This is a sequel to my other story "The First Snowfall of a Frostless Mind". If you haven't read that one, I'd recommend going back and doing so prior to starting the next chapter.

If you have read that one,you're probably excited that I've continued this story. I wanted to leave this story open as sort of a series of interlinking drabbles. Where I could go back and add to it at any time. It started as one or two ideas and quickly got out of hand. Which is a good thing if you're a writer.

If you liked the way the previous story ended, that's fine, you can choose to stop right there. Like I said,this is really just a series of interlinking drabbles. This 'next chapter' as I dubbed it, will likely have no ending. If I ever do publish another ending to this story, I will do so as a separate story (Final Chapter). But I really liked Luke and Steve's friendship as well as his relationship with Thor and thought it was time to revisit our trio in New York. I hope you enjoy. Reviews are always appreciated.

Oh and I own nothing. Marvel owns the Avengers and all the awesome characters. Warning as there may be mention of suicide (but if you read the first story,you already know that). So without further adieu, I bring you to your regularly scheduled fanfiction already in progress:

Cont 1

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Luke didn't say another word as they returned to the apartment. His eyes looked as dark as the thoughts that had momentarily controlled his actions on the rooftop before. He didn't even speak a word as they opened the door, just walked straight past the living area they all shared and back the hall. The sound of the shower being turned on following shortly after.

Thor just shrugged as he made his own way to the kitchen to raid the fridge.

"Is he ok" Steve asked shutting the door behind him and pausing in the living room. "Maybe you should.."

"He'll be fine," Thor replied around a mouthful of apple as he straightened up and joined Rogers in the living room. Flopping unceremoniously on the couch he added. "I know my brother, he is strong and smart. It will take far more to break him than this."

"I hope you're right," Steve sighed and he took his customary spot on the chair opposite and turning on the tv to some pirate movie apparently starring an actor by the name of Johnny Depp, as they announced so excitedly at every commercial break.

An hour later Luke finally emerged in a fresh change of clothes, though his dark curls still damp from the shower.

"Hey," Steve began warmly "Darcy called while you were in the shower to check on you. I told her you were in good hands. But..uh," He was suddenly unsure how to break the news at such a bad timing. "She says she's closing the diner immediately and heading back to school early. Can't really blame her."

Luke didn't respond or even look up. He just wordlessly dropped down onto the couch and immediately Thor looped his arm over his shoulder and pulled him against his side. Quietly the trio watched the movie, not another word passing between them. Steve stole worried glances at Luke from time to time, but the lean man's face remained still and emotionless.

Hours later, when the movie had ended and the hour had grown late, Luke silently rose and headed to bed, Thor rising behind and following him. Steve noticed, but didn't comment that they both entered the same room that night.

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The next morning when Rogers finally rose, Luke was already up, dressed in usual smart attire and seated at the bar. A cup of coffee grasped in one hand and the classifieds in the other, his features stoic and as emotionless as the night before.

"Oh hey," Steve greeted cheerily "Didn't expect you to be up so early. What's with the classifieds? Thor's snoring has you wanting to move out already?"

"Sorry to get your hopes up, Steve, but I slept better than I have in ages last night," Luke made sure to add a sly grin just to see if Steve's gaze would falter at the implied actions between him and Thor.

It did as Steve nearly choked on his coffee before quickly turning his back to try to mask his actions by the sudden need to add more sugar to his coffee. In truth, nothing had happened last night between the two, they had simply gone to sleep, Luke snuggled against the larger man's side. However, no dreams plagued him last night and this event did leave him quite puzzled and determined to find the factor that would eliminate them completely in the future."I however, do not intend to live here on charity. And finding my former source of employment no longer available, must go out to seek my fortune elsewhere."

"Well, no rush," Steve urged, turning once more to face the lean man and being greeted with a soft grin. "Why don't you give it a few days to recover.."

"Don't be ridiculous," Luke cut him off as he got to his feet and took one last swig of his coffee before heading to the door. "Though do keep Thor busy, perhaps a round in your arena will distract him."

"Thanks," He returned easily "But I think we'll find other distractions today with our own job."

Luke merely nodded in reply as he closed the door behind him. Steve sat for awhile afterwards pondering over Luke's new emotionless facade and hoping he could recover from these latest events.

Thor awoke a little while later and was more than a little distraught that Luke had taken off without waking him. But Steve, true to his word, ushered him out the door and kept him busy doing 'work' related things all day. Training at the gym, surveillance over the city and checking in with Fury for any updates. Thus far all was quiet in the field, or at least quiet enough that the other SHIELD members could handle whatever they were working on without 'extra' assistance.

