cut

"Aren't you all hyper today?"

Ven smiled widely at Neville. "I hadn't felt this good in ages."

Neville snorted and rolled his eyes. "It was bloody time," he muttered and Ven chuckled. He took a seat beside Neville at the bar and took a sip of his tea. The Café was absolutely glowing. Neville concluded the atmosphere was reflecting Ven's mood. "I guess tall-strong-and-mysterious is the one I should thank."

Ven's cheeks adopted a light blush and Neville rolled his eyes. "I suppose you should," Ven said and Neville nodded.

"Is he a good guy?" he asked and Ven raised an eyebrow at him.

"Neville Longbottom, what are you planning?" he drawled and Neville looked at him innocently.

"Nothing! Nothing at all. I just want to have a small chat with him about how he should treat you," Neville defended himself, although he knew that it wouldn't work with Haruven.

"He asked for permission to court me, Neville," spoke the bartender and Neville huffed.

"I know," he moaned, "you told me everything, remember?" Ven blushed at that. "He appears to be quite forceful." Neville commented and Ven shot him through with a glare.

"He didn't do anything I didn't want him to do," he blurted out quietly. "After he - after he kissed me he…" Ven trailed off and looked to the side, and Neville had to try hard to stop himself from laughing.

He could tell that Ven was smitten. His magic was fluctuating freely for once and one could see it on him. Even though he was bursting with energy, Haruven seemed calm for the first time in a long, long while. Neville didn't remember ever seeing him like this.

"He did what?" Neville pushed for an answer and Ven jumped in his seat, glancing at Neville before he shifted his weight and cleared his throat.

"He bowed at me," Ven spoke trying to sound careless, but the smug smirk on Neville's face told him that he had failed spectacularly. "He actually bowed at me, Neville." Ven looked at Neville. "He kissed my hand and said he would see me later. And then he left."

Neville hummed. "I'll admit that he's a gentleman, but still…"

Ven groaned and rolled his eyes. "Neville, I'm a grown man…"

"A grown man that has seen a lot of bad things," Neville interrupted Haruven who looked at him with a small frown and parted lips. "I told you yesterday what I think about all this. I just want to make sure he knows that there are a lot of people he will have to answer to if he hurts you in any way." Neville said and Ven shook his head at him.

"And here I thought I was the overprotective one," he muttered, looking at Neville with a small smile.

"Trust me, my friend. You have no idea how many people will turn the world on its head if anything bad happens to you."

Ven tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Neville…"

In that moment the door opened and three people walked in. Ven looked at them and smiled welcomingly.

"Ms. Romanoff, Mr. Barton, Steve! I wasn't expecting you!" Ven greeted and shot Neville an apologizing glance before he walked over to the three.

"Well, Thor disappeared somewhere this morning, and Bruce and Tony chased us out because we kind of damaged the training room, so we had nothing to do. We decided to come over while our genius scientists are fixing the training room," Steve explained and Ven laughed lightly.

"Come, take your seats. I'm sure you're quite cold. I don't remember the last time that much snow has fallen," he spoke as he led them over to a table.

"I hope we didn't interrupt anything," Natasha said and looked at Neville.

"Don't worry, miss," Neville said and stood up. "I was just about to…"

"Nonsense," Ven interrupted Neville and showed him to come over, "you were not about to leave and there is no need for you to." Neville rolled his eyes while the three sixths of the Avengers exchanged amused glances. "Neville, I would like you to meet a few dear guests of mine. This is Steve Rogers." Neville shook hands with Steve and the soldier nodded at him.

"It's a pleasure," Steve said and Neville moved onto Clint.

"This is Mr. Clint Barton," Ven introduced while the two shook hands.

"Call me Clint," Clint said and Neville nodded.

"And last but not least, lovely Ms. Natasha Romanoff." Natasha shot Ven a small smirk while she shook hands with Neville.

"You can call me Natasha," she said and Neville nodded.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," he greeted everyone while Haruven placed a hand on Neville's back.

