I sit down to clean Loki’s boots.

Brushing earth bits from them.

Rubbing out the scuffs and polishing them to a shine again.

Their woodsy musk scent smells of him. I think about his feet slipping inside them, flexing his toes to feel their structure and remind them of his shape.

I set the brush back on the shelf and the leather oil and rag in their box and wait patiently for him, aglow with love.

Loki’s song choice: “Silence” by Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan.