Worthy

Part 44 - Make Him See You

You wake up the next morning completely wrapped up in Thor. Not sure when exactly you did fall asleep, you're amazed that you did. Lifting your head to look at him, you find his eyes staring back at you. "Good morning my love," He smiles, running a hand over your face, gently moving it to the back of your neck, pulling you into a sweet, but deep kiss. "I do believe I can wish you happy birthday once again."

"Good morning," you give a slight smile before kissing him back, before the events of the night before catch up with you. You rest your head back onto his chest, comforted by the smell of him. Sighing heavily Thor runs his hands through your hair. "Cant we just stay here all day?" You ask, wrapping an arm around him tightly.

"If you wish," he chuckles as he moves his hand up the inside of your t-shirt, drawing shapes onto your bare skin, soothing your soul. "Your brother might have other plans." Not wanting to think about Peter, you sigh.

"I don't think he even remembers it's my birthday today," Feeling frustrated again. "That man doesn't even know me." Fresh tears pull at your eyes.

"I was talking about Stark," he laughs kissing the top of your head, making you smile and look up at him again. "But you really should give your other brother another chance."

"Do I have to?" You lay your chin on your hand that's rested on his chest, looking up at him and pouting.

"Only when you're ready." He smiles as he looks deep into your eyes. You can't believe how much your heart has swollen for him in this short while. Only a few days ago the two of you were ready to tear each other apart, now it feels like you've been together forever. "Family is important Kate," he breathes out after a while, reciting your words back to you. Feeling confused, you sit up and put your head in your hands.

"It's just all so..."

"Confusing?"

"Amongst other things." You run your hands through your hair, Loki's illusion having finally disappeared, you try to calm the frizz, feeling embarrassed. "It's just been so much this last week, you know. Between the stones, your brother, my brother," You turn to look back at him. "And you." He gives you a warm smile. "My head and my heart can only handle so much. He didn't even want to hear me out last night..."

"Then make him see you today." Thor sits up and runs a hand down your back, resting his hand ever so tenderly at the base. "If anyone can deal with all this Kate it's you. You are the strongest woman I know."

"I highly doubt that, considering your friend Sif..." but before you can say anything else he pulls you into a deep kiss, one that runs throughout your entire body. Once again you're interrupted by the intercom chirping at your bedside. "To be continued?" You ask as you pull away, Thor giving you a sad smile as you crawl over him to answer it. "What's going on now FRIDAY?"

"Good morning Miss Brooks. Director Fury requires everyone in the meeting room ASAP."

"Son of a bitch," Thor grumbles before climbing out of bed. "He cannot even give you one day..." You get up and place a hand on his chest, instantly calming him.

"It's fine." You sigh. In reality it's not. You know you're going to have to face Peter again. Your going to have to face a lot of questions today, from all of your family. "Time to just rip off the band aid I suppose." Thor looks confused. "It's an earth expression," you laugh before starting to get ready.

***

"About time," Fury snaps as you and Thor enter the room, you don't meet his eye and just head to the back of the room. "Now first off, Danvers has found a lead on another stone. And as you can see," He points to the team assembled at the front of the room. "She brought them here in the hope of helping us find the rest and stop Thanos."

"Yeah, a little late on the update there Nick," Tony snaps out, looking over at you, but your head is looking at the team sitting with your brother: a gorgeous green woman with her head down; a large muscular man with no shirt on, beautifully intricate design all over his body, yawning; a blue woman with no hair, watching everyone in sight, constantly on edge; and the raccoon who had held a gun to you the night before, with what looks like a small living plant sitting on his lap.

Trying to wrap this around your head, as well as everything else, you feel like your head is about to explode. When Quill meets your eye, you look back down at the floor, trying to bring your attention back to the rest of the room.

"Yeah, well that's my bad." It's as close as anyone will get to an apology from Fury. "But it's time for you all to get better acquainted. Not like the bunch of school kids I met last night."

"Yeah," Parker smiles nervously, knowing he had contributed to the chaos. "It almost turned into World War III" He instantly looks at Steve, while Tony rolls his eyes. "Sorry Captain." Even Steve breaks out into a smile.

"Blame prissy pants over there," you look up to see the raccoon pointing to you. "If she hadn't went psycho on Quill then it would have been fine."

"Watch your mouth rabbit," Thor bellows out.

"I for one would like to know what that was all about," The blue woman speaks, her voice monotonous with a robotic tinge to it.

"None of your damn business," You and Quill shout out at the same time, making you both finally look at each other.

"Enough," Steve barks out. "Let's not escalate things again. When Kate's ready to tell us, then she will." You nod at Steve, appreciating the support.

"I think it's that time," Fury replies, making you, Thor and Tony all snap your heads towards him. "I know it's a sensitive subject," He looks directly at you, his voice actually low and filled with compassion. "But we need to be on the same page here. We can't risk any more distractions if we're to stop this Thanos guy." His eye darts quickly to Thor and then Loki, who you've only just realised was sitting silently in the corner in the room. Despite everything you're feeling you can help but feel happy that he's been included.

The whole room turns their heads to you, sending you straight back to when you were 16, the way people used to stare as you walked down the street; the whispers, the names; all of it making you feel like you didn't belong. The exact feeling that made you run away; you even look to the door, planning an escape, before a tiny hand grabs onto your shirt, pulling your attention downwards.

"I am Groot," The small tree looking plant that was sitting in the raccoon's lap is now tugging at your shirt.

"He wants you to pick him up." Thor explains. As you timidly and gently lift him into your hands, bringing him closer to your face, he reaches over and wipes a tear you didn't know was running down.

"I am Groot," he says again, this time his little voice making you smile. Thor leans over, smiling too.

"He says it's ok." Thor places a hand on your shoulder, while Groot, you assume that's his name, climbs onto your other shoulder, sitting and watching the rest of the room. Taking a deep breath you get ready to share your truth.