Chapter 16: Twilight Café

"Hi Reiya-chan. How are your plans for Valentine's Day coming? It's tomorrow after all."

"Not so good Mayura-san. I want to take Loki-sama on a surprise date, but I can't think how to get him to go without tipping him off," answered Reiya dejectedly.

"Oh, if that's the only problem, I could help you. Where do you want to meet him?"

"Master's coffee shop," blushed Reiya.

"Don't worry; I'll get Loki-san there without a problem." replied Mayura with a distintively Loki-ish grin on her face. "What time?"

"Seven?"

"Alright, I'll tell him that Narugami-kun needs to talk. And he's always well dressed, so I'm sure that won't be a problem."

"Thank you Mayura-chan, thank you, thank you."

"No problem at all."

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It was around six thirty the next night when Mayura approached Loki in his study.

"Hey Loki-san, Narugami-kun called earlier. He needs to talk with you at the Twilight Café tonight. He'll be taking a break at seven o'clock."

Loki looked at the grandfather clock against the study wall. "I'd better go now if I plan to make it there in time. Did Narukami-kun tell you what he had to talk to me about Mayura?"

"No, he didn't."

"Alright, I'll see you later."

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A leisurely walk later, Loki opened the door to the Twilight Café. At the sound of the bell, Master looked up. "Ah, hello Loki-san, and why are you here tonight?"

"I got a call from Narukami-kun. He said he needed to talk to me. I don't see him, is he in the back?"

"No, I gave Narugami-san the night off… today being Valentine's Day and all."

"Then who asked me here?" asked Loki to himself.

"Loki-sama, what a coincidence," announced Reiya as the bell rang again.

I should have known. Loki sighed. "Good evening Reiya. What brings you here tonight?"

"Nothing to do on Valentine's Day…" sighed Reiya. "And you Loki-sama?"

"I was told that Narukami-kun needed to talk to me, but it seems that he was given the night off."

"Oh no! That's too bad," exclaims Reiya as she glomps Loki's arm. "But since we're both here, why don't we have a cup of coffee together? It'll be my treat, Valentine's Day and all Loki-sama."

"Ah, sure… why not?"

Reiya sat down at a booth by the outside window and motioned for Loki to join her. Loki made sure that he sat on the other side of the table.

"The stars are so beautiful, aren't they Loki-sama."

"Yeah, I guess they are," responded Loki in a monotone voice.

"I need to use the girl's room. Would you order for us Loki-sama? Remember, order anything you want. I'm paying for tonight. Be back in a minute."

"Sure"

Meanwhile, master had been listening to the conversation between Loki and Reiya as he was hand grinding some coffee beans. It wasn't a very busy night, since most couples wanted to go somewhere a little classier for Valentine's Day. As soon as the door to the woman's room closed behind Reiya, master walked over to the table Loki was sitting at.

"Pardon for the intrusion, Loki-san…"

"No, go ahead master. In some ways you're like the father I never had."

"Well… I see that you don't fancy the girl, although she really seems to like you. Have you tried to explain to her your feelings? It'll be kinder on her in the long run you know."

"I've tried, but…"

"Strong willed eh? But eventually she'll understand. Although you might want to invest in some tissues for her and ear plugs her yourself when she finally does. She doesn't look to be the break up quietly type."

"No… not in my experience."

"So, that'll be two coffees with cream and sugar and a slice of strawberry cheesecake for the young lady… it's her favorite."

"That sounds fine. And… thanks."

"Don't mention it."

But the worst thing about this isn't going to be Reiya's reaction when I tell her that this affection is uncalled for. No… the worst thing about this entire set-up is that Mayura was in on it. She's been so distant since that incident this last fall. And recently Mayura's been helping Reiya and even pushing me to date her. Everyone I've talked to insists that Mayura is madly in love with me, and I have to admit that I've seen her look at me with longing eyes when she thinks I can't see her. But then why does she try so hard to stay away from me? I'd planed to tell Mayura on White Day that I'm her secret admirer, but as the date comes closer and closer I can't help but become nervous. What if she rejects me again… just for some stupid concern about my age? I don't want to think about that… I can't…

"I'm back, Loki-sama," stated Reiya as she sat down next to Loki. "Here, it's your Valentine's Day chocolate."

"Ah… thank you Reiya," said Loki as he was pulled quickly out of his thoughts.

"Isn't this so romantic Loki-sama? Us sitting together watching the stars. If only it was warmer, then we could be sitting outside."

"Umm, about that Reiya…"

"Yes Loki-sama?"

"I appreciate all that you've done and all… but… I don't… I don't reciprocate your feelings Reiya. You're a great friend, and I will always be willing to help you Reiya… but…"

"Loki-sama…?"

