Entry tags:

!closed, !completed gdoc, !log, ~2018 january, ~25 points, ~~bruce banner (notthatkindofdr), ~~thor odinson (doctor_god)

WHO: Hulk(Bruce Banner) and Thor
WHAT: Returning from their world to Madison, Hulk and Thor
WHEN: Monday morning
WHY?: Because Ragnarok brings changes
WARNINGS: Spoilers for Thor: Ragnarok; allusions to scenes of violence and possibly of character deaths
STATUS: Closed and Complete

Thor’s eye flickered open, and he groaned, pushing to his feet. He groaned, feeling aches, and reached up to rub dust off of his face as he looked around, taking a microsecond longer to do so than before. The patch over his right eye, made by Asgardian skill, was tight, warm, and held close, and he nodded as he looked outward with his one good eye. It took him a long moment as memories rushed back in and he groaned as he remembered.

He was back. He was in Madison. His face broke into a smile. Oh thank the OverGods…
Then he sobered, and shook his head. He had to find Banner, and Sif, and Nora. Then Jane and Darcy, too. He needed to talk to all of them. Asgard was no more, and he was changed. He looked down to his hip where Mjolnir once sat and he still felt the pain of that parting. But he knew he was stronger and more powerful than he had ever been before.

The question was, how long would he be in Madison? And he grinned. And would they like his look? Hearing something move, he turned… and he smiled. “My friend. We are home again.”

***

Hulk wasn’t sure what to think of this sudden change in location. After the fight on the bridge, they left the remains of Asgard behind on a ship. He did not remember the ship landing on Midgard, though there were faint memories of this town trying to establish themselves in his mind.

“Hulk not home,” he said, frowning at his friend. He didn’t really have a home, though he’d been pretty comfortable on Sakaar.

***

Thor looked at him and sighed. “This is Madison Valley. Do you have any memories of this place? It could be a good home to you, a place where people cherish and support you. And where you could call home.”

He hesitated, then went on, moving a touch closer. “Both you and Banner could be home here.”

***

“No Banner, only Hulk,” he insisted, his frown growing deeper as Thor moved closer. He had a vague recollection of this town and of something to do with Iron Man, but it wouldn’t coalesce into anything solid.

It was obvious they were on Earth though and everything looked so… delicate. There wasn’t anything good to smash.

***

“Why not both? Why can’t you come to a deal?” He was curious. He had never asked, and now he knew he should. It did not seem fair that either was locked away.

He had spent most of his time away on his own things, but back here, Hulk was as much his issue as anything. “Hey, big guy. What are you thinking?”

***

That was a reasonable question, but it wasn’t one that Hulk liked. “Banner no like Hulk,” he said. If it was up to his alter ego, he would never get to exist. So he held on as tenaciously as he could when he was in charge.

He looked kind of sad when he said it.

***

Thor nodded. “I know. I wish you could both find peace with one another. I like you both. For different reasons, but I do. I’m sorry, big guy.”

He nodded again. He remembered those fallen, those lost, but here and now, he had Hulk and that was important.

“Is there anything I can do to help you, right now? Are you hungry, tired, thirsty?” Thor would not leave his friend alone. Not if he could help it.

***

Hulk was resigned to being stuck wherever they were since Thor seemed to be. At least his friend didn’t indicate there was any danger. Although that wouldn’t be so bad, because then he’d be able to smash things.

“Cold,” he said. Normally his bulk kept him warm enough even without proper clothes, but the wind here was frigid.

***

“Come on, I know a place where we go to get warm, and stay warm, until we can get you some armor or clothing to keep you warmer.” he gestured down the street. He searched his pockets and frowned as he did not find his card and phone. He would not be able to text or call those here. Damn these adventures!

He led Hulk toward Maria’s old house, which he had taken, but not used much, and which he had started tearing down to fix up, which meant it had lots of open space, a working heat system, and better yet, still had some Ambrosia in it, even some that might make Hulk happy.

“I can even provide food and drink, my friend.”

***

Trudging through the streets, Hulk was careful not to step on any people or cars, though he definitely did not like the way people were looking at him. These people were afraid of him, same as they were back in New York. On Sakaar, he’d been celebrated and revered. He wanted to go back.

At least they didn’t have to go too far before they arrived at the house that was clearly under construction. Hulk managed to squeeze through the door frame and sat on the ground, leaning against the far wall.

He was kind of hungry, so he looked happy at the idea of having some food.

***

Thor went to the cold room and storage room, and hauled some of the seasoned and ready Venison out of the store room, the kind that with a mild coldness, could stay good for a long time, and brought it to Hulk.

He also brought along with some savory cheese that he had stored there as well, and some snacks. He had been using it mostly as a storage place.

“I hope you like these. Afterward, we could maybe go and spar some, if you want to.” Anything to get the big guy to trust him more and in a better mood.

***

Hulk grunted a little in response to the suggestion. Food might help him be a little less cranky about the situation, but he wasn’t sure what to think about it all, especially with the memories and thoughts he was getting from Banner.

“Food,” he agreed. “Then Hulk smash.”

Because he definitely wanted a rematch from their fight that was cut short.

***

“Alright, there's a place we can go, near the river, where we can smash at each other.” Thor nodded. He would keep Hulk occupied until others could get there.

He sent another text while eating, describing his plans.

He only hoped someone else had a plan to help talk to Hulk about sharing with Bruce.

***