"My friends, this is Neville Longbottom. We went to school together and I consider him my closest friend," Ven said, and Neville rolled his eyes.

"You're making me blush," he drawled sarcastically and Ven chuckled.

"I'm sure. Please, take your seats. I'll bring your drinks over right away." Ven moved for the bar while the other four took their seats.

"He seems different somehow," Natasha murmured, "and I mean in a very good way. It seems like a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders."

Clint and Steve nodded their heads in agreement.

"He carries a lot of burdens," Neville spoke up and the three looked at him. "I am happy at least one of them was lifted off of his shoulders." Neville said before Ven walked over and placed their drinks in front of them.

"Excuse me," he said just as the door opened and a group of girls walked in.

"Hello, Mr. V!" the girls called out and Ven smiled welcomingly at them.

"Welcome, girls. Take your seats. Some warm chocolate today?"

"Yes please!" said one of them as they took their seats and Ven went to make their drinks.

"I thought he couldn't be kinder than he already was," Clint commented and almost moaned when he took a sip of Butterbeer. "Perfect as always." Natasha smirked at Clint, enjoying her favorite drink.

"So, Ven said you two went to school together," Steve turned to Neville, nursing his own glass of beer between his hands.

"Yes. We weren't all that close during our school days, but we were friends never the less. I dare to say that if Harry – Ven wasn't there for me I wouldn't be here today."

"He seems to be everyone's hero at some level," Steve said and Neville chuckled.

"You could say that he is everyone's hero. He sacrificed a lot for a lot of people and received very little in return. If you ask me, he deserves more recognition than he's given." The other three nodded in agreement. The door opened again and an elderly man walked in.

"Alfred! I didn't expect you back so soon!" Alfred smiled warmly at Haruven and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Master Bruce needed to take care of some business, so I decided to use this opportunity to come and see you again." Ven laughed quietly and led Alfred over to his usual table.

"I'll bring you your drink right away," Ven said and all but danced back to the bar.

"This is the first time I actually see him work when there are more people here," Clint muttered. The door opened again and a young man walked in. Ven greeted him as warmly as he greeted everyone else and led him over to a table. He moved around with the grace and confidence of a master at work. It seemed like this was what he was best at. Everyone was smiling and chatting as if they had no worries at all.

"He is really something," Natasha commented and Neville nodded his head.

"He is the best thing that happened to this world since ever."

The exchanged glances before they looked at Neville again. "Neville?" Steve spoke up and the Wizard raised an eyebrow when he saw the focused frowns on their faces.

"Yes?"

"Ven mentioned that he had quite an… adventurous school life," Steve said and Neville laughed.

"Is that the word he used?"

"Not exactly; he mentioned a basilisk and soul-sucking creatures," Natasha drawled.

Neville rolled his eyes and Natasha raised an eyebrow at him. "For him our school years were more like yearly life threatening events than adventures, to be perfectly honest."

"He didn't make it sound like that," Steve said, growing pale when Neville huffed and shook his head.

"Trust me; no one, and I mean no one has ever visited the infirmary as much as Harry did. He was in there so many times that by our fourth year we started making bests on how long it will take for him to end up there and how many times he would visit the hospital wing. After the war our school nurse actually dedicated a bed to him. His name is still written on that bed, if I'm not mistaken. I believe the actual count by the end of our school years concerning how many times he ended up in the hospital wing was around 10+ times although most people think it was only 7 times. I lost count after 11." Neville recounted and almost laughed again when the three gaped at him.

"He's prone to accidents," Natasha muttered, still a bit stunned, and Neville huffed.

"No. He just risks his life for others too much," he spoke dryly.

"I thought schools were supposed to be safe," Steve pressed out and Neville scoffed.

"Trust me, nothing is safe for Ven. I'm surprised that he lasted 8 years without ending up in the hospital for any amount of time."

"Well that's what happens when you usually go looking for trouble." Natasha said.

"Oh, don't get me wrong!" Neville hurried to explain. "Trouble does a fine job of finding him on her own; there's no need for him to go looking for it."

