Thor Odinson is a flummox. (thepowerofthor) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-08-02 01:09:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | !complete, alice ayres, thor odinson |
Who: Thor and Alice
Where: Out and about
What: lunch between friends, and singing
When: recently
Warnings/Rating: PG
Status complete
Thor smiled as he swept in and hugged Alice from behind. “Hello, my friend.” He whispered the words, then grinned. He had come to surprise her, smiling as he did so. He liked spending time with her, and checking with people, he had sneakily arranged it. Now he was going to sweep her away for a tea, a manicure, pedicure, and massage, and then deliver her home. He nodded.
To Alice’s credit, she only started a little bit, a faint squeak escaping her lips. She turned around and hugged him tightly, glad he’d found her. “Hey, you. Did you need something from Jefferson?”
Thor smiled at her. “Not today. No doubt soon. Today, I am here for you. I owe you one of our far too unoften held lunches, and am determined to steal you away for an hour or so for it.” His smile was warm and fond.
“That sounds amazing, actually. I’d love to sit down for a while.” She went over to Jefferson to let him know where she was going and how she could be reached, sharing a brief yet heated kiss before turning back to Thor. “Okay, ready.”
Thor smiled, watching, and nodded, extending his arm to her. He led her out then and down the street. The cafe was nearby, and he had no desire to drive to it. “And how have you been, my friend?”
“I’m well, thanks!” Alice smiled and squeezed Thor’s hand. “No big changes in my life, not really. Gracie’s starting school again soon.”
“Yeah? Good. What grade is she in now?” Simply easy words, and he felt calmed by them. He did not have a child and it might be a long time before he did, but somehow this domesticity suited him.
“Sixth. She’s just started middle school, and it’s just ... I remember being that age, and she’s so much more mature than I was. Sometimes she’s more mature than I am now.” Alice was clearly proud of her and looked every inch a mother.
Thor smiled softly at that. “You already look her mother, and sound it. It looks and sounds good on you, dear lady.” He nodded smiling widely. It really did.
“I love her so much.” Alice bit her lower lip. Sometimes she worried about overstepping her bounds, but usually she just looked to Gracie to offer her guidance.
Thor hugged her sidelong as they approached the cafe, and he held the door for her. “Then keep on being you. You are an incredible woman and you deserve love as well as to love others.” He smiled and nodded, sure of himself on that.
“Jefferson and I said that to each other. ... I love you, not the other bits.” Alice was beet red as she entered the cafe, chuckling to herself.
“Good!” He smirked at her and then hmmed as he looked up at the menu.”Congratulations!”
“Thanks! It kind of feels like I won the lottery.” Alice looked at the menu as well, her hands in her pockets. “How’s married life treating you, anyway?”
“Absolutely perfect.” Thor smiled, a goofy look on his face. He adored Natasha. “I find every day something new to adore about it. And Natasha reminds me all too often of new reasons to love her.” He smiled softer at Alice.
He ordered a strong coffee and a danish, and stepped aside for her to order, giving his card to the person behind the register.
Alice ordered hot chocolate and an eclair, smiling up at Thor. “You paid last time! Let me get my half!”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned at her, and wiggled his nose at her as well. She was cute when she as all motherly and commanding. “Come on, cute one.” He led the way to the waiting area and a table therein. “It’s good to see you so happy.”
She paid for her things, then bounced over to the table. “I could say the same for you. Sometimes you just looked so sad, it hurt my heart.”
Thor blushed and smiled. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to do so.” He gently hugged her. “Now we are both finding new joys, and new lives.”
“You couldn’t help it, it’s not your fault.” Alice tiptoed up to kiss his cheek. “It’s true. I’m glad we were able to forge our own happiness.”
Thor smiled at her. “Yes. I always did think you were loveable, even if I didn’t think the same of myself. Now we both found it, somehow.” Their drinks were called and he brought them back, then handed hers over as he raised his in a toast., “To possibilities and to being happy.”
“And I thought the opposite.” Alice grinned, holding aloft her hot chocolate. “To wide open futures. Cheers.” She didn’t take a sip of her drink right away, instead she blew on the surface to cool it a bit.
“Cheers.” He sipped his and smiled, happy. He was with a friend, and things were going well for both. Maybe life was looking up.
