ONE THING THAT Olympia Amodei absolutely hated admitting was the fact that her mind, more specifically her memory, was riddled with gaps and inconsistencies — the occasional voids in her knowledge were caused by things she wasn't so sure she wanted to dig up, as nowadays, her life was more than sufficient. However, even if her past was a little hazy, she liked to think that she was a mostly innocent being — even now, as she and her friends stood in the busy hallway of their nearest hospital, her eyes warily glancing at every passerby and her teeth anxiously gnawing on her cheek.

She wanted to be glad that they had delivered the stranger to the medical center for a check-up, but as Jane stood at the counter to fill out all the necessary forms with a nurse, she couldn't help but feel like they were bringing themselves to be judged, in the process. After all, they had driven into the man, and who knew what kind of intentions he came bearing? There was a lot to be cautious about, whether it was the royal clothing he had shown up in or the fact that he had been caught up in the hurricane at all — yet somehow, the inconsistencies in his story weren't causing as much trouble to Olympia as standing there for all eyes to see.

"He said his name was... Thor?" The Amodei's attention was drawn back to Jane, who breathed out nervously, flashing an innocent smile at the nurse before glancing at her companions to receive the convincing nods she needed for support. Olympia supposed that Thor was a fitting name for the otherworldly bunch of muscles and confidence, though hearing his determined introduction in the middle of the desert had surged something indecipherable in her soul. Then again, with a unique name like hers, who was she to judge?

The nurse nodded slowly, clearly gaining some new stories to share at lunch as she trailed her eyes to the stack of papers in her hands. The slow pace they had kept up for the better part of an hour now didn't sit so well with Olympia though, and with a weary sigh she didn't hide too well, the woman made a turn on her heel and headed for the room she had seen a bunch of nurses walk a confused, puppy-like Thor. She guessed that apologizing was in place — she was part of the reason why she had been strapped to the bed, to begin with — but on top of that guilt she was trying to ignore, there was just a hint of enthusiasm that was telling her to ask questions and find out more.

With her hands deep in the pockets of her adopted sweatpants, Olympia blew wild curls away from her face every two seconds as the hastily-made ponytail fell apart around her, but when she reached the right door, her entire stance came to a halt. Rather than finding a sedated Thor poking at a jello cup, she came face to face with an empty, silent room with knocked-out doctors on the floor and the furniture scattered all over the place, causing her heart to sink. Clearly, Thor hadn't agreed with the idea of being probed and inspected.

As the gravity of the situation weighed in, Olympia pulled her hands out of her pockets and scrambled into a sprint, her heart beginning to race as she called out to her friends from down the hall. "He's gone!" she announced with a shaky tone as she approached the counter, out of breath after the most minimal of physical challenges, "he's not in his room. Just a—a bunch of doctors he smacked around, I think?"

Eyes widening, Jane, Darcy, and Erik looked at one another whereas the nurse reached for the phone to call for help, the sight officially initiating a roll of red hot guilt in Olympia's heart. Yet, when her friends headed for the exit, she didn't try and stop them, but instead, rushed after them to the scorching sunshine and hauled air into her lungs. It was terribly difficult to claim innocence when the team climbed into the truck without looking back, but if nothing else could be done, then Olympia was hellbent on finding Thor.

Thankfully, Jane seemed to be on the same track.

"I just lost my most important piece of evidence. Typical!" Jane scoffed with exasperation, and silently, Olympia questioned her priorities — sure, backtracking on her life's work couldn't feel good but they had almost killed someone, only to then lose the totally loose cannon. But, instead of saying a single word, she crawled in the back of the car and followed from aside as Darcy started the vehicle and began driving. With one glance at the rearview mirror, she made sure she wasn't bumping into anything as she attempted to back out of the parking lot of the medical center, but she had barely moved the car when she had already managed to drive over someone. Again.

"Oh my god, really?" Olympia choked out half a laugh despite her worry only expanding in her chest as she unbuckled her seatbelt and leaped out of the truck with an unsteady footing. As Darcy hoisted her hands off of the wheel and looked between her friends apologetically, Erik shook his head at her, yet none of them made a move out unlike Olympia who rushed to the back. And unable to believe her eyes, she breathed out in a bitter mixture of relief and frustration when she recognized the victim of Darcy's irresponsible driving — it was Thor.

