"You lied to me, brother."
Loki looked up from his book at long last. Thor was standing in the doorway to his room, arms at his sides and fists clenched. Loki put the book down on the table and turned towards him in the chair.
"You lied to me about reforming," said Thor tensely.
"I did not," Loki returned. He crossed his brows. "Why would you say otherwise?"
Thor took a breath. "You went to the World Tree where Heimdall could not see you. Then suddenly you were in Jotunheim. Next, Helblindi sent word to Odin that precious artifacts had been stolen from his palace, and I find you here reading ancient texts."
"As I've always done, Thor," Loki snapped. "Are you accusing me of stealing artifacts from Jotunheim? Is that what this is?"
"I wish I could say otherwise, brother, but even I can see the events line up."
Loki stared. The problem with being the Liesmith of Asgard was that even when he told the truth, no one knew when to believe him. Even though his deeds spoke only good things of him as of late, a single misunderstanding could twist everything around and make him into the villain again. Yet his only way to make the truth known was through witnesses, and even though Thor hadn't been there in Jotunheim, whatever Thor said about Loki's trip would determine what everyone else said about it. Thor had to know the truth. The trick was breaking through his brother's anger.
"Thor," Loki began. "Since you saved me from the Void, I have spoken nothing but the truth. Heimdall's all-seeing eyes can tell you so. You know this."
Thor stared for a moment, but eventually nodded and stepped into the room.
"Then believe me now, brother," Loki said, lower. "I went into Jotunheim to inform Helblindi of his stolen artifacts."
"What?" said Thor.
"I saw them in the hands of a stranger, walking the streets of Asgard. I knew Odin wouldn't believe me if I told him, so I went directly to the Jotunn king himself. He was only supposed to tell Odin to… keep an eye out for them. Perhaps send Asgardians to look and investigate. But I see the giant didn't think to elaborate on the situation."
Thor watched his brother carefully, allowing Loki to watch his changing expressions. He looked apologetic now and bowed his head, as he seemed to nearly deflate. Something in Loki's stomach clenched. "I am sorry, brother," said Thor, "that my first instinct was to blame you. You know that I trust you."
Loki swallowed. Yes, he knew that. He knew it well. Thor was the only person that trusted him. In the past, his blind faith had only led him into trouble when it came to his brother, but now it could be the catalyst for changing Asgard's perceptions of him. Now it was the anchor that kept Loki inspired to lie for the good of people, and not for a selfish agenda.
"Don't worry, Thor," said the smaller figure in the room. "I am used to accusations. Let them come."
Thor creased his brow in worry, but could find no argument against his brother. His shoulders finally lost their tension as he nodded and took his leave of Loki's bedroom.
Let them come, Loki thought, so long as one person still stands behind me.
