Inked

The halls of Asgard were shiny, but not near as shiny as he had been expecting the first time he arrived via bifrost. It had been a year since the first time he had visited Loki so that he could try Asgardian ink. And now he was back again, this time to stand up for Loki at his wedding, no... handfasting. He had to remember that it was a different ceremony than he would be used to. A few weeks back, when he agreed to come to the ceremony, he hadn’t known he was accepting to be what was basically a best man. 

Steve had asked Thor if he was upset that Loki wanted Steve and not himself, but his giant, affable boyfriend had just grinned and shook his head. 

“Loki has often found it hard to make friends, always in my shadow even though it was not purposeful on my part. I am glad to see you two make such good friends.” Thor had kissed him soundly before tossing Steve on the large bed in his Stark apartment. “Plus, I have other duties during the ceremony.” 

“Ah, I see.” There had been no more words after that. Not important ones anyway. And now they were on Asgard together. He’d met Frigga and been introduced as Thor’s consort. It was all just a bit insane for Steve, but he wouldn't change it. Not for nothing.  

He found his way to the training grounds near the stables on the left side of the palace. He spotted Valkyrie soundly kicking the ass of the guy sparring with her. She had been a surprise for sure. A foul mouthed, heavy drinking warrior who couldn’t care less who Steve was. Thor had mentioned that she was the last of her kind, the sole survivor of a battle that would be spoken of for eons. They exchanged head nods and he went on his way, trying to find his boyfriend. 

Thor had gotten called away that morning, something about a hurt guard, and Steve had gotten tired of waiting. He followed the rock path to what he figured was an infirmary of sorts. He quirked a quick smile when he saw he was correct. Thor was with three guards, one laying on a low cot with  their version of a nurse wrapping a wound on a bloody leg. 

“Ah, elskan you have found me.” Thor stood and made his way over. 

“I was just making sure you didn’t need anything. You were a bit longer than I anticipated.” He accepted a kiss to his cheek, before nodding to the prone man. “He going to be okay?”

“Aye, simply a bad dodge. Nik is getting quite proficient with his blade.” Thor pointed to the youngest of the three men who still had a look of utter horror on his face.  

“Ah, okay. Uh, Loki had mentioned something about lunch, that was the other reason I was looking for you.” 

“Aye. It is tradition and I would be loath to miss it. Inge, you are well? Is my assistance still required?”

“No, my prince. I am nearly done with Aren, and then I will be back to the healing rooms. Aren does not need more than this, it will heal cleanly in a few days time.” The healer dipped their head in respect before going back to tying off the bandage. 

“Then I shall take your leave. My brothers, be well.” The two guards dipped their heads as Igne did and then Thor took Steve’s hand to lead him away.

Lunch was a full affair, and the first time Steve got to meet Sigyn, Loki’s intended. Meeting her, Steve understood the tribute Loki had given her on his skin. She was volatile like a storm, but also beautiful. She and Thor were clearly not fans of each other, but they put up a good attempt to be fine in front of the king and queen. 

After lunch, Steve and Thor finally had free time and Steve was able to drag his boyfriend to see Bjod, so that Thor could actually watch Steve get his next tattoo. Nat had joked that Steve should get a discreet thunderbolt, sort of like the arrow she had tattooed across her ribs but Steve and Thor had definitely not been together long enough to do something like that. 

“You continue to add art to your body Steven, it is already beautiful but now you adorn it as if it were a temple. I adore the splay of ink across your porcelain skin, what will you get this time?” Thor asked as they sat in the antechamber at Bjod’s home. 

“I’m getting five dots up the side of my leg, starting at my ankle.” 

“Five dots?” Thor tilted his head, confused and it was so adorable, Steve had to kiss him. 

“Yes, one for each of the Avengers. My new family.” 

“Oh Steven, you honor us.” One of Thor’s massive hands landed at the back of Steve’s neck to pull him close. In his youth, he had hated being small, but now, oh did it make him feel safe to be held by his giant boyfriend. “I have no markings on me as of yet, would it upset you to share this honor with me? I would get six, one for each of you and then one for my brother as well.” 

“I think that would be real swell, doll.” Steve pressed a kiss to the underside of Thor’s jaw and settled into the hold. Bjod would call for them when he was ready, until then Steve was going to cuddle. 

It wasn't long before the large Asgardian came through with another man. Steve could see the gauze wrapped around the other client’s bicep but he didn't stare. On the other hand, both Bjod and the client stopped short at the sight of Thor. 

“Your majesty.” The men spoke in unison, both of them performing the head dip that Steve had learned was the easiest way to show respect on Asgard. At least they didn’t do full bows. There was a rapid fire conversation in Asgardian, and then the man left and both Steve and Thor were being led into the back rooms.

“Ah, Steven Rogerson, you are back for more? And you brought our prince with you?” 

“Yeah, uh. Yeah. He’s going to get the same thing as me.” Bjod looked closely at the two of them and apparently saw something he hadn’t before. 

