With soft eyes did Thor look at the city below him… The Asgardian craftmen had been quick, they had used the space ships themselves as temporary living quarters but now there were houses.
They were build in a kind of circle around what was now the central plaza where the Asgardians would meet to eat together, like the dining hall in Asgard.
The house Thor and Loki shared was also at the center, with a door going right to the plaza. Also the house functioned as their meeting hall for discussions and debates, both Thor and Loki of course had private rooms.
They had become so much closer now, but Thor sincerely doubted that Loki would like to share rooms as if they were children or a married couple.
Loki still needed his space to retrieve to. And quite frankly, so did Thor. It was still quite nice though.
The weather was so nice, the waves on the ocean amazing, Thor couldn't help but be drawn to them and… So many people.
Thor still remembered, how few there had been in the other timeline, scrambling to make a living.
They had pulled together but… It had been meager living standards.
A man stepped up next to Thor, a man with dark skin and golden eyes who looked down with him. "You seem happy, your majesty."
Thor smiled. "Aye." he stated. "Every single life saved is its own victory."
"That is true." Heimdal agreed.
"I am just being reminded… It could be so much worse. This is good." Thor smiled softly. "This is wonderful."
"So no regrets I assume?" Heimdal asked glancing at Thors useless arm.
"No. Not a single one." Thor smiled, the softness in his eyes so genuine, matching the tone of his voice.
Just then Heimdal looked up. "Your majesty." he breathed.
"What?" Thor asked still just looking at the city.
"Something is coming… Flying from above." Heimdal informed looking up then narrowed his eyes. "It looks like… a man. But wearing a strange armor. Covering all of his body in red and gold."
Thors eyes widened and he turned to Heimdal.
"He is heading towards the dock area, where we have the space ships." Heimdal informed. "He is coming down, loosing altitude." he turned to Thor. "My king?" he asked.
Thor was just… One big fat grin, beaming, his eyes shining.
"Do you… Know who that could be?" Heimdal asked.
Thor nodded his head violently. "EXCUSE ME!" he stated to run. "We should not keep our guest waiting!"
Thor didn't stop, people just blinked as he rushed past them, running directly to the place all the spaceships were parked just in time for a oh so very familiar suite to land right in front of Thor.
Thor halted, he looked at the red and golden suite, trying to remind himself… To remember, this was their first meeting in the new time line.
Then the suite opened up and out stepped a man, lacking a good deal of worry wrinkles, hair still dark, eyes shining with sass like Thor knew them to do when the man was in a good mood. And the man send Thor the most charming smile. "Yo." Tony Stark greeted holding up a hand while the suite packed itself down behind him turning into a suite case.
Thor smirked amused looking at him. Only barely did Thor stop himself from rushing forward and hugging the man, instead he stood back looking so amused. "Afternoon." he replied.
Tony smirked. "Tony Stark, Stark Enterprise. I don't expect that name to have a lot of cloud for you guys, but perhaps we can rectify that?" he asked offering Thor a hand.
"Thor Odinson, King of Asgard." Thor replied reaching forward his good hand which was the left one, so they didn't fit.
Tony though immediately just switched hands without any comment and grabbed Thors left with his own left as he whistled. "Woah! Fine welcome, real royalty!" he stated as they shook and he let go. "Well not to brag or anything, but celebrities are basically earth royalty and I am quite the celebrity you know."
"I know." Thor informed. "I know who you are."
"You do?" Tony asked.
Thor smirked. "Tony Stark, Genius, philanthropist, playboy." he listed.
"Oh my god! You do know!" Tony grinned. "That's awesome! Then perhaps we can skip all the formalities, that would be sweet! Those are always so needlessly long and boring. It's better just getting to the point right?"
"You wanted a look at our spaceships didn't you?" Thor asked.
"What? Noooo." Tony assured then glanced up at Thor. "Yes." he then admitted and Thor smirked. "This is far beyond earth technology, you got to allow me a look!" he exclaimed. "You guys can travel between solar system in a matter of days! How is that even possible! We only barely got to mars ourselves. Look I am not asking to be allowed in for free! Money is no issue! Or favors! Or you know, what-ever you want! Ever been to Disney land? I can rent the whole park for you guys if you want. You know, if there is any celeb you want in touch with, I can probably arrange that for you!" Tony rambled. "Then again... Why would you care about eart celebs huh?"
