Thor Odinson is a flummox. (thepowerofthor) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-03-02 10:49:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, tessa, thor odinson, zeus |
Who: Thor and Tessa
Where: Her house, then his house
What: Friends catch up, hair is done, conversation is had
When: The day after Wonderland
Warnings/Rating: PG-13 for vague allusions to sex
Status Complete
Thor smiled as he looked down at the OC. Seeing it recovering from the recent madness made him happy. People mostly seemed to be writing it off as a days long hallucination. And as crazy as it might seem, it was helping. People were going back to their lives.
Now, here, Thor was on his way to pick up Tessa for lunch, and hair doing, and talking. It had been some time since they had last talked and this time, he was determined to take her to his place in style. By flying.
He grinned as he landed outside her house, and stretched, feeling bouncy in his full Asgardian regalia.
Tessa had discovered some things about herself, during the recent strangeness. One of those things was that she never got lost or took a wrong turn, even though nothing appeared as it should have appeared--even without the aid of GPS. The other was that, when she had to go out on her own, and didn’t want to be seen...the card soldiers and their ilk simply overlooked her. And so did everyone else.
She couldn’t say that she particularly objected to picking up those sorts of inherent abilities. But it seemed that she was learning how to use them at will.
She saw a flutter of red outside her window and looked out, only half surprised to see a Norse god flexing on her lawn. What would surprise her was if none of her neighbors had noticed. It wasn’t often that she thought of Thor and Subtle in the same breath.
Tessa laughed, and opened door to call out to him. “You certainly know how to make an entrance. Still not worried about paparazzi?”
Thor grinned and extended a hand to her, moving toward her and hugging her close when he was inside. “Nay. Not anymore. Though I would regret it if I caused you problems. If it helps, I maintain a field around me now that makes pictures and video fuzzy and blurry, save when I am on set.” He smirked. “Perks of having this power, at least.”
Then he nodded to her. “It is good to see you, my friend. How are you?”
Tessa just shook her head. Again, she shouldn’t be surprised. “I’m very well,” she said, “And you don’t have to worry about causing problems for me. I’ve recently discovered that, apparently, if I don’t want to be seen, I can make myself invisible.” Perks of being Odin’s foster-daughter? She grimaced. “I’m just glad it hasn’t happened accidentally, at some inopportune moment.”
Thor grinned. “Oh really? Fantastic! Congratulations!” He gently clapped her on the arm. Then he laughed. “Ah, yes. I imagine that could be problematic.:” Then he paused and eyed her. “Does that mean there are particularly inopportune moments that come to mind?”
“Really!” She wasn’t sure exactly how it had happened, it just seemed to come instinctively, though she was becoming gradually more aware of the ability--and perhaps others to follow. “I imagine that disappearing at the drive-through of McDonalds would earn a few strange looks. Or in the middle of...” Sheepish smile. “A date.”
His smile grew wider yet as he took in those words and he laughed for joy. “A date? A just going out with someone date, or a real honest boy or girl friend kind of date?” His voice was gently teasing as he smiled at her. This was awesome news!
“A real, honest, boyfriend/girlfriend kind of date,” she confessed, shifting on her feet. She still felt nervous and excited when she thought about it, and a little scared that she might mess things up--and she was pretty sure that Thor was never going to let her live it down after the way she’d flailed and babbled at him before Valentine’s day.
“Yes, it’s the same guy who drives the Delorean; yes, he asked me to be his girlfriend on Valentine’s day; and yes, he knows about what I can do. We recently found out he’s a Dreamer, too. So I guess we’ll see how it goes.”
Thor smiled softly, and he hugged her impulsively. “I’m glad it is working out so well! I told you that it would work out! And I am sure it will work out yet more.” He nodded. Tessa was an amazing woman. She deserved good things.
“It’s hard being in a relationship, but very, very good, too.” He smiled at her.
Tessa hugged him, feeling silly, but strangely relaxed. Thor was almost as excited about it as Zach, and though she herself was a bit more laid back, she had to agree, it seemed like a good thing. “I worry about him, sometimes,” she said, “He’s not having the easiest time adjusting to the dreams. I can only imagine what might happen when...if he gets hit with his alter-ego’s mojo.”
Thor grinned at her and nodded, happy for her. He sobered at her words. and he sighed. “How much mojo are we talking about? And how intense do you think it would be?” He didn’t know a lot of the people from different worlds, or how they worked, but he knew some. Most seemed to struggle with it.