“I missed this, it seems. Congratulations.” He poured shimmery ink into a small bowl, “who is going first?” 

“I will. Thor hasn’t gone through this yet, it might be better for him to see first.” 

“You question his tolerance for pain?” Bjod scoffed. 

“No.” Steve looked up sharply. “I would never doubt him. But sometimes it helps to see how something will go before you attempt it yourself.” 

“So thoughtful, my partner is, is he not? I am blessed to have one such as him at my side.” Steve melted at the fondness in Thor’s words and Bjod just went to work cleaning Steve’s leg and shaving the hair with a dangerous looking straight razor.

The pain wasn’t bad but it was sharp. Luckily this was the smallest tattoo he had gotten and the five small circles were done in moments. He let Bjod cover it in cream and wrap it in gauze, even though he knew it would be healed in mere minutes. 

When Thor sat down, the two Asgardians had a quiet conversation in their mother tongue. Steve walked over to the window to give them privacy. He only returned when he heard the whir of the machine Bjod used. Thor had chosen to get his circles in the same spot as Steve and his boyfriend reached out to hold his hand. Steve moved closer, half leaning against the larger man as Bjod finished. 

“All done, your majesty.” Bjod wiped the cream on and wrapped gauze on Thor's leg. They matched under their pant legs and it hit Steve straight in the gut just how much he loved the big, smiling man. It was way too soon to be thinking about futures, but Steve knew deep down that Thor was what he wanted in his life. Now he just had to find out if Thor wanted that too. Probably best to wait, get through Loki’s handfasting first. 

Hand in hand they walked back to the palace and found their way to Thor’s rooms. Once there, Steve lifted his pants leg and unwrapped the gauze. As he thought, the new tattoo was already healed over. He twisted his ankle to show Thor who knelt down to run a finger up the short line. 

“It is so simple, yet holds so much love.” Thor pressed a kiss to the top circle before pulling off his boot and pulling up his pants leg. Like Steve’s, the tattoo was already healed. Steve was just leaning down to touch it when Loki burst in and stopped short. 

“Oh. The rumor is true then.” 

“Brother, what rumor?” 

“It is all over the palace Thor. Word has gone around that the prince has inked his body.” 

“Is that a problem? I mean, you have several tattoos, Loki.” Steve asked. 

“Ah, but I am not a true prince of Asgard. It is well known that I am a bastard adopted by Odin. Thor however, is crown prince. He will be King some day.” Loki grinned. “I will bet the finest elven wine that there will be many Asgardians clamoring to get the same tattoo soon.” 

“Huh.” Steve sat down hard, not sure how he felt about the idea of a few different Asgardians having the same tattoo as him, especially considering the reason he got it.

“Steven, my love, do not worry. I told Bjod that he was not allowed to tell anyone what I got. I would not take something that meant so much to you and then let it be spread in that manner.” Thor knelt in front of him, one hand on the new tattoo, the other cradling Steve’s left hand. His thumb was rubbing circles over Steve’s ring finger and Steve couldn't tell if Thor understood at all why it was making Steve flushed. 

“Oh, well if you’re going to get all mushy, I will take my leave. But, at some point I would like to know why this tattoo means so much to you my friend.” Loki paused at the door and just shook his head at Steve and Thor leaning into each other, foreheads touching. He slipped away and Steve let out a soft breath when he heard the door click behind Loki. 

“Thank you, for protecting my feelings as easily as you protect my back.” 

“Of course, my love. How could I not? You are everything to me.” Thor rubbed their noses together making Steve grin. 

“I love you.” The admission had been on the tip of his tongue for so long, it was a relief to let it slip out.

“Aye. I am aware, as I love you.” Steve huffed out a laugh and slid a hand down to tickle Thor’s ribs, his one weakness. 

“You are aware huh?” So, if I love you and you love me, what should we do now?” 

“I believe we should cement this love on the bed,” Thor waggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous manner,  “and then, my astin min, then I shall tell my parents that we are to be wed, because I do not want to think of a life without you in it.” 

“Oh.” Steve’s head shot up. “Yeah? You want to marry me?” 

“Aye I do. More than anything.” There were tears threatening to spill at the corners of Thor’s eyes. Steve ran his thumb under them to collect the emotion. 

“Then I guess we should get married, or handfasted, whatever it is.” His heart was threatening to burst out of his chest. 

“We shall do both. A handfasting ceremony here on Asgard, and a wedding ceremony on Earth, so that our Avengers family can be a part of it as well.” Thor announced before standing and scooping Steve up to throw him on the bed. It was eerily reminiscent of their first night together, and Steve loved it. 

“Later, Thor, we can talk about it later.”  Steve needed him now, they could talk logistics after he got what he wanted from his god.

“Aye, later.” And that was all that was said until their shredded clothes were on the floor and their naked, sweaty bodies were cooling on the bed.