HEY I'M BACK!
I have the next chapter here for you guys, but I want to address the overwhelming response I got after posting the prologue and the first chapter! I got over twenty follows in 24 hours. That's amazing.
I also received some wonderful comments! As always thank you Shadowhuntingdauntlessdemigod for your awesome comments. Thank you sportsfan and Backup Zebo (- Check out Backup Zebo's storys. They are fucking awesome) And to the person who asked me about gammwidow.
No! Hulktasha or whatever you want to call it is not my thing. I am strict Romanogers, Stasha, The Soldier and Spy...
Also, my 105 pound dog stepped on my laptop so it crapped out on me. So I hooked it up to a desktop, but until I get this damn thing fixed, everything will be going far slower than my normal writing pace and my sisters editing pace. Sorry.
Ok, now that that's over and done with... Here's chapter two.
Chapter 2
Steve and Natasha had been talking for about a half hour when guards knocked at her door. The two left the room and were met by Clint, who smiled and said, "Hey!"
"Hey," Natasha said as she wrapped her arms around Clint to give him a hug.
Once they released each other, Clint looked at Steve, "Hey Cap." Steve gave him a nod and the guards ushered the three down the long hallway.
Clint stood on Steve's left a little behind him and Natasha stood on his right, also little behind him as they met up with Thor, Tony, Bruce, and Sam. Everyone said their 'hellos' and Tony successfully pissed off Steve in under a minute (which was quite impressive, even to this group who was used to Tony annoying Steve on a regular basis). After the brief greeting, the guards began walking again, so the Avengers ceased greeting each other and followed the guards. The group lined up in uniform positions, looking very professional as they followed the guards down the hall. Everyone was silent, keeping straight faces and walking with perfect posture.
They made a right turn and stood in a long golden hallway with tall pillars. At the end of the hall, Odin sat upon his throne, which was atop a stone dais, staring at them. On the right of his throne, a large black wolf with amber eyes sat staring at them. To his left sat a white wolf, but this one had icy blue eyes. On the top of the throne, a raven was perched staring at them with beady black eyes. The animals stared at them with interest; the wolf with amber eyes was on the verge of glaring.
Odin had long grey hair and a grey beard. His armor plating was golden and silver and his eye patch was gold. The long cape draping down his back was red, like Thor's. Natasha didn't know Odin; however, she instantly thought of Fury. She admitted she kinda missed the grumpy old guy. He was like a father figure to her, and when he 'died' she was devastated. She was elated and confused when he turned up alive. She could feel her mind was drifting, but she needed to stay focused in order to make a good impression.
They came to a halt at about the mid-point of the hallway and the guards quickly disappeared. Odin gripped his staff and leaned forward in his seat, staring intently at them with his icy blue eye. He lifted his free hand from the grip of his throne and waved them over silently.
They walked to the base of the stairs leading up the dais to the pure gold throne that the king sat upon. Thor kneeled, placed his hammer in front of him and bowed his head. Steve did the same but kept his shield in its place on his arm. The others simply kneeled and bowed, keeping their own, non-Asgardian weapons in their respective places.
Odin lifted his staff and then gently banged it on the floor. It made a loud tapping noise and Thor immediately stood and picked up his hammer. Steve stood and placed his shield in its proper place on his back. The others also stood. "The man known as Captain America, the one who leads you warriors, please step forward," Odin boomed.
His voice was mighty, and stronger than Thor's. It held a commanding and leading tone that gained immediate respect. As Steve stepping forward, he returned his shield to his arm. He stared at Odin. Odin slowly stood up and gingerly walked down the stairs towards Steve. You could tell he was getting older and weaker by the way his legs faintly shook as he took steps and used his staff like a cane, to help support his weight. He stood in front of Steve, "What is your name?" Odin asked as he continued his descent towards Steve.
"Steven Grant Rogers, sir," Steve said quietly, trying to keep his strong voice from overpowering the king (Steve still had trouble referring to Thor and Odin as "Gods"). Odin stared deep into Steve's baby blue eyes, searching for anything other than goodness. He would inspect each of these so called Avengers, except his son, to make sure they were true warriors.
