Chapter 6
A few weeks had gone by since Astral and Steve returned to Earth from the unknown realm.
Each and every morning at 6 on the dot there is a pattern of 2 familiar knocks on Astral's door.
Astral is always there to answer it with a smile along with a bottle of water before she leaves to go on a run with her partner.
This morning was no different than any of the others except Steve decided to run around the same path that passed many of the D.C monuments.
There was another man who was out jogging at this time and every time Steve had passed him with Astral on his heels he would let out a "On your left."
As the sun began to rise the man being passed grew more persistent to beat the active joggers that passed him.
The sound of pounding feet drew close on Sam, and he quickly glanced over his shoulder.
"Don't you say it. Don't you say-"
"On your left," Steve cut in passing the man.
"Oh come on," Sam groaned.
Sam had enough for the day and decided to take his water break before heading to VA office.
He was just catching his breath when a man in a tight under armor shirt and running pants along with his companion a woman with a green running tank top and black running shorts came over.
"Need a doctor?" Steve asks seeing the almost wheezing man.
"No just need a new set of lungs," Sam replied.
"Dude you just ran 13 miles in 30 minutes," Sam said.
"Huh guess you got a late start this morning love," Astral teased.
"Well I would've started sooner if someone hadn't spilt her water on me," Steve said glancing at her.
"Shame on you both you should take another lap," Sam replied with a tired swipe of his hand.
Steve saw this and offered a hand up to stand.
Sam grasped it, "Sam Wilson worked for paratroops."
"Steve Rogers and my girlfriend Astral," Steve answered.
"Figured that was you," Sam said with a tired chuckle.
"Well it was nice meeting you Sam," Astral said.
The couple went to turn when Sam noticed the strain in their stance.
"It's the bed isn't it? Too soft?" Sam called.
Steve turned around while Astral half turned.
"Yea feels like a marshmallow and I'm going to sink right through," Steve said in return.
"I slept on rocks for a mattress and a pillow and now that I'm home, feels like something out of a dream," Sam said.
"I can only imagine what you went through, how many tours did you serve?" Astral asked politely.
"2 tours middle east," Sam answered.
"How does it feel to be defrosted Captain?" Sam asked with a smile.
"Well the foods better, had to boil everything back then. Um no polio is good too. Oh internet, been reading that a lot," Steve said listing some things off.
Astral saw the bonding occurring and went to grab the car as the two discussed Steve's transition into the modern world.
Only Natasha pulling up to the curb in her black corvette met her.
"Need a lift?" the redhead asked.
"Well considering I don't see the car anywhere I guess I have to. What brings you here Natalia?" Astral said.
She barely resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest, she knew Natalia inside and out but she still did not trust the Black widow.
"Well I heard the new Captain exhibit opened up and thought you two could use an outing," Natasha said with a shrug of her shoulders.
"Hmm, and Fury didn't set this up? I'm surprised," Astral said.
"Hey what can I say? Just trying to keep you two updated on the comings and goings of what appears," Natasha replied.
Natasha noticed the two men talking and hollered, "Hey anyone know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a couple fossils." The two men exchanged a few more words as Astral sat herself in the back seat.
Steve strolled over and slid into the front seat.
"So when were you going to tell me the Exhibit opened?" Astral asked looking at Steve.
"Well I figured it could be a surprise," Steve answered with a cheeky smile.
"Be lucky that I can do magic, I don't want to go into a museum in my running clothes," Astral stated with a sniff.
"And you my dear need a shower, maybe we should stop back at home first," Astral said pinching her nose in a mocking motion.
"Fine.. fine, let's go back and change," Steve said rolling his eyes playfully.
Natasha complied and drove the lovebirds back to their apartment while she sat outside.
"So, what's with the whole Natalia thing?" Steve asked as the padded up the stairs.
"When I can trust her I will call her by her new name, until then she is Natalia," Astral said with a puff.
"Wait, look I'm sorry if asking Nat for a ride was a bad idea but I figured she could keep an eye out for danger in case something were to happen if I got recognized," Steve said stopping the pair in front of her door.
Steve was exploring her eyes, looking for some sort of acceptance or words.
Astral let out a small sigh and cupped his cheek.
"You my love need to stop fretting over little things, I know you had the best interest at heart but please do not doubt our capabilities," Astral said kissing his cheek before opening her door and going inside to shower and change.
Steve let out a breath before going into his room to collect some clothes before entering the shower.
~With Astral~
'Darling the convergence is approaching and I fear that Malekith is looking for the Aether. Beware strange tidings come with the convergence mortals will experience phenomena that they will not be able to explain save for Thor's Jane and her friends. Your Father's trial is this afternoon. I will be waiting for you in your rooms.' Serene sent to her daughter.
Astral gasped as she quickly dried off and snapped clothes onto her body as she rushed over to Steve's apartment.
She pounded on the door frantically, "Steve, it's me, I have urgent news." Astral waited and she heard a crash before the door cracked open.
