At the end of Loki's first week at the bookstore, him hands Loki an envelope with his first paycheck and a key to the store, "You've done a great job this week, Loki. I think we'll work out well together. I can't believe you're already doing some of my paperwork."

"I will always strive for my best, sir."

"Well you're doing better than I expected. Keep working at this and you'll be ready to take over the bookstore in a year and I'll be able to retire happy."

"A year? You wish to leave this work?"

"I'm getting old, son. There's a lot I'd love to still do with my life, but I can't do it from here. So I'm telling myself a year. Gives you time to figure things out, learn how to do taxes, get to know the customers, and gives me an end date far enough out that I don't feel like it's too much of a rush, or too far out of reach. I think I'll be ready by then. But don't you worry, I'll make sure you're good and ready long before I go."

"Thank you."

"Now get on out of here. You've got a weekend to enjoy. I'll see you back on Monday."

Loki tries not to skip on his walk home, but he can hardly help himself and there is most definitely a bounce in his step. When he enters the house, he tosses the messenger bag on the table and fishes his envelope from among the books and his notepad. He gingerly opens it and stares at the slip with his name on the front in Ralph's neat leaning script. He texts Wanda. She is busy with her work and she has asked for no calls. But he has to tell someone. He calls Alexi.

"Hey, Loki! How's it going?"

"I got my first paycheck!"

"Oh, wow! Congrats! Do you know what to do with it?"

"I have no idea. Magda helped me set up a bank account earlier this week, but I haven't any idea what to do to get this in it."

"Do you want me to help? We can go to the bank and then I'll take you out for dinner. Second date?"

Loki feels the giddiness rising in his chest and he can't help but grin, "Yes! When?"

"Honey, you sound like you'll explode if I make you wait. I'll be over as soon as I can be, OK?"

"Of course!" Alexi laughs, "Good, good! I'll see you soon." He hangs up before Loki can ask what he should wear or where they will go.

When Alexi arrives, Loki tries to ask where they will go or what they will do, but Alexi won't tell him, "It's a surprise, silly! Come on, get in the car. Bank first."

"Some day I hope to have enough saved that I can get rid of the card Wanda gave me."

"You mean the one from Stark?"

"Yes. I do not like depending on him."

"But it's good to have. Even when you do have your feet under you, don't just cut the thing up and throw it away. You never know when something will happen and you won't be able to afford to fix it. Health stuff, a car accident, whatever. It's a back up plan, just in case. And you never want to be stuck without one of those and end up on the street."

"You speak from experience."

"Yeah, and from watching a lot of people end up homeless. So keep it, even if you don't ever use it."

"I appreciate the advice. But where are you taking me after we deposit this?"

"I'm not telling you. It's a surprise, remember?"

Loki laughs. He is used to being the one that surprises others, not the one who lets others surprise him. But he likes this adventure and he holds Alexi's hand as they drive. After the bank, they head to a neighbourhood Loki has never seen.

"This is a more run down part of the city."

"Yeah, but Rosita makes the best tacos in the entire city and you just have to have them for a celebration."

"Rosita?"

"The gal who runs this restaurant. She's incredible. Doesn't speak much English, but damn, can she cook."

"Do you speak her language?"

"Yeah, I've picked up a little Spanish. Don't worry, you'll love the food. Trust me."

Loki squeezes his hand, "I do. Despite only knowing you for a short while."

"Well good. That's a good start for us, right?"

"It is an excellent start."