『 BLOOD IN THE WATER 』
( chapter nine, the avengers )

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ONCE AGAIN, PERSEPHONE WOKE UP WITH A POUNDING HEADACHE. HER EYES OPENED SLOWLY AS SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO A BRIGHT LIGHT PLACED ABOVE HER. IT IRRITATED HER EYES AND SHE OPENED THEM SLOWLY TO ADJUST. When she opened her eyes she sat up slowly and realized she was on a couch in an unknown building.

When Persephone looked around she saw three figures standing in front of her. She recognized them instantly. She had read to many articles for her not to know who they were, it was Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Thor Odinson.

The goddess rolled her eyes, the Avengers had kidnapped her and she had to deal with Thor while dealing with a headache, "Just kill me now," she groaned whilst annoyed.

"Well, sleeping beauty's swale," Tony Stark commented while smirking. Persephone slowly looked around, there was large glass window that showed the view of the city, it was breathtaking to see.

"Here," Persephone looked at Thor who had offered her a glass of water. She grabbed hesitantly and took a sip from it. The cool water soothed her throat and she set it aside on the table next to her. She got up after taking a sip and grabbed her bag which was next to her.

"Persephone, where are you going?" Thor asked.

"I'm leaving, maybe you seemed to forget that you kidnapped me," Persephone questioned, she turned her back on the three and started walking away. She could a knot starting to form in her throat.

"We know what your big plan is, by the way," Tony Stark commented, Persephone stopped walking and turned around to face the three of them once again, "You're no better than him, if that's what you're planning to do,"

Persephone rolled her eyes, "Your world is filled with hatred, violence and murder. Thanos kidnapped me and took advantage, manipulated and used me," Persephone said, she could feel tears stinging her eyes. She wanted to cry but she had to be strong, she couldn't show that she was vulnerable.

She stood tall despite wanting to cry, "Is it true? That you're dying?" Steve asked worriedly. He was quiet and stood next to Tony like a brother.

Persephone nodded her head, "Yes, it's true. The power of the stones is too much for my body and soon enough it'll give out," she explained while tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Then why spend your last days trying to defeat Thanos? Hasn't he taken too much from you already? You're only giving him what he wants," he explained. Persephone could feel the tears stinging her eyes.

She looked at the ground and then looked up at them, "Because I want to see his face when I defeat him. When I show him that I did everything he could do," her voice cracked and she quickly looked around.

"Persephone, you don't need to prove yourself to him. You never had to do that, Loki and I always knew how powerful you were. Loki just wanted to bother you but we both knew what you were capable of," Thor started, "You're more powerful than him, and he is afraid of that, he knows you can destroy him." Thor took a few steps towards the goddess and he looked worried. He knew that she was hurting and he wanted to help her. They knew each other since kids, they grew up together.

"But...I'm dying,"

She couldn't help it anymore and she burst into tears. Steve and Tony looked at each other, they knew what felt but in her case it was inevitable. Thor quickly embraced her in a tight hug. Persephone wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder.

"You'll be alright," he soothed her, "We'll figure out a way,"

"There is no other way," Persephone said between tears, she stepped away from him, "I already tried, I'm going to die and there is nothing I can do about it,"

"So, stay with us," Steve suggested.

"Yeah, what he said," Tony added, "You can stay here and if you want you can help us until Thanos comes and we can be ready for when he comes,"

"You'll be our guide," Thor suggested.

"Why do you want my help?" Persephone asked.

"You're one of the most powerful beings there is," Tony answered, "Plus, I've seen what you can do and I don't want that juju on me,"

Persephone chuckled, "Okay," she answered, "I'll help you, but it won't be easy,"

***

That night Persephone sat outside the Avengers compound sipping a cup of coffee. She had met the entire team of Avengers and they weren't so bad. Steve was nice to her and he was respectful compared to other guys she had met on Earth.

Tony was funny and he kept cracking jokes with Rhodey. Natasha was quiet most of the time, she was trying to get used to Persephone but she knew it would take time. Bruce was also nice, he was interested in how Persephone was created, how she was goddess and how she held the small power of the stones. They told her Clint had retired and was home with his family.

Persephone looked up at the stars and smiled, she remembered on Asgard how beautiful and vivid they were. Persephone heard footsteps behind her and when she looked back it was Thor.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," he greeted, "How are you?"

Persephone sighed, "I'm doing better, Tony helped me make coffee,"

"It really is a great beverage," Thor commented.

Persephone chuckled, "Earth has been treating you well,"

Thor chuckled, "Indeed, it has," he agreed, "I do miss Asgard,"

"Me too," Persephone agreed, "It's so beautiful, I miss my mom sometimes,"

"I miss my mother too," Thor added.

"I'm sorry about what happened to her," Persephone said while he took a seat next to her.

"It's not your fault," He said, "I do miss us hanging around as kids,"

Persephone chuckled lightly, "I do too, I apologize for all the pranks Loki and I did to you as kids. They were his ideas,"

Thor smiled at the thought of Loki, "It's okay, I liked some of those pranks,"

"I hope so because some of them were mine,"

Thor chuckled lightly, "You know, I used to have a crush on you when we were kids. I always thought you liked Loki and your mom found out about it and scolded me,"

"Really?" She questioned, "I never had a crush on Loki. I did have a small crush on you at some point but my mom reminded me of who I was and now that I'm dying, there's no point of being in a relationship if I'll be gone,"

"I'll miss you, Persephone," Thor said, the conversation grew somber.

"I'll miss you too," she said, "When I do die, I want you to read my eulogy,"

"You want me to read your eulogy?"

Persephone nodded, "Enough, let's just stop taking about this and look at the stars," she placed her head on Thor's shoulders and looked at the stars. She felt calm and ease for the first time in her life.