Roots of Eternity

Chapter 45 - Road to Recovery

The quiet of the night settled over us as Tony and I sat by the small fire he had built in our new, temporary hideout. The glow of the flames flickered against his face, casting long shadows across the walls. It wasn't much—just a secluded cabin far from the wreckage of Stark Mansion, but for now, it was enough.

I stared into the fire, my thoughts drifting back to the destruction we'd left behind. Stark Mansion had been the closest thing I'd had to a home since arriving on Midgard. And now, it was gone—just like Asgard, just like Frigga, and Loki. It felt like everything around me was falling apart, and I was left standing in the ruins, trying to make sense of it all.

I missed Thor. His unwavering strength, his boisterous laugh. His constant presence had always made me feel like I had someone to rely on, even when things went wrong. And Loki... I missed him too, more than I could admit. As much as he had betrayed us, he was still my brother, still the one who had understood me in ways Thor never could.

Tony's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. "You're quiet tonight."

I glanced over at him, meeting his gaze. He was watching me closely, his usual sarcasm absent. He'd been like this more and more lately—serious, thoughtful. It was a side of him I hadn't expected, but one I appreciated more than I could say.

"Just thinking," I murmured, leaning back in my chair. "About everything. About how much has changed."

Tony nodded, poking the fire with a stick, his gaze thoughtful. "Yeah, things have been... rough."

"That's one way to put it," I said with a small, bitter smile.

He tilted his head, studying me. "You miss them, don't you?"

I didn't have to ask who he meant. Thor and Loki were always in the back of my mind, lingering like shadows that wouldn't leave me. "Every day."

Tony was quiet for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out in front of him. "You know, I never had brothers. Always wondered what it'd be like."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden admission. "Really? No one to share the genius title with?"

He grinned, though it was brief. "Nope. Just me, all alone in the Stark empire."

I studied him for a moment, the flicker of the firelight dancing in his eyes. "It must've been lonely."

Tony shrugged, though I could see the truth in his eyes. "Yeah, sometimes. But I guess I got used to it. Now it's just... how things are."

I frowned, the weight of his words sinking in. He had been alone for so long, just like me now. It made me wonder if this was how he'd felt all these years—like he was drifting without an anchor, trying to find his place in a world that never quite felt like home.

"It's strange," I said softly, almost to myself. "I've never been without them before. Thor and Loki—they've always been there. Even when things were bad, even when Loki betrayed us... I still had them. And now..." My voice trailed off, the words catching in my throat.

Tony's gaze softened, and he leaned forward slightly. "You're not alone, Helena. I know I'm not Thor or Loki, but... I'm here."

I smiled faintly, appreciating his words. "Thank you, Tony."

He nodded, then looked away, staring into the fire. "Besides, you're tougher than you give yourself credit for. I mean, I've seen you in action. You're a lot stronger than you think."

I glanced down at my hands, which were resting in my lap. I had always been strong with my connection to nature, but lately, I felt like that strength was slipping away. My powers hadn't felt as steady since Frigga's death. It was as if the very foundation of who I was had been shaken.