As Steve and Tony exchanged a nod of recognition, Harry stepped out of the jet and approached them, offering a quick smile. Steve, without wasting any time, clapped handcuffs onto Loki's wrists and guided him into the Quinjet. Loki, still smirking, seemed more amused than worried.
Inside the Quinjet, Tony removed his helmet and shook out his hair, flashing a grin at the crew. "Miss me?"
"Took you long enough," Rhodey commented, arms crossed, leaning back in his seat.
Tony raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Hey, I arrived just in time. It's called dramatic entrance, ever heard of it?"
"Yeah, right after we had everything under control," Rhodey shot back, deadpan.
Tony shrugged, smirking as he tapped the arc reactor on his chest. "Didn't look that way from up there. Looked like I saved the day, as usual."
Harry chuckled, taking his seat. "Careful, Tony. You might strain something with all that patting yourself on the back."
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Harry," Tony quipped, shooting a wink in his direction.
As the Quinjet lifted off, the banter flowed easily, the tension of the fight dissipating. But in the corner of the jet, Loki remained eerily quiet, his icy gaze drifting between the Avengers.
"Loki," Harry greeted, his voice cold and devoid of any of the humour he had shown moments before.
"Wizard," Loki replied with a sly grin, his voice oozing arrogance as if they were old friends sharing an inside joke.
Harry's jaw tightened. He didn't have the patience for games, not with everything at stake. "Where's the Tesseract?" he asked, his tone sharp, but Loki only continued to grin, as though Harry's words were the punchline to some cosmic joke. Harry had had enough. His eyes darkened as he looked at Loki's piercing gaze. Without warning, he invaded the trickster's mind with Legilimency, pushing through Loki's thoughts with raw force, searching for the location of the Tesseract.
Loki's grin faltered slightly as Harry's presence pierced his mental defences. He tried to hide it, but there was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes. Harry could feel the resistance in Loki's mind, but Harry wasn't in the mood for subtlety. He tore at those walls with brutal force, uncaring of the damage he might cause.
Fragments of memories flooded Harry's vision, Loki's fall from the Bifrost, the endless descent into the cold, empty void of space. The terror and despair Loki felt, the vast nothingness stretching out around him. But just as Harry thought he was close to something, everything slammed shut. A thick, impenetrable blackish-yellow fog enveloped the rest of Loki's memories, especially anything that happened after his fall.
Harry's frustration mounted. He pushed harder, forcing his magic deeper into Loki's mind, seeking answers. His determination was ruthless, indifferent to the pain or the consequences for Loki. He could feel Loki's mind resisting everything it had, but Harry continued to pry, to break, to rip apart whatever blocks stood in his way.
Loki gasped, his body twitching slightly as Harry's intrusion caused real physical pain.
No matter how viciously Harry attacked the mental defences, it was like trying to punch through steel with his bare hands.
As Harry finally broke the connection and stepped out of Loki's mind, he barely registered the chaos unfolding in front of him. Loki's body had hit the floor, writhing uncontrollably, his screams raw and jagged as though his very soul had been torn open. His limbs twitched violently; his once smug face twisted in agony. The god of mischief, reduced to a helpless, suffering figure.
Harry stood there, his chest heaving, sweat trickling down his brow, his head pounding with a pain that felt like it was splitting him in two. The backlash from Loki's defences reverberated through his skull like a drumbeat, and he pressed his fingers to his temples, trying to steady himself. Harry knew that it was not just Loki's mental defences that were keeping the knowledge a secret. Loki's benefactor did not want that information to be revealed in case something like this happened.
Across the Quinjet, Steve was straining against Tony's arm, trying to reach Harry, his face pale with horror. Tony's grip on Steve loosened, and he let go once he saw that Harry had withdrawn from Loki's mind.
Loki continued to twitch and moan, his screams now subsiding into low, pained groans. The sound of it still filled the cabin, uncomfortable and oppressive.
Steve shot Harry a look of disbelief, appalled at what he had just witnessed. "What did you just do?" Steve demanded. His fists clenched at his sides, not out of anger, but out of shock. He had never expected this from Harry, the young man who had greeted him with humour and kindness.
Harry, still nursing his pounding head, blinked a few times, his vision swimming for a moment before he focused on Steve. "I... I tried to read his mind," Harry answered, his voice rough from the strain.
