Hey!

I want you all to know that I love you guys. I do, I really do. And i'm sorry that i'm such an ass. I'm sorry I leave you with tough cliffhangers, and do insane plot twists. I just want you all to know that I am sorry and that it all eventually pays off...

Chapter 5

Steve had just become an Asgardian. It was a transformation, painful, but beautiful. He had never felt stronger; he actually grew a bit, the magic made him Thor's size, and it was a bit weird. It was amazing – and for Royal Asgardian eyes only. So, only Thor and Odin attended; Odin transformed him to an Asgardian. Steve noticed it was much like baptism in Christianity, but it was also very much like a pagan ritual.

He was now in his dress armor, identical to Thor's, only a different color. Steve's cape was blue and his metal chest, and back plates of armor were glittering silver, as was his arm armor, his left arm having a metal wrist guard covered by leather, and above that was armor for his upper arm, just as Thor's had. On his right arm, he only had bicep and triceps armor, so he could hold his shield productively. His undershirt was white and silken, and he was wearing black Asgardian leather pants (pants in Asgard only came in baggy leather, but it was very fine leather) and a red belt that was more like a sash that held a knife. He wore his shield on his right arm, and he was wearing a silver helmet, like the one he used to wear on earth, but this was engraved with images of swirls of water and clouds.

Slowly, Steve was led to the Royal Throne Room, where Odin's throne sat alone on the dais at the far end of the room. The golden room was lined with Asgardian citizens, cheering excitedly; the Guards were standing in front of the citizens in a perfectly straight line, giving Steve a straight path directly to Odin. The citizens stopped at the steps and on the right side stood the Avengers, minus Thor and himself. On the left, Lady Sif and the warriors three stood, one on each step, except for a few empty steps on the Avengers side.

Steve stood at the end of the hall and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly and nervously. He made a fist with his right hand and his muscles flexed, his arm tightening in the straps of his shield. He was nervous, no doubt about that. But he had to do this – he knew that.

He saw Natasha. She was in a beautiful long red silken dress, her normal charred black armor covering her chest beneath the dress; she wore her red sash like belt holding her knives. He couldn't help but smile at her. She was so beautiful, so stunning; it almost took his breath away. But no, he couldn't think about that. He'll never be able to hold her in his arms; she'll never feel the same…

Steve directed his attention away from the women who was occupying so much of his thought. He saw Odin, watching him with a calculating, piercing blue eye. Odin was wearing his normal, perfect and pristine armor. However, today he donned his best eye patch – gold with engravings similar to Celtic knots and the engravings were lined with silver – and he wore his golden helmet. Thor stood next to Odin's throne, wearing his normal Asgardian attire, armor, and helmet. He was standing next to the black wolf with golden eyes, Hati. To the left of the throne was the white wolf with icy blue eyes, Skoll. Sitting atop Odin's throne were two ravens, on the right was a white raven with blue eyes, Huginn. On the left was a black raven with red eyes, Muninn.

Thor had explained a lot about these four sacred animals. He told the Avengers that the two ravens were brothers. They were Odin's eyes in the places where Odin could not be – on earth or any other realm. Odin could send them out and they would spy and gather intelligence or even watch over certain people. They would return to Odin with the information they had collected. They were spirits of wisdom, protection, and guidance.

The two wolves were also brothers. Skoll, the white furred and blue eyed wolf, was the gentler of the two. Hati, with his black furred and red eyes, was far more aggressive. Like opposites that balanced one another out. Thor explained that the king of Asgard and his sons were their masters, and they were like guards to the royals. Normally, they were like normal earth wolves, except abnormally large, but no too dramatic. But when enraged or in battle, they turned into beasts, much like werewolves or direwolves, except they could grow to be fifteen feet tall. While they mainly walked on all fours legs, they had the ability to walk only on their hind legs. However, when walking upright, they hunched over and their muzzles shortened a bit and they fangs would grow larger, while their toes and feet elongated. They were spirits of protection, strength, might, and family ties.

