#(and then you get paralyzed b/c snake venom) | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

canadian-buckbeaver · 4 years

Text

Loki x Sai

(Sneak Peek at an upcoming gift fic. O/C Warning!)

Sai took a deep breath as she stepped off the bus. Finally. Fresh clean air. The bus ride had been busy and crowded, as per usual, and her shift at the pet shop had gone about as well as could be expected. Growing up, she had thought that adults and teenagers were supposed to know what they were doing, or at least know better than the average doorknob.

Today was unlike any other. More people trying to talk her into letting them purchase small animals that would require high levels of upkeep that she could tell that they had no intention of providing. There were the kids and even their parents trying to pet the fish and other aquatic beings that needed to remain underwater in order to survive. They didn’t seem to understand that, just because they as humans needed direct oxygen to breathe, not all creatures needed the same. There was even a couple of those that would beg to the manager for a discount for them being a repeat, loyal customer, or, most distressing, those that would make up stories about her to try and get her in trouble. They didn’t care that their little lies ran her the risk of being fired. Like she didn’t need this job along with the other people that worked here. All in all, it made for an infuriating mess. One that she was very happy that was over for another day at least.

Same shit, different day. She shook her head to herself as she recalled the stories that she had to share with her friends. It was like the customers at the pet shop went out of their way not to think about the negative consequences that their actions might have on a living being. Stupid people really. At least the animals made it worthwhile at the end of the day. It sounded like the script of a bad B-list movie when she thought of it. Perhaps it was. The tired shop keep girl with a heart of gold stars in comedy about the incapabilities of the human race. Or maybe this could all be part of an elaborate setup. Perhaps aliens from outer space had infiltrated the minds of normal humans around the world and were trying to cause the destruction of society from within. She should write that idea down. Might make the next top novel, be the next Steven King. Become rich and famous and just watch the money pour in. Finally get her out of this dealing with the public hell that she had come accustomed to.

Still. As much as she complained, she reminded herself that the day was done. Stretching her back, she enjoyed the slight breeze that flowed through her hair. The condo building that she shared with Bucky was just a couple blocks ahead, an easy walk. And it was still a beautiful day. The sun bright and shining with the thinnest of clouds on the horizon. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue without a trace of grey. After a full day of being inside, working with and for the members of the general public, Sai decided that the best thing to do would be to walk the rest of the way home. Don’t think about the negatives. Decompress and give her time to think and plan out how to enjoy the rest of her day. Besides, knowing Bucky, supper was probably already simmering on the stove or in a crock pot. That girl was anything but inefficient. There was no longer a need to rush home to do everything that needed to be done. So, shouldering her pack, Sai began to head home, enjoying the fresh breeze that brought the promise of (finally) warmer weather.

A brand new chapter beginning anew.

Although she was still unaccustomed to the chill that was Canada weather, Sai had to admit that Bucky was right. Between her family drama and everything else that had been going on in her life, it had indeed been time for a change. She had been on the brink of mental collapse before she moved. It had been something that needed to be done. Canada was beautiful and fresh, even if it did mimic a lot of American cities in certain aspects. The cities were large and imposing, a lot of familiar brands and stores. But the people were friendlier and there were more opportunities for someone such as herself. It was the perfect place for a fresh start. The move had been the right choice. Sure, her family weren’t exactly impressed when she had packed everything in the middle of the night, bought a plane ticket for what they considered the middle of nowhere and moved in with someone that she had only ever communicated with over the Internet, but, as she said before, it had been well worth it. Without batting an eye Bucky had invited her to stay in her condo. They had moved everything around, bookshelves being shoved into different corners and different rooms, desks being placed against other walls of rooms, turning her office into a spare bedroom for Sai. And after a few trips to the local IKEA, the new room was her home away from home.

Scratch that. It was her new home. And she couldn’t be happier.

Sai took a deep breath, walking the familiar street home. She was happy here. She was safe here. She was…

Sai paused, hearing what sounded like an urgent hissing sound coming from the dead grass pile. Snakes weren’t exactly overly common in Canada, especially during this time of the year. It was still far too cold for them to be out and about. Hell, most of everything was still in hibernation. Even the geese and ducks were still down south for the remains of the winter. But could it possibly be an abandoned pet? Her heart ached at the thought of it. An innocent snake on its own in the big, wide world. Sai couldn’t help herself. She knew that she wouldn’t be able to sleep until she found the source of the noise. Wrapping her jacket and bag around her tighter to keep out the cold, Sai began to search the grass. She attempted to make soothing sounds, trying not to scare whatever was making the sounds off.

