Jessica Drew [Spider-Woman] (screwedover) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-05-18 21:23:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, carol danvers (captain marvel), jessica drew (spider-woman), thor odinson |
Who: Thor, Carol Danvers and Jessica Drew
What: Friends getting together, having lunch.
Where: Some cafe
When: A couple of days ago
Rating: PG for talk of cancer and dying
Status: Complete
Carol had taken Jess out for lunch, no ifs ands or buts. Not after the craziness that had followed Stark’s wedding. Not after the news that had come from the doctor. She wanted to spend some time away from things, so she took Jess to a little cafe on the outskirts of the city, and sent a message to Thor to join them a little later if he had the time.
“It won’t be as hard, this time,” she promised.
The wedding was definitely on a scale of crazy she hadn’t been through before. It had distracted her long enough. The news though was something she was expecting. How many people went into remission and it absolutely never came back ever? Not many. Jess had been biding her time. She sat down in a chair and grabbed her sandwich.
“You’re an oncologist now? Statistically, it’s much harder the more times you go through it.”
She took Jess's hand and squeezed it, then picked up her own sandwich. "I'm trying to be positive. Let me be positive, okay?" She couldn't help her own guilt. It wasn't likely, but still. Cosmic radiation power set?
"What I mean is I can..support you better, I guess. Be stronger, since I won't be recovering too."
Though she squeezed Carol’s hand back, it wasn’t exactly as enthusiastic as it normally was. “I know, I’m sorry. You can be positive. One of us has to. I’ve just.. done this so many times.” Just the thought of doing all of this again made her tired and she hadn’t even started treatment.
“I’m glad you’re here and that I’m not alone this time. Really glad.” She leaned over and kissed her girlfriend.
"There's nothing in your own research that'll help?" She supposed Jess would already be thinking about that if there was. Carol just took a long breath and returned the kiss. There was this nagging, terrible realization that she could lose her. There were five years that...while not waste, could have been even better together.
She felt like she wanted to cry, but kept that buried deep down.
“There’s a bunch of new studies going on. New drugs. I can try to get into one of those.” It was almost ironic because since she’d been having her dreams, she’d been thinking about quitting her job and become a bounty hunter. Not that Jess would be good at it but still. It wasn’t like she was giving up though, she would be all over this.
“It’ll be okay.” Somehow she could just read the look on Carol’s face. “I’m not going anywhere.” She pushed some hair back behind her ear.
“Good, because you’re not allowed to.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “... We should do a bucket list. Travel won’t be a problem. I can take you anywhere you want to go. Even though you’re going to make it through, it’ll still be fun.”
Jess kissed her again, just as lightly. “A bucket list? That’s not a little morbid, I guess?” Though it wasn’t a bad idea. “Yeah it could still be fun. We could do things on your bucket list too. What have you always wanted to do?”
"I already cross go into space off my list." She flashed a grin at Jess. "Take you into space is on it now. Uhm...I've always wanted to do Colorado River rafting."
There was a rumble of thunder, and a flare in the sky. A few moments later, Thor walked around the edge of the building, and smiled as he saw them,. Making his way to them, he smiled. ”Greetings, both of you.” HIs smile was warm and full of good cheer.
“Into space? Won’t I be unable to breathe?” Jess liked breathing. She liked breathing a lot. “We could do river rafting. That sounds like fun and dangerous.” When Thor showed up, she gave a wave though it was clear that her smile didn’t really reach her eyes. “Hi Thor. Sit down and join us. How are you?”
“There are ships for that. And with my powers I think I can extend a bubble around you.” Keyword: Think. Carol rested her hands over Jess protectively. “Was wondering when you’d show up. Haven’t seen you since we got to play swing the elephant.”
“I am well, Jessica Drew.” He smiled to her and then, at Carol’s reminder, Thor chuckled. “At least we saved the cake. I think Pepper would have killed us otherwise.” He stretched and waved a hand at the waitress, who spotted him, tripped, gathered herself and hurried inside.
“Hmm. I think I’ve been here before.”
Jess looked quite dubious about the word think. “I think I’ll stick with a ship. Though I still don’t know about all that. You like space, but I still like breathing and stuff.” She looked amused at the thought of Thor playing swing the elephant. That had been some kind of wedding. “Next time I’m taking bets about how the wedding gets destroyed and how pissed off Pepper will be. I’m waiting until she slaughters us all.”
“Next time I’m wearing my Captain Marvel costume, mask and all,” Carol replied, shaking her head. “You know. Just in case. There were a lot of ruined dresses and suits that day.”
