It's a tough situation all around, trying to decide what to say. Thor hadn't thought that the traditional 'happy birthday' would have been very tactful either, given the circumstances. But he means well enough, and though there's the slightest of pauses before Steve responds, Thor doesn't have enough time to worry that he's accidentally made an even worse misstep.
That deliberate eye contact helps a lot, too, and after a moment's hesitation Thor returns the gesture, grasping Steve's arm in something like the warrior's handshake he knows. There are vanishingly few people he can trade those with these days, and even fewer that he can call friend. His smile becomes just a little easier, a little more genuine.
Having lost his own home now, Thor understands that sort of homesickness, seeing glimpses of the familiar in something new. It's a blessing and a curse all at once, though Steve's said little about the latter. And it is good news, working toward something helpful for himself and those around him. Tragedy bringing them together, rather than splintering them apart.
There's a metaphor there, probably, but Thor is not the wordsmith that Loki was, and he feels like trying his hand at putting it to words might not go as well as he intends. So he just smiles instead, making an effort to relax and focus on his friend. "That does sound nice," he agrees, vaguely familiar enough with what a potluck is to make sense of that. "Your neighbors must feel very lucky to know you are there to help them. I certainly feel fortunate to have your friendship, myself." Awkwardly put, maybe, but still sincerely said.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ninetydegrees
no subject
on 2019-08-13 02:27 am (UTC)That deliberate eye contact helps a lot, too, and after a moment's hesitation Thor returns the gesture, grasping Steve's arm in something like the warrior's handshake he knows. There are vanishingly few people he can trade those with these days, and even fewer that he can call friend. His smile becomes just a little easier, a little more genuine.
Having lost his own home now, Thor understands that sort of homesickness, seeing glimpses of the familiar in something new. It's a blessing and a curse all at once, though Steve's said little about the latter. And it is good news, working toward something helpful for himself and those around him. Tragedy bringing them together, rather than splintering them apart.
There's a metaphor there, probably, but Thor is not the wordsmith that Loki was, and he feels like trying his hand at putting it to words might not go as well as he intends. So he just smiles instead, making an effort to relax and focus on his friend. "That does sound nice," he agrees, vaguely familiar enough with what a potluck is to make sense of that. "Your neighbors must feel very lucky to know you are there to help them. I certainly feel fortunate to have your friendship, myself." Awkwardly put, maybe, but still sincerely said.