Chapter Text
"Three little birds sat on my window
And they told me I don't need to worry
Summer came like cinnamon, so sweet
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete
Maybe sometimes
We've got it wrong, but it's all right
The more things seem to change
The more they stay the same
Ooh, don't you hesitate"
Over the next few weeks, Tony couldn’t help but notice Thor was acting… different. Thor had always been charming in his larger-than-life, godly way, but now he was showing up more frequently, inviting Tony out with a sort of determination that left Tony both flattered and confused. It wasn’t just casual hangouts—it felt like something, though Thor, being Thor, never quite got all the details of Earth customs right.
It started with Thor bursting into Tony’s lab one morning, his usual beaming smile on full display. “Tony!” he exclaimed, holding a single sunflower in his hand, which, in typical Thor fashion, looked absurdly small in his massive grip. “I have found a glorious café just outside the city! The finest coffee I’ve tasted in all the realms of Midgard!”
Tony barely looked up from his work. “Uh-huh, great. Just give me a few hours.”
“Excellent! I shall await your arrival—at once!” Thor bellowed, mistaking Tony’s ‘in a few hours’ as ‘right now.’
Hours later, Tony found himself sitting at the aforementioned café, sipping on a pretty decent cup of coffee while Thor, in his deep baritone, went on about some battle from centuries ago. The conversation was engaging, but Tony couldn’t ignore the fact that Thor seemed really focused on him.
“So,” Tony said, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, “is this coffee really the reason you dragged me out of the lab? Or is this some Asgardian bonding ritual I’m not aware of?”
Thor chuckled, his expression completely earnest. “Would it be so terrible if I wished simply to enjoy your company?”
Tony blinked. Was Thor flirting with him? Or was this just how gods do small talk? It was hard to tell, but there was something about the big guy's sincerity that Tony found... endearing.
A few days later, things escalated.
“Tony!” Thor announced, walking into the Avengers Tower like he owned the place. “I have discovered a restaurant that serves food almost as delectable as the feasts of Asgard! Join me for a meal this evening. It will be a banquet to remember.”
Tony raised an eyebrow, still not entirely sure what Thor was up to. “Are you asking me on a dinner date? Or are you just trying to get a free meal out of me?”
“Ah, Tony,” Thor grinned, seemingly unaware of how the whole ‘date’ thing worked. “Consider it an evening of great food and better company.”
And that’s how Tony found himself at an upscale restaurant, the lighting low, the ambiance almost too romantic for what Thor insisted was “just a casual dinner.” Soft music played in the background, and the candlelight made Thor look... well, glow, really. Tony found himself enjoying the conversation more than expected, even if Thor didn’t realize how much attention they were drawing just by being there.
Halfway through dessert—an indulgent chocolate cake that Thor had ordered by saying, "Bring your finest baked goods!"—Tony, never one to miss a beat, leaned in with a smirk. “So, big guy, is this a date?”
Thor chuckled, entirely too comfortable with Tony’s sarcasm. “Why place such labels on it, my friend? I enjoy our time together—does it need more meaning than that?”
Tony couldn’t help but laugh. Of course, Thor wouldn’t see it as a date. The guy had his own Asgardian code of conduct, which was both frustratingly vague and hilariously sincere. Still, the more they spent time together, the more Tony found himself actually liking this version of Thor—the charming idiot who got some things right and hilariously fumbled through others.
Their outings continued—trips to random spots Thor deemed “worthy of Tony’s presence,” where he’d loudly announce to the waitstaff that Tony was a “man of unparalleled genius,” which, while flattering, often left Tony both amused and mortified.
The next time Thor came bursting into his lab, Tony didn’t even try to pretend he wasn’t expecting it.
“Tony! I have acquired tickets to a performance of Midgardian culture known as... ‘karaoke!’” Thor announced, looking genuinely pleased with himself. “They said it is a great honor to ‘sing one’s heart out.’ Shall we attend?”
Tony, who couldn’t even begin to imagine Thor belting out a ballad to a bunch of drunk humans, burst out laughing. “Thor, buddy, do you even know what karaoke is?”
“Of course!” Thor said proudly, clearly unaware. “It involves music and sharing one’s greatness with the masses!”
Tony shook his head, laughing harder. “Alright, big guy. Count me in. But I’m picking the song.”
