cut
Haruven sighed as he rested his forehead against the window of his and Thor's room. They returned to New York some three days ago, and things calmed down somewhat. All of them knew that there was a war looming on the horizon.
They could all feel it.
Haruven could feel it.
Winter was slowly turning into spring. The snow was melting away, but instead of clear blue skies, all that Haruven could see were dark clouds.
"How do you feel?" the voice of his beloved pulled Ven out from his musings. He smiled and turned to face Thor.
The God of Thunder stood in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with his strong arms crossed over his muscled chest. A small, loving smile crossed Thor's face when Haruven smiled at him, and he pushed away from the doorframe.
"I am as well as I can be. My magic is slowly building up. I should be back to my full strength in no time."
"I know that, mín fagrstr eítt." (My most beautiful one) Thor pulled Haruven into a hug once he was close enough. "What I don't know is how you feel."
Haruven sighed. He wrapped his arms around Thor's waist, and buried his face in Thor's chest. "Worried, scared, confused." Thor hugged him tighter and buried his face in Haruven's sweet smelling hair. "I don't know what Loki is planning. Asgard is still cut off from us. I can't…"
"Hush…" Thor whispered, and kissed the crown of Haruven's head. "We can do nothing about that, beloved. All we can do is wait and prepare."
Haruven nodded against Thor's chest, and leaned back to smile up at him. "You always know the right words to say."
Thor leaned down to kiss him. "I know that I need to keep you safe, my Haruven; my spring."
"I will return back to my strength soon enough, Thor. You don't need to worry so much."
Thor frowned. "My mind knows that, but my heart?" he looked in Haruven's eyes, and the slightly smaller man frowned when he saw the shadow of pain in Thor's stormy, silvery-blue orbs. "My heart remembers your pain. It remembers the moment when I held you bloody, beaten, and broken in my arms. It remembers that pain. I cannot feel that again, Haruven. I cannot lose you."
"And you won't," Haruven whispered and cupped Thor's face within soft, warm hands. "I promise I will be more careful. I won't let anything take me from your side again."
Thor tilted his head to the side and kissed the middle of Haruven's right palm. "And I will not let you leave my sight."
Haruven smiled lovingly at him. "I know."
"Thor?" the two parted slowly and looked at the doorway with Thor smiling at the woman that stood there.
"Ah, Jane. I believe the two of you haven't met yet." Thor placed his hand on the small of Haruven's back and led him closer to Jane who shifted uncomfortably in the doorway.
Haruven looked at her in interest with his head tilted slightly to the side. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He offered his hand to the woman. "I'm Haruven Sigurdsson."
She accepted his hand, and smiled at him. "The pleasure is mine. I'm Jane Foster-Brightman."
"I heard a lot about you, Mrs. Foster-Brightman." Haruven looked at Thor, who smiled at him lovingly.
Thor told Ven about Jane one night while they were sitting in Haruven's living room enjoying the quiet of a peaceful evening.
"You were of great help to Thor the first time he came to Earth," Haruven commented, and Jane blushed furiously, looking at the ground, afraid to look in Haruven's eyes.
She knew Thor and Haruven were together. It couldn't be missed.
She looked up when Haruven chuckled, and frowned in confusion at Haruven's gentle, understanding smile.
"I know everything, and I hold nothing against you."
She raised eyebrows at him, and looked at Thor. The God of Thunder smiled at her, and shrugged his shoulder. "There are barely any secrets left between Ven and I," Thor explained and Jane nodded.
"I've heard about you." She looked at Haruven. "I just didn't think there was really someone in the world as understanding as I was told you were."
Haruven shrugged his shoulders, and threw Thor a small teasing smirk. "I saw a lot of things. I've gotten used to many things some people wouldn't accept."
"I'm just glad Thor found someone, Mr. S…"
"Ven," he corrected her, and she smiled shyly at him, "you can call me Ven."
"Then you can call me Jane."
"Was there anything you needed, Jane?" Thor asked, and she nodded at him.
"Actually, there was. Sif and I found a way to open the Bifröst."
"What?" Thor breathed out, and Haruven grabbed Thor's hand.
"Take us to the lab," Ven said and Jane nodded. They rushed down the hallways of the Avengers Tower and ran into the lab, making every head turn towards them.
"Thor! Ven! We've just received excellent news!" Steve grinned at them.
"News? From whom?" Haruven asked and looked around.
"From me."
Haruven turned on his heel when a familiar voice came from behind him. "Urd!" he cried out in joy and enveloped the see through form of his long time friend into a loving hug. Most of the people in the room raised eyebrows in wonder, while Thor simply chuckled and shook his head.
"He can actually touch her?" Bruce muttered from beside Thor.
"I should have known it would be possible for him." Thor's words made everyone raise eyebrows at him.
"How come you are here? You shouldn't be able to…"
"Thor broke the mirror when they came looking for you. I am now free to enter your world for a short while." Urd explained and Haruven looked at Thor who offered his loved a small shrug.
"What news do you have for us?" Thor asked and Urd winked at Haruven who merely shook his head, lips tilting up into a small smile.
"King Odin, the Allfather has defeated the Chitauri Armies." Haruven and Thor breathed sighs of relief. "There is only one problem. The Tesseract was destroyed."
"What?!" Thor snapped. Haruven turned to look at everyone, while Urd continued to explain everything to them.
"King Odin used it to protect Asgard. We do not know how it happened, but it did."
"The Bifröst?" Thor asked.
