Chapter 7
7
“I am in your debt, Captain,” Thor responded. Taking a seat at the counter, he watched Steve expertly flip and fill plates. “It would have taken me at least this long and I would most likely only have managed the tarts of pop. There is always coffee, but I would have had to choose a tea from Banner’s supply... and I have no idea which my Lady would prefer.”
“Not to worry, Thor. I’m making enough for everyone anyway. You’ll just be delivering breakfast for me. Saving me a trip, even,” Steve laughed.
“We’re friends, right? You can call me Steve when we’re not working, you know. No need to be formal.” He smiled at the Thunderer. “Here you go, two orders of pancakes, OJ and one coffee and one tea. I chose Earl Grey; it’s sweet and a little fruity. I think Lady Luka will like it.” He placed everything on a tray. “If you need anything else, just let Friday know. Okay?”
Handshake and one armed hug later and Thor was off. “Thank you once more, friend Steve!” he called back over a shoulder. He headed straight for the elevator and up to his floor.
Stopping just outside the main door to his suite, he took a deep breath, preparing for the coming dressing down. He wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but he was fairly certain it would not be pleasant. Luka had a very sharp tongue when annoyed and no qualms in using it.
A very sleepy, slightly rumpled looking Pepper met him at the door. Her grouchy expression lightened considerably and she smiled when she saw the tray he’d brought.
“Oh! Coffee! You are my hero, Thor!” She took the mug, careful not to unbalance him. “Thank you so much!”
The Thunderer grinned back, stepping inside. “Where should I place breakfast, my Ladies?” His cheerful expression died the moment Luka appeared in the bedroom doorway.
“I would rather you explain where you have been this past night, my Prince. You were not, as you told me, guarding the city.” As she stood before him, Luka’s appearance morphed from messy hair and a sleeping robe into a perfectly done coiffure with braids and jewels. Her robe became an intricately laced, morning gown of new leaf green, her armour and bracers over all. No longer barefoot, as was her preference, she wore a pair of short, alfir style boots in a matching green leather.
“Wow! I wish getting dressed was that easy for me!” Pepper interjected. “I think I will go freshen up myself and then I need to go to SI. I have a meeting today.” She smiled at Luka and turned to Thor. “Thanks for the coffee, Thor. See you both soon!” With that comment she ran out the door.
Pepper had been listening to Luka complain most of the night. All she talked about was how simple-minded Thor was, in the sense that his needs and desires were simple, easily satisfied. He had always been the one others looked to, whether he knew what to do or not. Unconsciously selfish, somewhat immature, he was slowly growing out of the mindset that everyone wanted the same things as he. There was no way Pepper was going to get in the middle of the pending fight; whether it came to blows or just bitter recrimination, she wanted no part of it.
*
Thor barely acknowledged the mortal’s leaving. Not that he blamed her. The storm brewing in Luka’s green eyes made him wince to look at her. She was beyond angry.
“Just tell me the truth, Thor. You know you cannot lie to me, you never could. Where did you go, brother?” A look of surprise, wide-eyed, came over her face, replacing her annoyance. Luka suddenly sat at the table, automatically sipping her tea. Thor knew it was her way of calming herself, or distracting someone while she thought.
“Why did I call you that?” she asked, plaintively. “We are not kin; I do remember that.” Anger apparently replaced by anguish, Luka lifted teary eyes to Thor.
He sat beside her, reaching for her hands. She was twisting them, tangling her fingers and picking at her palms, just as she always had when upset. But she pulled away, dropping her hands into her lap.
“We were raised together, minn svass. Do you remember anything of when we were small? We even shared a suite as infants. Constant companions, we did everything together.” Thor smiled, a bit sad. “You always called me brother. Especially when I’d done something particularly stupid or dangerous.”
Frowning as she tried to remember, Luka stared out the window. “No. Oaf, I called you oaf, when you were acting like an idiot.” She turned that piercing green gaze on him. “Didn’t I?” It wasn’t really a question.
The big blond sighed, scrubbing his face. “Yes, among other things. Idiot, fool, imbecile,and yes, oaf. It was one of your favourites.” He grinned, shame-faced. “I usually deserved it.”
“I’m sure you did. But, you’ve yet to answer my question, Thunderer. Where were you?” Luka’s head came up, tight-lipped, and her eyes flashed. Thor was taking too long to answer, a sure sign he was trying to think up a lie, or at least a way to mitigate her anger.
“Perhaps, I should just turn you into a frog. You enjoyed it so much the first time!” she snarled at him. Her hands lifted from her lap, glowing green.
“No! No, Luka! Wait!” Thor leaned back in his seat, but he made no attempt to rise. He knew he could not escape her if she was determined to punish him. “I’ll tell you. I was only trying to collect my thoughts.” He dropped his eyes from hers and huffed. “I went home, to confer with Eir and report on your health to Father.”
“Confer? Ask for something to keep me quiet, you mean. I am not getting better, Thor. I keep getting flashes, bits of memory detached from what should have been my life. Not much of it is pleasant, either. Just what happened to me? Who was I?”
“I wish I could tell you, elskan minn. But, Eir and Father believe the shock, the trauma, would be too great. It might break your mind, leave you as a small child. That would crush me, as well. I have lived my whole life with you by my side. You have been my friend, a strong arm, a shoulder to listen, a wise counsellor, and always protected my back. I cannot imagine my life without you in it, Luka. I love you, I always have.” Thor reached for her hands again. This time she let him take them.
“You do; I can see that in your face. But, not as a man cares for a woman. Your love is only familial. As if I were truly a sister.” Luka frowned, and shook her head. “That feels wrong and I cannot understand why.”
“I know you are confused, my Lady. I wish I could do more to ease your mind. ‘Tis best if you try to let such feelings go. Try to think of other things that interest you. Did you enjoy the movie? Was Lady Pepper an engaging companion?” Thor released her hands, finally. “What did the two of you talk about?”
Before she answered, he stood and drew the breakfast tray to himself. “Let me reheat these, the pan-cooked cakes are best warm. And your tea has gone cold, as well.”