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[lightsiided]

mr and mrs thunder ♡

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biting is a love language, and it’s one I speak fluently

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     leia isn't bothered by his outburst. the look on her face makes rey's heart ache -- it is equal parts sympathy and affection. it is an expression she's seen directed at herself many times, before... but not one she'll ever see in PERSON again. she blinks back a sudden swell of emotion. "thor," rey murmurs, reaching out for his arm.

she understands his frustration. rey feels it herself, along with dismay that they face such a terrible predicament. but leia is bound by the balance of the universe; there is only so much she can say. talking to her at all is a great gift rey doesn't take for granted. her presence is a COMFORT the vagueness of her encouragement can't temper.

"it's alright," leia says. "i know the universe has asked a lot of both of you. more than either of you should have to deal with." she looks away from thor, staring fixedly at rey. when she speaks again, there is an urgency in her voice. "there's one more thing i can tell you. he won't be here for two more days."

with that, she's gone, as quickly as a shadow disappearing with the setting sun. rey sighs -- they have bent the rules. she turns towards thor, slipping her fingers into his and squeezing. "two days," she repeats. "maybe we should try to find him first. gain the element of SURPRISE. and... that would take the fight away from here."

“aye.”  his eyes have fallen away, and his agreement is weak.  both of them have built something lovely beyond words, he knows that.  he is endlessly proud of the work they have done for hyperkarn.  worrying over rey, the fear of what is to come — it dampens everything else, overshadows the pride he would ordinarily feel with leia’s praise.  turning into rey, his arms wind around her protectively, instinctively, thinking of all their unfinished work and the plans they still have.

there is a beat before he lifts his head to face leia.  a few passing seconds when he listens, lets the words sink in, and the now familiar stress on his face morphs into annoyance.  the breath that leaves him is exasperated; thor doesn’t want to be, but he can’t help it.

“that tells us nothing.”  aware of his own tone — how short it is —— he doesn’t stop there.  “that could be about anything.  i am already more than prepared to do what must be done to ensure her safety.  i don’t — we don’t need to be told what we already know.”  another pause, and one hand leaves rey so he can pinch the bridge of his nose.  “i am sorry.  i don’t mean to be impatient, but hollow affirmations are exactly what i hadn’t wanted.”

[lightsiided]

     "good." rey grins as she loops her pinky finger through khione's, squeezing tight. she knows EXACTLY what she means. rey has her own backlog of hugs to get through -- though she knows it's highly likely she'll have NEVER had enough.

when they finally break apart, she can't stop herself from looking amused. rey can so easily recall being in her position. in some ways it feels like it was a lifetime ago... and in others, just yesterday. "there's nothing wrong with wanting to get away," she says softly. "i've been there." often, in her life, before she learned to share the load of her responsibilities with others, things have felt like TOO MUCH. rey is no stranger to wanting to leave the galaxy entirely. to go somewhere no one can find her.

"sajun," she repeats. "i'm not familiar with it. do you know the coordinates, or do you have a map? i can take you there in the FALCON, if you like." they won't miss her on hyperkarn, not with the amount of work needed to be done. rey's starting to think she could use a break herself.

@lightsiided / continued from here

aunt rey is right. hugs are, indeed, their own medicine. a hug has never made anything worse, after all. and most of the time, hugs make things better.

not that she's had very many of them, but the point still stands.

"i'm okay, pinky promise." the younger of the two already holds up her pink to do so. "i think i'm just catching up on my hug quota, you know?" and if by doing so, she helps aunt rey as well, then it's all the better.

"speaking of: i've been thinking about what you said before, and if i were, you know, someone who needed to get very far away to decompress from everything, i wouldn't go to andraven at all, despite the fact that they do look elephantine if you squint, which means that they are automatically super cool. um, i'd go further than that. i'd go to... i think the planet's name was sajun, if i remember correctly. i think that's where lady jamillia is."

