90 La Décision

Harry and Natasha, now dressed in their Earth clothes, approached Jane’s chambers as the Asgardian healers were doing their final check-up after the Aether's long and delicate extraction process. The Aether had fought back, but their centuries of expertise had prevailed, and now it was safely removed from Jane’s body.

Jane lay resting on the bed as the head healer finished her check-up. Once she was done, she turned to Natasha and Harry with a nod of approval.

"She is free of its corruption. Her life force remains intact," the healer confirmed.

Natasha scanned Jane and asked. “Any side effects?”

"Some fatigue, but no lasting damage," another healer reassured her. "She is stronger than we expected."

Harry smirked. “You’d be surprised what Midgardians can endure.”

The old healer chuckled, which would have been unthinkable when they arrived. "So I have learned."

Once the Aether had been successfully extracted, Odin wasted no time sealing it within the vault. But it would not remain there for long. Odin had already arranged for its relocation. However, it was a decision that once again put him at odds with Thor.

"We have defended Asgard from threats beyond comprehension," Thor had argued. "We can protect it here!"

But Odin had dismissed the notion with a simple decree: "It is dangerous to store two Infinity Stones in one place." Two stones in Asgard’s possession would make it a beacon for those who sought ultimate power. And with Thanos already eyeing the Tessaract, Odin would not risk it.

Thor had left the throne room in frustration, but even he had no counterargument. His father’s wisdom, infuriating as it was, could not be ignored.

On a separate note, Jane’s recovery had gone better than anyone had expected. She still felt weak from the extraction, but to everyone's relief, there were no lingering side effects from housing the Reality Stone for so long.

"Looks like Jane might secretly be a being of immense power," Harry had joked to Thor. "Maybe you should be the one worried about keeping up with her."

Thor had chuckled, but there was an undeniable truth to it; few mortals could have endured what Jane had and walked away unscathed. Even the Asgardian healers had murmured about her resilience, and though they did not say it outright, she had earned a level of respect few Midgardians ever had in Asgard.

Still, Natasha had made sure to confirm it with her own eyes. Leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, she raised an eyebrow at Jane. "So, you’re good? No weird reality-warping side effects? You’re not going to spew red tendrils randomly, right?"

Jane smirked. "No promises."

That was enough for Natasha.

With the final medical inspections completed, the healers had given Jane permission to return home. Their time in Asgard was finally coming to an end.

Once Jane and Thor were ready, the group made their way to the throne room. The previous night’s farewell feast had been lively, filled with laughter, stories, and more mead than should be legally allowed. But now, with all their business in Asgard concluded, it was time to return home.

At least, that was the plan.

The first sign of trouble came when Harry and Thor, the servants, came to collect the luggage. Trunks, chests, intricately woven bags, even what looked like a gilded weapon rack. Several Asgardian servants were struggling under the sheer weight of the haul, grunting as they tried to load it all properly.

Harry blinked. "Are we... moving all of Asgard to Earth?"

Natasha, standing beside Jane, simply shrugged. "What? You expect us to visit an alien world and not take souvenirs?"

Jane, not the least bit guilty, added, "Some of these are scientific samples. Do you know how these devices might advance Earth’s technology?"

A particularly overburdened servant lost his balance, tumbling backwards with a dramatic oof as an ornate chest nearly crushed him.

Harry sighed. "I should’ve put a weight-reduction charm on all this."

Natasha smirked. "Oh, please. You’re a wizard, and Thor’s a god. Between the two of you, you can carry a few extra bags."

Thor gave her a flat look. "‘A few’? Woman, you are attempting to smuggle an armoury back to Midgard."

Natasha crossed her arms. "Hey, Frigga said I could take whatever weapons I wanted."

Harry just shook his head, trying not to laugh. "I should’ve known this was going to happen."

The second sign of trouble came when the throne room was unusually quiet. Unlike the usual grandeur and courtly formality, today’s gathering was a private affair. The royal court had been dismissed for the day, allowing the farewell to be an intimate exchange rather than a spectacle.

At the far end of the hall, Odin sat on his throne. Frigga stood beside him while Loki stood off to the side. There was a certain hesitation in the way he held himself, as if he wasn’t sure whether he belonged here or if he even wanted to be here.

