One Coffee to Take Back
They always pretended to be strangers when they met. In every reality, every universe, every timeline because it was easier that way. They could pretend that things were fine, that they weren't falling apart, that they didn't know each other at all. They were just strangers crossing paths.
In the current reality Sylvie was working as a barista. Living paycheck to paycheck, smiling at every person who came in because she had to. And then she saw him.
"Hello, welcome to our coffee shop! What can I get you today, sir?" Sylvie tucked on the collar of her uniform, smiling her first real smile of the day as she saw Loki walk in. Again, he pretended he didn't know her at all, he gave her the same charming smile he gave to every person he met, a smile she knew all to well by now.
"Hm, I'm seeing many interesting options on your menu." He wasn't looking at the menu at all, "How about you give me whatever your favorite is? I have a feeling we might be of similar tastes."
Sylvie's grip on the cup she was holding tightened significantly but her smile stayed. "Oh? Usually when people come here they already have a favorite drink in mind."
"I'm not usual people." He leaned against the counter, his smile challenging her to make a scene. She wouldn't and that was part of the fun of their little game. "So can I have the order?"
"Right away, sir." Loki didn't take his eyes off her while she worked. Everything she did was captivating to him, from the way her hands worked the coffee machine, to her perfectly done ponytail, to the little dash of magic she sprinkled in his coffee when she thought he couldn't see it. "What name should I put on the cup?" Her marker moved before she heard his answer.
"Loki." She was the only person he gave his real name to when he traveled through different timelines.
"Here you go." His name was scribbled on the very crudely, harshly, like she was about to stab the cup while she wrote it down. There was actually a small dent at the side but he chose not to comment on it. She slipped a small piece of paper around the cup too.
"Thank you. I'm sure I'll enjoy it." He didn't look at the paper yet, nor did he drink the coffee. "If I do I'll be sure to come back here. For the company." Of course, her company. As always.
Sylvie licked her lips when he mentioned company because with them it could go either way. "I'll look forward to it. I'm Sylvie, by the way."
"Sylvie. A beautiful name. Once again, thank you for the coffee." He winked at her and walked out without paying. Why pay when he's not gonna drink the coffee? If he did he would pass out and she would run again. This way he would read the paper that had her number on it. Let another game of cat and mouse begin. The roles: undecided.