Odin looked down, "Your choice of weapon is a shield? That is an odd choice. Seems more defensive and an offensive weapon," Odin asked as he continued to inspect Steve. He noticed that Steve was the height of an average Asgardian, and in Steve's eyes, Odin could only see goodness, pain, happiness, and kindness. This man was different than the mortals Odin had met before.
"Yes sir," Steve answered simply.
"May I see it?" Odin asked. Steve nodded and handed his shield to Odin. Odin felt the smooth surface in his hands, it was light but strong. It appeared to be made of a metal similar to what Asgardian armor was made from. Odin slowly gave it back to Steve, "It is a fine weapon. Well balanced and light," he admired.
Steve nodded and Odin gave him a faint smile, "You may step back." Steve obeyed.
Odin looked at them, "The man known as Hulk. Step forward," he ordered and Bruce stepped forward. Odin moved to stand directly in front of Bruce. "What is your name?" Odin asked.
"Bruce Banner," he responded, quietly looking at the intimidating man in front of him.
"Is it true, that you injured Loki so severely that he was incapacitated until the end of the battle on earth?" Odin asked looking at Bruce. Loki and Thor had passed the story about the 'Hulk" to Oden. However, the man standing opposite Odin was so small and shy that it seemed improbable that is was the same man. Odin looked directly into Bruce's eyes and could see anguish, anger, pain, and worry. But he could also see goodness and kindness.
Bruce looked a bit worried. Would Odin be mad that he thumped Loki, Odin's adopted son. "Yes it is true," Bruce muttered.
Odin smiled at him and nodded, "You may step back." Bruce detected a slight happiness in Odin's eye, almost as if he were happy to know that Bruce almost killed Loki. Bruce took his original position and Odin looked at them, determining who he would inspect next. He looked at Sam, "Who is this?" He asked, not remembering being told about Sam.
"Sam Wilson, also known as the Falcon," Sam said.
"Why are you called the Falcon?" Odin asked while moving towards Sam.
"I can fly with specially made wings," Sam answered.
Odin nodded and looked at Sam. He could tell that Sam was a trustworthy and good man like the others he's inspected so far. "I apologize, we were not expecting you. Thor, take him to the tailor." Odin ordered.
"Yes Father," Thor said and he nodded towards Sam and then started walking away. Sam followed close behind, wondering if Odin got rid of Thor on purpose.
Odin walked in front of the group and looked at them, "The one known as Hawkeye, please step forward."
Clint stepped forward. While the others were talking to Odin, Clint had determined how to take off the cape. Now he had his bow and quiver strapped across his back. He couldn't wear a cape with his weapon of choice. Standing in front of Odin, he came off as almost a little cocky. "What is your name?" Odin asked
"Clinton Barton," he heard Tony snort, but a glare from Odin silenced the self-obsessed billionaire.
Odin inspected Clint carefully, like he had done with the three others. "A bow and arrow is your choice of weaponry?" He questioned.
"Yeah, and knives, but mainly the bow."
"May I?"
Clint nodded and pulled off his bow and handed it to Odin. Odin gripped the bow and tugged on the bow string; it was strong and had a heavy pull back. He also noticed the bow was made of a different material than what they used for bows on Asgard. Odin nodded and gestured to an arrow. Clint took the bow back and slung it around his back once again. Then, he removed an arrow from the quiver and handed it to Odin. Odin took the arrow and inspected it. It was light, but strong. The actual stick of the arrow was very thin and light, however it was very strong. Odin also noticed the type of arrow head. It was the perfect type of arrowhead for killing, a broad head that, when released from the bow, would spin in circles until it made impact with the target, then it would carve a hole in the target. It seemed to Odin to be an almost perfect killing mechanism.
Odin handed the arrow back and Clint, who returned it to his quiver. "You may step back." Clint moved back to his original position. Odin looked at them, "The one known as Iron Man, please come forward." Odin ordered politely.
