Chapter 6: The Destroyer (and Darcy)
WARNINGS: Meh, if you've gotten this far and survived without being too creeped out, you're probably fine. (Y'all homophobic people can get off my story - flames are never appreciated, and really? Grow up you're not gonna survive fan if you're homophobic)
*afterthought* Oh, lots of death, swearing and slash! :)
DISCLAIMER: ? You think I own this?
≈Ωne Fandom Is Not Enough≈
P.S: I've moved my comments to the bottom of the story just because we needed a change
Quick note:
"Italics in speech marks" = singing
Italics = Thought communication or just thoughts (i.e telepathy, Death and Harry...etc)
Death can speak out loud to Percy (because he is a God)and other supernatural beings but it mainly talks only to Harry via thoughts.
Previously-
Coulson snapped back into his cool, detached persona and watched them leave with a firm nod in not-James' direction.
He turned back to Percy. "Well? Aren't you going to track them?"
Percy smiled enigmatically at him. He knew that he wouldn't need to even watch where they were headed, he would be able to follow the delicious trail of magic left in the wake of the man(magical being?) who was not called James.
Harry Potter-
Erik walked with and chatted excitedly to Harry about the groundbreaking discovery they had just made about the Einstein Rosen Bridge before S.H.I.E.L.D had confiscated their equipment. Harry was still mentally making disbelieving noises at that, he couldn't believe that S.H.I.E.L.D had done that!
Thor walked slightly dejectedly beside the two scientists - having approximately no idea what Erik was on about.
"So where are we going?" he grunted as they came to a lapse in their conversation.
Harry raised a questioning eyebrow at Erik as he was the only one that seemed to know where they were headed.
"At first I thought I needed a strong drink," he responded as they continued to trudge along. "But now, I want to get back to our...hmm...current living arrangements so that I can introduce you to Jane and Darcy, they would be dying to meet you!."
Harry smiled indulgently, really, he was very excited to meet Dr Foster as well as their observant...intern?
"Well...more Jane to be honest, Darcy's more likely to take mugshots of you and then post in on her Facebook." murmured Erik distractedly.
Thor frowned. "Mugshorts? What are these Mugshorts?"
Harry snickered at Thor's confused puppy look."Mugshots Thor."
"Are they dangerous?" he looked slightly alarmed.
"No no, just forget it." sighed Erik as if he'd just realised that he'd successfully taken someone- two people out of a secret service base that he knew next to nothing about. "Actually, I think I do need a drink."
The bar was crowded and stuffy.
Thor, Erik and Harry sat with large glasses of beer at the bar. Thor's sighs were becoming progressively more depressing as they downed more and more alcohol.
Any normal S.H.I.E.L.D agent was prohibited from consuming drugs on missions such as this, but Harry knew that the weak beer wouldn't affect him even slightly. He was the bloody Master of Death, it took a lot more than alcohol to make him loose his senses.
This alcohol wasn't even very nice.
Staring hard at the glass, ignoring Thor's lost ramblings, he was proud when it thickened and tinged red. He had just wandlessly and nonverbally transfigured it into firewhiskey.
He was drawn back into the conversation slightly as he sipped the fiery liquid.
"For the first time in...in my life," said Thor slowly, looking truly as though he was bewildered to the point that he wasn't really sure who he was anymore (the alcohol probably didn't help) "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do."
"If one is going to find his way in this world," slurred the already quite drunk Erik, "He has to start by admitting he doesn't know where the hell he is."
Harry raised his eyebrows, that was actually quite deep.
Suddenly, Harry felt a strong presence slip into the room. It was a godly aura, who's immortality flared up on his death powers. He was almost nervous until he recognised the strong and fierce ambience surrounding the person.
A smiled crept onto his lips and he downed the rest of his fire whiskey, wincing at the burn.
Of course, he had been expecting S.H.I.E.L.D to follow them, and he had hoped that the Greek God would be the one that was sent, but he had doubted it.
He absently wondered why the highest ranking agents in all of S.H.I.E.L.D were on this obscure mission in the middle of no where. He sighed, he hoped it was't Maria again, the last time Maria Hill had organised his mission, he had tried to set him up with one of the financial accountants on the the third floor of the Pentagon.
Why she had thought that would be a good idea, Harry wasn't sure. But either way, he was never accepting another mission from her without reading everything on the briefing papers.
It had been a disastrous mission. Harry was sure that the girl had fallen in love with him or something along those lines as he couldn't visit the Pentagon now without her following him around like a lost puppy.
Not that he actually disliked her, she was a clever and nice enough character that was rather cute...but he was not interested in her romantically in the slightest.
Wrong set of lower regions and all that.
And the tiny fact that he was immortal and had not intention of letting himself fall in love with someone that was not as well, because he refused to live an eternity mourning a dead lover.
He slid carefully off his bar stool and wandered lazily over to the pool table where a certain tanned raven haired mystery lurked in the shadows.
Harry knew that the God would easily be able to detect him approaching, but when he saw that he wasn't planning on turning around before Harry reached him, he decided to sidle up to him and murmur lowly almost in his ear. "Fancy seeing you here."
Percy turned and smiled back at him, the low lighting of the bar making his lips look positively sinful. "Well hello there Agent Classified. You took the words right out my mouth." he purred and suddenly Harry was quite sure that it was the fire whiskey making him feel slightly light headed, not the aforementioned obscene mouth in front of him.
Percy was in very much the same boat as Harry as he could clearly see in the low lighting that somehow the mystery magical lovechild in front of him had shed his lab coat and was only wearing his assassin gear underneath. Percy recognised it instantly, so similar to the gear he had on under his own trench coat after all.
The magician had an unfamiliar cloak around his shoulders that hummed with energy, but it was majorly the same as Percy's (from what he could tell). The most important thing being that it was form fitting black leather. Damn the guy looked good in leather. Percy made sure he felt his lecherous stare and smiled delightedly as a blush crept up the pale cheeks of the man in front of him.
