Chapter Text
Chapter One
February 20th, 2015
New York City, New York
(Y/N)’s Friday started out like any other work day at the New York Public Library; she clocked in at exactly eight o’clock and immediately began shelving, occasionally stopping to help patrons locate books or answer any questions they may have. Her absolute favorite thing to do, however, was to recommend books, especially to children. It made her feel warm inside knowing that the books and plays she loved to read were being passed on to a younger generation. Unfortunately, not many children came in on Fridays, so she was usually stuck shelving returned books by herself in silence the entire day.
Look on the bright side, she thought as she pushed her cart to the classics section, you’re nearly done with this cart! She began shelving but was soon impeded when she realized that the top shelf of the bookcase was shelved incorrectly. With a frown, she reached up to rearrange the books but the shelf was too high; unwilling to admit defeat and ask her taller coworkers for help, she stood on her tip-toes and stretched. Instead of giving her more height, it only made her lose balance and tip over but before she could hit the floor, a pair of strong hands grabbed her elbows and righted her. She looked up at her savior and the first thing she realized was how vivid his emerald-green eyes were. She then noticed that the man was extremely handsome, right down to his sharp jawline, highlighted cheekbones and thin lips that were only inches from her own.
Suddenly feeling too warm, she quickly de-tangled herself from the man and backed up, adjusting her glasses and nervously pushing her bangs out of her eyes as she smiled at him. “Oh, um, thank you. I guess I’m a little too short to reach those shelves!”
“You’re welcome. Would you allow me to assist you?” He asked, then raised a reassuring hand when she began to decline his offer. “It’s no trouble whatsoever; we wouldn’t want you falling over again, would we?” Despite his confident tone, his pale face was flushed almost as much as hers was, and his eyes held a touch of uncertainty as he awaited her answer.
(Y/N) chuckled despite herself. “No, I guess not. You’re too kind, um…?”
“Loki. And you are?”
“I’m (Y/N).” She shook his outstretched hand and he returned his focus to pulling the books off the shelf as she subtly looked him over. He looked to be a couple of years older than her and he was very tall, dressed impeccably in black slacks and a fitted green button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, but he was strangely without a coat. She usually didn’t find long hair attractive on a man, but Loki’s slicked-back, shoulder-length raven locks seemed to suit him. His formal way of speaking reminded her of a British accent, but it almost sounded…older? And something about him seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it; maybe because his name was based on Norse mythology? “So, Loki, what brings you to the library today?”
He sighed as he continued his work, a look of concentration on his face. “My current place of residence is severely lacking in adequate literature, so I thought it well-worth a trip here to find some. You’re employed by this library?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I’m one of the trainee librarians. I’m in charge of shelving the books that patrons return, answer any questions they may have, and recommend books they might find interesting.” They worked in comfortable silence for several minutes; (Y/N) handed Loki books and he placed them carefully on the shelf where she told him to, both working together quite effectively. In no time, they finished their work. “Thank you so much for your help, Loki! Would you like me to recommend a book for you? I’ve been told that I have a pretty good taste in literature.” Smiling hesitantly, her eyes met his when he turned and fully faced her.
“Very well, then. What would you recommend for me?” It made her stomach flip when she noticed the eagerness lurking behind his composed exterior. He must really love literature too, she thought.
(Y/N)’s eyes scanned the shelves for a moment and she pulled out a small leather-bound book. “Well, you can never go wrong with William Shakespeare, and I think that one of his best plays is, hands-down, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Fair warning, some of the themes in the beginning can be considered archaic so you have to keep in mind that it was written during the sixteenth century, but other than that it’s a wonderfully well-written comedy with great characters!” She offered him the book to take, secretly hoping he would take her suggestion.
Loki looked surprised for a moment before accepting the book with a hesitant smile. “Many thanks, Lady (Y/N). How does one go about borrowing books here?”
“Oh, I can help you right over here,” (Y/N) led him to an information desk towards the front of the library. She sat behind it and began filling out the proper paperwork for a new library card. “And, ah, you don’t have to call me ‘Lady’, just (Y/N)’s fine.” She handed him his new card and scanned his book’s barcode before giving it to him.
“Where I’m from, the title is given to women of high intelligence and class, traits that you seem to possess in vast quantities based on your knowledge of literature.” He said, a sincerity in his voice matched with a shy smile that nearly took her breath away.
She felt her cheeks burn and she slowly started to smile back. “Has anyone ever told you that you have a way with words, Loki?”
His grin widened mischievously. “Several people might’ve mentioned it to me in the past. Good day, Lady (Y/N).” With one final look, he walked out the front doors.
(Y/N) sat at her desk and tried to collect her thoughts, but all she could do was sit with a goofy smile on her face. Loki had to be the most charming and witty man she’d ever met at work. Most of the men she’d encountered during the day were only interested in showering her and the other librarians with cheesy pick-up lines and demeaning innuendos but Loki…in the fifteen minutes they’d talked, (Y/N) felt like they were the only two people in the world. Something about him was odd, though. Perhaps it was his formal way of speaking or his unusual name, but she couldn’t be too sure. Snap out of it, (Y/N), the chances of seeing him again are slim to none, she thought a little sadly. Shaking her head to clear her mind, she stood and went to resume her shelving. But when she glanced up at the shelf the two of them completed together, she couldn’t help but smile as she thought of Loki and the large impression he’d made on her in such a short period of time.
