vidcund stops in his tracks as he marvels over what is perhaps the nicest thing that Loki has ever said to him. Loki sighs as he treks down the Road to Nowhere, a sick feeling forming in the pit of his stomach as he tries to convince himself of the very words he just muttered.
…
Six years later, Loki is alone at the Beaker residence playing his favorite simulation game on Ceres' tablet when he hears a strange noise coming from the front door. Loki carefully sets the tablet down on the coffee table, grabs his aluminum bat, and heads towards the entrance. "Hey, you stupid kids!" Loki cries, throwing open the front door and taking a step onto the porch, "Quit stealing my inventions!" Loki freezes in place only to find Crystal standing innocently in front of him. She nonthreatening puts her hand up in greeting.
"Uh, hey," she states.
"Hey," Loki replies, loosening his grip on the bat, attempting to break the ice, "Did you steal my inventions?"
Crystal laughs and shakes her head, "No."
"Oh," Loki squeaks, tossing his bat back in the castle, "Good."
Crystal smiles and throws her arms around him, pulling Loki into a friendly embrace. "Oh," Loki says, quickly nuzzling into her, "You know, if you wanted me, you could've just said so."
Crystal gives a tiny nose laugh, immediately pulls away from the hug, and pats him on the shoulder. "I don't want you," she confirms, the physicist puzzled by this news, "Well, I do, but only because I want you to sign this."
Loki's eyes widen as he narrows in on the stack of papers that she is holding out to him. He gently takes them and fans them in his hands, "What's this?" he wonders.
"It's divorce papers...you know, for our secret marriage?" Crystal answers, awkwardly shifting her weight onto her other leg.
Loki slowly nods, of all the things she could've said to him, he hadn't expected this, "I thought you guys already got married."
"We did," Crystal replies, "but…we want to renew our vows in Strangetown for our tenth anniversary."
"Ah," Loki replies, doing his best to keep his emotions at bay. Loki sighs as he steps into the living room, now wishing Vidcund and the twins hadn't left the house to spend the day with Pascal. Crystal cautiously walks over and sits down next to him.
"Hey," she speaks up, placing a comforting hand on Loki's knee, knowing how hard this must be for him, "I know this is tough for the both of us, especially with all the feelings involved…so, if you just sign these, I can go," she states, trying to keep herself from crying. She points down at the pages Loki is death-gripping.
Loki turns to Crystal and stares deeply into her eyes. As much as he doesn't want to set her free, he knows that officially ending their marriage is best for almost everyone. "Okay," Loki sighs, gesturing his fingers towards his palm for the pen, "I'll sign it."
"Great," Crystal whispers, doing her best to force a smile as she hands the pen to him. Crystal watches as Loki quickly scribbles his name on the document and hands it back to her.
Loki turns away from Crystal, his eyes watering as he brings his hand up to cover them. He waves her away with the other, "Uh, you should go."
Crystal nods, her heart breaking as she hugs the document to her chest. "Okay," she promises, sitting up from the sofa.
Crystal heads towards the door, stopping when she hears Loki not-so-subtly sobbing from the sofa. She stares down at the document and sighs, setting it down on the front end table. Crystal carefully approaches the couch, warm but terrified. "Loki?" she squeaks, plopping down next to him.
Loki turns to Crystal, his eyes red and puffy as she brings him into an embrace, neither one of them saying a word.
After all, there was nothing left to say.