Stormborn

The boy, Peter, was smiling at Thor and held his hand out. It was an innocent gesture that was almost surreal amidst the carnage around them. Neither worry nor fear but a simple joy and relief shined in young Peter’s eyes. It honestly left Thor, not rattled per say, but closer to confounded and stupefied by the situation. He managed to collect himself just enough to grasp the boy’s tiny hand and shake it.

“I am Thor, young one. Prince of Asgard.” he replied. Peter’s face scrunched up in confusion, before a twinkle of excitement appeared in the boy’s eyes, and he let out a blinding smile.

“Thor? Like the Norse God of Thunder?” he asked animatedly. At his nod, the boy suddenly exploded into noisy and rapid chatter that made Thor jump slightly in surprise.

“Are you a god? Is that why you’re here? Have you come here from Asgard to save us? I honestly thought maybe Jesus would come, but you’re a god too so maybe that counts? But I shouldn’t use the name of Jesus in vain. Aunt May says it’s disrespectful to Christians. But she uses it too so I’m not sure if that’s still valid. Do you use lightning like Zeus? How about thunder, can you make it thunder out of nowhere? How about rain, can you make it rain? Do tornadoes count as part of your powers?”

And on and on the boy’s babble went like the gurgle of a waterfall, bubbly and loud and continuous, not stopping even when Thor had to throw Mjolnir to disarm and incapacitate a line of Chitauri that had appeared in the hall.

“Are you an alien?” the boy continued, uncaring for the sudden flood of Chitauri who must have seen the lightning. Young Peter simply prattled on even as Thor hid behind a thick wall to block a hail of fire from the troop. “Because I read a theory on the internet that the gods were just super advanced aliens that influenced mankind, so is that what you are? What are you doing here now? Is it just because of the other aliens trying to wreck the city? Don’t you have your mothership to call for backup?”

A stray shot went through the wall, and that was Thor’s cue to move. With nary a glance, he kicked the concrete wall in front of him, opening to the blue sky filled with smell of fire. Taking great care, he sent Mjolnir flying back where the attack came from. The sound of armor crunching mixed with the child’s continuous babble, although he did pause once the hammer returned to Thor’s beckoning hand.

“Oh man that hammer is awesome! Is it like remote controlled? Do you have a receiver in your hand or something?” Peter prodded Thor’s wrist for something, feeling the bumps of his leather vambraces and armor. He had to gently pull his hammer arm away from the boy, who kept staring at him in an unapologetically excited manner.

“Mjolnir comes to me when I command it, not through any assistance by technology.”

“Wait, so it’s magic?! So you are a god?! Or are you like so advanced with technology that it’s just practically magic to us humans?”

Thor wondered if the child could still breathe with how enthusiastic he was with his chatter, despite the very obvious danger around them. He covered the boy’s mouth, cutting him off midway. Peter made a protesting noise, which went silent at Thor’s serious gaze.

“Little one, do you have fear of falling?”

The strange question visibly perplexed the young child, who only tilted his head and slowly shook it. Thor took that as a good enough sign for him to walk up to the gaping hole in the wall, spinning Mjolnir in one hand, and adjusting his grip on the boy so that it was tight.

“Hold on to me, little one,” he told Peter. The boy just stared at him in confusion, but obeyed his command, arms and legs circling him in a secure hold.

“What are you doing?” he asked. He looked back and forth between the sky and back to Thor, to which his eyes widened.

“Wait! You’re not gonna-”

“Keep your hands strong Peter. It would not do for you to slip from my grasp.”

The little one couldn’t even get a verbal negative out before they were pulled by Mjolnir into the air. Peter screamed, loud enough to send his ears ringing, and gripped Thor’s neck and torso like his life depended on it. Which it probably did.

“THIS IS NOT OKAY!!!” Peter cried out, shaking horribly in Thor’s grasp.

“Do not fret, young Peter, we will soon be on the ground,” Thor promised. The boy simply curled further into Thor’s chest. “But for now, do not fear. For I will not drop you.”

Of course, this was exactly when a squad of Chitauri flyers saw them and began shooting. Thor let out a curse, lost in the winds, as he twisted and turned to avoid the blasts, shielding the young child in his arms. He rolled sideways to avoid a volley of blue energy that would have made him crash. He summoned a quick hail of lightning to thin the large horde. A few flyers escaped the piercing lances of electricity, still chasing him avidly.  He wondered if any of his fellow warriors were nearby to assist him, but forgot it all when he had to dive to avoid another blast. Thinking quickly, he scanned the area before locking on to a tight wedge between two buildings then quickly banked. He dove in to the small space easily, unlike the Chitauri who quickly crashed the moment they tried to imitate his move. He smirked momentarily as he continued his flight. Where was the captain and the Black Widow, or the Man of Iron? He needed to get the small lad in his arms to safety immediately.

“Look out!” Peter screamed.

There was a hiss of energy that was too close for comfort, and much too close to Peter for Thor’s liking, and he descended quickly. He tried to summon lightning again, but these flyers were a much more agile sort as they twisted and rounded around the lightning strikes. Thor would have easily destroyed them by now, but the child was still in his arms and he couldn’t turn around without exposing the child to their weapons.

‘Wretched beasts!’ he thought as one errant blast caused a spray of rubble and making Peter shout in fear. ‘If only I had a free hand, I would rip them apar-’

Lightning suddenly crackled to life behind, not from the sky, and struck the remaining flyers with deadly accuracy. Peter had a proud smile on his face as the last vestiges of energy disappeared from his palms.

“I helped!” he shouted over the rush of air. He then looked around and his eyes widened, a big smile breaking through the terror. “And we’re flying!”

Peter let out a whoop, early fear now replaced by excitement. Thor wondered if it were the child’s success in defeating their attackers, or perhaps he simply realized the exhilaration of flight. Either way, it was better than having him scream Thor deaf. The bright smile on the child’s face and the sounds of glee he made as they turned into a quieter street caused an amused laugh to escape Thor. Peter smiled wider and returned to hiding his face from the winds in the crook of Thor’s neck.

“I’m glad to see you had fun young one,” Thor told him as he slowly dropped to the ground. He kept smiling as he lowered Peter from his arms, the young boy’s infectious delight still sticking to him.

“Fun? FUN? That wasn’t just fun! That was the experience of a lifetime!” Peter practically shouted, and Thor had to shush him as he looked around to see if any of the Chitauri had followed them.