It didn’t take long for her to find the source of the noise.

There, deep in the grass, Sai spied a brown, black and gold speckled snake. The end of their tail was rattling and the snake was hissing at her as she approached, but it did not make any attempt to slither away. How odd. Sai wasn’t exactly sure of the exact species of snake but she could tell that this wasn’t anything that they sold in a pet shop, nor was it a rattlesnake. In this part of Canada only rattlesnakes were venomous. So, whatever it was, it was a non-venomous snake. That made her heartbeat a little easier.

“Hey there, little buddy,” she said to him, crouching beside the snake. Of course, the snake said nothing back. It hissed back in response as his tail rattled at her. Still. It did not move away from her. Perhaps it wasn’t as scared of her as she thought it was. “You’re not going to bite me, are you? I just want to have a good look at you.” She told him, continuing to talk soothingly to it as she walked around the animal. The snake’s head turned, keeping her in its sight at all time, yet still did not move. It was like it was paralyzed or injured. Poor thing.

“My, you are beautiful. So handsome. I bet you get all the snakes with your colours so bright and vibrant like that.” She said. “Absolutely gorgeous….”

The snake finally stopped its rattling but kept watching her with its beady little eyes. It seemed strangely intelligent for any normal snake. Perhaps it had been a pet until recently. “There we go. I bet making all that noise is exhausting. I’m not a scary person. I just want to look at you, perhaps give you a helping hand as you have none?” She continued to croon, making small talk with the creature as she examined it.

Finally, she spied the problem. There was a long gash on one of the snake’s sides. It was fresh, not exactly oozing, but it looked like it hurt. No wonder the poor dear wasn’t making any moves to run away from her. “Oh dear. That looks painful. Did a bird try to have you for supper?” Sai asked the snake again, stepping closer so she could see it. It didn’t look deep, more like a graze. Easy to mend. It just needed time to stitch itself back together. “I bet you showed that bird a lesson though. You look like a tough little guy. You probably took him on and beat his tail feathers to the curb.”

She paused in her talking once she saw that a neighbor had noticed her talking to what appeared to be nothing. The man was eyeing her out of the corner of his eye as he began to prepare his garden for spring.

Great. She just moved here and she was already getting a repour with the neighbors. “Can I pick you up?” she asked the snake. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I think I can help you. I’ve been taught some animal first aid, well. Pet first aid but I’ve dealt with snakes before as well. I promise not to hurt you.” She held out her hand to the snake. “What do you say? Do you want to be my buddy for a little bit?”

The snake’s tongue lashed out at her, as if it was trying to test her scent. See if she was as harmless as she made herself out to be. Sai stayed perfectly still, letting the snake decide. Finally, after a long pause, the snake put its head down on her hand. As if it had accepted her.

Her heart could just about burst.

Picking it up gently, Sai continued her brisk walk to the condo building, using her thin little jacket to block most of the breeze from it. “Just you wait and see. We are going to be best friends you and I. I’ll have to introduce you to Bucky. Do you like hamburger meat? I think we might have some leftover if Bucky didn’t use it all in her spaghetti sauce…”

The snake looked up at her, tongue flickering as it regarded her with those strangely intelligent eyes. Eyes that were a beautiful mix of green and blue, and were strangely human. But that had to be a trick of the sun and shadows.

* * * * *

When Sai clicked open the door to the condo, it was exactly how she had imagined. Supper was slowly bubbling on the stove, Bucky’s ‘famous’ spaghetti sauce simmering in her slow cooker. Bucky was sitting on the counter at her computer, muttering to herself and typing rapidly. Her blue eyes were furrowed with concentration, brown hair tucked behind her ears as she worked. Both earbuds were in so she probably hadn’t heard her come in just yet.

Quietly, Sai set down her bag and came over to her friend. She covered the snake with her jacket at first, give Bucky a moment to adjust to their new roommate. Besides, no need to give Bucky a complete cardiac arrest in her own condo building.

She waved at Bucky when the other girl finally looked up from what she was typing on. “Goodness is that the time already?” Bucky asked, pulling out one of her earphones. There were slight bags under her eyes but they were shining with triumph. “I finally got engrossed in this damn article. The words just started coming and finally making sense.” Bucky was occasionally paid to do some little articles in the local newsletter. Nothing too big or fancy but it was a little extra money that was coming in for her. And, as Bucky said, it always looked good on a resume should she decide to look elsewhere for a job.

