OTA LOG: ACID RAIN EDITION

[ikols]

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. ]

Comments

[ikols]

[ Hardly anyone approaches the veranda from the ground and no one, save for in the moment a dark figure drops down, from the roof, so Loki remains where he is with one eye cracked open to watch the stranger rise; then there's that voice. Familiar set of broad shoulders, floppy hair, and hips that Loki has admired in denim too many times to count, now in ... That can't be leather, imagine the chafing. Whatever that costume is made of, he appreciates it.

His head tilts in consideration, resting on the back of the bench as he stays curled up in his coat. ]

Catching one currently, can't speak for later. [ Tiredly, he blinks at length and murmurs, ] Only the friendliest stalkers welcome.

[ To say hello in his own way to Dick, who actually is a friend. ]

[fingerstripes]

[ There's moments when Dick feels he gets Loki entirely, and just as many more when he wonders at his own gall for imagining he understands any part of him. This moment is one of the latter.

But as inscrutable as he reads, he's also not reacting, which-

It eases him a little. Enough that he has to flash him a little smile; broad and maybe a little too easy for a stranger. ]

I don't mean to pry, but a good Boy Scout needs to ask-

Can you get yourself out when you're rested up?

[ikols]

Nope. I'm stuck.

[ His smile says he isn't but the way Loki stares up at his would-be rescuer hints more than he puts into words. He wiggles his feet where his boots hang off the bench, ankles crossed. ]

I've got the really bad pins and needles, it's serious stuff.

[fingerstripes]

Sounds like it. [ He really can't not smile there.

And as much as he suspects Loki would have given him the same answer whether it was true or not, he believes him. He's alright here, tucked away from the rain.

Checked and confirmed. Nightwingly duty complete. He should go.

But still, he's lingering. Finally he gives in, taking a careful seat beside him. ]

You up for some company?

[ikols]

[ Loki swings his legs off the bench to let Dick sit down, arms folding as he tips his head back and closes his eyes. ]

What do you want to talk about, Tall-Dark-and-Taut?

[fingerstripes]

[ His eyes linger on Loki's tired face. His head tips down, and he studies his own gloved hands, clasped tight between his knees.

He can't. The easy way out is there, and he knows already that he can't bring himself to take it. Even if Loki would get it, he can't. Not now.

He takes a breath and lets it out. At last, quietly: ]

When did you figure it out?

[ikols]

[ So no more lies, then. Unsurprising, really, Dick isn't the type to turn them to his advantage even when they should be. ]

Somewhere between your brother being a vigilante and your yen for justice only being outshined by the physique of an unnaturally athletic officer. No one is fit as that without being a hero or a gym rat. Or both.

[ But if Dick thinks Loki harbours any ill will then the godling hopes to dispel it by leaning a shoulder against him. ]

Blue suits you.

[fingerstripes]

I'm seriously that obvious? [ His mouth curves up in a little smirk, because yeah he kind of knows he is. And then his eyes sting a little when Loki leans against his shoulder, which the mask at least is handy for.

It isn't new to be figured out. In spite of all precautions, in spite of the stakes attached. This part though.

This, he's done a handful of times in his life. That Loki isn't sticking it to him is no small thing. ]

...I don't really get to share it very often.

[ Unlike Jason, apparently. ]

[ikols]

Sounds like a burden.

[ He places a upturned hand on Dick's leg, offering it to be held. If the situation were reversed (and it often has been, he lies a lot) then Loki would want some reassuring contact. He figures Dick, being so sensitive, may feel the same. ]

I won't tell anyone, Dick; I get it, the whole 'secret identity' thing. I've been around a lot of heroes.

[fingerstripes]

Wasn't really what I worried about. [ Loki could have used it against him in a thousand ways. Instead he'd just been patient. Accepted him without question. It's not something he'll forget.

The hand is accepted and Dick squeezes it in his gloved one. The contact grounds him a little more. ]

And it's- it's not a burden, honestly. I enjoy it, it's...

What's hard is admitting you're shooting yourself in the foot by not being open with a friend.

[ikols]

You're saying that I was more honest about being the God of Lies to your face than you, who lied by omission. Some severe irony there ...

[ He nudges Dick's side, staring at him steadily until Dick gets the hint and looks at him. ]

If you still want to be a friend to me, then you'll have to work harder at pissing me off. I'm not offended by something like this.

[fingerstripes]

I know it doesn't count for much now, but- [ He meets Loki's green eyes for a moment, then drops his gaze to their clasped hands. ]

I was going to say something. When I thought you'd figured it out, when I thought-

When I realized I wasn't protecting anyone anymore.

[ikols]

But, Dick, you never stopped being a friend to me, did you? So then, you never stopped protecting me, not for a moment.

[ That's how much faith Loki has in Dick to always have Loki's best interests at heart. ]

[fingerstripes]

I try. [ It's a faith Dick isn't sure he deserves. Selfishly, he still wants to grab onto it and hold it tight. ]

...Listen, I get that there's a lot you don't want to talk about. A lot I probably wouldn't understand if you tried.

But if you wanted to try me sometime... [ He hesitates, glancing back at the ground at last. ]

You're not the first god I've met.

[ikols]

I'll pretend I am and you're just that intuitive.

