The Avengers sprang into action with the kind of energy usually reserved for last-minute world-ending crises or the discovery of free tacos in the break room. Each member had a part to play in the grand mission to track down and capture Ivan Petrov—Hydra's favorite slippery eel and an all-around pain in everyone's collective backside.
At the center of the magical chaos, Harry and Sersi were deep in conversation, standing over a holographic map of New York, which was covered in more glowing runes than a Tolkien fan's notebook. The two of them made quite the pair: Sersi, with her effortless elegance and the kind of wisdom that came from having lived through at least fifteen major world events (and probably rolling her eyes at most of them), and Harry, who—despite technically being the youngest in the room—carried himself like someone who had already seen way too much magical nonsense for one lifetime.
"You know, I was once worshiped as a goddess," Sersi mused, tracing a rune midair with her fingertips. The glyph shimmered, pulsing with golden light.
"Oh, only once? Slacking, are we?" Harry shot back, arms crossed as he studied the energy signatures. "Personally, I find the whole 'worship' thing overrated. First, people build you temples. Next thing you know, they're sacrificing goats in your name, and suddenly you're 'the problem.'"
Sersi smirked, eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'll admit, the sacrifices were a bit much. Though I did enjoy the poetry contests. Some of those poets really knew how to flatter a girl."
"Yeah, well, I get poetry too," Harry said with a dramatic sigh. "Unfortunately, mine tends to be written in blood, and instead of sonnets, it's usually 'PLEASE SPARE ME.' Not quite as charming."
Before Sersi could respond, JARVIS's voice chimed in with the smoothness of a five-star maître d'. "If I may interrupt this delightful display of verbal sparring, I have located an energy signature matching Petrov's last known location. It appears to be in—ah—an abandoned circus. Because of course it is."
"Hydra loves their dramatic lairs," Sersi said, shaking her head.
"I swear, it's like villains all got together and decided to make my life as ridiculous as possible," Harry muttered, waving a hand to summon his wand. "Fine. Let's go fight some bad guys in a creepy circus. But if we run into a demonic clown, I'm making Sersi deal with it."
Sersi tilted her head, lips curving in a slow, knowing smile. "And here I thought you were fearless, love."
"Fearless? No," Harry said, stepping closer. "Smart? Yes. And the smart man lets the actual immortal demigoddess handle the horror movie stuff while he deals with the idiot throwing fireballs."
Sersi leaned in just a fraction, eyes dancing with mischief. "And what if I'd rather you protect me?"
Harry blinked. Okay, that was a curveball. But he was Harry Potter, so he recovered fast. "Oh, you just want an excuse to stay close to me. Admit it."
Sersi laughed, a low, melodious sound that sent a pleasant shiver down Harry's spine. "Guilty."
"Pardon me," JARVIS cut in, "but if you two are quite finished flirting, I believe the rest of the team is waiting for you."
Harry sighed theatrically. "JARVIS, buddy, I don't interrupt your love life."
"That's because I do not have one."
"And that, my friend, is tragic," Harry said, shaking his head as he turned toward the Quinjet. "Let's go crash Hydra's evil circus before I start feeling bad for you."
Sersi chuckled and followed, the warmth in her gaze lingering just a bit longer than usual.
If Petrov thought he could outrun the Avengers, he was about to have a very bad day.
—
Natasha Romanoff was doing what she did best—keeping everyone in line and making miracles happen with sheer force of will and a Bluetooth earpiece. She was currently multitasking like a pro, flipping through mission reports with one hand while tapping away at a holographic interface with the other. All the while, she was on a call with Nick Fury, who—judging by his tone—was one deep sigh away from setting something on fire.
"Tell me you've got something useful, Romanoff," Fury's voice growled through the line. "And by 'useful,' I mean 'not another dead end that makes me want to fire half of SHIELD.'"
Natasha smirked. "First of all, you don't fire people, Fury. You just glare at them until they quit."
There was a beat of silence. "Fair point. But I still expect results."
"Relax," she said, her fingers dancing across the interface as files flickered across the screen. "We've got Petrov cornered. Energy signatures match up with JARVIS's scan. And guess what? He's holed up in an abandoned circus."
