Harry arrived back at his house and went to Natasha's room. They had much to discuss. He knocked on the door softly, hoping not to wake her if she was already asleep. No answer. Resigned he decided to go to his room and get some sleep.
When he opened the door to his apartment, it was to find Natasha waiting for him on a couch. "Oh, hi." He said lamely.
"Were you hoping to avoid me tonight?" she asked with a smirk.
"Actually I was just down at your room. I wanted to speak with you about a couple of things that were said tonight." Harry sad.
"What a coincidence, so do I." Natasha returned.
"Okay." Harry said, sitting down across from her on another couch. She rolled her eyes, got up and sat next to him.
"There is no reason to distance yourself, Harry." Natasha said, "I am the same person I was yesterday."
"I know. I was more worried about your reaction to my story." Harry said, staring into the fire that Natasha must have started.
"Well then, how about I begin." At Harry's nod, she continued, "This is private so I hope you will keep it to yourself."
"Of course, Natasha." Harry promised.
"Okay, let's start with what you know about the Black Widow Program. You tell me and I'll fill in the blanks where I can." Natasha said. She seemed nervous, so he put an arm around her, and she relaxed a little.
"I know that it was a program to indoctrinate and train children from a young age to become spies and killers. Besides that I know where it took place. Not much else." Harry said.
"It was hell," she said softly, "We were trained in everything from weapon handling to ballet. Control and precision. How to get a man's attention to let down his guard so we can take advantage of their weakness."
"Thus the Black Widow spider." Harry said, nodding.
"Exactly. And like the black widow spider," here she halted.
But Harry continued, "You were forced to mate with and kill your prey." she was not looking at him, so he took her chin in his hand and forced her head to him. Then he kissed her and said, "You are not a victim. You are the strongest woman I know and you are mine. I won't let you go unless that's what you want." He knew her insecurity. She feared he would reject her because she was dirty, tainted somehow. "I marvel at the fact that you held on to your heart through all that. I have seen strong people go through less and wilt. But you are a rose blooming in the winter. A miracle that should not happen, but did."
She looked at him as if he had just taken hold of her worst fears and destroyed them with his magic. For a moment, she felt his conviction and his heart and it shone on her like the sun. He did not reject her because of her ugliness, but accepted her in spite of it. He seemed to think that she was still somehow pure, that her heart was what mattered, not her body or past. Her face felt wet. Confused she reached up and found tears running from her eyes and as if the realization opened something up, her emotions flew out and she started crying for the first time in many, many years.
She cried for her loss, for her fears, for her pain and for every victim that ever begged for mercy. And through it all, Harry just held her. He did not move, but to rub her back and encouraging her to 'let it out'. And she did. She cried and she shook as horrors upon horrors visited her behind her closed eyes. But she knew she was safe. There was at least one person who knew and he would not let her succumb to her own personal dark history. The fact that he obviously knew darkness himself made it all the more impressive.
He accepted her as she was, covered in blood, ledger dripping, with the monstrous past she had hidden from all. And he still smiled at her with those wonderful eyes still seeing hope in her, when she was finally through the worst of it sometime later.
"I won't be dissuaded by your past, you know. I care only about your present and future. I can see you are trying to outrun your past or redeem yourself for it, but leaving it behind is as simple as a choice. You won't become that again, will you?" Harry asked, his eyes seemingly piercing her own, a soft glow in them, one she had not seen before. It was kind and welcoming, not anger and rage.
"No," she said, suddenly certain of it. And she wouldn't, couldn't go back to who she was. If Harry could have a dark past and become who he is, then there was hope.
"And with that choice made you are a new person. You no longer have to fear your past or hide from it, because that was someone else. Someone who died the moment you made the choice." Harry said sincerely.
She could see he believed in her without an ounce of doubt. "I don't deserve you." she said softly.
"Let's finish your story. When you hear mine, you might change your mind." Harry said and suddenly there was doubt in his eyes, not about her, but himself.
"Okay." She took a breath and wiped her face, before sitting straighter. "When our graduation came, we were told to fight and kill each other. So that they would only have the strongest one of us left. I was good and killed most, but not all. There was one girl, who had cared for me when I was in pain and injured. She was scared and didn't want to fight. I protected her. When they came for us, they took her away and told me if I ever failed, they would kill her and so I did what I did to protect her.
