Loki couldn't help but smile, partially because there was joy in hearing her say that, and partially because of course he always smiled rather than crying. "It sits well on the tongue, I thought."

He covered her hands with his, leaning forward slightly. It felt better, for having told her that, and knowing that she wanted him as her son, still. There was power in names, and he'd named himself this time.

"Thor and I avenged you. Together." It seemed important, to tell her that again. Though he still wished to carefully avoid the conclusion to that, for a multitude of reasons.