{Chapter: 339 I'm Here To Propose Marriage}
Turning his head slowly with a familiar smirk, Loki raised a chained hand in a theatrical flourish. "Brother," he said, his tone rich with irony. "I didn't expect you to bring a guest to see me today."
Then his green eyes fell on William, and he chuckled. "And such a famous guest at that. Mr. William… truly a blessing. I feel honored."
William arched a brow, meeting Loki's gaze without flinching. "The pleasure's all mine. It's been too long since I saw you perform. You still play the stage clown beautifully."
Loki laughed, tossing back his disheveled hair. "Yes, yes, the fool for the gods. That's me. Always here to amuse." He gave a small bow, shackled as he was. "The jester locked in the dungeon."
William smiled faintly, amused. "People who know themselves are rare. I admire your honesty, Loki."
Loki's smile grew wider. "Why, thank you. Listening to you talk, William, is better than ten years of philosophy in the royal archives." His tone was mocking, but his eyes glinted with curiosity. "So… the two of you, together. That's unexpected. Tell me, has Thor finally forgiven you, or is this more of a 'keep your enemies close' situation?"
"What do you think?" William replied, his voice smooth.
Loki let out a low laugh, leaning back in his chair, the chains around his arms clinking. "Oh, this is a delightful puzzle. Let me think… Thor wants to return to Asgard, but the Tesseract is with you. So, he comes crawling back to negotiate. Typical."
Thor grunted, clearly annoyed. "Enough, Loki."
William smirked. "I have to admit, Loki, you're smarter than your brother. At least when it comes to reading people."
Loki placed a hand on his chest, mock-touched. "Finally, some appreciation. I've always said I was the brains in this family. Of course, Thor has never had the humility to admit it."
"Hmph," Thor grunted again, crossing his arms, jaw clenched.
Loki turned his attention back to William. "So… Mr. William is taking us to Asgard? How charming. It's been far too long since I walked those golden halls."
Thor narrowed his eyes. "Loki, you are still a criminal in Asgard. You'll be held accountable."
"Is that how you talk to your brother?" Loki said, his voice laced with mock sadness. "So cold, so formal. What about your precious guest here—will Asgard hold him accountable as well?"
Thor didn't answer immediately. The weight of the past lingered too heavily.
"We won't let him off easily," Thor finally muttered.
Loki snorted. "How noble. The mighty gods with their shining armor and self-righteous speeches. Always eager to punish the weak… never brave enough to challenge the strong."
Thor clenched his fists, but his response lacked bite. "Father will decide."
Loki scoffed. "Odin? Please. He's an old man playing king. Passing the throne to you? That's the real joke."
"Loki," Thor snapped, voice rising. "Show some respect. He is your father."
"Your father, Thor!" Loki shouted, anger flaring in his voice. "I'm just the forsaken son of ice giants, remember? The adopted child—nothing more than a mistake Odin tried to raise like a pet."
Before the situation could escalate further, William raised a hand and sighed. "Enough. I'm not here to watch a family therapy session turn into another apocalypse. Do you want to go to Asgard or not?"
Loki tilted his head. "Do I have a choice? Of course not. But don't worry, I'll behave." He winked.
As William turned away, Jane slipped her hand into his. He glanced down at her and gave her a soft smile, his fingers brushing hers tenderly.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" he asked gently, his voice quiet.
"I'd go anywhere with you," Jane said, looking up at him. Her eyes were filled with warmth. "Even into the realm of gods."
William chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You're braver than you look."
"I'm a scientist dating a terrorist," she teased. "I think I passed brave a long time ago."
Their fingers interlocked, and for a moment, their world felt separate from the chaos around them.
Loki watched the interaction and rolled his eyes. "Oh, gods, spare me the affection. I'm already in chains. Must I suffer this too?"
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Loki," Jane replied with a smirk.
"Don't flatter yourself," Loki shot back. "I just have a weak stomach."
William smiled and looked at Thor. "Let's get this over with. We're wasting time."
Thor nodded and stepped forward. "Very well. But once we arrive, you follow my lead. Both of you."
William shrugged. "I'm not planning to start trouble. For once."
---
High above the golden spires of Asgard, the realm of eternal light and divine power, the fabric of space began to ripple like water disturbed by a stone. Blue energy shimmered, arcs of pure cosmic force swirling through the air with an electric hum, bending the heavens around it.
The Rainbow Bridge, once shattered during the chaos of war, still bore the faint scars of that great catastrophe. It remained a symbol of both resilience and tragedy. The city itself gleamed with celestial majesty—its towering palaces glowing beneath an eternal aurora—but the signs of battle had not fully faded. Beneath the polished surface, cracks still whispered of the cost of peace.