"There was an operation afterward, where they made it so I could never have children," she paused to look at Harry, who seemed sad for her, but not angry at her, "and later injected me with something they called the Infinity Formula. It keeps me strong and in my prime. Years later, when Clint came for me, he told me she was dead. I took out my displeasure," she spat the word, "on those I could get to and then I left for SHIELD.
"Tonight, when Frigga took me away, she took me to a device that she used to heal me." She looked closely at him again, looking for his reaction to her next words, "I can have children again." She was not disappointed. He smiled at her, genuine happiness for her to have the choice again and maybe something more, that she could not place, would not hope to.
"I am so happy for you!" he said and grabbed her in his arms, stood up and spinning her around. "Frigga has done something wonderful for you! We'll have to find a way to repay her!" Harry said enthusiastically as he put her down.
"Just don't ask her what she wants. Otherwise we'll be married by the next day." she smirked at him through the last of her tears.
He knew she was teasing him, but didn't care. He knew now why she had been so happy when they came back. She must have been devastated when she realised that, one day, she would not have had the option of children. "I don't know… I could do worse." he joked with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Harry! Don't joke like that! You never know who is listening, right?" she said with mock seriousness.
"Heimdall! If you tell Frigga that I said that I will turn you into the world's funkiest looking goat when next I visit!" Harry suddenly exclaimed.
Natasha laughed. "You don't have to be so adamant about not wanting to marry me!" she said through her chuckles.
"What is it with contact with Frigga that makes that subject come up so much!?" Harry lamented.
"Oh, relax. We're not ready. You haven't even asked me out officially yet." She said this like a joke, but Harry could hear an edge to her words.
"If you still want me to after my story, I'll ask you. I just didn't want to ask you before you knew enough about me. It wouldn't be right to you." Harry said.
Natasha straightened up and then, "Go on."
Harry told her his story, telling her of some of the darker things he had been forced to do and willingly went through to achieve his goals, those he loved and lost and finally and for the first time yet, what he hoped to achieve by helping them and where the information came from.
"Wait, hold on. You're telling me, that you are here to save our world and in doing so, hope to restore your own? And you're worried that I'm going to reject you?!" she asked incredulously.
"Way to summarise the current mission and skip over everything I've done." Harry said.
"Oh, you're about as dark as Bruce on a good day." Natasha had really learned to enjoy her time with Bruce. He was a seriously happy person, given the chance, and it was infectious. "Everything you did was to help someone or save people."
"By that logic, so are you." Harry returned. "At least I had a choice."
"You only think you did Harry. You are a true hero, more so than myself. Everything you do is to help people. Someone bad just noticed and held infinitely more hostages. I'm just surprised you're still sane!" she exclaimed. How could he not see himself?
"So you're saying the whole Master of Death thing doesn't scare you?" Harry asked looking away for a second, until she took his chin this time and kissed him.
"How many girls can say they are dating the Master of Death?" she asked with a shrug.
"Hold on, does that mean you'll be my girl?"
"Yes, it does!" She lunged at him and kissed him soundly, before getting up and starting to walk to his bedroom, while starting to undress. "You know what I'm wearing under this armour. Are you coming?" she asked coyly.
"Not yet!" he responded quickly getting up and running after her a smile on his face.
The next morning had the four of them sitting around the breakfast table having breakfast. Sif had been up for a while and had found Bruce making breakfast in the kitchen. She had introduced herself and asked if she could help. Bruce had been told that they had another houseguest, but had still gaped. This woman was beautiful! He had declined her offer to help, but told her she was welcome to keep him company. Then they chatted amiably until Harry and Natasha came down for breakfast.
"So, I was thinking of taking Fury his surprise today." Harry said to Bruce.
"Is it time for that already?" Bruce asked surprised. "I thought you enjoyed it."
"It takes up too much of my time." Harry said.
"Are you opening them up today then?" Bruce asked.
"I think so, yes." Harry said.
"It's going to get busy here. I might need some help in the kitchen." Bruce said.
"It won't be that bad." Harry said.
Natasha ignored them and when Sif looked at her, she just winked. Sif shrugged and decided to ignore them as well.
After breakfast, Natasha was about to show the Room of Requirement to Sif, when Harry stopped her. "I think we have to go talk to Fury. Probably a good idea to introduce Sif as well." He said.
"Okay. Should we go there now or pick up Fury's surprise first?" Natasha asked with a raised eyebrow. She wasn't going to lose this one. She refused to ask 'what surprise'.
"That's the idea. I need you to check it out first anyway. Test that it would work for what we need." Harry led them to the trunk. "Lady Sif…" he started.
