#v118

There was an emphatic gasp from the god as he spun around to watch the 'star''s descent.

"Oh! Oh! Let me think. Wishwishwishwish."

Loki danced on tiptoes, fists clenched, one not too tightly for the sake of his glass of N'Tharvian fizz.

"Aha! Got it." He grinned at Mantis. "Did you make yours?"

What a curious creature she was. Loki turned to face her with an exaggerated friendliness, a disguise for survival as much as the illusion over his black leathers and dark green cape that masked the signs of an old battle and a fading bruise at his throat. It was of some relief to have discovered the Collector had either perished or left this area of space. Anything that wouldn't risk him being sent back to the Grandmaster was a blessing.

"Thank you. I'll ensure to allow him some distance. I don't suppose you could help me? I'm looking for the Guardians. I understand they're the authority around here?"

V118's Powerhouse "Class of 2019"

feat. FORD Models, IMG Models, WOMEN Management & The SOCIETY Management for V Magazine #118, Spring 2019 Issue.

In the time he had grown used to Mantis as well as the other Guardians, Loki had also developed a quietly protective instinct over her. Occasionally her perceived naivety grated on him, but he also knew what it was like to be treated as though you were incapable of protecting yourself. He had spent a lifetime proving that people shouldn't mess with him just because he wasn't as muscular as his brother. This aside, Loki curbed his tongue from any protest. The others were too tired to put up much of a debate.

Now that Drax had finished telling his campfire stories that were more interesting in context than delivery, and the bickering with Quill and Rocket had died down, Loki moved to sit near Mantis. He folded his arms and lay back against a rock as if intending to fall asleep at his leisure, secretly choosing to stay awake. The heroic side of Loki wanted to keep her and his companions safe. His selfish, less pleasant side didn't trust anyone but himself to do it.

"So," he said quietly, "which of them do we let get eaten first?"

spotify wrapped has arrived. send me a number from 1-100 for a starter based on that song, or a lyric from it, or send a 🎁 for me to shuffle.

(77 - Panic Station by MUSE)

"Do what the fuck you want to!" Loki whooped and slid onto the dancefloor. He gestured emphatically for Mantis to join him. Normally, he would fear her ability to read his emotions, but he was far too drunk and excitable to care. It had been a while since he had let loose and his mischievousness needed an outlet.

From anyone else, Loki might have read it as either insincere or lacking value. Mantis had a unique understanding of his emotions and for once he did not rail against it. He glanced to her from the window that showed the gleaming blue planet ahead, an escaped tear tracking down his face. It was not for the world itself he cried for, but the fear of rejection from the remainder of his people, of being forced to leave any family he might have found among the Guardians, and the exhaustion of carrying so much guilt.

"Do you think Earth will be able to share that sentiment?"

"You are welcome."

So long as there wasn't anything proving emotionally challenging going on, Loki  had found he was able to somewhat control which of his feelings he allowed Mantis to sense whilst he was using magic to shield it. Undoubtedly she would have the power to push right past considering her celestial nature, but so far she had been nothing but respectful.

The scene he had painted around them was of a meadow in Vanaheim where Frigga had taken her young sons to play. Two children, dark haired and blonde, laughed and tussled in the tall grass; chasing imaginary monsters; boasting stories; splashing each other in the nearby lake while their smiling parent looked on over the pages of a book.

Loki held Mantis' hand so that she could feel the bittersweet joy and warmth he felt conjuring this memory.

"I wish you could have had half as many moments as I forget to be grateful for."