A Poisoned Touch

In his and Thor’s room, he went to the bathroom first, making sure to get himself cleaned up. He accepted the Asgardian clothing that Thor offered him, nearly choking up when he saw that someone had set aside shirts just for him, made to account for his wings. He quirked an eyebrow at Thor after the larger man had helped him with the closures.

“Ah, well, I believe my mother quite likes you.” Thor shrugged and Steve couldn't remember ever seeing the god blush before, so it was all too easy to rib him.

“Oh, your mother likes me huh? Not you?” Steve stepped closer, hands landing on Thor’s hips. “So I should make sure to thank her then, for thinking of my needs in such a way.”

“Alright. It was I. I let my brother take one of the first shirts that Tony tampered with, and he made sure to bring it to the royal seamstress.”

“The royal seamstress, huh? So I’m dressed like you then? Royally. That’s making me feel some sort of way, Thor. I ain’t gonna lie.” He couldn’t stop the grin if he tried. His boyfriend was too cute.”

“Well, as consort to the prince,” he leaned forward to steal a kiss, “that is I, then it is expected that you present yourself in a proud manner.”

“Consort, huh? In my head I’ve been calling you my boyfriend, though it is a bit juvenile.” He didn’t want to touch the proud manner of dress thing, he was dating royalty so it made sense and Steve did not want to make any problems for the man he was quickly coming to love.

“Boyfriend. Consort. Partner. I care not what you call me. As long as I can call you mine.” Thor leaned and kissed him again, softly with so much meaning behind it. When he pulled back, Steve left his eyes closed for a few seconds longer, letting it linger.

“Okay, you officially are not allowed to say things like that when we’re ‘pposed to be eating dinner with your parents. Not when words like that make me wanna drag you to bed so I can learn all the things I never got to before.” He let his gaze stay strong as Thor realized what he said. He figured it made sense, that Thor would expect it, no way to go around having sex if people can’t touch you. It had never really bothered him, not really, but he also didn't want to disappoint the man in front of him.

“It would not be the first time I have skipped dinner. Never before was the reasoning as important as this.” Thor’s voice had dropped, sending shudders down Steve’s spine. A delicious feeling stole over Steve and for the first time in his life he actually considered begging off from something he was supposed to do. He wanted nothing more than to say “fuck it” and let Thor bring him to that giant bed and show him what he’s been missing, but even that wonderful that he elicited wasn’t enough to override his upbringing.

“Can we put a pin in that? I just….making your mother wait is…”

“I know elskan. Your manners are too well ingrained. That is fine, admirable even. Come, mother will be waiting.” He winked.

“That is not helpful Thor!” His boyfriend just chuckled before taking his arm and leading him out of the bedroom. In the hall they found Bruce staring at Loki’s door.

“Guys. It shuddered. Can doors shudder?” He looked a bit wild, but smoothed it out soon enough. “Of course doors can shudder here.” He shook his head and fell in line with them.

“You have not yet seen all my brother can do. He does not like to show off, though his seidr is an amazing thing to witness.”

“I am relieved as all get out that he is on our side.” Steve admitted, and Bruce laughed.

“Me too. Any reason for me to not let the big guy out, I’m a big fan of that.” He added.

“I am quite fond of the big guy, as you say.” Thor said, looking around Steve to see Bruce. “I understand your reluctance, it must be an experience to transform like that, but he is good fun to be around.”

“You like him?” Bruce asked, disbelief coloring his voice.

“Aye. I do.”

“Are we speaking of the green beast?” Loki arrived out of nowhere as he was want to do, spooking Bruce. Both Thor and Steve were used to it. They arrived at the large dining hall and everyone else was already sitting.

“Yes, your brother was saying that he liked him. I did not think anyone did. Aside from Tony and his odd need to like things no one else does.”

“Brucie, I keep telling you. Strut! Hulk is part of you, don’t hate him.” Tony called out from where he was sitting next to Thor’s friends that had not stayed behind on Earth.

Loki snorted at Tony, but moved closer to Bruce. He closed his eyes and then his hands were going blue. Steve stepped back involuntarily. He knew how big of a deal this was for Loki, to let others see him like this, but it was not long ago that his ice had hurt Steve. The blue crept up his arms and down his face and when he opened his eyes they were vibrantly red. The room had gone silent and after a few seconds, he let the color drain away and he was back to his pale skinned self.

“You see Doctor, I know what it is like to hate a part of who you are. The only way is through, then you can learn to use it, rather than letting it use you.” Bruce just stared as Loki walked over to sit next to his mother. He was still slack jawed when Thor nudged him to get moving.

Steve leaned down to whisper his thanks to Loki before finding his seat on the side of Odin, leaving room for Thor to sit between them. Thor's friends watched him with a clear fascination, so he leaned forward to make acquaintances.

