“But you’re not. Are you. Not even of a cat.” Summer held out a finger, and Helios arched his neck, sniffing at it. She scrupulously kept her gaze away from Loki’s, and her voice was very soft. “Are you going to let yourself love Cat? Because if you aren’t, you need to find him someone who will. I,” she drew a deep breath, and her voice hitched, “don’t know what I just saw. I — “
She broke off and swore, vehemently, for thirty seconds, putting her face in her hands. “I don’t even know what to say to you!”
Loki picked Helios up in very gentle hands and placed the cat on Summer’s knee, then rose.
“…I should go. Cat will be shredding my pillow about now—he does that when he’s annoyed with me.”
“You think I’m just going to let this go,” she muttered into her hands. “You think I can let this go.” Summer stood up to place a hand on Loki’s arm. “Let me be your friend.”
Loki withdrew—not jerking back, but a calm step backwards.
“You have been very kind—your advice will serve me well. Thank you again for keeping Macrowafter out of the street.”
Summer’s shoulders sagged. “Gods /****/ it.” The temptation to force it out of him was so strong, bitter in her throat. But she was a hero. Wasn’t she.
“My sister set me to spy on you,” she said to his retreating back. The tonelessness of her voice was at stark odds with its intensity only a moment before. “I think I’ll go set her on fire.”
Keys, shoes, id … she didn’t bother to suit up, just stepped outside right after Loki. At least there’d be no trouble summoning her wings.