[ thor is unsatisfied by his answer. loki is not surprised. it is less that he does not trust thor and more that he does not trust this place, and the insidious little chip in his head. who can say who may be listening, who may be watching; the government control here is tight and tighter still, and loki does not want to show his hand too early.

but thor knows him as he knows thor, and he accepts what he is given.

his price, however, seems steep. thor pulls him in again, and what option does loki have but to consent? thor is thor, and even without his godhood he is large and broad and strong. it's all right, though; loki has never been known to scorn his brother's affections, and though thor remains ever stoic loki knows that it must be a very jarring thing, to be here. loki flows like water, conforming to new circumstances with ease, agile and flexible while thor remains stalwart earth, fixed and unmoving, hard and stubborn and unforgiving. it must be a comfort, to have loki close. a reminder of home.

that isn't to say that the feeling is not mutual. loki's skinny arms close around his brother's neck, his small hands closing in his cape, his chin resting easily against the crook of his shoulder. it's an easy embrace, warm, comforting. ]

We will get through this together, you and I. As always. I hope you do not take offense when I say that I am glad to have you here with me.