It had been so long since he had even allowed himself to truly flirt with anyone, that doubled by the fact that he had barely had any experience with flirting before that, meant he was surprised to see the effect he was having on the slighter male.
He supposed the 'flirting' did occasionally on missions may have counted as practice, but he had never done it with any intentions other than to achieve the goal of the mission.
It had been like a cat toying with a mouse.
But here? With this mysterious, powerful man who's entire body and clothing was saturated in the irresistible pulse of magic?
It was like an elegant dance between two predators that both refused to back down.
Percy smiled once more. "It's rather hot in here, don't you think?"
"Indeed. Perhaps we ought to move outside where we can...cool off." Harry smiled back.
Percy looked speculatively at the man standing next to him, leaning against the rail outside the bar in the cool air. He distractedly wondered what he was doing, for all the posturing that he had just done inside the bar, he was actually lost. He...he had never pursued a gay relationship before in his life.
He was in uncharted territory but he didn't want to let his guard down, not against this almost predator like being.
He was so powerful and imbued with magic that Percy felt like he was, literally, playing with fire. A gorgeous emerald green fire that gleamed with mischief and danger with equal force.
Despite this, Percy did not want to stop interest and burning curiosity in the man.
It was far too...refreshing.
To see a man of such power and intensity using his powers in such a humble and valuable position such as a doctor, without feeling the need to flaunt his power and rub it in everybody's faces.
Percy wasn't aware of the fact that Harry was having very similar thoughts himself.
Harry was very impressed that a God had managed to stay hidden for so long without being detected, and was so modest and quiet about it.
He is something of an anomaly Master. Chimed in Death.
What do you mean?
His behaviour, his modesty and readiness to work with mortals is something very rare within immortal beings. Most Gods consider mortals beneath them and do not bother interacting with them. This is one of the reasons why he dislikes them so much Master.
Even though he is a God himself. Harry frowned.
Yes Master. Because he hasn't always been an immortal, he was only turned from a demigod a few decades ago.
"So you're level 14 as well are you?" Percy broke the relative silence between them before he took a sip of his own drink - Snow Queen Vodka.
"Indeed, I wasn't aware that you were too." Harry raised his eyebrows. "I suppose that makes you Agent Classified as well."
Percy released a short laugh that made Harry think of Sirius, he pushed the stray sad thought out and focused on the conversation as he spoke again. "So that means you know about 'magic and mutants and supernatural shit' as Fury so eloquently put it, as well." remarked Harry with a hint of meaningful suggestion in his tone.
"Naturally." Percy smiled challengingly back. "Funny you should mention magic though."
Harry almost choked on his firewhiskey. What the hell? He knows I'm magic?
Of course he does Master. He is a God after all, they can sense things like this.
That would have been nice to know earlier! Thought Harry indignantly as Death all but sniggered in his ear.
There was an uncertain pause between them, Harry not really sure what to do in response to the question and Percy being surprised that the magical being had not avoid the question by changing the subject. He raised an eyebrow "Not denying anything I see.". The man had obviously gone to great lengths to ensure that his abilities stayed secret so it was unexpected that he would admit it so readily.
Harry gave a rich laugh that made Percy shiver slightly at the low timbre. "There would be little point, your Godly instincts are no doubt more reliable than my word."
It was now Percy's time to look shocked. How did the magician know that he was a God?
The widened eyes and slightly gaping mouth of the God made Harry laugh once more, and a sent a small flicker of warmth into him - because now that he knew that the God was Level 14, he was no doubt a master assassin and thus an expert at concealing his emotions, so for Harry to be able to read his expressions so easily, must mean that at some level, the God trusted him.
"You'll catch flies." he remarked casually and Percy jaw snapped shut.
A small smirk twitched at his lips, replacing the gobsmacked expression. "Not that Fury knows of course."
Harry's firewhiskey went down the wrong tube and he gave a hacking cough as this time he did actually choke in surprise. "What?"
Percy gave a pleased sort of hum as he saw that it was the child of Hecate's turn to be dumbfounded and good-naturedly slapped him of the back harder than was necessary (how else was he supposed to propose a friendship without doing so?[any relationship in which you do not try and kill each other when the other choked, was not real]). "I said-"
Harry glared at him with no real force (Fred and George had taken it to be their soul purpose to hit him as hard as possible on the back whenever he gave even the slightest cough). "That wasn't at all necessary-"
"Oh yes it was."
"Oh no it wasn't." protested Harry before he realised that the God was making them sound like a pantomime.
"Oh yes it was."
"Oh no it wasn't." responded Harry playfully.
"Ah. Well. We'll have to do it again then won't we, whoops!" Percy grinned and made motions as if going to slap him again.
Harry found himself laughing a little and rolled his eyes as he twisted out of reach. "I mean, how does Fury not know?"
Percy snorted. "S.H.I.E.L.D are completely unaware of the Gods existence and so I couldn't really drop the bombshell if I wanted a quiet life. If I had told, Tartarus knows how many of the Gods would attack me for revealing without consulting the Olympians and S.H.I.E.L.D would never stop pestering me about it. I've let Fury believe that I'm a mutant 'cause apparently there are some intelligent people in this organisation that figure out I could teleport."
Harry ran his tongue along his lower lip (a habit he had acquired after joining S.H.I.E.L.D) and he noted amusement that Percy's eyes followed the movement. "You wanted a quiet life? In S.H.I.E.L.D? I think you may have misunderstood what it does."
Percy rolled his eyes and said. "Oops, I must have missed the memo."
He downed the rest of his drink and looked out onto the empty desert, glancing at Harry's cup before doing so. "What drink do you have by the way, I don't recognise it."
Harry's wicked smile made Percy's insides flutter halfway between wariness and excitement. "It's called Firewhiskey, its not available at the bar, but I'll give you some."