“It looks like we got them all.”

Peter smiled all proud of himself, and Thor couldn’t help but affectionately pat his head. Sure, it seemed highly inappropriate given the battle, but it was much better than the child left fearful. Rubbing the boy’s head one more time, he observed the area to see if anyone was nearby. He saw a flash of moving blue from above, and he stepped out, hailing the figure. Hopefully it was the police officers or his comrades. The large shield in his arm, was enough identification.

“Captain Rogers!”

The captain turned at Thor’s call, just having dealt a final blow to the Chitauri soldiers. He jogged to them swiftly and gave them an assessing gaze. He paused at the sight of the small lanky boy, and turned a questioning gaze at Thor.

“Thor, did you find this kid?”

He nodded, placing a comforting soldier on Peter who was strangely silent. “Yes. In a building littered with the Chitauri, the only one alive on that floor. I could not leave him alone.”

Steve only nodded, though he went tense at hearing that Peter was the only survivor, then kneeled in front of Peter and laying a hand on the boy’s small shoulder. Peter had his head tilted sideways and was staring at Steve like a young hound curious of a new toy.

“You look like Captain America,” Peter inquired. Thor could see the captain’s mouth quirk upward slightly, before he brought a hand out for the boy to shake. Peter stared at the appendage before gently grabbing it, his small hand dwarfed by the palm of the soldier.

“Yes I am,” Steve said, shaking the boy’s hand lightly.

Peter’s eyes narrowed in further confusion, then widened as his mouth fell in astonishment.

“You’re Captain America,” he mumbled quietly. And then repeated it like he could not believe what he was seeing. “You’re Captain America. Holy crap you’re Captain America!”

“Language,” Steve snapped, not heatedly, but enough for the boy to stand straight with eyes that were even wider than before.

“You’re Captain America,” he repeated in a daze. “You like just like the trading cards my Uncle Ben has!”

Steve huffed a laugh, but not letting the levity take away his concern. “You doing okay there son?”

Peter nodded mutely, softly mumbling “Oh my God Uncle Ben isn’t gonna believe this” under his breath, eyes still wide. And despite the entire situation of them being in a battle, Thor found himself slightly chuckling. Steve just smiled in exasperation and took Peter’s hand in his own and started to guide him away.

“I’m going to give you to the police,” he said. “They’re going to escort you to either the subway or basement. Anywhere that you can hide. We’ll have to be quick though.”

Thor noticed that Peter was had gone rigid, before suddenly struggling from the captain’s grip. Steve let go in surprise, and they both watched as the boy ran back to Thor, eyes wide and lips quivering.

“Yo-you’re gonna leave?” asked Peter, hand fisting his shirt nervously. At Thor’s nod, the boy latched himself on Thor’s waist, tight grip and unyielding. Thor was left astonished by the sudden changed in the boy’s mood.

“Don’t go!” he wailed. “You might not come back! You have to come back. You need to stay!”

Thor shared a wide eyed glance with Captain Rogers before turning back to the shivering child beneath him.

“I will return young one,” he comforted, carding his hands through the boy’s chocolate locks. “I must go to battle to protect your people, and your realm.”

The boy remained quivering under his palm, and he gently extricated himself from Peter’s grip to look the kid in the eyes. There was an expression of longing and fear, with his eyes shining dazed and lost but also desperate and found. It was a complex thing in the boy’s eyes, and maybe even in his mind, and Thor felt pulled by something within him. He could feel a deep and hidden thing within that was racing to stay with the boy. Thor theorized it might be the same pull that brought him to the child in the first place. Peter simply kept his gaze that did not see the present, but something else. The look reminded him of whenever Loki would go into a meditative trance and wake up with that very distant expression. There was an explosion above, and Thor instinctively covered Peter with his own. When it was clear that nothing had fallen on them, he grabbed Peter on the shoulders, still kneeling so that the boy was staring at Thor’s eyes.

“I swear on my life that I will return to you. I will help you understand what is happening to you. I will not leave you alone. But only after the battle may I stay.” His tone was deep and serious, his grip on the boy’s shoulder gentle and reassuring, as he made his promise. He silently willed for the boy to see the truth of his words. And he must have, for the child’s gaze finally returned to the present and he nodded. Thor patted his shoulder before turning his gaze to Captain Rogers, who was now busy defending a group from a couple of soldiers. Thor easily dealt with them and carried Peter to Steve.

“Please ensure this child gets to safety,” he implored. “I have to return to him after the battle. There is much we have to discuss.”

Steve nodded, questions brimming in his eyes but set aside for the battle they had to rejoin. Taking the boy to a nearby officer, Thor saw him share some words with the woman before she took Peter’s hand and dragged him away. Something in Thor clenched at the sight of the boy leaving, and it was even stronger when Peter turned his face back for a moment, eyes wide and afraid, before running with the officer away.

“Forgive me for taking long captain. Now the battle has gone on without us.”

Steve scoffed. “Nah, it’s okay. It’s not like it’s going anywhere.”

With only a grin between them, the two blonds leaped back into the fray.

The concrete ceiling rumbled with distant explosions, dust raining down like gray snow. Peter coughed as some of it landed on his face and into his nose. He wiped the dust off, although it was kind of useless thanks to his entire body being filthy and sweaty. But huddling under a restaurant while aliens destroyed Manhattan wasn’t something that would leave you smelling like a rose.

Okay, that was a bit inaccurate. It was closer to a basement or storage room, old piles of furniture and other items strewn about. He sat in the corner of the room, had been sitting there for the better part of 30 minutes, besides a cabinet that had a small alcove for him to scoot his body, giving him some semblance of space. He was silently thankful for his small kid body because the rest of the people were all adult sized and were forced to sit next to each other as the attack continued above.

There was a loud boom that made the basement shake, and the people around him whimpered in fear. Peter felt his own heart race as the dust kept falling from the vibrations of whatever chaos was happening above. His lungs did not approve of all the particulates that left him a coughing mess.  When he felt like he hacked out half of his respiratory system out, he leaned on the cool metal of the cabinet, trying to breathe in some clean air despite the continued shaking above.

