[open]

[unkindled_madness]

Who: Sephiroth unkindled_madness & you!
What: Sephiroth has been activated as a sleeper agent!
When: late April and into May
Where: Sunset Falls, Central City
Content Warnings: N/A for now.

[Some are bound to notice something off about Sephiroth. It's unusual for him to miss meetings or show up late for work--but not so unusual that it's never happened before. This world has its stressors, and maybe he's just going through something again.

During the same time period, Fantastic has been making news thwarting a small rogue's gallery of fresh new villains. But apart from "Shadow Flare" being pretty tall, it isn't the natural conclusion to think that Sephiroth might be behind the mask. One, he's always professed a confusion and even disdain for costumes and alter egos. Two, all of the fights are happening in or around Central, and Sephiroth only travels there when borrowing Loki's teleporter. Absolutely no reason to connect the two.]

((Specific prompts in the comments! Feel free to hit me up at yinza if you want to plot anything.))

Comments

[unkindled_madness]

I meant in general, but I suppose that's good to know.

[No, he definitely wanted to know about himself.]

[dothelokimotion]

Mmm.

[ he thinks about mentioning — no, it can wait. ]

You've been wearing your shirt inside a lot. Even in bed. Why is that? If you're feeling cold, we can go buy some new clothes.

[unkindled_madness]

[He shakes his head.]

I'm not cold.

Does it bother you?

[dothelokimotion]

No. It's just odd.

[unkindled_madness]

Sometimes I wear shirts.

[Yeah, he can't really deny that this is odd.]

[dothelokimotion]

Not in bed.

[ so that's something else he's hiding. ]

[unkindled_madness]

It's still somewhat new, our sharing one.

[...that's not accusatory, is it?]

[dothelokimotion]

[ no, but it's not great and his shoulders droop a little. ]

Yes, of course.

[unkindled_madness]

I'm just not always used to it.

[dothelokimotion]

I can understand that.

If you — want to change your mind. About anything.

[unkindled_madness]

I don't want you to leave.

[But should he?]

[dothelokimotion]

Then what do you want?

[unkindled_madness]

I just want to be sure of something. That it won't... hurt you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki blinks, surprised. is that what this is about? ]

What makes you think it can?

[unkindled_madness]

You're strong, but you aren't invincible.

[dothelokimotion]

That is true, but I can be the one to determine that.

[ something does click, though. a common fear they've both held. ]

Are you afraid of yourself? Hurting me in some way?

[unkindled_madness]

......I have before.

[dothelokimotion]

[ ah. his expression softens. ]

That's not quite true. I got close so I could bring you back. I don't regret it. And I'd do it over and over if that's what it took.

[unkindled_madness]

...which makes you particularly vulnerable, to me.

[dothelokimotion]

Yes.

But you're making yourself vulnerable too. By tackling your fear alone. Is that a good idea?

[unkindled_madness]

...I don't know.

But surely it's safer for you.

[dothelokimotion]

I don't care if it's safer!

We should be doing this together.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth is quiet for a moment. Has he just been rationalizing his fear? Trying to keep it from Loki not only because he's afraid for Loki but because he's just... afraid. If he keeps it to himself, he can convince himself that he can handle it on his own.

They're supposed to be selfish. But not like this.]

...I don't know what we'd be doing. I don't know what's wrong with me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ oh. loki shifts closer so that he can wind his arms around sephiroth and pull him close. ]

If there is something wrong, then we will find out what it is. We will mend it.

[ quietly. ]

You're scared. It's okay to be scared.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth hesitates, then leans into it.]

How is it okay?

[It's not a productive feeling. It's something to be quashed so it doesn't paralyze him. He knows Loki will tell him something different, and he'll probably be right, but...

It's not a productive feeling.]