whose_son_am_i | Labyrinthum IC Inbox

"I'm comfortable either way, but it has been a while since I've gone out like this." A brief gesture to herself, and then Loki was pulling off the coat. She was still dressed the same, seeing no need to bother changing.

Nor would she be able to lie to herself that she admired Puck tackling this head on. Braver than she might've been, despite all her perceptive nature and tendency to poke at others. "Would it matter if I were uncomfortable?" It was the automatic response, but Loki knew it wouldn't be enough. Her voice was slightly higher, though still low for a woman's. Moving to bring her hands up in front of her, blue-green eyes were carefully neutral. "I have not had anyone who wants to protect me in....a very long while. Certainly not for any reason other than that I'm useful or similar."

Thor had protected Loki often enough, but it was complicated then. The elder brother had also left Loki to fend for themselves just as often, as siblings were wont to do. Each watched for the other, but also each ribbed and made things difficult for the other. Then those bonds had been damaged, if not broken. Had only just begun mending...

Puck looked at Loki as she explained things and nodded. "In order-- Yes of course it would matter. I'm not going to do something that you don't like, that's why I'm asking."

But he listened and nodded. "But you don't know why I want to do that. It sounds like you're leaning into the past for a reason. I do want to protect you, but-" Puck gestured back with one of his hands. "I don't have to, especially if you're not comfortable with it. I'm not the monarchs I serve. If you want me to simply fight beside you and trust your powers in whatever form they take, then we fight together. Simple as that."

"But I won't put you into a role that you don't want to satisfy myself." Puck's eyes went to the floor for a minute. "I know how that is. I won't repeat it."

The vehemence and look made Loki laugh, with a slightly sad smile. But she listened, as Puck explained. Fidgeting, she was silent for a moment but was sure of one thing. "If I could, I would take revenge for you, on whoever put you in that position. It is not one anyone should be in, and you are...wise." Loki had been put in a role that they may never have wanted before too. A few times over, though never like this.

"It..isn't that I don't want the role either. I'm trying to figure out why I'm bothered by it. You're one of the people here, even powerless, I respect and think of very highly and as something of an equal. Simply based on how you comport yourself and what you've shown me so far. If you're a liar and actor, then you're a far better one than I've ever met because as much as I can tell you've been genuine every time you've needed to be. I can tell when it's a game, or for show, or when it's not."

Puck just inhaled for a moment and looked off to the side. "It's not, but it's also the past." As long as he could stay ahead of Oberon at least. Manhattan was a big city, and Earth a big planet. Lots of places to hide.

"I'm a fae." he said simply with a point to himself. "We're supposed to be confusing on the best day, and-" Puck shook his head. "No, that's about it. I'd hope I'm a good actor-- Shakespeare took enough from Oberon's whole court for that play. I'm not going to demand to know why you're bothered, but I'm going to respect whatever your decision is around this. I'm a good actor, but I'm also honest about my relationships."

Puck straightened up and slapped off some invisible dust from his tunic. "I'll still play around with deals and all of that, but never with those I care about. Not with intent to hurt, anyway."

"It is the past..." Loki murmured, looking away now. Expression carefully neutral, posture alert but casual and still with her hands up in front of her and clasped. "....I am not used to caring, at least anymore, about others besides myself. Or rather, I've suffered for it before so closed myself off. Things were starting to mend, and I was trying to be better, when I came here."

It was a hard admission to make, and a sign that Loki did respect and trust the other to give the fae that much. "I do not see a fae as anything less than a type of being. Much as I'm a frost-giant, or Luz is a human. You've kept my interest and companionship because of who you are, as Puck. Not as a fae, for what it's worth."

"It can be a challenge, living. Living and trusting? An extra challenge."

Puck gave Loki an understanding look as he adjusted the chair of his reading nook. "It's worth something, yes. But it seems that we're on some kind of understanding with each other-- I won't push you to define what all of this is, and I'll-" Puck paused and chose his words carefully. "I'll enjoy what this is regardless. I don't have to protect someone to care for them, it's just what I'm used to doing. Who expects a jester to be good at fighting?"

He grinned and sat down. "Not a lot of people, which makes it fun. Now, with that done, what would you like to do with the rest of this visit?"