“We’re talking godly amounts of mojo,” Tessa said, with a wry smile. She sure did know how to pick ‘em. Not that she was complaining, since she seemed fairly well equipped to handle such things, thus far. “But listen to me. Already pouring out my problems and I haven’t even offered you anything to drink. Can I get you something?”
Thor chuckled. “What else are friends for? And I am sure if he has so affected you, he will manage to stand against it, with your help, and with mine, too, if you need it.”
He gently clapped her shoulder again, nodding.
“Whatever you want to drink would be fine. “
Tessa clasped Thor’s hand for a moment, nodding. She and Zach had fared well, thus far, and with support, there was every chance they would continue to do so. She smiled, and moved to fetch a bottle of sparkling water from the refrigerator, pouring a glass for Thor and one for herself.
“What about you? How is romance and the life of a leading man?”
He gladly took the water, and sipped it. “The romance is incredible. I am finding more and more romance in my life, giving and receiving, and exploring an intimacy that I never thought was possible. Somehow... life has gotten yet better.”
He grinned at her. “Being a leading man? That’s a little crazier. Not bad, really, but it’s a lot more work than anyone ever lets on.” He chuckled. “I am very lucky, really. I feel rather amazed at how well life is turning out.”
She smiled. It may have been a strange set of circumstances that led to Thor’s settling down--if indeed he was as settled as Tessa was beginning to suspect by the look he got when he talked about his romantic life--but life in the OC was strange. Maybe Thor had been in love with Natasha longer than he’d even realized it himself. And maybe Tessa was starting to understand what that might be like.
“I suppose it helps, having someone who understands what you’re going through, both on the acting front, and the dreaming front. Doesn’t it?”
“It does, yes. Things are going well. So well... I may have to ask you to come to a ceremony later this year. Or early next.” He nodded. He didn’t want to jinx the wedding, and he knew it was not until the fall or winter at earliest, so it would be best to just call it a may.
He smiled at her, and poked her. “And Zach, the young man? How is he doing?”
“Oh, that well?” Tessa echoed, her tone playful, teasing--but without any malice behind it. Thor looked so happy, and she felt as if they really had grown to be good friends. She smiled. “I will look forward to hearing more about this.”
As for Zach... “He’s very sweet, and romantic, and...” She laughed softly under her breath. “Innocent. I think sometimes I intimidate him, and I know his Dreams really intimidate him. But I think he’s adapting pretty well, so far. For the most part.”
Thor nodded and slid an arm around her to hug her gently, then let go. “That well.” He watched her and grinned. “I’ll let you know as soon as plans are made for true and real. For right now, I just want to make a movie, and enjoy life and hope no new crazy sprouts up.” Hope a lot.
“Good. Sometimes, we have to be uncomfortable for awhile to not be secluded and innocent any more. Doesn’t mean we aren’t better off, but it does make the in between times sometimes a little wild.”
“I thought it was wild before Zach started dreaming,” Tessa mused, polishing off her water. “Now? I’m starting to think making friends with the son of Odin was just...practice for dating Zeus. Now the training wheels come off.”
“Zeus? Zach is Zeus in his dreams?” Thor laughed and hugged her again, grinning. “You’re definitely going to have an interesting dating life. Even if he holds his own, his knowledge will expand dramatically, the more dreams he has. With your help, he may be able to maintain himself utterly.”
He nodded.
“Yes,” Tessa said, still hardly able to believe it herself. “Zach is Zeus in his dreams.” Which meant he was probably Jupiter, and Indra, and any number of his other counterparts as well. Though she seemed to recall that Odin was compared with Mercury. She sighed.
“I’m not sure my dating life needs to get any more interesting! Having Zeus’ knowledge in his head won’t change the fact that he still blushes whenever he gets a glimpse down my shirt.”
Thor laughed. “Good. As long as that is so, he is holding on to himself.” And the city would be safer. Thor smiled to her. “And he may surprise you. It’s the shy ones that have the naughty fantasies.”
Tessa feigned indignation, playfully swatting at Thor’s massive biceps. “My boyfriend’s fantasies are none of your concern. And you’d best be nice, or no rides in the Delorean for you!” But she was laughing when she said it. Thor always seemed to know how to cheer her up.
