Ronan had no clue about the cosmic chess moves unfolding.
Right now, he's in London's Sanctum, knocking back drinks with Thor.
Well, more like Thor's unloading his "tragic saga" on him.
All about how he and Jane Foster—after years of love—can't just cut each other some slack.
Or how Asgard's etiquette lessons sucked the joy out of him.
Basically, he dumped every gripe he had.
Drunk Thor? Totally different from sober Thor.
Sober, he'd say he gets Jane's side—he's the screw-up.
Hammered? Whole other tune.
"Tell me—why's all this crap gotta be my burden?"
At the table, Thor's bleary eyes waved his cup, head lolling like it had a mind of its own.
Slap a DJ beat on, and he'd probably bounce.
"Yeah, yeah—you're wiped out."
"Five thousand years is too damn long—too much to shoulder."
"Not just that—you've gotta take the throne, be Asgard's king."
"Oh, and ditch your true love 'cause your folks hooked you up with some gorgeous, perfect-match fiancée."
"Man, you've got it rough."
Ronan sipped his juice, "comforting" Thor with all the warmth he could muster.
Thing is, the more you hear it, the more it sounds… off.
"Huh?"
"Why's this feel… weird?"
Thor squinted hard through his haze, confusion creasing his face.
Even plastered, he sniffed something fishy in Ronan's words.
"Nah, nah—just recapping your woes."
"Must've heard it wrong."
"Anyway, keep going—what's up with Jane dumping you?"
Ronan didn't give Thor a second to overthink—swerved the topic fast.
Some nth-generation royal whining? Ronan couldn't relate.
Thor's current sob story? Middle finger's all he'd get as a salute.
"What else?"
"We're done."
"I can't give her the happiness she wants, and she—"
Thor choked up mid-sentence.
Ronan got it.
Asgard's weight meant Thor had to step up as heir.
Someday, he'd be king, leading Asgard's people to thrive.
In 616, Loki dodging the TVA let him briefly snag the throne—gave Thor Earthside romance time.
Even then, a five-thousand-year immortal and a hundred-year mortal? Split's inevitable.
"I'm just a kid—can't wrap my head around you grown-ups' love-hate drama."
"So my gig's simple—drink with you."
Ronan clinked his cup with Thor's, downing half his wheat-juice-lookalike.
Thor didn't hesitate—chugged his dry.
Dude was parched for it.
"By the way, how's Earth lately?"
"Heard it's been shaky."
Odin's reach meant he knew the Ancient One was gone—Thor too.
Plus, the Darkhold's mess kept Earth on edge.
"When's Earth ever chill?"
"Especially New York—bet some weirdo invades soon."
Ronan shrugged—didn't sweat it.
Like he said, Earth's never quiet.
Every so often, oddball stuff pops off.
Like those "variant" mutants—Terrigen Crystal freaks—stirring chaos a while back.
"Invade Earth?"
"You see something?"
Thor jolted, sobering a touch.
Odin'd told him Earth's Supreme Sorcerer had an Infinity Stone.
Time Stone.
They peek futures with it—guard Earth better.
Why Asgardians hit Earth millennia ago, left god myths, then bailed?
Earth's got a badass protector.
"Saw plenty—sorry, can't spill."
Ronan shook his head, playing cryptic.
Truth? He hadn't touched the Time Stone lately—no future-gazing.
Knowing every day ahead? Life'd lose its kick.
Day or two's fun—long haul's a bore.
"Fine—you mages are all sneaky."
"Even my dad's the same."
"Still won't tell me what Ragnarok's about."
Thor pouted, eyeing Ronan across the table.
Hinting much?
Ronan didn't bite—just flicked a glance skyward.
Thor had to know Heimdall could see and hear Earth.
Was this on purpose or a slip?
Either way, Thor can rag on his dad—Ronan's not touching that.
Odin's the All-Father, after all.
Ragnarok?
Your family drama, dude.
"Don't look at me—knowing's off-limits."
"Spill, and the future shifts—what I'd say wouldn't happen."
Ronan dodged with a half-baked excuse.
No way he's dishing on Thor's family biz—Odin's tight-lipped, so's he.
Thor scowled, drained his cup again.
"My old promise stands, though."
"Trouble hits? Hit me up anytime."
Ronan grinned.
Supreme Sorcerer rules say no leaving Earth—job's to protect it.
But this promise predates that—made to Thor and Asgard—so he can flex once.
Oh… TVA stuff? Doesn't count!
Mid-toast, a rainbow glow flashed outside on the empty lot.
Bifrost.
"Thor—Odin's down!"