Chapter 12
Thor took a deep calming breath as he clutched a small bouquet of flowers in one hand and used the other to smooth out a non-existent wrinkle from his typical Asgardian attire consisting of a looser fitting white robe flowing gently against his ankles with bands of gold etching around the waist, neck and long sleeves. Thor stared at the wooden door belonging to one of the castle's guest rooms for a moment before he finally hyped himself up enough to knock.
Bruce had just finished changing into a similar robe with green etchings flowing over a pair of hidden purple shorts when he heard the almost tentative sounding knock. Curious, Bruce made his way towards the door and cautiously opened it, pearing his head through the small crack. “Thor!?” He whispered in shock. “What-what are you doing here?” He wanted to hide behind the door as he felt nervous due to their close proximity and slightly exposed in the unfamiliar fashion garments hanging loosely on his shoulders.
The tip of Thor’s ears turned red. “I, uh,” he rubbed the back of his neck nervously with his free hand, “I brought you some Courtinians!” (pronounced: court-tin-I-anns) Thor nervously thrust the bouquet towards Bruce's face, stopping just shy of his nose.
Bruce blushed faintly, slowly realizing that the bouquet of light pink flowers resembling Daffodils probably had something to do with his choice last night to try courting.
“I-I picked them all myself, just this morning! I was hoping, well, as long as your decision still holds-” Somehow their eyes locked and Thor lost his nerve. What if Bruce had changed his mind? What if he just agreed because his family was there?
Bruce slowly nodded in encouragement. “Yeah?” He quietly prompted Thor to continue.
Thor let out a small sigh of relief. “I was hoping you would join me for a private breakfast followed by a nice walk around the grounds.”
“Oh!” Bruce flushed deeper. “Like-like a date?” This soon?
Thor nervously nodded his head. “Yes.” His voice was whispery as he watched Bruce gently inhale the flower's sweet fragrance. “Sorry, I-I didn’t mean to disturb your dressing.”
Bruce gazed at a blushing Thor who had turned his gaze to the side, pointedly trying not to look at him and instead memorize the pattern of wood grains in the door. He found himself being affectionately drawn to Thor’s shy side, but he was slightly curious by what he meant. Wasn’t he already dressed? He looked down bashfully at the unfamiliar clothing that looked like it belonged to another era and felt like he was back in the royal guest bed with the feather light touch of lush silk against his skin. “W-what? I-I don’t think I put this on backwards. I’m not really used to V-necks, but the pockets are in the front so… What-what am I missing?”
Thor chanced a shy glance at Bruce. “You’re-you're wearing it right. It’s just, um, don’t-don’t you wear glasses?”
Bruce’s eyes widened. “Oh!” He blushed at Thor’s concern and notice and fished them out of his pocket. “Yeah, I have them here. I-I technically don’t need them all the time though, I’m Farsighted, not Nearsighted.” At Thor’s confused look, his brain kicked into lecture mode and he unconsciously slipped the glasses on his face. “That means, I can see fine when things are far away, but I have trouble seeing things up close, so I only really need them while reading or when I’m at work.” He adjusted them slightly before shaking his head and taking them off. “They uh, they also act as a sort-of grounder for me so I, uh, well,” his voice dropped almost to a whisper, “you know.” He cleaned an invisible smudge off one of the lenses with the edge of his sleeve, refusing to look at Thor’s expression while he brought up his alter ego.
“Oh.” Thor’s response was short and equally quiet while he awkwardly clutched the carefully cut stems of the bouquet in his hand. He got the sense that Bruce didn’t like his green form. “Do-do you like flowers?” He asked, trying to change the subject.