"You tried?" Steve asked, his eyes darting between Harry and the writhing Loki on the floor. "Is that why he's—" He gestured helplessly at Loki, who was still gasping in pain.
Harry gave a slow, tired nod, lowering his hand from his head. "Loki's mind is well-guarded. I had to dig deep. It wasn't pretty." His tone was casual, almost detached.
Steve's brow furrowed, the lines of confusion deepening. "How did you? How is that even possible?" he asked, clearly struggling to process what he had just seen. He had known Harry had power, but this? This was something else entirely.
Harry offered a faint, wry smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm an enhanced, too, Steve. A wizard, if you want to get specific. Going through someone's mind is one of my abilities."
Steve shook his head, clearly unsettled. "But, that looked like torture. You didn't even hesitate," he said, his voice quieter now, tinged with concern. He wasn't angry, but he was struggling to reconcile the Harry he thought he knew with the one who had just torn through Loki's mind without mercy.
Harry looked away for a moment, his gaze flickering toward Loki, who had finally stopped twitching but remained on the floor, breathing heavily. "In my defence, reading someone's mind does not cause such a reaction. It's supposed to be as gentle as reading a book. But I don't regret causing him this much pain. It's what had to be done," Harry replied, though even he could hear the strain in his own voice. "We need answers. We need the Tesseract."
"But at what cost?" Steve asked softly, his eyes still on Loki's pained form.
Harry met Steve's gaze, and for the first time, his expression softened slightly, the coldness giving way to something more human. "I didn't know that he would react that way, Steve," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "But I don't regret it at all to protect Earth from whatever this asshole is planning to do with it. I have fought him before, and I know how cruel he can be."
Steve's jaw tightened, his mind racing as he processed everything. He didn't know what to say, but he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. He knew war, he knew doing what was necessary but watching Harry, someone he considered a friend, take that step unsettled him.
Steve was about to ask more when Tony interjected, "So, you find anything useful in reindeer games' head?"
Harry exhaled deeply, his fingers still massaging his temples. "No, his mind is heavily protected. It's like someone or something is actively trying to keep that knowledge from leaking out." His voice was strained from the effort of pushing through Loki's mental defences, leaving him visibly worn.
Before Steve could ask further, Fury's voice cut through the intercom. "Romanoff, has he said anything yet?"
Natasha answered curtly, "Not a word."
"Potter got anything out of him?" Fury asked, hopefully.
"Negative," Natasha replied, glancing briefly at Harry nursing his headache.
Fury's sigh was audible even through the intercom. "Just get him here. We're running low on time." The call was cut off abruptly, leaving the cabin in an uncomfortable silence.
Loki, still lying on the floor of the Quinjet, groaned, shifting slightly as the pain Harry had inflicted slowly ebbed away. Steve watched him with narrowed eyes, his expression betraying unease. "I don't like this," he said quietly, crossing his arms.
Tony leaned back in his seat, arms folded casually. "What? Rock of Ages giving up so easily?" He raised an eyebrow in mock disbelief. "You think it's all part of the plan?"
Steve frowned, clearly not amused. "I don't remember it being this easy. This guy packs a punch."
Harry, his eyes still closed as he tried to soothe the pounding in his head, added, "It's not easy. He wanted to be captured. That much is clear. He's playing us, and we'll have to find out why once we get to the Heli carrier. More traditional methods will be needed."
Tony nodded thoughtfully, then shot Harry a quick glance. "Hey, you did your best, magic man." He shifted his attention to Steve. "And you, pretty spry for an old-timer. What's your secret? Pilates?"
Steve looked genuinely confused. "What?"
Tony smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "It's like callisthenics. Y'know, stretching. You might have missed a couple of things while you were busy doing time as a Capsicle."
Steve's expression didn't change, but Harry, despite his headache, chuckled softly. "Don't give him too hard a time, Tony. He's still getting used to the 21st century. It's about baby steps. One step at a time."
Steve glanced at Harry with a small smile of appreciation. "Thanks. But I'm starting to wonder how much of this new world I've missed."
"You'll catch up," Tony said with a dismissive wave. "Besides, we'll make sure you don't turn into a fossil again. Baby steps, right?"