Tony walked from the line to stand directly in front of Odin, not waiting for Odin to move to him. Odin could already tell this one was very full of himself, but he seemed to have good intentions. "What is your name?" He asked.
"Billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, genius, inventor – Anthony Stark," Tony said with a cocky grin.
Odin frowned and inspected Tony, thinking that this Avenger was obviously cocky and narcissistic. However, this man had goodness in his heart. Odin wondered, could this cocky human also be insecure and afraid? Odin thought perhaps he was. What he was afraid of? Odin didn't know. "What is your weapon?" he asked.
"A full suit of armor. Kinda like a fancy prosthetic that has advanced computer technology and weapons built in."
"May I see it?"
"Sure? JARVIS send suit one," Tony ordered, but ordered "who" Odin didn't know. Then, a suit flew down the hallway and landed next to Tony.
"Fascinating…," Odin muttered and looked at the suit. He grabbed its arm and lifted it, looking at the suit.
"Please don't touch it; it doesn't like to be touched," Tony said and shooed Odin's hand away. The Avengers that were present went wide eyed. They couldn't believe how Tony was speaking to the Asgardian leader (who was going to help hide and protect them). What the hell was he doing!?
"It is not a living thing," Odin said and glared at Tony.
"Uhm no, but it has programmed feelings. Because my friend JARVIS runs the suit."
Odin decided not to ask. He simply shook his head, "You may step back." He said and watched Tony go back to his spot with the Iron man suit walking with him. Odin stared at the last Avenger present in throne room. She was the only women and she was beautiful enough to be considered Asgardian. He could tell she was good, but she had pain in her soul; she had been through much - that he could tell. "The one known as Black Widow, please step forward," Odin ordered.
She stepped forward and stood in front of him. To see what these mortals' intentions were, Odin's been using magic. He saw glimmers of their past and the things they have done. What he saw in the woman was different than what he saw in the others. He saw bad things in Anthony Stark. But the things that this woman has done in her past were horrifying. He knew she was trying to right her wrongs. He knew that what she had done upset her. He also knew that she wanted to be better and that she was better now. "What is your name?" He asked.
"Natasha Romanoff," she answered without a thought. Even though that was her fake name … it was the name she took when she came to America.
Odin frowned, and stared deep into her eyes, "You're lying; tell me the truth," he ordered harshly.
"I'm not lying. I changed my name years ago. Natasha Romanoff is officially my name," she replied, standing firm.
"What is your birth name then?" He asked lightening his tone.
She hesitated, it's been years since she said it out loud. The only time she heard her real name was in her dreams, from the people of her past, the ones who created the monster version of her, the people she killed. She let out a breath slowly, and closed her eyes calming herself, "Natalia Alianovna Romanova," she responded quietly. She was quiet enough for most people not to hear it. But Odin heard it, and so did Steve. They both had excellent hearing.
Odin nodded quietly, "What is your weapon choice?" He asked.
"Knives, guns, and something I call 'Widow Bites'," she answered.
He didn't bother to ask about Widow Bites. He would force Thor to tell him about them later. Thor had already explained to him the amazing weapon known as the gun. "May I see one of your knives?" He asked.
She nodded and reached behind her, there was a black sash tied around her waist like a belt and she kept the knife in a sheath being held by the sash behind her back (although she had many more knives hidden). Pulling out the knife she glanced at the black double side blade with a black handle. This knife was her sharpest, and it was perfect for close quarter combat. She handed it to Odin and he grasped it by the handle and examined how sharp it was. He nodded and handed her knife back. She placed it back and then stared at him. With a nod he gestured for her to go back to her position in line, "You may step back," he stated.
Gripping his staff a little tighter, he turned around and slowly ascended the stairs to the dais and turned to take his seat on the throne. Slowly, he lifted the hand holding the staff and slammed it against the floor, making another incredibly loud noise. Odin watched carefully as guards walked back into the room, holding their weapons in battle stance. "Fuck…," Tony groaned and his Iron Man suit opened up and he climbed inside.
