[ A few seconds pass before he nods slowly, drained from whatever manic energy that kept him going. He had been sure things were over. Perhaps they were not. Perhaps whatever tiny changes Loki has made — they finally matter. He returns to the couch, sinking quietly. ]

I did not mean to look at your memories. You were stone-walling and I was . . . I thought if it got worse, there might be no coming back. For you.