It doesn't hurt, anyway, and while Cricket is still thinking he might put up with a little pain in exchange for the ability to at least stand up, he's started to count blessings, rather than grieve over problems. And he's proud of that, honestly.

Loki has been unfailingly patient. At this point in their lives together, Cricket had no real doubt that Loki was serious about him, about them, although whether they should do anything further about that is something he's been afraid to consider for a host of logistical and emotional reasons. But the fact that he's had to help him into and out of the shower lately, and has done it without a single complaint (not without teasing, perhaps, but it was the nice kind of teasing), ought to be proof of affection enough for any man.

He's lucky. So goddamn lucky!

Willie is dozing in the grass as Loki approaches, but her tail thumps as he passes by. Thori probably isn't far, maybe under the porch or near the chicken coop. All in all, it's an idyllic scene that the trickster walks up to, and when Cricket's face lights up at the sight of him, that probably just drives the point home.

"Pretty bird," he fires back warmly. "Gonna have birdseed for you later, once I finish with these. You like toasted pumpkin seeds?"