(no subject)

[semi_stable]

At some point, Bucky realizes that the reason that he's nowhere near as good at planning dates as he used to be is that there are too many options now. The world has changed, but he wants to have a night like the kind he used to, and he wants it with someone he loves now.

He can't have another night of fun and flirting at Coney Island, but maybe he can make something close to it, and it'll be like sharing a part of himself with Loki. That's what he hopes, anyway. Maybe a centuries old god won't care much for cotton candy and boardwalk games, but Loki said that he wanted to do something that Bucky wanted to do, and this is it.

Bucky even wears clothes that are a nod to his former self-- a short-sleeved button down tucked into belted slacks with a blue sport coat over the top, with his hair combed back and his beard trimmed. When he pulls up to the townhouse, the sun is just starting to set, painting the sky with orange and purple, and Bucky looks up to admire it for a moment before ringing the doorbell.

He feels a warm little flutter in his belly, and whether it's excitement over his plans or just over seeing Loki again, he can't be sure.

Comments

[thewrongpath]

"Next time, then," Loki said, a playful promise. His hand went to Bucky's back, resting between his shoulder blades.

"So, what do you have planned for us, Mr. Barnes?"

[semi_stable]

"Already lookin' forward to it, doll," Bucky teases in a thick Brooklyn accent, winking at Loki before leaning in to press a quick kiss to his mouth, because he just can't seem to help it.

"I figured we'd go on a date like the kind where I was at the top of game," he says as he pulls back, holding onto Loki's hand as he steps down onto the street. "Or as close to it as we could get here."

[thewrongpath]

"Hm," Loki hummed thoughtfully, doing little to hide his smile at that little slip of Bucky's accent.

"And what if I think this is you at the top of your game?" He asked with a smirk. "Right now. You charmed me, didn't you?"

[semi_stable]

"Did I charm you? I thought you just wanted me for my body," Bucky teases, playfully yanking Loki in by the hand to press a firm kiss to his cheek. He knows that Loki likes his body, but if all he wanted was a man with a muscular frame, he could find one anywhere, and with far less complications than Bucky comes with. No, for some reason, Loki likes him for him.

"No, I'd say buckle up and prepare to be treated like royalty, princess," he says with a wink, opening the passenger side door of the truck so that Loki can get in. "Emotionally, of course. I wasn't exactly rolling in the dough back in my heyday."

[thewrongpath]

"Hm, well. I don't plan to spend a dime, tonight, so," Loki said, eyes bright. "I'm prepared to be emotionally wowed, on your limited, ChoreWeasel salary."

Lifting Bucky's hand to his lips and pressing a warm kiss to his knuckles, he said, "I was charmed, first. Then I wanted you for your body."

[semi_stable]

"You were the one dumb enough to fall for a pauper," he teases, but he can't help smiling at the way Loki kisses his hand. Bucky knows that Loki doesn't care at all how much money he has or doesn't have.

"Were you really?" He's a little surprised by the information, but he supposes that he shouldn't be. He also found himself charmed by Loki, even though he tried so hard not to be.

He squeezes Loki's hand and then lets go, carefully shutting the door and then walking around to join him in the cab, buckling up before opening the glove box. He retrieves a small bundle of wildflowers tied together with a piece of twine, and holds it out to Loki with a playful smirk. "Flowers for the lady, of course."

[thewrongpath]

"I was," Loki admitted, sounding a bit surprised of it, himself. "Or perhaps it was Bopp who won my heart, first."

Sliding into the passenger seat, Loki huffed out a laugh when a bundle of spindly flowers was thrust towards him. "Would you look at that. I'm being spoiled already."

[semi_stable]

"If I had my letterman jacket, I'd let you wear it," Bucky replies, curling his hand around Loki's knee and giving it a squeeze before letting go to start the truck. He pulls away from the curb and starts heading toward the boardwalk, glancing over at Loki fondly as he drives.

"Did you go on many dates in Asgard?" He asks curiously, resting his hand on Loki's thigh as they wait at a red light. "Or did they just fall at your princely feet?"

[thewrongpath]

"Dates? No, I wouldn't say that," Loki said with a chuckle. "I had... dalliances. Nothing particularly memorable."

Nothing real, he thought, recalling the conversation he'd had with Sylvie, in that train car on Lamentis-1.

[semi_stable]

"I had plenty of those, too," he admits with a wry grin. "I just had to work at it harder is all. There was nothing all that serious for me, either."

He's sure that he doesn't have to explain why. It took him a long time, and maybe some therapy, to realize why he never had a serious relationship-- because he was subconsciously too hung up on Steve, even though he knew that nothing would ever happen in that regard.

"Then I guess this will be the best date you've ever had." He smiles over at Loki and squeezes his thigh again, winking at him before looking at the road again. "Who knows? If I play my cards right, I might even get lucky."

[thewrongpath]

"What about our little picnic in the woods?" Loki reminded him, brow arched. "You'll have your work cut out for you, trying to top that."

