The temporary residence S.H.I.E.L.D had arranged for Thor was a charming villa, complete with the cover identity of a high-level agent.
As he arrived, Thor planned to convince Natasha to stay for a bit. But as they reached the front door, he saw Maya Hansen waiting for him, arms crossed. Natasha gave him a knowing, amused smile and excused herself.
"Who was that?" Maya asked, eyeing the door.
Normally, Maya was too straightforward to feel threatened. But Natasha was stunning, even mesmerizing, and her arrival had Maya instantly on alert.
Thor chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Nothing like that. Remember the girl we met before leaving Earth? She's grown up now—she's one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top agents."
Maya's suspicion faded. "You really have an eye for talent. So, ten years ago, you already knew she'd become that beuty? And I suppose you approached me back then because you saw potential in Extremis, right?"
Thor nodded, serious now. "I often see potential in people before they even realize it themselves. It helps me plan things early, to make the right moves. Natasha is one example… and so are you!"
He thought of Betty Ross as well. Though her role had been minor in the future he knew, she had untapped potential that could lead her to become something more.
"But you should know," he added with a grin, "I have principles. Even if I met the future savior of the universe, I wouldn't betray someone I genuinely cared about for beauty's sake!"
"Ugh!" Maya rolled her eyes, bursting into laughter. "If you could just say something serious without ruining it with a joke, I might actually believe you're a prince charming. And let's not forget—when we first met, you were more of a 'fat house' than a prince."
The tension broke, and they relaxed, swapping stories from the night before.
Maya admitted she'd revisited her hometown, hoping to see familiar faces. But after so many years, she'd found that everything had changed. With no family or friends left, it felt like her life had been erased. Even her sudden disappearance back then had barely caused a stir, thanks in part to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intervention.
When it was her turn to ask where Thor had been, he didn't hide anything. By now, Maya knew what it meant to be close to Thor. As Asgard's prince, he had plenty of admirers vying for his attention.
That night, Betty Ross called Thor, her voice slightly embarrassed as she apologized for falling asleep mid-conversation. After her apology, she invited him to see a new horror movie.
Thor accepted, and soon the two of them were seated in the dim theater. Generally, when a man chooses a horror movie, it's often seen as an excuse for closeness. But when a woman chooses it, well… it's usually a signal she's open to further connection.
As the God of Thunder, Thor wasn't exactly afraid of zombies. Things that fall with a single hammer blow, he thought with a grin. But Betty wasn't so fearless. At every jump scare, she clung to him tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.
After the movie, they returned to Betty's house, where they shared a glass of wine. This time, she drank sparingly and stayed sober. Blushing slightly, she looked up at him, leaning close with a mischievous smile.
"If you leave again tonight," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm going to start wondering if you prefer men."
Thor's heart raced. Does that mean…?
Tonight could be the night…
Just then, there was a loud, untimely knock at the door.
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