"Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future."

–Oscar Wilde

Thor was surprised when the elevator doors opened up to Bruce Banner rather than Tony Stark. He had spent most of the past few days outside the Tower, catching up with Jane, and had decided it was probably time he tried again to reach out to Freyja. Though he knew she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, he was afraid she might disappear to another Realm while he was away. She seemed to have this strange notion that she needed to save every being in the Nine.

"Where is Stark?" he asked. "I thought he was to keep an eye on Freyja?"

Bruce smiled apologetically, "Well…there was a bit of a mishap a couple days ago."

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure on the details since Freyja won't give me all the details and Tony has refused to tell me anything at all aside from that he's genuinely afraid of her, but it sounds like Freyja found him snooping around in her room and nearly blew up her room in rage."

Thor frowned, "That is unlike her. She has always been level-headed."

"Not from what Jarvis said. Tony's been away since it happened. When he left, he said something about a cloak…"

"Not Freyja's cloak?"

Bruce nodded, "I think that's what he said."

"He was wise to stay away after. Freyja's cloak is enchanted to hold a few of her memories, as the Vanir remember much more of their lives than most, and only a fool would delve into her past without her permission."

He glanced outside at Freyja, who sat, as per usual, on the overhang. She looked relatively peaceful, but he had never seen her any other way until recently. He had grown up with stories of the mighty Vanir who had the power to kill without weapons and the strength to hold back. Quite frankly, her recent temper frightened him and, yet, he knew she would never do anything to hurt someone intentionally. She loved all forms of life too much to do so.

"How long has she been meditating?"

"Two hours, but there is something…strange that you might want to know about."

"What is it, Banner?"

"Thirty minutes ago, I went to check on her and she wasn't breathing."

Recognition flared in his blue eyes, "Are you certain?"

"Completely," Bruce said. "And her pulse has slowed down exponentially. But her pupils are responding to light, so I'm not sure if it's just a defense mechanism and it's perfectly normal for her or…"

"It is nothing to be concerned over," Thor assured him.

He stared out the window at her figure once more, knowing that her mind was not there. Back in Asgard, he had made the mistake of thinking her dead, and had nearly thrown the entire palace into a fright. It had taken his mother's detailed explanation on mental projection to calm everyone down.

And he was right, for Freyja was not on Earth in spirit or mind. She was with Loki.

She was glad to see that he was no longer being gagged or bound, but he had yet to earn the privilege of a proper bath – something she knew was grated on his nerves. He had always been so neat and orderly when she had known him. Now he had a sickly pallor to his skin, his eyes were sunken in and ringed with dark circles, he was thinner than usual as well, all of it making him look slightly wild. It didn't stop him from assuring her that he looked better than he had when he attacked Midgard.

But it was his eyes that hurt her every time she looked into them. The emerald green eyes that had once been filled with so much humor, so much light, and often gave a silent warning when he was up to something were now dark and smoldering like the embers of a forgotten fire. They betrayed his sense of hopelessness, regardless of how he smiled at her. She missed the times they had gotten into trouble, always looking out for each other and sticking up for the other when one had gotten caught. Now, their time was weighted by the knowledge of the mistakes they'd made.

He wasn't pleading for her to return to Asgard at the moment, giving her a break from the indecision that pained her, which she was grateful for. Instead, he had listened intently as she recalled everything that had happened since she left Asgard. She had glossed over a few details that were too painful to recall, but he didn't seem to mind. His silent intrigue calmed her, reminded her of better times, and allowed her to temporarily forget her anger towards Tony.

"What happened to you when I left?" she asked when she had finished.

He looked away, "Thor has told you. Why must you ask me, as well?"

"I want to hear it from you," she answered. "Stories are never exactly the same from both views. I want to know what you say for yourself, not just what others say for you."

A sigh was the only further protest he offered before saying, "I tried to go after you not long after you left. I rode back to Heimdall, armed with what I could carry, with every intention of demanding he open the Bifrost. I didn't care that I might die, as well. I didn't want you to die alone. I was halfway across the bridge when the explosion occurred.

"The energy was so far-reaching, so powerful, that I was knocked off my horse. Word had it that the blast could be felt in Niflheim. I felt as if a part of myself had died that day, as I couldn't fathom what I would tell my children nor how I would go on without my closest friend. Thor brought me back to the palace, but it did no good.

