A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

FORTY EIGHT

     "Can't you hit them again with one of your blasts?!"

"I don't want to hurt them, they're good people!"

"Sure, they look fantastic!" Rocket had screamed at Astrid with sarcasm. They were still on the run from the guards hunting down the 'imposters'. They had both made a few turns to try lose track of them.

"Where to now?!" They had both come to a dead end and suddenly Astrid was in a state of panic. Though it didn't take her long to realise where she was and where to go.

"This way!" She heard the guards getting closer with their armour clanging around and them shouting orders to split up. She instantly grabbed Rocket and ran to the staircase she recognised in the distance. "I know exactly where to go!"

~

"Mother, I have to tell you something-" Thor looks to the observatory, knowing the Dark Elves are on their way. Frigga had found him sneaking around. She knew it wasn't her Thor, but this Thor from the future needed his mother more than anything. He had missed her.

"No son, you don't. You've come to repair your future. Not mine."

"But your future-"

"Is none of my business." Thor stares at his mother, torn. This was his moment to tell her, but he wanted to respect her decision.

"Thor! We-" Astrid came running in with Rocket not far behind her. She somehow had a feeling that Thor would be here, but she didn't expect to see Frigga. "W-we got it..."

"Astrid, my dear!" Frigga embraced her quickly into a hug. They can hear the guards coming closer.

"I missed you!" Her voice was shaky, but she managed to get the words out to her mother.

"Hush my dear. Everything will be okay..." Frigga rubbed her back in circles, calming the young Princess down. "I sense the future hasn't been kind to either of you. But I'm sure it will get easier for everyone. Especially since you seemed to have awakened your powers now Astrid."

"What? How did you know?" Astrid was taken back by Friggas knowledge. In her life, Frigga was killed whilst her powers were blocked.

"My child, I'm practically your mother." Frigga looked to the ring on Astrid's hand and winked at her. "It's been there all along. You just never realised it."

Astrid's vision was blurred from tears that were threatening to fall as she hugged Frigga one last time. Frigga then looked down at Rocket who was waiting impatiently in the corner. "You must be mom... Thor, Astrid we have to go, we have the thing."

Thor moved closer to Frigga again. "I wish we had more time."

"This was a gift, being with both of you again. Now you go be the man you were meant to be... and eat a salad. And Astrid..." Astrid looked to her mother again. "You are strong. Please remember that."

"I will." Astrid shared a sad smile with the Queen.

"Okay. Three, two..."

"No wait!" Thor interrupted Rockets countdown as he dramatically holds his arm out. He pauses for a long moment.

"What exactly are we looking at?" Rocket looks between the three, confused as ever.

"Sometimes it takes a moment..." Frigga smiles as Mjolnir sails into her sons hand. Astrid lets out a sigh of relief.

"Still worthy!" Thor cheers to himself quietly. Mother and son look to each other one more time.

"Goodbye, Mom."

"Goodbye, son. Take care Astrid."

~

Everyone arrives back at the compound. Although exhausted, they seem to be celebrating their accomplishment.

"Are you okay?" Astrid asks Thor with a gentle smile on her face. He has just seen his mother for the first time in years. Even though they finally got to say a proper goodbye, Astrid can't help but feel lost all over again. She couldn't imagine what Thor's feeling.

"Yeah... you know what? I really am okay." He felt at peace that he got to see her again. He placed a hand on Astrid's back, assuring her he was fine.

Their gaze was brought away from each other when they hear a small thud on the floor. Everyone looks over to Clint. He sunk to his knees looking defeated. Astrid looks around to see they are down a member... Natasha.

"Clint? Are you okay?" Steve asks.

"Clint?" Astrid walks to him kneeling down. She doesn't think she's ready to ask the next question. "Where's Nat?"

Clint only looks up at her and the rest of the team, glassy eyed.

"No..." Astrid whispers quietly. She didn't want to believe it.

~

"Do we know if she had family?"

"Yeah, us."

A few of the avengers had gathered round the front of the lake to mourn their loss of Natasha Romanoff. A friend to all. Thor had sat down next to Astrid tapping his foot impatiently. Astrid sat beside him, holding her head in her hands and her eyes still puffy from crying. Nat was her best friend, and if her child had survived, she would've been the best auntie ever. No doubt about it. Astrid trusted Nat with her life.

Suddenly, Thor stood up alarming Astrid at his sudden movements. "Why are you doing that?"

"Thor don't-" Astrid attempted to calm him down but it was no use. He was riled up.

"No! Why are we talking as if she's dead? We have to stones so bring her back!"

"We can't get her back! It can't be undone." Clint raised his voice slightly.

"What's he on about? Of course we can!"

"Thor! Will you stop!" Astrid stood up shouting at her brother-in-law. Everyone fell silent at her outburst. "We can't save her! We can't bring her back! If we could, don't you think we would have done it by now... Natasha, Gamora, Heimdall, and Loki!"

Everyone stayed silent while she took a breath, not quite finished. "We have all lost someone dear to us. We may be able to reverse the damage of the snap, but we can only bring back people who were destroyed by the stones..."

It was all too much for Astrid. Who knew such a simple task would lead to all this suffering... Again. She took another look at Thor feeling slightly guilty, but he had to hear it. A single tear fell down her face before she quickly brushed it away and walked off. She had only just come to terms that she couldn't see her family again, but telling Thor didn't make it any easier.

She had made her way back into the compound and to her room, unaware that Thor had followed close by. She sat down on the edge of her bed, fiddling with her ring before hearing Thor knock on the door and looking up at him, at a loss for words.

"I'm sorry Thor, I didn't mean-"

"No. You're right. I'm sorry, I got my hopes up." Thor made his way to Astrid and sat next to her as she rested her head on his shoulder. They sat there in silence for a moment before she decided to speak up. Thor was slightly relieved, feeling uncomfortable from the silence.

"Now that we have the rest of the stones, we can bring back the rest of our friends. That's a success, isn't it?" Astrid didn't sound very convinced of herself. She felt something was off ever since they got back from Asgard. She just couldn't tell what.

"All we need is a snap of our fingers." Thor demonstrated.

"Just know. I will not rest until everyone is safe."

They both fell silent again, enjoying one another's company. All they could do now, is wait.