Fury made a noise that could only be described as an exasperated groan. "Why the hell is it always an abandoned circus? Do these guys have a handbook somewhere? 'Chapter 3: How to Be a Proper Villain—Make Your Hideout As Inconvenient As Possible'?"
"Sir, if such a handbook exists, I imagine it is quite comprehensive," JARVIS chimed in, his voice smooth and impossibly polite. "For example, Section Five would likely cover 'Elaborate and Theatrical Escape Routes'—which, I must warn you, Petrov has already prepared."
Natasha sighed. "Great. So we're dealing with another Hydra agent who thinks he's in a Bond movie."
Fury's voice dropped into a flat, unimpressed drawl. "Tell me he doesn't have a monocle."
Natasha checked the latest surveillance footage. "No monocle. But he does have a trained hawk."
Fury groaned again. "Of course he does."
"If it is any consolation, sir," JARVIS added helpfully, "his hawk does not appear to have laser eyes."
"Yet," Natasha muttered.
"Alright, I'll send a strike team," Fury said. "If we move fast, we can—"
"Yeah, no." Natasha cut him off, flipping her knife idly between her fingers. "This is an Avengers job, not a SHIELD job. If we let your guys handle it, Petrov slips away and monologues about it later. We go in, we end it."
Fury sighed. "Fine. But if this circus explodes, I am not filling out the paperwork."
Natasha grinned. "Oh, don't worry. Tony makes JARVIS do it."
"Unfortunately, Agent Romanoff is correct," JARVIS admitted, sounding deeply put-upon. "Mr. Stark has delegated all official documentation to me. A most unfortunate consequence of my existence."
Natasha snorted. "We all suffer, JARVIS."
"Damn right," Fury muttered. "Alright, Romanoff. Get it done. And tell Stark if he so much as thinks about making circus jokes, I'm revoking his clearance."
Natasha smirked. "Aw, c'mon, boss. You and I both know that's just going to make him try harder."
Fury hung up.
Natasha chuckled, slipping her knife back into its holster. She turned to the rest of the team, cracking her knuckles. "Alright, boys and girls, we've got a villain to catch. And a circus to ruin."
"May I suggest an approach that does not involve literal ruin?" JARVIS asked hopefully.
Natasha grabbed her gear. "No promises."
—
The Quinjet hangar was a chaotic masterpiece of last-minute prep, loud banter, and Tony Stark being, well, Tony Stark. It was the kind of scene that would make a military strategist weep—either from admiration or sheer frustration.
Tony was currently buried up to his elbows in the Quinjet's control panel, recalibrating something that probably didn't need recalibrating but was getting recalibrated anyway. "Alright, people, let's go over the important things. One, I have upgraded the scanner array to detect literally anything, including but not limited to heat signatures, residual energy fields, and—if my calculations are correct—whether or not Clint has been secretly using my espresso machine again."
Clint, leaning against a weapons crate, didn't even blink. "I don't secretly do anything, Stark. I drink your espresso proudly."
"Of course you do," Tony muttered, tightening a bolt. "Two, I may have also installed a new auto-defense protocol that could, in theory, turn the Quinjet into a flying death machine." He paused, looking over his shoulder. "Not that I would do that. Just saying I could."
"Why do I feel like you already did?" Clint asked.
"Because he absolutely did," JARVIS confirmed, his voice smooth as ever. "Sir's concept of 'hypothetical' and 'already operational' often overlap."
Tony grinned. "JARVIS, remind me to give you a raise."
"Sir, I do not receive a salary."
"And yet you complain like you do. Amazing."
Meanwhile, Thor was doing…well, Thor things. Which, in this case, involved dramatically inspecting Mjolnir while nodding sagely at the Quinjet's engines, as if he were somehow blessing them with his divine presence.
"Truly, this is a fine vessel," Thor announced. "Though it lacks the nobility of a grand Asgardian warship."
"Yeah, well, your warships don't have cup holders," Tony shot back. "So, I think we all know who the real winner is."
Thor narrowed his eyes. "Do your warships have cup holders?"
Tony hesitated. "Okay, technically no, but—"
"A-ha!" Thor pointed triumphantly. "Then I shall not be impressed until this vessel can properly accommodate my mead."
Clint snorted. "Buddy, unless you want to carry a personal barrel onboard, I don't think Tony's gonna be able to help you."
