Reverently you stopped in front of the gate and bowed your head.

Even though he was far away, it was not wise to refuse respect to the most powerful of all gods.

The other servants, men women, and even the smallest of children, also bowed their heads in respectful obeisance. Some of them even went down on their knees.

With a gesture, the All-Father waved them all.

Cheerful chatter cut the tense silence.

It was not often that one got to see him, mostly he travelled unnoticed with his ravens through the nine worlds.

Asgard was the only place where he could be found for more than a few days at a time.

And yet the people who had the privilege of living behind the wall still treated him like the image of heaven itself despite them being the few lucky ones to see him once in a while.

As godly and noble as he was, the All-Father walked down the stairs to greet a few of his people and shake hands.

With smiled on their faces, more people came running to not miss the chance of feeling the touch of the king of the gods for once in their mortal lives.

You did not dare to approach.

The greatest respect beat in your breast for the gods. But you also feared them a little, for most of them did not have a good reputation.

Many tongues called them devilish, evil even. But many of these tongues were not from Asgard, so you did not know if it was wise to trust them blindly.

"(Y/N)!", a silent voice called out behind your back.

Hands pushed down on your shoulders.

Out of the blue, the puffy face of a young man appeared in the corner of your eyes.

"Erik.", you gifted him a smirk. "You're early for work."

He pulled a sarcastic face.

"I fell asleep in the stables.", he muttered with a face red with embarrassment. "Again..."

You leaned towards him to take a sniff.

"I can tell.", you huffed. "Do you want my place? You can see the All-Father from here."

With a gesture, you stepped aside to let him have a better look at the divine scenery.

"Who cares for the All-Father?", Erik asked and let out a dreamy sigh as he let himself fall into a pile of hay. "Look who's with him."

Smiling, you rolled your eyes and shook your head. A huff got stuck in your throat.

Erik had a thing for all gods who looked halfway handsome and wore a weapon on their belt.

A few weeks ago he had fallen head over heels in love with Thor, the week before that with the blacksmith of the gods and before that an insignificant guard he had seen standing outside the halls in the night.

His feelings were erratic and most of the time you found it hard to take them seriously as he felt heartbreak for someone else every week.

But you loved him with all your heart like a dumb older brother and didn't wish to hurt him in any other way.

So you let him wallow in his dream world and gave him a hug when he was devastated because Thor would never take him as a husband. Erik didn't even care that Lady Sif held the heart of the God of Thunder firmly in her possession.

But when you threw a slightly curious glance over his shoulder, there was not the red hair and bearded face of Thor at Odin's side.

Instead, there was a man of thinner stature and braided hair the colour of dirty blond. He was tall nonetheless, just as expected from a god.

His slender figure was dressed in a brilliant white tunic decorated with golden embroidery. His chest was protected neither by heavy armour nor by a plater, but he wore a sword at his belt.

With his chin up, he walked behind the Allfather as if he were his closest confidant.

But whenever someone tried to touch him, he moved aside and pulled his hand away in disgust.

"Isn't he dreamy?", Erik sighed and pretended to faint.

Amused, you shook your head with a grin.

"Don't fall too hard.", you murmured.

Your eyes followed the man.

He seemed to have no worries in all of the nine worlds, walked like a prince and let himself be admired with Odin.

For some reason you couldn't think of his name, although he obviously had to be one of the more important gods if he had the privilege to walk with the All-Father as if they were equals.

Confused, you frowned and tilted your head to the side to examine the man once again closer.

But this time you were caught by surprised.

Just as you caught sight of the horn he was carrying behind his back, the god stopped and glanced over his shoulder.

Shimmering violet met your calm (E/C).

It felt like his eyes pierced your flesh, went through every layer of skin and bones, until they met your deepest and innermost.

It was as if he knew you by only taking one quick glance.

The hairs in the back of your neck stood up straight.

Goosebumps chased down your spine.

"Is that the Gjallarhorn he carries with him?", you asked Erik, unable to break gaze contact with the god.

Erik huffed and rolled his eyes in a sarcastic manner.

"Duh!", he chuckled. "That's Heimdall."

Your eyebrows rose. Then you had to frown.

"God of Foresight..."

"Yeah...", Erik threw a glance over his shoulder. "Are you still asleep or something? You should know the Watchman of the Aesir."

Swallowing, you let out a hum and finally tore away your gaze.

The beating of your heart was so restless that it felt like it was about to break your ribcage.

"We- we should get to work.", you tugged at Erik's tunic to get him going.

But he refused.

Annoyed, he hissed your hand away.

"Let me look at him a little more.", he asked with the neediness of a small child.

"If you want...", you turned away.

But the feeling of glowing magic eyes remained to stab into your back.