"Call me Sif. It is customary here and we are friends." She smiled lightly.
"Thank you. Okay, Sif, what I'm about to show you is one of my biggest secrets." Harry said. "It must remain a secret always, or the last of my home's memories will be in peril."
"I swear to you on my life, your secrets stay with me to the grave." Sif said.
"Well… Okay then. I suppose that will do." Harry shrugged and down they went.
Harry gave the customary tour and Sif seemed less impressed than most, but then, she was from Asgard. When they got to the new room Harry had recently added for the Ashwinders, Sif said, "Fiend worms, interesting."
"You know these creatures?" Harry asked.
"Yes, you find them often on Muspelheim." she said.
"You and I are going to have a long talk and share some memories later." Harry promised.
He then led them to his artefacts room. There he showed a couple of items and once again he was displeased at the fascination with flying carpets. Once the tour was over, Harry took them to the corner where his bench was. He lifted up what looked a lot like his dragon armour, but was made from thick shiny black leather. It still had a hood and face-covering, though.
"Try this on for me and tell me your experience of it?" Harry handed it to Natasha.
She put on the jacket and pants over her clothes and it changed to fit to her form. She then put the helm and facemask up. "It's comfortable and easy to breathe in. I can see through the sides of the hood too."
"Good, say the command phrase, 'Ghost in the Night'." She did and then disappeared. "Good, walk around for me and make as much noise as you can with your feet. Harry could follow her, because he could see through his magic, but Sif was looking around for her, listening for any sound. "Awesome! That was the final test. You may return to visibility, command phrase, 'Ghost Returns'."
When she returned to visibility, she looked at Harry. "Is this for me?" Harry wasn't sure, but he thought she sounded hopeful.
"I'm afraid not. That is for the Ghost of SHIELD." Harry said. "But keep it on for now, this will be a good test for the Director."
"You're quitting SHIELD?" Natasha asked, worried.
"Not really. I'm giving them something that they can put on a Contracted individual, so they don't need me so much." Harry said. "After all, I wouldn't want to lose my handler." he said smirking.
"Good idea." Natasha said smirking too, relieved, not that Harry could see it.
"Okay, hold on a moment." Harry took out his book and went to the Mirror. "Director." Harry said at the mirror and waited.
A minute later the director's face appeared in his Mirror. "Agent Potter."
"Permission to appear in your office with guests, sir?" Harry asked.
"Hold on." Fury pressed the button to protect his office. "Go ahead."
"See you now." Harry closed the book, put it away and picked up a box. Then he took hold of Natasha's shoulder. "Sif, if you would touch Natasha's shoulder please?" she did as requested and Harry said, "Natasha, please say the command phrase: 'Ghost to Command'."
She did and the permanent two way portkey activated. They were suddenly in Fury's office.
"Agent Potter, who are your guests?" Fury was frowning. He recognized the outfit.
"Allow me to introduce you to the new Ghost of SHIELD." Harry said. "A demonstration, please?"
"Ghost in the Night." Was heard and then the person disappeared. Then, next to Fury, the person re-appeared. Fury jumped, but Harry locked his gun in its holster having expected something like this.
"Ghost, would you please reveal your identity?" Harry asked.
She took off the hood and mask. "Romanoff?" Fury asked.
"The same." Natasha said. Knowing what was going on, she removed the Ghost Gear and placed it on Fury's desk.
Harry pointed at the suit and said, "May I introduce you to the Ghost Gear," He placed the box he had taken from his Artefacts lab and placed it in front of Fury, "And accessories."
When Harry explained his plan, after answering some questions, Fury seemed relieved for some reason. Harry didn't question it. He assured the director he was still with SHIELD, just that he needed more time to work on his projects. When Fury enquired about Sif, Harry explained the situation to a degree without betraying Sif's confidence and Fury only accepted the situation because it was a personal request from Odin and Harry accepted full responsibility.
When they were done with Fury, they went to go find Clint. Apparently he and Natasha had chatted the previous day and she knew he was back from a mission. They found him in the firing range.
"Clint." Natasha got his attention.
"Hey Nat! I heard you were taking a bit of time off, babysitting your boyfriend." Clint teased.
"I am, and he is." Natasha said with a smile.
Clint hadn't expected that. He looked at Harry and warned, "You better take good care of her."
"I intend to," Harry said seriously.
Clint looked at him for a second longer, before nodding.
