Saving Grace

Thirty Six

An hour or so after Grace left, all the guests did, too. All that remained were the Avengers, Maria Hill, Dr. Cho, and Rhodey. They ordered Chinese take out, which is why Clint is spinning a chopstick around in his hand like some sort of drummer while arguing with Thor.

"But it's a trick!" he says.

Thor laughs, handing Steve a drink. "Oh, no. It's much more than that."

Clint deepens his voice as he gestures dramatically. "'Whosoever, be he worthy, shall haveth the power!' Whatever man! It's a trick." Maria laughs from her spot next to him,.

Thor smiles patronizingly. "Well, please, be my guest."

Clint pauses, looking at him skeptically. "Really?

Thor shrugs, gesturing to the hammer in its spot on the coffee table. "Yeah, why not?"

Clint stands, and Rhodey laughs. "Oh, this is gonna be beautiful," the latter says.

Tony sighs, amused. "Clint, you've had a tough week; we won't hold it against you when you inevitably fail."

Clint looks at Thor, a brow raised. "You know I've seen this before, right?" He grabs it with one hand, grunting as he tries to lift it, but it won't move. Clint just laughs. "I still don't know how you do it."

"Smell the silent judgment?" Tony says.

Clint turns to him. "Please, Stark, by all means."

Nat, finally looking up from her conversation with Bruce, laughs, "Oh, here we go."

"This is gonna be even more beautiful," Rhodey says.

Tony rolls up the cuffs of his jacket as he walks over to the hammer. "Never one to shrink from an honest challenge. It's physics."

"Physics!" Bruce exclaims, laughing.

Tony grabs the handle and looks at Thor, "Right, so, if I lift it, then I rule Asgard?"

Thor nods calmly, completely unconcerned. "Yes, of course."

"I will be re-designing the palace and having statues built in my honor," Tony says. Then, he pulls on the hammer, which doesn't budge. "I'll be right back."

He comes back with the hand of his Iron Man suit on, then tries again, even the using the blaster to help him. Yet, it still doesn't budge. So, Rhodey gets the hand of his own armor, and they try together.

Still nothing.

"Are you even pulling?" Rhodey asks.

"Are you on my team?" Tony replies.

"Just represent! Pull!"

"Alright, let's go!"

Of course, nothing happens. Tony sighs. "I bet Grace could."

Thor chuckles, taking a drink. "Oh, I don't doubt it. Pepper is technically her mother, after all."

"So, you admit that she's great?" Tony replies.