[That surprises him - more than he'd like to admit, actually - and Billy lifts his head from Loki's shirt, eyes wide. That's... the first he'd said anything like that, isn't it? Really, so easily admitted it...
It causes a sudden warmth in Billy's chest, one he hadn't felt all day - not at all, really, since the day Teddy accepted him again when he regained his senses. It's just been such a hard road to walk from then until now.
But... even after everything he's done, even now... there are still people who are on his side, who care about him, who call him family...
Teddy, Tommy, Kate, and now Loki, too...
Fresh tears fill his eyes, but this time he manages a smile, too, and the relief and gratefulness in his expression is potent. That... was a very unexpected gift Loki just gave him.]
...I'm... glad. I'm really glad... I didn't want to lose you, either...
[action]
It causes a sudden warmth in Billy's chest, one he hadn't felt all day - not at all, really, since the day Teddy accepted him again when he regained his senses. It's just been such a hard road to walk from then until now.
But... even after everything he's done, even now... there are still people who are on his side, who care about him, who call him family...
Teddy, Tommy, Kate, and now Loki, too...
Fresh tears fill his eyes, but this time he manages a smile, too, and the relief and gratefulness in his expression is potent. That... was a very unexpected gift Loki just gave him.]
...I'm... glad. I'm really glad... I didn't want to lose you, either...