riverviewlogs | OTA LOG: ACID RAIN EDITION

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OTA LOG: ACID RAIN EDITION

who: loki laufeyson (616) and you!
what: prompts taken from the july tdm
when: post-july 20th
where: all over
warnings: tba

1. RESCUES IN THE ACIDIC RAIN.

[ Whenever Loki ventures out into the foul weather he conjures a green magical shield, the same he last used when Leah's construct was attempting to sever his head in Mother's dimension. Droplets that spatter all over it flash a pale lime-gold so that it appears he may be walking around in a glittery bubble, but the fact remains he only dons the protective enchantment to get from Point A to Point B; reaching outside of it is an unpleasant experience even for him.

That's how it starts, anyway.

He eventually finds himself an inadvertent taxi service for anyone caught in the downpour. Whether it's a person hunched down against an abandoned vendor's cart, someone shrieking in a panic as their tenth umbrella of the day turns to tatters, or reluctantly agreeing to ferry food from one household to another (no good deed is too menial for him this week) the God of Mischief is obliging to those in need.

But he doesn't decline any rewards for services rendered, either. ]

2. FIREFLY AT 2AM.

[ The magical shield also happens to glow in the dark, making it a point of interest for anyone with eyes who happens to spot Loki moving around the Quarantine like a mobile nightlight, along the streets and up the glassy walls of skyscrapers. Green orbs swish overhead and light his way as though streetlamps are bobbing along at his request.

If anyone wants one, they are free to shout him over from their hidey-hole. There's not much else to see out there that wanders around so casually in a corrosive downpour, let your curiosity take over. ]

3. A REAL BOAR OF A TIME.

[ With his spellcraft invulnerable to something as ordinarily challenging as acid rain for everyone else, one way or another word gets out about what Loki can do and he feels compelled to help some of the teams ranging out into the jungle intent on setting up their scientific dohickies. The most important turn of events, he feels, is that with his full-body bubbleshield there is no need for a fugly bodysuit, while on the flipside his permanent shimmer in the drab conditions mean that Loki is often requested to head up the front of a party.

When boars attack, the green glow of his shield is joined by the crimson glimmer of his ancestral blade Laevateinn, slashing down their beastly opponents in two or three nimble strikes. Curious why it doesn't take much more effort than that? Loki himself will shrug and tell you, ]

The blade cuts through any hide.

[ It can be intensely handy sometimes when people can bear to have such a dangerous thing around, much like Loki himself. Additionally, he provides marshmallows for those hard at work in the jungle. ]

4. DRAINED.

[ A near daily, constant use of sorcery has Loki on edge during rare moments, rubbing his head as he takes refuge in shops and under eaves of buildings when his headache worsens. He can be found with his feet up on overcast veranda benches, taking a break from supporting his own shield and the magical orbs loaned out across the city, tired-eyed and usually nibbling at a snack for an energy boost. Not that he needs to eat anything, it's more a comfort thing. Mental rousing.

Anyone who spots him will find he doesn't leave in a hurry when approached and those who depend on his magical orbs are free to call him up and find out why their rooms have suddenly gone dark. ]

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I already told you that I would stay. Build a pillow fort. Those weren't empty words you know.

[ Tony stays still for a moment, eyes travelling over Loki's face before he drops his hands slowly. he doesn't pull back though, shifts so that he is leaning against the counter next to Loki, rather than trapping him.

A Loki never stays long in any box, after all.]

... I don't have enough pillows.

[ After the day he has had, first physically and then emotionally wrecked, Loki shakes his head and hugs his own arms. ]

I want to sleep, Tony. That's all I want right now.

[ for the love of-- Loki's movements, his whole demeanour, squeeze at Tony's chest like a vice. he moves one arm around the god, pulling him to his side and presses his lips to Loki's hair.]

Then I will go and get you pillows. And we build a fort, and we sleep. I'm not here for anything else.

[ Tony is so persistent, it's one of the reasons Loki warmed to him as quickly as he did once barriers were shed and time was spent together outside of a battle (or theft, or heist), and it's too difficult not to lean into the kiss at his crown so he gives in like a reed in the strong pull of a river. His head bows and while Loki remains close he can't make the anchor in the pit of his stomach lighten, weighed down by knowing someone he can't compete with has also been on the receiving end of those lips. ]

That's almost worse.

[ The quiet words underline his aching heart's sentiments because without the sex, without mindless distractions, he has to think about how much he genuinely likes Tony. ]

[ there is a small noise at that, something pained that is caught in Tony's chest at the words. because he gets that, the sentiment of the physical being the distraction and he hates himself a little bit for having caused this in Loki. he didn't-- he never wanted Loki to feel less than, that wasn't his intent. he wanted to be honest, because it was something that he prized, something he wanted out of all his relationships more so now than ever because he knew just how devastating a single lie could be.

the arm around Loki tightens, and he keeps his lips pressed to the godling's head as he closes his eyes.

