.Sacrifice.
Betrayal had followed him out of Hel, curdling to despair when abandoned to the suffocating darkness of a cave. Hate seethed and twisted with disgust when ordered to obey, sacrificing many to save one selfish boy. Loneliness ebbed with the addition of a fire-breathing mutt, though pride would never allow such a confession, while caution and suspicion gave way to curiosity and guarded amusement over his preoccupation with all things Midgard.
Feigned embarrassments hide blossoming warmth, though in truth they were rarely feigned. Mocking words lost their edge, settling into awkward comforts that might have been tender if they were anyone else.
Fear kept her rooted when the line of friendship blurred, desires conflicting with duty of an evanescent being. Sacrifice was in her nature.