Chapter 14
I spent most of my life trying to keep a family that didn’t want to stay together, together, putting my life, my career and my mental health last until finally I just couldn’t do it anymore. I thought cutting them off would be the solution to my problems and it wasn’t. I tried to kill myself and I ended up in another universe where as it turns out that family stayed together. They weren’t the Brady Bunch but they were better than what I left behind and it turned out it was all because they didn’t have me. They were happier and had amazing lives because I wasn’t in their lives.
Isn’t that a kick in the ass?
The universe had just proven to me that life in general is better without me in it.
It’s kind of hard to find a reason to get out of bed when you were already having a hard time doing so and then to get hit with that realization…
I was not doing great.
The day after the dinner I woke up remembered what happened and fell back into bed.
Day two my back was killing me from being in bed so I switched to the floor.
Day three was when my housemates came knocking on my door. I refused to open but Clint and Steve brought me breakfast and lunch. Tony brought me dinner. I didn’t eat but they still came. I think at one point in the middle of the night Natasha sat Infront of my door and tried making small talk.
By the end of the week I’m pretty sure they were planning on knocking down my door.
A week of laying in bed staring at the most boring ceiling in the world I felt like getting out. That didn’t mean I felt like talking about what was bothering me so I resorted to some of my old coping habits. The ones I went to when therapy wasn’t cutting it, my friends weren’t available, or my meds weren’t giving me the tolerance for life anymore.
I pulled out a black lace trimmed camisole with distressed black skinny jeans and strappy heeled sandals. I left my hair down and since it was still pretty warm out I decided to ditch the jacket.
I went to a bar but not just any bar, I went to the bar that started it all. The rooftop bar I jumped off of.
It was packed but I snuck out of the mansion early enough to make it there in tine to get a seat with a good view. Tony’s black card got me the VIP table and bottom less drinks. I’m sure they weren’t exactly bottomless but there was a drink in my hands at all times.
It didn’t exactly make me forget how shitty things went but it did numb the sting a bit.
“Miss we’re closing up.” The waitress said.
“Right.” I said feeling rather sluggish. I was going to crash hard when I got back to the house. “Close out my check please and give yourself a nice tip.”
“Of course.” The waitress asked. “Can I call you a cab?”
“I’d appreciate it.” I said. One of the downsides of being completely colorblind was that I couldn’t drive since I couldn’t tell the difference between red and green the state of California refused to give me a learner’s permit let alone a driver’s license. As a result I was never the designated driver. Either way I wouldn’t risk anyone else’s life.
I signed the check and headed home in a cab. It was almost two in the morning when I got dropped off and I was expecting for everyone to either be asleep or in Tony’s case locked in the lab building more suits.
Unfortunately Steve, Tony, Natasha and Clint were up waiting.
I let myself in and slipped off my heels ready to tiptoe my way upstairs.
“Hanna?” Steve said.
“Oh shit you’re up.” I said groaning at how I was not nearly drunk enough for this talk.
“Where have you been?” Natasha said.
“Out.” I said.
“Out?” Clint asked.
“Wait are you…” Tony said stepping up closer to me. “You’re drunk.”
“Just…” I said measuring an amount with my fingers. “That much.”
“Are you kidding me?! Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been? You do remember Hydra…” Steve started lecturing.
“Steve, Steve buddy right now you’re all the way up here.” I said raising my hand. “And I need you to be down here, kay?”
“Hanna…” Steve started fuming.
“I’m going to go enjoy what’s left of this buzz before I crash. Night.” I said going upstairs.
“Bu…” he started.
“Just leave it.” Clint said. “She’s obviously not going to listen right now.”
The Next Morning or well… Afternoon
I forgot my favorite part of drinking, the incredible deep sleep I got after a night out. For the first time in weeks I actually got a few solid hours.
Sleep is amazing but unfortunately the hangover I got the morning after… not so much.
“Good afternoon Miss Marin…” Jarvis greeted.
“No…” I whined.
“Pardon me miss, Mister Stark asked the blinds be opened when you start showing signs of, in his word 'returning to the land of the living.'” Jarvis said.
“Anyway to override that so he never does this again?” I asked from under the blanket.
“I’ll see something is done about it for now sir wished for me to tell you there are hangover donuts waiting for you downstairs.” Jarvis said.
