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  "I beg your fug pardon?" Sofia excimed, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. Her wide eyes were locked oall, blonde man standing casually in their base.

  He was massive, a t wall of muscle, with broad shoulders that seemed to stretch his pin bck shirt to its limit. Golden hair fell in waves past his neck, perfectly disheveled in a way that didn’t seem do somehow worked. His face was almost irritatingly fwless—sharp jawliraight nose, and pierg blue eyes that held a glint of humor as he smiled at the group.

  The hammer hanging at his side—ordinary-looki far too eye catg in its simplicity—was the only detail that hinted he might not be just another pretty face. It was clutched loosely in one hand, its surface pin wood aal, but the way his fingers gripped it said otherwise.

  He tilted his head slightly at Sofia’s outburst, the smile growing wider. “Is this how you always greet old friends?”

  Let’s rewind.

  The team had returo the base after ing up the mess Ivan Vanko had left behind. The trip back had been quiet, each member settling into their usual roles. Sofia was already oop before they even crossed the threshold, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she locked down every loose end from their fabricated story about Hammer Industries. Anthony had been on the phoh the up team, ensuring there were no missed details. Diego had spent most of the trip lounging in the back seat, tossing out jokes that after the chaos in Monaco.

  Nigel had said nothing the entire way, tent to let the others hahe logistics while his mind worked silently through what was . Nero bnked, staring fluffy clouds outside. Maria was o him, just held onto him.

  The moment they stepped into the base, however, everything shifted.

  Anthony, who had entered first, froze mid-step. His hand moved instinctively toward the k his side, his sharp gaze locked on the figure standing in the ter of their operations room. “Who the hell—?”

  Maria followed, her posture instantly tense, her fiwitg as though ready to summon one of her illusions. Diego, gging behind, took one look at the se and muttered, “Oh, great. Did we leave the door unlocked again?”

  Sofia was the st to enter, holding a tablet in one hand and barely paying attention until she saw him.

  The man’s eyes sed each of them with an amused calm that didn’t match the tension in the room. He made no move to defend himself, though his haed loosely on the hammer at his side.

  Anthony stepped forward, his knife now in hand, and his body shifted to bloero, who had just walked in. “Nero, we’ve got a problem.”

  But Nero didn’t stop. Instead, he walked past Anthony without hesitation, his face lighting up with what could only be described as genuine joy. “Stand down.”

  Anthony blinked, l the bde slightly but not rexing. “Stand down? He’s standing in our base holding—what the hell is that? A hammer?”

  Nero ignored him, striding straight toward the man with the kind of ease that only deep familiarity could bring. When he reached him, he extended an arm, pulling the bloo a bro-hug. The hammer thudded lightly against the man’s side as they csped each other briefly before stepping back.

  The room fell into stunned silence.

  “What the actual hell is happening?” Sofia asked, pointiween Nero and the stranger. “Does anyone want to expin why he’s here, smiling like we’re hosting a barbecue?”

  uro face the group, his expression calm but with a faint grin lingering at the edges. “Rex. He’s not a threat.”

  Diego snorted. “Yeah, because that’s super obvious. Most non-threats just stroll into secret hideouts looking like they stepped off the cover of Perfeordic Gods Weekly.”

  The blonde chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “You ftter me.”

  Anthony wasn’t vinced. “Nero, with all due respect, who is this guy, and how does he know where we are?”

  ilted his head slightly, gesturing toward the man. “He’s an old friend.”

  “Old friend,” Sofia repeated ftly. “That’s it? I didn't know we could invite old buddies to our hideout?”

  Nered. “Yes.”

  Maria looked at the blonde again, shrugging. If Nero said so, there was nothing further to question. “Why is he here?”

  The man finally spoke again, his voice smooth, with a rich ce that carried a hint of authority. “I assing through. Thought I would pay my respects.”

  Anthony frowned, but already eased, sinero khis person. “Passing through? This isn’t a highway rest stop.”

  The blonde’s smile didn’t falter as he shifted his weight slightly. “Well, it’s great you guys are so protective. I love that about us.”

