For magpiemythos

[shieldborne]

((continued from here))

After a confusing, worrisome evening spent together, Steve seems to feel he and Loki have hit some kind of new level in their friendship. He's less wry and cagey, a little more overly solicitous and warm; still, in the cold light of day he's a lot more awkward about both physical and emotional intimacy, and if Loki reverts to his usual teasing banter, Steve will fall into the same comfort zone.

He thinks about him often when he's not there, though. Hoping he's found a safer, kinder way to fight his demons. Fearing he hasn't, and feeling helpless to do anything more about that than he already has. At least now, Loki won't have to initiate all their contacts. He'll get occasional texts and calls from Steve, asking if he wants something at a store, if he's seen x or y movie, whether he's all right.

The others are a little bemused about Steve's increasingly less subtle interest in their otherworldly acquaintance. Some of them are openly skeptical, afraid he could be being played, but since no one has anything against Loki, it remains a topic of quiet, civil debate.

It's early in the evening this time when Steve texts Loki. Just a brief note, and he doesn't entirely expect a response: They're trying to convince me to get a tattoo of a bald eagle with a tear running down its face. It's a conspiracy, they're all in on it.

I doubt it would last long with my healing factor even if I did.

How's your evening going?

Comments

[shieldborne]

Steve wasn't expecting an affirmative response, actually, and he gives Loki a bright little smile for it. "Hey, all I can ask is that you try."

He's amused, actually, but the softness creeping into Loki's expression also makes him feel strangely warmer.

Steve mixes up the batter and folds in blueberries, letting it stand while he lets the griddle heat. "Should I make coffee or cocoa or something too? I could probably handle the coffee, myself."

Even before the alarming text exchange that brought him here, Steve was pretty sure this was going to be one of those nights where he doesn't sleep much. He might as well enjoy the coffee at that rate, especially since now he wants to sit up with Loki.

[magpiemythos]

Loki couldn't help that swell of delight when he noticed that his agreement to that promise seemed to make Steve happy. It was a start of a trend, he'd noticed, that want to see Steve smile and know it was because of him, and he couldn't say he minded it.

And if he slipped from his chair to come over and steal a few blueberries before they all went into the batter, well that was no real surprise.

"Well, I can get the coffee at the very least." Something constructive to do anyways, rummaging through one of the cabinets. "Any requests?"

[shieldborne]

Steve is tempted to toss berries at him, just because, but he refrains for the moment. Loki, he thinks, would take very readily to the encouragement to have a food fight, and Steve's not sure he's ready to commit to chasing him around the apartment with pancake batter, let alone the cleanup that might be needed afterward.

"Requests? Like, you have more than one kind of coffee?" Steve looks thoughtful. "I like hazelnut, if you do. But I'll drink whatever." After wartime army coffee, even cheap modern joe is nectar and ambrosia.

[magpiemythos]

Loki needed very little encouragement for mischief, that much was for sure, an amused glimmer to his gaze almost in confirmation of the necessity of commitment if Steve was to go down that messy route.

"There's a good reason my Instagram lists me as a hipster viking. But hazelnut I can do!" Said in an easy, amused tone as he pulled down a canister and the filters. Even with Steve in the kitchen with him it was easy enough to get grounds set up, to get water and get the machine brewing. After which Loki paused to peer at what the other was up to, resting his chin against Steve's shoulder to do so, a hand settling lightly against his back.

[shieldborne]

"You have an instagram?" Steve watches him as the griddle heats. "Is that the one with the ears...no, never mind, I'm thinking of snapchat."

Why are there so many damn social media platforms, anyway? But Steve is just curious enough, he might look for Loki's instagram. It would have photos, right? Photos are nice.

And then Loki is right next to him with his chin on his shoulder and his hand on his back, and Steve kind of melts, as much as a guy can do while standing at the stove. "Hey, you." He says softly, apropos of nothing.

[magpiemythos]

"I have both actually, among others. I'll send you a link sometime." Instagram especially was full of photos, and honestly, some were from his own universe- he had quite a collection on his phone even before he'd slipped his way into this reality. He'd avoided putting up pictures of the other-reality Avengers, or Asgardians, but even without those, there was plenty there for the internet to howl about being 'shopped'. Some things never changed.

"Hi there." Hand lightly rubbing between Steve's shoulder blades, smile felt as he pressed a light kiss to the side of Steve's jaw.

[shieldborne]

Steve is fonder of drawings and painting than photography, overall, but all of the above are expressive, and can be artistic. Plus there's something charmingly intimate about a candid photo.

"D'you..." he pauses thoughtfully, thinking over what he's about to propose, and then gets momentarily derailed by the stroking and the kiss. His eyelids droop in a slow blink, like a happy cat, and he gives a low hum of approval. "Mn. Do you like photos as an art form? Could go to the Brooklyn Museum some time. With me, I mean."

Oh, look, he just asked Loki on a date! That's supposed to come before you cook a guy breakfast, but Steve's never really done things the conventional way.

