Jewel Thief ◇ L. Laufeyson

12 ◇ step 1: protection

THOR WAS INCREDIBLY calm. He sat against the wall of the gladiator cells, quietly praying. I didn't listen into his private conversation, it wasn't really my place to pry. Not that I could calm down enough to focus on listening in.

I paced back and forth, gritting my teeth. We'd been here a whole night. Both Thor and I tried to sleep, but the metal walls and floor were far from comfortable. So there I was, a tired, hungry, angry girl. Not someone to mess with.

"Y/N," Thor spoke up, still quiet but enough for me to hear it. "Stop pacing. You'll wear yourself out. We'll need the energy."

I scoffed and turned to him, running a hand through my hair. "Oh, don't you worry. I have plenty of rage keeping me going."

Thor prused his lips and leaned his head back against the wall. Suddenly, he chuckled, until it turned into a deep belly laugh.

I glanced at him, narrowing my brows. "Thor, what's so funny?"

He sent me a sideways grin. "Ah, nothing. Nothing...I'm just imagining how Tony is going to take the news of you and my brother...well, nevermind."

I rolled my eyes, taking a deep breath before sliding down the wall so I sat next to him. "No, no, please, continue."

Thor sent me a quizzical look. "I see the way he looks at you, Y/N. Loki..." Thor let out a small laugh. "Surprisingly, he seems to have found someone he deeply cares for. I can't say I'm surprised. He's always had a soft spot for you, wouldnt shut up about you during his time in imprisonment on Asgard-"

I groaned and stomped my heel against the floor. "Some soft spot," I muttered.

Thor patted my knee, in a brotherly-love sort of way. "So, on scale of 1-10, how much do you like him-"

I scoffed and crossed my arms, sending a glare towards Thor. He seemed serious with his question, but he also was holding back a laugh. "I don't like him, Thor! At least, not anymore-"

"I knew it! Ha, ha. I know my brother, Y/N, and I know you," Thor said, patting my knee again. "Tell you what, when we get off this planet, I'll help you both set up a magical date night, with candles and rose petals and music!"

I shook my head, but I couldn't help but smile. Thor was really trying hard to cheer me up, and it was helping in a way. I was still so irritated with Loki, but Thor was reminding me of the version of Loki I did enjoy; the romantic.

"Okay, okay, Thor, that's enough. We'll focus on my love life after we save Asgard," I told him, grabbing his hand that had been resting on my knee.

Thor's smile faltered and it seemed he retreated right back into that sad place he had been in just a few moments ago - when he had been praying to the gods.

"Right, Asgard..." Thor turned to look at me, a glint of fear in his eyes. "You'll help me, won't you? Its a lot to ask, I know, but Asgard is my home and I don't think I'm strong enough to fight Hela on my own-"

Whoa, was the God of thunder really admitting he wasn't strong enough? I'd never heard Thor say something like this. In that moment, I saw a broken man in front of me and I realized how bad Thor's situation was. He lost his father, his hammer, his home was under fire, he's prisoner on a strange planet, and his brother had just betrayed him.

I quickly stopped Thor from rambling on. "Yes, of course I'll help you. I've got your back. Battle buddies for life, right?"

He sent me a desperate smile, but one of understanding and gratefulness. "Thank you, Y/N. I'm glad to be fighting by your side." He squeezed my hand a little tighter, and brought our foreheads together. I'd see him do this to the other Avengers sometimes, it was a way of Thor to show his loyalty, kind of like a less dramatic version of a hug. It wasn't romantic, it was just friendship.