  Diego ughed, dragging his gaze over the man unabashedly, his grin widening. “Believe me, sugar, I would love to be ‘us’ with you, but roup is kind of exclusive. No vacies right now.” He threyful g Nero. “But hey, if the boss trusts you with the hideout, you’re wele to crash. Maybe even stick around if you’re lucky.”

  The blonde chuckled, his voice rid easy. “Generous offer. Though I think I’ve already made myself at home." He then chuckled, tilting his head slightly as he gnced around the room. “Without the e, I’m not that reizable, I guess.”

  “e?” Sofia’s brows knitted in fusion. She sed him up and down, clearly not eg the dots. “What e? And why does it matter?”

  The bloook a slow breath, clearly enjoying their unease. “I’m more surprised none of ynize me. Thought I made more of an impression.”

  Diego grinned. “I don’t fet handsome faces. Trust me, I’d remember you.”

  “Thank you,” the man replied with a wink, “but the face isn’t the giveaway.”

  Sofia folded her arms, eyes narrowing. “Alright, enough with the cryptic crap. If you’re expeg appuse for the mystery act, you’re not getting it.”

  The man looked at her, smirking faintly. “No appuse needed. But I think it’ll click soon.”

  Nero g the blonde. “Donald, you’re enjoying this too much.”

  Sofia froze mid-step, her eyes snapping wide. “Wait. Donald?”

  The blonde grinned and spread his arms slightly, as if presenting himself. “The one and only.”

  There was a beat of stunned silence before Sofia’s voice cut through the room again, louder this time. “I beg your fug pardon?” She stepped closer, jabbing a finger in his dire. “Donald? As in Donald, our Donald?”

  He he grin never leaving his face. “In the flesh.”

  Sofia’s eyes darted to Nero, then back to Donald. “What the hell happeo you? Did you fall into a vat of steroids or something? Where’s the limp? The e? And why do you look like a Calvin Klein Viking?”

  Donald ughed, a deep, genuine sound that seemed to catch everyone off guard. “A lot ge on a long journey, Sofia.”

  Anthony finally lowered his knife pletely, though his shoulders stayed tehis is... a transformation, to say the least.”

  Diego whistled low, shaking his head. “Damn, Doc, you were hiding all that uhose coats and that e? Talk about a glow-up.”

  Maria pced her gss down, her gaze finally settling fully on Donald. “Expin.”

  Donald’s expression softened slightly as he looked around the room. “It’s a long story, and holy, I didn’t pn on ing back like this. But things happened. I found... pieyself I didn’t know were missing.”

  Sofia threw up her hands. “Oh, that’s helpful. Cryptid vague. Great reunion material, Donald.”

  Nero cut in. “Let him finish.”

  Donald nodded in appreciation. “Alright, straight to the point, then. I’ve been... redisc who I am. Who I was, before all of this. That limp, that e—it wasn’t just me being unlucky. There were things I didn’t uand about myself, things that were locked away.” He held up the hammer. “This helped unloe of it.”

  Sofia’s gaze flicked to the hammer. “Looks pin.”

  “It’s not,” Donald replied simply. He gestured toward Nero. “He knows.”

  Nero stepped forward, his hands csped behind his back. “Donald’s ins were always a bit... different. He’s been carrying parts of his past without knowing it for years. The journey he took was about fag that and reg what was buried.”

  Sofia’s jaw dropped slightly. “Wait, are you saying Donald had a secret identity or something?”

  “ly secret,” Nero said, scratg the back of his neck with a casual motion that felt oddly out of pce for the bombshell he was about to drop. He gestured toward Donald. “This is his real identity. Donald was... a punishment, really. Long story short, let me introduce you to the God of Lightning, the Heir of Valhal, Thor, Son of Odin.”

  The room froze. For a moment, nobody moved, blinked, or evehed. It was as if Nero’s words had sucked all the air out, leaving behind a vacuum of disbelief.

  Diego broke the silence first, muttering, “What the actual hell.” He dragged his hand down his face, gng between Nero and Donald. “You’re messing with us, right? This is some eborate prank. Like, hidden cameras, surprise reveal?”

  Donald—Thor—didn’t answer immediately, his blue eyes amused as they sed the room. His expression softened, almost apologetic. “It’s true.”

