“Aye,” Thor agreed. “verily.” There was nothing he could ever hide from his brother, and if Loki hardly had to make an effort to see his heart, than Thor knew he had no way to be untrue. He was a terrible liar anyway, even in farce, and he did not care to use anything but truth when facing the world. “He can not stay in my service if I am to continue with my desire.” He knew the moment it left his mouth that he should have never given Loki the chance to know verbally how right he had been with his guess. “I can not send him to anyone else. I care not if he works for you. You need do nothing more than give him a space.”

But as he spoke, he knew it would not work for long. Stealing away in the middle of the night to see Steven would just fuel the fire being thrown about in court under breaths. Odin had only been awake for a few days, but it was likely he knew already.

Thor pressed a large hand to his face.

“I know of other options. He could return to train the unclaimed. He could be gifted to one of our brothers on Vanaheim. I could send him to Midgard in advance of a raiding party… But I do not wish for any of them. I love him, Loki. I am cursed for it, but I do.”