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Haruven sighed and looked at the sky. It was a cold winter day and he was in front of the Café cleaning up the snow. It wasn't a day to go out at all and he doubted anyone would come to the Café. He smiled a bit and continued shoveling the snow.
Well, no one but Thor that is.
The God of Thunder hardly missed a day in visiting Haruven. He would come either in the morning or late in the evening and the two would simply talk or watch a movie, enjoying each other's company.
It has already been a month since Thor came back to Earth and Haruven had to admit that he was slowly getting restless. Things were going too good to last for much longer that way. When he thought about it, his life was pretty calm for the past 7 years. Either Destiny decided she has had enough of bad things happening to him, and she decided to finally grant him the peace he has always yearned for, or something really, really bad is going to happen soon.
Haruven stopped and shook his head. 'You're getting paranoid again,' he told himself. 'Nothing bad is going to happen.' He nodded sharply and finished shoveling the snow. He went back into the Café, and took his cloak and mittens off.
'You've taken a while, Haruven.' Urd greeted him, her invisible form perched on top of a bar stool, and Haruven laughed quietly and walked over to the bar to make himself some tea.
"A lot of snow has fallen, Urd. It's quite beautiful outside," he spoke aloud, certain that no one would hear him.
'And quite cold.' Urd commented. 'No one will come today for sure.'
Haruven hummed lowly and took a sip of his tea. "Maybe I should pay Thor a visit for a change then," he muttered into his chin.
'Why not? I am certain that he will be overjoyed.'
"Well then, I think I might just go!" Haruven quickly finished his tea and washed the cup. "After all, Mr. Stark still doesn't know Thor is courting me, and Natasha did say she would like to be there to see his reaction."
Urd laughed, and a warm wind ruffled Haruven's clothes and hair. 'Go then, before the snow starts falling again.'
"No need to be pushy" Ven drawled dryly, although he could hide his excitement from Urd.
'Go!'
He laughed and with a shimmer of magic instead of the usual black turtleneck and black pants he wore, he was dressed in faded jeans, a white turtleneck with an emerald green pullover that was at least two sizes bigger and hung over his right shoulder. His hair was free of any bounds and danced around his lithe form in straight, velvety strands.
"Call me if anyone decides to come. I'll apparate over immediately," he spoke as he made his way towards the door.
'Just go already! I know you're dying to see him!'
Haruven laughed happily and pulled on his coat. He tugged his hair out of it and Urd hugged him before he opened the door.
'Have fun.'
"I will. See you later!" He pushed his hands deep into the pockets of his jacket and looked at the sky again. The clouds were getting darker and thicker by the minute. It seemed another storm was coming. He bowed his head lower to try and hide from the cold wind that was slowly picking up speed.
'Nothing bad is going to happen,' he told to himself again. 'Nothing bad will happen.'
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"We have a visitor."
Tony and Bruce looked up from their computers when Jarvis announced someone entering the Tower.
"On screen," Tony said and on the screen of his computer appeared the entrance hall shown from several different corners.
"That's Ven!" Bruce grinned and Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Wow. His hair is longer than I thought," he muttered and watched as Haruven walked over to an elevator. "Bring him straight here, Jarvis."
"As you wish, sir." Tony shut down the screens.
"Who's coming?" Steve asked when he got out of the training room.
"Ven decided to pay us a visit," Bruce said and took his lab coat off.
"He did?" Thor followed after Steve, and Bruce and Tony exchanged a glance. They still didn't know what had the Thunder God grin like a loon every time someone even mentioned Haruven or the Starborn Café.
"Yes. He's in the elevator," Tony said.
"I hope I'm not intruding." Haruven entered the lab with a smile, and Steve whistled lowly while Thor's knees almost gave up on him.
"You look amazing, Ven!" Steve said and shot a small gaze at Thor who was trying to find his tongue. Haruven chuckled and took his jacket off leaving it on the back of a chair in passing.
"I don't have any guests scheduled to come today so I decided to pay you a visit," he said and accepted a hug from Bruce.
"Glad you decided on that. We've been so busy lately that we didn't have the time to come over to the Cafe." Bruce spoke apologetically, receiving an understanding smile from Haruven.
"And this is actually a great opportunity for us!" Tony clapped his hands and everyone looked at him in wonder.
