Tender Reunion
The Avengers apprehended Loki of course and after they handled that and after the Hulk turned back into Bruce, they all went to the shawarma joint and ate there. Ghost of course had table manners and all of them took this chance to talk to each other, telling stories and having banter with one another.
By the end, all agreed that until they're all needed again as the Avengers, they'll all go their separate ways.
Fury had to deal with the World Security Council and said that the Avengers should have a leave of absence and the council decided to give them just that.
Shortly after the battle, the Avengers gathered in Central Park with Selvig and Loki as Thor was about to leave Earth and take Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard. He bid them all farewell before and his brother left Earth.
Naturally, there was a large reaction from both the press and the public. The press' reaction was both good and bad, thanking the Avengers for what they did to save Earth, but also felt that they should be held responsible for the destruction in New York, which didn't sit well for both Ghost and Tom for various reasons. The public mostly embraced the Avengers, seeing them as heroes with the citizens of New York in particular, thanking them for their actions.
After Thor departed back to Asgard, everyone, as agreed, went their separate ways. Both Tony and Bruce went on to make some renovations at Stark Tower before Tony went back to his home in Malibu. Nat and Clint went back to work with S.H.I.E.L.D. And both Steve and Tom were offered by Fury to join up with S.H.I.E.L.D. Steve reluctantly agreed and Tom and Ghost decided to think about it for a month and Fury will contact them then.
Tom and Ghost were back in their apartment in London at night a month after the Battle of New York and they were watching the news broadcasts of the Battle of New York and seeing how they and the other Avengers were received again.
"Despite the devastation of what has been confirmed as an extraterrestrial attack, the extraordinary heroics of the group known as the Avengers has been to many a cause of not only for comfort, but for celebration."
"It's just really great knowing they're out there. That someone is watching over us."
"I love you, Thor."
"That one grey guy just came in and beat those goons up and bashed them around. It was so cool."
"I don't know. I don't exactly feel safer with those things out there."
"It just seems that there's a lot they're not telling us."
"Superheroes in New York? Give me a break."
"These so called heroes have to be held responsible for the destruction done to this city. This was their fight. Where are they now?"
"Fool." Ghost snarled, expressing his and Tom's thoughts on people like the politician that said that statement.
"Look, this wasn't their fault. They were just trying to help. In fact, I know one of them, Ghost. He saved me and others from being killed. No matter what people say, he and the Avengers are heroes. Ones we should be thankful for for being able to help."
Hearing these words from a woman that was part of the group that were cornered by those Chitauri made the two feel proud and better about the opinions of them and the other Avengers.
Tom shut the TV off and then he and Ghost heard knocking on the door.
"Who's there?" Tom asked Ghost.
"One person. They're familiar." He replied as Tom walked up to the door and when he opened it, his eyes widened as he saw a woman with dark brown skin, dark brown eyes, dark hair tied up in knots and wearing green clothing.
"Nakia?" Tom asked. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him and he did the same with a silly grin.
"Nice to meet you, Tom." She greeted him and they both shared a quick kiss before the two walked into Tom's apartment.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were busy with the War Dogs." Tom questioned her. Ghost stated quiet, knowing the reunion was for the two to have on their own.
"I learned where you lived and thought I'd tell you two things you need to hear." She told him as they walked to the kitchen.
"Alright. Do you want some coffee?" Tom asked. She nodded and Tom started making some coffee.
"So… what is it you came here to tell me?" He asked as they waited for the water to boil.
"Well. Firstly, your father wanted me to tell you that he doesn't approve of what you and the Avengers have done in New York. With all the destruction and you wearing your armour in the public eye." Nakia said the first thing she came to tell him. He sighed, knowing this was going to be brought up.
"Well, if you ever go back to Wakanda, tell him that if we weren't there to fight the Chitauri, there would've been more destruction and Loki would've taken over Earth, including home. That the battle was really the only compromise. And the armour was the only way to protect myself, aside from my friend." Tom told her and as he finished, the kettle whistled and he started pouring and making coffee.
"I will." She agreed, knowing and understanding what he told her. Tom then handed a cup of coffee to Nakia and she thanked him.
"So… what's the second thing you wanted to talk about?" He then asked her and she had a sly grin on her face.
"It has to do with your friend." She told him. His eyebrows furrowed and Ghost's face formed out of a tendril from Tom's back.
"Why does it involve me?" He asked her and the answer came not from Nakia herself, but from a dark green tendril forming out of her back and a face with half almond white eyes and a maw of teeth forming out.