And so it went—Thor, the seductive, ridiculously attractive idiot, with his hilariously clueless grasp on Earthly customs, somehow becoming one of the few people Tony genuinely enjoyed spending time with. Whether it was because of the sheer absurdity of their outings or Thor’s unintentional charm, Tony found himself looking forward to their next “not-date” more than he cared to admit.
As the days went on and Thor’s presence became a constant in his life, Tony’s curiosity started to eat away at him. He needed answers. And so, he decided to ask around—surely someone else had picked up on whatever was happening.
The first person he approached was Natasha.
“Nat,” Tony said one evening as they both sat in the common room. “Can I ask you something?”
Natasha looked up from her tablet, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “You can ask me anything, Tony. What’s up?”
“So... Thor,” Tony began, rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s been spending a lot of time with me lately. Like, more than usual. And, I don’t know, it feels like something’s changed.”
Natasha’s smile widened. “I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet.”
Tony frowned, leaning forward. “Figured what out?”
“He’s courting you,” she said simply.
Tony blinked, completely taken aback. “Courting me? Like, in the old-fashioned Asgardian way?”
Natasha nodded, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Yep. It’s subtle, but that’s what he’s doing. All those ‘not-dates’ you’ve been going on? Yeah, they’re dates.”
“Wait, *dates*? But he never called them that!”
“He doesn’t need to,” Natasha replied with a chuckle. “You’re just dense, Tony.”
Still confused and looking for a second opinion, Tony went to Bruce next. Bruce was in the lab, tinkering with some new equipment when Tony found him.
“Bruce,” Tony said, jumping right into it. “I’ve got a question. Is Thor... I don’t know, acting weird around you lately?”
Bruce looked up, confused. “Weird? No, not really. Why?”
“Well, he’s been spending a lot of time with me,” Tony explained, leaning against the table. “And Nat says he’s... courting me.”
Bruce chuckled, shaking his head. “That makes sense.”
Tony threw his hands up in exasperation. “You too? What the hell is going on?”
Bruce smiled, turning back to his work. “You’ve known Thor for years, Tony. He doesn’t exactly hide his intentions. And from what I’ve seen, he’s definitely interested.”
“But he doesn’t call it a date,” Tony insisted, pacing slightly.
“He’s not the type to make it that obvious,” Bruce said with a shrug. “But he doesn’t need to. You just need to pay attention.”
Frustrated but still seeking answers, Tony found himself tracking down Clint next. He caught him in the kitchen, making his usual post-training sandwich.
“Barton,” Tony said, leaning against the counter. “I need some clarification.”
Clint raised an eyebrow, chewing on his sandwich. “Okay. What about?”
“Thor’s been spending a lot of time with me,” Tony explained. “Dinners, outings, the whole thing. Nat and Bruce think he’s courting me.”
Clint snorted, nearly choking on his food. “Dude, of course he is.”
Tony groaned, rubbing his temples. “Why does everyone know this except me?”
“Because you’re the one he’s courting, genius,” Clint said with a grin. “You’re too close to see it.”
“But why doesn’t he just say it’s a date?”
“Because he’s Thor,” Clint replied with a shrug. “He’s going for the whole ‘charm-you-without-you-realizing-it’ thing. Looks like it’s working, too.”
Finally, Tony turned to Stephen Strange. He wasn’t thrilled about having to ask Strange, but he needed more confirmation. He found Strange at the Sanctum, as usual, buried in ancient texts.
“Strange, I need some clarity,” Tony said, walking in with his usual confidence. “Why is Thor acting like we’re on dates when he never calls them that?”
Strange barely looked up from his book. “Because he’s courting you, Tony.”
Tony groaned loudly. “You too? Why does everyone know but me?”
Strange sighed, finally setting his book down. “Tony, you’re smart in a lot of ways, but you’re missing the obvious here. Thor’s been courting you for weeks. If you’re confused about it, why don’t you just ask him?”
After talking to nearly everyone, Tony couldn’t take it anymore. One evening, after another “not-a-date,” he finally cornered Thor in the common room.
“Alright, Thor,” Tony said, standing in front of him with his arms crossed. “I’ve been asking around, and apparently, *everyone* thinks you’re courting me. Is that true?”
Thor looked up from where he sat, his usual grin appearing. “And what if I am? Would that trouble you?”
Tony blinked, caught off guard by Thor’s directness. “I—uh, I don’t know. You didn’t say they were dates.”
