"DO YOU NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO ASGARD?"

Kaipo and Thor had been traveling for a few days, at least by Asterius standards, and were just making their way towards the general vicinity of the Nine Realms which Kaipo had been told were all connected by Yggdrasil, a tree, yet he had no idea how that could work, but he didn't largely question it, what with his own people and home having their own unique traits alien to other realms.

"Not yet, it's too soon," Thor explained, "I'm not ready. It's been nearly two years, of course, but that's not to say that I've completely isolated myself from the people I care about."

Kaipo raised an eyebrow. "Any particular reason why you decided to mention that, or are you just fond of mentioning loosely related facts about yourself for no other reason than you think it's enjoyable."

Thor shifted in his seat. "I was hoping we could go visit Earth briefly, I'd like to see...a friend of mine."

Kaipo's knowledge only went so far, but he didn't need much to know that the friend Thor was speaking of was much more than he was letting on. Nevertheless, it was none of his business so he just hummed noncommittally and continued to focus on steering the ship.

"Her name is Jane," Thor continued, after some time of silence, and Kaipo had to bite his tongue to keep from scoffing.

"A nice name," he said instead, forcing himself not to roll his eyes as Thor let out a sigh.

"She's wonderful," the blond practically swooned, and Kaipo had to wonder what it was like to care so deeply for someone.

He could sense that the blond wanted to say more, thoughts on his mind that weren't as positive, the cause of his downturned lips and furrowed brows, of the energy in the small unit that had dampened the mood, but Kaipo refused to ask, not wanting to upset him more by having him talk.

"Did you have someone?" Thor asked suddenly, eyes wide as if just realizing, "On Asterius, did you...?"

Kaipo shook his head, remembering the words Alasdair had said to him just before all hell broke loose. "No. No, I never had the time nor the interest. I just wanted to be with Alasdair, that was all. But not in that way. Our bond didn't reach to those areas, I just wanted to be with him at all times."

Thor pursed his lips, nodding slowly, as if wondering how to phrase his next sentence. "I think that's the same way."

Kaipo scoffed. "It is not."

"I think it is."

"You have no idea what you're talking about, shut up."

"I have no problem with it!" Thor exclaimed, "There is absolutely nothing wrong with loving another person, and you should be proud to say that you have found someone to share an important and wholesome experience with—"

"If you're done, I'd like to just sit in silence and brood. Please," Kaipo interrupted, his voice strained as he tried not to look at the other man, inwardly rubbing his temples.

Thor, while clearly wanting to say more, kept his mouth shut, choosing only to gaze out the window, his thoughts clearly elsewhere—most likely to this Jane—though he did often glance towards Kaipo, but the ex-heir did nothing to acknowledge him.

Truth be told, he wasn't paying much attention himself, trying not to pay too much attention the oblivion around him, thoughts drifting towards his parents and Alasdair, remembering how, when he was younger, he would bury his face in his mother's clothes to hide from the outside, his father reminding him that, one day, he would have to look outside, because he had to take responsibility sooner or later, but would then add that since he wasn't going to be taking over any time soon, he could still hide. As he got older, he would distract himself by talking to Alasdair in the back of the ship, farther from the windows, the two nearly melting together as they tried to distract themselves from the oblivion surrounding them.

"Did you have a brother?"

Kaipo paused then, turning to look at him, confused. "No, I was an only child. Did you have a brother?"

Thor nodded, reaching up towards his hair, showing a reinforced braid that seemed to be incredibly difficult to undo. "I had a brother. He died years ago. Sorry for bringing it up, I was just thinking."

"It's alright," Kaipo said softly, glancing out in front of them before asking, "What was he like?"

Thor smiled, tracing patterns into his seat. "Better than anyone gave him credit for. Even himself, most of the time. He was also kind of the worst, but I loved him. He was my best friend."

º º º

The two continued to drift for some time, Thor having fallen asleep after finishing telling Kaipo some stories about his and Loki's childhood, Kaipo listening intently, even laughing at times, but dozing off after Thor began to talk in circles, too tired to realize what he was doing.

It was strange, falling asleep as the unit was moving, but he was able to find some rest before being jolted awake at the sound of Thor's voice.

Kaipo blinked away the sleep, looking over at the blond who was mumbling something he couldn't quite understand, but it was clear he was more than just distressed, tears forming the corners of his eyes and trailing down his cheeks, his body reacting violently to whatever it was he was dreaming or remembering.

Reaching out, he tried to wake him, calling, "Thor. Thor, wake up."

He reached out and tried to shake the god awake, but was caught off guard when the blond grabbed his hand and held it, clinging on like a lifeline, nearly crushing Kaipo. He tried to pull away at first, shocked by his grip, but soon found his heart being tugged at the sight of Thor freely sobbing, still asleep.

Sighing, Kaipo adjusted his position, allowing Thor to keep holding his hand, forcing himself to get comfortable in an effort to fall asleep. After some adjusting, he moved so he was on his side, stretched horizontally with his head on Thor's seat. It wasn't ideal, but it was necessary.

