The corner of Fury's mouth curled slightly—an expression that rarely appeared on Nick Fury's face.
Bucky stood beside Steve, listening quietly the entire time.
Once Steve finished speaking, he spoke up, his voice raspy but calm.
"Wherever Steve goes, I go."
Steve turned to look at him, his eyes filled with gratitude and an unspoken understanding.
Bucky gave a slight nod.
Fury turned toward Banner.
Banner was leaning against the car door, hands tucked into his hoodie pockets, his expression complicated.
"Director Fury," he said, "I know you mean well, but do you know how many years I've been chased by General Ross?"
Fury nodded. "I know."
Banner continued, "Do you know what I went through in those labs? Do you know how afraid I am of becoming a weapon in someone else's hands?"
Fury didn't interrupt him.
Banner lowered his head, looking at his hands.
"The Hulk... he's not someone I can fully control. Sometimes he comes out and does things I don't want to do. I'm afraid that one day, he'll hurt someone he shouldn't."
His voice was very low.
"So, I'm not suited to join any organization. I don't want to be a burden to anyone."
Silence fell.
Fury was silent for a moment before he spoke.
"Dr. Banner, I understand your concerns, but I'm not inviting you to be a weapon; I'm inviting you to be a companion."
He looked at Banner.
"The Avengers isn't an army, and it's not a lab. It's a... family. A family made of freaks, madmen, and people the World has cast aside."
He paused.
"There, you won't be a burden. You'll have a family."
Banner looked up at Fury.
In that single eye, there was something Banner rarely saw in the eyes of government officials—sincerity.
He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again.
Tony walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"Banner," he said, his tone unusually serious, "if you're hesitant, you don't have to decide right now. Take your time. Tell us when you've thought it through."
Banner looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded.
"Alright. I'll think about it."
Fury wasn't disappointed.
He knew that people like Banner couldn't be pushed.
Getting him to "think about it" was already the best possible outcome.
"Good," Fury nodded. "I'll wait for your word."
He turned to Steve and Bucky.
"Tomorrow, I'll send someone to pick you up. We'll go to headquarters for a simple registration first, and then..."
He paused.
"And then, welcome home."
Steve nodded.
Bucky stood beside him, silently watching the distant sea.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long, intertwining it with Steve's shadow, just like when they walked side-by-side through the streets of Brooklyn seventy years ago.
By the time the car left Long Island, the sky was completely dark.
Thor sat in the back row, watching the streetlights whip past the window, lost in thought.
Mavuika sat next to him, eyes closed as if resting.
Tony was driving, occasionally glancing at the back row through the rearview mirror.
Banner sat in the passenger seat, staring blankly while holding his unfinished bottle of water.
No one spoke.
The car drove through Queens and entered Manhattan. The glow of neon lights flooded in through the windows, illuminating the car in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Thor suddenly spoke up.
"Big sister."
Mavuika opened her eyes. "Hmm?"
Thor looked at her, his usually grinning face now bearing a rare, serious expression.
"That Steve, and that Bucky... are they very powerful?"
Mavuika thought for a moment.
"Steve is a Super Soldier; his physical attributes far exceed those of an ordinary person. Bucky is the same. They've undergone rigorous combat training and are highly experienced."
Thor nodded.
"So they're stronger than Kingpin's people?"
Mavuika smiled softly. "Much stronger than those people."
Thor nodded thoughtfully.
Then he said, "That Fury, he wants to organize them to protect this World."
Mavuika watched him.
Thor continued, "I think... it's a pretty good idea."
Mavuika raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"
Thor scratched his head, as if organizing his words.
"I mean, this World has many dangers. Those mortals, they are very fragile. They need someone to protect them."
He paused.
"Before, I thought the'strong' was just whoever was the most powerful. But now I understand—the strong isn't the most powerful one, it's the one who protects others."
He looked at the neon lights outside, his eyes bright.
Mavuika looked at him, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"You've grown up, Thor."
Thor grinned. "I grew up a long time ago!"
Loki's voice came from the front, carrying a hint of a lazy smile. "Before, only your body had grown up; your brain hadn't."
Thor's face flushed. "Shut up!"
Mavuika laughed softly.
The car stopped in front of the apartment building.
Tony didn't turn off the engine; he just turned to look at Mavuika.
"I won't be coming up. I have a meeting tomorrow."
Mavuika nodded. "Drive safely."
Tony smiled. "When am I ever not careful?"
Mavuika looked at him without saying a word.
Tony shrugged. "Alright, occasionally I'm not. But that's an accident."
He glanced at Thor and Loki in the back.
"See you next time, Your Highnesses."
He stepped on the gas, and the car drove off into the night.
Mavuika stood by the roadside, watching the black Audi disappear around the corner, then turned to lead her two brothers upstairs.
The night was deep.
After showering, Thor sat on the sofa in a pair of large boxers watching TV. He had already learned how to change channels and was currently marveling at an action movie.
Loki sat on the balcony, tea in hand, quietly watching the Manhattan nightscape.
Mavuika was in the kitchen making hot cocoa; it was something Thor had recently become obsessed with, wanting a cup every night.
Everything was as usual.
Then, a deep, resonant voice with a metallic quality suddenly rang in the ears of the three.
"Prince Thor, Prince Loki."
It was Heimdall's voice.
The Guardian of the Bifrost Bridge, who possessed eyes that could see through everything in the Nine Realms.
Thor was startled by the sudden sound. "Heimdall? Is Father calling us back?"
Heimdall was silent for a second.
"His Majesty Odin has commanded me to deliver a message."
His voice became formal, as if reading an edict.
"Thor, Loki, you have been in Midgard for some time now. Thor's trial has been passed, and the power of mjolnir has been restored. It is time to return to Asgard."
The smile froze on Thor's face, and Loki's brow furrowed slightly.
The living room was silent for a few seconds.
Then Thor spoke, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
"Heimdall, tell Father that I... I don't want to go back yet."
Heimdall was silent for a second.
"Prince Thor—"