Edited

Hesitantly, he knocked on the door and pressed the doorbell with slightly shaky hands. Ivy opened the door, looking livid and disarrayed. He had seen pictures of her, of course, he had. But for some reason, he had expected an intimidating, plain-looking, crazy science lady, whom he would find unpleasant and strange.  Ivy Valerian was none of those things. She was the very opposite of plain, with glowing skin, perfect teeth, distinctive features, and a mane of beautiful coils. A subtle, deeper inhale let him know she smelled amazing, faintly herbal, but warm and spicy. Her furrowed brows and downturned lips didn’t detract from her looks at all. He stared.  

In the background, Julian could be heard– “Ivy, I know you said no to outsiders, but Loki is cool–I promise!”  She didn’t seem to care. And Loki suddenly found his “cool”, collected, unshakable professional demeanor flee him. Even his cynicism vanished for a second. He couldn’t help but notice painfully insignificant things about Ivy Valerian. In disbelief that his mind even went there, his first words came out stuttered. “H-hi, I’m D-detective Loki Da—“ She raised a brow, her fiery eyes shooting him as she bit– “You sure about that?” Without waiting for a response, she mocked, “No?” Smacking her distracting lips together, she stepped back, and the door slammed in his face. His tense shoulders dropped, but his face burned as he let out a shaky breath. He snuck a glance at his mother and was mortified to see her laughing silently. He huffed, trying to seem unbothered, but Nicola couldn’t muffle her chuckle. The door swung open once more, this time with a tanned youth with long brown hair in the doorway looking apologetic. Julian.