I'm sorry will never be enough, not after this.]

If I also bring a makeshift Nintendo console with my own version of Mario Cart, would that make it even worse?

Which part of 'sleep' translated as 'ply me with gifts'?

[ With a hand pushing gently but firmly at Tony's chest, Loki extricates himself from the warm embrace and takes steps to leave the kitchen. ]

Thanks for the ride home, Stark.

[ His Anthony would have left him with more, but Loki is too tired to deal with much until his energy levels are back. ]

It's not--

[ Tony cuts himself off, swallows down the words that probably sound hollow and false to the being before him and, for a moment, watches as Loki moves to leave. Tony knows, deep down, that this is one of those moments where everything is made or broken, but he doesn't know what action will result in what outcome, thoughts too tangled with emotions to really see the patterns and the future clearly.

but Tony does know that he isn't willing to let this go, not like this.

so when Loki moves to leave him in the kitchen, Tony moves with him, presses close to the godling and makes it clear he isnt leaving, not like this.]

I'm not giving up on this, on you, Lokes. You can't 'Stark' me out of trying, I hope you know that.

Oh, for ...

[ His voice quavers as he tips his head back, eyes closed while gathering his turbulent emotions. He wishes he were as strong-willed as Thor, able to walk away from people who play with his heart, but things have never been easy for Loki in anything and he grips Tony's wrists with kneading pressure, ever a half-moment away from shoving them off.

Loki rubs the bridge of his nose and takes one of Tony's hands as he turns away, tugging him along instead. ]

Come on, then.

[ Lying to himself about wanting Tony gone would have worked if Tony had left. That he hasn't means Loki doesn't have the staying power to keep up the distance and his resolve crumbles at the notion of getting to steal him away a while longer, just for a few hours while he naps. ]

You're too stubborn.

[ Not that he sounds angry about it. ]

[ the laugh caught in his throat isn't one that is light, more self-deprecating than anything, but the fact that Loki is tugging him along, isn't demanding that Tony leave right now, soothes the ragged edges that would make it sound too dark.

he knows that he is stubborn, can be unwilling to bend for most people. but he needs Loki to see that he isn't lying about that. he isn't about to drop Loki like some idle trinket that was picked up to sate some curious itch. what he felt for the god was just as real as what he felt for Steve, and just because he hadn't loved Loki for years didn't make it any more important to him to protect.

Tony twines their fingers together, eyes on the digits, as Loki leads him into the Sanctum.]

I know... it is one of my more endearing qualities, you know that right?

I think it's annoyed every Loki that has ever been.

[ Idle chatter carries them into one of the more renovated wings on the ground-floor and, through a nondescript door, into what passes for Loki's bedroom. It isn't overly his, bare with the basic furniture of a somewhat unmade double-bed and half-open drawers out of which a few clothes spill (one can't always use magic to dress, that's just lazy) but there are a few trinkets lying around that no one but he would think to collect; the rune-carved music box that he stole from a temple stands on a shelf next to some softly glowing rocks reminiscent of the Norn Stones, two ancient chalices sit by a tank belonging to a small snake who peeks through a toilet-roll curiously as they enter, and his Asgardian garb is folded up on a chair with the horned helm dropped on top (with a stray sock atop that). The room is dimly lit and warmed, for the sake of the reptile who shares it, by a green flame that gently flickers on the desk of drawers atop one of Stephen's mugs. It tosses odd shadows around the lilac (it's a nice colour, shh) room as if the den of the godling is underwater.

Loki allows Tony a moment to take it in, knowing it's a far cry from the communal housing. ]

It was draughty for a while.

[ there is more laughter from Tony at that, thumb moving in an easy pattern against Loki's skin where it rests, letting the god lead him to wherever they are headed. agreement in a sense, because he knows that his refusal to give up has irritated more than one person who has crossed paths with him.

still, when they enter into Loki's room, Tony takes a moment to let it all sink in. Loki's room, as it is, feels incredibly-- safe. like this was a place that the god could take refuge in, could hide in, and escape all the things that would otherwise overwhelm him and Tony is not unawares of how it is a lucky thing for him to even step foot in here. with a squeeze of Loki's fingers, Tony wanders over to the snake in the tank, smile curling his lips.]

Well it isn't now, it is... comfortable. [ he peers into the tank, only the slightest tension in his shoulders betraying him.] Never been a huge fan of snakes or bugs for that matter, but-- she's kind of cute.[ he looks over his shoulder to Loki, eyes soft. ]

That's Freyja, she's poisonous.

