A/N: Central concept used with kind permission of NomDePlumLoki. Thank you for the inspiration!
The Odinsons met in a small, modest room, away from the gold of the great halls, because Loki had asked for it. Thor looked at his brother with a smile that suited him. It looked regal, Loki thought, and there was no jealousy in that realization. His brother was indeed King of Asgard, and he was doing well. He'd come such a long way...Thor cleared his throat. It snapped Loki out of his musings, and he straightened.
"What is it, brother?", Thor said, and there was only a hint of his Court Room Voice in it. Loki smiled to himself before he met his brother's eyes.
"There is something I need to do, and I would like to do it on Midgard."
Thor raised his eyebrows.
"Are you asking for my permission?"
"Well, that realm is a personal favorite of yours, so to speak...but no. I'd rather think of it as your – blessing."
Thor's eyebrows climbed even higher. Loki sighed.
"I just don't want to do it without your knowledge, especially since it's probably going to take a while."
"So, what exactly are you doing on Midgard?"
"I didn't mean -"
Loki sighed again.
"Look, I promise nobody is going to get hurt, and I'll return to Asgard as soon as it's done. It's just – something that I need to do. For – myself."
"Cryptic..."
Loki held Thor's gaze until his brother nodded.
"I trust you, Loki", Thor said and pulled him into a hug. Then he took a step back.
"Take care of yourself. May your journey be rewarding."
Loki bowed his head and turned on his heels.
"Try not to mess up while I'm gone", he called over his shoulder, and Thor could hear his brother's trademark mocking smile in his voice. He wasn't entirely sure that he was doing the right thing, but he'd made a decision to trust Loki, and he'd stand by it.