"Opportunity for what?" Clint asked as he entered the lab followed by Natasha, and Haruven smirked. He had his doubts about the two agents. He wasn't one to mix in but he knew what he would serve the two of them the next time they visited Starborn Café.
"I was hoping I'd get the chance to study magic at work," Tony confessed and gave Haruven a small puppy-dog look, making Haruven sigh.
"And here I was hoping for a visit including tea and biscuits," he mourned and Tony gave him a pleading look while the others laughed. "Sure, why not." Ven relented and Tony grinned.
"Great!" Haruven chuckled and shook his head. Tony reminded him so much of Hermione that it was almost painful. He shook his head before anyone (mainly Thor) noticed his pain and smiled at Tony.
"What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking that the best way for me to study some magic is in combat."
Haruven raised an eyebrow at Tony. "You did read my file, didn't you?" he drawled and Tony rolled his eyes.
"Of course I did. That's why I said that."
Haruven shrugged elegantly and nodded. "Fine. Who will be my opponent?"
"I shall spar with you." Thor stepped forward.
"Are you sure about that? I hadn't fought in a while. I might get carried away," Ven smirked and while Steve, Natasha and Clint exchanged knowing glances, Tony and Bruce exchanged confused stares.
"I'm counting on that. I hadn't had a chance to measure my strength against a worthy opponent in a while," Thor drawled, straightening to his full height and crossing massive arms over his chest.
"Then I hope I'll prove to be a worthy opponent to you," Haruven spoke, smirking at Thor challengingly, and the left corner of Thor's lips tilted up.
"I am certain you will," Thor spoke lowly, and everyone was surprised when Haruven smirked in a way that made him look slightly dark and dangerous. His clothes shifted into the black uniform he wore in the picture they saw in his file, and his hair gathered all on its own in a long, thick braid.
"Well then. When do we start?"
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"I don't think this is a good idea," Bruce muttered as he shifted his weight nervously. They stood by the wall in the training room behind a shield Haruven conjured. He said it was just in case.
"What could go wrong, Green?" Tony said carelessly. "This is a safe, controlled environment."
The others raised eyebrows at him.
"Yes. The most powerful wizard in the world and the God of Thunder are about to see who's stronger," Clint muttered. "I can't see what could possibly go wrong."
Tony smirked at Clint and they looked at Haruven and Thor who were standing in the middle of the training room. Thor had his usual armor on (minus the cape) and he spun Mjölnir in his hand expertly.
"Should I go easy on you?" Thor teased and Haruven snorted. An intricately designed wand appeared in his hand and his raised it almost lazily.
"Only if you want me to go easy on you," Haruven answered, taking a stance similar to that of a professional fencer, but unlike them, the hand not holding the wand wasn't fisted on his waist, but bent and leveled with his neck.
"Ready when you are!" Tony called over to them and the two smirked at each other.
"May the best Wizard win," Haruven hissed and Thor charged at him.
The Avengers could only stare and gape. There were moments when they didn't even know what happened. Haruven looked like he was dancing. He moved with an elegance and grace they have never seen in battle, not even in Natasha. Thor's attacks seemed to simply bounce off of him. Even if Thor managed to get close enough to land a hit, Haruven would merely turn into something that resembled black sand and disappear, only to appear slightly behind Thor.
"If you want to hit me, you have to catch me first," Haruven challenged and the Avengers behind the shield raised an eyebrow in wonder.
They have never seen this side of Haruven, and they believed that this was the man that Haruven was before Starborn Café; before something happened that made him resign and become the man that he is today.
His eyes were darker and his expression was cold most of the time. He was precise and calculating. Every time he'd flick or snap his wand Thor would either be forced to jump to the side or raise Mjölnir to protect himself, and even then he was pushed back a few feet.
"You are powerful, Ven!" Thor called out when he got a moment to breathe. "I salute you."
Haruven chuckled and the wand disappeared. His stance changed, and their public held their breaths. "Come, my lord. It's time I showed you just how powerful I really am," Haruven spoke and Thor grinned.
"My pleasure." Thor spun Mjölnir in his hand and hit the ground with it.
