Everyone is staring at me now and I try my best to look apologetic. This is the fifth mug I've crushed in my grip this week and the understanding looks I had been given before seem to have taken a turn toward annoyed sighs and hard stares (from Natasha anyway), except for Thor. He has managed to look amused and properly disappointed in me at the same time.

"I'm sorry…again. I'll clean up the mess," I say while rising from my chair. Clint hands me some paper towels.

"Cap, though I can afford to buy an unlimited supply of cups, I really rather not buy that many. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep the Hulk cup smashing to a minimum," Tony says after a moment. My face heats up in embarrassment when he refuses to look away from me.

Arm still settled over Tony's shoulders, Thor taps Tony's bicep to bring his attention back to himself. This seems to snap Tony out of his reprimand of me and he resumes his conversation with the Thunder God about Mjolnir.

The little black pang of jealousy that had slithered away when all eyes were on me creeps up again to lodge in my throat as I watch Tony and Thor sink back into their conversation. I avert my eyes and excuse myself from the communal breakfast room.

Now back on my floor, I go to stand on the balcony to watch the city below and think things over. When I first admitted to myself that I liked Thor I was practically drowning in it. It was so much more intense than anything I had ever felt, even for the beautiful sweet strong Peggy. I suppose that's what happens after being in such complete denial of your body's reactions. But, despite everything, I felt at home inside the overwhelming sensation and would have happily stayed there within it until one thought pulled me up short.

I'm the leader of The Avengers.

I'm the leader of The Avengers and it is not appropriate to fraternize with a teammate. While that thought was upsetting, I couldn't deny the truth of it so I made a few promises to myself about the whole situation.

Now though, it's hilarious how poorly my promises to myself are being kept.

I promised I would not act on my feelings.

Well okay, so that was going fine.

I promised myself that my behavior toward Thor would stay the same. I promised myself that I would not seek Thor out more than I had before. I promised myself I wouldn't let my gaze linger on him.

I promised myself I wouldn't get jealous.

1/5. That's not very promising.

Despite this, I'm very conscious of that fact that it's Thursday and Thursday is movie night with Thor.

I have to at least try to honor my promises now and I won't let the situation control me. I've gone through tougher things.

Still, I apparently can't help the nervous flutter of my stomach in anticipation of being alone with him tonight.

I think I'm making them anxious.

Every few minutes while Clint, Natasha, and I are playing Xbox together, one or both of their eyes flit to me and study my face as if the answers to all of their questions are written on my skin.

The clock in the corner chimes cheerily to announce that its 11pm and I have to suppress a sigh. The part of me, the part that houses my promises with Thor, whispers to me seductively, Thor's not here.

My leg continues its bouncing.

Apparently that's where Clint's patience ends because he rises from the couch. "Steve, as much as I've enjoyed playing with you," his face flickers to a grimace at the half lie and then slides back to blankness, "but it's late and, you know, we have late night sparring and all."

Grabbing Natasha's arm he hauls her off the couch toward the elevator. "It's okay, Clint. You and Natasha go ahead. I'll stay and clean up."

As Natasha is pulled forcefully toward the exit, she shoots me an understanding look which baffles me. "Goodnight, Captain" she says as the door shuts.

Alone now, I go about cleaning up the remnants of our video game playing. I place the controllers in their tower, shut off the game and tv, and collect the garbage from our snacking. Bringing it into the kitchen, I place it the trash bin and go to grab a Coke out of the refrigerator. Turning around, I walk to the other side of the island counter and lean against it as I stare out the windows to the city and sip my drink.

Apparently, I'm going to wait for Thor and I feel frightfully like a jealous boyfriend doing so.

Around 1 am the elevator dings and Thor strolls onto his floor. Shame floods through me as I come to terms with how long I waited for him to return, but it's quickly wiped out as I really get a look at him once he flips the switch to one of the other lights.

Walking further into the room with a satisfied smile on his face, I see that he's wearing a blue button up that matches the color of his eyes, black jeans that hug his narrow hips, and combat boots.

He looks delicious.

My body jerks involuntarily.

Wait…no, not delicious. He looks…good? That's an appropriate thought for a teammate. Right?

I'm not allowed to pursue that thought further because Thor finally notices my presence.

"Steve?" he blinks a few times in surprise.

"Hi," I say quietly. I suddenly feel stupid.

Recovering from his surprise, a smile blooms on his lips and rather than let him truly begin to wonder why I'm here, I veer the conversation in another direction.

"So, Thor, how was your day?"

"Ah, Steve, it was a wonderful!" he booms enthusiastically. "Tony and I sparred for hours. Then, upon his suggestion, I cleansed myself and dressed in this attire he chose for me out of my wardrobe."

Thor gestures to his clothing. "It is an outstanding outfit, no?"

I nod, while giving what I hope is a convincing smile. I'm already breaking my promise to myself again as jealousy loops itself around my throat and squeezes. It practically chokes me.

No.

No. Thor and Tony are teammates. They are allowed to spend as much time with each other as they want.

Focusing back in on Thor I listen to him tell the rest of the story of his day.

"After we were dressed, Tony took me a place you Midgardians call a bar and it was splendid. The ale of this realm is weaker than I anticipated, but it was satisfactory nonetheless. And it would also seem that I am a, as Tony calls it, a ladies man!" My smile falters. "Many Midgardian females approached me and wanted my affections. Tony was impressed."

A heavy weight settles on my chest and I'm pretty sure my smile has twisted itself into a frown. I don't want it to be. I want to smile and play along and be happy for him, but I can't. I sat around all night wishing he was here and he…he did not even feel the absence of my company. I'm so stupid.

My face must register the crushing weight because Thor's smile disappears. Instead now he looks concerned…and confused.

Then realization strikes. "It is Thursday" he murmurs. He looks so ashamed of himself as a blush (Gods blush?) creeps over the top of his cheeks. And, in spite of everything, my heart beats frantically in my chest. I don't want him to be upset.

"Steve, I am truly sorry. I do not know how I had forgotten." He stops to take a breath. "Our ritual is important to me and I hope you can forgive my lapse in memory."

I want to laugh, but I know I'll sound hysterical if I do so instead I force myself to grin at him as I lay a hand on his forearm.

How reckless.

"Of course I forgive you, Thor. Everyone forgets things, but I think I'm going to go to bed now." My voice sounds hollow to my own ears.

The frown on Thor's face deepens. "Goodnight, Captain."

A sound leaps from my throat to my mouth ready to explode out of my body. Whatever sound it is however, chokedsobhystericallaugh is violently restrained. I won't let it escape past my tightly held lips.

Arriving back on my floor, I feel thoroughly out of control. Glancing around, I see it looks like no one lives here and I groan. I'm so utterly frustrated with myself for letting it get like this.

With a lack of better things to do, I drag myself to the shower. Once settled under the hot stream, I close my eyes and my mind whirls around thoughts of Thor with no end in sight. I almost can't take it.

But then I open my eyes and shake my head vigorously.

You are Steve Rogers, you are from Brooklyn and you are a soldier. You will NOT let this control you.

I don't know why, but this time these statements ring truer than they did before and I feel so grounded as I shove the ThorIlikeThor down in a place so far within myself I can almost ignore it.

I smile to myself.

Thor and I are justfriends and everything will be fine.

Author's note: The next chapter will be up in the next couple days or so. Thank you to all of the lovely people that have been reading my story. If you like it though, reviews will be greatly appreciated so I really know how you all are liking it. :D