The world is different now, it has been since the invasion. New York is particularly changed, and it hasn't felt quite the same in years. I'm not sure it'll ever get back to the way it was, but that might not be a bad thing—we're moving forward. Learning every day to adapt to the new reality; we've never been alone out there.

It's been a tough pill to swallow.

Particularly since the Asgardians lost their home, and settled here a few months ago. Progress toward acceptance and solidarity toward them has been pushed and shoved in all sorts of directions. Some in immensely kind and positive ones, and others that've required S.H.I.E.L.D agents to be stationed around the buildings that the Asgardians are living in.

There are plenty of people who are averse to anything and anyone new and different, causing all sorts of trouble around town. I wish I could say it was a small minority of New Yorkers, but they've become a sizable group of terrorists, and everyone's afraid to walk alone these days—or voice their true opinions about our Asgardian guests.

Thankfully, the majority of my fellow city dwellers have been kind and accepting. And personally, I think that's a better thing to focus on in the daily news.

Apart from that, the world has gone on like it always has. The immediate world around me goes on in all its particular retail glory. I count my blessings that I get paid for my work with the Academy, otherwise I'd be stuck in a book store all days of the week, instead of just outside my rehearsal days. And like any other sleep deprived, haggard-yet-youthful human being trying to find their place in the world, I'm grateful for the surplus of opportunities—regardless of my lapsing into exhaustive mini-comas each and every night.

It should be understandable, then, why I get upset with a certain boyfriend of mine for keeping me waiting after a long, arduous day...I've had to wait for Daniel to finish off at Stark tower before, but never this long. He's a S.H.I.E.L.D agent, and a damn good one from what Pepper's told me—apparently the ever famous Iron Man thinks so secretly, but he'll brush off the question if anyone asks, and Pepper's not allowed to formally comment on his behalf to her "BFFFLSIHTPUWHT."

In other words, her "best friend for fucking life so I have to put up with her too."

It's been almost forty five minutes since my shift ended at Barnes & Noble, and I've been sitting alone in one of the small armchairs in the waiting area—awkwardly fiddling with my thumbs, and absently staring off into space. Apparently some high-profile security meeting has been going for several hours now, holding him up later than usual. I'm almost tempted to text him and let him know we can reschedule, but instead end up glancing at my phone every few minutes to see if there's any word from him.

I look around the elegant lobby—noting that Tony really did a number on designing this place. Every single surface is so damn shiny and glossy, it just gives the place a sense of enormity from the reflections alone. There's one reception desk at the front, and the elevators are just behind it. And once I'm done paging through some of the 5-year-old magazines that Tony insists on never updating on his coffee table, I lean back in the chair and start to doze off—letting my long, natural curls tumble over my chest and keep me just a tiny bit more warm.

I barely reach being half-asleep-and-drooling before I suddenly hear two elevator 'dings,' followed by a multitude of footsteps. I open my eyes and lean forward in the chair, uncrossing my legs as I peer hazily across the lobby.

I look back down and grab my half-drunk hazelnut latte off the table as I stand up, and stroll out of the waiting area. There, I see Tony and Pepper at the front of the group converging from the elevators.

Daniel's face eases out of the crowd. There are four other figures that stand out particularly among his entourage—three men and one woman. None are wearing suits, and the tall, muscular blonde man wearing a zip-up hoodie is particularly familiar.

My eyes widen at the sight of Thor Odinson—Avenger. God of Thunder. Even hotter in person than in the picture. The man behind him has golden eyes and dreadlocks, and is wearing a black coat. Beside him is a sharp-looking woman with long black hair, dressed as half-casually as Pepper and I are...but the fourth man is hard to perceive, being surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D agents—Daniel among them. From here, I can only see a dour expression and dark hair slicked back behind his ears, reaching down to his shoulders in loose curls. I can vaguely make out a black suit, but I'm not entirely sure from here.

"Cerys!" Pepper greets me, turning my attention back to her as she walks over to give me a hug.

"Hey guys," I smile, and gesture to the entourage as Tony steps over to us. "Good to see you—what's going on today?"

"Nothing to be concerned about," says Tony, pointedly grabbing the coffee out of my hand and taking a sip. I arch a brow amusedly as he makes a face—the man doesn't like hazelnut. "Gross," he says, handing it back to me.

Pepper rolls her eyes and answers, "Yeah, we just had a meeting—security issues, mostly."

"I Heard," my eyes widen as I glance over her shoulder, seeing the two men and women heading toward us. "So, are those all... the Asgardians?"

She nods, turning back toward them. "Yup."

I look over at Tony, hushing my voice as I eye the tallest among them. "The big one's supposed to be Thor, right?"

"We're not close enough for me to know his specs," he shrugs sarcastically, and gestures toward him as he approaches. "But yes, this is Thor." He nods as the man approaches. "Thor, this is our good friend Cerys. Cerys, you've undoubtedly heard of Thor. God of Thunder."

With a friendly smile, Thor turns his attention to me. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Cerys. I'm Thor—this is Heimdall and the Lady Sif. Over there's my brother, Loki," Thor gestures to the entourage, and his brother's emerald eyes flicker up—as though he'd heard his name across the room. He meets my curious gaze once, and looks away.

I bob my head respectfully toward them. "Well I'm honored to meet you all."

"Likewise—how do you know Stark?" Thor steps back, crossing his arms behind his massive torso.

I offer a friendly grin. "He and Pepper came to a show of mine last year, they were our front-row guests."

"A show?" he asks. "Are you a performer of sorts?"