"I could not make myself eat, I could not sleep, only my children kept me from completely blocking out the world. I sat on my balcony for weeks on end, doing nothing but looking out on the city that continued mercilessly. The only others who seemed to be affected were the few Vanir who stayed and my family. Even Mother grieved.

"It was only when I heard a disturbance in your chambers that reality seemed to drag me back to the present. Some of the servants were emptying it of your belongings. I lost my temper, yelling at them to leave your chambers in peace, nearly caught a few objects alight. I realized then that no matter what happened, life would go on, and you would have wanted me to continue as well."

He fell silent suddenly, eyes a million miles away. She wondered what she would feel if she ever lost him in such a way. For all of his rage, and her pacifism, she couldn't honestly say that she wouldn't have done something similar. Her thoughts were shattered as he began to speak again.

"I tried to return to my daily routine, but it wasn't the same. Nevertheless, I took your last advice and took care of all my family, watched out for Thor. You wouldn't believe the mishaps he would get us into, always leaving me to come up with a solution. Sometimes I believe he did so intentionally.

"I trained a little more in Asgardian battle techniques, perfected my accuracy with bows and knives, and worked to create new spells. Your students attempted to remain under my instruction but, with the death of your kin, came the death of interest in your practices. Time flew quickly and I found it wasn't long before Thor's coronation was upon us.

"But Thor was arrogant and reckless at the time, the epitome of the faults you had seen in the Æsir, and Asgard needed a king with more wisdom and serenity. So I created an opportunity for a few Jötunns to enter the Vault. They nearly reached the Casket of Ancient Winters, but the Destroyer took care of them, as expected."

She shuddered at the thought of the Destroyer, another creation of the Vanir that had been abused at the hands of others. For longer than her people cared to remember, Asgard had used the Destroyer, once called 'the Guardian' by her own kind, to strong-arm other Realms into compliance. It had taken decades for Odin and her father to come to an agreement regarding its usage.

"Thor did not take the disruption well," Loki continued. "And he soon persuaded us into going to Jotunheim to confront Laufey. It was not part of my plan, as I only wished to postpone the coronation, but I could not allow him to go with only Sif and the Warriors Three. They were bound to start another war."

"Fools, all of you, for doing such," she said, shaking her head. "I would have never let you undergo such madness."

"Perhaps, but Thor was Helheim-bent on the idea. He angered Laufey, but I managed to convince him into allowing us to leave. We would have left peacefully, had one of his guards not insulted Thor, and you know as well as I how receptive Thor is to slights."

"What did the guard say?" she sighed.

"I believe his exact words were 'run home, little princess'," Loki laughed. "It was enough to ruin all I had attempted to construct. A small battle ensued, and both Fandral and Volstagg were wounded. It was also then that I began to doubt my ancestry."

"What conceived the idea?"

"When I was slaying one of the Giants, he gripped my arm. His touch broke through my armor, as their frostbite does, but turned my skin the same blue as Jötunns.

"Odin saved us from death, but war was inevitable, and Thor was banished to Midgard for his actions. You know what happened in the Vault. He fell into the Odinsleep from the stress and Mother offered me the crown in his absence. I never wanted such a burden, but how could I refuse her in such times?

"Besides, her offer…it appealed to me in some way. I had always felt the need to prove myself, and the throne offered me the perfect means to do so. That need plagued me then more than ever – and I'm certain you know why. You know what it is to be abandoned by your father. Laufey had left me to die in his temple and Odin lied to me all my life, cast me aside for Thor and Baldur. I had finally realized why."

"Odin's unfounded prejudice against the Jötunns," she sighed.

He nodded, "I suddenly knew why I never belonged among the warriors of Asgard, as well. I knew why I was not Thor's equal, why I would never be worthy in Njord's or Odin's eyes, and why I seemed to share more aspects of the Vanir than the Æsir. I wanted to repay Laufey for the ruin he created in my life as well as show Odin that I was not what he believed me to be, and what better way to prove my worth than to kill Odin's enemy?

"Of course, I was met with enmity. I found that Sif and the Warriors Three had gone to Earth to bring Thor back and I knew he would stop what I had set in motion. I allowed Laufey the opportunity to enter Asgard once more and attempt to slay Odin, but killed him before he could. However, my victory was short-lived, as Thor had returned, despite my sending the Destroyer after him. I never wanted to kill him, of course. But I was desperate.

