Fic for shinysylver: Listening | Steve/Thor | G
Title: Listening
Author: kiyala
Recipient: shinysylver
Rating: G
Universe: MCU
Pairing/Characters: Steve/Thor
Word Count: 1999
Disclaimer: All characters property of Marvel.
Summary: Thor returns to Earth a year after the battle of Manhattan. He and Steve get along better than either of them would have expected.
It’s been a year since the battle of Manhattan, since the Chitauri attack. It’s been a year since Thor left Earth and a year might be nothing to an immortal hero from legend, but a lot has changed in that time.
The Avengers, still fighting together to protect the world, have changed. The original members are still there, and a few more have joined. Thor takes it all in stride, greeting friends old and new alike with his firm handshakes and booming laugh.
The Stark Tower-the Avengers Tower now-has changed drastically in the space of a year. It’s been taken down and rebuilt from scratch and Thor doesn’t even look at the building twice, settling down with his friends and urging them tell him of everything he’s missed. He hears of how Ant-Man and Wasp joined the team and of how Coulson s actually alive.
They-and by they, it’s really just Tony who doesn’t stop talking-bring Thor completely up to speed, without a single problem, without Thor having to stop Tony and ask for explanations.
Sure, Steve thinks to himself, one year is pretty different to seventy, but Thor is taking all of this way better than he could be expected to. He’s still from an entirely different realm,from a different culture, and if anything, that should only makes thing harder.
And unlike Steve, Thor can go back to world he is used to. Still, they’re both products of entirely different places, different ways of thought. From the small smiles that Thor gives him whenever they run into something-usually a reference made by Tony-that doesn’t make sense to them, Steve is not the only one who feels some kind of camaraderie because of it.
In fact, they get along extremely well. Thor is open and honest in a way that Steve doesn’t see so much these days-especially not with S.H.I.E.L.D. on the one hand and the Avengers on the other, both filled with people who guard their secrets and speak in half-truths. Steve doesn’t blame them for it, not when it’s just a by-product of this world he’s still learning to fit into, but talking to Thor is still a welcome change.
Thor, for his part, sees Steve as a warrior, possessing the same qualities of honour and bravery that his fellow Æsir have. Steve doesn’t feel like he deserves the comparison to warriors that come straight out of mythology, but when he points this out, Thor simply laughs and replies that Steve barely feels like he deserves the recognition he already receives for being a national hero.
It doesn’t really change things, but Steve is happy to sit with Thor and listen to countless tales of men and women he doesn’t know, fighting again monsters that he can’t really imagine. They seem like nothing more fairy tales to him and that’s when he has to remind himself that he’s sitting down with the Norse god of thunder, who delights in watching Saturday morning cartoons and will, on occasion, toss his legendary hammer in the air as he speaks. Normal stopped being the status quo more than seventy years ago and nothing Steve does is going to change that.
“Tell me of your battles,” Thor urges, wearing the small smile that he always does when he talks about fighting, like it’s something to be savoured, rather than something necessary.
And yeah, maybe Steve used to talk about it with the Howling Commandos when they were all gathered at base again after a successful mission. There would be drinks and cigars passed around, their laughter loud and raucous, the air filled with music and, did you see how I got that sucker?
It was good for morale but more importantly, Steve had enjoyed it. The Commandos were his family and each victory was their victory, winning against the Nazis little by little.
He hasn’t done it once since waking up, not even with the Avengers after the battle against the Chitauri. They’d all been far too exhausted, too shaken by something that none of them could have expected. None of the other battles he’s fought with the team had felt like anything worth talking about.
But here Thor is, asking about things that Steve thought he’d never talk about again. If there’s anybody who would appreciate war stories, Steve supposes, it would be Thor.
It’s difficult at first, revisiting memories that he’s stuffed inside an imaginary box and stored away. He can see the faces of his old friends like it was just yesterday-the downside to the serum enhancing his memory-and the pain and guilt haven’t gone anywhere since the last time.
Thor seems to understand, though, and lets him take his time. That’s another thing that Steve appreciates about Thor; despite how rash and eager he can be when it comes to fighting, he has the patience of an immortal the rest of the time. He’s not like Tony, who will talk and talk, and then demand an immediate response when he wants one. He’s not like Bruce, who only has a limited amount of patience for anyone. Clint and Natasha are both S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and while that sometimes means that he can feel comfortable with them, he also knows that he needs to be careful about what he says around them.
Thor is perfectly happy to sit there and wait until Steve’s finished sorting through his memories. He values a good tale, whether it be about a battle that Steve had fought, or just a simpler story about how things were, in the life that Steve had left behind so long ago.