[lightsiided]

     "i love purple," rey smiles. it is a very SPECIAL color for her -- the color of the very first kyber crystal she chose for herself. "i think either would look nice on you, too. or red. for such an important occasion, you should wear whatever you like."

the question softens her smile. in fact, rey knows asgardian wedding traditions quite well. "yes. it's customary to exchange weapons, to represent two families joining together. when we married in new asgard, thor took my saber and enchanted it for me." it had been beautiful -- experiencing something he'd likely thought about since he was a boy. a way to honor the homeland and family fate had FORCED him to leave behind. "and i did wear a gown, but only our wedding in new york involved a white dress."

they were married three times. in front of all their friends and family, they affirmed their love in ways that honored ALL the traditions of their pasts and futures. "when we married in my galaxy," rey continues, "we both wore traditional robes, and braided our hair to match. certain planets had a special style for such an occasion."

with a laugh, rey says, "you still are pretty. don't let anyone tell you otherwise. besides, battle wounds just give you a STORY to tell, don't they?"

khione nods her head, grateful for rey's words. you will always be capable of much more than you think. that is true. we're our own worst critics. that, too, is true.

"me too!" beams the younger of the two. she gives rey a look, then. "aside from the traditional white, i also think a purple wedding dress would suit you. a deep rich purple. but i think you could make lilac work too." a beat and then: "in my culture, white is associated with death and dying. so when it is my time to tie the knot, i think i would like to be decked out in red." or maybe even gold.

"which reminds me: do you happen to know what asgardian wedding traditions are like?" maybe they do handfasting.

"great," khione says, and for a moment, she looks like the young woman she is rather than the hero she's been trained to become, "i'm so ready for my face to look pretty again."

[lightsiided]

"just one more hug."

* don't leave my side prompts | accepting

     rey smiles indulgently, wrapping her arms around khione. she's NEVER one to turn down a hug -- they are their own medicine, in her eyes. and they're both dealing with a lot. if she can provide any comfort, any small measure to happiness... of course that's something she's eager to jump on.

"you can have as many hugs as you want," she promises, squeezing a little tighter. goodness knows she's hardly had her fill of them. after leaving jakku, they were a NOVELTY and still feel that way, sometimes. sometimes they catch her off guard with how nice they are, better than the sunrise and a field of flowers together.

she rubs a hand between khione's shoulders. "is something bothering you? not that i don't love these visits, but... if you want to TALK ABOUT IT, we can."

@freezegirl

[lightsiided]

     she knows he's right. the idea of it isn't NEW to her -- the others have said as much. luke has told her the very same, for all the good it's done. rey still feels like she has no right to complain to anyone else, thor especially. she knows she should be grateful for all that's happened and what it's led her to.

"yes, i know what you mean," she says, running a hand over the top of thor's back. "it's just hard, sometimes. but i know i can talk to you." thor is an EXCELLENT listener. more than that, he always seems to know exactly what to say. just being beside him brings her comfort.

the sigh that leaves rey's lips, then, is perfectly content. she turns her cheek to face him, stealing a quick kiss from his waiting lips. "you're lovelier," she whispers back, grinning at him through the dark. it's true -- if there has ever been a more amazing sight, it's not something she's seen. he is like both dawn and the rising moon at once. "you have the nicest smile."

gently, she touches her fingers to the underside of his jaw. teeth bite briefly at her bottom lip before she nods. "through the force," rey confirms. "though i'm sure it hurt you much more than it hurt me." the last time was particularly painful. it had been enough to send her into a PANIC, knowing thor was out in the galaxy somewhere, injured and alone. "it's a strange sensation. because... i know that you are alive, so i'm relieved, but -- i felt how horrible it was. which worried me a lot, of course."

as she recalls the sensation, rey snuggles in further, grateful thor is near enough now that she can feel the beat of his heart against her bare skin. it's not possible to be any CLOSER to him, but she wants to, somehow. "you don't have to apologize. i would have worried after you even if everything were fine. you're very important to me."

the look in her eyes turns serious -- both so he knows how much she means what she says, and so that she might give thor's explanation the weight it deserves. "i don't know. i think i would have rather been with you. i hate the thought of you enduring all this by yourself. it must have been AWFUL."

