They aren't friends. Holden is close with Stark. But he's been... polite? Kind? Understanding, perhaps, is the best word, towards Loki and Loki has had such relatively few interactions of that sort over even just recent history from people who know he's dangerous that he can't dismiss it. Or Holden's question.

Besides doesn't being something other than a liesmith include being honest about how you're feeling? Or something?

Loki tilts his chin upwards, swallows, nods. Can't have the universe thinking it's got him down, after all.

"Are all of the front line battles like this afterward?" He doesn't exactly think their side is losing the war but there are clear victories and there is... this.