[ The idea of being able to split himself into such separate, incarnate versions and traverse time and space to harass himself is so strange that it won't be an easy thing to come to terms within a hurry, even with every word ringing true and forcing her to believe it. She would have anyway, even if she wasn't a lie detector, because he looks so small all of a sudden as he elaborates on his confession.

I wish I was stronger, she idly thinks in the back of her mind, her hand in his tightening supportively. I'd make sure you were safe.

But she can't. ]

He's back because he knows he can't control you, it's scare tactics and threats. You might have lived his life once but not anymore, if anyone's anxious then I'm willing to bet it's him. I won't let you fall into bad habits either, not like his. [ I couldn't be by your side if you did those awful things.

Loki is her friend, the first in a long time. If she can give anything back to him for the way he's touched (and bettered) her life, Verity will; it might make her feel a little like a ridiculous, over-zealous guard-dog, but she doesn't care. He sounds like his resolve has wavered in the past already. ]

That makes two of us on the alert for his schemes — I can be pretty useful when it comes to fakes and I'm still looking right at you, not seeing anything of the sort.

[ A small smile. ]