pixieled inbox

[restitui]

XIV

TEMPERANCE

CODE

Comments

[meforsaken]

I speak truthfully for once! The Loki of that universe lives in my apartment since he's not welcome in his own realm. He's quite cute, really.

[restitui]

[ thinks about it, ]

You're not keeping yourself for a pet, are you?

[meforsaken]

... Not in the traditional sense, no. He's sentient and gets into quite a lot of trouble himself, but.

I do provide for his needs, such as food, clothing, shelter.

[Now they're seriously considering this]

He does hang out with other superhero pets, but it's not like he wears a collar or I take him on walks or anything. I don't even really live in my apartment much these days, the current situation aside.

[restitui]

[ He takes that in and: ]




You are not helping him sound less like a pet.

[meforsaken]

I realize that...! But I believe he would do the same were the situation reversed!

[restitui]

In a universe were alligators keep humanoid people for pets?

[meforsaken]

[Realizing they're still Cat Thor, they shift their form back.]

He's a bipedal alligator! Really more like a child than a pet!

[restitui]

... I know they're another you but imagining a bipedal alligator is lowkey horrifying. Especially, like, a bipedal toddler alligator who'd bite ankles.

[meforsaken]

[And they shift quickly into Alligator Loki and then back.]

See? Cute!

[restitui]

... okay, fair. Way cuter than whatever horror movie monstrosity my mind was coming up with.

[meforsaken]

His entire universe is adorable. Extremely mean, but adorable. Maybe they'd be nicer if they were monstrosities...

[restitui]

Reverse psychology like, you mean?

[meforsaken]

Maybe? I think I'm just biased because they don't like Lokis.

[restitui]

Did their Loki bite ankles as a toddler then to earn that?

[meforsaken]

Careful, dear. That implies I likewise must have done horrible things to earn my universe's ire. I mean I did, but still.

[restitui]

You could have been an ankle biter, too, that's like mildly annoying at best. Everyone's mildly annoying sometimes.

[meforsaken]

True. Suppose I'm just sensitive. He could be mildly annoying, he could be a saint, but he would still be Loki and that's enough in the eyes of Asgard. Even Alligator Asgard.

[restitui]

... do you still get worried about what they think of you?

[meforsaken]

Not in the same way. I know back home Sif's probably coming up with curses that have never been uttered in all of history just to describe me. But I don't care, she'll realize eventually why I did what I did.

... but when it comes to other Lokis, I'm- ... hm, protective? Whether it's an alligator, my past self, or even that evil future self. There aren't a lot of people who care for us, so I've taken it on myself.

[restitui]

[ ... He listens and then nods in understanding after a moment. Rubbing the back of his neck as he thinks about it for another moment and then asking, ]

But there were people who cared for you? You did have that at least.

[meforsaken]

Eh? Everything's conditional. Including my family. Especially my family.

And especially back then.

[TFW your mom is happy to sacrifice your happiness if it means Asgard and Thor will be safe forever.]

I also used to have a tendency to self-sabotage.

[Assuming the Young Avengers would be better off without him and not even attending that party.]

I have some very good friends now, though! There's Verity, and Doreen Green, and Escapade... But you can probably see why I responded so strongly to your kindness.

[restitui]

[ He frowns deeply at the thought, because family should always be something you can count on. ( He doesn't count his Disorder guardians, they never saw him as a son anyway). He thinks a family should try to help make you happy -

He doesn't voice that. ]

[ He also doesn't say that doesn't sound like a lot, even if he knows just one person believing in you can mean the world. He smiles a little. ]

Yeah, I can see it. [A beat. ] And what about here? You have people here, right?

[meforsaken]

Of course! I founded the Avengers here. And I get along fairly well with everyone. There's a few who dare I say even look up to me.

[restitui]

Okay. Sorry, I just wanted to be sure.

[ Why? Because he worries, but this Loki is far more confident after all. Because he has to wonder, from some momentary shared bond, which is why he shrugs and confesses - ]

I don't think William does. Like, some of the Avengers say they'll help him and stuff but - I guess that'd feel pretty weird to accept when you don't know them.

[ Or remember the parents you'd have a shared connection with, let alone really see them as your parents. ]

[meforsaken]

[Loki sticks their tongue out,]

I may be the sort who stands on my own, but I'm surprisingly likable.

[Which is to say it's easier to accept that others like you when you're not constantly seeking validation. And it's easier to be alone too, when you actually enjoy your own company.]

He's stubborn. I've tried reaching out, but I'm... also abrasive to some, I know. Honestly, I had decided to back off until we had our little tryst.