This was not home.

No matter how many sleeps, how many sunrises and sunsets, how many moons and stars she saw, this was not her realm. This was not Asgard.

But she couldn't return to her home, for Ragnarok destroyed it. A purple maniac had slaughtered half of her realm's population, she nearly being one of them. Even when the last of the Asgardians made "New Asgard" on Midgard, it just wasn't the same.

Esme woke from a dull ache in her abdomen, as she did most nights. Though the wound happened many years ago, it never failed to her remind her that it would always be with her.

Being in Midgard—or as she was trying to learn to call the planet, Earth—was not the easiest time. Things were different on Midgard. Technology seemed to have less magical properties, consuming humans' attention with bright screens and colorful advertisements. The creatures were not as exotic or mythical, they seemed rather...plain. Esme didn't even want to get started on the clothing here. Perhaps the only thing Earth had going for it was its cuisine.

Esme slunk out of bed, opting to stay in her current Midgardian clothing. Though she had been stuck on Earth for about almost six years, she still felt like an outsider. Still felt very alone on this rather populated planet.

She went to her tiny kitchen, scouring through the fridge for edible content. She sighed, the ache in her abdomen was growing fainter now. It usually tapered off once her day got started. As long as her mind was busy, her scar would not throb.

She selected a basic brand of cereal, munching on the contents that now soaked in milk. Her leg bounced lightly. She could try and venture out today, get some fresh air. Maybe even try and meet someone, a friend or perhaps a future companion.

Esme shook her head, her ratty dark hair clinging to her cheeks from the overnight sweat she had accumulated. How could she find someone who would ever understand her? Humans could never comprehend where she was from, or what she could do. She wasn't sure she could lie to someone who she had potential to be with forever. Who would want to be with someone who lied about where they were from? What kind of a relationship was that?

A tentative knock on her door stopped Esme mid-chew of her breakfast. Swallowing the bite, feeling the cereal scratch her gullet on the way down, she left the kitchen to head for the door. She was never one to get visitors.

A little cautious, Esme slowly opened the door, just enough to allow a peek. She almost wanted to slam it, put her body against it in the hopes he wouldn't try to break his way in—not that he would. He did not look angry in the glance she got at him through the slit of the open door. In a haste, she pushed the door shut.

"Esme?" His voice was quiet, almost shy. Almost as if he was expecting her to yell some obscenity at him.

Esme tried to keep her galloping heart under control. Was she happy to see him? Of freaking course she was! Even though she had left New Asgard in a huff, she would have never cursed anything bad on him. If anything, she'd hoped he would get himself better.

She wasn't sure how he knew where she lived, though. She never told anyone, as she had never had an ideal destination.

"Esme, I saw it was you. Please, open the door. If not, just—just don't leave yet. Please stay and listen to me."

Esme put her head gently against the wooden door. Part of her did want to hear him. She missed his voice, after the few years they had been apart.

She licked her lips, brain torn. Do I let him in? Do I hear him out? He wasn't well the last time I saw him. How did he find me here? He doesn't sound mad...rather, sad. Lost.

Sucking in a breath, Esme opened the door wider the second time around. She allowed him to push it open further, not so much as a demand, but a quiet plea for her to not make any sudden movement and shut it in his face.

"It is you," he breathed.

Esme stiffened. He sounded relieved, as though he had been searching for her for so long. Knowing what she had left, she believed that to be true. Something had changed, though, Esme realized. Something drastic, because why else would he have searched for her?

"Please, say something."

Esme swallowed. "Would you like to come in?"

The tiniest of smiles crept onto the God of Thunder's face. Esme took that as a yes.