Prayers and Naps

[alittlehinky]

It's hard to find a private spot in the Cafe at this point. More and more people are there, more and more activity. There's a shuffle as people come and go from scouting and expeditions and jobs, and when that quiets, what's left is a kind of icy twilight, where people seem to be speaking either too loudly or in dull, inaudible whispers, trying to rest and save energy. Time passes very, very slowly, and Cricket's begun to lose track of days.

At least there are people around praying, so it doesn't look too weird when he squeezes himself into a back corner and settles on his knees. Without the braces he can actually do it, although it's not going to be comfortable for long. He wonders if he should fold his hands, maybe? Except he doesn't want to lose track of his cane, so he ends up wrapping both arms around it and tucking his hands into his sleeves, pulling his hood up and closing his eyes.

His lips move, but he's not making any sound. Hey, Loki? Don't exactly know how to do this when it's personal. I prayed before, but I sure ain't prayed to anyone I been sharing a bed with, so. Yeah. I hope you get this.

Don't know where you are or what you're up to, and I ain't mad, because it's getting crazy here anyway and it's just as well you ain't in the midst of this part of it. Only I'm worried about you. I hope you're takin' care of yourself. You ain't gotta to anything for me but come back safe whenever you can. But I miss you, and anything you need that I can give you, I will. That's all.

There are no more words after that, but Cricket's mind lingers on images and memories, and if Loki picks up on any of that, it's probably quite flattering, the way there's a butterflies-in-stomach flutter accompanying every memory of his laugh, and waves of fondness at the thought of cuddling him in magpie shape.

Whether it's the intended consequence of this experiment or not, the young man finds himself falling asleep as he dwells on pleasant thoughts, resettling from kneeling to curled up in the corner. It's nice and warm here, even if the floor isn't as soft as it could be, and he figures if he dreams, they'll be pleasant ones.

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[magpiemythos]

It was still winter in Cricket's dreams. But not quite as foreboding, or as bitter. He was outside and even with the snow, it didn't seem to touch him overmuch, and the sky was that brilliant robin's egg blue that always seemed to make the snow covering everything gleam that much whiter.

And he wasn't alone either. Cricket would notice that not far from the log he was settled against, there was a bit of movement in a hill of snow that resolved in a tiny, angular face poking out, all white fur and glossy black eyes. Nose twitching once, twice, little round ears shedding snow as the little winter-furred stoat slunk it's way out of the snowbank and scampered closer in that awkward weasel gallop, coming to a halt near Cricket's feet.

Hello!

[alittlehinky]

He's settled in soft snow, but it doesn't seem to be melting through his clothes. It's cool but not biting, and the light in the sky is so pretty.

When the snow nearby starts to stir, he stares at it dumbly, feeling oddly comfortable, accepting of whatever it is about to appear. Some sort of dream logic, perhaps, tells him this is a benign landscape, unlike the one in the waking world.

And then the little face appears, and he thinks it's an exceptionally tiny rabbit at first, until it starts to bound over to him. He breaks into a grin and pulls the gloves off his hands to hold one out to the little creature.

"Hey, there," he greets. He has no idea who he's talking to, but it's pretty clear it's friendly. "Ain't got no food for you, sorry, but I'm a friend."

[magpiemythos]

Loki isn't surprised in the least that this is Cricket's response to a strange animal wandering up to him. The young man was so incredibly sweet, big-hearted in a way that the trickster was both enamored with and incredibly fearful for.

It was so easy to hurt a person like that after all.

But for now all was well. The stoat stretched it's little neck out to sniff at offered fingers, setting teeth lightly against a fingertip in a play-bite before it was skittering back a couple feet. A soft huffy little noise as it jumped, darting a wide circle around Cricket's hand before hustling right up to hop right up onto the palm and up the sleeve of his jacket, right up onto his shoulder, where he was granted a tiny little lick against the cheek.

[alittlehinky]

Perhaps he is just easily charmed by a cute, fuzzy face? Or a feathery face.

He holds still while the animal sniffs at him, makes a tiny squawk of surprise at the play-bite, and pulls his hand back as it skitters away. He glances at his fingertip, but there's no actual injury, so evidently it was just a game, and he laughs and puts his hand back where it was obligingly.

The wild little hopping dance fills him with a quiet glee, but it's not until the stoat hops up onto his hand and scrambles up his sleeve that he has an inkling it's not just a cute, oddly-tame animal.

"Oh!" He says. The little lick on the cheek reminds him of magpie kisses and seals his certainty. "It's you. You heard me after all."

He cups both hands around the stoat gently, which is the closest thing he can do to a hug when Loki's in such a tiny shape.

[magpiemythos]

Either way, it's just as charming in turn. Cricket is a regular Disney Princess!

