"Listen to me, Morty. I know that new situations can be intimidating. You lookin' around and it's all scary and different, but y'know...meeting them head-on, charging into 'em like a bull – that's how we grow as people."

-Rick Sanchez; from Rick and Morty (2013)

Thor was a mystery. The man from the wormhole who'd been tasered, run over twice, and demanded he be taken to some mystical hammer in the middle of a government facility. It didn't make any sense whatsoever. On top of that, Thor's attitude before the crater site only seemed to add onto a general dislike Opal had for him. Despite his physical attractiveness, his arrogance and complete disregard for those around him made him look ugly. His need to make himself look good, to boost himself up in whatever means necessary, made him undesirable. Opal didn't have a whole lot of experience with men, but she knew an asshole when she saw one. And, before the crater site, Thor was a very big asshole. But whatever it was that changed him after her capture at the site seemed to open her eyes a little. He seemed more self-conscious, a bit more uncertain on what to do. It was almost like he needed help finding his way. Was that something Opal would be willing to do, or would she be content with him moving on? Thor seemed to be content with the outcome of the site visit; and whatever happened between him and Selvig seemed to solidify whatever he was going through.

Maybe everything could finally even out.

That was something Opal wanted more than anything at that point.

So, as she finished cleaning the mess Thor had made, the young mutant wondered how much normalcy would be returning. It didn't seem as though Thor would be leaving, so maybe only small tablespoons would be pouring in at a time. Opal didn't exactly find that comforting, but it was better than nothing. She'd take what she could get. She'd have to remind herself later that even before Thor had arrived, things seemed to be a little out of the ordinary between Opal and her friends. Jane's near obsessiveness with her research, Erik's constant parenting over the young women in his care, and Darcy's carefree attitude – it was almost like a dysfunctional family. Not to mention all the trips Jane would make everyone go on, it was overwhelming, but it was something everyone was used to. Would Thor's lingering presence be a normal feeling for everyone? If he decided to leave, how would everyone feel about it? If Jane were to attempt to restart her research, the absence of her test subject would set her back even further.

With a sigh, Opal pinched the bridge of her nose. She could've been overthinking it all. Everything had gotten so weird so fast that she had trouble processing most of it.* Secret government factions, weird hammers, Norse mythology – how could anyone explain that in a way that made sense? Opal was still having trouble understanding how she got out of the facility in one piece. That Coulson guy was diving right into his interrogation, wanting to get whatever useful information Opal might have.

Shaking her head, she tried shoving Coulson and his lackies out of her head. She wasn't in the mood for them at the moment. It was a new day, and while it started off a bit unpleasant – in Opal's case, that is – she was really trying to make the best of it.

"Opal...?" The sound of Thor's voice snapped the young mutant out of her thoughts, causing her to jump in surprise and let out a frightened shriek. Turning, she saw the tall blonde standing in the kitchen entryway, looking almost uncertain in his stance and expression. His blue eyes twinkled with an almost hard-to-determine emotion, and it made Opal's stomach twist nervously. How long had he been watching her? How did she not notice his presence earlier?

"You scared the crap out of me," she muttered, placing a hand over her heart.

Thor's expression softened somewhat. "My apologies," he said formally, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I came to tell you Erik is still slumbering. Would it be wise to wake him up?"

"Let him sleep." Opal waved the suggestion off. "He'll come around when he's ready."

A simple nod was Thor's response. And with that, the two stood in silence, albeit a somewhat awkward one. Neither knew what to say to the other, and it seemed to make the situation even worse. Even in his milder mood, Thor's presence stood out. It honestly baffled Opal in how that was the case.

"I'm sorry for the mess I made," Thor said, sounding almost uncomfortable. "I wanted to make that beverage. Coffee, was it? I believed it would be a good way to start the morning."

"That was nice of you," Opal said, giving a somewhat forced smile. "But if you're unsure on how to use the machine and what to add, then ask for help. I'd be more than willing to show you."

Walking over, the gigantic blonde gently clasped his hands in front of him. "You were tired," he said softly. "I didn't want to wake you."

"That's sweet of you."

When Thor was less than a foot away from her, Opal felt her heart quicken a little. He, obviously, loomed over her, but he did his best to not look intimidating. Opal could see Thor was hunching his shoulders ever so slightly, as if he were discreetly trying to make himself look smaller. Strands of his hair fell in front of his face, his blue eyes glittering with some undetermined emotion. Opal wanted to figure out what that emotion was, but she just couldn't figure it out.

"I don't get it," she murmured, trying to study him closer.

"You don't get what?" Thor's brows furrowed a little, a soft frown etching its way onto his face.

"You're a completely different person." Opal took a small step forward. "I'm trying to understand what could've happened to you. You're so...nice."

"Why not look into my mind? You have that ability."

