HEROES | T. ODINSON 1

36.

"Control yourself," he said, "push your mind to do the right thing."

"I can't," I cried out, "it hurts! I wasn't made for this."

Stephen rolled his eyes at me when I fell flat on my already sore ass. The yoga mat beneath me offered very little support and the work-out leggings I had gotten earlier that day constricted me terribly, not to mention I felt very exposed. I mean, did thry really have to be that skin tight?

"Meditation is the best way to get yourself under control, Mary," Stephen told me, "As is yoga."

"This is stupid," I retorted, "This stuff is only meant for masters of the mystic arts and thirty-year old single rich women. Can't I just go back to reading books that are written in languages I can't read?"

"Just focus on your breathing. Try again."

"Focus on my breathing," I mumbled quietly to myself.

I looked up at Thor, who had just taken out hundreds of aliens with one enormous lightning bolt. He swung his new axe around, clearly enjoying the feeling of his new weapon. He looked me to make sure I had seen him out there - even while we were at war, Thor wanted everyone to know just how mighty he was.

Meanwhile up in the palace, Shuri was still busy working on Vision's Stone. There was no telling whether or not she would succeed, but all of us feared the worst. I feared the worst.

"Come and get some!" Rocket shouted as he shot enemies with his gun.

Bucky grabbed him by the neck just before he was about to get eaten alive and hoisted him up to meet his eye level. The two of them together sprayed bullets in an almost rhythmic fashion until they were in the clear, killing every enemy that tried to come for them before quickly reloading.

"How much for the gun?" Rocket asked the winter soldier.

"It's not for sale!" Bucky yelled over the sound of gunfire.

"How much for the arm?" Rocket asked then, "I will get that arm."

I frowned at the raccoon standing several feet away from me - who knew animals could talk? - but shifted my attention back to Thor, who had taken a stance beside me. My muscles were tight, my skin hot and my pulse felt like it was red-lining. My heart beat furiously in my throat.

He swiftly pressed his lips to my forehead and rubbed my lower back. I shortly smiled at him, but cried out when I felt myself being jerked back suddenly.

Thor whacked one of the aliens away with Stormbreaker just as it was about to bite my head off. I glanced at him and nodded, to which he smiled broadly. I rolled my eyes at him, but he wasn't looking at me anymore. Still boasting, I thought absent-mindedly.

"New haircut?" Steve asked him.

"Noticed you copied my beard," Thor replied, touching his facial hair.

Steve nodded and lifted his shoulders. I snorted.

"Oh by the way," Thor said, "This is a friend of mine, Tree."