Note: This is set in season one, the episode just after the Dark Elves attacked Greenwich and Thor & Co had to save the day. Hence Ward's unquestioned presence and Coulson being an agent, not the director of SHIELD.

"Thursday"

"You're not at all concerned that Thor will see you here?" May said dryly. Coulson shrugged as he helped shift some of the debris in the middle of Greenwich, and Fitz was torn between the conversation and watching the DWARFs.

"He'll be too busy with Dr. Foster before he leaves," Coulson said.

"Even though they aren't soulmates?"

Fitz pretended to be concentrating on his work and not eavesdropping.

"Thinks might work differently with Asgardians. It never came up with any of the conversations I had with Thor or his Asgardian friends, and I never got the chance to speak with Loki until…" There was a long pause, and Fitz wished that he had a mirror. May would've glared it into breaking as soon as she noticed him trying to snoop, so it was probably just as well. They ran into enough trouble on their missions without adding another seven years of bad luck into the mix.

"So they could be soulmates?" she said.

"I'm counting on her being enough of a distraction until we can get out of here."

"Sir?" It was Ward who walked into the room. "I don't think you can count on that anymore."

"Why not?"

"Because Thor's headed this way."

Coulson dropped something on his foot and immediately grabbed it, trying to keep steady against an unsteady column. Ward leapt to his side in case their boss needed sturdier support. Fitz cast an uneasy glance at the ceiling, hoping it would hold.

"Gee, I think I need medical," Coulson said. Considering he'd dropped heavy plaster on his foot, the pain on his face was probably genuine. "Someone get Simmons for me, please? Fitz, carry on your work. If Thor comes here first, just… get him out of here, would you?"

"Yes, sir," he said. Ward went to fetch Simmons while May saw Coulson safely out of the room. He was pretty sure she was rolling her eyes, as much as ever Melinda May rolled her eyes.

Loud footsteps approached within seconds, and he glanced up in time to see a familiar, fair-haired face through the cracks in the stone of the building. Coulson wasn't all that far away, so Fitz had to move fast. He leapt over Grumpy and various bits of debris, and skidded to a stop in front of what was left of the door.

"I'm sorry, Prince Thor, but this area is off-limits right now," Fitz said. "Which is really your fault… no disrespect intended. Your highness."

The God of Thunder – or whatever he was supposed to be – stared at Fitz. If it wasn't for his boss's look of worry in the back of Fitz's mind, he would've been close to caving, but he couldn't do that to Coulson. It would be going against orders. He straightened his back and looked the Avenger straight in the eye, waiting for an argument or a bolt of lightning or… well, anything other than a searching gaze.

"How fascinating," Thor said. "I never expected to meet you here."

Fitz sank to the floor in a daze.

"What?" he said.

"Fitz, Ward just told me…" Simmons trailed off, pausing behind him. Fitz glanced up at her, and noticed her reddening cheeks. "Oh. Hello."

"Good morning," Thor said, though he didn't take his eyes off Fitz.

"What brings you here?" she continued.

"My friend, the Lady Jane, is occupied with her soulmate," he said. "I did not wish to intrude upon her happiness, nor her hospitality; and if I can make amends for the destruction caused here I would be happy to. You are native to this city?"

"Jemma's English, I'm Scottish," Fitz said. "Uh, hello."

"Fitz, why are you sitting down?" Simmons said.

He realised that he was on the ground, and swiftly stood up again. "Simmons, shouldn't you be seeing to… the boss?"

"Ah, yes," she said, nodding. "Very well. Sir, this area is off-limits."

"So I understand," Thor said. "Does that extend to your friend's soulmate?"

Simmons's jaw fell. "S-soulmate?"

"He said my words, Jemma," Fitz said quietly.

"What?" That was a high squeak, and he winced. Thor laughed.

"And your friend said mine," he added. "The soulmark I was born with gave me my name. Perhaps I was a little more destructive than necessary growing up, and no doubt the words 'Your highness' contributed to my arrogance. I hope I am worthier of being your soulmate now."

"Always," Fitz said. The dazed feeling wouldn't leave him.

"Wait a moment," Simmons said, and her eyes widened astronomically. "You called him Thor!"

"Prince Thor, yes."

"Giving him the name Thor when he was born."

"Yes."

"Fitz, think about it. Who is Thursday named after?"

"…Oh hell." He could've been knocked down by a feather.

"You're the reason for Thursday being called Thursday!"

Thor laughed, while Fitz buried his head in his hands.

"Simmons!" Ward called.

"Coming!" she replied. She patted Fitz on the shoulder. "I'm so happy for you. I hope we shall see you later, Prince Thor."