"Clint, let me introduce the Lady Sif of Asgard. She'll be staying at Harry's place for a while." Natasha said, indicating the warrior. "Sif, this is Clint Barton or Hawkeye. He's one of the Avengers."
"Greetings, it is good to meet one of Harry's companions." Sif said.
Clint moved to her and offered her a hand. "Same."
"Anyway, I'm here to deliver this," Harry took what looked like a leather armband with a small metal plate with a stylized 'A' on it from his pocket and handed it to Barton. "You should wear this at all times. It's a portkey that takes you to my house and back to where you started, where there is a surprise happening this afternoon. I'd like all Avengers to be there at 12PM."
"How do I activate it?" Clint looked at the armband.
"Touch your index finger to the metal plate and say the command phrase: 'Avengers' Hearth'." Harry shrugged. He didn't think they needed specialized code-phrases for this one. "To return say, 'Take me back'. Just remember magic and tech don't mix"
"You're going to love this." Natasha informed him.
"I'll be there." Clint said with a shrug. Harry seemed to be good for Natasha, as she seemed happier than Clint had seen her in a while.
They bid him farewell and went in search of Steve next. When everyone was given a band except for Thor, Harry found that he had about an hour left before everyone was to meet at his house. He needed to do something first. They returned home and Harry asked the ladies to excuse him. He went upstairs and started casting. He called for Fawkes and asked him if he could go fetch Thor. Fawkes agreed easily.
That done, Harry met them downstairs just in time for the first arrival, Steve. Of course he would be early. Harry just smiled. "Welcome to The Avengers home base!"
Steve looked up as Harry descended the stairs, "Home base?"
"You'll see." Harry said mysteriously. Just then Thor appeared with Fawkes. They greeted and Harry tried informing him of the plans, but apparently Heimdall had alluded to the meeting and some surprises already.
Bruce, Natasha and Sif showed up together. "Lunch is ready." Bruce said. Apparently the other two had helped.
"We're just waiting on Tony and..." Harry said, just as Clint showed up in a squatting stance, "Clint. Hi, welcome."
"That portkey thing will take some getting used to." Clint said standing up.
"The first time is rough. I kind of like it now. It's like a flying rollercoaster." Harry said.
"If that's what you want to call it." Clint shrugged. "Useful though. I assume I could use this for emergencies?"
"You could. Just don't use the return phrase if you were in a bad location. Rather have someone take you to base and then use the Home phrase to bring you back here. It resets the return location to the new location." Harry warned.
"I'll keep that in mind." He looked around. "Stark late again?"
"Yup." Harry said. "Let's go get some lunch in the meanwhile. Bruce prepared it and Tony knows where the dining room is."
They all went to the dining room and had some sandwiches with salad. Sif and Thor enjoyed it. 'Sandwiches must not be a thing in Asgard' Harry thought. Tony showed up halfway through. He complained that they had started without him, but nobody cared.
"You snooze you lose. Thor and Steve shared one of your sandwiches already. Next time you'll be on time." Harry said.
"I was busy!" Tony whined.
"And how many times did Pepper tell you that you were going to be late?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"Oh, shut up." Tony replied good-naturedly. "I was finalizing some things. Here," he reached into his bag and removed some cell phones. "In case Harry forgot to tell you, your electronics were fried coming here. Unless you have MI tech."
"MI tech?" Clint asked. "And no, he warned us." he reached out and took a phone.
"Magic Immune. It's also immune to electro-magnetic interference and radiation, should it be necessary. Best thing is you can put it in your bag. Exclusively available from Stark Industries and Potter Innovations for select clients." Tony bragged.
"So, what's did you call the meeting for?" Steve asked Harry. "Now that everyone is here."
"I've got two surprises set up. Once lunch is done, I'll go show you." Harry said.
Once everyone was done, they walked out and followed Harry up the stairs. Once they were on the second floor, Harry called, "Ladder," and a ladder came down from the ceiling. He climbed up it to what would be an attic. In it was an apartment. The outside walls were see-through, like they were made of glass. "Welcome to the attic. Clint, this apartment is yours. The archery range is the reason you get the biggest rooms. Come, check it out," Harry led them through a door on the side.
In it was a very large room with stationary targets set up around the room and moving ones above. Some were moving really fast. Clint moved to a bow and a stand of arrows and tested the bow on one of the stationary targets. His aim was slightly off, but he still got near the bull's-eye. Knowing how to adjust for the bow now, he next aimed at one of the moving targets.
