Steve

Well…now it all made sense to him. No wonder Thor had been so angry and filled with rage when he’d landed in Wakanda… when they’d fought with Thanos there and again later on to get their friends back as well. Eveyrone had made it back…. everyone but Loki.

“Thor,” he whisepred softly, pressing against the other’s back and wrapping arms around him, hands resting against the god’s chest. “Thor, I’m so sorry. While I was angry with your brother for what he did here in New York, I never thought him truly evil. I knew he needed help and I suppose I always thought he’d get that help from you. I’m sorry for how he was lost…”

One shaking hand moved to rest over Steve’s hand, blue eyes closed as Thor took a slow breath. “There are traditions I was denied because of that monster. It is not that I’m not happy the others have returned, I was just…I was hoping I would get my brother back as well. He was all I had left from my world.” He turned slowly, arms settling around him as he held Steve. “He had finally found peace but I never expected him to actually martyr himself. He knew he was going to die, but he had to try. He’s always been a kind of solace, a very dear friend even when we were mad at each other and fighting.” 

HE laid a kiss on his mate’s hair, eyes closing again. “He was only trying to protect me. It’s a habit neither of us could really break after a thousand years of being there for each other,” A very sad laugh escaped him. the sound weak. “Maybe he didn’t think he would be accepted here, after everything. It’s the only other reason he would have been foolish enough to take Thanos and his minions on his own.”

Steve

Steve sucked in a quiet breath when Thor spoke of what had upset him. Loki’s death. The other had never spoken of it and Steve had wanted to ask so many times. He knew Thor’s grief was unmatched by anything he’d ever seen in the king before. They made it back inside and Steve tugged Thor into the bathroom to get them both changed and dried off.

“You’ve never told me what happened,” he said quietly. “Maybe sharing it with me will help you in dealing with your grief over his death. I know you sent word that he and Bruce were with you before you arrived on Earth but we never really talked about the rest of it. I’m not pressing you, Thor. You can talk if you feel ready and if not, then I will simply do what I can to help you. But just know, you can always talk to me, no matter what.”

Thor was quiet for a long moment. “I am aware that most of the others believe he was evil…” he began. “But he believed for centuries he was of Asgard and when he found out otherwise, he got lost. It’s how he got mixed in with Thanos to begin with. Being tortured until he promised Thanos something just to make the pain stop. He’s still my brother, no matter how often he’s done terrible things.” He changed slowly, eyes sad as he fought back tears. “His last moments…he made an attempt to kill Thanos on his own.” his hand trembled and he had to rest them on the counter to try and hide it. “I was forced to watch as Thanos…as that monster squeezed the life out of my brother.”

Steve

Once Thor was calmed again, Steve pressed against him and wrapped his arms around him gently. “I’ll always come for you,” he promised softly, kissing Thor’s jaw softly. “You’re soaked. Now, so am I… let’s go back inside and get dried off and warmed up. Are you hungry? I could fix us something to eat if you’d like. What was it tonight? Nightmare or just memories?”

Thor let his body relax as Steve held him, his own arms wrapping around Steve gently. “And I will always come back to you.” he swore softly. “The storm will pass soon enough.” he promised, walking alongside his mate. “A small snack might be nice.” He was quiet for a moment. “A little of both.” he replied. “I…I was dreaming of Loki. His last…” his voice shook a little and he fell silent. He’d never told anyone about Loki’s death, merely that his brother had died before he’d come to earth. “His last moments.”

Steve [ @lostshieldandhammer ]

Steve wasn’t sleeping much. Nightmares were keeping him awake, but what Thor was going through was so much worse. Steve put all his energy into keeping the other grounded through it all. Tonight was one of those nights. The storms outside were raging and Steve went in search of his lover, finding him on a cliff overlooking the water. “Thor…” he called gently, watching as the sparks of lightening slid along the king’s body. He reached out and put a hand on the other’s back. “Thor, come back to me,” he whispered softly.

Thor didn’t necessarily lose control when his nightmares and visions were bad and he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. The power that coursed through him, changing the very weather as a shimmering charge encircled him, was a subconscious protection. In recent days it had come to light that the only safe from the effect of the charge was Steve, further proving their bond as soulmates. So when there was suddenly a warm hand low on his back and a calm voice calling his name, white eyes flickered and faded to their natural blue, tuening to look at the other blonde. “Steven…” He paused, realizing a moment later that they were outside, and he reached to run a hand through Steve’s hair. “Thank you, my love.”