[ Sensing the shift in tone, Chris lets the fond teasing in his expression fade into something more solemn, focusing on doing all that he can to listen attentively so that Loki doesn't feel like his concerns are being brushed carelessly aside. ]

You've never had me around before. [ It bears repeating. Maybe that's one of the reasons Chris has been afforded this just-barely-a-decade of life left. Maybe this is one of the ways he can make a difference that lasts long beyond his own life. ] I don't want to sound arrogant, but. I can help. I want to help. I want to be there for you.

[ He doesn't know enough about Loki's life or his past or his mythos to make any kind of guess about what kind of support system he had, or didn't have, before, but if there's one thing Chris knows he can do, it's be damn supportive. Even if all he does is help Loki study for his quizzes if he actually decides to enroll in Starfleet, he'll be there. ]

The future isn't set in stone. [ Except for his, apparently. He's made peace with that. ] I believe in you.