  Sofia smmed her hand oable, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “Are you seriht now? You’re tellihis whole time, Donald—our Donald—was, what? Moonlighting as a literal Nod?”

  “I wasn’t moonlighting,” Thor said simply. “I didn’t remember.”

  Maria leaned back against the wall, repeated. “Expin.”

  Thhed, shifting the hammer from one hand to the other. “I was cast out. Stripped of my power, my memories, everything. Sent to live as a mortal—a punishment fance, for defying my father, Odin’s will. I became Donald. I didn’t know who I really was until retly.”

  Anthony, standihe entrance finally spoke. “And now you remember. ve.”

  “Not ve,” Thor replied, his tone measured. “Hard-earhe memories didn’t return on their own. The hammer—Mjolnir—pyed a part, but it was the jourhat forced me to front the truth.”

  Diego raised a hand like a kid in css. “Hold up. Mjolnir? Like the thing from mythology? The one only ‘the worthy’ lift? That Mjolnir?”

  Thor nodded, lifting the hammer slightly. “The very same.”

  Sofia’s eyes narrowed. “And you just happeo get your hands on it? What, did it fall out of the sky? Some ic lost-and-found?”

  Thor’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “It called to me. When I was ready.”

  Sofia threw her hands up. “Of course it did. Why not? Sure. Let’s add that to the pile of insanity.”

  Anthony g Nero. “You knew about this?”

  Nero chuckled at Anthony’s question, shaking his head slightly as if the answer were obvious. “Of course, I knew. Prince's memories included everything about this world, including Donald’s true ins. His journey north wasn’t just about unc his past—it was about reg it. To do that, he had to prove himself and earn his father’s trust again. That’s why I stayed out of it.” He paused, his gaze flig toward Donald. “It was his secret to keep. I couldn’t share it with any of you.”

  Donald nodded, a glint of humhting his blue eyes. “I appreciate that. The looks on all your faces right now?” He smirked. “Totally worth it. Especially Sofi’s.”

  Sofia threw her hands up in exasperation before pointing acgly at him. “You appreciate it? You’re telling me you were walking around here, hobbling like a 90-year-old with a e, and the whole time you were... this?” She gestured dramatically at his t, godlike physique. “How do you expect me to process that, huh?”

  Donald’s grin widened. “It wasly by choice, Sofi. But seeing you speechless? That’s just a bonus.”

  Sofia stuck her to at him, clearly unimpressed. Nigel’s low chuckle broke through the rising tension. “In hindsight, Capo dropped plenty of breadcrumbs for us to figure this out. It feels obvious now that I think about it.”

  “Obvious?” Sofia rounded on Nigel, pointing an accusatory finger. “You’re telling me you saw ‘crippled doctor turned Nod’ ing? Please, enlighten us, Nostradamus.”

  Nigel shrugged. “ly. But there were... is. Odd ents here and there. You just didn’t ect the dots because, well, he looked like Donald.”

  Maria moved beside Nero with a casual air, looping her arms around him from behind aing her on his shoulder. But her fingers pinched his side, drawing a sharp twitch from him. She giggled softly, her lips brushing against his ear. “Now that I think about it, I do remember a few cryptients about gods and lightning. Someone was being sneaky.”

  urned slightly, catg her lips in a quick kiss before pulling her closer. “’t bme me,” he said. “I gave plenty of hints.”

  Sofia rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. “Oh, spare us the romanovel moment. we get back to the part where Donald—sorry, Thor—is standing here looking like a Nordic Gods poster?”

  Diego raised his hand, nodding. “Seded. Not that I mind the glow-up, Doc, but we’re all processing here. And by processing, I mean trying to figure out if this ges anything about our drink orders.”

  Donald grinned, leaning on the handle of Mjolnir like it was an old e. “Rex, Diego. I’m still the same guy. You want a whiskey, ? I’ll pour it myself.”

  “You better,” Diego said, ughing. “With those arms, yonna make me feel sy.”

  Anthony’s eyes stayed locked on Donald, his expression unfling. “I don’t care if you’re a guy—you’re part of the Familia. That’s all that matters.”

  “Damn right,” Diego added without missing a beat, raising an imaginary toast. “Even if you’re the God of Protein Shakes now.”