"Guards test them," Odin ordered.
Steve growled, "Everyone go for knock outs, these people are Thor's people; we will have no fatalities!" Steve ordered as a guard ran at him and he hurled his shield at the guard's head. It knocked out the guard and bounced back towards Steve. He caught it and turned and ran to protect Bruce, trying make sure he wouldn't "Hulk out".
Natasha growled, "I feel kinda betrayed in this situation!" She yelled at Steve as she launched a knife towards one of the guard's thighs. He dropped and she ran straight at him, ripping the knife out of his thigh and jumping onto the back of the guard fighting Clint. Natasha put the guard in a head lock, and once he lost consciousness, she jumped off his back and moved on to the next guard.
Odin noticed the ferocity with which the Avengers fought. Odin also noticed that they weren't trying very hard either.
"I don't think it's fair that I'm the only one who has a weapon only meant for killing!" Clint yelled as he fought off an Asgardian with his bare hands. He was disappointed because he couldn't use his bow (the pull back on his bow was strong enough to send an arrow completely through a body).
"Not my problem!" Tony yelled as he punched an Asgardian in the face with the large metal hand of his Iron Man suit. Then he turned and kicked another guard.
"This is ridiculous!" Bruce yelled trying to hide behind Cap so he wouldn't get hit and then Hulk out.
Steve tossed his shield to Clint, who caught it and slammed it in the Asgardian's face and then threw it at another Asgardian. It knocked out the guard, bounced off, and headed for Steve. Steve caught the shield in mid-air while he drop-kicked one of the last Asgardian warriors, who was trying to get to Bruce...
Finally, there were none left, and the Avengers were feeling a bit betrayed. But Odin slowly clapped, "You are indeed a formidable force," he gave them a faint smile. "You are all welcome here; dinner will be held soon. I suggest you all get changed for the feast. You are dismissed."
"Thank you," Steve said quietly as he nodded to Odin. Then he turned and walked away with the others following close behind.
….
The Avengers returned to their rooms and removed their capes and replaced them with thick warm cloaks the same colors as their capes. Steve, Natasha, and Clint got lost together on their way to the dining hall but finally made it, several minutes late. Everyone but Pepper was already there. Apparently you can't dine in the hall unless you have the proper attire, which Pepper was being fitted for now. Since Asgard didn't have electricity, the dining hall was relatively dark, save for the moon and starlight coming from the windows as well as the many torches in the room. Thor informed them that this was the private dining room, used by only a select few people. The room held three tables. Thor informed them that there was normally only one table in the room, used by his father and him, and previously his mother, before she passed. This dining room was used by Odinson's for private dinners. Unless a battle just ended, the Odinson's ate alone together. On the rare occasions that Asgard hosted important guests, additional tables were brought into this dining room for private dinners. Thor then explained that Sif and the warriors three often ate dinner with the Odinsons, and now the Avengers would eat dinner with them.
At the first table, Steve was sitting at one end of a table and at the other end sat Volstagg. To Steve's right sat Natasha and Fandral sat next to her. Clint was seated on Steve's left, with Lady Sif next to him. Clint was practically drooling over Sif while Fandral was aggressively flirting with Natasha. Watching Fandral was driving Steve crazy, and Sif wanted to punch Clint in the face.
"So what do you fight with? Knives?" Clint asked Sif and then he shoved a piece of unknown meat into his mouth.
She rolled her eyes and responded, "A sword."
"Oh that's cool. I shoot a bow," he bragged with a charming smile and she let out an annoyed huff.
Fandral couldn't stop flirting with Natasha. She was half flattered and half murderous. Steve was listening to a battle story from Volstagg while he tried to listen to Natasha and Fandral's conversation at the same time. As Volstagg continued blabbering about chopping off heads, Steve heard Fandral say to Natasha, "You are quite beautiful for a mortal. Are you sure you're not Asgardian?"