This time he hit dead centre. The target disappeared and reappeared in a new location and the arrow returned to its starting location. Seeing the other target was still there, he aimed another shot at it and this time hit dead centre as well. The target disappeared and re-appeared in a new location as well, both arrows back in its stand. "This will be a fun place to train." he said with a genuine smile on his face. He looked at Harry. "Thank you."
"You're going to love it at night. The targets have vague outlines and you'll have to be very accurate to hit the bull's eye. If your arrows are all expended, they will all return here." Harry pointed at the stand.
"I can't wait." Clint said, excitedly. "What about broken arrows?"
"Same thing, so don't be afraid to use all your strength. The bow can handle it, since it's basically indestructible." Harry said.
Clint's eyes went to the bow. "Can I keep it?" he asked in wonder.
"It's yours. Just don't lose it and remember it's magical, so be careful with arrows that shoot tech." Harry warned.
Next they went back to the second floor and Harry revealed the north wing with a wave of his hand. It had three apartments. One for Thor, Steve and Tony. Steve's apartment had a balcony that looked out on one of a number of illusionary scenes. Every time he opened the door a new one would appear. Rainforests, the Grand Canyon, mount Everest and Fiji, all the Seven Wonders of the World and some cities with impressive sky-lines. Art supplies were just inside the door. Harry had heard that he like to sketch.
Thor's room was rather basic, but was decorated to be more… golden. There was also a large re-enforced Balcony for him to fly to and return from. There was a large hearth and one of his taps made exclusively beer. Harry warned him though that it was like the butterbeer and would return to water.
Tony's rooms were empty. Harry knew not to set it up for him, because Tony liked to do things his way. He whined a bit, until Harry pointed out he could have filled it up with statues of Tony in interesting poses, and he dropped it rather quickly.
"Okay, last surprise." Harry said and led them to the basement. "Natasha if you would demonstrate." Harry was gleeful. He couldn't wait to see their expressions.
Natasha smirked at him and started walking up and down. Everybody looked at her until a door appeared. She slid it open and the dojo was there. She walked them in and told them to wait at the door. Soon the Sensei appeared. "Very well." he said and he and Natasha demonstrated a sparring match until he knocked her on her butt again. She thanked him and led the team out again.
"I don't understand. You keep a man to train you in the basement?" Thor asked, confused when the door disappeared.
"Obviously the door transports us to a Japanese Dojo. Harry must have hired him." Tony said then looked at Harry. "I suppose I could use the exercise, but I doubt everyone here will be able to learn from him, Harry."
Harry just smirked. "Natasha?"
Natasha smiled too and walked back and forth again. When the next door appeared, it looked old and wooden. She opened it and walked into what looked like a coliseum. Around them, there were hundreds of people who were cheering gladiators who were fighting a lion.
"What the hell?!" Tony exclaimed.
"Welcome to the Room of Requirements." Harry said. "It becomes whatever you imagine or require." He then looked at Steve who was looking at the men fighting the lion and the dead bodies around the ring. "It's not real. It's all magic." Steve looked relieved. "This is our new training room. We can run simulated battles and work on teamwork."
"You made a Holodeck!" Tony exclaimed, excitedly.
"A what?" Harry asked.
"It's geek for Room of Requirement." Natasha said smirking at Tony.
"I'm not a geek!" Tony said indignantly, "I'm a nerd at worst." he finished lamely.
"That's science fiction. This is magic." Bruce said. "This is really cool, Harry." He smiled.
Everyone exited and Harry decided to show them something that he thought Thor might enjoy. The next door that appeared was made of thick metal. Harry said before opening it, "This one's for you Thor, Sif. Have fun."
When the door was opened, they stepped into what looked like a cave, lit by torches. In front of them was a Dragon, guarding a horde of gold. A Hungarian Horntail to be precise. "This will be fun," Thor said smiling. Sif following him. They soon engaged the dragon, Sif going for the head while Thor chose to go for body blows, trying to disable its legs. Thor's hammer hit the dragon many times, but its tough hide took the hits better than Thor would have hoped. Sif was doing much better, dodging and weaving around the claws and teeth, slicing shallow cuts where she hit.
The dragon was trying desperately to defend its hoard, but these people were quick and strong. It let out a peal of fire and Sif ran in close and ducked under the fire, while Thor jumped over when the fire reached him. When the fire ended, Sif jumped over the next bite and jammed her sword into the dragon's eye. It screeched and roared and swiped Sif aside with its bladed tail, leaving her sword behind.