They swap stories about growing up and it’s almost ridiculous, the way that they contrast with each other. Steve had grown up not having very much at all, and it shows even to this day. He likes things to be kept as simple as possible and doesn’t really care for any unnecessary extravagance. Thor, on the other hand, has known nothing but extravagance and in theory, it should make them clash, much like Steve finds himself clashing with Tony every now and then, even after having so much time to get used to him.
The difference, Steve supposes, is that Thor has learned humility, has learned not to take things for granted. While Tony has learned much of the same, Steve is certain that it’s an entirely different matter when a god is brought crashing down to earth in the most literal way possible.
Thor is willing to learn and willing to chance and so much of that comes through just by the way he behaves. The first time Thor even admits to Steve that he used to be one of the arrogant bullies that Steve had never liked, it had been extremely difficult to believe him.
In fact, Thor is probably Steve’s favourite member of the team-probably his closest friend in general-and the realisation is both completely unexpected and yet makes perfect sense.
When Thor wants to go out and enjoy himself, he’ll take Steve with him and they’ll both do whatever Thor wants-from visiting amusement parks to going to all-you-can-eat buffets. They’re both extremely recognisable when they go out, though, so they both prefer just staying at the Avengers Tower where they have some measure of privacy.
On one such occasion, Thor has a stack of alcohol; enough to send just about anyone else to hospital. Steve is unaffected by any of it and while Thor can get drunk on alcohol from Earth, he’s used to the much stronger drinks from Asgard. He’s constantly been searching for drinks that are strong enough to work on him, or taste so good that he doesn’t mind if they don’t work.
He’s recruited Steve to help as well; he’s the perfect person to help Thor with the taste-testing without getting drunk along the way. They’re both sitting together at a table, sorting the bottles and cans by taste and strength.
Steve is sure they make an odd sight; two sober men surrounded by empty bottles. It’s also much more fun than Steve would ever have expected. He’s never thought himself to be the type to pay attention to the subtle differences in the way all these drinks taste, but he’s learning a lot. Thor is telling him of the way drinks are made on Asgard and Steve catches himself wanting to go there, wishing that he could experience it for himself.
He shakes his head, surprised at himself for the way he’s changed since joining the Avengers, since befriending Thor. It’s definitely been a chance for the better. He knows that for sure.
It’s late by the time they decide that they’ve had enough and Thor leads the way back to their rooms. Steve finds himself following Thor into his room, not entirely sure why, other than the fact that he enjoys the god’s company too much to want to leave just yet.
Thor seems to be thrilled by this. He gestures to the large bed against the wall, draped with furs in what must be an imitation of Thor’s own bed back on Asgard. It’s the only thing to sit on, so Steve does, surprised by just how soft the mattress is underneath.
“There are some benefits of your world that I do not have back at home,” Thor says as he sits down as well. “The beds on Asgard are comfortable, of course, but nothing quite like this.”
Steve laughs. “It’s the little things, right?”
“I am enjoying my stay on Earth more than I had truly expected to.” Thor smiles, “I must admit that a lot of this has to do with you.”
“Well, if it balances things out at all,” Steve replies, “I do have to say the same for you.”
Thor beams at this, placing his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “I am glad.”
Steve isn’t sure who moves first, but then Thor’s lips are against his and for one, wonderful moment, Steve can’t think about anything else other than how good it feels. Then reality kicks in and Steve’s pulling away, apologising quickly, hands held up in front of him. Thor is reaching for him again, looking confused.
“I’m sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” Steve pulls away, his face burning.
“Is that so?” Thor asks calmly, sitting back and giving Steve his space. “Because I did.”
“What?”
“Captain,” Thor begins, before amending it to, “Steve. I enjoy your company. I am happier when I am with you than when I am with anybody else.”
“Well, yeah, me too, but-”
“I simply acted on it. If you do not want me to, I will not do it again.”
“But Thor, we’re both…” Steve thinks back to the curious kisses he’d shared with Bucky, decades ago. He thinks of the way his gaze catches on Thor’s muscled torso whenever they go to the gym together.
“We are both… what? Teammates? You do not think that we will work better now because it is in our best interests to protect one another? We are both men? Have you not seen the other couples in this city itself, let alone the rest of the world?”
Steve sighs, his gaze dropping to the floor. He can’t really argue with any of that. In fact, he doesn’t want to. He reaches for Thor again and is pleased by the large, warm hands pulling him closer.
“What if this doesn’t work?”
“It will,” Thor murmurs, his fingers curling gently against Steve’s sides. “We will make sure of it.”
“You always make things sound so much simpler than they are,” Steve laughs quietly.
“Better than overcomplicating everything,” Thor replies, giving Steve a small grin. “You are thinking too hard.”
“Well, what would you prefer I did?”
Thor’s grin grows even wider. “I do not need to tell you now, do I?”
And no, Steve thinks, pulling Thor into another kiss, he really doesn’t.
