It isn’t something Loki can deny. He’s also been caught up in Shanks’ shine. It’s like when he looks at you, there is no one else and that is not something Loki is used to at all. He also knows though that he likes Buggy just as much, just in a bit of a different way. Like he wants or needs different things from them, though that’s hardly something he really knows how to verbalize. Loki might be great at talking, but he’s hardly good at talking about how he truly feels.

What’s more is he understands completely. “He reminds me of my brother in that way. Everyone always loved and cherished him whereas I often felt like the mud left on his boots. I tried for many years to live up to his level, to try and be as good as he is, as loved as he is and I got it all wrong. Only made things worse really. What I didn’t figure out until much later is that it’s a false comparison. Once I stopped being so angry about it and stopped trying so hard to be him instead of just me, I found others that like me for me. It was an incredible and very surprising turn of events.”

Loki has no idea if his words will resonate with Buggy. He knows that when he was in a similar headspace, no words had helped him. How many times had his mother tried to talk to him like this? It had always fallen on deaf ears, so he wouldn't be surprised if the same happened here, but he feels he must try.

“Is it?” It’s an honest question. He wouldn’t blame Buggy for wanting to drop the topic, but it doesn’t mean the isn’t going to try pushing a bit anyway.