"I hope you're not gossiping about me." Ven passed beside them to clean up a table and Neville snorted.

"It's not gossip if it's true!" he called out after his friend Ven laughed, moving onto the next table. He greeted Alfred as he walked out of the Café and snorted when he walked over to Alfred's table and saw how much money the elderly man left. "He always leaves too much," he muttered and took his empty glass going back to the bar to clean up everything. The group looked around and realized that even though the Café filled up pretty quickly, now it was only them and that young man from earlier who he was sitting at his table, reading a book.

Neville rolled his eyes and took a sip of his drink. "A penny would be too much in your eyes," he grumbled and Steve chuckled.

"I still can't believe he doesn't charge for the drinks he serves," he muttered, and Neville snorted and shook his head.

"Trust me, even if he were to buy a continent it wouldn't even dent his bank accounts. He's loaded and he wants to spend it on others."

"How do you know that?" Clint asked.

"I'm his accountant," Neville stated carelessly, and the three leaned closer in interest.

"He's really that rich?" Steve asked in a whisper and Neville nodded.

"He pays me 40000 pounds a month. I tried to argue with him about it when he told me that would be my payment for managing his accounts, but he insisted."

Clint whistled. "That's a lot," he muttered and Neville snorted.

"Tell that to him, I dare you."

"I think I'll pass," Natasha said and took a sip of her drink.

"He can be quite forceful when he wants to be." Neville said. "I learned early on in our friendship not to argue with him when he decides on something."

"Still talking about me?" Ven asked and pulled an armchair over to them. Only then did they realize that the Café was empty again.

"You're an interesting topic for conversation, my friend," Neville said and Ven laughed, shaking his head.

"I'm sure I am."

"You don't seem tired at all," Clint noticed and Ven shrugged.

"How could I be? There are days when the Café is full to the brim, but I still don't have that much work for it to really tire me out," Ven said and the others nodded in understanding.

"You really love your job, don't you?" Steve asked and Ven smiled at him.

"I do. It's fulfilling."

"We can see that," Natasha said and her lips tilted up when the bartender straightened in his seat, eyes glimmering with pride.

"Oh, that reminds me!" Ven blurted out and turned to Neville. "When will you be going back to Britain?" he asked Neville and the wizard smirked.

"What? Already getting tired of me?"

Ven rolled his eyes, surprising the Avengers. They have never seen him so relaxed as to do such a childish thing. "Of course not," he said. "I just thought that you could stay a few days longer and bring Luna and the children over. I have something for them I would like to give them personally."

Neville nodded. "We might as well. With what you're paying me I could take a year long vacation on the Moon," he muttered and Ven's smile brightened, eyes glimmering with mirth.

"I have to spend my money on something, don't I? Why not spend it on my family."

Instead of saying something sarcastic Neville just smiled and shook his head. "Right."

A warm wind danced around them and Ven straightened in his seat, turning to look at the door and a small smile tilted his lips. His eyes softened considerably and everyone stared at him in confusion. Ven stood up as the door opened and to everyone's surprise (everyone's beside Ven's that is) Thor walked in and looked around.

Steve, Tasha and Clint raised eyebrows and Neville snorted and shook his head when Ven walked over to Thor. "Welcome," he said and the Avengers gaped when Thor smirked and took the step Ven hesitated to take, bowed down and placed a small kiss on the corner of Ven's lips.

"It is good to see you again," Thor spoke and Haruven laughed quietly, and quite breathlessly.

"It is good to see you again too, Thor." The God of Thunder smiled brightly and Ven chuckled before Thor took a small step back and raised his right arm. Haruven's eyes filled with surprise when he saw a gift-bag in Thor's hand the color of Ven's eyes. "What is that?" Ven accepted the bag and Thor shrugged.

To the surprise of his comrades, Thor shifted his weight in anticipation. "Just a small gift. I thought about flowers, but considering everything…" he trailed off and Ven grinned when he looked into the bag.

