[ Not that Chris has all that much experience with mead. He's tried some, it was very sweet, but it's not a super common drink out here in the black, what with bees being pretty scarce. ]
No specific phrasing I should use? How will you know it's you I'm speaking to?
[ As if Chris would pray to any other god, really. ]
Well, I don't reply to just anyone, if that makes you feel any better.
[ The snuggling is barged in on by a huge horse's head appearing at the kitchen window. Loki swallows the strangled noise of surprise he makes and sighs, raising his head to stare back and call across the house. ]
[ Chris cranes his neck around to see Sleipnir appearing at the kitchen window, apparently having grown bored of the paddock and let himself out — Chris can only pray that he simply jumped the fence and didn't do something like break down the gate, letting Tango and Mary-Lou escape too — come to bother them like a child standing in the doorway of his parents' bedroom. ]
[ The loud neigh Loki gets by way of a reply is followed by Sleipnir's nose butting the window. ]
You are not coming in! You're too big! You don't even like being indoors. [ More whinnying, a quartet of fore-hooves stomp. ] Chris will take you out when he feels like it, not when you get bored.
[ Sleipnir rumbles something as he snorts, prompting Loki to sit up at Chris's side. ]
[ Chris contents himself with watching Loki while he speaks to his horsey son, fond and still slightly incredulous at the direction his life has taken, that he's lying on his couch at home with an interdimensional god cuddled up against his chest, a god who can apparently take any form he pleases, even those of other animals.
Sometimes he thinks he should be a little more nonplussed by all this, but then Loki will shoot him one of those shyly pleased looks he gets when Chris does something nice for him, and all his worries fade away.
He laughs as Loki shoots up into a seated position, letting his hands settle on his waist. ]
[ Sinking down to seal a smiling kiss as Chris thoroughly distracts him with those petting caresses, Loki only startles when a loud thump echoes through from the outside wall. Sleipnir can be seen cantering away, tail swishing in annoyance. ]
Gods, I'm so sorry about him. I thought he would behave around more horses.
[ He happily lifts his chin for the kiss dropped down on him, pleased by how well Loki took his harmless teasing, forgetting for the moment about the giant stallion outside currently in the midst of a petulant tantrum.
Loki isn't the only one who startles at that thump, and Chris can't help glancing over towards the window with a frown. ]
It's alright. The first weekend at your step-dad's house is always difficult for everyone involved.
[ Chris had been in the process of sitting up, but with the way Loki pounces on him to kiss him again, he winds up falling back down to the couch cushions with a laugh, sliding his hands automatically up Loki's sides to help him balance as he peppers Chris's face with kisses. ]
I always did get along better with horses than humans...
[ Patently untrue. Chris gets along great with everyone, it's his whole Thing. ]
You might have gotten along with Jormungandr. He was the World Serpent, way more monstrous than Sleipnir, but he was smart too. Hela, of course, cares nothing for my paramours, so she won't want to meet you, but I don't care about that.
[ Giving him a squeeze around his middle, since he's grateful for the effort Chris is putting in with Loki's remaining child (like there aren't possibly hundreds of demigods running around Midgard, but who cares about those). ]
[ While undeniably curious about how many children Loki actually has, plus what they might all look like — if his son is an eight-legged horse, and Jormungandr is apparently a serpent, what are the other options? — it doesn't really feel like a topic that's inviting further discussion, so Chris just smiles at him and slides his hands down Loki's arms to pick up his hands. ]
My sister would have liked you.
[ Probably. Most likely she would have liked giving Chris absolute hell for being in a relationship with someone half his age, partly out of amusement and partly straight censure.
Tangling their fingers together and lifting Loki's hands to hold them at his chest, he bends his head to kiss his fingers. ]
Do you want to come down to the paddock with me so someone doesn't feel too left out? You're welcome to raid my bookshelves some more if you'd prefer.
[ The look of genuine gratitude when Chris muses about his sister liking Loki, it can't be kept off Loki's face. He hums thoughtfully about the paddock. ]
I'll come along, I need to remind him not to fly with you or something.