He drifted back to sleep, Thor having calmed down once it became evident that Kaipo would not be pulling away, giving him the anchor he needed to pull away from the bad dream or memory and into something more pleasant, though the word would be used incredibly loosely.

The two would not wake for some time, but as they slept, Thor had adjusted as well, the two soon finding themselves tangled together, Thor moving so he was parallel to Kaipo, his head also on his seat, their hands still locked in a death grip.

They were not intertwined, as most hands were held, but were locked together, anchoring each other. It was not gentle, but it didn't lack tenderness; it was a pained kind of care that clung to another also in pain, finding a way to keep the both afloat. It would not last for long, the two soon ready to drown, but in the subconscious realm of pain and loss, it would be enough.

º º º

Kaipo woke to his hand aching and bruised and his body feeling no better, but he was rested, and that was alright enough for him. He looked around and found Thor steering the ship with the controls on his side, staring straight ahead.

"Why is my hand hurting?" Thor asked, and Kaipo shrugged, deciding not to tell him what he had witnessed if the man wasn't aware.

"Why is my neck hurting?" Kaipo asked, even though he already knew the answer, and Thor shrugged, pretending like he didn't know either.

After some time of silence, Kaipo spoke. "Are you alright?"

Thor snorted softly, glancing over towards him. "Shouldn't I be asking you?"

Kaipo shook his head. "I'm not alright, but that's why I'm asking you. It makes sense for me, I don't know why you wouldn't be alright, that's why I'm asking, if you want to talk about it."

Thor sighed and shrugged, his body shifting greatly in his seat, and it was clear he wanted to talk. "It's going to be...difficult."

"Is this about Jane or your family?" he asked; he didn't want to know, but considering what he had seen, he felt the need to ask.

"No," the man sighed, shaking his head, "During my time on Earth, I was a part of this group called The Avengers. They were like a family to me, even if they were petty and small and easily breakable, though not all of them. One, still a mortal, was truly special."

"So are you in a relationship with this Jane or this other mortal, just spit it out, who are they," Kaipo groaned; he had expected something of substance, not Thor waxing poetic about another one of his relationships.

"His name is Steve and he probably has found someone at this point. Our relationship never grew father than mutual understanding, but there was a connection," Thor continued, only slightly put off by Kaipo's less-than-welcoming tone.

"He sounds wonderful," Kaipo drawled, rolling his eyes, "Why don't you just make a list of them so whenever you sigh like that, I'll know to not ask."

Thor frowned and huffed. "You know, I think you're jealous."

Kaipo scoffed. "Of what? You? Sorry, but you're not that attractive."

"Oh, but I'm somewhat attractive," Thor countered, sitting up, "You said I'm not that attractive, but that means I'm somewhat attractive."

"Objectively, but not to me," Kaipo said shortly, and Thor couldn't find any way to push him some more, so he switched gears.

"That wasn't even what I meant, just so you know," the blond rumbled with a poorly concealed smile, "I meant that you were jealous that I've connected with people and you haven't."

Kaipo blinked. "Why do you think we're stuck together in the first place?"

Thor grinned and shook his head. "No, that doesn't count, all those connections are based around a contract, there isn't any substance to them."

"Are you telling me that there is no substance to the relationship I've cultivated to the someone I'm not even sure is still alive?" Kaipo asked lowly, his eyes dark, and Thor quickly backtracked, able to hide the way he swallowed thickly, shifting under his gaze.

"But you said it wasn't like that," Thor pointed out.

"It's not!" Kaipo cried, shaking his head and shifting back to look forward, but Thor retorted, desperately trying to keep the conversation going.

"Then he doesn't count," he explained, "You're jealous because you haven't felt the deep connection that goes beyond the unspeakable bond you two have. You don't feel the way I do."

Kaipo blinked. "Do you hear yourself when you speak?"

Thor simply smiled at him, sparing him a look that Kaipo would dare say was fond if he didn't know he would be kidding himself by thinking it, before turning back to look forward, continuing to steer the unit.

After some time, Thor said, "You'll find someone. But only if you want to, I know some don't."

Kaipo sighed, dropping his head onto his hand, too tired and too alone to keep lying. "What if I do want to?"

Thor shrugged. "Then I'll help you. Nothing much else to do now that we're together."

Kaipo rested his head on the dashboard, careful not to press any controls. "Why would you?"

Thor didn't reply to that. Just smiled and hummed, continuing to direct the unit to whatever planet they were heading towards, searching for the Infinity Stones. Kaipo didn't know where they were going or what he was going to do with the rest of his life.

"I'll be fine," Thor said, as if reading his mind, "This'll be fine."

Then the unit was hit.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

( 05.03.18 )

It has been...the HOTTEST SECOND and I am so sorry, because we return after months to a really bad chapter, but we're getting back in the groove, ya'll, we're gonna get back, because I deadass forgot Kaipo's name, which is a sign we need to get back, because I love this story, I really do.

Sorry for the filler ya'll, but plot will come forth soon, bear with me.

So thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!