A laugh, knife-sharp and brittle, burst forth from Loki's lips as he hit the floor, his legs taken cleanly out from underneath him by Thor's desperate swing. The sound was wheezing and a little breathless for all the air in his lungs had been knocked from him.

"Do you see, brother?"

Loki made no attempt to move or right himself yet. He was not hurt and could come to his feet, but Thor was wounded and bleeding so he was unafraid of a counterattack. He imbued the word 'brother' with every ounce of scorn and venom within him, making it sound a scathing insult rather than a term of familial endearment.

"There is nothing between us but blood and pain."