cuttingremark | Salon buddies for @favoriteanalyst

Salon buddies for @favoriteanalyst

It started about a few months ago. Loki needed to relax after making the mistake of spending his winter holidays with his 'family' (which ended in another spectacular fight with Odin that resulted in one broken window and a lost snow globe Loki has thrown through said broken window), but his normal esthetician was booked solid for the next year and couldn't fit him in outside of his own pre-scheduled appointments no matter how much money he offered to throw at her. Wanda was the best in the city, probably the whole country, so it made sense, but there's still the issue of Loki needing something to relieve his tension so he didn't strangle his paralegals. The thought crossed his mind of setting up a tindr profile for a quick fuck, but he isn't in law school anymore and that was just a disaster waiting to happen.

Wanda saves him from making a bad decision by texting him the information for another technician she helped train. She claims he's new, but very talented, which he figures will do in a pinch. The link she sent him takes him to a rather outdated looking webpage for the "TVA Salon and Spa", an older establishment that apparently started in the 50's as a barber shop, but recent made the jump to full salon under new management. Despite the clunky UI, he's able to schedule an appointment for a basic manicure the very next day with the young man Wanda had told him about.

Casey is a nice young man. Not anywhere as skilled as Wanda, but his nails come out looking acceptable with their basic black polish and the hand massage he gets to begin with is utterly divine. He doesn't go into detail about his family problems, but the other gets the gist that the holidays were strained and is more than willing to play the oh-so-important role of listening ear even if his platitudes do ring a little hollow.

When the appointment is over, Casey hands him a card for a free deep conditioning treatment or 30 minute shoulder massage.

"These are really just for family and friends," he explains, "but you really seem like you need something to help you relax." He thinks about declining, but decides it isn't polite and takes the card anyway before handing the young man a $400 tip.

The stern looking woman at the front desk gives him a serious look as Casey nearly passes out in the background. "I'm going to be checking those to make sure they're real."

"But of course, I would expect nothing less." His usual winning smile does nothing to lighten her glare as she rings him out. She asks if he wants to use the card to schedule something today. Why not? It's a charming establishment and he has some free time coming up.

The masseuse the card is good for, Bee, is apparently booked solid for the next month, but the stylist, Mobius, just had a cancellation in the following week that fit perfectly in his schedule.

That appointment was the beginning of the end for Loki.

So in he walks six months later, having ditched his normal high-end stylist for a middle-aged man who looks like he works in a cubicle rather than a up-and-coming salon. It isn't his normally scheduled appointment, but his cases have been crazy and Thor just left for his "journey of self-discovery" aka backpacking across Europe, so all of Odin's attention is now on his youngest.

Joy.

If Loki were the sentimental type, he'd think it a shame that the lobby area of a salon is more comfortable for him than his childhood home.

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Despite the warm feeling it gives Loki hearing Mobius proclaim that Loki would always come first in his eyes, he doesn't really believe it. He may think that now, but when he meets Thor, it will be like everyone else. Loki is...well, not okay with it, but resigned. It's been his whole life, and as long as Mobius wants to remain friends with him after, then it's okay, right?

"No, you aren't the only one who prefers it long." It's uncommon in his profession but something he can't quite shake from his upbringing in Asgard. He'd cut it short once while in law school and felt like shit the whole time until it was long enough to pull back again.

He regards himself in the mirror, smiling at the excellent (if minimal) work. "Superb work, as always."

"If you ever want something else done with it..." They both recognize that Loki came here more as an excuse to have a conversation with Mobius rather than actually get something done. Which is fine. They don't need to point it out. He's got Loki's numbers now, after all. "I'm just imagining a little bit of color to make your eyes pop." Not really. But also just a bit.

"In any case, I'll be in touch." He pats at the breastpocket where he slid the card. "Promise."

"Historically speaking my hair doesn't take color well, but I would be willing to try again under you skilled hands." Last time had been when he was a teenager in his bathroom sink with Amora, so it isn't surprising that it hadn't gone well.

He smiles as he stands up, running his fingers through his hair in a show of admiring the work in the mirror.

"I do appreciate it, even if you do decide not to."

"Well, I'm not about to use your hair to experiment, but if the urge ever strikes you, you know who to call."

