A Poisoned Touch

The morning came softly, and Steve had started to expect all his mornings on Asgard to be like that. He slept well, a mixture of having Thor’s arms around him and being slightly tired out from the race he and Nat had partaken in with her on the pegasus. It was good that he slept well since today he would meet the minister of the Soros and that was nerve wracking.

He looked out and saw the sun had already started to rise, which meant that somewhere below him Odin and the minister were doing whatever ritual that had been planned. Before this new part of his life he would have probably balked at the idea of a ritual, even after he’d gotten his wings. But now, now it was commonplace in his life. He wasn’t a monster, magic was real and rituals were part of daily life. Nothing to see here.

The thought made him snort into his pillow, accidentally rousing his boyfriend.

“What has you chuckling this early, elskan?” Thor leaned up on one elbow, his hair a mess, pillow lines over his cheek. Steve wanted to kiss him in that moment more than anything else. And he could. So he did.

“Carry on with your laughter if that is what it brings. Good morning love. Did you sleep well?”

“I did. How bout you? You sleep good?”

“With you in my arms, there is no such thing as a bad night of sleep.”

“There you go bein romantic and all. I don’t guess I thought I’d ever get this, ya know? So keep it up. I like it.” Steve buried his face in Thor’s warm, naked shoulder. A bit worried he’d said too much.

“It is my job, as your boyfriend, to romance you every day. I take my job very seriously, elskan. You went too long without touch and affection, that will not be your life moving forward,” He dropped a kiss onto Steve’s head. “Plus, I quite like how you look with a flushed face. Your blush, it goes everywhere. It’s lovely.”

“Mmhhmm.” Steve said, mumbled into Thor’s chest. How did he say anything back to such a declaration?

“Was that words, love? Nevermind, as much as I would enjoy staying in bed with you all day, we must rise and dress for our meeting.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” He pulled back just in time to receive another kiss, this one lingering just enough to make his heart thump harder.

“Would you dress as an Asgardian today? Or will you dress as the Captain? What would you like to represent yourself as?” Steve smiled, his boyfriend was really thoughtful, in ways that are not easily apparent. He felt lucky to get to see this side of Thor.

“I think I’ll dress as a bit of both. I saw leathers in my blue. So that and the shield harness, so I can keep it with me. I don’t know if you have customs about peace missions and weaponry, but I know Nat will be carrying, and it makes sense. Just in case.”

“Just in case.” Thor nodded and leaned forward to kiss his nose. “Well, let us not waste time. I am starving, someone refused to let me join in with Anthony and his midnight kitchen raid.”

“Well, if you’re upset about it, then next time you can go and I can use my own hands to --”

“Oh, never my love. Never. That is also my job, and I will not have you taking it away from me when I have just gotten it.”

“Good, now that that is settled. Help me figure out the leathers. I thought my suit was confusing the first time Tony showed it to me.” He held up the top half and felt stupid, but there were a lot of hidden buckles going on.

Thor chuckled but slid out of the bed. Steve felt that damned blush taking over again, but well, Thor was naked and it was a good sight. His hands were gentle as they helped him get the leathers all into place. Then the shield harness went over top of that. The magnets that Tony added to the straps clicked against the magnets in the harness and then he was dressed.

“Ah, love, your feet?” Steve looked down and sure enough he was still barefoot. He wiggled his toes and sighed. He dug out socks and then pulled his boots on.

“I wonder if that is a Soros thing? It’s been annoying, forcing my feet into shoes the past few weeks.”

“We can find out.” Thor called out from the bathroom. When he came out his hair had been tamed and he slipped into his own clothes quickly. Steve took his own turn in the bathroom, trying his best to get his cowlick to say down. When he came out, he stopped shirt, one wing extended in a stretch and the other still close. There, before him, Thor stood with a blue cape attached to his normal court attire,

“You’re...where’s the red?” He thought he knew what was going on, but if he was wrong, he didn’t want to have vocalized ‘my color’.

“Silver and red are my father’s colors. Loki always leans toward mother’s style, the greens and gold for her gardens. It is a custom to wear a family color. And you are my family now. I am honored to wear blue for you and to show others that I am yours, in the same way that you wearing Asgardian leathers shows people that you are mine.” Thor stood there, in that blue, declaring to everyone who sees him that he and Steve are partners, family, and they don’t have time for this. But Steve walks right into his chest, pushing the larger man up against the wall and kissing him with all he has. Steve does his best to tell Thor with his lips, just how important this moment is.

He has one leg wrapped around Thor’s hip when there is an insistent knock at the door. Steve pulse away reluctantly, letting his leg drop. Thor’s hand stays on his ass, going so far as to squeeze gently, making Steve’s head fall to his chest. “Thoooor. Stop.”

“Oy, lovebirds. Time to go.” Tony calls out in a sing-song voice. Steve extracts himself from Thor’s arms. He knows, without checking that they look like they just had a make-out session. His hair is probably a mess again.

“We are coming.” Thor answers and there is a snicker on the other side of the door.

“I hope not.” There is a muffled sound and then Bruce is at the door.

“They called for breakfast before the meeting. Make yourselves presentable.”

Steve fixed his top, and helped Thor unrumple the cape, and then they stepped out together, hand in hand.