Thor shook his head. "Mr Stark." he halted. "May I call you Tony?" he asked.
"Only if I can call you Thor!" Tony grinned. "No disrespect, but calling people your majesty and so on is really not my style."
Thor smiled warmly. "It is a deal." he stated. "Tony, it's all right. You may look, just don't tear it apart. And what-ever you do, just put stuff back the exact way you found it okay?"
Tony blinked. "What?" he asked.
"The ships are at your disposal." Thor gestured. "Again provided we still have functioning ships when you are done."
"Huh?" Tony asked for ones in his life honestly bewildered. "Wait… Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean, do you know what just a look is worth?"
"I know." Thor assured. "You are a very influential man, it wouldn't hurt having friends in high places would it?" he asked. "In fact, you should join us for dinner tonight."
"Did you just invite me to a space viking feast?" Tony asked. "Dude, yes! I would never be able to live down the shame if I said no to that!"
Thor chuckled amused… Tony, he was so happy, so carefree in this moment, there was just something nice about it.
Yes Tony still had his baggage even in this timeline, but it truly wasn't nearly as bad, at least not in this moment.
"Though I must say it's kind of disappointing." Tony pouted. "We finally get a visit from an alien planet, and the aliens looks just like us I mean what the hell?!" he asked. "Where's the green chicks? And the people with three eyes? At least give me something to work with here!"
Thor chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint." he smirked. "Afraid you have to settle with the spaceships, the magic, the different culture, the materials which does not exist on earth."
Tony laughed. "Okay I get it! It's all kind of wild! Man, you are a much cooler dude than I thought you would be." he admitted. "Here I was totally expecting some big bruty serious kingman, but you're pretty chill aren't you?"
"I have my moments." Thor nodded just as a new person came, a smooth voice spoke, kind of coldly though.
"What is going on here?!"
Tony turned only to halt as in right of front of him was a tall… Blue skinned, red eyes, visible ridges.. Loki.
For a moment they stood like that, Tony wide-eyed looking up at Loki and Loki looking down at him with narrowed eyes.
Thor glanced from one to the other… Oh Norns, please don't mess up.
"Wow." Tony breathed. "Now that is what I am talking about!" he exclaimed spreading out his arms towards Loki. "Holy shit, it's like a seven foot tall demon smurf!"
Loki blinked. "Excuse me?" he asked.
"Those symbols on your face, are they like created by design or are you just born with them?" Tony asked. "Do you have more? Like on your chest, it looks super cool."
"Huh?" Loki asked.
"And… If you're born with them, do everybody of your race have the same thing or is it different?" Tony asked. "I bet it must be different, like Zebras! Their stripes are all different to! Do they mean anything?" he asked eagerly. "Like status or something?"
Clearly Loki was a little bit to stunned to answer right away, which was good as Thor managed to step between them before Loki returned to reality and most probably wouldn't be that happy being talked to like that.
"Tony, while we appreciate your curiosity. We also adhere to the concept of personal space." Thor smirked amused then finally stepped aside revealing Loki. "May I introduce to you, my younger brother. Loki, Prince of Asgard."
Tony blinked, he looked from Thor to Loki and then back again. "Okay, I don't mean to offend you or anything but… I fail to see the family resemblance." he had to admit.
"Obviously I am adopted!" Loki snarled crossing his arms.
"Right, that makes more sense!" Tony stated. "So are you the only one looking like that around here or are there more?"
"No I am the only one here." Loki sighed deeply, already looking very tired of all that questioning. "The only Jotnar in all of Asgard."
"Man that gotta suck! I feel you." Tony commented. "But then again, you look way cooler than anyone else here! So just gotta own that!" he winked. "I bet you get all the ladies!"
Ones again Loki had lost it as he just looked utterly confused. Thor padded him on the shoulder. Tony just had that effect on people.
Just then, a scramble sounded… From inside the spaceship. All turned towards it, the closed door.
