nexus_crossings | +1 King of Asgard

+1 King of Asgard

Thor really should have no right to be as cheery as he is right now. Mjolnir destroyed, his father dead, his eye ruined, Asgard exploded, the last of his people crammed together onto a single spaceship on their way to seek aslyum on Midgard, one cannot really say they've been having a good day, to put it mildly.

But it could be worse.

It's taken him years to fully understand what it means to sit on the throne of Asgard, and now that kingship falls to him at last, the lack of that throne doesn't bother him at all. Asgard isn't a place to rule, it's a people to guide. And even if they couldn't save all of them, those who remain are precious to him. A new start awaits them all on Earth.

Or so he hopes.

Thor strides down the corridor of the Statesman, cape billowing behind him as he navigates his way towards the bridge. Hmm. Or was it this way? It's so easy to get turned around in this blasted thing. But ah, the sound of a multitude of voices; surely this is the way.

It takes him a moment to realize that he's no longer surrounded by Asgardians, or even Korg's crew. No, the people here are of all shapes and sizes, and the sky above him suddenly opens up, wide and blue. Not on a spaceship anymore. How very strange to find himself suddenly transported across the galaxy - again - without so much as being shot through the Bifrost. His attention is caught by a familiar voice, and despite his confusion, a delighted grin lights upon his countenance to see his good friend Rogers giving prerecorded messages in his battle regalia.

Perhaps this is Midgard, then? But no, the more he listens, the more he understands. A place between the worlds, hmm. A place to seek counsel, and befriend countless warriors from across the universe. Thor crosses his arms over his chest, and contemplates what question he should ask. Something somewhat relevant to his current situation, perhaps. "If you were put in a position of power, what would you first command?"

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"Tell me about it. Actually, yeah, you want to come back to my place? You look like you could use a beer and a minute's rest."

Steve moves the shield round to settle on his back with the same confidence and control he would his other shield so it seems to be a decent replacement. All the better to have his hands free when he claps Thor back on the shoulder.

"Not yours, but definitely the look. I know another captain who wears it like this." Might have taken a few pointers from him too. It's not as easy as it looks to make it look half decent. "Glad to have you back."

"If you boys are done flirting, I heard the word beer." Natasha gives both men a good natured roll of her eyes before she starts walking back toward the less crowded areas of the Plaza.

"That I could." Truth be told, Thor could probably use more than a minute's rest, but even that's more than he has had much time for lately.

Another captain? A likely story, Rogers. Thor smiles and decides to take that with some salt. But before he can call him out, Natasha is beckoning them towards a respite, and Thor decides to let him keep his dignity in favor of getting to the beer quicker. "You heard the lady."

"I've got a place here we use for a safe house in between missions."

Steve shoots Natasha a look but the spy doesn't even have to look over her shoulder to give a nod as she keeps walking through the plaza and toward a more residential area of the Nexus.

"I told him how you fucked up Steve, don't worry. We just chose to follow you." She's only half joking and Steve doesn't flinch away from the truth. He sighs instead and gives Thor a slow nod instead.

"She's right. We've been on the run for a while now. Hence the beard and Nat's new hair. Every little bit helps us avoid detection when we've got to come out and do work. At least until the fighting starts. Then it's pretty obvious who's who."

Well, it's a far more effective disguise than Thor's most recent attempt. Plus having a blanket over his head was rather uncomfortable, to boot. But then, they've had a little more time than five minutes to prepare, as well.

"Yes, so she said. Though she failed to mention what law was broken," Thor says, glancing over at Steve, brow furrowed slightly. Earth laws are so complex that he's never bothered to learn more than the bare-bones basics.

"...Steve chose his friend over the mission. The one we were on an all points bulletin to watch out for up to and during the shit in Sokovia I might add."

"Sokovia changed a lot of things. The government got involved. Said we were too dangerous to be allowed to operate without their sayso." Steve doesn't say anything about Bucky. Thor wasn't there for most of that fiasco and Steve doesn't have nearly enough to drink to talk about it.

