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[Thor thinks the context is important, but he won't needle for information. He cares, but he's not the sort to pry. If he needs to know, he'll find out soon enough.]

It is difficult to be like anyone when all you do is search for differences. No two people are the same, you know that as well as I. [He gives him a gentle nudge.] Things rarely come as easily as they go, for that matter. It takes patience, and it comes and goes, but it happens.

[Of course, he relates a situation like that to trying to weave his brother back into his life.]

[ He doesn't want to do that to Steve. Or his other self. The blame was his for thinking that . . . Loki weaves his fingers together to keep from fidgeting. He still hasn't made eye contact. ]

If that was true — [ And Loki finally raises his head to meet Thor's eyes. ] — why can't I see it?

[Although Thor knows Loki is perfectly serious, he can't help but chuckle. He does meet Loki's eyes, and he smiles back at him.]

Change is almost always invisible when you're looking for it. Just because you cannot see it, does not mean that it isn't there. [Thor lifts his hand to squeeze Loki's shoulder.]

Those who know you will see it before you even realise yourself.

[ No matter how angry or enraged Loki might get with Thor, dismissing him has never been easy. There will always be a part of Loki that instinctively looks to his brother to have the answers he cannot find. He never forgets anything Thor might say, though he'll never admit it.

Deep down, it does make him feel better. As if someday — someday . . . ]

As always, you are miles ahead of me.

If you say such things, you'll have me worried.

[As if he isn't worried about Loki 24/7.]

Have I alleviated your concerns, or are you haunted by something still?

I was not concerned.

[ His tone is mildly petulant, but that's better proof that Loki is feeling better than anything else he might say. ]

I must have simply . . . stepped wrongly and I did not fully grasp it. I have not mingled with so many people for a long time.

Even the greatest socialites misstep- and social graces hardly run in our family. [Thor has a lot of friends, sure, but he doesn't have many close friends.]

You have all the charm you need, that I know, what you need to learn to step out of your mind.

My mind kept me safe.

[ For a definition of safe, obviously. And it clearly does not hold up to the strain of Loki's duality. ]

I'll not forego that for sentiment. I've learned my lesson.

Then sometimes safety must be forgone for something great. Even if it does not end where you had hoped it might.

[And trust him, he knows how that is.]

[ Loki knows that too, and his gaze flickers away from Thor. ]

My heart can't bear it. I'll shatter.

[ He's weathered too many losses to accept any more. But then . . . he chose Steve. He's willing to make it work. It might end up the same. With Loki dangling over the abyss. ]

You know advice is not my strength, Loki. If you want me to hit something- or someone- I'm sure it could be arranged.

[ Loki winces. That wouldn't end well for anyone. Running a hand through his hair, he considers his words carefully. ]

I have . . . started a private engagement with Steve Rogers. The, ah, other one.

[Thor's brow raises slowly. He doesn't want to look too surprised, but he is. Of course, he doesn't know the other Steve as well as he'd like, but it's still something to process.]

And you'd like for me to hit him? [He's sure that isn't what Loki wants, but he wonders why he seems so hurt.]

[ It takes all of Loki's patience not to sigh. ]

I'm well aware that you only speak with your fists but there is no need to hit him. And I'm surprised that conclusion came so swiftly. Is this not one of your cherished warrior kin?

Are you going to disregard all I have contributed thus far, then? [He used his words a lot just now for you, Loki!]

I've not fought along this Steve before. He is an ally of mine, yes, but you are my brother. [A pause.] Even if you are prone to dramatics.

[ That's true and Loki nods reluctantly to admit that, his fingers circling each other once more in a state of nervous energy. He looks pointedly at the wall. Perhaps someday, being brothers won't be enough. When he returns to Asgard, it's quite possible he might just go mad once more. His brief foray into being an alternate self seems to tell him one thing: That Loki is no good to Asgard. That the longer he's there, the more he wants what was denied. It'll never be enough and the chasm only deepens.

Deep down, Loki believes — or even hopes that Thor will return home. His illusion will be unmasked and Loki will die. His reign at an end. Maybe he's simply looking for an end instead of a long life full of yearnings that can never come to pass. ]

No one has hurt me.

[ His tone is oddly gentle, as if to placate Thor's worries. ]

I'm all right.

[ Though Loki knows that's a ticking clock. That's what brought him here. He needed to feel, at least briefly, that some sentiments stand still. And Loki hasn't destroyed everything even when he does not mean to. ]

[The gentleness of Loki's tone doesn't placate much for Thor, but it makes him relent more than anything.

Internally, his retort to Loki is that they have hurt him and he's not alright. What happened to Loki is a mess of mixed signals and opportunities. Nowadays, Thor doesn't take his bonds for granted.]

The offer stands. [He says plainly, then continues.] Does Rogers give you what you want? [Desire with every fibre of his being, was it?]

[ Loki doesn't know yet. It's too new, too bright to see the edges clearly, though Loki knows they are there. ]

He gives.

[ His smile is faint but wry. ]

I suppose I am taking a chance.

Then we shall see how it goes.

[He sounds neither skeptical nor hopeful, he's still wrapping his brain around it all.]

Is there anything else I can fail to assist you with?

[ Loki rises, brushing his pants lightly. He has already said more than he would have liked to. Certain fears still have him tightly in their grip after all. The madness may have abated minutely due to his absence from Asgard and all that Loki knew, but he never let go of his demons. ]

You did not fail me.

[ As angry as Loki is with Thor, as bitter as he might feel when Thor doesn't understand, Loki knows that much. Thor was not the one who did this to him.

And he knew Thor mourned. ]

Try to remember that, won't you?

[Momentarily, Thor is taken aback by the statement. It comes almost entirely out of left-field and though Thor has probably spent hours imagining just what he would do or say if this were ever a conversation he'd be having, he cannot help but be silent.

Eventually, he leans back into a more comfortable position with a warm, if not still somewhat bewildered smile.]

Oh I won't take it lightly. Reassurance from Loki himself is valuable, I know that better than anyone. [He reaches over to give him a light shove.] Regardless of anything, of what anyone says, I am happy to have you here with me.

[ For now, the whisper tells him. Loki must appear so genteel, so calm and normal. It makes his skin itch. He meant what he said and Thor does too. But everything is finite. Love, family, security. Even Thor. No matter what steps he might take, Loki has seen how quickly it can crumble.

So he gives Thor a jerky nod, his face hidden away from his brother's eyes as he leaves, seemingly vanishing from sight. ]

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