Chapter Text
Chapter One – The Introduction
’Okay Darcy just play it cool. Don’t flip into Fancy Mode. Use some of the manners, just some of them. You can do this, you can totally do this.’ Darcy didn’t believe a single word she was chanting to herself.
Thor’s father had finally pulled the stick that was shoved up his ass and had granted permission for Jane to come visit Asgard. Thor and Jane would sit down with his parents and officially discuss how the future would be. Jane’s past visit in Asgard during the evil elf pandemic had left the astrophysicist with a bad taste in her mouth towards Odin. Nervous about being unable to change the king’s mind Jane had all but begged Darcy into coming along.
Thor saw no problem with inviting Darcy as he considered her a shield-sister. Lady Sif and the Warrior Three were looking forward to spending time with her as their past visit to Midgard had left them with a pleased impression.
Even Odin and Frigga had no issue with the extra visitor coming along. If anyone was upset about Darcy going along to Asgard, it was Darcy. She had no issue going as a third-wheel-comforter for Jane, they were practically sisters. She had no issue with the thought of hanging out with Lady Sif and the Brochachos Three, they were all badass warriors/secret sweet hearts. Hell she didn’t even have an issue with meeting Thor’s parents! Her problem was the entire setting of the affair. The noble setting to it all.
Darcy had pretty much shared everything with Jane. Every conquest since flipping the ‘On’ switch on her sex life. Every itty bitty scary thing that made her want to crawl into a hole to hide. Jane even knew how many toys Darcy kept stashed in her room. But there was one thing she hadn’t told Jane. She’d shared some of the edge details on it, but not the whole picture. She wasn’t embarrassed by it or thought Jane would fire her or anything like that. She just liked having Jane treat her as she always had. Like an annoying kid sister that didn’t know when to behave.
A little twist in her stomach made Darcy wish she’d told Jane sooner.
~~~~~ ~~~~
The trip via Bi-Frost left Darcy slightly off kilter. Her arms outstretched to keep balanced she had to laugh, “I’d love to try that while I was high, it would be totally trippy.”
Jane gave Darcy a quick swat on the back of the head, “I thought you quit pot.”
“I did! I’m clean I swear. I meant hypothetically if I was still using pot.” Grinning Darcy twirled on her foot to take in the big golden sphere they stood in. Her eyes lands on the towering man in matching golden armor Darcy ducked her head a bit sheepishly, “Oh um….Heimdal right? I was seriously just joking about what I just said.”
The large African-American (or was it African-Asgardian?) man inclined his head, “No need to worry Lady Darcy, I won’t revoke further trips through the BiFrost if that is what you fear.” There was a certain extra level of respect added to the way he said ‘lady’ that immediately made Darcy wary. Glancing over to where Jane and Thor were making their way to the exit she let out a tiny sigh of relief. Looking back to Heimdal she found he had the barest hint of a smile on his mouth.
“Come on Darcy!” Jane’s anxious call managed to make her feet move.
Deciding to just ignore what happened Darcy caught up to Thor and Jane just as they approached a set of rather tall horses. Thor stroked the muzzle of a light beige mare with white stockings, a guard stood next to the chestnut gelding. Smiling Thor gestured to the chestnut and the guard, “I’ll be riding with Jane, and wanted to be sure you were taken care of as well Darcy. He’ll ensure you won’t fall from the saddle.”
Smiling in return for this display of consideration Darcy waved him off, “Awww thanks big guy.” Going to the chestnut she held her hand out palm up, once he’d given her a tentative sniff and butted against her hand with playful affection she knew she’d do well with him.
Going to the side she found the guard waiting to assist her up into the saddle. Raising a hand to ensure he didn’t move Darcy explained, “I can get into the saddle myself thanks.” Not bothering to take a second to consider her audience Darcy raised her foot up into the stir up, grabbed the top of the saddle and hoisted herself up with a turn that had her sitting sideways. Only after she’d settled herself did she realize what she’d done. Looking down to an impressed Thor and incredulous Jane Darcy shrugged, “Ta dah?”
“I’d no idea you were trained for horse riding. Your movements speak of years of practice.” As Thor spoke he helped Jane up into the saddle and moved up behind her.
The guard she’d declined assistance from got into the saddle behind Darcy. If she didn’t know any better she could swear he looked a bit put off from being shown up. Attempting to keep things casual she covered with, “I had lessons when I was a teenager. I’ve just got great muscle memory I guess.” From the way Jane glared suspiciously over Thor’s arm Darcy knew the bluff didn’t work for her. Thor accepted it easily and set the horses off at a gallop towards the palace.
As they rode Darcy couldn’t help but snicker to herself, ‘I’m living every little girl’s dream of riding a pony over a rainbow. 5 year old me would be totally jelly.’
