@tomemyxxmen continued from [x]
He had to resist rolling his eyes at Charles' response. He wasn't surprised that he was underselling his part in Loki's self improvement, it had become a common theme in their previous conversations. Loki would compliment Charles or credit him with whatever he'd manage to achieve, and Charles would dismiss it with similar claims that it was nothing to do with anything he'd done. Loki wasn't certain if that was because of a lack of confidence in himself, or because he was being overly humble; perhaps it was a mix of both. Whatever Charles' reasons were, Loki knew it was pointless trying to argue with him; and yet, he found himself doing so every time. It had become a habit, a repeated pattern that neither seemed willing to break. ❝ Charles, I'm sure you don't need to read my thoughts to realize I am underselling your part in all of this. If it weren't for you helping clear my mind of the Mind Stone's influence, I am certain that the choices I made would have lead to further suffering. ❞
Loki knew himself well enough to know that the offer the Kang variant had made, would have been too tempting to turn down if it weren't for the people who'd had an impact on his life ever since he himself had become a variant. Charles wasn't the only one who he had to thank for becoming a better person. There was also Mobius, B-15, OB, Sylvie and even good old Casey. Each of them had helped him confront the lies he had trapped himself in, the facade he'd presented to the world to cover up the lost and scared man he was. They had given him the confidence and strength to become the person he was always supposed to be; even if that ultimately meant he would ultimately be separated from them forever.
❝ I am well. ❞ He confirmed, sipping on his own drink. ❝ Living as I should? Well...I suppose that depends on how your view on purpose and destiny. ❞ Fate was a funny thing. He had once rejected it, wanting to make his own choices, he had then felt burdened by it, chasing after a throne he thought he had a right to because of the lies he'd grown up with. Then, he had fought against it again, especially after learning his purpose on the timeline was to cause suffering and die. He'd hated that someone else got to dictate who he was and what impact he had on the 'sacred timeline'. But then he had seen the timelines die over and over, had seen his friends disappear time and time again whilst he tried desperately to stop it from happening. Loki had lost count of how many times he'd timeslipped back, learning more, trying harder until he'd realized what he needed to do. If the Norns plan was for him to sit alone at the end of time, keeping the multiverse alive then yes...he supposed he was living as he should...just not how he wished he should.
It was taking more energy than he thought it would to split himself between his seat and this timeline, but it wasn't too unbearable. He was still developing the skill, he had found it was easier to go to timelines he'd already been to, but as of yet, he'd been unable to get into the TVA. He theorized it was because it was outside of time. But...so was he. It didn't make much sense, but he was sure he'd work it out...eventually. At the very least, coming here wasn't too taxing, and it meant he got to see Charles. The decades he'd spent trying to stop the timelines dying had found him missing their conversations. ❝ What of you? How have you been? You look good; better than when I last saw you...though you'll have to remind me how long it's been. Time works differently where I am. ❞