Not that the beer he has at home does anything for him. It's mostly Natasha's. He just drinks it for the familiarity. The house they walk up to looks perfectly ordinary. The sort of place a new family might settle into. For once the house is quiet when Steve opens the door. An orange doglike creature and a chunky little yellow dinosaur with a funny growth on her head are curled up together taking an afternoon nap on the loveseat by the window facing the front door. Aside from a sleepy noise they don't move for Steve and his friends.

"Those're the gals. They watch over the place when I'm on assignment with some help now and then. I'll introduce you properly when they're awake."

Thor listens, frowning, as he follows Natasha at Rogers' side. Sokovia had been a success, he'd thought. Ultron defeated, a majority of civilians saved from the battle, and a new ally or two recruited to their ranks. It wasn't like Stark and Banner had meant to create a lifeform bent on genocide.

Nor had Odin, his subconscious whispers. And though the Allfather was a wise, good king in the centuries since Thor's birth, Thor has recently begun to realize that some villains' hatred for Asgard may not be entirely unwarranted or unjustified.

A disconcerting thought.

But even so, perhaps the Earth government meddled far deeper than their right, shackling their mightiest for fear of their power. Where once he would have leaped to conclusions, Thor holds himself back, unwilling to speak ill of situations he does not fully understand. Whatever has befallen his shieldbrothers, these two at least are safe, and that is worth celebrating. "How fortunate that you too have discovered this haven, then."

Rogers' house is almost pretty in that quaint Midgardian way, and Thor casts a side glance at the coat hooks in the entryway as they pass, a flicker of loss in his heart that he has no hammer to hang there. But it's a momentary thought only, set aside as he looks around the interior, rubbernecking a bit more than usual to compensate for his blind side. "I look forward to meeting them," he says with a smile, peering curiously at the sleeping creatures. What a pair they make!

"Technically Natasha found it."

Steve doesn't want to get lost in the weeds talking about the time travel and alternate universe hopping he's done since his time in the Nexus first began. It's a huge headache and he doesn't even fully understand it.

"I've got a safe house built around the portal to contain and monitor it back in our world. Courtesy of Nick Fury. All the paperwork on it disappeared when SHIELD dissolved, so we're the only ones who know about it now." Natasha pipes up from the kitchen, tossing Thor a cold bottle as she emerges from the doorway to the right of the front hall. She'll toss another to Steve too.

"We decided hiding out here was safer than anything else we could do once things went downhill. The whole Accords situation was a huge mess start to finish." Steve sighs while he pries off the cap on the bottle. "And Natasha's right. A big part of that is on me."

If Thor notices Steve is leaving something out, he gives no sign of it. He nearly fumbles the catch, still getting used to this whole lack-of-depth-perception thing, but manages to snag the beer bottle and only make it look slightly awkward.

He pops off the cap with his thumb with ease and finds someplace comfortable to sit, listening to them both as he takes a swig from the bottle. "Because you disregarded orders. Your friend, did you get him?" Was it worth it, in other words.

"Oh. Right, sorry."

Natasha has the decency to look appropriately guilty at Thor's fumbling with the drink. In their time working together it's become natural for her to have a general level of familiarity around Thor and while they've been separated for a couple of years now she'd been trying to show that same level of relaxation around him.

Kind of overlooked the eyepatch though.

"It was a set up. But I got him. I protected him, and he's somewhere safe now. Recovering from what was put into his head without his say so." It was worth it to Steve. He'd do it again. He's not sure of much anymore but he is sure of that.

"Problem is, Steve's friend did a lot of not so good work while he was under HYDRA control. Including hurting Tony's family. So on top of them fighting about the Accords, when Tony finds out Steve's friend had a hand in his own family trauma things really tank."

Steve doesn't deny it either. He'd choose to protect Bucky again and refuse the Accords again no problems there. But keeping quiet about everything The Asset was responsible for was a bad idea.

"I sent Tony a way to contact me after we both had time to cool off, but we were trading blows that could have killed last time we saw each other so I figure it'd take the end of the world for him to reach out to me at this point."

