The refusal to come to Winterfell was entirely for reasons of his own. It was important that he made that clear, so that in the future there would be no misunderstandings between him and House Stark.
While he didn't plan to stay in the North or fight for House Stark's cause, he did plan to maintain a friendly relationship with them in the future.
"Are you sure, Ser Thor? I assure you, it wouldn't take very long to reach Winterfell from here. You will be welcomed with our utmost sincerity," Lady Stark spoke up.
Thor couldn't help but shake his head. Honestly, he was a little tempted to go. After all, god or no god, who wouldn't like a warm bed to sleep in and good food placed on their plate? He never thought he would value shelter as much as he did now.
He wasn't rich or anything, but in his past life, at least he had a place to call home. Here, though, he had nothing. He had even lost the money he earned from the tourney in King's Landing.
So again, the question arose: why not go North and stay there for a while? If nothing else, he deserved a reward for saving the two ladies of House Stark, right?
Well, yes!
Yes, he did, and he had no doubt that if he chose to, Robb Stark would definitely pay him handsomely for his deed. Not as much as the king might have, or as much as some rich houses like the Lannisters or Tyrells could, but still—he'd be a far richer god than he was now.
So why not? That was the real question.
Again, the answer was simple: the war.
Soon the North would be roped into the coming war, and he had no reason to believe that Robb Stark wouldn't ask for his help. He highly doubted those two girls would be able to stop themselves from shouting tales of his heroics all over the North by then, and once that happened, Robb and others would have their eyes on him—to help them win the war.
Of course, he could refuse at any time. However, he would rather not go through that mess in the first place. Denying a lord in his own hall, after eating his bread and drinking his wine, didn't sit right with him.
Not to mention, he didn't save those two little girls for money, nor because he was promised a great reward. He did it because he wanted to.
Upon his denial, both Lady Stark and Ser Rodrik Cassel looked solemn. Apparently, they were truly looking forward to showing their gratitude toward him, but if this was his wish, they would respect it.
However, not everyone was so understanding by nature. Before the short conversation between their savior and their mother was finished, Thor found both girls rushing toward him, eyes misty and voices shaky.
"Do you have to go? Why can't you come back to Winterfell with us?" Arya grabbed onto him with all her might. The wolf girl might have looked small, but she had a terrible grip.
Sansa, by comparison, was a bit more restrained—or perhaps that was all the strength she could muster. Arya, after all, had been training under a master swordsman, which must have built up her muscles.
Sansa didn't say anything either, as if she'd already given up on the outcome.
"Don't worry, little one. One must learn to say goodbye in life, since only after a goodbye can a reunion take place. I promise I'll come back to meet you and everyone else," Thor said, smiling as he rubbed the little girl's head, though she was still unwilling to let go.
They had bonded—friends or self-proclaimed siblings, he couldn't say—but he had started to see her as a little sister, and thus he wished to look out for them.
Arya quieted down at this. Perhaps she knew he wouldn't stay. Even her last emotional tantrum was useless.
Sansa, on the other hand, just stayed silent against his chest.
"Sansa, you too," her mother called out. She could understand her younger daughter, but was startled to see Sansa embracing the man like that.
She had been raised as a proper lady. Catelyn would never have thought that her Sansa would act this way in front of everyone.
She was about to reprimand her, but then looked at the man's face again. In all her worries and stress, she had completely overlooked just how handsome he was.
She recalled mistaking him for a prince back in Winterfell when he first arrived with Benjen.
Even now, though the man wore plain clothing with no jewels or ornaments, and though mud and dust lingered on his face and cloak, he shone like a diamond. He had the presence of a king—he looked more kingly than that brat Joffrey ever did.
To some degree, Catelyn found herself somewhat understanding her daughter's feelings.
'Sigh, youth and girls at their age,' she thought, rolling her eyes. She herself had once been that age; she knew what went on in the head of a maiden that young.
"Ah, Sansa. Are you also unwilling to see me go? That makes me a happy traveler, somewhat." Thor, for some reason, felt an unknown pressure seeing both girls clinging to him in front of their mother.
He said this, then slowly pried the girls away from him, still keeping that smile on his face—though internally, he just wanted to leave now.
"Can't you stay?" That was all Sansa asked, her eyes red and her cheeks wet with tears.
"Aye." Thor paused for a few seconds before finally nodding. He didn't say anything more this time—just gave the confirmation that he had to go, and that he wouldn't be changing his mind.
That was the last nail in the coffin. Everyone knew there was nothing they could do to stop him—his mind was set.
"Will you come back?" Sansa refused to look at him, but still, in a meek voice, she asked. A little hope lingered in her tone.
"Yes. If you'll have me, then I will indeed come back." With a smile, he replied and placed one hand on Arya's head and the other on Sansa's shoulder.
"You have my word."
"Ahem." Catelyn Stark finally intervened. Seeing the man unwilling to come with them—and now seeing her eldest daughter like that—perhaps it was for the best. While she was grateful to him for bringing her daughters back, she didn't wish for Sansa to develop any feelings for this man.
Lord, they didn't know anything about him. He was practically an unknown, and this worry had eaten at her ever since she learned that Ned had put their daughters in the hands of a man they knew barely anything about.
Unwillingly, both girls finally let go, walking back to their mother. Catelyn looked into their faces—both tearful, even Arya.
Seven, she thought the girl had forgotten how to cry since she was born. She had always been strong-willed, but here she was, crying for this stranger.
That was strange indeed, Catelyn thought—handsome stranger or not. Sigh.
Just as Thor was about to leave, he suddenly felt a pull from behind. Resigning to his fate, he turned back, ready to console the girls one last time—but before he could open his mouth, a soft sensation enveloped him.
Two soft lips pressed against his with so much passion and desperation that he almost felt like he was marching into battle rather than an adventure.
Sansa's hands snaked around his neck for support—necessary, since he stood quite a bit taller than her.
He was baffled. His mind became a mess as he found the girl throwing herself at him. However, the cold northern wind made sure he didn't lose himself—and Catelyn Stark's piercing eyes certainly helped with that.
As soon as their eyes met, Thor averted his gaze, internally panicking even though he was at no fault.
Thor, god of thunder, prince of Asgard, and a self-proclaimed adventurer he might be—but in front of a parent, kissing their still-underage daughter, he felt his hair stand on end.
Even knowing that this was all Sansa's doing, and that this wasn't his previous world—so technically, according to this world's laws, he wasn't breaking any laws—he still felt immense pressure.
'Damn it, girl! You had an entire week—from the night you kissed me until now—and only in front of your mother you decided to do this? What's wrong with you?' he grumbled internally, and with reluctance—and surprising difficulty—separated the hormonal teenage girl from himself.
Unsure what to say, he clenched his mouth shut and forced a smile. "I believe now I indeed have a strong reason to come back, isn't it, Lady Stark? You sure don't play fair," he said, clearly not referring to Catelyn Stark here. In fact, he decided to outright ignore her and the guards around her who were all giving him looks.
"Come back as soon as you can," Sansa said simply, giving him one last hug.
Thor felt that he might have gotten himself into a mess here that he wasn't quite realizing yet.
"I will. Till then, may Heimdall watch over you all," Thor smiled, then sharply turned back, ready to bolt out of there. If not for the need to hide his powers, his lack of flight control for now, and the horse he somehow managed to acquire—which he would need for future travels—he would definitely have flown away from there.
...
A/N : Yes he's a god but still morals of a mortal.
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