"That is what I mean," Loki said, his voice soft and mild, as if the sunlight had melted it slightly. "I am glad you find more affection for me. That suggests my own behaviour is to blame, unless you have suddenly become much less stubborn than usual."

In reality, Loki's cares about others' opinions of him were starting to become much more fluid. Some days he found he cared very much; others he couldn't give a damn, and it also depended on the person. Thor's opinion of him, for example, was flunctuating so violently along Loki's list of priorities he had almost done away with it alltogether. Sif upset him less, annoyed him less. Loki felt more readily able to hang onto her, for the time being. As for the world at large, Loki have given up being concerned with its viewpoint of him alltogether.

As to the thought he was changing for the better, well. He supposed that wasn't such a big surprise, nor something he was wary of. Loki had been unhappy as he was on Asgard, and that was as good an indication as any that he could not remain in stasis, he needed to move forward. He was settling into it again, which served as a warning. He didn't think he was done yet.