"Excuse you," Tony said, turning to his screen. "JARVIS, tell the nice archer about the onboard Asgardian-compatible beverage dispenser I definitely installed."
"Sir, you did no such thing."
Tony groaned. "JARVIS, you're killing my reputation here."
"I am preserving your reputation, sir."
Thor clapped a hand on Tony's shoulder, nearly sending him face-first into the console. "Worry not, Man of Iron! The craftsmanship of this craft is most impressive. I am honored to ride into battle aboard it."
"That's great," Clint said. "Now, how about we finish loading it up before Hydra decides to not wait for us?"
With a few final checks (and one more unnecessary tweak from Tony that definitely made the coffee machine a laser cannon), the Quinjet was good to go. The team could feel the shift in energy—the kind of electric anticipation that meant things were about to get serious.
Petrov was out there. Phastos was counting on them. And the Avengers?
They were ready.
(And if Tony's upgrades did turn the Quinjet into a flying death machine, well—he'd consider that a bonus.)
—
Somewhere in a Very, Very Cold Place
Natasha Romanoff had tracked down Ivan Petrov with the kind of precision that made even high-end GPS systems feel inadequate. The man had bolted from his last hideout—a creepy, abandoned circus that, frankly, should've been the setup for a horror movie—and retreated to a Hydra base in the middle of Siberia. Because, of course, Hydra had a thing for frozen wastelands. Nothing said "evil organization" like a headquarters in a place where the air itself wanted to murder you.
Natasha, standing over a holo-map of the location, tapped in a few commands before looking up at the team. "Alright, kids, we've got a winner. Hydra's stronghold is tucked in the Siberian tundra. No civilians, no backup, and no Wi-Fi. Basically, a great vacation spot if you hate warmth and happiness."
Tony leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "You know, I could have just hacked their system and gotten that information without us running around like an action movie montage."
Natasha smirked. "Yeah, but where's the fun in that?"
Clint, adjusting the straps on his quiver, grinned. "Also, admit it, Stark. You love a good action movie montage."
"Only if I get the cool slow-mo shot," Tony muttered.
"Sir, you insist on slow-motion entrances for every mission," JARVIS chimed in. "I have compiled a highlight reel titled Tony's Dramatic Walks: A Masterclass if you'd like a refresher."
Tony groaned. "You betray me, JARVIS. You wound me."
"Right, back to actual mission prep," Steve said, rubbing his temples because managing this team required more patience than dealing with Congress. "We need reinforcements. If we're going to storm a Hydra fortress in subzero temperatures, I want all the firepower we can get."
Sersi, standing next to Harry, hummed in agreement. "I might know a few people." She flicked a wrist, her fingers glowing with golden energy as she sent a signal out into the universe.
A beat later, her comm buzzed. "Kingo, darling, I need you, Gilgamesh, and Makkari. Hydra base in Siberia. Bring something warm."
Kingo's voice crackled over the line. "Sersi, love, you have no idea how cold ruins my complexion, but because it's you asking, I'll make an exception. Also, I'm bringing my best coat, and if it gets Hydra blood on it, I'm sending Stark the dry-cleaning bill."
"Why am I the designated payer?" Tony demanded.
Gilgamesh's voice rumbled through the comm next. "I was getting bored anyway. Smashing Hydra sounds fun."
Makkari sent a quick text: Tell Hydra to start running. Actually, don't. I like a challenge.
Sersi smiled. "They're in."
Harry, meanwhile, was making a few calls of his own. Because if there was one thing he believed in, it was the power of very annoyed people with grudges. And no one hated Hydra quite like Wanda and Pietro Maximoff.
A few minutes later, Wanda and Pietro stepped into the room, looking like vengeance given form. Wanda crossed her arms, red energy crackling at her fingertips. "You had me at 'Hydra.'"
Pietro smirked. "And you knew we were going to say yes. So why even call?"
Harry grinned. "Because I like hearing you two say it out loud."
"Admit it," Sersi teased, nudging Harry. "You're building the most overpowered squad imaginable, just for fun."
Harry shrugged. "What can I say? I like an unfair fight."
She arched an eyebrow. "You are an unfair fight."
