Chapter 43
The only thing I had going for me at this very moment was the fact that the Ancient One and Wong and for that matter Odin didn’t know that I knew exactly where he was hiding.
Norway.
My only problem at the moment was how I was going to get there.
Natasha and Clint had gotten me a new birth certificate, IDs and anything else I needed to get by but I hadn’t gotten a passport. I couldn’t get a flight without one and I couldn’t ask them to get me one without them digging into why I needed one.
I was walking down the street back to my apartment while I deliberated my options.
Getting a fake passport was not like getting a fake ID. You couldn’t go to any random you found off the internet or public park bathroom. It had to be from someone that knew what they were doing.
Someone only someone with the right contacts could find.
Kind of like the guy that forged my new identity… and the identity Clint and Natasha probably had hidden away in my emergency escape stash at Grand Central Station.
Yes!
I turned around and switched lines. Within 10 minutes I was walking into Grand Central Station. I kept the key to the locker with me at all times especially with the threat of Hydra looming over us.
I popped open the locker and pulled out the duffle bag which was lot heavier than I was expecting. If I was going to be on the run shouldn’t I travel light? I looked around making sure there was no one around before I unzipped the bag. Inside there was a gun, ammo, wads of cash… Just guessing there were probably a couple hundred thousand in here in different currencies from Euro’s, dollars, pesos, Canadian dollars… finally I dug out the zip lock baggie with a couple of different identities in it. Some for Clint and Natasha and few for me including…
“Jackpot.” I said taking out the perfectly forged passport. “Thank you, Clint and Natasha.”
I quickly tucked the passport as well as a wad of dollars and euros since the first thing anyone would do once they realized I was missing would be to track my bank and credit cards. Cash couldn’t be tracked.
Everything else I placed back in the locker and locked it before going on my way. I hope this was the first and last time I ever had to open that locker. As much as I enjoyed hearing Clint and Natasha’s work stories, I didn’t want to live them.
“Jarvis what’s the earliest flight to Norway?” I asked as I got onto the empty subway car.
“The earliest direct flight leaves tomorrow night from JFK at a quarter to midnight.” Jarvis informed me.
“Not soon enough. Find me the fastest way to Norway.” I said before I remembered the magic word. “Please.”
“Might I suggest a private direct flight.” Jarvis asked.
“Nice try buddy, but this is on a need to know basis and they do not need to know.” I said. “Flights?”
“If you do not mind a layover in London, you could be in Oslo tomorrow night in time for dinner.” Jarvis informed me.
“Good enough.” I said. “Don’t put it on the company card or on Tony’s, I’ll pay cash once we’re at the airport just put a hold on it.”
“Your flight leaves at half past midnight.” Jarvis said.
“Just enough time to get to the loft, pack and get to the airport.” I said walking faster.
The clock was ticking and I didn’t waste a second of it. I quickly pulled out the duffle bag and started piling in the warmest clothes I had. Then I remembered something. This was the exact same bag Natasha had put a tracker on.
“Shit.” I said taking everything out. That was the only bag I had that could work as a carry on. I didn’t want to waste time by having to wait in line to check a bag. I just had to find the tracker and take it out. It should be easy enough. It was either in the bag or… ah! Tucked into a small tear along the seam.
I had no way to know if it was still active. I could flush it down the toilet but if Natasha was still monitoring it’s location which was a possibility if I flushed it down the toilet and it started moving quickly through the New York Sewage system, that might raise some flags. For the time being keeping the tracker at the loft was the best option. So I stuck it in an empty vase in the living room.
Packing went fairly quickly after that. It didn’t even take too long to pick a good outfit for a long flight. I opted for a pair of fleece lined joggers, a heather grey knit sweater, some sneakers, and a black wool wrap trench coat.
Once I triple checked I had everything and that I had the details of my passport memorized I opened the door to walk out but there was some standing there about to knock.
“Tony!” I said practically caught in the act.
“Hey you. Going somewhere?” He said eying the duffle bag in my hand.
“Nope, just putting this away.” I said quickly shoving the bag in the coat closet. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the neighborhood thought I’d stop by… Check in…” He said trying and failing to sound nonchalant. It was obvious he wanted to look inside. “I brought burgers.”
“Shake Shack. You actually waited in line.” I said.
“Of course not. Happy did.” Tony said still waiting for me to let him in.
“Why not.” I said opening the door to let him in. I had some wiggle room. And whatever was in the bag smelled amazing.
Tony smiled as he sauntered in, taking it all in.
“This is a nice place. Big and with a view.” He said sounding slightly disappointed. “Not as great as the tower…”
“30 seconds, I thought you’d make it to at least a minute before bringing it up.” I said grabbing some plates.
“It’s been almost a week. You can come back now.” Tony said.
“No.” I said.
“Hanna…” Tony groaned. “I’m trying here…”
“I know you are.” I said. “But you’re not going to get it. That’s not your fault. It’s just the way things are here.”
“We can go back to therapy?” Tony offered. “I have a few leads on some couples therapists?”
God I kind of wish I had recorded that. Tony Stark volunteering to go to therapy. Never thought I’d see the day where I didn’t have to trick him into getting help.
“Therapy isn’t going to help this.” I said. “It’s not your fault.”
“Then tell me what it is so I can fix it.” He said. I looked at Tony closely for the first time in days and it was obvious he hadn’t been sleeping, probably hadn’t been eating either. It wouldn’t surprise me if the next time I walked into the lab there were a couple of new suits standing around.
“Hey.” I said putting my hand on his. “This isn’t on you. There isn’t anything for you to fix.”
“Then come back to the tower.” Tony said. “I’ll make a new protocol, I’ll put in better super soldier proof locks, just name it and it’s yours.”
“It’s not about that.” I said. “I need to figure some things out. By myself.”
“And you could do that at the tower.” Tony said.
“No I can’t and you know it.” I said.
“How are we going to figure out things out?” He said putting his burger down.
“As cliché as this sounds, it’s not you, its me.” I said finishing my burger.
“You’re breaking up with us?” Tony said. “I knew it.”
“Breaking up implies there was a formal thing going on here and we can both agree there wasn't.” I said.
“Uh… Are you sure about that because I vaguely remember there was a thing that almost happened… you know burgers, picnic on the hood of my car with a nice view? Any of this ringing a bell?” He said.
“Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. I don’t know.” I said. “That’s the sort of thing I’m working on figuring out.”
“It’s not that complicated.” Tony said.
“It actually is. Like a lot.” I reiterated. “It doesn’t make sense to you, because again it’s not on you.”
“Maybe it should be.” Tony said.
“It’s not your job to fix the world or me.” I said. “Just go home, keep doing what you were doing and I’ll keep working on things here.”
“For how long?” Tony said.
“I don’t know. Something should click eventually.” I said. “It only took 27 years last time.”
“That’s not helping.” Tony said.
“I was trying to lighten the mood.” I said. “It’s been a really long day.”
“What did you do today?” Tony asked.
“Caught a magic show.” I said.
“Magic show?” Tony said confused.
“I wouldn’t recommend it. You can’t trust wizards.” I answered.
“If you say so.” Tony said still looking confused. “Guess you probably wouldn’t want to come back for movie night?”
“I’m beat. Maybe another time.” I said.
“Tomorrow?” He asked.
“Too soon.” I said.
“You’ve got to give me something blondie.” Tony said.
“I let you in.” I reminded him.
“It is a nice place. How’d you find it?” He asked.
“Internet.” I said with a shrug.
“Want to narrow it down?” Tony asked.
“No.” I said bluntly. “I’ll be back in the office next week but I’ll be working off site if you need me. As you can see I’m still getting settled.”
“You look pretty settled.” Tony said looking around.
“You haven’t seen my bedroom.” I said.
“Is that an invitation?” Tony asked with a smirk.
“It’s getting late, you don’t want Happy waiting out there all night.” I said.
“Right.” He said getting up. “You know I can come by and install Jarvis, maybe a few more locks… just to make this place safer.”
“No need.” I said opening the door for him.
“How’s the cell reception? I don’t think you’re getting my messages.” Tony insisted.
“Oh I got them.” I said. “Night.”
With that I closed the door and sent him on his way.
“Jarvis call me a cab.” I said.
“Your driver will arrive in five minutes.” Jarvis said.