He poured some of the drink carefully into Percy's glass and gave him an innocent look that made Percy think that he may have bitten of more than he could chew.
Percy narrowed his eyes suspiciously raised his glass to his lips but refused to let his apprehension show to the smirking magician. He took a gulp and almost spat it out again straight away as his eyes watered. His stomach convulsed in protest as it burned its way down his inside.
"Auhghh- what the actual-" his futile repeated empty swallowing was interrupted by a forceful blow to his back between his shoulder blades. He closed his eyes and reach hopefully towards his own drink, cursing as Harry moved it out of reach. "F-Fuck off you evil bastard."
Harry's answering grin made Percy regret his earlier teasing. "Oh I'm sorry I thought this was necessary." Was followed by some more back slaps.
"I'm not-uh- even choking you-!"
*slap*
"I'm sorry? What was that?"
*slap*
"I can't hear you."
By the time Thor and Erik emerged from the bar, Percy and Harry were comfortable in each other's company. Percy had made it his ambition of the evening to condition himself to consume firewhiskey.
Harry hadn't laughed this much since his old life and Percy hadn't been so relaxed in someone else's company since his old life.
Thor walked out the bar door carrying Erik over his shoulder.
Harry frowned at him. "What did you do?"
Thor rolled his eyes at him and then seemed to recognise that there was another person with him - he seemed to have drunk quite a substantial amount (Harry estimated that it would take a hell of a loot more to know out Thor, even in his mortal form). "What art thou doing here midgardian-its thou! Thou that wrestled me in the enclosed area of white linen and metal devices and framework!"
He beamed, swaying dangerously with Erik on his shoulder. "You put up a good fight midgardian until you conceded." Harry darted forwards and relieved him of his burden.
Thor blinked at him."You are stronger than you look James the doctor my friend."
Harry looked at him suddenly,"Thor, how are we getting back to Jane and...Darcy? Only Erik knows the way?"
Percy snorted. "Good going son."
"I am not your son?" Thor looked so bewildered and lost that Percy just sighed - he was too far gone. "And Erik told me how to get there, he said...uh...he said...left? No right- no! I remember! Down the road and then right."
"Which ro-"
"Oh! I meant left. Left? Yes left. My left. Your right."
"Thor we are currently facing the same direction, our lefts are the same."
"..." Thor blinked owlishly again. "Really?"
It took quite a substantial amount of time to make it back to where Jane and Darcy were residing. It helped greatly that Harry used a wandless and nonverbal point me spell. Percy raised his eyebrows as he sensed the magic being sent out from Harry (he also gave an imperceptible shiver when the magic wrapped around him before leaving to scout out Jane).
If Herry hadn't cast the spell, he was quite sure that Thor wouldn't have made it back to the caravan(?) until Erik was sober again - which, judging by how deeply unconcious he was, would definetely not be until sometime tomorrow-today actually mid-morning.
Harry introduced himself and held tightly onto Percy's arm when he tried to lurk off.
"Dr James Evans? Wow, it's an honour to meet you! I can't believe it." she beamed and then frowned at Percy. "Who's this?-"
Luckily Percy was prevented from answering the question (he was scowling, what the Hades was Harry/James playing at, he was supposed to be watching this covertly!) by Thor entering with Erik over his shoulder.
She has a reaction very similar to their's.
Thor gave a bellowing laugh. "We drank, we fought and he made his ancestors proud."
Percy and Harry excused themselves as Jane flustered about in front of Thor.
"I don't really need sleep." Harry remarked as they walked outside, feeling the biting wind of the desert rush past them.
Percy nodded in agreement before he suddenly realised what had just happened."Wait a second not-James, what the Hades was that? Why did you stop me from leaving?"
"Becuase honestly, I want to talk to you and you can't do that if you're hiding all the time."
"That's going directly against S.H.I.E.L.D orders." Percy didn't sound very disapproving.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "S.H.I.E.L.D doesn't particularly care what I do as long as I get a job done and right now, I'm not on a job."
"But I am."
Harry's challenging eyebrow never wavered.
Percy snickered. "Yeah you're right, I don't give a shit about all that. But I could go invisible you know."
"You can?" It had never really occured to Harry how much a God could do.
Master a major god like Percy has all the default powers that come with being a God. I.e. teleportation, invisibility, summoning ambrosia and nectar, beign in more than one place, telepathy-
Wait will my occulemency sheilds hold against his telepathy?
No Master, he cannot read your mind but that doesn't stop him from communicating and you communicating back, but you would have to use legilimency.
Can I drink ambrosia or nectar?
Yes Master.
By the time Harry had finished his split second conversation with Death, Percy had turned invisible.
"I can still sense you." Harry frowned.
Percy reappeared. "Really?"
Percy had thought that only other Gods could sense him. "Are you a God? I had been wondering, you knew I was a God afterall."
"No..." Harry frowned, thinking about it. "I don't think so."
Percy blinked, "What do you mean? surely you woud know if you're a God. What colour is your blood?"
Harry looked at his like that was the weirdest thing he had ever heard. "What colour is my blood?"
Percy nodded slowly, evidently his blood was normal then and thus he could not be a God? So what the Tartarus was he?
"Red? Probably?"
"So you're not a God then." Percy frowned. "Are you a demigod?"
"No he is not." came a wispy voice out of nowhere. Percy spun around in confusion, It wasn't a monster, he couldn't sense it.
Groaning, Harry covered his face. "I thought you weren't allowed to reveal yourself to the Gods?"
There was a considering pause as Percy grew even more confused and Harry waited impatiently for the reply. "He is worthy."
"How does that have anything to do with anything? I thought that was a rule? No interacting with Gods?" Harry wasn't ready to explain his bloody title to anyone yet, even if Percy seemed to be different from anyone else he had ever met.
"Master, I made that rule, me breaking it is inconsequential."