“I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna die, I don’t wanna die,” a lady whispered as another explosion sounded above. The police officer that brought him to the basement made a shushing sound, but the lady just whispered louder. There was more shushing, and another woman growling at her to “Shut up, cuz you crying ain’t helping nobody”. The lady just switched to rapidly praying and mumbling. Others joined her in prayer, making a chorus of murmurs that wasn’t helping Peter’s nerves. If anything, the whimpered words of “deliver us from evil” was only making him more anxious. If he had his earphones right now, he would have been blasting Fall Out Boy and Lady Gaga on max. He tried to block out the sound and focused on relaxing, sweat collecting on his brow as the combined warmth of all the bodies in a cement room with little ventilation made it a little hard to breathe.

Something roared from above, loud and guttural yet not like the alien screech of the, er, aliens. But more like if a person shouted and it was mixed with the roar of a lion. Which wasn’t more comfortable, but Peter’s brain was filled with adrenaline and cortisol mixed with a healthy dose of ‘do not want to die’ so maybe he was imagining things. Still, it scared the crap out of everyone else, more screaming and whimpering and everyone scrambling to huddle closer to each other. The roar was quickly followed by high pitched shrieks and metal bending and crunching.

And then there was a loud clap of thunder. It was a strong ‘BOOM’ that somehow penetrated the concrete. The ceiling shook as something crashed just above their spot, meaning all the commotion was directly above their heads. More terrified noises came from the people around him. Peter might have done the same, except the sound of the thunder clap, along with the very faint crackle of energy, made the racing of his heart calm. Even from all the way underground, he could feel the strength of Thor’s lightning, a sort of power that pulled and called him, a blanket that made his nerves less frazzled. He kept his ears to the sound of the thunder, ignoring the fearful muttering around him. If he focused hard enough, he could even hear his hammer flying through the air like a speeding bullet about to tear through some alien butt. It was strangely comforting.

Actually, everything about Thor was strangely comforting to Peter. Ever since the tall blond appeared in Oscorp and threw his magical hammer, Peter felt something within him latch unto Thor. It was really weird how he just knew that the god (god with a ‘g’ or God with a ‘G’?) wouldn’t hurt him. That he just knew the strange tall guy that shot lightning and wore armor like a Dungeons and Dragons character was safe. It was the same thing that helped him defeat the aliens by barbecuing them with lightning, Sith lord style. It might have been the same thing that suddenly brought him back from the dead (which raised some interesting questions he had to think about when he wasn’t in the middle of a warzone).

The strange pull within could have explained how he felt a painful fear grip his heart when Thor had to leave. It was frightening how the thought of being separated from the prince was scarier than being left in the open. Within him he felt the thing, maybe his subconscious or his lightning he wasn’t sure, try and reach out to Thor.

‘Maybe resurrection just turned me clingy?’ he thought then shook his head. ‘No that makes no sense. Also did I even die in the first place or am I really just looking for a reason to throw the word resurrection around like I’m some Sunday school priest?’

As Peter’s thoughts swirled, the world above suddenly went silent. No thunder, no roars, no loud explosions. Just a strange eerie silence. People looked up at the ceiling, the shaking having stopped. They were wide eyed, just like Peter, surprised at the calm above them. He waited, holding his breath to not make a sound, to see if the noise would return.

It didn’t. It was just quiet. The people in the basement started fidgeting nervously, unknowing of what was happening. Desperate to know, some had started standing up and walking to the door. But a quick warning from the police officer made them stop. They all stayed like that, sitting silently as they waited for something to happen. Peter was waiting for the thunder and lightning to return.

There was a sudden crackle. Not from lightning, but from a hand held radio coming to life. The volume of the noise startled some of the other occupants, even Peter who winced at the strange loudness. The police officer grabbed her radio and quietly asked for a status update. The receiver crackled with static, but was clear enough that the message got across.

“It’s over. The things that were attacking us are dead. I repeat, the battle is over. Everything’s gonna be alright now.”

Thor breathed a sigh of relief as Loki stood silently, bound by the strong Asgardian cuffs that kept his hands tied. Even his mouth was covered, to make sure his silver tongue did not bend the will of the humans. Every precaution was taken so Loki was unable to escape. Still, he tested the cuffs and checked the locks, nodding once he was satisfied with its security. He ignored the burn of guilt at seeing his brother wearing them like a common criminal.

You could have stopped this. You should have known. Look at how you failed him.

“This brings me no joy brother, seeing you like this.” He gazed directly at Loki as he whispered, wary of how they were in an open park and were still in the presence of the other Avengers. None heard him speak, though he noticed the Lady Natasha turn slightly to him. “You left me no choice though. Now I must bring you back in chains.”

Loki said nothing, the mouth guard making sure of that, yet there was no contempt in his brother’s gaze or posture. Only the same proud grace he always had. Haughty and arrogant, despite the weight of his bindings. Loki raised an eyebrow in amusement. It sent a spike of irritation in Thor, that had stepping away from his brother and grabbing the capsule that held the Tesseract.

“Thank you my comrades.” He nodded at each one, giving a small smile to Erik Selvig. He turned back to his brother, who would have been sneering at them had it not been for the mouth bindings. He lifted the capsule to Loki, and waited for his brother to slowly grasp the handle. With one more shared glance to his brothers at arms, he twisted his side of the device, and felt the energy of the Tesseract surround them as they vanished from Earth.

The sensation of traveling through space was different with the Tesseract. While the device used the Tesseract’s energy to transport them in a manner similar to the Bifrost, it did not carry them in an array of colors and lights made of dark magic. It was smoother, the cool blue of its power cocooning them as the universe shifted around them, like they were sailing through the stars rather than travelling faster than light and through the bowels of Yggdrasil. The worlds around them moved in a blur, and soon they reappeared in the golden halls of Asgard’s throne room. Already, a retinue of guards were around them, spears shining and forms ready to strike. His father sat stoically on his throne as he watched Thor pull the Tesseract out of Loki’s grasp. The guards took that as their cue and moved as one to grab Loki by the shoulders and arms, spears glowing with energy, ready to fire, and making his brother kneel. Thor knew it was necessary, that Loki could try something to escape, yet he couldn’t help the disapproving frown to bloom on his face when he saw the treatment of his brother. Still, despite his displeasure, he did not speak, and simply kneeled in front of his father’s throne, the case with the Tesseract in his grasp.  

“I have brought him back father,” he said. “I have brought my brother home.”

Odin was unspeaking, gazing down at them with one eye burning intensely. No words were shared for many moments, only the crackle of the braziers filled with enchanted flames, the soft hiss of the guards’ spears. Even with but formal robes, Odin cut an imposing figure. Thor thought that maybe he would stay silent all through out, until the loud footfalls of leather boots and heavy steps resounded through the throne room. His golden scepter Gungnir clanged loudly on the tiles and metal of the dais as the king of Asgard stepped down.