“Perfect.” I said opening the closet door and grabbing my bag before shutting off all the lights and locking up behind me. Due to me taking a red eye flight the line to board was not as long as other flights. Even my surprise dinner guest couldn’t make me late.
Once we landed in London, I had a couple of hours to kill until my second flight to Norway. I grabbed a coffee and found a nice little corner to hide out in. Until I got bored and decided to check what the weather was like in Norway. Low 30’s and high 20’s all week long.
My knit cardigans and jeans were not going to hold me over very well. Especially if Odin was not going to make it easy for me.
Lucky for me duty free shopping was also a thing in this universe.
I picked up some merino wool layers and other essentials, even some comfortable hiking boots. It pays off to travel light. Just as I was wrapping up my phone started ringing.
Who could possibly be calling me right now?
Oh right, as Tony’s assistant I was on the clock 24/7.
“Go for Hanna.” I answered as I finished checking out.
“Hey.” Steve said.
“Aliens, Nazis, or Evil robots?” I asked making the cashier look at me strangely.
“What?” Steve asked.
“Someone once said the big three villains were Aliens Androids or Wizards but for you it’s more like Aliens, Nazis, or evil Robots. So in which category does your crisis fall under?” I asked signing the receipt before taking my bags.
“Ask her.” Someone said to him.
“Uh are you home right now?” Steve asked.
“No, I’m doing some shopping.” I said. Well that wasn't a complete lie.
“In New York?” Steve asked.
“Of course, where else would I go shopping?” I said. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason, Tony’s just doing some updates and for some reason Jarvis said you were in Europe.” Steve said.
“It’s probably a glitch.” I said. “That’s what happens when you’re overworked and don’t sleep.”
“I heard that.” Tony said because it was already obvious the phone was on speaker.
“That was the point.” I said. “As annoying as it is that you two are trying to stalk me, it is really nice that you’re getting along.”
“We weren’t stalking…” Tony said.
“Yes you were.” Natasha said before the overhead speaker in the airport went off.
“Attention Passengers of Air France flight 1181 London to Bordeaux this your final boarding call. Please make your way to gate 21, the doors will be closing shortly.” The announcer said before repeating the announcement in French.
“What was that?” Steve said.
“Oh, TV display. Comes with a great theater system.” I said. “Well, I still have a couple of stops to make, stay out of trouble and Tony go to sleep before you blow something up. Bye.”
With that I quickly hung up. That was a close call.
Back in New York…
“We all heard that right?” Tony asked.
“It could have been a TV.” Steve said trying to give Hanna the benefit of the doubt.
“Air France Flight 1181 from London to Bordeaux is about to takeoff from Heathrow Airport.” Natasha said flipping her phone around to show Steve and Tony the flight tracker app.
“She lied to us.” Steve said.
“No shit.” Tony said. “Why would she go to London? How did she even get there?”
“How’d who get where?” Clint said walking in with Thor and Bruce.
“Please tell me you didn’t?” Bruce asked already knowing the answer to his question.
“Do what?” Thor asked.
“I didn’t track Hanna, I just asked Jarvis if she was at her place because I wanted to pop over and install a security system and he said she was in London.” Tony said.
“So Jarvis was wrong.” Clint said.
“He wasn't.” Natasha said. “She’s in London. At an airport.”
“London? Jane lives in London. I’m sure Hanna would love to meet Jane.” Thor said.
“No, for so many reasons.” Natasha said shutting down that idea before Thor made things worse.
“How would Hanna even get to London?” Bruce asked.
“A plane?” Steve said.
“How would she get on a plane? She doesn’t have a passport? She reminds me every time I suggest we go on vacation.” Tony said.
Clint and Natasha exchanged looks.
“She doesn’t have a passport right?” Steve asked them.
“You don’t think she’d…” Clint asked.
“How else would she get there?” Natasha asked.
“Anyone want to share with the class?” Tony asked.
“We didn’t give Hanna a passport. It would have taken longer than her ID and birth certificate.” Natasha said.
“But the emergency go bag we stashed for her does.” Clint said. “And enough money to go anywhere she wants to disappear and start over.”
“Hanna would not disappear.” Thor said.