He turned to her with a smirk. "Is that admiration I hear?"
"Maybe," Sersi said, tilting her head, "or maybe I just like watching you do your thing."
Tony made a dramatic gagging noise. "Ugh, get a room, you two."
Thor, who had been listening quietly until now, clapped his hands together. "Enough talk! This mission requires swift action! And I, for one, am eager to introduce Hydra to the thunder."
Bruce, standing nearby, sighed. "I hate to agree with Thor's usual method of handling things, but, yeah. We should probably go before Petrov realizes we're onto him."
Steve nodded. "Everyone, suit up. We move out in five."
As the team geared up, the energy in the room shifted from banter to battle-ready focus. They weren't just going to take Hydra down. They were going to break them.
Hydra had no idea what was coming.
—
The Avengers were assembled in their usual briefing room, though today it felt more like a tension-filled family dinner than a superhero strategy session. Tony Stark was eyeing Wanda and Pietro with the same amount of trust you'd give a raccoon holding a box of fireworks. He looked like he was trying to avoid a full-blown tantrum, which, knowing Pietro, was likely to be an actual tantrum, just with superspeed.
"Alright, alright," Tony muttered, rubbing his temples like he was trying to clear a headache. "We're all here, and we're gonna pretend we don't want to punch each other in the face, right?" His eyes shifted to Wanda and Pietro, narrowing slightly. "Well, most of us. Some of us don't have to pretend."
Wanda crossed her arms, lips pressed into a thin line. "You're lucky we're on the same team today, Stark," she said, her voice as icy as the Siberian wilderness they were heading to.
Pietro, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, smirked. "It's okay, Tony. I'm sure your sarcasm is keeping us all safe." He snapped his fingers like he was directing a sarcastic symphony.
"Enough, kids," Harry chimed in, flashing a grin that was about half playful and half "I'm the one keeping you from killing each other." He was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed in a way that just screamed "Don't mess with me." The guy was practically a walking burn machine, and this was one of those moments. "Listen up, we've got a Hydra operative to catch, not a family feud to settle."
Sersi, standing next to Harry, gave him a brief smile, her eyes softening as she leaned in slightly. "He's right," she said, her voice warm like the calm before a cosmic storm. "Let's focus on the mission, not the drama." She nudged Harry lightly with her elbow, her smile growing a little warmer as their shoulders brushed. There was a chemistry there, subtle but undeniable. Harry's usual cocky confidence slid into something softer, like he was no longer just thinking about the mission—he was thinking about her.
Harry flashed her a grin. "Sersi, you're right. Of course you are. I mean, you always are."
Sersi raised an eyebrow, a playful spark in her eyes. "You say that now, but the mission is all that matters, right?" Her voice was light, but there was a hidden challenge in it.
"Yeah, yeah, mission first," Harry said with a mock sigh, though it didn't really sound like he was upset about it. "But I mean, who wouldn't want to spend a little extra time with someone who makes saving the world look so... elegant?"
She rolled her eyes, but the faint blush on her cheeks made it clear she wasn't entirely immune to Harry's charm. "You're impossible," she muttered, though her smile was soft and undeniably fond.
Meanwhile, Tony, still eyeing Wanda and Pietro like they were two sharp objects in a room full of glass, waved a hand. "We've got a whole Hydra base to smash, so let's get to it. No more soap opera stuff." He turned toward Steve, who was, unsurprisingly, looking like he was mentally drafting a plan that could take down Hydra in five different ways. Steve, as always, was calm, collected, and unfazed by the internal chaos unfolding around him.
"Alright," Steve said, his voice steady like the ground beneath their feet. "We'll break into teams. Natasha, Clint, you're with me. We'll handle the ground assault. Tony, Bruce, you guys work on the tech side. Wanda, Pietro, you've got the speed and firepower, so you're on cover and distraction."
"Oh, I love a good distraction," Clint quipped from the back, twirling a bow and eyeing the room like it was his personal target range. "I've got my arrows ready to go."
Gilgamesh grunted from his spot next to Kingo. "We don't need distractions. We need to hit hard and fast," he said, cracking his knuckles like he was preparing for a personal sparring match with the entire Hydra base. "But I'll go along with whatever the boss says."
