Oh. Loki bit their lower lip, a little surprised at how warming that was to hear. And maybe a bit surprising too. Like something new and exciting and time tested, all at once.
What mattered most, really, was that Loki believed him when he said so, when he volunteered himself for help.
Loki didn't respond, but they did step in a little closer, fingers finding their way to Stephen's shoulders. "Oh, Stephen," Loki said, bemused. "You were already insufferable."
It wasn't so, but Loki wouldn't have been Loki if they hadn't said so. They soothed the snark by closing the slight space between them for a kiss.