Chapter 10
After the talk with Loki, Thor had to take two days off, as the conversation with his dean was due. The blond man had been afraid of that day, hoping that he would be able to face the man, who literally held his future in his hands, without distractions.
Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to clarify the matter with his father. It seemed that his old man was a master at avoiding unpleasant topics. It had always been like that. Even in his youth, Odin had cared more about his company than to deal with the problems of his son. If his mother hadn't been so caring, he would probably have ruined his life earlier.
Angrily, Thor shook his head. These thoughts were wrong and he knew it, because that his life had taken such an ugly turn, was all his own fault. No one could be blamed but himself. Even if it would be the easier way to point the finger at his father. But he had to give his old man some credit. After all, it had been his doing that he wasn't in jail at this very moment, although he would have deserved the punishment. And if he was honest, Odin could have left him with nothing but his clothes on his body. It would've been simple to kick him out of the house, to cut him off the funds and absolve him from his duties in the firm. The blond man would have been ruined and would probably live under a bridge or starve to death in a filthy alley. He should rather thank every god in the universe for his father's mercy. However, he was adult enough to see that it was his turn today to choose a future path.
Nervously, Thor wobbled with his foot and continued to watch the clock hanging on the opposite wall. He had always hated the corridors, which led to the teacher's offices. As beautiful as the university was designed, or at least in those areas where students were allowed to enter freely, it seemed that they had left these rooms, the rooms of corruption as Fandral always called it, in such a sterile, white color. Probably the one who were responsible had created the halls with pure intention to break a student and he had to admit that it didn't miss the desired effect.
When he was about to get up to stretch his numb limbs, having spent, what had felt like an eternity, on those uncomfortable plastic chairs, the door opened which led into the dean's office. A middle aged lady came out smiling and gave him a sign that he should enter. Thor straightening his tie again and walked slowly into the front room, where the secretary's small desk were placed.
"Mr. Borson, you can go straight to his office. He already expects you."
Nodding, he went on and knocked on the dark-brown door, which bore the name of the dean in golden letters on it. He took a deep breath and when he heard a soft 'come in', he summoned all his courage to face one of the most important conversations of his life. Now or never, he could do it.
"Good afternoon, Thor. Please have a seat."
Mister Selvig was an elderly man with gray hair and looked harmless at first sight, but you should never underestimated him. He stood up, with all his power, for the things which were worth fighting and his greatest weapon was his sharp mind. Thor approached slowly and thanked him for giving him the opportunity to be able to have a conversation with the man.
"It would be the best that we come straight to the point. I was told that several months ago, you had an accident which you caused by... excessive consumption of alcohol. After that, you were taken to a facility where you had a therapeutic withdrawal, which, as I can read in my documents, was successful. Is that correct?"
Thor could only nod for confirmation.
"And if I understand it correctly, you want to continue your studies? You're now missing a total of two semesters, because you have to repeat the one, which you had started before your accident. Is that also correct?"
The voice of his dean sounded serious and gradually Thor's hand began to sweat profusely. Unconsciously, he wiped them on his pants and licked his dry lips.
"That's right. I'm aware that I missed the start of the fall semester and can not start again until next summer. Should I get the chance from you, that is."
Mr. Selvig didn't look convinced and continued to read through his files, which apparently contained all the academic facts about the blond man and probably also the unofficial ones. He knew that the dean had been thoroughly informed about the events. His father had talked to the man, but you couldn't put much value on Odin's words. After all, Thor was his son and his father was a business man who had something to sell and that's how he felt right now. Sitting here in this office, trying to show his good sides and hope that he was either convincing enough or that the dean, at least, had pity on him.
"What have you done in the meantime, Thor? I mean, after you left rehab?"
The blond man couldn't help smiling. He was only too happy to tell his dean how he had started his internship at his father's company. Understandably, he didn't tell the part where Odin had thrown him out of the management, because he had jeopardized the reputation of the Borson family. Yet, he could proudly say that he enjoyed working as a nurse, that he wonderfully got along with his patients, even it wasn't always easy and it also gave him the opportunity to gain new insights for the company because he had been only familiar with numbers and financial statements.