Kingo, who was too busy dramatically posing in front of a mirror to notice that his teammate was already rolling his sleeves up, flashed a grin. "As long as I look good doing it, I'm in."
"Just don't end up turning the mission into a movie, Kingo," Natasha deadpanned. "We've got enough egos in the room already."
Sersi, her eyes bright with mischief, leaned toward Harry again, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sure Kingo will make his own action sequence out of this."
"Don't remind me," Harry said with a laugh, his smile wicked. "I'll need a good soundtrack to get through it. Something with a lot of explosions."
"I'm not sure Hydra's ready for the amount of cool we're about to unleash," Sersi said, her smile widening.
Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Oh, I'm sure they'll be very ready. But the real question is, are we ready to handle what happens next?"
The banter continued, lighthearted and full of anticipation, but beneath the jokes, there was an undeniable tension. They were about to storm one of Hydra's most dangerous strongholds, and Harry knew it was going to take more than jokes to get them through. But, of course, that didn't stop him from being his usual, cocky self.
"And in case you missed the memo," he added, giving Wanda and Pietro a nod, "we really don't want Hydra thinking they can win this one. Because if they do... well, let's just say I hate losing more than I like making things explode."
Wanda's lips twitched into a small smirk, her previous coldness melting away. "That's the spirit," she said, her eyes glinting with a newfound determination.
"Alright, Avengers," Tony said, taking charge once more. "It's go time."
The team moved into action, their banter and camaraderie fueling them as they prepared to face Hydra head-on. But as they stepped toward their mission, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that the biggest challenge wasn't the base they were about to storm—it was the unpredictable chemistry that had suddenly ignited between him and Sersi. And, knowing him, that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
—
The Quinjet hummed with the usual tension that came with team missions—especially when Tony Stark was involved. And, of course, when Tony was involved, things could either go spectacularly well or go down in flames like a malfunctioning arc reactor. This time, though, Tony seemed to be in a talkative mood, and not even the cosmic powers of the Eternals were safe from his questions.
"So, you guys are immortal, right?" Tony started, his voice almost like a gleeful child who'd just discovered a new toy. "What's that like? Do you ever get bored? I mean, I'm just saying, if I had all of eternity to kill, I might end up binge-watching every season of The Office... twice. Not that I don't already." His smile was lopsided, but it was clear that no one was going to escape his interrogation.
Sersi, always the calm and composed one, answered with that perfect, almost-too-perfect smile of hers. "It has its moments, Stark. But we've had plenty to keep us occupied over the centuries."
Kingo, always ready to add a little sparkle to any situation, leaned in with a wink. "Yeah, humanity is like reality TV. It's like you can't look away, even when you know it's all going downhill."
"Oh, I know," Tony replied, tapping his fingers on the Quinjet's armrest. "Honestly, I'm waiting for humanity's version of Survivor—but with aliens, superpowers, and a lot of awkward pauses."
"You're thinking too small," Kingo said with a grin, "Disco Survivor is where the real action is. Those platform shoes, though—nightmare."
Makkari, who had been sitting in the back with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed, signed something, clearly unimpressed. Sersi, ever the translator, laughed and said, "She says she tripped on purpose just to see who could keep up with her."
Tony chuckled, the image of Makkari zipping around making him grin like a kid who'd just gotten the last cookie. "Yeah, I bet you'd trip over anything and still win the race. Show off."
Makkari shot him a wink, her silent communication speaking volumes.
Gilgamesh, ever the brooding giant (but with a heart of gold), looked up from where he was quietly contemplating his past, and with a thoughtful expression, he joined the conversation. "The best part of living through all of history," he said in his low, gravelly voice, "is seeing how humanity fights through everything. They find a way to keep going, no matter the odds. That's what makes them strong."
Tony's eyes softened for a moment before he nodded. "That's deep, big guy. You sure you're not some kind of philosopher?"
Gilgamesh just grunted, shrugging it off. "I've lived a long time. You pick up a few things."
Before Tony could make another sarcastic comment, Sersi jumped in. "It's not just about strength. Technology has evolved too. Phastos has been a big part of that—he's been building the future of humanity, one invention at a time."
