While Ronan kicked back on Earth, Thor in Asgard was swamped.
Daily grind: some training, occasional jaunts to squash Nine Realms rebellions, rest of the time parked in Asgard.
Not all booze and laughs, though.
He had his woes.
As Asgard's last heir, the learning curve was steep.
Sure, Asgard's etiquette wasn't heavy, but there's still stuff to master.
Compared to 616 Thor's rough patch, this Thor's life was paradise.
Mom alive, dad fine.
The only sibling rival for the throne—Loki—gone ages.
He's the dream template for heirs everywhere.
Plus, he's got a crew ready to die with him—future loyal vassals.
Sounds envy-worthy, right?
Thor didn't feel it.
Simple reason: he craved freedom over a crown.
He'd toyed with ditching the heir gig—handing the throne to Loki.
But Loki'd vanished—Thor scoured the Nine Realms, no trace.
Stuck, he stayed Asgard's heir.
Downside? His romance with Jane Foster was circling the drain.
No one wants a partner MIA half the week.
So, perched on Asgard's castle, gazing out, Thor mulled how to level with Jane.
"Thor."
Frigga slipped up behind him.
"Mother."
Spotting her, Thor shot to his feet.
Frigga's heart ached seeing her son's gloom.
As his mom, she knew his mind better than anyone.
"You haven't been to Midgard lately—trouble with Jane?"
She eased beside him, voice soft.
Thor forced a smile, shook his head.
His face screamed the truth anyway.
"Is it Asgard's burdens?"
"Don't hide it—I'm your mother."
Before Thor could spin an excuse, Frigga cut him off.
He swallowed his line.
"Yeah, we've hit a snag."
"No woman's cool with her guy gone half the week."
Thor stared off, flashing back to their blowout.
Shouting so loud the neighbors called the cops.
Split since then.
"Thor, I get what's in your head."
"As a woman, I get Jane too."
"Neither of you's selfish—you've got empathy."
"Your roles just doom this ending."
Frigga sighed.
Old talk resurfaced.
Thor, Asgardian—Earth's Thunder God—five thousand years, maybe more.
Jane, Earthling—hundred tops, if lucky.
Her life? A blink to Asgardians.
A century-old Jane? A two-year-old in their eyes.
Lifespan alone could shred their love.
Never mind other clashes.
"I know—but love's like that, right?"
Thor turned, dead serious, facing his mom.
Frigga sighed again.
Her son, barely grown, thought too simply.
Earth logic didn't hold for long-lived races.
"Then talk it out with Jane."
"Time's vague to you."
"To an Earthling, it's gold."
"If you want this love alive, chat it through."
Odin and Frigga never bet on Thor and Jane.
Facts proved them right.
But as a mom, Frigga hurt for her boy.
Maybe they'd shifted.
Even if Thor stuck with Jane, it's just decades lost.
To Asgardians, that's pocket change.
"Got it, Mother."
"How's Father?"
Thor took a breath, switched gears.
He hadn't figured out his Jane spiel yet.
"Same old."
"But he's nearing sleep soon."
"If you're clearing things with Jane, use this window."
"Once he's out, you're back here, guarding the palace."
Odin asleep, Asgard's leaderless.
Past naps went smooth enough.
Not now.
Odin foresaw Ragnarok looming.
Asgard's danger peak.
As sole heir, Thor's duty's non-negotiable—Frigga's love can't bend that.
"I get it, Mother—I'll move fast."
"This Earth trip, I need to see Ronan too."
"Father's Ragnarok talk—I can't solo it."
"I need my friends."
Thor nodded—at Asgard's crux, he knew priorities.
"We see all you do—your father and I."
"You're a damn fine king already."
Frigga patted his shoulder, smiling.
Thor nodded, eyes drifting afar.
—
The Cosmos.
A throne swiveled slow, revealing a Titan's hulking frame.
Thanos eyed his visitor, a glint of murder in his gaze.
"Future man—what do you want?"