“Told you that giving it a break for a day or two would work wonders,” Sai grinned at her. “Did your sources finally come through with the information as well?”

Bucky nodded. “Finally. Of course that gives me less than a week or so to write and complete the article but who cares on their end? It isn’t their neck on the line if my work isn’t done.” She gave a loud sigh before saving the document and closing her computer for the moment. Sai knew that Bucky had waited to have dinner with her. Then she would probably return to the article afterwards.

“So, with it being Friday night, are you going to see that guy you met last week? Carter?” Sai asked her innocently, her eyebrows raised.

Bucky shot her a look before rolling her eyes. “Oh yes. Because I want to date a misogynic creep who told me that I was to quit my job and move in with him when we became official. That way I would keep his house spotless and clean, have supper on the table for him when he came home and remind him to wipe his ass when he came home from work. Of course I guess that I should be grateful he came out with this on the first date and not the second. Why? You interested in him?”

“As if. Lord knows that I have my pick of the winners back at the shop.” Sai said, settling at her spot as Bucky dished out the food. That’s when she noticed Bucky’s distant look. “Hey. You ok?”

“I’m fine.” Bucky said as she sat down beside her, their food in front of them.

Sai looked at her friend, taking in her face and posture. She was anything but fine. Perhaps this wasn’t the best time to tell her about the snake. “Come on, Bucks. You can tell me anything. You know that.”

“I know I just… it’s embarrassing…”

“More embarrassing than missing the step at the mall, screaming and then finding it again as everyone looks at you?”

Bucky gave a small snort. “Nothing is as embarrassing as that moment will ever be for you.” She said, picking up her fork and beginning to mash the noodles with great force.

“Well the noodles didn’t do anything to you. So come on. Tell me. What’s up? I’m not going to laugh or anything if that is what you are concerned about.”

“It’s not laughter funny. Just more… heart embarrassing?”

“I have zero idea what you mean.”

Bucky sighed. “Well. There’s a doctor that’s been coming down to the department a lot. He’s funny and handsome, sweet and all his patients love him.”

Sai raised her eyebrows. “Bucky has a crush? On an actual person?”

“Oh, you sound worse than my parents!” Bucky shoved a mouthful of noodles into her mouth and glared at Sai. “Eat up. Food’s getting cold.”

Bucky’s parents were old-school, expected her to be married with kids by now. Just the other night she had overheard Bucky arguing how there were no grandchildren in the immediate future, if ever. But they were another story in itself. “But something tells me that you wouldn’t be like this if it was just a crush.” Sai said, picking up her fork and beginning to eat.

Bucky sighed, looking over at her. Sai gave her a knowing look. The other girl knew well enough know that Sai would not give up until she knew all the information. “Fine. No. it’s not just that I have a crush on him. It’s… it’s not just me that likes him. The nurses, the clerks, my coworkers…”

Ah. “So he’s popular. So what? You can shine too, Bucky. Don’t sell yourself short.”

“You know damn well that I can’t. I have a face that screams that anyone who looks at me might be thrown in jail for pedophilia.” Bucky said, shaking her fork at her friend.

“Well… yes young face… but still…”

“Anyways a few of the older clerks that I work with saw that Bitch-Face Nurse was making the moves on him while he was doing his rounds. So they told him that, if he really wanted someone interesting to talk to, then ‘to talk that Bucky over there’. That apparently I can make conversation interesting about anything and everything with everyone. That I…” Bucky sat back from the table. “Sai. Is that a snake in your jacket?”

Oh. Sai looked down and saw that her jacket had become unzipped and her new friend was investigating the plate in front of her. “Erm… Surprise?” she said with a sheepish grin.

Bucky looked up at her and then down at the snake again. “Sai… pets…”

“Are allowed! Your landlord said no dogs or cats as they would claw up the hardwood.”

“But snakes smell and I have no idea how they would react to a snake being here. Or how the condo board would react to a snake. This building has certain rules and regulations that must be followed. If… If they aren’t then we could be evicted.”

Sai waved off her concerns. “Everything will be fine, Bucky. I’ll take care of everything. Besides, look how sweet he is.”

The snake looked up at Bucky and began to shake its rattle at her. Warning her to stay away from it and Sai.

