Thor's latest enthusiasm sparks a lot of amusement and plenty of double-entendres amongst the team, but his hot-headed impatience risks alienating the man he's trying to befriend.

A novel solution presents itself, and provides some of the team with a new outlet for their energies; but how will it all end up? Part one of two, or possibly three

Marvel Characters are based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and are copyright to Marvel and Disney. Their use here is for purely non-commercial entertainment purposes.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Slight profanity and plenty of bad jokes.

Reviews and comments welcome

"Jesus, Piet…!" Jesse yelped as he woke with a start "You keep them hands in the freezer overnight?"

"Maybe" chuckled his lover, kissing him on the tip of his nose "You told me to wake you early; you did not specify how."

"Yeah, well I was kinda thinking maybe a cup of coffee or a snuggle" grumbled Jesse "not ten icicles round my junk!"

Pietro grinned, with a wicked glint in his eye

"Well, my hands are nice and warm now" he said, slipping them back under the covers "Perhaps we could still 'snuggle' before you have to get up"

Jesse laughed and looked at the clock

"Okay, ten…" he saw the expression on Pietro's face and smiled "Fine… twenty minutes; then I have to get up and get started."

He put his arms around the speedster and pulled him in for a proper good morning kiss…

###

…Mornings sure were the best time to work on the bike, thought Jesse, as he lay on his back tinkering with the engine. The air was clear and fresh, his mind sharp and, best of all, no interrup…

"Good Morning, Friend Jesse!" boomed a familiar voice out of nowhere, Jesse jumped, smacking his forehead off the exhaust pipe

"Shi… I mean, mornin' Thor!"

Jesse pushed himself out from under the bike to see the grinning Asgardian perched on the wall, in running gear. Clint had got him turned on to free-running and Thor had taken to it with the enthusiasm he invested in any novel Midgardian activity.

"Could you tell me how this vehicle of yours operates?" Thor asked, scratching his beard "I have seen the Captain and the Falcon riding similar ones but they never have the time to explain."

Thor was not much good at small talk, and there had been little chance to speak to the young Agent since he had re-joined the other Avengers at their Compound. He had heard that he was a good warrior, and courageously defended Clint and Laura's children from an assault on their home. This seemed like a man he wished to be friends with and enquiring about the machine he rode an appropriate way to begin conversation.

Jesse wiped his hands on a rag and took a swig of his, now tepid, coffee as Thor waited with an expectant look on his face. He'd rather be getting on with tuning the engine and taking her out for a spin, but the Big Guy was trying to be friendly and giving him the brush-off would just be plain rude.

Okay, where to begin…?

The technical details meant little to Thor, but he liked what Jesse said about how such a vehicle handled and the way it related to its rider; making it sound more akin to riding a horse. Jane had been strongly suggesting for some time that, if he were planning to spend more time in Midgard, he should learn to drive. Thor didn't like cars, too enclosed and restrictive, but this seemed like the kind of machine worthy of his interest.

"May I try?" he asked with an air of hopeful expectancy. It could surely not be too difficult?

Jesse gritted his teeth. He wouldn't let another experienced rider take his baby out for a spin, but there had to be a way to let Thor down gently. The guy seemed really keen.

"Welll!" he said, carefully "It kinda takes a while to learn, but I can give you a pillion ride if you fancy a taste of what it feels like"

Thor looked at him questioningly, Jesse explained this would involve him riding behind him as a passenger. He beamed, and nodded with excitement

"Now?"

Jesse sighed quietly. Maybe it was his upbringing, but Thor could be pretty demanding when it came to things he wanted. At the moment, all Jesse wanted was a fresh coffee and to hit the road for a couple of hours.

"You might wanna change into something more durable" he said, indicating the sweatpants and singlet Thor was currently wearing. "and I'll dig out a spare helmet. Meet me back here in thirty minutes."