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By the following Friday, (Y/N) had given up the little hope she had that Loki would return. She had thought that she would catch one last glimpse of him as he checked his book back in, but many people preferred to drop off their finished books in the chute outside because it was more convenient. He’s definitely a difficult person to forget, she thought as her fingers flew over her keyboard. Since one of her coworkers called in sick, she was given the extra task of planning the next month’s event calendar, which included emailing several organizations to ask for their participation and ensuring there would be enough publicity. She was currently emailing S.H.I.E.L.D. and asking them if some of the Avengers would be available to speak to the children that come in for after-school programs; the children admired the heroes, and (Y/N) thought it would be a nice surprise for them to be able to meet some of them. But since she wasn’t overly fond of using computers, her task was making her day drag on sluggishly. Look on the bright side, your shift ends soon and you can finally go home, she thought, pausing her work to stretch her stiff back.
“It appears that you were correct, Lady (Y/N).”
(Y/N)’s head shot up and she grinned when she saw Loki casually leaning against her desk and holding a familiar book in his hands; this time, he was dressed nicely in a fitted black suit and a pair of sunglasses were perched on his dark hair. “And what exactly was I correct about?”
“This,” He held up the book for her to see. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I found it to be rather enjoyable, despite some of its more barbaric themes. Why on Earth would three men take it upon themselves to decide the entire fate of one woman?”
“Well, back in Shakespeare’s time, women were suppressed in many ways. They were expected to be submissive to men and only existed to become wives and mothers.” She frowned as she spoke. “It still happens to women nowadays; we’re put down for being independent like Hermia and Helena, we’re denied simple rights like equal pay and respect in the workplace, and men still think it’s perfectly normal to treat women like their property.” Her eyebrows furrowed as she recalled all the men who’d approached her while she was working and said such crude things, acting as if she should be grateful for their attention and not repulsed. But when her eyes refocused on the man before her, she chuckled lightly. “I’m sorry if I’m bothering you by going on and on, it’s been a long day and you’re the first person I’ve spoken to since my shift started.”
Loki flashed her a reassuring smile. “You’re not bothering me. On the contrary, I enjoy listening to your insights; it’s refreshing to have an intellectually-stimulating conversation for a change. Believe me, being surrounded by my brother and his friends all day doesn’t yield the kind of discussions I care to partake in.”
(Y/N) cocked her head curiously as she studied the man. “I take it you’re not really close with your brother, then?”
“You could say that,” He looked down and smiled to himself. “But we…work together, he and I, as, er…civilian consultants for the government.” His eyes darted around and he began tapping his fingers on the desk, but she decided not to mention anything about his odd behavior. “Anyhow, I would like to return this book and, if I may, select another.”
She took the book from him and checked it in. “Of course, do you already have something in mind?”
“Actually, I was hoping you could recommend another book for me, since your first suggestion was such a success.”
Smiling, (Y/N) adjusted her glasses and thought for a moment. “Okay, I think I have something that you’ll like.” She got up and led Loki down several aisles of bookshelves before finding the correct one. After searching for a moment, she grinned triumphantly and pulled a thick hardcover off the shelf. “Here you go, The Fellowship of the Ring. It’s the first book in The Lord of the Rings trilogy; there’s lots of magic and exciting battles, but it also has a great hero’s journey arc involving Frodo. The first time I read it, I couldn’t put it down because it was so engrossing!” Thoughts of reading the trilogy with her aunt filled her mind and caused a familiar twinge of sadness, but she was quick to hide her emotions from the man in front of her.
Loki accepted the book with an eager expression. He reminds me of the children that visit after school, she thought with a slight smile as she watched him examine the elaborate cover art. “Many thanks, Lady (Y/N). I shall once again trust your judgement and read The Lord of the Rings.”
“Wonderful, let’s get it checked out for you,” As they walked back to her desk, she noticed that he looked troubled. “Is something bothering you, Loki?”
He only shook his head. “It’s nothing, Lady (Y/N), I was merely thinking of our conversation about A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” There was a moment of silence while she checked out his book. “About what you said earlier…do men treat you in such a way that you described? You don’t have to answer if you don’t wish to, I’m merely curious.”
(Y/N) stopped her work and thought for a moment, wondering why he, practically a stranger to her, would ask such a personal question. The funny thing is, she thought, I feel comfortable enough with him to answer. “Unfortunately…yes. Don’t get me wrong, most of our male patrons here are very kind and respectful, but some come in with the mentality that I only exist to worship the ground they walk on. They assume that just because I’m a woman, I don’t have the intelligence to be successful as anything other than their possession. It’s awful to admit it, but I’ve become used to it over the years.” She offered him a small smile when she looked up from her folded hands. “Don’t worry, Loki, you fall under the category of ‘very kind and respectful patron’.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Loki lightly quipped, but his eyes held an intense emotion. “I would never think to treat a woman that way, and any man who believes you’re not intelligent enough to pursue your own career and live your own life should be thoroughly examined for brain injuries.”
She beamed at his sincere words and felt her heart flip in her chest. “Yep, you’re definitely a respectful one. Enjoy the book!”
Loki’s lips curled into a smile. “Thank you, I look forward to discussing it with you next Friday.” He inclined his head to her, reminding her of a bow, and shot her a flirtatious wink. “Good day, Lady (Y/N).”
“See you then, Loki.” She watched as he slipped his dark sunglasses on and left, a blush creeping into her cheeks when she caught herself staring at his rear as he walked away. Intelligent, handsome and a nice…figure, she thought with an amused smile. She felt that she should be more wary that such a man was so friendly to her, but talking to Loki was becoming effortless for her. He listened to what she had to say, a trait that she valued highly, and he engaged her in intelligent conversation, something that no man had ever bothered to do for her before. Maybe this is the start of a new friendship or maybe even something more, she thought hopefully; still smiling, she looked back down at her keyboard and resumed her tedious work with a lighter heart.