“Hmm?” Bruce paused in his nervous actions. Right. He doesn't care about The-Other-Guy. He’s not like everyone else. He slipped his glasses back into his pocket and nodded, blushing slightly. “Yeah, these, um, Courtinians smell really nice.” Was he supposed to take them? If they were meant to start courting now and go on a date, that would make sense. Bruce slowly clasped his hands around the bouquets' stems, accidentally ending up brushing his fingers against Thor’s and feeling a slight spark of electricity shoot between them. “I, uh, I should put these in some water.” He blushed deeper as he gently took the flowers and stepped back into the room. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like them.” Was Thor’s reply through the slightly ajar door as Bruce looked for a good place to put the flowering gift. Bruce eventually settled on a vase by the window. It was sporting a few flowers already, but the vase was big enough to hold more. After he placed Thor’s bouquet in the vase he idly wondered if he should give Thor something in return, but he didn’t have anything to give thanks to his transformation followed by his unexpected transportation and besides, Thor was a prince, whatever he wanted he could probably have. It’s probably why his parents had to hold a competition for his hand, too many people would jump at the opportunity to live so luxuriously with all their needs and wants met. He shook his head, trying to etch-a-sketch his wandering thoughts away. Thor was waiting for him; he didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer than necessary. Bruce quickly turned back to Thor and met him once again at the crack in the door. He bit his bottom lip seeing how regal Thor looked with his hands clasped behind his back and his head slightly bowed as he waited patiently for him to come back. Bruce cleared his throat, earning a bright blue gaze. “Alright. I, uh, put them by the window so they should be fine.”
Thor smiled. “That’s a good spot for them. They like the sun.” He rubbed a hand at the back of his neck where a faint blush was creeping up. “So… Um, are you ready to go out with me?” He was more direct this time.
“Yeah,” he blushed and nodded, realizing this was technically Thor’s second time asking him to go out on their first date, “I’m-I’m ready. I could do with some breakfast.”
Thor smiled brighter, then gestured to the empty hallway. “Great! I’ll, uh, I’ll lead the way then.”
“Okay.” Bruce nodded once again then awkwardly followed Thor into the vast, empty hallway, while lightly closing the door behind him. He quickly fell into step with Thor, walking side-by-side down the hallway in a similar stance with their hands clasped behind their back while a silent guard stationed outside Bruce's room peeled away from the opposite side of the hall and followed a few paces behind them.
Thor quickly glanced behind himself. He didn’t like their privacy being infringed on. He was sure his father would be getting a full report of everything related to their date, including how he had kindly asked them to stand on the other side of the hallway and not follow so close behind them later that day.
Bruce followed his glance. Right. Why did he think he could be trusted alone with him? He wrung his hands together behind his back. He was a monster while Thor was a prince.
“Just so you know, the guard was not my idea.” Thor supplied, picking up on Bruce’s lowered mood by his downcast gaze.
Bruce sighed and shook his head slowly. “I know what I can be like. It must be nice having a family who cares so much about you.” He added trying to lighten the mood.
Thor sighed as he gazed at Bruce for a moment. “It can be, at times, but, well,” Thor rubbed his neck, “as far as I’ve seen and heard, I do not view you as they do or as you seem to view yourself.” He dropped his hand. “I mean, as far as I can tell, you are nice and polite. You would not have considered my opinion on courting you if you weren't. As far as your transformation abilities, I believe you, or Hulk as you call yourself, are an honorable fighter as well.”
“Honorable!?” Bruce was taken-aback. “I don’t think Hulk is anything like that.”
Thor gently shook his head. “I would have to disagree. Need I remind you, you chose to try to save me and all those others in the crowd as well, even when, just minutes before, we were in the heat of battle and I had just blown off your hand. S-Sorry about that by the way. It’s a relief that you have advanced healing as well.”
Bruce let out a long breath as he ran a hand through his hair, causing his slightly wavy locks to momentarily straighten before bouncing back to one side of his forehead, just above his brow. “You’re apologizing for that? He-we nearly crushed you.”
“We were fighting. It was a tournament. We were meant to try our best. It would’ve been a dishonor to go easy on me.” Was he just trying to convince himself or did he really believe it? After he woke up, he had rationalized as much yesterday too, but was that just because he wanted his parent’s version of the prophecy to be true and he wanted to finally start living his life without it hanging over his head like a proverbial noose or in his case an ax or sword to the heart? Thor gestured to a fork in the hallway. “This way.”
