#i just like to imagine loki complaining about it constantly and yet kissing the living daylight out of mobius every chance he gets 😆

[agent-birdnoises]

Sometimes I like to think about Loki and Mobius kissing for the first time, with all the sparks and fire and careful tenderness. And then Loki pulls back, scowls hard and announces, "You taste like that atrocious radioactive pie from the Automat!"

Before Mobius has a chance to react to that in any manner, though, Loki swiftly goes back for another kiss because sometimes you just have to make sacrifices for the greatest things in life, right?

[imagine-loki]

I'm still breathing, Chapter 37

TITLE: I’m still breathing CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 37 AUTHOR: fanficshiddles ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine a mutant has been living on the streets for years, until she is picked up by the Avengers. She’s taken to live with them so they can help her to discover what her powers are. Loki especially, takes an interest in her. The two become very fond of one another as they discover what her power is. RATING: M

Loki woke up to hear groaning, he opened his eyes and rolled over to see Sophie sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands.

‘Hangover, love?’ He sounded sympathetic, but there was a slight hint of humour in his tone.

‘Why did you let me drink?’ She groaned again and sat back against the headboard.

Loki laughed and slid an arm around her middle, pulling her down so she was lying next to him. She attempted to get up, because the room was spinning when she lay down, but Loki kept her held to him.

‘I did warn you, but you never listen to me. Even though I’m always right.’ He rolled on top of her.

She grumbled and weakly attempted pushing his chest, trying to get him off. ‘Not the time for that, Loki.’ She covered her eyes with her forearm.

His long fingers curled around her wrist and he tugged her arm away. Using his free hand, he trailed the tips of his fingers up the side of her face and they danced over her forehead. ‘Shhh, stop complaining and let me heal you.��

Her entire body shuddered in a delightful way when little sparks of tingles came from his fingers and seeped into her, healing her headache instantly. She closed her eyes when she felt a warmth spread through her veins, making her feel a little floaty and almost like she was high for a few seconds. The sickness feeling disappeared and she felt much better than she did ten seconds ago.

‘God, I love you.’ She moaned and opened her eyes to see Loki grinning cockily down at her.

‘Just for my Seidr?’ He asked playfully.

‘Yep. It’s very handy.’ Sophie smirked and hooked her arms around his neck. ‘I guess you’re quite handsome too, I suppose.’ She shrugged.

‘Cheeky!’ Loki laughed and gave her sides a squeeze, making her squeal and laugh too. He rolled them both right over so she was on top, straddling him while he had a firm grip on her hips.

She leaned down, cupping his face in her hands while she kissed him. ‘I love you, Loki.’

‘I love you too, darling.’

Coming out of the bath together, Loki and Sophie got themselves dressed. Loki’s breath was taken away every time he saw her in Asgardian clothing.

‘Didn’t anyone tell you that it’s rude to stare?’ She teased, playfully poking his chest.

He grabbed her wrist and gave her an open-mouthed kiss to the back of her hand. ‘Apologies. But it is difficult not to do so with such beauty in my presence.’ He grinned, eyes twinkling with a little mischief.

Sophie’s heart melted. Even with his cheeky, mischievous, side he was still a gentleman. She adored that side of him, his Princely upbringing obvious.

‘Alright, trickster, let’s go. Natasha will be waiting for us.’ Sophie giggled, placing her hand on his leather clad chest.

‘Or we could just say we are ill and stay in bed all day?’ He suggested seductively with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

‘As tempting as that is, I doubt she’d believe it.’

‘Ah, you’re forgetting, love. I am the God of lies. I can make anything believable.’ He winked at her.

‘Come on.’ She laughed, grabbing his hand she dragged him out of the room.

Loki had a guard go ahead of them to get his horse ready for him and Sophie. The magnificent steed was awaiting them when they walked into the stables.

There was no sign yet of Natasha, so the couple mounted Rökkvi and went outside to wait for her.

‘Would you like to steer?’ Loki asked, holding the reins up on front of Sophie.

‘Uhhh. Not really. I might make us crash.’ Sophie said anxiously. She was more confident than the last time, but still not enough to be the one in control of the beast. She was quite happy just enjoying the ride.

‘I’d be highly impressed if you were able to crash my horse.’ Loki chuckled.

