Disclaimer: I do not own Thor or any of the characters or story. Marvel comics owns all!

A/N: This story loosely follows the plot of Thor, The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World. Comic details may also be included. My changes are: Thor's mother is still alive, Loki is still a prisoner and Odin is still king. Story begins where Thor: The Dark World ends – I hope you stayed for the credits and saw that kiss!

Asgardian cast of characters:

Odin: Thor's father

Frigga: Thor's stepmother, Balder's mother, Loki's adopted mother

Loki: Thor's adopted brother

Balder: Thor's childhood friend, son of Frigga and Odin

Tyr: Thor's older brother, son of Odin

Hermod: Thor's half-brother, son of Frigga and Odin

Angela: Thor's half-sister, daughter of Odin and Frigga

Heimdall: the watcher, Thor's friend

Sif: Thor's friend, one of the greatest Asgardian warriors along with the Warriors Three

Volstag: Thor's friend, member of Warriors Three

Hogun: Thor's friend, member of Warriors Three

Fandral: Thor's friend, member of Warriors Three

Eir: Asgardian healer, examined Jane Foster when she was possessed by the Aether

Hela: goddess of death

'Cause if you want to keep me you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder

And if you really need me you gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder

Love Me Harder - Chapter 2

Jane was overwhelmed as they moved toward the palace entrance. Thor had an arm wrapped gently around her waist while they walked. She was standing as close as she could to him without walking into each other. There were so many buildings. Jane was trying to look everywhere at once, the same way she had been upon her first visit to Asgard a few days prior. This time she was taking more in. This time, she wasn't possessed by a weapon of the Dark Elves. Jane realized her mouth was hanging open and promptly closed it, giving the thunder god a sidelong look and hoping that he hadn't noticed her gaping.

Being inside the palace was no less overwhelming than being outside under that completely different sky and its completely different constellations of stars. The ceilings in many rooms were as high as the top of a sky scraper. Some chambers seemed to be a few football fields long. Jane knew that the epic scale of Asgard would take some getting used to, but it was nothing she couldn't handle.

Those grand halls disappeared as Thor guided Jane into a certain wing of the palace, one whose corridors seemed slightly familiar from her previous visit. There were guards stationed near the hallway they were approaching. As they stood aside for the couple Jane realized that this must be the entrance to the royal quarters. Jane was wondering how long it would take her to remember the path to their room. A few moments later, a figure rounded the corner ahead of them.

"Thor! My son!" Frigga said with a smile, approaching them. "The Allfather told me that you had returned to Midgard." Then, the queen looked at Jane. Her smile widened. "So you did travel there. Welcome back to Asgard, Jane Foster."

Jane beamed as Thor's mother embraced her. She shyly returned the hug, grateful to be accepted on this other world.

"Thank you, my queen," Jane replied, "And thank you for what you did for me when the Dark Elves came. I am so sorry that you were injured because of me."

Frigga shook her head.

"Worry not, my dear. I promised my son that I would protect you." The queen's eyes flicked between the two, not missing that Thor had put his arm back around Jane. "I am so grateful that you are safe now. I know that my son is, too. I will have clothes sent to your chambers. Jane, please come to me if you need anything at all. I will see you two on the morrow." Frigga smiled at them and kissed her son's cheek before disappearing down another hallway.

"Mother likes you," Thor said proudly as they resumed walking. Jane grinned, feeling very positive about her change of locations.

"What about your father?"

"He's warming up to the idea of…us." The thunder god replied, smiling at her. "He accepted my choice and allowed me to bring you back, after all."

Jane nodded, feeling more and more at ease. She had been worried since Odin had not reacted well to her presence on Asgard when Thor had first brought her there for healing. Jane also remembered that her blond thunder god had defended her, standing up to his father when Odin wanted her gone.

"You know, you are a really amazing guy," she breathed as they came to a stop outside a large set of double doors. "I mean, you've risked your life to save mine, you've always encouraged me in my work, you've stood up to your parents for me and you even forgave me for hitting you with a car – twice."

Thor laughed, taking a step towards the doors.

"I do those things because you are an amazing woman, Jane."

The double doors began to slide open as he approached. Suddenly, Thor turned and swept her off her feet. Jane giggled happily. She found herself being carried bridal style into a huge, luxurious chamber. On the other end of the room, a balcony stretched out into the colorful sky. Jane found herself gaping again.

"This…is your room?" she squeaked. It probably could have accommodated fifty people comfortably for a cocktail party.

"One of them. I'll give you a tour."

