It was so much harder to remain furious with Thor than with any of the others. Even his mother, beloved Frigga who stood higher in Loki's affection than anyone else in the universe, was easy to maintain his bitterness against. Because she had been complicit in the lie, she had heard the stories and seen how much he tried and she had never told him the truth.

But Thor had never known. Thor's love was not a part of the lie, Thor had never lied to him, and that made it harder to hate him. Easier too. Because he was a buffoon, he truly was the golden, trustworthy, magnificent prince down to his damned bones. It made him want to flay Thor's skin from his bones, and also it made him desperately want to believe those words, to cling to them like a small child to his mother's skirts.

Instead, he deliberately focused on Rogers, it was easier to bear than the weight of Thor's love.

"I have heard no compelling reason to share what I know, Captain. Make me an offer, and perhaps we can negotiate."