Bruce quickly followed Thor’s lead left while staying in step next to him. How could he be serious? There’s just no way, but wasn’t the proof last night’s dinner and this morning's date? Bruce shook his head gently. “Just pray that you never have to face him again.” Bruce's voice was solemn. “There are times when I can wrestle back some semblance of control, but others, I am just blinded by rage and the only thing that can stop him is if he tires himself out by destroying everything in his wake.”
“Hmm.” Thor was deep in thought while they walked, the silence stretching between them. “I-I hope I’m not overstepping, or too hopeful of the future, but, um, you-you are not alone now. Your burdens are also mine, and if he is one of them as you seem to feel, then hopefully I can help to lessen that load. Maybe-maybe we can work something out?”
Bruce sighed. That sounded nice. It may have started out as self preservation, but Thor was quickly sucking him in. That is if he wasn’t already sucked in the night before by even agreeing to try dating in the first place.
“Ah, we’re here.” Thor revealed, causing them both to stop in front of a pair of white terrace doors with clear windows running in a grid like pattern down the full length of the doors.
Bruce could make out a balcony area with a regal stone railing accompanying it followed by a picnic scene he had only previously seen in movies.
Thor grasped one of the golden handles and opened the door, letting in a gentle morning breeze with the faint smell of flowers dancing in the wind.
Bruce blushed as Thor held the door for him. He stepped out onto the balcony and gave Thor a quiet, “Thanks.”
Thor smiled slightly at his response. “Of course.” He closed the door behind them and gave the guard a pointed look as if daring them to join them.
Bruce caught this exchange out of the corner of his eye as he sat down on one of the plush cushions laid out on the surprisingly soft blanket outlining their picnic area. As Thor made his way to sit down on the other cushion beside him, Bruce noted that, along with a picnic basket, there were three silver serving trays in front of him, two of them elevated in the air before each cushion, holding a plate and silverware, while the third lay flat, holding a pitcher of a orange liquid with two empty champagne glasses next to it.
As Thor sat down, Bruce took a deep breath in, feeling himself relax as he appreciated the vast view of flowers just below them, dancing in the gentle breeze.
“Here,” Thor handed him a pink glass of freshly poured liquid, “it’s Midgardian Orange Juice.” Thor supplied at Bruce’s inquisitive expression. “As a precaution, I would advise you to stay away from most Asgardian drinks. I’ve been told they can be quiet… potent to most Midgardians.”
“Ah!” Bruce carefully took the glass from Thor’s outreached hand. “Thanks for the warning, heh, the last thing either of our worlds need is me or the-other-guy,” he tapped the side of his head with his pointer finger for emphasis, “with less inhibitions, but luckily our green blood can metabolize alcohol at an incredible rate so, either of us can’t get drunk.”
“Oh!?” Thor was pleasantly surprised by this even if he didn’t particularly like Bruce’s self-deprecating joke. It just meant he could share more of his world with Bruce. “I will have to introduce you to some of our drinking traditions then. As a half God, my body fights off alcohol incredibly well too, but it is still nice to partake in the festivities and taste all the different flavors.”
“Wait, did-did you just say half God!?” Bruce couldn’t believe his ears. Humanoid alien he could wrap his head around, but Gods and half Gods? He was a man of science who liked to keep his mind open to possibilities, declaring himself as Agnostic, but meeting both face to face? Actually dating one!?
“Yeah? From my father’s side, he’s the God of War. I’m the God of Thunder and my brother is the God of Mischief.”
Bruce just blinked at Thor, stunned for words.
“I’m sorry. I thought you knew. Don’t Midgardians still worship us to some degree?” Thor asked, puzzled.