"The Bifröst is intact, but no one at Asgard is powerful enough to open the bridge right now. King Odin was weakened by the Tesseract. He will need time to recover."
"But we need to open the Rainbow Bridge!" Sif cried out.
"You have two of the most powerful beings in the known Realms right here." Thor and Haruven looked at Urd with matching frowns.
"Who?" Jane asked.
"Why Ven and Thor, of course. Their combined power will be more than enough to open the Bridge." Urd spoke as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Haruven is not yet up to his full power," Thor said. Urd giggled at that, while Haruven blushed.
"Even at a quarter of his power, Haruven would be able to hold his own against the mightiest opponent."
"You give me too much credit, Urd," Haruven said. Everyone was looking at him with surprised expressions; including Thor.
"You don't give yourself enough credit, sweetness. What do you estimate your powers are at?" she asked, and Haruven's blush deepened.
"Some 57-59%," he muttered.
"Well!" Urd clapped her hands with a wide smile. "Like I said. More than enough."
"Will it drain him further?" Thor asked.
"I'm not made out of glass," Haruven muttered.
"You sure looked like that a week ago," Tony countered, and Haruven shot him a glare. Tony raised his hands in surrender, and the others rolled their eyes at him.
"It would drain him only slightly if he were to do it alone. With the two of you working together, it won't weaken either one of you too much." Haruven nodded.
"What do we need to do?"
"Haruven…"
"Thor, we need to open the Bridge," Haruven interrupted his beloved, making the God of Thunder frown. "We need all the information we can get, and I don't doubt that King Odin would agree to help us against the Chitauri. They are a threat to us all."
"He is right, Thor," Sif said, and Haruven looked at her. She smirked at him and Haruven raised an eyebrow at her.
'She knows you are with Thor, sweetness,' Urd whispered in Ven's mind. 'She is very amused by the fact that Thor has a man for a Destined.'
Haruven chuckled making everyone look at him in confusion. "So," he looked at Urd, "what do we need to do?"
"This won't be easy," she warned and everyone nodded at her. "This is what you need to do."
cut
"Are you sure?" Bruce asked for the hundredth time. They were on top of the Avengers Tower. Tony and Thor were getting ready to fly, and Bruce was talking with Haruven outside of the chopper.
"Yes, I'm sure Bruce. I hadn't flown for years. I miss it."
"But you'd be safer in the chopper," Bruce almost whined, and Haruven laughed. Everyone except Thor was looking at him as though he was insane ever since he said he would fly with Thor and Tony.
"Trust me. That's the best and safest way for me to travel."
"We should get going," Thor said, and spun Mjölnir lightly. Haruven chuckled, and pushed his hand into his back pocket. A second later a beautiful broom was in his hand.
"You're flying on that?" Tony asked. With a smirk, Haruven jumped on the broom, and did a circle around them.
"Trust me. You'll be eating my dust before you know it. I'll see you later!" he called out, waved, and darted off before anyone could say another word.
"He's really a wizard," Jane muttered in shock. Thor chuckled, shook his head, and saluted everyone.
"We shall meet on the Mark." He flew off after Haruven.
"See you there." Tony said, closed his visor, and flew off.
"We better get going," Clint said.
"Sure," Natasha muttered.
"This is insane. First a God, and now a Wizard," Jane spoke as they entered the chopper and took their seats.
"Trust me," Sif drawled and grinned at Jane almost insanely, "you have seen nothing yet."
cut
Once they landed the chopper and got out, the Avengers plus Sif and Jane raised eyebrows at the scene that they stumbled upon. Thor and Tony were speaking with Haruven who was sitting sideways on his broom, floating about 1'5 foot in the air. The tips of his boots were barely brushing against the grassy ground.
"About time!" Tony called out. "They were about to start without you."
"Good thing we finally arrived. I don't want to miss this," Clint said, and crossed his arms over his chest.
They were currently located at the place where Sif arrived on Earth. The mark of the Bifröst has faded somewhat, but it was still visible.
"How are we going to do this?" Natasha asked.
"You won't do anything." Haruven hopped off the broom, shrunk it in his hand, and put it back in his pocket.
"You shouldn't stand too close," Thor warned their friends. "We do not want you to get hurt." He looked at Haruven. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I can be," Haruven said, and looked at the others. "We don't know what could happen. If we're pulled through the Bifröst, I want you to go back to the Avengers Tower and keep getting ready. I don't know if we'll be able to come back right away."
"And I have no doubt that Mother will wish to see you," Thor muttered, and Haruven winced.
"Anyway," he sighed, "wish us luck."
"You mean wish you luck," Bruce said with a smirk, and Haruven fought against the urge to stick his tongue out. He settled for a glare before Thor placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go." They nodded at everyone and walked towards the middle of the circle.
"Watch carefully," Sif said, and everyone spared her a glance before they looked back at Thor and Haruven. "This will be a sight to remember."
Thor and Haruven turned to each other once they were in the middle of the circle.
"I've never done magic of these proportions," Haruven admitted and Thor smiled lovingly at him.
"I have never done magic at all." Haruven chuckled and Thor offered him his hands.
Haruven placed his shaking ones above Thor's. "Everything or nothing," He muttered and they closed their eyes.
For a few moments nothing happened.
Their quiet audience shifted in their places while they waited for something to happen.
Tony was about to say something when all of a sudden the wind stopped.