“She moved out.” Natasha said.
“Would she have answered the phone if she was trying to disappear?” Steve said.
“If she was trying to buy herself some time.” Clint said.
“Guys I don’t think Hanna is running away. When we talked she just wanted space. I didn’t get the impression she wanted to disappear.” Bruce said.
“It wouldn’t be the first time. She left entire life behind, moved to a new universe and started over.” Natasha said.
“Jarvis stop trying to lock me out!” Tony said trying away on his phone.
Hours Later - Oslo, Norway
The second I stepped out of the plane my face went numb. Apparently the weather in Oslo did not get the memo that it was almost spring and that the sun was supposed to be out.
Oslo was hours away from Tonsberg and the best way to get there would be by train. At the moment though I just wanted to regain feeling in my face again.
I found a hotel and check in for the night. I even splurged and ordered room service.
That reminded me I was going to have to replace the cash I took from Natasha and Clint’s go bag.
I could add it to my list of things to figure out later. Compared to this, paying them back would be easy.
Odin himself would not actually be in Tonsberg. Maybe one of the smaller towns or villages nearby.
All I had to go by was the scene of him sitting on that log looking over the cliff to take in the view of the future site of Asgard which could be multiple places in the fjord surrounding the city.
It had to be isolated, somewhere he wouldn’t be bothered or noticed. Definitely not on one of the advertised hiking trails in the area.
That’s not taking into the account he could be using a spell to make himself invisible.
I really hope that wasn't the case.
I want this over and done with.
I want to go home.
I want to stop feeling like anytime I take one step forward I’m going to end up taking two steps backwards as soon as I set my foot down.
I want answers.
I need answers.
So I spent most of the night looking up photos of the fjord and maps trying to pinpoint the most likely places I could find him.
By the time the sun was out again I had about 5 potential spots marked on my phone’s GPS.
I had another 5 marked by the time the train arrived at the station in Tonsberg.
If it were up to me I would have hit the trails the second my feel were off the train. Unfortunately my day job needed some of my attention.
Someone, *cough Tony *cough, thought the foundation it was a good time for the foundation to do some fundraising. The anniversary of the Battle of New York was coming up and his PA helping plan that excuse for him to have a party feel to me.
So there I was in a random café in Norway trying to get the head of marketing, our publicist and event planner to agree on what the event should be.
“A gala would raise more money, especially if the heroes of the battle…” Shauna, the publicist with a bob to rival that of Anna Wintour said.
“No.” I said shutting down that idea. “Due to timing constraints and job responsibilities there’s no way to make sure they would all actually make it. Also you want to have a gala the same week of the Met Gala?”
That reminded me, I should make sure Tom Ford could still dress Tony for the event.
“June would work better, it would give us more time.” Brianna, our publicist said. “We could have smaller events, a luncheon, conference, have Tony promote the foundations work.”
“Would Mr. Stark be okay with that?” Lindsay asked.
“When has Tony ever said no to a party?” I retorted. “Alright. We need to start small. I’m going to reach out to SI, see what Pepper’s availability is to pinpoint dates so she can actually make it to at least one of these events. I want a list of venues, themes, and what branch of the foundation we’re going to be promoting.”
“We’ll put something together for you.” Lindsay answered before logging off.
With that I went back to planning my next move.
Days Later…
Theo had always wanted to take Jamie camping. He said there was something peaceful about communing with nature and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
And for the first three days it was peaceful.
The fresh air, the sun and trees. It was beautiful. No wonder Odin chose to hide here.
But by day three the bone chilling air, the annoying birds chirping the constant disappointment of not finding said king of jerks.
My blisters had blisters at this point.
I was half way through the trail I had decided to pick for the day when my phone started ringing.
Say what you want about Tonsberg but the cell reception is amazing.
“Hello?” I said
“Hey you.” Tony said.
“Please tell me you didn’t destroy the lab.” I said.
“As I've every time you ask that, there are no fires at the tower.” Tony said. “We have a meeting with PR today? Does that mean you’re back?”
“I’m going to video conference in.” I said.
“Are you ever going to come back?” Tony said. “Because people are starting to wonder if I even have an assistant anymore.”
