The Demigod From Asgard - A Steve Rogers x Reader Story

Chapter 79: First Day Nerves

Warnings: Angst! Grief Driven Alcoholism! Language!

2 years since the snap

Steve stopped for a moment as he rounded the corner to his street, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. Scout bounced excitedly in front of him willing him to keep on going, biting his lease and tugging it.

"I know bud, just give me a second" Steve panted wishing he had the same amount of energy as the pup.

Since moving into the new house Steve had only just managed to get back into the routine of going for a run. Roberta would look after JJ for an hour while Steve went out and had some time to himself. He didn't go every day and his runs were nowhere near as long as they used to be. Mostly because he was older now, he didn't have the same amount of energy he used to have, he also had responsibilities to attend to like JJ. But a part of it was that Steve didn't like having too much time with his own thoughts, even with Scout with him if he stayed out too long he found his mind walking itself back towards the cliff's edge.

Scout let out a loud bark and whine nudging Steve on with his snout making Steve chuckle "Okay, okay we're going now then you'll get a treat okay" Steve offers, Scout wagging his tail enthusiastically.

Steve started the gentle jog back down the street towards his house, Scout happily trotting beside him as they went. He had just walked up the stairs of the front porch when he heard something behind him. Glancing over his shoulder his eyebrows raised in surprise when he saw Thor standing at the bottom of the path.

Steve quickly let Scout into the house before shutting the door and making his way down the path towards Thor. As he approached he could see how much Thor had changed in the last year. His hair was longer, now almost reaching his shoulders, and his beard was also thicker but much more unkept than it ever had been before. Thor's physique had also changed too, he wasn't necessarily fat but he'd lost a lot of muscle definition and looked generally softer.

"Thor, I wasn't expecting to see you" Steve greets holding out his hand.

"ah yes captain, I thought I'd swing by and see how little JJ is," Thor says with a small chuckle.

"well he's not so small anymore, he turned 3 a couple of months ago," Steve tells him with a smile, Steve had invited Thor over but never heard anything in response.

"that is a fine age, I remember when Y/N-" Thor starts before stopping himself, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

An awkward silence falls between the pair, Steve not really knowing what to say. Hating how neither of them could bring themselves to talk about you in each other's presence.

"um, why don't you come inside JJ is just with our neighbour Roberta," Steve says breaking the silence and gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb.

"yes of course!" Thor says clapping his hands together walking past Steve and towards the house.

As Thor passed Steve the smell of alcohol wafted its way up Steve's nostrils. He has to stop himself from scrunching up his nose in disgust, letting out a concerned sigh as he watched Thor walk up the path. He didn't seem drunk at least but Steve would have to keep an eye out that's for sure.

Steve jogged back up the path opening up the door for Thor, and gesturing for Thor to go on it "JJ there's someone here to see you!" Steve called out getting JJ's attention.

JJ stopped running around and playing with Scout turning to face Steve and Thor his face lighting up when he saw his uncle "Uncle Tor!" He shouted running over and hugging Thor's legs tightly.

"hey kiddo, you've gotten so big!" Thor chuckled bending down to lift JJ up.

"I'm thwee" JJ says proudly holding up three fingers.