A/N: Requested by Sparky She-Demon.


"Well, look at what we have here!" Tony Stark wore a handsome three piece suit and carried a glass of champagne in one hand. He grabbed another from a passing waiter without turning his head. "Thirsty? I know this stuff's basically water to you, but it is the highest quality water this side of France. I'm not even supposed to be drinking any, but it's just one glass, so be a pal and don't tell Pepper, huh?"

Thor boomed a laugh and clapped Tony as gently as he could on the back. In spite of his efforts, Tony still stumbled forward.

"Your secret is safe with me, my friend. Thank you for inviting me to your gathering."

"Hey, it's not a party without a little thunder and lightning." Tony drank from his glass, emptying it in one swallow. "Just a fair warning: Jane's here, too."

Thor's smile fell. He felt a great stabbing in his chest like the freshly sharpened blade of a foe, and it was only by putting to use everything he had learned about proper courtly manner that he was able to fake a smile.

"Then I am glad that she will partake in tonight's festivities. She deserves it after all her years of hard work."

That had sounded better in his head. Out of his mouth, it might as well have been read from a script. Thor could see it in Tony's eyes how unconvincing he'd been. Luckily, even in this mildly drunken state, his friend had the good sense not to speak up.

"I just wanted to make sure you were prepared," he said, and then he leaned in close. "She's with her new guy."

The metaphorical blade in Thor's heart twisted.

"I… take it she is happy with him."

Tony looked as though he would rather do anything else in the world than answer that question.

"Not sure if I should lie and say she's utterly miserable and pines for you constantly…"

"Your consideration is appreciated," said Thor, "but I would rather the truth."

Tony wore a thoughtful expression, and then gaze moved left. He gestured behind Thor.

"See for yourself."

Jane was seated at a table not far from them, close enough that she could be seen clearly through the swarms of party guests, but far enough that she would not hear if someone was speaking of her. She wore a simple, elegant blue dress and light makeup that only accentuated her natural beauty. Her eyes were alight in a way Thor had always known them to be, but different somehow. Brighter. She bestowed her gaze upon a man in a black suit, with hair slicked back and a clean shaven face. His own blue eyes beheld only the woman before him, as he propped up his head on a metal fist that was the only indication that he was anything out of the ordinary.

It was the first time Thor had seen James Buchanan Barnes in person, though he had heard about him many times from Steve Rogers. At first, the Captain had spoken wistfully of his friend, the fallen brother in arms he had valued as though they were truly born from the same womb. Such was a feeling Thor could relate to on an almost painful level. Later on, after the travesty that ended SHIELD revealed his comrade to still be alive, Rogers' words became sadder, filled with regret and anger, but most of all, hope. He had spent the better part of a year afterward searching the globe for his friend. How he had found him, and how he had brought him back to his right mind, Thor had yet to find out. He would have to ask Rogers later. He would have to ask him quite a few things about Mr. Barnes.

Thor turned away as Barnes leaned in and pressed his forehead against Jane's. What would happen next was clear, and Thor would not be the one to spoil their moment by spying. He partook in several more drinks, and engaged Clint Barton in conversation for a time before Natasha Romanov pulled him away for a dance. Tony Stark had similarly been removed to the dance floor by his lover. They spun near Thor once or twice, too wrapped up in one another to notice or care. The love in their eyes as they gazed upon each other warmed him. He wished them the very best in their lives together; they would surely have a wonderful family.

He would want the same for all of the midgardians he was honored to call his friends. He glanced once more at Jane. He had intended not to linger, but Jane was alone now at her table, not a sign of her new lover to be found. Where on earth had he gotten off to?

"Hey, you're Thor, right?"

Thor nearly gasped in the face of James Buchanan Barnes. He was mere inches away on Thor's left side, his hands clasped behind his back and his shoulders straight. Up close, his suit was immaculate, but Thor would not be surprised to find that he had at least one weapon hidden on him. He stood cool, calm, and almost deathly silent following that first question.

Most incredible was the fact that Barnes had snuck up on him.

He, a Midgardian, had been able to take Thor himself by surprise.

"I am," Thor said slowly. "And you are James Buchanan Barnes. I've heard much about you."

"Yeah, same," said Barnes. He stepped forward. "Sorry if I'm bothering you, I just wanted to talk for a second."

"I have time," Thor said, and indeed he had all the time in the world to stand before the man who held Jane Foster's heart in his hands. While he had been made aware that such attitudes were considered outdated and, at worst, outright offensive on Midgard, he simply couldn't abide by Jane giving herself to a man unworthy of her. "It's an honor to meet you at last, James Buchanan Barnes."

"You don't have to use my full name like that," he said. "Just call me Bucky."

"Very well…" Thor said, rolling the odd designation around on his tongue. "Bucky."

Barnes winced. It was the first crack in his armor Thor had seen, and it vanished just as quickly as it came. Once more, he stood with the countenance of a powerful warrior.

"Jane asked me to introduce myself," he said. "I know you guys used to be an item, but she still thinks of you as a friend, so I guess she wants us to try and get along."

He held out a hand for Thor to shake, never once breaking eye contact. Thor noted that the proffered hand was not the metal one, but his grip was as strong as if it was. That was good. Even if he couldn't match an Asgardian in brute strength, it was clear that he would be a far tougher opponent than most of his kind.

"I'm sure we will have no trouble finding common ground," Thor said. "I'm certain that any man Jane Foster has chosen for herself would be someone I could call a friend."

He left it there, trusting that Barnes could read between the lines. Indeed, his eyes darkened and his stance became stronger. He was ready to fight if necessary. Thor had known far too many battles in his life not to know that look.

"Honestly, I don't always get why she'd want someone as broken down as me," Barnes said, his voice a mite softer than before. "Course, now that I've got her, I'm not letting her go for anything."

He grinned at Thor, showing his teeth. Then he bade him farewell and returned to Jane's side, sliding in next to her and pulling her into his embrace. She responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck as he all but pulled her into his lap. They fit together well, like it had been decided by the fates themselves. He would have to ask them about it when he found the time.

Her chin on Barnes' shoulder, Jane's eyes met his by chance, and she gave him a wave that Thor answered with a smile and a nod. He left it there, content in the knowledge that Jane Foster was happy and in the arms of a good man.