It's like a weight is being lifted off of Steve's shoulders the longer they talk. The art supplies remind him of so many good memories he has here with his friends in the Nexus and anchor his heart safely away from all the turmoil of his own world. Zelus is doing well on Atlantis, and is even disguised thanks to...
Oh.
The light hearted smile shatters like glass as something cold and heavy settles in Steve's gaze as he steels himself from the surge in his pulse just from hearing the God's name invoked. He can't help how he's scanning the crowds even now, looking for that greasy haired snake and half expecting him to be there waiting to strike. Loki's doing favors for the folk in the Nexus, is he?
And what happens when the god demands repayment with interest...? How many people will owe him more than they can pay in recompense? And that's if he doesn't delight in torturing them all emotionally first. Steve should have warned Adia and Caspar ahead of time. It's too late now, and even if it wasn't, would they understand? If Loki has wormed his way into their good graces nothing Steve says will do anything to sway them. He's seen proof of that before.
It doesn't make the hurt any less. Nor the worry and guilt.
"Owing favors to gods never works out for us humans in the stories." He finally decides on, voice tight with emotion only barely held back. "I hope you know what you're doing."
no subject
Oh.
The light hearted smile shatters like glass as something cold and heavy settles in Steve's gaze as he steels himself from the surge in his pulse just from hearing the God's name invoked. He can't help how he's scanning the crowds even now, looking for that greasy haired snake and half expecting him to be there waiting to strike. Loki's doing favors for the folk in the Nexus, is he?
And what happens when the god demands repayment with interest...? How many people will owe him more than they can pay in recompense? And that's if he doesn't delight in torturing them all emotionally first. Steve should have warned Adia and Caspar ahead of time. It's too late now, and even if it wasn't, would they understand? If Loki has wormed his way into their good graces nothing Steve says will do anything to sway them. He's seen proof of that before.
It doesn't make the hurt any less. Nor the worry and guilt.
"Owing favors to gods never works out for us humans in the stories." He finally decides on, voice tight with emotion only barely held back. "I hope you know what you're doing."