“Hogun and Volstagg, is it? Steve Rogers. Nice to finally meet you, Thor and Loki have spoke of you often.”

“Well met Steve Rogers. Hogun is my name. Word of your prowess on the sparring field has been burning like fire this evening, we shall have to make visit to the training grounds during your visit.”

“Friends! Let us drink this evening, no more talk of sparring.” The large man took a hearty swing off his tankard. “I am Volstagg, well met to all of you midgardians.”

“You are, quite possibly, the largest man I have ever met.” Tony got out before Nat smacked him upside the head, furiously whispering, “manners” at him.

“One of his names is Volstagg the Voluminous.” Loki offered with a snort. The man just shook his head at Loki, as if he was a nuisance. Watching them all interact brought about questions, but Steve knew it was not the time. Plus, they were actually there for a reason and not just a vacation. He figured it might be up to him to keep them all on track.

“Odin, Frigga, thank you again for your hospitality. For dinner, again. I do hope that eventually I, and perhaps my friends, can come here for a real visit. To spend time learning your city.”

“You are honored guests and will stay that way for a long time to come.” Frigga said, with a slight dip of her head.

“We are honored indeed.” He paused as servers came in boring platters of food. “Thank you,” he murmured to the servers. Once they were gone, he looked up to find all eyes on him. He blushed, unable to help it. “As I was saying, I know that we are here on a sort of diplomatic mission, but your hospitality is still much appreciated.”

Everyone was still staring at him. His wings tried to cover him, though there was no room where he sat and he was about to ask if there was something on his face when Loki spoke up, turning to face Frigga.

“A spring handfasting mother?” There was no smirk in his voice, he was honestly sure that there would be a wedding.

“Aye, out under the trees at the edge of the river.” Odin added and the blush that was forming started at the top of his head.

“Heimdall has not had a handfasting to perform in quite some time. A royal one, even longer.” Loki mused. Steve thought he might choke on his own tongue.

“Boys, really. You are embarrassing Steven.” She turned to him with a soft smile, so he was unprepared for what she said next. “But yes. Spring. Steve should wear blue, to bring out his eyes. And the flowers will be in full bloom, so he will have the pick of our gardens to find the best bloom to match his flushed complexion.”

Tony snickered and Nat flashed him a true smile. It wasn’t enough to lessen his embarrassment.

“Umm….I, uh….we’re here to talk about the Soros, yeah, not a wed…” He stumbled over the word, which was the wrong one anyway “Handfasting.”

“Steven, it is okay. Do not, freak out. That is what you say, yes? My family means well.” He’d leaned in close to speak to him, but glared at his family when he finished.

“Just a week Thor A week! And they're trying to marry us off.” His whisper didn’t stay a whisper long.

Across the table Volstagg chuckled. “A week is long enough my friend! I met my first wife, the day we married. It happens here often enough”

“That don’t help in the way you think it might.” Steve got out. His face was still red, but he was calming down, he thought anyway.

“Arranged marriages.” Natasha piped in. “Happens more often than you might think, even back on Earth. Lots of places that don’t find it antiquated. Sorry, ma’am, sir.”

“It is fine. We do not condone it here. Volstagg got married on Vanaheim. It is my home world, and I love it but it is a bit behind us in some ways.” Frigga spoke. She was still watching Steve, but he’d leaned into Thor for support, so he was able to ignore it. Mostly.

“Anywho. Should we talk about the reason we are here? Not that I don't want to talk about a spring wedding, cause they are lovely, but still.” Steve would not have expected Tony to be on his side as it were, in this, but he was glad that his friend was trying to reign in what was happening.

“Indee-” Odin started, but Tony apparently wasn't done.

“However, I get to do the bachelor party. Vegas baby!!” And there was the Tony he knew.

“Honestly Tony, if Steve is going to marry royalty, don’t you think that they have customs more important than getting drunk, not that Steve can ever get drunk, and watching strippers?” And Bruce was officially Steve’s favorite now.

“Bruce you're my favorite.” The doctor had a small smile on his face as Steve looked around the rest of the table. “Now, Thor and I have been dating a week. So let's stop with the wedding talk and talk about the Soros minister and why my home planet is dying.”

“Killjoy.” Tony did the stupid fake cough thing and Steve rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on with his discussion, Thor leaned in real close and whispered in his ear.

“But can we talk about it after a few more weeks? Months? What sort of timeline do you need, elskan?” Steve squeaked. There was no other word for it. And the table erupted again. Laughing and talking over each other, Steve ignored the others and buried his flaming face into Thor’s chest. Clearly nothing was getting accomplished tonight and if he was being honest with himself, it probably wouldn’t take much longer than another week before he’d be okay with talking about weddings or handfasting, or whatever they did up here in space.

But he was not telling Thor that.