The crack revealed her boyfriend in a towel with water dripping down is muscles.
If it weren't a dire situation Astral would have jumped her muscled boyfriend.
"What's the emergency?" Steve asked as he held the door with one hand and held the towel with the other.
Astral pushed him off the doorframe and closed the door behind her.
"I fear we have another war upon us," Astral said pacing.
"Wait another Alien war is coming?!" Steve asked flabbergasted.
"Yes, the nine realms are going to be aligning soon and Malekith, the leader of the dark elves, is going to unleash darkness on all the realms," Astral said facing her distraught lover.
Steve ran a hair through his hair, stressed.
"When is it going to come?" Steve asked.
"I don't know I believe it will be soon, I contacted Fury but he won't be available till tomorrow," Astral said.
"What do you mean he's unavailable?" Steve asked confused.
"I do not know but it better be good, the earth being threatened again should be his top priority.
"Oh my father's trial is also this afternoon," Astral mentioned.
"Are you going to Asgard?" Steve asked with concern written on his face.
Astral took the few steps in order to cup his face in her hands.
Steve blushed when he realized he was only in a towel and they were close in proximity.
Astral smiled and pecked Steve's flaming cheek.
"Oh my Captain I do love your protectiveness, I will be sending a projection of myself for the trial. I will be staying here physically but not spiritually," Astral said with a smile.
Steve's eyebrows pinched in confusion and then realized that she was sending an illusion.
"So, you're sending an astral projection of yourself?" He asked with a smile on his face.
Astral chuckled before tugging on his drying locks with her fingertips.
"I could not tell you how many times I've heard that joke." Astral chuckled before trailing her hands down the back of his neck to press lightly on his chest.
"Mmm my my Captain, is all this for me?" Astral asked with a smirk.
Steve felt his throat clench up in lust as he saw her half lidded eyes staring up at him.
Astral took a sneak peek at his face before trailing her fingernails lightly across his chest before dipping down to his delicious abs.
Steve stood stock still as his girlfriend examined his frame.
Feeling the sudden contraction in muscles Astral glanced up.
"I will not ask you to complete the bond until you are ready," Astral said as she gave him a slow kiss.
Steve almost groaned into the kiss and went to wrap his fingers in her long curly black locks but realized he was still holding his towel around his waist.
"Let me go change and then I'll take you to the museum," Steve said with another hint of a blush on his cheeks.
Astral giggled as she watched her boyfriend almost scramble to his room.
Astral wandered around the room looking at all the familiar items that Steve had shown her weeks prior.
A leather bound sketchbook lay on the coffee table with the pages open.
On the open page Astral gasped when she saw her other mate sketched out.
This was a new sketch; it showed Bucky looking through a long-range rifle at on coming targets.
"That was during the war, Buck was our sniper in the Howling Commandos," Steve said as he finished pulling the white t-shirt over his head.
He was dressed down in khakis and t-shirt with a small hoodie in his hand.
"I dare say I would love to see him in action or maybe challenge Clint to a contest," Astral said as she placed the drawing back down.
"Maybe once he wants to be found," Steve says with a sigh.
Astral crooned softly before taking Steve's hand in hers.
"He will come, sooner then you and I will think, I have a feeling," Astral said giving a reassuring squeeze.
Steve gave a small smile before leading them back downstairs.
Natasha seemed to have disappeared, so the two rode Steve's Harley to the museum.
After paying the small fee the couple wandered to the new exhibit.
Steve pulled his hat down slightly while Astral sent out a small notice-me-not charm(Borrowed from Harry Potter).
Different pictures were shown, one of them showing the transition of Steve from his original form to the newest one that stood next to her.
"Scrawny asthmatic, who thought of joining the war after his best friend had left," Steve whispers.
"Well he still kept his heart and didn't let his new body go to his head," Astral whispered back.
Steve blushed as they continued through the exhibit. There were different clips of short films that were being shown.
Astral and Steve sat in the back row and watched the films.
When Peggy was describing Steve and it showed him holding the compass, Astral saw a small tear escape his eye.
She took his hand in hers and just held on to it.
"If you want to go see her, I have no problem letting you go," Astral said.
"Thank you," Steve answered.
Once the small movie had ended the two had ended up in front of some mannequins wearing the uniforms for the Howling Commandos.
"Did you wear your first suit to the final threads?" Astral laughed.
Steve felt a smile tug at his lips and nodded.
"Stark gave me a new one after having to patch up my other one so many times," Steve said.
The last exhibit they saw was of the only Howling Commando to ever die in battle, Bucky Barnes.
"Steve, its alright," Astral said reassuring when Steve looked at Bucky's picture.
They stood there gazing at the other piece to their puzzle when a clearing throat interrupted them, "Time to suit up," a redheaded woman stated.
Natasha blinked out of the crowd and Steve followed.
"I will see you when you get back," Astral said with a kiss goodbye.
Astral sighed and then looked at Bucky's picture, "Where are you my lost solider?"