With a light chuckle, Opal nodded. She could've used her telepathy, but she didn't want to. The intrusiveness of it made her feel uncomfortable, even if she were given consent. Opal wanted people to have their privacy. "It's fine," she sighed. "I've never liked using it. It always felt wrong."

"With such a gift, I'd imagine you would be proud of it."

"From everything I've told you, you should know I don't really care for it all that much."

Thor's features seemed to soften just a little more. "I can't see why you'd hate your powers so much," he murmured. Gently, he brushed some of Opal's hair away from her face, his fingers just barely touching her skin, before his hand rested securely on her shoulder. "You have a gift, Opal. You may see it otherwise, but it is something you shouldn't be ashamed for having."

Feeling his hand on her shoulder caused Opal's skin to break out into goosebumps. There was a firmness to the grip and it left her feeling a little breathless. Not only that, but the firmness in his voice when it came to her powers made her heart leap in her chest. She'd heard about how useful her powers were from Jane, Darcy, and Erik, and when it came from Thor, what he said was a variation of what Opal had heard thousands of times before. Jane would try and reassure and attempt to convince her to come do field research, hoping building up the young mutant's confidence would be helpful. Darcy seemed to have a whole mini-speech rehearsed and would use it to calm her friend's insecurities. Erik, on the other hand, seemed more genuine in his approach, and Opal appreciated it. He wasn't saying some rehearsed little speech or trying to get something out of it. Opal, however, seemed to have difficulty taking Selvig's words to heart. She had trouble taking any reassuring words to heart. While he was being the most genuine, it was just harder for her to process it.

"I don't get why you're so adamant about this," Opal muttered. "Having everyone's thoughts in my head all the time? It's horrible. Telekinesis was easier than dealing with the thoughts."

The hand that Thor had on her shoulder tightened for a split second before moving upwards, gently cupping her cheek. "I could help you," he suggested. "I may not have the kind of powers you have, but I can support you. I can be there for you."

Opal's brows furrowed. "Be there for me?"

"To give you positive support and reassurance." Thor's eyes glittered almost excitedly. "My friend, Sif, is one of the strongest warriors I know. No one believed she was capable of such excellent fighting until I supported her. And until they actually saw her fight."

"Erik supports me." Opal tried to take a step back, but she felt as if she were frozen in place under Thor's gaze. "My old teachers at the institute supported me. And I still ended up like this."

"Do you trust me?" Thor asked.

"Not really."

With a chuckle, he nodded. "That's fair. But let me be here for you. Let me prove that I can help you when things get hard. I don't want you to do anything alone."

-0-0-0-0-

Even after claiming the throne, Loki still felt a heaviness weigh him down. He could say it was because of the truth of his true heritage, or that he betrayed Sif and the Warriors Three, even his whole family and world. But that wasn't quite it. It was something he couldn't really explain. He knew that with the Allfather in Odinsleep and Thor still banished, someone had to take up the throne to protect from enemies, and Loki took up that offer quickly. He'd been raised an Asgardian prince, the throne was rightfully his. It didn't matter if Laufey was his father, or that Loki constantly lived in the shadows of Thor, the throne was his. To be King was his right. How could Odin try and deny him that? How could the Allfather put together such an elaborate scheme? Stealing an abandoned Frost Giant baby, lying about what that child could be in life. Thor, the true prince of Asgard, the biological son of Odin and Frigga. The reckless God of Thunder, said to rule Asgard and all the Nine Realms one day. Thor, who was bloodthirsty and violent and idiotic. How could he be considered a good King?

The envy and disdain Loki felt for Thor was obvious, though the trickster did his best to hide it. He was supposed to be Odin's youngest son, supportive and out of the way. Maybe the bitter feelings Loki had for his brother were the cause of that heaviness. He'd gone to Heimdall to check on Thor, and it seemed as though the former prince was starting to thrive on Midgard, having made friends with some local humans. How Odinson managed to make light of what was supposed to be a punishment made Loki's blood boil. Thor was supposed to be in mourning. He'd been told his father had died. Even if it wasn't the truth, Loki only assumed he'd still be brooding over it. Brooding was one of Thor's many skills.

Was that why Loki was so upset? Thor was starting to make a better life for himself on Midgard? He managed to make friends with humans, maybe even find love with one of them. On Asgard, Thor had a long list of maidens he'd been intimate with, so maybe that puny little Midgardian was another one of his conquests. Either way, it didn't settle well with the trickster. It didn't settle well with him at all. He'd have to figure out a way to eliminate Thor, so maybe then Loki could find peace.

(A/N):

Sorry for the wait, but I hope you guys at least tolerate this chapter. Let me know what could use improvement. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

MCU does not belong to me.

If you believe this chapter was poorly written, you're not alone. I tried writing this in the midst of finals week, so I'm assuming it's going to be messy and a little confusing. Don't hesitate to point out parts that don't make a lot of sense, OK? That's important.

Thanks a bunch.

Judith W