"It's starting." To everyone's surprise, Jane was the one who spoke. She looked at the sky, and everyone followed her gaze. The sky started to darken with clouds. "Everyone, you better hold on." Jane slowly lowered to the ground.
Everyone looked at Haruven and Thor as they followed her example. Where the pair's hands were joined, sparks of power started to snap and flash. The wind started to pick up speed. Thunder roared in the sky and the circle beneath Thor and Haruven's feet started to glow.
"Hold on!" Bruce shouted, and shifted into Hulk as a hurricane like wind started to blow around them. A wave of raw power exploded from Haruven and Thor, but it didn't spread further than the lines of the circle.
Everyone's breath hitched in their throats when Haruven's and Thor's eyes snapped open.
"Heimdall!" they called out as one and their power surged into the sky, shaking the very foundations of the Earth. Everyone closed their eyes as bright light blinded them, and were it not for Hulk, who protected Steve, Natasha, Clint and Jane, they would have been pushed away. Tony and Sif barely managed to resist the surge, and even with it, they were pushed a few feet back.
Once it all settled, the sky cleared almost instantly.
And Haruven and Thor were gone.
"Well!" Tony said, and his visor snapped up. "I'd say it worked."
cut
If Thor didn't catch him, Haruven would have met the floor the moment they landed in the golden dome of the Bifröst. "Are you well?"
"I am. I was just surprised," Ven said and straightened.
"My Lord!" they look up when someone called for Thor and Haruven assumed that the man dressed in the golden armor was Heimdall.
"Heimdall! Am I glad to see you?!" Thor pulled the stoic man into a manly hug.
"We missed your presence here, your Highness. When Lady Urd informed us that you had a way to help us open the Bridge, I hurried back," Heimdall said, and looked at Haruven.
The Wizard bowed at Heimdall from his waist with his arms at his sides, and the Keeper frowned. "I am honored to meet you, Gate Keeper," Haruven said and straightened.
"The honor is mine, Haruven Sigurdsson." Heimdall bowed his head. "Come, there are many who wish to see you," he spoke to Thor, and they moved for the door with Haruven keeping slightly to the back.
Once they came out, everything turned into a cacophony of cheers and sounds. Thor found himself enveloped in many hugs, his back was patted many times, and when he found himself in front of his Mother and Father, heavy silence settled among them.
"Father. Mother." He bowed in front of them.
"It is good to see you in good health, my son." Frigga pulled Thor into a loving hug, while Odin smiled at his son proudly. He seemed well enough. Everyone appeared to be well in fact, and Thor smiled widely as he turned around. His smile faded when he couldn't locate Haruven immediately.
"What is it, son?" Odin asked, and took a step closer to stand to Thor's right, while Frigga stood to his left with her hands wrapped around Thor's strong forearm.
"You look as though you've lost something," Fandral teased. Volstagg and Hogun stood each on one side of Fandral, with almost matching smirks on their faces. Thor's face brightened when he located Haruven some 30 feet away, standing behind Heimdall.
"Everyone, I wish for you to meet someone," Thor spoke excitedly making The Warrior Three frown and move to the side, while the King and Queen turned to where Thor was looking. Thor moved forward, and spread his arm in Haruven's direction.
Haruven smiled and walked forward. Once he was a little away from Thor, he got down on his knee. He placed left hand on his bent knee, fisted his right and placed it on the ground, bowing his head low. His braided hair fell over one shoulder, and when he spoke his voice was strong. "It is an honor to stand in your presence, Allfather."
Odin looked at Thor. Once he saw the love glowing in his son's eyes, his old heart warmed. Frigga took Odin's hand in hers, and he looked down at her.
Odin could see that his son had found true love, for Thor had the same look in his eyes Odin himself had every time he would look at his beautiful wife. He nodded at Frigga, let go of her hand, and took a few steps forward. "The honor is ours, Haruven Sigurdsson," he spoke warmly. "Rise. You do not need to be on your knees in front of us." The Warrior Three gaped at that, while Thor and Frigga exchanged pleased smiles.
Haruven stood up, but didn't raise his head.
Odin chuckled and stepped closer. He placed two of his fingers under Haruven's chin, and pushed his head up. Once his good eye met Haruven's glowing emerald orbs he nodded and his lips tilted into a fatherly smile. "My son has chosen well. I can see your strength and power, Haruven; Guardian of the Sanctuary."
Haruven smiled and Odin lowered his hand. "I am glad to see you are well, and I congratulate you on your victory against your enemy."
Odin nodded. "Thank you, Child. Come. We have some knowledge of what transpired on Earth. We shall eat while you tell us everything."
"As you wish, my Lord," Haruven said. Frigga walked over to him and to Ven's surprise wrapped her arms around his elbow as Odin turned his back on them, leading them over to the horses.
"I cannot wait to get to know you better, my dear Haruven," she spoke warmly. "I have heard many great things about you from Verdandi."
"I'm sure they are all exaggerated," Haruven drawled with a small smirk and Frigga giggled. In the meantime Thor found himself under an attack of his friends.
"A man, Thor?" Volstagg murmured teasingly and Thor rolled his eyes.
"Wait until you get to know him," he answered proudly.
"But a man, Thor!" Fandral moaned. "Sure, he has a woman's beauty, but…"
"You should hope he did not hear you," Thor warned and Fandral raised an eyebrow at him. They reached their horses and Thor looked at them. A part of him was happy that there were two additional horses waiting for them. The other cursed it. It had been a while since he had last allowed himself to hold Haruven.