Natasha remained silent as she kept her eye on Loki, but her mind was far away from the banter. Loki stirred on the floor, and for a moment, his eyes locked with hers. He gave a sly, pained grin, as if silently amused by the friendship on display even as he lay defeated. Natasha quickly looked away, the encounter rattling something inside her.
The Quinjet continued its steady flight toward the Heli carrier. When, suddenly, there was a flash of lightning followed by a deafening roar of thunder that reverberated through the Quinjet. The sudden storm was unnatural as it rattled the aircraft with a deep rumble.
Natasha glanced at Rhodey. "Where'd this come from?" she asked.
Loki, who had got himself together after his ordeal with Harry, leaned forward, his posture tensing. His eyes flicked upward, his once smug grin faltering as a genuine sense of unease flickered across his face.
Steve noticed Loki's reaction and quipped, "What's the matter? Scared of a little lightning?"
Loki's gaze remained fixed on the storm brewing outside. "I'm not overly fond of what follows," he murmured, a rare edge of fear creeping into his voice as his eyes locked on the sky.
There was a sudden, bone-jarring crash on top of the Quinjet. Something no, someone had landed with enough force to shake the entire aircraft. Everyone in the cabin was jolted, momentarily stunned by the impact.
"Diagnostics are fine," Natasha said as she quickly checked the instruments, but her tone was tense. "Whatever that is, it's heavy."
Rhodey's grip tightened on the controls, his eyes darting between the storm outside and the readings. "I'm speeding up, let's try to shake it off," he muttered, pushing the jet to its limits.
Steve grabbed his cowl, pulling it over his head in preparation for whatever was about to come through. Tony reached for his helmet, the pieces snapping into place with a smooth, mechanical click. Without hesitation, Tony pressed a button, and the ramp at the rear of the Quinjet began to lower. The howling wind rushed in, whipping through the cabin.
"What are you doing?" Steve shouted over the noise, bracing himself against the sudden gust.
Tony didn't answer, he didn't have to. Standing at the edge of the ramp, framed by the storm behind him, was Thor, the god of thunder himself, his red cape billowing in the wind. His eyes were locked on Loki, his expression one that barely contained fury.
Before Tony could fire a repulsor blast, Thor threw his hammer, knocking Tony aside, and sending him crashing into Steve. Both tumbled to the floor in a heap of limbs and metal.
Thor wasted no time and reached for Loki, gripping him by the throat. Loki gasped, his body going limp as Thor hoisted him effortlessly. But just as Thor prepared to leap out of the Quinjet with his captive, he was held back by a hand that was placed on his shoulder. He stopped, his gaze shifting to Harry, who stood firm behind him.
"Thor, wait!" Harry's voice cut through the chaos, commanding Thor's attention. The ramp slammed shut behind him as the Quinjet regained stability, the howling wind silenced.
Thor's eyes softened slightly at the sight of Harry. "Harry..." he muttered, his grip on Loki loosening but not letting go entirely. His posture was eased a bit after seeing his friend.
"We're on the same side, Thor," Harry reasoned. "We need him. Loki has the Tesseract, and we need him to tell us where it is so we can stop his plan."
Thor's eyes flicked between Harry and Loki, his rage simmering just below the surface. For a long moment, it seemed like Thor might ignore the plea and leave with his brother. But then, with a heavy sigh, he nodded. His grip on Loki relaxed, and he let go, allowing Loki to slump to the floor.
The tension in the cabin immediately eased. Tony, now standing again, rubbed his shoulder and grumbled, "You've got a funny way of saying hello, Point Break."
Steve stood as well, eyes still wary as he glanced between Thor and Loki. The thunder outside began to subside, leaving only the quiet hum of the Quinjet as they resumed their course.
"That was close," Rhodey muttered, adjusting his controls as the Quinjet steadied itself from the earlier impact. Everyone straightened up, glancing around to assess the situation.
"We didn't get much from him, but maybe you can," Harry said hopefully, turning to Thor. Thor's eyes fixed on Loki, and he gave a firm nod. Rhodey set the Quinjet to autopilot, glancing at the others as they quietly gathered to witness what came next.
With a swift motion, Thor threw Loki to the floor of the jet. The god of mischief landed heavily but smirked, unfazed. Thor towered over him, his expression grim, as the interrogation was about to begin.