"I attempted to destroy Jotunheim, to destroy the reason I could never have what I wanted. It was Jotunheim that kept me from being a true Asgardian, kept me from having a true birthright, kept me from having you. I would have annihilated everything that kept happiness at bay. But Thor would not allow me.

"I fought him on the Bifrost, keeping him from stopping the obliteration of those monsters, but it was not enough. He broke the Bifrost itself, creating an explosion that demolished the Observatory and more than half of the bridge.

"We nearly fell into the passage to the Void that was created, but Odin caught Thor before we could. I was holding on only by Gungnir, held up by Thor, and gazing up at them. I tried to explain to them, tried to justify my actions, but Odin spurned my attempts. I allowed myself to fall as I knew there was no future for me in Asgard. At least, I thought, I had you to greet me in death."

She shook her head, "Thank Sophossentia that you did not die that day. Your death would have brought nothing but more sorrow upon your family."

"And what of you?"

"I would have never known, most likely," she told him. "What happened after?"

"I cannot say when I lost consciousness, but I awoke to The Other. He took me to Thanos and offered me a kingdom of my own, my own redemption, in exchange for the Tesseract. For weeks, I did not comply. In the end, it was not enough, and I broke. You must believe me when I say that I knew not that it was the object that you had guarded for so long until it was far too late. But he held the Mind Stone and, when I realized this, it had already consumed me.

"Influenced by Thanos's power, I relished the idea of molding a world to my own whims. I would have created a perfect world, one where none would have to fear being torn away from what made them happy. I once said that it is the truth that all beings crave subjugation. It was not a lie."

"You crave subjugation?" she challenged, trying not to sound so condemning of the idea.

He met her eyes without so much as a wince, "Yes. Subjugation comes in many forms, and I fell prey to a particular type long ago."

His whispers lingered in the relative silence and she knew, deep down, it was at least partially true. The fact was that the form of 'subjugation' he craved, that they both were ensnared by, was subject to interpretation. Love was such a tricky subject to explain. She found it both liberating and constraining at times.

"My army was quickly overpowered," he continued. "Part of me was still fighting Thanos's control and, though it made little difference, I was able to hold back on a few occasions. The rest of the Mind Stone's power was eradicated with…intense cognitive recalibration."

"Thor?"

"If only," he muttered, obviously trying to keep her from hearing.

She looked surprised, "You can tell me, Loki. I will not hold anything against you."

"I do not wish to talk about it."

A small grin crept across her lips, "Wounded pride is no reason to hide something."

"It has nothing to do with my pride," he mumbled.

"Loki Odinson, you and I both know you are lying."

"Do not call me that."

"Why not? It is your name."

Bitterness tainted his words suddenly, "I am not Odin's son."

"You are not Laufey's son, either," she pointed out. "What name pleases you? Son-of-none? Lie-smith?"

He refused to look at her, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Loki Lie-smith…" she mused. "That sounds utterly ridiculous and is hardly accurate."

He smiled, "Perhaps I should simply be Loki Silver-tongue."

"It suits you, I suppose. Although I am not particularly fond of it."

"What would you have me called, then?"

"Hmm…I see no reason why you cannot simply be Loki of Asgard, first sorcerer of Asgard. Neither of us seems to have a suitable name, so let us merely be ourselves."

"And it does not bother you that I am of Jötunn blood?"

"Why should it? I am not of Asgardian blood – this is not what I truly look like. I am not fully a Vanir, either. You've seen how I truly look. Would you scorn me for it?"

"Of course not," he answered, his jaw set stubbornly.

"Does it matter that your skin is truly blue when mine is, in reality, just a shade darker? You have spent these last years thinking in the ridiculous fashion that Asgardians do. Differences are illusions of the mind, made to set absurd standards on what is believed to be suitable in specific societies. Dispel such nonsensical thoughts from your mind. What would you think of me if I refused to acknowledge you simply because of your blood?"

"I would think you a royal hypocrite."

She laughed, "And I would rightly deserve it. So do not ask me again whether or not your blood makes a difference to me, for you already know my answer."

He took her hand, his cool fingers wrapping comfortably around her own, "Will you not return to Asgard?"

Freyja's smile fell, a sigh escaping her, "Why do you plead with me so?"

