Chapter 24

Loki did not like the sound of that. "I do not think I wish to have my brain frozen."

"Not literally!" April looked amused as she placed a small tub onto the table between them. "Ice cream is so cold it can sometimes give you what we jokingly call a brain freeze."

He did not find her words mollifying. Anything connected to the cold reminded him too much of what he really was. As she collected spoons and bowls he eyed the tub warily. It was sparkling with fine ice and literally steaming.

"This is chocolate brownie," she said as she prised open the tub's lid and spooned its dark unsavoury looking contents into the bowls. "My absolute favourite." She met his gaze. "I doubt you have chocolate where you come from either."

He frowned. "Probably not. Why would you assume I would? Do you have Braustrine or Krimelstrouse here on Midgard? I very much doubt it."

"Ok, point taken," she returned sheepishly, sliding his bowl of ice cream towards him. "Here. Try it."

She started eating hers with relish, her eyes fleetingly closing in pleasure like they had with the pizza.

He grinned. "I would much rather watch you eat yours."

"Just eat it!"

With a sigh of defeat he tentatively scooped up a small amount on his spoon and brought it to his lips.

He hesitated.

"Before it melts!" she blurted in exasperation.

When he slipped the ice cream into his mouth he mentally recoiled. It was certainly cold and a part of him was concerned that it might somehow trigger the blue monster within. But he realised how irrational he was being and when he allowed himself to relax and simply register the actual taste his silly fears dissolved away. Despite himself, he also closed his eyes to savour the moment. He didn't think he had ever tasted anything quite so…

"You like it!" He could sense her smile.

He opened his eyes and met her gaze. "It is tolerable, I suppose," he lied, knowing full well that she wouldn't believe him. "Though I think I need to sample a little more, just to be sure." He scooped a much more generous amount onto his spoon this time and made short work of it.

"C'mon. Tell me the truth."

He returned her smile. "Delectable, I must confess."

"Isn't it. The number one comfort food."

"Comfort food?"

Her smile faded. "Something pleasant when you need a distraction. You know…from the bad things." She peered down into her bowl uncomfortably. "I haven't had much of an appetite since David died, but there have always been a couple of tubs of ice cream in the freezer. It's not the healthiest, I admit, but I haven't really cared." She glanced back up at him, forcing back her smile. "What about you? What's your comfort food?"

"Me? I do not think I have a comfort food." He hesitated thoughtfully. "Magic gives me the most pleasure so you could say it is my escape from - as you put it - the bad things." He scooped some more ice cream onto his spoon. "Though I think this…what do you call it again?"

"Ice cream."

"I think ice cream could also be a contender."

"Want to tell me about your bad things?"

"No."

"Ok."

"At least…not today," he side-stepped, hoping that would appease the frustration evident on her face.

"Fair enough."

They were silent as they finished their desserts but when April dropped her spoon into her bowl she added: "There are loads of different flavours, you know."

"Are there indeed. I very much think I would like to sample them."

"I was hoping you might say that." A mischief flared into her eyes that he thoroughly approved of.

"You were?" he teased perilously, nudging away his empty bowl. "And why is that?"

"More magic in the bank."

He chuckled and unfurled his fingers, conjuring a miniature firework display from the palm of his hand.

April let out an endearing little gasp. "Oh god, that is so beautiful!"

Watching her through the illusion, the sparkling lights dancing in her eyes, Loki had to bite back the words: "And so are you, mortal." Finding it quite disconcerting how quickly she was affecting him, he closed his hand, gutting the magic.

"Oh!" she protested. "I think the pizza and ice cream were worth a bit longer than that!"

He sighed exaggeratedly, conjured back the fireworks, and feigned boredom while she continued to watch in delight.

After indulging her for a short while longer he closed his hand again. "Enough now. I want to read."

"Your mysterious book," April returned dramatically. She stood up and took their empty bowls across to the sink. "Can you switch the light on before you leave. I didn't realise it had gotten so dark." She pointed past him. "It's that square thing beside the door. Just flick it."

He stood up irritably. "I know what a light switch is!"

She stared at him in surprise. "You've been to Earth before?"

Ignoring her question he flicked the switch and made a quick getaway.


Another short one, sorry.

Reviews always appreciated, thanks!