  A wave of agreement rippled through the room, muttered affirmations and nods of approval quickly dissolving the tension. Sofia looked like she wao say more, but she huffed and threw herself onto one of the chairs instead, crossing her arms.

  “Fine,” she muttered. “But I reserve the right to call bullshit if this god thing starts messing with anything.”

  Donald ughed, a deep sound that instantly broke what remained of the tension. “Deal, Sofi. But I promise, this doesn’t ge how I’ll pester you for tech advice.”

  Sofia’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been a god this whole time, and you couldn’t figure out how to set up a printer?”

  “I was blending in!” Donald shot back, the grin on his face making it impossible to tell if he was serious.

  “Blending in,” Sofia repeated, deadpan. “Right. Because nothing says mortal like being physically incapable of using a PDF.”

  Anthony shook his head as he finally slid his knife bato its sheath. “You’ve got bigger s than printers. Are we gonna have to worry about someone dropping out of the sky to smite you?”

  Donald shrugged, “No smiting. My father’s temper cooled turies ago. This was more of a... test.”

  Sofia raised a finger like she was about to make a point. “So, just to crify—you’re actually Thht? Big guy, lightning powers, throws a hammer like it’s a b?”

  “That’s me.”

  “And you have a brother named Loki?”

  Donald grimaced, his grin faltering slightly. “Well... yes.”

  Sofia leaned forward. “Okay, how many siblings do you have?”

  Donald seemed to brace himself. “Quite a few.”

  Sofia’s eyebrows shot up. “And you’re the responsible one? Odin’s parenting makes so much sense now.”

  Diego cut in before Donald could respond, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Wait, wait. Thor, brother of Loki. Isn’t Loki the guy who’s always messing with people? The god of mischief?”

  “Among other things,” Donald said, his toral.

  “And this doesn’t worry you?” Diego pressed. “You think he’s just gonna leave you alone now that you’ve got your mojo back?”

  Donald set Mjolnir down oable with a quiet thud, his expression turning serious. “Loki and I have an... uanding. I don’t interfere with his schemes uhey cross a line, and he doesn’t mess with me unless he’s bored.”

  “Great,” Sofia muttered, throwing her hands in the air. “So we’re just waiting for him to get bored and turn us ints or something?”

  Maria smirked faintly. “You’d make a cute frog, Sofia.”

  “Don’t ence him!” Sofia snapped, pointing at Maria. “And don’t think you’re off the hook either, Donald. Thor. Whoever.”

  Diego leaned ba his chair, tossing a piece of dy into his mouth. “So, Thor, does this mean you’ve got all the perks now? Lightning bolts, immortal muscles, the works?”

  Donald nodded. “More or less.”

  Anthony frowned. “And what about the downside?”

  Donald tilted his head. “Downside?”

  “Being a god,” Anthony said pinly. “Everyone and their mother is probably going to want a piece of you now. If not for worship, then for revenge.”

  Donald smiled faintly. “That hasn’t ged much. Before this, people uimated me. Now, they won’t.”

  Nero chuckled as he walked over to the et, retrieving a bottle and a set of gsses. He carried them to the ter table. He poured the amber liquid into each gss before raising his. “Well, we ’t match the feasts of Valhal, but we’ll make do. A toast, then—to Donald.” He poi Donald, “Or Thor, if you prefer. May you smite responsibly.”

  Donald grinned, accepting a gss. “Appreciate the vote of fidence.”

  Diego was the first to grab his drink, lifting it high. “To the God of Thunder, who went from mortal doc to Nordic heartthrob. Just don’t zap the Wi-Fi, yeah?”

  Sofia rolled her eyes, but she raised her gss begrudgingly. “Here’s to Donald—or Thor, or whoever—finally expining why he could never figure out how to reset a router. Divine inpetence makes so much more sense.”

  Donald chuckled, king his gss against hers. “Gd my struggles could eain you.”

  Maria took a sip, leaning ba her chair. “What now, Thor? Any big lightning strikes pnned, or are you settling into the quiet life?”

  Donald swirled his drink, the fai hint of mischief in his smile. “Quiet might not be in the cards. There’s... unfinished business, but nothing urgent. For now, I’m exactly where I o be.”