"Thank you, my friend!" Thor jumped down of the wall and pumped Jesse's hand gratefully "I will enjoy this 'Pillion Ride'"

Jesse was finishing his coffee and zipping up his biker jacket as Thor came jogging back. He raised his eyebrows and nodded, smiling; Asgardian battle armour probably would provide pretty good protection against Road Rash.

"Will this suffice to protect my head?" Thor enquired, holding out a shining helm with an elaborate design of wings chased into the sides.

"Guess it's done a pretty good job so far, Big T" laughed Jesse, realising this was going to be fun "Hop on and let's give it a go."

After a couple of practise runs on the perimeter track, it was clear Thor was a natural when it came to leaning into the movement of the bike and Jesse felt confident in taking him out on the road.

Sam was a quarter of the way into his morning run as he heard the familiar roar of Jesse's bike behind him and pulled in closer to the side, grinning. That kid sure did enjoy his Sunday morning spin! As the noise got closer he became aware of another sound interlacing with it

"Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Sam doubled up laughing as he watched the pair of them go racing past. One thing about this place, you could guarantee an armoured thunder-god gleefully hollering on the back of a motorbike wasn't the strangest thing you were likely to see in a day!

###

"You better watch Roadrunner doesn't get jealous..." chortled Tony, reaching for another bagel

"Why would he become jealous?" asked Thor, forking half a pig's-worth of bacon into his mouth; muffling his next words "Does Jesse not let Pietro ride behind him?"

"Never asked for that much detail…" grinned Tony, ignoring Natasha's reproachful glance "You do know they're 'friends' don't you?"

"Yes, they are very good friends" Thor replied, nodding "I am glad of it; Pietro needs a companion of his own age"

"No, I mean 'special friends'" Tony physically added the quotation marks with his fingers. The joke was becoming harder work by the second and he was sure he could hear Pigeon giggling behind the cover of his paper

"Yes, they are bed-mates. That concept is not unknown to me" Thor piled more pancakes and bacon onto his place, looking questioningly at Tony "So why should Pietro be jealous? Jesse and I are not having sex, nor do we wish to"

Tony stared at the Asgardian as he poured half a bottle of maple syrup over the mound of food in front of him

"Goldilocks" he asked eventually "are you really this dense, or are you actually making fun of me?"

"Yes" Thor replied, with a broad grin, returning his attention to the motorcycle magazine Jesse had loaned him. As the others went about their routine breakfast chatter, no one noticed the sudden gleam in his eyes as he turned a page.

###

"Guys! Come to the parking lot!" A gleeful faced Scott stuck his head through the doors of the common room "You gotta see this!"

'This' turned out to be a gleaming, brand new, scarlet and chrome Harley Davidson motorcycle being unloaded in the presence of a beaming Thor

"My friends!" he called joyfully to the assembled team "Is this not superb?"

"It's incredible, Thor!" Darcy called back, then hissed to Jesse from behind her grin "Jane. Is Going. To Kill You!"

Clint patted Jesse on the shoulder, chuckling

"Remember the rules, kid! Introduce Thor to a new concept and you have to deal with the consequences!"

"Jesse!" boomed Thor, beckoning to his friend "Do you think you could help me ride this magnificent beast?"

Oh Hell!

"I'm sure..." Tony bit his lip to stop himself laughing, this was perfect; like some good genie was giving him a decade's worth of early birthdays and Christmases. His eyes twinkled mischievously "I'm sure it's not the fastest thing Jesse's had beneath him recently!"

Steve tried to throw Tony a disapproving look even he couldn't resist the humour of the situation and the corners of his mouth started to twitch. Darcy giggled helplessly as she reached for her phone to capture this moment for eternity

"Okay Thor" Jesse sighed inwardly but kept a broad smile on his face as he headed down the steps "Let's take a look at her"

"Will it take long?" the Asgardian asked eagerly, looking down at the luridly worded brochure in his hand "I want to 'open up and feel the raw power'"

Jesse could feel his face burning red and, amidst the general hilarity behind him, hear the unmistakable snorting of Clint's laughter

"Oh... God... Nat..." the archer gasped between howls "I think... I hurt... something..."