"I swear, we're not doing this on purpose", she defended her and her friends, even if a part of her was happy to see Thor again. He was a mystery she wasn't sure how to solve, but if she could be useful in helping him, then it was a responsibility she would accept gladly. She wasn't a genius destined for stardom in the world of science, but despite her flaws, she had a good heart and a desire to aid others in a time of need — maybe somewhere deep down, she was already relating to Thor. She didn't know his backstory, but the possibility of him being lost like she had been made her heart thud a little more obnoxiously than usual.

"Are you okay?" Olympia inquired with a cringe, hoping for the best outcome as she extended a hand for Thor to take, although she doubted she'd have the physical strength to carry him for a split second. But before he could grab it, their eyes locked and his blue ones gained a new shade of excitement and softness, his lips slowly curling upwards as he bravely took Olympia's hand and climbed back up to both feet. But rather than letting go when he was upright yet again, his gentle hold remained on her, just as attentively as his affectionate stare.

"It's you", Thor exhaled with a fond tone, a charming smile taking the woman's breath away, "Olympia."

☾☾☾

ONE DAY EARLIER

The Son of Odin was restlessly pacing back and forth in the castle he shared with his family and friends, amidst the food that had covered the floor after Thor had channeled his utmost frustration into the nearest table. People had been giving him awfully looks, ridden with pity and doubt, not just all day, but rather all year, and so far he had put up with it, but now he was just plain sick of fingers pointing at him and people whispering in his presence. He had begun to fear that he was no longer the king people desired, leaving him unworthy of his father's position, and it ate on him to a point where he was driving his feelings into the mad, obsessive striding across the room only to return to the other side and then the other.

"Thor", a familiar, low voice spoke from behind a pillar in the room, and with ease, the future king located his mischievous brother who slowly approached Thor. Loki's face was nearly emotionless, but a hint of sadness and compassion towards the other child could be divided from the cool exterior as he walked up to the God of Thunder and placed a casual hand on his shoulder, gripping it as a sign of comfort. Thor smiled faintly but stepped away from Loki whilst shaking his head, appreciative but unsatisfied with the attempt to relieve his stress.

"Thank you, brother, but I'm afraid not even your presence can ease my concern", he admitted, his voice booming through the room despite the shyness in him, while his gaze dropped from Loki to the floor. At least he had stopped walking, but so far it had kept his worries at bay, and now that he had nothing else to do, all the thoughts broke through the barriers and an evident frown stretched across his face as he considered the possibility of being a disappointment. He wanted to rule, sit on the throne, but he also wanted to be a good king, one that people would respect and love like a friend. But it seemed like no one thought so anymore.

With a deep intake of fresh air, Thor sighed sadly. "It seems I'm not worthy of the throne. I wish for everyone to like me, but our fellow Asgardians have been looking at me strangely and I fear I no longer belong where our father now stands", he informed dramatically before giving Loki's shoulder a pat and then taking a step towards the exit — he wasn't given the opportunity to do so, however, when Loki cleared his throat to gain attention.

As Thor twirled back around with a quirked eyebrow, the God of Mischief considered his options with a clenched jaw, having always been on top of the latest gossip. But when he came to the conclusion that with the truth, he could not only ease his brother's concern but get him out of the way for him to step up and take the place of the king, a kind smile crept to his lips.

"Oh, Thor, you have misunderstood entirely!" Loki chirped, praising whatever superior powers had rendered Thor so utterly clueless to his ulterior motives. "You have heard of soulmates, haven't you? Well, the truth is, when you were born, so was a lovely woman named Olympia Amodei. She would be the queen, you the king, you know how it goes. But when it came to light that this woman lives in Midgard, not Asgard, the plans were aborted and aimed to keep hidden from you", he elaborated, only sharing facts despite the cunning gleam in his eyes as he approached Thor once more.

"And so, our loyal subjects are now giving you all these looks because there is true love waiting for you, in Midgard. But instead of having your betrothed by your arm, you walk alone, and so does she", Loki continued, trying his best to hide a grin from splitting his mouth ear to ear since he already knew what his brother was going to do next. It was in Thor's nature to do the right thing, or at least what he thought was right, and therefore his response was crystal clear before he had even opened his mouth.

"Well, then I must find her immediately! I shall travel to Midgard, and track down lady Olympia", Thor decided instantly, beaming up at Loki with something indescribably pure. "Thank you", he spoke with grave appreciation, staring Loki right in the eye and giving his shoulder a grateful squeeze before striding out of the room with his head and heart already deadset on the plan without figuring out all the steps.

