[color=darkgray][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/200823/16095eb2b8ef1ecb7f035f8e4447e691.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/CGt6Ezo.png[/img] [sub][i]A [@Venus] & [@metanoia] Collaboration[/i][/sub][/center][hr][hr][indent][indent]For several months, a certain Norse God had been moonlighting as what most have called “The Hooded Man”. In his neighborhood and those that surrounded where he lived, The Hooded Man was something of a myth. His identity hasn’t been uncovered by nobody, not the police that swore to protect the city from scum that threaten its safety, not the lawyers who were supposed to keep those locked up, and not the media who don’t care unless their politicians pay them to care. Indeed, Thor’s midnight activities were out of his love for those without the benefit of being privileged and rich. As much as he was devoted to his day job, which involved doing what he did at night but with more legality attached to it, he felt it wasn’t enough and it wouldn’t be as long as the mafia kept a presence in the city. So, whenever he saw a chance, Thor seized the night for himself and protected those who needed his help. As it just so happened, however, his “help” took him away from a relaxing night spent with a certain someone who, by all rights, should have been more important than the call he received from one of his clients. Thor did what he could but now he had the most dangerous task a man like him in his situation could ever have-- Sneaking back in and hoping he didn’t wake up the only other person who the criminals feared more than The Hooded Man. The creaking sound of a front door being carefully opened and closed gently coaxed Themis away from her slumber. The blonde’s eyelids fluttered for a few seconds, slowly adjusting themselves to the brightness in the small bedroom before ultimately opening up in greeting to the new day. After a moment of allowing her body to begin the process of waking, the young woman slowly propped herself up into a seating position, but immediately regretted her decision as that strong wave of nausea and dizziness that had been plaguing her for nearly a month now struck again. Grimacing and groaning softly, Themis closed her eyes and allowed her head to gently fall backwards onto the pillow again. Walking down the hallway that led to his bedroom, Thor was hoping to sneak back into bed, maybe catch an hour or two of sleep, but he noticed Themis was up and she somehow looked worse than the drug dealer he caved into the ground looked. [color=#349693]“You’re up early. Today’s your day off, isn’t it? Go ahead and go back to sleep if you want to!”[/color] Thor’s hope was that his encouragement would work so he could get a few extra hours himself, or, ya know, just a few hours in general. [color=#9D3DD0]"If only your bedroom wasn't as bright as it is…"[/color] the woman grumbled, finding the strength in Thor’s presence to successfully pull herself up into that seating position she had attempted before. [color=#9D3DD0]"Thor, darling: have you ever considered investing in some blackout curtains? They do wonders for your beauty sleep."[/color] He scoffed jokingly, taking a seat at the edge of the bed, in front of Themis. [color=#349693]“But I look just fine!”[/color] He joked, knowing that how he looked and how he felt were complete strangers to each other. [color=#349693]“Besides, it’s not normally this bright in Seattle. Usually you get woken up to a majestic family of clouds that let the sun peak through just enough to light up the room. It’s part of the reason I made this room my bedroom.”[/color] [color=#9D3DD0]"And the main reason why I adore the Seattle weather: the cool, cloudy days, with the near-daily rainfall and thunderstorms. It definitely beats the time where we lived in [i]Istanbul[/i],"[/color] she admitted, grimacing at the vivid memory of the despicable heat of the turkish city. [color=#349693]“That’s another thing we can agree on,”[/color] he said, smiling at Themis, in hopes that his pearly whites, which thankfully weren’t harmed last night, would bring her some form of comfort. She appeared to be in dire need of it. [color=#349693]“I much prefer the cool breeze of a spring morning than being in the dry, sickly heat. It makes me fortunate in these times where we must live in Midgard that we do so in a place with a versatile touch of Freyr. Without him, it’ll be Istanbul worldwide,”[/color] The thought of that made him want to cringe. [color=#9D3DD0]“Oh, God. That sounds like a nightmare…”[/color] Themis groaned, cringing hard at the thought of having to live in a world where there was no need for warm sweaters, hot drinks or cozy blankets. The subject, however, brought a question to the forefront of her mind-- especially when taking into consideration her host’s choice of wardrobe. [color=#9D3DD0]“Where were you, anyway? It was the sound of the front door what woke me,”[/color] she told him, scooting closer to Thor’s imposing figure to affectionately wrap her arms around him, resting the side of her face against his broad back. He knew what the easy answer to her question was: just saying that he was kicking the face of drug dealers into the pavement. But to say that would have to admit to, of all people, the ADA, that you, a guy who gets hired to protect people, was out breaking the law. Granted, it was a lot of fun and Thor [i]really[/i] enjoyed the feeling when his fist cracks the jaw of scumbags who sell dimebags to kids. But, given how out of whack Themis looked, that news would most likely worsen her condition (he was assuming). [color=#349693]“I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I had to run and do a few early morning errands. One of my guys screwed up some of the paperwork for one of our clients and I had to deal with it.”[/color] Truth was that did happen...last week. [color=#349693]“I did go by the bakery around the corner and picked a few bagels. If you think you’re feeling well enough to eat, their everything bagel is better than anything in the city.”