Thor watched the guards surrounding Notre Dame warily. He could not forgive himself for making these people's situation worse.
You set us up. Her words hurt him.
He had to make amends.
And besides, she was an impressive woman...
Being as nonchalant as he possibly could, as Captain of the Guard, he decided to just walk through the front door.
Of course, it worked. Probably because they wanted the gypsies, and he could chase them out.
Too bad for them.
Thor went to a winding staircase and started his ascent. He kept quiet, making sure no one was following him, but when he looked back in front of him, Anthony was standing there.
"Hi, I'm looking for the gypsies. Have you seen them?" Thor put on that innocent, cheerful smile.
"Don't know what you're talking about. Um, why are you here? I thought soldiers didn't have jurisdiction here."
"They don't...I came as a friend..." Thor checked behind him again. "This may sound strange, but I was hoping to help them escape so they can just get out of here. Thanos has lost his mind."
Anthony frowned. "You're going against your superior?"
Thor studied him. He made it this far. Why lie now? Especially given where they are. "I am."
"Well, you won't find them up there, and I'm not going to tell you where because clearly, I don't trust you."
"That's fair." Thor shrugged. "Then why don't you just give them a message for me?"
"Why do you want to help them?"
"Because they are completely innocent and do not deserve to be punished for nothing."
Anthony almost believed him, but he really did not trust the people he was currently protecting either. But he always had a soft spot for those seeking refuge here, and it was not his place to judge.
"Alright." He agreed.
"The guards will be weary and we have more men on standby at 3:00...I believe just before that time would be the best to help them escape."
"Oh, I can handle it just fine on my own." Anthony held up a hand to stop him. "I may not look it, but I am."
"Never said you weren't..." Thor let curiosity get the best of him. "If you don't mind me asking...are you the mysterious bellringer?"
"What's so mysterious about my job?"
"Nothing at all. You do marvelous work. It's just that, well, you never leave this place?"
"Ok, we're done here. Get out, unless you need to confess for any more trouble you're sure to cause..."
Anthony left him to go check on his refugees, wondering if maybe he was being too hard on the guy.
Can never be too careful.
"Don't tell me you're all light sleepers too." He saw them all awake, conversing quietly amongst each other about who knows what.
"What's wrong? Is someone coming?" Steve got up from the bed.
"No...um...got a hot tip that we need to leave in a few hours, once the first round of soldiers are getting delirious."
"First round?" Bucky repeated. "Jesus Christ, this guy's got the hots for us or what?"
"Bucky, not here, of all places." Steve said.
Carol was not surprised, and shivered at the mention of this man who would literally stop at nothing to-
"Carol? Talk to us, what's wrong?" Steve kept trying to ask.
"It's nothing...promise." She lied.
Thanos splashed water on his face, blending it with the sweat and tears from all of the emotions that have been plaguing him recently. He swore an oath to protect the people of Paris, and made a personal vow with God himself that he would be as righteous as a man could be...
And he failed miserably.
Because now, he felt an intense desire...lust, he dare not speak it...for this gypsy girl. This mysterious woman who was too confident and carefree for her own good. Running around in sin with unmarried men, living this nomadic life that ignored an honest pay, and therefore, honest way to salvation.
Yet, it was intoxicating, so tempting.
"Why am I so weak?" He questioned himself.
The fireplace crackled and sizzled, the heat whipping his back. He turned to look at it.
"She's like a flame, and I, a moth. Drawn to it with no control. Am I not loyal and faithful to you, Lord, and to my civic duty that you have blessed me with?" He prayed out loud. "Forgive me, for I have sinned, and...this desire feels so good..."
He watched the flames dance, but all he could see was her dancing. He fell into a trance...
This spell she has on him...
Closing his eyes, Thanos relived the sensation he felt when last he saw her.
"Very well..." He spoke to the flames as if speaking to her. "I will make you an offer you cannot refuse, gypsy...be mine...or you will burn...may God have mercy on our souls..."