Author's note: So I disappeared again. Shame on me. Shame shame shame. I'm really sorry…Australia and the kids are just really distracting, but I think I might be on track now.
I had a terrible time writing this chapter and quite honestly it's only a hurdle to get to the stuff I want to write. There's been a bunch of stuff swirling around my head, but I've been unable to get to it because of this. Hopefully it's not too bad though.
I appreciate all of my readers. I really do.
I hope you like it!
P.S.-I made a bit of a change to the previous chapter so you may want to (I highly suggest you) reread that one.
Steve startles awake though his eyes remain closed.
First, he's alone and he knows it without even bothering to check.
Second, Steve is in awe of the serene calmness he can feel radiating from his body. Last night's desperation and utter hopelessness has fled and left Steve drifting lightly in a sea of peace. Steve sighs in contentment.
But that sea is swiftly slightly disturbed by his betraying mind.
Where is Thor?
Opening his eyes he feels uneasy though he's positive that Thor's still in the building, that he hasn't up and left the first chance he caught Steve unawares. He knows Thor is there somewhere in the tower, but despite this, that tiny tingle of doubt urges Steve to go check so he climbs out of bed and hastily pulls on a black pair of shorts and a red shirt.
Considering it's about 9am he heads down to the communal floor to see if everyone is there or, at the very least, if someone can tell him where Thor is. The need to be close to him makes Steve's skin itch. Putting a little haste into his steps, he finally arrives on the floor and walks into the room.
Steve frowns, but his niggling inner anxiety immediately disappears.
In front of him everyone at the table is eerily quiet. Thor is staring into his plate with such intensity it would have made any mortal squirm while the others, except for Tony, throw glances in his direction. Tony is outright staring at Thor with a look of consternation on his face. Steve guesses he wants answers and he wants them now.
"Hey Cap," Natasha finally says.
Tony grunts. "Oh good. You're here. Now we can get down to business." His voice all but demands that the inquisition start now.
Steve gathers some eggs and pancakes onto his plate and takes a seat to Thor's left.
He tries his best to ignore Clint's rigid posture.
When Thor looks up Steve sees an uplift at the corner of Thor's mouth and he can't help but smile a little bit too.
"What is it that you would like to know?" Thor questions in his rich, slightly accented voice Steve had no idea he could miss so much. It's dazzling.
Where Thor's hand rests on his thigh underneath the table, Steve covers it with his own. Thor quickly slides his eyes to Steve then back to Tony's face.
Tony looks completely flabbergasted. His mouth is popped open into a little 'o' before he slams his jaw shut with a click and fixes the Asgardian with a glare. "The world is full of kidders. We don't need another," he growls. Steve notices the others look equally unamused.
Thor chuckles lightly. "Sorry Tony. I just…," Thor tilts his head and just smiles at him. It's unguarded and full of warmth, speaking of a kind of fondness shared between best friends. I'm glad to see you, it says. I've missed you.
The purity of the smile makes Tony frown harder, but his eyes twinkle as he looks back at Thor.
Thor speaks once again. "Well my friends, I'm afraid that the tale of my absence is not nearly as exciting as I'm sure you expect it to be. I'm crown prince and sometimes there is just a long list of tedious situations we need to attend to."
"And you couldn't send a carrier pigeon or a monsoon to let us know you were alive? Or that you knew we even existed anymore?" Clint demands, his voice laced with barely concealed scorn.
Thor doesn't rise to Clint's anger and his voice seems warped by emotion when he responds. "It is not possible for me to create storms between time and space, Clint. I knew you were alive of course, and Heimdall was watching to tell me if you really were in need of my assistance, but otherwise I was occupied. I have never forgotten you." Thor's answer makes Clint glower at the table and an uneasiness descends upon the room.
"I am glad you did not forget us Thor," Bruce interjects into the growing silence. He graces Thor with a placid smile. "But perhaps you could tell us about the things you did while you were away? Two years must seem like nothing to you, but it is quite long to us."
Thor nods with a grave look upon his face. "I know and I am sorry I am unable to provide you with more detail. However, because the activities I was involved with are expressly Asgardian business, it is best I do not divulge the actual details of my doings. If something were ever to happen, deniability is your best chance of this realm remaining safe. It is bad enough my presence here has attracted attention to this place."
Thor's logic is sound but Steve glances at each of his teammates to gauge their reactions to Thor's speech. Natasha is unreadable which doesn't surprise him, Clint is still studying the table, Bruce seems to understand because he nods once and sits back in his chair, but Tony looks like he's just dying to know what lies behind the slight of the diplomatic speech from his normally forthcoming friend.
Steve is curious too, but stems the want to voice that feeling. "Thor is right. Our best chance is to not know anything at all…though I can tell you wish to, Tony." Steve squeezes Thor's hand where it is now laced with his out of sight of the others.
Tony grumbles something Steve doesn't understand then speaks louder. "Did you at least fight an acid breathing dragon or something? I need some kind of payoff for your absence. These guys don't indulge me like you do." Tony sounds irritated, but Thor's logic is sound so Tony seems to have acquiesced.
"Of course, my friend! What would be two years away without some battles? But let us leave it for another time. There are only so many stories and I am feeling in need of some exercise." Thor promptly releases Steve's hand and stands up.
Natasha, who had been staring at Tony with a half-smile, looks quickly to Thor and their eye contact is immediate and intense. For a moment Steve swears a look of annoyance and, perhaps, pleading crosses over his features before his face is perfectly genially again.
"Would you like to join me Natasha?" He asks as he walks to the sink and deposits his dishes there.
The question is laced with more subtexts that Steve can comprehend from whatever took place a moment ago.
"Gladly," she says as she rises and mirrors his actions.
Everyone looks as confused as Steve feels by this strange little display. Though neither has expressly forbidden anyone else to attend, it's clear by the clipped exchange that they are not welcome, including Steve. Steve is taken aback and the tingle of doubt and utter strangeness of Thor's return last night creeps into Steve's being once again.
Regardless of his emotions, Steve notices this unsaid understanding seems to incense Clint further because he too stands up, but with just a little more force than necessary.
"Well you two enjoy yourselves," Clint mutters and walks out. He doesn't even bother with his dishes.
Thor and Natasha closely follow Clint's exit without another word and Steve can only tense with anxiety twisting his stomach and shrug helplessly at Bruce and Tony's questioning gazes.
Thor and Natasha go through the motions of exercising in the Stark tower gym. Innumerable reps and cardio minutes later the two have yet to speak a word but seamlessly agree to leave the tower and go for a walk.
Natasha is unsurprised when they end up in an abandoned little park far away from the looming figure of the tower.
"We're here," she says finally, gesturing to the empty space around them.
"So we are," he answers. Silence fills the space between them.
Seeing this going nowhere she rolls her eyes. "Well?"
"Thank you," he says, sincerity clear in his tone.
Natasha shrugs and gestures for him to hurry it up already. Her curiosity is killing her.
There's a pause.
One moment.
Two.
Despite herself Natasha gasps.
Author's note: DUN DUN DUN. Hahaha Cliffhanger.