Thor nodded. “I’ll bring my armor. I ruined a tuxedo changing, so why even bother?” He nodded. We can stand in the back, and try to not be obnoxious until things go wrong.” Thor chuckled. “A lot of people were fighting in the near nude by the end of it. If The Summer’s boy’s group had not brought in supplies and secured the exit line, it would have been worse.” A lot of powerless people would have died.
“I keep hearing that. That everyone should come to the wedding suited up already. Probably a good idea.” Jess had her suit, but there wasn’t really a reason to wear it. She could stick to the ceiling. That wouldn’t help anyone. “As much as I’m sure Mr. Stark appreciates a nude wedding, it’s probably not for the best. Yeah it was a good thing you guys were there.”
“Don’t give him ideas. Maybe they should just elope to Vegas. Get married before another disaster happens. That’s how I’d do it. Elope, then figure out the party later.” Carol nodded.
Thor grinned. “If they would just ask, I would perform the marriage. It would be swiftly done.” Thor nodded. “For you, as well, should you ever wish it.”
“I would have done that months ago, if I were them.” Why they had decided on more weddings was beyond Jess. “Oh yeah? We’ll remember that, if this one ever proposes.”
“I’m the one that’s supposed to propose?” Carol laughed, though the sound was a little strained by the nature of her thoughts. She supposed she was the less girly one in the relationship. And in light of what they’d learned about Jess’s health, she wondered if she should, while she still could. Damn you, Thor!
Thor swallowed, glanced between them, and then smiled. “Let me ask you a few questions: You two are in love, yes?”
Jess giggled a little and nodded. “Yes, you are. Because um.. well I just think it would be amusing for you to get down on one knee.” She teased, nudging her gently. No she wasn’t the less girly one. They were both not.. very girly. It didn’t matter, she was just amused. “Yeah, I love her with everything I am.”
"Amusing? I get on my knees enough, girlie." She stroked Jess's knee, a nervous reaction. The subject, the sword hanging over her lover's head. She felt like she suddenly needed air. She took a deep breath. "But I'll have to think about it." It couldn't be just any diamond. Just hand Carol a piece of coal....She’d make one.
“What are you avoiding talking about?” The nervousness in the air hung like fire and rain and a fierce battlecry. There was an oliphaunt in the room and Thor was just brash enough to poke it.
“Carol!” she grumbled, shaking her head at her girlfriends rather pointed statement. She put her hand on top of Carol’s and squeezed it. It was that obvious, huh? Jess looked up at Thor. “I uh.. have really.. bad news. My.. my cancer’s back.”
Carol's lip quivered a little bit when Jess said the C word. It made it feel more real. She exhaled and nodded her head. "We found out before all hell broke loose.”
Thor sighed softly, and nodded. “I am sorry, Jessica, Carol.” he gently clasped both of their shoulders. Warmth flowed from him, and reassurance as he let a tickle of his lifeforce flow to them. “You have each other, at least in this time, and you have me, as a friend, and for whatever you do need.” He nodded slightly, sorrowful that he had no access to the technology of Asgard.
Well that was a nice super power. Jess instantly felt a bit better, even though she’d said the dreaded c-word. She didn’t like saying it out loud. “Thanks. I appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll be okay though. I was the last two times, eventually.” She tried to sound optimistic.
“We’ll beat this thing. Kick it’s ass.” Carol sank back in her chair a little, calmed by Thor’s power. She kept her anxiety tightly wrapped - she couldn’t punch or shoot cancer, but she could be Jess’s rock.
“Aye, you will. You will find your way out of this darkness.” Thor’s voice was sure and filled with warmth. “And you will find that hurt shared is hurt lessened.” He knew having someone helped.
“That’s a pretty neat trick you’ve got there,” Jess said with a small smile. “Yeah you’re right. No matter what, we’ll have each other.” And she would never give up. Not for anything but especially because of Carol.
“We’re working on a bucket list,” Carol said, sounding cheerful. “I think it’s something that can be fun, even though we’re fighting it, you know? The more we do, the more we can fight.” She believed that it could be incentive to get better, to do the things on the list. “Maybe it needs a better name.”
“There are some blessings from being a god of thunder and a god of fertility. The crossovers make for interesting abilities.” Thor chuckled, his voice a low rumble. “Mayhap you can talk to Illyana Rasputin, Jessica. She is a cancer survivor who spent many years in a treatment center. She is... frank.” He listened to Carol and nodded.
“Have you thought of Niagara Falls? And a cruise?” Thor grinned. I recommend both.”