Steve shook off his thoughts about the mighty animals and looked at Thor. Thor gave Steve a gentle smile, understanding his nervousness. It was a big thing, and fairly scary. Odin gave a faint, almost undetectable smile, just a simple twist upwards of his lips. Technically, Steve was going to be his son in a few minutes. That fact made him ever more nervous.

Steve looked at Natasha again and she smiled at him, not her usual smug smile that made you think she knew something really bad about you; no, this time it was a kind and gentle smile. The slightest twitch of her lips upwards and then the smile grew, it was still a small smile but for Natasha, any smile was a big deal. Her smiles were never huge, only small or practically nonexistent. That's just one of the things about her that made Steve love her. It filled Steve with the confidence he needed to start walking.

As he walked, he put on a smile and the crowd of citizens cheered while the guards stayed still and silent, holding their spears up with their right hands and their left holding the hilt of their sheathed swords.

Steve stopped in front of the dais and kneeled, bowing his helmeted head. "Steven Rogers, son of Sarah and James, do you swear to protect the nine realms at all costs."

Steve nodded, "I swear."

"Do you swear to be loyal to the royal family and the Asgardian race at all times?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to fight when all is lost?"

"I swear," Steve said, his voice a bit stronger.

Odin gently waved him over, "Come."

Steve stood and slowly walked up the steps, glancing at his teammates as he past them. He lifted himself up the last step and stood in front of Odin's throne. Slowly a servant walked over, holding a golden chalice with silver engravings. Odin took the chalice and held it as the servant walked away and returned with a beautiful golden wine pitcher, filled with fine Asgardian wine. The servant poured the thick, rich, red liquid into the chalice and walked away. Soon after, another servant walked in, holding a pillow with a silver knife laying on it. The servant kneeled and held the pillow above her head, offering it to Odin. She was followed by another servant, who walked across the dais to take and hold the chalice for Odin.

Slowly, Odin took the knife and lifted his left hand, silently slicing his palm open. He laid the knife on the pillow while Thor took the chalice from the servant and held it under his father's cut hand. Odin made a fist and slowly a drop of thick, crimson liquid flowed off his hand, landing in the wine and disappearing into the dark liquid. After a second droplet of blood fell into the wine, Thor delicately handed the chalice to Odin, who held the cup in his bloody hand, smearing his blood on the stem of the chalice.

Thor picked up the knife and then put the blade to his left hand, slicing his palm; he then placed the knife back on the pillow and let two drops of blood fall into the wine, watching as it disappeared into the dark fluid.

Slowly, Steve picked up the knife and cut open his left palm. After putting the knife down, he made a fist over the chalice and let two drops of his blood hit the wine.

Slowly and weakly, Odin stood, the three worthy were now all standing in a triangle. "Father comes before son," Odin slowly lifted the chalice to his lips and took a sip. He then handed it to Thor.

Before Thor took a sip, Odin said, "Son is born after father." Thor's blood smeared on the chalice's stem, mixing with his father's. Thor lifted the chalice to his lips and took a sip.

"And half-brother comes after full-blooded son," Odin whispered and Thor handed the chalice to Steve. Steve's blood smeared on the chalice's stem, mixing with Odin's and Thor's – all three of their blood smearing on the skin of Steve's palm and seeping into his fresh cut.

Slowly, Steve lifted the heavy golden chalice to his lips and drink the last of the wine and blood. It was sweet, but also bitter, with the taste of Asgardian fruits and strong alcohol. The liquid was rich and savory, a plethora of tastes on his sophisticated pallet. But it held the tangy taste of iron, the distinctive taste of blood. He savored the flavor for a moment longer and then swallowed the thick, smooth liquid.

Odin then gestured to the white wolf with blue eyes on his left. The wolf stood and stepped forward, it was much larger than an earth wolf, it stood tall with its head held high, its piercing, deep blue eyes glowed entrancingly. Odin spoke, "By the power invested in Skoll," then Odin gestured to the black wolf with red eyes, and he stood and stepped forward. Hati was also massive, his glowing, blood-red eyes just as serious as his blue eyed brother. "Hati…,"

Odin then raised his right arm and Huginn, the white raven, flew forward and landed on the small shoulder of Hati. The raven was also abnormally large and it had the same piercing, glowing, deep blue eyes that Skoll had. "Huginn…." Then, Odin raised his left arm and another abnormally large raven with the same glowing red eyes as Hati's landed on the small shoulder of Skoll. "And Muninn," Odin continued, "And the all father, king of Asgard … you are now an Odinson!"