"You say I look much like a woman, Lord Fandral!" Haruven called over to them as he picked a dark black stallion. Fandral paled when his eyes met Haruven's. Odin smirked, while Frigga elegantly covered her lips with her hand to hide a grin. Hogun smirked while Volstagg grinned widely, and Thor walked over to Haruven to steal a kiss from him.
"I did not mean…"
"Oh, I know very well what you meant,." Haruven spoke lightly. He mounted the horse with ease, and an excited look flashed in his eyes when the horse neighed, and climbed on his back legs. "If you wish, you can test my strength. Once you've recovered of course."
"I am well enough!" Fandral snapped as they mounted their horses. He was blushing and his blush deepened when Haruven smirked at him.
"We shall see."
"It seems as though we shall have an amusing evening!" Thor grinned as he stopped his horse beside Haruven's.
"It will take some time for dinner to be served," Odin said. "Maybe you shall have the chance to test your strength against Mage Haruven sooner than you think, Sir Fandral."
Fandral's eyes opened wide, Volstagg looked excited, and Hogun looked interested.
"What say you, Ven?" Thor asked. "Do you feel up to a little duel?"
"I have been feeling up to a little warm up for a few days now," Ven spoke thoughtfully, glancing at Fandral with eyes darkened with excitement and lips tilted up into a smirk. "This could prove to be a good exercise."
Thor chuckled, and shook his head. "Of course."
"Let us go. We have much to discuss. After, of course, Haruven and Fandral dissolve their little measuring contest," Frigga teased.
Fandral was about to complain, but Odin pushed his horse into a gallop, and everyone followed after him with everyone but Fandral either laughing or smirking.
cut
"Welcome into the great hall of Asgard," Thor said as they entered the hall, and Haruven looked around with eyes filled with wonder.
"It is absolutely wonderful." He looked at Thor and Ven's lips spread in that wide, beautiful smile Thor has come to love more than anything else. "Thor, your home is beautiful."
Thor wrapped his arms around Haruven's waist, and pulled him into a kiss. Volstagg and Hogun exchanged amused smirks, Odin and Frigga smiled at each other, while Fandral looked paler than before.
"It shall be our home one day, min stjarna," (my star) Thor spoke so only Haruven heard him, and the wizard laughed quietly, nudging Thor's nose with his own.
"Of course," Haruven murmured and Thor smirked at him.
"I shall go and order dinner to be served to us. Do not start anything without me," Frigga said, and her eyes glimmered as she glanced at Haruven.
"Worry not, my Queen." Haruven bowed his head at her. "We shall start nothing." He looked at Fandral with a smirk.
"Do we have to do this?" Fandral asked, trying to sound easy-going. "I would hate to ruin dinner for you, Mage Sigurdsson."
Haruven chuckled while Thor smirked. "Trust me, Lord Fandral. Little could destroy dinner for me," Ven spoke and walked further down the great hall, looking around in interest with Thor following him.
It would be an understatement to say that Fandral didn't like being brushed aside like that. Odin chuckled and followed after Thor and Haruven while Volstagg and Hogun rounded on their blond friend.
"You would do well to apologize, Fandral," Hogun warned wisely. "No mate of Thor is supposed to be weak."
"Please, Hogun. Look at him!" Fandral cried out in outrage and showed at Haruven who was listening carefully to something Odin was telling him about one of the great tapestries that hanging on the walls. "He looks like a woman with those delicate limbs and lithe body."
"And yet he moves like an experienced warrior." Hogun's eyes followed Haruven's every move. "He seems aware of everything, and his shoulders are tense, even though he appears relaxed."
"You are looking too much into him," Fandral spoke haughtily. "He is just a little human, who happens to be able to use magic. I fought much, much stronger men."
"I would not be so sure if I were you, Lord Fandral," Frigga spoke from behind them, making Fandral jump in his place. "Haruven is much stronger than he seems." She walked beside them. "Dinner shall be ready in half an hour!" she announced. "Maybe we should wait until after dinner."
"There is no need for that," Fandral said as they walked over. "Half an hour should be more than enough." They stopped in front of the others, and Fandral looked at Haruven thinking his confidant words managed to throw Haruven off a little, only to find the Wizard smirking as he leaned against Thor's side with Thor's arm around his waist.
"Half an hour should be far more than enough, do you not think?" Haruven asked, and looked at Thor.
"I believe so. After all, when we last dueled you brought me down in 45 minutes." At Thor's answer Fandral gaped, but quickly snapped his mouth shut.
"I believe you are correct." Haruven smirked at Fandral in a positively evil way. In some ways Haruven reminded them of Loki in that moment. "I shall enjoy this greatly," he muttered.
"Then what are we waiting for," Odin said. Frigga placed her hand on Odin's offered elbow.
Thor kissed Haruven's forehead, making Haruven sigh lightly. "Will you need a sword, min sváss?" (my sweet) Thor asked as Volstagg and Hogun patted Fandral's back, and moved to stand with the King and Queen.
"No," Haruven smirked. "If I remember correctly, I didn't need one when I fought you." At that Fandral tensed up even more. He quickly pushed it all back, and stood taller.
He was one of the Warrior Three!
He would not be beaten by a human!
"You are right." Thor squeezed Haruven's shoulder and smiled at Fandral on his way to join his Father, Mother and friends. "Good luck."
"Do not worry, my friend. I shall not hurt your human too much," Fandral drawled and drew his sword from its scabbard.
