bakerstreet | fell asleep on.

[This is exactly why they're starting slow. Well, why Steve's not just launching them onto the highway.] Okay, essentially there are just three things to remember: hold onto me while I'm driving, keep your feet on your footrests when the bike's moving, and lean with me unless I tell you otherwise.

[He starts the engine, which rumbles to life beneath them, but doesn't go anywhere just yet.]

[ The instructions sound simple enough. Footrests, leaning, holding on- well. He might be a bit awkward and nervous about that, since it might be a little too forward of him since really, he hasn't known Steve very long at all.

But- once the engine starts up, Loki jumps and instantly clings to Steve. That was louder than he expected. ]

[Forward Steve can live with, even if it's just a safety measure and even if he feels like he's taking advantage just because he apparently enjoys Loki clinging to him.]

I'm gonna take us down the road a bit, and then we'll turn around and come back up here to see how you do. If you want to stop at any point, tap me with the fingers of both hands but don't actually let go.

[And then they're moving. Good thing Steve's bike has a proper windshield.]

[ And they're moving, they're definitely moving. Loki keeps to the rules carefully, his feet on the footrests just as Steve told him to. At first, he is holding on to Steve pretty tightly, but as they begin to pick up speed, Loki lifts his head from Steve's back to watch the scenery zoom past them.

It doesn't take long for it to become exhilirating instead of frightening. He still holds on, but it slowly fades to necessity over fear, and he finds himself wondering just how fast this thing can go. ]

[All this, and they're still only going thirty-five miles per hour. They make it back to where they started without incident, so Steve thinks they can tackle other things now. He turns the engine back off and dismounts to dig around in one of the saddlebags again. This time he pulls out a scarf, which he also brought along for cooler weather.]

I know it's a little warm for it, but this'll help protect your mouth while we're on the road, since we'll spend a lot of time going much faster than we were just now.

[ He's almost ready to sulk when they return and stop, but it was a test, and he hadn't fallen off or been too afraid so he hopes he passed. He dismounts alongside Steve, curiously watching as the scarf was dug out and offered to him.

Oh- right, his mouth. It would be terrible to get any dirt, dust, or - ick - bugs caught in there. Loki nods, and carefully wraps the scarf around his neck, tugging it upwards under his nose and tying the ends firmly, ready to depart for real now. ]

[It's not the most dignified look, but it's hard to associate dignity with a person you met when you were both naked, so Steve doesn't care. He gets back on the bike and puts his sunglasses on.] Alright, we have one quick stop to make and then we're out of here.

[ High fashion it is not, scarf-mask and clashing brown leather, but it will suffice. Steve's announcement does give him pause, suddenly worried about this quick stop of theirs ... but he follows Steve back onto the bike, and returns his arms around Steve to hold on carefully tight. Hopefully this quick stop will be very quick. ]

[It is very quick: at the edge of town, Steve pulls into a gas station he knows has a rack of cheap sunglasses, goes inside, and takes maybe a minute to buy a pair that will look decent on Loki's face.]

[ Loki grows more apprehensive about all this as he waits outside for Steve. He isnt't about to follow him into the shop and have people stare at him, even with the scarf covering up the most obvious reason. But, hopefully no one will approach while Steve ... gets whatever it is he's in the shop to get. ]

[Steve's back outside as soon as he can be, removing the tag from Loki's new sunglasses before offering them to him.] Here, it's going to be pretty bright out once we get past all these trees.

[ There are too many strange contraptions in this realm. Loki eyes the glasses warily, but he's seen Steve wear his own pair so-- okay he's a bit awkward fitting them on his ears, but he's ... pretty sure he got it right. And everything is tinted dark now. ]

[Steve doesn't comment on Loki's awkwardness, because of course a guy who's never seen a motorcycle before would also be unfamiliar with sunglasses. He just gets back on the bike and gets them ready to leave.]

Remember, tap if you want me to stop at any time. [And then, as soon as Loki's holding on again, they're off.]

[ He figures he's got them on right once they feel like they won't fall off his face. It probably still looks weird, but it'll get the job done. Then it's back onto the bike behind Steve, holding on once more, maybe a bit tighter now that their actual journey was about to begin. ]

[It's nothing but smooth sailing once they hit the highway: as Steve promised, the trees and hills eventually give way to flatter, open areas where the sun can reach them directly and constantly. Unless Loki indicates otherwise, they won't be stopping anywhere until they've been on the road a couple of hours, which is more than enough time for Steve to get used to Loki at his back.]

[ He did prefer the shelter of the forest, feeling too exposed on the open road even as covered up as he is. But it's in pursuit of a new and better home, so he doesn't let himself prod Steve to pull over for quite some time. Eventually, Loki is able to relax more, even leaning forward to rest his head against Steve's back as the long stretch of highway zooms away underneath them. ]

[It's definitely nice, driving along like this, but Steve finally pulls into a rest stop so they can empty what needs emptying, fill what needs filling, and stretch what needs stretching. This time of year, with no holidays and few opportunities for vacations, they're pretty much the only people there.

For some reason, every rest stop Steve's seen on his cross-country trip has had trees around it. The shade's convenient, at any rate.] How you doing so far?

[ The bike is loud, but not terribly so. The wind's rushing through his hair, there are so many sights to see even as they zoom past. It's ... fun. It's been a long time since Loki's had this much fun.

It's a pity his lips are sewn, otherwise he'd have quite the ridiculous grin on his face. But he smiles as much as he can when they stop for their break, and nods his head at Steve as he removes his sunglasses and tugs the scarf down a bit. He's quite enjoying himself. ]

[What Loki can manage as far as smiling is still enough to get Steve smiling back. By this point in his trip Steve would have to enjoy just driving around, and he does; more so now that he has company who also seems to be enjoying himself.]

Good. I'm going to visit the Chamber of Commerce if you want to stretch your legs a little. [By which he means he's going to use the restroom, but that's period slang for you.]

[ Chamber of Commerce? ... is Steve a politician?

But, stretching his legs is a good idea. Loki nods, and tugs the scarf back up to hide his stitches as he takes a slow walk towards the trees surrounding the rest stop. There aren't many other people in the area, so he's not too worried about stares, but he'll keep to the shade and out of the way just in case while he waits for Steve to be done with his chamber meeting. ]

[Steve's, er, chamber meeting doesn't take long at all, and in no time he's back out of the men's room, raiding the vending machines. Fortunately one of them is the kind that has actual refrigerated sandwiches and other such things, so he assembles a passable lunch before collecting a V8 and straw from the bike and going to look for Loki.]

[ It's just long enough for another set of rather burly bearded men to ride on up with their own, much louder bikes. They're only small in numbers and are likely very nice gentlemen out enjoying their mid life crises, but it's enough for Loki to have skittered up a tree while waiting for Steve. Y'know. Just in case. ]

[Sadly, this time Steve isn't equipped with any handy carrying devices, so when he does find Loki--what is with this guy and trees?--he just looks up and waves Loki's juice.] You wanna join me?

[ Trees are high up and sheltered, they are good hiding places. Even though Steve found him in ten seconds. Shush he likes trees.

But once Steve does find him, Loki waves, and carefully hops down from his tree. Tummy is starting to get rumbly. ]

[Fine, fine, trees are great. Steve even leans up against one as soon as he's passed Loki his juice and straw, something to relax against while he eats without actually sitting down since he'll be getting plenty of it today.]

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