[ ic inbox ]

[autolatrical]

You've reached Loki.

One presumes you know how to continue from this point.

Comments

[autolatrical]

He thought that I had done this. Created this place.

[abide]

Is that all?

[ He'd never even considered that, but given what Steve has been through already, he probably wouldn't have. ]

[autolatrical]

I'll let you know if anything else comes up.

[abide]

Alright.

[ And maybe just a few minutes later: ]

Would you want company right now?

[autolatrical]

[ Someone is feeling like being difficult.

Only a little, however: ]

Would you?

[abide]

That's what I meant by asking you to stay.
You could still be here.

[ Steve has the patience of a saint, it's fine. ]

[autolatrical]

[ It's really annoying that that is true.

Also really annoying that Loki doesn't have the energy to keep up the fight. ]

Alright.

I probably won't be able to go back to Les Beans alone.

[ That second message is semi-related. To the earlier topic of Tony Stark. ]

[abide]

[ Steve can put that together and wants to ask, but he figures, maybe, they should talk about it in person. ]

Do you want to meet there or somewhere else?

[autolatrical]

We can meet there.

[abide]

Okay. I'll be there soon.

[ Which he is, careful not to make too much noise as he leaves and then hitting the streets at a steady pace. Since he's already in the Up, finding the coffee shop doesn't take long, and all he does is peer in through the window to make sure Loki isn't inside – even if he'd said he might not be able to go back in alone – before waiting outside for him. ]

[autolatrical]

[ Loki is not inside; he arrives about twenty minutes after Steve's last message, hands in his pockets and a bit of a scowl on his face. ]

This is going to cause problems for you when Stark finds out.

[ Not that he doesn't think Steve has considered that but. He might want to hear the other man's reasoning. Or even just the misplaced conviction that it'll all be fine. ]

[abide]

[ Steve takes in his body language and the look on his face in stride, doubtful this is going to be a semi-pleasant conversation if they're talking about Tony. There's so much going on there that Steve hasn't even had time to parse most of it himself. Still, he keeps himself relaxed, stepping forward to greet him without reaching out to touch him. ]

It's not the first time we've had problems. [ He thinks of Bucky and sighs inwardly. ] I'll deal with it if and when it happens. [ He's pragmatic like that. ]

Are you okay?

[autolatrical]

It is definitely a when. It won't take long for him to decide that if I am here I'm liable to be a problem for him.

[ Is that true? Not exactly. Loki has been avoidant thus far, if anything. ]

I suppose I am. [ A shrug. ] Not physically harmed, merely annoyed at the reminder that things are not going to be as different as I had hoped?

[abide]

It might just take time. He's several years behind most of us here.

[ And even then? Well, Steve can't make any promises because it's Tony, and it's not as if they have the greatest rapport in the world either. He does move closer to Loki though, reaching out to rest a hand on his forearm. ]

If something else happens, I want you to tell me.

[autolatrical]

I don't need his forgiveness. Or his understanding.

[ Receiving it from Steve had been an unexpected boon. From Stark? Unnecessary. ]

Only if you give me your word that if I ask you not to interfere, you won't.