justdontgiveame | Labyrinthum Inbox

Puck followed easily enough, picturing it. A tree stretched out holding worlds. It wasn't impossible to imagine.

He arched an eyebrow at the comment about the battle on Midgard, and tilted his head forward slightly in question. "You were there?" Puck struggled not to make an assumption but the specificity of the time mentioned coupled with Loki's given age had him unable to picture anything else. "Or were your ancestors?"

"A bit of both. I was not on Midgard. The Jotun were beaten back to their home in Jotunheim, and defeated and scattered. Odin took the source of their power, but also...me. He found me, a runt but the son of their king--Laufey, in a temple. I was adopted. But I did not find out until much later in my life, and not in the best of ways either."

Loki let his eyes drop briefly, before meeting the fae's own once more. "I was raised as a prince of a warrior people, who had dedicated themselves to peacekeeping should be, even if I was never expected to wear the crown. I am not as capable, physically, as an Asgardian but jotun are close to. Asgardians were the strongest beings on a pure physical level in the nine realms and highly capable among the wider galaxy."

Puck continued to listen, picturing some of it as best he could. He listened, and he kept his own emotions in check. However Puck felt about what had happened didn't matter nearly as much as recognizing the fact that Loki had felt comfortable enough to share some of himself. It was a very delicate gift, and one Puck would treat with respect.

"You mentioned it was a few years ago that you learned. I won't project my feelings onto that, but know that I have understanding for what you're telling me." Puck was careful with his words. 'Sympathy' could sound like Loki was being looked down on and that wasn't Puck's intention at all.

"You were given a different role." he said softly after a moment. Puck looked down and bit his lip until he nearly tasted blood before speaking. "Something else I understand. But this isn't about me." He looked back up. "If you feel that what you said has been enough, it can be. If you want to keep talking, then do so. I'll be here regardless."

It was a very delicate gift, and very delicate state. Loki was not at all used to letting himself be vulnerable--only two others besides Puck had seen it, all while here. Only because they had all been kind, and accepting enough, that Loki had decided to chance it. So far that had not backfired or betrayed him.

Puck was right about the idea of 'sympathy', even though Loki had used that word before when applying to others. But he would not like to be looked down upon himself, and a deep part of him was grateful the other recognized it. Could understand without doing so; part of why he respected and viewed the fae so highly.

It had not been a test, but Puck would've passed if it were. Blue-green eyes showed countless emotions rapidly, although Loki was able to keep most from his expression. After a moment, he nodded his thanks. "If you are around me, and playing your bodyguard role--I will let you. But I felt you should know regardless that I am not nearly as incapable physically as my usage of magic might imply." What went unsaid was 'thank you'.

Puck knew how to read people and beings. It wasn't just a part of his job, it had been part of the form he took. Easier for a sunny disposition type to make friends, pick up information while occasionally sharing some, and generally observe life as much as he lived it. For all of his glib 'fae rules don't apply to me', Puck kept the idea of like with like close to his metaphorical chest. Loki had shown a lot of courage, trust, and understanding on a variety of topics, Puck himself included. Puck would have reacted in kindness regardless of the self imposed rule.

At the emotions running through Loki's eyes, Puck pretended to not pick up on any of them. There was no need to, and it wasn't his place to do that. He smiled at the nod and the unspoken thank you before he answered. "I'll be acting in my role but with some very good performers alongside."

A beat before Puck said simply instead of leaving it unsaid: "I know your strength comes in a lot of forms."

"You are a very skilled actor, and I look forward to performing with you." Loki said with half of his mouth turning up in a smile. Multiple ways that could be taken, and Loki meant the good ones.

Another nod, and Loki dropped his arms and hands from the nervous gesture. Whether he'd been consciously aware he'd done it or not, he was not as nervous anymore. Instead he moved to pick up his notebook and unconjure it, as it vanished in a flash of green.

"Is there anything I can do to help you, in the meantime, since I've regained my magic? Or in other ways?"

Puck smiled back. "Likewise. At least we'll have fun doing it. At best we do what we're aiming towards." Puck picked up on the multiple meanings and chuckled before he fell quiet in thought at the questions.

"Nothing magical based, no. I won't need your illusions until I know I can turn fully into Owen; and that's more of an emergency backup plan than something I'll be using regularly. As far as other ways.. " he trailed off and gave a hum. "I think just continuing our little romance play for now should be enough coupled with my own plans, along with comparing our notes as needed. The rest will come into place on its own time as others look into things and share information."

"Our little romance play is enjoyable, and I'm happy to continue it." Loki said with a grin. "Eilonwy has also been looped into my own notes, and Kaiba will be as well. I do recommend we make SOME of our knowledge and stuff all public by comparing notes with others who've been here longer. That will probably come up at the council. Until then..." Loki spread his hands out. "We continue to play games."

Lots of things more serious than games were going on, but that didn't mean they weren't enjoyable. The visit could turn social again for a bit. At least until Loki figured Puck wanted alone time.

"Oh, of course we should bring it up to the council. If just for knowing that others are aware of things. Not all of them, of course, but enough to cover some bases. Or at least ensure smoother sailing."

Puck grinned. "We do indeed." He exhaled and stretched. "For now-- it'd be very unkind for me to turn you out after such a nice date." He winked. "If you'd like to stay a bit longer, I can start a fire."

"I know that Bakugou planned to bring some of his findings up to the council too." Loki commented, then smiled as he watched the other. "I do enjoy fires. Resistant to the cold I might be, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy warmth." He'd gladly stay for a 'date' a bit longer too.