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It was late when they returned back to the apartment and they were both more than surprised by the emptiness that greeted them as they had both fully been expecting Luke to have returned already and waiting on them.

"Maybe he got lost," Steve surmised, as Luke didn't travel around the city often and he assumed he didn't know it's layout in its entirety. At least, that's what he said. Deep down, he was trying to quell the dread and worry nagging him. After all, Luke had attempted to take his own life just the day prior. And this new emotionless mask he put on had Rogers more than a little concerned. "Perhaps we should go look for him?"

"Nonsense," Thor retorted, immediately shrugging off any worry he held himself. "My brother always had an excellent sense of direction. Able to find his way out of a Bilgesnipe hole blindfolded. I'm sure he retained such a honed skill even in his current form."

"I hope you're right," Steve sighed not entirely convinced himself.

Thor just grinned smugly as he filled his mouth with whatever leftovers he could grab from the fridge.

Steve just sat in his normal seat in the living room and tried to distract himself with the daily paper.

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He was just getting to the final page when the door finally slowly opened and a obviously exhausted Luke slugged in.

"Any luck," Steve asked, trying to sound off-handed and not like he'd been worrying himself crazy for the past hour and a half.

"I'm sorry," Luke asked as he made his way over to the couch, unsure of the subject in question. Flopping down he looked around expectantly. "Where's Thor?"

"He stuffed his face and went to bed about half an hour ago," Rogers supplied.

"mmmm," Luke nodded wearily.

"So," Steve pressed "Any luck with the job search?"

"Wha," He glanced back up to meet Steve's gaze and shook his head as if suddenly remembering. "No, no. Apparently I am unemployable."

Steve just snorted at his reply. He had figured as much, but hadn't wanted to dishearten the lean man. As far as he knew, Luke didn't have any sort of ID, Social Security number nor even a birth certificate. So finding any sort of legitimate employment in this city was going to be more than difficult.

"I do however," Luke continued, groaning a bit as he dug into his back pocket. "Have the next two month's rent."

He tossed a nilla envelope which Steve caught easily enough. Rogers was completely thrown off and opened it to reveal a rather sizable wad of money.

"Now I'm just assuming that my math is correct," Luke continued "With the average rent in this part of town, give or take a few dollars, but if I'm at all amiss, you just let me know."

"Luke, there's over $2000 in here," Steve spat back stunned.

"Give or take a few dollars," Luke agreed. "I did stop for a bite on the way home. Lovely little café. Served something called Schwarma. Not bad."

"But how," Steve still stammered his mind racing at a million implications as to how Luke could have come about such a large sum of money in such a short period of time, most of them illegal. "I thought you said you were unemployable?"

"Oh, I am," Luke filled in smoothly. "I do however have a higher than average talent for playing the guitar and the establishment known as The Masquerade was having something called an open mike night. Winner get's 50% of the house proceeds. Needless to say my competition was less than adequate. The manager was even kind enough as to offer me a permanent spot once a month. Says he'll even provide a back up band. Not that one is required mind you. I can manage quite well on my own. But he did insist, so how could I say no. Close your mouth Rogers, it's very unbecoming."

Steve hadn't realized he'd been gaping until a few seconds after Luke's words set in.

"You joined a band?" He questioned further, still in total disbelief. He knew Luke could sing, but this was the making of some bizarre movie like that channel MTV would show.

"More precisely," Luke corrected with a wide yawn "The band joined me. I go to meet them and do a preshow practice Tuesday."

Luke yawned again and stretched his long limbs as far as the cramped space between the couch and ottoman would allow.

"Well, I trust I will see you in the morning," Luke supplied, getting to his feet. "Good night Steve Rogers,"

"Goodnight ….uh Luke," Steve responded, still stunned by the sudden turn of events.

Luke just chuckled as he opened his bedroom door, wide grin painting his lips as the sight of the large blond currently occupying his bed. He had hoped Thor would repeat last night's transgression of sharing his bed. An unspoken invitation. He was not disappointed. Silently he slipped through the door and closed it behind him.

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Hope you enjoyed. Sorry if this chapter seemed a bit rushed. I actually wrote other chapters first and had to come back to tie this one in. Also, It took awhile to figure out what Luke might do for a job. I think this works well, plus, I like Luke's musical side. It sure makes listening to the radio alot more imaginative. As always reviews appreciated.