By the time Dove finally trudged back into his apartment, he felt like someone had wrung him out like a wet rag.
He kicked the door shut behind him and sagged against it with a tired sigh."God," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his eyes, "what a horrible day…"
From the couch, Thor glanced up from his soap opera marathon."You return," the Thunderer boomed, looking way too chipper."How was your mortal labor?"
"Awful," Dove groaned, dragging himself into the room like a zombie."My boss nearly burned holes into my soul. And my pay is getting cut. Again."
That piqued Loki's interest — he was lounging sideways across the other end of the couch like a lazy cat."Your boss?" he echoed, one brow lifting. "Is that the one who owns this little hovel of yours?"
Dove shot him a tired look."Not my landlord. My boss at the store," he explained. "And yeah. She's a woman. A very scary woman who could probably destroy me if she felt like it."
That made Thor burst into a loud, rumbling laugh."You let a woman boss you around?"
Loki joined in, chuckling darkly."Oh, how the mighty mortals have fallen."
Dove just scowled and kicked off his shoes."Times have changed," he shot back irritably. "Here, whoever holds the money is the one on top — doesn't matter if they're a god, a woman, or a squirrel."
Loki paused at that, tapping his chin."Money, you say?"
Before Dove could even process the question, Loki flicked his wrist — green sparks danced through the air — and a small pouch of shimmering gold coins materialized in his palm.
Without a second thought, Loki tossed it across the room like it weighed nothing.It thudded into Dove's hands with a clink that told him it wasn't empty.
"Here," Loki said casually, shrugging."Asgardian currency. Pure gold — probably worth more than whatever meager sum your mortal employer pays you in a year."
Dove stared down into the pouch, eyes wide and mouth working soundlessly.
And for the first time that day — hell, that week —he was speechless.
Dove kept turning the pouch of gold coins over in his hands like it was some alien artifact.The weight was real.The shine was real.And most importantly — it was probably worth a hell of a lot more than whatever his crummy landlord was charging him.
Still, best to play it cool.
He cleared his throat, pushing his surprise back down."Alright," Dove said slowly. "Let's call this… rent."
Thor and Loki exchanged a quick glance.Rent?That was a new word.
"To stay," Dove clarified, stuffing the pouch into his pocket before they could change their minds."You want a roof over your heads, gotta pay up. So this'll cover it. For now."
Loki tilted his head like he was humorously dissecting a strange insect."To stay?"
"You mean I'm allowed to stay too?" Loki drawled, green eyes bright with mischief.
Dove paused, narrowing his eyes at him."You weren't already?"
Loki just smirked, lounging back even deeper into the couch."Oh, I wasn't sure. See, I might have to report back to Father," he added slyly,"let him know that his so responsible son is currently lounging in some mortal's home after losing his hammer and dignity…"
That did it.
Thor shot to his feet like someone had stabbed him with a lightning bolt."You wouldn't dare," he growled.
Loki's grin just widened."Wouldn't I?"
And Dove?He was already rubbing his temples like he could will himself to disappear.
"Great," Dove muttered."Just great. You're both staying. Awesome."
He glanced at the clock — nearly 5 PM.He still had a supermarket run to make before the day was completely gone.
"Okay," Dove sighed, grabbing his keys."I'm heading to the store. Do you two need anything before I go?"
That perked Thor up immediately."Beer," he declared without hesitation. "And wine. Lots of it."
Loki twirled his fingers thoughtfully."Oh, I'm sure I can come up with a list."And sure enough, he did — long and very specific.
Exotic teas, strange fruits, spiced chocolates, something called "elderberry cordial," fine cheese, and more.By the end of it, Dove was scribbling madly in his notes.
He stared at the list like someone had just handed him the shopping list for a royal banquet."Anything else?" Dove asked weakly.
Thor thought for a moment, then grunted,"Nope. Beer and wine will do for me."
And Loki just reclined further into the couch with a satisfied smile."That'll do," he purred.
"Great," Dove deadpanned, grabbing his jacket."Beer for the thunder guy. Shopping spree for the drama queen. Got it."
And with that, he headed out the door — already bracing himself for the stares he'd get at the store with a list like this.
As the door clicked shut behind him, one thing was for sure:Life was never going back to normal.