84 Interlude

When Natasha stirred from her sleep, she instinctively tensed. The bed beneath her was too soft while the air carried the faint scent of enchanted oils. It was unfamiliar and unfamiliar meant danger. But then, she sensed a familiar heartbeat against her back. There was also the comforting weight of an arm draped protectively over her waist.

Natasha let out a slow breath as her muscles uncoiled, as she sank back into his embrace. Her instincts might tell her to be on guard, but here, wrapped in his arms, she didn’t have to. She nestled closer, pressing herself into his warmth, fingers idly tracing the hand resting over her stomach. The world outside could wait. Just for now, she was safe.

Sensing her movement, Harry pressed a lazy kiss against the top of her head to signal her that he was awake too.

“When did you get into bed?” Natasha murmured sleepily.

Harry exhaled softly. “Honestly? I don’t remember. Time in Asgard moves differently than on Earth.”

“I noticed,” Natasha said, shifting slightly to look at him. “A lot happened yesterday. It feels like I lived through an entire week in just one day.”

Harry hummed in agreement. “It messes with your sense of time at first, but you’ll get used to it.”

Natasha scoffed lightly. “Right. Because I love feeling like I’ve aged a year in twenty-four hours.”

Harry chuckled, his fingers tracing lazy circles along her back.

“I heard you showed Sif who’s boss,” Harry said with amusement.

Natasha smirked. “It was only a friendly spar.”

Harry snorted. “Yeah, and Tony doesn’t still hold a grudge against Rhodey for taking his suit.”

Natasha rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. I wasn’t trying to humiliate her.”

Harry raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because from what I heard, she couldn’t even land a single hit on you.”

“That’s not my fault,” Natasha said innocently. “I was just giving her a fight that would make her respect me and my skills. I assumed she’d at least graze me once.”

Harry chuckled. “Nat, you dodged her attacks so effortlessly that half the Einherjar watching are probably considering you an Asgardian legend now.”

Natasha smirked, resting her chin on his chest. “What can I say? Turns out ‘mere mortals’ can be very annoying to immortal warriors.”

Harry shook his head with a grin. “You didn’t just beat her, you made her question her entire fighting style.”

Natasha gave an exaggerated sigh. “Well, maybe next time she won’t underestimate Midgardians.”

Harry smirked, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

Natasha chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart, you passed that test a long time ago.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Are you two decent? Do you guys want to go for breakfast?” Jane’s voice filtered through the door.

Harry and Natasha exchanged amused glances before reluctantly pulling themselves out of bed. A few minutes later, they stepped outside, finding Jane waiting with an look.

“Finally,” Jane teased. “I was starting to think you two won’t be coming out at all.”

Jane then dragged Natasha to the grand dining hall while Harry followed them amusedly. In the hall, a table was spread with an assortment of rich, mouthwatering foods. The scent of freshly baked bread, spiced meats, and sweet fruits filled the air.

Golden platters held warm, crusty loaves of bread with their surface glistening with a light brush of honeyed butter. Beside them sat delicate cheeses, some sharp and aged, others soft and creamy, practically melting at the slightest touch.

There were bowls of thick, velvety yogurt drizzled with golden nectar and topped with jewel-like berries. Deep purple, crimson, and sapphire blue, bursting with sweetness. A selection of grilled white meat, seasoned with fragrant herbs and seared to perfection, released an irresistible aroma that made Natasha’s stomach growl.

Thor arrived just as they were settling in. “Ah, I see you have discovered the finest breakfast Asgard has to offer.” He grinned as he clapped Harry on the back before reaching for a chunk of bread. Jane rolled her eyes as Thor’s theatrics.

Natasha sampled the yogurt first, the thick, creamy texture melting on her tongue as the sweetness of the honey balanced the slight tang. She hummed in approval before stealing a piece of warm bread, spreading it with a rich, nutty cheese that paired perfectly with the grilled meat.

Jane, meanwhile, had gone straight for the fruit, popping a deep red berry into her mouth. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “This is good.”

