3. Closer to You

Can I get closer to you?

Tell me the truth.

Can I get an answer from you?

Show me a sign.

- "Closer to You" Adelitas Way

"I'm home!" Hotaru yelled out in the small apartment that belonged to her. She loved her little apartment that was near campus and the library. She loved the senshi to death, but it was nice to take a break from them from time to time. Her apartment was an escape from it all. She got the tea set up as she poked her head in the tiny living room.

Her new found roommate, Loki, sat on the sofa with his eye brows pinched together. The outers nearly threw a fit when they found out about the Nors God living in her apartment, but he needed the rest and it was nice to have company that was… loud unlike Usagi. His long legs stretched out on the sofa. She saw a few papers scattered around the coffee table. She frowned as she read over the language. It was old, but she felt a part of her stir at the shapes of the words. She put down her stuff and reached out for one of the papers.

"This is the old language of Saturn," Hotaru said. "I thought you said that people were scared of my magic so how would you have learned...?"

Loki looked up at her and plucked the paper from her hand. "You can still read the writing. That's interesting, but you're awfully nosey. Like a child that doesn't know better."

Hotaru snorted. "This coming from the guy who decided to switched Makoto's baking powder with some explosive."

Loki's lips twitched. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You are the only one who was with her in the apartment when her oven nearly ripped a hole into her apartment!"

"I fixed it, didn't I?"

"Only because she threatened to fry you with lighting bolts hotter than the sun." Hotaru said as Loki looked at her.

"You wouldn't have let her."

His voice dropped slightly and Hotaru felt that funny feeling in her stomach.

"I'm going to make some dinner, did you want some?" Hotaru asked. She saw that she was reading one of her medical books. She didn't see the harm in it.

"I'm not a dog, I can fix food for myself," he said after a moment.

She sighed and rolled her eyes before retreating back into the small kitchen. She put on some music. It was hip hoppy kind that she usually didn't like, but she didn't feel like sharing her favorite music with Loki in the apartment still.

She began making ramen with leeks and spices in it as she hummed to herself with the music. She wondered if Loki knew who she was and that was why he was sticking around. She thought a Norse god might protest more.

But Loki never said anything. He rarely spoke to her, but she was sure he snooped around the apartment when she went to classes or work. That reminded her, she was going to be working tomorrow at the coffee shop.

She stopped when she heard what sounded like a growl. It didn't come from her. She looked over her shoulder to see Loki walking in, sniffing the air.

"What is that?" He asked.

"Ramen." She said as she poured a bowl for herself and held it up for him. "Try it."

He studied the chopsticks for a moment and Hotaru set the ramen on the counter before grabbing his hand and instructing him how to hold chopsticks. He learned easily and she offered the ramen again.

He took a large bite and scowled.

She laughed at his pinched nose. "Sorry, it's a bit spicy. Here," she said turning around and started another thing of ramen without the spices. "I'll make you some…" She turned back and found him gone.

Later, Hotaru will find out that Loki likes beef flavored ramen with leeks, but god forbid it be spicy.

Hello, everyone! I forgot to mention that Hotaru is eighteen in this story. The next few chapter will be...uhh, cute. I know that sounds strange if you've read my writings before, but I want to work on the relationship between Loki and Hotaru, Loki and the senshi. Yes! I may have worked in a guy moment between Loki and Mamoru.