Thor's voice was tense as he asked. "Where is the Tesseract?"
Loki, still wearing that infuriating smirk, responded with a mocking lilt. "Oh-ho, I missed you too, brother."
Thor's eyes darkened. "Do I look to be in a gaming mood?"
Loki's grin widened, clearly relishing his brother's frustration. "Oh, you should be thanking me. With the Bifrost destroyed, how much dark energy did the All-Father have to summon just to send you here? To your precious Earth?"
With a sudden thud, Thor let Mjolnir drop to the floor. The weight of the enchanted hammer caused the Quinjet to shake slightly. Rhodey turned and took back control from the autopilot as he steadied the plane. "Does that hammer weigh a ton or what?" he remarked incredulously. His quip broke the tension in the jet, causing a few stifled chuckles from the others.
By now, everyone had calmed down, watching Thor and Loki in a strange, silent fascination. Harry took a seat next to Steve and Tony, both of them leaning forward as if they were watching a show unfold.
Tony, ever the one to lighten the mood, nudged Harry. "You know, if you could conjure some popcorn right now, this would really hit the spot." His eyes sparkled with mischief.
Steve shot him with a disapproving look. "This isn't a movie, Stark. We're dealing with an actual threat."
Tony rolled his eyes. "Relax, Cap. Just trying to lighten the mood."
But the humor didn't last long. Loki's gaze flickered between his brother and the rest of the team, still scheming, still withholding the answers they needed.
Thor grabbed Loki by the arm, pulling him to his feet with a mixture of frustration and lingering sorrow. "I thought you dead," Thor exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly with the weight of the past.
Loki's smirk softened; his tone was almost curious. "Did you mourn?"
Thor's expression darkened with sadness as he answered, "We all did. Our father—"
Loki cut him off, bitterness lacing his voice. "Your father. Did he tell you the truth? My true parentage, did he not?"
The tension in the room grew palpable, and everyone listened closely to this very personal conversation. Loki's words hung in the air, laced with resentment and years of pain. Before anyone could fully process it, Tony leaned over to Steve and Harry, whispering with mock excitement, "Loki's adopted. What a plot twist."
Steve, clearly not in the mood for humour, gave Tony a stern look and whispered, "Not now, Stark."
Harry, though sharing Steve's sentiment, couldn't help but give a small, exasperated grin at Tony's timing.
Thor stepped closer to Loki. "We were raised together, played together, fought together. Do you remember none of that?" he pleaded.
Loki's smile vanished, replaced by a bitter snarl. "I remember a shadow, living in the shade of your greatness. I remember you tossing me into an abyss. I, who was and should be king!"
Thor's face darkened; his anger barely controlled. "So, you take the world I love as recompense for your imagined slights? No, Loki. Earth is under my protection."
Loki's eyes gleamed with mischief as he leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with malice. "Well, yes."
Tony raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat. "So, the invasion is just a revenge plot to take what belongs to Big Brother. Interesting."
Steve, clearly trying to make sense of it all, nodded slightly. "Isn't it strange how even these mythological figures also feel human emotions?"
Harry remained quiet, watching the exchange closely. The raw emotion between Thor and Loki was evident, but beneath it, he sensed something more, something darker. Whatever game Loki was playing, revenge might only be the surface.
Thor's voice softened, tinged with a mixture of regret and pleading. "Then you miss the truth of ruling, brother. The throne would suit your ill."
Loki's eyes narrowed as he pushed past Thor, walking away with a dismissive wave. Thor, undeterred, followed him, the desperation in his voice growing.
"I've seen worlds you've never known about," Loki replied with a cold edge, his back still to Thor. "I have grown, Odinson, in my exile. I have seen the true power of the Tesseract, and when I wield it—"
"Who showed you this power?" Thor cut him off, his brow furrowed in concern. "Who controls the would-be king?"
Loki stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around. His silence spoke volumes.
"Oh, the plot thickens," Tony chimed in, leaning back casually with a smirk. "Looks like our villain's got strings attached. Loki's just a pawn in some bigger bad guy's game."
Harry crossed his arms, his expression more serious. "We already knew that. He wouldn't have gotten the sceptre or the army on his own."
