Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 73: Weight of Trust

Chapter Seventy-Three

Weight of trust

Milky Way Galaxy

Sol System

Nine Realms / Planet Earth

Thor's arrival was unexpected. JARVIS simply just announced it when he landed on the roof and headed down with the elevator. Steve and Bucky looked at one another then got up to greet him.

Thor looked forlorn, that was the best word for it. His eyebrows curled down in a firm frown, his lips were tight and he gripped his hammer too tightly. He was injured as well, Steve could see faint gashes on his cheek, mostly healed, but still visible. When he looked up at Steve and Bucky his stern expression vanished and he smiled as he walked closer.

'My friends,' he greeted. 'It is very good to see you again.'

Steve held out a hand and Thor clasped his forearm in a tight grip then pulled him a little closer for a quick hug and a few heavy pats on the shoulder. Bucky grinned as he held his arm out and Thor did not hesitate to clasp his forearm as well, they didn't hug, but they never did, so it was alright.

'We didn't know you were back,' Steve said.

'I have gone to Tony Stark's house,' Thor answered and his face spoke volumes.

'Things didn't go well with Loki?' Steve asked pointing at the gashes on Thor's face.

'This was not my brother,' Thor said. 'And I am to blame for them as well.'

'Tell me you didn't get in a fight with Tony,' Steve asked.

'Nay,' Thor shook his head right away. 'Tony has grown into a wise man in his absence. He merely had some choice words for me.'

Going by Thor's expression it couldn't have been the most pleasant of conversations.

'So, what brings you here then?' Steve asked. 'Not that I'm not glad to have you back, but I didn't think you would take the time to come here.'

'Wait, did you fly here from Malibu?' Bucky interrupted.

Thor nodded. 'I needed to clear my head,' he said. 'It was a good way as any to do it.'

Bucky whistled.

'Quite the flight,' Steve agreed. 'So what brings you here then?'

'I would like to talk to you about certain things. Loki mainly,' Thor said. 'You have given me good advice in the past and I thought it could not hurt to ask your opinion on the matter.'

'Well gosh, yeah sure, I mean if I can help, I will,' Steve said. There was something very humbling about being asked for advice by Thor. It was just such a great show of trust and respect, especially if it was about Loki, because that was always a difficult subject with Thor. Speaking of...

'You should see someone first,' Steve said and pointed at the elevator. Bucky joined them of course.

'So how did meeting little brother again go then?' Bucky asked.

'It was... confusing, for the most part,' Thor replied after a moment. 'A lot better than our last meeting was. We still got into a fight though.'

Ouch.

'Sorry to hear,' Steve said. Just because he wanted nothing to do with Loki, it didn't mean he couldn't understand how Thor felt.

'I expected worse,' Thor shrugged a little.

The elevator chimed and Steve stepped out first. Thor looked around.

'Clint is here?' he asked, noticing which floor they were on.