Authors note: I will be gone for the next few days so I thought a chapter should suffice in my absence. It's a tad bit filler with more Thorki but next one should have smut. I have a feeling my dear readers have been deprived of it
Thor is calmer now that he has his caffeine fix. He went to such great lengths to avoid the instant coffee that I'm pretty sure he would die for a cup of genuine coffee. He brought me the gift of a chrome coffee maker, now spewing its contents into a pot while Thor sets up his cooking station. The maker is a gleaming candle in a yellow mine; it sticks out and clashes horribly. I tried to protest when he brought it in with the groceries but he gave me that kicked puppy look, saying,
"I want to give you nice things. I will use it every time I'm over." Needless to say he had his way and I hope he uses it. He also bought us enough groceries to feed several other families, using the boys as pack mules to carry the things back from the store while I laid at home consoling via text a distraught Fandral. He hadn't heard from me after our date and assumed the worst. If he only knew what I had been through, how I feel now.
Fenrir helps Thor tie a frilly yellow apron that he found in the linen closet around his massive waist. Oh lovely. Thor is such a good sport for wearing something that looks like an obese grandmother would wear while handing out cookies to grandchildren. Oh I am so using this as black mail if this fabulous son of Odin rubs me the wrong way. He grins over at me as I snap a picture with my cell phone. He doesn't put up a fight but simply gets to work.
I love a man who can cook. My ex didn't know how or he refused to learn anything he couldn't get out of a can or package. He simply knew how to make coffee and toast, which he happily lived off of (besides the occasional scotch) until he wrangled me into living with him. I had to make every meal and I've never been good at cooking. Thanks to cook books though, I've managed to keep my family happy when it comes to what is on their plate. I slave over food so when I meet a man willing to do the work for me I can't help but smile. I wonder if Fandral cooks?
I go to take a sip of my morning cup of tea but have a meaty hand block the cup from my lips. He rips it out of my hand before I can protest and dumps the contents into the sink, pouring me hot black liquid beans instead. What the fuck?
"Thor, damn you! I don't drink coffee."
"You've never had the right kind. I will fix you an excellent cup and you're going to love it." He works those giant paws, mixing in fresh milk and sugar into the mix. He's trying to do the impossible really. I fucking hate coffee. I always have. Laufey tried to get me to drink it when I was thirteen but I always spit it back up. The awful acidic bitterness burns my insides. I like my peppermint tea, I still get the caffeine but I have healthier insides than a demigod. He sets it down by me with a newspaper he picked up. Oh reverse spousal roles. Smashing!
Fenrir dances around the table with a plate, ready for when Thor gives the call of eggs being ready to be served. He bounces from foot to foot in anticipation. Right now I'm a little concerned about his health; he may just explode with joy if he's exposed to any more excitement. As for his brother, not so much. Sleipnir sets the table as he does every morning. We started the tradition when he was able to toddle from chair to chair. He wanted to help his poor mommy so I gave him this job and have never asked him to do so since. It is his job and he knows it. When done he sits down with a book from the library on the history of horse calvary and sips a glass of milk. He is the apple of his fathers eye.
I skim this tiny newspaper while I humor my massive guest by sipping occasionally on the sweet mixture. Though he attempted to mask the taste of coffee, it is still coffee and coffee is awful. It tastes like battery acid covered in sweetener. Yuck!
This place really is a small town. The only things this paper consists of is a local psychics horoscope section, the weather and the fucked up storm from last night, and "Meat Sale Monday!" Compared to Oslo this place is heaven. Rape, suicide, murder, gangs, drug cartels, prostitution, robbery, and violence is in every reading. It is a giant void you can't escape. A void that dehumanizes you to the point of not caring. I knew I needed out when I thought after reading about a small girl raped and strangled to death outside the city, "Wasn't one of my boys." If all they have to deal with is odd weather and a sale at the butcher shop than I don't mind staying here forever.
Fenrir delivers a glorious plate of eggs. Thor must have used at least two dozen to concoct a mix of scrambled, fried, and sunny side up eggs to consume. He smiles while drinking more coffee.
"I didn't know what everyone liked so I made the perfect three for breakfast."
"Thor, this is too much. Really you don't have to do any of this."
"You keep saying that. I love you all. I want to do this for you and I want you to have nice things. Now eat. My mother would say you look like you need an extra helping." He winks one of those eyes and gets back to work. Damn you.
ooo
Layers of plates lay in a bizarre pyramid on the yellow table. Bacon, sausage, potatoes, coffee, milk, and freshly squeezed orange juice all consumed by two mild eaters and a giant with its growing giantling. Fenrir finally admits defeat by crawling away to a soft spot to nurse his swollen stomach. Sleipnir follows him though he walks with his nose buried deep into the book from earlier and narrowly avoids hitting a wall or two on the way out. As for myself, a nap sounds lovely after the disturbing night I had though taking care of the great pyramid of Thorenkamen comes first.