Pietro slipped his arms round Jesse's waist from behind and rested his chin on his boyfriends shoulder

"Can I feel the raw power too?" he asked, grinning. Thor smile widened, unsure of exactly why everyone seemed to find this all so funny, but glad that they shared his delight in this new steed.

"Of course, Pietro!" he laughed, turning to Jesse "When you have shown me how, the three of us must ride together."

If there was any justice in the world, Jesse thought to himself, a rogue asteroid would hit him; Right. About. Now...

###

"When can we go out on the road?" Thor sounded grumpy and petulant; he waved a beefy hand in the direction of the Vehicular Training practise ground "I grow tired of this children's game!"

That was it! Jesse yanked his helmet off and tucked it under his arm. It was only the second day of training and Thor had been, well, a whiny brat all morning. His patience was finally at an end

"Look, Thor! This ain't a goddam toy, y'understand?" he yelled, gesturing at the Harley-Davidson "You come off that at speed, even you're gonna take a bad crack; as for anyone else in the way…"

Thor's draw dropped at the young Agent's outburst. Jesse had a reputation as a good-natured young man and he could not recall anyone see him lose his temper before.

"Steve told me to train you and I sure as hell ain't letting you anywhere near the road until I think it's safe for you and everyone else!" He jabbed Thor in the chest with his finger, face flushed with anger and frustration, the Asgardian was bigger in build but he and Jesse were of a height; together they made an intimidating pair "So if you're not happy with that then I guess we're done here."

Jesse turned away with an exasperated exclamation, running his hand through his hair and breathing heavily. Thor stared at him, speechless with astonishment, as he took another deep breath; bringing his temper back under control

"Thor… I didn't mean to blow up at you like that" Jesse said eventually, still facing away. Thor had the sudden intuition that the young man was crying, and with a pang of guilt he remembered being told that Jesse's girlfriend had been killed by a careless driver. "It's just… It's just road safety's kind of a big thing for me, y'know? I… I don't like the idea you ain't taking this seriously."

"Jesse! Please, forgive me…" Thor was genuinely repentant. "I asked you to be my teacher and I have not respected that… please, I will take this very seriously. I will wait until you tell me I am ready…"

He placed a friendly hand on Jesse's shoulder and the agent heaved a deep sigh, patting Thor's hand.

"We're cool, Big T" he assured him, looking round slightly. Thor could see the hint of redness round his friend's eyes "Let's pick this up tomorrow, okay? I got some stuff to do this afternoon."

Jesse didn't, they both knew that; but Thor also knew that his impatience and ill-manners had upset his new friend deeply. Thor nodded understandingly

"I will pay better heed tomorrow, Jesse. I promise. I am sorry I upset you…"

###

"So!" asked Scott, opening a jar of mayonnaise and dolloping a spoonful onto his sandwich "How'd ya piss off Jesse?"

Thor looked up from the large plate of fries he was idly picking at.

"Why do you think I have?" he asked cautiously. Jesse had said nothing, he knew that, and he had kept very quiet about so carelessly upsetting his friend. Scott grinned

"Sherlock Lang applied a bit of deductive reasoning!" he added some more bacon and lettuce and pressed the top slice of bread down firmly "Jesse's been in the gym not speaking to anyone all afternoon, he only does that when he's upset. He was fine at breakfast and with you all morning; therefore, the likelihood is you said or did something that pissed him off big time."

He bit triumphantly into his snack and munched away. Thor sighed and his shoulders slumped.

"I was stupid and impatient at the practise ground this morning" he admitted "Jesse thought I was not taking it seriously and it angered him. He thinks I am reckless, perhaps I am."

"Two things you gotta remember about Jesse" said Scott, taking another bite "Don't mess with his breakfast smoothie, and don't even think about fucking around where road safety's concerned!"

