[ Loki swallows, feeling the ache in his throat, one that hasn't quite left him, even though the wound has long healed. The urge to touch it is overwhelming now, especially with Thor's gaze on him. ]

I . . . would have preferred not to. It is an old story, in a way. The ending was long decided when I failed on Earth.

[ If he keeps talking, then maybe he won't shatter. He has dealt with dying so many times and Loki hates that the weakness ails him now, when all those other times, he didn't mind it. He didn't care. But it was ironic that Thanos would take that from him, when he started to care. ]

I took the Tessaract because . . . because I thought we might need it. I gave it to him because he was going to kill you. And I fought him because . . . I am an Odinson. He killed me but you — you survived.

[ And his voice cracks because it was the happiest news he had ever gotten from Stark, from anyone. Thor was alive and at least something that Loki did was good. Tentatively he looks up at Thor. ]

I'm sorry. I am a poor creature and a poorer brother. I always was.