Story Timeline Late August 2013
Authors Notes
After the tensions of the past few weeks the team have a rare opportunity to relax.
Thor and Ainsley have the chance to redefine their own relationship while Clint and Tasha take time out for themselves.
For once an enjoyable evening is had by all, without anyone being kidnapped, shot at, tortured or traumatised (except possibly Steve Rogers).
Some Homo-eroticism and discussion of sexual dynamics.
Thor gave a deep rumbling moan of pleasure as Ainsley's hands worked their way down to where the small of his back met the curve of his butt. He raised his hips and spread his legs a little wider, wordlessly inviting his lover to continue the massage further south. Ainsley smiled, running his fingertips lightly along the valley of the Asgardian's spine, knowing how much he enjoyed the tickling sensation.
The aromatherapy massage oils had been a gift from Pepper to help Thor sleep. Ainsley was privately dubious about her enthusiasm for 'alternative' therapies but it was a kind, thoughtful, gesture and couldn't hurt. To be fair there hadn't been any nightmares for the past four nights; whether that was due to the lavender and chamomile oils or just the sense of comfort and well-being induced by the physical contact didn't matter at all.
It hadn't escaped the doctor's attention that Thor had been a little more relaxed without Clint around. The archer was due to have a medical check-up at the end of the month that would determine if he were fit to return to duty and Tasha had decided to take him away for a few days' holiday and a chance to begin dealing properly with the discovery that he had a son out there somewhere. They could be anywhere from Antarctica to Disneyworld, no-one other than Steve and Fury knew.
Despite his generosity in allowing the two of them to develop their own independent relationship, and Thor's own love for his friend and comrade, it was clear to the Ainsley that his lover was still not altogether comfortable with the arrangement between the three of them. And yet he was unwilling for it to be discontinued. Ainsley was beginning to intuit the big warrior's strategy and loved him more for it.
His hand travelled down the sensitive skin between Thor's powerful thighs, finding the spots where he knew his lover best like to be touched. The big warrior growled, picking up the pillow with his teeth and shaking it; there was something leonine about him when he was aroused, like a great cat at play. He rolled over onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow and regarded the smaller man with a mischievous smile. At any time of day or night Thor was startlingly attractive, Ainsley thought. Just now, even looking at him was a sexual experience. His long blond hair was loose, falling across his shoulders and chest. The shadows cast by the dim lighting threw the lines of his muscular torso into sharp relief, highlighted by the faint sheen of oil.
The Asgardian gasped as Ainsley's hand wrapped around him and squeezed softly, teasing him with the tip of his thumb in a way that made him shudder with urgent lust.
"Would you like me to work on your front now?"
Thor's smile widened into a grin. He rolled on top of Ainsley, careful to avoid resting his full weight upon him, and ground his hips slowly.
"Mmmm, feels like you have other ideas!" the doctor murmured as the warrior moved warm and hard against him.
"I have it in mind to massage you in a different manner." Thor whispered in his ear, wetting his fingers in his mouth and slipping his hand between the young doctor's legs. He was an attentive lover and disliked receiving pleasure without giving in return.
They continued kissing for a long time afterwards, exploring each other's bodies, unwilling to allow their intimacy to come to an end. Finally, Thor lay back and let out a long, contented sigh. After a while he propped himself up on his elbow again and stroked Ainsley's face, running his fingers alone the line of jaw and cheekbones. There was a question that had been troubling him
"I do not hurt you, do I?"
"What?" asked Ainsley, still in the dreamy afterglow of his lover's embrace.
"When we are together, when I am inside you; I do not cause you pain? I know I am bigger than most men and sometimes forget my strength when the heat is on me. I would not like to think that you are in discomfort when we make love."
Ainsley took Thor's hand and kissed it
"You're also gentler and more thoughtful than most. I could never be uncomfortable with you."
The warrior smiled down at him, not entirely convinced. His lover was not deceptive in Loki's fashion, but he would sometimes say kind lies to avoid telling a difficult truth.
"But if I cause you pain you must tell me. I will stop. I have no desire to hurt you"
Ainsley sighed, Thor's need to be constantly re-assured that he was doing the right thing was exhausting and yet understandable. All that 'worthy/unworthy' nonsense had caused severe damage to his self-esteem and confidence that was still far from repaired. If he ever met the AllFather of Asgard he would be giving Odin some sharp words about responsible parenting. Without thinking he replied
"We could always agree a safety-word"
"A Safety Word? What is that?"
Damn!
