AN: Here is a little bit of schmoopy Thundershield for y'all. Enjoy!

Steve was on the road to recovery and even though it was a quick one compared to most humans, to Thor it felt glacial. Steve needed to start building his strength again, so they were outside, walking slowly around Stark's precious lawns. Though the task was not a strenuous one by any means, it had taken its toll on Steve. Thor seized the opportunity and scooped him up.

"I can get there myself," Steve informed him, obviously not wanting to be mistaken for weak. It wasn't about that.

"I know," Thor smiled. Instead of taking him back to the medical ward, Thor thought Steve's old bedroom might be a better choice.

"Where are we going?"

"Aren't you sick of that cold place and that tiny bed?"

Steve's lip curled enticingly.

"Well now that you mention it..."

Once they reached the room, Thor let Steve stand on his own two feet. He could decide if he needed to sit down or not.

"Better?"

"Yeah," Steve agreed, looking around at the cosier setting and the considerably larger bed. Admitting defeat for the day though, he took a seat on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside him. Thor sat down too. Steve reached over and took his hand, turning to him with a serious expression on his face.

"Thor, tell me what happened. The last thing I remember is seeing you and wanting to tell you how much I love you, how I wasn't ready to leave, but I'd run out of time."

Thor's mind flashed back to the fear and the panic, to the moment when he thought Steve might be dead.

"I've never been so afraid. You were so close to death and I did the only thing I knew to do. I took you home."

"You brought me here..."

"No. Home to Asgard. All I could do was hope that the healers would know how to help you."

"Asgard..." Steve echoed. Thor hoped it wasn't too much.

"Yes. Your lungs were so badly damaged there was no way you could get the oxygen you needed, so they used me to do it. Tubes to send my blood into your body, I breathed for both of us until your body had time to heal sufficiently. I do not know if there will be any lasting effects for you, but I could not let you go."

Thor had been worried that Steve might be upset with him for taking such liberties but when Steve looked into his eyes, he knew he had nothing to fear.

"I... I don't even know what to say."

"Say nothing. It is but a fraction of what I would do for you and nothing I would not do again. You are the love of my life and that is not a thing I say lightly, for mine is a long life."

Steve looked almost overwhelmed, like perhaps he was struggling with a similar concept to Thor. How could you love someone so completely, and yet more every day at the same time? Infinite and expanding. The heart was as fathomless as the universe.

In the end, Steve found two simple and perfect words.

"Kiss me."

Thor honoured the request, being careful to support his own weight when he leaned over Steve to meet his mouth. But Steve, ever the passionate one, threaded his arms around Thor's neck and pulled him down, kissing him hungrily. Thor reciprocated willingly, eager for Steve's attentions after having been starved for so long, but then Steve's hands were on his chest, pushing him away. Thor immediately pulled back, watching with concern as Steve gasped for breath, it was obviously too much for him yet.

Thor helped him sit back up so he could catch his breath.

"I'm... sorry..." Steve wheezed.

"It is alright," Thor assured, silently berating himself for getting carried away. "We'll have plenty of time when you're well. You don't need to push yourself."

They lapsed into silence, allowing Steve to get control of his breathing, Thor measuring the progress with a supportive hand on his back. Eventually the rise and fall of Steve's chest evened out and Thor broached a subject he thought Steve might be interested in.

"What do you know about your friend Sam Wilson's intentions?"

"For what?"

"Barnes." Though he wasn't Barnes' biggest fan, he knew that Steve would want the best for him.

"He's been helping him out, trying to get him back to something resembling happy."

"That's all there is to it?"

"What do you mean? Wait, you don't think..."

"I saw them embracing. I thought perhaps his feelings tended towards the romantic?"

"Romantic? Sam? I don't know... He's the most practical person I know. I just don't think he likes Bucky that much."

"Well you would know better than I. I wondered if it might be something that would please you?"

Steve's brow creased in consternation.

"Thor, you don't have to worry about Bucky and I."

"I know that. I simply thought his happiness might bring you happiness too."

The frown melted into a smile.

"How'd I get so lucky?"

"I think, my love," Thor said, cupping Steve's face, looking into his beautiful eyes. "That the good fortune is all mine. Would another kiss be pushing our luck?"

Steve's smile widened.

"I say we risk it."