002; elevator of forced honesty

[memefox]

elevator of forced honesty

» POST: a top level for your character(s) » RESPOND: to other characters ICly. your characters are now trapped in an elevator together. » UH OH: neither character can lie. » ADDITIONAL, OPTIONAL COMPLICATIONS: at player discretion characters may also... a. be unable to remain silent when asked questions b. be unable to speak around the truth when answering c. be compelled to reveal truths/secrets unprompted THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR COMPELS YOU.

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[dothelokimotion]

[ Home. Loki shudders, despite himself, leaning into Steve, tucking his head onto Steve's shoulder quietly. ]

Sometimes I still believe I can go back home. That they would take me back. Sometimes, I believe they mourned.

[livingsymbol]

I'm sorry.

[ And he is, because no one deserves that ending. Not Loki or anyone else Steve knows. He pulls him in, letting Loki rest against his shoulder as he strokes his back. ]

Do you want to go back?

[dothelokimotion]

There's no point.

[ Playing Odin soothed the old anger, but it's not home anymore. The one lie had robbed him of that. Frigga was dead and there was no one left to welcome him back. Whether he wants to go back or not is meaningless. He simply can't. Loki can only be in Asgard if he wore someone else's face. Become someone else.

He moves to kiss the underside of Steve's chin quietly. ]

I will make do.

[livingsymbol]

Don't make do.

[ Steve feels compelled to answer that feeling, even though Loki hasn't asked any questions or directed anything specific toward him. ]

Make a new home. You don't need to go back. Sometimes moving forward is all we can do, even if we don't want to, but... It can surprise you if you give it a chance.

[ That might be the voice of a man that was tossed out of his time period and forced to leave potential life behind. And maybe he found he was happier in the long run. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki can't fathom it. Asgard was his heart for so long that he resents its presence. Could he really remove that connection? Did he even want to, despite all the pain it has brought him? Loki does not know. Every time he asks himself these questions, there is no response. No clear path. ]

Perhaps.

Do I make you happy, Steve Rogers?

[livingsymbol]

[ If Steve sees Loki's insecurity in the way he asks his question, that isn't what he responds to. He smiles softly, with a sideways tilt to it as he decides on the right words and finds they do come from his core. That's something he needs to know. ]

You do. I'm happy that you want to be with me. I know what lies ahead might be difficult, but we can do it together.

[dothelokimotion]

Together.

[ He tastes the word on his tongue. Thor had said that during the invasion and Loki couldn't fathom it then. After all, he had invested so much in this one gambit, this one chance. Thor may speak fondly of Asgard, but Loki knew better now. Knows with a finality that no amount of feeling can erase. ]

Is there nothing you wish to ask of me?

[livingsymbol]

[ Is there something Steve wants to ask Loki? He feels like those questions will just come when they come, but Loki asking makes him think seriously. ]

Isn't it... boring to hang out with a human? I can't do all the things you can.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks, utterly baffled before he laughs, a low silvery thing. ]

Why would I want that?

[ He cups Steve's face gently. ]

You do the things only Steve Rogers can do.

[livingsymbol]

[ Loki once again responds to Steve's question with gentle humor. It always seems like he finds the blond's actions entertaining, charming even when Steve isn't doing anything special. The way he cradles Steve's face makes him feel embarrassed, but he doesn't look away. ]

Sometimes I wonder if I'm too plain to entertain you. I can't impress someone that can make stars.

[dothelokimotion]

[ This time, Loki does not laugh in the face of Steve's embarrassment. Why would he? Loki has been in this position. Knows the lines of inadequacy driven into his palms. He merely hums, his thumb brushing over Steve's cheek reassuringly. Steve may remember when things changed between them, the kiss, the quiet proclamation that Loki is a light. Loki remembers that too, but he remembers mostly coming to Steve's room, upset, barely breathing in his own skin and Steve had simply . . . ]

Do you want me?

[livingsymbol]

I want you.

[ There's no pause. Steve answers without question. The elevator situation may mean that they can't lie for a while, but he also doesn't feel any doubt or insecurity in that answer. It's the most honest response he can give, one he doesn't even think about. ]

And I want to make you happy.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki smiles, a light in his eyes. Leaning in, he presses their foreheads together as his hands rest on Steve's neck carefully. He hoards the words in his heart, where spaces reside, so that it will keep him warm when all lights go out. ]

Just like that, you have outstripped every star in the sky. There is nothing that will come close. You are the greatest mystery.

[ The mystery of the person who wants Loki, wants him to be happy. ]

You fill my life.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve has never been called a mystery before. He's been called a lot of things, praised for being loyal and brave and strong in different situations, but the truth is that Steve is simple. Being compared to stars and mysteries seems much more fitting for Loki, a god and a wonder far beyond him. Even though he doesn't know what Loki sees, he smiles and puts his hands on Loki's waist. ]

I didn't do anything. I still don't know why you chose me, but I'm glad you did. You can create amazing things and yet you still think I'm good enough?

[ He laughs, soft and incredulous. ]

I'm just glad to be part of your life.

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is hard not to stare at Steve, to question what he says. There's a low rumble from Loki's stomach, a satisfied purr as he simply moves to kiss Steve. Someday, Loki will explain it to Steve, lay out the cold hardened facts. But a part of him knows the man will not budge. It feels, for once, that Loki has made the right choice, selfish as it may be. It was his. ]

You are my sword.