"Because, when all is said and done, you are the only one to understand and accept all that I do, wicked or virtuous. You do not dwell on the past and only ask that I learn from my mistakes in future. I want nothing more than to have my oldest companion back."

She closed her eyes to escape the imploring look in his eyes. He was the only one, in all her life, who could break her heart and put it back together at the same time. But she knew what she must do, regardless of what she wanted.

"And if I chose to return, what am I to do? Court you through energy shields and armed Einherjar?"

"I admit, it is not an agreeable situation."

"It is not a feasible situation," she corrected.

"Please," he whispered.

She groaned, "Do you realize how difficult it is to say no when you beseech me in such manner?"

"Do you realize that there is no difficulty in saying yes?"

She lost her patience then, letting the images of the futures that could come true if she returned flood into his mind. There were no words she could offer him, only emotions and visions through their open connection, that could fully explain her reasons for staying away. He froze, a look of mortification on his face as he saw the possibilities.

"If I return to Asgard, I will bring only ruin and death with me."

"I understand," he said, closing his eyes. "So long as I can at least speak with you, I will not go mad in this cell."

She placed a hand against the side of his face, "I will visit you again. I must, however, leave for now. They will grow worried if I am gone too long."

"Return soon," he said.

He pressed further into her touch, turning his face so that he could kiss her palm. The second he did so, her rings brushed against his skin, and he opened his eyes. He pulled her hand gently away as his eyes narrowed on his emerald ring on her finger.

A smile crossed his face, "You kept it."

"I could not part with it. It has, indeed, brought me good fortune."

"And may it always," he whispered. "Farewell, love."

"Take care, Loki."

And, with that said, she faded from his perception and was back on the overhang of the Avengers Tower within seconds. She stood up easily and walked inside. Thor sat on the couch, much to her surprise, waiting for her to come in.

"Visiting someone, were you?"

Surprised by the query, she raised her eyebrows at him, "What is your reason for saying such?"

"Banner says you were not breathing."

She arched an eyebrow, "I was not aware you knew the signs of mental projection."

"Is it not astral projection?"

"Astral projection is when one projects an unmoving or completely mirrored image of themselves while very aware of their surroundings; mental projection is the separation of one's mind from the body to create a corporeal projection elsewhere."

He nodded in understanding, a flicker of an unnamable emotion in his eyes, "What happened between you and Stark?"

"I-"

Before she could finish, a soft ding echoed through the room. Both gods turned to see who had arrived. The door to the elevator opened and out walked Tony, Steve, Natasha, and Clint. Tony raised an eyebrow at the sight of Thor.

"Who invited He-Man?"

Thor, Freyja, and Steve looked confused while Natasha and Clint rolled their eyes. Bruce, who walked in from down the hall, was the only one to speak up.

"No one invited him, Tony. He just dropped in to check on Freyja."

"I thought Freyja wasn't in the mood for visitors," Tony said, sparing a glance towards Freyja.

"He has done nothing to antagonize me, therefore I have no quarrel with him," she pointed out.

"I thought I'd do something to make up for that," he said roguishly, holding up a few bottles of liquor.

"I'm not drinking that again," she said sharply.

"Again?" Thor demanded. "You were drinking with Stark?"

She sat down on the couch, pinching the bridge of her nose and closing her eyes, "Thor, I swear on my life, if you reprimand me about the subject, you will do nothing but sour the pleasant mood I have finally found myself to be in."

He grit his teeth, not saying anything in reply. It was very well known to him that Vanir were highly susceptible to alcohol. Though he didn't believe Tony would do anything inappropriate, for Freyja would have done something noticeable otherwise, he knew Tony's proclivity for snooping. Oblivious to the Thor's mood, Steve sat down next to Freyja while Clint and Natasha sat on the bar.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"I've been in higher spirits," she answered, offering a weary smile.

"What-"

"I've been meaning to ask," Tony interrupted, "what do your people do at parties? You can't drink without getting absolutely wasted, you don't have much of a sense of humor, so what could possibly entertain you?"

"The Vanir are not-"

"Parties are very seldom among my people," she said as she cut Thor off. "But, when we did hold a festival of sorts, we had music, dancing, games, and drinks of our own that are not as strong as yours. And, I can assure you, we did have a sense of humor."

"Games?" the billionaire continued. "What kind of games?"

"We excel in wordplay, thus our amusements are composed of riddles and conundrums. Although a variety of card games were popular, as well – though our cards were very different from yours."

