you said it yourself, bitch

     “You would put the good of men before the greed of oneself. “ He laughs. “E’ev if your methods are questionable.” It wasn’t as if Thor had done the same, questionable things to achieve a better outcome for the rest of the world– “’Tis the war mongers that wage war and do not understand when their kind dies in the process. We in Asgard know that war is met with casualties, so we celebrate their sacrifice and we seek to join the dead in the halls of Valhalla when the time is met…”

      This wasn’t meant to be a history and culture lesson, however. “I hope so. But people do not like that is foreign to them. If it is different… And unknown, it causes fear. I believe we are feared than welcomed and until they see that we too can die, we are waiting for Midgard to turn.” A fate that Thor is predicting for the worst, and with such events, it’s something that is a total possibility. 

       Snorts. “Oh– A reference, then…” One that clearly went over his head. “I hope that in the birth of the child, our people can look to our own lands o’er what is happening out there…” A wish for bliss in ignorance but it would be better than a stare off with beings weaker than them. “Suppose that, in my meeting you here, I would ask another favor of you…”

“Speaking as someone who just dealt with not only a war monger, but a war mongering, genocidal, smurf ass lunatic, we need less of them. Not sure he was going for that whole Valhalla thing, but whatever shit he was pulling for, pretty sure he didn’t end up getting it. I can sleep at night pretty damn well with that fact.” He makes no attempt to mask his open loathing, though there’s a faint hint of pride in his words. After all, he and the others had, essentially, saved the galaxy. 

No big deal. 

“...And you guys can die? I mean, I know that’s dumb, or-..or sounds stupid, but you can? And jesus, what would that even take?” As if testing himself, Peter lightly punches Thor’s arm, then lightly pokes it again. 

“...Anyway, what can I do for you? You know you got the Guardians whenever you need us. I mean, maybe we’re not good for a whole lot, but we’ll gladly do what we can. I’ll gladly do what I can.” 

      A light smile twists on his lips, glad to hear Peter’s hopefulness. “I like the both of you. Things shall fall into place, but give it time.” Setting a hand on his shoulder, he gives it a gentle squeeze. This was one of the reasons why Thor enjoyed their friendship. He could rely on Peter’s positivity. 

       “Apparently they are in control of much of the realm’s law and people. Mostly good folk, but…” Thor didn’t feel the need to finish that sentence. Politics and corruption were a common theme, something Thor would do his best to avoid as leader of his kin. “They could… With my realm needing refuge on Midgard, if the mortals wish my people gone, ‘tis in their right. I keep Asgardia isolated and quiet, but some may think we are unsuited to stay. I fear for that day…. So, I must stay on the side of whate’er keeps my people safe, but does not force them to be on their knees.”

         Relieved, Thor nods. He doubted Peter would go around telling the entire galaxy of Thor’s news, but it was a matter that his friend was a man of his word and he wouldn’t worry of any of Thor’s secrets getting into the hands of people he didn’t want. “Xena?” He’s confused. “Her name is Sif, Peter…”

“Speaking as someone that could loosely be considered a “mostly good person”, that doesn’t do much in way of comfort,” Peter snorts in a moment of characteristic honesty, folding his hands over his chest, “I’m...rehabilitated, let’s put it that way, but mostly good ain’t gonna’ cut it. You guys? Yeah, you mess up sometimes, but that’s part of, I don’t know, doing everything you people do. There’s gonna’ be mistakes, and people are gonna’ get hurt, but the alternative is that a hell of a lot more people get hurt, probably die. I don’t trust it. It’s none of my business, probably, but I don’t trust it.” 

“Haven’t you shown us that you-, that you and Asgard can be trusted though?” Peter furrows his brow, finding himself strangely angered by the turn of events. “Out here? You don’t trust nobody. There’s so many different people, creatures-, everyone has their own interests in mind and that’s why when you find someone you can trust, you do. Backfires sometimes, sure, but it’s worth it the majority of the time. That’s why I trust you, the rest of the Guardians. You guys have proven yourselves.” He nods proudly then, almost defensively and swallows hard, rubbing at his jaw in thought. 

“This whole flarkin’ thing is a mess.” Another sigh follows. “But I’m glad for you, bro. You and Sif, yeah yeah, I know that’s her name, long story, but you guys just need a nice little vacation or something, you know? You two deserve it.”

