driftfleet | ( how the dinosaurs died )

Entry tags:

( how the dinosaurs died )

Who: Loki + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: Planetside
When: Right here, right now

[ the feed turns on, though it seems to start with a burst of static and a blurry screen before it finally seems to straighten itself out. though the scene you might be seeing seems a little . . . hard to take in. mostly because it looks like everything has been frozen. plants, grass and giant dinosaurs like T-Rexs that were in mid-lunge to bite on . . . a huddled lump who has a quilt over their head and cocooned deep within the covers. And also happens to be sneezing a lot. ]

This — [ loki sneezes, looking pale, harried and a little . . . blue. ] — Is the worst. Why is everything so — [ another loud sneeze. ] — uncomfortable?! And how do you make it stop?!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There’s another story in there.

[It’s not a question but neither does it push for elaboration. There’s no simple black and white here and for all that he’d professed to preferring the shades of grey, they don’t always make for easy conversation.

His arms shift as Loki turns, trying to remain supportive lest another fit overcome him. He meets that gaze squarely.]

I see someone who was judged harshly and somewhat unfairly, but nowhere near as harshly as he’s judged himself. I see someone who’s been honest with me, and that’s a commodity in sadly short supply. I can’t help being selfish for it.

A long one.

[ it is difficult to keep eye-contact. loki almost wants to look away in shame and disgust, unable to meet that truth head-on. he's never been good at that. always perceptive about everyone else but himself. ]

I would never dismiss selfishness.

Perhaps better saved for when we have time to kill. Maybe the next drift, and I will finally come to see your magical walls.

[The contact finally breaks when he glances away, eyes returning to the distance they still need to cross to make it to Loki’s shuttle. It’s not far, fortunately; he doesn’t like the thought of Loki having to suffer this illness for any longer than necessary.]

You flatter me by indulging it.

[ softly. ]

I'd like that.

[ he shakes his head. ]

It's not — It's not merely an indulgence. You know that, don't you?

I’ll make sure to make it happen. And I suppose extend an invitation to the Starduck as well, though she’s not got anything as fancy.

[A small sound escapes him; it’s not quite a sigh but a little lighter, a little more comfortable.]

Can we not go back to the dictionary and choose the definition that states simply allowing ourselves the enjoyment of something pleasurable? [A beat.] But I know what you’re asking, and I know it’s not just some frivolous thing. I didn’t mean to imply that it might be; my tongue clearly isn’t as silvered as your own.

[ he smiles at that. ]

It doesn't need to be. I like it the way it is.

Now you’re flattering.

[It makes him smile regardless.]

You’re probably one of very few who would think as such, so you do have my thanks.

You're welcome to it.

[ it's genuine, oddly enough. sentiment is hard to express but loki does try now and then. ]

[It’s easy enough to lapse into silence then, helping Loki to navigate the trail with his left arm firmly wrapped around his waist, pausing when the sneezing overtakes him too much to make any progress.]

I’m sorry that this planet affected you so. It doesn’t seem fair.

[ loki huffs at that. ]

I doubt it has much to do with fairness and more to do with the fact that I know nothing about this body.

Even so, a chance to get off the ships for a while shouldn’t have this result.

[ pHe pauses, unsure of how to ask the sensitive question without offending. Ultimately though he decides to just go for it.]

Do you want to know this body? What it can do?

[ the answer comes easily. ]

No. It's not — Not mine. It is a stranger's and I have to keep it with me. It stems from a father who abandoned me and I'm tired of fathers.

Mmm, I think I can understand that, when you put it that way. I can only assume you're like this because they thought it would somehow boost ratings, and I wish you didn't have to suffer to do it.

[ loki sneezes. ]

It is just. Frustrating at best. It does not hurt overly much.

[ it only brings long forgotten fears to the surface. of golden men with spears and brothers with hammers. ]

That's at least one good point. I wouldn't want to see you in pain.

[It's bad enough seeing the other man so inconvenienced by the planet's flora — at least, that's what he assumes is causing this reaction, though with the Atroma, he supposes there's no way to know for sure.]

Or I guess I should say more pain, on top of the inconvenience.

Pain is more of a, ah, state of mind.

[ he pauses, trying to find the right words. ]

It . . . does not bother me the way it would for other people. This is not a wound, just — a scar. Old and brittle. It no longer hurts but I don't enjoy looking at it.

The intangible pain is bad enough without adding the physical on top of it.

[His own voice is a little reflective, words for himself as much as for Loki.]

Scars are useful, sometimes. A reminder of strength, that we’ve survived when others might not have wanted us to. They’re still not pleasant but I don’t see this as a lesser part of you.

[ a wintry smile touches his face. ]

I don't know how useful this scar is.

I suppose it's trite, but as useful as you want it to be. If nothing else it provided a catalyst for us meeting today, so I can't think of it as entirely negative.

[ his lips curve further. ]

I cannot fault that.

And it will take a bit more than a second form to scare me off.

[ his expression softens, turning the blood-red to something warmer, like sunlight on a poppy field. gently, he takes bucky's metal arm, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. ]

Thank you.

[It's unexpected, especially given Loki's insistence that he's dangerous like this. He's not used to casual touch being a positive thing. But he lets his fingers curl a little around the hand holding his own, just for a moment.]

Save the real thanks for when we get you back to the shuttle and you can breathe easier, hmm?

[ loki chuckles, his gaze flitting briefly to that movement, his smile never straying. the corners of his eyes crinkle. ]

Oh? And what should these real thanks look like?

[He meets that gaze for a moment before letting his own slide away, a little awkward.]

Nothing in particular. I didn't come here hoping to get anything from you. You needed help. I could provide it. It's a nice change.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject