Muscle with Muscle

Chapter 2

Steve entered the kitchen to find all the Avengers already there in various states of consciousness. Bruce was at the stove making breakfast as he did most mornings. Natasha was eating cereal at the breakfast bar with Clint half asleep at her side eating toast. Tony was by the coffee maker no doubt having just come up from his lab like he did every morning. Thor was sitting across from Natasha, a plate full of pop tarts sitting in front of him.

"Good morning." Steve greeted sounding far less cheerful than most mornings.

Clint grunted something Steve chose to interpret as a greeting, while Natasha and Thor acknowledged his presence with a nod.

"Morning Cap. Pancakes?" Bruce asked at the same time Tony yelled, "Capsicle you're up!"

Steve shook his head, "No thanks, I'm not really hungry, just wanted a cup of coffee is all." He walked to the coffee maker with his head down to avoid eye contact with any of his team members.

"Wait. You aren't hungry? With your super metabolism?" Tony gave him a disbelieving look. "Why don't I believe that?"

"Tony, leave the man alone." Bruce scolded Tony from the stove while Steve poured his coffee.

Tony ignored him and continued grating Steve. "Plus, you do realize that you were the one that insisted breakfast be a team bonding activity right?" Tony asked in a tone he usually used when he was trying to make light of a serious situation.

"I don't have to eat to be present." Steve replied halfheartedly as he sat down on the kitchen island, making sure to sit as far away from Thor as he could without seeming too obvious.

"Seriously, what's up Cap?"

"Nothing- why would- uh nothing is wrong, Tony. Really." Steve lamely replied, taking a drink of his coffee, feeling extremely guilty for lying.

Natasha raised an eyebrow, seemingly having heard the lie in Steve's words and taking interest in the conversation.

"Okay." Tony didn't seem completely appeased but didn't press further as he sat next to Steve and turned to Bruce. "So Bruce…"

Steve tuned him out and focused on his coffee, avoiding the stares coming from his team.

"Steven," Thor spoke in a low tone, as from behind Steve, "may I have a word with you in private?"

Steve looked up to see the curious stares of the rest of the team. Thor shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat, finally getting his attention. He resisted the urge to shy away.

"Oh, um, sure." Steve got up and walked to the living room, Thor trailing silently behind him, without looking back at the stares he was sure everyone was giving them.

They stood in silence for a minute, until Steve was sure that no one had followed.

"Thor listen, about last night-" Steve started only to be cut off by Thor's laughter.

"CAPTAIN, there is no need to apologize."

"Yeah there is, listen, what happened last night," Steve blushed but forced himself to continue, "I was - I don't really know what came over me. I mean I'm not - I don't – what I mean is -"

"Captain," Thor interrupted Steve, using a softer tone now that he wasn't laughing, "there really is no need to apologize. I understand that Midgardian bodies have needs and most importantly, that it is not I that holds your heart."

"I – um – still you are a team member and we never should have –" Steve clears his throat, "I don't want things to be weird with the team."

Thor frowned. Seemingly deep in thought, Steve took the opportunity and kept talking.

"It was a mistake and I think we should just forget about what happened." Steve didn't wait for a reply and began to make his way out of the living room, only to stop when Thor placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed until Steve turned to look at him.

"Steven, if it is your wish, we shall forget about it." Thor spoke in a soft tone. "But do not let the fear of breaking up the team stop you from going after that which your heart desires."

Steve stood frozen in place, not sure how to reply.

"I am sure the Man of Iron is worth it." Thor gave his shoulder a final squeeze before releasing his hold and walking toward the kitchen to join the others.

Steve stood in the living room for a more couple minutes, both stunned and grateful for Thor's words. When he finally walked back into the kitchen, the team was silently conversing, though he didn't miss the stares everyone would give him every now and then. Tony for one send him a questioning look as soon as he set foot in the room, looking away when the taller man caught sight, then pointedly tried to keep his gaze away from Steve's face.

Eventually everyone seemed too entranced by the conversation to wonder about what was said between him and Thor, which Steve appreciated. Steve was especially grateful that Tony's questioning eyes never lingered much on his face and he never voiced his questions, even as he tried to include him in the conversation. He knew himself too much to know that he would give the man anything and everything he asked for and this wasn't something he wanted to share with anybody, let alone him.

"So what do you think Cap?"

"About what?"

Tony smiled and shook his head. "About a team trip. If you'd bother to pay attention," he gave him a pointed look, "You'd know that we were just discussing taking some time off. We've saved this city one too many times and we need a break."

"Oh. Yeah that actually sounds like a great idea."

Tony gave him a breath taking smile, one Steve couldn't help but return and made his heart skip a beat. Last night's revelation still fresh in his mind.

"Great! That settles it. Our leader has spoken." Tony chuckled, "So, where would you all like to go?"

Apparently they had all been waiting for Steve's approval because as soon as Steve agreed and Tony opened the floor, everyone spoke up at once.

"Somewhere quiet." Bruce suggested as he got up to get more tea.

"Somewhere sunny." Natasha supplied from her seat.

"THE LAND OF DISNEY!"

"The land of – WHAT?!" Clint spoke up from next to Steve, already looking far more awake than he had five minutes ago. "Thor, are you kidding? If you are even going to suggest a theme park it has to be Six Flags!"

"I don't know I'd rather stay out the sun."

"Bruce, trust me, we could all use a little bit of sun."

"Jarvis, can you make a list of possible locations based on the suggestions the children are giving?" Tony instructed Jarvis as he reclined in his seat by Steve's side.

"Of course sir." Jarvis replied at the same time Natasha turned with a raised eyebrow and said, "You know that makes you the mother right?"

Steve laughed at the disgruntled look on Tony's face while the rest of the team discussed, rather loudly, possible locations. Clint spent the better part of 20 minutes trying to convince Thor that Six Flags was better than Disneyland, that particular discussion ended with Natasha having to intervene when Clint started waving arrows around erratically, though no one really knows where they came from. Eventually everyone started arguing and Bruce threatened Tony with not going, if the discussion of the trip was any indication to how the actual trip was going to be. In the end, Steve had to interfere and they decided that Jarvis would make the final decision.

Even with all the arguing, however, Steve couldn't help but look on with fondness. This was his team, his family. He couldn't risk ruining the best thing to happen to him since he woke up from the ice. He couldn't be selfish. He would give his life for everybody in the room and if keeping them together and safe meant having to give up his heart, he would.