I do not like war either, dearest. And I do not want to fight here, I promise you that.

[And he finds it strange that those words are true. But there's no reason to fight here, and many reasons to not.

He sighs and drops to his knees, then shifts to sit cross-legged on the floor, slumping a little.]

You know that sometimes we don't have a choice. We have to fight. But... I want to be able to fight for something whilst I am here. I want to fight for you, and for Ikki, because I love you both and it would destroy me to see you hurt.

[Loki gives her a small, sad smile.

There is no way Elicia can understand how foreign these words are from him.]

People do not often like me, Elicia. And that is all right. That is the way it has to be, sometimes, and you should not worry about it.

[His eyes are suspiciously watery.]

So long as you believe in me, I promise I will try hard to be worthy.