Steve, ever the soldier, straightened. "So, whoever's pulling the strings is still out there."
Loki's voice rose with venom. "I am a king!"
Thor stepped forward, his eyes burning with frustration. "Not here," he growled. "You give up the Tesseract, you give up this poisonous dream, and you come home."
Loki sneered, his words dripping with mockery. "I don't have it. You need the Cube to bring me home, but I've sent it off. I do not know where." His smirk grew wider, clearly enjoying the tension he was creating.
Thor's anger flared, and he grabbed Loki by the collar, lifting him off his feet. His voice trembled with barely contained rage. "You listen well, brother. Tell me where the Cube is, or else—"
Before he could finish, Harry swiftly stepped between the two, placing a firm hand on Thor's arm. "Thor, don't let him anger you," Harry warned, his voice calm but commanding. "We have other ways to track the Cube. Hitting your own brother won't get you what you want."
Thor's jaw clenched, his grip tightening on Loki for a moment longer before he finally let go, dropping his brother to the floor. He exhaled heavily, his frustration palpable as he turned away from Loki, running a hand through his hair. His broad shoulders sagged slightly; the weight of his divided loyalty was evident.
Loki straightened himself, adjusting his clothes with a smug smile, clearly pleased with the chaos he had stirred.
Seeing that Thor was done, Harry stepped forward. "Everyone, this is Thor," he said, breaking the tension. "He's here to help us deal with Loki and retrieve the Tesseract."
Thor, still visibly frustrated, turned to face the rest of the team, offering a tight nod of acknowledgement.
"That's Tony Stark," Harry began, gesturing toward Tony. "He's an inventor and a scientist. Captain Steve Rogers and Colonel James Rhodes are army officers."
Thor stepped forward, shaking hands with each of them. Tony gave a quick smirk as their hands met, Steve offered a firm grip, and Rhodey gave a polite nod. But when Harry introduced Natasha, Thor hesitated.
"And this is Natasha Romanoff."
Thor paused, his expression softening as his eyes flicked from Harry to Natasha. Without warning, he opened his arms and swept her into a huge, bear-like hug, startling everyone.
"Lady Potter!" Thor exclaimed, his booming voice filled with warmth and genuine joy. "I have heard so much about you from Harry. It is an honour to finally meet you."
Natasha stood frozen for a moment, her eyes widening at Thor's unexpected embrace. Harry's face, for the first time in a long while, lit up with an unguarded smile.
Tony blinked in confusion, trying to piece together what Thor had said. "Lady Potter?"
"Umm, Harry and I aren't married," Natasha replied, her voice tinged with nervousness, trying to hide her surprise at Thor's declaration.
Thor smiled warmly, shaking his head as if the distinction was insignificant. "The ceremony is irrelevant to us. You and Harry are soul-bound. That is as good as married for us in Asgard."
Steve, confused, looked between them. "Soul bound? What's that?"
Thor straightened up; his expression was joyous as he began to explain. "A soul bond is one of the most sacred and revered connections in all Asgard! It means you are tied to someone. That someone who is destined to be your other half, in this life and beyond."
"This bond…" Thor continued, "It transcends time, even death itself. It's said that when two souls are bound this way, they were once one soul, split apart at the dawn of time. And they will seek each other through every life, every world, until they are reunited as one."
Natasha's eyes widened slightly, her calm, composed exterior beginning to crack as the weight of Thor's words settled in. She turned to Harry, searching for some sign of denial or confirmation, but he was silent.
Tony, standing nearby, blinked in disbelief. "Wait… so they're like... destined to be together? In every life?" He waved a hand in the air dramatically. "That's deep, man. Like, cosmic-level deep."
Steve glanced between Harry and Natasha, sensing the sudden tension. "Does this mean you two… always knew?" he asked hesitantly.
Natasha found herself staring at Harry, her mind swirling with emotions she hadn't quite been able to name. There was something about the way Thor spoke—so reverent, so sure—that made her feel a surge of warmth in her chest. Her heart fluttered, and for a moment, she felt a kind of happiness she hadn't allowed herself to feel in a long time. Maybe this was why Harry had felt so...right.
But as the thought settled in, so did the doubt. What if this happiness wasn't really hers? What if it was just the bond influencing her, pulling her into emotions that weren't truly her own? "Do I love him because I love him, or because I'm bound to him?" Natasha asked herself.