Of course, he knew why he was here.

Frigga had insisted upon it. Until he was deemed fully trustworthy, he would remain under her watchful eye. His movements were restricted within the palace. Still, the arrangement sat uneasily with him. Freedom granted with conditions was still a cage.

As the group finally reached them, Frigga smiled softly and gestured for them to step forward.

"Come," she said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Let us bid you farewell properly."

Thor stood at the centre of the hall as he built the courage to speak with his father. He had faced gods and monsters, and yet, this moment felt heavier than any battle.

Odin regarded him carefully from his throne. “The realms are at peace,” he said. “What can Asgard offer its champion?”

Thor exhaled. “My life, Father,” he said, voice steady but tinged with hesitation. A flicker of sadness crossed Odin’s face.

“I cannot be King of Asgard.” Thor’s declared. “I will protect Asgard and all the realms with every breath I have, but I cannot do so from that chair.” He turned, meeting Loki’s gaze. “Loki, for all his faults, understands rule in a way that I never will.”

Loki’s brows lifted, his surprise genuine. Thor, of all people, was acknowledging him?

Thor continued. “The weight of a crown, the sacrifices it demands… they change a man. I would rather be a good man than a great king.”

Odin exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Is this my son speaking?” he asked. “Or the woman he loves?”

Jane stiffened, caught off guard by the question. Her cheeks flushed.

Thor, however, smirked. “When you speak, Father, do I never hear Mother’s voice?” he countered smoothly.

Frigga let out a soft chuckle, amused. Odin sighed again.

Thor pressed on. “This is not about Jane. She does not know what I came here to say. If you forbade me from seeing her or if you allowed her to rule at my side, it would change nothing. My choice is my own.”

Odin studied him for a long moment, as if searching for some trace of hesitation. Finding none, he spoke.

“One son who wanted the throne too much,” he murmured. “Another who refuses it. Is this my legacy?”

Thor didn’t flinch. “The Nine Realms have known peace longer than ever before,” he said. “That is your legacy, Father.”

Silence.

Then, slowly, Odin nodded. Accepting, if not entirely approving. If Thor would come back to claim his birthright, he did not know. However, as a father and a king, he knew that Thor would have to make and live with such decisions in the future. Maybe, once the mortal had passed away, Odin hoped that Thor would come back. Till then, as a father, Odin could only acknowledge his son's decisions.

Thor lifted Mjolnir, presenting it to his father as an offering.

Odin didn’t move; his gaze flickered to the hammer, then back to Thor. “If it belongs to anyone,” Odin replied, “it should be you. If you are worthy of it,” he said, dismissing the idea with a wave of his hand.

Thor swallowed, bowing his head slightly. “Then I shall strive to be.”

A heavy pause. Then Odin straightened in his throne. “I cannot give you my blessing,” he declared. “Nor can I wish you good fortune.”

Thor’s expression didn’t falter. “I know.”

“If I were proud of the man my son had become,” Odin added, softer now, “even that, I could not say.” A beat passed. Then, with the slightest nod, he finished, “I would speak only from my heart. Go, my son”

A flicker of warmth passed through Thor’s expression. He smiled.

“Thank you, Father.”

Jane stood frozen, eyes wide as she processed what had just happened. She had known Thor was struggling with his place in Asgard, but she never expected this. Harry and Natasha, standing to the side, gave Thor approving thumbs-ups, Natasha even flashing a smirk as if to say, Not bad, big guy.

Jane, however, wasn’t sure how to react. “Are you really coming back to Earth?” she asked, her voice quieter than she intended. “You’d truly give up the throne… for me?”

Thor stepped closer, “I would give up the throne because it is not where I belong,” he corrected gently. “But you… you are where I belong.”

Jane swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. “I don’t want you to regret this,” she admitted.

Thor chuckled, the warmth of his laughter easing some of her tension. “The only thing I would regret is not spending my days with you.”

And before she could come up with another reason to doubt, he leaned down and pressed a firm yet tender kiss to her lips.

