bakerstreet | Clothing share

Ota

[ He likes jackets and gets cold easy... so dealer's choice. ]

Edited 2023-03-27 18:55 (UTC)

[No elaborate excuse is required, no accidental stains on her own clothing or chilly weather incoming. He just tugs off his twin-horned helmet and sets it lightly on her head, where it has to tilt back a bit too far to accommodate her antennae.]

Hrm. I'll have to have one made that fits you better.

[ Upon this new addition, Mantis reaches up with fingertips outspread to gauge what he's done. The smoothness of the cool metal pleases her; her thumb traces along the engravings that protect the temples, skittering up until she has to unfold her arm and stretch back.

Vindication's lightning clashes in her eyes as a humungous grin takes up most of her face. ]

I knew it. [ And it all makes sense. ] You must have to practice neck exercises to keep your head from rolling back when you wear this.

[There are runes along the inside edges, subtle enchantments to protect the wearer, but the horns are sleek and polished.

Loki laughs softly at her expression and sits down across from her.] You knew that I do neck exercises? It's not quite as weighty on my head, but it does require some work to counterbalance. And doorways will get me every time. They were all at least ten feet high on Asgard but the horns knock into them everywhere else I go.

[ Her mouth slips from smile to o-shape, surprise writ large. ] So it's you. You're the one who struggles with doors. [ Intent to discover the nooks and crannies of the helmet while it's on her head, she keeps her voyage on track as she speaks. ] Drax believed that my antennae were for feeling doorways when he first met me. Who would have trouble going through—

[ He does. Oh. She'll slam those words right back into her throat, then. Her gaze darts away on the off chance that speed will cover up her faux pas. ]

But, yes. I thought you HAD to strengthen the tendons in your neck so that you could wear this on top and still maintain perfect posture. Asgardian training methods seem rigorous when you do them correctly.

[ ...not like Thor. Apologies. He just happened to have been a member of her team during a...rough period of his life. ]

[That prompts a blush and a little scoffing sound from him. He didn't mean to imply he's a klutz, but the conclusion is there to be drawn and where doorways are concerned it's not entirely incorrect. At least not while he's wearing a helmet that increases his height by several inches.] I can't help that I'm tall!

[He's not really upset, though, and after sticking his tongue out at her halfheartedly, he relaxes again.] Mm...well, Asgardians and Jotnar have denser tissues and greater innate muscle strength than a lot of other species. I'm not sure how I compare with Drax, and I'm disinclined to offer to arm-wrestle him to find out.

You're not wrong about the training methods, though. Thor and I both trained with the royal guard for several years. Our father insisted. But my mother also taught me a few things; I learned posture from her.

He would dislocate your shoulder. [ Said matter-of-factly. She crosses her legs to give herself more leverage as she sits and centers her core that she can appear rod-straight, regal, and aloof on her 'throne.' A spitting image of Loki. How's it look? ] Not because he's stronger, only due to his determination. You'd let him do it to get away. [ A whisper, the admission she has to make leaving her a little guilty. ] He can be annoying in that way.

[ Once she pays her penance with a scowl, she goes quiet for a moment. Whatever it is that she wishes to ask falls short once. Half-twice, until she allows the thought wings. ]

...will you tell me about your mother?

I'm sure he'd try. [Loki feels compelled to defend himself, but he quiets when she elaborates, smiling again. Whether it's true or not--it's possible Drax is stronger; he has no idea--but the point she makes about stubbornness is well taken.] A little like Thor, then. Perhaps Thor isn't quite as bad.

[Thor is nowhere near as bad.

The question she asks makes him look down at the ground between his feet. It's sweet that she wants to know. Sad that she has no comparable memories. He's not sure where to begin.]

I think she'd have liked you. Frigga was like that; she had a warm heart. She was clever, as well, though. Perceptive about the people around her. She was raised by witches, by Völur, a particular group of clairvoyant sorceresses in Vanaheim. She would marvel at the gift you have, and understand it better than I can.

Actually, now that I think of it, you have some things in common with her.

[He gives her a faint smile.] Her preferred weapon was the broadsword, though, rather than daggers.

[ Prodded by the instinct to defend Thor (he isn't that bad! only a bit loud and sweaty, on occasion), Mantis defeats that impulse and does what she does well: listen. Absorb. Every thread Loki weaves of his mother (Frigga. Frigga. Commit it to your mind) is a strand of silk that she carefully folds. She was magic, like him. As sharp as him.

A deep shadow with warmth layered inside.