Thor is quick to smile at her apology, and he raises the bottle slightly in appreciation. No hard feelings here, Natasha. It's the thought that counts.

As for the rest... he's certainly no stranger to long-buried secrets rearing their ugly heads and causing no end of trouble, some more recently than others. But it saddens him to hear that one such secret has caused the Avengers to fracture, both sides with perfectly legitimate grievances to bear. Thor frowns as he listens. "A difficult situation indeed. I'm sorry I was not there to aid you." Though what he could have done is anyone's guess.

Steve sips at the drink before setting it aside. It might as well be tasty water for the good it does him but he does still enjoy the flavor. He feels raw airing all of this out like this but he's done with secrets. Much as he can be anyway. As much as he respects Natasha and everything Peggy taught him, Steve's no good at lying and sneaking around peoples' backs.

It doesn't sit well with him either. He's been trying to be better and that means airing all of this out. The good and the bad, when he's catching up his Asgardian friend.

"Sorry we couldn't be there to help with your situation either. You look...rough."

"He wants to know how you lost the eye."
"I can speak for myself Nat."
"I know, but you weren't getting to the point." As the only person in the room who can properly enjoy the drink in front of her, Natasha is pacing herself.

Thor's free hand reaches up to touch the eyepatch, almost self-consciously, though every waking moment can't help but remind him of its presence. A younger Thor might've found it a glorious war wound, but that was before he truly understood the gravity of it all. Now he knows better.

"This was Hela's doing. The goddess of death, and my sister." Even now it seems strange to say, to acknowledge her existence after centuries of ignorance. But her influence is undeniable; one need only look at him to prove that.

Thor shakes his head, rewinding his tale to the beginning. Or closer to it. Steve's not the only one who's become tired of secrets. "I returned to Asgard after a year away to find Loki on the throne in my father's guise, having banished Odin to Earth. By the time we found him, it was too late; old age had taken its toll, and he was near his end. He warned us of Hela, imprisoned centuries before my birth, her name erased from our histories, and that her prison's magics would die with him. No sooner did Odin's life leave him that she found us, and destroyed Mjolnir with a single hand."

"We were all three caught up in the Bifrost together, but Hela cast us out before we could arrive, and Loki and I were trapped on a planet called Sakaar, where none are ever allowed to leave. It's there that I found Banner," he says, his gaze lifting to Natasha. "Or rather the Hulk, serving as champion of the Grandmaster's gladiatorial games, my opponent in the arena. As well as an Asgardian, a Valkyrie, who had faced Hela in battle once before." There's more to that part of the story, of course, but it's not the tale they're waiting to hear. Maybe later.

"We managed to stage a jailbreak and steal a ship to take us back to Asgard, but Hela had had days to secure her power, slaughtering our army nearly to a man, and raising entombed soldiers to do her will. Heimdall had managed to hide away a good number of common folk, and to distract her long enough to let them escape, I fought her in single combat. She cut out my eye, and in return I struck her with the most powerful lightning I have ever summoned. It did not even slow her step." Of all the people who may one day hear this story, Thor knows the two humans here will appreciate the weight of implications that accompany that statement. "Her power was drawn from the realm of Asgard itself, and so to save my people... we caused Ragnarok. By my order."

Edited 2018-09-08 11:27 (UTC)

That's a hell of a story, though Steve's gaze snaps from Thor to Natasha at the mention of Banner being found too. The blonde says nothing though and sips her drink pointedly so Steve's pretty sure she must have found out that part already. Two of their number on a place called Sakaar. Strange, but lucky that Thor was able to bring him back.

Not like, Here back though. From the looks of things.

"I'm sorry for your loss." It's Natasha who speaks up first. Leaning forward from the doorway she's leaning in from. It sounds an awful lot like Bruce, this Valkyrie, and Loki are all free and together on whatever ship he mentioned before when they made their escape. It's a strange thought to have Loki and Bruce together in the same place without a Code Green coming of it but there you go.