Odin said, turning Steve towards the crowd. The citizens clapped and cheered. Thor clapped a hand on Steve's shoulder and raised his hammer in the air, using his other hand to lift Steve's right arm and shield. The crowd cheered louder and Steve couldn't help but smile. He was surprised how they would just blindly follow him so easily. Sure, Thor trusted him, but that was enough for the citizens of Asgard? It surprised him too, because he was a mortal, and mortals were notoriously disliked and looked down upon by Asgardians. Yet, they followed him blindly; needless to say, he was surprised.

Steve glanced at Natasha and smiled; she was smiling at him and clapping … maybe he didn't ruin his chance, maybe it wasn't over for him, and maybe, just maybe, he still had a chance. Maybe Clint was right; maybe Natasha did like him.

Steve grinned at her, his baby blue eyes sparkling as they met her forest green eyes. Her smile widened a bit and he felt the heat rising in his cheeks. She looked like she was chuckling, and she probably was. She enjoyed seeing him embarrassed and confused, but she never said it or looked down on him for it. If he was confused, she would chuckle a bit and then explain it to him. Despite what people thought of her, she was kind, gentle, sweet, intelligent, compassionate, and understanding. And that's just some of the many things he loved about her.

Finally, Odin slammed his staff against the floor, "We shall feast!" He yelled with a smile and everyone started filing out of the throne room to head towards the large dining hall, not the private, royal dining hall. This feast was for everyone!

They all sat at dinner, laughing, telling stories, talking, and just having fun. Brenna was bringing the Avengers, Lady Sif and the warriors three, and Odin their food and drink. The citizens and warriors were eating the perfectly cooked meal that was placed in the middle of the large trestle tables.

Steve sat in a place of prominence, with Thor, Odin, Lady Sif and the warriors three. The other Avengers were at another table, laughing and talking. He really had wanted to sit next to Natasha; he couldn't stop thinking about her since the ceremony.

She glanced at him every once and a while. He barely noticed her glances, but he looked at her all the time, she obviously notice and would just smirk and not even give him a look, she just knew he was watching her.

He was only half listening to Fandral's story about his last wife, when he heard the crash of metal hitting the floor, the crash of an Asgardian mead mug hitting the floor, and the splash of mead. Steve immediately turned his attention towards the source of the sound, thinking Odin accidentally dropped the mug … but he looked dead. No, he was breathing, but it was faint.

The room went silent and guards ran over. Thor gently touched his slumped father, "He's fallen into Odin's sleep." Thor said worriedly, pushing Odin's body up, so his head was no longer against the table. "Brother help me," Thor ordered, he had started calling Steve brother. Needless to say, it was new to Steve.

Steve got up and quickly walked over to Odin and pulled out his chair, grabbing his legs while Thor grabbed his torso and they laid him on the floor.

"GUARDS GET THE HEALERS!" Thor yelled, and put his head gently against Odin's chest listening for a heartbeat, making sure it was steady.

The Avengers and Lady Sif and the warriors three stood and circled the two Odinson's and Odin, "Is he okay?" Tony asked.

"Lord Banner, would you please go with the healers and try to find a solution to Odin's sleep?" Thor asked.

"I don't know anything about this though," Bruce replied a bit confused, which was rare for him.

"The healers will tell you everything; I need your help, please," Thor pleaded.

"Alright."

Thor nodded in thanks and the healers ran in with a back board and laid it down next to Odin. Thor and Steve gently lifted the old, fragile man and laid him on the back board. Thor grabbed the head of the back board while Steve took the foot and they carried Odin to his room, with the healers and Bruce close behind.

Lady Sif and the warriors three forced all the citizens and guards out of the dining hall and palace, selecting only a few guards to stand guard outside Odin's room.

Dinner was over, and now the two Odinsons were the leaders of Asgard, until Odin awoke … It was always dangerous when Odin was incapacitated and couldn't watch over his kingdom…

….