That hadn't been a date— not a planned one, at least. Still, it counted as one of his favorite afternoons in over a millennia.

[semi_stable]

The mere mention of that afternoon makes Bucky blush slightly, and he ducks his head to hide his genuine grin before smirking over at Loki. That afternoon wasn’t like any date he’d ever been on, but he knows that something shifted between them that day. Knowing that Loki thinks about it fondly makes him feel warm all over.

“That was something all its own,” Bucky tells him, glancing over at Loki before lifting Loki’s hand to his mouth so he can kiss the back of it as he drives. He only drops it when he has to pull into the parking lot of the boardwalk, then navigates into a space and cuts the engine. The Ferris wheel looms over them, lights bright against the sky, and Bucky gestures at it with both hands.

“Seaside entertainment,” he says with a chuckle, looking both amused and a little shy, accent slipping out without him even trying. “It’s not Coney Island, far too many safety regulations for that, but it’ll do.”

[thewrongpath]

"Safety regulations? Where's the fun in that?" Loki said, sitting back in his seat and giving Bucky a pointed look.

"Are you going to open the door for me? That's standard practice, or so I've heard."

If they were doing this, he planned to milk it for all it was worth.

[semi_stable]

"It ain't a real amusement park unless it's burned to the ground at least twice," Bucky replies, and the homesickness is evident in his voice even to him. He misses Brooklyn, but not as it exists now. He misses the Brooklyn that he can never go back to, even if he wasn't stuck in Darrow.

He smirks at Loki as he comes around the front of the truck, opening the passenger door and holding out a hand to help him down. "Sure thing, princess. Watch your step."

[thewrongpath]

"Such a gentleman," he said warmly, leaving his bouquet on the dash as he took Bucky's hand and stepped out into the parking lot.

"We're ending the evening on the Ferris Wheel, obviously, but what have you got planned in the meantime?"

[semi_stable]

They walk through the parking lot hand in hand, and Bucky has to remind himself that while he's not exactly advertising it, he's out of the closet in Darrow. It still takes him by surprise sometimes, because for most of us his life it never even occurred to him as a possibility. It was entirely out of the question, especially back when he used to go on dates like this.

It gives him an almost giddy sense of anticipation, and he ducks his head as he smiles.

"Obviously," Bucky replies as they get into the short line in front of the ticket booth. "I was thinkin' that I'd win you a stuffed animal, and then maybe find something to eat."

[thewrongpath]

"Something hideous and absurdly oversized, I hope," Loki said, and as they approached the booth, he leaned against the counter and gave the girl behind it a charming smile.

"He's promised me a night to remember," he said to her, hoping to make them both blush.

[semi_stable]

"How else am I meant to impress you?" Bucky replies, letting go of Loki's hand once they reach the ticket booth only because he needs to get his wallet out. He's sliding his debit card out as Loki speaks and he rolls his eyes in fond amusement, cutting him a look before looking at the young woman with slightly flushed cheeks.

"He looks more fun than any ride we have in there," the girl quips, only to go still as she realizes how what she's said sounds. Her eyes widen and she goes red all over, eyes darting between Loki and Bucky as she puts her hands over her mouth. "I mean-- I didn't. Oh God."

"It's okay," Bucky assures her in a polite tone, chuckling a little. The girl seems so embarrassed that he can't help but to feel for her, and he gives Loki a warning glance because he's sure that Loki's amused by it all.

The girl clears her throat and slides two unlimited wristbands through the opening in the window, shaking her head adamantly when Bucky tries to hand her his card. "Nope, just go have a good night."

[thewrongpath]

"Oh, he is. Don't worry," Loki assured her, returning Bucky's stern look with pure innocence. "A bit bashful, though. You know how it is," he added, as if he and this young girl were sharing a little secret.

After thanking the girl profusely, they turned to leave, and Loki said loudly enough for the girl to hear, "And they say you can't get good service these days."

[semi_stable]

“Okay, that’s enough,” Bucky admonishes, pushing at Loki’s shoulder with an embarrassed chuckle. He shakes his head with fond bemusement and nudges his shoulder against Loki’s as they approach the entrance. Before they get there, Bucky grabs Loki by the elbow and turns him around.

“Give me your wrist, idiot,” he says with a smirk, holding up the wristbands. “Not quite the fancy accessories you’re used to.”

[thewrongpath]

"I'll cherish it," Loki promised teasingly, holding out his wrist to allow the other man to secure the paper band to it. "Until it falls off tomorrow, I suppose."

Eyes bright, "Shall I save it in my little scrapbook?"

[semi_stable]

“You’re keeping a scrapbook about me? I’m flattered,” Bucky teases, smirk widening as he removes the backing from the wristband and neatly applies it around Loki’s wrist. He brushes his thumb over the other man’s pulse, expression softening for a moment.

Once he’s done, he hands the other wristband to Loki and holds out his good arm, wrist up as his brows lift expectantly. They could have easily put them on themselves, but it’s more fun this way.