“If they were actually asking that I wouldn’t have to answer so many emails every day.” I retorted. “And don’t even think about ditching the meeting with Brianna. This gala was your idea.”
“I thought it’d get you back here sooner. Where are you anyway?” Tony asked. “You sound out of breath.”
“I’m on a hike.” I said.
“You’re on a hike? Since when do you hike?” Tony asked.
“I’m communing with nature. I heard its good for you.” I said.
“And where exactly are you hiking?” He asked.
“Stop trying to track me. It’s still very creepy. Huge red flag.” I reminded him.
“People get murdered in the woods.” Tony said.
“Not as often as they do in the city.” I retorted.
“Even more of a reason for you to move back in. We can have you moved back in before dinner.” Tony said.
“No. I’ll see you in a few hours.” I said hanging up.
I took a breath before continuing on my way to, yet another bust.
I was running out of leads. I forced myself to walk down the streets of Tonsberg back to my hotel for my meeting. It was quiet as people went on their way.
There weren’t a lot of tourists around but that didn’t stop some of the shops from trying to sell souvenirs.
It was at the coffee shop I stopped at to try and warm myself up a bit that I spotted a postcard by the counter. A post card with a photo of a cliff overlooking the ocean and with some irony thrown in, a rainbow arching over the fjord.
“Oh shit.” I said.
“Pardon me?” The shop owner said.
“Sorry… uh… where is this?” I asked.
“Those are the cliffs out past the Gullkronen.” He said. “Those trails are closed this time of year. It’s too cold and easy to lose your way. They won’t open to tourists until the summer.”
“I’ll take the postcard too.” I said paying him before making my way out of the shop. I pulled out my phone to look up this Gullkronen.
Quiet, isolated, a rainbow that was possibly the famed rainbow bridge of the Bifrost.
And the literal translation of Gullkronen was The Golden Crown.
That had to be it.
It was only noon. If I moved quickly I could get to the cliff and bring Odin back in time for dinner and I could go back to civilization or at the very least somewhere with habitable weather.
It didn’t take me long to realize why the Gullkronen was closed until summer. The trail was very steep and while it wasn't snowing the marine layer was coming in and the grass was frozen making it extra slippery.
“Uh…” I groaned falling on a patch of grass and my phone started ringing. I tapped my earbud twice to answer the call. “Speak.”
“Someone’s not in a good mood today.” Clint snarked.
“I have been better.” I said getting back on my feet.
“What’s going on?” Clint asked.
“Stupid gala, PR, emails, not to mention it’s freezing.” I said.
“Really? It’s actually really nice out.” He said. “Was thinking of maybe going out, catching a movie? Interested.”
“It’s not a good time.” I said looking up the hill and realizing that I may have to do some climbing.
“We haven’t really seen you lately.” Clint said. “We’re actually kind of worried you’re avoiding us. Nat thinks you’re running away.”
“Would I be answering the phone if I was running away?” I retorted.
“You would if you were buying yourself some time to disappear.” He said not beating around the bush.
“Where would I even go? I don’t know anyone outside of New York.” I reminded him grunting as I climbed up a rock and stated pulling myself up the side of the hill.
“I don’t know? Europe?” Clint asked.
“If you already know where I am why are you asking Clint?” I said.
“I know you’re going through some stuff and I don’t get. I don’t think any of us get it and I’m sorry, we’re really trying here just… don’t give up on us.” Clint said. “We’re trying.”
“Clint, I appreciate it really and we can definitely talk about it when I get back. I’m not entirely sure when that will be but… I am coming back.” I said. “And now I need to hang up because this hike just turned into a climb. The universe hates me.”
“Since when do your rock-climb?” Clint asked confused.
“Since now.” I said hanging up.
Thor is so damn lucky he will never have to put up with my sperm donor.
So I climbed and walked and climbed some more. then I slipped and rolled down the hill before climbing back up again.
The sun was starting to set when I finally made it to the top.
Low and Behold, there he was.
The current bane of my existence and hopefully the answer to my current existential crisis.
The old coot didn’t even turn around to look at me. He sat on that log and took in the view.
“You…” I said panting as approached him and sat down on the log overlooking the cliff, not waiting for Odin to offer me a seat. “are not… an easy guy to track down.”