Percy would forevermore deny that the following sound he made bore any resemblance to a yelp. "Master?" He gave a thoughtful pause as Harry tried to hide his face that was turning an interesting shade of pink. "You didn't strike me as the type to keep a slave."
The wispy voice gave a strange sort of cackle that made Percy shiver and involuntarily think of Mrs Dodds. "I'm not his slave God." The way that the voice spat out the title as if it were a profanity made Percy feel incredibly intimidated - it was if this...thing was so powerful that Gods were so weak and inferior to it.
Harry, on the other hand groaned at Death's theatrics. "You just did that to make my life difficult didn't you? What is your problem today, you're not usually this sassy and you know I'm not ready to explain what my title is. Or what the fuck you are."
"It's what I live for Master."
Harry's nostrils flared in annoyance as Percy's cringing gave way to curiosity. "You don't live at all, it is the exact opposite of what you are."
"Ooh!" Percy's excited eyes reminded Harry of a primary school kid that had worked out the answer to a question and was extremely proud of it. "Is it Thanatos?"
"No." it rasped bluntly in amusement. "Well, to be fair, you are quite close and Anyway, I need to be off right now, interesting things are happening in Asgard. I'll send Hela to you when Thor's friend's arrive."
"Oh no, there aren't going to be more of them are there?" moaned Harry, he had already grown so tired of Thor and his archaic behaviour.
There was an empty silence and Harry knew that Death hadn't really gone, she was always with him in a spiritual kind of way. She was just taking pleasure in ignore him and letting him explain it all to Percy. She evidently wanted him to know.
The two had reached the edge of the 'town' and were now strolling through the sands behind the shops of the town.
The silence hung weightily in the air and Percy made an impatient sound. "So...you going to tell me wha da fuck just happened any time soon?"
Harry pursed his lips, unsure of how much to tell the man in front of him. He had never spoken to anyone about this before. Except Teddy the day(night?) before. But at Teddy was magical and knew the Wizarding World and the Tale of The Three Brothers- wait was he considering breaking the Statute of Secrecy?
Wait did the Statute of Secrecy even apply to him anymore? Did it apply to Percy? A God?
There was another impatient sound and Harry hurriedly came to the decision that he wasn't quite ready to recite his entire life story to a stranger. Because despite how handsome the God in front of him might be, he was still quite an unknown. He was't sure what he would do with the sensitive information.
He won't tell anyone Master.
And so now you're back you little bitch, you explain it to him.
Nope. I'm good Master.
Harry cursed a wide range of languages inside his head and turned his attention back to Percy. What should he say? What the fuck, Death said he wouldn't tell anyone and when had Death ever lied? "That, was Death. In my past life I somehow Mastered Death and then that asshole entity killed all my friends and made me immortal."
Percy stared at him and his eye twitched. "Hold up a second. What the actual-"
He was so absorbed by his task of staring at Harry incredulously that he did not notice when a tightly bundled form barrelled straight into him.
"Wow rude." muttered the person that happened to be a young brunette in a huge coat with a thick scarf that covered half he face. They could not identify the colour of her eyes because of the low lighting but they gleamed mischievously from behind her thick, chunky glasses. Her eyebrows furrowed suddenly and she looked down at her package mournfully. "My donuts!"
Percy and Harry exchanged looks - Harry saying 'Uh...what do we do?' and Percy's saying 'don't think I'm letting you get away with not answer those questions. I will find out.'. Harry rolled his eyes at Percy's fuming look. "Sorry, are you okay ma'am?"
The woman suddenly gave a smirk "Ooh, a gentleman. You weren't even the one who crashed into me!" She then frowned. "And in answer to your question, no I am not okay! You just squished my donuts! You must have broken the poptarts whilst you were at it. Humph now normally I'm quite reasonable but you are buying me some more if they are damaged because seriously? They are the only things I can force down Jane's throat. Erik's a little better but not much really he needs at least four coffees before consuming anything solid."
"Jane? Erik? You work with them?" Harry asked, immediately intrigued.
"Well, y'know, not so much with but for them. Well actually, I don't do anything of importance to be honest, I just sort of procrastinate and internet whilst pretending to know what's going on and trying not to break anything that's liable to explode. We sort of co-exist on the basis that I will get my extra credits for my political science major and they eat something at least once a day. Wait how do you know them?" she rambled. Percy couldn't tell if she was rambling because she had't had enough sleep or if she was intoxicated...or both.
"Oh! You must be their intern, Darcy, the one that Erik mentioned figured out the connection of Thor and the Norse Myths. You are very perceptive I must say, very few take that initiative to think outside the confining box of common sense." Harry beamed as well as anyone can beam in the biting desert air without warming charms.
"I can't tell if you just insulted her or if that was a genuine compliment." murmured Percy with a snicker.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Ignore him. Henchmen have approximately brains." He ignored Percy's mutter of 'Wow real mature.' "I'm Dr James Evans."
Darcy let out a whining sound. "Not another genius! I can barely cope with Jane and Erik. Are you here to- wait did you say that smartarse here is you henchman? That is so cool. I always thought henchman would be like silent uglyarse pieces of dumbness that blindly follow their masters and do whatever-"
"Wait! Hold up he is not my master. And I'm not actually a henchman its just dickwad over here felt the need to prevent me from leaving when he introduced himself to Jane. And thus he is trying to cover his mistakes by-"
"No I just didn't see any real need for you to hide like seriously, you're not that much of a creeper are you-"
"Duh this was my bloody mission. I'm supposed to be stalking y'all 'cause Coulson doesn't trust you-"
"I call bullshit, I know that you know that you have authority of Coulson. You wanted to follow us, you wanted to follow me-"
"Phaw." Darcy fanned herself playfully despite the freezing temperature. "Tone down the sexual tension dudes." she smirked wickedly.
Percy sniggered as Harry's face flushed and a delicate blush stained his pale cheeks. "Shut up you bloody twat."