  “Which is?” Anthony asked, sitting down with his own gss.

  Donald g Nero. “Here. With all of you.”

  “Big words,” Diego quipped, leaning forward. “You sure you’re not just stig around because Sofia keeps your printer running?”

  “Hey!” Sofia shot him a look, her gss halfway to her lips. “Don’t drag me into this.”

  “I’m dragging you into it,” Diego said, smirking. “What’s Thor without his IT department?”

  Donald raised his hands in mock surrender. “Guilty as charged. If anything, Sofia’s the real MVP here. Without her, I would still be cursing at error codes.”

  Sofia huffed, her gre softening as she finally took a sip of her drink. “Fine. But don’t think I’ll let you off easy just because you’re a god now.”

  Nigel, leaning against the wall behind Nero, tapped a finger against his thoughtfully. His sharp eyes flicked between Donald and the hammer resting casually at his side. “So,” he said, cutting through the buzz of versation, “how does yhtning Ring treat you now that you’re the God of Lightning? patible or g?”

  Donald—Thor—looked down at the faintly glowing ring on his left hand, the one imbued with are energy, gifted to him by Nero after he ied Prince's memories and System. A slow smile spread across his face. “Turns out it’s a match made in Asgard. pliments my talents nicely.”

  Nigel nodded, his fingers brushing against his as he g Donald’s hand. “ust have thought about it. Each of us got based on our characters. Makes sense now why yours syncs so well.”

  Diego leaned forward, resting his elbows oable with a sly smile. “Speaking of upgrades, Thot any dy lightning gods ba Asgard we should know about? Some goddess waiting to smite you for hanging out with us mere mortals?”

  Donald chuckled, his blue eyes sparking with humor. “Sorry to disappoint, Diego, but I’m still not swinging that way. Godhood didn’t e with a ge in preferences.”

  Diego pced a hand over his heart dramatically. “Crushing. Utterly crushing. I thought we had something special.”

  Anthony smirked, shaking his head. “You’re impossible, Diego.”

  “You love me for it,” Diego shot back without missing a beat, fshing Anthony a wink.

  Sofia rolled her eyes, shifting her chair slightly as she gestured toward Donald. “Alright, jokes aside, Thor, or Donald—what’s the deal with this hammer? Is it really the ‘only the worthy’ thing? Or anyone pick it up if they try hard enough?”

  Donald tilted Mjolnir slightly, his grip firm. “It’s not about trying hard. It’s about being worthy. The hammer decides who hold it.”

  Sofia leaned back, arms crossed. “So, what, it’s like a magical judgment stick? Feels a bit dramatic.”

  Diego snapped his fingers, his grin widening. “Sofia, you should try it! I mean, you’re practically a saint with all the times you’ve saved our asses. If anyone here’s worthy, it’s probably you.”

  Sofia narrowed her eyes at him. “Diego, if I break my wrist trying to lift that thing, I’m using it to bash your fa. Assuming it lets me.”

  Donald ughed, stepping forward and pnting Mjolnir on the floor with a dull thud. “Go ahead. Just don’t take it personally if it doesn’t budge. It’s finicky like that.”

  Sofia stood, walking over with exaggerated fidence. “Alright, let’s see what this ‘worthy’ nonsense is all about.” She grabbed the hah both hands and pulled. Nothing. Not even a wobble. She tried again, her face twisting into an irritated scowl as she yanked harder. Still nothing.

  Diego burst out ughing, nearly falling out of his chair. “You look like you’re trying to open a pickle jar!”

  Sofia turned sharply, pointing at him. “Shut it, Diego, or you’re !”

  Maria sipped her drink calmly from the side, her eyes sparkling with faint amusement. “It’s a hammer, not a challenge on game night. Let it go, Sofi.”

  Sofia released the hah a huff, brushing her hands against her pants. “Fine. Guess I’m not ‘worthy.’ Whatever that means.”

  Nero chuckled, stepping forward with his arms spread wide. “Let’s all try it. e on, no harm in a little fun.”

  The group exged looks, some amused, some skeptical, before Diego grinned and leaned in spiratorially. “I see through you, Capo. You’re hoping for a free edy show.”