See, it's funny, because Loki gave his phone number? Right.

And speaking of numbers. Loki does not have Mobius', but that's easily rectified. It's somewhere right around lunchtime the next day when Loki gets a text. Just a cute little
Hello, this is Mobius :)
From the salon
So you have my number and you don't block it for spam! XD

No decisions yet, though. Because it's still a big thing to think about. Dee's the first one to point out, after several days of this hemming and hawing, that of course it's a fucking date, are you an idiot, he's asking you out. Charlotte frowns at the blunt handling, but agrees in a more sensitive manner that maybe, er, well, it is unusual, and this Loki seems to be quite dramatic.

Which is about when it really clicks for Mobius that 'bringing a date to a family function' and immediately asking him means he would be the date. The literal date. As a date? On a date. To meet the family. Who does that? That's not a date. Is it a date? A first date? That's not first date material.

Which leaves him distracted the entire rest of the day because that's really dramatic.

So it's about a week later that Loki finally gets...a call. Because it feels like something that needs spoken? Instead of trying to text it. It's later in the evening, and Mobius paces in his living room, somehow feeling underdressed even though this is a call and not an in person meeting.

Loki smiles at the initial text and saves Mobius' number under 'Silver 🦊'. He texts back to let the man know he received the message and that his number was saved before going about his day.

At lunch he tells Sylvie about the gala. Her response to his invitation is as expected.

"Unless you want an incident, I don't think that's a good idea."

He shrugs and says he figured, that's why he already invited Mobius. Sylvie groans and tells him that it's a weird fucking first date, but okay.

Wait. Date? No, it's not a date. It's a friend thing! With his very good looking, kind, funny stylist. The eyebrow Sylvie gives him says everything.

Okay, so maybe it's a date. Loki stews on it for the next week, worrying he's over stepped, that Mobius will get the wrong idea or worse: that he'll be so freaked out that he'll not want to see Loki anymore. That idea sends a shock of ice through this gut just as his phone rings.

'Silver 🦊'

Well, here it comes.

"Mobius!" Luckily years of experience 'putting on a smile' means his voice betrays none of the anxiety he's feeling. "How are you?"

Oh god okay Loki picked up. That's good. He didn't want to leave this on voicemail. At the same time oh god now he has to talk.

"Good! I'm good. Nothing's exploding, and work's steady, so, it's good." There's a pause. Because. Should he just launch into it, or...? "You keeping busy?"

He winces at himself. This is way easier with a client in the chair than this.

"Oh yes, wrapping up work on a few cases before the trip." He's careful not to say 'my trip' or 'our trip.'

Sylvie looks up from her work and gives him a knowing eyebrow which he waves away. It's very convenient having her in the same office as him, but there are times like this he wishes he had the privacy a typical lawyer's office would afford.

"What can I do for you?" He waves again, trying to signal her to leave so he can talk in private. She rolls her eyes and picks up a few files before leaving the room, sticking her tongue out at him before closing the door behind her.

"Yeah, good, good, so. About the trip." This is fine. This is all fine! Everything is going to be fine.

"Uh. There might not be a good way to ask this. I've been thinking about it, and I'm flattered. I'm definitely flattered. Just...is this...are you just looking for someone to spend money on?"

"What?" Loki can't keep the surprise from his voice this time. "Spend money...I don't mind spending money on my friend, but that's not..." He tries to think what Mobius might mean. He tips well, but that's because he can and he appreciates the services he's given. He offered to pay for Mobius hotel room and any suit alterations, but that was so the other didn't incur any expenses for what was essentially doing Loki a favor.

Wait. Rich guy spending money on someone, showering them with gifts and trips and...oh.

"OH! No! No, Mobius." Loki is very VERY glad Sylvie left the room because he's sure his face is bright red. "That was not my intention, I apologize if you...I mean if you want that kind of relationship, I know people who--and absolutely no judgement--I--shit."

"...Okay! Okay, if you're sure--if you're sure, then, sure, yes, I believe you!" He gives a laugh, both nervous and relieved. "You just...invited a guy who's done your hair a couple times to go on an all-expense-paid trip to another country to meet your parents at a political gala? As your..."

