A Poisoned Touch

In the morning, Steve let his wings stretch out to their full span. He stood in the dewy grass, barefoot and shirtless. He could see Thor out the corner of his eyes. His boyfriend was lounging on the small porch, also shirtless and shoe-less. They'd woken early and spent time in the big bed reminding each other that they truly loved each other, no matter what was to come. And now, now Steve was going to fly. He didn’t often take time to fully enjoy what his body could do, too busy hating what it wouldn’t let him do instead. But with good touch back in his life, and with new answers to what he was, it was time to learn to love himself.

He lifted off with a great gust, straight into the air. He flew in circles and a zig zag pattern. When he’d first gotten these, he’d been put through the paces by Phillips and Stark, so he knew what he could do, he just never learned to have fun doing it. Today he did spins through a flock of Asgardian geese. He followed that up by soaring to heights he'd never attempted before, before stopping and doing a controlled dive, his wings flat against his back, the ground getting closer and closer until he spread them out, catching an updrift and flattening out.

On the ground he could see Thor standing in the grass, arms crossed across his expansive chest. His boyfriend was grinning like a fool, and Steve couldn't stop the laugh. He changed direction and headed for Thor, knocking him into the ground with a laugh. His wings were wrapped around the two of them and they finally stopped the roll with Thor underneath him, breathing heavy.

“Did I hurt you?” Steve tried to pull back, but Thor held tight.

“Amazing You are amazing. No, you did not hurt me.” He strained his neck up to kiss Steve, his hands traveling down Steve’s lower back and landing on his ass. They had made love that morning but the need was building again and he wasn’t opposed to getting naked right there and right then, but they were stopped by a siren cutting through the quiet of the air.

“Guests.” Thor says and Steve thunked his head down on Thor’s collarbone.

“Well let’s go see who it is.” He stands up, pulling Thor with him. They walk down the path and find a new skiff parked at the dock, this one carrying Hogun, Nat, Bruce and Tony.

“Hey guys. We were coming back today.” He really wanted to ask outright why they were there, disturbing his peace, but he could not be so rude to his friends.

“I am so sorry Steve, I tried to get them to stay and leave you alone.” Bruce offered, accepting Hogun’s help out of the skiff.

“We wanted to be sure you were okay Cap.” Nat added, but Tony was looking around at everything, only stopping to leer at Steve’s still naked chest.

“Well, I for one, wanted to come check out the little love nest you two were hiding away at. This place is gorgeous, reminds me of Tahoe, me and Pep have our own little love cabin there.”

“I had a flight earlier and then we were going to close up Odin’s cabin, and head back. I just needed some time to digest what Atmos told me.”

“We understand Steve, really.” Bruce was, as always, the voice of reason.

“We did, but we wanted to check on you. Plus Lokes and the minister most sinister went back to home world this morning, something about reading the royal palace, soooo...” Tony lost his train of thought when they came upon the cabin. “That is not a cabin.”

“It is the Allfather’s hunting cabin.” Hogun supplied, looking bored as hell.

“It is lovely Thor. Your parents have been so nice and welcoming.” Bruce had cleaned his glasses on his shirt and looked again. Steve couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d thought it was a bit much for a cabin as well.

“They are real nice, it’s true.” Tony added, before poking Steve in the side with a fork he probably stole from the kitchen. “Now Spangles, how are you? Really?”

“I am...dealing. Processing.” He shrugged, not sure what else he could say.

“And how do you feel about the whole prince thing?” Nat asked. She’d found a home on the small porch, sitting cross legged.

“Again, processing. It’s a lot. I don’t know how to be a prince, nor am I ready to leave Earth and move to a new planet, so I hope Atmos isn’t looking for that.”

“If I may,” Hogun seemed unsure about joining the conversation, but he powered through. “Many cultures allow for a prince to leave home, go on travels, learn from other cultures. I only met the man this morning, but he did not seem to be planning a kidnapping, but a welcome home perhaps.”

“And time moves differently here, so it might work the same on Aerlion. You have time still, on Earth, with our team.” Thor held his hand, one thumb, rubbing across his knuckles.

“I do want to go, see the place. Thor is going to go with me. What are your plans? Are you staying on, or heading home?” Steve asked. He wasn’t sure which he preferred, except that maybe Tony not make a fool of himself if he goes to yet another new world with them.

“Steve, whatever you want. We’re here for you, if you want to do this with just Thor then we understand. But if you want us to come with you, then of course we’re going with you.” Nat, always had his back, he appreciated it.

“Pep gave me a month. I’m here for you spangles.” Tony shrugged, but Steve saw it for what it was and he appreciated it. Steve turned to Bruce.

“I want to speak to Eir still, but other than that, I’m here for you Steve. I know that you said the planet was sick, if having two scientists instead of one would help, I am there for you.”

“Well. I guess the adventure is on.” Steve grinned. Thor threw an arm over his shoulder and dropped a kiss on his head.

“Anything you want or need before we make plans to leave Asgard?’ Thor asked.

“I want Clint. And I think we should get Sam too. It might help to have a united front. This will be the second planet that Midgardians are visiting, we should show force. Even if it’s not needed.”

“We can’t leave earth defenseless.” Steve did not want his absence to make things worse for his home.

‘My friend,” Thor turned to Hogun, “would you go and stay with Sif and Fnadral?”

“I am at your call, as always your highness.” He bowed and Steve wondered if that was a thing he might need to get used to.