Perhaps, if she keeps her eyes on him, she can see Frigga's face through Loki's. ]

She sounds exactly like a mother should. I hope she would like me, if we'd met. [ Mantis wouldn't even hold the broadswords against her. ] I never knew my mother while she was alive. Instead, I memorize what everyone tells me about theirs so that I can piece together what she might have been like.

[ ...you know, this heartfelt admission would hit differently if she weren't still clad in his helmet. In fact, the peak of its forehead plate rides downward as she tucks her chin close.

It takes both hands for her to finally lift it from her head, dark hair tangled in the ear pieces until she frees herself with a shake; his headpiece nests on her lap when she's done. ]

I wish that they would have been similar.

[He nods silently. He wasn't sure if she'd ever known her own mother, but having been raised by Ego, he assumed she hadn't known her for long. It's painfully unfair, that Mantis should have had so little of the kindness she deserves, while Loki has sweet memories of a woman he spurned at exactly the wrong time. He can't fix that, or take back his accidental betrayal, but he can try to live up to Frigga's legacy.]

Well...they did call her the goddess of motherhood and the home, among other things. Humans did. The same as they named me the god of mischief. [He reaches out and smooths back some of her mussed hair, careful not to pull. Guilt and tenderness radiate from him; he hardly needs to touch her for her to read that, and at this point he's accepted it.]

I understand a little, I think. Frigga was my mother; I could not have asked for better, but I was adopted. I wonder often what the Jotun woman who bore me was like.

Humans cherish their mothers. [ An oversimplification, for certain, yet one she's willing to make. She continues with the patter that's knocked loose by her first few pebbles of recollection. ] Peter remembers his mother, down to every last detail of her face. Her voice, too. He tells us the stories she told him and sings her songs to us. It's like she's still alive in him.

[ It's a delayed reaction, but she finally leans her cheek into the palm of his hand, skin nuzzled to skin.

She should pull away.

She should pull away before this next part, while she has the chance and he still looks at her this way. ]

Ego murdered his mother, you know. [ So soft, her voice is almost a whisper. Cobwebs hang at the corners of her tone; for years, she's kept this secret in the deepest places of her heart, only told one or two.

Now, three. ] Mine as well. And all of the other mothers of his children. He destroyed them.

They have to. They're born tiny and helpless...but then, so are Aesir and Jotnar, relatively speaking. [He doesn't know Peter well; they have decidedly conflicting personalities, but because Mantis cares about him Loki has made every effort to be civil and to enjoy his taste in music.

He stills when she nuzzles into his hand, savoring the skin contact despite the vulnerability. When she speaks again, he meets her eyes, because the uncertainty colors her voice. This is something big, something she's not comfortable revealing.

Ego was her father, not just her captor.

Loki closes his eyes, thoughts torn in two different directions. Frigga's death was his fault, and he'll never forgive himself for it whether anyone else does or not. But this is about Mantis, not him, and he pushes it aside, something he can explain later if she's sensed and if she wants to know. For now...]

So he's your brother? Quill's your brother. [Half-brother, technically, but that hardly matters. He nudges his forehead against hers, smiling.] I'm glad. All joking aside...it's good to have a brother.

I had many brothers and sisters. [ Had. Had. The implication remains without a comment further as she's discovered a — much more desirable — distraction in his face against hers. The corners of her lips tilt into a weak start of a smile. ] Peter knows, however. I told him as soon as I found the strength. For so long, I thought he would hate me. I was...afraid that he wouldn't be able to see me as anything but a reminder of our father.

[ In retrospect, the fear catches her off guard. Of course Peter wouldn't reject her. How could she think that? For everything their mutual father is...no, she repeats in mantra even now, was, for everything Ego was, Peter defies him.

It could be that same off-kilter blood that pumps through her veins and urges her on. ]

At night — if Ego hadn't slept for days — he would tell me that he'd loved Meredith Quill the most. Back then I wondered if he had told someone else the same things about my mother. [ Her hands shake.

She hesitates to touch Loki for the first time. ] If he loved her at all.

[This close to her, some of the undercurrents running through her mind leak through to him. The need to remind herself that Ego is gone, the uncertainty about the puzzle pieces that make up who she is--Norns, but it's all so relatable. Is this part of why they fit together? For all her blamelessness and all his guilt, they have similar scars and similar fears.

Is she as angry as he is, deep down? Is that why her hands are shaking?

He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, focusing on calm, focusing on his affection for her, trying to be something she can center herself around.]