Percy ignored him. "So Darcy...what are you doing here at..." he checked his Starkphone "2:30 am?"
Darcy was still smiling like the devil but she was happy enough to answer. "I get a bit insomniac y'know, pick up some nasty habits from the two useless geniuses. I got a sudden craving for donuts about 10 mins ago and I just thought what the hell, I'm not 14 anymore, I can go and get donuts if I want donuts." She held up the paper bag that had been slightly compressed by Percy. "And thus, I have donuts."
Percy sniffed the bag like a bloody dog. "Jam, really?"
Darcy flipped him the bird and stuck out her chin as though she was very offended by his criticism of her donut choices. "You know you never actually explained to me who the bleeding fuck you are. Like for all I know, you actually are stalkers I have not solid proof that you actually know the two idiots Jane and Erik. OR that's how you know my name. Like you're two tall, loomy dark strangers dressed in black with- holy shit are you gonna assault me?"
Percy burst into his doglike laughter and Harry looked at him disapprovingly. "Of course not, but you're right, we're sorry. I mean we'd show you our ID but I don't think would reassure you as its only got like a couple of word with actual useful information on it. We're from S.H.I.E.L.D."
"Wait. You're with that iPod stealing jerk that took all our equipment? Why I knew you were both little-"
"Oh him? Yeah Coulson can be a dick sometimes but don't worry, I've promised to get your equipment back." Harry said firmly, trying to reassure her.
"Ah so, you're secret agent-y type people eh? Right, is it true that..." Darcy rambled as she walked back to the place where she was sleeping.
The following morning dawned with an unconscious Erik, Jane trying to prevent Thor lighting the breakfast that Harry and Percy had bought on fire and Darcy blasting out her slightly questionable music tastes from her laptop (because 'some massive jerk in a suit stole her iPod').
Harry frowned at the song choice. "Does it have to be so offensive?"
Darcy nodded decisively. "Yes." as she absently munched on the slightly burnt pancakes.
The song changed, Jane and Thor were too absorbed by their love-y faces that they didn't notice the imperceptible tensing of the two assassin's shoulders' (Jane had been a bit confused as to why Darcy was so relaxed with the two of them but she accepted them on the basis that Harry was there to aid with their research on the side of S.H.I.E.L.D).
Darcy was absorbed by her...tumblr-ing and so she didn't notice either.
But both Harry and Percy noticed each other's uncomfortableness and locked eyes at the lyrics.
"Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place,
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you?"
Percy's eyes shone with pain as he reflected how accurate that was. There truly was no one on this earth that truly understood him. All his fellow demigods that he had fought and suffered alongside were long gone. The Gods never understood - they never even tried. Mortals didn't even have any concept of the Gods.
"Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room
With the radio on turned up so loud
That no one hears you're screaming?"
In Harry's mind he gave a dry laugh. Sounded about right. He had always wanted to run away - god he was such a coward. When he was younger and he couldn't deal with the stress and the responsibility that the magical world had thrust upon him, he had often wished he had his own room where he could scream and cry and have somewhere he could break down. But the Dursleys left him no privacy and the word didn't seem to be truly understood at Hogwarts either. And now, now he had nowhere to run to. He was stuck on this earth...forever.
"No, you don't know what it's like
When nothing feels all right"
Percy looked at Harry and saw that the pain and the raw memories the song was bringing back to the surface was mirrored in his eyes. He wondered, did the magical being in front of him know what the life had lead had been like. He supposed that not-James was probably the closest person to understand, if anyone.
"You don't know what it's like
To be like me"
Harry looked at the deep green eyes that gleamed with such a similar ache and misery. Before joining S.H.I.E.L.D, Harry had been rubbish at reading people's emotions. Hermione was sure to remind Harry how obtuse and oblivious he was when he accidentally offended people. But now? Now he could read people so well he could read Percy, who, judging by his clearance, was one of the best S.H.I.E.L.D agents in existence. And if he could see his emotions so clearly, he had no doubt that Percy could read his. Did Percy know what it was like? To be like him?
"To be hurt
To feel lost
To be left out in the dark
To be kicked when you're down
To feel like you've been pushed around"
Darcy hummed along to the lyrics feeling content with the morning so far and completely oblivious to the emotion filled conversation the two dark haired assassins were having with their so similar and yet so different green eyes.
Harry remembered vividly how he had been left out of so many of the Order's plans and left in the dark and no one even tried to tell him anything. That summer when Ron and Hermione had refused to answer any of Harry's owls ad claimed that they could do nothing because 'Dumbledore told them not to". It had hurt so much. Harry had been so lost and confused and he could do nothing but let it happen to him. He gritted his teeth as the lyrics spoke to him in a way that he had never thought a song could do.
Percy swallowed heavily as he remembered when he had first read the first Great Prophecy. He revived how much it had splintered his soul to learn that both Annabeth and Chiron had been preparing him...for his death. His girlfriend and his first real father figure, thought he was fated to die an were perfectly cool with not letting him know this until like a couple of weeks before he fated death day? They didn't feel the need to tell him anything. Gods he knew what it felt like to be kicked when you were already down.
"To be on the edge of breaking down
And no one's there to save you
No, you don't know what it's like
Welcome to my life"
The two locked green gazes finally connected in a way that is only ever speculated in books. The two recognised the similarity of the suffering in the other's gaze and acknowledged that whilst they didn't exactly know what it had been like for the other person...they could relate to each other in a way that no other living being could.
The song continued and whilst the lyrics were just as depressing, the two found soft smiles creeping over their lips as they slowly and irrevocably came to the decision that...they were no longer alone.
As they discussed how to get Thor back in business, they were interrupted by a shout that could only have come from an Asgardian. "Found you!" exclaimed a heavily bearded man in full armour.
Thor was delighted by their arrival but the others were less pleased (if Erik's groan of protest was anything to go by), but were impressed nonetheless. Harry glared at the chipped mugs now resting on the floor, why did Darcy and Erik have to be holding a cup when this happened?
