"No motive is pure. No one is good or bad - but a hearty mix of both. And sometimes life actually gives to you by taking away."

-Carrie Fisher

3 AM. That was when Erik and Thor returned. 3 in the goddamn morning. Opal couldn't go to bed, despite still being in a foul mood from earlier. Part of her was still a little wound up from everything that happened, but another part of her worried about whether or not Thor or Erik would make it back safely. What if they decided to go back to Jane's instead? There were plenty of opportunities to call Erik. But if they were planning on going to Jane's, then why did Thor give Opal that little notebook? All those thoughts disappeared once Opal heard the apartment door open. Erik's and Thor's laughter filled the apartment, loud footsteps echoed off the walls. Jumping up from her spot on the sofa, the young mutant saw Thor stumbling in with Selvig slung over his shoulder.

"What the hell happened to you two?" she exclaimed.

"We drank, we fought, he made his ancestors proud," Thor exclaimed, his voice just as loud as his walking. While turning a corner, the tall blonde accidentally smacked Selvig's head against the wall. The two men instantly started laughing again. "I'm sorry, my friend."

"His room's just down there," Opal sighed, pointing to a partially opened bedroom. "Put him on his bed, please."

Without a single word, Thor followed Opal's instructions, though he was quietly giggling. She took notice of how he stumbled, but tried his best to keep his balance. Erik seemed rather pleased with his current position, thinking the whole situation was a big joke, meaning that the two men had a lot to drink. Which meant that Opal would have to get hangover remedies ready for the next morning.

Following behind Thor, the young mutant wanted to ensure that Erik wasn't damaged anymore than he probably was. From what Opal could see, she couldn't tell whether or not Erik had any outer injuries, but it was obvious he was heavily intoxicated. It was strange, seeing him in such a state. Selvig was usually very good at keeping himself sober; alcohol wasn't something he consumed a lot, if at all.

Once they made it into Erik's room, Thor practically tossed Selvig onto his bed, the two still laughing over some unspoken joke. Erik adjusted himself on his bed, waving a hand at Thor dismissively. "I still don't think you're the God of Thunder," he slurred, "but you ought to be." He was out like a lamp not even a second later.

With a chuckle, Thor turned his attention to Opal, who had yanked one of Selvig's blankets out from under him and did a half-assed attempt at tucking him in. It was the least she could do while Erik was in his drunken state.* Once the blanket was covering him, Opal stood up straight and looked at Selvig with a huff. He'd probably be feeling God awful in the morning. He seemed more intoxicated than Thor, but that was probably because Thor was a bigger guy, younger, too.

Looking over at Thor, she saw his gaze on her and gave a nervous smile. With a wave of her hand, she motioned him to leave Selvig's room. Once Thor was out, Opal glanced at Erik one last time before leaving, as well. Thor stood just outside the bedroom, watching as the young woman closed the door behind her. When Opal looked up at him, she could tell he had calmed down some compared to his rather loud entrance. There was still a glazed look in his eyes, signifying he was still very well drunk.

"Are you hungry?" Opal asked. "I can fix you something to eat if you want." That was when a look swept across Thor's face. It was a look of conflict, as if he wasn't sure how to answer. Was it because of the alcohol messing with his system? Or was he truly conflicted on how he wanted to answer? "Unless you want to go," she added, putting her hands up in surrender, "I won't force you to stay."

"No, I'd appreciate something to eat," he murmured, shifting awkwardly where he stood. "I will admit I haven't eaten since that eating establishment we occupied."

With a nod, Opal made her way to Erik's kitchen, Thor hot on her heels. "What're your thoughts on omelettes?" she asked, opening the fridge door.

"Omelettes?"

"Mashed up eggs. I think you had a plateful at Isabela's."

A sheepish look swept across Thor's features. "I'd appreciate some," he said softly.

