Though Idun did not realize she had done it, when Loki began to speak, when he uttered a single word to begin a sentence before hesitating, she held her breath. His opinion was one Idun valued beyond measure. He was her brother, her blood, and he filled that role far better than her actual brothers, her actual blood. Idori would never even attempt such a conversation with her. But Idun knew she could turn to Loki. She had always been able to, since their friendship first began. Whether troubles were light or grave, they were there for one another. But this was a different situation. Idun had never been in love before. Up until that very moment, Loki had no reason to even believe that love was something Idun had faith in. She hadn't.
But then along came that bard...
Idun exhaled when Loki finally continued speaking. It had not even been a great while, only a moment since he first began, but Idun somehow felt winded when she finally pushed out that held breath. His words had done that to her, she realized. He thought love was poison. As Loki continued, as his words washed over her, Idun could feel a building tightness in her chest. It was not sympathy, not at all. It was deep, terrible sorrow that her dear friend had so much pain locked away. As it seeped out, all she wished to do was hold him close and urge him to speak more explicitly.
But he would not. Not unless he chose to. Loki was strong-willed, and Idun would never change that about him. It would be impossible for her to ignore these terrible words, however. Idun opened her mouth to speak when Loki suddenly found her gaze again. He changed the topic back to her rapidly, and though her brow furrowed and her eyes reflected a lingering pool of sadness, she allowed it. She hated to push him, though it was sometimes necessary in the name of friendship.
"Loki...it would not be a confrontation," she said slowly. "I think...I think I would just like him to know that he changed me. For the better, I think. I do not wish for this emotion to become a poison. Loki...it has so much happiness and potential, and even though he loves another...perhaps showing me the existence of love is enough for me to feel grateful?" She smiled gently, finally closing the space between them to cup Loki's cheek, leaning up to press a delicate kiss to the other one. "My walls are safe. My heart is not poisoned. I think...I believe there was a poison there before, and it kept me from knowing the true beauty of love...but he helped rid me of that. I'll be glad for his happiness. He gave me a wonderful gift, even with love unrequited..."