I'm sorry about the mess, [ he adds belatedly, watching loki's consternation over his books, and other stacks. feeling uncomfortably like one of his parents, ] I wasn't expecting visitors.

[ but loki's last admission makes him sigh, shake his head. ]

I was afraid you'd say that. He's told me a thing or two about you, and most of it before you got here.

[ loyally, lest loki think tony's been going around badmouthing him. which isn't impossible, but yk. if the man in front of him is even half as dangerous as tony's made him sound, this could be a dangerous admission; but jim's willing to take the chance. he crosses his arms, goes on, ]

But I'm hoping your world domination days really are behind you, if I'm being honest.