“Well, uh, some probably still do, maybe? There are a lot of different belief systems out there, but at least from where I’m from, people mostly just regard the myths and legends from ‘The Ancient Study of Gods and Goddesses,’ as simply made up from people long ago trying to better understand the world around them.” Bruce carefully explained, unconsciously slipping on his glasses and diving into lecture mode.
“Oh.”
“S-sorry to burst your bubble.” Bruce apologized, readjusting his glasses.
Thor gently shook his head. “I asked and you gave me the truth. That is honorable and not to be apologized for.” Thor sighed. “It-it actually takes off some of the pressure. I feel like I have enough eyes and opinions on me here on Asgard, I don’t really need a whole other planet’s as well.”
“Hmm.” Bruce tapped the side of his glass idly with his pointer finger.
“Anyways!” Thor lifted up his glass. “To our first date!”
“Ah, right.” Bruce blushed at the reminder. “To our first date!” He echoed, quickly following Thor as they each took a sip.
Thor put down his glass with a smile and wiped off his mini orange mustache that had Bruce smiling despite himself. “Shall we dig in?” Thor opened up the picnic basket. “Just so you know, I had the chefs abide by an all Fay or Dust Diet, just in case, after they informed me of your eating habits last night. I hope that’s all right.” He placed a delicately wrapped parcel on Bruce’s plate. “If not, I can tell our friend back there,” he gestured with a tilt of his head towards the guard who was leaning casually against a glass door with their arms crossed over their shoulder, “to ask them to prepare something else.”
Bruce arched an inquisitive eyebrow at him over the rim of his glasses. “What’s a ‘Fay or Dust Diet?’”
Thor placed an identical looking parcel on his plate. “Oh! Uh, well, Fay don’t eat meat so, it describes how we usually prepare their meals during diplomatic meals, as for the other name, Fay often use a special Dust Elixir to sustain their diet.”
“Oh! That’s actually perfect! Quite a relief too! I was slightly worried I would accidentally offend you by not being able to eat whatever you had prepared and I would have to go into all the details as to why.” Bruce shuddered slightly at the thought, remembering doing just that with his father-cuz damn if he was going to refer to him as ‘Sir’ in his own subconscious-ending up with him berating him to no end for his choices and bringing it up at ever family gathering afterwards, going so far as to put meat in his meal and try to force him to eat it without his knowledge. Bruce shook his head, clearing his mind, and readjusted his glasses squarely on his face. “On Earth,” Bruce let out a small sigh, “man, that feels odd saying,” he mumbled before shaking his head slightly, “but anyways, most people would say I’m on a Vegetarian Diet.” He fidgeted with his glasses again. “I don’t know about any ‘Dust Elixirs,’ but I usually take supplements like Vitamin B12, Omega-3 and protein powder to stay healthy.”
Thor took out a small bowl of fruit and placed it on both of their plates while Brue explained this. He tilted his head to the side. “Hmm. Supplements… I’m glad you told me, I’ll try and see if you can work with our scientists to reproduce whatever you need, but until then, I-I hope this isn’t too presumptuous of me, but, uh,” Thor blushed as he began to follow Bruce’s lead in unwrapping their parcels of delectable pastries, still warm from the fire, “we-we might have to move up our second date to tomorrow so we can purchase some. Hmm, while we’re there, it might be a good idea to visit your friends and family, I’m sure there are many who are probably worried about you.”
Bruce blinked in surprise, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of going back to Earth like he had hoped. “Uh, I’m-I’m fine with that.” He readjusted his glasses. “I’m sure Tony would be glad to see that I’m okay and even more ecstatic to find out that our teleporter actually works. He’s probably the only one worried about me right now.” Bruce took a bite out of the pastry, pleasantly surprised to find it filled with a sweet, jam-like filling.
“Hmm.” Thor swallowed down a bite of his pastry. “What about your family?”
Bruce shifted uncomfortably. That was quite a question. His last bite suddenly felt heavy, and he placed the pastry back down. He sighed, staring out at the kaleidoscope of colors that he knew belonged to flowers, all blurring together through his frames. “My family isn’t really like yours. I-I only see my parents on holidays.” His imagination supplied an image of him introducing Thor to his parents. He shuddered. “There’s a reason I only told my mom I’m Gay.” He shook his head. “If I ever introduced you to Sir, he would freak!”