"A tidy home is what really impresses people. It matters more than anything." Laufey used to tell me. Never once in my life have I ever seen him personally clean any part of his luxurious home though he is quick to criticize my home. One of the more painful moments of my self induced exile from my fathers domain was when he strolled into my tiny apartment I had managed to fund through two jobs and looked at me in disgust, walking out without saying another word because I had left dishes in the sink. Though hypocritical it has always stuck with me.
I handle each dish carefully while Thor lounges like a true man; sure he will cook but god damn those dishes are not his thing. I work the rusted yellow faucet to poor out lukewarm water. It's not my favorite chore but if I have someone to talk to it's not so bad.
"Are you going to speak with Jane?" I don't mean for it to sound like I want him to leave. The only time I want him to leave is so I can get some sleep.
"If she doesn't do first. She is usually the first to forgive." He sounds drained. I look over my shoulder to see him bent over his coffee. I can only assume that he has that deep "neanderthal first thought" look on his face.
"And how do you feel about it?"
"I want her to be happy and I also want to be with her. Loki, I really think she is the one. We've made it this far and the wedding isn't too far away. She's a strong independent woman but her interests hold her back. Her job pulls her away from me and even when I have her to myself I know she is somewhere else." While he speaks I work my dish washing magic. Oh you poor darling. I hope she it's only the stars that keep her there. Oh no.
A thought occurs that steams from my brain and travels down before dropping like lead into my stomach. What if she is cheating on him? I don't see why she would but people have surprised me before. I do fancy him and it slightly irks me how quickly I can throw away Fandral. Many people want Thor so why wouldn't she? Is it the snoring? The child like behavior? The poor eating habits? Or is his enticed by her and Thor is just her personal bank account? Or perhaps she has the lovely trait of fucking to the top of the chain but still wanting more? She could do it and get away with it. Thor isn't a genius, though despite my teasing he does have a brain. She will break you, Thor.
I can't help but feel... enraged. How dare she throw something so precious away! I don't know if she is but if, and that is a pretty big if, she is than I will end her. Ouch.
Apparently I've let my hands soak in the scorching water for too long. Burnt hands with poisonous thoughts mix as I let the thing I once cared about be. Before I can stop myself I begin forming a dangerous idea. One so masterfully crafted with the flick of my tongue. It floats and takes hold of the demigod bent over his coffee. He drinks it down like his precious drink before I can even take it back.
"If she really is the one, why doesn't she want to be with you?" Doubt; it's a powerful and consuming poison. He takes it in and lets out the first raspy reply as it runs through his mighty veins. Have I broken him? Have I tainted what is pure?
"I-I don't know... I really don't know." I turn from the soaking dishes to apologize and hold him like last night but a knock at the door tears me away from him.
"Excuse me. I'll be right back." I murmurer while drying my hands on the nearest towel. The malicious part of me is beaming while my rational kicks in. This will come back to haunt me somehow, it always does. I unlatch the door to find my favorite woman in all of the World before me; Jane Foster.
"I don't mean to bother you but is Thor around?" Her voice cracks when she says the "T" word. She looks like shit; puffy red eyes, makeup less, distraught, and grubby. She reminds me of a fallen angel. Even with my miniature victory, I know I've looked much worse. I have yet to pity her as well. Shall I lie and say he isn't here or unleash hell until she confesses her sins?
"He is." I try to control my tone. And when I say try, I give little to no effort.
"May I speak with him?" Oh I bet you want to speak with him. He doesn't want to talk to you, you ungrateful bitch. You come crawling back to him when he doesn't deserve a woman like you. You are the scum b-.
Thor pushes me out of the way. This seems all too familiar. His face is unreadable as he leans in for a greeting kiss. It isn't passionate or face fucking as I've seen them do. The kiss is simply a way to make up for what happened between them. She breaks it off as tears stain her face.
"Oh Thor, I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry. You matter more than anything." And I am going to vomit from frustration. I might do so all over her to get my point across. I hate her and he just takes her back in his arms like it is nothing. I hope I changed something! I hope he sees through her and finds some fault to her that tears them apart. But than again I am simply a brother to him. Without her I don't see him swinging my way. This constant whiplash between affection and friendship is maddening. I want him but I will settle for second best, since second best is interested.
I walk away before I see too much. There are dishes that need to be washing and I should probably wipe down that new coffee maker and the table. I have other things to do while I let them settle.
ooo
They leave after an hour of talking. I would never have noticed if Thor didn't grab me in a thank you hug for being the "Best brother ever by letting him stay here and being such a great pal." The best. I come to terms with this though as he walks out the door I see that look in his eyes. One that is filled with the poison of my words. I hope it burns him slowly.
