epidemiology | CLOSED. BEARDS.

Entry tags:

CLOSED. BEARDS.

CHARACTERS: Ahad & Loki (maybe others)
DATE: Backdated to last week.
WARNINGS: It got a little suggestive. Step lightly. It won't go past PG-13.
SUMMARY: Loki looks awful with stubble so Ahad decides to take one for the team and shave him.

[ first of all, he's not particularly adverse to the idea of shaving, just obligated to be defiant when the subject is broached. there were Asgardians who prided themselves in their grand growth of facial hair, decorating and braiding it to add flourish to their gruff faces. the show of boorish testosterone that Loki found exasperating was now all over his face.

being something-close-to-human was annoying for far too many reasons count, only keeping the title of annoying because if the thought went anywhere else it'd turn to infuriating (which it had on several occasions). the worst was not the loss of his abilities, but the dulling of his senses. there was an elaborate reality unfolding around him that he could get his fingers into, and he felt more like dried ink than the writer.

to keep himself from continuing his existence as a bruised fruit, he had gallivanted out into the jungle to find ways to use his wit to make the situation more doable. it was there that he had come upon the rusted bunker, and utilizing his thieving skills, picked the lock. it wasn't full of treasures by any means, but it was enough of a discovery to momentarily sate him. it's there he found the tool with a blade, and there Ahad's intent announced.

before Ahad arrives, Loki had taken it upon himself to try his hand at it. without awareness of just how squishy he really was, he manages to chip the side of his jaw (which bleeds entirely too much) and only scrape off the rough hairs around one of his cheeks.

everything is hard. ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ There were faces that were made for beards, and faces that were not. Loki seemed to possess a face that it was a disservice to cover with a beard. That the only beard he could produce was a sad sort of stubble was certainly a large part of why Ahad wanted it gone, but not the only one. Not that Ahad could really speak about facial hair, at the moment. His had mostly grown in along the lines he already kept, but it was much thicker than normal. Overall, it wasn't a terrible look on him, except in how unusual it is.

Traveling through the jungle to find Loki was not how Ahad wished to spend part of his day, but he goes about it with a grim sort of determination. Having decided on a course of action, there was no point in delaying it. The longer he waited, the worse that sad attempt at a beard grew.

On finding Loki, he'll take a moment to stare at his face and the mess Loki's made of it. Of course he couldn't wait until Ahad arrived to begin. ]

Did you attempt to shave with a sword? I cannot think of any other reason you would bleed so profusely.

[ of course he couldn't, but his efforts were due to his rush of defiance rather than anything sincere. his sad beard has turned into a sad trainwreck. he runs a hand over his cheeks and to his chin, before licking a finger and pressing it to one of his open wounds, pretending it's not there. ]

I thought I'd save you the effort.

[ Loki sounds deliberately put-out, as if Ahad didn't make it in time. obviously it didn't turn out well. ]

Is that what this is?

[ He's not as disgusted as he sounds, but it's a close thing. Tensions already run high, and Ahad's willingness to play games is far reduced. He knows what Loki's doing and why he feels the need to do it, but Ahad's tolerance is at a very low point. ]

[ well, that's certainly a tone. his lips draw down in a frown, a finger rubbing in place around where he had mortally wounded his own pride. ]

I'm not incapable.

[ his tone is resigned, still trying to find a way to fumble around and grasp the last pieces of his shattered sense of divinity. ]

[ That's where the problem lies. Ahad knows something of what it's like to be mortal-shaped and surrounded by divinity. It's not quite the same as being a god forced into mortal form, but then he's seen that, too. ]

It never helps.

[ What he's referring to is intentionally vague, but Loki can likely fill it in with a variety of options. ]

[ the blood blots, leaving the promise of an ugly scab. it'll heal easily, just like mortal nicks and cuts seem to do, but it doesn't leave him very satisfied. ]

I doubt there's much that would.

