for loki

[semi_stable]

The days are getting longer, evening dragging out lazily, and Bucky likes it. He's in a better mood when it's warmer out, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why that might be. (Although there are certain circumstances where a little frost doesn't bother him at all, to be clear.)

The sun is still up when he does his animal check for the evening, bathing everything in golden twilight. Alpine and Bopp follow along as he feeds the goats even as they do their best to trip him in their ravenous excitement.

"Never once have I let you starve," he says sternly to the goats, scooping feed into their bowls and rolling his eyes when their teeth clink against his metal hand. "You're dramatic."

It's easy to talk to the animals. He does it without really thinking about it, and he thinks that might be when he's at his calmest. He's taking care of something, and serving a purpose. He can go to bed at night knowing they're better off because of him.

He walks his property line, checks the perimeter makes sure all the fences are secure, then heads around the front of the house. Bopp and Alpine stay with him, with Bopp at his side while Alpine meanders ahead. He's halfway across the yard, heading for the backyard, when Bopp suddenly stops and stands at attention, ears perking up as she stares toward the front of the house. Bucky's nose wrinkles at the thought of unexpected visitors, but then Bopp yips and her tail starts wagging wildly, and Bucky relaxes. She only gets that excited for certain guests, and they're always welcome.

"Who is it, girl?" Bucky asks with a laugh, looking up as Alpine trots off to meet whomever it is. He can tell that it's Loki by the sound of his footsteps on the gravel, and if he had a towel it would be wagging, too. "Did they bring us a treat, you think?"

Comments

[thewrongpath]

"Well, this is quite the greeting," Loki said, dropping to one knee to say hello to Alpine and Bopp properly. Plenty of scritches, and yes, a treat for both, which he'd taken to keeping within easy access.

Looking past them, he smirked faintly in Bucky's direction, saying, "Aren't you coming to get yours?"

[semi_stable]

Bucky pauses a few yards away, hands on his hips as he watches an ancient god drop to his knees to lavish attention on his animals. It's a surreal moment that only highlights his surreal life, and he can't help the smile that spreads slowly across his face. He has his bad days and probably always will, but he smiles so often now. More than he ever thought he would again.

"I dunno, are they the chicken kind or the salmon kind?" Bucky volleys back, doing his best to keep a straight face as he furrows his brow and makes a show of looking around, putting his metal hand on his stomach. "The salmon ones upset my stomach."

[thewrongpath]

"I suppose you'll have to find out," Loki said, eyes bright. "I know you trust me, for some ridiculous reason."

He rose to his feet, holding out his hand.

"How's the brood? Behaving themselves?" Loki rather liked the goats, but it was much more amusing to pretend that he didn't.

[semi_stable]

“It’s the brain damage, probably,” Bucky quips, letting out a short whistle to call Bopp back to his side as Loki holds out a hand. He stares at that elegant, outstretched hand with a soft smile, if only because the sight of it will never get out.

“Holy terrors,” he says with a smirk, stepping forward and reaching out to take Loki’s hand, reeling himself in slowly and guiding Loki’s hand to the small of his back. He only stops when they’re hip to hip, chests brushing together as he lets go of Loki’s hand to drape his metal arm over Loki’s shoulder.

“Well?” He asks in a low voice, nudging Loki’s nose with the tip of his own. “Where’s my treat?”

[thewrongpath]

"Hmm, let's see," Loki murmured, voice a low purr as he nudged their mouths together, keeping the kiss purposefully shallow.

"No, that's not it," he said thoughtfully, pulling back to press his lips to Bucky's jaw. "Not there, either."

[semi_stable]

The low timbre of Loki’s voice makes him feel a flush of warmth, embers tumbling down his spine and settling in his gut. The kiss is a fleeting tease, and Bucky smiles and tips his head back as Loki’s mouth travels down to a sensitive spot on his neck.

“Oh, I think I like this game,” he murmurs, sliding his good hand around Loki’s slim waist to rest against the small of his back while his metal arm rests over the top of his shoulder. “Should I tell you if you’re gettin’ hotter or colder?”

[thewrongpath]

"If you'd like," Loki said, his tone deceptively conversational as he worked his way lower. A finger hooked in Bucky's collar, he tugged it aside, lips finding that little glimpse of his collar bone.

"I do feel as though I'm on the right track."

Nearby, a goat bleated and Loki fought back a laugh.