Loki sighed. "I still am what I am," he said quietly. He suddenly laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, the self-pity in which I wallow. But... having found out that I'm the... the m-monster under the bed, you'll have to forgive me if I'd rather just take my opportunity to pretend I've escaped it." He quieted down again.

Because that was part of the problem. No matter how much he might lie, he was always still what he was. But it was easier, with no one else reminding him of it.

"I know," he said. "And you have my gratitude." Perhaps Soma didn't realize how lucky she was, that he liked her, that he actually cared about her to begin with and wished to see to her safety. No need to spell it out, though. If she didn't know his capacity for cruelty, that was probably for the best.