Thor carried her easily through the rest of his apartments, showing Jane to the small library – "small" by his standards – then the baths and a few lavish bed chambers.

"Sleep wherever you like," he said softly. Jane considered his offer.

"Where do you sleep?" she almost whispered back, resting her head against his shoulder.

"I'll take you," Thor replied. He leaned down and pressed an adoring kiss to her forehead.

Jane figured that the only room she hadn't seen yet would probably be impressive. She was not wrong. It was much larger than any of the other bedrooms, closer to the size of his foyer although the ceiling wasn't quite so high. Jane noticed a smaller balcony off to one side and a massive canopy bed across the room. In the center of his chambers there was a huge fireplace. Or a fire pit. Jane wasn't sure how it was burning in the middle of the room without setting the place on fire, its flames climbing fairly high. And yet there was no smoke and no scorch marks on the beautifully carved ceiling.

Thor gently set her down. He watched her carefully as though expecting a reaction of some kind.

"Wow, when you asked if I would live with you in the palace I didn't realize that you lived in a townhouse," Jane breathed, her eyes darting from the pieces of art and weapons hanging on the walls to the ornate carpets and furnishings.

"A…townhouse? Thor repeated uncertainly.

"Yes, it's so big and it has so many rooms…" Jane still felt in awe of her surroundings.

"Do these accommodations displease you, Jane?" he asked solemnly. Jane laughed.

"No, I am blown away. I love it."

Thor smiled at this.

"Then it is your home," he replied. Jane smiled back and moved closer to him, realizing that they were once again alone together.

"Our home," she corrected him, placing her hands on his broad shoulders and standing on her tiptoes in order to lean in close to his face.

"Jane…" he began but she kissed him, letting the safety of the stone walls around them and Thor's arms around her body sink in. Jane was finally starting to relax. There was no Darcy to burst in and interrupt here on Asgard. There was peace among all nine realms. Despite all that Jane had gone through since Thor was banished to Earth and hit by her car, all the danger, the waiting and worrying if he'd ever come back, it was all worth it because it had brought them together.

Thor was running a hand through her dark hair as he returned her kisses, holding her close with his other arm. He was so pleased that she still chose to stay with him. A part of Thor was relieved because it would be easier to keep her safe if he kept her close. Another part was excited and turned on because he was hoping to move into more intimate territory with her; with the two of them sharing his quarters it seemed likely. He was reeling from happiness. Just having Jane safe and here on Asgard with him was a dream come true. Thor had imagined moments like this many times while they were separated, pining away for the mortal woman.

"Stay," he breathed, pulling back from her soft lips. Jane kissed him again, more chastely. She looked up into his gorgeous blue eyes.

"I promised I would never leave you. We made a deal."

"We did."

Thor returned the kiss. His large hands moved down her back, squeezing her hips. Jane felt lightheaded when he pulled away, relaxing his hold on her slightly. He gazed towards the balcony, then back at her.

"Let me take you out to see the stars," he said. Jane smiled and nodded, taking his arm and following him out onto the second balcony.

Jane clung to Thor's heavily muscled arm, looking out on the city, the water, the sky. The clouds reminded her of sunsets on Earth. The colors were beautiful. She could see many stars, moons, and maybe distant planets above them. Then, Thor guided her to a bench and pulled her onto his lap. Holding her close, he began to teach Jane about the constellations in the sky.

Later, it seemed to be getting darker and Jane began shivering a bit as the air cooled, barely noticing because she was so lost in her companion's words. Thor stopped short however when he felt her slight trembling.

"Jane, let us go inside, you are cold," he insisted.

"I love that you're teaching me about Asgard. I have so much to learn," Jane said as she cuddled into his embrace.

"It is my pleasure to teach you, Jane." Thor stood, picking her up, and strode back into his bed chamber. He didn't stop until they neared the center of the room. Thor set her down on the rugs not far from the fireplace. Jane instantly felt the magical warmth of its flames seeping into her bones.

"Thank you," she breathed, letting her eyes close for a moment. Thor's arm was back around her waist, inviting her to lean against him. Jane was warming up quickly.

"For what?"

"Everything." Jane turned toward him, caressing his cheek with her hand, feeling his soft skin and brushing across his neat-shaven beard. The hand slid down over the warm skin of his neck, halting when her fingers touched the clasp of his cape. Suddenly a flush blossomed on her cheeks. "Aren't you going to take off your armor sometime?"

Thor raised his eyebrows at her.

"Do you want me to remove it, Jane?"