[ It's easy enough for Chris to decide that his sister would have liked Loki, considering she's not around any more and therefore can't refute him, but he's relieved that Loki doesn't seem to mind. It makes it feel more truthful. She would have liked Loki, because Loki would almost certainly have been on his best behavior around her, if only for Chris's sake. He can have faith in that assumption.
Reluctantly, he coaxes Loki to climb off him so he can swing his legs off the couch and lever himself up to his feet. ]
[ Loki stretches, tying up Chris's shirt around his waist in a knot so he can magic on some boots over his leggings and look semi-prepared to go riding. ]
[ He refrains from the response of "they come by that naturally," that he's tempted to let out, preferring instead to take the opportunity to slide his fingers in along the strip of Loki's belly that shows when he stretches, a fond little tickle of a caress before he side-steps him to reach for his discarded overshirt so he can shrug into that. ]
[ Grinning, Chris darts after him quickly enough to give Loki a little smack to his ass as he sashays out the patio doors, before wandering off to find a jacket that's light enough for the weather but still sturdy enough to provide a little cover for when Sleipnir, apparently, decides to break the sound barrier or something.
A minute or two later, he follows Loki down the hill towards the barn, a shearling denim jacket shrugged on over his flannel, his work boots back on his feet. All he really needs to complete the picture is a cowboy hat, which he sadly does not own. ]
[ Arching his eyebrows incredulously when met with the twin innocent looks Loki and Sleipnir are giving him — one might think it would be difficult for a horse and a person to make the same expression, but one would be wrong — Chris just huffs a laugh. ]
I'd prefer to keep my neck as it is, please.
[ Could he use the gate a little farther down to get into the paddock? Yes, of course. Would that mean he wouldn't be able to make a beeline to where Lokis is standing? Also yes.
So, naturally, the only solution is for him to hoist himself up over the top railing, swinging his legs over and dropping down to the dirt beneath them, dusting off his hands as he comes closer so he doesn't smear dirt over Loki's sides as he wraps his arm around him and kisses his cheek. Sleipnir gets another bump to his muzzle; they aren't at the hello-kisses level yet. Maybe by the end of the visit, though. ]
[ There's his handsome boyfriend, leaping gates and ruffled by the wind. What a ridiculous man. What a babe.
Loki returns the kiss and embrace, leaning into Chris to steal some of his warmth before Sleipnir moves closer to bump his nose against Chris's fist. ]
I've told him not to take you to another dimension, into space, not to go too fast because you need to breathe, and to keep his hooves firmly on the ground. Does that sound okay to you?
[ Rubbing his hand over Sleipnir's velvety soft nose, Chris chuckles as he listens to Loki's list of things they aren't allowed to do. Mom never lets them have any fun.
He appreciates the caution, though. He is only human, after all. ]
I think we can still get up to a lot of mischief even with all those rules, right buddy?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ Not that Chris has all that much experience with mead. He's tried some, it was very sweet, but it's not a super common drink out here in the black, what with bees being pretty scarce. ]
No specific phrasing I should use? How will you know it's you I'm speaking to?
[ As if Chris would pray to any other god, really. ]
no subject
Trust me, dear, I'll know. You don't need any fancy language.
no subject
Preposterously low barrier for entry. But alright, I'll remember that for later. When I'm missing you too much to bear, I'll pray.
no subject
[ The snuggling is barged in on by a huge horse's head appearing at the kitchen window. Loki swallows the strangled noise of surprise he makes and sighs, raising his head to stare back and call across the house. ]
Go back to the paddock!
[ Sleipnir blinks, and decidedly does not. ]
no subject
[ Chris cranes his neck around to see Sleipnir appearing at the kitchen window, apparently having grown bored of the paddock and let himself out — Chris can only pray that he simply jumped the fence and didn't do something like break down the gate, letting Tango and Mary-Lou escape too — come to bother them like a child standing in the doorway of his parents' bedroom. ]
What does he want?
no subject
[ The loud neigh Loki gets by way of a reply is followed by Sleipnir's nose butting the window. ]
You are not coming in! You're too big! You don't even like being indoors. [ More whinnying, a quartet of fore-hooves stomp. ] Chris will take you out when he feels like it, not when you get bored.
