[ the rush of emotion has left Loki overflowing. there are no tears, but his eyes are red and glassy, and his face flush with the grief of the outpour. with jokes and flippancy he can find a way to center himself again. Thor pulls back and Loki rubs at his face with his palm, tipping his head. ]

I'd rather be an old, ugly, wrinkly Loki than father.

[ then there's a partial laugh that comes out as a little bark. ]

When I set out to make certain that we did not become slaves to our own story again, I thought of you. I know, Thor, you never wanted to be our father.