[ of course, he's not very happy about it. ]

There's a tale where my brother came to Midgard, forced there by the All-Father, turned human to learn humility. He was violent, vain and troublesome at the time, preoccupied with self-righteousness and arrogance. There was a lesson there for him to learn.

...

This is just irritating.

There's no lesson in this. Nothing positive is taught by such a reduction.

[ Hopelessness, helplessness, apathy...all those and more are easily taught instead. The only thing Ahad has learned here is how he hates being completely without power. It was not a reminder he needed. ]

Enough. Come with me.

[ for someone who's always doing something, and always thinking, finding new ways to wiggle his way out of things, this is rather close to a pot boiling over. he's a creature of change and chaos, and when he's constrained he begins to get anxious. it's like bits and pieces of his identity have been stripped away. ]

Nng—yes, coming, coming!

[ there's a long, exasperated sigh. ]

[ The exasperated sigh is what does it. Something in Ahad snaps. If Loki does nothing to stop it, he'll quickly find himself up against the nearest wall, perhaps a bit more forcefully than Ahad intended. Their relative weights have shifted, and he hasn't had time to adjust for it.

He'll examine the injury on Loki's face for a tense moment. ]

I am not so far gone that I cannot see you.

[ With that, he'll lean in and kiss the spot Loki managed to cut with his attempt at shaving. ]

[ it's fast enough and unexpected enough that it knocks the breath from him. (it's not as if he's unused to being pushed around.) his weight is now light, fitting of his slim frame. suddenly he's flush up against the wall, shirt riding up against his hips as he tries to regain that breath that he lost. ]

What are you—?

[ oh.

dark lashes fall over his eyes, now looking more hazel than green. Loki resists for the barest moment before letting his shoulders release the tension they've been holding since his morning walk. he leans his head against the wall, trust that Ahad won't let him go. ]

When you say stuff like that, it's like I'm being obvious.

[ Letting go is the opposite of Ahad's intentions. One of his hands will remain curled around Loki's bicep, while the other travels down toward that flash of skin at Loki's hips. ]

You are being obvious. In your own way.

[ He'll suck on the wound, encouraging the cut to open again. ]

[ no, he is a pool of deep mystery, at least not today. today he's just bitter and apprehensive in his discomfort. he'd lost his powers before, watched them manifest into some into means of self-punishment, and he wasn't keen on feeling helpless. it was like the world is void of color.

there's a warm hand on his hip, and a mouth on his jaw. he leans back against the cold, stone wall, still unused the temperature against his skin. ]

Oh? [ he tries to look like he doesn't care. ] Then what are you doing?

[ he glances toward the trap door, as if he's looking to see if they're still alone. when he confirms they are, he relaxes a little more. ]

[ If anyone is going to care about unexpected additions to their party, it certainly won't be Ahad. He could care less if someone else happened upon them, in this position, in this bunker in the jungle. ]

Responding in a way that seems most productive.

[ He'll pull back enough to see how Loki responds to this. The eye contact happening here is as extreme as always, but Ahad looks tired. There's no wrinkles or micro expressions to show it, but there's a prevailing sense of being finished with everything that sits on him. ]

[ Loki never liked looking vulnerable in front of anyone, and in this fragile, human shape, he had to keep up appearances more than normal. there was compensation to be had, mixed with his own brand of anxiety.

an arm slings around Ahad's shoulders, fingers spread over the back of his neck, tangling into his hair. he wouldn't object to a little distraction, especially lost in a place so far from any comforts. ]

Ah—[ there's a hum low in his throat. ]—is that so? Then who am I to deny you your productivity?

[ Tangling into his hair may be more difficult than normal. Ahad's taken to wearing it in a braid, since he can no longer spare the effort to keep it magically flawless.

The situation isn't desperate, but Ahad could use this. It's not entirely the intimacy he'd planned for, but he was aware of the possibility. Beards can wait. ]

You're ridiculous.

[ He doesn't intend to give Loki enough time to reply. ]

[ in which he's thankful.