Bucky glared at it, unimpressed. “Dude. This is my house.”

Well not technically Sai rolled her eyes but smiled as the rattling stopped. “See! I told you that the two of you would get along great! You’re already talking to him!” Sai gently scratched under the snake’s chin, earning a couple licks on her chin as the snake turned to face her. It acted strangely human in that way. Perhaps it too was becoming attached to her? Sai knew that she couldn’t let the poor little guy out of the house in his current condition. Or maybe ever. “I’ll phone the landlord now, see what they say. If they say no then I’ll find another place to look after his tail. However, in the meantime, I think that I can get him set up in my room…”

“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?” Bucky asked her, looking exasperated. She was probably already imagining the two of them being kicked out for not following the proper protocol. What a worrywart.

“I have.” Sai said, finishing her food quickly before grabbing her phone. She paused before she entered her room and turned to Bucky. “You really should invite the doctor to coffee. What’s the worst that can happen?”

Bucky began to tick off her fingers. “That he says no. That we have to work together for a while making everything awkward. Causing the nurses and other coworkers who like him to hate me and causing that sort of drama. Having to work with them until one of us quits or leaves. That I stumble through everything and make a fool out of myself…”

“You’re overthinking again!” Sai called from her room.

“And you sound like my mother! And do the dishes! I made supper!”

* * * * *

It was a couple days later. Bucky and Sai were in Sai’s room, looking at the tank that they had just spent the better part of an hour working on. “I can’t believe that he said yes.” Bucky said with a sigh.

As it turns out, the landlord was a huge fan of snakes. So much so that he had even went out and purchased the tank, bedding and a warming rock for the little guy. Not that Sai was complaining. That would have been a large chunk out of her next paycheck. Sai smiled at her friend, deciding not to overly press the point. This time. “Told you that it would work out in the end. Now have you talked to your doctor friend?”

“He doesn’t even know that I exist, much less that he would say yes to coffee.” Bucky turned and left the room. “Speaking of, my bus is going to be here in a few. I’ll text you later.”

Sai said goodbye to her friend, watching Bucky leave. Tom, the snake, seemed to be watching her with curiosity. He stuck his tongue out and tasted the air. “You hungry, little guy?” Sai asked him, smiling at him. “I managed to buy you a couple of mice if you’re interested. And then afterwards I can start working on that bandage for you.” She dropped a frozen mouse into the cage before turning to her mess with the bandages. “Now the guy I work with says that you won’t need stitches, but you will need two bandages. One that needs to be wet and close to the wound to help prevent infection, and the other dry and wrapped around it. Just for added protection. So this might be uncomfortable but it’s for your own good.”

Tom sniffed and flicked his tongue at the mouse before turning his nose up at it. Frozen mice were definitely not on the menu tonight in his opinion. He was much more interested in whatever the heck that Sai was doing. She was humming softly to herself as she worked, making sure that the bandages weren’t too hot or saturated with the antibacterial solution. “There!” she said, finally happy with her handiwork. “Here you are, little man. It’s not the most fashionable bandage around, but it will do.” Turning to him, she tutted seeing the frozen mouse. Normally snakes would swallow those whole the moment they came close to the tank. “That’s… that’s weird. You’ve been after whatever has been cooking lately but you still won’t touch the mice? Well. I suppose you’ll eat when you’re hungry.” Sai decided that she wasn’t going to be too worried about it. The tech did say that such an injury might cause stress and lack of appetite in any creature so Sai was willing to chalk it up to that.

It was less stressful to assume that anyways.

Her stomach let out a loud growl. Flushing slightly, Sai checked the time. When was the last time that she had eaten? She knew that she and Bucky hadn’t had lunch as they had been struggling to set up the tank before Bucky was due for work, but had she had breakfast? It seemed like she had gotten up, raced to town and raced back. “Well Tom, looks like you’re going to be my dinner date for the evening.” She said. “Maybe if I eat with you, perhaps you would be more interested in your mice dinner?”

Tom looked unimpressed though, with him being a snake, it was hard to imagine exactly what was going on inside his mind. For all she knew he was planning an elaborate robbery scheme involving a nunnery. Ugh, she must be hungry. Her thoughts were all jumbled and chaotic. With a sigh, Sai entered the kitchen and began to heat up the leftovers from the previous night. Sai had just poured the noodles on a plate when there was a loud crack of thunder outside. The windows shook with the force of the strike just as the heavens opened up and began to pour. With a frown, Sai tried to look out the window. Bucky wasn’t kidding when she described just how quickly the weather changed around here. In the blink of an eye they had went from having clear blue skies, to pouring rain and being unable to see more than five feet in front of her. “I hope Bucky’s bus come already.” She fretted, biting her lip. If it hadn’t, well, Bucky might as well be swimming to work in this weather.

