( ad astra ) inbox

[dothelokimotion]

@ tricks
text ✰ voice ✰ holovid

Comments

[thirtythird]

Wonderful.

[That's a victory. A small thing, perhaps, but a meaningful one. It's certainly enough to bring William's own smile brighter as he drifts into place beside the god.]

Stars still all in order as well?

[dothelokimotion]

[ his gaze flits back to the expanse. ]

I can't tell.

[ a beat. ]

Long ago, I did not realize the bliss in ignorance. And now I learned the lesson so well that I must know all truths, all knowledge so I can never return to that time.

I always set my own traps.

[thirtythird]

Which sort, darling?

[A gentle sort of inquiry. It's a delicate balance, between being genuinely interested and not wanting to dig at any piece of a healing wound.]

The sort that catch you in time or the sort you only find too late?

[dothelokimotion]

Usually the latter. I've never been that perceptive. My mother was a witch, a seer at times. But I never inherited that power from her.

[ that went to thor, surprisingly. loki had the rest of her gifts though so he has never begrudged thor that talent. he's not sure he would want it.

he pauses, as if chewing on a dilemma. ]

I . . . want to ask something of you, if it's all right.

[thirtythird]

[Loki is truly fascinating. Part of that fascination, of course, is how often this absolutely remarkable individual felt like an infinitely familiar piece of humanity (the oddity of gods making men and men making gods, perhaps).

Also fascinating, if more easily understood, is the easy answer as his shoulder bumps into his husband's.]

Anything in my power, darling. For you, perhaps even a few things beyond it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki hesitates once more, twisting his fingers around each other. ]

Would you like . . . to move in with me? I recognize it's not ideal when you have your own . . . connections to pursue and have need of your own space. I would not mind if you say no.

[thirtythird]

[Well, no use trying to hide the twist of his lips into a soft smile. It wouldn't make much of a difference, given the warm feeling that rushes from him in the empathy bond.]

Would you like if I said yes?

[There's a delicacy to this--and no good guideposts for how to orchestrate a marriage while displaced in space and time.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ the breath loki inhales vibrates, as if taut in the air before vanishing. ]

I would but . . . it must be your decision.

[thirtythird]

I understand.

[Hopefully Loki understands the thoughtful silence that follows. There's gut instinct and there's measured consideration, after all. One always hopes they align, but matters of the heart often skewed one or the other in a strange direction.]

You're certain it wouldn't be an intrusion?

[dothelokimotion]

[ his eyes flicker over to william before loki slowly shakes his head. ]

I am certain.

[thirtythird]

[That's good. That sits pleasantly in his chest. It's almost enough to tip his hand.

But.]

Will... it make you less certain? When I'm not there?

[One thing to wake up and wonder if someone was simply in their own room. Another thing to wake up alone when someone ought to be there.]

[dothelokimotion]

It doesn't matter.

[ you'll never be ready. ]

I am ready.

[thirtythird]

[It's not an easy thing to trust. Then again, it's a very easy thing to trust.

A careful exhale, and he presses his shoulder more firmly against Loki's.]

I'd like that, then.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he blinks. ]

You're sure, then?

[thirtythird]

I'm absolutely certain, Loki.

[As the day they'd been wed. As the day he'd proposed. It's getting to be a fairly easy confidence.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ a smile flickers onto his face as he reaches for william's fingers. ]

You are too good to me.

[thirtythird]

[Natural to tangle fingers. Natural to feel the press of his own ring against his skin as he squeezes tight.]

Not in the slightest.

[dothelokimotion]

Is it so hard to take the compliment?

[ he gives them a brief squeeze. ]

[thirtythird]

Oh-- some are quite easy. It's a lark to be called handsome or clever or terribly charming. I am.

[Bright; easy; confident.]

But. [Softer, as his head dips slightly, eyes still crinkled with an easy smile.] Am I showing you enough how well-loved you are? That's a far more difficult valuation.

[dothelokimotion]

[ that would involve loki understanding the shape of love. and he's come far to recognize it, but he struggles with the contours. ]

You show enough.

[thirtythird]

I'm glad to hear it. [That's the target audience sorted, after all.] Still. One can always improve.

[Which, well. He tugs the god's hand to his lips for a moment, pressing a kiss to Loki's knuckles.]

Ample opportunity for practice, now.

[dothelokimotion]

[ a low chuckle. ]

And what would this practice entail?

[thirtythird]

Not making an immediate, frightful mess of our room, to start.

[That's a nice phrase to test on his lips. It tastes quite sweet.]

[dothelokimotion]

As if I would ever allow that.

[thirtythird]

You'll be patient with me?