I get back to cleaning. After all there are so many places to clean and more interesting things, like if Fandral likes coffee or tea, and if Edgar Allen Poe was the greatest astronomer ever. Very enthralling stuff right here. I will scrub these floors until my hands bleed and keep up my text battle between breaks.
ooo
When I sleep I dream of a rainbow bridge in the starry night. I try not to look over the edge though I can see there is nothingness under. That pit forms in my stomach. What if I were to fall? Where would I end up? I feel slightly sickened by the thought of plunging into the vacuum of space. I stick close to the middle though I don't know where I am going or what purpose I serve walking along this rainbow but long haired Thor stands in the way.
I open my mouth to say something but he picks me up by my night shirt and grunts in his murderous rage. He wants to kill me. I struggle with all the fight I have in me but he just takes it.
"Brother what have you done to me?" He growls and moves so we're both on the edge. He dangles me by my shirt over the edge. I can't talk. I can't scream.
"Your trickster ways will not be missed." I only struggle as he gives me one last look of hate before letting me fall into the darkness.
ooo
I wake up in a cold sweat, not entirely sure if I am for a moment. Yellow everything. I must be home. What the fuck was that? That was... intense... My god. Pantpantpant I swear if I see another rainbow I might not be able to put myself back together. Nightmares are torturous things. I decide tonight is a good night to crawl into bed with my darling Fenrir, who accepts me like an extra pillow. I fall back asleep and thankfully dream of nothing.
ooo
The next few days pass without any sign of Thor ever existing. I prefer it that way after the brozoning and the rainbow nightmare. I shutter a little as I pass by several drawings of rainbows pasted on the walls for others to see. This school house is quaint but a little confusing. Fenrir left me to my own devises as the bell rung, so here I am now, struggling to find the office for my appointment. The halls are narrow and bright, filled with drawings and announcements. This place reads happiness. This whole town is just a little piece of heaven.
A little boy with brown hair and brown eyes stumbles out of the bathroom. He has a Captain America shirt on and is pocketing an action figure when I almost run into him. The poor thing jumps and hides his prized toy behind his back.
"Sorry, Sir. I'll get back to class."
"No worries. Do you know where the principles office is located?" He looks terrified. He must think I'm turning him in. "Your secret is safe with me." He breaths out a little sigh.
"Right down the hall." He pockets his action figure and runs back to class. What a darling little fanboy. I can't help but laugh and wonder if this is Fenrir's "best friend." I head down the hall to find a small public office. A plush secretary with rosy cheeks and a warm smile greets me from her desk.
"Hello. Are you needing something, deary?" Deary? These people are too friendly.
"I have an appointment with Principle Hemidal." She smiles and points to the impressive carved door not too far away. It has a haunting glow to it, as if there is something behind closed doors you don't wish to see.
"Go right on in. He's expecting you." Go forth and be brave, Loki. There is no reason to fear a man who is in charge of a school. Even if his name is frightfully ironic. I push open the heavy door and go into a darkly lit room. It's only darkly lit due to the massive being blocking the window as he stares out into the court yard.
Principle Hemidal is an impressive man. Dark skinned, well dressed, well over six feet, possibly ranging in seven, he could surpass Thor in the height division. He turns with a too white smile, exposing his amber lit eyes. Once I look into them there is no going back. It's like a rodent entranced by a snake, I cannot break it off as he looks through me. He sees everything I've done and everything I will ever do. It's eerie to say the least.
"Mr. Laufeyson, Please sit down." He has a deep voice that sets you on the edge. I sit without much thought into a heavily used chair, with a spring that seems to have broken digging into my ass. It's not the only thing that is bothering me in this room.
"Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Hemidal. I was hoping to meet you before school started but plans change. I hope I'm not keeping you from anything." I managed to get the day off from work due to Astrid being in a good mood for once. She must have found another ugly cat sweater to wear.
"No. I do enjoy meeting parents outside of when a child misbehaves," He sits down and adjusts his thin glasses. "I've looked over your boys files and they seem to be extraordinary students. They should fit right in. We do offer counseling and several after school programs. I have a pamphlet if you're interested." I only set up these meetings to get a feel for who my children are around all day. I've done this with every school they've gone to and will continue until they reach University level. My boys are going to university even if I have to slave to pay for it. Svaðilfari and Laufey said they would help out as well. I know Svaðilfari already has an account set up for Sleipnir and he may or may not have one for Fenrir. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't.
"I would like one very much. Are their teachers willing to set up meetings?"
"Frigga is very open about letting parents visit her class room. If you wish to meet with her after school, she usually is just in her class room. As for Sigyn, she is a little harder to get in contact with but she will help you out if you have any questions." His eyes burn for a moment before he breaks the trance by grabbing some papers and writing down numbers for me. Despite the overwhelming creepiness, I like him. People usually are not this helpful anyways.
"Thank you again."
"It is my pleasure, Mr. Laufeyson. I can tell you care about your children more than anything. Here at my school our staff treat the students as if they were our own. We help them grow academically into functional adults. My office is always open to you if you have any questions or concerns." Though harsh, unforgiving eyes rape you of your personal history, he drives a hard bargain. I like him enough to keep my children here and he's been very helpful.
"I will keep that in mind."