O.O.O.O

Thor watched in fascination as Opal cooked the omelettes. He had to admit, Midgardian food was definitely different compared to the food he'd get at the palace. It was simple, not overly done with fancy spices or herbs. From what Thor could tell, from what he'd experienced so far, Midgardian food was not too greasy, it wasn't something gathered from a hunt, nor was it something obtained during complicated trades. It was just there, ready to be cooked and prepared. It was honestly astonished in Thor's mind.* He was really starting to see the differences in Midgard's culture compared to Asgard's, how the humans didn't rely so heavily on magic or anything that Thor found normal. Humans were simple creatures, content with the way their lives were going. They didn't throw extravagant parties after successful battles; hell, they didn't even think about going into battles. Thor could see how Opal and her friends were just happy to be in each other's company, to be able to talk and spend time together without worrying.

Thor could see how Opal moved comfortably in her surroundings, noting that she had made Erik's living arrangement hers, as well. His mind wandered back to what Selvig had said back in the bar, how he compared Opal and Jane to daughters. That could explain the bout of protectiveness the older man felt for the young women. Then Thor remembered Erik wanted him to leave town. That had been the agreement that led to their drunkenness.

"How'd you and Erik get back safely?" Opal's question snapped the blonde out of his thoughts. "Considering how drunk Selvig was, and that he drove you to the bar..."*

"...We walked," Thor responded, leaning forward a little, studying Opal closer. "I'm not accustomed to the mechanics of his transportation. He was capable enough of giving directions to his home."

"I suppose that's good." There was a long pause. "Erik's car is probably going to be towed. I'll get that in the morning."

"If it's not too much," Thor murmured, taking in the wonderful aroma of the food, "I'd like to apologize for my behavior earlier." When Opal didn't respond, he continued. "You and your friends were kind to me, and I was far less grateful. And you...I don't think any amount of apologizing will make up for the trouble I put you through..."

"It's fine," Opal interrupted. "You're right - apologizing won't take away from what you did, but you're willing to acknowledge it was a dumbass decision." She took out two plates from an overhead cabinet. "Do you like tomatoes in your omelette? Erik does that sometimes."

Thor nodded. "Opal, I mean it when I say I'm sorry," he pressed. "I put your life in danger because of my selfishness. I didn't want to see the error of my ways, I didn't want to believe I was doing anything wrong."

"Hey." Opal's tone was sharp and firm, causing the blonde to close his mouth almost immediately, stopping his next sentence short. "You apologized, didn't you? I'm forgiving you. Just don't do anything reckless like that again."

Looking down, Thor's eyes went and studied the table in front of him. He allowed his mind to wander a bit, to take in what Opal had said. On Asgard, before his banishment, he'd been known for his reckless tendencies. Usually, Sif and the Warriors Three, even Loki, had to help him out of the sticky situations he got himself in. Sometimes, Thor's father had to help him out, too. Like the battle he tried to start with the Frost Giants...

Thor had hoped that apologizing to Opal would lift a weight off his shoulders, but it only seemed to get heavier. Thinking of his days on Asgard allowed him to see what a fool he'd been. Thor never once thought his actions through, what consequences would arise out of the messes he made. His ideology of being untouchable because of his princely status clouded his judgment, making his arrogance and ego skyrocket. Thor grew up in royalty, having been raised in such different circumstances, that he never considered what anyone else might be going through. When a plate filled with tomatoes and eggs came into his view, Thor looked up at Opal.

"You looked like you were thinking a little too hard," she muttered. "I put salt and pepper on it, too. Is that OK?"

"It's perfect, thank you."

Opal got Thor a fork before she served herself some of the remaining omelette. The two ate in silence, picking around their food for a moment before nibbling on what they picked up.

"Your powers, when you spoke of them you didn't seem fond of the subject." Thor's eyes glanced up at Opal for a moment.

With a sigh, the young woman shrugged before she continued eating. "It's not something I particularly care for," she said.

"Why?" he pressed.

"Why the sudden interest?" she countered.

"I think it's fascinating."

Shrugging, Opal stuffed her mouth with a final forkful of eggs before thinking of what to say next. "There's nothing really fascinating about it," she muttered.

"You said it had to do with genetics," Thor said, looking at her curiously. "My understanding on the subject isn't good. I'd like to know it better."