Thor chuckled, standing and walking toward Tony, his large frame towering over him, but his demeanor soft. “Do I need to call them dates? I thought it was obvious.”
“Well, it wasn’t obvious to me,” Tony muttered, feeling a bit foolish now. “I mean, you never *said* anything.”
Thor smiled warmly, stepping closer, his voice low and soothing. “I didn’t think I had to. I enjoy your company, Tony. I have for a long time.”
Tony looked up into Thor’s eyes, his heart pounding as realization washed over him. “So... all those dinners, the coffee shop, the gifts... they were all...?”
“Dates,” Thor finished for him. “In Asgard, we do not always need to label things. Actions speak louder than words.”
Tony chuckled, shaking his head. “Guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.”
Thor’s smile softened. “You’re plenty sharp. But you’ve been through much, Tony. It’s understandable you would not see it right away.”
“So, what now?” Tony asked, his voice quieter now, the vulnerability showing.
Thor's hand rested gently on Tony’s shoulder as the realization settled between them. “Now, we continue, Tony,” Thor said softly, his eyes never leaving Tony’s. “Unless you wish for something to change?”
Tony hesitated for just a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips. “No, I guess I don’t want anything to change. But maybe next time, you could just *say* it’s a date? Might save me from asking everyone on the team.”
Thor chuckled, his deep voice filled with warmth. “Very well. Consider it done.”
Later that night, as Tony lay in bed, the weight of Thor’s words replayed in his mind. It wasn’t what he had expected, but he realized he didn’t mind. Thor’s persistence, his quiet charm—it had worked on him without Tony even noticing. And for the first time in a long while, Tony felt a sense of peace, knowing that Thor’s intentions were genuine, and his feelings were clear.
It was the beginning of something new. Something he wasn’t sure he had been ready for, but now, with Thor by his side, maybe he was.
Tony was lounging on the couch, legs stretched out, half-focused on the faint hum of the news on the TV, but his mind kept drifting. Thor’s attention over the past few weeks had been flattering, sure, but it left him feeling unsure. There was a nagging part of him that still questioned what Thor saw in him. He wasn’t used to being the one pursued, let alone by someone like Thor.
Steve, who had just finished up his usual morning workout, walked into the room, towel draped over his shoulders. His keen eyes quickly noticed Tony’s thoughtful, somewhat distracted expression. Without saying a word, Steve sat down at the edge of the couch, pulling Tony’s feet into his lap and immediately beginning to massage them with firm, practiced hands.
Tony let out a sigh, closing his eyes for a moment as he leaned his head back into the couch cushions. “God, you’re good at that.”
Steve smiled, his hands working methodically over Tony’s arches and toes. “I’ve had practice. Plus, I know how much time you spend on your feet in the lab. Figured you could use it.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes, Steve’s touch soothing Tony more than he realized. But Steve was watching Tony closely, sensing that something was on his mind. After a while, Steve’s voice broke the silence, low and thoughtful.
“So,” he began, “how’s it going with Thor?”
Tony opened his eyes, giving Steve a curious glance. “Why do you ask?”
Steve shrugged, his expression calm but observant. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with him lately. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable with everything. Thor’s attention can be a bit… overwhelming.”
Tony chuckled, rubbing a hand over his face. “You’re telling me. The guy’s like a golden retriever on steroids. One minute he’s bringing me coffee, the next, he’s inviting me to these fancy dinners.”
Steve’s thumbs pressed deeper into Tony’s arches, the pressure soothing but also grounding. “And are you okay with that? I mean, all this attention—it’s a lot to take in.”
Tony sighed, letting the question hang in the air for a moment as he collected his thoughts. “Honestly? It was weird at first. I didn’t even know what was happening. Thought he was just being friendly. But now, I can kind of see it… he’s interested. And I guess I’m okay with it. It’s flattering, I won’t lie. Just not something I’m used to.”
Steve’s hands paused briefly, his gaze soft but steady. “You deserve it, Tony. The attention, the affection… all of it.”
Tony opened his eyes again, meeting Steve’s gaze. “Do I? I mean, I’ve never been the ‘get wooed’ type. Feels a little out of my league.”
Steve smirked, shaking his head. “You’ve been saving the world, building impossible things, and you think Thor’s attention is out of your league?”
“Hey, the guy’s a god,” Tony quipped, though there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice. “And I’m just… me. I’ve got a lot of baggage, Cap.”