"I take it these are the 'friends' your..." Percy's nostrils flared as he muttered lowly to Harry. "Slave was telling us about?"
Harry wrinkled his nose. "Stop being so uptight about that, I'll explain more at a more private date."
"Ooh asking me out already are you?" smirked Percy. "You're a quick little charmer you."
Harry just raised unimpressed eyebrows and sighed at Percy's childishness.
Lady Sif and the Warriors Three introduced themselves enthusiastically and Jane, Erik and Darcy were only too keen to introduce themselves as well. Then the eight of them (including Thor) looked at the two of them expectantly.
They exchanged glances. "We're from S.H.I.E.L.D, the facility currently uh- safe guarding Mjolnir until it can be wielded once more. I'm Dr James Evans."
Percy sighed as the inquiring eyes turned on him. "I'm uh- Commander Percy Jackson."
He was suddenly pinned by five stares. Thor looked at him in surprise. "Percy? As in Perseus? As in Perseus Jackson? As in the Perseus Jackson?" his tone was somewhat reverent and Percy froze in confusion.
"Uh...yes." he said slowly, bewildered as to why they would know him. Suddenly he realised something, his godly senses were tingling- ohmygods they were Gods?
Sif and the Warriors Three were Gods? Were they from the same universe that Thor and his slick haired Godly brother were from, the one with the impending war?
But how did they know of him? Percy didn't have the fainest clue as to who they were. To be perfectly honest, they didn't quite feel like Gods either. The felt immortal in a sense, but at the same time they felt like mortals. It was incredibly confusing, Percy narrowed his eyes. They felt alien.
They didn't have the broken magic of Thor's brother, nor did they feel as powerful. But they sure as Hades didn't feel normal.
They fell to their knees and stared ay Percy worshipfully. "My Lord, forgive us, we had not realised it was thou."
Harry's mouth fell open. What on earth was happening?
"We have been searching for you for so long My Lord. After thou were abandoned by the Pantheon we endeavored to offer our home for thou as thy residence."
Master, I think- oh lords how did I not see this coming, of course it was going to be Percy Jackson.
What the bleeding hell are you on about Death?
You have found your equal Master. I did not think it would happen so quickly so I had not told you.
My what?!
"How hast thou fared since thou gained thy title?"
"The Tartarus? What title?" Percy stared at the five powerful beings...bowing to him? He tried to comprehend what was happening- nope. No suck luck for him.
Fandral's mouth fell open in shock. "You were not even aware of your title My Lord?"
Your equal My Lord. Surely you did not think you were supposed to live an eternity by yourself?
Harry closed his eyes counting slowly in his head, trying not to lose his temper at Death. Do you recall that time Death after you first informed me of my title, when you told me that no other currently living being was destined to live forever like I was? And I broke down once more? Ring any bells you fucking arsehole?
...ah...um yes Master.
Sif shook her head in amazement. "You a re a truly spectacular being if you achieved the title without realising it. You are the Lord of Life My Lord."
Percy's mind practically had 'Does not compute' signs flashing in his mind. What the Tartarus did 'Lord of Life' even mean?
Harry let out a gasp in astonishment. Lord of Life? Like the opposite to Master of Death?
Thor was beaming and was about to open his mouth to suggest a drink in celebration when all conversation was firmly cut of by Darcy's palm in the air. "Wait, wait, whoawowowowowooaaaw dude slow the fuck down. Does anyone care to explain to us lowly mortals here what the fucking fuck just happened?" She glared around at them fiercely and Percy was overwhelmed by her sudden likeness to Thalia. Wait did Thalia go for rebirth? Cause she would totally be about Darcy's age if she did.
"Um apparently I'm the Lord of Life and I can go live in...where? Asgood?" said Percy uncertainly.
"Asgard My Lord," Volstagg bellowed and Harry could suddenly see how similar him and Thor were (well, once you got past the minor hair colour difference). "This is perfect! We can take you back with Thor!"
Thor froze and Percy didn't look any more clued on to what was happening. A frown furrowed the skin between the blond's eyebrows as he looked bewilderedly at his friends. "You know I can't go back." His eyes darted to his friends' faces that now showed the same confusion that Thor was feeling.
"My father..." he gulped as he thought back at his thoughtless and reckless actions that led to his exile. Had he really ridden into Jotunheim on a whim and attacked a 30ft frost giant because her was teased? No wonder he had been exiled, on the day of his coronation no less. It was lucky that it happened to be honest, he wasn't fit for a king, let alone the King of Asgard itself. "My father is dead because of me." He remembered how Loki had tried to stop him- Loki. He had always ignored Loki, was he truly that selfish?
He had teased him- bullied him even because he chose to practice magic instead of fight. And of course because he had done it, all the other gods had done it. Ignored him, picked on him, singled him out only because Thor was a selfish little cruel, heartless heir to the throne.
He closed his eyes, feeling slightly sick. He was a truly despicable person.
Loki had spent...literally seven centuries alone because Thor couldn't see past his own arrogance and self centredness. He remembered all the time when he was younger when Loki was excited his green eyes would sparkle as he described the magic he was learning, or a book he had read. After a while...Thor choked- after a while Thor got jealous that he couldn't do magic.
That was it was all about? Their now icy and distant relationship was because childish envy?
He remembered that after a while he got so annoyed by his brother's intelligence and skill level in something that he could never do that when Loki came to him, he made spiteful remarks about how weak he was. He remembered the hurt that flashed though those green eyes like a knife to the chest. After then, he had buried his guilt and done his best to ignore Loki and become the best warrior in Asgard in an effort to put Loki to shame.
And so when, about 300 years ago, those horrible rumours about magic users and Loki's children were spread around, Thor did nothing, nothing to stop them.
He bowed his head. He deserved this exile, he only wished he could have seen his idiocy and his selfishness before it cost his father his life.