"I was talking to you, my thoughtless friend!" Thor called over, and Fandral tensed up even more.
Haruven chuckled, took two steps back, crouched, and raised his arms leisurely. "Are you certain you want to do this?" Fandral sneered at him, making Haruven chuckle shortly. "Since this is the first time we've met, I am feeling inclined to forgive your thoughtless words, and ignore your challenge," Ven drawled, eyes flashing a brighter shade of green.
"I have not challenged you," Fandral spoke in confusion, and a shiver ran down his spine when Haruven's eyes darkened.
"You've implied that I am not worthy of my Destined," Haruven spoke lowly. "It is my duty to defend my honor."
"Should Thor not be the one to defend your honor?" Fandral sneered and Haruven smirked at him.
"Trust me," Haruven whispered, and crouched lower. Fandral's eyes widened when Haruven's hair and clothes danced slowly in a slight breeze. "He knows better than to try and fight my battles."
"Begin!" Odin ordered before Fandral could say anything, and the Warrior charged at Haruven thoughtlessly. In a second he found himself on his back with his own sword pointed at his throat.
"Do not underestimate me," Haruven growled lowly and his eyes flashed for a second. He threw Fandral's sword on the ground, and took a few steps back. "Get up. We are not yet done."
Fandral growled. He would not let a human disgrace him! That was a lucky shot! There was no way a Warrior of Asgard could be brought down by a human Wizard!
He charged at Haruven with everything he had, but the dark haired Wizard twisted and turned around him, avoiding his blade as though it was nothing. Haruven looked as though he was dancing. To add insult to injury, his eyes were closed, and he kept his hands on his back, his index fingers hooked in the loops of his black trousers.
"This shall be over quickly," Thor murmured, and his friends looked at him in surprise. "Ven is used to fighting more unpredictable opponents and many of them at once. Fandral is good, but not good enough to pose a threat to Ven."
"You knew this would happen," Hogun concluded and Thor nodded.
"Fandral is like a brother to me, but he has a lot to learn."
"You have learned a lot as well, my son," Odin spoke, and Thor smiled at his Father.
"I have, Father. Midgard has taught me a lot." Thor looked at Haruven as he spoke, feeling a shiver go down his body when Haruven escaped Fandral's blade by an inch. "Haruven taught me a lot."
Fandral grinned. With every slash he was getting closer to cutting Haruven.
He would teach that little Wizard not to underestimate a Warrior of Asgard!
He aimed for Haruven's chest, and Haruven's eyes snapped open. A feeling of victory overtook Fandral, but it was of short lasting.
"I warned you not to underestimate me!" To Fandral's shock, Haruven grabbed the blade of the sword with his bare hand, pulled Fandral forward, and jumped.
"That is his trademark move!" Thor spoke excitedly as Haruven jumped up, hooked his feet under Fandral's armpits, and brought the both of them down.
Fandral's sword met the ground with a clang, and his breath was kicked out of him. He choked up when Haruven grabbed his throat, and aimed his right hand at Fandral's heart, nails sharp as a blade.
"Do you yield?" Haruven growled lowly. His eyes were dark green and his power was rolling off of him in waves, making shivers run up and down Fandral's body.
Fandral was in a state of disbelief. That was twice now in less than 15 minutes that he found himself on his back, his sword out of his hand, and Haruven threatening to take his life.
"Do you yield?!" Haruven roared, and the whole hall shook with his power-laced voice.
"I yield!"
Haruven snorted. His nails turned back to normal right in front of Fandral's eyes. With practically no effort at all Ven climbed to his feet, took a few steps back, and offered his hand to Fandral.
For a few moments Fandral just stared at Haruven, leaning back on his elbows.
Fandral had been wrong, that much was obvious.
Now, the question was if he was man enough to admit it.
Well.
Let no one say Fandral of Asgard was a coward.
He swallowed, accepted Haruven's hand, and allowed the wizard to pull him to his feet. Fandral's sword flew into Haruven's hand, and the wizard turned the handle towards Fandral.
"You have a lot to learn, Sir Fandral," Haruven said. "You fight well, but not well enough."
"I have at least injured you slightly," Fandral said, smiling a little. Haruven chuckled and raised the hand with which he stopped Fandral's sword. To Fandral's shock Haruven's hand was uninjured.
"I concentrated my magic into my hand and created a shield just above my skin. It requires a lot of concentration, but that way no blade can pierce my skin."
Fandral forced down a swallow, his guts filling with lead. He realized very well that he was nowhere near Haruven's level of skill.
Now he understood why Haruven was Thor's chosen.
He took a step back, and bowed lowly to Haruven who raised an eyebrow at him. "I offer my sincere apologies, Mage Sigurdsson. I have offended you by underestimating you. I see now that I was wrong. I ask for your forgiveness." Fandral was surprised when he heard Haruven laugh quietly. He raised his head, and felt a shiver run down his spine when he found himself target of an understanding gaze.
"You are forgiven. If you wish, we can measure our strength against one another again one day." Haruven offered his hand to Fandral and he accepted it.
The Warrior of Asgard was not overly surprised at the strength of Haruven's handshake; he could now see that Haruven was indeed strong. "I shall be honored." They looked at the gathered people when they heard them clapping.
"This was indeed very educational," Odin said as the group walked over to the two newly made friends. "I have known that you are strong, Mage Haruven, but seeing that one of our best warriors didn't manage to put a scratch on you, I realize now that my knowledge is lacking."