Thor beheld a traitorous thought that it was all for dramatic effect, thunderous clanging a display of intimidation to make his captured foes relieve themselves in fear. He could imagine how seeing it would have made him and Loki laugh, his brother especially taking the time to call father “an accomplished thespian with all his theatricality” to which Thor would try to stifle his laughter even more. Mother would smile benignly while chiding them to be more respectful, and father would look displeased though hide a spark of amusement. After which, he and Loki would run from the throne room on their young legs and explore Asgard, letting their childish giggling trail behind them. But that was mere memory of a time long past, figments of a child’s dream. Reality offered no sweet visions, only a cold truth where his brother kneeled in chains like a beast for slaughter, and Thor was the hunter who brought him to his reckoning.

Thor stayed kneeling as his father got closer. The thumps of his steps, clashing with the metallic clash of his scepter on the floor, continued like an executioner’s drum until they paused in front of their kneeling figures. Thor was still and waiting command. He felt the warmth of his father’s hand on his shoulder.

“Rise my son,” he said. The hand left his shoulder and Thor stood, towering over his father yet not as near as commanding. He met his father’s gaze and saw the storm within his father’s eye. Understandable, he supposed. When has it ever been easy to see your own son in the bonds of a criminal?

“You have done your duty to Asgard, have served your king well.” Odin spoke in his kingly voice, powerful, strong, yet revealed nothing of the true emotions his father carried. “You found your brother, prevented the further destruction of Midgard, allied yourself with their warriors, and delivered a powerful weapon out of the Midgardian’s hands.”

Odin’s face was set in firm expression as he said this. Was this admonishment? Could his father not be pleased for the actions he took? Thor opened his mouth to counter, more reflexive than with any thought, but the twinkle in his eye made him pause. Then, a subtle smile appeared on his father’s face, a crinkle really, but it was enough for Thor to see it as true.

“I am proud of you my son,” he whispered, to only Thor’s ears.

“Thank you father,” Thor replied with a small smile. Odin patted him on the shoulder, before turning to his brother. And instantly, Thor saw the momentary cheer fade away from his father’s shoulders. His face turned into a frown, his grip on the scepter Gungnir becoming slightly harder, his voice coming out weary and more exhausted than he had ever heard before.

“Loki. My dear boy.”

Loki said nothing, still on his knees, no doubt angry and stewing in turmoil. Odin gestured for the guards to step away, and they obeyed with only slight reluctance. He then grabbed Loki’s cuff, and pulled, prompting him to stand. And when he reached his full height, same as Odin, he pulled back his shoulders in a visible display of indignant arrogance. Yet Odin did not anger, nay he did not bristle at the disrespect. Even more drained and beaten was what he became, even if Thor was the only one who could see. The slight hunch of his back, his shoulders not tight in grievance but of a hidden emotion, exhaustion maybe. Meanwhile Loki stood proud of his defiance. Eyes with a cold fire glowered balefully at their father. If he could speak, Loki would have let his words fly like daggers, wounding and piercing. But the silence could not stop the hatred that was practically glowing in Loki’s eye.

“What have you done my son?” he murmured. His hand rose, reaching for Loki. The other visibly recoiled, making Odin’s hand falter but not stop as it grasped the mouth gag. He skillfully opened the metal clasps and undoing the spell that bound Loki from using unspoken magic.

“Leave us,” Odin commanded to the guards. They obeyed, though Thor noted some where more hesitant. Still, they were left alone not but a few moments later. Only the sound of crackling fire filled the hall, Odin silent and waiting as Loki played with setting his jaw right. Once he was done with his act, he revealed a vicious smirk.

“Odin,” he said mockingly. “What an honor it is to be in the presence of Asgard’s king.” He bowed a jeering image, awkward due to his bindings. Odin was not amused, seen in how his frown deepened and his weariness masked by a more furious energy.

“Loki,” he growled, “your cheer is neither warranted nor wise. You are here not as a prince of Asgard, but as her prisoner.”

“Well forgive me Allfather, I never would have known given how I’m bound like a hog while your soldiers threaten me death.”

“Brother be still,” Thor warned. “Your tongue harkens for greater retribution. Don’t’ make this worse.”

Loki turned to him with rage. “Retribution? Why, dear brother how is my own retribution given thought while Odin’s is left hidden in the shadows?!” His smile was a sharp blade that split his face unseemly in both rage and mania.

His father did not allow his own composure to falter, despite Thor seeing how tense Odin had become. “Because you brought ruin and catastrophe to Midgard. Their innocent world was dragged into a war that they did not wish. You have brought death unto their shores, and war to their horizon.”

“How magnanimous of you to speak of destruction and horror as if you have not brought it by your own hand!”

A shadow passed in Odin’s eyes, then a fire reappeared within. “That is the past. A history of bloodshed I have strived to repair with peace and prosperity.”

“Peace?” Loki said incredulously. “The humans kill each other every day, create famine and ruin as they progress, bring destruction to their own world as they live the way they are now. What peace do you speak of?”

Odin did not take well to his further insolence. “Do not talk about their wellbeing like a mother about her babe. You care not for them. You care not for their world.”

Loki gnashed his teeth like a starving beast, but calmed and let a cool countenance of apathy envelope him. “That is true. They can all die like rats.”

Thor groaned, fearful for his brother, exasperated with his behavior, and still the ever present guilt of not being strong enough to stop him. Odin was more quiet, choosing to glare at Loki. For the most part, his brother did not flinch under their father’s gaze, though he could see the white knuckle grip Loki had.

“Where did you get that power?”

Loki blinked his eyes rapidly, acting as if to having been awakened from a dream. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I know what you mean.”

“He means the one who gave you the scepter, the Chitauri, the one who controlled you,” Thor intercepted, hoping that it did not devolve into
further argument. Loki did not take kindly to his words however.

“I am controlled by no one!” he shouted. He turned to Thor with anger and stepped closer as he stared his older brother down. “I am my own ruler. I am my own master.”

“Yet you bring another’s army to perform in your war. Not your own,” Odin countered.

Loki growled fiercely at the insult. He took a step forward and spat his words at Odin’s face with fury. “They are MY army! Mine! I rule over the Chitauri, just as I should have ruled over the humans.”