The next hour was spent explaining consensual S&M to the Asgardian as Ainsley mentally added a new Penthouse Rule 'Do not expose Thor to new concepts after bedtime."
Thor shook his head. He enjoyed doing new things but that sort of bed-game did not seem like something he could ever find pleasure in. Even if his companion enjoyed it the idea of inflicting any form of pain on someone he loved was a thing he had no wish or inclination to do.
"We will not have a Safety Word. If I give you pain you must tell me to stop and I will stop." The tone of his voice was clear; the subject was not one for argument.
Dr Osario had spoken about how he should consider setting 'respectful boundaries' in his relationships. This felt like a thing he must be firm about.
Ainsley ran his hand through his lover's hair
"Of course, and you must do the same if I hurt you in any way."
Thor understood the levels of meaning behind Ainsley's words. He paused before speaking again, he had make himself sure about something.
"Does Clint ask you to play such bed-games? I would not be happy if that were so."
"Never" the doctor assured him "It was just a stupid joke I made without thinking and now I've upset you. I'm sorry."
"I shall forgive you" laughed Thor "You are always very patient when you explain these things to me."
Ainsley leaned over and kissed him
"I like explaining things to you, Snuggie-Bear; and I promise you I'll never do anything you ask me not to."
He looked down at Thor with a sly, wicked smile
"But I do like the idea of you in leather; shall we go clothes shopping tomorrow?"
Thor grinned and hugged his lover. That sounded like a much better game.
###
"Wow!"
"Reel your tongue back in, Pepper. Drooling is unsightly." Tony looked back across at Thor in his new outfit. "However, in a perfectly heterosexual way, I agree. Wow!"
The leather jeans fitted him perfectly, following the curves of thigh and calf without being stupidly tight. Together with the square-toed boots they looked incredible. The shirt was silk, ox-blood red with a close, tailored line and unbuttoned just far enough to give a hint of the powerful chest that filled it out. His beard had been trimmed and the long hair pulled back in a simple ponytail held with a black leather band.
"It's that jacket that's the real finishing touch. Show them, babe!"
Thor smiled and put it on, turning to show them all the full magnificence. He had seen the jacket while they were buying shirts and knew he had to have it. Black matt silk with a feather design in gold thread that caught the light as he moved, dropping cleanly to mid-thigh with velvet trim on collar and cuffs. Bruce applauded
"The Prince of Midgard!"
Steve was astonished. When he had been growing up, things like fashion and style had been mainly the domain of women and wealthy ones at that. 'Real men' didn't care about their appearance beyond a clean suit, a shave and a dash of hair oil. Thor just looked amazing. He had to agree with Pepper and Tony. Wow!
Tony called to the soldier across the room
"Hey, Ice-Cap! Maybe you should get Sherlock to give you a make-over as well. You can only combine so many button-down shirts and chinos before it starts getting repetitive."
Ainsley felt a warm glow of happiness. Thor's wardrobe to date, apart from his battle armour, had consisted of about a dozen or so increasingly threadbare items. Once he had got him into the clothes stores, however, the natural peacock in the big warrior had re-emerged. Most of the clothes he'd chosen himself, showing an expert eye for the styles and colours that best suited him. The doctor drank his coffee, watching his lover strut and show off for his friends, basking in their approval and applause
There's a reason they call it retail therapy
He got up and took the small box out of his pocket
"I was going to give you this later, babe, but now seems like as good a time as any."
They all gathered around to see what it was. The pendant that Ainsley removed from the box was a perfect miniature replica of Mjolnir in silver, gold wire and red enamel on a sturdy silver chain. He'd commissioned it specially a few weeks before, from a jeweller Tony had recommended, when he realised that his lover's traumas were beginning to resurface. Thor took it in his hands and looked at it with awe. There were tears in his eyes; of all the gifts he could ever be given this was the one that would forever be most precious to him.
"There's a message on it for you" said Ainsley
Thor looked closely. On the base was a finely carved runic inscription. He could easily read what it said
Always Worthy
Thor and Ainsley embraced and the Asgardian buried his face against his lover's neck. The others could see his shoulders shaking gently, and discreetly retreated to the bar to give the two men a little space. Pepper whispered in Tony's ear
"At least some people give jewellery around here!"
The billionaire sighed
Thanks, Sherlock!
After a while Thor straightened up, drying his eyes. Ainsley kissed him and fastened the pendant around his neck. The chain was the right length and the hammer sat just below the hollow of Thor's throat. They joined the others at the bar where Tony was pouring out champagne, and a ginger ale for Bruce. He bit his tongue to prevent himself making a facetious toast to 'Mr & Mrs Odinson". Whatever just happened seemed too important to taint with his customary sarcasm.