“i am not saying i believe you should abandon your optimism in favor of succumbing to your fears.  i am saying… don’t deny yourself the right to feel pain.  we must continue to push forward, yes, but — it isn’t easy.  it is alright to acknowledge that and sit with it.  let any feelings that come about from that acknowledgment show themselves, rather than fighting them.  i don’t want—“  thor shifts, inching his head a little higher so he can meet rey’s eyes.  “—to watch you suppress anything.  that is how negative emotions fester and spread, becoming larger than they needed to be.”

all in all, he wants her to be alright.  he knows too well how saying nothing, keeping everything at bay and holding his head high as if his lungs don’t burn with every breath can weigh someone down.  it is draining, pretending all the time.  even now, he hasn’t yet fully learned how to follow his own guidance.  all the reason more why he doesn’t want to watch her do the same to herself.

that’s what he’s here for.  to support her through the good and the bad.

“i hope i am making myself clear.  i do admire your ability to press forward despite all the obstacles the universe throws at you.”  she is strong —— always has been.  it’s something he loves and appreciates very much about her.  it’s one of the things that make her such an appealing soul.  “just… perhaps it’s about finding a balance.”  

peeking up at her again, that appreciation brings a sparkle to his eye.  even in the darkened room, it can’t be missed.  thor cranes his head forward to brush his nose along her cheek affectionately, with a deep exhale.  “you are so lovely,” follows the breath in a whisper.  when he stills, a seriousness falls over him.

“you… felt it?”  exactly which instance she refers to, he isn’t sure.  unfortunately —— thor had faced danger more than just once in her absence.  “i… am sorry to have caused you so much worry.  but… i am happy you weren’t there to see any of it.”

[lightsiided]

the way i haven't updated my theme or any of my graphics since i made this blog in 2017 😭

[lightsiided]

@othunderous said: after the blip, the excitement of showing rey everything earth had to offer had dimmed. yule came and went, as did the new year; it would come as no surprise that many didn't feel like celebrating. valentine's day is here now — a day when the mortals celebrate love. after months of unhappiness, trudging through the days as they come, thor has decided she deserves to be treated. they deserve a good day. they aren't in new asgard, but paris; the humans say it's one of the most romantic places on earth, he'd explained. the streets aren't as full and lively as they would've been only a year ago, but the people are trying. just like he is. he holds rey's hand in his as they walk along a bridge. it is covered in locks; if he looks closely enough, he sees names written or etched into the metal. curious. slowing, his eyes graze over the sparkling water, the gliding boats, the vibrant blue sky, and then her. it has been a quiet walk — he brings them to a stop, and opens his mouth to break the silence. "i have something for you." the hand holding hers squeezes; his free one reaches into the pocket of his jacket to retrieve a small box. "i made it not long ago, at home." while snow fell over norway and he'd watched from his windows; she wasn't there, having returned to her home to help her friends. the ones who remain. without releasing her, he flicks the little box open and holds it out to her. "that is you, and in your hands... you hold my heart." the figurine resembles her, and the heart in her hands has his name carved into the wood. "because you have my heart." always. "i know it has been... different... difficult, but — i don't want you to forget that, however hard times have fallen on us, the way i feel for you hasn't changed."

     earth is a strange place. its customs are new to her, its people, its food. it doesn't help that she's hardly seeing it at its BEST. nowadays, the mood is somber everywhere they go -- not that they've done much traveling, lately. thor has been quiet, and rey understands why. she knows he blames himself for what's happened, and has been doing her best to toe the line between trying to reassure him and keeping quiet about the situation. sometimes talking about it seems to make things worse.

so they have more frequent moments of quiet, now. before the blip, they often filled hours chatting about everything and nothing. lately it almost feels like they are running out of things to talk about. so of course she's eager to GET AWAY with thor -- to go somewhere else, to explore someplace previously unknown by her, to see a part of the earth where their friends aren't waiting for them with some new, terrible update or problem to solve.