"Very different from Asgardian parties," Natasha noted.

"They are, though Vanir were often asked to join our feasts if only for their conversation and abilities," Thor said. "There was one game that was popular among all at our banquets: Seer of Pasts. Freyja was exceptionally proficient at playing and charmed most of our ambassadors by doing so."

"What are the rules?" Steve asked.

"I attempt to unravel your past by reading through your aura," Freyja said dismissively. "It is not particularly interesting."

"You can guess a person's past by their aura?" Bruce asked.

"You can tell many things from a person's aura, be it their past, personality or mood. It is believed that the High Priestess of my people could read a being's future from their aura."

"Sure," Natasha said softly.

"You're authoritative, intuitive, and confident with a stunning disregard for danger towards your own life and a penchant for manipulation" Freyja said, looking at her through the corner of her eyes. "You also have quite a bloody past. Shall I continue?"

Natasha hissed something incoherent while Clint laughed, "Keep going. I want to hear this."

"You have a difficult past that you grapple with even now, a dark shadow that influences your every choice. You were no more than a pawn since you were young, a gun which your superiors pointed in whichever direction they wished, but that changed when Clint Barton came into your life. Your savior has been tied closely with your life ever since."

Everyone within the room went silent as they looked between Freyja and Natasha. However, instead of getting angry, Natasha looked impressed.

"That is a loose interpretation," Freya said dismissively. "I could dwell deeper, but I see you would prefer the world not to see you as you were, but as you are."

"What do you see about me?" Clint asked, turning around in his chair.

She looked him up and down for a second, avoiding his eyes as best she could, "Navy blue is your dominant shade, making you thoughtful, organized, and precise, but you tend to dwell on the loss of innocents even when the blame is not yours to take. Your past was not enjoyable, either. You lost your parents early in your life, and ran away from false homes with someone dear to you – a sibling, perhaps. You were recruited into S.H.I.E.L.D. soon after finding your gifts."

"Not bad," he said, taking a long draw from his beer.

"It seems we all have had difficult pasts," she noted. "With the exception of Thor, of course."

"I have not had an easy childhood," the thunder god protested.

"You were the spoiled crowned prince of Asgard," she laughed. "Do tell me how your life was not one of luxury."

"I put up with many of your and Loki's practical jokes while growing up."

"You say this as if we strung you up by your ankles and hung you from the North Tower."

"You did," he pointed out.

A frown crossed her face as she thought of the instance, "That was Loki."

"You gave him the idea."

"As a joke!" she said, trying not to laugh. "How was I to know he would take my words as serious?"

"How did that happen," Bruce asked, barely hiding a smile.

"Thor sleeps as soundly as the dead," she told him. "Loki simply had to use a spell I taught him."

"You and Loki were friends?" Clint asked.

"He was different then, much easier to get along with. He and I had much in common at the time," she said with a shrug, trying to change the subject. "Who is next?"

"What about me?" Bruce asked. "What do you see in my past?"

"Your aura is an interesting one, as it lacks a dominant color, a very rare anomaly which was believed to mean complete balance in the soul. But, from what I can discern, you are diligent, practical, grounded, and a little self-deprecating. You have dedicated your life to science, as well as self-control. Despite your modesty, you are much more important than you believe."

"You're wrong."

She looked at Tony, "Would you care to elaborate on that?"

"You're wrong about all of us having difficult pasts. I had a very pleasant past," he said, taking a swig of the dark amber liquid in his glass.

She scrutinized him with a frown, "Why are you lying? You must be the easiest person to read. You may not be so simple in personality, but your aura is an open book. You are analytical, intelligent, and creative, but you pretend to lack self-discipline and immaturity as a way to hide something you wish not to speak of. There is a shadow in your past which looms over your mind at all times and so you hide your fear and uncertainty behind a candid opinion and winning smile. Do not presume you can lie to me, Tony Stark, for the truth is plain as day to me."

There was a moment of silence before he smiled, "Not bad, but I would like to guess your past."

"Stark-"

She held up her hand to silence Thor, "Be wary of where you stick your nose, lest someone shut the door on it."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said, looking straight at her before starting. "As princess of Vanaheim, you lived a life of luxury. But, you weren't happy, so you left for Asgard."