Loki just shifts against him, letting them both fall into the unplanned. he's become accustomed to Ahad's manner, his hands and his mouth, no matter where they may be.

thankfully there's no interruptions, despite Loki's demands of attention from the network. grabbing on to the metal rods of the ladder leading back to the jungle, Loki relents, finally, to allowing Ahad to groom him. with him he brings one of the fresh gallons of water, they're most likely going to need it if Daenerys has any more trouble boiling her own. (that was your fault, Loki.)

there's something of a self-satisfied look on his face, a joke that only he's privy to. ]

[ Ahad's calmer than he was before, more centered. It would be difficult for most to tell, but Loki knows him well enough. He's going to ignore that look on Loki's face, for the sake of a few moments of quiet.

He's content to allow Loki to do all of the carrying of things. ]

I would suggest washing your face. If you dislike the feel of injury, infection is worse.

[ He may actually hold the door open for Loki, once they reach their destination. ]

[ the walk back is interesting, with Loki occasionally chattering and knocking Ahad lightly with the bottles that he's holding, showing his displeasure in doing all the grunt work alone. despite that, he never asks him, only prides himself in being a nuisance.

Loki puffs out an showy sigh before setting the water down. ]

Aye, aye—you'll have to kiss it again afterward.

[ the words are chirped out not serious (but maybe completely serious), before he sets down the water and goes to find some of that water that Dany had treated. the salt would be better, if not a little drying. ]

[ That remark does get a raised eyebrow. ]

That depends entirely on you.

[ How does one sharpen knives without powers? Ahad's going to puzzle that over for a moment, as he goes to retrieve it. Yes, directly from Loki's pockets, if that's where it happens to be. ]

Does it? [ Loki counters smoothly at the eyebrow raise. he settles in that smug, irritating look of satisfaction, his voice tinged with tease. ] Well then, it seems that I've contracted some sort of kissing power during our exchange.

[ he cocks his hip, waving one of his hands annoyingly?? definitely annoyingly. ] I'll be sure to use it most irresponsibly.

[ with a cant of his head, he watches Ahad lazily pat him down to dig into his pockets. arms stretch above Loki's shoulders and behind his head, letting him roam without complaint. ]

I would be more concerned if you did attempt to use it responsibly.

[ Ahad lets out a little 'ah' as he finds it. The pose earns Loki a raised eyebrow, but it's not worth commenting on. This is closer to what Ahad expects from Loki. ]

Do you know me that well already?

[ somehow he seems a little pleased with that. always up to no good, this one. it also meant a few other good things: he's made enough of an impression to stand as Loki in terms of multiversal resonance.

but, you know, he's feeling a little pleasantly giddy. ]

[ At least the giddiness is preferable to his previous mood. Not that Ahad would ever admit to not finding it annoying. ]

Whatever. Find somewhere to sit and do try not to cut yourself again.

[ Ahad's going to wander off in search of a cloth and soap. ]

Demands, demands.

[ you know, just to be extra annoying.

Loki circles around to do just as he said, despite the possibility of him Not Doing It to just Not Do It. Ahad is gifted with compliance, and Loki swaggers from place to place until he deems a spot that seems suitable. it takes longer than it should, really. ]

Edited 2016-06-18 12:55 (UTC)

[ Finding something that counts as soap and a cloth does not actually take that long. While Loki wanders about, Ahad will lean against a wall and watch him. He's fairly successful in looking as if he doesn't care.

Once Loki seats himself, Ahad will slide from his position and approach. ]

You enjoy it.

[ He'll lean in to cup Loki's chin, tilting his head up and taking another look at what's left of Loki's sad beard. ]

[ wow, stop staring at it, Ahad. for the moment, Loki makes a real effort in looking sour. ]

How kind of you to say so.