[ A smile curls anew on his lips as he turns his back on the sight of Tony poking around, making his bed. ]

Her eggs were crushed by the behemoth, so I brought her back here. [ And named her after another mother running out of children, because his sense of humour is just that twisted. ] She likes to eat pasta.

[ Weird moon-snakes. Bed done, Loki climbs in and waits for Tony, chin in hand. ]

...of course she is. [ it is murmured with no small amount of amusement on his end as he watches the snake in the tank. he knows that name, knows that there is a connection between the name Loki picked and the story that he just told Tony, but he doesn't know enough to really connect the dots.

he does turn at the mention of pasta though, amusement curling his lips before he leaves the tank behind and slides into bed with Loki. wasting no time, Tony wraps himself around the god, chest rumbling with laughter.]

How the hell did you figure that out?

[ A low noise rumbles with satisfaction in the pit of his chest as he winds around Tony in return, wondering how he is supposed to share this with anyone. The purr turns into a yawn, overcome with tiredness as he buries his face in the curve of Tony's shoulder. Like the serpent drowsy in the warmth of the green flame, he starts to doze almost immediately. ]

She ate some of mine out of my bowl while I was watching broadcasts on the network. How long are you staying?

...pasta thief then. Interesting.

[ there is another hum, Tony threading his fingers through Loki's hair, along the curve of his spine, as the god buries himself against his shoulder. he is more focused on the points of contact, how easy it is for him to wrap Loki up despite everything, that he nearly misses the question.]

Mmm, till whenever you wake up? [ it is only partially a question, he will leave if Loki tells him to, but he is content to stay here. he doesn't really know what Loki expects of him after this revelation, but he fears that the god expects him to vanish; to slip out in the darkness and not come back. and that-- that isn't what he wants at all.]

If you want me to, of course... [ the words are pressed into his hair, nails scraping against his neck lightly. ]

[ If only Tony had eight limbs like Sleipnir to wrap up Loki with, that would be wonderful. The godling's intention seems to be to suffocate himself in pressing so close that air is not an option, although breathing is just that and he doesn't seem too bothered by smushing in close enough to be considered a limpet. His toes run down Tony's shins and he curls a fist in the front of Tony's shirt, lips soft over the graze of stubble where Tony's heartbeat thumps with all the constancy of a war drum, challenging Loki into battle to keep it (he would).

The world boils down to Tony ensconced in Loki's territory, happily guarded by a poisonous snake and a house of magical portents, and Loki strains inside to convey how much he wants him to stay beyond tonight.

In the quiet, he murmurs, ] I love you.

[ It's a small confession, the same way it sounded when he told Thor under the Alignment enchantment, yet no less honest. Buried in their shared warmth, deep in the shadows of Tony's arms, it doesn't make Loki feel too vulnerable to admit it. ]

[ there is no movement from Tony aside from the steady, soothing motion of his hands in Loki's hair and on his spine. he is more than content here, as much as he can be when he is still (and it isn't a state he often exists in), but with Loki wrapped in his arm, he can't find it in himself to feel restless. there is something here, no matter how easy and fledgeling it maybe, and Tony is just as determined to see it through as he would be with anything else. yes, there was Steve to contend with but--

well, he would talk with him later.

for now, there was just Loki and Tony and a snake that liked pasta and Tony was perfectly okay with that.

and then--

I love you.

it is quiet and soft, so unlike Loki is usually, but they are painfully honest. the words burrow beneath Tony's skin and etch themselves on his bones. he never expected-- he never expected Loki to say those words back, not after everything. so hearing that makes his grip all the tighter, face buried against Loki's dark hair as he tries not to shake.]

I love you too, Lokes.

It's okay.

[ The reassurance stirs up when Tony's grip flexes so subtly that were they not pressed so close it might have been missed. Loki runs a hand up and down the indent of Tony's waist, trying to soothe him. ]

It's okay, Tony, because I got to have you.

[ Just the once when none of this involved the looming shadow of Rogers, back in a single bed too small for them that they made work anyway. Having that memory is as much of a comfort as it is a pain, both of which Loki knows he has to settle for. ]

[ Tony doesn't speak to that, presses closer and closes his eyes to stop the swell of emotions that are right there, so close to the edge. this is-- well it isn't quite a mess, not to his usual standards, but there is still a great deal of damage that he has done that he has no idea how to undo.

when he does whisper an answer, his voice is thick with emotion.]

You still have me, Lokes. As long as you want me.

[ and he means that, with every fibre of his being. he still doesn't know what Steve wants, doesn't know where they stand, but he knows he can't just abandon Loki for Steve, no matter what his feelings might be. he never would. ]

[ He shakes his head, not upset. Merely tired of arguing with a futurist who can't see where their story will inevitably end.

Loki's breathing evens out and he wills himself asleep. ]

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OTA LOG: ACID RAIN EDITION

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