His father did nothing but slam Gungnir on the floor. Chains burst forth from the floor and wrapped themselves around Loki, dragging him back and keeping him still. Thor made to move, but a sharp look from his father had him pausing mid-step. Odin turned back to Loki and snarled his next words. “You ruled over them. But they are walking husks, commanded by a ship. And they have fallen like ants with no queen. You rule over nothing. Not here. Not ever.”

Loki struggled against the chains, glowing menacingly in runes and spellbinding that further weakened Loki’s grip on magic. And still, his brother struggled against them, howling his indignation.

“It is my birthright to be a king!” he shouted.

“Your birthright was to die as a child!”

His father’s words echoed in the chamber. A hush followed Odin’s angry yell. All three of them stood in oppressive silence. Thor was speechless, unable to think of words to diffuse the situation, not after what his father had said. He took a step between them, but was lost as to who he should go to. Loki ceased his struggles, slowly dropping his shoulders in a defeated posture, as his face crumpled in an uncontrolled display of sorrow.

“So you finally admit it,” Loki said in a soft voice. His eye shined with unshed tears, catching the light of the fire. “You’ve finally spoken the truth.”

“No Loki-”

“Death was always my destiny,” he mumbled, face falling as his hair covered his face. “A lost refugee, a prisoner of war, and now a criminal bound for execution.”

“Loki, stop.” Thor interrupted. Loki listened, going silent as eye filled with darker shadows. Thor ached to touch his brother, to calm his mind, help heal his heart, to pull him from the darkness. He took a step closer to him, but saw the other’s eyes flick to him instantly. The way Loki stared at him, filled with loathing and rage, eyes burning green through his dark locks, made Thor stop in his tracks. A shiver ran down his spine at the amount of spite in the other’s eyes, so unfamiliar from what he knew.

“Don’t come near me Odinson.” He said Odinson like a curse as he stepped further away in the limited distance allowed by the chains. “I don’t need your mercy. I don’t need your pity. Keep it to yourself.”

“Brother please,-”

“Enough Thor, your pleas are wasted,” his father interjected. “He does not seek your council, nor your brotherhood.”

“Finally, wisdom needed to be spoken.”

Odin frowned at Loki’s insolence, and his eyes darkened with anger. He took a step forward, letting his scepter clang loudly and echo like a gong. Loki stood in his defiance as the Allfather got closer. When he was but face to face to him a moment later, Odin stared in his eyes as he opened his mouth to a command.

“Loki of Asgard, your crimes against the world of Midgard will be weighed, and the proper punishment will be decided. Until then, you will be kept in the dungeons.”

Loki scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. “Dungeons? Will you not execute me now?”

“No.” Odin turned away and made to return to his throne. Thor stayed silent, his own emotions in turmoil as his father and brother spat foul words. But he could not help but fell relief that execution was not to come yet. Loki was just perplexed.

“Are you afraid?” he challenged. “Are you too weak to kill me, even after what you think are terrible crimes? Are you becoming senile, old man?”

“Loki! Stop it!” Thor admonished. Loki opened his mouth to say more, but Odin’s voice, weary and downtrodden, rose first.

“I cannot choose to execute you,” he said in a soft voice, “because your mother has spoken not too.”

That made Loki pause. Closing his mouth, Loki went quiet as his shoulders slumped.  Odin then turned to face them again, eye stormy with sorrow and rage.

“Do not think this the end though. I simply accepted to not execute you this instant. Your fate may still change.”

“How easy this must be for you? To throw away children like beaten weapons,” Loki whispered.

“It is not easy. Each and every time, my heart has been torn. Every single time I see my children fall, a part of me has fallen with them.”

His confession rang loudly in the quiet, Loki left speechless finally. Thor had simply remained silent, more turmoil in his heart and still just as unable to do anything. Odin turned away from them and walked back to his throne, steps slow and shoulders tense. Thor took a step to his father, seeing the exhausted posture, ready to offer any comfort needed.

And then Odin paused, grabbing for his chest. Thor saw his father tremble, his grip on his scepter gone tight. Thor rushed to his father and saw the pained expression on his face, before it faded to the same stoicism.

“Father you need rest,” Thor says in concern. Odin waves him off as he straightens again. He continued his trek until he was sitting once again on his throne, and down at Thor and the chained Loki further from the dais.

“Father. Bring out your sorrows for another time.”

“I am fine,” Odin assured Thor. “Let me say my piece.”

Thor relents. He turns from his father and back to his brother, catching the edge of a worried frown before a cruel smirk take its place.

“I see age does not become you Odin,” his brother commented.

“Have care you speak,” Thor warned. “He is your father, as much as he is mine!”

“Enough!” Odin interjected once again. “Enough. Loki, son of Odin, we shall continue this on a later date. Your fate will be decided until I see fit. Until then, you will be held in the dungeon.”

“If the axe is to be my end, then spare me the tears and just do it.”

Odin said nothing and only commanded, “Guards! Take him to the dungeons.”

Instantly, the guards walked to the throne room, grabbed the end of the chains, and pulled Loki away from the throne room. Loki said nothing more, only sending one more baleful glance before the doors slammed shut. Now alone with Thor, Odin rested his back on the seat, letting the exhaustion he hid finally appear in the slump of his shoulder. He rested their momentarily, before turning to Thor.

“Take leave my son. It is time for you to rest. You have had enough battles for today.” Thor noticed the distressed lines of his father’s face, and felt guilt that he might add more with his next words.

“I cannot father,” said Thor. “I do not wish to be another grievance, but I must return to Earth promptly.”

Odin gazed at him curiously before saying, “Promptly you say? When you have already returned?”

Thor nodded. Odin straightened from his seat to turn to Thor fully.

“Why for my son? Is it because of the mortal woman?”

“No father. The Lady Jane Foster is not the reason for my return.” Though Thor wished he could so carelessly come back to her.

“Is it your new shield brothers I wonder?”

“No it is not them either.”

“Then forgive me my son if I do not understand the necessity of your travel. Especially due to the tenuous position we are currently in.”

Odin’s face was now in the mold of a strong king, and not the tired man before. And Thor knew what his father spoke of. Ever since the Bifrost was destroyed and Asgard was forced to travel via ship, their enemies have arisen from the shadows to bear fruit of their precarious situation. Attacks had started on the Nine Realms, rumors of uprisings and marooning have been heard. Millennia had passed before the Nine Realms had fallen into chaos. And with the fiasco on Earth, Thor had no doubt that it would send a message to the other realms to attack the lands of Asgard further. He wondered if his reasons were enough to convince his father.