I groaned.
“Is there coffee?” I asked.
“I believe Mister Barton has just made a fresh pot.” Jarvis said.
“My current favorite human.” I said throwing off the blanket. “Okay.”
I got out of bed. Somehow, I had made it into my room and cared enough to actually change into my pjs. I was in a black lace trimmed cami and a pair of shorts with matching trim. Damn even when I’m drunk I don’t like color.
I didn’t even bother to change. The need for coffee and carbs was bigger and more important.
“Look who’s finally up.” Tony cheered.
“Indoor voice.” I said walking to the coffee maker.
“Donut?” Tony offered. “I got you a bacon maple bar.”
“Hm.” I said taking the donut from the offered box.
“How’d you sleep?” Natasha asked.
“Great.” I said.
“And the hangover?” Steve asked and I gave him a glare.
“I’m fine dad.” I said sarcastically.
“Did you drive?” Natasha asked.
“I don’t have a license and I never learned how to drive so no.” I said.
“You’re 26.” Clint said in disbelief because somehow me not knowing how to drive was somehow more disturbing than me being from another universe.
“Yes and up until a month ago I was completely colorblind and couldn’t see red or green. A huge requirement for driving.” I said. “At least in my world or I should say my old world seeing as I’m now here with no way back.”
“Look the dinner and seeing them…” Steve started.
“No. We’re not doing that.” I said.
“Hanna it’s obviously bothering you…” Bruce started.
“And we agreed never to bring it up again so we’re not talking about it. At least I’m not.” I said. “I needed to go out for a bit and I did so that’s all there is to it.”
“You didn’t leave your room for a week.” Natasha deadpanned.
“I needed me time. In fact I feel the need for me time right now.” I said. “Laters.”
“Hanna.” Steve called out but I ignored him.
So I was in my room lazing the day away. After a shower I was feeling a bit better. I took another nap and by the time dinner rolled around I was dreading another lecture so I went back to the bar. Not to drink just to think and be alone.
I stared at the corner, at the edge I had jumped off of and wondered if I did it again would I go back to my world, or another world or would I just go splat.
“Pardon me milady, may I join you?” Someone said standing behind me.
“I’m afraid I’m not particularly good company right now.” I said taking a sip of my drink.
“I do not wish to be a bother, I just thought that perhaps you could use a friend.” He said and when that didn't seem to change my mind he changed tactics. "Or perhaps a guard to keep other unpleasant company away.”
“Sure but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I said.
“I’ll take my chances.” He said sitting down across from me. “Excuse me might I have a pint of your best ale?”
“A beer?” the waitress asked.
“That would be great.” He said. I looked at the man sitting in front of me. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, if I didn’t know better I would say he was… then I saw the hammer at his feet.
“Oh fuck you’re Thor.” I said. I almost didn’t recognize him. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a hoodie over it.
“Thor son of Odin, it’s good to finally meet you milady.” He said smiling.
“Did Steve send you? He seems the type to ask someone to nanny me. Tony would be here himself Clint and Natasha would just watch from a distance unless I did something they didn’t like.” I said.
“No one asked me to be here.” Thor said. “I choose to be here in spite of my father’s insistence that Midgard is no place for me but my lady mother persuaded him to give me leave for one night as a name day gift.”
“It’s your birthday?” I said surprised.
“Aye.” He said smiling.
“Happy birthday. So how old are you now?” I asked.
“One thousand four hundred and ninety four.” Thor said.
“That’s a lot of candles to blow out.” I said.
“Candles?” he asked.
“Earth tradition. On your birthday you get a cake and the number of candles they put on it add up to our age.” I said.
“Oh, then it might be a good thing that is not done on Asgard. There probably wouldn’t be enough candles.” Thor said.
“Or you’d start a fire.” I said.
“That too.” He said smiling before he looked at me concerned. “You seemed troubled milady.”
“Hanna.” I said. “My name is Hanna.”
“Hanna.” He said smiling. “Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing just… Having a day or I guess it’d be a month in my case.” I said. Maybe even a life.
“Loki is not someone you need to be worried about. He is to remain in the dungeons of Asgard until his last of his days.” He said.
