There will be a sequel to this that takes place before and during Yondu picking up the kids for Ego, including Peter. Will edit this Author's Note when sequel is posted.

THE STARS IN HER VEINS

Reminiscing about her choices and of her memories, Asta gets the push she needs to return home

Her magic and her strength grew with each passing year, yet Asta could never let go of the cost it took. She had basked under the praise of her father and of her grandmother, but it was short lived. Her father's praise became empty and meaningless, his smiles only a reminder of his silver tongue. Her heart still ached deeply in her chest with an icy pain and her eyes lost their lively spark as she wondered the what if's of her past and future. Was this what was to become of her? A hollow shell that blindly followed her father? A blind soldier brimming with power and potential to patiently waiting to be groomed to become a ruler?

She wasn't even sure she wanted to become a ruler. Her father spoke of the glory of a throne, yet the glow of power was rather dim in her eyes. She listened. Obeyed. Became what he believed to be the perfect loyal little daughter, better to have him on her side rather than against and it wasn't as if she had anyone else on her side. Except for perhaps Sifa – Thor's daughter had her moments, but was easily swayed by the Allfather's bias.

Asta stood in a melancholic silence on the edge of her private balcony, over looking what should have been a beautiful sight. Once upon a time, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen – mystical light dancing upon the gold of Asguard, creating rainbows of reminiscing colors on its surface as magic hummed deeply in the air. But she found herself not looking down upon Asguard's surface, but rather toward its sky.

She could still see the stars if she looked close enough. She could still feel the brisk air of space against her skin, her lungs burning at the lack of air but her inner colder Joten content in the freeze. She could remember the constellations, the planets, the moons. She hummed as she closed her eyes, a tune that she could never forget because she'd always be a bit wicked on the inside, her hips slowly swaying to the melody. The Libidine didn't have Asguard's society-viewed beauty, nor its gold nor its reputation. But it had something that still called to her. A familiarity, a relaxed atmosphere.

Home.

The only true place she could be herself was lost to her because she let a broken heart, a heart that still bleeds into her soul, make the decision to leave the one place that at the very least, held memories. Yondu may be gone, but she could still across the stage and entice the eyes of every patron. She could see his eyes starring at her through the crowd and pretend that he was still looking at her like he still loved her.

"You miss it."

Asta opened her eyes slowly, but didn't bother to turn as Sifa joined her company. Long blonde hair that resembled Thor's mane was tied back into a loose braid and rather than a beautiful dress like Asta, she bore armor and trousers, prepared to battle. An ax strapped to her back. But Asta felt no threatening air around her cousin, just a saddened happiness. She gave Asta a tired smile and clasped her shoulder.

"You haven't been yourself since you came back."

That was hardly fair – she was never herself before she left. Asta's lips thinned as her shoulders tensed, but Sifa didn't seem to notice any sign of warning.

"I don't know what happened out there," Sifa spoke softly, "I don't see any appeal in traveling through Midguard's space, not knowing where you are or what you may come across. Never knowing if you may find your way back home."

Sifa took a deep breath before looking Asta intensely in the eyes, her expression the grimmest she had ever seen.

"But I've known you well to know that this isn't your home in the same way that it is mine. You have the stars within your veins, sister." Cousins, Asta thought, but she knew by now that correcting Sifa was useless. "- and ever since your return, their sparkle has left your eyes and you have become nothing more than dark moon, hollow and hidden within the shadows."

Sifa glanced over the balcony, her eyes going toward the bridge that led to Heimdall.

"I can cover for you, I'll make sure that your father nor mine nor even the Allfather himself knows where you are going for I won't even truly know myself. You don't belong here with us, you belong to the sky, little star. Return to it."

Asta softened at Sifa's words, knowing in her heart that despite her cousin's flaws, she possessed the same strong loyalty her father did. There was truth in her words – no twisted half-lies like the ones Loki spun – there was sincerity, hope, love.

She could return to the stars if there was someone to keep her father occupied – something Sifa could do without a fault. Her last disappearance was so sudden and abrupt, that she knew she had all of Asguard worried and wondering of her whereabouts. Now, it'd be different. She'd have someone here to bat for her when she wasn't around, someone to spin lies and truths about where she had went. Someone to have her back.

She could return home. She could dance upon the stage of the Libidine – she wasn't sure how she was going to explain her death and perhaps she'd merely change her appearance and go by a different name if she had to. She could sing and swing her hips and have everyone wrapped around her little finger.

She wasn't sure about the possibility of running into Yondu. How he'd react, if he'd react at all. What she'd say, what she'd do. But the possibility was small enough that temptation burned at her chest and something told her that maybe seeing him again wouldn't bring upon doom.

Asta took one step forward, opening her mouth as if she was about to speak before she decided that there were no words. She took another step. Her arms slowly wrapped themselves around her cousin and squeezed lightly – she could feel the way Sifa tensed under her grasp briefly before relaxing and wrapped her own arms tight against Asta's waist.

"Thank you…. Sister."