The New Houseguests – Thor

Drabble series of various Avengers interacting with Shepard after the events of the Shepard and the Soldier. Character/relationship-development centric.

"" = talking

'' = inner thoughts

After what seemed like no time at all, Shepard and James were approved to participate in Avengers sanctioned missions with the rest of the team. Their training had been more of a refresher or getting-to-know-your-team exercise than a legitimately intensive regimen as neither of the two had skimped on their physical upkeep. Shepard had been personally offended at how much her muscle memory and reflexes had atrophied from her brief stint as a civilian. It was galling, if grudgingly expected that Shepard would not have been able to maintain her previous level of skill outside of her former combat oriented environment. She'd still been formidable, but by N7 standards Shepard knew she'd fallen below the average benchmark.

Now, she was back in the game and stronger than ever. Natasha's training and Shepard's bullheaded determination had seen to that.

In the meantime, Stark had been working with James in crippling the hold Hydra still had over the Soldier. The genius had modified a set of earpieces to block out all outside noise while still functioning as James' communication line to the team. Shepard and the others had initially been concerned about how the manufactured loss of hearing would impact James' fighting capabilities, but the man had proven time and again that his situational awareness was more than superior enough to make up for the loss. It had also helped when Clint had taken it upon himself to mentor the former Hydra asset on how best to remain aware of one's surroundings without relying so heavily on hearing.

Shepard was relatively certain the two had entered into some sort of unholy alliance judging by the frequent smirks and conspiratorial glances she now witnessed between the duo. She kept her suspicions to herself when she saw Bruce exasperatedly examining his now green dyed locks and heard Tony ranting about how someone had stuck googly-eyes on all of his bots, which they then adamantly refused to let him remove. She even remained silent in the face of Steve's ire at having his entire wardrobe replaced with patriotically patterned outfits (underwear included). But as soon as the troublemakers decided to shift their focus to her, Shepard vowed there would be swift and merciless retaliation. The Commander was almost looking forward to it.

Oddly enough, Shepard's first mission with her new team had nothing to do with Hydra. Though the Nazi-affiliated organization was their current priority, it was not the only threat the Avengers were responsible for pacifying.

JARVIS had picked up readings of Bifrost activity (in a relatively unpopulated area, thankfully) that required the immediate intervention of the Avengers. Reports from the nearest areas had made concerning mention of lights, explosions and isolated incidents of lightning (despite the cloudless skies) from the location in question. Clearly, Thor had returned – trouble in tow. The team had been dispatched as backup for their wayward ally.

By the time the quinjet had arrived, it was clear why the Asgardian prince was having trouble. He was pitched in a losing battle against five others (three of which Clint had grimly identified as Thor's friends) with only one fighter protecting his back.

"I'm really starting to question the Asgardian definitions of 'family' and 'friends.'" Clint drawled sarcastically, idly twirling an arrow through his fingers.

"We don't know anything about the situation yet." Steve pointed out, brows furrowed. "Focus on taking them down and out of the fight. Non-lethal measures only. We'll sort out this mess with Thor after. I'm sure he has an explanation. In the meantime," Cap turned to Bruce and motioned to the opening hatch at the back of the aircraft, "I think it's time for the Hulk to play peacemaker."

Bruce snorted softly and placed his glasses on the seat before heading down the aisle. "That'll be a first." The scientist snarked in amusement.

"Don't knock it 'til you try it, Brucie Bear," Tony interjected wickedly, "besides, nothing says cathartic like cooperation through incredible violence. Big Guy's been getting antsy lately anyway. Now go, shoo, have fun pummeling our resident indestructible alien gods."

Bruce shot Stark one last glance through abruptly acid green eyes before giving an uncharacteristically feral grin and leaping from the jet. Tony answered with a thrilled laugh before securing his faceplate and following the green behemoth into battle. An earsplitting roar heralded the arrival of the Hulk into battle while Iron Man was shortly heard verbally riling up his combatants over the comms.