"An I must remain in exile."
The warriors hesitated in confusion. "Thor...your father sill lives." said Sif slowly.
Thor's face showed utter shock mixed with fury and confusion. But Loki delivered the news? Loki wouldn't have lied would he? Or...had the 700 driven him too far? Had...he finally fallen off the edge?
Thor hoped not, he wanted to help Loki now that he could see how much damage and pain he had cause him.
The lapse in their conversation allowed them to hear Percy and Harry's. Its entertainment value was doubled by the occasional comment from Darcy. "Asgard? You know, Thor, Lady Sif, The Warriors Three, Norse Myths...ringing any bells here?"
"Holy Poseidon on a pogostick, you mean to tell me the fucking Norse Gods exist as well?"
"The hell you mean 'as well'? What other Gods are there? And anyway I thought we'd established that they were aliens. Y'all crazy."
"I should've known it. Greek, Egyptian, Norse...what other Gods are there? Are the fucking Chinese Myths real? Man their dragons are terrifying, like worse than a drakon-"
"Look I'm not really sure but yes, they are what the Norse myths were based off, but as Darcy so rightly says, they are aliens, not actual Gods."
"They're not actual Gods? What? Wait shit are we allowed to have this conversation around mortals? Are you mortal?"
"Now is not the time Percy-"
"How about you shut the Tartarus up and answer my question, I don't even know your real fucking name-"
"How does that have any relevance to our conversation-"
"Conversation? A conversation requires two people, I am asking questions and you are avoiding them-"
"It still involves two people, can you even count you-"
"CAN YOU FEEL...THE SEXUAL TENSION?" Darcy burst out into song, imitating the song from the Lion King, 'Can you feel the love tonight'.
Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun snickered and the annoyance flaring in Percy and Harry's eyes; Sif and Thor were still engaged in their staring contest and Jane was too absorbed in jealously, this meant that it was only Erik noticed the darkening sky with a suspiciously supernatural-like cyclone descending toward the earth.
"Oh my..."
They stared at the metal giant towering over the empty desert plains. They then watched in horror as it slip open its metal maw and torched the sleek black cars surrounding it.
"Holy crap that was S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm pretty sure that was Coulson with the megaphone."
"Wow genius move Phil, try and talk to the quite clearly hostile and obviously dangerous unknown. Somebody give him some lessons."
There were screams as the metal giant made its way towards them through the town. "Jane you need to leave." said Thor suddenly. Fandral looked excited, obviously thinking Thor was going to fight with them again, like old times. "I am just a man, I cannot do much in a fight but, I can help get these people to safety."
They tried frantically to help the townspeople. Percy and Harry may or may not have been using their abilities to ensure no one got hurt and got away safely. It was what they were supposed to do anyway. They could not help the Warriors Three and Lady Sif who decided to face the monster.
"Aren't we supposed to do something?" asked Percy worriedly. Harry's heart fluttered when he realised that Percy was asking him, trusting his judgement over...over his own?
"No Masters, this is Thor's fight, he will manage it don't worry." The two spun around to see another Asgardian standing next to them. She had beautiful luscious hair and a stunning, perfectly made up face on one side of her face, on the other it was merely a gleaming white skeleton who's empty eye socket leered at them creepily.
"What the Hades? Who are you? And what do you mean by masters?"
"Hela actually." She smiled creepily. "I am Hela Lokidottir. Queen of Niflheim and Helheim, Realms of the Dead where all are welcome, not just those that die in battle." a scowl marred her beautiful complexion, revealing what she thought of Valhalla.
"Death sent you I take it?" said Harry slowly.
"Yes Master. In answer to your question My Lord, you are both my masters because you are both Masters of Death and Lords of Life, and whomsoever masters death becomes my master as well as I am blessed of Death."
"Wai-what? You are the Master of Death? What the actua- that was actually Death?" Percy's brain was not working.
"Yes and I would stay for longer but I fear that you may want to help those cocky Warriors Three and Sif before they get burned alive." said Hela gesturing to where Volstagg was about to get roasted. "I'm not entirely sure why I was sent, I think Death wanted to make your life difficult today Master."
And with that she promptly disappeared.
Percy water vapour travelled next to Volstagg and hoisted him up and teleported back next to Harry the second before he was about to be hit by a beam of fire. "We are discussing this later but we need to get these idiots out of the way so that Thor can be a sap and redeem himself."
Harry rolled his eyes but muttered, "Agreed. Gods are so bloody cocky sometimes."
"Oi fuck off yeah." yelled Percy as he teleported away.
Thor approached The Destroyer swallowing hard. The Destroyer was the personal weapon of the king. It followed the King of Asgard's commands and no one else's. Loki was the King of Asgard.
Loki had sent The Destroyer to kill him whilst he was mortal.
Thor deserved it, he was certain.
But the innocent people of the village of...Mexico the second(?) they didn't. Jane didn't. Darcy didn't. Erik didn't. Dr James didn't. If Thor could stop Loki, or at least buy them enough time for Perseus to help them escape, it would be worth it.
"Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am truly sorry." Thor meant it and it broke his heart to know that Loki, who was definitely watching them, wouldn't believe him or at least wouldn't think it was enough. "But these people are innocent. Taking their lives will gain you nothing."
He took a deep breath as he stood before the metal giant. I deserved this for all the years of torment and misery he had put Loki through because of his own selfishness and jealousy. "So take mine instead."
Jane's eyes bulged out. "What is he doing?"
"Are you sure we shouldn't intervene? I kinda liked him." said Percy
Harry rolled his eyes again, this was becoming a habit and soon he would have very strong...eye muscles? He may be a doctor in astrophysics but he never said he was proud of his biological knowledge. "You heard Hela, this is Thor's fight that he will win."
"How did she know?" Percy questioned persistently. "She's not the Goddess of the prophecy or the future? She's the Queen of the dead?"
