(no subject)

[semi_stable]

When Loki suggests that they grab dinner, Bucky doesn't think much of it, really. It wouldn't be the first meal they've gotten together, not even the first at this particular restaurant. Honestly, once he thought about getting another one of those steaks, he stopped asking questions.

After spending the afternoon lounging around with Bopp and reading a book, he takes her for an evening walk and then showers. Since he has time, he trims the scruff on his face and cleans up the edges, and then pulls out the one black suit that he has in his closet. He bought it early on, first to blend in while he was spying on people, and then to do the same at the few parties he's been to.

It's too hot for a button down so he just puts on a dark blue v-neck tee underneath and finishes it off with his one black belt, and his one pair of dress shoes. As he pulls his watch off of the dresser, his eyes linger on the black leather gloves sitting in the top drawer. Normally, he'd wear then to cover his hand if he was dressing up and he pauses for a moment, looking down at his prosthetic and flexing his black and gold fingers. He swallows hard and then shuts the drawer, turning to look at himself in the mirror and smoothing his hair back with his hand.

"Ah, ah. Don't touch me. You'll get fur everywhere," he says as he hops out of Bopp's reach, turning to rub her behind the ears. "I'll be back."

It isn't too far to the steakhouse and the heat of the day is starting to burn away, so Bucky walks. He even whistles to himself a little on the way until someone looks at him and he realizes what he's doing. It makes him chuckle and he shakes his head, pulling his phone out of his pocket to compose a text.

I'm outside.

Comments

[thewrongpath]

"Perhaps I'm looking for an excuse to spend more of the day with you," Loki countered, brow arched, a smile playing at his lips as Bucky settled astride his thigh.

"At the very least, let's get you inside, away from the food trucks for a bit."

[semi_stable]

“Ah, very smooth,” Bucky replies, but he can’t seem to help the soft smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. He reaches up to touch one of the shiny black curls spilling over Loki’s temple and winds it around one black metal finger, holding it there for a moment before letting it spring free.

“I like the food trucks,” he says, but his protests are weak. He’s not a fan of nightclubs, but he is a fan of spending time with Loki. If he gets uncomfortable and genuinely wants to leave, he can’t imagine Loki denying him. Just like he can’t imagine himself denying Loki now.

“The ironically named Prohibition?” Bucky chuckles and then nods helplessly, thumbing at Loki’s jaw as he leans in to press a kiss to his forehead. “Okay, it’s a date.”

[thewrongpath]

"I'm sure we'll need to step out for a bite to eat," Loki assured him, tipping his head back to look up at Bucky and shamelessly leaning into his touch.

"Perfect," he murmured, taking Bucky's face into his hands and tipping him into a kiss, their lips meeting softly. "You'll let me pick you up this time?"

[semi_stable]

“Dancing does work up quite the appetite,” Bucky says in a deliberately innocent tone, as if that’s the only activity they’d be getting up to that could possibly burn energy.

Loki’s big hands cup Bucky’s face and he can’t help the pleased shiver he gives at the touch, eyes closing as their mouths meet. He deepens the kiss just a little, sweeping his tongue into Loki’s mouth and tasting coffee and egg.

“I’ll let you pick me up this time,” Bucky assures him as their mouths part, smiling as he rests their foreheads together. “Like a proper gentleman.”

[thewrongpath]

"Thank you," Loki said in a playful sing-song, smiling against the corner of Bucky's mouth. "Nine o'clock, then?"

He ran a hand up the length of Bucky's back, giving his neck a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sure we'll see each other before then," he murmured, "We do tend to cross paths surprisingly often."

[semi_stable]

"A little late for an old man, but I'll give it a shot," Bucky jokes dryly, nudging their noses together in am almost embarrassingly sentimental way, sliding his hand up Loki's arm.

"You know where to find me," he says in quiet voice, biting his lip before pulling back to look at Loki, slowly sliding backwards off of his lap and getting to his feet. "You taking off?"

[thewrongpath]

"Who's the old man?" Loki murmured, tipping his chin up to steal another kiss. When Bucky pulled away from him, Loki frowned slightly, catching the other man's hand before he could move too far away.

"I should. I still have a bit to get through with the realtor," he admitted, rising to his feet. It was foolish, but he found it surprisingly difficult to part from him.

[semi_stable]

Loki grabs at his hand and Bucky swallows hard, feeling strangely sad about the prospect of Loki leaving. He should want some time alone, but he finds that he doesn't want to be, not at all. Maybe he still feels vulnerable and exposed from what they'd done last night, he doesn't know.

He does know that he doesn't feel like he should ask Loki to stay. Maybe it even would be good to be alone and think about things, get his head on straight. Get back to normal. Maybe that's it. The past twenty-four hours have felt a little unreal, almost too good to be true, and he doesn't want to break the spell. But he has to. After all, it can't be like this all the time.

"Okay." Bucky nods and heads towards the closet to get Loki's jacket, even though he easily could have just magicked it out of there himself. Bopp looks between the two of them and then comes to lean heavily against Bucky's legs, panting as she stares up at him with perked ears.

"I had a really good time," Bucky says as he holds out the jacket, smirking almost bashfully. "Thank you."

[thewrongpath]

Deciding to steal the sweat pants, Loki magicked his wrinkled dress shirt back on, doing up only half the buttons. Smiling warmly, Loki stepped up to him and slid his arms in the jacket, letting Bucky settle it across his shoulders.

"As did I," Loki said, turning to face him, and on a whim, slipping his arms around Bucky's shoulders and pulling him into an embrace.

[semi_stable]

"You know I don't have an unlimited wardrobe like you do," Bucky teases, but the outfit seems to break a little of the tension and he even laughs as he looks Loki up and down, because somehow he even makes this look good. "Everyone's gonna know you got laid."

The hug surprises him a little, though he isn't sure why. They've done much more than hug, repeatedly, but this is nice. It's innocent in its affection, and Bucky wraps his arms around Loki's waist and holds onto him for a long moment, turning to press his face into the warm curve of Loki's neck.

He's going to miss Loki, and that's stupid. They'll see each other again soon.

[thewrongpath]

"Perhaps that's the point," Loki smirked, eyes dancing with mischief as he nudged a kiss against Bucky's temple.

"Enjoy your day without me," he teased, "I'm sure Bopp will appreciate having you to herself."

Giving him one last kiss to the curve of his jaw, Loki stepped back, retrieving his keys, wallet, and phone from his discarded trousers with a surge of magic.

[semi_stable]

"Don't rub it in," Bucky replies, finally acknowledging just how unhappy he is that Loki is leaving. He goes so far as to give him an exaggerated pout, holding onto him as he steps back.

He walks Loki to the door and reaches up to scrub his hand through his hair, nose wrinkling at his own awkwardness before he gives into the urge to lean in and press a kiss to Loki's mouth.