Cap sighed in exasperation before turning to the remaining team. "Hawkeye, Widow and Shepard, you'll be our eyes and backup. Drop Shepard and Clint off at a good sniping point and you," he pointed at Nat, "keep to the skies. James, you'll be with me on the ground. Let's go." Steve then began to make his way to the back of the quinjet, James not far behind him.

"They don't actually expect us to jump off from this high up, right?" Shepard murmured incredulously to Clint as she watched her two idiots jump.

Both Clint and Nat snorted before Clint shot Shepard a disbelieving look. "Fuck no! I like life, thanks. J, take us down to something more reasonable, would you?" Clint directed at the AI operated controls.

JARVIS' voice crackled to life over the speakers. "Your impeccable sense of self-preservation is always appreciated, Mr. Barton. I do wish the others shared your common sense." The AI sighed long-sufferingly.

"Hah. You and me both, buddy." Shepard echoed fondly.

With the Hulk on their side, there hadn't been any question of the Avengers losing the fight, even when one of their enemies turned out to be a magic user. After everyone had been defeated and subdued, Thor had graciously identified the unknowns as Amora and Skurge, two of Asgard's more well-known criminals. The alien prince had proceeded to explain the enchantress' disturbing and persistent obsession with him, and how she'd intended to forcibly coerce his companionship (again) by bewitching his friends and holding them hostage. She'd managed to ensnare Fandral, Volstagg and Sif before her plot had been discovered. Upon being discovered and confronted by Thor and his remaining companion, Hogun, the sorceress had attempted to flee with her henchman and brainwashed hostages, only to be caught and forced to fight Thor on Midgard.

Amora sat bound throughout Thor's explanation (thank god Stark had worked out how to make magic suppressing cuffs after Loki), shooting the lot of them particularly venomous glares. However, the sorceress' apparent anger at being bested wasn't quite strong enough to mask her panic at being cut off from her powers. It was likely not an issue she'd experienced often and certainly not at the hands of Midgardians. She was also likely not reassured by the fact that her hold over her hostages had broken as soon as Steve had slapped Stark's cuffs over her wrists. With no leverage, no powers and an unconscious henchman, Amora found herself thoroughly defeated.

The Warriors Three and Sif were quick about escorting their new prisoners back to Asgard for incarceration through the Bifrost. Hogun in particular had been insistent about a visit to the healers to confirm that there were no remaining magical compulsions within the minds of his friends. Thor had opted to stay, as Heimdall had informed him of the Avengers' plans to confront a powerful enemy and the Asgardian wished to participate in their campaigns. He eagerly accompanied the Avengers back to the Tower where the heroes proceeded to relax and catch and up with their errant team member.

It was almost an Avengers tradition by now for everyone to have a drunken night in whenever Thor deigned to show up again. Shepard was slowly warming up to the idea while James seemed to have embraced the custom wholeheartedly.

"So you're Thor. Not like a call sign, you're genuinely Thor?" James' mouth gaped unattractively as he drunkenly interrogated the god. Steve and Natasha may or may not have been taking advantage of the situation by recording James' inebriated antics. Shepard would have to remember to ask for a copy of the video later.

"I was unaware that there were any foolhardy enough to take up my name in jest," Thor responded jovially, eyes twinkling with mirth, "but yes, I am Thor. I know no other title by which to introduce myself to you." The god gave a hearty laugh as his drink sloshed in his impressive grip.

Shepard found herself mesmerized by the unconscious flexing of the Asgardian's arms. She was torn between feeling inadequate and appreciative of the formidable musculature. 'Jimmy Vega, eat your heart out.' Shepard thought dreamily.

"Earth to Shepard," Stark rudely interrupted her fantasizing, a knowing smirk on his face, "you know the saying don't stare at the sun too long? Same rules apply to the muscles, us mortals aren't worthy enough to gaze upon them." The genius sighed mock-dejectedly around the relaxed grin on his face.

Shepard shrugged unrepentantly, eyes still glued to the Asgardian. "Don't shame me, Stark, nothing wrong with looking." The genius snorted in disagreement at her comment.

