[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]

[Sephiroth sits down on the edge of the bed, taking Loki's hand.]

...I am not ready to let my guard down.

But I'll sit with you.

[dothelokimotion]

I know.

[ he's taking it out on sephiroth, a little. the fear, the frustration, the hurt. loki presses a kiss to his knuckles. ]

It's fine.

[unkindled_madness]

...is there something you need besides rest?

[dothelokimotion]

[ something seems to flicker in his eyes before loki shakes his head. ]

No. I'm just being childish.

[unkindled_madness]

Be childish, if you like. I don't mind.

[He's not really sure what Loki could mean by that.]

[dothelokimotion]

I suppose I had hoped you'd be . . . happier. Or proud that I helped you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Oh.]

It's a more complicated feeling than that. [How does he explain this?] I can think of many moments when I wished someone would... help me. Moments that could have been this, but weren't.

...I feel seen. But also... [He's not sure. Vulnerable?]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki sighs. ]

I know. It's weakness. You struggle with that. Even with me.

[unkindled_madness]

I was preparing myself to survive it, whatever it was, as I've always done.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki's expression crumbles. ]

Without me?

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth shakes his head. Yes, but that's not how he meant it.]

I thought I could, because I had. And I wouldn't have to burden you.

But you were here anyway.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki sits up now, because this requires a proper discussion. ]

Because you've always done so before. Because you had to. But we've changed things. Chosen new paths. You cannot be a burden to me because you are mine. And I am yours.

That time in the past . . . do you want to return to it?

[unkindled_madness]

No. [The response is emphatic.]

...I thought I had done more to leave it behind. [He chose Loki. He has the power of choice.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki huffs, a little bemused. ]

It is not as easy as hitting a switch. It's all right to struggle with it. You've seen me struggle. Would you be upset with me?

[unkindled_madness]

...no. I wouldn't.

[dothelokimotion]

Good.

You are not anyone's burden. And you are certainly not mine. I want to be there, for every part of you. Even if it's a struggle, even if you don't know how to tackle it. Even if you don't need me, let me support you in finding yourself. Your own path.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth doesn't know quite what to say to that.]

...I'm glad you're here.

[dothelokimotion]

Mm.

[ he places sephiroth's hand against his chest. ]

I love you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Words are hard right now, so he's going to lean in to kiss Loki instead.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ that suits him fine as he welcomes it with a pleased hum, curling his arms around sephiroth. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth reaches for Loki, his grip tight. Loki is still here. He can be anything around Loki, and he'll still be here.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki doesn't mind the tightness since it's clear he's understood. and he's wanted. his heart feels settled at that and he hopes it gives sephiroth the strength he needs. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[He's okay. More than okay, he's safe. When was that ever the case before?

Sephiroth breaks the kiss to just hold Loki close, letting the contact steady him.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki settles against him with a pleased sigh. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[...Loki needs rest. Sephiroth shifts so they can lie back together.]