Jane blushed harder, wondering why she had blurted that out.

"Um…"

"There. Gone." Thor was grinning at her. Jane looked and saw that his armor had disappeared, leaving him in comfortable robes and pants.

"How do you do that?" Jane gasped, shaking her head. She noticed that his red cape was now lying beside him.

"Is this better?" Thor murmured, lifting a hand to Jane's face and brushing his thumb across her lips. Jane gazed at him, trying to control her blushing. Her heart was pounding. Lying against him, his arm around her, felt more intimate with softer material between them. Suddenly she wished she wasn't wearing jeans. Jane had quite enjoyed the elegant, comfortable garments that she wore in Asgard a few days ago. Thor seemed to read her mind –

"Clothing has probably arrived for you. Wait for me, Jane." He stood up and walked out of the bedroom door, disappearing down the hallway. Jane looked into the fire, her mind racing with a thousand versions of what could happen when her thunder god came back. She took a long, slow, deep breath. She hadn't felt so much excitement and anticipation over a man…well…ever.

Thor soon returned. Sure enough, he had an armload of beautiful dresses and robes for her.

"I'll bring these to whichever room you choose." Thor said to her, looking very handsome to Jane in his less formal garb. She loved how the dark gray robes flattered his tall, muscular body.

"I'm sleeping here." Jane was shocked at her own boldness. Evidently, so was the god of thunder, because the fabrics slipped from his grasp and pooled on the floor at his feet. Jane bit her lip.

"Yeah, so…um…you can just leave the clothes here." She hoped she hadn't gone too far. Thor had looked surprised at first, but now the look he was giving Jane seemed predatory. Hungry. "Thank you," she said, standing up and walking towards the pile of clothes, "I'll change into something."

Thor slowly turned away from her, eyes still burning. He walked out of the room without a word.

Jane grabbed the first dress she saw and began tearing off her clothes. The jeans were soon on the carpet, followed by her flannel shirt, followed by everything else. She sighed as the Asgardian cloth slid over her skin. She looked down at herself and was pleased to see that the floor-length gown fit her beautifully. It had a simple, flowing silhouette and a daring, plunging neckline. Her arms were bare.

"Thor, come back," Jane called softy. She could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage as he reentered the room, looking her up and down.

"Jane," Thor gasped, his eyes drinking in her exposed skin, the way the dress cascaded over her slender form, the hunger in her eyes that mirrored his own. Jane couldn't help blushing again with Thor staring at her so passionately.

"Thank you," she whispered, "for letting me stay here, for the lovely clothes…" She was unsure of what to say.

Thor went to her and tenderly brushed her dark tresses behind an ear.

"Jane, you look beautiful," he told her. "Please, think nothing of it. This is how I should care for you."

Jane reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She sighed as his hands moved to her waist. Now she could feel the warmth of his skin through the fabric of her dress. Thor leaned down and almost kissed her but he stopped short.

"Do you…really want to sleep here with me?" he whispered. Jane smiled.

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"No, never." Thor's lips ghosted over hers. His nose gently nuzzled her own.

"Good," Jane said, nipping his lip in response, "because I have waited a really long time to get into bed with you." She thought she heard him gasp at her words. Again, she bit his lower lip, this time sucking gently on the skin before releasing him.

"Jane," he croaked, gazing into her eyes, "if I share my bed with you, I…I'm not sure that I can control myself."

Jane felt arousal flare up between her legs. She captured his lips and kissed him roughly, seeking out his tongue and tasting it with her own. Thor groaned into the kiss, his hands squeezing her hips, hard. Jane pulled away gasping for breath.

"I came here to finally be with you. You…don't..." she kissed him between the words, one of her hands moving down his chest, "…have…to…control yourself…" Thor growled low in his throat when her hand brushed against his hard cock. "…around…me."

Jane felt his mouth capture hers in a bruising kiss. His hands found the shoulder straps of her elegant dress and pulled them down over her slender arms. Jane gasped when the air suddenly hit her bare breasts. Thor leaned down and buried his nose in her neck, nuzzling the soft skin of her collarbone. Jane felt electricity dance over every centimeter of her skin that he touched.

"My Jane," Thor breathed, "I have also waited a long time to share a bed with you." Jane moaned when his lips caressed the swell of her breasts. Outside, the sky was getting darker. Half-naked in the arms of a god, Jane knew that she was about to experience the night of her life.

End of Chapter 2

A/N: please don't forget to leave a review! tell me what you liked or tell me what you didn't like. I'm open to suggestions.