Natasha clenched her fist tightly. This guy didn't understand the fact that she wasn't talking meant she wanted nothing to do with him. Clint noticed Natasha's silence and laughed loudly, "Dude! You better watch out! She will snap your neck!" He warned Fandral. Fandral looked over at Steve for confirmation; Steve nodded in agreement.
Volstagg let out a chortle that reminded everyone of Thor, who was sitting at the table with his father. They were both speaking very quietly.
Fandral was suddenly afraid of Natasha and he spoke across the table, "Lady Sif! We must switch seats; I need to speak to this fellow!" He said with a grin.
"With pleasure," Sif replied. Thank the gods in Valhalla, she thought; she didn't have to sit with this idiot anymore. She stood up and proceeded to the other side of the table. Fandral replaced her on Steve's left.
Clint smirked at Fandral, knowing that this was the beginning of a terribly wonderful friendship. Fandral and Sif traded off their plates of food for their original plates. "So tell me about Sif?" Clint asked quietly.
"She is dangerous. You must be weary, and personally, I believe she harbors feelings for Thor," he responded, hoping Sif didn't hear him.
"But Thor loves Jane. Snap bro! That must be awkward."
"Indeed. Now tell me of your friend, Lady Natasha."
"She can kill you in like fifty ways with a spoon."
"That is impressive," Fandral said with a chuckle.
On the other side of the table, Sif and Natasha had their own conversation going, "I'm sorry about him," Natasha apologized for Clint's behavior.
Sif chuckled, "And I apologize for Fandral as well. They both seem to be…"
"Ridiculous flirts," Natasha finished for Sif.
Sif chuckled, "Indeed. So I am told you are a warrior on earth. Is this true?"
"I wouldn't say warrior, more like highly trained assassin."
Sif smiled, "You save and end lives. You are a warrior," she said gently.
Natasha smiled, "Thank you. You're not too bad yourself."
Sif laughed, "I believe this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
"I guess so," Natasha said with a smile, just as she saw Tony scrambling over to her table.
"Guys. Bruce, Jane, and Hogan are no fun! This seems like the fun table so I'm gonna sit here," Tony grabbed a chair and jammed it in between Clint and Fandral.
Sam came over and jammed himself between Natasha and Sif, "Same."
"So what'cha talking about?" Tony asked Clint and Fandral.
"Lord Clinton's attraction to dangerous and emotionally unavailable women," Fandral said with a laugh. Tony laughed hysterically.
Clint sighed. Fandral was right, but he didn't like it. It started with Bobbi, then Natasha, then Bobbi again, and now Sif. What the fuck is wrong with him.
Over at the third table were Hogan, Jane, and Bruce. They were engrossed in a conversation about how it felt to be surrounded by people so much crazier than them. "I just cannot imagine how it is for you Lady Jane. You are a mortal in love with an Asgardian. It must be so complicated," Hogan said sympathetically and Bruce nodded in agreement.
"It is hard when I'm on earth and he's taking trips to Asgard. We can't really communicate so I sometimes feel lonely. I'm happy Thor decided to bring everyone here. But then I have to deal with his father. It's all just so complicated," Jane let out an exasperated sigh.
"Jane, Thor loves you. He's not gonna let his father get between you two," Bruce said quietly.
Jane nodded with a sigh, "But look at them. His father insisted that Thor sit with him, and they are whispering, staring at everyone. It just makes me nervous," she said, gesturing to the two Odinsons.
"Lady Jane, let me tell you something that may comfort you. Frigga, Thor's mother and Odin's wife was much like you. And I believe that brings comfort to both Odin and Thor. Odin, only acts as if he despises mortals. He has a great respect for you and the Avengers. Remember that," Hogan said quietly.
Back at Steve's table, Natasha was contemplating ways to slaughter him – flat out slaughter him. She didn't care how, all she knew is that she just wanted to kill the narcissistic ass sitting across the table from her. As soon as he picked up on her and Steve's friendship, he immediately began making dating jokes, which then caused Clint and Fandral to join in. So she didn't wanna slaughter just Tony. No, she wanted to slaughter Tony, Clint, and Fandral. Volstagg was simply laughing while Sam was chuckling and throwing in witty comments every once and a while.