“So. You’re married and your career is going well. When do I get to be an aunt?” If Alice couldn’t tease Thor, who could?
Thor laughed. “Well, maybe next year? Maybe. We still are slowly going through things. Growing together, as they say.” He smiled happily, thinking on Natasha. “Planning for the big ceremony, and the honeymoon, and hoping no craziness interrupts either.”
“Sometimes I feel so lame, I’m the only one who has no powers and I hate that I can’t contribute.” Alice hated that she was a liability.
“Ah, now, I think that your spirit, and your warmth and courage could be a benefit to anyone, crisis or no. You are amazing, Alice, and knowing you makes me better. Many people could benefit from such care as you have to give.” He nodded eyes warm on her.
That just made Alice blush. “I appreciate your saying that, but I still think that you’re amazing. You save people. I’m just normal.”
“Oh Alice. The only reason I can do the things I do is because of my heart, and my heart is made by my interactions with people who treat me with respect and honor, who inspire me and give me hope. Whether you believe it or not, you are an inspiring person, a brave woman, and someone who is truly good. You have more effect than you know.”
Thor’s voice was soft and earnest.
“Well, thank you. I’ll try to keep that in mind.” Alice chuckled and brought out her phone. She wanted to show Thor a picture she’d taken of Grace deep in thought while doing her homework. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Thor smiled as he looked at the picture. “She is, and she looks a little like you, when you get passionate about something.” He smiled at her, then and nodded.
Alice blushed. “She’s not mine by biology, but ... I’m her mother.” Alice’s heart beat for that child. She’d die for her. “I’m such a sucker for her. I would do anything for her.”
Thor looked at her and he nodded slowly. “I know. You are, indeed.” He gently squeezed her hand. “You are a good woman, Alice. and I am very glad you have found a family, and proud of you for opening your heart to it.”
“Me too. I never thought I’d want to stay in the same place for so long.” Alice had been born a wanderer and a vagabond, never staying in one place for too long. “But this is home to me. I’m never leaving. Unless Jefferson does.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. If I do have children, they will need to know the inspiration for their daddy being willing to open his heart.” He hugged her, and nodded.
That made Alice tear up a little, and she moved to return his hug, kissing him on the cheek. “Oh, buster,” she sighed. “You’re such a good person. We’re all so lucky to have you.”
Thor blushed and smiled softly. “And we are lucky to have you, Alice. Very lucky indeed.” He kissed her hair and smiled, content. She made this day, this week, better, and he felt like he could sing. Maybe he would go home and sing to Natasha. He grinned as he thought of it.
“Look at you! Are you thinking of your wife? You glow when you do, and it’s almost literal.” She cupped his cheek, laughing. Thor deserved all the love in this world and a few other ones to boot.
Thor blushed, then grinned at her. And then he sang softly. He wasn’t the best in the world, but he was far from the worst.
“She makes the days brighter,
and the nights warm,
and all of my life is come to this;
for when she’s with me,
I’m better than before.
and when she’s gone, all of life’s mine to miss...
She is song in the twilight,
she is grace in the day,
she is my dreams by midnight
and my hope by morning’s sway,
She brings me courage when I falter,
she makes me alive, when I feel down
She gives me hope when I am lost,
and her smile annoints me more than any crown,
She is my love
She is my lady
She is the one who makes my life complete
she is my dream
she is my enabler
she is the partner who makes all my life replete
And when things are darkest,
and I am feeling tired to the core
she brings me hope and renewal,
so I can once more soar...”
His voice faded and he blushed, smiling softly.
Alice smiled and hugged him tightly. “I didn’t know you could sing. You should do it in a film sometime.”
Thor blushed and grinned at her, hugging her back. “Maybe someday, with some voice coaching. For now, I do it for those I care about. Maybe I can sing a song for all of those I know. Maybe.” He shook his head and smiled, then, softly. “As long as I have people like you to inspire me.”
Kissing his cheek, Alice squeezed his hand. “I think you inspire the whole world. Fair trade, really.”
Thor smiled softly and hugged her again. Maybe things would be okay, all around. As long as he could find people to talk to like Alice and Natasha. Maybe things would be just fine.
~fin~