Chapter 3

From Thor's point of view...

Thor's family came from Houston and that got on Thor's nerves any time there were making jokes about it. "Houston, we got a problem..." and all that space crap... People could be really annoying. Not to mention the fact that they all thought him completely stupid and small-minded because he was a quarterback, a blond or a Texan. Not necessarily in that order.

And not only him. Because Thor's Momma and Pop were what society calls "nouveaux riches", they were considered as vulgar and trying to get bigger than they were. They couldn't help it if his Momma ran a very successful team of engineers and his Pop had a nose for business. Yep, they began almost out of nowhere and managed on their own but that was precisely the American Dream, so ?

Thor loved his life in high school and football. He didn't consider it as a career though. He knew how hazardous it could be and the traps that awaited young hopeful players. Better to settle down on more secure ways of earning your bread as his Pop used to say. He could picture himself taking back the reins of his mother's office some day...

But at his age, he wasn't thinking about that. He was more thinking about something he craved more than anything else. Completion.

Thor had discovered rather quickly that he was bisexual. He first had two serious relationships with girls of his age, Jane and Sif. Unfortunately, Jane wanted to settle down when he wanted to remain free and Sif was adamant on not marrying, ever, when he was considering it with her. He peacefully broke up with them both, knowing that they couldn't want the same things at the same time. He managed to keep them as very close friends, almost as sisters. When in trouble, he knew he could go to either of them for help and vice-versa.

But, even during the time he was quite happy with Jane or Sif, he realized he was still looking at guys.

He liked strong, brainy girls with a firm personality but he was attracted to mysterious, dark and quiet boys. Not necessarily handsome ones, but definitely the secretive ones that hid from everything and everyone.

Although the relationships he had had with girls were rather meaningful experiences that led to strong friendships, all of his with boys were one-night stands or brief affairs.

None of them were public or lasted long enough. He didn't make any bound with any of them. They were all scared of coming out, of going public. They all wanted darkness and secrecy, as deeply buried in the closet as it could be...

When it was over and Thor came across them in the school's corridors, they pretended they didn't even know him. All of them said that it was easy for the star quarterback to be open-minded and shameless, but that they would be finished if anyone discovered about their little "unnatural" trysts.

Thor hated it.

Sex and love had to be a commitment for him, maybe not for everlasting life but certainly not for some minutes and then obliterated, gone into thin air as if it never existed...

He talked about all of this to his parents and siblings. They were a large, open family and trust was the first thing to respect.

And yet, when Thor told them about his bisexuality, they were rather anxious. His mother wanted to know if he wasn't passing through some phase. When he asserted he knew who he was, his father sighed.

"Son, you are who you are and we are not going to love you any less for it. But it's a hard world for gay, lesbian, bi, trans, you name it, anything that doesn't fit the sacrosanct Daddy-Mommy-married-with-kids model..." Thor was about to say something but his father pursued. "So, I know you are going to live your life and live it well. I know you will settle down with someone who loves you, male or female. Or not, if it's not what you want... But remember that not all of us are brave enough to tell the world who they really are and you'll be deceived, or disappointed, many, many times..."

Thor wanted to prove his father wrong but failed. He had another love interest with a guy he knew was also a bi. Except that he refused to make a clean break with his on-and-off girlfriend when things went serious with Thor. As he couldn't accept to be the "other woman," Thor broke up and didn't get involved with anyone after this.

Thor went fed up after this last pathetic mess.

He wasn't too much depressed about it though. He knew that if his next romantic target was female, no one would come between them except their own personal issues. But if it was a male, and a closeted one, it would be hopeless.

So Thor preferred to give up and buried anything resembling sentiments deep inside of him until further notice. He stopped dating altogether. Unfortunately that brought him unnecessary attention for he was the only one in his team not to brag about female conquests and getting laid and such. Thor felt as if the whole world and their mothers had a right upon his privacy.

So when the family had to move to the west because of both of his parents' promotions, it felt like a breath of fresh air. He really thought he would be liberated from prejudices by being out of the bible belt.

"I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you..." His mother sighed. "Those posh people... They might act as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths but, down to the core, some are rotten just the same..."

Thor decided not to think about it too much. This was a new life for him, his siblings and his parents...

Well, the first months were not that transcending. Thor had to start anew and prove to everyone he was an excellent student and an even outstanding athlete. It was tiresome. He hoped it was worth it. His father had been right again, those people were snobs. They said nothing but thought no less. To them, Thor was a dumb peasant boy who should go back to his muddy ranch. Thor was internally fuming.