She glared at Tony, who for once didn't cower from the glare. No, he grinned, "What, Little Red can't handle the fact she loves Capsicle," he mocked.
Steve blushed and the poor guy was so embarrassed, because, well … he did like Natasha. "Come on Tony stop," he tried weakly to sound insistent.
"Stark, I swear to god!" Natasha said, gripping her fork just a little tighter. Clint and Volstagg glanced down at her hand gripping the fork and caught on to stop laughing.
"Swear to god! I thought you were atheist! Well you'll probably convert to Catholicism when you marry Captain Spangles!" Tony said with a laugh. The Asgardians didn't quite get that one.
"Tony you should stop…" Steve warned, noticing Natasha's increasing frustration.
"Seriously Stark, you should watch it," Clint warned.
Sam nodded in agreement.
"Why should I huh!? I think…"
"No one cares what you think!" Natasha growled sending the fork flying at him. It jammed between the two pieces of his armor where his shoulder plates and chest plate connect.
Tony squealed and fell out of his chair, which attracted the attention of everyone in the room, including Odin and Thor. Odin stood up and left the room, seeming almost disgusted. He disappeared rather quickly. "I'm gonna leave before things gets worse," Steve stated as he got up and walked out of the dining hall. He didn't necessarily want to leave but he thought it was best to leave before things escalated.
Once he was in the hallway, he began walking to his room. He tripped over something big and knocked it over. Luckily, he caught himself so he didn't face plant but then he scrambled to see what had tripped him, afraid that it might be some expensive piece of Asgardian art. But it was Thor's hammer. Steve groaned, thinking Thor should really learn to put his things away instead of leaving them laying around. But then Steve had to assume that Thor was served all his life. He probably didn't even know how to make his bed.
Steve sighed and got up. He leaned down and picked up Thor's hammer with ease. He thought it would be heavier, however, he was surprised how light it was. Quietly, he walked back into the dining hall and saw Tony yelling at Natasha about 'almost hurting his beautiful body' as Thor was trying to explain to Tony that loud squeals were inappropriate in the royal dining hall while just about everyone else was laughing. "Thor!" Steve called out. Everyone turned to see him. Steve held up Mjolnir, "You can't leave your things lying around like that Bud. I tripped over it and…" Steve saw the Asgardians in the room looking at him in pure shock. "What?" He asked.
Thor stood there wide eyed with his mouth gaping open. "Lord Steven. You are worthy?" He looked astonished.
"What?"
"Only those who are worthy can lift Mjolnir. And now only three people are known to be worthy. My father, myself, and now you. You are worthy of a throne, Lord Steven," Thor said with amazement. He approached Steve.
"Thor there's gotta be something weird going on. I-I can't be worthy. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn," Steve said as his cheeks got flushed. By this point, everyone was staring at him in shock. Not just the Asgardians.
Tony opened his mouth to say something but Clint elbowed him in the ribs. "No Lord Steven. You are indeed worthy. I…" Thor was at a loss for words. It was amazing … but then he remembered his father told him to report to him if another being is deemed worthy. "I must go speak to my father. Please, all of you go to your rooms," Thor ordered in a rushed tone. Steve handed Mjolnir to Thor as he exited the room. Thor quickly looped Mjolnir around his wrist and bolted off.
Steve stood there shocked as Natasha and Clint got up and ushered him out of the dining hall towards Natasha's room, where they would talk, and try to convince Steve that this wasn't some weird glitch in magic or whatever.
The three sat in Natasha's room in front of her fire place. "This –this is impossible. I can't be worthy of some crazy Asgardian magic… It's-it just can't be true. There has to be something going on," Steve stuttered and tried to place logic in something completely illogical.
"Steve it's obviously possible." Natasha reasoned.
"Yeah Cap, remember on the hellacarrier? The Hulk couldn't lift it," Clint reminded.
