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[dothelokimotion]

[ the feed starts with loki looking somewhat wan and tired, but not easily spotted by those who don't know him. he speaks smoothly, without a hint of annoyance. ]

First off, for new arrivals and older ones who may be unaware, the Operium is always open for hire. If you're struggling for a job, then you're welcome to seek me out and find gainful employment.

Secondly, Thor has left this place. His belongings, however, are still here. I have in my possession:
- Some red cloaks
- A gaming console with a Fortnite subscription claimed
- A grill
- A charm bracelet
- A book on how to raise goats

You can come claim these at the Sunset Falls park. You have half an hour before I set them on fire. Good day.

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

[ he wants to say more. I love you but it gets stuck in his throat. he's terrified of it now. loving something and losing all over again. instead loki sits down next to him. the wine sloshes around the glass with the movement. ]

I don't think I would have managed without you.

[unkindled_madness]

You've always been here for me to hold onto.

...I wish I had your talent for words.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shakes his head slowly. ]

You have your own talents. I don't need you to be like me. I rather you were yourself. And it's . . . enough that you want to stay.

[ he looks back at his wine, his reflection peering back at him. ]

The reason I died was because I had stolen a powerful object known as an Infinity Stone. I knew Thanos wanted it and I kept it because I thought it would be useful. Selfishly, for my own survival. But I went back to the ship, to the rest of Asgard because he said — [ there is a lump in his throat. loki swallows it down. ] — Thor said I could be more. And I wanted to be. More.

I could finally build a better Asgard. Protect my people. Have them love me as me. Then Thanos came and he killed — so many. He was killing Thor. My selfishness was killing them.

So I gave it up. The stone, my life. One last gambit.

[ he rubs his throat idly. ]

He crushed my throat. When I arrived in the islands, I still had the bruises.

It's such a pathetic story.

[unkindled_madness]

It isn't pathetic. It's... sad.

[Sephiroth pauses and takes a sip of his wine, mainly because he hasn't yet.]

You had only just started down a new path, and it was taken from you. You can still be more, but not in the way that you wanted.

[dothelokimotion]

I suppose I just don't know what that looks like for me. I'm still selfish. I'm still the same.

[unkindled_madness]

You're always calling yourself selfish. I've never found it particularly true.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks, surprised. ]

You haven't?

[unkindled_madness]

No. Truly selfish people don't know how to be kind.

[dothelokimotion]

[ oh. he's never thought of it that way. his breath hitches and he looks like he's ready to cry. ]

So I didn't deserve to die?

[unkindled_madness]

No.

[The answer comes immediately, with Sephiroth taken aback by the question. He takes a breath and continues:]

Of course you didn't.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki takes in a shuddering breath. then he leans against sephiroth quietly. ]

Thank you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth shifts slightly to put an arm around him.]

If you don't know what to do, that's... fine. I don't either.

[dothelokimotion]

[ softly. ]

We'll find it. Full of . . . potential.

[unkindled_madness]

Exactly.

Potential, and time.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki smiles faintly. ]

And you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth looks over at him. He was talking about both of them.]

Each other.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he seems to soften at that. ]

Each other.

[unkindled_madness]

We chose a path together. That hasn't changed.

[dothelokimotion]

No. No, it hasn't.

[ he briefly glances at the door. where stormbreaker was. now he had power. he'll ensure it. no matter what. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth notices the glance, but he doesn't know what it means.]

...did you need something?

[dothelokimotion]

No. No, I don't need anything.

[ don't ask for anything, he thinks to himself, don't be foolish. ]

[unkindled_madness]

...I don't mind.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shakes his head, burying his head in sephiroth's shoulder. ]

I can't.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth's brow furrows.]

Can't... what?

[dothelokimotion]

I can't ask.