"That's wonderful news," Tony said with a grin. "I mean, Harry doesn't even do romance in a normal way. It has to be something magical."
Thor nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, indeed. But his dedication to Lady Potter has reached legendary status, even in Asgard," he boasted. "When Harry was with us, every morning at the break of dawn and every night before bed, he would seek out Heimdall to keep vigil over Lady Potter. He was steadfast in his devotion."
Natasha's heart skipped a beat at Thor's words. "He did that for me?" she thought, feeling a warm flutter in her chest. Her emotions surged, a rush of happiness and disbelief mingling together. Harry had been thinking about her constantly, even when they were apart. It was a comforting thought.
Thor continued, unaware of the strain between the two's relationship. "There were women both here on Earth and in Asgard who tried to court him. They admired his, character, his bravery, his magic. But his resolve never wavered. Harry never gave in to temptation."
"There were Asgardian and human females throwing themselves at Harry?" Rhodey asked, clearly amused.
Tony nodded his head in agreement. "I mean, that makes sense, he is an amazing guy."
Thor chuckled. "Indeed, but Harry only had eyes for Lady Potter."
Natasha felt her cheeks warm, her pulse quickening. "He had ignored all of them...for her. "It made her feel elated and cherished.
She glanced at Harry, who was listening to Thor, clearly embarrassed by the praise. A small smile tugged at her lips as she watched him. "It felt good to know he was hers, that no one else had been able to steal his attention." But at the same time, the weight of the bond and their recent past pressed down on her thoughts.
"Which human female?" Tony asked, eyes lighting up with excitement.
Thor stroked his beard, recalling. "Ah, a Miss Darcy Lewis. She was an intern who worked for Jane Foster when I last visited Earth."
Tony wasted no time pulling up a photo of Darcy on his phone, showing it to everyone. "She's cute," he commented, then, with a smirk, added, "but not as good as our Agent Romanoff here."
Natasha felt a subtle warmth creep up her neck at Tony's words, but her attention was locked on Thor's story. Darcy Lewis? She didn't know the woman personally, but hearing her name stirred something uncomfortable within her.
"What happened between the two of them?" Tony pressed, looking all too eager to hear more.
Thor, oblivious to the rising tension in Natasha, continued, "Miss Lewis found Harry quite attractive upon meeting him and attempted to woo him." He paused for dramatic effect. "They even went out on—what do you call it—a date, I believe. They strolled around town, talking at length. And when they returned, Miss Lewis attempted to kiss Harry."
Natasha felt a pang in her chest as her heart tightened. A date? Her mind raced. Harry went on a date...and almost kissed her? She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep her face neutral, but the jealousy was there, sharp and undeniable. Even if they had broken up by then, hearing this still stung.
Thor smiled proudly. "But, as soon as Harry realised her intentions, he spelled her to sleep."
"That was close," Tony quipped. "Harry can be emotionally dense sometimes."
Natasha's emotions churned. Spelled her to sleep? A small part of her wanted to laugh at how typical that was of Harry—kind, noble, and ever so oblivious. But the jealousy lingered, curling in her gut. He went on a date. He almost let her kiss him. The logical side of her brain reminded her that they weren't together at the time, that she had no right to feel possessive.
The idea of someone else getting that close to Harry—even for a moment—left her feeling unsettled.
"What about Asgard?" Rhodey asked with a grin, leaning in as if he was about to hear some juicy gossip. "Any interesting stories of Harry turning down women there? I mean, he was literally on another planet."
Thor's eyes lit up, clearly excited to share. "Oh, there are many such tales," he began, leaning back in his seat with a grin. "Like I said previously, Harry's dedication to Lady Potter has become somewhat legendary among our people. It was the talk of Asgard—no mortal man could resist the charms of Asgardian women for long, they said. But Harry, well he exceeded expectations."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, curious despite herself. As much as she hated the thought of other women flirting with Harry, there was something comforting about Thor's pride in his friend's loyalty.
"There was Lady Sif, for one," Thor started, and Tony immediately perked up.
"Sif? Isn't she, like, a warrior goddess?" Tony asked, intrigued.