[/color] Although she was still feeling off, the mention of food made Themis’ stomach grumble. She unentangled herself from Thor and was about to stand up when a blip from her phone alerted her to a new notification. Curious, the woman grabbed the device from where it had been resting on the nearest nightstand, unlocked it, and opened the email. The sender was Jupiter from the Roman pantheon, extending an invitation to a black tie event in fourteen days' time. Upon scanning the recipient list, Themis noticed the message had been sent to all gods and goddesses of every pantheon present on Earth. [color=#9D3DD0]"So apparently Jupiter's inviting us to a ball in two weeks?"[/color] the blonde announced, looking up at Thor with a dubious frown. [color=#9D3DD0]"I'm not sure if it's a wise idea considering how... [i]confrontational[/i] the conclave was. Or at least that's what Bastet told me, anyway."[/color] From the way tensions had built up and boiled over at the Seattle Library a few days previously, Themis was certainly not sorry that her illness and the return of the jury with the veredict for her case had caused her to miss the event. Thor nodded, confirming he heard about how eventful the Conclave was. Part of him dreaded hearing from Morrigan about missing it but he had better things to do-- or rather, better faces to punch. But the issue of Jupiter’s black tie party hung over his head like a rain cloud he didn’t have any hand in creating. [color=#349693]“Well, Jupiter has never been known for being wise. All of that money has to compensate for something, right?”[/color] Thor forced himself to laugh before letting out a sigh. [color=#349693]“But I guess it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t show up. Maybe I can trash his place at some point. I’m sure that’ll be fun.”[/color] [color=#9D3DD0]"[b][i]Thor[/i][/b]--"[/color] came Themis' stern voice, although her tone was accompanied by a small smile. [color=#9D3DD0]"I thought we had agreed on no more fighting? That you would be on your very best behavior?"[/color] [color=#349693]“Only when it came to starting fights, but the second I get provoked, there’s no way I’m leaving it unfinished.”[/color] Again, another forced laugh came from his lips, while Themis continued to smile as she shook her head. [color=#349693]“Anyway, what do you think? Are you going to bother attending? You Greeks are pretty anti-Roman, aren’t you?”[/color] [color=#9D3DD0]"Honestly? I could care less about what pantheon anyone belongs to as long as they're good, decent people,"[/color] she said matter-of-factly with a small shrug. [color=#9D3DD0]"But I will say that I haven't got the slightest bit of interest in attending that ball. There are some wounds better left untouched for a while, and some faces better left unseen in order for oneself to truly heal from secrets, lies and betrayal."[/color] She was, of course, referring to the painful event that had led her to the arms of the man now sitting in front of her. By this point, he turned to face her. [color=#349693]“I understand not wanting to be among certain companies. I’m fairly certain there are a few who would be in their happiest mindsets if neither one of us showed up, but why give them that satisfaction?”[/color] His question was rhetorical as he continued, [color=#349693]“The way I see it is this is the perfect opportunity to cast waves. But if it makes you feel better, if they start trouble, I’ll just beat the ever living daylights out of anyone who gives you or I the wrong look.”[/color] He desperately wanted to be given an excuse to kick some ass in the house of the Romans. [color=#9D3DD0]"Admit it, Thor: you just want an excuse to pull out that hammer of yours and go apeshit bashing people's skulls in,"[/color] Themis said with a good-natured laugh, planting a kiss on his cheek before resting her chin on his shoulder. [color=#9D3DD0]"We both know you could care less about any sort of opinion these individuals may have of you. It's the fighter in you the one who's begging to be let out of the cage again."[/color] [color=#349693]“Who says I need my hammer?”[/color] He laughed, letting a moment pass before addressing the other thing she correctly pointed out. [color=#349693]“I won’t lie to you: I would give justice to those who escape it. There’s a part of me that wishes it was Istanbul again where I was free to fight until my heart’s content, but I know in this…[i]progressive[/i] society, that’s considered to be a crime. It’s part of my reason why I started Heidrun. It’s why I do what the biased police around here refuse to do. It’s not a lot and I wish I could just wind back time, but it’s all I can really do.”[/color] [color=#9D3DD0]"There's a saying I like to keep at the forefront of my mind in regards to my livelihood: [i]rules are the only thing that separates us from the animals[/i],"[/color] the woman mused, staring out into the open bedroom window for a second before turning her warm, hazel eyes in his direction. [color=#9D3DD0]"And as an ADA, it is my duty to justly enforce these laws to the best of my ability. But I'm not oblivious to the fact that we live in a world where most things belong to a shade of gray, and are not simply black or white. And when I'm unable to carry out justice to the lengths it deserves to be, I'm glad we have you to finish the job. No guilty party will go unpunished by us. It's why we make such a great team."[/color] He just sat there, looking at her, hearing what she had to say about...well, everything. About how she, an ADA of all people, was admitting the system wasn’t perfect; about how she,the ADA, didn’t outright condemn someone like him expressing a desire to sometimes take justice into his own hands. It made him feel validated. And not just because of his nightly activities. In all the time he had known Themis, of course, he knew why he was so attracted to her. She appealed to a lot of his ideals and, let’s face it: she’s heavenly, too. But it was also about what she represented, and how that part of him that wanted to protect those in need of it aligned with her desire to deliver justice to those who deserve it. [color=#349693]“I knew there was a reason why we always found our way back to each other.”