"Oh, Jane, what did you do?" Daisy exclaimed.
"I—I don't know, I just barely lifted the hammer!" Jane stammered.
"Well, just… put it down for now…"
"Okay—" Jane said, panicked. She tried to set down the hammer, but it wouldn't release her grip. It was as if her hand was glued to it.
"Don't let go of it. Stay calm. From now on, it belongs to you," came an unexpected voice.
The three turned to see a young man dressed casually in black, wearing sunglasses and holding a water bottle.
"You… you're Thor?" Jane asked, a little embarrassed, still holding the hammer that clearly wasn't hers. She felt like she'd just taken something valuable and then run into its rightful owner.
Thor didn't answer directly, instead continuing, "Only those who are worthy can lift Mjolnir and wield the power of Thor. This hammer has been with me for thousands of years, but it has never been as happy as it is now. Because you are its true master."
This was different from what happened with Natasha. When she had lifted Mjolnir, she had been allowed to borrow its power, recognized only for her own qualities. The same had been true for Captain America. But now, Thor could feel the power of thunder gradually transforming Jane's very being—making her the true Thor.
Jane felt it too. The panic had masked the sensation at first, but now that she'd calmed down, she realized that every trace of exhaustion was gone from her body. She felt a strength, a lightness she had never experienced before. The hammer seemed almost like a part of her now.
Daisy, watching in shock, blurted, "Wow, and you say he's not your boyfriend? He just handed you the most priceless gift ever, right on your first meeting!"
Jane's face went red with embarrassment. "For the record," she stammered, "I'm not sleeping with you…"
After all, she knew plenty of playboys were generous to impress girls, often with their own intentions. And Thor… well, he had a bit of a reputation, though not quite as notorious as that of a certain billionaire, Tony Stark.
Thor sputtered, nearly spitting out his water in shock. He hadn't expected this sort of comment from the serious-looking scientist.
So much for the quiet, smart type, he thought wryly.
No wonder she'd remained a struggling astronomer after all these years. People probably wanted to sponsor her research but were scared off by her bluntness. Any gentlemanly benefactor would think twice before risking his reputation! And as for those with other intentions… well, Jane Foster wasn't one to mince words.
Daisy and Dr. Erik were equally speechless.
Realizing she'd been a bit too forward, Jane quickly apologized. "Oh—sorry, I didn't mean it like that…"
Thor waved it off, smiling. "No worries. And for the record, you're not entirely wrong. I might have considered it."
Jane froze, at a loss for words.
Desperate to change the subject, she blurted, "Well, Mr. Thor, why are you here? Were you… waiting for me?"
…
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