      “I believe that she would greatly appreciate that. Give it time– She is, hm, how do I want to say it… Finicky?” Carol always had some kind of control freak tendencies that made Thor’s eyes roll, but maybe what she was doing would in the end, be better for both her and Peter. An odd couple, really. Peter was easy going and funny, and she was serious and sarcastic. 

        “’Twas a major news event. E’en in Asgardia, did my people find their ways to gather information. My people have taken the stance to remain independent, as such, they will also be damned if this… United Nations try to meddle in our affairs.” Even if the Asgardians were refugees, they were too proud of people to be bent.

         Thor couldn’t help but smile a bit at Peter’s remark. “I found both men admirable. But both men have been incredibly stupid that I cannot salvage. They caused a war amongst my friends, my warriors in arms.” Thor could feel himself fuming but he calmed himself quickly at the mention of sneaking in a bit of news…

         “I have told very few. I would not have my enemies trying to learn of this– But, aye, Sif is due very soon…” He couldn’t help now but smile, though it was met great unease.

He finally allows himself a broad grin, amused by the god’s clear attempts to be accurate but respectful in his assessment of Carol. “You’re not wrong, bud, but we find a way to make it work. Somehow, we make it work.” 

“United Nations? Yeah, I know a little bit about them. Not much, but enough to know that you guys are dealing with some heavy hitters.” Peter found himself briefly embarrassed to know so little of the  politics of his own world in comparison to Thor, the one day ruler of another.  “Could the United Nations actually sanction something again you? I mean, inter-galactic pseudo-politics ain’t exactly my specialty, but could they impact Asgard at all?” He sighs, rubbing his forehead and regretting his prior drinks. 

“So you’re not taking sides? You’re gonna’ be Switzerland in all this?” Despite the somberness of the conversation, Peter beams upwards at his friend. “Don’t worry, won’t tell a soul. Scout’s honor, dude, but seriously, that’s awesome! Don’t get me wrong, Xena scares the piss outta’ me, but I’m happy for you two.”

       “Rest assured she has not been on Earth. So, her attention clearly has escaped elsewhere, I fear.” That probably didn’t make him feel that much better, but if Carol was around, she would’ve been apart of the battles that consumed Thor’s teammates. He wondered now, if she even knew what become of her friends back home, though maybe she didn’t care at all. Since she gained the title of Captain in recent years, she’s had been… Searching, it seemed. Searching for more beyond her. “I have my doubts that she is done with you, but seeks something else of herself. Something that none of us can find.”

         Thor sighs again. “Her name is Wanda. Not, whate’er that was you just said.” And much of the events that forced the accords seemed to have weighed on her. “There was an unfortunate accident that had happened in Lagos–” Thor added after, for clarification, “–Nigeria, that pushed the world to seek out ramification of the Avengers.”

          Thor didn’t want to make mention of who was involved and who did what. It didn’t really matter, considering it could not be changed. “I have grown close and e’en called both Anthony and Steven friends. I cannot play the field with both. Captain America is a wanted man and Anthony has control o’er the fate of the team. And I will not sign anything that puts control o’er myself and Asgaria.” And with a child on the way… He didn’t have time for these petty arguments.

Peter falls silent at that. There were things in both their pasts, things that had been out of their control, choices they hadn’t been afforded, and though Carol had strived to be as open with him as she could allow herself to be, Peter knew there were things that remained unnamed and unspoken. “She has to do what she has to,” He finally replies with an unusual amount of quiet honesty, “I get that. And...and when she wants to come back, I’ll be here. I’m not goin’ anywhere.” 

“Ok ok, Wanda. Sorry, I can barely keep up with my own crew and I’m bad with names. Nigeria? Jesus, I need to watch CNN more or something.”

He does take note that Thor doesn’t go into any further detail, deciding it best to look up the incident on his own later. “Oh, Tony? Yeah, I knew you liked em’ both.” He neglects to mention that his heart skips a beat at mention of Steve. “Wanted?? Captain America is wanted because of this whole Sokovia business?” Peter groans and rubs his forehead, feeling a headache coming on, only to choke. 