Tony's eyes lit up, always ready to discuss tech. "Wait, Phastos? We need to talk about tech stuff. I'm just saying, if there's a guy out there who can make a working jetpack without all the exploding issues, that is someone I need to know."
Sersi's smile softened as she glanced toward the rest of her team. "He's brilliant. But the real challenge comes from the threats that come with progress—like Hydra. Which is why we're here."
The mood shifted as Tony glanced at Wanda and Pietro, whose presence had turned the air a bit colder. "Speaking of Hydra," he began, but Wanda was already cutting him off with a sharpness that made everyone take notice.
"We know, Stark. We're here to fight Hydra. Let's stay focused."
Tony raised his hands in mock surrender, his expression still dripping with that cheeky smirk of his. "Hey, no need to get all Scarlet Witch on me."
Clint, who had been leaning against the wall like he always did when things started to get serious, shot Tony a look. "You might want to dial it down, Stark. Wanda's not the one you want to mess with."
Harry, who had been quietly observing the exchange with a raised brow, couldn't resist stepping in with his usual brand of charm and humor. "Let's all just agree that Hydra's the real enemy, and none of us are on their team, right?" He gave a wry grin and winked at Sersi, who shot him a subtle smile back.
That was all it took to break the tension. Tony clapped his hands together, clearly feeling better about everything. "Right. Team effort, people. Let's focus on taking down Hydra."
Wanda and Pietro exchanged a look but didn't say anything else. There was a lot of unspoken history there, but for now, they were united on the mission. Pietro leaned back, the cocky grin back on his face. "We're ready to do what needs to be done."
"Good," Harry said, stepping up beside Sersi and giving her a glance that was way more intimate than anyone probably noticed. "Then let's make sure Hydra pays for everything they've done."
Sersi's smile held a little extra warmth, a silent agreement in her gaze. Despite the chaos and uncertainty around them, there was something comforting about being in this fight together. Even if the odds were stacked against them, even if it felt like they were charging into the unknown, Harry couldn't help but feel like, for once, he was exactly where he needed to be.
And maybe, just maybe, there was a little bit of magic left in the world to make this all work.
As the Quinjet raced toward its destination, the Avengers and Eternals sat together in that familiar, uneasy camaraderie. But there was something different about this mission. Something that made it feel like this time, they might actually pull through.
"Time to get to work," Steve Rogers said, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Thor, with a grin like a god on a rampage, added, "And when we do, I shall have me some mead!"
The others groaned collectively, but Harry caught Sersi's eye, and for a moment, everything felt just a little bit brighter.
"Let's get this done," Harry said, his voice steady, his eyes never leaving hers.
And the Quinjet shot through the clouds toward the storm, ready for whatever came next.
—
As the Quinjet touched down, the Avengers and the Eternals sprang into action faster than you could say "Superhero Landing." And, by the way, they didn't even bother with the dramatic superhero landings—because, clearly, that's for amateurs.
Harry felt a familiar hum in the air as they disembarked, the tingling sensation of magic wrapping around him like an old, slightly overused cloak. You know the one—the one that's always a little too warm but still fits just right? That was Harry's vibe right now, and he wasn't about to let it go to waste. He'd been training in his new-found Kryptonian abilities, sure, but there was something about magic that just felt like home.
"Let's get this over with," Harry muttered under his breath, scanning the area like a magical bloodhound. "There's definitely something off here. I'm not getting any good vibes from this place."
Sersi, who had been enjoying the gentle flow of nature's energies, immediately shifted into 'serious' mode, tuning into the pulse of the Earth. Her green eyes flashed, locking onto Harry's. "I agree," she said, voice calm but with a touch of urgency. "The world's vibrations are disturbed here."
Harry raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a small smirk. "You're really gonna drop 'the world's vibrations' line on me right now?" he teased. "What is this, a hippy retreat?"
Sersi shot him a look, equal parts exasperated and amused. "It's called centering, Harry."
"Right, right," he nodded, lips quirking. "I'll just leave the zen talk to you and keep an eye out for any HYDRA goons trying to ruin the mood."
"Always the charmer," Sersi replied, though Harry could've sworn there was a hint of something softer in her voice, a spark that made him want to test the waters. Maybe later. For now, though, they had a mission.
