st_arkravinghazelnut | December 18th, 2012

Following the Battle of New York, Tony Stark and his brand were becoming many things. The days of being a no-accountability war profiteer were already well behind him, but he hardly anticipated playing landlord to a ragtag team of honest-to-god superheros. In the aftermath, that was one the first things he set about doing with Pepper. With her blessing, Tony had thrown himself into it. Never one to half-ass things, he oversaw the extensive remodeling to accommodate the specific needs of each and every Avenger. Several were essentially homeless and there was no initiative for the superpowerly-abled, even in a place as progressive as New York.

Including Steve. Even if he called Stark Tower ugly and immediately found an apartment somewhere in Brooklyn. Even though Tony set aside one of the top 12 floors for him like everyone else. Fine.

Today was all about adding that personal touch. He was giving free room and board, might as well be a gracious sugar daddy about it. Besides, who wanted to thwart crime with a guy or gal whose liquor of choice you couldn't name? Just bad form.

Stopping outside the luxury suite dedicated to the arguably most unique new friendly friend, Tony bounced on his heels. He contemplated just walking in for a split second, but he liked having his cranium hammer-free. And it was still about being gracious--as much as he could be. "JARVIS? Ping Point Break for me." Tony didn't feel like knocking. This was a compromise.

"Mr. Odinson, you have a visitor." JARVIS dutifully announced from within Thor's quarters.

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Thor reaches out and takes the drink even as Tony continues drinking from it.

"So you may speak properly," he says, and he drains the drink again. This time, he doesn't so much as return the emptied glass.

More cold droplets on his collarbone, and Tony cringed, especially at the next dominant display. "Would you stop? That's distracting." He bared his neck, brushing the liquid off. When he was satisfactorily dry, he slapped his palms onto his knees and gripped once. Feeling Thor's expectant gaze, he simply shrugged.

"If you stay."

Thor is warmed by this admission and he smiles.

"I can't stay," Thor says. Tony is the second Midgardian to ask that of him and if he had been a normal Asgardian, he probably would have -- but then again, if he were a normal Asgardian, he probably would not be here right now. "I have eight other realms to look after, to protect."

"I know." Prickles of irritation stung at the back of his neck. Tony took a deep breath. He understood, after all, bound up in his own duty. "You've got a fuller plate than any of us."

Though he often thought what it'd be like if he had not been born into the royal family, Thor never begrudged his duty.

"There is no easy way to send a message to reach me," Thor admits. That had been a pain point for him and Jane. The separation might have been easier if she had some way to speak with him during their long absences. "But."

He stops there for just a moment, as if to build anticipation.

"A very dear friend of mine looks after the entire universe so I might know when I am needed." Thor claps his free hand on Tony's shoulder. "So if you ever need me, make it known and I will come."

Tony’s eyes followed Thor’s hand to his shoulder, though he didn’t move. “I’ve got it tied down on my end.”

Even if the odd void in him said otherwise. Tony relented, patting him back.

“If the world needs you I’ll call.”

Thor doesn't push the subject any more. It just doesn't seem appropriate.

"Heimdall will let me know and I will be there," he says. Thor gives Tony's shoulder a Jane-appropriate squeeze, then pats the side of his head.

"Now, will you allow me listen to more of your music?"

December 18th, 2012

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