“A child?? Like, a baby? You’re gonna’ have a baby?” 

      Knowing that news of the Avengers freud reaching far out into the galaxy made Thor even more uneasy. Such news should have never been discovered by any; it only made the team that much more vulnerable. What was left of it, anyway. Thor wasn’t sure who to trust, or where to go if he needed backup in battle. Suppose he was on his own…

       “I noticed she was not here… She had been more of a Guardian than an Avenger as of late…” Thor tilts his head, normally wanting to heckle Peter as to what he did to make her go on her own, but considering the current situation, nothing seemed to be funny at the moment. “I am sorry to know that her actions have troubled you. Unless you wish me not to meddle, I can always seek her out for you.”

           Thor seemed to have spoken too much with no background at all for the conversation, causing him to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Sokovia is not one person, but a country. One that had suffered at the hand of Ultron… And the Avengers. Because the world saw us as a threat as much as heroic, they wished to have the Avengers sign and agreement to be controlled. It turned… awfully messy. Bruce nor I had any part in it, but the Avengers as we know them are no more. And Asgardia, I fear, is next in discussion.”

Peter scratches the back of his head, shifting his weight from foot to foot uncomfortably. He’d never been anything remotely close to shy, but Carol was...different, somehow. It was private, everything he felt for her, and the authenticity of it made it sacred somehow, something to be held close and kept locked away. “Yeah, she said she had to look into a few things and uh-, kinda’ hasn’t been back since. I don’t know, I didn’t want to pry. Girls hate that. I mean, I’ve heard they do.” He shrugs again, working to adopt a smile once more. “I’m just sort of worried about her, I guess. Thought maybe something back on Earth, I dunno’, got her attention.” 

He inhales and briefly picks at the sleeve of his jacket, straightening his posture, “Oh right, that’s where the Hot Topic girl’s from, yeah? Sorry, Sokovia, Bulgaria, Genovia, can’t quite keep em’ all straight.” He grows serious, however, at continued mention of that whole Ultron fiasco, and is reminded to be glad he wasn’t involved. “I mean, the whole thing was a mess. Not that you all could have made it any neater, but...,”

He sighs quietly, “I’m sorry, Thor. I am. I know they meant a lot to you, just...the whole idea of you all together. I don’t keep up with Earth stuff as much as I should, but I know enough to understand this whole thing isn’t good.”

      After returning the hug, though it was slightly weak on Thor’s end, he rubbed his face, and shrugged. “Looking for you, I suppose.” Looking around, the other Guardians seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere, allowing Thor to to pat Peter on the shoulder to have Peter follow him outside of the tavern, finding a quiet spot to talk

       It might’ve been odd, going to Peter for an ear to talk off, but despite his joker antics, he was a good friend to the thunderer. They have had many great adventures, fun ones. And it wasn’t Thor’s intent to put all the stress on a mortal like him, but he needed someone outside of Earth to give him some ease– He hoped, anyway.

        “I must thank you for it– Midgard stirs, a troubling place to be at the moment and though I feel I have abandoned my post, I would rather not be approached by any involved at the moment for I believe a few that I would call friends would be missing spines….”

          Leaning into wall with his shoulder, he wrapped his arms around his chest, the sighed. “The Avengers are split, and I do not know where my people will stand– These Sokovia Accords are mind boggling and frustrating to say the least…”

He shoves his pockets in his hands, embarrassed to have been discovered by his friend at an establishment that could be considered shady at best. Peter was always eager to see Thor, ready for yet another adventure or even a casual chat about their respective lives, but it was instantly obvious that something was off with the god. The normal humor that flickered in his eyes had dulled, typical broad smile replaced by worried visage. That in itself was enough to worry Peter. 

“Well, you found me,” He flashes his best attempt at a smile, glancing Thor over carefully for any immediate signs of trouble, “Guess I’m not all that hard to find, huh?”

He sighs quietly at mention of Midgard, leaning against the wall and folding his arms over his chest, “Yeah, I got the sense something was up. We hear things up hear, well, probably not as well as you and Heimdall do, but there’s been rumors. And-, uh,” An awkward shrug ensues, “Carol’s been a little distant lately. Figured I maybe screwed up along the way, but-”

His eyes widen then, a clear sign of surprise. “Split? What do  you mean split? And who the hell’s Sokovia and what’s he doing writing stuff? isn’t that what an accord is? Like a monologue or something?”