“Loki isn’t the problem.” I said. “It’s not anyone but me. I’m the problem.”
“You could never be a problem.” Thor said.
“You haven’t been around much lately.” I said.
“Does that trouble you?” He asked.
“No, the nine realms are a mess and it’s your responsibility as Prince of Asgard to make things right.” I said. “You just miss a lot when you’re gone.”
“That I do.” He said. “But I’m here now.”
“You are and it’s your birthday.” I said. “You really want to spend it hearing me feel sorry for myself?”
“I would spend it anyway so long as it is by your side.” Thor said.
“You’re incorrigible.” I said smiling. “It’s your birthday and we are going to have fun. How do you feel about celebrating your birthday the way we do on Earth?”
“How does one go about celebrating name days on Midgard?” Thor asked curiously.
“First.” I said signaling to the bartender to make it two beers. “We start with a toast and drink, then we drink some more and go from there.”
The waitress came back putting two pints of beer in front of us.
“To the past 1,494 years and to the thousands more to come.” I said raising a glass.
“Cheers.” Thor said. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer wine or…”
While Thor was talking I started chugging my beer without stopping.
“Oh well…” Thor said following my lead about to put the glass down but when I still hadn’t he continued to match my pace until we both finished.
“Ah.” I said putting my glass down. “Another?”
“If that is the way on Midgard who am I to argue.” Thor said.
“Let’s try tequila this time.” I said.
“What is this tequila you speak of?” Thor asked.
Many many shots later…
“Alright it’s not a birthday without a cake but this is all they’ve got.” I said presenting him with a cupcake.
“This is a small cake.” Thor said.
“It’s called a cupcake.” I said.
“Was it made by the same baker that made the tarts of pop?” Thor asked.
“No but I promise it’s just as good.” I said lighting the candle.
“And the candle?” He asked.
“You’re supposed to blow it out and make a wish.” I said.
“The cake will grant my wish?” Thor asked.
“No it’s just a tradition.” I said.
“Oh then I shall wish for whatever troubles you to no longer be of bother to you.” Thor said.
“You’re not supposed to say what your wish is or it won’t come true.” I said.
“This wish has a lot of rules.” Thor said.
“It’s a wish, beggars can’t be choosers.” I said. “Blow out your candle.”
Thor did as he said. “Do I just bite into it?”
“Go for it.” I said and in one bite he ate it all.
“Mh this is so good.” He cheered with a full mouth.
“Miss we’re about to close.” The waitress said.
“Right.” I said. “Alright Thor last shot.”
“Shot!” he said as we threw back our last one.
“Do you have to go back now?” I asked.
“Mother gave me until sunrise.” Thor said. “Have you ever gone flying?”
“On a plane?” I asked.
“What is this plane you speak of?” Thor said and I thought about it.
“Iron bird.” I said.
“Oh… well I believe it is sort of like that.” He said.
“You better not drop me.” I said.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Thor said. “May I?”
“All right.” I said as Thor held me close before we flew off.
We ended up at the beach and just talked about Asgard and Thor told me stories of his epic battles and adventures with the warriors three. That man was an amazing story teller and funny. Before I knew it the sun was starting to rise and Thor got up.
“Hanna I fear it is time for me to return.” Thor said.
“Time flies.” I said.
“I wish we could have more time.” Thor said.
“I know but it’s not forever. You’ll be back and you know exactly where to find me.” I said.
“Know that no matter where I am, I will always be thinking of you.” Thor said taking my hand and kissing the back of it.
“Be careful.” I said.
“There is no need to worry.” Thor said taking a few steps back when I remembered something, something that would happen probably before I saw him again.
“Thor.” I said stopping him. “I’m not entirely sure you’ll believe me but in November of next year around the time of the convergence the dark elves are going to attack Asgard in an attempt to get the Aether back. Your mother Frigga will be killed by Malekith during the attack.”
“Hanna how could you know such a thing?” Thor asked.
“It’s a really long story and I don’t have time to explain it just know that is what is supposed to happen but you can stop it. Save your mother and more importantly don’t let him take the Aether back.” I said.
“What is the Aether?” he asked.
“It’s an infi…” I started but before I could say anything more a light beamed down from the sky and Thor was gone. “Shit. Heimdall you have the worst timing.”