"Yeah?" He smiles gently at him. "Sometimes I feel that way too, to be honest with you. Got kind of a rough start. Makes me wonder sometimes if I wasn't expected to make it this far."

"But I did." His smile blossoms into a bright grin. "'Cause here we are. Stubborn as shit, the both of us."

In their own different ways. Ancient mountains and arctic landscapes have a way of rewarding determination, even in those that seem too delicate to thrive there.

Cricket has no inkling what's in Loki's head now, but he'll find out soon enough. In the meantime, he's just relieved that the question he asked hasn't dampened the mood. "Maybe your fortunes are changing?" he suggests. "Nexus has a way of doing that."

"Don't have to decide for good right now. I just wanted t' know if it was possible. 'Cause I sure as hell ain't ready now, but I think some day I might be."