[thewrongpath]

"I'm considering it," Loki said, attaching the paper strip to Bucky's wrist with a gentle touch, his hands closing around Bucky's briefly, warmly, before pulling away.

"I wouldn't want to forget anything."

[semi_stable]

“I hear that keeping a journal can be therapeutic,” Bucky says casually, though there’s an amused spark in his eyes that softens when Loki says that he doesn’t want to forget. Really, Bucky is just a mere blip in the span of Loki’s long, long life, so he wants to make the most of the time he has.

“I think that forgetting you would be impossible,” Bucky says, even though they both know that isn’t really true. Every memory that Bucky ever cared about was severed from him, but not for good. No matter what happens, Loki will be a part of him for the rest of his life.

“Come on,” he says as he glances up at the fair, gaze darting around the crowd before he deliberately holds his hand out for Loki to take, because he can do such things now. “I believe you were promised a stuffed animal.”

[thewrongpath]

Taking the other man's hand, Loki allowed himself to be lead. Happily, in fact.

There were few people in any universe that he felt comfortable giving up control to, but with Bucky, he hardly thought twice.

"That one," he declared, pointing to a booth lined with brightly colored teddy bears. The game involved some sort of water pistol, which seemed right up his alley.

[semi_stable]

"Well, that hardly seems fair," Bucky drawls out, but you could put Bucky in front of any one of these games and it would be the same. They approach the booth and Bucky hangs back, holding Loki's hand as they wait for a group of younger kids to go through a round. Once they're done, some loud teenagers approach and that's when Bucky steps forward, letting go of Loki to take out his wallet.

"I'll give it a go," he says with an easy smile, placing a few bills down on the counter and reaching for the water gun. The kids trash talk him in a mild sort of way, and Bucky just smiles as he holds the gun out with one hand. The bell sounds and Bucky pulls the trigger, unleashing a steady spray at the target that never so much as quivers. The green balloon above his target inflates at a rapid pace and is the first to pop. The kids cheer and Bucky winks playfully over at Loki, playing and winning a few more times until he's popped enough balloons to win the biggest price: his choice of an enormous panda bear in different colors.

"Take your pick, darling," Bucky says as he blows at the end of the barrel of the water gun before setting it down, looking playfully smug. "I'm guessing green."

[thewrongpath]

Leaning against the counter with arms folded across his chest, Loki looked terribly smug as he watched Bucky line up his shot. The game seemed rather dull and laughably easy, but considering they were likely designed for human children, he supposed he couldn't judge them too harshly.

Bucky, of course, won effortlessly, and Loki stifled a smile as he was instructed to claim his prize.

"Am I really that predictable?" Loki said, only slightly peevish as he pointed out the purple bear, just to spite him.

[semi_stable]

“Or maybe I just know you so well,” Bucky volleys back, laughing as he asks for the purple bear instead, which is, of course, also unsurprising.

The kid working the booth uses a hook to get the giant bear down, and Bucky grins openly as he hands it over to Loki. It’s comically large and Bucky comes over, tugging one ear aside so he can give Loki a kiss on the cheek.

“What, are you guys gay or something?” One of the teenagers asks, and there was a time in his life, not even very long ago, where such a question would have bothered him immensely. He would have denied it, would have felt ashamed, but not now. And that’s thanks in part to the man at his side.

“Or something,” Bucky drawls, turning to face the teenagers with a bemused expression. “Why? Do you wanna fight about it?”

“No! No, man. It’s cool,” the kid says, backing up quickly. “Enjoy your bear or whatever.”

[thewrongpath]

"Oh, we will," Loki called after the boys, arm around Bucky's shoulders, the other full of cheap plush fabric and stuffing.

"Very smooth, Barnes. To think, I might've gotten the chance to watch you defend my honor to a pack of children."

[semi_stable]

"Anything for you, darling," Bucky replies with a chuckle, turning his head to nudge the tip of his nose against Loki's temple before pulling away. He takes his hand again, smirking over at the bear at Loki's other side.

"You'll have to do me the honor of carrying that around for a bit before putting it inside you," he says casually, fighting back a smirk at his deliberate phrasing. "Really give people a chance to be impressed."

[thewrongpath]

"You really do enjoy describing it that way, don't you?" Loki said with a smirk of his own, rolling his eyes expansively as he adjusted the awkward weight of the bear in his arms.

Softening almost immediately, he smirked, turning to graze a kiss against Bucky's temple in return. "I'll be the envy of all the other girls."

[semi_stable]

"It's funny every time," Bucky admits with an immature sort of laugh, nose wrinkling happily as Loki kisses his temple. "Damn right you will."

He squeezes Loki's hand as they walk along the rows of games. People look at them, but he doesn't see any hostile looks. A pair of teenage girls stop to tell them how cute they are, complimenting the bear, and Bucky lets his guard down a little. As much as he can in such a public space, anyway.

"Okay, you can put it away," he says with a smirk, gesturing ahead at the rides spinning and whirling up ahead. "And pick which one of these death traps we're gonna get on."