“Ooh, power couple in the house.” Tony calls out. Nat smiles at them.

“You two look good.” She pats Steve’s shoulder, there and gone again. He wonders if the Asgardian leathers are strong enough to keep her from getting hurt, earth clothes are not.

Tony eyes them both, before a smarmy grin crosses his face. “So tell me again how you two are not getting married? You're all matchy matchy, I didn’t even know Shakespeare knew capes came in colors other than red.”

“Keep it up Tony and when we do get married, you ain't coming.” Steve got out before his mind caught up with his mouth. He clamped it shut, but he wasn’t fast enough.

“Brooklyn, you told me we had to wait.” Thor spoke into his ear, making him shiver which was not ideal with his friends right there.

“Ah ha! I knew it. Steven one thousand percent Rogers strikes again.” Tony crowed.

“Okay no. I just, it slipped out, in response to what you said and I’m done talking about this. Breakfast. Let’s go.” He walked ahead of the others, wishing that Tony wasn’t able to rile him up so easily. Nat slipped up by his side, and leaned in close, but not touching.

“I’m coming to the wedding right, Rogers?” He looked down at her, saw her smirking and decided there was no reason to not respond in kind.

“Course, maid of honor, right? I expect you to wear a suit Nat.”

“You think you’re kidding, but I’m going to hold you to that. I look sexy as hell in a suit.”

“Well, Clint will be happy I suppose.” He chuckled, and looked up to see Loki standing next to his parents and a man who had to be the minister from Soros. Steve straightened his back, walked taller. The minister had smaller wings than Steve’s own, and they were a mottled brown. Perhaps like those of an owl.

Frigga took a step and held out her hands. “Steven, come and meet Minister Atmos.” He walked over to her, taking her hands and letting her lead him to stand in front of the shorter man.

“Minister Atmos, let me present Steven Rogers, he is known by his warrior name, Captain America, and he is a honored friend to my family.” Steve held his hand out, in Asgard they clasped forearms, and on Earth they shook his hands, he was not sure what to expect here.

“Steven Rogers, it is astonishing to meet you. I am Jacoby Atmos, well met.” Atmos, clasped his forearm and Steve was glad to not have made a faux pas.

“May I introduce my team form back home. Anthony Stark, an inventor. Bruce Banner, a scientist. And Natasha Romanoff, a warrior. We are all excited and honored to meet you.”

There was a round of hello’s from his friends, and the minister gave a nod of recognition to each of them.

“I know nothing of your adopted home planet Earth, except that our kind cannot touch an earthling. So forgive my lack of welcoming touch. I should be honored to get to know you over our meal.” He bowed his head a bit toward the king and queen, and Thor moved to take his hand again as they all walked into the dining hall.

At the table, he sat in the same spot next to Thor, and instead of Bruce at his side, the minister sat next to him. Bruce sat next to Loki, and Tony and Nat were on his other side. The table was large enough for them all, but it still seemed smaller by the amount of people gathered around it. Steve was ready to ask all sorts of questions, but his ma had taught him manners over and over, so he knew enough to wait until the meal was served.

While they waited for the servers, Loki gave him a once over, and a grin. Loki, unlike Steve, cared not for good manners, and leaned forward on his elbows.

“The Asgardian leathers look good on you. The color is a perfect match for your suit back home.”

“And Thor’s cape is a perfect match as well.” Tony added with a waggle of his eyebrows. Steve was about ready to start banging his head against the lovely polished wood table, but the servers arrived, carrying platter after platter of delicious smelling food. As every time they’ve eaten together, Steve waits for Frigga and Odin to serve themselves and then the princes, and then the rest of them.

With his plate full and Odin speaking to Frigga quietly, Steve felt safe to turn a bit to Minister Atmos, and ask about his travels to Asgard.

“Ah, the travel was inconsequential. I would have gone through much worse to make your acquaintance.” Something about the reverent way he spoke to Steve and alarm bells ringing in his head. It seemed he was not the only one, for Thor leaned over to question the minister.

“My brother had led us to believe that my Seven is special to your people as he was the last child born before the sickness took hold, but this of course was thought to be rumors. Your arrival of course lends weight to that.” Steve had to stop himself from stealing a kiss. The way Thor handled that, without throwing Loki to the wolves, it was unreasonably sexy. Who knew court politics would be what got Steve going?

“Is that what you heard? Nothing else? I do not believe the regent would send me for something that small.” Atmos seemed almost upset at this lien of thought.

“Regent? Do you not have royalty left? I have seen that the sickness was terrible to you, um, our people.”

“You really do not know.” He slumped back against his chair. He twirled his beard for a moment, the white hair making a perfect curl around his finger. “We have only one of royal blood left alive. I am sitting next to him.”

“Holy fuck.” Tony breathed out, gripping his glass. Nat was watching Steve. He could feel her eyes like a laser, but Steve, he was experiencing what Tony liked to call the blue screen of death. He was not computing. He wasn’t a prince. He was just a boy from Brooklyn.

“Ninety four years ago, our Queen and her newborn son were stolen from our capital, neither were ever seen before. Before you disappeared you were named Mihl Iru. The last of the Iru line, and the one true king of our people.”