Was she really worried that Zach-as-Zeus might not be able to keep it in his pants? Should she be? She didn’t think so. She hoped not. But she’d cross that bridge if they came to it. And she’d enjoy exploring Zach’s fantasies with him in the meantime.
“So what brings you out to my place, anyway, besides wanting to get all the latest gossip on my love life? Got a break in the filming schedule today?”
“Always, milady.” Always. He smiled to her softly. She was an amazing woman and a good person and he liked how she handled things. He thought this young man was lucky, and would be in good hands, in more ways than one.
“Aye. And I thought I would invite you to lunch, and a chat and do your hair for you.” He smirked.
Somehow, she didn’t mind Thor’s pestering. He was turning out to be a loyal and supportive friend, and she was glad she’d taken the chance to get to know him. She hoped he and his Natasha would be able to navigate the pitfalls of Hollywood with better success than everybody else she had seen splashed across the front pages of the gossip rags. It would probably help that Thor could mostly keep them out of the gossip rags now.
“You know I can’t refuse an offer like that.”
“I was hoping not. You are a good friend and it does me well to spend time with friends I can trust.” he grinned at her. He liked her and her ways. She was trustworthy, smart, and outspoken, and he hoped and prayed that her life would be simpler than his, but he wouldn’t bet on it.
Even if she and Thor came from different backgrounds, and dreamed of slightly different world, she felt like they could relate on many levels--and it was nice to have someone in her life like that. She knew she’d need it, if things with Zach continued to get complicated. She hoped she got a chance to meet Natasha before the big day came--and maybe she could introduce them to Zach, too.
“So...your place, mine, or neutral territory?”
Thor smiled. “Mine.” He waved hand toward the back of her house. “Get a bag ready and we can go out back.”
It didn’t take long for Tessa to pack the things that she thought they might need for the activities Thor had listed, and meet him by the back door. “Ready when you are.”
A small smirk flashed across his face. "You have a nice back door, Tessa." He led the way through and to her yard, then held out a hand to her. "Let me show you something."
“Thanks for noticing,” Tessa quipped as she followed him out. “But I’m sure Natasha’s is just as nice.” Thor was incorrigible. And evidently so was Tessa. She put her hand in his, equal parts curious and apprehensive. “Show me what?”
Thor smirked. “It is very, very nice.” He winked at her, and tugged her close by her hand, then touched Mjolnir, which faded into view on his hip. “The sky.” And they shot upward, into the sky, and away toward his house. He smirked as they flew. When she was with him, she would feel no gravity nor cold, but simply warm and supported.
She gasped softly as the ground dropped away beneath them, her grip tightening for a moment, until she realized she was in no danger of slipping from his grasp. It was like something from a dream--and as the thought occurred to her, she realized in fact it was something from a dream, only in the dreams, she had been able to levitate on her own. Not that she had any intention of letting go to find out whether or not she could do so now. “Show-off.”
Thor laughed. “Some, yes. But also, just a love of sharing.” He grinned as they shot forth through the sky. “This is faster and it also prevents pictures.” By the time anyone was focused, they were gone. And soon, very soon, they were landing in his backyard.
He gently released her and smiled.”Welcome to my house, Tessa.” He led the way inside the large house. “I bought it from the former resident, a star who had to, ah, flee the county and needed fast cash.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, I bet. This way, no one can tell the difference between you, and Superman!” Tessa laughed. Maybe someday she’d figure out how to fly, but for now? She’d leave it to the professionals.
She was still caught up in the surreality of it as they landed and he led her inside. “Not a bad investment, if you have that kind of cash lying around.”
Thor snerked. “It wasn’t that expensive, and it was also at the height of my series television time. I had a little to spare. The rest I invested in some companies around town.” He nodded. And he had done well.
“Come on in.” He led her down the hall and waved a hand to the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Again, Thor let slip the secret that he had a big brain behind all that brawn. Tessa grinned. “Oh,” she said, “I’ll just have what you’re having.”
“Okay!” He poured a simple screwdriver, fast and dirty and handed hers to her, along with a water bottle, as he fetched his own. “We can sit in the front room.” He tapped the oven where a countdown was going on. “In one hour the meal will be ready.” He grinned at her.
She took the glass, and the water, smiling. “Sounds good to me,” she said, gesturing with the water bottle. “Lead the way, sir. Tell me what’s been on your mind.”