“All of that dangerous and crazy stuff first before I get too sick and tired to do anything. Chemo is a bitch.” And that was putting it mildly. “It’s definitely an incentive. I want to do things before I can’t do it anymore.” She grinned slightly. “It definitely needs a better name. I’ll ask, sure. I work in a cancer lab, I’m not sure how much more cancery I can get. A cruise sounds fun though. As long as it’s not Carnival. Fuck those guys.”
Carol gave her lover a great big smile. "That means you have to get over your fear of heights." She winked at her. "How about the Life List." That sounded kind of corny but she liked it.
Thor nodded. “A Life List. I like it.” He smiled softly. “Mine includes someday having children with Natasha. And white water rafting.”
Jess’ nose wrinkled a bit. “One thing at a time. I guess being fear of heights is stupid when I can attach myself to anything and not fall.” She stuck her tongue out at Carol. “That’s much better. We were just saying white water rafting. You should join us.”
“Yes! We can make it a group outing.” Carol thought the idea was nice, though she wanted a few days alone with Jess after it was over. For reasons which were probably obvious to anyone.
Thor blinked at them. “Are you sure? I’d not want to intrude on you two.” He smiled softly. “I do know what being in love is like.” Also, he did not want Natasha to cut anyone.
“I’m totally sure. White water rafting is definitely a group thing, I think. I think we can spare y’know a day or two to see our friends.” Though Jess didn’t really want to be cut either.
“We can raft together, and at the end of the trail there’d be time for us to split off into couple things,” Carol pointed out. “Best of both worlds!”
“Sounds good to me. I will poke Natasha tonight, and ask her if she is interested.” He glanced at Carol. “Perhaps I’ll ask from my knees.”
“Yeah, two different rafts, all of us down the river. We stop for a while and have lunch. It’ll be fun.” And dangerous but that was okay with Jess. “I’ll figure out where the best place to go is, all that.”
Carol ignored the teasing, not even deigning to give Thor a dirty look. She smiled instead, and nodded at her love. "You figure that part out, and let me know. I've got some contacts down there I can speak to about arranging it for us."
Thor smiled. “I’ll be the newb in this, I am sure, but at least I can guarantee we have good weather?” He offered the words with a smile.
“Why do you think we take you with us?” Jess teased with a grin. “So when’s good for you? I know you’re busy planning things.”
Carol started to laugh. She hadn’t even thought of that, but she wasn’t surprised that Jess had. “Yes, I’ve heard some interesting rumors lately.” She leaned her elbows on the table and looked expectant.
Thor laughed, too, then grinned. “We... are probably free sometime this late summer. Squeezed around other projects. But it must be before fall. Or else not until next year.” His smirk was wider.
“Rumors? Well... I was going to include you both when i made an announcement on the net, but, you are both invited to our house on the evening of the 26th of May.” He nodded.
Well Jess had really meant his film career, but this was definitely news. Okay so she’d heard rumors, but hadn’t actually decided to ask. “You’re famous, people get wind of things, I’m afraid. But I was referring to your film career. Congratulations. Late summer is okay. Hopefully I’ll still feel okay by then.”
“Really? Hah!” Carol pumped her fist into the air. “Knew it! Mechanic owes me twenty.” The pilot was joking, mostly. “Congrats, Thor. You earned that kind of happiness.”
“I’ll be shooting my next movie in two parts. First part is early summer, last part is early fall.” Very early fall. He smiled to Jessica. “I will be cheering for you, and there to help.” And then he stuck out his tongue at Carol. I have no idea what you are talking about. But thank you, anyway.”
“Well hopefully my chemo will be done by then and I’ll be back to feeling better.” Jess really hoped so. If she didn’t, this would be a short bucket list. “And congrats Thor, that’s wonderful.”
A worried look crossed Carol’s face. She absolutely refused to consider that Jess would get that sick that soon, even with Chemo. She’d forgotten how bad it could be. The expression passed, and she nodded. “Can’t wait to see it!”
“If it is, then we’ll bring the movie to you.” He nodded to her, smiling softly. “And you had best be ready to show up, wheelchair or no, to that.” He glanced at Carol, and nodded.
Well the chemo would make her sick, probably even more sick than the disease. She wouldn’t feel like doing much if she was puking up her guts. “Ah thanks, that’s really nice of you. If someone wheels me, I’ll be there.”
“I’ll carry you in my arms, as long as you promise not to stab me,” Carol promised, with a smirk. She’d already sworn to herself that she’d do everything she could to make Jess comfortable. Carol also knew she couldn’t hover. Her experience with recovery had taught her that there were times you just needed to be alone.
“There should be no stabbing. Unless you like it. That changes everything.” He smiled innocently. Then he smiled at both of them warmly as they spoke. “Thank you, both. You are incredible people.”
“I promise that I won’t stab you. Though I’m not sure I want to be carried around like a baby.” She stuck her tongue out at Carol for that one. “And thank you. For being supportive. It means a lot.”
“I promise I’ll change your nappies and everything,” Carol joked, idly playing with a fork. Her hands were nervous, and they needed something to keep them occupied. She had worked on her poker face, but her hands betrayed her.
Thor snerked and smiled softly. “How is your work doing? Both of you?”
Change of subject? Why not?
Her eyes narrowed at Carol a bit even though she was joking. Dammit woman. “My work is going well. Honestly though? Right before all of this started, I was thinking about being a bounty hunter instead.” You judge if Jess is teasing or not.
“Would that mean you got to wear sexy tight outfits,” Carol asked, chuckling. Her eyes flashed at the thought, and she was distracted by the image of peeling Jess out of her costume.
Thor chuckled. “I do know a few of those. I could introduce you?” He smirked. “And both wear very nice outfits...” He whistled innocently.
Jess snorted a bit. “Have you seen real bounty hunters? They look like.. well I’ll make you watch Dog the Bounty Hunter and you can see for yourself. I don’t think I’ll be wearing anything tight, thank you.”
"Too bad." Carol laughed. She looked over at Thor. “You haven't seen the new costume I’ve got. A lot less...sex, and a lot more practical. Still kind of hot."
Thor shrugged. Those he knew chose to wear revealing clothing for the distraction value, but he knew it was not always the case. And he knew Jessica probably would not. Then he glanced at Carol and nodded. “I would be honored to see it sometime. And you are both beautiful women. It would be hard for either of you yto not be ‘kind of hot’ at the least.”
“You should probably be saving the world and not distracting the good guys with your hot bod there, babe.” Jess knew that she was still totally hot in the new outfit though. “My costume isn’t so bad. At least though my tits are pronounced, they’re not hanging out. That’s a plus.”
“And your ass isn’t hanging out,” Carol replied, thinking about her Ms. Marvel swimsuit. Which had been relegated to bedroom play, these days. She set down the utensil she was playing with, realizing she’d still been worrying at it.
Thor watched them and nodded. “My first training outfit in the Dreams was like that. A loincloth and boots and nothing else. It was an interesting outfit to say the least.”
“Very true. It’s nice that my ass isn’t hanging out.” She was so glad for that. Yikes. Jess would not be wearing that. Who came up with that outfit? Herself? Lame. “Loincloth and boots. Nice. It’s like in our dreams, we’re all hyper-sexualized. Go figure.”
“It seems to be. At least it’s not limited only to women. Just mostly women. I dream about quite a few in glorified swimsuits. Or less.” Carol made a face. She was really happy with her Captain Marvel getup, now.
Thor chuckled. “I think it always feels that way. Everything is more intense, and in the least possibly comfortable way in those dreams.” Thor nodded. tiny outfits, insane scenes of combat where clothing gets shredded... just weird.”
“I mean I get that spandex is good for you know.. streamlining, but really it’s kind of ridiculous.” Jess sighed a little in an amused sort of way. “Definitely the least comfortable. Who fights people in costumes like that?” She’d never understand it.
“People in similar costumes,” Carol replied. “Or a dominatrix’s wet dream. I mean come on. Do you remember Magneto’s helmet? He was practically wearing a bucket on his head!”
Thor chuckled as she spoke of spandex. Then shook his head. “Leather is less comfortable, trust me. “ He had worn both, in this world, and he could testify to that.
“Magneto? Was he a hero in your world?” It sounded an odd name, but what didn’t?
“I don’t think I remember him, though I guess technically I haven’t had those dreams yet.” She hadn’t had any in awhile. “He had a bucket on his head? Weird. “Don’t get me started on people who made up these names. Though I apparently just stole mine from Spider-Man.”
“Didn’t fight him much myself, but he made headlines a lot. Mutant terrorist, could manipulate metal,” Carol replied. “Some of the other Avengers fought him. Logan and Henry.” She rubbed at her jaw.
Thor’s lips were quirked and he nodded. Someday, maybe, he would show them his comic. Someday. Not that it was him, anyway. But, yes. He nodded. “Fun. Reminds me of the helmet my brother wore. Traditional and formal, mind you, but still... who thought it up?” His hands sketched the wild horns that the hemet boasted.