“I can talk to Reed Richards. New York is home to two teams, The Fantastic Four can take up our slack. But if Hogun here goes to stay with the other two, I can also see if Rhodey can make camp at the tower. Again, just in case.” Tony was unusually serious and Steve appreciated that.

“Okay, it's a good plan. Do you have family, Hogun? Anyone to say goodbye to?” Steve asked.

“Not any longer. My husband, he died a few years back. I will go to Midgard for you gladly, your highness.”

“Ooohhh. Your highness.” Tony pitched his voice high. Bruce smacked him.

“I am sorry for your loss, Hogun. Thank you for agreeing to keep my home safe.”

“Am I allowed to hit him too?”’ Hogun asked Thor, eyeing Tony. Thor shook his head and Tony just grinned. Bruce smacked him again.

“Hey, stop it.” Tony whined

“Someone has to keep you in line, your wife would not appreciate you being the one to cause an interplanetary war.” Nat reminds him.

“Right, let’s get back to the palace so we can let Odin know what is going on. He and Loki were supposed to make plans for us to head to Aerilon anyway.”

“Loki will most likely not be back before you leave. He is our court’s best diplomat. He will be staying with Minister Atmos to be sure your visit is as painless as possible.” Hogun offered. Steve liked hearing Thor’s friends speak highly of Loki, it always seems that the younger prince did not think they liked him at all.

“He will have left you a note. It is our tradition.” Thor whispered in his ear.

“Hogun, will you show our friends back home? Steven and I must close up the cabin.”

“Yes your highness.” Hogun bowed, and Thor knocked his shoulder into his friend.

“Why are you being so formal, friend?”

“We have guests.” He cut his eyes over toward the others, and continued. “Plus, the loud one shows no respect for your title, nor the new title bestowed upon your intended. I am making up for his slight.”

Tony scoffed but both Bruce and Nat were nodding like they agreed with the man. Steve was pretty sure he’d never get used to being addressed as a prince, but if he was brought up in a culture where it was expected to show respect to the title, he could see why Hogun was annoyed. Plus, well, Tony took some getting used to.

“Let us go.” He said to the others, “and remembered Anthony, you are not to touch anything. It would be awful to have an accident over the ocean.” There was a twinge of gleeful menace in Hogun’s voice and Steve decided it was best to let the man decide how to handle Tony. Surely he would not actually harm a guest of the court.

“We’ll be right behind you. Just have to pick up our mess.” He immediately wishes he hadn’t said anything. Tony quirks and eyebrow, clearly ready to make fun of Steve, but Hogun pushes him toward the path. Steve laughs as Tony squawks at being manhandled.

He waits til they’re gone to step into Thor’s arms. “He won’t really push Tony overboard, will he?”

“No. Of my closest friends he is the most proper. He was raised in a court too, a world long destroyed by a conquering barbarian. He knows the importance of a title, but he will not harm our friends.”

“Okay. Well, let's get the cabin cleaned up and we’ll head back. You’re dad won’t mind us sending Hogun to earth as well?”

“No, the warriors three make home here, but they all travel at will. Now that I have calmed some and do not go out on quests any longer, they find other ways to keep themselves busy.”

“Ah, well then perhaps he will have fun on earth. Rhodey will keep them in line.”

It does not take them long to get the bed remade, their dishes washed and put up. They will take the fruit they foraged with them, and other than that it’s just getting dressed. They make it to the skiff shortly and head back to the palace. This time around, Thor makes sure to show Steve how to run the skiff. He was right in his earlier thoughts, it was eerily like the small aircraft Shield used. It was almost enough to make him wonder if Fury had gotten his hands on Asgardian tech. He wouldn't be surprised, Fury seemed to get his hands on a lot of things he shouldn’t.

When they arrive back at the docks off the palace, Frigga is waiting for them with Eir.

“Come boys, I have heard of your plans, Eir would like to speak to you before you go.” She offered her arm to Steve again, and he took it, thoroughly enjoying how she always reached out for him.

“Did you send for Bruce? I know he wanted to speak to Eir as well.”

“He is waiting in the healing rooms. He is a complex creature, your friend.”

“Yes. I chose to become this, to enter that chamber even though I had no idea this is how I would turn out. His transformation was an accident. I know that he regrets it.”

“I do not believe I can separate the two,” Eir paused, gathering their thoughts, “but I may be able to help him meld his two halves.”

“Any help is greatly appreciated,” Steve offered. “Thor, you gonna talk to your dad?”

“Aye, I will. If you are fine with just Doctor Banner staying with you, then I will let him in on our next steps.” He leaned down to give Steve a soft kiss.

“And I will go with you son, as I will be traveling with you to midgard.”

“You will?” Both Steve and Thor were surprised by that move.

“Aye. It appears that when your father and I let you three out of our sight, mischief follows. Your father cannot leave Asgard this day, so I will. I will also be traveling to Aerlion with you.”

“Thank you mother.” Thor pressed a kiss to her cheek as well.

“Yes, thank you, your highness.” Steve, took her offered hands and gave a soft squeeze.

“It is Frigga, my dear. Or, you may call me mother, since despite your protests, I do believe you will and my son shall be handfasted before too long.” She left him with a quick kiss to his cheek and him sputtering. Her musical laughter trailing away as she and Thor left to speak to Odin. He turned to Eir, but they just shrugged.

‘The Allmother was gifted with the sight, so I would not argue with her, were I you.”