~That evening~
Serene stood in front of her lover as the guards led them to the meeting chambers.
"Loki, please behave, the All-Father is being lenient as is, do not anger him," Serene spoke softly.
"I'll try my best dear," Loki said with a smirk.
The rattle of chains was the only sound in the hallway along with the small clinks of chain mail as the guards followed the Galaxian.
Soon they were meet at the door by a strong female figure dressed in gold.
"Hello daughter, her to see your father?" Serene asked as she smiled at Astral.
"Well I cannot exactly hug him can I? He seems to be a little under wraps," Astral commented as she smiled at Loki.
"Well, they have to keep the monster in chains other wise it might cause chaos," Loki smirked.
Serene shook her head, "Let's get this over with, there's a shift in the air that concerns me," Serene said as she pushed the doors opened.
Serene's dark blue and purple dress swished on the floor as she approached the dais where Frigga stood a few steps lower than the throne.
"Odin," Serene said with a slight bow of the head.
"Serene," Odin said with a similar gesture.
"Ah, young Astral, I did not know you were returning from Midgard," Odin commented seeing the daughter behind her mother.
"Couldn't miss the trial, more here in spirit than persuading I'm afraid," Astral said with a straight face.
Odin nodded and turned his gaze to the figure approaching.
"Hello mother, have I made you proud?" Loki asked Frigga.
"Please don't make this worse," Frigga warned with a sad smile.
"Define worse," Loki said with his playful smirk. Serene sent him a warning glare.
"Enough, let the trial begin," Odin commanded.
Loki rolled his eyes before walking so he stood in front of the group.
He kicked the stair with his foot and laughed.
"I really don't see what all the fuss is about, they were monsters that needed to be slaughtered," Loki said.
"Do you not have grievous for your crimes?" Odin asked in a serious tone.
"Where ever you go death, chaos and ruin follow," Odin droned on.
"Well I was just following your example, being a god one must make sure the balance is in order," Loki said.
"We are not gods, we are born, we live and we die," Odin cut in.
"Give or take 5 thousand years," Loki replied cheekily.
"All this, because Loki desired a throne," Odin said leaning back.
"It is my birth right," Loki bit out.
"Your birth right…was to die, you were cast out on a rock if I did not save you, you would not be here to hate me and your kind," Odin said as he leapt forward in his chair.
"If I'm here for the axe than for mercies sake just…swing it," Loki said.
"No, that would cause more harm than good, you shall remain in prison until the Frost Giants have established some balance and ask for reparations," Odin said banging his staff on the floor.
"No one is to see the prisoner without the guards present," Odin decreed.
Serene nodded her head and looked to her husband with a small frown of disappointment.
Loki saw this and cringed inside.
'You know it's all fun and games till someone loses a head,' Serene sent to him.
'Well I seem to still have mine,' Loki said cheekily.
"Well that was not so bad," Astral said as the family stood in the hallway.
The guards stood of to the side. "Though it's like watching two dogs in a pissing match," Astral said.
"Language young lady, you may be staying with Midguardians but I do not want to hear that squalor come out of your mouth," Serene said with a miffed face.
"Yes mother," Astral said bowing her head.
"Is this any way to send me off to my new quarters?" Loki asked.
"No, I have to leave soon, Steve should be getting back," Astral said with a far off look.
"He better be treating you like a princess," Loki said with a sneer.
"Do not fret, he is the perfect gentleman," Astral answered with a dreamy smile.
"Good, now give your Father a hug," Loki said trying to open his arms but only got to half way due to the chains.
The guards shifted into action but Serene waved them off.
Astral wrapped her arms around her father and hugged.
"I'm going to miss you," Astral said with a small sniff.
"Don't worry I have a feeling I won't be in for long," Loki said with a knowing smirk.
"Don't you dare," Astral warned. "Oh it won't be me promise," Loki said with a smirk.
He kissed her hair and then released her.
"I will see you soon mother," Astral said hugging her mother before disappearing.
The couple now stood looking at one another.
"Now where's my love?" Loki asked with a teeth-baring grin.
Serene shook her head with a roll of her eyes.
She slid into his arms and captured his lips in a kiss.
Loki sighed into the kiss as she cupped his face.
There was fire in the kiss but it seemed more of a goodbye kiss than a normal affection.
"I will be down soon, do not escape you hear me? Otherwise I will put you in there myself," Serene warned.
Loki gulped at the power radiating from her and then shivered.
"My, my that power is so delightful, how can I say no," Loki answered rubbing his nose under her chin.
One of the guards cleared their throat and the two broke away.
"I will be down as soon as I can," Serene said as she watched her lover be taken back to the dungeons.
"Don't worry, I'm the most feared thing in the dungeon," Loki replied.
Serene shook her head before she disappeared with a flash of robes.
Just as a reminder I do not own any of the Marvel characters or movie lines I incorporate, I do however own my OC's and this series plotline. Please respect that. Reviews would be marvelous but are not needed for an update. Updates will be random at best.
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