‘Trust me. This is me we are talking about.’ Sophie grinned, leaning her head right back to look up at Loki.

He laughed and kissed her forehead. ‘True.’

Loki was so glad to see that she was out of her shell again, back to her normal self. Taking her to Asgard was the right decision for sure. Giving her time to relax and recover from her ordeal.

They didn’t have to wait long until Natasha joined them both.

‘I didn’t know you could ride?’ Sophie asked when she came out from the stables on her own horse, riding confidently.

‘I used to ride when I was a child. It’s like riding a bike, you never forget.’ She smiled.

Part of Sophie wished she could ride herself too. But then another part of her really enjoyed riding with Loki, having him pressed up right behind her with his warm breath constantly tickling her neck. It was definitely a good way to go riding, she decided for sure.

They rode through the countryside and into the mountains of Asgard. Loki gave Natasha the tour of the place and told them both various stories about when he grew up on the realm. A couple he’d told Sophie about before, but some she hadn’t heard.

‘So, what’s the deal with you and your dad?’ Natasha asked Loki on the ride back.

‘He’s an old git who seems to have had a change of heart and is trying to make up for hundreds of years of bad parenting.’ Loki said in a slightly clipped tone.

‘Loki. I think he’s genuinely trying and feels bad.’ Sophie said, putting a hand on his for a moment.

Loki just grunted in response.  

Natasha asked no more about the Allfather. And Loki re-directed the conversation to more stories, especially funny ones about when he and Thor were kids.

After their ride, they had lunch in the great hall with Frigga and Odin.

‘Has there been any news from Heimdall yet?’ Sophie asked.

‘Not yet, no.’ Frigga said softly. ‘But don’t worry, he will alert us when your friends have found him.’

Sophie wasn’t worried per say. She was happy to be on Asgard. But part of her did miss the Avengers and going on missions. She missed training and fighting, using her powers. The sooner that Owen was found, the sooner she could get back to normal.

‘Can we do some training later?’ Sophie asked Loki.

‘Are you sure you’re up to it?’

‘Of course. I miss it.’ She nodded.

Loki reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. ‘I guess it has been a while since I’ve kicked your ass.’ He grinned cheekily.

‘More like since I kicked your ass!’ Sophie corrected her boyfriend.

‘How are you getting on with your powers?’ Odin asked, doing his best to make an effort with both Loki and Sophie. He did actually have a soft spot for the mutant, she was good for Loki. Even he saw that.

‘Really good, thanks. I can pretty much control it completely now.’

‘You should see these two in action together. They’re an unstoppable force, it’s like poetry in battle.’ Natasha chipped in with, making Sophie blush and Loki grin.

‘Oh? Perhaps we could set something up, it would be good to see you both training.’ Frigga suggested with a smile and Odin nodded in agreement.

Sophie looked at Loki, a little unsure. To perform in a way, on front of not only the King and Queen but Loki’s parents? That was sure as hell nerve-wracking.

Loki still had his hand wrapped around hers and he gave her another squeeze. ‘We would love to.’ He smiled.

‘Yeah, sure.’ Sophie agreed.

Loki and Sophie were walking across the training arena, it was a much larger space than what they had to work with back on Earth at the base.

‘How do we do this?’ Sophie whispered to Loki.

‘We fight like we are fighting in a battle, don’t hold back any punches or kills.’ Loki hooked his arm around her shoulder, but just got a confused look back at him.

‘I can’t kill the soldiers?’

Loki raised an eyebrow. ‘Who said anything about soldiers?’

‘Well… I assumed that’s who we would be training against?’

‘Oh no.’ Loki grinned wickedly. He looked down to the other end of the arena and flicked his wrist. Sophie watched as a green haze flew down and in the middle of the wall a huge space opened up.

There was an almighty roar and Sophie actually jumped when she saw a beast that was at least 40ft tall and just as wide. It had humungous horns on the lower side of its face, was covered in black scales, eyes a dark blood red, incredibly sharp looking teeth and it had four legs and paws, all with the sharpest looking claws she’d ever seen. Then there was its tail, around 15ft long with large spikes on the end of it.

‘Holy shit!’

Loki leaned in, his breath against her ear as he spoke. ‘That is what we will be fighting against.’ Loki chuckled.

‘What is it?’

