bellona「thor odinson.」

13| the gala.

It seemed like it had been ages since Bellona was able to actually relax. For once, she didn't have to worry about fighting off an unearthly creature. She didn't have to worry about anyone giving her odd looks, whispering, and having awful things to say about her. She didn't feel on edge. She had forgotten what that feeling felt like. But tonight, it was finally her chance to breathe. 

The car came to a smooth stop and despite the tinted window, she could see all the flashes clearly. All the paparazzi were gathered today, whether it was for the event Minerva was holding or news that an Avenger was attending such an elegant event. But even with the eyes, she could ignore it. For once, the attention she was receiving was positive.

"I see this is no different than things back home," Juno noted. Bellona smiled at her mother. She still couldn't believe her mother agreed to come to an event like this. The fact that the goddess herself agreed to come to Earth for an event like this surprised her.

"At least back home there were no cameras. I can't stand the flashes," Bellona said. She smoothed out her white gown before the door opened, allowing the two to step out. They flashed the paparazzi flashy smiles before making their way down the red carpet. She tried to drown out the yelling of the paparazzi, asking her all types of questions.

"Bellona! Over here, please!"

"Who are you wearing?"

"Who is it that you have with you tonight?"

But one question, in particular, caught her off guard.

"Do you know where Thor is? We haven't seen him with the Avengers. Is he still part of the team?"

She almost stopped in her tracks. She tried to keep him out of her mind tonight. She wanted to just focus on her sister and spending time with her mother. She didn't have the time to think about Thor. 

"I'm sorry, but can we focus on tonight. Not only are we celebrating, but also trying to help those less fortunate. Let's forget about the Avengers, and focus on raising money tonight," Bellona replied with a smile. She guided her mother into the building as quickly as she could and let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you alright?" Juno asked her daughter. Bellona smiled, lips tightly together as she nodded her head.

"I'm fine," she answered quickly.

"You don't have to lie, Bellona," she assured her daughter. Bellona gently placed her hand on her mother's and smiled, softly and more relaxed.

"Don't worry, mater," she assured her. "We should go find Minerva." With that, she dropped the subject and the two searched the party for Minerva. After veering through the crowd, they eventually landed their eyes on her. She was talking to one of the staff members and they approached her they returned to their duties.

"Such a large turnout you have here, sister," Bellona pointed out. Minerva quickly turned and as soon as she laid eyes on Juno, her eyes widened with joy.

"Mater, Bellona! I'm so glad you guys made it tonight. This party was a real headache to plan, so please enjoy yourselves tonight." Juno returned a smile and gently touched her sister's arm. 

"You've really outdone yourself. I'm so proud of you, my darling," Juno praised her daughter. Her eyes then wandered to the art and the artifacts around the room. "Some of this stuff, it reminds me of Olympus."

"I collect relics, especially those related to our culture. Though tonight, I had them set it up especially for you. I didn't want you to feel too out of place being here and not back home," Minerva explained. 

"I love it," Juno beamed. 

"Now, ladies, I have a party to attend. Please, have some food, some wine. Enjoy yourselves...especially you, sister." Minerva raised a brow before disappearing into the crowd. Bellona chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

The two allowed themselves to let go, relax, and relieve themselves of any and all tension they had. Juno seemed to enjoy conversing with humans, though some things she couldn't quite understand about the things they would say or do. But nonetheless, she enjoyed herself. Bellona did her best to relax, though she felt herself wandering. No matter how hard she tried to get that question from the paparazzi out of her mind, it kept coming back. She kept thinking about him.

After a while, she found herself feeling suffocated. She eventually excused herself and found solace outside on a balcony that seemed to overlook the city below. 

Why did she keep thinking about him? She went so long before without a single thought about him. So why is it that after one meeting, she found herself stuck on him? She knew better than to be hung up on a person, especially now. He found someone to be happy with, it's not like she had a chance with him. He was simply a friend. But she still had her questions.

She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. She just needed a clear mind, she needed to rid her thoughts of-

"Bellona?" 

That voice. That deep, gruff voice that she yearned to hear for the last couple of months. Bellona's eyes slowly opened and she turned. There he stood, red cape weaving through the wind, his army properly polished that even she could see the shine through the darkness. She had to have been dreaming. There was no way that he was here right now.

The Norseman slowly took one step, then another, and another, making his way towards Bellona. With every step, she felt a small breath leave her body. Could this be real? It wasn't until he stood directly in front of her, towering over her. 

"What are you doing here?" She finally spoke. Her voice was hoarse. Was she actually speechless? This has never happened to her, not once in her life.

"The realms need your help," he paused, his eyes lowered slightly. "I need your help, he corrected himself."

She felt something shift within her when he said that. She noticed a scrap on his face and without a second thought, she raised her hand to his face to examine the cut. It was recent. He needed her on the battlefield, she knew it almost instantly.

"The war...you're struggling aren't you?" She asked. He silently nodded his head. "How bad is it, Thor?"

"I've lost some good men, and we're struggling to take back some of the realms. I've gotten help, but I need a true warrior, the Goddess of War, if I may."

"I see," she replied dryly. It was unlike her to see Thor begging for help. It pained her. He must've felt cornered, defeated. She couldn't let him go through this alone. It would be cruel. She had to help him. It was what friends do for one another.

"I wished to meet you again on better terms, Bellona. But there is no one else I could think of but you."

Bellona shook her head and took Thor's hand in hers, her dark eyes meeting his sea-blue eyes.

"You will have my support and my blade," she said, without letting another moment go by. "I will follow you into war, Thor Odinson. Always."