"Now it's becoming interesting," Tony muttered and the others looked at him incredulously. They looked back at the two men locked in a fight when lightning rained down on Haruven and the Wizard smirked. He crossed his arms above his head and an emerald shield appeared above him.
"Caught you!" Thor swung Mjölnir towards Haruven's ribs and Ven's stance shifted in a second. He shielded his side with his right arm and with his left hand raised a shield between Mjölnir and himself. Mjölnir met the shield and Haruven skidded to the side.
"Let's make this a bit more physical," he muttered lowly and Thor's eyes widened when the shield disappeared and Haruven grabbed the Hammer. He used it as leverage and delivered a hit to Thor's head with his legs.
Ven crouched a bit away from Thor who rubbed his cheek with his hand and grinned widely. "My pleasure." Mjölnir met the ground and the floor cracked. The rest of the Avengers gaped again when Haruven fisted his hands and lightning seemed to crack around his fists.
"Let's finish this." Haruven charged at Thor head on.
"Damn…" Clint muttered. "I'd hate to face him in a real fight."
"I agree. In a way I see what has Fury so pissed," Natasha added.
"He's a power to be reckoned with," Steve said and Bruce nodded.
"I'd say all of us together wouldn't be able to bring him down." Bruce commented and winced when Thor tried a round kick with his leg only for Haruven to grab it and jump over it.
"Be it magic or hand to hand combat, he perfected the art of battle," Tony analyzed. "Makes you wonder exactly what kind of opponents he's used to fighting."
"He's fast, agile and obviously used to using his lithe build to deal a deadly attack. I'd even go so far and call him a one man army," Natasha added and Clint nodded.
Haruven almost felt like laughing. It's been so long since he could just let go and fight. If he were to be perfectly honest, he missed this. He missed the thrill of sparring with someone he didn't have to worry about hurting. Thor was his perfect partner in everything it seemed.
He ducked when Thor swung his fist at his head.
Thor cursed when Haruven smirked at him from below his arm. He realized too late that his stronger build didn't allow him to move quickly enough. All of a sudden he found himself on his back with Haruven smirking at him from above. Thor looked at Haruven's right hand and raised an eyebrow when he realized Haruven's nails were longer and sharper, and that the raven haired man just beat him, stopping before he landed the deadly hit. Thor wasn't sure he would survive Haruven stabbing him with those sharp looking nails, especially since they were aimed at his heart.
"Do you surrender?" Haruven drawled, lips tilted into a sly grin.
Thor smirked. "This time."
"That's quite homoerotic." Tony muttered only to gape when Haruven laughed and bowed down to kiss Thor soundly on his lips.
"What the…?" Bruce breathed out and Tony's mouth snapped shut.
"Am I seeing things?" he blurted out when Thor placed his hands on Haruven's hips and squeezed.
"Only if I'm seeing things as well," Bruce spoke in utter amazement, and Steve, Natasha and Clint laughed at the two.
"You knew about this?!" Tony cried out.
"For a month." Steve pressed out between chuckles.
"They look good together, don't they?" Natasha asked and everyone looked at the two men. Haruven stood up and offered his hand to Thor with a smirk on his beautiful face. Thor chuckled and accepted Haruven's hand. Once he was standing he pulled Haruven into a possessive, dominating kiss and Haruven moaned in pleasure.
"I guess that answers the question of who tops," Tony muttered, still trying to wrap his mind around the idea.
"I need a shower." They looked at Haruven and realized the shield was gone and that the two fighters hand walked over to them. "I hadn't had a fight like this in ages," Haruven spoke as he fanned himself with his right hand. "I must admit that I feel good."
"You're welcome," Thor smirked and Haruven slapped Thor's chest with a teasing, coy smirk.
"I'm quite surprised," Steve said. "Are you sure you don't want to join the team?" he asked with a sheepish grin and Haruven laughed.
"I'm sure." He sighed. "I could go for that tea right now." He winced when he looked around and saw the damage his and Thor's fight did to the training room.
"Seems Tony and I will have a lot of work to do," Bruce mourned and Haruven shot him an apologizing look.
"I'll fix it right away."
"You don't…" Bruce gaped together with everyone else when a wave of magic pulsated from Haruven and a ripple spread through the training room. Once it was gone the training room was back to the way it was before Haruven and Thor fought.
