Her eyebrows raised. "Two days a week? To... do what I want?"
"You could work even less if you wanted."
She shook her head. "I need to be of service. I need to repay Lady Frigg."
"You realize Frigg doesn't expect repayment, right?"
"I want to make sure I do my part. That I work hard, and she is pleased."
Thor reached out and took Elle's hand. "Elle, Frigg won't send you away if you make a mistake or want something for yourself."
Elle wouldn't meet his eye.
"Elle, look at me."
She lifted her gaze.
"Elle, no one is going to send you back where you came from. No one is going to get mad at you and tell whoever you are hiding from where you are."
She didn't speak for a moment. "I... I just..."
So, he was right. She was running from someone.
Thor squeezed her hand. "Elle, I understand you are scared of something, someone, but my family adores you. Frigg and Loki wouldn't have helped you, only to sell you out. You are one of us now. We will protect you like we would each other."
Her chin quavered, and she nodded.
Thor touched her cheek, and she smiled at him. Every particle of his body meant what he'd said. Though he'd not known her long, Thor was certain of one thing. He would never let anyone hurt Elle again. No matter what he had to do to protect her.
Thor helped Elle carry her chosen books into her flat.
"You can put them on the table," she said, setting her jacket down. She glanced around to make sure she'd cleaned her place, but like always, it remained spotless.
Thor set the stack of books on the coffee table. "I like what you've done with the place."
"What do you mean?"
"The neutral colors make the place appear bigger. I like it."
"Oh... thank you. Most of the things I got at a thrift store."
Thor headed to her bookshelf and picked up one of the figurines Val made her.
"Did you make these?"
"No, Val did. She made them for me when I was young, so I'd have something to play with. Probably to grab a small break from having to read to me."
Thor smiled and put it back. He picked up one of her rocks.
"Is this one of your polished rocks?"
"Yes. That is one of the ones which took me a year to complete."
He stared at it for a moment. "You know what this is, right?"
"A sparkly red rock?"
He chuckled. "It's a ruby. They are rare on Midgard. People pay a lot of money for them."