"You destroyed Asgard to stop her. But what's left of the people...they're safe with you." Is Steve hearing this right? To not have any effect with all of his powers. To destroy Mjolnir as though it was nothing. Thor's sister sounds way out of their depth insofar as powers go. "What's the plan now?"

And how can he and Nat help, more importantly.

"Thank you." No matter which loss she refers to, the sympathy is still appreciated. It's been bad times all around, it seems. But knowing that what's left of his people are safe is enough to keep him going, bolstered by the pleasure of seeing his human comrades again. Despite the circumstances.

Things could be way worse.

"Yes," Thor answers, looking back to Rogers. "The realm is lost, but the survivors are safe aboard the Statesman. And some friends we made along the way," he adds, a slightly more lighthearted smile coming to him at the thought of them. Not the most likely of allies, but welcomed regardless.

That smile becomes an ironic one as he thinks about his options. "Well, I had planned to bring them to Earth, and seek asylum there. But from what you've told me, that might be more complicated than I'd thought."

"Oh...well." Natasha exchanges a look with Steve and the captain inhales sharply before settling back in his seat. Loki being among the survivors means Thor most definitely wont' want to bring them to the States right now, such as they are. Then again, neither Steve or Natasha are welcome there right now either.

"I can call a guy see if he's got any ideas. Wakanda might be safer than America right now." It breaks his heart to see the States so closed off against immigrants and anyone even remotely different than their picture of normal these days. Among other reasons.

"We won't leave you and yours hanging out in space. But someone's going to have to keep an eye on your brother." Especially if Bruce isn't doing it. Natasha is used to playing the bad guy among her friends and it does need to be said.

Wakanda? The name rings a faint bell, and after a moment's thought, he remembers it as the source of the vibranium Ultron used to create the body of the Vision. That's about the extent of his knowledge, though. Earth has way too many countries for him to have learned them all already, not when he's only been to a handful. "I had Norway in mind, but if Wakanda is safer and we are welcome there, I'll take it." He can't afford to be picky, not now, and he's learned a little of patience. Just because he can't have something now does not mean it might not come later, in time. Safety of his people is far more important than sentimentality.

Once, he might have leaped to defense of a brother who's already had too many second chances, hoping that somewhere in there, the brother he thought he knew still waits for him to dig deeply enough to uncover him. And maybe he is. But Loki has proven his dangers a hundred times over, and even Thor's love for his brother is not enough anymore, nor are Loki's helpful actions enough to balance the scales. "Agreed. We would not have left Sakaar without his aid, nor destroyed Asgard. But he is still Loki. When he sees an opportunity, he will take it."

"I mean, Norway's also an option if you know people there. I don't have an in with the people running that country though. Nat?"

"Mm. Not anymore." She turns the bottle in her hands before glancing back up at Steve and Thor. "What? It's been a while since I've done much work that wasn't for SHIELD or the Avengers."

Both Steve and Natasha relax at their friend being reasonable about his brother's reputation and antics for a change. In a way it's disheartening to Steve that Thor has to have learned that lesson because something must have happened severely enough for it to stick. On the other, he's glad he won't have to explain why they're on guard around the God of Mischief and Lies.

"Well, at least we're all on the same page, this time." Steve sighs. He wishes the same page they were on wasn't such a dark one, stained with mistakes on all sides. But here they are, whether they want it or not. "If all else fails, taking them here to the Nexus is an option."

"I do not," Thor admits. The only humans he knew there have been dead for centuries, so there's no leverage to be had on his side of things. "My father suggested it, when he last spoke to me. But he also said that Asgard is where our people stand, and I would see them safe above all else." His human friends understand the political situation far better than he, and he'll trust their judgment far better than his own in this matter.

That they have to relax at all about this shames him. How many times has he defended Loki, even after knowing what crimes his brother has committed, that they would fear his reaction to their well-placed mistrust? Loki is not evil; Thor still believes that with all his heart. But he's not to be trusted beyond his own interests, whatever that may be at the moment.

Thor's eyebrows go up a little at Rogers' suggestion, however. "Perhaps I could. It'll take the ship some time to make it to Earth, more than enough time to investigate alternatives, if your governments do not allow us entry."