‘It’s known as the Jotunheim beast. Odin captured this one a few years ago. They are excellent to battle against because they genuinely want to kill us.’ Loki looked over towards the beast that was stumbling around while it adjusted to the brightness of the sun.

‘And you want us to fight it?’ Sophie’s eyes were wide. She knew she wanted a challenge, but she certainly never expected this.

‘It should be easy in comparison to some battles we’ve had.’ Loki winked at her. ‘Or are you too scared?’

‘Of course not! Come on then, let’s kick ass.’

Sophie turned to look at the beast that was slowly getting itself together. It suddenly locked eyes on the couple. It put its paws out to the side, thumping loudly on the ground and it let out another roar. Spikes shot up on its back like a hedgehog but much, much worse.

Loki whipped out his daggers and spun them around a few times, then started running towards it while his full armour and helmet shimmered onto him. The beast started charging straight towards him.

When Loki reached the beast, he suddenly disappeared, confusing it for a moment until he appeared at the side and slashed its leg. He then disappeared again. The monster locked eyes on Sophie. She took a deep breath and ran towards it. Just as she was within its reach, she slid down on her side underneath, phasing just in-case. She managed to dodge out of the way of its swinging tail as it slammed into the ground near her.

Loki materialised next to her and tossed her one of his daggers. She nodded at him and they both ran back towards the beast, Sophie grabbed his hand in time when the beast turned to face them and charged. She phased the two of them through the beast while it attempted to maul them with its teeth. When the two were underneath, Sophie momentarily unphased them both so they could stab the beast’s stomach and slice along. Blood poured out everywhere, but Sophie was on the ball and grabbed Loki’s wrist so they could phase away from it again.

The beast cried out in agony and for a few seconds it was stunned.

‘Where’s the damn things heart?’ Sophie asked while breathing quick.

‘If you imagine the end of its left horn pressed against its chest, it should be just underneath the tip.’ Loki said, pointing towards the beast with his dagger while he blew a wild strand of hair out of his face. A move that Sophie found extremely arousing and highly distracting, but she quickly focused again.

‘Alright then. Let’s do another YouTube moment? I’ll come down on it from the top… Hopefully.’ Sophie said quickly as the Jotun beast was regaining itself again, quickly charging towards them.

Sophie ran backwards while Loki crouched down, with his hands clasped together out on front of him. He nodded at her and then she sprinted forwards, putting her foot in Loki’s hands he launched her straight up in the air, just in time for Loki to teleport out of the way as the raging beast charged towards him.

The mutant phased and fell straight down through the beast, avoiding the spikes on its back and she managed to grab its heart, tearing it out on her way down. The beast fell forwards with a cry, it tumbled a few times before stilling, dead instantly.

Sophie did a forward roll away from the body and dropped the large heart.

‘Eughh.’ She shook her hand, it was covered in blood.

Loki went over to join her, using his Seidr to clean her hand. They heard a small group applauding them, turning around Odin, Frigga, Natasha, Sif and the Warriors three were making their way towards them.

‘Outstanding!’ Said Volstagg.

‘Incredible! I’ve never seen anyone take down those beasts so quickly and easily.’ Sif gave Sophie a pat on the back.

‘We do make a good team.’ Sophie grinned and looked at Loki, who was also getting pats on the back.

‘That we do.’ He grinned back at her.

[imagine-loki]

A Warrior’s Life

TITLE: A Warrior’s Life

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter Forty-Eight AUTHOR: wolfpawn ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Viking Loki coming to your village, raiding, and pillaging, before deciding there is something about you that intrigues him and deciding to take you back to Asgard with him. There, you are forced to learn a new life and language, and though you hate what has happened to you, you learn that Loki is not as bad as you think.

RATING: Mature

Vali was staring up attentively at his father, who was talking incessantly to the child as Maebh attempted to get some rest. “Your mother is the bravest woman you shall ever meet my son, she has risked her life already for you, and would do it again in a heartbeat.” He stated quietly. Vali pursed his little lips together. “Give her another while little man, she is very tired today. Apparently, someone was feeding the most of the night and had her awake. Might you have any idea as to who that could have been?” the infant gave a small gurgle as it looked back at him. “Do not act innocent now.” He smiled, adoring that he was getting to have time with his son.