Asgard, the shining realm of the Aesir, had nearly fallen more than a year ago. A calamity had shaken its very foundations, taking countless lives and leaving wounds in both stone and spirit. Since then, the Asgardians had worked tirelessly, their pride and perseverance breathing life back into their capital. Yet no one could forget the past. It lingered in every silent corner, every hastily repaired statue, every empty seat at a banquet table.
Suddenly, the sky above cracked with a thunderous boom. Swirling energy converged, forming a big portal that tore through the air with violent grace.
Out of the light stepped four figures.
Leading the group was Thor, the God of Thunder himself, his red cape flaring behind him like a banner of war. Beside him strode William, calm and unshaken, his posture relaxed, as though walking through divine gates was an everyday affair. In his arms, held close and safe, was Jane Foster, eyes wide with wonder. And behind them, in chains but with a smug smile tugging at his lips, sauntered Loki, mischief gleaming in his eyes like a secret he was dying to share.
Their dramatic entrance did not go unnoticed.
The portal's thunder alerted the city's sentries. Armored Asgardian warriors rushed into the skies, flying on their disk-shaped skiffs or leaping between rooftops, weapons drawn and eyes scanning for threats. From the palace throne, Odin felt the shift and immediately vanished, his form dissolving into golden light.
In the sky, another shimmer. More warriors appeared, weapons pointed toward the open rift.
"Ahhh—!" A startled cry echoed from the wormhole.
The four tumbled out, but William smoothly shifted mid-air, turning the descent into a graceful landing. With one arm, he held Jane protectively against his chest, cushioning her from the impact. Her hands gripped him tightly, but she was smiling.
William looked around at the Asgardian warriors now circling them. "Well, hello there. I must say, you all know how to make a guest feel... overly welcome."
"Wi—Wi... William?!"
The name rippled through the crowd like a dropped stone in still water. Murmurs turned into gasps. Eyes widened. Spears tightened in hands. The warriors' faces were gripped by fear and disbelief. William—the unpredictable, terrifying man who once nearly brought Asgard to its knees—had returned.
"Everyone, stand down!" Thor's deep voice cut through the chaos.
"It's Thor!" someone shouted. "Thor has returned!"
That name steadied the ranks. As guardians of the realm, they trusted Thor, though their eyes still flicked warily to William.
Then a commanding, ancient voice thundered across the skies. "Bold William... you dare set foot in Asgard again?!"
The air parted like mist as Odin, All-Father and King of the Gods, appeared in his full regalia, Gungnir in hand, divine power radiating from him like the sun itself.
"Father!" Thor called, pulling Loki with him as he soared up to meet Odin.
"All-Father," Loki said with a grin, refusing to use the word "father." "What a delight. You haven't aged a day... though I do detect a bit more worry in your eyes."
Odin's gaze locked on Loki, then shifted to William. "You... again."
William offered a casual smile, brushing some dust off his shoulder. "It's been over a year, Odin. I must say, the city looks magnificent. I almost don't recognize it—Asgard has healed well."
"You will not get the chance to destroy it again," Odin said, eyes hard.
"I'm not here for destruction." William's tone was light, but his gaze didn't waver. "This time, I come bearing the goodwill of Earth."
Everyone, including Odin, knew he was lying through his teeth. But Odin also knew better than to engage recklessly. Last time, Asgard had nearly fallen. That couldn't happen again.
"What is your purpose?" Odin demanded, raising his staff slightly.
Before William could answer, Jane gently tugged at his arm, her voice filled with awe. "This place... is this really Asgard?" Her eyes sparkled like starlight, reflecting the golden towers around them.
William looked down at her, his usual sarcasm momentarily replaced with something softer. "Yes. Asgard. Home of gods and warriors. And right now, you make it look even more heavenly."
Jane blushed, but didn't let go. "It's beautiful. But I'm guessing we're not exactly here for a vacation."
"Oh, no," William said with a chuckle, raising a brow. "I just thought... what better place to propose than under the light of nine realms?"
She rolled her eyes, smiling. "You're impossible."
"Romantically impossible," he murmured, brushing a lock of hair from her cheek with surprising tenderness.
Odin, growing more impatient, raised his voice. "Enough games! Speak plainly—why have you returned?"
William turned toward him, smirking. "Odin, you asked my purpose. Allow me to enlighten you—I've come here to propose marriage."
The crowd fell silent. A ripple of shock passed through the gathered warriors.
From behind them, a female voice, full of fury and disbelief, shouted, "William!"
All heads turned.
William's smile deepened. "And now the real fun begins."