“That was meant to be the point.” Odin said finally glancing over at me. “The sorceress swore to me she would not reveal my location to anyone. Including you.”
“And here I thought we were bonding.” I retorted. “She didn’t say anything. I already knew where you were going. It’s pretty, the weather sucks but it’s a great view.”
“I don’t want you here.” Odin said bluntly.
“That’s great because I also don’t want to be here.” I said getting on the same page. “But I need your help so you’re stuck with me.”
“Why would I help you?” Odin scoffed.
“Because for some insane reason the universe decided to make me your son’s soulmate.” I said as Odin stared at me in disbelief. “Yeah I know, I don’t get it either. He’s great. Thor is great, it’s just… it doesn’t make any sense.”
“And you expect me to help me make sense of your insanity?” Odin said.
“No… yes… partially.” I said before pulling my phone out and to show Odin the scanned copied of the Asgardian fable. “I spent 26 years believing that I was born defective. I couldn’t see color. I knew what it was but no idea what it was supposed to look like and then I fall into this world and everything just lit up. It was overwhelming, and amazing and honestly I thought I was dead because there was no other possible explanation for it.”
“I remember that feeling.” Odin said. “The world came to life.”
“I guess you could say that, except Loki had just tried to invade New York so, the world wasn't so much alive as it was a wreck.” I explained. “I woke up in a movie, a made-up story my son used to love watching and then as if things weren’t weird enough Tony Stark breaks me out of SHIELD, buys me a burger and tells me he’s one of my six soulmates. Where I’m from soulmates don’t exist. The one person or in my six people in the entire world that it for you but that’s not the way life works. It doesn’t make sense.”
It was quiet for a moment before Odin started laughing.
“It must be humbling for my son to be fated to a mortal that does not return his affections.” Odin said.
“I wouldn’t go that far…” I defended.
“I do not understand. If you care for my son and wish to be with him as he wishes to be with you, why are you here?” Odin said.
“Your son cares for me but I don’t know if he actually cares for me or if he cares for me because we’re soulmates and he’s supposed to.” I said. “In another world he’s supposed to end up with Jane Foster.”
“Thor is rather fickle.” Odin said.
“Which bring me to you and this.” I said showing him scanned photo of the story of his parents. “Are soulmates really soulmates? Where does free will factor into all of this? Is any of it real?”
“Mother and Father.” Odin said staring at the photo on the phone.
“The Original Soulmates.” I said.
“The first soul bonded by magic.” Odin corrected. “Soulmates have existed since the beginning of time. Mother and father were not born soulmates, they were made to be.”
“Made to be meant to be.” I said. “You can see why I might have some trouble with the whole concept.”
“Soulmates are a very real powerful thing.” Odin said. “I was a very different man before I met Frigga.”
“The conqueror, with his executioner daughter right by his side.” I said.
“A consequence of that union.” Odin said.
“Consequence?” I asked confused.
“The basis of all magic is altering the balance of life and nature.” Odin said. “When the faes and witches bonded my mother and father’s souls they took that bond that love from somewhere… someone else resulting in an all-powerful being that only craved death and destruction.”
“Hela.” I said. “The goddess of death.”
“By the time I realized the monster I had created it was almost too late.” Odin said.
“What changed? You were on top of the world. The nine realms were yours to do with as you please.” I said. “And you just changed your mind one day?”
“I met my queen.” Odin said. “The first time I laid eye on her, it was as if I was seeing a new world and it was not one I liked.”
“Death, destructions, people suffering. Wouldn’t be the first world.” I retorted.
“It wasn't a world worthy of Frigga.” Odin said. “I wasn't worthy of Frigga.”
“Normally I’s say it’s horrible to choose your new girlfriend over your own daughter but… given the circumstance, I think you get a pass.” I said. “Frigga’s great. Definitely balances you out but that’s a lot to put on a person. She's the reason you went from warmongering to maintaining peace in the nine realms.”
“Is that what bother you? Being a burden on my son?” Odin said.
“If Frigga had never come along, would you have stopped Hela?” I asked.
“Perhaps, Perhaps not.” He said.
“That’s not an answer.” I said.