Steve leaned forward slightly, his hands still working over Tony’s legs, his touch gentle but firm. “We all have baggage, Tony. That doesn’t make you any less deserving of being wanted. Thor sees something in you. So do I. So does Bucky. You’re not just ‘Tony Stark, the inventor’ or ‘Tony Stark, the genius.’ You’re someone we care about.”
Tony shifted a little, feeling the warmth from Steve’s words sink in. He rarely let himself feel this kind of affection. It was easier to keep things at arm’s length, but Steve always had a way of breaking down those walls.
“You’re too good to me, Cap,” Tony murmured, his voice quieter now.
Steve smiled, his hands slowly moving up from Tony’s feet to his calves, the massage now a mix of relaxation and something a little more intimate. “I’m just giving you what you deserve, Tony.”
Tony’s breath hitched slightly as Steve’s hands trailed higher, massaging his thighs with slow, deliberate movements. The tenderness in Steve’s touch sent a shiver through Tony, though it wasn’t just physical—it was the emotional weight behind the gesture. Steve wasn’t just trying to soothe him; he was offering something deeper, something more reassuring.
“You know,” Tony began, his voice a bit rough around the edges, “I wasn’t expecting all this. I mean… with Thor, with you, with everything. But it’s been... nice. I didn’t realize how much I needed someone in my corner like this.”
Steve’s hands paused for a moment, his gaze locked onto Tony’s. “We’re always in your corner, Tony. You never have to doubt that.”
There was a beat of silence before Tony smiled, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “I guess I’m still getting used to it.”
Steve’s hands moved further up Tony’s thighs now, his touch more intimate, his fingers brushing over the sensitive skin just below his hips. Tony’s breath hitched again, this time less from surprise and more from anticipation.
Steve leaned in closer, his voice low and filled with warmth. “You don’t have to rush into anything, Tony. But if you ever need more than this, I’m here. Whatever you need.”
Tony’s chest tightened, feeling both the weight of Steve’s words and the comfort they brought him. There was something so steady, so reliable about Steve’s presence, and it made Tony feel more grounded than he had in a long time.
Tony looked down at Steve, a small smirk playing on his lips. “You always know how to make a guy feel special.”
Steve’s lips quirked into a smile, but his eyes stayed focused on Tony, filled with affection and understanding. “That’s the goal.”
And with that, Steve leaned in, his hands never stopping their gentle caress as he pressed a soft kiss to Tony’s inner thigh, his actions slow and deliberate. The sensation sent a jolt of warmth through Tony, his body responding to the tenderness and intimacy of the moment.
Tony let out a soft groan, his hands gripping the edge of the couch as Steve’s lips continued their slow, purposeful movements. He could feel Steve’s care in every touch, every kiss, and it made him realize just how lucky he was to have someone like Steve by his side.
Steve paused, looking up at Tony, his expression a mix of warmth and affection. “You’re okay, right?”
Tony nodded, his voice a bit breathless. “Yeah, Cap. More than okay.”
Steve smiled, and then, with that same gentle care, continued. He didn’t rush; everything was about making sure Tony felt cared for, appreciated, and loved. There was no need for words—everything Steve wanted to say was conveyed through his actions.
Every touch, every caress, was a slow deliberate tease. Even Steve undressing him made Tony tremble until he was aching in the best way. When he finally took Tony’s shaft into his mouth, it only took minutes for Tony to come, back arching and bodily shaking as his hands gripped Steve’s hair for dear life.
By the time they were finished, Tony was left feeling utterly relaxed, his body humming with contentment. Steve settled beside him on the couch, pulling Tony close so that they lay side by side.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything, the quiet intimacy between them filling the room. Eventually, Tony broke the silence, his voice soft and a little teasing. “You really know how to spoil a guy, Rogers.”
Steve chuckled, pressing a kiss to Tony’s temple. “You deserve to be spoiled.”
Tony closed his eyes, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “Well, don’t stop anytime soon.”
Steve’s arm tightened around Tony, his voice warm and steady. “I wasn’t planning on it.”
And as they lay there, tangled up together on the couch, Tony allowed himself to fully relax, knowing that for once, he didn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone. Steve and Bucky were here, and so was Thor. Maybe this whole love thing wasn’t so bad after all.
"Girl, put your records on
Tell me your favorite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans
I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down - Corinne Bailey Ray "Put Your Records On"