“Guys in metal helmets. Nice. Wait, his has horns? That’s hilarious.” Jess laughed a little and shook her head in amusement. “Sounds like someone is making up for something if you know what I mean.” Jess stretched out her legs and rubbed her head a little.
"He must be overcompensating." Carol laughed, agreeing with Jess. "No offense." She winked at him. "That does remind of of something. In my dreams, there's a period of time where Asgard is... floating over Oklahoma, and the Avengers are a bunch of bad people led by a worse person. The real Avengers are fugitives."
Thor chuckled and did not comment on that part. “Huhn. That would... not be possible in my dream universe, as Asgard is an entire planet, and even the city is embedded within the planet itself, though a few buildings float. The whole of the city and planet could not be so suspended. How odd.” He shook his head. Universes. This was all odd.
“That’s definitely crazy. Can’t wait to experience all the crazy for myself. If they ever come back.” Honestly Jess wasn’t sure that they would. She wasn’t sure that she wanted them to either. “Maybe I can go back to being plain old Jess.”
"Oh, it was huge. Like someone ripped a city out of the ground and suspended it over the US. I think they only got the main palace complex and a few miles of surrounding area. At least until it all came crashing down when Osborn's forces attacked." The whole thing had been crazy. She still couldn't fathom the scale of that battle.
Or flirting with Spidey.
“Plain old Jess?” With one eyebrow, Thor nodded, hmming. “Sounds like something out of a dream, or a nightmare,for real.” He chuckled. “I think we are who we are meant to be, here, even if we have to accept the dreams of another version of ourselves.”
“Yikes. That’s definitely all messed up. Yeah Plain Old Jess. Without spider powers or a costume or any of that stuff. That would be nice. Just to be me again.” Jess shrugged a little. “I was already who I was. This just changes me and I don’t like it.”
Carol looked down at the table. She didn’t really have a response to that. She felt more...like herself now, than she had before, but she understood where Jess was coming from and wanted nothing more than for her to be happy. She’d promised her she wouldn’t change who she was, and she’d try to keep that promise. “You’re still you..”
Thor looked at Jessica with compassion, and there was something like a soft thunder in his voice, a kind but firm sound there as he spoke. “Just because you have powers and memories and a costume does not mean you have to be other than who you already are. You choose your destiny, and no one can or will. Others may try, but they cannot force you to be other than you wish to be.” He leaned forward.
“Choose carefully, but know that it is your choice, in the end.”
“Oh but see.. and Carol and I have had this argument. I think all of those things fundamentally change who I am. I mean maybe sticking to walls is both a major change and a not so major one. But I don’t want this. And I don’t have a choice and that right there, is going to change me.” Jess shrugged a little. “It’s not others I’m worried about.”
Carol sighed, taking Carol's hand with her own. "As you can see, I beat my head into the wall."
Thor smiled softly. “I would say differently. They can change the ephemeral about you, but not the core of you, not the who you truly are. Your choices, your will power, that changes you. Everyday, life makes us do things, go through things, that we don’t want to, but we are only made different if we choose to be. And yes, life changes us, in time, but it does not force us to be other than we already are.”
Then he held up a hand. “But I will ask you to forgive me. I do not mean to try to change your mind. It is yours to make. Whatever you choose, or path you follow, you can be sure of this, at least, you will not be alone.” He gently clasped Carol’s shoulder, and their joined hands. “For this bond you share is as sure and as cemented as any marriage, under the sight of the sky, and the sound of the wind.”
Sometimes Jess just wanted to giggle at the way Thor talked. She wasn’t an asshole though, so she didn’t say anything. “It’s okay. I’m a negative nelly. That’s not going to change anytime soon.” She smiled at both of them. “I know I’m not going to be alone. Besides I don’t really have any time to think about that kind of thing when I have to focus on getting better.”
"Did you just wed us?" Carol asked, raising both of her eyebrows. She looked at Thor then at Jess.
Thor coughed. “Not as such, no. However... it is said, that if two people are witnessed and do speak their love before sky and god, then so shall it be known.” His lips quirked. “And I am sort of the head of my religion, these days.”
And he said that things didn’t change you. Yeah Jess didn’t buy that at all.”Well then most people on this planet would be screwed if that was true.”
Carol laughed. “Oh, if I propose, it’ll be when you least expect it, hon.” She gave her a wink, the subject embarrassed the hell out of her.
Truthfully, Thor had not been changed hardly at all by becoming a god. He had, if anything, become more ‘him’. He had always been formal of speech, loving, kind, and always ready to help. Now he had power, responsibility, and the ability to help even more. If anything, Thor had become less ‘other’. And he could see no wrong in that.
He smiled at them both.