New Asgard (ON HOLD)

Breakfast and Hurt Pride

 Slowly, the sun was lowering the horizon, filling the sky with beautiful soft hues of orange and pink. Natasha found herself slightly mesmerized by the sight, watching the sun going down, the scene reminding her of the beautiful sunsets she had watched long ago in Russia, the cold snow bitterly biting her nose, the crunch of pine needles beneath her boots, the smell of copper and blood rushing to her nose. Before the memories continued to spiral, she pulled herself to the future by digging the palms of her hands into the jagged edges of the stone she sat on, thinking "there is no snow, there are no pines, there is no blood," over and over and over again until finally, she was centered and in the present.

Even after a long day of work, she found it difficult to relax tonight. A few hours ago, she had helped the others hand out tents, blankets, and more food. Finally, everyone was settling down in their spaces to sleep. Thor's people were exhausted from the recent events in their lives and the losses that many of them had experienced.

Currently, the plan for the night was that the Avengers were to stay here until it was time to go home. Until things were more set up, they didn't want to leave the people here unprotected, especially since they were unfamiliar with their new earthly surroundings. After that, they would go home and get the proper rest they needed.

Sighing, she stood up from her rock, the brilliance of the sunset now dimmed to a fading red slowly turning into blue. She walked to her tent, glad that she would be sleeping in it alone. To the right of it would be where Thor and Loki were staying, and directly across was where the others would stay. She unzipped the front, climbed in, and zipped it closed again. It wasn't very big, but it was cozy, A small, battery-powered lantern hung from the highest point of the tent, casting a soft yellow glow on the floor. In the middle of it was a sleeping bag, a medium but thick blanket, and a pillow. Slipping her shoes off and leaving them by the exit, she climbed into her sleeping bag fully clothed. After a few moments, Natasha fell into a light sleep.

Every so quietly, voices speaking in hushed and muted tones woke Natasha up the next morning. Groggily, she climbed out of her sleeping bag, trying to fix her ruffled hair by running her hands through it. Giving up, she pulled her hair back in a messy bun, slipped on her shoes, and stepped outside. The early morning sun washed over her, greeting her as she stretched her cramped muscles.

Most, if not all, of the Asgardians seemed to be awake now, sitting outside their tents and eating the breakfast that S.H.I.E.L.D. agents must have passed around early this morning. Thor stood not too far from her tent with Loki close to his side, both of them talking to a group of people they seemed to know pretty well.

Trying to avoid communicating with anyone this early in the morning, Natasha half tried to avoid contact with Thor and his brother. She walked over to the crates and boxes where leftovers from breakfast were sitting. Her pickings ended up being a chocolate muffin, an apple, and a box of juice. She plonked on the floor, preparing to eat her meal.

"Good morning, Natasha," Thor called, apparently finished talking to the group of people. Slowly, he walked over to her, then sat beside her in the grass. "How is your breakfast?"

"Good morning, Thor," she replied. She took a bite of her muffin before responding to his question. "It's pretty good. How are things going with your people?"

"Many of my people are still mourning the loss of their home. A large number of them, more than half, are mourning the loss of family and friends. But they are doing better, especially since they have food and shelter."

"I'm glad to hear that they are doing better. But I feel sorry for all of their losses, and yours as well. I'm just glad that I can be here to help them."