[He doesn’t go quickly, despite that being an advantage of being on horseback. Pepper notes it but doesn’t prompt Loki to change his speed. Though it’s likely because he’s focused on the search, it will be better not to be racing through the woods on horseback if his emotions overwhelm him again. So she nods, and at least makes an effort to look out around them, searching for a girl she already knows won’t be there.
And Loki is realizing it too, slowly losing his ability to deny what his mind has likely already pieced together. Though she can’t see his face, there are still small signs of strain, of the effort it takes to piece together words without letting the emotion that should be behind them show. Then it doesn’t matter that they really are strangers; the fact that she’s supposed to hold onto him is a good enough excuse, and Pepper tightens her arms around him in a way that shifts from bracing herself to a hug.]
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And Loki is realizing it too, slowly losing his ability to deny what his mind has likely already pieced together. Though she can’t see his face, there are still small signs of strain, of the effort it takes to piece together words without letting the emotion that should be behind them show. Then it doesn’t matter that they really are strangers; the fact that she’s supposed to hold onto him is a good enough excuse, and Pepper tightens her arms around him in a way that shifts from bracing herself to a hug.]
I’m sorry.