Loki started, grabbing Thor's wrist. For a moment he thought to slap his brother away, step back. But no, he could use this to his advantage. He let Thor take his shoulder, and struggled to put aside all of the emotion that had welled up in him. It felt like a scream trapped in his throat, and he wasn't used to being so tangled up in his own feelings.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, for a moment staring at the floor as if he'd been caught, ashamed. It was an act, he told himself. He wasn't truly ashamed. Or perhaps... no, at the very least soon he would have no need for such shame. "Forgive me, brother. King. I have let my temper master me, and I should know better than that."

Loki looked back up at Thor, meeting his brother's eyes. He let some of the utter hollowness he felt creep into his gaze. "You saw what was done to Sif. Her injuries are as much on their hands as the traitor's, and still they shelter that... bitch. They would make an ally of her in their attack upon us." He shook his head, swallowed hard as if he fought some queasiness. "You have not seen them as I have. I have walked among them to gather the news I brought to you. They are beasts and I would be dead before I would let one set foot in Asgard or lay a hand upon one of her people. You know how little love I have for some of our fellows at times. Consider that, and understand that what I have seen and heard has left me... greatly disturbed."