“It is, just not the one you are looking for.” Odin said.
“It isn’t healthy for one person to be your everything the way everyone here thinks their soulmate is.” I said. “It’s just supposed to magically work out and everything is supposed to be okay just because you found your person? It’s their job to fix me and even if it was some things can’t be fixed.”
“Thor isn’t the problem. You are.” Odin said bluntly.
“No shit.” I said bluntly. “I’m not even supposed to be in this universe. I was supposed to die when I hit the pavement and stay dead.”
“Yet here you are.” Odin said.
“And I keep dying.” I said. “The universe changes but it’s the same thing again and again. They keep looking at me, waiting for me to wake up one day and just fall into line because the fact that they are who they are is supposed to just fix everything but it won’t. I am beyond saving and they don’t see it or I guess I should say they can’t.”
“Love is not easy.” Odin said.
“Is it really love though?” I said. “You either stay with your person or you self-destruct. That’s not love. It sounds more like toxic co-dependency.”
“Have you never loved before?” Odin asked. “Family?”
“I have a son but it’s not the same.” I said.
“Is there anything he could say or do that would make you stop loving your child?” He asked.
“No.” I said without hesitation.
“Is it impossible to believe that someone else could love you enough to do the same for you?” Odin asked.
“Life has proven that wrong time and time again.” I answered. “I know they care, but it’s not real. They care because I’m their soulmate and they feel like they’re supposed to. It didn’t happen naturally; it wasn't some meet cute on the subway. I fell from the sky and it happened. I happened.”
“Such is life.” Odin retorted with a shrug.
“No one in this universe gets it. If soulmates were not real, would they still feel the same way about me as they do now?” I asked.
“The only one that can answer that question would be you.” Odin said. “This is the only world we know, it’s the only way we know to live.”
“I spent 3 days trying to talk sense to you, got punked by a personified fortune cookie, followed you half way across the world, hiked across Norway in the middle of winter, lost feeling in my toes and finger, almost died falling down climbing up this frozen fjord only for you to tell me that only I have the answer to all of my problems?” I said annoyed.
“You were warned I did not want to be found.” Odin said. “It’s your own fault.”
“Odin!” I shouted. “While you’re here hiding away from your kids, Loki is making a mess of the nine realms and slowly bringing about Ragnarok.”
“Ragnarok was always meant to happen.” He said. “All things must end at some point.”
“You’re talking about the destruction of your world.” I said.
“Asgard is not a place, it’s the people.” Odin said.
“A lot of people die too!” I said. “Volstagg, Fandral, Hogan, your guards, anyone who happens to run into your daughter. Thor is going to lose an eye.”
“And perhaps that will help him see more clearly.” Odin said.
“No, no no! This is not happening.” I said. “Obviously the hours of mindless television did some brain damage or you’re having a mid-life crisis either way you are getting off your old wrinkly ass, going back to Asgard, and you’re going to put your palace back in order.”
“I have made many mistakes in very long life, but this is not one.” Odin said.
“Trust me it is, and if you’re not going to listen to me, you’re going to listen to your wife.” I said looking up to the sky. “HEIMDALL! OPEN THE BIFROST OR GET ME THOR!!!”
“He will not hear you.” Odin said standing up. “Not here.”
“Then I’ll call Thor.” I said taking out my phone but Odin placed both of his hands on mine firmly but gently.
“I never expected you off all people to be the one to stand against me on this.” Odin said. “I understand why the fates bonded you to my son. Perhaps one day you will as well but Thor cannot know I am here, Ragnorok must happen, and no one can know.”
“Too bad, you may be okay with people dying but I’m not.” I said.
“Which is why you will never be able to find me or remember.” Odin said putting a hand on my head and it was like my head was being split open.
“Ah!!!” I groaned as I experienced the past couple of weeks in reverse but the details got fuzzier and fuzzier until there was nothing.
“May the gods watch over you and forgive me for doing what must be done.” Odin said.
“What?” I asked confused before Odin put a hand on my chest and pushed me over the edge of the cliff.
“Ah!!!” I shouted before I hit the rocky bottom of the cliff and the pulled me under. The world went dark as I started falling down that very familiar pit.
And once again I hit the very dark wet bottom.