Sometimes someone beautiful is placed at the mercy of someone unworthy. It sounds as if Ego never knew how to value what he had in front of him, neither the mothers nor the children they gave him.

It's wrong and nothing either of us can say will make it less wrong. But you're more than him. Whatever your mother was like, I'm sure she would be glad you survived.

[ And in this closeness she craves lies a curse.

Her apprehension springs less from anxiety that she’ll feel his emotions and more that she could leech hers into him. That trepidation weighs heavier than she’s experienced until this exchange.

She’d spread corruption from her open wound. Like father, like daughter.

But she’s her mother’s child, too. All of these disparate elements, all the contradictions and lies - ones she’s wrestled to comprehend - birthed her. Loki understands that place, too. Ego, Jotunheim…two worlds with one truth.

Yet both of them sit here, alive and in love. I'm sure she would be glad you survived.

A tear runs down the length of her nose. Awash in his affection for her, she allows her hands to drift to his, fingers curling where they can. Then, she brushes his mind with the edges of her emotions, even the ugly ones. Especially the ugliest ones: twinned horror and fury, despair. Guilt.

In spite of those, adoration, too. Always. ]

Thank you.

[ As soon as the alight on his face, they’re gone — simply because she’s embraced him, if he’ll allow it, arms tossed haphazardly across his shoulders.

She survives. She feels. And the two actions are indistinguishable from each other, a fact that she’s never been able to explain to others no matter how naturally it came to her.

She senses, without shame or regret, everything everyone has to offer all at once. The universe shares with her.

Her eyes widen. This is her mother. This is legacy. ]

I can feel her.

[ Barely audible, as revelations go. If Loki hears, she may not have to explain it. He recognizes what it takes to remain in a story when the narrative wants you erased. ]

[Very big jacket, tons of junk in the pockets.]

Oi, m'freezing my tits off over here.

[someone didn't check the weather before donning their mini skirt this morning.]

[He peeked at her, waiting as the little gas pump ticked down his precious dollars and cents.]

Sure it isn't your legs?

[hanging her upper body halfway out the front window of the van Ryuuko frowned.]

Coulda warned me the heat's busted on this old rust bucket!

[just gonna thump the dash with a frustrated kick.]

Edited 2023-04-08 04:55 (UTC)

[He breathed in a sigh, having absolutely no comeback for that. Really, he was in such a rush to go out, he hadn't thought twice when they hopped in. So, stomping around the front of the van to go to Ryuuko's side, Nero swung the door open and pulled off his jacket.]

Sorry. That's my bad, alright? [He didn't sound even slightly upset with her loud complaining or even the thud on the dash--instead, draping his coat over her shoulders and even reaching for her hands so he could get her arms into the sleeves. Ratty as it was, it was still heavy and warm, especially since he'd been wearing it.]

Just hold on until we get back, alright?

[she'd been expecting some smart mouthed comeback, something like: "Not my fault you didn't check the weather this morning" or "You never asked". so she's honestly surprised the moment he yanks the passenger side door open with a rusty squeak and a genuine apology.

as if that wasn't enough of a shock, she doesn't even have time to process his actions before he's shrugging off his coat in favor of wrapping her up in it. Ryuuko opens her mouth to protest, but is persuaded otherwise as the warmth of his jacket envelops her popsicle-like limbs. she huffs at him, and it's a bit like shoving a yappy little chihuahua into a sweater. it's hard to stay cross with him when he's being such a gentleman, so she just winds up puffing out her frostbitten cheeks with a pout, watching as he carefully tucks every bit of her into the fabric.]

I-Idiot, how're you gonna keep warm if I'm wearing this???

[He did it as a matter of course, figuring there was simply no option available to him other than giving her the shirt off his back. Nero thought nothing of it, even buttoning it up so she could at least have a bit of the tail end of the jacket cover her thighs. Determined, he squared his brows and tugged on the ends while he glanced up only to catch her pouting. He huffed, his eyes smiling, reaching behind Ryuuko to pull the hood over her head.

She let him do as he pleased the whole way through, so he didn't think to tease her over how she'd been swimming in his coat. Instead, he reached both hands up to rub his forearms to warm himself. Gingerly, he placed his hands on Ryuuko's calves, feeling the chill on her skin and shrugging. Even with the coat?

Confident, Nero fed Ryuuko a cheeky grin.]

I got my pants and boots, so I'll be fine on the bottom even if I'm cold up top. So, you'll be warm up top and cold on the bottom, right? Makes us even.

Like hell it does...