Haruven blushed and bowed his head. "You flatter me, my King."
"Please, Haruven. You are our son's Destined," Frigga spoke, gifting Haruven with a motherly smile. "I realize that we have just met, but I hope that one day you shall come to call us Mother and Father." Haruven's breath hitched in his throat at Frigga's words.
"I – I don't know what to say," he breathed out and looked at Thor when the God of Thunder wrapped an arm around Haruven's waist and leaned down to kiss the mage's forehead.
"You do not need to address us as Father and Mother right away, Haruven," Odin spoke, and Haruven looked at him. "But as my lovely wife has said, you are our son's Destined. Unfortunately, we have lost one son. I realize that I have made many mistakes in my long, long life. I do not plan to repeat them. I can see that you love Thor, and I can see he loves you just as much. I shall be more than proud to call you my son as well."
Haruven's heart was beating loudly in his ears and he was blinking back tears. His throat was closed up, and his hands were shaking. "I..." he started, but choked up, "I'll be happy to call you my Father and Mother. I'm honored that you consider me good enough to be considered your son," he spoke in a raspy voice. Odin and Frigga smiled at him, and Thor hugged him tighter.
"Come, dinner must have been served by now. We should go to the dining room. We have much to talk about," Frigga said, and they moved for the dining room.
Thor stopped when he felt Haruven hesitate. "What is it, Ven?" he asked when everyone left the great hall.
"I can't believe that your parents accepted me," Haruven whispered. He moved closer to Thor, wrapped his arms around Thor's waist and buried his face in Thor's strong chest.
Thor smiled lovingly, and wrapped his arms around Haruven. "I knew they would love you as soon as they met you," Thor spoke with his face buried in Haruven's sweet smelling hair. "You are the most beautiful creature in all the Realms. You are beautiful both inside and out." Haruven shivered, and Thor smirked. "And you have no idea how much I want you right now."
"I missed your touch as well," Haruven whispered, and raised his head. Thor cupped Ven's cheek and pulled him into a scorching, passionate kiss, and Haruven fisted his right hand in Thor's cape on one broad shoulder, moaning into the kiss.
"We should join them or I shall take you in this very room," Thor growled against Haruven's lips.
"Later," Haruven murmured and winked at his Destined, and Thor chuckled lowly and followed after Haruven.
"Yes. Later."
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Haruven sighed as he stood on the balcony of his and Thor's rooms. The night sky shone above him, and a warm breeze ruffled his hair and clothes. He was dressed in light, white sleeping pants and his shirt was unbuttoned. He tied his hair at the top of his head, and it was still damp from the bath he took after dinner.
Stories were exchanged during dinner time. Both sides spoke of recent events.
He chuckled when he remembered the look on Fandral's face when Thor said that Haruven was greatly weakened during his stay with Loki. Fandral said that he felt even worse, since Haruven managed to defeat him quite effortlessly even when he wasn't at full strength.
Ven sighed again and smiled when he remembered the kiss on his cheek he received from Frigga when they parted for the evening.
Their short stay in Asgard has been wonderful by now, and Haruven truly could imagine himself staying here forever once everything settles.
'A life with Thor…' Ven thought as he crossed his arms on the golden railing of the balcony and looked at the sky. 'Such a short time ago, I didn't even believe it possible.'
cut
Thor shivered when he quietly came out on the balcony and looked at his lover. He leaned against the doorframe as he observed Ven. His lightly tanned skin accented by white clothes, starlight dancing in raven strands free of any bounds and eyes glimmering like jewels full of mysteries and secrets far out of anyone's reach.
Haruven appeared to be at ease for the first time in a while, and Thor could see the small, calm smile on Haruven's lips even though he was looking at his profile.
"You're oddly quiet," Haruven said and looked at Thor. The God of Thunder felt his need rise at the expanse of revealed skin his lover was showing now that he turned to face him.
Thor pushed away from the doorframe he had been leaning on, and started to prowl over to Haruven, licking his lips at the sight of the shiver which wrecked Haruven's lithe body.
The Wizard's mouth watered when he saw Thor's naked torso. His sleeping pants hung low on his hips, and Thor moved like a predator stalking his prey.
"Can I not observe my beautiful Mate in silence for a while?" Thor stopped in front of Haruven and pushed his hands under Haruven's shirt.
Haruven shivered because of Thor's warmth, and grabbed on Thor's elbows to steady himself. Thor rubbed small, suiting circles in Haruven's skin, and the Wizard sighed.
"Not when I can feel your warmth washing over me," Haruven whispered and looked up at Thor with dilated eyes.
A growl rumbled in Thor's chest, and he kissed Haruven roughly. Haruven groaned, and his hands darted up to tangle in Thor's damp hair. His knees mutinied on him, and had Thor not held him, Ven would have met the ground.
"You have no idea how much I desire you, mín fagr álfr." (My beautiful elf) Thor muttered as he started to lay kisses down Haruven's chin on his way to a slightly revealed shoulder. "Mín bréyja. Mín forlog." (My desire. My destiny.) Haruven gasped when Thor flattened their bodies together, and he felt Thor's straining need rub against his own through the thin materials of their pants.
"Thor..." his words and breath were stolen when Thor slammed his lips against his. His hands gripped Haruven's waist with a bruising force, and Haruven realized they have been moving only when he fell back on the soft bed.
Thor stood between Ven's parted legs, looking down at the wizard with dilated, lust and passion filled eyes.