He led the way, and into the front room they went, where sitting, ready to be used, were various hair products and styling items. as well as a low burning fire.
“What’s been on my mind? Not a lot. Work, building a relationship, trying not to be annoyed with Wonderland, the usual...” He grinned at her.
Tessa sat down, curling her legs up on the seat beside her as she sipped her drink. “The usual.” She’d had similar things on her mind, as evidenced by her previous confessions. “Has life always been like this, or is it getting stranger? Or am I just more aware of what is actually going on now?”
“A combination of all three? The Dreams make one’s life more interesting, and the OC was probably always weird.” He smirked at her.
He rubbed his face. “It is funny. I became friends with Natasha and lovers with her when I had experienced no dreams, but those dreams definitely made the way for us to become in love much easier.”
“That’s good,” Tessa mused, a little pensively. “I take it you knew each other in the Dreams, too?” She couldn’t help but wonder how the Dreams might affect her relationship with Zach. She had a feeling Zach was already falling for her, hard and fast; but would Zeus’ memories help or hinder the progression?
She shook her head. “I’ve spoken with a couple of the people in my Dreams. It kind of makes me feel like a creeper.”
“Some, but not well. We fought together in a conflict against my brother and aliens.” He chuckled. Thor nodded, listening. “It is odd. My brother has not dreamed. I think.” He did not know what to think.
"Well, if my brothers dream, they haven't told me about it either, " she said, "though it wouldn't surprise me if my old man knows more than he lets on. "She shrugged. "If you had to fight yours in dreams, maybe it's for the best that he doesn't dream? But at least you don't have to keep secrets from your fiancee, or worry how she'll take it. That was kind of nerve wracking, with Zach. I can only imagine how anxious he must have been when he told me."
Thor nodded, smiling at her. “I do truly hope he does not. I think...” He stroked one hand across the other, theories coming back. “I think he was gravely hurt there, and became the darkest part of himself. I would rather the good man I know never dream of being that.” He nodded.
Then he smiled wider., and nodded. “She dreamed before I did. And....” He paused. “Her dreams eventually reached a finish point. As did mine. I wonder if all dreamers here have it so.”
Thor gently squeezed one of her arms. “I am glad you got past that point. Sharing that is a good thing.”
Tessa nodded. From what she had seen, many of the people she had met in her dreams would be hurt. Or killed. Or watch their loved ones die. But then, she was a reaper, so what else could she expect? At least she could share those dreams with those she was close to, in waking life.
“What does it mean when the dreams stop? Does it mean our other selves have died, or that the multi-verse has been balanced, or...” Or would the dreams begin again as life went on in both worlds? “Do you think they dream of us?”
“I think it means, for whatever reason, that whatever is allowing us to bleed through is controlling when and what we feel and learn. Like... limiting the time frame, somehow.” He hmmed. “Maybe we can dream again, later?” He shook his head.
“I don’t know. I almost hope not. What would they think of these lives?”
Tessa felt her cheeks flush at the thought of some other version of herself, or some other version of her friends, peering into their lives. Maybe she was starting to mellow, but not all that long ago, her life had resembled a soap opera.
But who knew. “I suppose some aspects of our lives would seem rather tame, in comparison with some of the things I’ve dreamed.”
Thor nodded. “MY other self lives in Asgard and fights for the freedom of the cosmos. I am an actor and an occasional helper.” He smiled a little.
“Fighting for the freedom of Midgard, one used-car salesman at a time,” Tess teased. “Brightening the world with your smile, and your sunny golden mane.”
He stuck out his tongue at her and chuckled. “And my giant arms?” He was aware his ‘guns’ as they were called, were a topic of much conversation on the net. It made him snicker sometimes, and blush others.
“Still and all, I am just a man.”
“Among other things, I’m sure.” At least in all the fangirls’ dreams. She smiled, giving his arm a playful punch. Little did she know that someday her inner Valkyrie would have the strength to throw a grown man across the room. “I think there’s more to this man than meets the eye,” she said, “And a loyal friend is worth more than the biggest star’s salary, in any world.”
He smiled and rubbed his arm. “Bah. I hired someone to take care of the fanmail for me. It was getting a little silly, even for me.” He shook his head.
