nexus_crossings | +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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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.

+1 King of Asgard

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