Chapter Text
The Battle of New York forced a team together, but three months of living together started a weird little family. When the battle ended and Loki was taken back to Asgard to face his punishment, Steve decided to take a road trip to see America. He decided the best way to learn about this new world he was in was to see it up close. But the remainder of the team, Natasha, Clint, Thor and even Bruce (after being persuaded by Tony to stay with the lure of endless funds to complete any research he wanted) moved into Stark Tower at Tony’s invitation.
If Tony remembers correctly, and he is sure that he is, he asked them on a Wednesday afternoon after a meeting at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. That afternoon he went down to his lab to work on an upgrade to the boosters in the Ironman suit. On Friday morning when he emerged from the lab, satisfied with his progress, he found the four other Avengers gathered around the kitchen table sharing breakfast. Even though on most days, they would all pass each other at sometime during the breakfast time, Friday was the day they went from dry cereal or poptarts to waffles, pastries and such with everyone taking part in the process. They would spend all morning eating, talking, and getting to know each other.
Next came the Tuesday Night Team Movie. It started with Tony showing Thor the movie Point Break. Thor was still confused by the reference Tony used to address him. After the movie, Thor was unamused by the nickname but decided the camaraderie developed as they watched the movie was well worth it. Next was Lord of the Rings and Hunger Games and before you knew it, another team building event was established.
The most recent ritual instituted was No Date Saturday. The first Saturday night after Pepper and Tony broke up, Tony needed a distraction. He rounded up everyone in the tower that night and took them out to dinner. From that week on, they had a standing reservation every Saturday at that Italian restaurant for anyone without plans that night.
“Did you hear about Sharon?” Tony hears Natasha say to Bruce one Friday morning when he is walking into the kitchen to help with breakfast.
“Aunt Peggy’s niece Sharon?” Tony interjects.
Natasha turns and sees Tony walking in, “Yeah, did you hear?”
“Hear what? About who?” Now Clint is entering the kitchen.
“Sharon Carter,” Natasha says. “Her soulmark is visible.”
“Whose soulmark is visible?” Thor questions, trying to catch up in the conversation as he enters the room.
Four heads turn to see Thor and all speak at the same time, “Sharon Carter.”
Soulmark reveals are big news. It’s like someone winning big in the lottery. You hear about it all the time, but chances are it’s not going to happen to you. Not everyone has a soulmark after all. They are reserved for only the highest form of love and not all love is that pure. And since soulmarks are invisible to everyone but your soulmate, you are unaware of even having one until your soulmate sees your mark. Then and only then will your mark become visible to everyone else.
Thor quickly says, “Ah, good fortune has found Lady Carter. That is wonderful news!”
Tony finishes pouring the cup of coffee and scoffs, “If you believe in that sort of thing, I guess.”
“It is not a question of believing or not believing, my friend. I have known Freyr since I was a boy. He would leave our realm regularly to go in search of the great loves here on Midgard. Once he finds them, he melds their souls and disperses half to each partner so they may find each other for eternity. It is unfortunate that we do not have such a gift on Asgard.”
“Gift?” Tony laughs. “How I see it, it's just another way for me to feel inadequate.”
“I don’t under-” Thor starts but is interrupted by Steve walking into the kitchen.
“Hey, Steve,” Natasha says. “You're just in time for breakfast. How was your trip?”
“Hi, Nat. Guys,” Steve acknowledges the group. “The trip was interesting, that’s for sure. And very eye opening. I mean if someone can tell me why there is a large ball of twine in Kansas or why there is a Museum in Wisconsin dedicated to mustard, I’d be happy to listen.”
“Did you go to the International Banana Museum in California?” Clint questions. “I hear it’s appealing. Get it? Bananas have peels?” Clint proceeds to laugh at his own joke.
Nat smacks Clint upside the head, “We talked about the puns. If you have to explain them, they are not funny.”
“So Cap, are you here to stay?” Tony asks.
“If there’s still a room for me. I think I’ve seen my fill of America for now.”
“Your quarters have been ready for you since I extended the invitation. You can move in anytime,” Tony explains.
“Thanks, Tony. I really appreciate the invite.” Steve looks around the table at the rest of the Avengers. “So what’s been going on here?”
Nat chimes in first, “Sharon Carter has her soulmark.”
“Really?” Steve says in astonishment.
“Don’t tell me you are one of those in wonder of the soulmark, Rogers.” Tony shakes his head.
Steve’s eyebrows turn in, “Of course. Aren’t you?”
“Nope.” Tony turns to Natasha, “Does Sharon know who her soulmate is?”
Nat looks at Tony like he has grown another head. “Of course she does. Who would see their mark on someone and walk away from it?”
“Hey don’t give me that look. I can just imagine if someone saw their mark on me. Let’s see an alcoholic, a workaholic, and probably five different -holics in here. Who would want to link their life to this? Plus you didn’t hear what Point Break just said - if I had a soulmate, this other person is coming in with part of my soul mixed with theirs. Two fucked up people coming together, that’s all sorts of wrong.”
“But Tony,” Steve replies, “Did you ever think that you have so many vices because you are missing part of yourself?”
“Steven is correct, Tony. Your mate would complete you, be your port in a storm so to speak.” Thor explains.
Tony shakes his head, “There isn’t a port big enough for this storm.”
Bruce decides this has gone on long enough, “Statistically speaking, it's probably a moot point anyway. Your chances are a billion to one against.”
Tony starts to laugh, “And God knows that I’ve seen my fair share of naked bodies to eliminate most of Manhattan and part of L.A., so I’m pretty sure I’m safe.”
“Tony, get your ass over here and start making omelettes. Everything else is almost ready,” Nat says.
“On it. Everybody getting their regular? What about you Cap?”
“You don’t have to make me one,” Steve says.
“Nonsense, this is a Friday morning tradition here at Chéz Stark. Omelettes made to order. What’ll you have?”
“A western omelette would be great. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Free pass this week, but bring your A game next week and dazzle us with your favorite breakfast dish. Now with you and Thor, we will need to increase our breakfast fare substantially.”
For the next few hours, the team eats and listens to stories of Steve’s trip around the U.S. As they are cleaning up the rest of the dishes, Steve turns to Tony.
“Hey Tony, do you think you could take a look at my bike sometime? Somewhere around Iowa it started to have issues starting up and would rev up and hang at high idle.”
“Sounds like the carburetor.”
Steve’s face crinkled up, “That’s what I thought, but I respect my bike too much to let me work on it.”
“Not a problem, Cap. I can take a look at it tomorrow for you. I can have it ready for you in time for No Date Saturday.”
Steve takes a deep breath and gets that questioning look again, “What is No Date Saturday?”
Tony laughs and puts his arm around Steve as they start walking out of the kitchen “Let me fill you in on your new schedule.”