Archive of Our Own

“Two quarter pounders with fries. Quarter pounder with fries .” Sylvie called out to the busy counter filled with customers. She remembered her first day asking her manager why she needed to enunciate each individual word.

“ People are dumb, ” Nancy told her rather bitterly on training day. She liked Nancy. She was as blunt as herself and didn’t care to beat around the bush, unlike their stuck-up district manager.

“ Our guests here want to feel like you care that each order is personally delivered. ” He corrected his colleague with a condescending look on his face. He always looked like someone put flies in his food. 

Nancy peered from behind his shoulder and winked in Sylvie’s direction while mouthing, “ Dumb” .

While most of her coworkers were pretty apathetic about their job, she looked forward to it. Sylvie used to spend her time on the run imagining what she would do if she were free. The people that she would cross would always ask her “What do you do?” A simple enough question that meant nothing more than a way to fill in the silence. She used to say anything that came to mind until she got good at it and made up a whole fake backstory. 

“My name is Sylvie. I’m a fry cook at the McDonald’s down the street. I’ve been working there for about six months since I moved from my hometown in Oklahoma. I have an older sister and parents that I’ll never see again and wish I could talk to them one last time. Even though everything that happened, I don’t regret a single thing. I made so many friends working there and just got promoted. I was confident I would be manager within the year and maybe one day district manager.” 

 Why fry cook? She could have been a corporate executive or heiress to a wealthy tech company. Who would have really cared? Everyone bullshits when they know they’re going to die, but it wasn’t the kind of life she dreamed of. Working at a fast-food restaurant just felt like a simple and humble job to have. 

The job never made her feel like she had a whole weight on her shoulders. At McDonald’s, she was part of (their words) a team . She didn’t need to wonder how or when . She knew her schedule for the week every Friday afternoon and where she was stationed. That’s it. Same time. Same place. Same job with nobody on her heels ready to interfere with her plans and with a crew of people at her side, she didn’t have to fear losing a single thing. 

“You go, I go.”

But that was different. That was something that belonged to a part of her that died long ago. This, however, was a low-stake circumstance. Something easy and pleasant to handle. Who doesn’t like low stakes?  

“Excuse me,” a balding man marched through the crowd with a pinched look on his lips, “My burger has lettuce!” He tossed the sandwich carelessly on the counter her way like he was dealing a deck of cards. “Fix it!”

Sylvie sighed and took back the sandwich to give to the fry cook. 

Okay, so it’s not the all-American dream. The kitchen was greasy all the time, she couldn’t ever keep herself clean no matter how much soap she used, and the hours were demanding. Especially when others weren’t pulling their weight, which was most of the time, but none of that bothered her too much. Not when she looked at the bigger picture. 

In her mind, this job was a goal. One step closer to finding her true ending. The place she could find comfort and call home. When she looked at it that way, it was easy to ignore all the obnoxious customers and overwhelming smells. 

“Got another one, Steve.” Sylvie handed the burger to her co-worker flipping the patties. “This one has lettuce.” 

Steve rolled his eyes. “That fucker couldn’t just pick it off the sandwich?” 

“Apparently not. ‘ Fix it!’ ” She air quoted in a mocking voice. 

“Jesus,” Steve tossed the burger in the bin and handed her a fresh one. “One of these days I’m gonna spit in it!” 

“You wouldn’t dare,” Sylvie snorted. “Your wife would kill you if you got sacked.“ 

“Would be a nice thought. Maybe play hockey with some frozen patties.” 

“Be sure to invite me!” Sylvie added over her shoulder. 

Compared to her old life, this was a sweet deal. Old Sylvie would have been holed up in some dusty backroom in the middle of a catastrophic storm pretending she had casual acquaintances like this to make friendly banter with.

“Sylvie!” Nancy intercepted Sylvie’s path to the counter and hastily took the burger from her hand. “I’ll do that. I need you on register one. Dave bailed again! ” 

“You sure you want me to talk to the customers?” She smirked. 

Nancy’s worn-out eyes looked even more pleading. “I’m desperate. Go! And be nice!” 

