He's grinding his teeth as he walks away, not even certain if he's angrier at Eyvindr, for being the complete arse he is, himself, for interfering in such a manner, or Synne, for being brought to his attention again before he was ready. Probably Eyvindr, the most deserving of the three. He wonders how much of that sort of thing she's dealt with while he was gone.
Some of the things Eyvindr was spouting were really vile. That's going to stop immediately.
In the meantime, Loki thinks, he has plans to make. With, all gods help him, his mother. Who is likely waiting for him.
Not only is Frigga waiting for him, so is Odin, and food. The sight of the table spread is almost enough to distract him from the presence of his father.
Almost.
Loki greets his mother with a hug and swift kiss, and trades nods with his father, who gestures at the table. "Eat, son," he rumbles. "I know you have not yet done so." His one eye twinkles.
Frigga waits until Loki fills a plate and takes the first bite before she speaks, hands folded in her lap. "I think I might guess the matter on which you wish to seek my advice, Loki."
He tries not to choke on the handful of grapes he just stuffed in his mouth. "Mother?" he manages, slightly gracelessly.
Odin places his hands on his wife's shoulders, and she reaches up to clasp them, both of them studying Loki. It's a little unnerving. "Loki," Odin begins, hesitates, and goes on, "do you love her?"
"Father?" He's actually really confused now.
"Don't play the fool with me, Loki. Answer the question."
He opens his mouth - and realises he has no idea what is about to come out of it. "I don't know?" he manages after a long silence.
Frigga frowns lightly. "What, precisely, were you planning to do, my son?"
He buries his face in his hands. "Make a big mistake, I think." Why does everything around him have to be so Hel-cursed complex? "I just want to be loved. Is that so much to ask?"
"Your father and I love you very much, as does your brother."
"That's not what I meant!" He's yanking at his own hair now, fingers scraping against his scalp.
"If it's just the physical release," Odin starts, and Loki interrupts, "I could have any girl in the palace if that was all I wanted!"
"What do you want, Loki?" His mother's voice is very gentle, as is the touch of her hand on his back.
"I want her! I need her! This whole time, away from Asgard, I felt like something was missing. Something important. And it is! It's her! What is wrong with me?" The words come pouring out in a torrent, swirling and swirling and never quite managing to capture the essence of his frustration. There's a long silence when he stops, until he looks up, to see his parents smiling at each other, practically glowing at each other.
Odin's eye shifts to Loki. "He'll do, my love," he tells his wife. Loki fancies he can see pride in that face. "He'll do."
As his father leaves the room, Loki looks at his mother, bewildered. "You're in love, dear," she tells him, still with that fond smile. She smooths his hair down from his frantic clawing until he pushes her hand away, ruffling it up again deliberately.
His face falls. "I'm going to completely ruin this, aren't I?"
"Not if you listen to your mother for once," she chides him. "Court her, darling. Remind her of all the reasons you have been friends for so long. Be as winsome as you know how to be." Frigga kneels down before Loki, taking his hands in hers. "My son, be truthful with her, and you cannot fail."
He gapes at her. Rising, she shuts his mouth with a finger and taps his plate. "Finish your food." Just before she leaves the room, she looks back. Loki looks up inquiringly. "Start with a gift."