"What? No one told me that," Steve said with wide eyes.
"I only heard about it; Natasha witnessed it," Clint said and Natasha nodded.
Steve groaned, "How is this my life?"
….
Odin was now sitting upon his thrown on the dais debating with himself about whether or not he should allow the mortals to stay on Asgard. Quietly, he wiped his face and then heard his son's booming voice "Father!" Thor called out and rushed into the hall, stopping at the bottom of the stairs that led up the dais to the throne; he kneeled down and placed his hammer on the floor next to him.
Odin looked at the guard and with a flick of his wrist the guards marched out in unison. "Yes my son?" Odin asked quietly.
Thor stood. "Father-I-I do not know how to address this. But, I have found someone who is worthy," Thor said quietly, still shocked at this occurrence.
Odin's eye grew slightly wider and his mouth gaped open slightly; he leaned forward in shock, "Who?" He asked quickly.
"Lord Steven, one of the mortals."
"Impossible," Odin scoffed and leaned back into his chair.
"No. I have seen it with my own eyes. He brought Mjolnir to me like it was weightless," Thor told his father.
"How can this be? He is only a mortal," Odin said in astonishment.
"Lord Steven is kind and gentle, he is whole hearted and selfless. Once he almost gave his life to save a country. I am actually not very surprised that he is worthy," Thor stated, "He…"
"Silence," Odin hissed. "He is a mortal. No mortal is worthy," Odin stated stubbornly.
"Father he is a mortal, but he is also worthy. Not all mortals are vile, like you believe," Thor tried to explain.
"Would this man give his life for the correct cause?" Odin asked.
"Yes, without a doubt," Thor stated confidently.
Odin let out a long frustrated sigh, "Anyone who can lift Mjolnir should be a prince of the king, in the royal family," Odin stated and wiped his face, deep in thought. Steven was a mortal. But anyone who can lift Mjolnir is supposed to be part of the royal family. But he's a mortal … his son, Thor, didn't want the throne. His other son, Loki, wasn't actually his son, and he wanted the throne to much (but Loki wasn't actually worthy) … Odin needed someone in the family to take the throne when he passes, just in case Thor decides not to take the throne … maybe this mortal was what the Odinson family needed.
"What shall we do about this?" Thor asked, not sure how to handle it.
Odin let out a long, stress-filled sigh, "He was born worthy; he should become an Odinson, or at least an Asgardian. Ask your friend to consider joining the family or becoming Asgardian," Odin ordered.
Thor smiled at the thought of having Steve as a brother. It was one of the best things he'd ever heard. "Of course father."
"If he agrees to become one of us, bring him to me. If not, then drop the subject," Odin ordered.
Thor nodded, "I will father."
"You are dismissed," Odin said.
Thor nodded, turned, and walked out of the hall.
….
Thor and Jane were both in their night clothes. Thor wore only a simple pair of black pants, similar to knickers. Jane was in a long white night gown.
He had no idea how he was going to ask Steve to join the Odinson family or to become an Asgardian. It wasn't as easy as saying, 'Come to the Odinson family, we have bildshnipe steaks and mead.' How was he going to ask Steve? "Jane?" He called.
"Yes," she answered quietly not looking up from her book; she was sitting in a chair by the fire place reading an Asgardian novel about earth.
"May I ask for some advisement?" He questioned.
"Of course," she said with a smile, still not looking up from her book.
"As you saw, Lord Steven is a worthy man of Mjolnir. I told my father of this and he ordered me to ask Lord Steven to join the Odinson family, or at least become Asgardian. I do not know how to ask." Thor said with a sigh and sat down in the large chair next to her. He stared into the fire blankly, trying to think. His wolf, Asmund, came and sat next to him. Thor pet Asmund's head absentmindedly.
Steve becoming an Asgardian caught Jane's attention. Her eyes widened and she gently put her book down on the side table and stared at Thor for a moment, a bit in shock. "Thor, you can't just spring a question like that on someone. I think you'll have to approach Steve pretty carefully."