Thor, seeing his chance ran up to the creatures head and used his hammer to drive the sword into its brain. The Dragon stopped moving instantly and fell to the ground. He and Sif were breathing hard when they returned to the door, but with elated grins. "That was very entertaining, though that tail of his almost broke my armour. It was very sharp." Sif said.
"Hers." Harry corrected,
"Hers?" Sif asked.
"I only ever faced one dragon and it was a female, so the room took that information to make it." Harry explained.
"You've faced a Dragon?" Thor asked, slightly impressed.
"Only the once. It was for a competition of sorts that I was forced to compete in." Harry said.
"How old were you?" Sif asked.
"Fourteen." Harry said with a shrug. Many eyes were on him. "What?" he asked. He knew he was lucky to survive that encounter.
"You wizards are crazy." Tony said, still disbelieving.
"It wasn't that bad. I was able to escape and defeat it on my broom. The goal was to steal an egg from her clutch."
"She was nesting?!" Sif exclaimed.
"Yeah, that didn't make it easier, but all her eggs survived and only the school building was slightly damaged." Harry shrugged leading them back out.
"So much crazy." Tony reiterated. A Dragon at a school for a competition against a fourteen-year old. Crazy.
"So, who's next?" Harry asked.
"I'll give it a try." Clint said, before turning to Thor, "Sorry about this." He walked up and down and a plain door appeared. He opened it, and before him stood six Loki's smirking at him. It took three seconds before all of them had arrows in their eyes, lying dead on the floor. "Man, that felt good!" Clint exclaimed, a huge smile on his face, lowering the bow he had brought with him. He went to go fetch the arrows, came back and closed the door. "You have no idea how much I needed that!" Then he asked, "Mind if I go again?"
Thor scowled at him, but let it go. He knew the man had issues with his brother. He still didn't like seeing him get killed. "I think Sif and I had a good enough example."
"I'd like to give it a try, if I may?" Bruce asked.
"Sure thing, Bruce." Harry smiled at him. He was still enjoying Clint's use of the room.
Bruce walked up and down until another door appeared. When he opened it, there was a rainforest in front of them. Bruce walked in and bent down in front of a peculiar flower. "These are extinct now. I once thought they'd hold the solution to my problems. But in my travels I found this clearing. The sounds of the forest and the peacefulness of this place was the first time I felt free in months, at the time." Bruce looked up at them. "This room really is amazing. I might come here sometimes, just to relax in the clearing, if that's okay?"
"No problem Bruce. Just make sure to put up a do not disturb sign, okay?" Harry chuckled.
Bruce just smiled, walked back out and closed the door. Before anyone knew it, the sound of tearing clothes was heard and everyone took a step back as Hulk made an appearance. Thor had seen this before, but Sif was stunned. That small man, just changed into what can only be called a troll.
"Did you want to play too?" Harry asked.
Hulk smirked at him, "Banner showed me. My turn." Hulk walked back and forth and a large door appeared, with a massive handle. Hulk opened it and inside there was another Hulk. "Fun." he said and walked in. The other Hulk smiled at him and then roared. They ran at each other in what seemed to be a large coliseum surrounded by people all chanting "Hulk, Hulk, Hulk!"
What followed was a brutal fistfight, with kicks and throws. All the while the 'fans' cheered for every blow.
"Poor guy must feel so unappreciated for this to be his idea of fun." Harry mumbled. If it made Hulk happy, Harry would let him have the room once a day for his fun.
"Why do you say that?" Natasha asked. She had thought fighting someone strong was something Hulk would enjoy normally.
"It's not the opponent, it's the fans." Harry explained. "For his dream to include people who scream for him and not at him, he must really feel like a monster."
"He seeks approval, acceptance." Sif said, with a sudden look of understanding when Harry sent her a sharp look. Is that what she wanted?
After the fight, which their Hulk had won, standing over his fallen foe hands raised at the crowd of cheering fans, he walked back to the door. "Thank you, Harry. You a good friend." Then he shrank down and Harry fixed his clothes and handed them to Bruce, who was smiling.
"Did Hulk just thank you?!" Tony exclaimed.
"They're friends." Bruce said as he put his shirt and shoes back on.
"Did I miss something or do you suddenly have control?" Tony asked, still stunned.