  Maria’s gaze sharpened as she zeroed in on Nero. “Of course, he is. Look at him—his phone’s already out.”

  Nero quickly tucked the phone behind his back, his faeutral. “I did no such thing. This is snder.”

  “Then go first,” Maria shot back, her lips twitg upward in a small smirk. “Lead by example, oh fearless leader.”

  Nero waved her off, his grin unfazed. “I’m the boss. I go st. That’s the rule.”

  Sofia folded her arms, gring at him. “ve. Fine, Diego should go since he’s the most annoying.”

  “Me? Annoying?” Diego pced a hand dramatically over his chest. “I’m offended. But also intrigued. Thor, do I need gloves, or is it, like, a raw strength thing?”

  Donald—or Thor—shrugged, lookiirely too amused. “It’s all about worthiness. No gloves required. But don’t strain yourself, Diego.”

  Diego cpped his hands together, rubbing them as he stepped toward the hammer. “Alright, Mjolnir. Let’s see if I’ve got what it takes.”

  He gripped the hah both hands, brag himself as if he were preparing to lift a mountaiugged onothing. Twice. Still nothing. Ohird attempt, he pnted one foot against the floor for leverage, pulling with all his might.

  “Okay, hat thing’s glued down.” He stepped back, shaking his hands out. “Either I’m unworthy, or Thor here bolted it to the ground when we weren’t looking.”

  “It’s not bolted,” Donald said with a grin.

  Diego poi him. “That’s exactly what someone who bolted it would say.”

  Maria sighed, stepping forward. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. If I lift it, I’m keeping it.”

  Thestured toward Mjolnir with mock politeness. “By all means.”

  Maria stood over the hammer, adjustiance befripping the handle. She gave it a tentative pull, then another with more effort. When it didn’t budge, she stepped back, brushing her hands against her thighs. “This hammer’s biased.”

  Thor raised an eyebrow. “Toward what?”

  “People who don’t have anythier to do than swing a glorified mallet around,” she deadpanned, earning a chuckle from Diego.

  Anthony stepped up without a word, his fareadable as he studied Mjolnir. He crouched down, ing a single hand around the handle, and gave it a sharp tug. The hammer didn’t move. He stood, staring at it for a moment before turning back to the group.

  “Well, that settles it. I’ll stick to knives.”

  Diego snorted. “And here I thought you’d be the dark horse, Anthony.”

  Anthony gave him a ft look. “I’m fihout lightning powers, thanks.”

  Sofia groaned. “Alright, we stop pretending anyone here’s going to lift it? Let’s just all agree it’s magid move on.”

  Thor tilted his head. “You gave up awfully fast, Sofia.”

  She shot him a look. “I just tried and failed five minutes ago. Unless yic hammer suddenly decided I’m worthy, there’s no point.”

  “Maybe it likes persistehor offered with a shrug.

  Nero, still grinning, stepped forward and pced a hand on her shoulder. “What’s the harm in trying again, Sofia? The worst thing that happens is you fail twice.”

  She gred at him. “Thanks for the motivational speech, Capo. You try it if you’re so fident.”

  “Not my tur,” Nero said smoothly, gesturing toward the hammer. “e on, Sofi. Show Mjolnir who’s boss.”

  With a huff, Sofia stomped back to the hammer and grabbed the handle again. “If I break something, it’s ing out of your budget, Thor.”

  “Noted,” Thor replied, his tone light.

  She pulled ohen twice. Ohird attempt, she let out a frustrated grunt, releasing the handle and stepping back. “Yeah, no. This thing’s rigged.”

  Nero snickered behind his phone, angling it slightly to capture Sofia’s defeated expression. “Your turn, Nigel,” he said, not b to hide the amusement in his tone.

  Nigel adjusted his coat with a resigned sigh. “I have my fair share of sins,” he said as he walked toward Mjolnir. “But I shall give it a try. If nothing else, this will firm the hammer’s excellent taste.”

  Diego cpped his hands, his grin wide. “I’m rooting for you, old man. Show us what a life of wisdom a do.”

  Nigel arched an eyebrow as he crouched by the hammer, gripping it with one hand. He gave it a single, measured tug, then another. When it didn’t budge, he stood and brushed his hands off. “Well, that’s settled. Clearly, it knows I have better things to do than haul it around.”

