[ infinity war psl, bucky and loki, spoilers ]

[dothelokimotion]

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[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki pauses, unsure, before he extends his hand. ]

It'll heal. If you are . . . concerned.

[ Which seems bizarre but possible??? ]

[lefthandfree]

[He’s definitely concerned, but not that it won’t heal. Taking Loki's hand carefully, he sees the reddened skin and hisses faintly.]

How bad does it hurt?

[And without another word, he gently draws the injury to his lips, placing an instinctive kiss to it. Habit from the old days, kissing away his younger sisters’ injuries as his mother had taught him. He knows it doesn’t really do anything physically to help, but he only thinks to stop himself only after he’s already lowered Loki’s hand again.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki stares, completely off guard, eyes wide in disbelief. ]

Ah . . . It'll pass, I'm sure. I'm not used to being burned.

[lefthandfree]

[Humming, and ignoring the staring (even though his cheeks start to stain a bit red), he brushes his thumb gently against the reddened skin. It’s certainly not a bad burn at all, but the angry vermillion looks off, even to Bucky.]

Probably should still run it under cool water.

[With that, he gently tugs Loki toward the kitchen sink before starting the tap. Cool water, of course. Not cold.]

What were you doing at the stove anyway? Don’t you usually prefer lounging in malaise on the couch? [The last bit is said with a knowing grin of course, but he can’t help the tease.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki gives Bucky a dirty look, even if his gaze drifts back to their hands. The top of his ears are slightly pink. ]

I wanted to try using the inflammatory device. I should know how it works!

[lefthandfree]

[It’s difficult not to notice the tint of color, of course, especially as the man’s indignant tone following shares his embarrassment quite clearly. Drawing attention to it, amusing or not, would only aggravate the man further, so the soldier decides not to say anything.

Humming, Bucky gently brushes his thumbs against the wound again, now with cool water buffering the sensitive area.]

Were you trying to cook something?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His breath hitches slightly. Loki is not used to being touched and he rarely lets anyone have that privilege. Thor was the only one he would ever let this close. His fingers twitch unconsciously. ]

A stew. My mother used to make it.

[lefthandfree]

[ He can tell he's already asking a lot, even if they never set any rules down and bothering to was far beyond them when sometimes merely existing together in mutual silence was more than enough, but so long as Loki doesn't pull himself away quite yet, Bucky's learned that Loki, even in protest, is allowing him the privilege, however rare.

He doesn't abuse it, letting the water do its work without any further fuss of the wound. Even for as much pain as the two of them are capable of suffering in their own right, it's certainly something Bucky finds they've endure enough of.

At Loki's reasoning, Bucky's brows raise with surprise and interest, ears bobbing slightly upward as well with how unexpected the response is. Stew, and something Loki's mother used to make. It's something with emotion, comfort and warmth that most would associate with a care, and his heart softens. ]

For me? [ Quiet, with hope. The corner of his lips slips the slightest bit upward. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki does not flush easily. it could be a matter of biology or simple constant practice at burying every nuance and reaction, trying to make sure it was never used against him. still the tips of his ears go slightly pink around the edges. ]

Yes, well — It is the only thing I know how to make.

[ his mother has passed on many things for loki to learn. her magic, her art, her talent. he had squandered all of them fruitlessly, along with her time. regret is not a feeling loki carries in his heart. he finds it cumbersome and useless, like a noose around one's neck. but he does hold a piece of it, only for his mother. ]

[lefthandfree]

[ he tries not to look too fond of the gesture, settling on a soft smile rather than failing to stifle one altogether. bucky knows better than to wholly embarrass him, turning back to face the stove the moment he notices the tinge about the edge of loki's ears. ]

Yeah, I guess stovetops wouldn't be the norm on Asgard, huh? [ from the stories he's gleaned, despite of the grand technologies available in the foreign realm, electronics and gas lines didn't quite make the cut, more rudimentary means bolstered by magic being favored instead.

he checks the knobs and flicks off the active dial before sliding the pot back into place. maybe if it were a gas stove with a visible flame it would be easier for loki to decipher, but even bucky had to relearn a few things when using an induction stove the first time after being freed from hydra's grasp. ]

Do you mind teaching me? How to make it.

[ bucky glances back toward the other man, throwing on a curious smile. it's how he chooses to offer his help without giving loki the chance to mistake his intent, to presume bucky finds him incompetent by any means. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks, swallowing tightly. a part of him is reluctant to share the few pieces of frigga he had left. but frigga was the goddess of hospitality. she had cared for all. the least loki could do is emulate her. he gives a small nod. ]

Yes . . . It's not complicated. I'm sure she would . . . like that.

[lefthandfree]

[ maybe she would, but it isn't quite what bucky asked. ]

Would you? [ softly, like a secret. if loki is wary, the soldier will only guard it as such. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki falls silent, unsure. his thoughts were muddied, unsure. but he finally nods, galvanised. ]

I would. I was a poor son, but I think she wouldn't mind this. She would like to be shared.

[lefthandfree]

[ he smiles more broadly at that, trying to relay his appreciation. ]

If she's anything like my ma, I'm sure she'd be proud you remembered it at all.

[ it's bucky's own way of saying he misses his mother too. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks the faint moisture in his eyes. ]

I — Perhaps. I can only hope.

[lefthandfree]

[ it's an instinctive response, catching the glassy gleam and reaching out with his right hand, wanting to comfort him. he remembers loki's bubble only after he does, and pauses.

he recalculates quickly, turning to walk past loki instead, hand ghosting against loki's without ever quite grasping on. his hand lingers, bucky wondering if he should. ]

The, uh, potholders would help, [ he supplies lamely to excuse the oddity in his behavior. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ that cracks through loki's veneer of melancholia. he huffs, the glimmer vanishing as he manages a faint smile. ]

And what would those be?

[lefthandfree]

[ somehow he can feel the tension drop, even without seeing it. he smiles to himself with some relief. ]

Protection, from the heat. Like a kind of heat armor when you're cooking.

[ he opens the drawer they're stored in and pulls out a pair of oven mitts and a couple square potholders, turning back and holding them out for loki to see. ]

Nothing fancy like yours though.

[dothelokimotion]

Fancy hardly matters if it'll do the job.

[ he rubs at his burn idly. it's already fading, though the lingering memory of the heat still makes him antsy. he never considered why that was until his heritage came into light. ]

[lefthandfree]

[ while he doesn't see the gesture directly, the slight movement of loki's arm indicates enough for him to hazard a guess. ]

They will, [ he assures. Then, plainly: ] Burns suck. I don't like 'em either.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks before smiling faintly. ]

No. I've always been susceptible to heat and fire. Logically, I should know to be more careful, but it is a new weakness to learn.

[lefthandfree]

[ it's not quite the answer he expects. he licks his lips anxiously before asking: ]

That an Asgardian thing? Or a you thing?

[ he moves to set the mitts and holders on the counter beside the stovetop, busying himself with turning back on the heat. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki hesitates. ]

It is a . . . Jotun thing. I am adopted.

[lefthandfree]

[ shit. that was definitely a landmine. loki shared it anyway though, so maybe... ]

Jotun?

[dothelokimotion]

Frost Giant. The enemies of Asgard.

[ he seemed to reciting that from memory before shaking his head. ]

They're susceptible to heat. Obviously.