[ well, it's not untrue, but he likes Ahad's company more than he likes being shaved. it's a little humiliating, in all honesty, between the mortal vulnerability and the lack of control, but the little japes and touches make up for it.

not that he'd ever admit to it, but it keeps him from taking this other places. like how King Loki might be laughing. ]

[ He'll lean down to give him a quick kiss, when he's looking his most sour. ]

You could attempt to enjoy this. Some find being shaved quite erotic.

[ As he speaks, he'll dip the towel in the bowl of water and make an attempt at cleaning the cuts. It likely stings a bit, even if Ahad is being uncharacteristically gentle. ]

[ it's a little barbaric, all considering, for the both of them. it has occurred to him that Ahad looks all the hairier too, his locks tangled even when he makes attempts at taming his hair with braids. he kind of likes him like this. ]

Are you finding this erotic?

[ Loki tips his head, letting Ahad move his chin (for the moment, anyway.) ]

[ Ahad is a mess and he completely dislikes it. However, his beard was tamed enough and only grows thicker in its usual pattern, while his hair is...well. The braids help, but without a brush there was little else to be done with it.

He'll stare at Loki for a moment after the question, before rolling his eyes. ]

No, but I claim no fault in that.

[ Loki is the one making it difficult to find the situation anything but annoying. ]

[ for a moment, Loki looks like it'll pass, but then his face breaks into a grin. he's very wiggly, isn't he? it's not like Loki was really good at sitting still, especially when he was being told. ]

No—I do kind of like you like this. The messy thing suits you.

[ says the god of chaos. ]

[ Ahad will roll his eyes and shove the bowl of water and the soap in Loki's lap. ]

I would suggest making yourself useful and creating a lather.

[ This will most likely turn into a mess, but Ahad can't really find it within himself to care. Loki is better occupied than not. Their tools might be primitive, but they're certainly workable. At least there is only so far that even Loki can go, with a small piece of soap and some water. ]

Hey—that was a good compliment.

[ he argues as if somehow, Ahad had argued back. he did, kind of, in his own way where he had brushed over the argument and changed the subject.

Loki's met with the bowl and the soap, and he holds up the dirty cloth in one hand and the soap in the other as if they were lather themselves. they don't, so after a moment he has to figure it out himself. ]

As if you haven't seen me messy before.

[ He doesn't actually roll his eyes, but it's in his voice. Ahad is half willing to blame this entirely on Loki being difficult, but there is still the minor possibility that he actually hasn't done anything as mortal as create a lather before. It seems unlikely, but then Ahad has met godlings that are extremely disconnected from the mortal ways of doing things. ]

Must I tell you what to do next? [ He'll cross over to stand by Loki, intentionally looming. Despite this, there's a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. ]

[ it's entirely Loki being difficult, whoops.

he knows how to create a lather, he knows quite a lot about mortal things and has even lived among the mortals for a short amount of time. ]

Will you? I'll even ask nice.

This is nice?

[ There's a significant amount of doubt in his tone.

Nevertheless, Ahad kneels before him, letting his hands rest on Loki's thighs. He'll lean in, allowing his hands to run further up. ]

Your chin, cheeks, and neck. Cover them.

[ oh, well, you know. "nice."

Loki stares at him for a moment, basking in the small victory of the grip on his thighs. he examines him, and then complies with a little aye, aye.

finally, he begins to work the lather, smudging the thin foam over his chin as he produces it. ]

[ Ahad continues to watch him, with that slightly disconcerting unblinking stare he has. He doesn't remove his hands from Loki's thighs.

...well, until he reaches up with a finger to swipe a bit of foam to place on the tip of Loki's nose. ]

[ when it happens Loki stills suddenly like he's not quite certain what's happened to him. the fingers that were holding the cloth linger and twitch.

his eyes go cross trying to look at it.

without looking up, he smears some lather over Ahad's cheek. ]

En garde.

[ Ahad twitches, tightening his grip on Loki's thigh. With his other hand, he'll scoop up more of the lather and dump it down Loki's neck. It's ostensibly in the right place, but with little care given to that. ]

Have we not established that the one being shaved is you?

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

CLOSED. BEARDS.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject