"Only because you do not know better, Wesley.", Loki smiled softly, feeling some relief in the fact that the other still remained honest instead of shutting down as he could have. He'd done it himself In the past, finding it easier than simply confronting his problems. Of course the fact Wesley didn't only made the trickster respect him more. Either he was stronger than he thought, or the man had held onto these feelings for far too long to be considered healthy. And while it was all too apparent what the real answer was, he chose to let himself believe the former, figuring it was for the best to keep his petty beliefs at least this once. "Still, I suppose it brings some level of comfort to know it does not bother you."
He did his best to sit still when Wesley returned the gesture, but prolonged contact never was a favored method of the trickster. At least not at such an odd angle. It seemed to make his back stiff. So he took control of the situation as needed, gently pushing the man back so he could find a more comfortable position before gently pulling him back. "It's a habit of yours, I've noticed. Instead of caring for yourself, you dote on and worry too much over others, convincing yourself they are more important.", he sighed as he rubbed soothingly over the other's back. "You're wrong though. You're just as important, Wesley. You matter just as much as they do and though your past may be full of pain, that does not mean you do not deserve happiness as you think they do. You are far too important to think like that." He reached up, ruffling the man's hair gently. "And I will remind you of that until you can believe it well enough on your own."