"Not control. We have an understanding. Things are much better between the Other Guy and me these days, thanks to Harry. We can talk now. I can ask him to come out voluntarily and he can cede control back to me, willingly." Bruce explained. "He finds my job boring and prefers to rest these days. He doesn't fight to come out simply to exist."
"Tony, you're up."
Tony shook himself from his stupor and thought for a second before smirking and having the door appear. When he opened the door, it was a bar full of Tony's. They were playing pool and having drinks, discussing science and runes.
He saw the room for a second, before Harry closed the door and said, "Next!"
"What?! I didn't even get to go in." Tony whined.
"I don't think you wanted to go in there. One Tony Stark is enough, thank you very much. You're also too smart. One of them would realize that they aren't real, create a mind swapping machine and take over your life. Not on my watch!" Harry said.
"But that was a whole room full of good ideas and decent conversation!" Tony said.
Harry ignored him, "Steve, do you want to give it a try?"
"I know where I'd go in a heartbeat. Unfortunately I wouldn't want to leave. Let's skip me for today." Steve said. He would make that date he missed so long ago. He was certain it would only hurt to leave.
"I understand. Now that everybody has had a chance, we can plan training sessions with specific variables and surprise ones to improve teamwork, strategy and efficiency. The Avengers House is officially in business!" Harry exclaimed. "For those of you who wish to join Natasha, Sif and I for training in the first room, we'll be doing that now. Thor, I'll be sending you back in three hours. Do with the time what you will. If anyone is interested, there's an Olympic sized swimming pool through the other door with sunshine, diving boards and everything."
Clint, Steve, Natasha, Sif, Harry and strangely Bruce stayed. Thor begged off wanting to go see his lady and Tony didn't see the point. He could exercise at home. His suit did his fighting for him anyway. Harry suspected that he was worried that he was the weakest of them all without his suit. He'd get him into the training someday.
Sensei worked them hard, claiming that they were late. Damn Natasha's mind for taking that into consideration. She was probably just miffed that Harry had disturbed her exercise routine. He did not know how right he was, but he'd endeavour to not do so again. Steve, Clint and Sif were all surprised that they were unable to best their opponents, but happy that the training seemed to hold real-life value.
Steve and Clint stuck to unarmed techniques, while Sif fought with her sword. Her opponent used a Bokken, so as not to cut her. She was surprised when her sword did not simply cut through the wooden katana and was grateful for the blunt instrument, because her instructor did not hold back. Harry had progressed to a brown belt, but Natasha's skill had her earn her first dan, so they were still two levels apart.
When all was over, Bruce had not gotten angry once. He found the katas and exercise meditative. He was at white belt still, but he had never been one for violence.
Steve was already on his third dan after the sensei tested him and Clint was a black belt with no dan.
Natasha would not let him ever live it down, he knew.
They left the dojo three hours later. Everyone thought it was a good idea to go take a shower, except for Harry who said he was going for a swim instead. Natasha changed her mind and joined him, as did Sif, which made Bruce decide to swim rather as well. He was only a man after all.
Harry pointed out the changing rooms when Sif started undressing at the side of the pool and conjured something he had seen Natasha wear before for both of them, but in different colours. Bruce and he used simple black swimming trunks Harry conjured.
When the ladies came out of the changing room both Harry and Bruce struggled taking their eyes off the women. Sif looked uncomfortable, "Can't I just swim naked? This feels restrictive." She was pointing at her chest.
"If you want both of the men to never stop looking at you, sure, but I tell you what," Natasha said, "When we go shopping tomorrow, we'll find you something that fits better. Harry isn't all that good with women's clothing and that is a little small for you."
"Thanks." Sif said.
Harry climbed the first level diving board and dived into the water. Bruce followed him. Smirking, Natasha went to the topmost one, which was rather high and dived in as well, twirling and flipping as she went. Sif followed her and went in feet first, as she had always done. She did not notice at first that her bikini top had come undone and Natasha had to tie it back on for her. They'd probably have to get her a one-piece swim suit.
After swimming lazily for a bit, Bruce spoke up, "Harry, how much weight can your diving boards carry?"
"A bit, why?" Harry asked.
"Hulk wants to try it, apparently it looks fun." Bruce explained.
"Well, let him. If it breaks, I'll just repair it, but if you want I can focus a bit of magic on it for a while to stop it from breaking." Harry said.