This creature, this perfect, strong, beautiful man would soon be Thor's for all eternity.
This nymph sent to him by whichever higher power, will soon be his until the end of all time.
"Thor?" his thoughts were broken when Haruven called his name. With his head tilted slightly to the right, raven locks spread around Ven in a dark halo, and tender hands raised towards Thor, bathed in moonlight, Haruven looked ethereal. "Come to me."
And Thor didn't have the strength to resist him.
He kneeled on the bed with one knee between Haruven's thighs and leaned over Ven, framing the prideful head with his elbows as Haruven cupped Thor's face within long-fingered hands pulling him into a loving kiss filled with promises.
"Make me yours," Haruven whispered, and Thor's thoughts came to a sharp stop.
"There is no going back. After I take you…"
"Hush…." Haruven whispered, and stole another chaste kiss from Thor's lips. "If I wanted everything to go back to how it was, I would not be here. Please. I don't want to be alone anymore."
Thor squeezed his eyes tightly shut, and rested his forehead against Haruven's. "Never again, sváss," (beloved) he breathed out. "Never again."
"Prove it," Ven growled. "Take me," he pressed out through his teeth lips leveled with Thor's ear.
With a guttural growl Thor grabbed Haruven's hips. In a second Haruven found himself in the middle of the bed and Thor slid his hands up Haruven's sides, pushing the unbuttoned shirt up, until it tangled around Haruven's deceivingly delicate wrists.
"Thor…"
"Hush..." Thor growled, and Haruven's eyes widened when he found his hands tied around a bar at the headrest with his shirt. "You are mine tonight." Thor whispered, and nibbled on a particularly sensitive spot just under Haruven's ear. Now that he had Haruven under him like this, Thor found himself wondering how he managed to stop himself from taking him sooner.
How did he manage to stop himself from making love to him?
"Thor?"
"You shall feel me tonight, Ven," Thor spoke lowly as he kissed down the underside of Haruven's right arm. He bit into Haruven's shoulder, and smirked when Haruven let go of a sharp gasp. "You will feel me so deep that every single part of your beautiful body shall remember me forever. You will know that I am the one, the only one you belong to."
Thor kissed and nipped down Haruven's chest, rubbing one pebbled nipple with his callused fingers, and Haruven moaned arching slightly off the bed when Thor took the other nipple in his mouth and sucked.
Thor kept his body carefully above Haruven as not to allow the slightly smaller man to buck against him. He moved his right hand off of Haruven's nipple, and as he continued to play with the other one, dragged his hand down to the line of Ven's pants.
Haruven's breath hitched in his throat as Thor's hand ghosted over his aching need. "Thor!" he cried out breathlessly and the God of Thunder smirked, biting lightly into one nipple only to soothe it with his tongue a moment later.
"Hush..." Thor hooked his thumb inside Haruven's pants, and kissed and nipped down Haruven's torso, leaving a trail of red love bites.
Thor crawled backwards, gaze darting over the expense of revealed skin, and careful as not to graze Haruven's aching need with the waistband of the pants, Thor pulled them down lean legs. He sat back on his legs, and looked down at Haruven before he moved to kneel between Haruven' invitingly parted legs, and shivered under Haruven's burning gaze.
His own aching need strained against the constricting tightness of his pants, but Thor ignored it for now. He knew it would all pay off in the end.
Thor placed his hands on Haruven's bent knees, and slowly, as he leaned down, dragged his hands down Haruven's quivering thighs.
Haruven moaned wantonly when Thor placed a teasing kiss on the top of his need, and the wizard pulled at his binds. "Thor, please! Don't tease me!"
Thor let go of a strained laugh, and looked at Haruven from under his eyebrows. "As you wish."
Haruven screamed as the moist warmth of Thor's mouth enveloped his weeping member. He would have arched off of the bed completely had Thor not grabbed Ven's hips and held him down firmly.
"Thor, please - please - just – OH!" Haruven moaned, and arched his back.
It's been too long. Too long since Thor touched him. Too long since his body belonged to anyone like this.
Ven's eyes snapped open and he choked back a scream as his release hit him stronger than ever before, when Thor's thumb rubbed his entrance.
Thor swallowed everything Ven had to give before he crawled over the trembling wizard once he let Ven's member slip out of his mouth. His kissed Haruven lovingly, and the Wizard could taste himself on Thor's lips moaning as he caught his breath, and Thor moved back to nuzzle his cheek against Haruven's.
"Please, Thor. Please. I want to – I need to touch you," Haruven whispered, and Thor smiled.
"You could have broken out of your binds at any moment, sváss," he whispered, and Haruven's eyes glowed. With a surge of magic his shirt disappeared, and Thor found himself on his back.
Haruven kissed him hard, and Thor gripped Haruven's ass with a bruising force. He pulled Haruven down, and Thor's aching need rubbed against the cleft of Haruven's ass. He moaned, and while Haruven nibbled on his Adam's apple, Thor reached over to his nightstand, and dipped his fingers into the jar of oil he prepared earlier in wake of Haruven's promise.
Haruven found himself on his back again, and almost whined in protest, but he lost his breath when Thor rubbed his oiled finger against Haruven's entrance. A shiver wrecked Haruven's body, and arched closer to Thor, when that finger breached the tight ring of muscle.
"Heavens..." Thor breathed out. He couldn't wait to push inside that tight heat; to mark the inside of Haruven's body with his essence, to lay claim on the wizard in the most primal of ways.
