Cottage Cheese

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

As lively as he felt these days, it felt right to give his beloved a lively greeting. A little light show from above to get his attention and a rapid descent to join his side. He wasn’t one to be completely outdone when it sounded as if Thor had something special in mind.

“Don’t keep me in suspense.” Before he could descend completely, he positioned himself to sit on the massive man’s shoulder.

Comments

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor is entirely sure how to broach Tony's lack of a verbal reaction; he feels a little like he's searching for answers in the dark. He winds up stumbling into the most obvious conclusion.

"I didn't tell him anything," he says. "I just asked him if he could do a painting for me and he said yes." Hopefully, that provides Tony with some level of assurance, though Steve could have just as easily deduced their relationship from any number of clues that cropped up since his arrival. "If you don't want him to know, he doesn't need to know."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“It’s not that.” Tony insisted defensively. It was, however, precisely that.

[st_ormbreaker]

"I'm not upset about it," Thor reassures him, in case Tony is saying it for his benefit. "When Fandral and I were sleeping together, I had him promoted to my aide-de-camp so Odin had nothing to suspect when he visited my tent at night."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Hey, I said that’s not it.” Tony raised his voice at the painting, breaking up the stiff knot of his arms to warm his hands in his pockets.

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "What is it, then?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“I like it.” Moving right on, Tony patted the upside down pieces of unfinished furnishings. “The place. I like it.”

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor folds his arms over his chest and watches as Tony wanders the room. "Does that mean you don't want to talk about it?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“More or less.” Occupying himself with the makeshift curtains, Tony fiddled with the fabric and draped it lightly over his head.

[st_ormbreaker]

"So should I say something to Rogers, or should I not?" Thor hadn't exactly been keeping it a secret, but he hadn't been hiding it, either. Now it's starting to sound like he needs to hide it without even knowing the reason why. "If it's because he harbors some feelings of affection for you, I think he can handle it."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Burning, Tony’s face was barely visible through the slightly opaque layers of cloth. “Highly doubt it, Point Break. Highly doubt it.” Sighing, the he released the cloth to let it fall away all at once.

“He was gonna find out with the ceremony anyway. Better sooner than later.”

[st_ormbreaker]

"We don't need to have a ceremony if it's going to bother you," Thor says. "We've already taken care of the important part."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Beg to differ.” Tony pushed the curtains to the sides and lowered himself back to the windowsill. “It’s important to me.”

[st_ormbreaker]

"Then we'll do it when you're ready," Thor says. Thor has less hangups about their teammates finding out about their relationship; there's no reason to push the Steve thing until Tony is prepared to handle it.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“I’m sorry.” He relented, massaging the aching surface of his thighs. What else could he say?

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor closes the space between them, and sets a palm against the side of Tony's face.

"Nothing to apologize for."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

His weight settled easily into the broad palm holding his heavy head in place, and Tony smiled in spite of himself. “Thank you. Do I at least get to say that?”

[st_ormbreaker]

"Yes," Thor gives Tony a friendly pat-pat on the cheek. "When you are ready though, I want you to talk with me about it."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“You don’t have anything to worry about. But I will.” Tony angled his body to push the window open a crack, letting the fresh air clear his head.

[st_ormbreaker]

"I know I don't," he says. "But I want you to be able to talk to me about anything."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“You have your own relationship with him. I respect that.” He leaned well back, practically tipping off the threshold.

[st_ormbreaker]

"I respect that you respect that," Thor says, looking at the floor. He wonders if Tony would appreciate a bearskin rug. It might clash with the aesthetic, but it seemed to be typical cabin design. He then wonders how Tony feels about bear jerky.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“I respect your respect of my respect.” Tony proclaimed with unnecessary pomp, activating his palm repulsors to tip even further back, legs rising in the air.

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor smiles and lets out a little laugh. "What are you doing?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Watching the lines etch into your face.” Putting his morning yoga routine to good use, Tony bent up to peer through the V shape of his legs. “C’mere.”

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor wordlessly complies, though his expression shifts to something closer to bewildered amusement.