  Diego ughed. “I don’t think it’s about your schedule, Nigel. Maybe it just prefers blondes?”

  Nigel ighe ent and stepped back to rejoin the group. “If that’s the case, Thor here should feel quite secure.”

  “Alright, alright,” Nero said, l his phone and pg it oable. “I’ll try, but only because I don’t want to hear Diego gloat about being the stro.”

  “Stro at what?” Diego quipped. “Being geous? Guilty.”

  Nero ignored him and approached Mjolnir. He crouched down, gripping the hah both hands, then gave it a sharp tug. The hammer didn’t move, not even a fra. He tried once more before standing with a shrug. “Guess I’m not destined fodhood. What a shame.”

  Thrinned. “Don’t feel bad. It’s very particur.”

  “Particur my ass,” Sofia grumbled from her seat. “It’s just trolling us at this point.”

  Diego leaned against the table, his resting on his hand as he studied Thor. “So, you’re the only one who lift it? Does that mean it’s stuck if you die? Or does it just... reset?”

  Thor tilted his head thoughtfully. “If I die, it would fall to the worthy soul. But that’s not something we’ll o test.”

  Diego smirked. “You sure? I could give it a whirl.”

  “Keep dreaming,” Anthony said from his spot he wall, his arms crossed. “If you couldn’t lift it with two hands, you’re not taking it from a dead god.”

  Maria set her drink down and leaned forward slightly. “So, what happens if no one worthy shows up? Does it just... sit there forever?”

  Thor nodded. “It has before. There have beeuries where no one could lift it. The hammer waits.”

  “That’s dramatic,” Sofia muttered. “Who desighis thing, a theater major?”

  “It’s Asgardian,” Thor said with a faint smile. “Drama is in the blood.”

  Diego gestured toward Thor with his gss. “Speaking of blood, does that mean you , like, summon lightning at will? Or is it more of a ‘when the mood strikes’ kind of deal?”

  Thor’s smile widened slightly as he picked up Mjolnir and twirled it effortlessly in one hand. “Would you like a demonstration?”

  Nero oward Donald, motioning casually. “Actually, I want to test your rength. Let’s go out, and you spar with the others.”

  Maria, lounging nearby with her drink, snatched Nero’s phone from his hand with a quick motion. “Are you dead set on making the Familia into a series of embarrassing moments in your personal dotary?” Her tone was light but pointed.

  Nero raised his hands, giving an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, fine. I nning to archive the fun for posterity, but apparently, history will have to wait.”

  Diego perked up, his grin widening. “Hold on. Did you say spar? Please tell me you’re throwing Sofia in the ring first.”

  “Like hell you are,” Sofia cut in, gring at Diego. “If anyone’s getting their ass hao them first, it’s you. Thor use your oversized ego as target practice.”

  “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Sofi,” Diego shot back, leaning oable. “Just admit you’re scared of being smited.”

  “Smote,” Maria corrected without looking up from the phone, scrolling images Nero just took, grinning at faces the gang made. “The past tense of smite is smote.”

  “Smote,” Sofia echoed, her tone dry. “Great. Add ‘grammar god’ to the list of things I’m not dealing with today.”

  Donald leaned casually on Mjolnir, the hammer resting against his shoulder like an afterthought. “If you’re all doing who’s getting smote—or smited—I’m happy to oblige. But let’s not fet,” he g Diego with a faint smirk, “I’m not pulling punches.”

  Diego cpped his hands, practically boung on his heels. “Perfeo punches pulled. I’m ready to ght now. Just give me five mio stretch.”

  Anthony crossed his arms. “You’ll need more than stretches. You’ve got a habit of uimating the opposition.”

  Diego waved him off. “Oh, e on. You don’t think I take him? I’ve got charm, speed, and looks. That’s at least half the battle.”

  “Yeah,” Sofia muttered, leaning ba her chair. “And the other half is getting fttened by a literal god.”

  Maria finally set the phone down, smirking faintly as she turo Donald. “You’re really going to humor this?”

  Donald shrugged. “If it keeps things iing.”

  --

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