besides -- it is a holiday, she supposes, or so thor has explained to her. earth seems to have many more than are recognized in her galaxy. still, rey can't help but to be charmed by the concept: an entire day dedicated to celebrating LOVE. how special an idea it is.

and, despite everything that's happened, she is still with HERS. their love has persevered, even if it's different, now.

as they come to a stop on their walk along the river, rey looks up at him curiously. the city is beautiful, but she wonders why they're here -- if thor had been as desperate to get away as she had. before rey can ask the thousands of questions about paris that have been forming with every step, his hand extends, and she carefully takes the offered box from him, lifting it to eye level in WONDER.

the figurine is intricately carved from wood, delicate and picturesque in its features. rey feels her face warm as she recognizes the slope of her own nose, the jut of her chin. it always takes her by surprise -- just how closely thor notices her. how he sees every detail. "oh," rey murmurs dumbly, studying every last facet of the gift. "this is BEAUTIFUL."

a lump forms in her throat as she runs her fingertip over the etching of thor's name. does he know that she has worried about that, nearly every night since that awful day they failed to retrieve the stones? does he know that it eats at her -- thinking she might lose this on top of everything else? does he know that despite it all, the only thing she really wants is the chance to see him smile again?

rey looks up at him, then, holding the box close to her chest. "thank you," she says. "i... i'm so glad to hear that. and i'm glad i'm here with you." she bites on the inside of her cheek, trying to stop her eyes from stinging. "i hope you know my heart is with you, too. ALWAYS."

[lightsiided]

     "i know," rey murmurs. it weighs on her, too -- THE LOSS. it has found her in the most inopportune times. just as she began to find her footing as a jedi, luke was gone. now leia, too, when rey feels she needs her more than ever. it is so heavy she can't imagine how thor must feel, experiencing all of this tenfold. she doesn't blame him for being exhausted.

"and i know how hard it is. but you can't let it stop you, thor. we have to push through -- for all of them. and we'll finish this and we won't lose anyone else." she tries to sound certain, firm... but it's hard. there's no knowing what will happen now. they are wading through uncharted waters with the potential to turn stormy at any MOMENT. it doesn't feel like a promise she can or should make, no matter how sad thor sounds and how much it tugs at her heart.

rey sighs, letting him pull her in. there's no denying how comforting it feels. they don't often touch like this anymore, and the affection is welcome. it was something she had grown used to, when things were wonderful between them. now it feels both lovely and grating at once, pressing on her already raw nerves. perhaps it's selfish, to be so sad about their relationship when much of the universe mourns larger losses. but to rey, what has broken between them is a large loss. thor was supposed to be by her side FOREVER. now she can't say what their relationship will be like. how much more she can endure.

"it's alright if you need some time," she says, the words spoken softly into his chest. "your friends understand. they know how difficult things have been." rey sees it in the way they look at her. there is a certain sense of pity in their eyes -- like they know WELL what she refuses to accept. "i'm sure they feel the same way you do. when all of this is over... you should talk to them. they want to help."

that's the contradiction of it all: rey has felt so alone, these last few years, despite the fact that everyone they know has checked in on them repeatedly. she has accepted about as much help as thor has, which is to say... NONE. it's time for that to change, she thinks. once this is done, she'll force them both to stop isolating themselves.

"do you want to go inside? i don't think steve would mind if you stayed with me while i inspect the equipment."

thor does hold on.  closing his fingers around rey — his lifeline, these last few years — he makes the decision to do just that: press forward and try to go on.  despite the pain his chest and longing in his heart, it is their only option, isn’t it?  they have come so far, and finally, the end is in sight.  just on the horizon is the end of these awful five years and the devastation thanos left in his wake.  he will see to it that they watch as it is all undone.  he will ensure natasha’s sacrifice won’t be for naught.

whatever it takes.  whatever he must do.