"We should go out" Pepper said suddenly
"What?!" was the surprised joint response of Steve and Bruce. Tony looked as if the idea held some appeal to him.
"Look" she explained "It's been a really rough few weeks around here for all of you and now for the first time no-one that we know of is having an immediate crisis; Clint and Natasha are off doing whatever they do to relax, Thor and Ainsley have had a very special moment and I think we could all do with a bit of fun."
She looked at her watch
"It's only 6 just now. If Tony can't get us dinner reservations for 8 and on the guest list of the hottest club in town, he'll lose whatever respect I still have for him"
She flashed a charming smile at Tony who stuck out his tongue in response. He picked his phone.
"What do you say 'Bjorn', night on the town to celebrate?"
Thor grinned. 'Bjorn Erikson' was his cover identity; an ex Norwegian Special Forces security consultant for Stark Industries. It was a cover he enjoyed playing and Pepper was right, they needed to have a bit of fun.
###
It had taken some persuading to get Steve, and especially Bruce, to come along to the club with them after dinner but Pepper had used all her charm and Tony promised Bruce there would be a car and driver waiting to take him home any time he wanted.
It wasn't so much a club as a very exclusive private party venue where the rich and famous could enjoy themselves without fear of being plastered all over the supermarket tabloids or gossip websites the next morning.
There was a 'quiet bar' on the balcony overlooking the main floor and the two of them sat there watching the dancers. Bruce recognised quite a few faces, mostly from the movies. There must have been a premiere or something on in town tonight.
Steve looked down at the scene below them
"Are they actually dancing or just having fully-dressed stand-up sex?"
Bruce laughed, accepting another soda water from the waitress and handing Steve his scotch
"Isn't that what dancing's always been, more or less?" He looked down to where the others were partying hard "except for 'Bjorn' and Ainsley who are just having fully-dressed stand-up sex"
He had always assumed that the Asgardian would have been the most easily recognisable of them apart from Tony. Steve made hardly any public appearances without the Cap Suit while, like Natasha and Clint, Bruce kept himself resolutely invisible; but in regular clothes Thor just looked like a big buff dude rocking the God of Thunder look.
He laughed again to himself. Everyone seemed to assume that Thor would be eight foot-tall and fart lightning, whereas the real thing was a respectable, but not excessive, 6'4" and the farting hadn't been a problem since Ainsley banned Burrito Night.
He could see the others heading towards the stairs with a small knot of people, recognising them as the actors who were playing the highly-fictionalised version of the Avengers Team in the "Battle of New York" movie that was due out later in the year. Apparently, they'd given the Hawkeye character a family which Bruce and Steve agreed was a bit tasteless; still, that was Hollywood for you.
One of the actors, a tall brown-haired man was waving at them as the group came up the wide spiral stair.
"Hey Steve, isn't that the guy that's playing you?"
Steve looked to where the scientist was pointing and gave a friendly salute in response
"Oh yeah! Chris something or other. He's a good guy. Looks like Stark's bringing them to join us, you want to stick around?"
Bruce glanced at the time
"No thanks, I'm going to take Tony up on the car offer and head back. I'll be ok on my own."
He could see the soldier was starting to loosen up and enjoy himself. He was too, but this had never been his thing even before his 'accident' and he could tell the night would just get wilder. Some of those guys had serious party-animal reputations and Tony would inevitably insist on an after-party at the Penthouse so he might as well take the chance to get bunkered down. There would be some serious hangovers the next morning
###
Clint and Natasha were having a lunch in a small hotel near the site of the Hobbiton set. After they had visited Chisholm the archer had decided what he really wanted to do was see some of the 'Lord of The Rings' filming sites in New Zealand. It wasn't Natasha's idea of a holiday and she had pointed out it was winter in the Southern Hemisphere, but she had also promised Clint that he could choose where they went and what they did so she couldn't really complain about him letting his inner geek out to play.
It would be around midnight in New York and she'd agreed with Cap to call in each night about that time just so he knew they were fine and alive. She pulled out her phone and texted quickly
All ok here, how's the ranch? NR
A couple of minutes later her phone buzzed. She burst out laughing and passed it over to Clint so he could read the message
We are in a club. People are doing 'Body Shots' off Stark. Help. SR
Clint collapsed onto his side in a fit of helpless giggles
"Tash, you choose the worst times for us to go on vacation!"