Page 11 of Thor

Heimdall wouldn’t meet Thor’s eye.

Interesting.Heimdall had never not told him something before. They’d always been completely honest with each other.

“Where are they staying?”

Heimdall rotated his stein. “I believe they are staying here.”

“Here?”

“In the lofts upstairs.”

“Hello, Odin’s son.” Frigg set a beer in front of Thor.

He scanned for Elle and found her serving another table.

“Hello, mother.” Thor picked up the beer and swigged it. Though she wasn’t truly his mother she’d taken him in as a baby like one of her own, and had always raised him as such.

She ran her fingers through his hair. “You’re letting it grow again?”

He shrugged. “Not as long as it used to be.”

She smiled. “I liked it long.”

“Are you giving shelter to Elle and her friend Val?”

She planted a smile on her face and blinked innocently. “I have no idea what you mean. If you are asking if they are renting rooms from me, yes.”

Thor growled. “That’s not what I mean.”

Frigg patted him on the head. “Well, that’s what I mean, son.”

Thor glanced around again looking for Elle. Frigg and Heimdall were both hiding something. It was common knowledge within their family that Frigg had an open-door policy with helping those who wanted to relocate to the Midgard or Purgatory area. It was how they’d all gotten there in the first place.

“If you don’t stop eyeing my help, I won’t be able to find anyone to work here,” Frigg teased.

“What can you tell me about her?”

Frigg chuckled. “Oh no. I’m done playing matchmaker for my children.”

“Wasn’t it you who made a point of nagging me to go to the speed dating event last night?”

“Nag. Nag? I never nag, Thor. I simply suggest things. Multiple times if necessary.”

Thor cocked an eyebrow at her.

“If you want to understand Elle, talk to her,” said Frigg.

“I would but every time I try to talk to her she looks at me like she’s afraid I might hit her if she says the wrong thing.”

Frigg sighed and gazed toward Elle. “Elle... has been through a lot. She’s had a hard life. If what you are looking for is some fun, please Thor, for her sake, pick someone else. Anyone else. Not her.”

Frigg’s words stung more than he wanted to admit. “How long has it been since you’ve seen me want to have fun with a woman?”

She squeezed his shoulder. “Too long.”

“I don’t want fun,” Thor admitted. “I want...” What did he want? He wasn’t sure. “I want to know her.”

Frigg searched his face for a moment and squeezed his hand. “Then do it. But go slow. Elle is... fragile.”

---