Perhaps we ought to add those to The List he thought; the fridge door held an ever-growing list of, mainly light-hearted house rules. Joint No.1 were

'Except in case of imminent world-ending event DO NOT attempt to speak to Clint before his morning coffee'

And

'DO NOT, under ANY circumstances WHATSOEVER, touch the cranberry frozen yoghurt (there's a reason Nat only buys it four days a month! SR)'

"Do you think anyone else has noticed?" Thor asked, nervously. If Scott had worked it out, then probably…

There was a familiar blue-silver flash and the doors rattled; Thor looked down at the empty space on the counter where his food had been then up to see Pietro staring at him through the window, holding the still full plate. The young man ostentatiously crammed a large handful of fries into his mouth and casually flipped his middle finger up at Thor.

"Maybe…" shrugged Scott, and took another bite of his sandwich. Thor dropped his head to the counter with a deep groan. He'd just wanted to make friends with Jesse and instead had spent a great deal of Midgardian money on a vehicle he wasn't sure he could learn how to use and managed to upset both the man he wanted to befriend and his boyfriend; he'd also been really looking forward to those fries!

Perhaps he was an idiot after all

###

Jesse lay back on the weight bench to catch his breath, muscles burning from the intensity of the last workout. That should do it for the day, he should cool down, grab a shower; then maybe apologise to Piet for being such a mopey dick and the two of them could go out and grab a burger.

"Jesse! May I speak with you?" Thor's voice echoed in the empty gym

Shit

Jesse sat up on the bench

"Hey Thor, maybe not now, okay?" he said wearily "I just wanna shower and…"

"I was churlish and spoke ill to you this morning" Thor interrupted "and I think perhaps you are right, I am not prepared for the responsibility of such a machine."

Jesse sighed; short of saying 'Shut up and go away', which would just be plain rude, it was clear that the Asgardian wouldn't budge until he'd said his piece.

"Maybe you shoulda thought of that before spending $30,000 on one!" Jesse shook his head "Darcy's right; Jane is gonna kill me, then you. Do you think she'll kick us both through a Portal into nowhere or just beat us to death with a mass spectrometer?"

"Portal" said Thor glumly "The other thing sounds unwieldy and expensive."

Jesse looked up, then grinned slightly when he saw the glint in Thor's eye

"Was that a joke?" He laughed and made room on the bench for the Demigod to sit down, if he couldn't shake the guy then they might as well try to fix things "C'mon, let's figure some way that'll save both our asses…"

###

A bike club?" said Steve, sounding surprised but not dismissive

"Mmmm, I like that idea" Natasha bit into a strawberry and winked at her husband "Always wondered what it would be like to be a biker chick"

"Oookayyy!" exclaimed Tony "Before we find out more than any of us want to know about Cap and Widow's private fantasies, I'd just like to say I second the motion"

"We have got four bikers on the team" mused Bucky quietly over his coffee "Five if you count Thor..."

"...and Clint's got that big purple mid-life crisis Laura keeps telling him to use or lose" Tony added.

Darcy looked up from chuckling over an article in Scientific American

"We are still talking about bikes, aren't we?"

"Hey!" protested an aggrieved Clint, glaring at the young intern

"Plus, it means we can buddy Thor on the road while he gets to grips with live riding, and try to keep him out of trouble" interjected Jesse, sensing the conversation derailing into the usual morning bicker party "and I reckon it'll be fun."

"I think you should too" said Wanda, getting some more apple juice from the fridge "You could call yourselves 'Avenging Angels'"

A broad grin spread across Clint's face, the idea had seemed a bit lame at first, but now!

"C'mon guys! With a name like that we got no choice"

"Great" said Wanda with a wicked little smile "Now Piet can be a biker chick too!"

"Thank you, Glynda, for giving me that mental image while I'm sober" sighed Tony as Wanda ducked the bagel her brother aimed at her.

"Hell, Wanda" laughed Jesse, anticipating the expression on Tony's face "Who say's Piet's the chick?"

Well, Jesse thought as the usual morning anarchy reasserted itself, he'd kinda got them thinking about it and that was a start. Avenging Angels? Might just work…

In Part 2; the Avenging Angels hit the road and find out that keeping Thor out of trouble is never quite as simple as it seems.