[magpiemythos]

He did so like those little responses. The fact that even light, simple attention like this was so plainly appreciated both pleased him because it so obviously pleased Steve and because well. It did amazing wonders for his ego. And he couldn't help but trail his hand further up, fingertips grazing up the back of his neck to ruffle Steve's hair lightly.

"Are you asking little old me out on a date?" For all there was a gentle teasing to the tone, there was still a genuine bit of surprised pleasure to it as well. "Because I think I rather like that idea."

Loki was never one for doing things in order anyways, no worries Steve.

[shieldborne]

Steve is lonelier than he cares to admit. He's also a bit of a glutton for gentle touch. He cranes his neck to encourage more of the same stroking, and flips the pancake he's working on just a bit clumsily (it will still taste good).

"Guess I am," he says with a smile. "And that sounds like a yes. This weekend?"

He pauses on a thought, and adds slowly, "There's something else. In the interest of full disclosure...well, I don't know, maybe you know already. I wouldn't say I'm an expert in BDSM, but I've dabbled. I would never be able to be as rough with you as you've been looking for. Especially not emotionally. I don't do that. But if it's something you really need, I can try to give you that."

He looks over at him. "You'd definitely have to deal with me being this sentimental the rest of the time, though."

[magpiemythos]

Loki won't judge Steve's pancakes for being a little weird so long as they're tasty, especially if he's going to keep distracting him like he is.

"Saturday then?" Continuing to run fingers through his hair, his other hand settling against a bicep, just enjoying being able to touch.

And he almost dismisses that concern of Steve's, but he did promise he'd try at least a bit. He could try here, given how important this seemed to be. How important it was, for all Loki liked to pretend it wasn't.

"I don't know that rougher is really what I'm needing out of the whole thing. It hasn't been doing much so far... I just," A small grimace, and an idle shrug against Steve's back. "I escalate when things don't work. But... something about you helps. I'm not sure what it is exactly about you just yet... but I'm willing to try things the way you'd do them."

A playful smile creeping over his lips at the last bit, brows lifting. "I figured that was part of the package deal."

[shieldborne]

Well, if Loki has pretty breakfast pictures on his Instagram page, Steve may feel a little inadequate, but he agrees that ultimately as long as food tastes good, it matters less what it looks like.

"Saturday. It's a date." That should not make him feel as stupidly happy as it does. He gives a soft chuckle, a huff of air, and moves the pancake to a plate to make room for the next. God, that stroking feels good.

"Mnn...sometimes it's a matter of needing the headspace. Just wanting to stop thinking for a while. But I guess it's something different for different people," he murmurs. And then it registers, what Loki has more or less conceded, and he takes in a sharp, deep breath, shooting him an intense look. It's the faintest of smiles, but his eyes are fiery.

He feels like he won something. Even if it's a battle, not the war. "Uh-huh," he agrees. "The pancakes come along as a free gift."

[magpiemythos]

The only breakfast worth taking pics of is bacon. And to be fair he usually isn't willing to wait long enough to eat it to take pretty pictures.

"I think that might be it... thinking too much is always what seems to get me into trouble anyways. It'd be nice to be able to switch off, even for a little bit." He can see when Steve seems to realize what Loki's given him in his seemingly playful statements, just glancing sideways at him, unwilling to give up his spot nestled in against Steve's back to do much more than that.

"A charming date and pancakes? Golly I lucked out, didn't I?"

[shieldborne]

Steve is boring. His favorite breakfast is oatmeal. Except he does usually smother it in walnuts and baked apples.

"Yeah...I don't know if it's the same for me, but I think I can relate," he says softly, and the fierce smile dissolves into something gentler. Something genuinely happy.

"I guess you did. Maybe I did, too." He arches his back a little, cuddling against him. "I'm probably gonna catch hell for it from the team, but I think unless you kick me out I'm going to stay the night."

That's not even necessarily a come-on, although if Loki chooses to interpret that way, Steve won't argue. He just wants to be here. That's the main thing. To reassure himself that Loki will be fine, and to enjoy the reassurance of company for his own benefit.

[magpiemythos]

"Well, if they decide to fuss, they'll just catch hell from me for it, because there's no way I wanted to let you go anywhere tonight." He smiled in turn, nuzzling lightly at the back of Steve's shoulder when he cuddled in, with a small happy-sounding hum.

"And I think we both lucked out this time." For now, Loki wasn't planning on going anywhere. Only mindful not to get in the way of Steve's cooking, but otherwise staying all but wrapped around him from behind, basking in the warmth and reassuring sturdiness of the man.

[shieldborne]

"Ohh." Steve can't quite stifle a shiver of pleasure at the nuzzling. "They won't object, they'll just tease. Fuck 'em."

He tilts his head back to nudge Loki's, awkwardly affectionate, then flips another pancake. "I like this. Not the worrying about you part, but being quiet in here. Soft." Safe.