      Thor wasn’t known for making rational decisions out of frustration and anger. Half of him wanted to rampage and find each and every Avenger that had ripped the team apart. The other half, the side that seemed to mature the god’s thinking, told him it was best to skip town for a bit to find his cool.

       And there was no one cooler than Star-Lord. Having to traverse space, that was going to be time consuming but at least he knew that he’d have someone that wasn’t involved in all the Midgardian nonsense that happened weeks earlier.

       Better yet, in Thor’s travels, searching for the Guardians, he found the Milano parked out of a run down tavern outside one of the moons of a dead planet. Pushing through the doors, there was chaos– A good kind. Bar fights, gambling and some mating rituals, Thor found Peter playing some sort of dice game against a giant blue creature with six tentacles. 

       Tapping his friend on the shoulder, he folds his arms and arches a brow. “May I have a word–”

The past few months had been as close to relaxing as anything Peter had ever known. Most people would find his life nothing less than exhausting, and bizarre at best, but nonetheless he had found himself almost bored by the lack of chaos in his every life. The Guardians had all been getting along, with the exception of the occasional near brawl largely instigated by Rocket being a complete dick, and that came with a certain pride. They were like, almost professionals now.

Peter wasn’t sure what they were nearly professionals at, given their decidedly varied backgrounds, but all the same it was a welcome change to be vaguely professional at something. 

They’d each gone their separate ways for the mean time, allowing Peter a quiet week that swiftly collapsed into boredom. Carol was almost impossible to get a hold of now and while she was quick to say it was related to work, Peter couldn’t help but be faintly hurt and, though he’d never admit it, worried that perhaps it was an excuse. For that, he had decided to take an evening to fully relax and eased himself into some shitty planetside bar. It was filled with the usual rough characters his life seemed to be overflowing with, but that was to be expected and it caused him no worry. 

Easing back a beer, and wishing it was a Corona, he hopped into a game of something or other. Not entirely sure of the rules, he was determined to figure it out as he went along and before he lost too much money. Blinking at the tap on his shoulder and instinctively reaching for the laser gun on his hip, Peter arches a brow in complete shock. “...Thor? The hell you doin’ in a place like this, buddy?”

Absently tossing the dice away, he stands up and instantly embraces the giant in an equally bold hug. “Sure, you know you can have all the words you want! What’s up, bro?”

“Get on your feet, get up and make it happen.“ 

       Ohthankgod– [ She exhaled and rubbed her face ] No, we cannot handle a pet dinosaur, I’m not allowing it. [ She just laughs now, nudging his ribs ] Don’t like, you’d totally steal a dinosaur egg if you have the chance. You’d get that sparkle in your eye and that switch in your brain to ‘off’ mode.

I mean, I’m not denying it, m’am. Sometimes something in my brain just goes, “You see that? That’s a thing you should have” and honestly? A dinosaur egg is something we should probably have. 

{He smirks back affectionately} But don’t worry, I’d ask first. And besides that, I have the next best thing. 

…I mean, sure, okay… [ What the hell? ]  If you say so, I’ll play along. For science. So what are you up to? What are we doing that’s involving dinosaurs? You can’t hide from me, Quill– Oh god, you stole a dinosaur egg and want us to raise it together. You know I can barely keep track of my Flerken Cat!

...Stole an egg? Carol, I am wounded. I don’t even know where to find a dinosaur egg and I..I am not a thief! I just...you know, find things other people forget about and uh-, happen to not be looking at. 

{A firm nod} And besides, Chewie is definitely more high maintenance than a dinosaur. We could so handle one. 

They’re pretty awesome… [ And awesome to punch in the face ]  Why are we talking about dinosaurs?

That’s good. Good fact to know. I think what a person thinks about dinosaurs is really kinda’ a hint about their whole personality, you know? Like, those color tests or whatever. Say you like blue, turns out you’re a narcissist with a tendency to be nostalgic....hypothetically. {Not that he knows that from experience, of course}

And I just gotta’ know, Carol, for science. 

So, quick question. How do you feel about-

Dinosaurs?