A satisfied smile was on your face as you walked back up the road to the stables.

Thor had wanted to reward you for your kindness with one of his rings, but you had refused. Instead he had extended you an invitation to the Great Lodge, much to Heimdall's displeasure.

The God of Foresight seemed to be in a dark mood since the meeting with his brother.

Wrapped in silence, he walked behind you.

Not a single biting comment had left his lips since. He did not even bother to speak to you.

Worried, you glanced over your shoulder.

It didn't seem like him to be so quiet. And indeed, with his eyebrows drawn together and his gaze fixed on the ground, he seemed deep in thought.

When your eyes fell on him, he looked up. Immediately all the doubts that had plagued him disappeared and he frowned in annoyance.

"Save your concern.", he growled, and flicked two fingers against your forehead with such force that it left a throbbing sensation. "It means nothing to me."

Your eyes met his.

There was so much defiance in his gaze, so much unfulfilled desire for recognition.

You had seen exactly the same in Thor.

The God of Thunder had been broken by these feelings. Heimdall had made it bitter.

You wondered what had made a man like him like this.

Surely a god had to live a good life, never go hungry, never freeze or worry where he spent the night. It was all given to him from birth.

So why was he dissatisfied?

This life, the life of a god, was what simple people like Erik dreamed of.

So why did Heimdall act like it was more of a curse than a blessing.

"Careful.", the god of foresight hissed and grabbed you by the collar all of a sudden. "You're thoughts could give me a reason to kill you."

Struck by surprise, your eyebrows rose.

"How do you know?", you asked, both baffled and curious at the same time.

But there was no fear in you.

Heimdall didn't deserve your fear. Nor hate.

Almost annoyed, he frowned and pulled a face.

"Because I'm Heimdall."

Harshly, he let go off you with a push.

You stumbled a few steps before hitting the ground.

Dust swirled up.

Small stones and branches dug into the rough surfaces of your hands. It hurt as dirt mixed with blood.

Lowering your eyelids, you raised your injured hand to your face.

Tiny cuts threaded their way through the (H/C) skin. A piece of sharp wood had dug into one of the wounds. You pulled it out, but splinters remained in the flesh.

A strand of thick red dripped down your palm and into the sleeve of your cotton shirt, where it dyed the white fabric red.

At the sight, Heimdall pressed his lips into a thin line.

For a moment he seemed to struggle with himself, crossed his arms in front of his chest in a defensive manner.

But he stepped forward to pull you back to your feet.

"Stupid worm.", he muttered to himself and quickly wiped the dirt from his hand on the leg of his pants. "You're hurt."

Your eyes kept staring at the small cut.

"I know.", you said and walked past him.

You had already walked a few steps when you stopped and moved your fingers one by one to test how much pain there was.

It was burning. But it was nothing that would kill you.

With a deep breath you glanced back at Heimdall.

There was still that slightly annoyed expression on his face. He still seemed to think that there was no fault in his actions.

The way his lips moved revealed that a growl was stuck in his throat.

A tired smile appeared on your face.

You turned to bow deeply to him in respect.

"Forgive me if I have dampened your spirits, lord Heimdall.", you said, raising your eyes to meet his. "You may not like my kindness, but it is not fake. I have the desire to be a good human."

He frowned, visibly irritated.

"Why?", he asked. "What reason do you have?"

"None."

"Boring."

"I know. But even if you don't share my attitude, you don't have to condemn it."

A judgemental sound escaped him.

"There are no good people.", he said with such bitterness that it made your skin crawl. "There is no goodness at all. Not even in gods."

"Your brother is a man in need of help."

"My brother is a fat coward!"

"Why are you bitter, my lord?", it slipped off your tongue all of a sudden.

Frustration and the end of your patience had finally brought the words out of you.

Surprised, he froze. His eyebrows lifted, his eyes widened. Even his mouth was open a crack.

You had caught him at his most vulnerable moment. And the question had hit him with all its might.

You looked at his face without a sound.

You wanted to read every tiny movement.

You wanted to know how he reacted. What he felt.

Heimdall should have expected your question. He should have been prepared for it. He must have known that you would ask him this.

But he seemed as surprised as any ordinary person who did not have the ability to read minds.

"You..!", he finally managed to press out between clenched teeth. "How dare you?!"

They were golden. His teeth were of pure gold.

His hands clenched into fists. He was shaking.

But you weren't sure if it was due to anger or frustration.

"My lord.", you took a step towards him. "Why are you upset about people caring for others?"

His eyes narrowed. With a watchful gaze he followed your movement towards him.

"I don't care for others, he insisted, his voice a little unsure. "Others don't care for others! Everyone is evil, why praise their measly attempts to be good?"

"Did you never need someone?", you asked, eyes locked with his.

"Never.", as you were within reach, he took a step back to maintain the distance two of you. "Now stay back. Or I'll show you the evil that you keep denying."

You weren't impressed by this threat.

"Heimdall.", you said with a firm voice. "Do you know what it's like to be cared for?"