[ 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?
[ Chris takes a moment to give Sleipnir a considering look. ]
Normally I'd say I could manage, but I think in this case...
[ Chris can get himself up on a regular horse just fine. This horse, however, is three feet taller than him at the shoulder, and even with a saddle on, there's really no easy way Chris can get a foot up into the stirrup without assistance. He's man enough to admit when he needs help. ]
[ He smooths his hand over Loki's hair affectionately before figuring out the best way to step up into the cradle of Loki's hands while also letting him fling a leg over Sleipnir's wide back. Taking a moment to get settled, he leans forward and strokes his hand up Sleipnir's huge neck, murmuring to him. ]
[ The way Sleipnir rears up on four legs and whinnies in excitement to have a new rider says it all (Loki may spread his arms on instinct, just in case!). The stallion leaps into a canter, leaving Loki in the dust to cough and wave them off. ]
[ Luckily for the structural integrity of his spine, Chris has been on more than one horse that's decided to rear up on its back legs, so Sleipnir getting a little too excited is met with little more than a short yelp as he adjusts his balance and then a whoop of almost childlike excitement as he breaks into a canter and goes careening off.
Hopefully Loki doesn't mind being left in the dust with just the sound of Chris's laughter and two perfectly normal horses for company. ]
[ Loki plants his hands on his hips and gives them one last look before heading over to the paddock, settling in the horses for the evening. He spends the rest of his time prepping dinner (roast boar and honeyed potatoes with veg!) with ingredients from his own apartment. The house fills once again with the scent of food and he pulls a blanket over his knees, reading through some more of Chris's books.
Sleipnir takes Chris up the mountain, able to cross any treacherous trail with an extra four legs looking out for them. He leaps over fallen logs and gallops so fast across the plains that his hooves kick up sparks, but he heeds his mother and always ensures Chris is safely planted in the saddle; no falling into random dimensional rifts. It's a very smooth ride, given his whole body moves with the rippling motion of eight legs.
The giant horse only stops when he finds a little waterfall far up the mountainside, keen to drink and have some grass. Sweat covers his flanks and he gives a snort to Chris, inviting him off for a bit. ]
[ When he was a little boy, Chris couldn't imagine a life better than one like this: just him and his horse — currently borrowed from his boyfriend, but Chris as a child couldn't conceptualize an eight-legged inter-dimensional stallion, so whatever — and the wide open sky above them, the freedom inherent in a gallop across the landscape before them, alone against the world together.
As a child, that landscape had been the desert, not a flat Montana plain, but the principle's the same, and he feels the same giddy glee he remembers from his youth as he clings to Sleipnir's mane and lets the stallion have his head as he thunders along.
He slides off Sleipnir's back to land on wobbly legs once they get to that waterfall, his heart still thundering in his chest and his breath coming quick in his lungs, adrenaline coursing through him even though the thrill of the gallop is starting to fade now that they're stationary again. ]
That was incredible, buddy. [ He leans a companionable hand on Sleipnir's shoulder as he regains his balance for a moment, fighting down the urge to giggle for no reason. ] Even if it might have been a little boring for you. I appreciate you looking out for me.
[ Now it's Chris's turn to look out for the horse he joked was his step-son, so he rips up some of that same grass and sets to rubbing those massive legs down, buffing away the sweat and checking for injuries out of habit. ]
[ Sleipnir is glad to be brushed down, eating grass peacefully. He keeps his ears pricked for sounds of wildlife but his scent drives away anything too big, being the biggest predator around.
Back home, Loki continues nosing around Chris's house once his books lose their pull on his interest. ]
I hope you don't mind if I don't take this off right now, [ he says as he checks the straps of the saddle spanning that huge barrel chest, falling back into his habit of talking to his horse like Sleipnir isn't the size of a house and has eight legs but is instead a perfectly ordinary stallion who can't understand him and doesn't care what he does with himself. ] I'm not sure I can get it back on by myself and I'm a little too small to ride you bareback, especially at your usual cruising speed.
[ He keeps up a steady stream of mostly ignorable chatter as he rubs Sleipnir down, carefully checking the huge stallion for anything concerning but finding nothing to worry about, and finally sits himself down on the rocks beside the waterfall to reach out and scoop up some water for himself, too.
Leaning back against the rock behind him, he alternates watching Sleipnir much on the grasses that grow nearby and looking out across the scenery. ] I'm really very fond of him, you know. Your mother. He...is very important to me. [ He plucks a blade of grass for himself, fiddling with the spike on top before picking one seed out at a time and flicking it away. ] I hope he knows that.
[ Sleipnir's ears prick toward Chris as he talks, listening. Pacing up quietly behind him (surprisingly easy for such a huge beast), he lowers his head to sniff at Chris's shoulder, huffing hot breaths. He moves away a moment later, clopping around the side of the waterfall to munch on some reeds.
If Chris keeps an eye on him, in the mist of the rising water droplets and through the gleam of the sunshine the hulking horse shimmers and between sparkles he looks like an extremely tall, dark-haired man, a black cloak reaching to the ground and a huge sword strapped down his back. He looks like Loki, if Loki had a jaw to crack walnuts and thick biceps laden with black, spiked armour that matches the saddle.
