( PSL ) STEVE AND LOKI

[dothelokimotion]

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[dothelokimotion]

[ loki rolls his eyes. ]

I highly doubt that.

[brooklyn_boy]

I don't.

My ma would say: 'there is a lid for every pot'. And, even so, you're a great guy. It's just a matter of time before someone sees that.

[dothelokimotion]

[ patiently, if not a bit dry. ]

Steve, you're the only person who thinks that.

[brooklyn_boy]

That is not true.

[ He starts ticking off fingers. ]

Clark thought you were great. So did Thor. So does The Soldier. So does Wanda and a bunch of other people from the Fleet. We have enough here for a fan club.

[dothelokimotion]

Thor is my brother. He's obligated to care. And Clark barely knew me.

[ bucky though . . . bucky is an exception and loki did know that. the jagged edges that had cut them both hadn't mattered to them. they carved their own space. he falls silent thinking about it. ]

[brooklyn_boy]

No one is obligated to care. And there is more on the list than just those two.

[ Steve smiles at him as he is clearly thinking. ]

People love you, already, Lok. It's just a question of which one will grow.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki glances away. ]

I rather not get my hopes up.

[brooklyn_boy]

[ Steve keeps watching him, head tilting. ]

Is there some magic you can do? See yourself through my eyes? I think you need a new perspective.

[dothelokimotion]

[ a pause as loki glances at him. ]

I can tap into your memories.

[brooklyn_boy]

Then please. You're welcome to. Please go back to the memories of all the talks we had. Or when the other Loki was here and I was so disappointed it wasn't you. Anything.

Anything so you can see how someone else sees you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he hesitates. ]

I'm not sure that's a good idea. Mind magic is . . . personal.

[brooklyn_boy]

Would it harm me?

[dothelokimotion]

. . . No. Not unless I actively wish to.

[brooklyn_boy]

I don't see a problem, then. I trust you.

[dothelokimotion]

All right. If you're here.

[ loki approaches steve carefully. ]

I'll need to make contact with your forehead.

[brooklyn_boy]

Glad I washed up.

[ He looks up at Loki openly, no fear or hesitation. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ pursing his lips, loki presses his palm to steve's forehead. ]

[brooklyn_boy]

[ Steve opens his mind however he can. Whatever it takes to help (even if he doesn't know how).

He tries to focus. Focus on their dances together and the last one they had as they said goodbye. The disappointment that ate at him when a different Loki arrived and wasn't him. Calibrations when they explored each other's pain. And through all of that, Steve caring deeply about him. Meaning every word when he said he was amazing.

Anything and everything he can give to show Loki he is more than he believes himself to be. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki pulls back with a gasp, rattled. there was a lot of emotion in there and it makes the connection difficult to break. ]

I . . . You missed me.

[brooklyn_boy]

[ Steve reaches for his hand and holds it, afraid he'll fall. ]

I did say that a few times.

[ He smiles, warm. ]

Of course I did, Lok. Of course I did.

[dothelokimotion]

Why?

[ why loki, why him, why? ]

[brooklyn_boy]

[ What a question. ]

Because...you're you. Because when you care about someone you go all in for it. You know the difference between being a kind friend and being a true friend.

[ Steve squeezes his hand ]

Because we started off this whole things seeing the worst of each other and came back for more. There's so many reasons, Lok. I can keep going if you want.

[dothelokimotion]

No . . . it's fine.

[ not surprising, but just. difficult to absorb. the depth of feeling curls around his chest, making it hard to breathe. ]

Thank you. For letting me see.

[brooklyn_boy]

[ Loki looks like he needs one so Steve stands up and wraps Loki up in a loose hug. ]

Anytime you need. Anytime you start doubting that people can love you; just come and mess around in my noggin.

[dothelokimotion]

That sounds like a terrible idea.

[ with a sigh, loki leans against steve, pressing his forehead against his shoulder. ]