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Loki arrives at the restaurant slightly before the agreed upon time, carefully cloaked in a glamor that would only allow Barnes to see who he really was. He's not sure New York remembers who he is after the last few years. but better safe than sorry.

Back then he would have balked at the idea of eating in a small hole-in-the-wall establishment such as this, but traveling Midgard had taught him that these places often have the best food in the area.

He waits outside, shooting a quick text to Barnes that just a picture of his face with the "Scarr's Pizza" sign in the background.

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Loki smiles at his approach.

"Yes, but I got here early to do a bit of people watching." He hadn't intended on making the Bucky rush, but the idea that he had when he saw that Loki was already at the agreed meeting place makes him feel warm somehow.

"While we're here, you're going to need to call me something other than Loki. You're the only one who can see my real face."

Huh. Well. That makes sense. Loki probably doesn't need a mob chasing after him after someone recognizes who he really is.

"Right, right, Lawrence." Bucky offers an easy smile, head canting as he looks to the storefront. "Didn't know you liked people watching too, though. Maybe something wee can do over coffee another time."

...which wasn't something he'd necessarily planned on offering, but not that he's here, seeing Loki again, he can't deny that the company is nice.

"It's an easy way to pick up local customs." Loki says as if he didn't just find people interesting in general.

"Lets see how dinner goes before we plan on a second date." Loki gives him a playful wink. "Shall we?" He offers Bucky his arm, gesturing into the restaurant.

The wink catches him off guard. He feels an unfamiliar flutter in his chest and can't help but grin.

"You're being awfully negative for someone who's been pushing for this." Despite his natural instinct, he takes Loki's arm and realizes it's not much different as he guides them in. Though none of the women he's seen have been taller than him. "You wanna sit at the bar? Or in the back? More privacy in the back."

"The back, preferably." Loki surveys the interior. It's about as small as the exterior would suggest, a little cramped, but in that sort of homey way where every inch of space is functional.

"It smells wonderful," he says as they take a seat on pealing plastic of a small booth tucked int eh back corner.

Bucky grins, taking the other side. There's a reason why he likes this place, and it isn't just for the pizza. There are others around them, of course, but with company here, the soldier finds himself focused on something else other than the familiar din and comforting scents.

"They make the best pies around, in my book. Always balanced. Just right. I'm guessing you're not really the kind that grabs pizza much, though, right?"

"Earth offers a lot of food for me to sample." It isn't out of come snobbish pallet, he's just got a lot of dishes to work through. "I did try it once in Chicago, though. A great deal thicker than what I expected from most representations of it.

The image of Loki puzzling over a thick pizza draws laughter, and Bucky shakes his head amusedly as a waitress swings by with a couple menus for them.

"Definitely you'll know a proper deep dish by the way the cheese sits. If it's set in like a quiche, then you got the real deal. Sometimes they skimp on you and call it Chicago style when the toppings just sit on top. That ain't authentic though."

Though he gives the menu a skim, Bucky sets his menu under his hands immediately after, already knowing what he wants to order.

"I'll always make a stink about liking New York style first, but a good Chicago style is worth appreciating."

"I will let you know my evaluation after our meal." He glances at the menu, surprised by the variety of options there are. "As this is my first time, I will follow your recommendation. I'm not terribly picky as long as an ingredient isn't overly bitter."

Oh. Well, if that's how it's gonna be—

"The classic is always to go for a slice of pepperoni. I was gonna get a few, since I have a different kind of appetite, but since you're still new to pizza, I think a slice of Grandma style pepperoni would be a standout. It's done in a sheet pan, and the crust gets this nice crunch. A regular New York style is always gonna be up there for me, but if you really wanna enjoy the dough, it's gotta be Grandma style."

"How about one of each? My appetite likely rivals yours, so ordering a few extra shouldn't be an issue." He can't put away as much food as Thor, but he can still eat more than the average human.

Under the table Loki allows his leg to brush against James' in a light, but completely deliberate manner. This is suppose to be a date, after all. Time to start testing the waters.

Well, now Loki is speaking Bucky's language. He always likes ordering an array of things; easier to try what there is to offer, that way. Nodding, he grins. "Sure, that works."

The soldier doesn't think anything of the way Loki's leg rests against his until he realizes several moments later that it wasn't an accident and that Loki isn't pulling his leg away. His legs shifts, then, not to move away or to press closer but to indicate he doesn't mind it without saying so aloud.

Loki can work with that! His foot continues to stroke up and down in a soothing motion. No need to turn up the heat before they've even ordered!

The waitress returns to take their orders. They order more food than would be usual for two normal people, but if she thinks it's weird, she doesn't say so.

"I'm glad you agreed to do this with me. Not many would."

The movement sends a shiver through him, and Bucky shifts the slightest bit in his seat, chewing his lip thoughtfully. At Loki's admittance, he glances back with surprise, lips parted in relative disbelief.

"But you can disguise yourself, can't you?" The realization that even then Loki can't really be himself strikes only after he's spoken.

"It's less me being recognized, and more spending time with me that's the problem. If they don't know it's me, it wouldn't be an issue, but then what's the point?"

"That. Okay, yeah, that was. Obvious after I said it. That's. I dunno." His brow furrows, and he leans back in his seat.

"I feel similar, I guess. People look at me, and they see what they want to see. Usually got nothing to do with who I really am."

"Perhaps that's why we get along so well." Loki smirks across the table, foot traveling just a bit higher up on the inside of Bucky's let before he pulls it away.

"Or maybe you've just fall for my roguish charms."

His breath catches slightly, the way Loki's foot moves forcing another shiver. And then it's gone, and Bucky swallows thickly, licking his lips to hold his composure.

"It's. Well. You're definitely charming." Among many other things. "Not a lot of people ask me out in a serious way though. And you still did that, even with me dismissing you a lot. I thought that was nice."

"What can I say? I'm persistent." The first few times were almost a joke, mostly because Loki enjoyed Bucky's reaction. It didn't take long, though, for his requests to become genuine.

"And I'd say you're worth the effort."

Persistent, which Bucky appreciates. People only insist when they really want something, and that means there's a level of Loki's interest that isn't simply fleeting.

That given, he isn't sure how Loki's sure of his worth yet.

"I dunno. I'm just. A guy."

"I mean, you're a little bit more than 'just a guy.' It takes more than a mortal to keep up with me."

"Pretty sure I'm still very mortal..."

"One of the most interesting mortals I've come across. And charming to boot," Loki winks at Bucky as the waitress returns, expertly balancing their copious amounts of food.

Loki's foot begins wandering up Bucky's leg again as she sets everything down, going much further up than previous.

Oh. That. He doesn't expect that, and when the waitress arrives, he's startled out of his thoughts, then helping to clear space so it's easier for their food to be set down. The movement of Loki's foot makes him drop the salt, which he quickly puts back after clearing his throat.

He waits for the waitress to leave before throwing Loki a look.

"I'm. Not gonna fuck you in the toilet. If that's what you're going for."

Look, someone needs to set the ground rules, here.

Loki chuckles, looking as pleased as the cat who ate the canary.

"Norns, no. That sounds disgusting. I just wanted to see your reaction." In other words: he's messing with him.

As someone who definitely has had sex in a public toilet before, Bucky decides not to argue.

"You're the kind that likes playing with your food, aren't you."

"Now whatever gave you that idea?" Loki's grin widens as he takes a plate with slice of pepperoni.

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for @counterstep

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makes myself hungry talking about pizza

I had to eat lunch before responding myself lol

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