"Yes I am aware of that, but how?" He said with a sigh of frustration as Asmund walked away and sat on the balcony looking out over the sea.
"Well … tell him about the origins of Mjolnir, what it means to be worthy, and how important it is. Explain it all and then explain why he should join the family," Jane suggested. "You should also give Steve time to think about it," Jane added quickly.
"That is a very good idea … thank you Jane," He said with a smile.
"You're very welcome. Can I go back to reading now?" She asked with a smirk.
"No, but you may go to bed with me," Thor said with a chuckle and stood up and took her by her hand, leading her to their bed.
Jane didn't want to rush things; this relationship was already too complicated, "Just sleeping?" she stated.
"Possibly."
"Thor!"
He chuckled, "Just sleeping."
….
Darkness. That's all that was surrounding her. But figures appeared. Ghostly figures of elderly, children, teenagers, people of all ages and races. But they are all covered in blood, gun shots, and knife wounds.
It's all the people she had killed, surrounding her; silently staring at her with judging, pain-filled black eyes. She looked around in horror and stopped dead in her tracks. He was standing right in front of her, just inches away from her face. It was Ivan Petrovich, the man who had raised her, who loved her, who saved her, and who helped her. He was covered in blood, gunshots, and stab wounds, his bones broken. "Why did you kill me Natalia? Didn't you love me?" He asked her.
Tears streamed down her face, "Of course I loved you Ivan. I had to kill you. You would have killed me and everyone else. I'm sorry." She cried and tried to touch him, but her hand went through him and came back covered in blood.
He stepped away from her, "Why did you kill me? Why didn't you love me? Why are you such a monster?" He yelled at her.
"I'm not a monster! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't want to kill you; I had to!" She screamed as tears streamed down her face violently.
"You are a murderer. You are not sorry," Ivan stated as he began to fade away.
She reached for him, tried to run to him so she could plead with him, see her father figure for just one more moment and convince him that she wasn't a monster. But she couldn't move her feet. They were stuck to floor. "IVAN!" She screamed and the tears came pouring from her eyes even harder. Then, all of her scars from previous wounds began to bleed. She was now covered in blood.
All the ghostly people that she had killed in the past were covered in blood and they began to moan and groan, "Why…?" They advanced towards her, some asking why, some wailing for help, some asking why she was a monster, some screaming murderer, and others screaming monster.
Natasha felt her feet were wet and she looked down frantically as blood filled the room. As the ghosts of her kills advanced towards her, the blood filled the room faster. It was up to her chest now as the ghosts were grabbing at her. One spirit grasped her neck, just as the blood reached her chin. She screamed in agony and fear.
Her chest lurched and she sat up quickly. She and her sheets were covered in sweat and her cheeks were wet with tears, her body was shaking violently. She was breathing heavily as she looked around the room, remembering where she was. Shakily, she got out of bed and walked to the bowl of water in the corner of the room and splashed some on her face. She grasped the towel next to the bowl and wiped off her face. As she pulled the towel away from her face, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Natasha felt unsatisfied with the way she composed herself. So, she grabbed a black silken robe, and put it on and tied the belt around her waist and slowly walked to her door.
After silently opening the door, she stepped out and closed it behind her and tip-toed towards Steve's room. She silently opened the door just wide enough to fit through and just as quietly closed it behind her. She snuck over to his bed and lifted the covers, placing herself under them.
Steve woke up and his arms immediately wrapped around her protectively, "Are you alright?" He asked with a gentle whisper in her ear.
She took in a shaky breath and nodded her head, "I couldn't sleep," she lied. Though not sounding sure of herself.
Steve knew she was lying, but he didn't push the issue. Accepting her answer, he simply went along with it, "It's probably because of the new area and this not being your own room and bed."
She nodded and rested her head back under his chin on his bare chest. 'We're just friends' she told herself … but maybe they could be more. Pushing that thought out of her head, she felt safer in his arms she slowly drifted into slumber. His breathing evened out and, he too, fell asleep.
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