Even as she admired the aesthetics of the god-man sitting before her, Shepard's thoughts were whirling around the implications behind Thor's claims. Though thrilling in the way that great tales always were, his elaboration of the relationship between the Asgardians and the Jotuns with Midgard reminded Shepard uncomfortably of the relationship between the protheans and the ancient asari. Almost all mention of Midgardians was incredibly condescending if they were mentioned at all. And though Thor himself seemed like a decent man so far, Shepard couldn't help the tiny seed of concern that had taken root in her mind. The insidious thought that maybe Thor saw them as little more than intelligent animals, much like the characters in his tales.

'How much does Thor really care about humans,' Shepard wondered, 'when their lives were barely a blink compared the life of an Asgardian? His people didn't have the benefit of living among shorter lived species like the asari and krogan did. There was no fostering of mutual relations between Asgard and Earth. Why should he care about a primitive species so quick to live and die? It certainly didn't sound like his brethren held 'Midgardians' in high regard. Or any kind of regard, honestly.'

Shepard came out of her musings to find everyone in the room staring at her. Thor in particular appeared upset about something.

Shit, but she'd always been a cynical and talkative drunk. Had the Ryncol Incident taught her nothing? "I just said something out loud, didn't I?" Shepard said resignedly.

"Aye." Thor intoned gravely, expression vaguely pained as he looked at her. "You accused me and my people of belittling Migardians." He paused as shame briefly flickered over his features. "And you would not be wrong."

Immediately Shepard attempted to do some damage control. The rest of the Avengers watched in morbid anticipation as she dug herself a deeper hole. "No, just – shit, I know being drunk isn't an excuse for what I said but don't take it personal, Odinson – "

"Nay, Lady Shepard." Thor interjected, face unbearably sad. "Though unintentional, your words carried truth. One that took me far too long to realize." The god trailed off, gaze averted. "I had not realized our prejudices were so obvious in even our stories. How could I have been blind so long." He chuckled self-deprecatingly as he hid his face in his empty hand.

Shepard desperately looked around the room for an ally to help cheer up the resident Asgardian but was met with nothing but awkward avoidance and idle amusement. 'It was nice to know the rest of her team was just as emotionally stunted or sadistic as the average vorcha.' Shepard thought uncharitably.

It was James' pointedly accusing stare that urged Shepard to make another attempt to salvage the situation. 'Spirits, but she was such a disaster, why was she ever allowed out in public?' Shepard despaired.

"Are you still? Blind, I mean?" Shepard asked bluntly. She could already feel her sober self's embarrassment over her drunken bluntness. James certainly wasn't shy about expressing his secondhand shame, based off of his overly exaggerated expression of dismay at her words.

"I like to imagine not." Thor rumbled as his hand slipped down his face. "I am trying – but there is so much I never noticed before, so much I took for granted. And the Midgardians are not the only ones to have suffered under Asgardian prejudice. It is…a painful thing to confront – that your own people have erred grievously."

"Well, there you go then." Shepard unsteadily waved her drink in his direction, considering the matter settled. She dutifully ignored what sounded suspiciously like a face-palm in the background.

"I beg your pardon?" Thor glanced at her quizzically, puzzlement temporarily overtaking his depression.

"Spirits, but I hate having these kinds of discussions over – well, spirits." Shepard glared blurrily down at her drink in betrayal. "Look Odinson, knowing about a problem is half the battle. Because now you're looking for it and thinking about how to fix it. And that's a helluva lot more than most people with your peoples' views could claim to be doing." She huffed in frustration and downed the rest of her drink before standing up on suddenly wobbly legs. "Now, I think I'm gonna turn in for the night before I unintentionally attack anyone else's culture or beliefs. Good night." She waved curtly over her shoulder as she stumbled in the direction of the elevator.

"Lady Shepard!" Thor called insistently.

She paused to turn and give the god her attention.

"I look forward to fighting alongside you. Truly, you are wise and generous beyond your years. You have my gratitude." He raised his drink to her solemnly, a small smile twitching beneath his beard.

Shepard snorted. "We'll see if you still feel that way once the booze wears off." The elevator pinged as it closed behind her.

Unable to withstand the awkward silence that descended upon Shepard's exist, Tony blurted out, "What the hell is a krogan and asari?"