“I will if they will.” She swiveled on her heel and made her way to the registers. She heard Nancy mutter “ I can’t keep defending you, ” and laughed. It’s the little things like this that gave her a purpose. 

“Hello, what can I get you?” 

“Sylvie.” The deep and familiar voice said back to her. It was a voice she once found comfort in. Now, it sent a hollow pit of guilt into her gut. 

It was stupid for her to yelp the way she did. If she didn’t have her guard down, she would have easily sensed his presence in the parking lot. Now, it felt like a ghost looking her in the face. 

She expected to see disappointment in his eyes, what she saw was worse.  

“What are you doing?”

Sadness. Why were they sad? They should be cold and glassy like they do when he’s been wronged. Instead, he looked like he was watching a puppy behind a cage. 

She didn’t know how to answer him, so she did what the training course drilled into her brain for eight hours on end. 

“What can I get you?” Sylvie repeated. 

His mouth gaped. She could tell he wasn’t prepared for that. What did he expect? A brawl? A tear-filled reunion? She wanted so badly to ask him how he found her, but she knew it was better to shake him off. Make him think he’s got the wrong one and not this worn-down version of herself. 

“Sylvie.”

“Yes, that’s my name.” She casually tapped on her nametag pinned to her shirt. “ May I take your order? ” She enunciated slowly. Our guests want to feel like you care… The voice echoed in her head. 

“Sylvie… I-it’s me, Loki.” She could no longer look at his eyes. They were practically scanning her up and down. She settled for the spot between his forehead and kept a neutral smile. Good, make them feel welcome. Don’t forget to ask about their day…”

“I’m sorry sir, I don’t…” She took in a quick breath. “Understand. Can I help you with something? We have drinks and burgers and-” 

“You’re lying.” 

Sylvie paused. Stupid. She could never lie. Not like this . Not without her enchantment and that would be a bigger giveaway than this pathetic attempt. But she couldn’t stop. Something took over her and scrambled for a way out. She couldn’t let him believe that this was her.   

“I don’t know what you mean.” Keep smiling until they walk away.

“Sylvie, stop this nonsense.”

Her smile dropped. “No, YOU stop this!” 

Loki blinked. 

“I am fine. Can’t you see? Everything’s fine. I got out, I found somewhere to go and I’m finished. It’s over. Now that you see I’m alright, you can leave me in peace. Whatever’s going on. Whatever you’re worried about is not my problem. I got what I wanted. And I hope you get yours, too. Now either place an order or leave. You’re holding up the line and making a scene.” 

Loki stood frozen in place. His body shifted back slightly and his eyebrows furrowed. Good, turn back! 

“Hot apple pie.” 

“What?” Her mouth opened wide. 

His head tilted up to look closer at the menu. “I want a hot apple pie and… a black coffee.” 

“Are you serious?” 

“That’s all.” 

Sylvie punched in the total with her eyes still glued on Loki’s face. 

“That’ll be fifty cents.” 

He slid her the correct amount of money on the counter and she popped it in the register. She was surprised it wasn’t an illusion of some sort. It all pinged in the register correctly. “Wait to the side for your order.” She nodded to the space next to her. 

She kept her eyes on Loki as he casually stepped aside to wait for his order. She thought he would turn his head and start talking her ears off. Maybe try to get her onboard with whatever scheme he’s been up to, but he didn’t. He was quiet and let her finish the rest of the customers in line. When his order was ready, he took his food and walked to a booth by the window. Occasionally he would peer over to check on her and return to his view of the parking lot, but other than that, he was quiet. When he was finished, he courteously threw away his trash, thanked her, and walked out the door without another word. 

She doubted that was the last she would see of him.

She was right. Loki was indeed quick to return. The next day, precisely at around the same time. He walked up to the counter with a smile and friendly wave that Sylvie did not return except for a cold scowl. Loki, seemingly unbothered, placed his order. The same as yesterday. Apple pie and black coffee. 

“Are you happy?” 

“Yes,” Sylvie answered while putting the money in the register. “Order will be over there.”

