Chapter 3
He told her to stay so she did. She still saw him, in little things, like the storms at night or the antique mugs in the shop Magna (the green eyed girl at her hip) liked best. She never expected to obey someone to such a serious degree, let alone a son of Odin! Not after what had happened, no.
But Thor, she obeyed. He had asked her to fight, so she fought. He had told her to run, she had run. Asked her to lead their people, and so she lead. And now she stayed, because he needed her to stay. She could feel him coming. Coming in the storm, coming in the rumble of the earth, through the cries of angry men, through the tears of mortals wronged. It was getting closer, whatever was about to happen was almost here and she had to be ready for it.
When Valkyrie closed her eyes, she saw Banner, working diligently on a terminal and a man with glasses and cropped hair beside him. Something about pocket dimensions, a gauntlet, stones, destruction. Something about time.
She saw a woman in all red and gold, counseling with elders, staring at a girl on a throne with such sadness that Valkyrie had to look away.
She saw — there was a knock at the door.
Korg, armed, rose quickly, shook his shoulders. Their shelter was the remains of what could only have been a hotel. Korg insisted on keeping watch. He looked at Valkyrie, nodded, and opened the door.
They expected the worst. A raid, a challenger, hostility. Valkyrie trained in on Korg's voice.
"Oh, hey, bruv. Good to see ya, man. Like whatcha did with your eyes there."
Thor.
Thor, Thor, Thor, Thor, Thor was here, Thor was looking at her, Thor was crushing Korg in a hug, Thor was rushing her, Thor had her in his arms.
"I found you. I found you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'm here," He put their foreheads together, thumbs rough on her cheeks as he wiped away tears. He laughed, and the storm brewed. It was a choking sound, one that should not belong to him. "I'm here and you're here." She raised her arm to touch him —
And he was there.