Worthy

Part 23 - Can I Be Honest

"Maybe not the best time big guy," Tony walks over to him, maintaining his protective stance in front of you, but you hear the anger in his voice. "Let's take it outside alright?"

"Please Stark," Thor pleads, taking a small step into the room; you can see Bruce and Steve standing behind him in the doorway. "Let me past." You can feel the pain emanating from his giant person.

"No, I don't think so," Tony huffs out, measuring up to Thor. "Let's go!" He grabs Thor's arm and tries to pull him.

"Do not test me Stark, I am not in a gaming mood." But Tony ignores his statement, grabbing tighter on Thor's arm before looking over at Bruce and Steve, with a raised eyebrow asking for help. Out of patience Thor grabs Tony by the throat and lifts him in the air. "Out of my way..."

"STOP!" You shout, grabbing Thor's arm, making him drop Tony to the ground. "What the hell is wrong with you?" You shout at him, now standing in front of Tony.

"I'm sorry," he raises his hands. "I just need to talk to you..."

"Hurting him wasn't the best way to do that," You huff out, before dropping your head to the floor. You knew that you were going to have to have a conversation with him at some point; might as well get it over with now. You turn to face Tony who's rubbing at his throat; placing a hand on his arm. "You ok?" He just nods, staring daggers at the god of thunder. "I should talk to him." He shakes his head, sighing slightly before placing a kiss to your forehead.

"I'll just be down the hall," He turns back and looks to Thor again. "Play nice, ok?" He taps Thor's shoulder, making him look towards Tony. "But you and I still need to have words." A silent stand off happens before he walks away, following Bruce and Steve, closing the door behind him.

"Good luck with that conversation after that performance," You half laugh, but Thor doesn't respond. His eyes are completely focused on you.

"Kate," his voice is barely a whisper as he tries to place his words carefully. "I... I'm..." he swallows hard, panic setting in as he can't get the words out. "I'm sorry. For Loki," you shudder at the mention of his name. "For what he did to you."

"To us," you interrupt him. Shocked that you would include him, Thor simply nods, taking a quick look to the floor before raising his eyes to look deeper into yours.

"But most of all," he takes another step closer to you; making you feel slightly nervous. "I am sorry for all that I have done, for all that I have said."

"Thank you," you nod, feeling awkward in his presence. "I appreciate that." You wrap your arms around yourself. "I'm sorry too." You sigh. "I should have known that you would have never acted in that way."

"We were friends," He smiles slightly, glad that you had accepted his apology. "I should have trusted you more. I don't know what I can ever do to make you forgive me."

You sit down on your bed, sighing. "I'm not asking you to do anything," you pat the bed, gesturing for him to sit with you. He hesitates, before sitting beside you, the air tingling between you - a mixture of nerves and tension still in the air. "But I don't think we're going to be able to just go straight back to how we were." He nods, clearing his throat, slightly nervous at his next statement.

"Do you think we ever could? Get back to where we were?" He instantly regrets asking; not knowing your true feelings. Part of him wanted to wrap you in his arms and try to forget the whole situation. But he knew he would have to prove his worth; and he'd do anything.

"Throttling Tony wasn't the best start," you chuckle, Thor finally breaks into a smile too, making your heart warm. It had been a long time since there had been a comfortable moment between you both. You had forgotten about the twinkle in his eye when he smiled; how much softer it made him look compared to the Asgardian armour; how it made your stomach fill with anticipation and longing.

"I will certainly endeavour to do better." He lets out a small chuckle too, clearing some of the tension from the room. "Can I be honest about something?"

"Of course," you nod, a slight fear rising in your stomach.

"Despite all my aggression, all my hatred towards you." He sighs, hesitant at his next words. "I have missed you Kate, missed us."

You freeze; this was not the confession you had expected from him. If you were honest with yourself, you felt the same. But you weren't ready to admit that yet. It was going to take time before you could allow yourself to start thinking on those terms.

Realising that you haven't replied to him, you give him a slight nod before turning your head away from him; that way he can't see the tear escaping as you feel a swell of emotion take over you. "What will happen to your brother?" You ask, desperately trying to change the subject, while wiping your eye.

"I don't care," Thor grunts. "I am done being a part of his life. All he does is cause untold pain and misery. He can rot in that cell of his for all I care."

You place your hand on his shoulder - Thor instantly freezing at your touch. "Don't give up on him for my account Thor. Family is important, trust me." Memories of your mum and brother enter your mind. "He seems like he's in pain himself. He needs you."

"You'd be willing to forgive him so quickly?" He asks, surprised.

"Not necessarily forgive," you shrug. "But don't throw away your family for me, please?" You flashback to the battle of New York. "You chose me once, remember? That's probably his reasoning behind it."

"Makes sense," But Thor shakes his head. "Doesn't excuse his manipulation of us."

"No," you agree. "But maybe give it time - then try and talk to him. I'd give anything to have my brother by my side." He nods.

Once again, you're both interrupted. This time someone is knocking on your door. When you open it, it's Nat. "I'm sorry you guys - but you both need to talk to Fury. I can't hold him back any longer."