I'd been away too long.

That fact was obvious in everything Wanda did. Her smile was strained, her touch was tentative, and her eyes were rimmed with red, as if she had been crying. I knew that indeed, she had been crying, but the fact that one could tell sent a jolt of guilt through my heart.

How could I have been so selfish as to return to Asgard when it was so clear how much Wanda depended on me for strength and comfort? Yes, i was the Prince of Asgard, and I had many duties concerning my father, but I should've taken her with me.

I hadn't realized how much she needed me, and it was only after I'd left that I realized how much I had needed her. Her powers, her personality--everything about her reminded me of what I had lost to the dark elves.

No matter, I thought as Wanda and I stepped into the Avenger's common room, I'm here now.

"It's about time you two showed up," Tony drawled as soon as we entered.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting," I bellowed, "But it was my duty to escort the Lady to dinner."

"Why don't you ever do that for me?" Natasha teased and elbowed Clint in the side.

"I think you'd sooner put me in a headlock than wrap your arm through mine," Clint retorted with a grin, and the room chuckled.

Beside me, Wanda stiffened, and I quickly squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. At my touch, Wanda quickly jerked her head and looked at me. Yes, I was with her, but she was obviously terrified.

Craning my neck, I spotted several boxes of pizza on a table in the middle of the room. "How about you go acquire a slice of that dish?" I whispered in Wanda's ear.

"But--"

"You'll be fine," I interrupted, "You have to keep your strength up."

Nodding, Wanda took a deep breath before striding towards the table stacked with pizza boxes. As she approached, the Vision slowly spiraled down from the ceiling and landed beside her. Quite animatedly, he began to speak with her, and I was pleased when I heard her laugh.

"Welcome back, Thor," Clint greeted and clapped me on the shoulder.

"How's Asgard?" Tony mumbled, "Still golden and sparkling?"

"Golden, yes, but sparkling, no," I answered, "That was more of my mother's expertise."

At my reply, other than the Vision's chattering in the background, the room fell silent. Tony was staring at the floor, obviously regretful of his words, and I hurried to reassure them.

"Don't worry, brothers," I soothed, "Her light is still with us, and she shan't be forgotten."

"I'm glad to hear it," Natasha said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you," I murmured before shifting my gaze onto Steve, who had yet to say a word. His eyes were focused on Wanda, who was still talking to Vision on the other side of the room. It was clear from his strained expression that he was worried about her, just as I was.

"Captain," I said, and he slowly tore his eyes away, "May I speak with you?"

Nodding, Steve stood to his feet and approached me. Turning on my heel, I strode out of the room, the Captain following close behind me. After leaving the common room, we turned the corner before stopping.

"How has Wanda been doing?" I asked as I massaged the hilt of my hammer.

"You've probably noticed her behavior, but unfortunately, it goes farther than that," Steve started and casted me an uneasy glance, "This morning, during training, she lost it. She..."

"Saw her brother?"

"Yes," Steve confirmed, "But this hasn't been the first time. Almost every training, she loses concentration and collapses. Worst part is, the harder she tries to push Pietro away, the stronger he becomes."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you a about," I confessed, "If I could take her to Asgard, I know my father could teach her control--"

"No," Steve interrupted, "Wanda is an Avenger. She doesn't need to be trained by anyone else."

"Captain, you don't understand--"

"Yes, I do," Steve said, "You care for her like a brother. You understand her pain."

"It's not just that," I insisted, "She understands mine as well."

Sighing, Steve dropped his gaze. "Thor--"

Interrupting him, a high-pitched shriek ripped through the facility. I didn't need to see a face for me to recognize whose scream it was; the answer was obvious. The only one who would scream in such a heartbroken way would be the one in the most pain.

"Wanda," the Captain and I said simultaneously.

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Julie :D