Opal looked at Thor for a moment. His sudden curiosity for her mutation was a bit odd, but her explanation from earlier obviously stuck with him in some way. But there was also something else - he was acting differently. Opal wasn't sure if it had to do with the alcohol he had, or if it was something else entirely, but he wasn't acting the same as he previously had been. Before, Thor held himself with an air of arrogance, as if he saw himself above everyone else. As Opal stared at him in that moment, she could see that he was starting to hold himself differently, almost like he was trying to make himself smaller in a way. It was honestly a little hard to tell.

Without a word, Opal stood up to get some pen and paper, leaving Thor at the table looking confused. The abruptness of her departure was something he hadn't expected, and it left him wondering if he'd said something wrong.* God, he hoped he hadn't said something wrong. When Opal came back with her materials, she sat next to Thor and let out a sigh.

"If what I'm saying confuses you in any way, you'll let me know, right?" she asked, looking up at him. He gave a single nod. Opal nodded in response. "This is generally what a human gene looks like," she said, drawing a rough sketch. She could see Thor's eye studying the drawing carefully, taking in every little detail. "It's something that pretty much everyone has. This is a mutant gene."* Opal drew the mutant gene and looked up at Thor. His brows furrowed a little, looking between the drawings, looking deep in thought.

"It looks different," he murmured.

A hint of a smile came across Opal's face. She pointed her pen to the sketch of the mutant gene. "This is what I have," she said. "What millions of other people have. It's because of this little gene that people like me get their powers."

"But how does that happen?" Thor asked.

"I got the gene from my father. Scientists did studies on mutants and their families, and they found that fathers carry the mutant gene. Whether or not their kids are born with it is a guessing game."

"Is your father a mutant?"

"No."

"What of your mother?"

"She's human, too." Thor's brows seemed to furrow even more, if possible. "If two human parents have a child, there is a possibility of the child being a mutant. If one parent is a mutant and the other is a human, the chances of any children they have being mutants rises; but there is still a possibility that their children could end up human. If both parents are mutants, their kids will have an even higher possibility of being a mutant, but there is still a chance they'll end up human."

"So it's on probability?"

"I suppose, yes."

Thor studied the paper for a moment before looking at Opal. She was fiddling with the pen in her hands, as if she were waiting for him to come to some kind of conclusion.

"Does this make you unhappy?" he asked, motioning to the drawings.

"Being a mutant?" Thor nodded. "Kinda. Mutants aren't generally accepted in human society. We're typically seen as either rejects or monsters. There's no in-between."

"Where I'm from, one who displays abilities such as yours would have been welcomed," Thor said.

"Sounds awesome." Opal gave him a small smile. "Ya know, I still haven't figured out if you're a good strange or a bad strange yet. Even after all that bullshit we went through."

Thor let out a rumbling chuckle. "I hope you figure it out soon," he said quietly.

"Me, too."

A long silence fell between the two. Opal was still fiddling with the pen, and occasionally Thor would glance her way, trying to figure something out. He had to admit that Opal did have a certain beauty about her, something he failed to see before. Certainly she didn't have the same kind of beauty as Asgardian women, but Opal's was more...wholesome. Was that the right way to describe it? She wasn't donning extravagant clothing, she wasn't raised in a very rich or wealthy household. She was simply living her life in a comfortable way. Her auburn hair didn't hold the kind of silky appearance most Asgardian women had; Opal's was smooth but frizzed out ever so slightly at the end. Her green eyes showed a mixture of exhaustion and frustration. Thor realized that, in some ways, Opal was a very easy person to read when it came to her emotions. Her skin was pale, but not in a sickly way. She had a somewhat slender build, her curves standing out rather nicely.

That was when Thor realized he never took the chance to really look at her.

"What was your childhood like?" he asked, the question slipping from his mouth before he could even stop himself.

The confusion that swept across the young woman's face was noticeable, and Thor instantly grimaced at that. "I didn't think you'd be interested in something like that," she said.

"I wish to know you better."

Putting the pen on the table, Opal sighed. "There's not much to really tell," she muttered. "My dad used to work with Erik, they were good friends. My mom didn't work; she chose to stay at home with my sister and I."