[ A kiss pecks Dick on the cheek, just under his mask. The man is a rare sort who deserves every ounce of kindness he can get. ]

[fingerstripes]

[ The kiss surprises him, like nearly every honest display of affection does. His cheeks color right on cue, and then he grins, a little cheekier now. ]

Well, who says I'm not?

Maybe I figured you out on day one, and that's why I haven't asked. [ Spoilers: it's not. ]

[ikols]

If you figured me out on day one, you would have kissed me by now.

[ Stupid Dick. Doesn't he know when a god wants him. ]

[fingerstripes]

I- [ He's caught off guard, and it shows for a moment in his eyes. He's Loki's friend. He's always been Loki's friend. But with that, he can't pretend anymore that friendship was always the beginning and the end of that feeling. That those green eyes had never held him wordless. That he hadn't thought of kissing him ever. ]

I thought about it. I- [ He blushes, then studies his boots again, feeling stupidly sophmorish. He owes him a straight answer. ] I thought about you a lot.

But I had someone back home. Or maybe... [ It's something time has taken care of for him, the childish hope of being with Babs. ] I thought I did, anyway.

And then... well, then I kind of had someone else. [ Which he sounds almost surprised by.

He likes to think he has Wanda, for all that he doesn't deserve her. His eyes flick sideways again. ]

I would've thought you'd have a few dozen suitors.

[ikols]

[ Loki's chuckle is light like the hand that pats Dick on a shoulder. ]

I did, so none of it matters now. I'm grateful for your friendship, Dick, I never intended to chase you down for more when ... when I wasn't sure you even wanted to bother. You've always been enough just as you are.

[fingerstripes]

[ Actually that's... it's incredibly nice to hear. Because he's grateful for Loki's friendship too. Because he doesn't want to lose it over this, and maybe a part of him was worried that he would. Because it's not as if he'd ever been immune to that charm. ]

I'm not gonna say I never- that you're not... [ He stumbles there, and yeah he should probably quit while he's ahead. He lets out a little laugh, embarrassed at himself. ]

...But hey, maybe that worked out for the best. My relationships usually end ugly. [ In case Loki's still under the mistaken impression that he's ever been much of a catch, once people settle into him. ]

Less of a chance I'm gonna break your heart. [ That he says with a wink. ]

[ikols]

That's good to hear. [ His heart is already twisting in odd directions owing to Tony, it likely couldn't survive more of a workout.

On the bench, he loops an arm through Dick's in the suit and lays his head on Dick's shoulder, slumping comfortably as acid rain patters the ground beyond the veranda. Maybe he needs someone to stay with him a while longer and is passing it off as flirting, who knows. ]

So, who is it you're dating?

[fingerstripes]

[ The rain has him chilled, and the contact right now is more than welcome. He slips his arm around Loki's shoulders, drawing him into a warm half-hug. ]

...Wanda. [ He admits, mouth quirking a little to the side.

Then, quietly: ]

-She doesn't know. [ To be fair almost no one does, but there a definite part of him that feels a little guiltier for that now.

But he can't be sorry that Loki does. He can't be anything but grateful that he's willing to understand. ]

[ikols]

[ His stomach drops a little when he thinks of all the damage a Scarlet Witch could do if she felt inclined, even a less powerful version of the sorceress in Loki's world who has repeatedly caused such epic scales of destruction and suffering. Wanda was never bad, of course, but she isn't the most stable soul that Loki feels comfortable knowing is around someone he considers his friend. Earth-199999's Wanda seems nice enough, she and Loki once cooked together at an Avengers gathering, but her skill over a grill doesn't exactly clue him in on her emotional baggage.

Loki lays his other hand on the arm around which his is already looped and he looks up with a serious note that isn't often found deliberately lingering around the corners of a mouth more given to smirking with mischief. ]

The Wanda Maximoff on this moon has been nothing but polite to me and I don't want to discourage your opinion of her with tales of another woman's bad choices, but ... on Earth-616 she's one of the most controversially dangerous people around. Not cruel, which somehow makes it worse I suppose. I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention all of that, even if the warning bears no gravity with regard to the Wanda you know.

I feel better having said it, that's all.

[fingerstripes]

[ His muscles tense under Loki's, but it's unbidden memory more than real resistance to the words. Kory had been dangerous. She'd been dangerous, and she'd reigned herself in, and then when she couldn't anymore she'd finally left. He'd loved her, he'll always love her, and it hadn't been enough.

But Wanda is someone different. She's a formidable woman, he knows that, and probably she'll realize soon enough that she's better off without him. But it changes nothing now. He's never been afraid of great power. ]

She's... I don't know. She understands me.

[ Not just loss, but the desire to live in spite of it. To be defined by something other than pain. He tilts his head a little, searching for the intent in Loki's green eyes. ]

...Don't we all come with our share of baggage? How do you know I'm not moonlighting as Snidely Whiplash in some alternate reality?

[ Deathwing comes to mind. ]

[ikols]

[ He looks away and back again with a nod, a chagrined smile in place. ]

We do, but you're not like me and Wanda. I'm usually, um, evil, that's ... my default. Wanda's just ... OP.

I get the sense you're always a cinnamon roll.