"Move in with us." Haruven laughed at Tony and the Avengers rolled their eyes at their comrade.
"This was very satisfying." Thor said and flexed his shoulders. Haruven looked at him and shivered. Thor saw Ven's eyes darken and smirked at him, earning a snort from the bartender when he stood taller and crossed strong arms over a massive chest.
"I agree. I just might come again," Haruven drawled dryly.
"You're welcome to come anytime," Bruce said and Haruven smiled at him.
"Thank you, Bruce. Honestly, if I knew I would feel so much better after a good spar I would have found someone for sparring a long time ago. It felt good to let go of that control I constantly have on my magic although I was focusing more of it on the shield than on the actual fight." Everyone, even Thor gaped at that. "What?" Haruven asked with a cute expression of confusion.
"You mean to tell me that you would be even more powerful if you weren't focusing on the shield around us?" Steve asked weakly and Haruven tilted his head to the side slightly.
"I wasn't using half of what I have in my arsenal, Steve," he admitted. "I'm a Master of Dark Arts and I'm not allowed to use those in friendly sparring. I didn't want to actually hurt Thor. Thor wasn't using his full power either." Haruven glared at Thor who rubbed the back of his head with a small sheepish smile.
"I am at fault," he admitted and Haruven shook his head with a smile full of fondness decorating his face.
"Let's go. I could really go for that cup of tea."
"I'll prepare one while you and Thor take a shower," Bruce offered and Haruven shot him a thankful smile.
"Come. You can take a shower in my rooms," Thor said and Haruven nodded gratefully.
"Only a shower, kiddies; don't make me knock on your door!" Tony called out after Haruven and Thor made their way out.
"Really, Stark?" Clint murmured.
"I think they're old enough to take care of themselves," Natasha added while Steve and Bruce only shook their heads.
"What?" Tony asked innocently. "You never heard of matrimonial purity?" Everyone rolled their eyes.
"I don't think they've been pure in ages, Tony," Bruce drawled and they made their way out of the training room.
"You never know. Maybe they've been saving themselves for someone special."
"Tony?" Steve said.
"What?"
"Stop talking."
"Aye, aye cap'n!"
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Haruven sighed as he stepped under the spray of warm water. He felt good. He felt very good. For once his magic was fluctuating calmly through his veins.
Merlin knows how much he needed to just let go.
He shivered and smiled when a pair of strong, warm arms wrapped themselves around his waist, and a loving kiss was placed on his shoulder.
"Are you bothered by this?" Thor asked and placed a few more kisses along the curve of Haruven's neck.
Haruven sighed and shivered against him. "No."
Thor smirked and Haruven's eyes closed as he leaned back against Thor. He smirked when he felt Thor's need against his back.
Haruven was no blushing virgin and he knew Thor wasn't one either. Damn it, he was 43 years old and Thor was centuries older than he was. It would be foolish to expect that either one of them never enjoyed the pleasure of another's touch.
All that mattered was that they had finally found each other, and Haruven would make damn sure that nothing and no one got between the two of them.
He moaned when Thor dragged his big, warm hands up and down Haruven's sides. He settled his hands on Haruven's shoulders and rubbed small circles with his thumbs there, making Haruven groan deep in his throat.
Thor smirked and sharply turned Haruven around. The raven haired man yelped when Thor pushed him against the cold, tiled wall. Ven looked up and his lips were suddenly captured in a dominating kiss that sent shivers down his body that had nothing to do with the coldness of the tiles, and he felt his own need awaken.
Thor pulled back a little and his eyes darkened when he looked at his Destined. Haruven's lips were slightly swollen. His hair was clinging to his wet body and a light blush spread from Haruven's cheeks and down his neck. "Beautiful," Thor muttered and cupped Haruven's cheek, leaning down for another kiss. His muscles flexed under Haruven's hands and the smaller man dug his nails into Thor's shoulders when Thor hefted him up and against the wall making their needs rub against one another.
Haruven groaned and threw his head back, leaving his neck open for Thor to feast on the expanse of beautiful, creamy skin.
"Beautiful; and all mine," Thor growled and rocked against Haruven making his lover's breath hitch in his throat. Thor's heart beat so fast he thought it would fly out of his chest.
"Yours; only yours."