As the doors shut behind Thor, Loki couldn't help but chuckle to himself, shaking his head at his hopeless romantic of a brother. At times like these, his good heart was of use. "You are very welcome", he grinned, already feeling the keys to the kingdom right at his fingertips.

☾☾☾

"YOU KNOW, EVEN if he is stupid enough to get hit by the same car twice and then actually come with the people who almost killed him in the first place, he's pretty darn hot." With flushed cheeks, Olympia tried to avert her eyes from the other room where Thor was adjusting his belt without a shirt on, his arms flexing and his chest tightening as he eyed his new clothes. Darcy snorted in agreement, less sneaky as she drooled over the blonde who they, somehow, had convinced to join him.

Then again, after he had been able to name her, she guessed that it would have been more challenging to try and get rid of him. He was interesting, she had to admit as much, and so far, he had been kind and understanding despite their out-of-ordinary situation, but there was something off. Yet, instead of being alarmed, Olympia felt drawn by the unknown, and she wondered if that was how Jane felt about her astrophysics — the thirst for knowledge. And, admittedly, for something else, too.

"Tell me again, why must I wear these clothes instead of my own?" Thor questioned with a genuinely confused, unexpectedly standing in front of Olympia who jumped out of her thoughts and nearly collapsed with the chair she had slumped into after guiding Thor to change. Even in New Mexico, the air in their office had never been so heavy and charged. Looking up at the man, who had finally pulled on a top, Olympia coughed and dropped the pen she had used to take down notes of the phenomenon they had witnessed like Jane had asked. In her opinion, the real miracle was right there with them now, and that was all she wanted to pay attention to.

"Well, because you need to fit in. You can't exactly walk around in... whatever you were wearing earlier", Olympia tried to offer an explanation, smiling slightly at the thought and the way Thor was radiating at her like he was happy to be there. But before she could fall too deep into thought again, she spotted the name tag on the blue shirt Thor had been handed, and her already burning cheeks developed a shade as she yanked it off awkwardly. "Sorry about that. My, uh, ex-boyfriend", she drew in a deep breath, saying goodbye to the memory of their last party together while throwing the sticker in the trash and then patting Thor's firm chest.

Only seconds later she realized how embarrassing it was, causing her to scoff at herself as she pulled her hands behind her back and looked away from the tall man's satisfied grin. "Sorry", she repeated herself, feeling Darcy and Jane's amused stares on the back of her head as she drew a circle with her foot and hoped for something else to fill the silence between them. Thor didn't exactly catch up, though, and decided to continue the conversation, possibly thinking it would only be polite but it was quite the opposite.

"Are those his as well, then?" Thor wondered with a curious eye, gesturing at the baggy sweatpants Olympia was wearing. After glancing at the gray fabric, she lifted her surprised gaze and their blue eyes locked, causing her mouth to fall open as she thought of a reasonable explanation — something told him that the most simple answer wouldn't suffice with the quirky man.

"Uh, yeah. But only because they're comfortable and you know, if he can break my heart then I can keep these, right?" she suggested, and fervently nodding, Thor seemed to be on the same page. It earned a smile from Olympia, but when he softly took her hand and enclosed it between his larger ones, she tensed up visibly and stared at him in disbelief — wait, how was she supposed to resist him, again?

"I am truly sorry to hear that, Olympia. He must have been an utter fool to let someone like you go", he insisted with a defiant tone, and with her lips cracking open only for nothing to came out at all, the Amodei was officially speechless, her mind coming up blank as she ogled at him with a little more astonishment than she should have.

Luckily, Darcy interjected with a clap of her hands, drawing enough attention to herself to cause both of the blondes to step back from each other. "How about we go eat something? You must be starving! And if not, then at least I am", the dark-haired woman suggested, smacking her palm against the table while pushing herself up from the chair she had been sinking in while watching sparkles fly between her best friend and the stray they had taken in.

As she slowly remembered that she and Thor weren't the only ones there, Olympia made a nimble turn and stared at Darcy with her mind thinking she had proposed a good idea, but her mouth not working well enough for her to actually agree. Thor, on the other hand, was more than eager to get a taste of the local food, throwing his arm over Olympia's shoulder and pulling her closer like an imprinted duckling.

"Sounds wonderful!" he barked out a laugh while enveloping Olympia in a grip she couldn't have weaseled out of even if she had wanted to, leaving every single one of them wondering what the hell they had gotten themselves into.