"Hi, Ghost." The Klyntar greeted Tom's with joy and both he and Ghost were stunned.
"Swift…. How did you get here?" Ghost asked, elated to see his mate again. Swift grinned.
"After you left home, I couldn't bear being planets apart and so I made my way to Earth, came across Nakia and we both bonded. And upon seeing you on the news, we had to see you." She answered him. Both Tom and Nakia looked at each other with grins.
"Looks like we're connected in more ways than one." Tom pointed out and Nakia laughed.
"Definitely. Now with all that out of the way, why don't we catch up?" She asked and everyone agreed. Tom and Nakia sat on the couch, talking about the things they've done after they last met each other and then the conversation shifted to Tom explaining what he and the Avengers went through to fight against Loki.
Both Ghost and Swift left their hosts' bodies and caught up in the guest bedroom.
"There's something you should know. Nick Fury asked me and Ghost to join S.H.I.E.L.D." He revealed.
"And what did you tell him?" Nakia asked.
"I told him that me and Ghost will think about it. And we have till tomorrow to come to a decision." He told her.
"And?"
"Well… we just don't know really. Fury lied to us and held back the truth from us. We don't know if we want to work with an organization that keeps secrets." Tom reasoned.
"But don't you have secrets?" Nakia argued.
"Maybe, but at least it's to protect both my home and my family. I couldn't bear having Shuri in harm's way." Tom said, referring to his little sister.
"Fair point. I think you should join them." She said, surprising her boyfriend.
"Seriously? Are you sure?" Tom asked.
"Yes. You both may not trust S.H.I.E.L.D. but if you both can help others around the world and not just here in London, you'll make a bigger impact on many." Nakia reasoned.
"*sighs* Alright. Tomorrow, when Fury calls me, I'll tell him we'll join." Tom nodded. Seeing that he needed to be in a good mood, Nakia straddled on top of his lap and started kissing him. Initially surprised by this sudden intimacy, Tom eventually kissed back and placed both hands on her butt. They stayed like this for nearly a whole minute until they parted for air.
"I didn't just come here to give you updates. I just missed you so much." She said with a seductive expression, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"If that's the case, then let's become one for tonight." Tom smirked before standing up and Nakia wrapped her legs around his waist as he walked his way to his bedroom, shedding each other's clothes and shared a night of pure passion.
The following morning came around and Tom opened his eyes to find Nakia's arm and leg wrapped around him and her head tucked into his shoulder, of course, the blanket wrapped around both of them. He smiled, thinking how adorable yet badass she can be. He kissed her on the forehead, which made her moan and nuzzle more into his shoulder.
"Come on, darling. Time to wake up." He whispered, kissing her on the forehead again and this time, she opened her eyes lazily and smiled upon seeing his face.
"Good morning, my love." Nakia greeted.
"Good morning to you, too." He greeted back and they kissed on the lips before sitting up to see the overcast sky of London.
"Do you need to go shortly?" He then asked, stroking her shoulder.
"Yeah. I convinced some others to take a short break so that I could meet you." She told him, resting her head on his chest.
"If that's the case, could I offer you and Swift breakfast before you go?" Tom asked. Both Ghost and Swift slithered into the bedroom and they both bonded back to their hosts.
"Sure." Nakia nodded.
"Guys, we're gonna have breakfast. That sound good?" Tom then asked their symbiotes.
"Yes." They both agreed and then both Tom and Nakia changed into their clothes and had a nice breakfast that they all had and once it was over, Nakia and Swift had to leave and so they had a very tender goodbye, though they promised to meet each other again whenever they get the chance.
After they left, Tom's phone rang and both he and Ghost saw it was Fury.
"What's the decision?" Ghost asked.
"Nakia said we should join. Saying we'll have an impact on many around the world, not just in London." Tom told him.
"Swift said something similar. Let's do it." Ghost said and then Tom accepted the call.
"Well?" Fury asked immediately.
"We're in. But only if we're teamed up with Steve. Understood?" Tom sternly set the terms for them to join S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Alright. Come to Washington D.C. in a week and we'll join you and Rogers up." Fury replied and then he hung up.
"Rude." Ghost muttered as Tom went to clean up the plates and utensils. What these two didn't know was that the Battle of New York was just the beginning.
Yup, Swift is bonded with Nakia. I thought it would be cool if she was a host to a symbiote, especially Ghost's mate to further add a deeper connection between Tom and Nakia. And there are some more hints to Tom's past here.