Whatever the case, Loki is pleased when Cricket cottons on to who he's got there, furry head bumping against his cheek before he snuggled down into the offered hands, little paws grasping onto fingers.

"Of course I did. It's you that called, after all." Sure he'd hear any prayer said to him, but Cricket's prayer was especially noticeable, and Loki especially wanted to answer it.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket laughs again, nuzzling the fur as gently as he can. What he really wants to do is cling and not let go, and maybe a god can't get squished in a mortal grip no matter what size he is, but Cricket prefers not to take the chance.

He slides lower against the log and sets both hands and Loki-stoat in the center of his chest.

"Wasn't sure if I did it right." He's teary, but smiling. "You're okay, then. Safe as you can be in this? You're so sweet in this shape, look at your li'l pink nose..."

[magpiemythos]

Even if this was just a dream, Loki took comfort from that laugh and affection. He'd shift back soon enough, but for now was content to stay close, nestling down when he was set on Cricket's chest.

"You called out to me. Generally that's all it takes." Giving his fur a light shake he waddled up a little bit to reward Cricket with little kisses and grooming nibbles on his face. "I'm safe. Shouldn't be too much longer either before I can come back and you can get a good look at this li'l pink nose in person, hm?"

[alittlehinky]

Cricket sighs and strokes the sleek, fuzzy face and back, content now that he has the reassurance he wanted. "I was gonna save some coffee and pour out a libation but then I didn't know if that was only a Greek thing, and then I thought who the hell wants old cold coffee?"

"I'll get you a cup in the spring. Or when you get here, if there's any left." He tilts his chin obligingly for those kisses. "Supplies're gettin' kinda low. And people are hungry and mean. I mean, I'm a'ight, but just so you know."

In point of fact, everyone's on the same light rations, so he's hungry, himself, but he's dealing with it better than most. "I just want you to be okay."

He sobers a little. "Can't go back to the house right now. It got busted into. I tried to scare 'em off, but there was two of 'em...well, I shot 'em, but they still broke down the front door, and my bedroom door."

[magpiemythos]

"Let's make it a coffee date once things settle down." Loki murmured, leaning into those little pets and strokes. "Offerings are usually a thing if there's lots of prayers. Helps you stand out. But you stand out all on your own anyways."

It wasn't surprising that things were getting stressful. Even in a normal winter things could get hard, and this was anything but normal. What was surprising, and had the little stoat's tail frizzing in alarm was what Cricket told him happened. Little paws rested on his chin as Loki hauled himself up to stand, worry clear in every line of his little fuzzy body.

"They didn't hurt you did they?"

[alittlehinky]

"Aww," Cricket grins at him, eyes dreamy and half-lidded. "Did you just ask me on a date? Hell, yeah, when all this blows over, we oughtta have some fun."

He'd expound upon the premise, but Loki's fur is poofing up, and he assumes that means the same thing for stoats as it does for cats. He blinks and goes still as he plants paws on his chin, considers shaking his head no, but doesn't, so as not to tip Loki off his perch.

"Not really," he says. "Was a little scared. They busted in the front door while I was making tea, and I threw the kettle at 'em. I think that made 'em mad, so they chased me into the bedroom, and broke that door when I locked it."

"But, y'know, I keep a revolver and a rifle. Just out of habit? Rifle's in the car, but I had the other, so I shot at 'em when they busted through."

He looks down, not because he's ashamed or because he expects Loki to be shocked he's capable of violence in self-defense, but is is still a pretty intense memory. "Almost killed the one. The other ran off, but I think I winged him, too. They didn't lay a hand on me."

[magpiemythos]

"Good." It would be better if the men had died but at the same time it wouldn't, given that would leave Cricket grappling with the idea of killing someone. And he seemed bothered enough as it was.

Loki could track them down later and remedy the situation though.

"I'm just glad you're safe." As safe as he could be in this situation anyways. "We're on our way back... I'll be there with you soon."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket could be a lot worse, under the circumstances. He had a weird kind of pep talk that brightened his mood, in a way, and now he can walk on top of the snow without sinking into it. If there's anyone at all he's going to tell, it's Loki, but right now he's more interested in just being close to him. Even if the shape he's in is too tiny to hug.

"You be careful," he says. "Out there. And just as careful when you come in here. People're starting to get at each other, on account of there not being much food to go around, and seein' another mouth to feed might not make 'em real happy."

"But I want you here," he murmurs, stroking under the stoat's chin. "I miss you a lot."

