“If it were a threat, what good do you really think tuning them in would do you?” Loki asks, eyebrows raised in polite curiosity. “Not everyone minds tarnishing their reputation.”

And there's nobody among them, even those who can jump through spacetime with a single thought, who could stop him before he could kill this little boy if he really wanted to. Not a one. “Some of us don't have much left to tarnish.”

His smile widens and he presses a hand to his chest, giving a shallow little bow. “Something to think on, the next time you decide to go wandering alone. Unless you think the meagre reward to be had in exposing an attacker would be worth your life.”

Loki looks Galen over, his gaze witheringly impassive. “Or you're hiding something truly impressive underneath that unassuming exterior... which I doubt.”