Though she wouldn't admit it to Thor, Esme subconsciously found herself looking for hints of Loki's possible return. When they took future trips into the forest, she'd look for snakes slithering in the trees or on the forest floor. When she realized Thor would look for anything in the color green, Esme's heart fractured for the God of Thunder. Despite all that he had done, Thor still loved Loki dearly.

The God of Mischief was something Esme could never give Thor.

Being that the two were more comfortable in each other's company, the few nights Thor stayed turned into weeks, which morphed into months. While the awkward history still lingered in the air, the two tried to not let it stop them from being cordial to one another.

With Esme at his side, Thor seemed to want to get himself back into a more godly physique. While his diet didn't change aside from no alcohol in his belly, he asked Esme to be more active with him. Esme wasn't sure what he meant until she realized he meant training.

Since the two were fully aware training inside of the house was a bad idea, they trained in the small clearing between the house and forest.

"I know they aren't your originals, but, these may do," Thor said to Esme as she pulled her bangs back with a hair tie. Sheathed at his hips were identical long daggers.

This was the first time Esme and Thor were training with weapons, before was hand-to-hand combat and strength training.

"Um, are you not using Stormbreaker?" Esme asked curiously.

Thor forked over Esme's new weapons. She adjusted the belt at her waist. "It wouldn't be fair to you."

Esme snorted. "Go on, get it from the truck."

"Esme—"

She pointed back towards the house. "Fetch Stormbreaker."

"I'm not a pet."

Esme smiled. "No, you're not. You're my training partner."

A little reluctant, Thor sauntered off to collect Stormbreaker from his vehicle. Esme recalled the first time she had ever seen Thor's new weapon, it had been when he had made his first visit to New Asgard. She had yet to truly see the axe in action.

She had no reason to worry like Thor seemed to. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, just as she wouldn't hurt him. It was the one rule they never broke when they trained.

Esme examined her newly assigned weapons. They gleamed as though they were brand new, freshly polished. They had slightly more weight than her former daggers. She gripped each in one hand, slowly testing their feel in small movements.

~*~

Esme had waited for the time to use her daggers on Hela, the Goddess of Death—also Thor's older sister. That was a startling fact.

Hela had swooped in, bringing down an iron fist on Asgard in the wake of King Odin's passing. All who opposed her had been slaughtered. Now the people of Asgard remained in a constant state of terror. Those who had managed to flee, Esme did not know of their fate. She prayed they would keep their escape permanent and live out their lives someplace safer.

Now in the castle, Hela seemed ecstatic to finally have a grip on her home. Esme's boiling hatred for the woman had only grown from the time she stepped on Asgardian soil. Rather than risk her life, she had (reluctantly) pledged her loyalty to the Goddess of Death. Not only was it out of survival, but she knew that Thor and Loki would return to hopefully free Asgard of its new ruler.

The time had seemingly come.

Hela and Esme had come upon the sight of Thor sitting in his father's throne. Esme's breath had caught as she saw her love, alive and well. In the time she had last seen him, his beautiful long blond locks had been chopped, giving him a much closer cut to his head. Truth be told, it made Esme more attracted to the God of Thunder.

While the sight warmed Esme's heart, she knew it enraged Hela to no end. The brother and sister had exchanged quips, until Hela had enough of her little brother's stalling. The Goddess of Death had donned her multi-antlered helmet.

"If you would be so kind to take care of him for me," Hela demanded of Esme.

Esme remained still, keeping her eyes locked with Thor's. She knew her name was on his lips, but for the sake of them both he kept it shut.

But it did not stop Hela from recognizing something there. She regarded the reunion with an amused smirk. "Oh, how cute, you're acquainted with one another. How fitting that she'll be the one to get a first shot at you." Hela gave Esme a go-ahead look.

Again, Esme refused to move.

Hela's jaw locked. "Typical. Fear-based loyalty goes only so far until the day they decide to grow a pair. Well, if you won't be of use to me, then there's no real use for you to keep breathing."

"Esme!" Thor shouted as Hela launched herself for the brunette warrior.

Esme quickly matched Hela, parrying her attack. She had an edge on the woman until Hela went for Esme's throat. Esme was hoisted into the air, feet wiggling in distress. With a shout, Hela tossed the brunette, who slid across the palace flooring towards the king's throne. Thor was at Esme's side, helping her up by her elbow.

"I really hate that hag," Esme hissed under her breath, her eyes seething with contempt at the Goddess of Death.

Thor tugged on Esme to turn her attention away from Hela. "Go, our people need you," he told her.

Esme shook her head. "I've seen what Hela can do. She will kill you, Thor." She had seen how many soldiers Hela had mercilessly slaughtered without so much as a scratch on her in the end. She did not want Thor to meet a similar fate.

"She can try."

"We can beat her, together."

"The tag team will have to wait. Go, help our people. They'll need leadership. I'll keep her focused on me so you can slip away."

Esme quirked her mouth into a frown. "Fine. Don't die, Your Majesty." She resisted the urge to show any affection. Right now, Thor's angry older sister was coming for them, and she didn't want to be the reason Thor got skewered. "Get a few good licks in, for me."

Esme rushed off, her heart thumping in regret as she heard the two Asgardian royals clash behind her in the throne room.

~*~

Esme dove for the grass when she saw Stormbreaker flying straight for her head.

Though she knew it wasn't a gesture of harm, it still startled her greatly. Thor came her way as she got to her feet. The axe had already flung itself back into his hand.

"What the bloody hell was that?" she gasped.

"I wanted to be sure your reflexes hadn't gotten worse." Thor offered the woman a tiny smile of embarrassment. "You were safe, I wouldn't have let it touch you."

"You sure about that?"

"I considered calling it back, you just moved. What was on your mind?"

"Nothing pressing. Are you going to try more surprise attacks?"

"Not from this point." Thor pointed Stormbreaker at Esme. "Ready for a bout?"

**I am so here for the Thoresme trainings.**