"I expect a jester to be good at many things. People always overlook the fool, that's why he can speak the truth to a king or God." Loki said, coming over and reaching her hands now to gently stroke Puck's face. "I want to protect you as well, so we'll see how it call goes. Whatever we have, as confusing as it can be--I fully intend to enjoy it as well." With a smile.

"It also helps that I've got a good personality." Puck joked before he smiled back. "Good, then we'll enjoy it. For now, make yourself comfortable. And no laughing if I'm not wonderful at cuddling. It's technically my first time being the one doing it."

"Whereas I have plenty of, shall we say, physical experience." Loki countered, moving to smooth her hands up and fingers playing against his hair and scalp. "If I laugh, it will be with you, Puck." Certain he was ready, she slid into his lap on the comfy chair and nestled close.

"I did tell you, before, about the frost giant thing, didn't I?"

"I think you did, yes. And is that what it's called now? I missed that memo." Puck waited until she was comfortable and then let his arms rest around Loki's shoulders, holding her but with a loose grip. He idly ran one of his hands through her hair.

"Huh. I get why you like doing this." he said thoughtfully and more to himself.

"Isn't it nice? Both receiving and giving. And you do have lovely hair yourself, though I like your eyes best. Even when they were Owen's, I could see you if I looked, once I found the humor in it all." Loki's blue-green eyes were sparkling with mischief and affection.

"I'll have to work on that. Maybe." Puck let his hand continue to essentially comb through Loki's. "Or maybe not, who knows?" he winked. "I've got options."

"Best thing about being a shapeshifter." Loki agreed with a contented hum and let herself relax. "And we'll get your magic back soon too. I'm looking forward to all the ways we can surprise each other."

"I'd agree with that." Even though Puck stuck to his usual form for centuries at a time, he understood the appeal. "You just want me back in a business suit, I knew it." he joked.

"He did cut a dashing figure, and you would too." Loki agreed, leaning in to nuzzle against Puck's cheek in affection. Then a thought, and the fae would feel the smile and low laughter. "That's actually an idea for how I might learn to be Owen better. Something he's possibly familiar with. We can give each other job interviews. I'll wear a suit too."

"Do you notice I'm not correcting you?" Puck replied before Loki's idea was spoken. There was a thoughtful hum. "We would need snacks and some form of 'How to grow your business' presentation to really land the business conference idea. But since that isn't what you're suggesting-- and I'm not looking for it, don't get any ideas!" Puck said quickly with a grin. "Since that isn't what you're suggesting, then.. Fine. An interview would probably be the easiest way for information to be shared. I can write papers about Owen's entire characterization without much of a struggle, but it'd be easier to hear it directly from him."

Puck's hand continued to run over Loki's head. "Job interviews would work. Owen could answer and ask some questions, I get to see you in a nice outfit, we might even have fun if we're lucky." There was a playful wink.

"Spoilsport." Loki murmured with a mock-pout, but continued to lean into the touches. And just against Pucks' shoulder and neck, it was nice. Soft little nuzzles against his jaw. "I do cut a good figure in a suit. Besides, if it won't be fun why would we bother doing it?"

"A complete killjoy, that's me. Never know a day of fun in my life, the job of court jester was a lie." Puck agreed flatly as he grinned at the nuzzling. "That's a fair enough point. By that logic then we obviously need some more fun in our lives. Maybe." Puck fell quiet for a minute in thought. "Wait. It's February soon, I have to get some things ready."

"See, you say that, but you and I both know one of the best roles can be that of the straight man in comedy." Only a bit hesitantly, Loki let herself brush through his hair by his ear. She already knew from her experience with Sky they could be sensitive, and wondered if that would be true for Puck as well. It was definitely affectionate touch, as Loki always enjoyed positive affection--but there was another layer with Puck that, while confusing, she enjoyed too.

It was just...nice to be cuddled, but also to be able to depend on someone.

"What does February have to do with it?" She hadn't visited Midgard often enough to get the 'valentines' concepts.

"You're right, someone has to act as the second part. Otherwise it's not a duo." As Loki's hand ran through the hair near one of his ears, Puck inhaled sharply and bit his tongue to keep from saying anything suddenly. His cheeks went momentarily flushed, the question answered loud and clear. His ears were in fact pretty sensitive.