Haruven tensed up when the second finger joined the first, but relaxed when Thor took the reawakening member into his free hand, and tugged in the rhythm with which he was moving his fingers.
Thor shivered when Haruven moaned, and snapped his hips up, smirking when his fingers located that little bundle of nerves inside Haruven, and the Wizard's eyes widened with pleasure.
Not being able to wait anymore, Thor pulled his fingers out, shivering at the displeased whimper Haruven let go of. He oiled his hand after he took his pants off, moaning as the waistband brushed over his aching member. He spread the oil over his length under Haruven's watchful, lust filled eyes, before he lied over Haruven, aligning his member with Haruven's loosened entrance.
In Thor's moment of hesitation, Haruven cupped his face and pulled him into a reassuring kiss.
"I need you, my God of Thunder," Haruven breathed out. "Please."
Squeezing his eyes tightly shut, knowing that it was impossible to stop Haruven from feeling any pain, Thor rested his forehead against Haruven's and took a deep breath. "I am sorry," he whispered, and before Haruven could say anything, Thor entered his body in one swift, powerful thrust. He swallowed Haruven's scream of pain when he kissed him, and stilled
Haruven's tight heat was pulsating around his member, and Haruven was shivering under him.
Thor was as still as he could be. Every muscle in his body was coiled, and he wanted to move so badly, but he couldn't. He wouldn't hurt his beloved any more than he already did.
Haruven breathed through the pain, keeping in mind the unimaginable pleasure he knew would follow. A shiver wrecked his body when he felt a pair of soft lips kissing down his neck. Words Ven couldn't understand, for they were spoken in a language he didn't know, were whispered against his skin, and one big, warm hand was rubbing his side, chasing the pain away.
Ven could feel every inch of the thick cock filling him, and his magic coursed through his veins, singing in joy and bursting out of him to wrap around him and Thor, acknowledging their will and intent.
For this moment on they would be bonded forever. More so than words exchanged in a ceremony, more so than any blessing anyone could ever give, the will of their hearts and souls to forever bond created a link between them that would not be severed even in death.
Thor felt it the moment Haruven relaxed. The tight heat around his member stopped contracting frantically, and the God of Thunder shivered and gasped when loving arms wrapped around his shoulders and soft lips laid a kiss just under his right ear.
"Move..." Haruven growled, and Thor needed no further encouragement.
He braced his weight on his left forearm, and grabbed Haruven's thigh with his right hand. Haruven wrapped his arms around Thor's shoulders, and his legs around Thor's waist as the God of Thunder started to move. At first his thrusts were slow and shallow, but with every passing second he was picking up speed.
"Faster…" Haruven gasped breathlessly.
Thor could do nothing but obey. Soon enough, he was pounding Haruven into the mattress. The air was heavy, their bodies were sweaty, and the smell of sex filled the air.
"Thor…"
"I know," Thor growled, and changed the direction of his thrusts so that he hit that pleasurable bunch of nerves inside Haruven with every thrust. Haruven moaned, and threw his head back. His long, raven hair stuck to his body, and delicious moans left his lips every time his prostate was struck.
Thor's thrusts became frantic, and he let go of Haruven's thigh to grab a hold of the wizard's member. He pumped it in time with his thrusts, and mere moments later, Haruven came with a scream.
With more strength than he thought he had left, Thor held himself back from joining Haruven in completion. He sat back on his legs, with Haruven straddling him, and wrapped his arms around Haruven's waist.
"Thor – oh heavens-…" Haruven gasped. He was sated, and more relaxed than he had ever been. There was still some pain, especially now that Thor changed their position, but there was also pleasure; so much pleasure.
Thor rocked them slowly, his member brushing against Haruven's prostate constantly. With his own oversensitive member trapped between his and Thor's stomachs, Haruven thought he would surely die from the pleasure.
Thor felt his orgasm building up again, and Haruven moaned when Thor gripped his hips, and started impaling him on his rock hard member. Haruven whimpered almost pathetically, and hugged Thor tightly with his nails digging into Thor's shoulders.
"Thor – I can't…" he choked out, and bit into Thor's shoulder. With one final, powerful thrust, Thor came inside him, and Haruven, feeling Thor's hot seed fill him sagged against the strong body, his consciousness hanging by a thread.
Haruven shivered when Thor lay him down, sighing when Thor kissed him, and covered them both with a blanket, spooning against Haruven's back with his left arm wrapped tightly around Haruven's waist and his right serving as Haruven's pillow.
Thor entwined his legs with Haruven's under the covers, and kissed Haruven's shoulder before he buried his face in the raven strands. "I love you, my beautiful Haruven," Thor whispered, and felt Haruven shiver against him.
"I love you too, my Thunder God," Haruven whispered, and entwined his fingers with Thor's on his stomach. "More than anything."
Thor smiled, and closed his eyes.
The danger was nowhere near gone.
There were still battles to be fought.
But just for this moment in time, on this night, Thor would pretend that they were safe. He would pretend that this was just one of many nights he would spend with his lover in his arms, without worrying if tomorrow Haruven would still be there.
Tomorrow they would prepare.
Tomorrow they would worry.
Tonight it was just the two of them.
And a promise of a better tomorrow.
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If I remember correctly, this was my first ever sex scene, and I think I'm very, very proud of it. I think I managed to put everything truly needed in this chapter.
Do you?
Tell me what you think and join me in the last chapter of 'Starborn Café', 'The Starborn'.