As Loki insisted that Thor had never had to claim worthiness, the elder brother's heart broke to the extent that he momentarily interrupted with a voice both haggard and desperate. "Loki-ii!"

At the prompting that Thor should fight or recapture his brother, the Thunderer's grimace was deep enough to make his entire face tight with the tenacity of it. "I will not! You do not decide my heart! Nor my choices! I can consider you my brother, whatever your response; I need not your permission!"