Bruce got out and soon Hulk took his place with a smile on his face. He leaped to the first diving platform and then the third from there. Harry expanded the diving board for him when he got up there and reinforced it. Hulk climbed onto it and jumped experimentally a couple of times as it bent underneath him. He took a giant leap and dive bombed into the water causing a huge splash and the water of the entire pool to start churning like stormy seas. When he came up he was laughing. He then proceeded to do it a couple of more times. When he was done, he sighed and Bruce was back.
"He really enjoyed that. We might need to set one up for him to permanently use, if that's okay?" Bruce asked, now just drifting in the water taking in the sun and happy that this pool didn't need sunblock.
"Sure, I'll be able to do something for the big guy. Maybe I'll make it green and put only platforms in with no ladder." Harry mused.
After an hour, they had enough. Bruce said he needed to go start dinner and check on a potion he was brewing. Sif and Natasha went to her room so Natasha could show her some girly things, which she would need for the next day. Harry didn't ask. He did call Fawkes, when he remembered, and asked him to go find Thor and return him to Asgard. He'd already had an extra hour. Fawkes seemed to enjoy his new job.
Dinner was a talkative affair. Steve and Clint had already moved their belongings and Harry told them he'd need to show them where the house was, so they could find it. Apparently having instant transportation and bags of holding helped their move. They were discussing what they would do in the Room and strategies they had used at times, which turned into funny stories and anecdotes. There was laughter and enjoyment all along the table and Harry felt at home.
After dinner, Harry showed them the secret of the house's location, and then one last surprise, his own personal bar, separate from Marauders. This one was called 'Vengeance!' It was hidden in plain sight on the first floor in the north wing. You had to tickle a pear to get in. Harry had thought it appropriate.
There were taps for beer and butterbeer, with actual beer in the cold cupboards. There was also wine, whiskey, firewhiskey, vodka, juice and even some shooters. Everything was stylish and available and in easy reach. There was a pool table, a foosball table and a darts board. Everybody had a drink and Clint enjoyed his first firewhiskey.
Natasha was showing Sif how to play pool. Steve and Bruce were watching, they would play a doubles game after Sif had learned. As always there was the old argument about bar rules and old rules. And then the game was on. There was some up-beat music playing from behind the Bar and Harry was playing bartender. He loved seeing his friends unwind and have fun. Next time he'd invite Tony, but for tonight it was for the permanent residents.
Clint, having decided his accuracy would spoil the game for the others sat by the bar. When the others were fully engaged in the game he asked, "Hey, Harry. How much trouble is it setting up this hiding spell you have on your home?" he tried to look nonchalant.
"Our home, and not too difficult, why?" Harry asked back.
"If I told you I wanted one set up for me personally and some others, would you need to tell anyone?" Clint asked.
"No, Clint. If you need a place protected, you came to the right place. What do you need it for?" Harry asked again.
"I can trust you with this?" Clint asked. He did trust Harry, but it was his family. He needed to make sure Harry understood the importance.
"Do you want me to swear an oath I cannot break, at the cost of my life, should I break my word?" Harry asked seriously.
"No, no. I just need to make sure you understand the importance." Clint said. He thought about it for a second and then decided to just come out with it, "I have a family. I want them safe."
"Done. Do you want to go now?" Harry asked, getting up from his stool.
"No, we can go tomorrow. Enjoy your big night. I can see you're enjoying the atmosphere." Clint said in relief. It seemed Harry was taking it seriously. "Could I also ask for a Portkey to them? I don't see them as often as I'd like."
"Sure thing. Can I trust your family with my secrets?" Harry asked in return.
"They won't tell anyone." Clint said honestly.
"If anyone finds out about me, who I am and what I can do, they'll hunt me to the ends of the earth. This is my life we're talking about, so I'll trust you with it as you trust me with them." Harry said seriously.
"That actually makes me feel better. If you're as invested as I am, it'll just add a layer of protection." Clint said.
"Tomorrow then?" Harry asked, lifting his glass.
"Tomorrow." Clint clinked glasses with him and drank. "This is really good stuff." he said looking at the glass.
"Tony, Bruce and I figured out the recipe. We'll be marketing it soon." Harry smiled.
"You'll be rich soon, then." Clint said.
"I already am. It's just a plan for a decent stable income." Harry shrugged. "That, and now I don't have to worry about using the last of the stock I have."
"Wouldn't want that." Cliff said with a chuckle.
"Hey Clint, can you teach me how to use a bow?" Harry asked. "It seems fun."
"It is, and sure, I can teach you sometime." Clint said with a smile.
"Cool."