"She knows Loki better than anyone. Now shh, this is like a movie." Harry hushed him.
They watched in amazement as the metal giant's face plate closed as the metal slotted back into place and the fire inside the suit died down. Thor gave a hesitant smile, he was certain it hadn't worked, he knew that one apology would not sooth seven centuries with of insults. The giant turned around and Thor still wasn't ready to belie-
Oh.
Yeah.
He was right.
Ouch.
They watched as the giant turned around suddenly and backhanded Thor powerfully across the face, throwing him backwards 10 meters and snapping his neck backwards into the floor.
"Are you certain we shouldn't intervene? Cause I can feel the life leeching away from him right now- wait how the fuck did I know that and feel that?" Percy said, alarmed.
"You finally embraced your title." Harry dismissed, frowning. He could feel the man dying - had Hela been lying? She was Loki's daughter after all, she would support Loki over Thor and it was quite clearly Loki vs. Thor here.
The Destroyer turned away and walked down the street, its metal feet thudding heavily and they could feel reverberations in the floor. Jane had flown forwards and was hovering above Thor's dying face as the two exchanged whispers that no one else could or wanted to hear.
Percy and Harry both shuddered suddenly as they felt a massive energy influx from...from the S.H.I..E.L.D base holding Mjolnir. Percy smirked. "Oh I get it now, he gets his powers back because he was will to die to save his friends."
"Sounds familiar." muttered Harry, recalling this own final battle.
They could feel energy surging into Thor's currently immobile body and Mjolnir streaking towards them. Harry's eyes widened suddenly. "Jane! You need to move! Get out the way!"
The others could now see Mjolnir and Erik had to drag Jane away just in time for her not to be killed by (1) Mjolnir (2) Thor (3) the lightning in-between Thor and Mjolnir.
It was just as well because then there was an epic showdown between the newly armoured and weaponised Thor and the befuddled Destroyer.
"Dude that is a pretty impressive cyclone." Percy remarked.
Harry looked at him weirdly. "You're the Commander of Cyclones?"
"Am I?" Percy was astonished. "I never bothered to find out my real titles, I have real titles? Because I wanted to stay as far away as possible from those bastards and so...yeah. Never came up.
Harry quirked his lips. "You are the God of Loyalty, Sacrifice, and Bravery, Lord of Heroes, and Commander of the Tides and Cyclones."
"That is awesome, seriously man. Now moving on, you are going to explain exactly what the fuck is going on..."
Reviews for the starving fanfic author? Pwease?
Next chapter (when it eventually goes up) will have Basilisk and Kraken finally assigned on a mission together as assassins. And of course their mission is to uncover a relic from some ice and a plane crash...we're coming for you Cap!
Credit for the song lyrics (it took me a while to find a suitable song) go to Simple Plan for their song 'Welcome To My Life'. And before anyone kills me I took inspiration on the 'Lord of Life' thing from 'Irreparable' by SinSidhe - which is an amazing fanfic btw read it if you like my story (it is like waaay better than min though).
And yes OK so sue me I love Loki and apologies if my Norse knowledge was extraordinarily wrong - I know a lot more about the Greek Pantheon.
I don't really know where the bar scene came from, I just felt like I needed to add some proper sexual tension.
Reviews:
Thanks to everyone who left me some happiness on the last chapter! I love you all you are awesome reviewers and you are the reason why I love to write! I love getting feedback (preferably positive feedback of course XD). And I hope y'all enjoy the relationships, even if you didn't want slsh, it won't be graphic don't worry. RemainsoftheSphinx sorry about the mistakes, I don't have a beta and usually I want to post the chapter as soon as I've written it and so I don't find them until much later. Kontonio No, no...weird is good! (Incredibles refernce!) AnimeBook's...ah yeah last chapter was sooooo long...this one's not much better...sorry :) not sorry phantombrick ? Uh sorry? You're not homophobic are you? Sanglante-Mlani ah you'll just have to wait and find out ww1990ww don't worry there will be no mpreg (I hate mpreg) and...um sorry if I'm not really sure whatyou're on about in (3)(6)(8) - please note this is not at all even slightly sticking to the marvel comics universe, only the cinematic one as I do not know an awful lot about the comics. Sorry. Ghostunderasheet I think Harry is adorable as well. Yeah don't worry, Coulson is still an extension of Fury and Darcy is gonna become a fast friend of Percy and Harry dw. ThatOneGuyWhoWroteThatOneStory ... Slenderbrine. YES FANDOMS ARE ALWAYS NEEDED. ALL THE FANDOMS. ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH. I don't actually know about the two godesses thing but who knows? It is Greek mythology after all SenkoHasegawa 394% not abandonded fall-out-potter HERE YOU GO LOVE THE NAME BTW Liara Yes there will be slash juliet midnight they'll find out each other's code names next chapter. Inion an Mac Tire Consider it done
So I've decided to put an omake at the end of my chapters when I can be bothered. If you want to write one of your own, leave it as a review or PM me and I'll publish it on the next chapter :)
Omake:
They sat in the back of Jane's truck. Erik had disppeared into the supermarket and Thor and Jane...they didn't really want to know what they were doing. Thor needed to return to Asgard soon to 'apologise' to Loki.
But he needed to say 'goodbye' to Jane first.
Harry, Percy and Darcy had scarpered with Erik at the first possibility.
"You know when we met you last night Darcy," Percy mused. "Were you wearing earphones?"
Darcy squinted at him like he was the dumbest thing she had ever seen. "Duh, did you expect me to go somewhere without music?"
Harry frowned. "So you, an attractive young lady, were wondering around, plugged into music and alone at 2am in the dark? Wasn't the dangerous?"
Darcy snorted into her milkshake. "You think so? Why don't you try mugging me?"
The taser wasn't something Percy was expecting.
He was never attacking Darcy again.
Ever.
≈Ωne Fandom Is Not Enough≈
Bye!