Later that night, Natasha stood on the palace balcony at the end of the hallway that led to her room. It was large, open, and overlooked the Asgardian Lake and mountains.

She still couldn't believe everything that had happened recently. When SHIELD fell, her world fell … As a child, she was taken and trained to be the perfect killing machine. While in training, she was tortured, both mentally and physically; she was remade into a murderous killing machine – The Black Widow.

She suffered so much in her life; she had killed over 100 people in a hospital fire. She killed women, men, children, the elderly; she slaughtered, killed, and ravaged everything she came across. She killed because they told her to – the KGB and the Red Room told her to.

But then, Clint Barton came along and saved her. He brought her to SHIELD and helped her to turn her life around – into someone good. At some point, someone had told her that the day killing stops affecting you, that's when you've become a monster. So she assumed there was still a little hope for her.

But SHIELD was HYDRA. They were both one in the same. She turned from the KGB in favor of HYDRA ... how did that happen?

And it didn't help that she was falling for HYRDA's worst enemy. Captain America, the golden boy of earth and Asgard alike … she didn't deserve him, he was literally the definition of perfection, kindness and goodness. She was the definition of destruction and death. Nothing good ever followed her – only evil …

And yet, she couldn't help but fall for him; all her attempts to set him up with someone had failed. Every attempt at pushing him away had also failed. And it didn't help that he looked at her the way he did, with those kind, gentle, intense, sparkling blue eyes, and that amazing, charming smile of his.

The way he looked at her during the ceremony … she melted to say the least.

But it was hard. He was just too good for her, yet she craved him so much. Yet she knew she didn't deserve him; she couldn't let herself wreck his life! She was such a damn mess. She just wanted him to be happy.

With a sigh, she ran her fingers through her crimson locks and shifted her forest green eyes to look at the scenery in front of her, trying to take her mind off of life (Life:*Cough*Steve*Cough*).

Soon enough she heard footsteps – Steve's footsteps – they were quiet and light, like always. For such a big guy he was certainly light on his feet.

The Avengers had gotten together in Tony's room to talk, but Natasha didn't come; neither did Thor (understandably). He stopped next to her and put his left hand on the railing, he wasn't wearing his cape or helmet anymore, just the other armor and the knickers-style pants, as well as his boots. He wasn't wearing his bicep and triceps armor either, just a wrist guard on his left arm. His muscular arms were clearly visible to Natasha and his muscled flexed elegantly with every move.

"We missed you at our little get together, you know." He said quietly, as he smiled at her. He turned away from her to cast his glance towards the scenery in front of them. Natasha gave him a quick smirk, "Why didn't you come? You okay?" He asked quietly. It almost pained him to break their comfortable and peaceful silence, but he worried about her.

"I'm fine," she whispered her lie. Not once did she look at him; she just stared ahead. Just another reason she couldn't be with him. She was a liar and a cheat and he deserved truth. The lying and cheating (and killing) came as natural to her as breathing.

"What are you thinking about?" Steve asked as he gingerly put his right hand next to hers. His fingers brushing up against her hand. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks.

She sighed, "Nothing … Everything. All the things that have happened lately."

(Song suggestion: Live Forever–Little Big Town)

"Yeah … I've been thinking a lot about that stuff too," Steve said and he looked at her with an understanding smile. It was true; he had been. All these changes had really gotten to him. Be brave Rogers, he told himself, trying to gain the courage to tell her how he felt. "I've also been thinking a lot about you …," he said quietly, a blush making its way up his cheeks. He casted his blue eyes down a bit, embarrassed and ashamed of the fact he was sure she didn't feel the same way about him.

She looked at him and smiled, her gentle green eyes forcing him to make eye contact with her again, "All good thoughts I hope," she muttered. They were standing close together at this point, and somehow his hand made its way to hers, and their fingers gradually laced together.