[ Sleipnir rumbles something as he snorts, prompting Loki to sit up at Chris's side. ]
Language!
no subject
Sometimes he thinks he should be a little more nonplussed by all this, but then Loki will shoot him one of those shyly pleased looks he gets when Chris does something nice for him, and all his worries fade away.
He laughs as Loki shoots up into a seated position, letting his hands settle on his waist. ]
What'd he say?
no subject
[ Suspiciously eyeing his so !! Loki looks to Chris, expression softening. ]
He's just being a brat.
no subject
I wonder where he gets that from...
no subject
[ Sinking down to seal a smiling kiss as Chris thoroughly distracts him with those petting caresses, Loki only startles when a loud thump echoes through from the outside wall. Sleipnir can be seen cantering away, tail swishing in annoyance. ]
Gods, I'm so sorry about him. I thought he would behave around more horses.
no subject
[ He happily lifts his chin for the kiss dropped down on him, pleased by how well Loki took his harmless teasing, forgetting for the moment about the giant stallion outside currently in the midst of a petulant tantrum.
Loki isn't the only one who startles at that thump, and Chris can't help glancing over towards the window with a frown. ]
It's alright. The first weekend at your step-dad's house is always difficult for everyone involved.
no subject
[ Oh, that deserves kisses. Lots of them. ]
no subject
I always did get along better with horses than humans...
[ Patently untrue. Chris gets along great with everyone, it's his whole Thing. ]
no subject
[ Giving him a squeeze around his middle, since he's grateful for the effort Chris is putting in with Loki's remaining child (like there aren't possibly hundreds of demigods running around Midgard, but who cares about those). ]
no subject
My sister would have liked you.
[ Probably. Most likely she would have liked giving Chris absolute hell for being in a relationship with someone half his age, partly out of amusement and partly straight censure.
Tangling their fingers together and lifting Loki's hands to hold them at his chest, he bends his head to kiss his fingers. ]
Do you want to come down to the paddock with me so someone doesn't feel too left out? You're welcome to raid my bookshelves some more if you'd prefer.
no subject
I'll come along, I need to remind him not to fly with you or something.
no subject
Reluctantly, he coaxes Loki to climb off him so he can swing his legs off the couch and lever himself up to his feet. ]
Is there anything your children can't do?
no subject
[ Loki stretches, tying up Chris's shirt around his waist in a knot so he can magic on some boots over his leggings and look semi-prepared to go riding. ]
You should wear something warm, he goes fast.
[ #Pride ]
no subject
You go on ahead, I'll find a jacket.
no subject
You mind those hands, mister.
[ Now, where the Hel is Sleipnir. ]
no subject
A minute or two later, he follows Loki down the hill towards the barn, a shearling denim jacket shrugged on over his flannel, his work boots back on his feet. All he really needs to complete the picture is a cowboy hat, which he sadly does not own. ]
no subject
Loki is standing with Sleipnir and looking up at the huge horse when Chris arrives, in the middle of a conversation. ]
— and no running between dimensions, I don't want his neck snapped by accident.
Oh, hello Chris!
[ Loki and Sleipnir straightening up both share the same innocent glow. ]
no subject
I'd prefer to keep my neck as it is, please.
[ Could he use the gate a little farther down to get into the paddock? Yes, of course. Would that mean he wouldn't be able to make a beeline to where Lokis is standing? Also yes.
So, naturally, the only solution is for him to hoist himself up over the top railing, swinging his legs over and dropping down to the dirt beneath them, dusting off his hands as he comes closer so he doesn't smear dirt over Loki's sides as he wraps his arm around him and kisses his cheek. Sleipnir gets another bump to his muzzle; they aren't at the hello-kisses level yet. Maybe by the end of the visit, though. ]
no subject
Loki returns the kiss and embrace, leaning into Chris to steal some of his warmth before Sleipnir moves closer to bump his nose against Chris's fist. ]
I've told him not to take you to another dimension, into space, not to go too fast because you need to breathe, and to keep his hooves firmly on the ground. Does that sound okay to you?
no subject
He appreciates the caution, though. He is only human, after all. ]
I think we can still get up to a lot of mischief even with all those rules, right buddy?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)