That wasn't an answer. That was nebulous nothing. He couldn't decide if Paul was hiding something or if Paul was being... Paul. Loki couldn't help but wonder what had changed over the years. What had evolved, what had been repressed. He makes eye contact through the mirror and it was easier to hold there for some reason, the silver their gaze bouncing away some of the welling intensity.
"Place called Cup and Dough. It'll be on your left in about a mile."
He should leave it alone. He shouldn't ask again. He should wait. But he couldn't.
"How long, Paul?"
It wasn't just about the case. It wasn't just about the chase. It was about the fact that Paul had been within spitting distance and he didn't know about it. He had to know how long he'd existed in the same town with Paul and not felt it in the bottom of his gut like he used to. The softest parts of him was hungry for what they had. What they almost had. The harder parts of him were terrified that he was going to turn around and Paul would be gone again. That he'd be just another dumb asshole in the streets, looking for someone who wasn't there anymore.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2023-08-24 02:19 am (UTC)"Place called Cup and Dough. It'll be on your left in about a mile."
He should leave it alone. He shouldn't ask again. He should wait. But he couldn't.
"How long, Paul?"
It wasn't just about the case. It wasn't just about the chase. It was about the fact that Paul had been within spitting distance and he didn't know about it. He had to know how long he'd existed in the same town with Paul and not felt it in the bottom of his gut like he used to. The softest parts of him was hungry for what they had. What they almost had. The harder parts of him were terrified that he was going to turn around and Paul would be gone again. That he'd be just another dumb asshole in the streets, looking for someone who wasn't there anymore.