Child of Silence

Dark Times Ahead

Chapter 10 "Dark Times Ahead"

Bruce and Hulk

"Dr. Banner you are needed on the Communal Floor."

"Thank you Jarvis." Bruce was still half asleep as he pulled himself from his bed. He had been up late experimenting with a small amount of gamma rays. He knew that he would never fully get rid of the Hulk but maybe he could find a medium where they could coexist. He made it to the communal floor to see everyone suited up and ready to leave. Even the two gods were going though Loki did not look happy about it.

"Finally Big Green, what took you so long?" Tony asked exasperated.

"I was asleep, Tony; you know people do that at four in the morning. What's going on?"

"We got a call some Creatures appeared in London. Fury's brother called it in they need back up. Thor and Loki have identified them as Dark Elves from another realm since they know more about them they are needed for this mission but that will leave Harry vulnerable. We need you to stay here with him." Steve explained.

"What me? No; that's not a good idea not with the other guy being unpredictable."

"Doctor I trust you with Haraldr. He is still fragile and won't except a stranger to watch him. You have been a constant presence since he has come to live here in the tower. He trusts you. If at any time need help with his magic you may call Strange or Haraldr can portal you both to the Sanctum." Loki answered as he came to stand before the worried doctor.

"Before you ask, Reindeer Games doesn't completely trust the Magic Man since he tends to send him falling Through space for hours on end." Tony snickered earning a glare from his Dark Prince. Their relationship had been changing in the last two weeks but too slow for the billionaire. They were closer with events pushing the two closer together but Loki was still being stubborn. Since Harry's birthday the God of Mischief had taken to showing up at his lab at odd hours. Sometimes he would bring Harry sometimes not, just to check on him. It was really sweet but annoying at the same time because Loki refused to say that he did care for him. He had to keep reminding himself baby steps because the god's main focus right now was on their Mini Merlin. There had been no sign of the mysterious caller since the party but he had Jarvis on alert and his spy-ware working on tracing the intruder's origins.

"Harry will be fine with you Banner. He will be a bit upset when he sees we're gone but he'll feel safe knowing you are here. We all kind of left Harry some video messages since we aren't able to say goodbye." Bucky said scratching the back of his head.

"No worries Banner you got this. Harry is a good kid and be thankful he ain't a baby in diapers." Clint smirked slapping a hand on the doctor's shoulder.

"That's not very reassuring Clint." Bruce glared at the archer. "Loki, are you sure you want me to watch Harry?"

"Yes, I am sure Doctor Banner. I know that you would protect him with everything you have as well as the Green Guy. I know from personal and painful experience Hulk protects his friends." Loki gave him a small reassuring smile.

"Alright I'll watch him. How long do you figure you'll be gone?"

"We do not know hopefully we will be gone no more than a week. Dark Elves are very dangerous and vicious. The All-Father had thought them to be extinct so we have no idea what we are really walking into." Thor said gripping Mjolnir tightly.

"You all better take care I don't want to be the one to tell Harry why you didn't come back." Bruce warned.

"We will. I promise to make sure the whole team makes it home." Steve promise with Bucky nodding in agreement.