[quietly humbled by his heartfelt gesture, Ryuuko peered up at him from underneath the large hood, blue eyes brimming with guilt. after all, she didn't want him to suffer on her account, and it's not as if the situation was entirely Nero's doing. she bit the inside of her cheek, mentally berating herself for not preparing accordingly- even if she didn't realize what she was getting herself into until it was already too late.

his palms, while warm where they cupped her legs, would be much warmer if they were shoved back in his jacket pockets still. aggravated with herself, Ryuuko clicked her tongue and reached to place her hands over his, rubbing them tenderly at first before eventually drawing them up to her lips to pepper with kisses and the steam of her breath as it fogged against his knuckles.]

Hmm. Think so?

[Taking a moment to look Ryuuko over, wondering if he could pull one of the breakers out of the back to jump-start the heater, Nero couldn't help but notice the look she had on when she reached for his hands. His brows lifted, a little startled, bracing himself on his knee so she could do as she liked.

His cheeks might have been flush from the cold but he felt none of it when she placed little kisses on his hand, the warmth of her cheeks and lips turning him a bit redder. He laughed a little under his breath, glancing away in his usual sort of retreat into shyness. It was a little difficult to worry about her being in a bad mood because of his screw-ups when she went out of her way to try and make him feel better. So, wiggling his fingers, he lowered his voice. The gas station wasn't exactly empty but he liked to keep those things private.]

Guess you're right. I'm gettin' the better deal here, ain't I?

[ this was the least she could do, he gave up his jacket for her, sacrificing the added warmth that came with it. so she practically owed him whatever touch of heat she could spare at the moment.

his shy expression was cute, it never failed to charm her in those quieter more intimate moments they shared. while it's true they were out in public right now, that never really deterred Ryuuko much from showering him with excess affection. that's what he gets for dating an exhibitionist, tbh. though she does have some self control, most of the time. anyway, it's not like she's about to jump his bones mid gas pump or anything so he can relax.

something like this though, she didn't see any reason to hold back. ]

Doesn't take much to satisfy you, does it?

'Doesn't take much to satisfy me?'

[For only a hair's breadth, he sounded a little confused. Ryuuko wouldn't ever spare him affection but he assumed she'd pull him by the space heater the second they got back and get her time with him in once the trip was over. Moving the car door so it would block the wind a bit more, he snuck just a bit closer to her. The more she drew up on him, the more Nero warmed-- not just at the warmth of her cheek but the satisfaction he heard in her voice. Even so...

Once in a while, she tee'd him up for a good line. Usually the good stuff only came out when he was taunting a demon or trying out one of Nico's dumb new gadgets. The fountain of creativity, otherwise, ran completely dry for him. Had she not been so focused on warming his hands up, Ryuuko might have even caught the coy little grin that cut into his cheeks when he thought of something clever. It wasn't much but when it came to Nero? It was his own little form of poetry.

Most of that pride simply came about knowing he managed to say it without stuttering or missing a beat. There were only so many ways to keep up that exhausting energy from Valentine's day, after all--]

I dunno. I think you're a big fuckin' deal so I'll love whatever you give me.

Edited 2023-03-28 19:22 (UTC)

[Morgan is always up to share a jacket or other clothing, given they have a certain resistance to cold.]

[ there exists no justification on this earth for jesse to sacrifice his comfort to another person. whiiiich leaves one option. ]

[ steal his sickass jacket. ]

Clothing share

CLOTHING SHARE meme

Bakugo Katsuki 💣 Boku No Hero Academia

princess serenity | sailor moon | ota for gen, f/m otherwise

Yelena Belova | MCU | OTA

annie edison | community | ota

Vash | trigun stampede

mitsuru kirijo — persona 3/p4a.

Bandou Saburouta | K | OTA

Aira Shiratori | Ensemble Stars!! | m/m for shipping ota for gen

mantis | mcu | ota

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I am so, so sorry this started out silly but turned into a feels trip without a permission slip.

ok but I love that kind of thing

cleaning out nearly-year old backtags is where i am, apparently.

Nero | Devil May Cry 5

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Nicholas d. wolfwood | trigun stampede

kaveh | genshin impact

Mika Schmidt | Genshin Impact | (Character is 18yo)

Morgan Jay Finnigan | OC | OTA

max mayfield | stranger things

Jesse Copper Brown | moritat

Matt Murdock | NMCU

Kaito Momota | NDRV3 | m/m or gen

nicholas d. wolfwood / trigun stampede.

Laura Kearney | The Quarry

Kaitlyn Ka | The Quarry