Frigga cleared her throat softly, breaking the moment between Thor and Jane. As he turned to her, she stepped forward, placing her hands gently on his broad shoulders. Her gaze shimmered with unshed tears, pride and love written across her face.

“I am proud of you, my son,” she said. “Proud of the man you have become.”

Thor’s expression softened. He reached up, brushing away the tear that slipped down her cheek with the back of his fingers. “And I am the man I am because of you,” he murmured. “Thank you for everything you have taught me.”

Frigga smiled, though there was a wistfulness in her eyes. “Take care of yourself, okay?” she instructed, her voice carrying both warmth and quiet worry.

Thor gave a reassuring nod, his usual grin tugging at his lips. “I will,” he promised.

She held his gaze for a moment longer before pulling him into a firm, lingering embrace. When they finally parted, Frigga exhaled softly, composing herself, but the love between them was unmistakable.

Frigga then turned her attention to Jane, who was nervously fidgeting with the hem of her top. Noticing this, Frigga’s lips curved into a knowing smile.

“Um…” Jane started awkwardly, clearly unsure of what to say in the presence of Asgard’s Queen.

Frigga tilted her head playfully. “You’ve spent weeks in Asgard, stood before royalty, and yet I still seem to make you nervous,” she teased lightly.

Jane let out an embarrassed chuckle. “Well… yeah. You’re you,” she admitted, waving a hand as if that explained everything.

Frigga chuckled, a warm, motherly sound. “I hope for the best for both of you,” she said sincerely, reaching out to gently take Jane’s hands in hers. “Take care of my son, and yourself.”

Jane nodded quickly. “I will. I mean—we will.” She shot a quick glance at Thor, who was watching them tenderly.

Frigga gave her hands a reassuring squeeze before releasing them. “Good.”

Then Frigga turned to Harry and Natasha, her gaze lingering on Harry with fondness. “Do not stay away for long this time, apprentice,” she scolded gently, though her eyes twinkled with amusement.

Harry chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll try, I promise.”

Frigga raised a knowing eyebrow. “You always say that.”

Natasha smirked. “Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’ll drag him back here if I have to.”

Frigga let out a soft laugh, then turned her gaze to Natasha. “And you, dear, don’t be a stranger. Asgard may be a kingdom of gods, but even we could learn a thing or two from mortals like you.”

Natasha inclined her head respectfully. “I’ll come when I can.” Then, with a playful glance at Harry, she added, “You know, to make sure my idiot doesn’t get himself killed.”

Frigga chuckled. “Good. Someone needs to keep him in check.”

Harry sighed dramatically. “Great. More people ganging up on me.”

Frigga gave him a motherly pat on the cheek. “Only because we care, dear.” Then Frigga looked deeply into Natasha's eyes. "When you are ready, come find me."

This caused Natasha to be confused; she was about to ask, but Frigga interrupted her. "You will know when you have to. " Natasha nodded back unsure of what Frigga had offered but she stored it in the back of her mind never the less.

Once everyone had said their goodbyes, Thor turned back to Odin. He hesitated for a moment, glancing at Loki before steeling himself. “Father, if I may make one last request.”

“Speak.” Odin replied with a wave of his hand.

Thor took a deep breath. “I think you should train Loki to be King of Asgard.”

Silence filled the throne room. Loki’s eyes widened, Frigga’s breath hitched, and even Odin seemed momentarily taken aback.

“I will consider it,” Odin said after a pause. “But he will have to prove to me that he is fit to rule, that his ambition is not a hunger for power but a desire to serve.” His tone was firm, but there was no malice.

Loki turned to Thor, stunned. “You… want me to take the throne?” His voice lacked its usual sarcasm, replaced instead by something raw and unguarded.

“If you are worthy, maybe,” Thor replied earnestly. “I’ve had my time in the spotlight. Now it’s your turn to show what you can do, Brother.”

Loki searched Thor’s face, looking for deception but found none. For once, Thor was giving him an opportunity, not standing in his way. Loki swallowed, then straightened. “Then I will prove myself,” he declared, his voice steadier now. “I will prove that I am worthy.”

Frigga beamed, pride and hope shining in her eyes. The bridge between her sons, had begun to mend.

