The glance to one side and little tightening of his jaw might have been a danger signal in years past, but what comes to mind is the moment after their arrival in Asgard, when Thor had handed the Tesseract to Heimdall and removed the gag again. Loki had refused to speak, of course, sheer stubborn pride propelling him as slowly as possible along the Bifrost, but what does it mean that Thor's mercy is what he remembers so clearly from that day?

"He knew what he was doing," he says quietly, watching the blue pulse of Stark's artificial assistant on her screen and not glancing up again until the long-promised drink makes its appearance. It prompts a smile, a real one, and Loki picks it up rather delicately.

"To paying debts," he says wryly, hefting it in a little toast before tipping his head back for a sizable swallow. The burn is welcome, he's always favored stronger liquors over endless ales, and he sets it back on the table. "I find it difficult to believe it did not become a conversation piece," he adds.