“It is called cluster feeding.” Loki turned to see his mother entering the dwelling.

“I did not hear your arrival.” He rose from the chair he was sitting in to welcome her.

“You were too busy speaking with your son.” Frigga smiled, looking down at the small bundle in her son’s arms. “He is more like you every passing day.”

“A terrible affliction.” Loki sighed, earning him a small slap on his arm from his mother, to which he chuckled.

“You are a very handsome man, he is very fortunate.” She insisted as she held out her arms so to receive her youngest grandchild, Loki handed him to her immediately. “My word, he is gaining weight quickly.” She noted.

“With all he has been eating, I would be concerned if he weren’t.”

“How is Maebh?”

“Exhausted. She has not yet fully recovered from the birth and her injury, which both require her to rest, but now he wants to feed from her day and night, meaning what little rest she does get is broken.” Loki looked to the bedroom, his face displaying his concern.

“Is she eating enough?”

“Truthfully, I think not,” Loki admitted. “I know a mother loses condition after a child, and after a while should return to what she was before, but Maebh has done that already and Vali is not yet two full moons old.”

“That indeed is too quick. If he is feeding as you say he is, he is taking too much of the food she eats as his milk.” Frigga took a moment to think. “Call your maid and have her grind oats, both into flour and just enough to crush them. Add the flour to all Maebh’s meals and have bread baked for her with it. Boil the crushed oats with milk for her, have that done immediately.” She ordered.

Loki did not take the time to question his mother, instead, he called on Gertrude and instructed her on what to do. Gertrude nodded obediently and set about doing what was requested of her immediately. When that was done, Loki turned back to his mother, who was busy making faces at her grandson, causing him to chuckle slightly for a moment. “And this will help Maebh?”

“The oats will both increase her milk, which assists her in feeding Vali, and it is also filling, meaning she will begin to keep her weight.” The queen explained.

“Thank you mother.” Loki smiled with gratitude.

“I would not be much of a mother were I not to help care for my son and his family when it is possible for me to do so.” She looked to Vali again. “She has made you so happy Loki. You deserve everything you now have. I often see her as a gift from the great Odin himself.”

“I feel this goes higher than even him,” Loki stated.

“I know you love Nafi, more than words can express, but to be given a son, a true son.” Loki gulped uncomfortably. “I know you see him as your child, and I commend both you and Maebh for keeping him, and raising him as your own, you are both wonderful parents to him and do not question my love for him either, but in truth, having a child that will carry your line…”

“I know what you are saying, mother. In one respect it is angering to be reminded of that horrid fact, but yes, it is every mans wish to have his son, his successor.”

Frigga studied her son’s face. “What is it Loki?” She was always so close with him over the years; she could see there was something bothering him.

“Of late, I feel as though the Norn’s and Gods alike are insisting on constantly reminding me that Nafi is not mine.”

“How so?”

Loki explained how he came upon Aslaug in the village as she spoke venomously to Maebh, and of her threat to come to visit Nafi. “I thought nothing of it myself, she had little time for him when she lived under the same roof as him, but Maebh has been very concerned that she would do something in spite.”

“There are many that would pay close attention to a new mother’s intuition,” Frigga warned.

Then Loki told his mother of Nafi befriending Barwin Tyrson. Her eyes widened when he told her of the two boys speaking of Tyr.

“That is slightly concerning.” Frigga acknowledged.

“What do you think we should do?”

“It is a difficult situation, Maebh is right, he cannot be forced to remain away from the other boy, it shall have him asking questions, but as you stated, it then leads to a far higher chance of Tyr’s widow seeing him.” Frigga took a long breath as she mulled over what she was going to say. “I would let them remain in each others company, but ensure they are under your watchful eye here, or perhaps even at our home. You have to prepare yourself Loki, the day may come that you may need to tell Nafi the truth.”

“It will destroy him.”

“And you too perhaps, but it may be the right thing to do.”

“What if he states that he wishes to return to her?”

“Then we tell him that our door is always open to him, and await his return.” Loki and Frigga turned to see Maebh standing at the bedroom door, looking almost as exhausted as she had when she had went to sleep. “Is he hungry again?” She indicated to Vali.

“He is almost there, why don’t you get something quick to eat dear before you feed him, strengthen yourself up a little.” Frigga encouraged.