Thor chuckled. “That, is a frostberry. It grows only in the northernmost mountains of Asgard. A delicacy.”

Jane nudged Natasha. “Okay, I’ll admit, royal treatment does have its perks.”

Natasha smirked, taking a slow sip of what seemed to be a spiced cider. “I could get used to this.”

Harry grinned at her. “Then how about we make the most of the day?”

Natasha raised a curious eyebrow. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”

Harry’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “A little adventure.”

As they finished their meal, Thor leaned back in his chair and turned to Jane with a warm smile. “I wish to show you more of Asgard today. There is much I have yet to share with you.”

Jane blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before a small, pleased smile spread across her face. “I’d like that.”

Thor stood and extended a hand to her, which she took without hesitation. Harry, meanwhile, turned to Natasha. “What do you say we do a little exploring of our own?”

Natasha leaned back in her chair, arms crossed as she considered him. “What exactly do you have in mind?”

Harry smirked.

After finishing breakfast, Harry led Natasha outside, where a magnificent white Pegasus awaited them. Its pristine coat shimmered under the Asgardian sunlight, and its massive, elegant, and feathered wings twitched slightly as if eager to take flight.

Natasha reached out, running her hand over the creature’s strong neck. The Pegasus huffed softly, then nudged her shoulder in response, almost playfully.

“I thought Pegasi were from Greek mythology, not Norse,” Natasha remarked, glancing at Harry with curiosity.

“They are,” Harry confirmed with a small smile. “Odin told me they were a gift from Olympus to Asgard.”

Natasha’s hand stilled for a moment. She turned to face him, eyes narrowing slightly. “Wait. Olympus exists?”

Harry shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Apparently.”

Harry then proceeded to mount the Pegasus and pulled Natasha up so she can sit in front.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Natasha asked, glancing at Harry as she adjusted her grip on the Pegasus’s reins.

Harry didn’t answer right away. Instead, he simply smiled the kind of mischievous, knowing smile that always preceded something exhilarating.

Then, without warning, he gave the Pegasus a light kick.

The winged horse neighed and took off, its powerful legs galloping across the stone courtyard before leaping into the air. Natasha let out a surprised gasp as the ground fell away beneath them. The wind whipped through her hair as they ascended, soaring high above Asgard’s golden spires. The city stretched below them, its grand halls and winding streets basking in the morning light. The rainbow bridge shimmered in the distance, reflecting brilliant colors across the sea.

Harry expertly guided the Pegasus in a smooth arc, descending just above the Silent Sea. The creature’s hooves barely skimmed the water’s surface, leaving ripples in its wake as they raced across the glassy expanse. Natasha’s breath hitched at the sight, it was surreal, almost dreamlike, as if they were dancing on the ocean itself.

She turned to Harry, eyes alight with excitement. “Okay, I’ll admit, this is amazing.”

Harry grinned. “Told you to trust me.”

Natasha scoffed but couldn’t fight the growing smile on her face. The feeling of weightlessness, the sheer freedom of flying, it was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She tightened her grip on the saddle as the Pegasus angled upward again, lifting them toward the endless sky.

Harry guided the Pegasus toward Medina’s bustling market, the vibrant heart of the City of Asgard. The moment they landed, stable hands rushed forward, bowing slightly before leading the royal steed away with the utmost care. The air was thick with exotic scents of spiced meats sizzling on open grills, the floral sweetness of mead, and the faint aroma of incense burning from ornate brass lanterns.

“Medina is mostly famous for its nightlife with taverns, music, revelry,” Harry explained as he led Natasha past towering archways draped with silken banners. “But during the day, the market is just as lively.”

Lively was an understatement. The moment they stepped deeper into the bazaar, vendors sprang into action.

“My lady, behold the finest silks in all of the Nine Realms!” called a merchant, unfurling a shimmering deep-red fabric, its golden embroidery catching the sunlight. Another vendor shoved a delicate silver circlet toward her, proclaiming, “A beauty such as yours deserves nothing less than a crown.”