“Thank you.” He nodded and stepped aside. 

He returned to the same booth and ate. He looked so peaceful. Unconcerned with her presence like it was a casual afternoon on his lunch break. She was certain he would be too good for this sort of food and expected him to nibble on the edges or let it go cold. As he wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb and reached for a sip of his coffee, his back straightened and his eyes darted. Sylvie quickly looked away and pretended to be working on the register. It probably wasn’t that convincing because she was certain she heard a low laugh.  

“Are you just using a Temppad to see me here every day at the exact same time?” Sylvie said the next day as he stepped forward to wave and greet her. 

“What if I am?”

“Well, that would be pretty pointless. And a drain on the battery.” 

“Wouldn’t be the first time I pointlessly drained the battery.” He shrugged. 

“You know, you’re wasting your time.” 

Loki paused in thought and laughed to himself. 

“We’ll see about that.”

It took about a month before her coworkers caught on. Sometimes, they would purposefully make her take the register just to see the mysterious man walk in to wave to her while she glared with that bitter look on her face. A few of them attempted to talk to him, but he didn’t seem particularly interested in their conversations and would deflect any personal questions with a casual “I’m just visiting a friend.” 

Your boyfriend coming in today? Nancy asked Sylvie one morning while she was carrying the morning shipment. 

Sylvie sharply turned around, nearly dropping the boxes. It felt like someone dumped ice down her shirt. 

“Who?” For a moment she had no idea whom Nancy was referring to. 

“That regular. Tall and dark-haired. Same accent as yours. You know? Hot apple pie and coffee guy. He comes in every day at the same time.”

“You know, just because a man is familiar with me doesn’t make him my boyfriend.”

“I know, but I can tell he means something to you,” She observed. “ You could have asked me to boot him a long time ago and I would have no questions asked, but you never said he made you scared or uncomfortable. If anything, you seem relaxed when he walks in. Like you know each other.” 

“No.” Sylvie shook her head. “I don’t- I mean, he’s nobody important.” 

“Hmm, sure. Why does he come by, then? Just here to flirt?” 

Sylvie rolled her eyes. “No.” 

“Then what does he want?” 

She glanced at the empty booth where he normally would sit. “I don’t know.”

“What do you want?” She finally asked around day fifty. 

“Good afternoon to you, too.” Loki waved with a curious furrow of his eyebrows. “I’ll have a hot apple pie and black coffee.” 

“No,” Sylvie grumbled. “What do you want?” When Loki didn’t answer she elaborated. “You know, why are you here? Are you hoping to find something or… What?” 

Loki studied Sylvie for a moment. “You know the TVA has this pie-

“That’s not my question.” She interrupted. 

“I have a point,” he clarified. “Anyway, it’s a green cold pie. Mobius says it’s the best dessert there, but I disagree. Call it the spoiled palate of a prince or the TVA hasn’t ever known joy. It’s gummy, bland, and soulless, like everything in the TVA. But these treats have something different in them.” 

“Corn syrup?” She deadpanned. 

“Life. Like a real person made it for a singular, pointless purpose. Not a cog in a wheel of a bigger machine. Not-” Loki took in a deep breath and gestured “meant to serve a higher purpose.”

“And you think this reheated frozen dessert is… what exactly?” 

“It lets me appreciate the things that make living worth it.” 

“But that’s not why you come here.” She observed.  

He shrugged. “Does it matter if that’s the singular reason? Only that the pie is involved.” 

She puffed out a breath of air. Always the one with cheesy riddles and metaphors. Sylvie punched in his usual order. “Fifty cents.” 

Loki gave her the money and nodded. “Have a nice day.” 

She wanted to tell him, “ That was supposed to be my line” but turned away from the register to get him his order.

“Apple pie and coffee,” Sylvie called out on day sixty when Loki walked through the door. 

He stopped in his tracks and frowned at his order already waiting for him at the counter. 

“But I haven’t paid.” 

Sylvie rung up his order. “Fifty cents.” She held out her hand. 