That was all Steve could think about – the beautiful, amazing, perfect, and good, Natasha Romanoff. She was an enigma that astonished him in a million different ways – everyday. She was his partner and she knew him like the back of her hand, yet he knew almost nothing about her. Just her personality, he knew nothing about her; he didn't even understand her emotions. But that's what he loved. He loved having to strive to figure her out and actually see her emotions. Natasha was a mystery, and he loved that. "I could never think badly of you," he whispered, they were standing so close now, their noses almost touching.

She backed away and turned her head away from him, casting her eyes down. "You should …," she was a monster …

"Why should I?" He asked, looking at her with his baby blue eyes, looking devastated and heartbroken at being turned down. That, and at the fact that she didn't think he should think good of her.

"I …," she looked down and continued, "I've done unspeakable things. I'm a monster," she whispered unsteadily, with a shaky breath.

"Natasha! You're not a monster … you're a hero!" He said astonished. Natasha had saved the world twice now; she'd saved countless people, and that was only what he had witnessed. He couldn't believe what he was hearing and seeing. He had never seen her this upset, this depressed, this … ashamed … She was never ashamed; Natasha was always proud, skilled, and strong, but rarely cocky about it.

She looked up at him, hair in her face. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Natasha was crying, her beautiful green eyes glassy with clear tears running down her cheeks. She took in an unsteady breath and when she cried that was the only noise she made … breathing … "I am, Steve. I've killed so many innocent people … I'm a monster, created for murder. I'm nothing better."

"That is not true!" He pleaded, "Natasha, you are the most beautiful, kind, smart, and compassionate person. You're the strongest woman I've ever met. You are this beautifully imperfect human, and you don't even realize how good you are, because you're just that great." Steve smiled at her with pleading blue eyes, screaming and pleading for Natasha to be happy.

"No Steve; I'm horrible. I destroy everything in my path. I'll ruin you, and eventually the Avengers," her voice gurgled as tears poured down her face.

Steve gently cupped her cheek with his large hand, tucked a red lock behind her ear and forced her to look at him. "Natasha you're a hero. You're my hero; you've made me a better and happier man."

"How could I possibly make you happy?" She asked him in amazement.

"I love everything about you, your mind, your dry humor, your scars, every imperfection about you is amazing. You make me so happy. Natasha, you treat me in a way no one has since I became Captain America. You treat me like a normal human being, who isn't above the law, who isn't perfect. You treat me like a human and everything feels normal when I'm with you. I'm not worried about what I ask because I know you won't judge me." Steve paused for a brief moment, "I'm not scared to be around you like I am with other women, and I know you're my friend because of my personality, not just for my looks or because I'm Captain America," Steve was pouring out his heart, afraid Natasha wouldn't reciprocate, "Nat, you treat me like you'd treat anyone else. You're an amazing friend. And I love that!" He smiled at her and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"You're just a cool guy; it's not hard to like you…" Natasha responded.

He grinned, "Nat I fell for you so hard. You're just so amazing." Natasha smiled at him and his grin widened, "I love your smile…" he whispered. It was hard to believe, but the two were slowly moving even closer together.

"You're a dork…," she whispered. She could feel his warm breath.

"I know."

Their lips met and Natasha snaked her arms around Steve's neck and he ran his fingers through her hair. Passion radiated off of each of them as they kissed. It was as though they'd been craving that kiss since their "pretend" kiss on the mall escalator. Natasha deepened the kiss, her tongue tasting his bottom lip, as though trying to memorize the shape. She was pleasantly surprised when he reacted by doing the same thing to her. Perhaps she was wrong … Steve had practiced.

Taking a respite for air, they leaned their foreheads against one another's and smiled, "Been practicing, huh?" she muttered.

Steve chuckled, the deep rumble from his chest shaking her to her core; she wanted to melt. "I told you, no one needs practice, just find the right partner," he gave her a sly smirk.

She almost made a snarky comment, but decided not to ruin the moment. "Bet Fury didn't mean this when he said we'd be good partners."

He grinned and leaned in for another kiss. They were interrupted when the battle alarms started ringing. They quickly separated and ran to get their weapons and find the others.

Natasha saw guards running, and then ice, frost, and snow…

Frost giants…

It was an invasion…

Remember when I said i'm sorry!?

I didn't really mean that. Its nice and funny to watch ya'll yell at me.