"Thor, this is wonderful!" He took out a small grandfather clock and beamed up at Thor. "Absolutely wonderful." He climbed on his tiptoes and kissed Thor's cheek. "It will look beautiful on the bar."

Thor all but doubled in size at the praise. In that moment he noticed Steve, Tasha and Clint and smiled at them widely. "My friends; I hadn't seen you there!"

"Why don't you take a seat?" Ven suggested as he made his way to the bar. "I'll prepare your drink in a second."

Thor nodded and before he walked over to the table he reached up and brushed a strand of hair that fell into Ven's eyes behind a slightly pointed ear. Ven tilted his head to the side with a small smile and Thor returned it in kind. "Don't rush. I am not in a hurry." Ven nodded and Thor walked over to the table, taking a seat in the armchair Ven occupied minutes ago.

"What was that?" Clint asked right away and Thor raised an eyebrow at him.

"What was what?"

Neville snickered while the other three continued staring at Thor in wonder.

Thor looked at Neville and offered his hand to him. "We didn't get to introduce ourselves yesterday."

Neville accepted Thor's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Neville Longbottom; Haruven's friend," he said, eyes flashing with a warning that didn't escape anyone.

"Thor Odinson. Haruven's future husband, hopefully," Thor answered firmly, lips tilted into a daring smirk.

Neville chuckled while the Avengers' jaws met the table.

"We'll see about that," Neville drawled and the two were suddenly locked in a stare-down.

"Neville." Thor and Neville looked at Ven when he came over and placed a drink in front of Thor. "Play nice," Ven murmured with a smirk and took a seat on the armrest of Thor's armchair.

"I am playing nice!" Neville stressed out and Ven rolled his eyes.

"Alright, what is going on here?" Steve asked. Clint and Natasha nodded their heads in agreement and obvious curiosity and Ven looked at them while Thor turned to Ven with a small smile.

"I believe that what is going on is that I am courting Haruven," Thor said and Ven gifted Thor with a beautiful smile.

"Courting him?" Clint asked and Thor looked at him. "You mean like dating?"

"I do believe that you use that phrase," Thor said.

"How did that happen?" Natasha asked. "I thought you were straight."

Thor laughed at her words and shook his head. "We Gods do not care for gender, my friend." Thor said and placed a hand on Haruven's thigh. "What matters to us is that our destined fits us in every way possible. We must complete each other in full. Eternity is a long time and once a God meets his or hers Chosen life-mate we never part. Not even in death."

Ven shivered slightly at those words and shook his head before he looked at the others. "Thor makes my problem with magic bearable and he is strong enough to handle it if it were to go out of control. I do not need to fear losing control around him," Ven explained and covered Thor's big, warm hand with his own. Everyone could see the calmness that settled over the bartender, and none could deny the effect Thor seemed to have over Haruven.

"Well, this will take some getting used to," Clint commented and Natasha snorted.

"Tell me about it," she muttered, "but I'd give my savings to be there when Stark finds out." Everyone laughed at that but Neville, since he didn't get to meet Tony Stark yet.

"I'll make sure to inform him of this in front of you then," Thor offered and Natasha smirked.

"Bruce will be thrilled though," Steve looked at Ven, and the Wizard smiled, "he's been worried about you for some reason. I will take a wild guess and say that he knows about your problem with your magic and that he was worried about you because of that."

"Yes," Haruven confirmed. "When Thor returned to Earth my magic responded to his power and started harming me physically because I was losing control. Bruce came to check up on me and I must say that he saw me at my worst. He knows the truth about it, so he must have been worried. He also knows that it was because of Thor's presence here on Earth."

Everyone nodded in understanding and Steve looked at his wristwatch. "We should return to the Tower. Bruce and Tony must have fixed the training room by now."

"I should go as well. Luna wants me to at least join them for lunch," Neville said.

"I shall stay here for a while more." Thor looked up at Haruven, asking for permission, and after Haruven nodded in agreement, Thor turned to his friends. "I have the phone Bruce gave me. If you need me, call me and I shall hurry to the Tower immediately."