A few pancakes later, he turns off the stove and turns around to pull Loki into an embrace. He won't hold him back long, not while there's food cooling on the counter, but he's suffering from an abundance of sentimentality right now.

[magpiemythos]

"Well they're not allowed to tease, not about this anyways." Said in an amused tone, Loki smiling as he stayed put, letting Steve cook.

"I... well I figured this was the part you liked." Murmured in reply, and when Steve did turn to embrace him properly the trickster slipped arms around him in turn, more than willing to burrow into his grasp with a soft noise of enjoyment.

"I like this too. Same bits." The pancakes would keep for a few minutes. Just enough time to bask in the quiet and calm this moment offered.

[shieldborne]

Loki is actually a little bit taller than Steve, but not by much. It puts them at a good height to snuggle into one another's shoulders.

This is shamelessly sentimental. Steve might just be embarrassed later, but until that moment comes, he'll enjoy the cuddling. After a moment he murmurs, "I get a couple pancakes, too, right?"

He made plenty, it just seems like the thing to joke about.

[magpiemythos]

It might be sentimental, but Loki can't bring himself to care other than to enjoy it. At least so long as they don't talk about it too much or he thinks about it too long. Not just yet anyways.

"Oh, now you want some of my pancakes?" Sniffed in a teasingly offended tone, at odds with the crooked, impish grin that accompanied it. "I suppose I can share. But only because it's you."

[shieldborne]

"Just one," he murmurs in a wheedling voice close to his ear. "Or two? Two little pancakes. I don't even need syrup."

He nuzzles into his neck and gives a huff of warm breath against him. "Mn. Used to be a good cheap dinner, before the war. Whip up some pancakes with fruit and milk. Or chocolate chips, if we had 'em."

We being him and Bucky, when they were living together. "One of the few things I can reliably cook."

[magpiemythos]

Gods damn it but that wasn't fair. How could Loki keep a straight face when Steve was asking so nicely? He could already tell that telling Steve 'no' in any seriousness wouldn't be an easy task. Just letting out a quiet sigh in response to the affection, fingers curling in his shirt in response.

"You're lucky you're too cute to let go pancakeless. I'll even share the syrup seeing how I'm such a generous sort." Mumbled against his shoulder in response, smile softening a bit. "It's the good stuff too."

[shieldborne]

Steve is amazed this is working so effectively. Usually it's Loki gently pushing his buttons. He's not sure when he became capable of the reverse, but he will only use this new superpower for good.

He kisses the hinge of the other man's jaw. "You're very generous. Do you want to sit down now or is this too comfortable?"

Because Steve is happy to just stand and cuddle, too. He'd suggest taking plates back to bed, but with syrup and pancakes that could result in an unfortunate mess. Perhaps not.

[magpiemythos]

Loki likes it, Steve being able to push back like this. It's a nice sort of banter after all.

"Maybe that should be one of my domains too. God of mischief and generosity towards that handsome Steve Rogers fella." And it is very tempting to just stay right where he is, but at the same time he can smell the pancakes and they do smell good. Finally, he heaves a long-suffering sigh, nuzzling back on Steve one last time before he was drawing back at least enough to smile at him properly. "I think we're gonna wanna eat while they're still hot."

[shieldborne]

"See, that's what I've been trying to tell you," he says and draws back with a grin. "You want me to be part of your providence? That's the weirdest come-on I've ever heard, but I kinda like it."

He ruffles the other man's hair; despite the conversation he's giving no particular indication of mortal fear in the face of the divine. That's Steve for you. He's still more or less a monotheist, but reality is a lot bigger and more complicated than he realized when he was younger. His worldview has expanded.

He takes the plates to the table and rummages in the fridge enough to pull out butter, syrup, and milk before joining Loki to sit.

[magpiemythos]

"What can I say? I'm not good at sharing." Just pretend there were no implications in that sentence. Nothing bigger or more important to be had. Just some more teasing banter delivered with a smile that had a bit more quicksilver to it, the trickster starting to feel more like himself at this point.

And he certainly wouldn't begrudge Steve his beliefs. Nordic gods were real, the Greek pantheon was real, just because he'd never seen evidence of the Abrahamic deity didn't mean he didn't exist. Steve earned respect for being able to accept the idea of other gods, at least in Loki's opinion. Not easy to change a worldview, especially with how short-lived humans could be.

Either way, Loki settled into his seat in a careless sort of sprawl of limbs, taking his knife to start buttering his stack of pancakes.

[shieldborne]

Steve laughs softly, for all the world like he's just receiving that as banter, but he's not. In fact, his heart flutters and skips suddenly; a positive reaction hidden behind a little pop of adrenaline. Those are possessive words, and while Steve has no intention of letting himself get steamrolled, even by someone he's gotten terribly attached to...

Well, that's a bit arousing.

He sits across from Loki, maneuvering easily around the sprawling limbs, and tastes his own pancakes first, then sprinkles a little syrup on them. Butter seems unnecessary at the moment; he's just looking for pure unadulterated sweetness.