The unexpected question actually drags a laugh out of Thor, brief and startled, almost like a sob. It feels wrong to laugh, though, and the guilt creeps up his throat and seizes his voice before he can further dishonor the dead. He just shakes his head, instead, until he feels he can breathe again. "I'd rather not," he manages at last.

It's not remotely close to the first time Loki has chastised him for doing something reckless and stupid, and in days gone past, Thor would usually merely laugh it off or ignore it altogether. But he's no willful, spoiled child any longer, a boy who thinks nothing bad could ever come of his decisions. In the past year, Thor feels as though he's aged a thousand more, never mind the last day. So he just lifts his chin and answers, "The iris was broken. There was no other way."