“Always the mother hen.” Maebh smiled, walking over to the table, just as Gertrude placed the bowl in front of her. “How do you know of this meal?”

“How do we know of it, how do you? This has been a staple part of our diet for generations.” Loki explained.

“We have had it that long also; it is a very common breakfast meal on Midgard. I recall when we were young, Daire used grouse when my father used to order us to eat it, complaining that it was the food of peasants and he a prince.” She lifted the spoon, checking the consistency of the oats. “My father always maintained that if it kept the lowliest of peasants fed and capable of the large acts of labour they did, then it would sustain a prince.” She smiled sadly as she thought of her own family, her eyes tearing up slightly.

Loki and Frigga exchanged concerned looks. “Eat up; this little boy needs you back to full strength soon.” Frigga advocated.

It took three bowls of the meal to sate Maebh’s hunger. In that time, Vali had become aware of his mother being in close proximately to him, and began to fuss, trying once again to get to her breast.

“There are barely two mouthfuls left darling; he can wait that long.” Loki insisted as Maebh placed her spoon down and went to take the baby.

“He is right, in fact, I shall change him while you finish; that will distract him long enough for you to get sorted.” Frigga offered, taking the slightly angsty Vali from his father as Maebh finished her food.

“So you think we should tell him?” Loki asked her as he watched his mother exited the room with their smaller child.

“If it appears that he may find out in some other manner, then yes, I do. It is better for it to come from us that from another source.” Maebh put a spoonful of food in her mouth as Loki processed her words and considered his response.

“But you do not think to do so yet?”

Maebh swallowed, shaking her head. “He is only seven summers old. Not to mention, you need to decide exactly what it is you wish to tell him. Do you wish to reveal to him who sired him? You will also have to prepare for any questions he may have, some of which you will not wish to answer, and you need to ready yourself for if he is angry.”

“Do you think he will hate me?”

“I think not. You and he are the victims in all of this Loki. Neither of you did anything wrong to deserve this.”

“I could never figure out why. Why him? Why him repeatedly? Did they love one another? Why did she carry his child and destroy any of mine?” Loki was close to tears, looking at his hands on the table.

“You must accept that you will more than likely never get to know the answers to any of these questions Loki,” Maebh replied sadly. “Even if you were to ask, I doubt she would ever answer truthfully.

Frigga entered the room again with an alert and hungry Vali in her arms, effectively putting an end to their discussion. Maebh took the child from his grandmother and went to sit by the hearth with him. Soon he was feeding contently, Maebh herself feeling far better after the filling meal.

X X X X X X X

Over the following two weeks, Vali continued to feed well, but the alteration to Maebh’s diet meant that she too seemed to gain some weight, much to Loki’s and indeed her own relief.

“Well, this is noteworthy,” Loki commented as he walked into the living area of their home in the early morn to see Maebh sitting in a chair by the still warm embers of the hearth. “Has Vali been awake?”

“No, I just woke myself.”

“And you are not feeling exhausted?” Loki pulled Maebh out of the chair before sitting in it himself and pulling her onto his lap.

She shook her head. “No, I feel well actually.”

“You have been looking so much better of late darling, I think you are finally returning to yourself.” Loki placed a loving kiss on her forehead, which Maebh leaned into. “I have missed you so greatly.”

“You have been home a few weeks, you silly man.”

“Yes, but you have been so tired and weak, not at all your usual self, and yes I know taking care of our beautiful little son is tiring work, but you have not had your usual spark. I missed that.” Loki explained.

Maebh looked at him sadly. “I have missed you also, as you too have been slightly different of late, you seem so concerned all the time.”

“I have been concerned, about the raids, Svartalfheim, Ásvaldr, you, our children; it is all a lot to deal with.”

Maebh combed her fingers through Loki’s hair, pulling them out again when they met resistance from a few tangles. “So we both have not been ourselves of late; I fear our marriage is becoming settled.”

Loki frowned looking at her face. “What does that mean?”

“It means that we are no longer in the early phase of it where we lust for one another incessantly and do not have too many great responsibilities. Now we have children, diplomacy, a seemingly unhinged ex-wife and general chaos in its stead.”

“I do not agree,” Loki replied indignantly. “I still lust for you incessantly.” He swallowed loudly. “Do you not?”