[/color] He found himself admitting, cracking both a smile and a laugh. He took her hands into his. [color=#349693]“I hope you know this is why I love you. Your ability to stand firm on what you believe in but also not shy to admit that sometimes personal justice can be an option is why we’ve always stayed connected throughout the centuries.”[/color] [color=#9D3DD0]"So you only love me for my morals? How utterly [i]boring[/i],"[/color] she joked, the corners of her mouth curling upward with the hint of a playful smile and her eyes sparkling with mischief. [color=#349693]“Come on now, Themis,”[/color] Thor spoke as his hand left hers and firmly grabbed her thigh. He massaged it as he gently kissed her. Whether or not she was feeling good, Thor loved her regardless. [color=#349693]“It goes without saying I have a deep fondness for more than just your morals-- as I’m sure you adore me for more than just my honor code.”[/color] He leaned in for another kiss, leaving out the gentleness this time. [color=#9D3DD0]“I mean, I won’t lie: those muscles of yours certainly help your case,”[/color] she teased, suggestively wiggling her eyebrows at Thor before letting out a giggle and returning his kiss with that level of passion and enthusiasm only he brought out of her. The God of Thunder’s lips curled into a confident smile and he let his hands explore her legs some more. [color=#349693]“What evidence do you have to back this up, counselor? The Jury would love to know.”[/color] Thor traced his arms from her legs to her lower back, gently tugging Themis closer to him so her...evidence could be presented to the court. Themis' laugh echoed across the room-- a sound as bright as the rays of light peeking through the clouds outside. [color=#9D3DD0]"If I present my facts to the court, then I risk everyone else falling in love with you too,"[/color] she explained, standing up just long enough to take a seat in his lap and wrapping her arms around him once more. [color=#9D3DD0]"I can't take that risk... I don't want to lose you,"[/color] the blonde admitted, and the unexpected honesty and vulnerability of her statement forced Themis to bite her lower lip and avert her eyes. And that was the last thing he expected to see; for her to speak so earnestly and truthfully. He was expecting some kind of comment about his muscles, some innuendo about other parts of his body -- maybe with a reference to Mjölnir. But to his genuine surprise, she chose a road that he often found himself wanting to go down as well. Still, part of his astute mind that always was wondering about what might happen next. Following that mindset, he brought one arm from behind her back, raising it up to her chin, and grasped it gently, hoping this gesture would encourage her to allow her eyes to follow his voice. [color=#349693]“And I don’t want to lose you either.”[/color] His voice was low and their opposing cheeks touched as he felt the warmth of her skin, subtle shocks of static electricity traveling from his being to hers. She gently rested her forehead against his, finding comfort in his warmth and their physical contact. Even though Themis was certain his intentions were honest and true, a part of her begged for the verbal reassurance of what she knew in her heart. [color=#9D3DD0]"I love you, Thor. I love you so, so much. Just… [i]Please don't break my heart…[/i]"[/color] she whispered, leaning back just enough to look up at him with scared, pleading eyes. It was in that moment that both of them knew what this moment represented. It wasn’t the admissions of deep adoration they held for each other for [i]centuries[/i] nor the years of times they’ve remained as more than just friends but never crossing the invisible line drawn in the sand. No, it wasn’t about either of those things but rather about this moment being the true test of what exactly meant most to them. Thor knew this and it was confirmed to him, just now, that she knew it too. As sure as he was that Themis, proud Greek Goddess and ADA of King’s COunty, was scared shitless out of her mind, fearful of something far worse than an irreversible death, so was Thor of the fact that what he said right now would change the entire dynamic of their relationship -- the dynamic that, up until this point, had always been a casual friends with benefits arrangement. But something had changed and Thor couldn’t push it aside any longer. It was now or never. So the God of Thunder surrendered himself entirely to the moment and locked eyes with Themis in his best attempt to give her the confirmation she needed. [color=#349693]“On my honor as a God of Asgard and as a man who has always loved you: I will never break your heart, Themis, and there’ll never be a day where my love for you wanes.”[/color] He pulled her into a tight hug for the extra reassurance he couldn’t help but feel they both needed. The insecurities, uncertainties, doubts and even the illness she'd been battling against, was momentarily forgotten as Themis allowed herself to get wrapped up and lost in Thor's strong, loving embrace. His arms had always felt like home to her-- providing her with a peace and sense of security she hadn't experienced before. Themis felt unconditionally loved and safe with Thor, resting easy knowing that even if the world around them was suddenly on fire, he would rather die than let a single flame touch her. Once their embrace had come to an end, Themis gently took Thor's face in her hands. Their eyes met for a moment, forest green with stormy blue, before she made the promise that would seal their fates together forever. [color=#9D3DD0][i]"And you will have me… Until my last, dying breath..."[/i][/color] the goddess swore to her lover, letting her ageless promise hang in the air before pulling Thor into the brazen kiss that would lead them to passionately come together as one.[/indent][/indent][/color]