“Oh!” Thor was shocked. “I’m sorry to hear that. I-I can’t imagine not seeing my family for so long. Wait, who’s Sir?”
Sh*t. Bruce flinched. He F*cked up.
“Bruce!? Are you okay!?” Thor was concerned. He put down his food and shifted his setting position, so he was solely facing Bruce.
Bruce squeezed his eyes shut and ran both of his hands through his hair, grasping the curly ends tightly in his fists. He always appreciated his cold down fazes after a transformation, but he was especially thankful he couldn’t turn in this situation as he could already feel his anxiety rising. Bruce rapidly shook his head. “I’m sorry.” He felt weak. He ran his hands down his face, skewing his glasses in the process and sighed, forcing his eyes open. What was it that his mother always told him after a bad dream? ‘Talking always helps?’ Could that be applied to this situation? His mom never spoke of where her bruises came from. He shook his head. “He’s my father.” He spat the word like it was poison in his mouth, but it was a much better fit than dad ever could be. To Bruce, ‘father’ was more formal, it was stuffy and frigid, while ‘dad’ was more so reserved for those who ruffled their son’s hair instead of pulling it and those who rejoiced in their son’s achievements instead of using them as evidence against his wife while screaming; ‘How the H*ll did he get top scores in these classes while he’s years younger than his classmates! I’m smart, but I aint a genius and he sure as H*ll didn’t get it from you, you stupid B*tch! It’s basic genetics! Where the H*ll did his come from!? Who else have you been spreading them legs for wh*re!? If he’s so smart, why ain’t he here now!? Did he F*ck yah, then desert yah!? Huh!? Bet so! You’re lucky I put up with you, you stupid wh*re!’ “Please, don’t-don’t ask why. It’s-It’s too much for a first date.” He supplied, feeling pathetic.
“Oh!” Thor blinked in shock, confusion mixing with concern. He knew life on Midgard or Earth was different from life on Asgard, but what little he did know combined with Bruce's reactions, calling his father ‘Sir’ while he called his mother ‘mom’ felt off. No, it was more than that. What did ‘too much' even mean? What could it allude to? It felt wrong. He didn’t know what to say. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “So, uh, not him, but your friend and mom are okay?” He tried to lighten the mood and veer the conversation in a different way.
Bruce sighed and looked at Thor with defeated gratitude. “Yeah.” He picked up his fork and pushed a grape around his mini bowl. He felt guilty for bringing the mood down and he felt obligated to share something personal after Thor gave him that out, as long as it wasn’t that. “My-my mom actually took my coming out really well. I had just turned sixteen and was at the grocery store with her, picking out a cake mix. I was thinking of either chocolate or strawberry, but then I saw rainbow sprinkle. It’s cliche, I know,” a faint smile graced his face as he did a slight head tilt nod while holding the frames of his glasses, “but I had agonized over how to tell her for months before and seeing that box, I-I don’t know, something inside of me just-just suddenly felt ready. After I told her I just broke down crying, worried that she would abandon me right there in the store, but she didn’t, she hugged me and told me she loved me then she grabbed the rainbow sprinkle cake mix off the shelf and told me to pick out another one, because that one would be going home with us and get eaten that night.”
“Heh.” Thor smiled at the story. “Your mom seems nice. I’m glad she was accepting and could be there for you.”
Bruce finally felt calm enough to slip off his glasses. “Yeah, she is.”
The rest of their date went smoothly. After finishing up their meal, Thor led Bruce by his arm around the winding paths of the garden full of Frigga’s favorites, just below the balcony holding the remnants of their morning picnic being dutifully cleaned up by a small team of servants. The tour eventually continued into the castle where Loki decided to tag along, teasing them lightly and embarrassing Thor with more stories from their childhood together.