Ben had been with us two years before he started feeling at home. He started playing and running around. He even started sleeping in his own bed. It was then that I saw his true powers. Father had us train and fight together, and one day he did it. With his hands, he is able to bring up energy shields—force fields—big enough to cover himself and nearly indestructible. His shields took energy from his surroundings, so when I tried to fight against them, they stripped me of energy. It's the only thing I have come across that has been able to stop me. Although his body was weak, he contained such power within him.
Training and sparring with each other turned into sparring with other men that Thanos brought on. Fighting them turned into fighting in battles and wars. We went all over the galaxy fighting for my father's holy mission, fighting for peace and justice—what he thought was justice. And I was at the front of it all. I was at the front of our small army of powerful people. I was the shield and the wrecking ball, and I could wipe out our enemies in just minutes. I became his general, his number two, and I raised him an army.
Kara was never one for sleeping. She recalled very short nights and long days back on G'mai, and knew it was in her genetic make-up not to need much sleep. If she had nothing else to do, she could sleep for about an hour a night, but when she was busy she would go nights without any sleep and be fine. Tonight, was one of those nights. While Thor was asleep on her couch, she took the opportunity to finish her thesis. She felt good about it when she was done. School had come very easy to her, for that she was grateful. When she first arrived to earth, she didn't really know how she should spend her time. She had come to earth with money, so she didn't need to work. She spent the first few months walking around the city and exploring this new way of life. At first, the chaos of the city grated on her, and she often retreated to the mountains or tops of buildings for peace. Eventually, the city life and noises became familiar and this place had started feeling like home.
Back on Titan, her family lived in a huge palace built for kings. The planet was once beautiful, Thanos would tell her, full of life, bright, shiny… perfect. It had gone to ruins long before Kara arrived. The palace, for most her childhood, was in disrepair. It had taken a lot of work to build it up to its former glory. After the palace, Thanos started building up the rest of the planet, though it was uninhabited except for their family, his men, and his household staff. Although it will never be beautiful or full of life like it once was, Kara loved Titan because it was quiet. She spent countless hours alone in the forests and swimming in the waters. Adjusting to life on earth was difficult, but through the years Kara began to realize maybe she didn't like being alone. Even now in her apartment in the middle of night, cars outside her window were honking, she could hear the deep base of music from the floor above, and Thor snored beside her, but she couldn't have been happier. She wasn't alone anymore.
Thor slept until 10 am, waking with a grunt and a moan. They parted ways shortly after, Kara having to return to school for a bit, and Thor heading straight to Stark tower. Thor asked her to come there when she was done at school, but Kara explained that she didn't want to come where she wasn't wanted. Thor assured her she was, and she should come. She said she would think about it and ran off to catch the bus.
Thor hailed a cab and left for the tower. The first thing he did when he got there was head towards the kitchen. Lucky for him, Tony prepared and had a breakfast buffet laid out for the gathering team. Thor grabbed a plate and started loading up. Natasha walked by, popping a grape in her mouth, "Getting a late start today, are we?" she asked Thor.
"Yeah, I feel like we had all decided to meet at 9." Tony added.
"I apologize. I was up late last night with Kara." Thor said, mouth already full and smiling.
Tony and Nat exchanged a glance. Bruce and Steve did the same.
"What were you doing with Kara?" Steve was the first to ask, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Talking." Thor's sly grin grew as he replied to the captain. Steve rolled his eyes and before he could respond, Bruce cut in, "Well, now that we're all here, let's get started—"
"Hold up, Banner," Tony cut in, "I think we need to talk about his more."
"I don't think we do," Nat said, feeling the tensions of the men grow in the room.
"No, no, I think we do," Tony was adamant, "You weren't talking to her about the time stone?"
"No!" Thor exclaimed, taken a back by Tony's accusation, "I have never gone about, sharing national secrets."
"Then what were you talking about?" Tony wasn't satisfied.
"Let's just drop it," Steve was seething, suspecting Thor was implying that they did more than just talk.
"He said he didn't say anything, he didn't say anything. Ok, Tony?" Bruce said, trying to calm the men down. A moment of silence passed.
"…I did however invite her to come here later." Thor said, looking out for Tony's reaction.
Tony just shook his head, "I don't trust her."
Thor motioned to Clint, "Hawkeye, did you not follow her? Has she done anything wrong?" He asked with passion.
"No," Clint answered, shrugging, "Totally normal. There was one night S.H.I.E.L.D. lost visual when she went out, but we haven't seen anything. She just seems like a normal college student."
"See, Tony? I cannot understand why you do not trust her." Thor said.
"I mean, is it just me?" Tony looked around the room for any agreement.
"I don't know," Steve started, "I am not suspicious, but I do wish I knew more about her."
"You all just have to get to know her, like I have done." Thor said, trying to reassure the group, "Please, tonight. Invite her over Tony. Se looks up to you. She cares what you think."
Softening slightly, Tony said he would think about it.
It was 3 pm when Kara received a text form Tony Stark: Dinner tonight, Kiddo? We need your help with something.
Finally! It was an opening. It was small, and Kara didn't know where it would lead, but she was happy to finally hear from Tony.
When Kara arrived at the tower, she was greeted by a receptionist who showed her to a private elevator. As she stepped inside, JARVIS greeted her and took her up to the floor Tony lived on. She was happy to see everyone again. Thor was happy to see her and waved with a smile from across the room. They all talked and ate. After dinner, some of the men chatted and Natasha went further form the group and motioned for Kara to come over and join her. The two sat on the couch and Nat warmed her hands by the fireplace. Kara reached out her hand to the flames, but like always, she couldn't feel the warmth. "So, you and Thor, huh?" Nat asked without turning away from the fire. Kara tilted her head to the side, confused. Nat turned to face Kara and leaned in, "He spilled the beans on how you two spent the night together." Kara's eyes got wide and held up a hand waving, "No, it wasn't really like that. We just talked." Natasha laughed quietly and nodded, "Yeah, that's what he said, too."
"Really." Kara emphasized, "I've never, I mean, I don't really know, I mean… it wasn't like that."
"Ok, ok," Nat put a hand on a rambling Kara's knee, "I believe you. I mean it's fine if you did…" Natasha let her voice fall. Kara furrowed her eyebrows. She leaned in close to Natasha.
"I have never…" She repeated, whispering, "I wouldn't even know what to do."
Nat's eyes got wide, "Really?" grinning, she replied, "Well, do you like him?"
Kara thought for a moment. She wasn't accustomed to being asked what she did or didn't like. She never really thought about it. She looked back at the god: big, strong, handsome. He was always happy, always smiling. He was also kind… and she thought maybe he liked her… maybe that was all that mattered. If he liked her, it didn't matter if she felt the same way, right? She had a mission, and maybe being close—very close—to Thor would help her in that mission.
"Yes," Kara finally said, returning her gaze to Natasha, "I think I do."