then the words he’d been searching for hit him at last.  “i just want to stop losing people.”  his voice is so quiet, it’s barely a whisper on the breeze between them.  thor doesn’t meet her eyes, but his own are still wet, and his fingers tighten around hers.  “all of those that have fallen… their absence is so heavy.  just when i begin to think that, perhaps, i am finally beginning to be freed of its grip as it tries — it tries with all its might to hold me back…”  this happens.  again.

taking a step closer to her, the hand not squeezing rey’s reaches for her waist.  holding on; he’s doing it in every sense of the word.  “what is done is done, but… i will do everything in my power to ensure we win this last battle.  not everyone who is gone can be brought back, but we will save who can be saved.  and no one else will join the dead.”

not today.  not during this fight.  there is only one step left to fixing what has broken them —— only one of them needs to take it.  thor pulls her into him until he is hugging her to his chest, leaning his head against hers.  with a deep inhale, he savors the sweet smell of her hair, and how warm the little bits of exposed skin are against his.  beneath her clothes, he can feel her heartbeat.  this is what they are doing it for.

“we will press forward.  for them.  i promise you.  i know what must be done, now.”

[lightsiided]

thorodinson: My heart is yours forever and ever, my love. And I'll take the utmost care of yours. @ reyorgana 💙

[lightsiided]

     it's like stepping into an old pair of shoes: the falcon is inviting, broken in, a muscle memory. rey engages the autopilot and checks the navigation without much THOUGHT, only pulling her eyes from the screen at the sound of her name.

she meets thor's gaze with an openness to her expression, even though there's no chance of changing her mind NOW. they're here -- everyone has the plan. but still she wants to hear him, to understand what might be on his mind. just as there's no sense in turning around, there isn't a reason to let something be unsaid between them.

rey slips her hand into his, squeezing it tight. slowly, she rises from the pilot's seat, standing in the small space between the two front chairs. "we're a team," she agrees. ordinarily it might rankle her to be told as much, after all that's happened between them. but it's clear that thor is NERVOUS -- that he brings this up now out of a place of fear. he and finn and the others have spent the last few days in agony. reassuring him costs her nothing, even if part of her thinks it is just a bit unfair how determined everyone seems to hold her decisions against her. "i know that we are. i promise."

she continues looking at him steadily even as the computer beeps, signaling the other ships are online. their squadron is starting to take formation behind them, but this is more important. "will you promise me the same?" rey has taken on a lot, these last few years. it's true that she has shouldered much of it ALONE -- and it's true that she doesn't want that for herself anymore. she wants what he describes: the teamwork. her free hand lifts to touch his cheek gently, the ghost of a smile finding its way to her face.

they have face unimaginable tragedy, but everything will be fine. they're together, now, and she's sure of it.

on the dash, her comm crackles. "orange leader," kaydel says. finally, rey pulls away, turning towards the console. "we're picking up a signal in corellia's orbit. looks like tie fighters."

rey slides back into the pilot's seat, flipping the switch that will engage the shields. "will you take the gun?" she asks thor. then, to kaydel, "copy. we'll cover you and meet you down there. red one and two, head to the port. blue one and two, do a sweep for others in low orbit. stay SAFE."

“the ship is fine.”  as she passes him to approach the droid, a hand quickly rises to rub at her back.  comforting, sympathetic.  thor’s face and voice are even.  “she’s ready to fly when you are.  i’ve already ensured everything is working as it’s supposed to.  there will be no surprises.”

concern knits his brows as she lowers.  it isn’t the dimming of her mood now that she’s returned.  in time, she will feel better about all that had transpired between her and finn; it’s good that they’ve spoken, even though her guilt remains.  thor worries over what comes next.  as he and d-0 follow her quietly to the cockpit, he’s hit with the urge to ask her if she’s absolutely certain she wants to do this.

he already knows the answer.  rey could be on her death bed and still insisting she help others.  and that thought alone, especially given the last few days he’s had, is so wholly unpleasant it twists his stomach.

sitting, fastening himself in place, he watches her movements.  instinctively does he return a little smile of his own —— it’s quick to fall the very second her focus shifts elsewhere.  looking out at the planet around them, it fades beneath, traded for the void.  thor reaches for the lever that engages hyperdrive; black becomes blue light, surrounding them as they barrel through space.  he doesn’t yet move from the co-pilot’s chair.