I tilt my head with a sideways shrug. "Of sorts. I sing and dance with Liberty Academy, we perform at the remembrance festival every year, and—"

Daniel pops out suddenly in the corner of my eye—flashing a big white smile to match his big, brown eyes. "Hey there—sorry to keep you waiting," he stalks over and kisses my cheek, and glances at the others hesitantly. "Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but can I actually talk to you for a sec?"

"Oh, uh—yeah, sure, I guess?"

I glance at Pepper and shrug, before sauntering off to the side with him. In the corner of my eye, I see that the other agents have fully dispersed, leaving only two at the Thor's brother's side. He's much larger than any of them, just like his brother and the other Asgardians. Tall and slender, but physically very large. Which I guess is fitting— these people are all supposed to be gods. He glances up at me with perfect timing, as though he knew I'd been looking in his direction, and I sweep my gaze away sharply—coming to a stop with Daniel next to the couches.

"So I wanted to text you this, but they actually asked me to work late," his brow furrows regretfully. "So, I can't actually hang out tonight..."

My shoulders slump. "Seriously?"

"I know." He runs his hands over my arms. "I know...but we're all pulling extra shifts right now. We're escorting the Asgardians home and then staying outside the building all night tonight."

"Why tonight?" I ask, glancing to my left—where Thor's brother is now approaching the others slowly.

"There were some threats, so they decided to assign some extra security."

I thin my lips and peer up at him annoyedly, considering his words for a moment. "Okay," I finally grumble angrily. "Find a damn minute to shoot me a text so I don't wait up for you next time. Make one if you have to."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that too," he nods at my side. "Damn meeting... it won't happen again though, I promise."

We stare at each other motionlessly for a moment, and an uncomfortable feeling flickers in my chest as he's the first to look away—this just isn't the sort of thing that my mother would want me to put up with from a man. But I guess it can't be helped when said man is a S.H.I.E.L.D agent—maybe the meeting really was just way too busy for him to have time to shoot me a text. The thought alone incited a glimmer of guilt at my own harshness.

We saunter back toward the others. "Admit it Tony," I sigh as we get close, gesturing over my shoulder. "You're sleeping with him, aren't you? That's why you keep giving him the night shift."

A blasé look of shock breaks out in his expression. "Excuse me, what kind of girl do you think I am?"

"The queen of drama, now let's go." Pepper tousles his hair, messing it up intentionally, and faces me. "By the way—we're having dinner here tomorrow night, you should come by. Maybe a little earlier, help me out with some of the cooking?"

"Sure, I'd love to!"

"You're invited too, Daniel," she looks at him, and gestures to the group. "Everyone's coming, so..."

"Tomorrow?" he asks. "Oh I can't make it tomorrow." I look over at him confusedly, and he glances down at me. "I'm going to Jersey to see my parents, it's my brother's birthday."

I widen my eyes slightly—poorly attempting to conceal my surprise at the news. I had no idea it was his brother's birthday, and I obviously didn't get an invitation to meet his family or anything.

Another thing mom probably wouldn't be happy to hear me complain about, after all these months.

"That's too bad." Pepper turns to me. "It'll be just us then—and all of you of course," she says to the Asgardians. "You guys are going to love what we're making. I don't know if you've ever had enchiladas, but you'll have my enchiladas tomorrow."

"Oh, God..." My mouth waters at the thought—briefly distracting me from my moderately dysfunctional relationship. "Those poor other plans never stood a chance."

Thor nods politely. "Well I'm certain I don't know what that is, but it sounds exotic and delicious."

"It is, you'll see," I turn to him—seeing his brother's eyes darting between us. I face him slightly, holding a hand out. "I'm Cerys, by the way—nice to meet you."

His emerald eyes fall down to my hand for a moment, then flicker back up to meet mine. I could swear upon seeing a small movement ripple in the corner of his mouth, but it's not a smile, nor a frown—some illegible twitch, while he himself stares down at my hand. With his hands resting in the pockets of his black suit, he turns abruptly and leaves, heading toward the glass doors.

Embarrassment flushes through me as I lower my hand awkwardly, looking about the group—pausing over Thor's two companions. They peer intently at Loki for a moment, before exchanging glances and following after him in a brisk pace.

Thor sighs, and raises a hand to me. "I apologize—please don't take that personally. My brother's not in the best of moods tonight."

I grin warmly, masking the bitter aftertaste of that small interaction. "Oh it's alright, it happens."

"I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow," he bows slightly toward me. "And hearing more about your performance."

A full-on smile stretches across my face. "That's very sweet, thank you."

A hand suddenly appears gently on my shoulder, and I look up at Daniel. "It's getting kind of late—I'll walk you home if you want," he remarks with a subtle grin, trying to mask that telling expression—the twinge of jealousy in the corner of his eye.

Can't say I blame him entirely for it. S.H.I.E.L.D or no S.H.I.E.L.D, he's still just a guy. And he's been watching his girlfriend converse with a handsome Norse god for ten or so minutes. Perfectly normal response, I think...

Daniel knows I only live a few blocks down, and I wait as he announces to Tony that he'll be back soon. Meanwhile, I say my goodbyes before letting him nudge me toward the door, where the wall of cold night air hits me once again. On the way out, I nod to Heimdall and Lady Sif once we're outside, though my grin douses a bit as I peer up at Loki—connecting with his sullen, green eyes for a moment before looking away. Rather demonstrably, at that—god or not, even in my worst moods, I'm never willfully rude. And not particularly upset over a stranger's lack of courtesy, but I'm not obliged to respond kindly—and he's not obliged to associate with me at all.

Hey everyone! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the story from here. It's about to be a bumpy and exciting ride! Please do leave me your thoughts along the way! Thank you - till next time! :)