Hm. Does he say the word? Loki used the word. That he needed a date, that he was looking for a date. But maybe just colloquially?

"Date." Just to put a little emphasis on the word.

"Well, it's been more than a couple of times, it's been at least 6 months now..."

"I..." Loki sighs, resting his head in the hand not holding his phone. "I just thought it would be nice to spend more time with you. I'm sorry. You don't have to come." He's made a right mess of this whole thing, hasn't he?

"I didn't say I wouldn't go! I think...I mean, I think it's very nice, and, I'm flattered, and um...bewildered? But in a good way." Probably? Probably! "You like me enough to want me along as your date? My haircuts aren't that great."

"I didn't invite you because of your hair cuts." Loki sound exasperated, but in an oddly good natured way.

"Events like these are so common and tedious for me, I didn't even think of it as...a big deal?" But of course it would be to Mobius, who wasn't raised in a big mansion with a politician father, who didn't learn from a young age how to glide through a crowd so that all eyes were on him. Had he even been out of the country before?

"Oh." Somehow it not being a big deal is kind of...disappointing? Is this not a big deal, then? It's not a big deal. "It is. To me. But I'll try not to act that way. Tourist keeping his head down. Won't cause you any trouble. If that's what you expect? Maybe I'm not sure what to expect, entirely."

"Wait," Loki's head shoots up, "does that mean you'll come?"

"I've got some vacation time I can burn. It'll be a nice trip with someone who's pretty interesting. I might as well, you know?" See? Calm and chill and just a vacation and not a date.

Interesting? Mobius thinks he's interesting?

He can't quite keep the excitement out of his voice. "Amazing! I'll get the rooms and tickets booked--and please, cause as much trouble as you wish. Low profile is not needed." If anyone tries to cause problems for him because he looks like a tourist, Loki will personally end them.

"Oh! If you want to take in more than the gala, we can spend another day or two. I can show you around the city."

"Well..." Loki's so excited. He...wow. He really wanted Mobius to come, huh? "I mean, I'd like to see as much of your home as you're willing to show me. It's been a while since I've... Actually, uh, let me just ask, is--so I'm your date to this thing, we've established. But am I your date? Or just your plus one?"

"Ah, well..." Don't mess this up again, Odinson! "Which would you prefer?"

He went in to this thinking of it as just two friends going to a party together, but the more he thought about it, the more he realizes he wants more than just that. But he can't do that to Mobius, not after springing the invitation on him in the first place.

If there's a significant, anxiety-inducing silence on the other end, it's just because Mobius is holding his breath in his own anxiety over the question. Which would he prefer? That feels like an extremely loaded question.

Eventually, an audible exhale. "I think...that maybe let's just see where this goes." Maybe that's a copout answer. Date is not off the table. It makes his chest start doing a samba. But on the other hand: "Most people start with coffee or dinner or something a hell of a lot smaller, you know."

Unless. Unless. "Would you like to go get coffee?"

"Yes." Loki answers just maybe a bit too quickly. No matter. He clears his throat and, in a much calmer voice, tries his response again. "Yes. That would be lovely. When are you free?"

"How about I work around your schedule, lawyer. Gala's a vacation unless we decide otherwise, and this is..."

Chest, samba. Been a while since he's been on a date. "You really are sure about me, huh? Any recommendations for places to go? I'll even treat us."

More sure than he has been about anything in a long time, but he can't say that so he just ignores that question.

"There's a lovely place called Hawk's Nest coffee, I'll send you the address. I don't have any lunch plans tomorrow if you're free around noon?"

"Okay." Mentally runs through his calendar... "Okay! Yeah, that sounds great. Lunch tomorrow. Noon. Coffee. Hawk's Nest. I've heard of it. You'll even get to see me out of my smock and in normal clothes for once."

"Sounds great." Their conversation draws to an abrupt close after that as Sylvie enters their office to tell him their client is there for a meeting. Loki promises again to meet Mobius at the appointed time and place before hanging up and quickly texting him the address before going about his business.

The rest of the day passes quickly, as the following morning. Before Loki knows it, he's in front of the cafe, hair slicked back and heart pounding. He grabs a table in the back corner and waits, pretending to tap idly on his phone all the while.

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