Yet, as he had predicted to himself, his results were noticed and he settled down quite comfortably. His parents, on their side, were starting to get invited to many significant elite events. None of them took all of this seriously. Yet, it felt good to be part of something, even something that futile...

Thor's Pop got involved with some of the most important businessmen around. He even had a new partner. "Nice fellow, but a bit vulgar." Thor's Momma said. "His wife could be quite the lady if she wasn't always agreeing to the stupidities her husband says... Especially when he's got quite a few too many..."

They were the Laufeysons. Thor already met Bill and Harry, the sons. They were in the same team. Thor rather liked Harry but Bill was a pain in the ass. All bully-macho-man and feeling threatened in his alpha male status by the coming of Thor. Indeed, Thor's talent was beginning to be an asset and Bill dreaded that it would be quite a challenge. Thor didn't care. He worked for his position as quarterback and feared no one.

All in one, the three boys had to get along together. Not much of a choice. Their fathers were closely working together and ignoring each other was becoming difficult. Even Thor's Momma had a few shopping spree with Mrs. Laufeyson and came back disgusted each time. Nathalie Laufeyson kept talking about hairdo, make-up, clothes, kids, men... Chatting and gossiping till the point of giving headaches to Mrs. Odinson. When Nathalie publicly giggled that the fact that Freya Odinson was "still working", instead of raising her children, was "a little weird," Thor's Momma wanted to cease any relationship with the Laufeysons.

Pop reminded her that they might be rude and dumb but they still needed them for a while. So she simply sighed and clenched her teeth and went to meetings for the ladies only that just bored her to death. Thor felt sorry for her and her husband helped her with her office work in compensation.

That was why, when the three of them were invited to the Laufeysons' summer party, Thor didn't expect much of it. Bill would be more than probably an ass. His parents would appear nice and polite but would be criticizing Thor's parents behind their back. Harry would be more than acceptable but wouldn't say much. He wasn't a talker because he had nothing to talk about besides football. Thor knew this was going to be long and exhausting.

And he was right, until he saw him.

Thor first thought he was hallucinating. Hiding behind the cocktail bar, following the party with a melancholic eye, a dark, thin and tall beauty about his age was standing.

Shiny, long jet black hair, fair skin, long graceful hands, thin lips and two green eyes... Almost the embodiment of Thor's ultimate fantasy. A perfection that almost didn't look real.

Except that the apparition was indeed flesh and blood and looked crushed by an invisible burden.

Everyone around was having fun or pretending to be. All but Thor and this heavenly creature. Yet Thor was simply bored. This beauty looked worn-out, forlorn, utterly lost...

Thor was staring quite rudely but he couldn't help it. He was mesmerized. He had forgotten all about the cool drink he was holding. He was thinking fast about any type of opening that could help him engage conversation with this weeping angel, maybe try to comfort him, maybe invite him for a dance or a drink, or... His train of thoughts was going amok.

The angel closed his eyes, as if stabbed by a terrible pain. Maybe he was simply sick. Thor wondered if he should reach out to him. And then the creature opened his eyes again to find Thor almost in front of him. Thor gasped internally. Those green eyes were piercing but they also had big circles underneath, caused either by the lack of sleep or a disease, or both...

The dark angel didn't look pleased by Thor's interest. He made an angry grimace that only revealed his paleness.

Then he turned around without any word. Thor was distraught. He didn't dare follow him, even discreetly. That would be stalking for the handsome dark boy was clearly in no mood for idle chitchat even less for a bit of flirting. Thor let him have his space but went to Harry, his eyes still on the boy's back. He asked his friend about the handsome stranger.

"That my brother, Loki. Youngest one."

As we said, Harry was not much of a talker but Thor didn't mind. His beauty had now a name, Loki. Loki, Loki, Lo-ki. It had a nice ringing sound.

"Is he all right ?" Thor then wondered. "He looks... I don't know... out of sorts."

"Nah." Shrugged Harry. "He weird."

"But..." Thor insisted. "Are you sure he is not sick ? If he is, he should stay inside instead of burning out there in the sun, not to mention the noise."

"Nah." He shrugged again, turning around as if to close the subject. "He just weird."

Wow, Thor thought, so much for conversation. It didn't matter. He had a start for information. Having made acquaintances with the Laufeysons seemed now like fate.

Thor lost sight of Loki. He spotted a crowd of mature people and heard a roaring laughing from the general audience. Then a highly intoxicated and slurry voice came out and Thor had a hard time to recognize Mr. Laufeyson. He was in the center of the crowd, waving his arms around like a crazy puppet.