"It's obviously not the best solution since this place is pretty unstable by nature but better than being stranded out in space, I'd wager. I'd rather your people find a home on Earth, same as you." Steve reaches over and grasps Thor's arm. Nods when the God meets his gaze. Steve means it. He's got your back, Thor.

"So, in the meantime...you want to borrow Rogers' bathroom?" Nat glances up at Thor with a pointed expression that says more than she does about how good a shower would do the other.

Thor nods, and grasps the captain’s arm in return. Message received and appreciated.

As is Natasha’s. Thor looks down at himself, and he must admit, he’s not exactly looking his best. His armor has seen better days, his cape tattered at the hems, and the less said about the various scents still clinging to him, the better. “A king in rags,” he murmurs, only faintly amused by the thought, before raising his gaze again. “I’d appreciate that. And a change of clothes, if you have any to fit me.”

"My clothes should fit you. Might be a bit tight but you're welcome to whatever you can find in my closet."

Steve gets to his feet with a much more familiar smile as he moves to lead Thor upstairs to where the bathroom and Steve's bedroom are. The bathroom is pretty standard affair and much easier to navigate than the ones in Avengers' tower back when Thor and Steve were frequent visitors to the place. The god of thunder should be able to navigate that easily.

"That's because Steve likes his clothes to just about be bursting at the seams." Natasha rolls her eyes fondly. It's not as though she's ever objected to the display. Besides it makes Steve sigh and flush a little bit in the face, though he doesn't deny it. He chose the look and he's sticking with it.

Thor's never been shy about investigating unfamiliar spaces, getting his bearings as he's shown around the place. And he doesn't bother hiding his fond chuckle at the familiar friendly needling either, something he's sorely missed from his time spent with the Avengers. "And rightfully so," he agrees, giving Steve's biceps a friendly punch. "Any warrior would be proud to look as you do." No matter how he got the muscles, why not show them off?

Their senses of style aren't exactly the same, but it's not like Thor is planning to be picky. There'll be time for that later, when he has a chance to visit a market and make his own purchases. For now, just the basics will do, and he has little trouble finding a suitable outfit. Even if the fit does end up being a little snug.

"I think I remember how Earth showers work," he says, mostly joking. As if he would've forgotten. "I won't be long."

While Thor takes a few minutes to relax and clean himself from the trials of the last few days for the god, Natasha and Steve sit downstairs and discuss in hushed tones what their next plans are. Whether anyone currently on their meager strike team is in danger if Loki makes his trip with Thor back to Earth. Really, so long as they keep he and Clint apart there shouldn't be too much direct trouble. They would have thought having Banner and the god together would have been even worse but evidently not.

Besides, it's a non-issue so long as Clint stays to ground with his family and out of the picture for the foreseeable future.

"...You don't like this." Steve murmurs around the dregs of his beer. It makes Natasha shoot Steve a glare but it's one that softens over only a few moments. Steve's gotten frighteningly good at reading her no matter what he says. She's not sure she likes that either.

"I don't like the uncertainty. Having to plan around the Nexus i one thing. Loki is..."
"He helped save Thor and his people, Nat."
"That doesn't mean anything for us humans and you know it." Natasha shakes her head. She wishes this were easier. Wishes she had an idea of what to make back ups for. Shes going to have to be extra vigilant in the Nexus going forward.

"I don't want to lose anyone else or fight our friends again, Steve."

It hadn't been unheard of for Thor to spend a good long time cleaning up after a battle, back when the Avengers tower was his temporary home away from home. He's done a good deal quicker this time around, however, after a brief and absurd moment when he realizes he's doled out way more shampoo than he needs now, and that there's nothing for him to braid back away from his face. It's more convenient, perhaps, but it's going to take some more getting used to.

He heads down the stairs once he's dressed, idly rubbing a hand through the short bristles on his head. He'll worry about cleaning and mending his armor later; there are more important things right now, and today's given him a lot to think over already.

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+1 King of Asgard

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