Before Natasha could respond, yet another merchant interrupted, waving a tray of dazzling gemstones. “Forget that cheap silver, my lady! These are star-crystals from Alfheim itself. Only the most radiant for you!”

The next few minutes were a whirlwind of enthusiastic haggling, exaggerated flattery, and a growing number of parcels in Harry’s arms. Every vendor was determined to outshine the others, thrusting their wares forward with grand gestures and dramatic storytelling.

As they moved along, Natasha found herself sampling all kinds of exotic street food. Skewers of golden-grilled meat, dusted with fragrant spices, practically melted in her mouth. A vendor offered her a delicate pastry filled with something tart yet sweet, bursting with a flavor she couldn't quite place. Nearby, Harry was downing horn after horn of mead, his magical metabolism letting him drink the potent honeyed brew without consequence. Natasha, ever the cautious drinker, only took a sip, savoring the taste before smirking at Harry’s reckless indulgence.

“Should I be worried?” she teased, watching him grab another drink.

Harry grinned. “Not unless I start singing.”

They continued wandering, their arms gradually filling with an assortment of treasures such as jewelry, fine Asgardian garments, vials of rare perfumes, and even a beautifully crafted dagger that Natasha claimed immediately. Everywhere they went, there was music, laughter, and the constant energy of a market that had thrived for Millennia.

By the time their tour of the market came to an end, Harry was practically buried under bags upon bags of clothes, jewelry, exotic trinkets, and souvenirs, looking every bit like an overenthusiastic tourist who had gone on a shopping spree.

Natasha, smirking, walked beside him effortlessly unburdened. “You do realize we’re only here for a short time, right? You’re carrying enough stuff to fill an entire vault.”

Harry adjusted the weight of a particularly heavy satchel. “Hey, when in Asgard…” he said with a shrug. “Plus I can shrink all of it and fit it in a trunk. I didn’t want to do that here because I wanted for you to have the classic shopping spree experience. We don’t know, when we will be able to do this again.”

Spotting a group of stable boys near the entrance, Harry signaled one of them over. A young, eager-faced Asgardian stepped forward, bowing slightly before taking the goods from Harry’s arms.

“Send these to the Royal Palace,” Harry instructed, slipping the stable boy a small golden coin as a tip. Though judging by the wide-eyed look of excitement, the honor of serving a royal guest seemed to be reward enough.

As the stable hands hurried off with their purchases, Natasha stretched her arms and turned toward Harry.

Natasha glanced at the Pegasus, then at Harry, biting her lip in contemplation. Drumming her fingers against her thigh she asked hesitantly, “Can I fly it?”

Harry turned to her with a grin, amused at her hesitation. “Of course,” he said easily, not even hesitating as he passed her the reins.

Natasha smirked, tightening her grip around the leather straps. Without another word, she saddled the Pegasus and waited for Harry to get on. As soon as Harry was ready, she nudged the Pegasus forward. The mighty winged horse snorted, then launched into a gallop before taking off into the skies.

The rush of wind swept through Natasha’s hair as the Pegasus’ powerful wings carried them higher.

Harry leaned back slightly, letting Natasha take full control. “You’re a natural,” he noted.

“I’ve handled a lot of wild things in my life,” Natasha shot back with a smirk. “You included.”

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “Fair enough. Where to, fearless leader?”

Natasha scanned the horizon, her eyes taking in the breathtaking sights. The golden spires of the palace reflected the light of the sun, while further beyond, the great plains of Ilda stretched like an emerald sea. Below them, winding rivers cut through lush forests, feeding into lakes so clear they mirrored the sky.

She smirked. “Let’s find out.”

With a tug on the reins, she directed the Pegasus toward the open plains, urging it into a graceful dive. They descended smoothly, the hooves of the Pegasus skimming the tops of golden wheat fields that stretched endlessly across the land. The scent of fresh earth and wildflowers filled the air as they galloped through the sky, chasing the wind.