“rey…” he starts, after what feels like a long moment, “i am not going to try to convince you to change your mind, or stay behind with the ship, or — anything of the sort.  i just want to say…” looking over, he appears as pleading as he is nervous.  it’s been no time at all since——— of course he’s nervous.  of course he doesn’t like this.  “we do this as a team.  as partners.  we work together.  no more trying to shoulder burdens on our own, however great or however meek.”

turning now, one hand reaches out for her, opening and inviting.  “what happened while we were apart — i never want that to happen again.  we must be more open with one another.  i know i have failed at this,” for years now, shamefully, “but going forward… no more.  can you promise me that?”

[lightsiided]

i’ve posted about my financial struggles before, but they keep getting worse, and quite frankly i’m at a breaking point.  my pipes have burst multiple times in the last couple of years, they burst twice in january, and it’s only accentuated a water damage issue that was causing mold to grow in my floor.  now, my sewer line is clogged and i was advised to use my bathroom as little as possible.  i spent over 700 just yesterday getting a temporary fix for that.  today, my toilet overflowed, the shower backed up, the ceiling in my kitchen leaked for the second time this week — and the water shorted out a wall light, so now i’m worried about a fire — and my dishwasher leaked.  it flooded my kitchen & hallway, and because of how goddamn cold it is and the fact i don’t have a furnace (can’t afford one) the water is frozen.  now my kitchen is covered in ice.  i shut off the water to my house.  quite frankly, this house is becoming less and less safe / sustainable to live in by the day.  my savings are practically gone.  i had 4.5k on january 1st, and as of feb 20th i have 800.  i still have 200 from when people were kind enough to send money when i asked for help with my furnace, but the furnace is the least of my worries now.  this house is shit and it only gets worse and worse and more expensive.  i would like to sell this dump and move, but i don’t want to be here in the meantime because of how it’s deteriorating.  i was thinking a hotel room while i look for a place, but getting a new place (and supporting myself until my work hours go back to normal in april) is, of course, more money than i have because of my financial black hole of a house.  i don’t really know what my limit should be, but i know with deposits and pet fees and first month’s rent, i’m looking at 1500 to start.  if i do decide on a hotel, because i cannot stand this house anymore, that would also be pretty pricey.  idk.  idk what to do anymore but dealing with this house and capitalism is taking my mental health to an extremely dark place.  i need to get out.  below is proof of how bad my house has gotten just today, as well as my cashapp.  i don’t know exactly what i’m asking for, i just know i need help before being in poverty puts me in actual danger.

[lightsiided]

     she laughs more loudly than she intends, smile sharpening into a grin. "the boasting you are expert at," rey agrees. "some would say even more than fighting." the playfulness between them is WELCOME -- a respite, certainly, from the heated back-and-forth that plagued so much of their prior conversations.

but also a cover to how RELIEVED she is he has made it back safely.

rey's eyebrows lift in surprise as thor touches her. his hand is soft on her arm, his guide to the window ledge a light suggestion. she can't help but to be curious about all of it: why they are here together -- alone -- why he has given her these gifts, why he is being so KIND.

she takes advantage of the fact that his gaze is elsewhere to study him. thor looks much the same as ever, but rey finds herself appreciating the fine details of his face, now, in a way she hadn't before he'd left. she thinks of the nights there had been no news of the battle. how hard it'd been to sleep.

"with me?" THAT is curious, too, but thrilling nonetheless. she can feel her face flush with pleasure. rey's quiet for a moment, again considering the figurine in her hands. it would be embarrassing, she thinks, to misunderstand his request. he probably just wants to speak frankly about the charm, or ask what she and loki had been up to in his absence. there's no reason for her heart to be racing as quickly as it is. "well, you didn't miss much. but i think i can find the time. if... you're really sure you're not needed elsewhere."

rey wonders if it's OBVIOUS how hopeful she is. the idea of an evening alone with thor is almost unbearably nice -- frightening and wonderful all at once.

