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‟Oh- Fine.” Thor smirked, turning back to where his brother was lounging. Very pointedly - no one could lounge pointedly like Loki when he chose; it was distracting, all long legs and lean, sleek frame on display. ‟I dare you.” Thor challenged, raising his eyebrows.
Loki’s brow twitched, eyes glinting.
‟Has that ever worked on me?” Loki asked, lips quirking.
Thor opened his mouth, then paused. He huffed. ‟I thought. . . I thought it worth a try.”
Loki snickered, and Thor scowled at him. The flash of Loki’s answering smile - striking, pretty, and sharp as the edge of a star - was more indulgent than cruel.
The right mood.
‟It works when you use it.” Thor said, trying not to be too sulky.
Loki tossed his feet to the floor, leaning forwards. ‟I use it on imbecilic, bravado-poisoned warriors - or those who wish to think they are.” His lips twitched, sea-glass eyes warming.
Thor sighed. ‟Not tricky, silver-tongued, impossible sorcerers, eh?” he said wryly.
‟Tailor your bait.” Loki agreed, but the flickering curl of his lips said he was pleased.
And he’d first closed his book - one finger holding his place - then set it aside entirely, focus on Thor. He had yet to pick it up again.
Because Thor did know exactly how to tempt his brother into things - as much as one could, with Loki.
Piquing his interest or his curiosity was far, far better than taunting him - challenging him with a puzzle, perhaps, but not a trial, and definitely not an insult.
Loki might rise to them, might win - decisively, as Loki often won, in the end - but left in a cold, vicious mood.
That wasn’t what Thor was after.
He huffed and sulked, just enough that Loki laughed and prodded in turn, teasing, and even, eventually, soothed - with the condescending edge any of their friends might expect, yes, but softened by fond warmth perhaps no one save Thor and their mother would.
Finally Loki snorted and rose, leaving his book and slinking towards Thor, attention thoroughly snared.
Thor didn’t bother to hide his grin, his pride and pleasure. Loki arched a brow, but returned the smile, eyes lit with knowing mischief. And pleasure of his own.
If he was pleased that Thor revelled so in his attention - would work so hard for it - well . . . fair enough. It was true, after all, and while Thor loved being admired, there were few whose regard was anything like so satisfying to earn. Perhaps because Loki’s regard was both eternal - he had, always, loved Thor - and something he had to work for.
‟Well, brother-mine.” Loki said, impish. ‟You have piqued me.” His smirk said he knew that had been Thor’s goal, but that was fine; Thor rarely tried to hide things from his brother. It wasn’t worth it. ‟Whatever do you plan to do with me?”
Thor opened his mouth, then closed it. Loki laughed, prowling closer. He trailed his fingers over Thor’s belly. ‟Shall I take over?” he asked, lips brushing Thor’s ear.