Thor smirked against Ven's neck and a growl rumbled in his chest when Haruven dragged his nails down Thor's back making the God of Thunder ground harder and faster against him. Thor latched his lips on a place just under Haruven's ear and felt a wave of pleasure and warmth travel down his spine when Haruven wrapped his strong, lean thighs around his waist.
"Thor…"
"I'll take care of you." Haruven shivered, feeling as though he was losing his mind. Thor moved faster and Haruven almost screamed. "You're mine to cherish; mine to take care of."
"Thor… Merlin…"
Thor buried his face in Haruven's neck and squeezed strong thighs with a bruising force. Haruven entwined his fingers in Thor's hair and pulled his head up. The kiss they shared was passionate and almost savage, a meeting of lips and teeth which showed every single piece of passion the two felt for one another.
With one strong flick of Thor's hips they reached their peak and Thor swallowed the scream Haruven let go of. Taking a good hold of the raven haired wizard Thor sunk to the floor of the shower and leaned back against the wall.
Haruven wrapped his arms around Thor's shoulders and Thor wrapped his around Haruven's waist. The warm water rained down on them, washing away the proof of their passion. They were almost breathing as one. Thor buried his face in Haruven's hair and a small smile tilted his lips fingers entangling in long, black tresses and running through them slowly sending a shiver of content down Haruven's spine.
"I don't think this was what Tony had in mind," Ven spoke and leaned his head on Thor's shoulder, shivering when he felt Thor's low laugh rumble against his chest.
"Then maybe I should ravish you somewhere where he would see."
Haruven chuckled and pushed back a little, straddling Thor's waist and making the God of Thunder shift a little with a small wince.
Haruven, who found himself in a playful mood, smirked and placed his elegant, long-fingered hands on Thor's chest.
"Maybe you should," Ven drawled teasingly only to jump a little with a yelp when Thor's big and warm hands settled on Ven's ass and squeezed.
"I do not think the others would appreciate it," Thor spoke breathlessly as Haruven ground down against the God's growing need.
"Ah, but I do believe that Mr. Stark would be left speechless."
Thor chuckled and caught Haruven's bottom lip between his teeth rolling his hips and hissing when his hardening length rubbed against the cleft of Haruven's ass. "I think that would be a first," he growled and Haruven laughed breathlessly, throwing his head back when Thor started kissing down the sharp chin and long neck.
"Then maybe we should take that into consideration." All of a sudden Ven found himself on his back with his shoulders and chest showered with kisses and nips. "Then again..." Thor growled and Haruven arched against the tiled floor of the shower when Thor nibbled on one of his nipples and dragged his hands down the outside of Ven's quivering thighs. "I do not wish for anyone else to see you like this." Haruven almost came then and there. "I am the only one allowed to see you like this; so beautiful."
Haruven groaned and nodded. "Yes…" he hissed and Thor smirked.
'Mine. Mine and mine alone,' Thor though possessively, proceeding in his intention to make Haruven forget about everything else in the world again.
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"You took long enough," Tony grumbled when Thor and Haruven walked into the living room with Thor's arm wrapped possessively around Haruven's waist. The two smirked at him while the others rolled their eyes.
"Tony..." Bruce muttered.
"What?" Tony whined.
Thor and Haruven laughed and Thor kissed Haruven's temple lovingly. Haruven looked around and frowned when he looked out the window. The storm outside was raging on and Haruven felt that bad feeling return in full swing.
"Is something wrong?" Natasha asked when Haruven walked over to the window with Thor trailing after his lover. He stopped behind Haruven and placed his hands on slightly hunched shoulders.
"What is it, Ven?" asked the Norse God and Haruven crossed his arms over his chest placing his hands over Thor's. Thor entwined their fingers together and Haruven leaned back against him.
"I do not know," Haruven murmured. "I've had a bad feeling ever since this morning." The others exchanged worried glances while Thor frowned and looked outside the window.
"This storm looks familiar." Haruven whispered. "Too familiar." Thor nodded and the others stood up. In that moment a long beam of light hit the ground in the distance and everyone's eyes widened.
"Merlin, no…" Haruven whispered.
Someone has arrived.
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They say trouble always comes in threes.
So join me in seeing just how bad it can get in 'First Sign Of Trouble'.