The familiar tingle of the boy’s magic returned to his memory, and he resolved himself to try.

“I understand the danger we are now facing, and the responsibility that we have in protecting the realms,” Thor started. “But returning to Earth has become my duty as well, for something remains on their planet that is of Asgard.”

That had Odin’s eyes sharpening as that last part grabbed his attention. “Another weapon left on Midgard?”

Thor shook his head. “No not a weapon. A child.”

Odin was an image of stoicism, leaving Thor unknowing of his true thoughts as he said, “A child? An Asgardian child on Midgard?”

“I believe so.”

“You believe so. You are not sure?”

Thor momentarily faltered, but soldiered on. “I am sure the child is of Asgardian descent. For he bears Asgardian magic.”

His father was quiet as he observed Thor through his eye.

“Impossible,” he said. “If that were true, then we should have known before. Only those with great power has can escape Heimdall’s gaze.”

“Or maybe those who had no power to begin with,” Thor countered. “The boy I saw today shared the element of the storm, just as I. He wielded lightning like spears. Yet he knew nothing of how he had done it. He was fearful yet excited at his abilities. Like a babe learning of their magic for the first time.”

Thor got closer to his father’s throne, stopping just before he towered over him, a few steps below. “I believe the child is Asgardian. And as such, he must return to our home, to his home, and learn of our ways.”

Odin stayed quiet for a long moment, and Thor was tempted to squirm under the weighing gaze of his father. He added to his statement by saying, “We both know that Asgardian magic can only be wielded by those with the blood of Asgard. And there have never been children of Earth and Asgard that shown to have these abilities. But this child has. He’s finally awakened to his powers and he has no one like him. He needs to return to his true home.”

Still, Odin said nothing. The silence stretched on for a long time. Thor was tempted even further to fill it with more words, but his father raised a hand to stop him before he could. Finally, his father rose from the throne, a height greater than Thor’s, then asked, “Beyond his abilities, have you further proof that he is what you say he is?”

Thor almost sighed in relief that his father listened, but managed to stop it in time. Taking great care and hoping for the best, he answered the question with, “I have none but the assurance of his magical abilities. But we can easily test him”

“Then that is not enough to call him our own,” Odin swiftly replied. He turned away from Thor and started walking down from the dais, away from the throne room. Thor followed, grabbing the Tesseract, racing after his father. As he finally reached him, further in the palace, he tried to explain further.

“Yet Asgardian magic can only be wielded by Asgardians, or those who have blood that gives them the strength of Asgard.”

“There are wizards and sorcerers on Midgard. They too possess the magical capacity to wield the elements, and just as freely as any Asgardian mage.”

That was news to Thor. Earth had beings capable of magic? His father noticed his surprise, and continued by saying, “I see that this is new to you. Yes, there are witches and conjurers on Earth. They use a different form of magic to ours, and their teachings use different methods than Asgard. Yet they are just as capable of achieving the feats you witnessed.”

“I did not know this,” Thor confessed, steps loud as he followed his father through the halls of Asgard.

“That you did not,” Odin replied, walking briskly. “But now you do.”

He then abruptly stopped, and Thor noticed that they had arrived at doors of his father’s treasure room. Without a word, the guards opened the doors of the treasure room. Odin dismissed them afterwards and had them close the doors as they entered, so only him and Thor remained inside. Thor allowed himself a look of the room’s contents as they walked further inside. The tall stone walls etched with runes and decorative lines, hiding the protective magic spells and the energy barriers now in place. The braziers burned low, casting the room in more shadows than orange light. Here, his father looked more menacing. Thor wondered if that was the point.

“Since you have willingly carried the Tesseract, you can do the honors of storing it here safely.”

His father gestured to one of the stone alcoves. An overhead light sprung to life and revealed and empty stand, already fitted to hold the Tesseract. He obeyed his father’s command and opened the capsule containing the Tesseract. The cube glowed brightly, cool blue chasing the dark shadows. In his hands, it seemed to hum further and with greater strength. It was then that Thor realized that he did not need his father’s permission. With the cube, he could simply will it and space would unfold itself to his will.

And what after that, he would once again unleash the Tesseract to the humans’ control.

“Why do you take your time my son?” his father asks, patient, condescending, knowing. “Place the Tesseract on where it should be.”

Thor took a breath before he listened. His hands were steady, despite the energy in him, the desire to use it and simply leave. When the Tesseract sat on the stand, a soft glow emanated around it. An energy barrier and a locking spell. With the cube secure, he turned to his father. He stood there, unhurried despite knowing how tempted Thor was. Was this another test?

“Thor, it is time for you to rest. You grow weary from your battle.”

“I told you father, I must return to Earth immediately. The boy waits for me.”

Odin slammed Gungnir on the stone floor, and prowled to his son. Thor managed to stop himself from stepping back. “And I shall repeat once more. Asgard needs you more than a single Midgardian child. Your duty is to protect the Nine Realms. Now more than ever.”

Thor could not help the frustration bubbling within him. How could he convince his father that he simply had to return?

“If you truly fear for the boy, then I can seek the sorcerers of Midgard to take him in.”

That made Thor pause. He looked at his father, looming in shadows and low light, into his eye, seeking any falsehood.

“Sorcerers? Would they be sufficient in teaching the boy the necessary skills to wield his abilities?”

Odin nodded. “They are powerful, though their methods are vastly different to ours. Still, the child shall grow in ability under their tutelage. I can simply visit their leader and leave the child to them.”

“I thought you did not care for this child?” Thor asked skeptically.

“I care for all the beings of the Nine Realms, as a king should to all his subjects.”

“Then allow me to return to him. If he is of the sorcerers, then I can go back and escort him there. No harm shall occur, and I may even provide my aid to the humans after Loki’s attack.”

His father frowned further at the mention of Loki, so Thor quickly continued.

“But if he is of Asgard, if he is one of us, then it is our duty to guide him. To protect him and raise him as he should have.”

“And how do you wish to go to Earth?” his father challenged. “The Bifrost is yet to be finished, you have yet to master wielding dark magic. Will you ask me to gather it once more? Or will you go to Heimdall? Or shall you use the Tesseract that you were so tempted to use just moments prior? Will you risk greater catastrophe all for a child?”

