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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's wanted. he's more. and this is . . . safe. he can trust sephiroth's feelings. he doesn't doubt them. this is just a bump. he knew thor would leave. that his friends would too. loki wasn't enough to make them stay.

but sephiroth would. sephiroth would stay. loki knows. he knows. he didn't have to say it. loki manages a faint, tremulous smile. ]

It is.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth's expression eases, seeing that. He lifts his head to kiss Loki softly on the forehead.

Loki stays for him, and he stays for Loki. Not out of obligation, but because they want to.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ very quietly, as if daringly. ]

I love you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth stills. He wants to be able to say it back. But would it be honest? He cares for Loki, deeply. He knows that there are other kinds of love than romantic love. But he's never felt them before either. He's never felt anything close to this.

Can he imagine feeling something stronger? Or has he long since crossed the threshold? Is this as much as he's capable of?]

I...

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki slowly shakes his head. he doesn't need sephiroth to say it back. he squeezes his hand instead, reassuringly. ]

I just want you to know that. No matter what happens.

[ he's still scared. maybe he's pushing it too far already. maybe his love doesn't matter because the confluence can just take sephiroth away the next day. but at least he'll have that. poor as it is, at least he had loki's love. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[If Loki wants him to know, then surely he understands that's important to Sephiroth, too. That he know.

No matter what happens?]

I'm not going anywhere.

[dothelokimotion]

I know. I just — [ his expression is vulnerable. ] — I need to.

[unkindled_madness]

...all right.

But... You understand that I care for you, too, in my own way.

[dothelokimotion]

I do. I told you. I see it in you.

I can wait. Whenever you are ready.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth nods.]

...I just wanted to remind you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his expression softens. ]

I do not doubt you, Sephiroth. Not for a moment. But I do like the reminder.

[unkindled_madness]

Doubt is too easy, at times.

[If Loki does doubt him, he'd understand it.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki hums. ]

I doubt everything. The stars, the moon, the ground I walk upon. I trust none of it.

You're my exception.

[unkindled_madness]

You're that certain?

[dothelokimotion]

. . . I am.

[unkindled_madness]

...I'm glad.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his only real fear is that sephiroth won't have a choice in the matter. ]

Mmm. I don't doubt you.

[unkindled_madness]

I want to be something that you can hold onto.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his breath hitches slightly. ]

That's what you want?

[unkindled_madness]

...yes. We keep each other grounded.

[dothelokimotion]

I like that.

[unkindled_madness]

[He nods.]

I do, too.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he leans against sephiroth. he's spent now, all that emotional energy fading fast. ]

I'm glad you're here.

[unkindled_madness]

Of course.

I'm... glad that you would permit it.

[dothelokimotion]

I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to see me that way.

[ vulnerable, exposed, but under all of that, furious and wrathful. ]