And he nodded. “Maybe so. You are definitely worth a lot more to me than a salary, my friend.” He dodged the compliment a little, and grinned at her. “I think you would look good with your hair back.”
Tessa just shrugged, running her fingers through her hair. “I keep it in a tail at work,” she said, “Quick and easy to redo if it comes down. But you’re welcome do have your way with it, if you so desire. I won’t tell Zach.”
He snerked. “I think Natasha would be upset if I had my way with your hair, though it would condition it some...” He chuckled as he nodded to her. “If you turn away, I’ll start washing it.”
“I have heard there are salons in exotic places where you can get some...interesting conditioning treatments,” she said, turning for him. “But since we’re both spoken for, I suppose we can keep it PG-ish.”
He chuckled and nodded, then got to work, his hands gentle as he first pulled her hair back slightly and then reached for the water bottle, warmed by a warming pad, and started wetting her hair, smoothing it down and washing it with a gentle shampoo and conditioner. As he worked, he talked.
“And how is work?”
Tessa’s shoulders relaxed, and she stopped making wisecracks for a moment as Thor started working. Like she’d told Zach, she was a bit of a sucker for having her hair played with. When Thor asked questions, though, she roused herself enough to carry her end of the conversation.
“Busy as ever. Taping sprained ankles, catching babies. Not quite as exciting as when you were going through your awkward, human phase, but you know. It keeps me fed and clothed. How about you? You’re not still accident-prone, are you?”
He chuckled. “Not as much, now, no. And more prone to surviving.” He grinned at her as he worked her scalp and massaged in the shampoo, then rinsed with a careful tug, a bowl under her head, and his knees supporting her. Then conditioner was added as he supported her neck to keep her comfortable. “This is leave in conditioner...” He massaged it in and it slowly sank into hair and scalp.
“Good. I’m not sure I could be professionally detached if you were to almost die now...” She trailed off as he rinsed her hair, humming softly--and resisting the urge to make a quip about the conditioner. “I hope you do this for Natasha, because I feel very spoiled right now.”
Thor blushed and smiled, grinning as she spoke. “It is a tradition. I will make her melt in my hands.” He smirked and sighed, feeling rather good. “I like doing it.”
“I like this tradition,” Tessa said. Whether Thor did this for all his friends, or just a few, she felt very pampered. Maybe one of these days, she and Zach could start a tradition like this. Although, if she thought about it, they might already be starting a few of their own.
Thor smiled. “Good.” He hugged her then nodded. “Done. You can relax now.” He grinned at her. He enjoyed pampering his friends, and he had made sure when he became in a relationship that things like this and flirting were okay. He knew himself, and he did not want to cross lines without meaning too. So, here and now, he was confident.
Tessa was still figuring out boundaries, and she would have been lying if she said she hadn’t wondered whether or not Natasha was okay with Thor spending time with her, doing things like this. She wasn’t sure how she would have felt about Zach doing things like this with his other female friends, but then, she would have been shocked to learn that Zach was even interested in doing things like this with anyone but her. But Thor had been upfront with her from the beginning, so she trusted him not to dig them a hole they couldn’t get out of.
She sighed, returning the hug, and letting herself relax all the more. “So, what next?”
“Drinks, and the food will be done soon, and then we just relax.”
“Relaxing is good,” she murmured, running her fingers through her hair. “I have a feeling we’d better make the most of it while we can. Before things get crazy again.”
Thor nodded. “Tis better to do so. Find out moments of peace, and just let the days go. When the madness comes, we will need those days to remind us of what we hold dear.” He grinned at her and hugged her gently. Then he led the way to the kitchen, to comfortable chairs there, in front of the counter, and smiled.
Tessa hopped up onto one of the chairs, leaning her elbow on the table, and her chin on her hand. Not long ago, Thor had encouraged her to find out where she stood, and what she wanted in life, and seeing Thor happy and settled really made her think. Life changed so quickly. Even if she could potentially have all the time in the world, was there any reason not to take hold of her own happiness in the here and now, and make the most of every moment?
“So what’s cooking? It smells great.”
Thor smiled to her, eyes warm. “An old family recipe. A beef stew with spices, and a thick sauce and noodles in it, hand made.” He grinned. “Some day, perhaps I will show you how to make it.” He grinned. “Sister.”
“Someday.” She smiled back, feeling warm and comfortable, inside and out. Things were starting to fall into place, and it was good.
FIN.