"Yes!" Thor confirmed. "Strong, fierce, and one of Asgard's finest. She took a liking to Harry. I suppose his skill with magic and combat impressed her. Once, during one of our training sessions, Sif approached Harry with clear intentions to, court him. She even offered to spar with him—something of a... prelude to wooing in Asgard."
"And how'd that go?" Rhodey asked, smirking.
Thor chuckled. "Harry, being ever so gracious, declined, claiming he wasn't one for 'sparring as a date.' And when she persisted, he conjured an image of Lady Potter in the sky, right there in the training yard, saying that his heart belonged to her."
"Smooth," Tony commented with a nod of approval. "Very smooth."
"Oh, it gets better," Thor continued, clearly enjoying himself. "There was also Astrid, the daughter of a noble family. She was known for her beauty and had turned down many suitors herself. She decided she would attempt to woo Harry, thinking that if anyone could tempt a mortal, it would be her. She even brought him a basket of Asgardian fruits"
"Let me guess," Steve said with a wry smile. "Harry turned her down too?"
Thor nodded enthusiastically. "Not only did he turn her down, but he gave the fruits to the palace staff, saying that it wouldn't be right to accept gifts when his heart was already taken. Astrid was so taken aback, she didn't know what to do!"
By now, the others were laughing, imagining Harry navigating these situations with his usual awkward charm.
"Then there was the time during one of our grand feasts," Thor continued. "Two noblewomen, known for their beauty and charm, tried to outdo each other in catching Harry's attention. One even challenged him to a dance."
"Harry? Dancing?" Steve asked, looking amused.
"Oh yes," Thor laughed. "Harry politely danced with her but spent the entire time talking about Lady Potter. He went on and on about how she would best anyone in combat, how her skills as a spy were unmatched... He made it quite clear where his affections lay. By the end of the dance, both women realised they stood no chance."
Natasha couldn't help but feel a warm glow inside as Thor described Harry's unwavering loyalty. Even on Asgard… he never forgot about me, she thought.
"And the most impressive of all," Thor continued, his voice swelling with pride, "was the mage captain, Eira. She is famed for her bravery and beauty, and many warriors sought her favour. She once approached Harry and offered him her staff—a great honour in Asgard. But Harry, true to form, thanked her kindly and said, 'I already carry the most powerful weapon in my heart.'"
Thor paused, letting the weight of Harry's words sink in.
Tony let out a whistle. "Wow. Talk about dedication."
"Indeed," Thor agreed. "And that, my friends, is why Harry's devotion to Lady Potter became the stuff of legend in Asgard. Many doubted a mortal could withstand such temptation, but Harry proved them wrong time and time again. His loyalty became known far and wide. Even the All-Father himself respected it."
By now, Natasha felt a mix of pride, warmth, and a strange tug of sadness. Harry's dedication had been unwavering—even in the face of temptation from powerful, beautiful women from a whole other realm.
Thor, oblivious to their strained relationship, finished his tale with a satisfied nod. "Lady Potter, you have captured a rare soul indeed."
Natasha smiled, though her thoughts were still tangled. She couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her, knowing that Harry had always chosen her—even across realms, even with the allure of Asgardian women.
As Thor finished his story, Loki chuckled darkly from where he was sitting. The sinister sound cut through the lighthearted atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention toward him. His eyes gleamed with mischief.
"It seems I know something that none of you on this craft know," Loki said, his voice dripping with malice. The corners of his mouth curled into a smug grin.
The team exchanged wary glances. "And what exactly would that be?" Tony asked, leaning forward with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. The others mirrored his unease, unsure of what Loki had in store.
Loki's eyes flicked to Harry and Natasha, watching them both closely before he spoke. "You all think your dear Harry is such a good friend, such a noble soul. But tell me, what kind of friend hides something so important from those he claims to be close to? A year… They haven't been together for more than a year now."
A stunned silence fell over the Quinjet. The news hit like a shockwave. Harry's face paled, while Natasha stiffened in her seat, her eyes narrowing at Loki. Everyone else sat frozen, processing the information.
Tony raised an eyebrow, his usual humour completely absent. "What do you mean… a year? What the hell is he talking about, Harry?"