Loki cautiously handed her the money. He looked like he wanted to say something. 

“Did you want anything else?” She tilted her head. 

Loki shook his head. He looked like a gaping fish. Sylvie did her best to hide her laugh, but she caught a smug look spreading on his face in the corner of her eye. Loki accepted his order and held his coffee cup in the air. 

“Until tomorrow.”

The dull monotonous voice on the TV whispered in the background while she curled up in a ball on the couch. It didn’t matter what was on. Daytime TV was never something you needed to pay attention to. Just to keep yourself from having to hear the noise in your head. 

It was a bad day today. Going to work was the one thing that kept Sylvie occupied and would quiet down the negative thoughts in her head, but sometimes the guilt and sadness would take over and make it difficult for her to even leave her house. 

Nancy always would tell her she deserved some vacation time, and no time was better than today to take a sick day. She watched the people on the screen move around and mutter to one another with dramatic music playing and prayed she’d fall asleep. She needed something to take her someplace that felt warm and comforting.

One of the characters stopped talking and pulled the other in a hug. It was brief and a weak hug but something about it made her want to sink deeper into the couch. It made her think about the last time she felt that sort of comfort and how she’ll never get that again. Moreover, who’s to say if it was even anything real? They were both scared and desperate for hope. It’s only natural to find comfort in the closest person you could trust. Wouldn’t be the first time she resorted to a warm body to keep her company. 

No, she can’t lie to herself about that. She knew it was different than the others. It was something pure, innocent, and selfless. Something she hadn’t felt since she was a child. She felt a tear escape her eye and dampen the couch. 

The voice in her head shushed her and reminded her this was what she wanted. What use was she to bring another person into her life of bleak inevitable uncertainty? Even without the TVA on her heels, Sylvie’s whole life was destined for solitude. 

A soft rap on her front door caught her attention. Sylvie carefully peeked over the couch to find the source of the sound. It was hard to know for sure, but she couldn’t see anyone at her door. There was no shadow or sound of a person moving. She waited for a minute for a second knock or even a call of someone’s voice, but it was silent. 

When she went to return to her place on the couch, she had the sudden urge to do something. Like there was something she had forgotten. She looked up at the clock on her wall to see what time it was. It was the same time Loki should be at the restaurant for his coffee. She sat herself up and looked at the still doorway a second time. Again, no shadow underneath the doorway and no sign that a person was waiting. Still, something in her head urged her to check. 

She took her time getting up. All the blood rushed down and reminded her how long she was stationed on the couch that day. One foot in front of the other, her arm reached out for the doorknob and carefully pulled it open. 

Just as she thought, the porch was empty except for an orange thermos with the TVA’s logo on it and a note on top. Sylvie plucked the paper and examined it. 

Sylvie,   

Your colleague, the less friendly one, Nancy, told me you were feeling unwell. She didn’t elaborate, but I remembered this Asgardian remedy my mother would often brew for me on days I could not leave my room. Hope it can help in whatever way you need.

~Loki 

 

Sylvie picked up the thermos. It was warm and smelled of honey and oranges. She took a careful sip and hummed. It felt like a soothing coughdrop down her throat. If she were genuinely ill, this would have perked her up in no time. Now, it brightens her, but in a different way. 

It was the same feeling she would get when she landed on a new apocalypse. The small feeling of delusion that would happen as she imagined starting a life there. 

“This could be my place,” she would tell herself. She would picture where she would place her bed (if she had one). What kind of photos she would hang on the wall and what kind of music she would keep. Maybe she could invite her new friends over and host parties on the weekends? It was always fleeting and crashed with an ugly disappointment that she couldn’t shake off without something to distract her. 

Unlike the other times, this thought lingered. She stood there on her porch and waited for something to remind her why it wouldn’t be possible. A  blast of a meteor, a rumble of the ground, or a violent crowd rushing past her, but all she heard was the birds chirping and the television still on. 

She caught movement in the corner of her eye and looked up to see Loki standing across the street and watching her. He smiled and waved.

Without thought, Sylvie smiled and waved back.