Perhaps she would get a better view from the window by Tom’s tank. It faced the road where the bus stop was. Setting her dish down, Sai did her best to peer out the window. She couldn’t even see her neighbour’s patio it was raining so hard. It was like a curtain of water had been drawn across them. Well. Bucky would be back if she missed the bus or if got too miserable. Or even more miserable. Perhaps call a cab and be driven to work. Well. Cross that bridge when she came to it. With a sigh, Sai turned back to her meal…

Only to see a smug looking Tom slurp down a few noodles. He had curled himself as close to the plate as he could. There was even tomato sauce on his snout. He looked quite pleased with himself, or at least as pleased as a snake could be.

Sai stared at the snake. “How the ever loving fuck did you get out of your aquarium?” She demanded of him. The aquarium’s lid had been tight on last time she checked it. The snake said nothing in return, only to coil himself tighter around her plate and grab another mouthful. How he managed that, she wouldn’t know. Luckily, she knew from her previous research that hamburger meat, although not the best for snakes, would not do him any real harm, and the carbs would be just an added, empty, benefit. Still, such animals were unused to the refinery of human foods. Sai would need to be careful around her plate if such antics continued. She gave a loud sigh deciding to resign herself to the situation. Nothing that could be done now. And who knows, maybe it would awaken his appetite for the mice later. “Well. At least you’re eating.” She muttered to herself. Picking up her own mouthful, she had just began to eat when there was the sound of thundering feet in the hallway.

Bucky burst in, thoroughly drenched. Her hair was plastered to her skull, her clothing clinging to her body, and her make up was running down her cheek like a river. However there was a shine to her eyes, one that Sai hadn’t seen in a long time. “Bucky, what on earth….”

“I’ll explain fully once I get home. Right now I have a ride waiting for me that isn’t the bus.” She said, running into her room. There was the sound of wet clothing being thrown off and hitting the wall. Yikes. She was in a hurry. The sound of the tub running confused Sai. Why, if she was in a hurry, was she taking a shower?

“What happened? Can you at least tell me that?”

Bucky’s voice was muffled. Probably washing the remains of her make up off. “Just about made it to the bus stop when the rain hit. Just make it under the shelter and dirtbag trash truck splashes me with enough water to fill Niagara Falls.” There was the sound of her closet. She was really motoring. Maybe the taxi was charging by waiting for her. “Anyways. This car pulls up, rolls the window down and it’s Doctor Hearttrob.”

Sai put down her fork. “From the hospital? Seriously?”

“Yep. Apparently he lives around here. He’s on his way to work too so offered me a ride there as there was no way that he would let me wait for the bus. I lucked out.” Bucky emerged, hair tied up and dark with fresh water (she must have drenched it to at least rid it of road grime), her make up fresh, her new jacket on. Her clothing looked much nicer on her, clung to her shape a little better than the errand ones that she had on before.

Sai felt the smirk on her face. “Sooooo~ if he wants to get a little frisky before or after work~….”

“I’ll tell him that I haven’t shaved in two weeks and that it isn’t worth the jungle.” Bucky said, grabbing her things. But her cheeks were definitely hotter. So, sweet and innocent Bucky had considered it at least. This doctor must be something else.

Sai couldn’t help but get one last dig in as Bucky hurried away. “Girl. If he’s interested, it’s always worth the walkthrough the jungle.”

“If that is a ‘How I Met Your Mother’ quote, I’m canceling TV.”

“Hey. You understood that reference!” Sai called out after her friend, watching her hurry down the hallway. She sighed and shook her head, turning back towards Tom. Bucky had been so distracted she hadn’t even asked about why Tom was out and loose. For his own part, Tom seemed slightly interested in the commotion. “Well. That was exciting. And once again it’s just you and I for dinner.” She said, settling back in her chair and picking up her book on the basic care for snakes.

“For the record, it is always worth the jungle.” A smooth, deep voice said.

#marvel #loki x sai #loki #loki odinson #snake #shapeshifter #oc #loki x oc #bucky the human

11 notes · View notes