Steve nodded at Thor, and the newfound couple stood up to see the others out.

"I'll try to bring Luna and the kids over tomorrow. Don't overwork yourself," Neville spoke as he pulled Haruven into a hug, earning a tight embrace from the raven haired wizard.

"Kiss them for me. I'll see you tomorrow," Ven said and Neville left after he shook hands with the others and shot a warning glance at Thor.

"See you later, Ven. If you don't have any guests come over to the Tower," Steve offered and Ven hummed.

"Maybe I'll take you up on that offer."

"See you!"

They left and Haruven looked at Thor.

"I won't have any guests for a few hours. Would you like to have lunch with me? I prepared something earlier I just need to warm i-…" Before Ven even realized he was ranting Thor swooped down and kissed him.

"I would love that," Thor spoke warmly, and Ven grinned bashfully taking Thor's bigger hand in his smaller one and tugging him along.

"Come then. I'll show you my apartment." He led Thor through the back door and to the loft above the Café. "Here is the living room," Ven said and opened the first door to the left.

Thor looked around and at the bookshelves that were leaning against the wall. A TV set was on the opposite wall and in the middle of the room was a round couch with a small, round tea table in the middle. The walls were a calming, pastel green and on the floor was a thick rug of a deep brown color. The couch looked inviting and the bookshelves were filled to the brim with various books.

"Come." Thor followed Ven out of the room. "The bathroom and the guest bedroom are here." Ven pointed at the two doors to the right as they passed down the hallway. "Here is the kitchen. You'll see it later." They stopped in front of the last door. "And this is my bedroom."

Ven opened the door and Thor walked in. The room was black. There was a king sized bed against the wall in the middle with black, velvet sheets, and black and emerald green pillows. Beside the drape covered window was a wardrobe. On the other side was another bookshelf and the walls that weren't covered by bookshelves and the wardrobe were covered in picture frames. Thor hummed and looked at Ven who was leaning against the doorframe.

"It suits your character," Thor said and Ven shrugged with a small smile.

"Come." They left the room and walked into the kitchen. Thor took a seat at the island bar while Ven set out to serve and warm lunch for the both of them.

"Everything in your loft and the Café breathes with your magic. It is almost overwhelming," Thor commented and Ven shrugged elegantly as he waved his hand over the two plates.

"I needed an outlet for my magic. When I bought this house it was nothing but a ruin. I used my magic to fix it up and I keep using it for the wards and the spells that I have on the Café. Sadly that is not enough. After almost seven years my magic still managed to gather up to the point where it became unbearable. If you hadn't arrived…" Ven trailed off and Thor frowned. Ven leaned on the top of the cabinet bracing his weight on his hands and sighed. Thor stood up and walked over to Ven, placing his hands on Ven's shoulders.

"I am sorry," he whispered, feeling the minute shiver which shook Haruven's body. "Had I known about you…"

"No." Ven turned around to look up at Thor. "It was meant to happen this way; for whatever reason we were meant to meet now."

Thor took Haruven's right hand in his and raised it up to kiss his knuckles. "I'll make it worth the wait," he said and Ven gifted him with a smile. "I promise. I will not fail you."

Ven chuckled and shook his head. "Take a seat. I'm a bit hungry." Thor took a seat at the bar and Ven placed a plate of a deliciously smelling stew in front of him, offering Thor a spoon and taking a seat beside him. "I hope it's good," he said, only to look up at Thor in shock when the God of Thunder caressed Ven's cheek with the back of his fingers and leaned forward to steal a light kiss.

"You could serve me bread and water and I would enjoy it as though it were the greatest delicacy in the world."

Ven blushed and looked at his stew. "Eat," he murmured and Thor laughed.

"Very well."

Ven smiled.

Yes.

It was very well.

Very well indeed.

cut

And so their relationship truly begins.

Follow their growth in the next chapter called 'Quiet Times'.