"Mischief might be in your nature but I'm not one to antagonize my friends so I'll take wearing your mark over tormenting my friends. I think you can leave a hickie or a collar if that is what you intend." Steve was ruffled a little and hie irritation was beginning to show. "I think humiliating me will meet your goals without hurting anyone else."
Loki observed him closely for a moment, lifting his hand and brushing his thumb against Steve's cheek. "You're upset," he mused quietly, a hint of suppressed concern seeping into his demeanor. Showing this mortal a gentler side wasn't exactly in his plans, though he hadn't expected the hero to simply go along with what he'd suggested, despite Steve's irritation about the subject. After a moment, he dropped his hand away and studied the soldier silently, his gaze unwavering.
When he finally spoke, Loki's voice was quieter than it had been, a touch of disappointment in his tone. "You think it's humiliating? To be known as mine and show that you are? You wouldn't be the first, mortal or otherwise." He was silent for a bit longer, then added, "You speak of loyalty as though it's black and white, as though you can simply choose which pieces you partake in - but unwavering loyalty is just that: unwavering, unquestionable, undeniable."
The God shook his head slightly, subtly searching the mortal's features. "Even when someone asks one to do the impossible, they must find a way... because they want to prove to them that they are worthy of their affections, that they mean more to them than others. Here you stand, soldier, promising your fealty to me - and yet, you harbor annoyance at the task I present to you in which you can prove yourself, begrudgingly accepting my mark because you simply don't want to burden your 'friends.' That is not loyalty - not toward me, anyway."
