you're all right. you're safe. it's over.
so much time has been spent working on his fears, overcoming them. in his day to day they are hardly present, barely noticeable. recent events had unearthed them, sent them clawing their way back to the surface. once again it has gripped his heartโ it wasnโt THE GOD BUTCHER who had brought back the horrors that once latched themselves to his back, gnawing into his flesh day after miserable day for half a decade. it was what he could have taken from thor. there is pity when he thinks of the innocent gods whoโd died along the way, but to know he could have lost everything, AGAIN. . . that is terrifying.
even in the safety of new asgard, his people happily reunited with their childrenโ and not a death for them to mournโ he finds his heart racing, hands trembling. all smiles and joy, falling back into habits and continuing on as they have. . . he canโt help but think it a temporary happiness. all things must come to an end, and he seems destined to always witness it. intake of breath, eyes darting about, thor must remove himself. he doesnโt want to interrupt them, ruin the mood. so he isolates as he always does. itโs what heโs good at. he is nearing the edges of their small state when he hears itโ footsteps follow him, a voice calling out.
it is ace he sees when he turns.
โace,โ he breathes, white knuckled fingers grasping stormbreakerโs handle shifting along the wood. โiโm sorry, iโ i needed a moment. i was just. . .โ a pause, a swallow. spiraling would be a good word for it. but they speak before he can think up an excuse, and he nods, fixing his eyes on the ground below. โi know, i know. my safety is the least of my worries.โ he steps around them now, glancing briefly toward new asgard. he can still hear the laughter from here. sorrow weighs him down as he turns back. โitโs theirs. i. . . canโt bear to lose anyone else. i canโt fail them again.โ