The mention of a sibling seemed to pique Thor's interest even more. "You have a sister?" he asked.

"Had a sister," Opal corrected. "She's dead now."

"What happened?"

"She got sick. Simple as that." Opal saw the look that swept across Thor's face. He looked almost heartbroken. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry," he murmured, "for the loss of your sister."

"It's fine," she said. "It happened years ago. Do you have any siblings?"

"A brother."

"What's he like?"

O.O.O.O

For the remainder of the night, Thor and Opal chose to talk and get to know each other. It was sweet and simple. They got to see each other in a way they hadn't before, and with Thor's sudden change, Opal found herself liking his company more.

In the hours they spent talking, Opal learned that Thor was a prince, but had been banished by his father for his selfishness and brash behavior. His brother, Loki, was a trickster, always pulling off elaborate pranks or doing something that ended up with Thor getting hurt. From what Opal could tell, a majority of Loki's "pranks" always seemed to end with Thor getting stabbed; which she found a bit disturbing. Then came their parents; the father, the king, Odin, was powerful and all-knowing, his word was law. Frigga, the queen, was the kindhearted mother who loved her sons deeply, who cared for them and nurtured them the best she could. Thor would talk about how he took more after his father in some ways, and how Loki took more after their mother in others.

Opal found it all to be a bit overwhelming. She couldn't say with certainty whether she believed Thor was an actual prince, but after everything they went through, the possibility didn't seem too far off. Opal could say for sure that she was fascinated with how much emotion Thor put into the stories of his family. His eyes would gleam with excitement when he spoke of his brother and his features would soften when he spoke of his mother. When it came to Odin, he'd tense up slightly, but there'd be a sorrowful look in his eyes. When Thor spoke of his friends, his voice would become loud, almost booming, until Opal would remind him to keep it down for Erik's sake. The happiness that would sweep across the blonde's features at the mere thought of his companions made Opal smile a little. Thor was so easily excitable, so happy when it came to those he cared about. It was endearing.

For Thor, while he took much delight in talking about his own life, he learned that Opal was the exact opposite. She seemed rather uncomfortable talking about her parents more so than talking about her sister. Opal mentioned that her parents abandoned her in a hospital when her powers started showing themselves. She spoke of going to a school with people like her, how she flourished there. That seemed to be the only moment of happiness in Opal's life, aside from living with Erik. Thor felt so much sadness for her, knowing that she was tossed aside by her parents, that she hadn't even been told of her sister's death until after she passed. Opal tried to not look bothered by all of it, but it was obvious she was. Erik, Jane, and Darcy had been the only people who'd stuck it out with her, who gave her a chance to be something. Thor saw that that was all Opal really wanted, someone who wouldn't give up on her.

When the sun had started rising, and Thor saw that Opal was struggling to keep her eyes open, he took it upon himself to help her to her room. Thor knew that he promised Erik he'd leave town, to let Opal, Jane, and Darcy have the normalcy they deserved. But he couldn't. Thor didn't want to leave. He had so much to make up for, especially for Opal, after all she sacrificed for him. So as he laid her on her bed, pulling the covers over her, Thor silently promised he wouldn't leave her. He wasn't about to give up on Opal.

(A/N):

Holy poop this is a long chapter! Hopefully you guys like it. If you see anything that you think needs improvement, tell me and I'll try and get to it as quickly as possible. Tell me your thoughts on this chapter as a whole if you don't have any suggestions, too. I'd love to know what you guys think!

Nothing in the MCU belongs to me. All I own are my OCs and the subplots I put in.

How many of you guys are excited for BLACK PANTHER's release? It's sometime in February, right? For me, I'm really interested in how they'll interpret Wakanda. I know it's supposed to be a country that's highly advanced, but hidden away to look like a developing country, but I'm just really wondering how they'll set that up. If that makes any sense at all. And the fact that they have Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira, two of my favorite actresses, in the movie makes me super excited. But, I'm getting a bit off topic. How are you guys feeling about BLACK PANTHER? Are you excited? Are you not really feeling it? What are you most excited to see in the movie?

Thanks for all your support for this story!

Judith W