Party Tricks
It was one of those rare quiet nights. The God of Thunder was back from… from wherever he had gone.
Wanda had ordered enough pizza to feed half the population of New York City and you were certain it wouldn’t be enough. Meanwhile, Clint raided the liquor cabinet, much to Tony’s dismay.
After dinner, you switched to non-alcoholic beverages and kept a close eye on Steve. Thor had brought Asgardian mead with him and your boyfriend was a sucker for it. With the alcohol lowering his inhibitions, Steve relaxed for the first time in a long while. He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows. This usually meant trouble.
As the night progressed, you watched him challenge an equally drunk Bucky to an arm wrestling match. You blew out a sigh before you turned to Thor who was sitting beside you on the sofa.
“No more mead for him. He doesn’t know when to stop.”
“I know,” the God replied with a little grin.
“You’re awful,” you chuckled, turning toward the kitchen when the two of you heard Bucky’s victory cry.
Steve stared at Bucky, arms crossed and sulking like a child, while his best friend flexed his arms before he kissed his own biceps. Steve made a face at him.
“You want to be awful, too?” Thor asked waggishly.
You cocked your head, studying him. He had the most mischievous smirk plastered on his face. “What’d you have in mind?”
“A party trick,” Thor replied, nodding towards the hammer resting on the coffee table.
***
Steve was a sad drunk and as soon as he lost the game against Bucky, he went in search of you. He tried to act like he wasn’t completely hammered, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. He crossed the room slowly, occasionally bumping into furniture. “Sorry, ma’am,” he said to a chair.
When he saw you, his features lightened up and he made a beeline for you. You were standing in front of the coffee table, seemingly asking if you could try to lift the hammer. Thor gave you an encouraging nod.
Steve’s smile faded. Memories of the night he almost lifted Mjolnir flashed before his eyes. He took a step toward you, his lips parted to warn you that no one but Thor could lift the hammer, when you reached out for the handle and lifted the hammer off the table.
Steve’s jaw went slack and his knees buckled, making him land next to Maria on the sofa. The room went eerily quiet as everyone stared at you.
“You’re looking at the new ruler of Asgard,” you said, your chin up in the air in a haughty fashion. “Bow before my greatness.”
Thor let out a snort. “You sound like someone I know.”
Steve raised a shaking finger in your direction, his eyes wide as saucers. “You’re worthy!” You laughed and threw the hammer in his lap. He caught it with a big smile on his face. “I’m worthy!”
Thor’s booming laugh made Steve look over your shoulder. The God was laughing buoyantly, tears in his eyes, as he watched Steve hold the hammer above his head.
“Nah, that’s just a toy,” Thor explained. “Found it at Target.”
The tearful look in Steve’s eyes was absolutely adorable, it broke your heart. You stepped closer and let him wrap his big arms around your middle. You giggled silently while you ran your hand through his hair, the other rubbing his back soothingly.
“T’wasn’t funny,” Steve mumbled against your belly.
“Kinda was,” you replied and gave Thor a knowing smile.
“So you just decided to show up with a fake hammer and make fun of us?” Maria asked. She ran a hand down her face when Thor nodded. She needed another beer.
“Where’s the real mew-mew?” Clint asked.
“Gone. My sister crushed it,” he replied, waving his hand when he saw the Avengers’ bewildered expressions. “It’s a long story.”