"We shall," he said. She hurried after Ward, and Fitz rubbed his eyebrows before meeting his soulmate's gaze again.

"I'm working," Fitz said. "Erm… perhaps you could wait elsewhere? My bots… they're still working, and I have to supervise them. I'll find you when I can."

"I will not stray far from here," Thor said. "Your name is Fitz?"

"Last name. My first is Leo. Uh, short for Leopold. That's why people call me Fitz. I prefer it."

"Leopold is a name fit for a royal consort." Fitz stopped breathing for a few seconds as Thor looked him over, the implication of the words setting in. "I wish my mother were alive so that I could introduce you. I shall have to be content with introducing you to my father. I had planned to return to Midgard, if I can be of assistance. Your work is here, and your friends; I would not wish to part you for long."

"Thank you." Fitz was still reeling, but at least he'd remembered how to breathe.

"Once your work is concluded, please come and find me," Thor said. "I wish to get to know you better, my soulmate."

"Of course."

Thor smiled charmingly, and walked off, barely sparing a glance for anyone else working in the vicinity. Previously working, to be more accurate. Fitz startled when he felt his phone buzz, and hurried back to work, checking his messages.

Skye You go, Fitz! You get the McDreamy of superheroes.

May Now you've seen those arms up-close, is Hill right about them?

Ward Way to go, Fitz. Going to introduce us to your guy?

Agent C We need to talk about this. But I really am happy for you. And please tell Simmons I don't need an injection. She listens to you.

Fitz typed a quick message to Simmons, asking her to be gentle with their boss, made a mental note to get on with designing a tricorder the next time he had half an hour spare, and turned back to the DWARFs' readings. The sooner he got done, the sooner he'd get to see his soulmate again.

And then… what then? The soulmate of an Avenger? Of a long-lived demigod/alien who didn't know that Coulson had been revived under mysterious circumstances? Of someone whose (non-euphemistic) hammer could only be wielded by the worthy, the crown prince of another galaxy?

Shit. This was too much pressure to handle.

Most of Fitz's SHIELD experience was at the academy, and despite the dangers they'd faced so far, he'd never really been in a life-or-death situation, certainly nothing which could give him genuine PTSD. But people could suffer panic attacks from anything, so he curled up behind a large pile of rubble with the DWARF kit, ashamedly grateful that Coulson really did need medical attention, taking Simmons's presence away. He breathed slowly, letting his brain oxygenate, and tried to concentrate on the readings the DWARFs fed him. Things went relatively back to normal once he worked his way past the walls he'd felt closing in on him, and forced himself to focus on work. He even began going over specs in his mind for a medical tricorder like the ones on Star Trek, and as time passed Simmons returned. He deflected her questions until she got the hint, and actually managed to forget about Thor until they were packing up, and he felt a delicate hand on his arm.

"Do you know where he is?" she asked.

It took a few seconds to work out what she meant, and he kicked himself for forgetting, even though he'd needed to so that he could work.

"Nearby," he said. "He promised he wouldn't go far."

"Agent Coulson has given you the rest of the day off," she said. "It's regulations."

"It's also regulations to notify SHIELD of my soulmate's identity."

"I'm sure SHIELD already knows." At his panicked look, Simmons shrugged. "We were discreet, those of us on the team, but there were others around. And don't you think it's likely that Thor told his friends? Skye had to get another agent to type her message. The more people who know, the less it stays secret. What you and Thor need to talk about is what happens next. Present Director Fury with a fait accompli."

She was right. It didn't make Fitz feel any less nervous.

"What if I screw this up?" he whispered.

"Anyone would be lucky to have you, Fitz," she said gently. "Everyone is born with their soulmark, and he's lived for centuries, as far as we know. A long time to wait and reflect, and know his own mind. You and I, we haven't been alive for three decades yet. But surely you know what you want with your soulmate?"

"A superhero?" Fitz glanced back over his shoulder, as though he could see Thor from there. "Everything. I don't know whether I can handle it, but I'd try. If he really wanted… me, I'd…"

He trailed off. Simmons mistook his silence, and hugged him.

"I'd miss you, but you'd be happy working with Tony Stark, I'm sure," she said.

"I'd miss you, too, Simmons. We're jumping the gun here, though. I haven't even spoken to him in…" He checked his watch. "Hours."

"Then go and get a move on." She pushed him away. "Go on. Keep in touch, and try not to get into too much trouble."

"If you've jinxed me, Simmons, I swear…"

"Go, Fitz!"