"I was to visit Asgard despite the fact that I chose to reside there. At twelve, it is customary for my people to be sent on a pilgrimage to Alfheim, Niflheim, Jotunheim, and Asgard for a year and a half as part of our coming-of-age ritual. After my journey, I became the Vaniric ambassador in Asgard," she corrected.

"So you were unhappy with your life, anyway," he continued. "You became ambassador in Asgard where you were forced to look into marrying various men that didn't suit you. You quickly became friends with a man there, sneaking out at night to meet with him. The friendship grew into something stronger, but your father didn't approve, and you were forced to continue your romance in secret."

"I was friends with him before I was the ambassador."

Everyone was listening silently now as the two went back and forth in their story. There was a tension in the air, though no one dared to interrupt them.

"Right. Your father didn't approve because of a law regarding marriage between different species. This is where it gets fuzzy, as he's Asgardian but you said your people were close to the Asgardians, but you also said that your father didn't approve because of what he was."

"Pay no mind to this part," she said sharply. "It does naught but confuse the spectator."

Tony nodded with a smirk, "You were completely taken by this man. But he has changed now, and not in the good way. You are afraid of what others would think if they knew who you love. His connection with you would make us doubt your loyalties. I don't think even you know how far you'd go for him."

"There is a line that should not be crossed," she warned.

Ignoring her, Tony pressed onward, "We all know this man, we've seen his actions. He is malicious and all-around crazy. None of us can stand the sight of the man and all of us have a bone to pick except Thor, here, for personal reasons. The only question is what exactly it is that you see in him. What quality could Loki possibly have that could win you over so much that you'd sleep with him?"

The air was heavy with the silence that followed Tony's query. Freyja stood up, face red in anger, as she felt the hostility and disgust in the room. Tony stood his ground as she glared at him, silently daring her to do something. She bit her lip to keep from moving while everyone's eyes were on her. She met the stares evenly, acknowledging each one. Condemnations from Natasha, disgust from Clint, regret from Thor, accusation from Tony, disbelief from Bruce, and surprise from Steve. She could feel the suspicion from all sides, and the loathing even more. She was revolted at the idea that they reviled her for something so simple as whom she had fallen in love with.

"What can I say, Mr. Stark?" she snapped at him. "He and I had much in common, including a sense of personal privacy."

With that, she turned and walked stiffly to her room and slammed the door shut behind her. Thor walked after her, causing Tony to tense as he walked by, and banged on the door.

Steve watched as Natasha, Clint, and Bruce questioned Tony about how he found out. They seemed disgusted at her feelings, but he couldn't seem to muster anything negative about Freyja. He had heard both her and Thor describe how Loki was before, and he could somewhat relate to what they had told him. On top of that, everything she had told him when they had walked through the streets made Loki seem almost understandable.

It seemed unfair to despise her simply because she fell in love with a man who had made her happy. She had never shown any reason for them to mistrust her, besides hiding her attraction to Loki, but even that was understandable. If anything, he thought that maybe Freyja could help Loki redeem himself. What did disgust him, however, was the way Tony had told everyone.

Tony had known that she was uncomfortable with sharing her more intimate relationships with everyone, and Steve could see why. He had known that it wasn't something she had wanted to share, and yet the self-claimed genius had given it to everyone as though it was his choice. Who did he think he was to tell everyone about her love life? Then again, Steve knew the answer to that question. Tony was Tony, he would do whatever he wanted because of his adamant belief in letting the truth be known.

Thor walked back into the main room angrily, pointing an accusing finger at Stark, "Why must you incriminate her in such a foul way? Is it not enough to antagonize her by searching through her memories?"

"Why did she hide it?"

"She was afraid of the distrust she would face."

"Don't we have a reason to? How closely is she tied to the fruit loop?"

"Do not speak of my brother in such a manner!"

Steve stood up, not wanting to get into the argument that was breaking out, and walked down the hall towards Freyja's door as Clint said something about Loki being a murderer. What had been said was between Thor, Freyja, and Tony. It was better if someone checked on Freyja, anyway. He gathered up his courage and knocked lightly on the door.

"I do not wish to speak, Thor! Leave me be!"

"It's not Thor, it's Steve."

"Here to patronize me for my choice, are you? I can tell you, I am not in the mood to silently accept your criticism."

"Actually, I just want to see if you're okay," he admitted. "Can I come in?"

He waited in silence, listening for some sign of an answer. Then, he heard the sound he never expected to hear. The door clicked open.