Author: kiyala
Recipient: shinysylver
Rating: G
Universe: MCU
Pairing/Characters: Steve/Thor
Word Count: 1999
Disclaimer: All characters property of Marvel.
Summary: Thor returns to Earth a year after the battle of Manhattan. He and Steve get along better than either of them would have expected.
It’s been a year since the battle of Manhattan, since the Chitauri attack. It’s been a year since Thor left Earth and a year might be nothing to an immortal hero from legend, but a lot has changed in that time.
The Avengers, still fighting together to protect the world, have changed. The original members are still there, and a few more have joined. Thor takes it all in stride, greeting friends old and new alike with his firm handshakes and booming laugh.
The Stark Tower-the Avengers Tower now-has changed drastically in the space of a year. It’s been taken down and rebuilt from scratch and Thor doesn’t even look at the building twice, settling down with his friends and urging them tell him of everything he’s missed. He hears of how Ant-Man and Wasp joined the team and of how Coulson s actually alive.
They-and by they, it’s really just Tony who doesn’t stop talking-bring Thor completely up to speed, without a single problem, without Thor having to stop Tony and ask for explanations.
Sure, Steve thinks to himself, one year is pretty different to seventy, but Thor is taking all of this way better than he could be expected to. He’s still from an entirely different realm,from a different culture, and if anything, that should only makes thing harder.
And unlike Steve, Thor can go back to world he is used to. Still, they’re both products of entirely different places, different ways of thought. From the small smiles that Thor gives him whenever they run into something-usually a reference made by Tony-that doesn’t make sense to them, Steve is not the only one who feels some kind of camaraderie because of it.
In fact, they get along extremely well. Thor is open and honest in a way that Steve doesn’t see so much these days-especially not with S.H.I.E.L.D. on the one hand and the Avengers on the other, both filled with people who guard their secrets and speak in half-truths. Steve doesn’t blame them for it, not when it’s just a by-product of this world he’s still learning to fit into, but talking to Thor is still a welcome change.
Thor, for his part, sees Steve as a warrior, possessing the same qualities of honour and bravery that his fellow Æsir have. Steve doesn’t feel like he deserves the comparison to warriors that come straight out of mythology, but when he points this out, Thor simply laughs and replies that Steve barely feels like he deserves the recognition he already receives for being a national hero.
It doesn’t really change things, but Steve is happy to sit with Thor and listen to countless tales of men and women he doesn’t know, fighting again monsters that he can’t really imagine. They seem like nothing more fairy tales to him and that’s when he has to remind himself that he’s sitting down with the Norse god of thunder, who delights in watching Saturday morning cartoons and will, on occasion, toss his legendary hammer in the air as he speaks. Normal stopped being the status quo more than seventy years ago and nothing Steve does is going to change that.
“Tell me of your battles,” Thor urges, wearing the small smile that he always does when he talks about fighting, like it’s something to be savoured, rather than something necessary.
And yeah, maybe Steve used to talk about it with the Howling Commandos when they were all gathered at base again after a successful mission. There would be drinks and cigars passed around, their laughter loud and raucous, the air filled with music and, did you see how I got that sucker?
It was good for morale but more importantly, Steve had enjoyed it. The Commandos were his family and each victory was their victory, winning against the Nazis little by little.
He hasn’t done it once since waking up, not even with the Avengers after the battle against the Chitauri. They’d all been far too exhausted, too shaken by something that none of them could have expected. None of the other battles he’s fought with the team had felt like anything worth talking about.
But here Thor is, asking about things that Steve thought he’d never talk about again. If there’s anybody who would appreciate war stories, Steve supposes, it would be Thor.
It’s difficult at first, revisiting memories that he’s stuffed inside an imaginary box and stored away. He can see the faces of his old friends like it was just yesterday-the downside to the serum enhancing his memory-and the pain and guilt haven’t gone anywhere since the last time.
Thor seems to understand, though, and lets him take his time. That’s another thing that Steve appreciates about Thor; despite how rash and eager he can be when it comes to fighting, he has the patience of an immortal the rest of the time. He’s not like Tony, who will talk and talk, and then demand an immediate response when he wants one. He’s not like Bruce, who only has a limited amount of patience for anyone. Clint and Natasha are both S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and while that sometimes means that he can feel comfortable with them, he also knows that he needs to be careful about what he says around them.
Thor is perfectly happy to sit there and wait until Steve’s finished sorting through his memories. He values a good tale, whether it be about a battle that Steve had fought, or just a simpler story about how things were, in the life that Steve had left behind so long ago.
