Snapshot in the Rain
SFW. Romance. Fluff. Loki is caught in Luka's forgetfulness.
The forecast said rain.A hitched gasp expels from Luka. It's then followed by panicked pats around his body; his hip pockets, back pockets, chest pocket. His eyes widen.
With a surge of relief pouring over him, he finds his key ring, but as he runs the coil around, the right key just isn't there.
"You lost them, didn't you?"
The question hits the back of his head like a rock.
"I don't see you pulling up any keys...!"
The man looks again for the right key as if it would magically appear before his very eyes, but with less panic as he gives in to the realization that he misplaced the spare house key to Bayonetta's home. And knowing those two witches, they're not coming home any time soon. Or offering him another spare.
He turns to the boy waiting impatiently at him.
"You don't need to use the bathroom or anything...do you?"
An exasperated sigh leaves the boy.
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The dark grey skies finally release the rain down onto the city. It's not cold, thankfully, but there's enough wind every now and then to make Luka hope it won't take long for the witches to respond to Loki's text. Thankfully the gazebo Luka helped them build months ago is keeping them dry along with some comfy cushioned pillows upon a couch. It's a loveseat, so only two people can really fit on it. But I guess he really needs the heat, huh, thinks Loki. "Well," Luka says with a huff, "that wasn't a part of my plan at all today."
He looks up just below the gazebo's roof and watches the rain hit the garden. "I knew we should've driven here instead." Loki watches him for a moment, seeing his slight frustration fronted by a coy mistake. "Did you guys install a heat system in this thing?"
"...In hindsight, a patio heater would've been a good idea. Here-"
The boy feels a thick arm wrap around him along with a burst of warm flooding his body. He's not sure if that's from Luka holding him, or from his gaze smiling down at him. "This should keep you warm a little longer."
"I-I didn't mean it like that, mate." Flustered, he tries to keep his mouth going with his own words, "I was thinking since you're only wearing that white shirt of yours..."
Luka looks down at his chest, partially soaked by the rain when retreating for cover. "Oh. Well, that's where you come in, right? You make a great boyfriend and source of warmth." A wink shoots though Loki's chest. The rain almost sounds like it's coming down harder.
"Bloody hell..." He whispers to himself with a blush reddening across his face.
"Ahh, that's it. I knew that'd work." Luka laughs at Loki.
"What are you talking about?"
"You're so easy to tease, just doing that made your body heat flare up. Just what I needed."
Loki shoves his partner away from him playfully, yet embarrassed. "Cut it out, you always have to pull some shite like this, mate?"
"Aaaw, c'mon, don't wanna keep this hunk of yours all snug?"
Luka can feel the heat rise. He smiles a shit-eating grin.
Loki leans onto Luka, wrapping his small arm around him as they watch the rain fall down onto the garden's flowers and botany. The distant sounds of birds chirping and the occasional car plays like a lullaby to the couple.
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A rumble of thunder taps Loki awake. Wiping his eyes, he realizes he's still inside of the gazebo. Must've fallen asleep. He looks at Luka, mouth agape with a peaceful snore. He's always been a heavy sleeper, but it doesn't take much for Loki to do to wake him up. He pinches his nose closed until Luka jolts awake.
"GAH!" He looks down at Loki. "What, what?"
"Nothing, I just figured we should wake up."
"Can't you find another way to get me to wake up?"
Loki snickers, "You'll be alright, mate. It's already dark."
The journalist looks at the sky, realizing night has already fallen. The rain is heavy.
"Oh. Well, kid, I didn't install a heating system, but I did install this."
He gets up with a stretch-- sitting down in an awkward position like that will need one to do so, he walks over to the rightmost opening of the structure and hits a switch. Soft yellow lights flood into the immediate area, appearing like fireflies just before the light escapes.
Loki watches with an impressed look on his brow. "Good call, mate." Loki says, pulling out a drink from the table before the couch. "Want a sip?"
"No thanks, probably shouldn't drink while the girls are still out. By the way, did they ever reply to your texts?"
Loki feels the realization pop in his head. He mumbles an "oh, right", and grabs his phone.
"They did." His eyes scan the message.
With a bit of hesitation lingering in his heart, he looks over at Luka who is waiting with anticipation.
Loki taps on the link and sees...exactly what he was predicting.
A phone picture of Luka sprawled out, neck in an uncomfortable position, arm draped around Loki's waist. Loki's lips slightly parted open, holding onto Luka's waist as if not to slip off in their slumber.
"They were here the whole time, mate....." He says while showing him the image.
Luka....can't help but be annoyed with himself, "I guess we didn't knock on the door or anything..."
He can't keep the annoyance up for long as he looks at the attachment; he points at the picture with a smile, zooming in on Loki's sleepy face.
"Look at the way this brat sleeps. It's like he was cold, too."
"Ok, Mr. I Need A Chiropractor Someday, look at that broken neck. But seriously, you don't think....she knows we're..." He gestures with his hands.
"Knowing her, she probably assumes we just fell asleep like this and nothing more. Nothing to worry about." He says, petting Loki's head. "What a cute pic, though. I guess someone with as much vanity as she has, it'd make sense she's good at taking pictures of people."
Loki saves the picture to his gallery. "I'm saving it because you look ridiculous, mate. And because I like it."
The two laugh in the night, telling each other the dreams they had while looking at this new snapshotted memory in the rain.
Snapshot in the Rain
Written 4.25.24
