[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

[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.]

[dothelokimotion]

Because it is who you are in this moment.

And you're allowed to be whoever you want to be. Yes, you will defeat your fear. You will move forward. But you can scared. Scared that you don't have an answer. Scared that something else will take hold of you.

And I will still be here.

[unkindled_madness]

[He doesn't want to be scared. He wants to be rational.

...but there is something about having it recognized and permitted. It's only himself pushing it down.

He reaches up to grip Loki's shirt, fingers curling tight into the fabric.]

I'm losing time.

[dothelokimotion]

[ so that's what it was. he suspected, but now there's confirmation. loki's grip is firm as he holds sephiroth close. ]

We will find out what is happening. But I'm not letting go.

[unkindled_madness]

I don't know what I'm doing then. If I'm...

[Dangerous? Himself? He doesn't know anything.]

[dothelokimotion]

All the more reason to have someone with you to find out.

[unkindled_madness]

I could turn on you in an instant.

[dothelokimotion]

[ firmly. ]

If you did, at least I would know that something is wrong instead of coming to a worse case scenario. Then at least I would find a way to help you.

I'm not afraid of that. I'm afraid I might lose you.

[unkindled_madness]

[He's afraid of losing himself, too. But he doesn't want to say it. He draws a slow breath in, and out.]

It really doesn't frighten you?

[dothelokimotion]

No. Because you would not be you if you did that.

I know that in my heart.