"I just don't love you the way you want me to."

"You love her, don't you… Mayura-san."

"I'm sorry, really I am. But this isn't something I can control."

"What does she have that I don't!" shouted Reiya.

"It's nothing like that Reiya!" Loki tried to reassure her.

"You've always liked her more than me. Why?"

"Reiya…"

"Just one day out of the blue, she comes into your life ranting about "fushigi misuteri." And she came over to your detective agency all the time, constantly annoying you. Not to mention the fact that she kept running into one dangerous situation after another! Should I have been more annoying, or unobservant? Would you have loved me then?!"

(A/n: fushigi misuteri or in English mysterious mysteries. Reiya/Freya says it with a horrible Japanese accent to make fun of Mayura.)

"Reiya… I don't know why I love Mayura… I just do."

"I know Loki-sama. I should, after all… being a goddess of love…"

"Freya…"

"I can see the destiny of lovers… and I was never a part of that with you. Almost any other woman could have been… Some might have had longer lasting relationships… but many were just six month flings… most were six month flings. I wasn't even a one night stand…" choked out Reiya as she began to cry.

"Would you really have wanted to be a one night stand Freya?" asked Loki as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Reiya looked up at Loki. "No"

"Then perhaps it's better off this way."

"But it still hurts, Loki-sama."

"Excuse me. Here is your order. Two coffees with cream and sugar, and one slice of strawberry cheesecake. Enjoy."

"Thank you master," responded both Reiya and Loki. "Ittadakimasu"

"Thank you Loki-sama, it's my favorite."

"Thank the master Reiya, he was the one who knew strawberry cheesecake was your favorite."

"Mmmm… Delicious…" she sighed.

A/n: Master renamed the Twilight Coffee House to Twilight Café after he came back to Japan. Just in case anyone is wondering. With Narugami helping as a full-time employee and almost partner, Master could extend what he served to include breakfast food and dessert.

Yes... Mayura lied to Loki, and he completely missed it. What's going on with Loki's and Mayura's personalities? Loki-ish Mayura and Mayura-ish Loki. The world is falling apart! Or is it being saved? Hmm... But how is it happening? Ohh... you're going to have to read a lot more before even the gods find out.

My answer to anyone who thinks Reiya/Freya acted a little out of character: Remember that she's already been rejected once… and as a goddess of love, I think she would have known Loki doesn't feel anything for her. But you know how Freya can be in denial.

To LittleGreenWolf: Yeah, it's cute and corny. I didn't think I could write anything like that. And no, Loki won't slip, but he does do a John Wayne. If you want the trans please tell me. I didn't send them to you.

To Squirrelnoshi: Thank you. My tenth grade English teacher loved my writing style as well. She was the one who forced me to create one of my own. Thank-you Ms. Henderson. (I don't know… maybe she's a closet otaku…)

To Bibiomanic: Well… according to Narugami-kun Loki shoujo sparkles. But perhaps it's true since Loki wasn't willing to take the bet. Strange this can happen when Trickster God's fall in love. And Loki can be mushy… remember they're just words on a page and Loki's one of the best sweet talker's there is. But don't worry… Loki's only going to be teeth rotting sweet one more time. He's much more of an action kind of guy if you catch my drift. Not that he won't continue to be sweet—to Mayura. He's still going to be the dry commentating Loki we know and love. There's a really nasty surprise coming for Heimdall in a much later chapter—course he will deserve it.

To Melrose: Sorry your computer's a mess. But Mayura's face… or rather what she says will be priceless. Or perhaps should I say Loki's response… can't tell anymore. It'd ruin the next chapie! (I wrote last chapter several weeks ago… :/ so that manga scan of the Loki/Mayura kiss didn't have any effect on this chapter. I'll let the cat out of the bag… I'm currently writing chapter 39! And I'll keep posting every other day… So you guys don't get too overwhelmed with too many chapters at once. Hehe!) But please keep on reviewing. I love answering your questions and comments help me fix chapters before I post as well as give me ideas for the chapters I'm writing.

To Erinys: Oh, I laughed the whole time I was writing it. Loki can't always be the unemotional type. I personally think that was the sin Loki was sent down to Midgard for. He needed to learn to be more open and realize how much he needed loved the people around him. The form of a child would help him see that because his forced dependence on others. (alright… so he still wasn't hampered very much… but he eventually saw the point anyway. Ep. 25 "This doesn't taste good, Yamino-kun.")

To Allison: Glad you like it.

To Malster: Hope you enjoy them.

Manda-chan: There always needs to be more MaLoki. And I love how much all the authors try to come up with new angles. More will be coming up soon. But still so much more to write… if you can imagine that!