They rode over the Ilda plains, the golden fields giving way to thick, towering forests. The air was richer here, filled with the scent of pine and blooming flora unique to Asgard. Below them, strange, bioluminescent creatures flitted between the trees, their glowing bodies leaving behind trails of shimmering light.

Natasha tilted her head. “What are those?”

Harry followed her gaze and hummed. “I think Frigga called them Star Sprites. They only come out when the light hits them at the right angle.”

Natasha watched them in fascination. “They look like something out of a dream.”

Harry smirked. “Like flying on a Pegasus through a mythical kingdom isn’t already dreamlike?”

She shot him a glance. “Fair point.”

Natasha turned her attention forward again, pulling the reins slightly to guide the Pegasus in another direction. They veered toward the Gopul River, where the waters sparkled with an almost unnatural clarity. The river snaked its way through canyons, creating deep gorges and waterfalls that shimmered under the sun’s golden light.

Feeling daring, Natasha angled the Pegasus downward, bringing them closer to the water. The horse’s powerful wings sent ripples across the river’s surface as they skimmed just above it, their reflections mirrored perfectly in the crystalline water below. The rush of cool mist from the waterfalls kissed Natasha’s skin, invigorating her senses.

Harry let out a chuckle behind her. “Enjoying yourself?”

Natasha turned her head slightly. “I’m never letting you take the reins back.”

Harry laughed in response.

They followed the river all the way to where it met the Sea of Marmora, a vast stretch of deep blue water that sparkled under the late afternoon sun. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, and in the distance, islands dotted the horizon, each one carrying remnants of ancient Asgardian ruins.

Natasha exhaled slowly, soaking in the vastness of the scenery. She then nudged the Pegasus forward again. This time, she didn’t have a destination in mind, she just let the wind and instinct guide her.

As they galloped through the sky, the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of orange, pink, and gold.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Natasha guided the Pegasus toward the towering Asgardian mountains. Below them, the golden city of Asgard began to shimmer with countless lights, its towers glowing like stars fallen from the heavens. The Rainbow Bridge stretched in the distance, while the distant fjords reflected the deep hues of the sky, now awash in purples and blues.

Natasha finally pulled the reins, bringing the Pegasus to a landing on a high cliff that overlooked the entire kingdom. The wind was cooler here, carrying the scent of pine and the faintest hint of the enchanted ores buried deep within Asgard’s mountains.

She slid off the Pegasus first, Harry dismounted behind her, giving the majestic creature an affectionate pat before murmuring a spell that let it roam freely until they needed it again. Then, he turned to Natasha, watching as she walked toward the edge of the cliff.

She stood there silently for a moment, arms crossed over her chest while her gaze fixed on the breathtaking view before them. The city below pulsed with life. Above them, the sky stretched vast and endless and a sea of stars flickering in constellations.

Natasha exhaled slowly, drinking it all in. “It’s really beautiful,” she murmured.

Harry stepped up beside her, his hands in his pockets. “Yes, it is.”

She turned slightly, watching his face as the starlight reflected in his emerald eyes. “I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had decided never to return to Earth when you were stuck here,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “Especially after our breakup.”

Harry glanced at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he huffed a small, amused breath. “And not have you back in my life?” He shook his head. “Never.”

Natasha felt something tighten in her chest—an old wound, long healed but never quite forgotten. Their breakup had been a necessity at the time, but it had left its scars.

She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. “You always make it sound so simple.”

Harry smirked. “It is simple, Nat.” He reached out, gently taking her hand in his, rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “You think I could just… stay here and move on? Even if Asgard is incredible, even if I have a place here?” He turned his gaze back to the city, the golden towers reflecting in his eyes. “If you’re not in it, then it’s not worth it.”

Natasha swallowed, warmth blooming in her chest. She exhaled through her nose, then leaned into him, letting his warmth wrap around her as he pulled her close. His arm came around her shoulders, holding her against him as they stood there, the cool night air brushing against their skin.

For a long while, neither of them spoke. There was no need to. The city continued to glow beneath them, stars continued to dance in the sky, and for the first time in a long time, Natasha felt utterly… at peace.