Thaw

Vow.

I woke up in the afternoon the next day. I padded to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, my eyes were red and puffy. I had dark circles and overall, looked like death. I took a hot shower and scrubbed my skin raw. When I was changed and ready I found Tasha coming out of the elevator. She spotted me and came over to give me a hug.

"Astrid, how are you feeling?" she asked carefully as if I would break any moment.

"I'm alright. How's everyone here?"

"Good, we miss you though. Did you eat yet?" she took my hand and led me to the kitchen.

"No, just woke up."

"Rough night?" she asked as she motioned for me to take a seat at the island.

"You could say that," I replied.

"Ah, well Tony is down in the lab with a Dr. Conback?" She raised an eyebrow as she placed a plate of scrambled eggs and fruit in front of me.

"Oh, okay. I should go down there." I stood from the counter but she pulled me back before I could move.

"Eat first," she said and took a seat next to me.

I ate the breakfast while Nat caught me up to date on what was happening here at the Avenger's tower. Thor had apparently come back and tomorrow they were all going to Sokovia to hopefully retrieve Loki's scepter. When I finished eating Nat and me went down to the lab together but she left the lab along with Bruce at Tony's request. He led me to a conference room and inside was Dr. Conback, the devil himself. I stopped in my tracks when I saw him and cautiously walked in when Tony nudged me forward. I knew he was down there but it still brought up unpleasant memories seeing him again after a month. I sat in the farthest seat from him, Tony sat next to me.

"Astrid." He nodded in acknowledgment.

"Dr. Conback." I stiffly nodded back.

"You got your memories back? That's correct yes?" he asked.

"Yes. But why?" I questioned

"You haven't been taking the medication. We can not just simply erase them. The medication puts up a temporary barrier between you and said targeted memories."

"So what's the medication? We probably have some here in the lab." Tony interjected.

"It's not that simple Mr. Stark, its a blend of medications, still in its early stage. Astrid is the only successful test subject at the moment. We can't just give it to you." He explained.

"What do you think will happen if you give it to us? Not like we're going to make a version ourselves and sell it to the public. She's a kid and she needs it."

"Oh I'm sure she does but I'm sorry, we can't give what your asking of us."

"Fury will make sure she gets it, that I can bet on."

"I don't want the medicine." I interrupted the banter between them.

I had thought about it and realized I could no longer run from myself. I wasn't the person in the memory. I felt happiness now. I must come to terms with my past, erasing the memory would only prove I'm still chained down to that place which I clearly am not. That is why, no matter how much it pains me, I must stay strong and not allow myself to succumb to the temptation of innocence. I have a support group now, no matter how much I doubted it.

"What?" Tony asked surprised,

"I can't hide any longer."

"But you were pretty shaken up last night, it affected you." He continued.

"I was just shocked, it caught me off guard," I assured him.

"Are you sure? Getting it isn't a problem if that's what you're worried about."

"I'm sure Tony."

"All right kid, suit yourself." He replied.

"I'm sorry for making you come all the way out here for that." I turned to Dr. Conback and apologized.

"I wish you the best Astrid." He said to me then turned to exit.

When he left I followed out the door, I wanted to see Steve. I waved to Helen and left through the elevator. When I got upstairs I found Thor out on the terrace. As quietly as possible I went towards him, I don't know what compelled me to do so. He was my uncle, weird to think about.

"So you know." He stated rather than asked.

"Yea." I leaned against the railing a few feet away from him and looked out onto the streets of central New York.

"I only just found out. My father lied to me and my brother. We have a sister, the goddess of death." He summarised.

"He has a granddaughter, you. Just tossed you here instead of facing the truth. Tends to do that a lot." He scoffed.

"I'd like to know more about her, Hela I mean, about Asgard and the nine realms... There's only so much Google can tell me." I joked regardless of the sensitive subject.

"Who is Google?"

"Oh, um... not a who. A search engine." I explained.

He just looked at me weird and I tried to hide the smile and shook my head. "Nevermind."

We stood quietly side by side, quietly listening to the bustle of the city.

"I shall take you back to Asgard one day. I vow to it. It is your birthright." He broke the silence and turned to me.

I didn't reply. The truth is I did want to go back to Asgard. After I learned more about it of course. I would be stupid to not want to visit the place I was meant to grow up in. But Tony would probably never allow it.

My mother is a goddess and my grandfather a king. I'm part of a line of gods and goddesses. The only connection is by blood, strangers can't be family. The Avengers are my family. I would never consider a man that banished me to another planet 'family'. Maybe Thor but even that may be overstepping it. I was curious about my mother but never would I think about reconnecting with them. She was the goddess of DEATH for god's sake. I don't know if Thor's 'vow' had any meaning to it or if it was just an empty promise but I guess I have to wait to find out.

I had dinner with all of the Avengers and after, everyone went to bed early because the Avengers had an early mission and had to travel to Sokovia in the morning. When everyone went off to their rooms I sat on the hammock in my room and pulled out a book. I slept in so wasn't as tired.

 After reading halfway through I must have fallen asleep because I woke up to the sound of metal clanking and scraping outside in the hallway. It felt eerily similar and I held my breath as I saw a shadow through the door crack. I realized what it was. The vision I had a few weeks ago. It was the same figure, A mangled version of Tony's suit. I let out a whimper as the pictures I had seen flashed through my brain. The book in my lap fell to the ground as I clamped my hands over my eyes to attempt to rid myself of the terrifying images. And then I woke up. 

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I MADE A MISTAKE, a few chapters ago I wrote that Liz was in the same grade! sorry, my mistake she's a grade above them. Astrid and Peter are both in grade 9. Don't know why Liz was in the same gym class as Ned and Peter in homecoming but they said she was older so yeaa..... ok bye :)