"You proved that by your love of hugs." Puck replied as he put some more wood into the hearth and snapped a few times for it to catch quicker. "But the warmth would be nice along with the company." As the fire sorted itself out and grew, Puck watched it for a moment before he looked around.

"Let's see.. Sit on the floor on a blanket, or sit on any of the chairs?" he looked over his shoulder to Loki. "What do you prefer?"

Loki wouldn't deny it. "I tend to enjoy positive affection, and despite our open relationship, I'm rather picky on levels of it. I didn't get enough growing up or something I'm sure." Which may or may not be true, but Loki's not going to say which.

"Chair requires one of us in the other's lap, which I'm more than alright with as well. Otherwise we'll be piling blankets on the floor."

Puck looked a bit pained at hearing that. "Unfortunately that seems very common for some beings."

"Hm." Puck caught the 'more' in that sentence and smiled. "Well, as you're taller it would be awkward for you to sit in my lap. So if you're fine with it, then give me a moment." Puck's chair at his reading nook was pulled over to sit in front of the fire at an angle, the blanket adjusted to drape across the back of it. "There we are, all ready."

Loki would help with moving the chair if Puck wanted. But he was settling in, then held out his arms in welcome for Puck to come cuddle. "I'm tall as a woman too, although my shape can shift in height as well as bulk, when needed. As you saw earlier."

Puck smiled and joined Loki on the chair, positioning himself to be comfortable on his lap, resting against Loki's chest like he was a pillow. "I did see that earlier, yes! With your being able to shapeshift into a number of forms, it must be entertaining. I know I would need a while to get tired of the ability."

Soon as Puck was situated, Loki was wrapping his arms around the fae. For warmth and for affection. "If you're trying to lie to me and say you don't have just as much versatility--don't. I'm a very good liar, and very good at spotting it in others." Teasing, while he nuzzled Puck's hair and brow.

Puck relaxed into it, giving a hum. "Why would I lie? I said I would need a while to get tired of doing it. Not that I can't do it. I just.." He inhaled a bit at the nuzzling. "I just happen to stay in one form for very long periods of time, that's all. It makes things much easier. But if you're wanting me to lie so you get the fun of catching me in one, I wouldn't be against it. Maybe."

"Entirely up to you. Whatever's more fun is my answer and you know that." Loki continued to be affectionate, enjoying that he could be and that it was returned. Their 'love' may be a play ultimately, but there was respect and care for the other on his own part. And positive affection was something Loki craved.

"I do, but I like hearing you say it." Puck answered. It was an interesting relationship they had going. It was a play for everyone's benefit, but there was also a lot of mutual respect and love being shared both ways. If Loki craved positive affection, Puck was fine to return it to him. Puck liked being entertained as much as Loki did, but Puck also liked giving some of himself to this mischief god who had decided to have fun with him.

"Actually I think I just like hearing you speak in general. But I'd hate for this to get boring. Ask me something-- within reason, and I'll try to lie. What would you like if you win?"

"Hmmm..." Loki was going to give this due thought and consideration. "If I win is the trickier part, as you already return my affection." As for what he could ask, that deserved due consideration too. It shouldn't be easy or obvious, as Loki did want to make this a decent challenge for them both. More fun that way.

Puck's eyes shone a bit in amusement. "Oh, you already saw the angle I'm approaching this from. I wouldn't offer this challenge if you were just going to say 'I want more of your affection'." Puck reached back, mirroring his arms around Loki's waist. He would provide as much cuddling as he could, even with his position. "Besides, it's not like you'd need to ask for more of that. But take your time with the decision!"

Cuddling was very nice, and a great way to share warmth as well as affection. Puck had made himself a nice little home and Loki was glad to be a guest in it. "I can easily say that, as much as there is much about the larger situation to be desired, that this?" Punctuated with a nuzzle against soft white hair at Puck's forehead. "This has been a pure joy to discover. I was not looking for it, but I am glad to have met you and be with you." Multiple levels in that, and though it was not a love-confession (feigned or otherwise) it was still saying that Loki cared.

Puck had aimed for coziness above everything else, really. He was pretty simple as far as his decorating tastes went and as Loki nuzzled in, Puck scrunched his nose as he smiled. The different levels were picked up on and like before, Puck didn't indicate that he'd done so. "Likewise. I'd hope after three centuries of living I'd be good at a few things. One of those being giving care to ones I'm fond of. Hopefully you're getting enough to be satisfied. If not, I can always give more."

In the same boat as Loki, Puck wasn't confessing romantic love, even though it was there in a way. It as a nice mix of love and respect, that didn't really go under either label. "It helps that you were even open to this entire idea." He added with a wink. "I'm sure it was my sunny disposition that helped, combined with your leaning into things."

"Your playfulness and clever wit and intelligence. You're pleasing to look at as well." Loki countered with a soft chuckle and again nuzzled Puck's hair and brow. "You presented me with a good challenge and how could I not accept? We put on quite a show and it was a delight to be able to do so."

Truly, Loki wasn't sure he'd 'ever' have enough positive affection and care. No complaints here, nor demands for more either however. Just enjoyment of the moment and savoring that.

"Now, since you say you like hearing my voice, I can offer you some options. Would you like a story more or a song more?"

Edited 2024-01-26 15:26 (UTC)

"The looks are part of what comes with being one of Oberon's." Which was a lie, some of them were horrifying to look at, but that likewise was by choice. "But it was nice to find someone who could keep up."

Puck was similar- to him fun was an infinite resource and one he intended to enjoy as long as it was around. It was the same with various types of love and friendship. Puck allowed his eyes to close for a moment at the nuzzling and reopened them as he answered.

"Since I can't pick both, I think a story would work. I can always hear you sing some other time."

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