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“You’re so pretty…”
The words were quiet, so soft he might’ve missed them if they weren’t laying practically on top of one another in the tub. Loki’s emerald green eyes blinked open, looking up at his imposing partner. He’d been drifting off a little. These were his favourite moments stolen between missions and other responsibilities.
Their relationship was an odd one. No label but they behaved as though they were lovers. Loki wouldn’t mind being his if he asked in all honesty. He admired the soldier and appreciated all that he had done for him. He was the one who’d convinced the other Avengers to give him a chance when Thor brought him, was the one who’d helped him get his footing in this strange new world…
But he knew Bucky would never ask because Bucky was on a healing journey of his own. While Loki learned to be loved and allow himself to trust, the former Winter Soldier learned how to be himself, who that even was when he wasn’t fighting for a cause. He couldn’t blame the other man for not wanting to be tied down yet. So they made do with moments like these.
‘Bath time’ was what they called it, and it was his favourite for a multitude of reasons. He got to just lie there in the bulkier man’s arms for one, sometimes if he was particularly tired Bucky would even lift him from the water and dry him himself. Then there was always the soft warm touches, the compliments. Growing up without any of that left him starved for it. He preened every time those calloused hands stroked his bare skin and called him any number of names and adjectives.
Today, it was pretty.
Loki didn’t respond because he knew the best way to get the soldier to keep going was to not say anything. The other man must’ve sensed his silence was because he wanted to hear more and continued, soft.
“I know you come from a place of gods, but I’m sure you’re the most gorgeous among them.” His lips then came down to caress the top of Loki’s dark hair. If he were a cat, Loki would be purring. He loved the praise and loved how willing this man was to give it to him. He didn’t even ask for much in return.
He twisted now, sitting up to stretch his limbs which had been tangled with the soldier’s for who knows how long. They ached a bit and the water was becoming slightly cold, it always started warm but they couldn’t help themselves from spending as many hours as they could in the porcelain safe space that was the tub.
“You want me to dry you today, don’t you?”
Loki didn’t even have to ask, Bucky just knew. He knew by the way the Asgardian sat up but didn’t make to get out of the water himself. Today wasn’t even a particularly hard day for him, he hadn’t had any missions that would’ve warranted this special treatment. No, Loki just wanted extra affection and Bucky had a hard time denying him that. If he could give it, why wouldn’t he?
Slowly, he extricated himself from the water, careful not to knock the other man and shook a bit as he grabbed a towel to wrap around his waist. He was used to doing this routine with only one hand as he didn’t wear the vibranium arm in the tub. It wouldn’t be destroyed in the water but he preferred not to get it unnecessarily wet if he didn’t have to, the thing could be a pain to dry and after their little bath time they always went straight to bed. He’d hate to have to take more time to dry his arm, precious time he could be curled around his Loki in the safety of the beds Stark provided them at the compound.
He grabbed his arm off of the counter and reattached it to his socket, spinning it to make sure it was locked in properly. He moved it a bit to test, then lifted another towel just as Loki let out a soft whine. A reminder that he was here, that he wanted to be paid attention to.
“I’m coming, I’m coming, jeez. You’re such an attention whore.” He grumbled, but it was only lighthearted as he lifted Loki with ease, wrapping him in the fluffy warm towel. Those emerald eyes slid closed, content. They were both getting what they wanted tonight; Loki his attention, Bucky the chance to stare at this beautiful specimen who insisted on clinging to him. He had to admit when Thor said he’d had a brother he hadn’t pictured this at all.
The man was ethereal, and Bucky would never get enough of him.
While Loki stood drying off, he got dressed into what he typically wore to bed; sweats and a white tank. His flesh hand ran through his wet hair, pushing it out of his face. He rarely ever dried it after. It felt good.
Loki slowly started going about his bedtime process which was a lot longer; he got into his pajamas (which were actually pajamas, green silk), set up the blow dryer because he couldn’t stand the feeling of wet hair and set up a bunch of jars and tubes of things. Bucky had long since stopped asking what they were for, it was a skin routine that took ages. Longer if he bothered him through it. He had Wanda and Natasha to thank for that, introducing the Asgardian to the best of what Earth had to offer in terms of beauty essentials.
“You know you don’t need all of that stuff to look beautiful.” Bucky wrapped his arms around him from behind instead, resting his chin on his shoulder. There was an indignant snort in reply.
“I hardly think I need them, but they do help.”
“Mm. Sure they do.” Bucky stole a kiss on his cheek and headed out to the bedroom. He would be joined when Loki was done his routine, there was no point in staying there and watching. The prince would lazer focus on what he was doing and nothing in the world could drag him out of it.
Half an hour later, they both curled up on the bed, Bucky had Loki pulled tightly to his chest. His lips ghosted the skin on the nape of his neck.
Loki settled back into the warmth, the strong muscles. It was everything he’d wanted since he was a little boy, to have someone appreciate him, worship him. Maybe it wasn’t the kind of worship he’d been going for when he tried to take over New York but he found he liked it better than that kind anyway.
Nothing could be better than being able to bring a super soldier to his knees, he decided, drifting off. This was his version of Valhalla.