They swap stories about growing up and it’s almost ridiculous, the way that they contrast with each other. Steve had grown up not having very much at all, and it shows even to this day. He likes things to be kept as simple as possible and doesn’t really care for any unnecessary extravagance. Thor, on the other hand, has known nothing but extravagance and in theory, it should make them clash, much like Steve finds himself clashing with Tony every now and then, even after having so much time to get used to him.
The difference, Steve supposes, is that Thor has learned humility, has learned not to take things for granted. While Tony has learned much of the same, Steve is certain that it’s an entirely different matter when a god is brought crashing down to earth in the most literal way possible.
Thor is willing to learn and willing to chance and so much of that comes through just by the way he behaves. The first time Thor even admits to Steve that he used to be one of the arrogant bullies that Steve had never liked, it had been extremely difficult to believe him.
In fact, Thor is probably Steve’s favourite member of the team-probably his closest friend in general-and the realisation is both completely unexpected and yet makes perfect sense.
When Thor wants to go out and enjoy himself, he’ll take Steve with him and they’ll both do whatever Thor wants-from visiting amusement parks to going to all-you-can-eat buffets. They’re both extremely recognisable when they go out, though, so they both prefer just staying at the Avengers Tower where they have some measure of privacy.
On one such occasion, Thor has a stack of alcohol; enough to send just about anyone else to hospital. Steve is unaffected by any of it and while Thor can get drunk on alcohol from Earth, he’s used to the much stronger drinks from Asgard. He’s constantly been searching for drinks that are strong enough to work on him, or taste so good that he doesn’t mind if they don’t work.
He’s recruited Steve to help as well; he’s the perfect person to help Thor with the taste-testing without getting drunk along the way. They’re both sitting together at a table, sorting the bottles and cans by taste and strength.
Steve is sure they make an odd sight; two sober men surrounded by empty bottles. It’s also much more fun than Steve would ever have expected. He’s never thought himself to be the type to pay attention to the subtle differences in the way all these drinks taste, but he’s learning a lot. Thor is telling him of the way drinks are made on Asgard and Steve catches himself wanting to go there, wishing that he could experience it for himself.
He shakes his head, surprised at himself for the way he’s changed since joining the Avengers, since befriending Thor. It’s definitely been a chance for the better. He knows that for sure.
It’s late by the time they decide that they’ve had enough and Thor leads the way back to their rooms. Steve finds himself following Thor into his room, not entirely sure why, other than the fact that he enjoys the god’s company too much to want to leave just yet.
Thor seems to be thrilled by this. He gestures to the large bed against the wall, draped with furs in what must be an imitation of Thor’s own bed back on Asgard. It’s the only thing to sit on, so Steve does, surprised by just how soft the mattress is underneath.
“There are some benefits of your world that I do not have back at home,” Thor says as he sits down as well. “The beds on Asgard are comfortable, of course, but nothing quite like this.”
Steve laughs. “It’s the little things, right?”
“I am enjoying my stay on Earth more than I had truly expected to.” Thor smiles, “I must admit that a lot of this has to do with you.”
“Well, if it balances things out at all,” Steve replies, “I do have to say the same for you.”
Thor beams at this, placing his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “I am glad.”
Steve isn’t sure who moves first, but then Thor’s lips are against his and for one, wonderful moment, Steve can’t think about anything else other than how good it feels. Then reality kicks in and Steve’s pulling away, apologising quickly, hands held up in front of him. Thor is reaching for him again, looking confused.
“I’m sorry. Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.” Steve pulls away, his face burning.
“Is that so?” Thor asks calmly, sitting back and giving Steve his space. “Because I did.”
“What?”
“Captain,” Thor begins, before amending it to, “Steve. I enjoy your company. I am happier when I am with you than when I am with anybody else.”
“Well, yeah, me too, but-”
“I simply acted on it. If you do not want me to, I will not do it again.”
“But Thor, we’re both…” Steve thinks back to the curious kisses he’d shared with Bucky, decades ago. He thinks of the way his gaze catches on Thor’s muscled torso whenever they go to the gym together.
“We are both… what? Teammates? You do not think that we will work better now because it is in our best interests to protect one another? We are both men? Have you not seen the other couples in this city itself, let alone the rest of the world?”
Steve sighs, his gaze dropping to the floor. He can’t really argue with any of that. In fact, he doesn’t want to. He reaches for Thor again and is pleased by the large, warm hands pulling him closer.
“What if this doesn’t work?”
“It will,” Thor murmurs, his fingers curling gently against Steve’s sides. “We will make sure of it.”
“You always make things sound so much simpler than they are,” Steve laughs quietly.
“Better than overcomplicating everything,” Thor replies, giving Steve a small grin. “You are thinking too hard.”
“Well, what would you prefer I did?”
Thor’s grin grows even wider. “I do not need to tell you now, do I?”
And no, Steve thinks, pulling Thor into another kiss, he really doesn’t.