Chapter Text
Steve Rogers wasn’t much of a party person. Large groups of people made him uncomfortable. Getting drunk and ignoring everyone around him had proved impossible. Dancing was out of question because he didn’t know how. Hoping at least one of his friends would stick by him through the whole ordeal was wishful thinking. All he could really do was stand in a corner, perfectly still, and wait for the ideal opportunity to make his escape.
This party was no different. Tired of signing autographs and being hit on repeatedly by women who didn’t seem to respect themselves, Steve had resigned himself to stand in the shadows with a glass of champagne while he waited for Thor. The demigod was really the only person among the Avengers (and outside of them) that Steve could relate to. He was big and strong, just like Steve, unaware of modern culture, valued good manners, and he was just… nice. Steve had never heard a word of judgment slip out of Thor’s mouth. If he didn’t make frequent, long trips to Asgard, Steve would hang out with him all the time.
“At ease, soldier.” A hand clapped him on the back, making Steve choke on his champagne. “Easy there, Cap!”
Steve turned to throw Tony a sour look. “I’d prefer you wouldn’t call me out like that. I’m trying not to draw attention to myself.”
“Why not? This is a party! You’re not allowed to lurk in a dark corner like some sad wallflower.”
Steve rolled his eyes and refused to comment.
“Talk to people. Make friends. Hook up with girls. There are quite a few hot models in this room willing to do anything for America, if you know what I mean.” Tony’s suggestive grin faded into a sigh when the blond vehemently shook his head in an are you flipping serious? sort of way. “You and your morals. Come on, I’ll take you to—”
At that moment, there was a loud cheer and people started milling to the door. Tony stopped mid-sentence and both men turned to look at the commotion. There was only one person, apart from Tony Stark, who could garner so much attention.
Thor had arrived.
He received warm welcome from everyone as he walked in, smiling and waving, making people swoon.
“Show off,” Tony muttered good-naturedly under his breath, and Steve, grinning, nodded in agreement. When the crowd parted and they saw that the demigod wasn’t alone, Tony let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh, he brought his elusive girlfriend with him—look! I’ve been pestering him to bring her about for weeks!”
But Steve, who had caught sight of her too, felt his eyes widen for an entirely different reason. His jaw dropped as he stared at the woman hanging on Thor’s arm, laughing out loud at all the attention.
It couldn’t be...
Could it?
It couldn’t be her!
She hadn’t changed one bit in the year and a half since he’d seen her. Same shiny brown hair, big guileless eyes, and an open smile. She was wearing a few more clothes than the last time he’d seen her, but it was definitely her. Steve could recognize her anywhere. Theirs hadn’t been a typical first meeting.
“That’s Jane Foster,” he said, pointing dumbly in her direction.
Tony nodded. “Smartest person in the room. She looks taller in her photographs. And not as cute.”
Cute? She was gorgeous! Absolutely stunning! But that wasn’t why Steve couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. He was having a hard time believing she was at the party, that he was seeing her again… after all this time. He’d thought it was goodbye when she’d placed a hand on his shoulder, stood up on her toes and…
His heart sank when she said something to Thor and he threw his head back and laughed. “She’s Thor’s girlfriend?”
“Yeah, let’s go say hi.” Tony started forward, then stopped when he belatedly registered the dismay in his friend’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
Steve gulped and raised helpless eyes to the billionaire. “She… Jane and I, we’ve met. After I came out of the ice… I was driving and she… wasn’t wearing anything…”
“Woah, what!” Tony interrupted, eyes nearly bugging out of their sockets. “Please. Please don’t tell me you did the do with Thor’s girlfriend!”
“Did the wha—no! Christ, Tony!” Steve glared at him.
“Okay, okay.” Tony held up his hands. “Just tell me what happened,” he said. “Start from the beginning. And then we can decide if you knowing Jane Foster is a good thing or not.”
Steve nodded. His eyes flickered to Jane again and he began his story…