[magpiemythos]

"I imagine they'll be slightly less ill-tempered towards me seeing as I'm coming bearing gifts. Might not be much but something's better than nothing at times like these." Loki wasn't moving too far just yet, dark eyes half-shut as he leaned slightly into those chin rubs with a quiet, content sort of hum. Considering moving to shift so that proper embrace could happen, but at the same time enjoying the affection.

"Miss you too. But don't worry overmuch, it won't be too long until I'm back."

[alittlehinky]

"I hope so," he murmurs. "Ain't lookin' to see anyone else get hurt."Especially not Loki.

"Just promise me you'll keep comin' back to me," he murmurs, and kisses the top of the stoat's head. "Kinda fallin' for you, you know?"

Or maybe he didn't know. But he does now.

[magpiemythos]

"Didn't think you would be. You're not the bloodthirsty sort."

Okay. Okay no, Loki is gonna just scamper his way down now (pay no mind to him tripping over his feet and going the last few steps head over tail) so he can settle in beside Cricket and shift back to a larger, more cuddle-friendly form.

Well, as friendly as a Jotun shape can be. Not that Cricket seems to ever mind it, so Loki will just be winding arms around him and kissing his hair in turn, even if the 'fallin' for you' admission sends a dual thrill of panic and delight through him.

"Like a bad penny. The proverbial cat." He promised, smiling against Cricket's always-unruly hair.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket makes a small noise as the stoat gallops away, but lights up when Loki takes a larger form and immediately lunges into his arms, clinging tightly. This is what he really wanted, and he's not ashamed to show it. For a second it looks like he's about to crawl right into Loki's lap, Jotun or not.

"What cat? Y'lost me." He says, the grin audible in his voice. "Anyway, as long as you're good, I'm fine."

[magpiemythos]

Loki couldn't help the soft huff of a laugh, and even if Cricket wasn't going to crawl into his lap, the trickster is all too happy to tug him there himself, before giving him a firm hug. This is his Cricket and he's not intent on letting him go anywhere just yet.

Cricket wasn't the only one who needed this.

"But the cat came back, he couldn't stay no long-er,
Yes the cat came back the very next day,
the cat came back—thought he were a goner,
But the cat came back for it wouldn't stay away~"

Loki wasn't a bad singer in the least, patting out the beat lightly against Cricket's back before his hands stilled again. "I'm fine. Better now I've got you here."

[alittlehinky]

He starts to giggle when Loki pulls him closer, and after a brief flurry of movement he ends up sprawled in his lap with arms around his chest and wondering why they don't sit like this more often. His heart is going triple-time, is the only problem, and now he has to fight back the impulse to tuck his face against the crook of Loki's neck and just start kissing him there.

He pauses, worrying his lower lip while Loki sings and pats the time against his back, and slowly melts. "Oh," he says mildly. "That cat. Ain't heard that version of that song before."

"Ain't heard you sing before, either. It's nice. Everything about you...just takes my breath away." And he knows he's ridiculously smitten, but the ridiculousness doesn't seem to matter.

[magpiemythos]

"Really is a bratty cat." Loki commented mildly, amused as he nestled in with Cricket in his arms. This was nice. He liked this, clearly he'd have to drag Cricket in for lap snuggling more often. "Luckily you haven't seemed to get too annoyed with me yet."

He knew he was trying at times, that he might not be the easiest to live with, but it did mean a lot that Cricket still liked him. And that comment from Cricket was enough to bring a blush to his face again, brows lifting.

"Especially with you sweet-talking me like that."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket makes a soft little moaning sound and nuzzles into his shoulder. "Ain't promising that'll hold forever," he says, voice muffled by Loki's clothing, "but so far, so good."

He's got a pretty mild temper, when it comes down to it. He rarely snapped at Jack. Loki will be a lot more of a challenge, long-term, but he's pretty sure he's up to it.

"I mean it, though," he smiles and gives in to the urge to kiss the side of Loki's throat. "Reckon I'm bein' sappy, but I can't stop feeling how I'm feeling."

[magpiemythos]

"Oh it's only a matter of time." Loki is well aware of how obnoxious he could be. Even with someone as patient as Cricket was. "I can be a right pain in the ass, even when I'm not trying to be."

It was just part of being Loki, it seemed.

"I do believe you." A soft hum slipping from him as he tilted his head to allow that kiss, relaxing slightly. "And sappy or not I rather do like it."

[alittlehinky]

"It's probably 'cause we jumped right into sleeping in the same bed," he chuckles softly. "Easy to get real attached, real quick like that."

Loki gets a few more soft kisses, and Cricket's embrace eases up to something less like a death-grip and more like a snuggle. "I guess maybe company means more to me on account of being an only child and not really...havin' much in the way of parents or anything. I was little when my mama died, and Aunt Winnie started losin' her mind when I was twelve or so. Just being close like this is so, so good."