As they moved through the deserted streets towards the warehouse, Tony Stark's voice crackled through their comms, always a welcome interruption when it came to a serious mission. "I have a feeling this isn't going to be a fun walk in the park," he said, his tone half-snark, half-serious. "But hey, at least we don't have to deal with Captain America's 'morale speeches' this time. Too much."
Steve grunted in response, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm right here, Tony."
"Oh, don't pretend you didn't hear me," Tony shot back, flashing a wink at the team. "Anyway, Clint, you keep the perimeter tight. We don't need any surprises."
Clint, who had been unusually quiet up until now, chuckled. "Surprises? Dude, have you met us? I am the surprise."
Meanwhile, Gilgamesh was walking ahead, effortlessly looking like a human tank while still giving off that 'I've seen some stuff' vibe. He glanced at Kingo, who was already adjusting his sunglasses like they were about to be photographed by some paparazzi.
"Seriously, Kingo?" Gilgamesh said, his voice gravelly but with an affectionate undertone. "You can't turn it off, can you?"
Kingo winked. "What can I say? The camera loves me."
As they neared the warehouse, Makkari's ultra-fast reflexes kicked in, her form flickering like a blur as she moved, scouting the building for any hidden threats. She flashed a quick thumbs-up at the others before she disappeared behind a corner. "Nothing so far," Sersi translated, her voice calm but steady.
"Good," Natasha added, eyes scanning the perimeter. "Let's keep it that way."
The tension in the air was palpable, and Harry, sensing something off in the flow of magic, quietly activated a protective ward around himself and Sersi. No one had noticed, not even the sharp-eyed Natasha or Clint, but Sersi did, her gaze meeting Harry's with an unreadable look.
"Ready for this?" he asked, his tone dropping to something much quieter—something a little more personal.
Sersi met his gaze, her expression softening. "Always."
With a nod, Harry gestured for the group to move forward. They entered the warehouse, weapons at the ready.
And that's when the trap snapped shut.
HYDRA operatives appeared out of nowhere, guns drawn and faces twisted into sneers, like they'd been waiting for the Avengers and Eternals to waltz into their lair. Well, surprise, they'd been right. But they weren't about to win without a fight.
"Nice of you to join the party!" Tony quipped, already launching a blast from his suit. "I was wondering when you'd stop hiding like a bunch of scared kids."
Clint loosed an arrow, striking one HYDRA agent in the chest with perfect precision. "And here I thought we were going to have to play nice."
Thor, whose hair was blowing dramatically in the non-existent wind (because, of course), swung Mjolnir with a thunderous roar. "It seems these mortal men have no honor."
"Well, you're not exactly in a 'meet and greet' mood either, buddy," Tony shot back, eyes flickering to Harry for a split second, waiting for him to do his thing.
"Oh, don't worry," Harry called out, a wicked grin crossing his face as he flicked his wrist, sending a burst of green energy to knock two of the HYDRA agents into the far wall. "I've got this."
And with that, the battle was on. Harry darted around, using his magic to disarm and knock out agents, all while tossing in a few cheeky remarks. "Is this what you guys call a welcome wagon? No snacks, no drinks, and a lot of broken bones. I'm starting to feel unappreciated."
Sersi, who had been fighting beside him, shot a glance at Harry, her lips twitching into a smile. "You're impossible."
"Impossible's my middle name," he replied, eyes glinting. "Well, it's actually 'Potter,' but we're not getting into that right now."
She shook her head, but Harry could tell she was enjoying it. She always did when he pushed her buttons, just a little.
But there was no time for flirting now. The team was working like a well-oiled machine—except for Kingo, who was definitely striking dramatic poses between every shot, and Tony, who was clearly throwing in snark for free.
"You know," Tony said, blasting another HYDRA agent into the next century, "I'm really starting to think we should charge for these rescue operations. It's getting expensive."
"Noted," Clint said, shooting another arrow. "Send me the invoice later, Tony."
And as the dust settled, Harry locked eyes with Sersi again, both of them catching their breath in the aftermath. The unspoken connection between them buzzed, palpable in the air.
"Nice work," Harry said quietly, a rare sincerity to his voice. "You too."
Sersi's smile was soft but knowing. "We make a good team."
"Oh, I know," Harry replied, his grin returning. "But we're just getting started."
---
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