But as surprising as it'd been to suddenly be giving Loki that information on a silver platter, Puck was entertained by all of it. Loki felt comfortable enough to try that out, and to let herself lower her guard for a bit. A decent pair of gifts for both of them. Puck cleared his throat and refocused.

"Oh it's an entire thing on Earth! The fourteenth is celebrating some saint of love- you're encouraged to get your lovers gifts and take them out. Make them feel special, the usual." Which didn't happen much for Owen. Or for Puck, really. He mostly spent the night keeping an ear out for any wishes or he would just travel around and observe others. "I'll need to finish getting my plans in place, and then start putting them to work. Which means a lot of writing practice."

He smiled and ran his hand through Loki's hair again. "But I don't mind. If anything I need to figure out what else you'd enjoy."

Puck should be entertained, as Loki was not usually hesitant about that kind of thing. Exactly as the fae figured, Loki did feel comfortable to try that with someone she was lowering her guard around and actually cared for. At the very least as friend-and-companion, but possibly other layers too. Layers that Loki herself was only starting to have glimpses of.

Again, she leaned into the touch with the hair petting, and nuzzled against his cheek and jaw. Behaving with her hands for now, though they also moved to pet white strands of hair. "I enjoy the challenge and playfulness that I have with you. That, more than anything, is what drew me in. I rarely meet my match." It wasn't the honeyed words themselves or the grand romance, but that simple joy and pleasure of finding someone who could 'play' on an equal level. Who was entertaining and interesting and could keep up. Usually Loki also had her superiority complex, because most people didn't measure up in her eyes and view.

"I'll look forward to the surprise, and have to think about what I can do for you in turn. Do you have any preferences, or should I just see what comes to me?"

Puck was fine with things moving at whatever pace worked. But he was also glad Loki had stopped touching his ears. It hadn't been on his list to re-discover that about himself. Puck wasn't mad at the fact just more surprised than anything.

"Oh?" Puck answered with a surprised blink. "That's a bit of a shock. Some humans can be surprisingly playful when they want. But not so much with romance, I've found-- not like this, at least. They'll have fun and then leave before it actually gets entertaining." Play came with a lot of levels to it, especially for the fae in general. A lot of his interactions with humans and non-humans alike had been the equivalent to starting a good book and having to return it after the first chapter. Puck didn't have as big of a superiority complex, but he hated the contrast.

"Give you the go ahead to do whatever you want, or try to think of something..?" Puck gave a playful hum. "Let's surprise each other, sure. Gifts are more fun when you don't know what to expect."

"It's not even in the romance sense--I've woo'd people before, but often it wasn't serious. I believe the phrase is 'friends with benefits'. Or they've wanted more, and I've lead them on until it was inconvenient. Or they had something I wanted." There was a sigh, and Loki hid her face somewhat. "As I said, caring about others is...new. But I am able to manipulate people."

Then more softly, but with a tight hug. "I'm not doing that with you, by the way. Or anyone here. I don't see a need or want to." but Loki would do a lot to further her goals, depending on what those goals are. Puck seemed to be the lighter shades of grey than Loki herself was overall.

"I think I can come up with a good idea or two for you."

"Ahh." Puck's eyes lit up in understanding. "Casual dating is the term I've heard more often, but it seems to be the same concept."

He smiled at the sudden hug and nodded, returning it. "No, I know you're not. I've seen enough manipulation to be very good at telling when it's happening." Oberon's court wasn't heavy on it, but Oberon absolutely did manipulate where he felt it was needed. Puck's morality in general was skewed towards what kept his freedom and what didn't hurt others as much. Pranks, misunderstanding wishes, all absolutely fair. But the more.. well, human, really, ideas applied to Oberon's children, that they were just waiting for a chance to be horrible? It didn't apply to him, and only applied to Oberon based on his mood swings.

"Oh? Good, I'll have to do the same. I might even throw together a business proposal just to keep you on your toes."

"Are you so certain? I've had centuries of practice." Loki asked, trying to tease but it came out too honest a response. Still with that hug and a bit of hiding. "Now I AM curious though. What kind of business?"

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