The door opened.
Tony Stark was standing on the doorstep.
He looked like he had just survived a war – still wearing his armor, which was scratched and covered in black marks from explosions.
"Did SHIELD finish the job?" Aron asked, glancing behind Tony.
By then, he had already destroyed several important Hydra bases within the temple, including the one that had tried to summon the shadow demon. The remaining bases were not his concern, that was left to SHIELD and the Avengers.
It seemed Tony and the others had finally cleansed the corruption within SHIELD.
"Yes, it's done," Tony replied.
"You have no idea, they almost turned SHIELD into Swiss cheese. So many holes."
"They even planned that project with the helicarriers. Luckily, only one was finished, otherwise we'd have had to take down three at once."
Tony entered the house, clearly ready to boast about what he had done.
"When the helicarrier launched, I broke straight into the control room and let Jarvis take over the system. You should've seen the faces of those Hydra guys…"
As Tony laughed and turned toward the living room, he noticed the older man with a cane sitting on the couch.
He almost said: "Who the hell is this now?"
But Odin spoke first.
"You are Tony Stark. Thor has already told me about you. I'm grateful for what you did for Loki."
Odin smiled slightly as he looked at Tony.
Tony wasn't stupid. He looked at the old man's beard, his attire resembling a Nordic king, and the way he spoke about Thor and Loki. He didn't need more.
Thor's father. God-king of Asgard.
Odin.
"Ehm… I didn't know you already had a guest. Aron, I'll see you another time, I don't want to intrude."
Faced with such a big name, Tony felt a little silly about the reason he came and had already turned to leave.
"Just say what you want," said Aron, stopping him.
To be honest, Odin wasn't going to eat him.
And upstairs, Wanda was waiting to eat his flesh.
"Alright," Tony said, no longer beating around the bush.
He took a prepared contract out of his pocket.
"Stark Industries is giving you 15% of the shares. You become the second-largest shareholder right after me."
Tony Stark, who personally owned 39%, was now giving him a huge portion of the company. Obadiah had 25% before his death, and the rest belonged to investment funds and small shareholders.
Tony was now handing over almost everything he had.
"…"
Aron silently stared at the contract.
Hundreds of billions of dollars. Just like that.
"I don't understand," he said coldly.
"The Avengers aren't your private organization. Is it worth it to spend your own money to recruit people for a public institution?"
Tony paused. For the first time, he seemed to reflect on his own illogical thinking.
But he quickly composed himself.
"Money doesn't matter. If it's worth it, then it's worth it."
"Aron, I honestly want you to join the Avengers."
Even though he sounded calm, there was fear hidden in his eyes.
From the Chitauri invasion, to the war in New York, to demons and magic, all of it had started to break him inside.
His PTSP was only growing.
"…"
Aron remained silent.
Hundreds of billions of dollars.
Still, he didn't sign.
Neither SHIELD, nor the Avengers interested him.
Not even Kamar-Taj, where he was only a temporary guardian.
"Get lost. You'll make me sick."
He angrily waved his hand, opened a portal, and threw Tony out along with the contract.
Labor and capital, into the wind.
In his heart, blood was still dripping.
———
Odin watched all of it in silence.
Only after Tony disappeared did he smile.
"That mortal… has unlimited potential."
This assessment, from the king of the gods of Asgard, meant a lot.
"So, you see the future?" said Aron, leaning into the sofa.
"No. But after five thousand years, you learn to judge people."
"And not just him… Your future also has no limits."
"Enough flattery. I doubt you came to coddle me with words."
"Correct."
"I came because of Hela."
"Unlike my two sons, she inherited my ambition from youth. Her power comes from Asgard. If she returns there… she will be unstoppable."
Odin's eye gleamed with worry.
A catastrophe hung in the air.
"Aron, I want to ask you a favor."
...
"Stop."
"I don't get involved in family drama."
Aron wasn't interested in their conflicts.
Moreover… if he had to get involved, he'd rather stand on Hela's side.
The eldest princess of Asgard. Odin's war hound. The warrior who conquered the Nine Realms with him.
But in the end…
Odin became a merciful king, and she a sinner.
"If you want me to help you against your daughter feel free to leave now."
"No," said Odin.
"I want you to help her."
...
"Hm!?"