"Then perhaps you and I are alike when it comes to how we act regarding true affection," Loki replied, dryly. He was a good liar, whether or not something was close to his heart, and when it came to seduction he was far from hopeless. But when it came to someone he truly liked, he often found it easier to just say nothing at all.

"What's a suitable Granny-like reaction?" he wanted to know. "Yes, well. Hopefully I'm not in this body for much longer. I'm having difficulty reaching tall shelves like this."