"There's… Someone in there." Loki realized.
"They are supposed to be on lock down." Thor frowned.
Loki and Thor looked at each other then at the door.
"Tony, please stand back." Thor asked.
Tony held up his hands. "No problemo." he stated.
Slowly Thor and Loki stepped forward, they realized the sound came from the hatch which lead to just a small room for storing tools.
Thor and Loki stepped out on each side of it, they looked at each other, nodded then Thor reached forward a hand, and pulled the hatch open.
Only for a man to stumble out and fall down on the ground.
Thor blinked as he looked down then gaped as what he saw, was a middle aged midgardian, with brown hair, pleasant features and glasses there were now askew he nervously tried to get back into place. Thor gaped it was… Could it truly be.
"I.. I'M SORRY!" The man shouted scrambling back. "Look I can explain! I didn't mean to!"
Tony to was gaping looking at him.
"Look, I just… I have this condition!" The man started as he was fibbing. "But earth has no cure for it! I thought… hoped. That maybe, you have different technology. You could have a… a way to… To help… I… I mean."
"You.." Tony gaped. "You're Doctor Bruce Banner!" he exclaimed.
Bruce looked so beaten. "I am so sorry." he swallowed.
"Oh my GOD!" Tony shouted.
"Really, I don't mean to hurt anyone!" Bruce squinted his eyes. "Forgive me! Please!"
"I LOVE your thesis on gamma and its effect on dead cells!" Tony gasped. "I read it like eight times!"
That made Bruce blink as he looked up. "What?"
"Also, that way you turn into a biiiig green thing." Tony held out his arms. "That's awesome!"
Bruce… Was gaping, utterly gaping, just looking at Tony. Tony though was grinning like a school child, like it was the best day ever.
Loki looked utterly confused. "Thor… Who are these people?" he asked.
"Well, Loki." Thor moved closer to Loki then started to whisper into his ear, at first Lokis eyes were narrowed then suddenly they widened and he turned to Thor.
"WHAT?!" he exclaimed.
Thor nodded. "Yup."
"Are you seriously saying that..." Loki tried.
"Yup." Thor said again.
Wide-eyed Loki looked at Bruce Banner still sitting on the ground… Then took a step back.
"HEY SPACE VIKING!" Tony turned to Thor with a grin on his face. "I am still invited for dinner right? Can I bring a plus one?" he asked pointing at Banner on the ground.
"Oh no!" Bruce exclaimed. "I can't! I mean I..." he started. "Lo-look I am wanted in forty-three different countries and I don't… I don't want to make a mess. I can go, just… Please don't tell anyone you saw me. I just." he begged.
Thor shook his head, then he knelt down in front of Bruce. "Doctor Banner." he spoke softly. "Asgard is its own sovereignty, you have committed no crimes against us." he stated. "I swear to you, no harm shall fall upon you for as long as you are here. You can consider yourself my personal guest."
Wide-eyed Banner looked up at Thor. "I… I don't understand. Why?" he asked.
Thor smiled softly. "I have a feeling that there is a chance, that we might be able to become friends." he stated.
Banner looked as confused as ever. "I don't understand."
Thor offered him a hand. "Don't worry, you'll have no reason to HULK out while being at this place. And we wont give away your location to any governments, you're safe."
Bruce swallowed but then finally accepted Thors hand and allowed the Thunder god to pull him up, only for him to sway a bit.
"Woooow." Tony wide-eyed looked at Bruce whom blushed as he looked the other way, then suddenly Tony reached up a hand… And poked Bruce's face. Then poked him again.
Bruce looked at him. "I am not going to turn green because you poke me."
"Awww." Tony pouted disappointed. "Well I suppose I have to make due with demon smurf over here." he pointed over his shoulder.
Loki growled. "Mr Stark! I like to inform you that I am one of the greatest sorceress at this place and can in fact freeze you into a block of ice in less than a second."
"Wow really?" Tony turned to Loki.
"Indeed." Loki grinned.
"AWESOME!" Tony grinned. "Can I see?"
Loki blinked, absolutely stunned and Thor just laughed.
There really was only one Tony, it was wonderful.