Loki's smirk widened, sensing the tension rising. "Yes, your so-called friend here never bothered to share that little detail, did he? Not even after Agent Romanoff here," he motioned toward Natasha with a flick of his hand, "tried to apologise. He didn't accept it. Not one word of forgiveness."
Thor looked shocked, his brow furrowing as he turned to Harry. "Is this true, Harry? You've not mended your relationship yet?"
Harry opened his mouth to respond, but Loki wasn't finished. He leaned in, eyes glinting with cruel satisfaction. "And Agent Romanoff… oh, she has been keeping busy. If you think she's still the same agent you once knew, you're sorely mistaken. Since her rejection, Agent Romanoff has become a killing machine, with unnecessarily brutal executions in all her missions. Some even have started to call her The Mistress of Death."
Natasha's fists clenched, her face hardening as she shot Loki a withering glare. But the damage was done. The room, once filled with camaraderie, now felt tense and heavy. The weight of Loki's words settled over them all like a thick fog.
Steve, always the first to react to these kinds of truths, turned to Natasha. "Is that true? Is that what's been happening?" His voice was low, full of concern, and Natasha could feel his gaze cutting through her.
Natasha's chest tightened. Loki had hit a nerve—her fear of how the team would see her now. "I… I handle my missions," she said curtly. She however didn't meet Steve's eyes.
Rhodey broke the silence next. "Mistress of Death?" he repeated, incredulous. "The US army have heard the rumors but we weren't so sure."
Before Natasha could respond, Loki chuckled again, revelling in the chaos he had caused. "You see? Even now, there are cracks forming. You call yourselves a team, but you know so little about one another. Secrets kept, emotions buried deep. How long before those cracks break you apart?"
Harry's jaw clenched, eyes darkening as he glared at Loki. "You've said enough, Loki. This is between us, not for you to manipulate."
Loki raised his hands in mock surrender, but his smirk remained. "Oh, but I'm merely the observer, Wizard. It's not my fault if your precious Avengers are built on a foundation of lies and half-truths. After all, what kind of leader withholds such simple information from his own allies? Are you truly their friend, or just a name on a roster?"
The words stung. Harry could feel the weight of the team's gazes on him, questioning. Doubting. Natasha could feel it too—those judging eyes, wondering if what Loki said was true. Wondering if she had really become the monster Loki claimed her to be. While everyone's attention was focused on Loki, they failed to notice the gem in Loki's sceptre glowing briefly as the minds of this rag-tag group swirled in thoughts that were directed by Loki's malicious words.
Author's Note:
While going through the movie, I didn't find anything I wanted to change in the last two chapters. The Loki vs Cap fight and the Thor and Loki meeting. Obviously, with Harry there and the investment we have made in character relationships, there was no need for Thor and Tony to fight. Hence I wanted to have the theateresque scene between the two brothers with an audience. Tony quipping, Steve being serious, etc. Also, Harry using legilimency is one of those comments that everyone has. He can just use it to find out everything. They don't have mental defences, etc. But that's going to shorten the story considerably, and what's the fun in that? Hence, I let the mind stone erect barriers on Loki's mind to hide it from Harry, while at the same time hinting at something larger at play (Thanos). Then there was the Thor greeting. I had lots of fun writing that. Yes, we have seen Harry being angsty and sad and cold with Natasha. But at the end of it, he still loves her. He recognises and accepts the bond. And having shown the sad side and then having a third party who is well, someone as joyful as Thor, to recount all the incidents of Harry showing that love and dedication with an undercurrent of pain for Harry and Nat... 'Layers of story telling I tell you. It adds so much depth to these characters. Tony quipping in and all that. I mean if they hadn't broken up, this would have been such a wholesome moment. Yes, it's a trope and all rom-coms do it, but like I said, the break-up just adds a layer to that trope. Then, Loki's speech at the end. If you want to know where he got all that info from, Mind Controlled Clint. Loki is planting those seeds of deception and breaking everyone's bubble. He questioned Harry's intention by saying if he didn't talk about the break-up, then what else did he have hidden? To trigger that discord because Harry is already the glue that binds the team together, and with him gone, so is this team. And it's implied, but just in case you miss it in the next few chapters, the mind stone is manipulating their feelings and emotions to feel more hostile. I was excited for you to read how the team finds out about the break-up, because, well, I knew the Loki reveal was going to be awesome. hehehehe.
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