Without the Intention
Touch is something Loki is very familiar with. They’ve lost count of how many times they’ve been touched. Not the hold-hands type of touched. Not the comforting kind of touch.
The touch Loki’s experienced is far different from that.
Loki has been tortured, beaten, whipped, raped and touched in such vile ways that a normal person’s mind would shatter by all the gory, bloody and monstrous ways they’ve been violated. They still have nightmares about their time in the Void; horrible, screaming nightmares that plague him every single night.
They’ve forgotten the last time they’ve been touched affectionately.
And these are the thoughts running through their mind when Mobius reaches forward and grabs their hand.
The hand that covers their own feels impossibly warm compared to their cold, freezing skin. Loki almost cries when the hand squeezes their’s in the most tender, gentlest way.
Loki sucks in a shaky breath, their heart thumping erratically in their ears. They can’t seem to get enough air into their lungs. Loki feels their hands start to tremble beneath Mobius’. Another ragged breath.
“Loki?”
They feel tears well up in their eyes, the softness of his voice piercing their heart. “I — I’m sorry,” they whisper, tears leaking from their eyes and slowly trailing down their cheeks. Their shoulders shake silently; but they can’t seem to make them stop.
“Loki, are you alright?” the beautiful voice sounds so concerned, so worried that it makes Loki want to answer them. So they try.
“I — I’m fine, Mobius. Really, I’m — there’s nothing to worry about.” Loki knows their stuttering but they don’t care.
“Are you sure?” Mobius asks.
Loki looks at him then, their eyes tracing over each of Mobius’ features; his moon-kissed hair, his deep ocean eyes, his smooth skin, his plump lips and perfect cheekbones. Loki inhales shakily.
“Yes, I’m —“
“Don’t lie to me, Loki. Please tell me what’s wrong.” Mobius pleaded, his blue eyes wide and begging.
Loki breaks.
Their sob echos throughout the room, shortly followed by more cries and whimpers. Mobius gasps and immediately gathers Loki in his arms, his heart clenching with worry. He rocks Loki back and forth while they cry. Mobius runs his fingers through Loki’s soft hair, attempting to sooth both him and them. Without thinking, Mobius presses a tender kiss to their temple. He brushes away a few strand of midnight hair away from their face, his fingertips grazing the smooth skin of their forehead.
“Please don’t cry, sweetheart. Don’t cry. Shh. . .” Mobius murmurs, kissing their cheek.
Loki goes incredibly still beneath Mobius’ hands, and he wonders briefly if he did something wrong.
“I’m sorry,” Mobius babbles. “Did I do something wrong? I’m sorry if I —“
“Mobius.”
“Did I offend you? I’m really sorry Loki, I won’t do it again I promise —“
“Mobius.”
“I am so, so so sorry. I really didn’t —“
“Mobius!”
They grasp his face in their hands, officially shutting him up. Loki cherishes the feeling of Mobius’ face beneath their hands. Loki leans in to rest their head against his. They hear Mobius gasp but pay no mind to it.
“Mobius.” Loki whispers, “it’s okay. It’s just that…..it’s been awhile since somebody touched me without the intention to hurt me.”
Mobius is seething with anger inside, but he doesn’t let it show.
“You did not offend me in any way, Moby. I…..enjoyed your touch. Your hands are much more gentle than the other ones who have beat me. I’m just not used to affection. I can’t recall the last time someone actually held my hand.”
“Loki, that’s….” Mobius eyes were wide and incredulous. “that’s messed up.”
Loki smiled sadly. “I suppose.” they said.
“Would you like me to hug you again?”
“What?”
“Would. You. Like. Me. To —“
“I know what you said, Mobius. I just asking why? Why would you want to hug me?”
“Because you’re my friend and I love you.” Mobius says, blushing deeply.
Loki feels their own blush blooming on their cheeks. “I —“
“Or would you like me to kiss you?”
Loki stares at him, biting their lip. A warm finger pulls the worried lip from between their teeth. The finger travels to caress their high cheekbones. The air whooshes from Loki’s lips like tornado wind. They swallow hard, locking gazes with him. They stare at Mobius for what seems like hours (not really).
“Yes.”
And Mobius kisses them.
And oh —
It feels absolutely amazing.
A tingling sensation spreads throughout their whole body, sending a shiver down their neck and along their back. Their hands are trembling when they thread through Mobius’ hair, pulling his head closer to their’s. Mobius’s lips are gentle and soft, so much more softer than his hands. They kiss him with as much passion and love as they could, moaning and gasping for more. Loki has never felt this way before; the butterflies in their stomach, the tightening of their throat when Mobius smile at them, the way their breath hitches when Mobius’ eyes sparkle with happiness.
Mobius smiles on their lips before they both pull back, gasping and panting and smiling like lunatics.
“That was…..wow.”
Loki laughs, kissing Mobius’ smile. “Yes, Mobius. Wow.”
Your dedication to the world and the lore is genuinely inspiring. Every detail feels intentional and adds to the richness of the environment. I feel like I could spend hours just exploring the setting you've built. I want to give a huge shout-out for the brilliant chapter you just released! It was everything I hoped for and more. You have a real talent for storytelling. Bravo!"