Then as he glances over, the vision shifts back and Sleipnir is back to being a horse, looking at Chris steadily. ]
[ Chris blinks at the giant horse staring at him placidly, thinking for a moment that he's hallucinating. Maybe it's altitude sickness, except that's clearly not a problem for him right now, and the only thing he's eaten lately has been food he's cooked himself. Maybe something in the water? But even some kind of parasite wouldn't act on his system that quickly.
No, this is probably something to do with Loki and his magic, and while Chris feels woefully out of his depth, he tries to rally himself. ]
I really wish you spoke English. Or that I could understand you somehow. Because I could swear you looked like a man for a second.
[ Sleipnir snorts and shakes out his mane, taking another drink. Three hooves paw at the ground but he looks entirely normal ... for an eight-legged horse. ]
[ Sleipnir noses his way across the grass, tail swishing. Looks like he's ready to get back on the trail, stomping impatiently as he finishes munching a mouthful of grass. ]
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I'll come along, I need to remind him not to fly with you or something.
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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?
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[ 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 ]
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You go on ahead, I'll find a jacket.
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You mind those hands, mister.
[ Now, where the Hel is Sleipnir. ]
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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. ]
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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. ]
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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. ]
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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?
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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?
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Do you want a hand getting on his back?
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Normally I'd say I could manage, but I think in this case...
[ Chris can get himself up on a regular horse just fine. This horse, however, is three feet taller than him at the shoulder, and even with a saddle on, there's really no easy way Chris can get a foot up into the stirrup without assistance. He's man enough to admit when he needs help. ]
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[ Loki laces his fingers and crouches down a little so Chris can get a boost up. ]
Sleipnir, this is the last time I'll say it: behave.
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[ He smooths his hand over Loki's hair affectionately before figuring out the best way to step up into the cradle of Loki's hands while also letting him fling a leg over Sleipnir's wide back. Taking a moment to get settled, he leans forward and strokes his hand up Sleipnir's huge neck, murmuring to him. ]
Alright, kiddo. You ready to have some fun?
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... Have fun!
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Hopefully Loki doesn't mind being left in the dust with just the sound of Chris's laughter and two perfectly normal horses for company. ]
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[ Loki plants his hands on his hips and gives them one last look before heading over to the paddock, settling in the horses for the evening. He spends the rest of his time prepping dinner (roast boar and honeyed potatoes with veg!) with ingredients from his own apartment. The house fills once again with the scent of food and he pulls a blanket over his knees, reading through some more of Chris's books.
Sleipnir takes Chris up the mountain, able to cross any treacherous trail with an extra four legs looking out for them. He leaps over fallen logs and gallops so fast across the plains that his hooves kick up sparks, but he heeds his mother and always ensures Chris is safely planted in the saddle; no falling into random dimensional rifts. It's a very smooth ride, given his whole body moves with the rippling motion of eight legs.
The giant horse only stops when he finds a little waterfall far up the mountainside, keen to drink and have some grass. Sweat covers his flanks and he gives a snort to Chris, inviting him off for a bit. ]
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As a child, that landscape had been the desert, not a flat Montana plain, but the principle's the same, and he feels the same giddy glee he remembers from his youth as he clings to Sleipnir's mane and lets the stallion have his head as he thunders along.
He slides off Sleipnir's back to land on wobbly legs once they get to that waterfall, his heart still thundering in his chest and his breath coming quick in his lungs, adrenaline coursing through him even though the thrill of the gallop is starting to fade now that they're stationary again. ]
That was incredible, buddy. [ He leans a companionable hand on Sleipnir's shoulder as he regains his balance for a moment, fighting down the urge to giggle for no reason. ] Even if it might have been a little boring for you. I appreciate you looking out for me.
[ Now it's Chris's turn to look out for the horse he joked was his step-son, so he rips up some of that same grass and sets to rubbing those massive legs down, buffing away the sweat and checking for injuries out of habit. ]
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Back home, Loki continues nosing around Chris's house once his books lose their pull on his interest. ]
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[ He keeps up a steady stream of mostly ignorable chatter as he rubs Sleipnir down, carefully checking the huge stallion for anything concerning but finding nothing to worry about, and finally sits himself down on the rocks beside the waterfall to reach out and scoop up some water for himself, too.
Leaning back against the rock behind him, he alternates watching Sleipnir much on the grasses that grow nearby and looking out across the scenery. ] I'm really very fond of him, you know. Your mother. He...is very important to me. [ He plucks a blade of grass for himself, fiddling with the spike on top before picking one seed out at a time and flicking it away. ] I hope he knows that.
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If Chris keeps an eye on him, in the mist of the rising water droplets and through the gleam of the sunshine the hulking horse shimmers and between sparkles he looks like an extremely tall, dark-haired man, a black cloak reaching to the ground and a huge sword strapped down his back. He looks like Loki, if Loki had a jaw to crack walnuts and thick biceps laden with black, spiked armour that matches the saddle.
Then as he glances over, the vision shifts back and Sleipnir is back to being a horse, looking at Chris steadily. ]
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No, this is probably something to do with Loki and his magic, and while Chris feels woefully out of his depth, he tries to rally himself. ]
I really wish you spoke English. Or that I could understand you somehow. Because I could swear you looked like a man for a second.
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This is something I'm going to have to ask your mother about, isn't it.
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