Mr. Selvig patiently listened to his story, asked here and there for more details and informed himself about his colleagues and how he dealt with them. When Thor had told his part, there was a thoughtful silence between him and his dean. Apparently, the man debated whether he should give him another chance or not.
"Thor, I want to be honest with you. Your actions didn't only harm you, but others as well. I certainly don't have to explain that to you."
Selvig sighed loudly.
"I have known you since our first interview and could follow your academic career and I have to say that the accident had one positive result. You have become an adult. I mean, you act thoughtful and you're ready to take responsibilities. I'd like to ask you a question. Are you sure that you want to finish your studies? As you have told me, how much fun this nursing job is doing for you, I can't help believing that you may want to change your future career."
The silence was now heavy in the room and uncomfortably for all involved, but Thor couldn't answer. He would have expected many possible questions or concerns from his dean, but not that he should think twice about giving up his studies in order to learn something completely new.
The older man in front of him scratched his neck and gave him a sign that the conversation was over.
"Listen carefully. I don't want you to end your studies. If I hadn't been willing to give you a chance, I would never have made this appointment with you in the first place. However, I could see the joy in your eyes when you have talked about this job. Please, take your time and think carefully. If something else makes you happier than following in the footsteps of your father, then don't be afraid to pursue new goals."
With these words, Thor shook hands with Mr. Selvig and left the office. In the front room, he had to take a deep breath and had to hit himself hard on his right arm. For him, the last few minutes seemed like a strange dream, as he often had had in the rehab.
"Is everything alright, Mr. Borson?"
Only now did he realize that he wasn't alone in this room. He had completely forgotten about the presence of the secretary. Thor mentally kicked his ass and forced one of his best smiles on his face. He couldn't show any weaknesses in fornt of this lady. Somehow, he had to come home and there, he could crawl in a dark corner and let himself fall apart. A simple task, which seemed so difficult at the moment.
"Of course. I wish you a nice day."
As soon as possible, he left the rooms of his dean's office and fled to the white corridors, where he almost collided with someone. In the very last moment, he was able to stop and could finally see who was blocking his way. But he couldn't believe it.
Loki was in front of him and seemed to be waiting for Thor because when the dark-haired man saw him, his eyes began to shine, even though his face appeared rather indifferent for untrained people.
"Loki... what?"
Rolling his eyes, the younger man had to smile.
"Charming as always. I see that you left your intelligence with Mr. Selvig."
Thor shook his head, puzzled. He simply couldn't understand why Loki was here. As far as he could remember the man's shedule, he would have had to be picked up more than half an hour ago.
"I d-don't ... what?"
The grin on Loki's face grew bigger and he rolled himself closer to the blond man.
"You told me that today, you have an appointment with your dean. I thought that you could use some moral support. I even brought non-alcoholic prosecco. Either way, we can drink some because you can continue your studies or we just drink because of frustration while pretending to be drunk on that stuff."
Smiling, he took the bottle in his hands and held it in Thor's direction, but the blond man could say nothing. For the second time that day, he was speechless. However, this time it wasn't the schock which was responsible for his lack of answers, no, it was the incredible joy and relief that had come when he looked at Loki.
Of course, he had told the other man about his appointment, as well as Fandral. He hadn't ask directly, but at least he had hoped that his best friend would help him to calm his nerves and be there for him. Sadly, Fandral had strictly refused and had told him, he wouldn't put a foot near this office again anytime soon. The only one, who had come to offer comfort, was the one man he had least expected to show up. After all, he was bound to driving services and caretaking. The dark-haired man's daily routine was organized, but he had broken that tight shedule to stand by his side.
"Thor?"
The blond man could see how the smile slowly disappeared on Loki's face. Certainly, he thought that he had done something wrong, but he couldn't know how much this little gesture meant to Thor. The dark-haired man was the first person, after his accident, who had done something nice for him. Sure, his father had helped him and his lovely mother was always there, but no one, who didn't belong to his family, had really cared for him since the fateful night. The mere fact that Loki was here, created a warm feeling in Thor.
He gently took the bottly and placed it carelessly on the floor. With a big grin and wet eyes, he took the younger man in his arms and Loki seemed to understand because a moment later he could feel warm hands on his back, which carefully stroke his spine up and down.