His father scowled in the same stoic manner, intense and daunting and all-knowing in his truth. For it was true what his father spoke. The risk was great, and Thor had to think of the other realms. It was wisdom that his father had always taught. The needs of the many before the needs of the few. The kingdom is more important. The people were the heart of a king. His greatest burden, and his greatest strength. And Thor believed it truly. Yet still.

The image of Peter’s face came unbidden to his mind. A round face with a small nose, pudgy with youth, tender with childish innocence. Large brown eyes that had twinkling stars of excitement. Smudges of dirt that did not ruin the image of youthful levity, but greatly enhance it, like the sight of a child dirtied by playing in the open fields. And tear tracks with quiet whimpers and small hands connected to thin arms that grasped him tightly, soft whispered pleas of “Don’t go”. His chest became heavy, and his heart felt captured in a vice as he entertained the thought of leaving the boy alone. He knew within him that leaving Peter on Earth was not an option.

If his father thought his travel not of worth, then Thor simply had to make it worthwhile.

“What if I become an ambassador to Earth?”

“What?” his father said.

“I shall be an ambassador. A liaison between Asgard, the other realms, and Earth.”

“And why should you do this?” Odin asked, stepping back. “Did you not listen to my warnings, or are you going to ignore me and follow your brother’s path?”

The accusation stung, and his angry tone against Loki made Thor’s chest feel heavier. But nonetheless, he soldiered on.

“I will not fall to the temptation of power. I have no need for it.”

“At Midgard, you will be more powerful than any of them. There you can be a god.”

“Father you know me truly that ruling is not my wish.”

“Yes, you simply seek the boy.” He turned away from him, dismissively. “And wish to spend your days on Earth now than on Asgard.”

“No, that is not it father!” he pleaded. “I wish to still be here on Asgard, but we cannot ignore that Earth has fallen into our fold. They are no longer ignorant, and they are no longer powerless.”

His father stayed still, and Thor hoped he could capture enough of his attention and not be dismissed.

“With my fellow Avengers, we stopped the attack of the Chitauri, an army of an unknown world. With the Tesseract, they gleaned a greater understanding of powers beyond, and built weapons that are closer to what the rest of the universe has built. They are emerging into a new age of warfare and technology and they need help in understanding it.”

“So you seek to be a benevolent teacher? To rule them as a king?”

He denied his father’s words. “Only to help, guide, and protect a civilization budding into the next evolutionary step. Not rule.”

“Was this not Loki’s wish?” he reminded. “To be a god to guide them as lowly creatures?”

Thor held his tongue from reflexively denying that he wasn’t the same, for in truth it was wasn’t it? What he was proposing was that he would help in guiding Earth into a new age. He would reveal to them the technology that can help them advance further, just as he could prevent them from creating greater weapons of destruction. It was just like what Loki said he would do. Rule over them, because it is something they need.

But Earth didn’t need a king. It needed a wise friend.

“Earth is chaotic, true. It is divided, and it is filled with madness.” He stepped forward, letting the light of the brazier reveal his face. His father turned to him then. “But we have no right to step into their world to dictate their life. We seek to foster peace. This is the way. We fear further catastrophe from the outside. Then let’s strengthen those within. We cannot see them as simpletons when they have the capacity of becoming just as, if not greater, than us. But that is their choice in the end. What we can only do is help them move on from their chaos and into order.”

“By sending you as an ambassador?” Odin asked doubtfully.

“Yes.”

Odin said nothing, the braziers burning lowly the only sound. Soon, Odin spoke.

“I know that ruling and politics is not your desire. You seek to defend our borders, bring peace instead.”

Thor said nothing, waiting for Odin to finish.

“And yet, here you are. Practicing your political skills, trying to foster peace, struggling to convince me to let you return to Midgard. All for a child. A child that you do not know.”

Thor lowered his head, unable to deny the strangeness of his conviction. Yet it settled deep in his bones that the boy was important, or at the very least connected to his homeland. And he couldn’t leave him alone.

“What prince am I if I could not take care of my subjects alone in another world?”

His father said nothing at first, until he walked around Thor, slowly. He stopped when he reached the alcove containing the Tesseract. Only then did he speak.

“I see that nothing will stop you from returning to this child.”

Thor nodded. Odin had a look that spoke of a hundred truths and a thousand secrets. Thor waited patiently for his father to respond, resisting the urge to bounce his leg like he did as a child. Then Odin let out an almost imperceptible sigh, before grabbing the Tesseract from its stand, the magic and security recognizing the king of Asgard.

“Bring the child here if you can, let him be examined by the scientists and doctors. If not, bring a sample of him that can be examined for his genealogy.”

Thor smiled at his father’s unspoken agreement. He nodded firmly, letting a smile on his face bloom. The Tesseract glowed brightly in his father’s hands, and a smoky portal appeared beside them, glowing the same faint blue but bathed in the strange mist of the portal’s ring. It was different from how he used the Tesseract prior, though he could still feel the same energy. Thor almost jumped in surprise, but managed to stop himself. His father gestured to the portal with one hand.

“This will take you to the city which you came from. I am not fully familiar with it, so you must will the specific location by yourself. Once you have found him, simply call for Heimdall and he shall inform me of where you are so I can open a portal.”

“Thank you father,” said Thor genuinely, thankful that his father listened. Odin simply nodded. Sharing one more glance with his father, he stepped closer to the portal, bringing the place he remembered the most, and stepped through.

Stepping through the portal was a different experience from using the Tesseract as a bridge. It did not have the same experience of travelling through the stars, but was an instantaneous change in location. One moment he was in Odin’s treasure room. Next he was in the balcony of Stark Tower, overlooking the horizon of the city they called New York.

“Hey Point Break! What’s with the sudden return? Missed us already?”

Thor turned at the voice, and saw his new shield brother Anthony Stark, disengaging his suit. Must have been startled by the appearance of the portal.

“Forgive my Anthony, I did not mean any harm.”

The metal face plate of his suit opened up and revealed the Man of Iron’s grimacing face. “Please never call me Anthony again? It’s super weird and just sounds way too old timey.”

“Forgive me, I meant no offense.”

“Ignore him, he’s being a big baby.” A feminine voice joined them. A woman joined them on the balcony, lacking Stark’s armor, opting for a suit.

“Pepper! I thought you were in DC?”

The Lady Pepper shook her head with a smile, and went to hug Stark.