The Asgardian horses put Earth horses to shame with how fast they traveled. It seemed to take less than a minute before they halted the horses at the base of stairs leading up into the giant gold palace. To make her sulky guard companion feel better Darcy let him help her off the horse. When Jane was put down next to her Darcy pointed up to the looming building, “How much you want to bet the myth of El Dorado was based off this place?”
Jane seemed about to protest, but then her Science! Brain caught up from where she’d left it back at the Bifrost, “That….actually sounds entirely plausible when you think about it. Given that Thor and his people are believed to be Gods from the impression they left on the Vikings, it would be just as easy for the story of a golden kingdom to be worshiped much the same way through stories and depictions.”
Putting a hand on Jane and Darcy’s shoulders Thor gently pushed the women up the stairs, “Come, my parents eagerly await your arrival.”
“Yea I bet Odin can’t wait to meet his son’s favorite goat again.” Jane growled this so quietly under her breathe that only Darcy caught it. Darcy gave Jane a nudge in the ribs with her elbow, when Jane looked over Darcy muttered, “Baaaaaah baaaah I love Thor, baaaaaaah.” Jane just about shoved Darcy into the upcoming pillar but didn’t because she was laughing so hard. Thor didn’t have any idea what he was missing out on, he just kept leading them along feeling reassured with Jane’s laughter echoing through the grand halls.
As they walked Darcy made note of the repairs still being made to the building interior. It’d been half a year since the Convergence and Thor’s great escape with Loki, which resulted in more damage than the ship’s crash landing had caused.
All too soon Darcy was brought back to the present when she found herself standing in the throne room. King Odin and Queen Frigga were observing her and Jane with vastly different expressions. Odin looked as a blank as a statue, showing little to no emotion as possible. Frigga had waves of curiosity and warmth coming off of her.
Thor stepped forward and gave a quick bow. Righting himself he gestured to Jane, his eyes and voice conveying nothing but affection, “Father, Mother, may I present to you once more my Lady Jane Foster. A brilliant scholar among her peers who seeks to make a Bifrost for Midgard.”
Darcy felt pride thrum through her as she watched Jane, dressed in a simple but flattering pink sundress and matching shawl, give an appropriate if not shaky curtsy. When Jane had told Darcy that she was going to be properly introduced to Thor’s parents she’d gotten so wrung up about appearance that Darcy had to step in to intervene. Thankfully Jane didn’t ask any questions when Darcy coached her through the process of how to curtsy or how to respond when they spoke to her for the first time after Thor introduced her.
Odin’s mouth twitched, Darcy hoped it was an involuntary reflex of surprise. ‘Can a goat curtsy you asshole?’ She thought this with a slight smugness as Odin addressed Jane, “I welcome you back into my home Lady Jane.”
“I was honored and humbled to be able to return your Majesties.” Jane’s voice was solid in her response.
“May I also present Lady Darcy Lewis. She assists Lady Jane in her work. A true warrior of heart and spirit.” It wasn’t the best introduction, but it certainly flattered her. Stepping up and just a pace behind Jane Darcy dropped into a deep curtsy. As she’d done with the horse she didn’t keep herself in check, her muscles responded from memory and made it a graceful movement that held steady at the end. She’d worn a dark green long sleeved dress with a flowing skirt, she wanted to compliment Jane’s cuteness, not outshine her.
“I do believe you’ve provided the wrong title my son. Come now child, speak truth in our court.” With her head bowed in the curtsy Darcy couldn’t see who spoke, but the soft and commanding voice could only have come from the Queen.
Cursing as loudly as possible in her mind Darcy straightened from her curtsy, “As you wish your Majesty. My name is Darcia Elizabeth Lawson II, unclaimed Baroness of Midland. It is an honour and great priviledge to be welcomed into your home.”
Jane’s jaw nearly touched the floor. Her loud mouthed, bratty and over exuberant assistant seemed to have magically transformed into a well spoken young woman. Her back was ram rod straight, her head held at an angle that spoke of knowing her place among those of a higher station. Even the tone and inflection of Darcy’s words sounded alien to her. They almost fell into the same Shakespearean realm that Thor’s speech followed.
Odin seemed to sit straighter in his seat, his lone eye focused on the young woman, “I welcome you Baroness Darcia to my home.” His voice carried the added tone of one leader addressing another in closer comparison to his station. Darcy grated her teeth but said nothing.
Frigga watched from the corner of her eye as a shadow that hovered next to the pillars observed the introductions. His green eyes had focused on the young woman as she proclaimed her title. ‘My silly boy. What mischief are you brewing now?’