Had Thor had Mjolnir to hand, he was sure he would have sensed his soulmate's approach sooner. However, something inside of his soul alerted him, calling for its mate. He took notice of his surroundings, and was prepared when he saw Leopold walking his way. Thor was quick to stand, although he allowed his soulmate to come to him. He was used to being taller than nearly everyone of his acquaintance, and did not wish to overwhelm the smaller, curly-haired man.

Perhaps it was as well that he intended to leave Asgard in his father's hands for a time, as there was no chance of an heir being soon produced. Since his time on Midgard, Thor had studied much – he needed something to fill the hours when he could not slumber – and discovered that Midgardians had surrogacy. Thor was fairly certain that his soulmate would not wish to undergo a procedure in Asgard to be able to carry children… a discussion best left until after they were wed.

And he certainly intended to marry his soulmate, if Leopold would have him.

"Hello again," he said, stopping in front of Thor. "I've got the rest of the day off, so where would you like to go? Still on Earth, I mean. Wouldn't want to lose track of time. My team needs me."

"I am sure they do," Thor said, holding out his elbow. Leopold flushed as he hooked his hand around Thor's arm, and not-so-discreetly squeezed. Thor smirked at him, and began to lead him away from Greenwich.

"My co-workers want to meet you."

"And I wish to introduce you to my friends," Thor said. "When I mentioned your name in my missive to the Man of Iron, he was most insistent. Apparently you are well-known in your field, and work for SHIELD?"

Leopold lowered his head, but not before Thor noticed his proud smile. "Who else d'you think cleans up after alien messes?"

"Did you ever meet… Phil Coulson?"

"N-no. Not while I was at the academy. I've only been going into the field for… not very long. I never met him before he died."

"The doctor Banner would also like to meet your other half… platonic half, I hope. Jemma Simmons. She is the young woman I had the pleasure of meeting?"

"Yes," he said. "On both counts. She's my best friend." He chuckled. "It's weird… well, not weird, but surreal. We'd all been talking about you only a few minutes before. The women on the team are… terribly appreciative. Of you. Your form, more specifically. Prepare yourself for ogling when you meet them later."

"And what of your family?" Thor asked.

"Only my mother, and she'll want to spoil you dreadfully. Perhaps we could go to Scotland while we're still in the UK?"

"That…" He swallowed, remembering the last time he saw his mother alive, and when her boat was sent out into the night. "That sounds wonderful."

"Hey." Leopold leaned into his side, and Thor sensed his gaze. "I can feel your sadness, and we're not even bonded. My father walked out; he's not dead."

"No; however, I lost my mother within the last few days. She was defending the Lady Jane from Dark Elves. She received a warrior's farewell, but her death is fresh."

"Oh. Oh God, I'm so sorry, Thor. I didn't know… the way you said it, you were sad, yeah, but I didn't realise it was that recent." Thor felt the echo of Leopold's sorrow for him along an invisible string. "You can tell me about it, if you want. Or not, if you don't want to talk… The point is, I'm here for you. However you want me."

"And if I wish to be everything to you, Leopold?" Thor said. "If I wish you to be everything to me? Would you accept that?"

Leopold peeked up at him. "Yes. I wasn't sure how far… but you did mention my name being fit for a consort. I don't need expensive gifts, just my tech… and you, obviously. I really do prefer you to call me 'Leo', though. Only my mother calls me 'Leopold', and pretty much everyone else calls me 'Fitz'."

"We should learn more about each other, I am aware. Perhaps I can take you back to Jane's apartment?" In truth, Thor was curious to see how Mjolnir would react to his soulmate. A truer test could not be arranged, not even by Odin or Fury.

"And then we could go out for lunch… or dinner, I haven't adjusted to the time difference yet, and we've been working for a long time. Did you remember to eat lunch? I've heard that your appetite is… appropriate. For someone with your physicality. And pro-proportions." He cleared his throat, cheeks turning redder. "So to speak."

Thor smiled slyly. "I do indeed consume more than most mortals. It is necessary to maintain the same high level of… stamina." He paused just long enough to set the word apart from the rest, and the way Leopold… Leo stumbled was gratifying, although it did cause him a moment of panic and then regret. "I apologise."

"Well, that makes things clear," Leo muttered. "Right. Back to Dr. Foster's place, you said?"

"I believe I am getting accustomed to the Tube."

"Goodie. I just need an Oyster card, then."

Why are they called Oyster cards, anyway? If it's supposed to be a reference to the world being a person's oyster, that doesn't make sense. Britain is tiny, and Oysters aren't used outside of the UK. At least our Go cards make more sense, since you can, y'know, GO places. Oyster? Really, people?

Anyway. Please review! And definitely no more pairing suggestions, okay? Just in case someone missed the previous announcement.