“I was, until I saw you going through a portal in space while carrying a nuke. Somethings are more important than meetings.”

“I’m glad you think I’m worth more than the future of my company.”

“Don’t kid yourself Tony,” Lady Pepper laughed. “Somebody still has to do the actual monitoring of the business.”

Stark, or ‘Tony’ rather, chuckled and said something that had them kissing passionately. And while Thor had no qualms in seeing displays of love and affection, he would prefer to get back to his main quest.

“Forgive me Anthony, but I must bother you for your assistance.”

Stark groaned, breaking away from the kiss to glare at Thor, though lightly. “I told you Goldilocks, don’t call me Anthony. Tony is fine. Or Stark. Or genius billionaire playboy philanthro-”

“Then I require your assistance in finding a child for me.”

Tony sputtered from the interruption, but the Lady Pepper asked in his stead. “Who are you looking for Thor?”

“Peter Parker.”

Peter looked up from where he was kneeling, wathcing the very interesting (read: boring) view of a snail crossing the street to see a man in a suit looking for him. Out in the abandoned street, where the rest of the people were being escorted out of the ruins, Peter stood in the sidelines, waiting for a certain blond to return, all alone. Or at least, not anymore.

The man was standing beside a black car that was very expensive looking (was that an Audi or a Maserati?) that had the vibe of ‘Mafia Boss’ all over it. Which wouldn’t make sense because (a) why would they come out after an alien attack, (b) why would they look for Peter of all people, and (c) because he couldn’t think of another reason and things just sound better in threes.

“Hey kid, you Peter Parker?”

Now Peter was taught well by his Aunt May and Uncle Ben on what to do with strangers. If they ask for your name, ask them why. If they tell you and it’s safe, then go nuts. If its sketchy, run the other way. If they don’t tell you why, run like hell and dial 911. If they chase you, hide and call 911. If they grab you, kick them in the balls, bite their hand, run like hell, hide, then call 911. And maybe Peter was mentally preparing to book it but he wasn’t actually ready, because the man had already waked within arm distance and Peter was just staring at him. Dumb animal brain: 1, Survival instincts: 0.

“Hey. I asked if you’re Peter Parker.” Make that Dumb Animal Brain: 2, because he nodded in yes to the big, tall stranger in a suit who also looked like the goon from The Godfather (which he didn’t watch because he was a good boy and good boys don’t watch violent movies, no sir) that was asking for him, completely forgetting all the steps to ‘Interacting with Strangers’ plan that his aunt and uncle taught him.

“Ok good. I don’t wanna scare ya kid, but somebody’s looking for you.”

And obviously that had him scared and not wanting to go with him. Peter backed away immediately, which had the guy cursing and shouting “Wait I’m harmless, I’m not gonna hurt you”, which just prompted Peter to keep backing away. And he realized that crab walking wasn’t the most efficient way to run from a clearly dangerous man who was cursing. Just as he managed to stand, there was the sound of a car door opening, and Peter turned to see who got out. And then his jaw fell to the floor (metaphorically, not literally cuz that’s scary) as Tony Stark stepped out, wearing jeans and a Black Sabbath T-shirt.

Peter stopped where he was, the other man grunting a “Finally, thank God” as Tony Stark approached them. And his brain might have just fried a bit, the heat would do that to you, heat and alien radiation, because he was definitely hallucinating, or he actually died in the lab and he was in some very weird version of heaven. Yep, that was probably it.

Except the Tony Stark figment of his imagination kept walking until he kneeled in front of Peter, putting his hand on his shoulder. Peter was probably gaping like a fish, or a snake who dislocated its jaw, or maybe he wasn’t breathing and started suffering a post-asphyxiation hallucination (is that even a thing?) because this could not be real right now. Tony Stark was right in front of him and holy mother of God, sweet gift of all that is holy, and every other curse word Aunt May doesn’t want Peter to use even though she uses it herself, Tony Stark was right in front of him and Peter might actually faint.

“Don’t faint on me yet kid.”

And Tony Stark was apparently a mind reader too, though he diligently tried to follow his instruction and tried to make sure he didn’t pass out from his heart beating like crazy because Tony FREAKING Stark was in front of him.

“So are you Peter Parker?”

Peter nodded, saying “ugh” dumbly (dumbly for crying out loud!) as Tony Stark grasped his shoulder and steered him away from where ever he was going and started talking to him. Which was wow Tony Stark was talking to him, and wasn’t that wild?

“So here’s the thing kid, somebody asked me to look for you. Now this somebody is kinda a big deal. I mean he talks like a weird Shakespeare play all the time and he has no concept of most electronics, but he’s a prince and he kinda important. Also he helped us, The Avengers, which you shouldn’t know, my tongue slipped, so shhh, and he sorta part of the team and teammates help each other or something. So I kinda need you to come with me.”

Peter, child genius, youngest student of Midtown High, the kid that surprised Dr. Curt Connors, understood absolutely nothing of what he said, only saying “You’re Tony Stark.”

The other man managed to not laugh out loud at what Peter was sure was a dumb expression on his face, managing to smile brightly at him.

“See Happy?” he asked the other dude out of The Sopranos (which he also didn’t watch behind his Aunt May’s back through streaming online. No he didn’t) “I told you he’d like me.”

“Yeah Tony sure. Except Thor asked for the kid with his brain not melted after exposure to you.”

“You make me sound like I’m radioactive.”

“Well you’re something Tony.”

“Why do I let you talk back to me?”

“Because you respect me as a human being and me and Pepper and Rhodey are the only ones who hadn’t wanted to strangle you yet.”

“Jokes on you, Pepper told me she wanted to do that yesterday.”

“I meant we haven’t planned on strangling you. Imagining though, that's happened a lot.

Peter tuned the rest of the bickering out as he locked on to the one piece of information that was now very important.

“Thor’s with you? Is he back?”

The two turned to him, startled by the suddenness of his intrusion. When Tony Stark nodded slowly, Peter smiled then walked to the car, opened the doors, and took as seat at the back, looking at them patiently. Tony and the guy called Happy was just staring at him. Peter let out a huff.

“Are we going to see Thor or what?”

That shook them out of their reverie, and he was soon joined by Tony Stark in the back (HOLY CRAP Tony Stark was sitting next to him, soon leaving the street. And he was trying not to vibrate in his seat out of excitement when Tony Stark said, “Ever been to Stark Tower?”

And Peter couldn’t stop the excited squeal that came out of his mouth.