Thor gave Loki one last nod before stepping back toward Jane, Natasha, and Harry. “Then do it well, Brother. Asgard deserves the best.”

Loki, for the first time in a long while, had no witty retort. He simply nodded.

After Thor’s declaration, the group made their way to the Bifrost. The palace servants had already transported their belongings, ready to be sent to Earth with them.

Heimdall stood at his usual post, his ever-watchful gaze meeting each of them in turn. His golden eyes lingered on Thor a moment longer, as if silently acknowledging the choice his prince had made.

Harry gave Heimdall a respectful nod. “We’re ready. Can you send us to Avengers Tower?”

Heimdall inclined his head. “Of course.”

Before activating the Bifrost, he turned to Thor. “You will be missed, my prince,” he said. “But I suspect your path is not one that will keep you away for long.”

Thor smiled. “You know me well, old friend.”

Heimdall then shifted his gaze to Jane, Natasha, and Harry. “All of you have left your mark on Asgard. I will keep vigil over you and make sure that you are always safe.”

Harry, gave a small bow. “We appreciate it, Heimdall.”

Heimdall raised his sword and placed it into the machine, the Bifrost roared to life. Swirls of cosmic energy surged around them, and within moments, the light enveloped them completely.

With a brilliant flash of swirling light, the Bifrost deposited them onto the rooftop of Avengers Tower. Thor took a moment to adjust, blinking at the skyline of New York. “We are in New York but weren’t we supposed to go to London?”

Before anyone could answer, a gust of wind rustled their hair, and the distinct voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. greeted them.

“Welcome back, Ms. Romanoff, Mr. Potter,” the AI said smoothly. “Dr. Foster, you have several missed calls from Dr. Selvig and Ms. Lewis. I will inform them of your return. While Mr. Potter, I would recommend you contact Agent Coulson as soon as possible. He might just declare you MIA again. And Thor, your presence has been recorded for the first time in Avengers Tower. Shall I prepare accommodations?”

Thor looked up, frowning. “I thought I would be living with Jane in London?”

Harry chuckled, fishing into his pocket. “Yes, but not quite," he trailed off, holding out a small metallic key.

Thor looked down at it, puzzled. “A key?”

Harry smirked. “Yeah, I know it’s unnecessary. The whole place is automated, with biometric security, voice recognition, and all that Stark-level fancy tech. But I figured you deserved a proper welcome.” He gestured toward the key again. “This is a physical reminder that you have a place here, with the Avengers. While you have an apartment with Jane, you are also a part of our family. ”

Thor took the key slowly, turning it over in his fingers. It was small, ordinary by all accounts, but the meaning behind it was anything but. Asgard would always be his home, but Earth was where he had chosen to be.

“I do not need a throne to protect the realms,” Thor said, more to himself than anyone else. “But to have a place here, among friends… that is more than I could have asked for.”

Jane, standing beside him, smiled warmly, slipping her hand into his. “Well, you better get used to it, because you’re officially an Earth guy now.”

Thor looked at her with a grin. “Then I shall use this key with pride.” He tucked it securely into his belt, patting it as if it were an honored weapon.

Natasha, watching the exchange, crossed her arms with a smirk. “Just don’t forget to carry all of our stuff inside. You might be a god, but a lady never carries her bags.”

Harry chuckled. “Speaking of which…” With a flick of his wand, their absurdly large pile of luggage floated into the air, much to Jane’s relief. “Let’s get this inside before Tony sees it and starts making jokes about Natasha’s shopping spree in Asgard.”

As they walked toward the rooftop entrance, Thor glanced back at the sky, his expression unreadable. Natasha caught the moment and nudged his arm.

“What’s up big guy?” she asked.

Thor exhaled. “Nothing just, for the first time in my life, I step away from Asgard’s throne without knowing what comes next. It is… new.”

Harry nodded. “That’s kind of what life on Earth is all about. You figure it out as you go.”

Thor glanced at him, then at Jane, who squeezed his hand reassuringly. “Then I shall look forward to the adventure.”

With that, they stepped through the entrance into Avengers Tower, leaving behind the grandeur of Asgard and stepping fully into their future on Earth.