His response was a passionate kiss, one he could clearly read as her expressing her emotions; she yearned for him too, much to his relief. He deepened it, one hand sliding up her thigh as the other was positioned by the nape of her neck. She gasped as he took his lips from hers and began to kiss down her neck to her collarbone. “Loki.” She fisted his slightly tangled hair as he kissed, bit and sucked the protruding bone across her chest, making his way then down between the two mounds of her milk filled breasts.

“They are so much bigger now,” Loki noted, looking at his wife’s chest, which was viewable as the nightdress she was wearing was not tied fully at the front so to allow Vali to feed when needed. “Do they hurt?”

“He fed during the night, so they are not too tender at present. Ah! Loki!” She could not control her words as Loki took them in his hands, kneading them gently.

“I have missed you in every aspect, my love.” He stated, his hips lifting slightly in search of some friction.

“And I you.” Maebh returned as she brought the hand that was not in his hair to his sleep pants, untying them to get them out of the way.

No sooner had she loosened them when Loki lifted his ass enough to pull them down and sit, now bare on the chair. “I do not think we have much time before everyone is awake.” 

“Will you last long?”

“After months without you, my darling, I will be lucky if I do not have to satisfy you by other means.” He admitted much to his own shame.

“Well, I feel similar, so…” Maebh lifted herself up on her knees and used her hand to align Loki’s harden shaft against her.

“God’s, you are already ready for me.” Loki’s head lolled back at the amazing sensation. “Is it safe for you to do this again?”

“Yes, Eir stated a week ago that when I got my strength back, it was safe to do so. Although, even with feeding Vali solely from my breast, there is a small chance I can become with child again.”

“Are you alright with...oh Gods, Maebh.” Loki lost his train of thought as Maebh sank down onto him. “How are you still so tight?” He grasped her thighs, not paying any heed to how tightly he did so.

Maebh winced, wondering to herself how having Vali had not meant she would be better able to take her husband quickly. After the initial small pain, the familiar feeling of phenomenal pleasure began to fill her once more. Slowly she rose up and sank back down, repeating the movement as Loki guided her with his hands. All too soon, he began to raise his hips up to meet her thrusts, earning him a few gasps as Maebh attempted to remain quiet so not to wake the children.

“Gods, I love you Maebh.” Loki’s voice was hushed but deep with lust. “I am not going to last much longer.”

Maebh voice remained silent, but her breathing was shallow and harsh as she concentrated on her movements and on her own impending release. She felt the all familiar tightening in her lower abdomen as her body began to clamp around Loki, trying to pull him in deeper and milk him of his seed. She bit her lower lip to prevent the scream she so desperately wanted to release from her lungs as her body shook and she fell over the edge of her pleasure.

Loki pulled her down by the nape of her neck so to stare into her eyes as he too found his release, adoring the feel of Maebh’s body contracting around him as she continued to grind into him as she rode out the last of her own orgasm. Just as hers finished, his started. Unlike Maebh however, he had not been able to prevent the grunts that he vocalized as his seed erupted from his long neglected body.

Both of them gasped for air as they tried to regulate their breathing once more, with their foreheads still touching as they looked into each other's eyes, both filled with adoration. “What if you become with child again?” Loki asked between breaths.

“I said to you before Loki Odinson, I will gladly carry all children you fill me with.” She replied.

“There would barely be a year between them.”

“It is quite unlikely that I will become with child again so soon, it is merely a warning not to be shocked were I to.” Maebh smiled, as Loki began to play with some of her hair.

Loki was about to reply when something caught Maebh’s eye and her face fell in horror. Looking around, Loki realised what it was she was looking at. Nafi was standing at his bedroom door, looking utterly traumatised by the scene in front of him. Thinking fast, Loki covered Maebh’s chest and slowly she rose off him, her night dress falling over her legs again as Loki pulled up his pants, which thankfully was out of the boy’s view before he rose to his feet.

“Together or just you?” Maebh asked quietly.

“This is my job I think,” Loki commented. Nodding, Maebh walked to their bedroom, not able to take the slightly ashamed look from her face as she passed Nafi, who stared at her wordlessly. “We are going for a small walk,” Loki informed him. Nafi just nodded and went to his room to retrieve his boots.