“well,” he starts, though he stalls with his mouth agape and a lost expression on his face.  “i suppose they just had a feeling,” leaves him in a drawl after a too - long moment.  “and it seems they were right.”

the truth is he’s paid close attention to rey, since the bitterness between them had begun to turn sweet.  yellow is the color he sees her with the most.  yellow are the flowers she lingers by the longest, her smile radiant as she inhales their scent.  yellow accents many of her dresses.  furthermore, it suits her.  someone as bright as her could only favor the color that embodies such brightness.

casting his gaze around them, his own nose scrunches with disproval.  “knowing it’s my duty makes it no easier.  it’s so dull.  the boasting, though,” here, he smirks, his tone playful to match her, “much more fun.  if only my duties could consist of fighting and boasting of my victories.  i would enjoy them more.”

while rey speaks, a hand lifts to gently touch her arm; he guides her along as he walks, moving them away from the center of the corridor & toward one of the windows.  the framing of the stone wall looks out over the garden that stretches around the castle.  he looks out at it, at the blue sky and the sunshine, and his heart leaps in his chest.

“they can keep waiting.  i would rather speak with you.”  it’s honest, direct —— yet doesn’t scatch the surface.  thor isn’t ready yet to go deeper than that; though part of him wishes to.  “actually, i can’t think of anyone better to tell me all that i’d missed while i was away.  if you can spare a moment.  or — an evening.”

[lightsiided]

once again thinking about

[lightsiided]

modern thor says happy valentine's day, my love 😚

     she opens her eyes with a smile on her face. it's impossible to distinguish between dreaming and being awake -- because the day is a dream. a warm breeze filters in from the open window, blowing the gauzy curtains gently. soft sunlight covers the bed, and when rey turns her cheek, she sees her husband right beside her. he's smiling, too.

the honeymoon has left thor tanned and blonder than normal (the aftereffects of too much sunlight and chlorine). a sweet patch of pink remains stubbornly spread across his nose, even though she's reminded him often about the importance of sunscreen. rey admires every line on his handsome face as she rolls closer and closer, until there's hardly a BREATH of space between them.

"morning," she murmurs, kissing his bare arm -- the closest spot accessible to her. "happy valentine's day, DARLING."

rey has been treated to several perfect valentine's day since meeting thor. he always manages to surprise her with his thoughtfulness: dinner is at a restaurant she adores, the gifts are both practical and indulgent, satisfying the part of her that secretly wants but would never ASK. outfits are curated, flowers are hand-selected... all of it is done with such care.

yet this day easily surpasses each of the other valentine's days they've spent together COMBINED.

she lifts herself onto her elbows, sitting up in bed. there's no clock in the room, and no telling WHERE her cell phone might be, but the soft glow of the sun suggests it's still early morning -- and the room service cart adorned with a massive breakfast spread confirms her suspicions once she catches sight of it. "ooooh," rey sighs, letting the sheets fall to her waist. "pancakes?"

from this position it's easy to kiss thor's cheek, then his jaw and the corner of his mouth. "thank you, it looks excellent. i'm starving."

the room is quiet, beyond the ambient noise of birds and the ocean, drifting through the open window. they have absolutely NO PLAN for the day, and rey is thrilled by the possibility that awaits them. whether they explore or spend hours in bed or head out for a swim, she knows she will have the best day she's ever had in the company of her husband, celebrating their love.

"i know we said no gifts," she starts, biting sheepishly on her bottom lip. "but i got you something." the trip had felt like ENOUGH of a celebration, though when push came to shove, she couldn't resist.

especially because she knew thor would do the same.

"let's eat," rey suggests, squeezing his forearm. her eyes glint in the sun as the corner of her mouth curls up. "and then i'll try it on for you."

@othunderous