Giving her attention back to the two young women before her Frigga informed them, “Rooms have been prepared for you. I invite you both to join my family for our evening meal. Until that time please feel free to relax. Anything you may require will be provided, merely ask the hand maidens assigned to your rooms.”
The unspoken dismissal was welcome. Still in her Baroness mind set Darcy curtsied once more and walked alongside Jane and Thor to the doorway.
The minute the doors to the throne room closed behind them Jane spun on Darcy, “What the freaking hell Darce?!”
Both eyebrows raised Darcy held her hands up, “Whoa there! Deep breathes Janey. Give me a second and I’ll explain. I’m still trying to come out of ‘Nobility Mode.’ “
“Lady, pardon, Baroness Darcia, why did you not introduce yourself as such when we first met. My manner of treatment-” Thor was just as thrown as Jane had been at the moment of reveal.
Holding up a finger Darcy met his gaze with a stern one, “Please just call me Darcy. And I never meant to keep lying about it! It just didn’t come up in any conversations!”
“There have been plenty of times you could have told me at least Darce. I mean, why wasn’t any of this on your background check? How did S.H.I.E.L.D. not know?” They kept walking as they talked, their voices kept low so they didn’t stir up the busy bodies into a gossiping frenzy.
“There is never a good time to suddenly say, ‘Oh hey by the way, I’m kind of lesser nobility.’ Besides there wasn’t any point in telling you. It doesn’t change anything right? We’re still good aren’t we?” Thor lead them through a door that entered into a small yet elegant bedroom.
The conversation had shifted entirely away from him and had become a matter between the two women. Knowing when to retreat he quietly left the room and closed the doors.
Jane’s hands clenched and unclenched, her lips pressed together for a moment before she could find the words she wanted, “I-I just feel like you were lying to me this whole time. I thought I knew who you were inside and out. But I really only knew half of who you were.”
Refusing to cave into an emotional sobbing mess Darcy crossed her arms into an X, “You do know me Jane. You know me better than anyone else. This whole Baroness bullshit is not me! I never wanted it. You remember that horrible Aunt I told you about?”
“Your Aunt Beast.”
“Yea that one. After my parents died in that car accident she was the only relative that would take me in. You know why? Because she wanted to groom me. From when I was 12 until I turned 18 I was forced to dress up in no nonsense clothes. I had to go to etiquette lessons for hours before and after regular classes. She’s a monster that is obsessed with our family ancestry. Never mind that no one uses lesser nobility titles anymore. She doesn’t give a damn that the only rights and property that belong to the family are what her mini palace is built on. For six years I had to be her little Baroness Barbie. As soon as I hit 18 I ran away. I’ve never looked back. Who you know inside and out is Darcy Maria Lewis. The only crazy person willing to keep being your assistant after facing down a giant Destroyer Robot, and a fucking army of Elves. The person, the persona that you just met in front of Odin and Frigga is the empty shell that I was forced into by my Aunt.”
Darcy was panting, her cheeks were damp from tears, and all she wanted to do was curl into a hug from the first person willing to offer.
Jane listened and by the end she had tears in her own eyes. The second Darcy stopped talking Jane grabbed her in a hug. Even though they were the same height with Jane only being a few years older, Jane never doubted that Darcy was connected to her as a sister. The second Jane had put her arms around Darcy, the younger girl had started to cry. She clung to Jane for all she was worth. Jane waited until Darcy’s sobs had quieted before saying, “You’re right Darcy. I do know you. And I love the fact that you’re just crazy enough to keep working for me after everything you’ve gone through already.”
“Dark Elves, and killer robot are still a million times better than my batshit crazy Aunt. Lesser of two evils by a long shot.”
With that the tension of their discussion faded with their half sobbed chuckles. Pulling apart Jane awkwardly gave Darcy a pat on the head, “Um...I know you hate that part of you, but could Baroness Barbie please help me survive the rest of my time in front of Odin?"
Huffing with an eye roll Darcy groaned, “Fiiiine, only because you and Thor make a disgustingly cute couple and I’d hate to give the old fucker any fuel against you. Speaking of your Prince Almighty, I’m sure he’s waiting for you at your own private suite. Go make the poor man feel more secure and come back before we have to go to dinner. I’ll teach you which fork is what.”
Jane gave Darcy another hug then left. Much to her relief there was a servant waiting for her in the hall.
Darcy watched Jane follow after the other woman then let out a long sigh. Going over to the standing mirror set up near the wardrobe Darcy eyed her reflection, “You can do this Darcy. You can play Baroness Barbie for a little bit. No harm to it. Do it for Jane.” Despite her voice being firm, Darcy didn’t believe it at all.
Neither did the green eyed shadow that listened on the other side of her doorway.