" 'Daaaad, daaaaad, shall we go and see if the boo-fay is readeeee ?' Where did you learn to talk like that ? Faggot Academy ?"

Thor felt as if he had been slapped. For a brief second, he thought this witty repartee was meant for him.

And then he saw to whom it was referring to. Looking shrunk and pale as a ghost, if it was even possible, his eyes bulging out of his face with shock, Loki stood in front of his father. He was the unfortunate recipient of this doubtful piece of humor.

"Holy shit, son !" The wretched drunkard pursued, taunting his own flesh with his pointed finger. "You should have been born a woman for being such a drama queen ! Got your monthlies already ?"

Thor was flabbergasted. He wanted to punch that pig of a man and yell that it was no way to talk to anyone, least of all your own kid. Of course, he couldn't. He was that pig of a man's guest.

Anyway, Thor had no time to ponder about the necessity of a public punishment. Loki trembled once from head to toe. He stepped back once, twice and then ran out of the garden party as if the devil was at his heels. Thor couldn't blame him. There was no appropriate reaction to this kind of verbal aggression except beating your own father to the ground.

Thor lost no time. He followed Loki, who was really fast, across the bushes and the long stretch of grass. He had no idea where the boy was running to. Perhaps nowhere. Thor hoped he was not going to do something stupid. He was in a mood to, it seemed.

Finally they reached a rather large lake and a boathouse that stood near a pier. He heard Loki's stomping feet on the planks. He saw the beautiful youth staggering at the end and fall on his knees. Then he heard a horrible scream that didn't sound like something coming out of a human throat. Never in his young life, had Thor listened to something that scary and blood-curdling.

Loki screamed again once or twice and put his head on his knees. A sight of total misery and loneliness. It simply broke Thor's heart.

That was how Thor guessed that what was going on with Loki was something very bad. Something even worse than a father's public rudeness to his child. That was how Thor knew that Loki was gay. His extreme reaction and the fact that he didn't try to defend himself was the proof of it. Yet Thor sensed that the degree of despair in Loki's attitude was also proof that he had experienced something intimate and terrible.

Thor felt the tears coming. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to grab Loki, who was staring at the lake and the sky, as if asking heaven and nature for guidance, and lock him in his own house where he wouldn't be judged or despised for who he was and protected forever. Thor was amazed at the force of his newborn feelings for the boy.

He couldn't just manhandle Loki. He could at least try to offer his help. He walked on the pier, slowly, trying not to scare the youth.

"Erm... Excuse me, are you all right ?"

He had spoken softly but Loki's brutal jump and furious face didn't bode well for Thor. Maybe coming out that fast and not leaving time for Loki to compose himself was a big mistake. Thor had a tendency to trust the direct method. He had witnessed Loki, someone who had no idea who he was, someone he had not been introduced to, in a very private and sorrowful moment. Loki was not going to be understanding and social about that, nor will he lend an interested ear to whatever Thor would want to say.

"I mean...You looked really upset... I thought... Maybe you needed..."

Thor was loosing ground and stammering. Loki looked more and more ready to jump at his throat and tear him apart. Thor couldn't help finding him quite beautiful even in this enraged state. But also deadly. Thor was almost raising his hands forward as a sign of peace or to protect himself.

And then, something completely unexpected and scary occurred. Loki went bright red, then ghastly white, then blue in a second. He made a gurgling sound and a raucous gasp. He put his hands to his chest and throat and gave Thor the most horrifying look of horror he ever saw.

Thor happened to know what was going for having already experienced it. Loki had a bad fit of asthma and very probably didn't have his medication with him.

Thor held Loki and made him lie against his chest. He tried to remain calm. His younger brother, Baldur, also had asthma and a very serious case of it. The family stuck together at each crisis and Thor had to teach himself techniques to take charge if needed.

He started by the simplest one. He imitated Loki's struggling, erratic breath and gasps. Then he slowly took a more regular rhythm. Usually, Baldur couldn't help but unconsciously match his brother's breath and thus end the fit.

To his greatest relief, Loki did the same. He felt heavy in Thor's arms, helpless and scared. Thor could feel his crazy heart beating wildly and the air in his lungs trying to find a way.

Ultimately, Loki managed to breathe more or less normally. But his head weighed on Thor's shoulder and he fell into a half-conscious state. Thor lost no time. He hauled up Loki like a bride and tried to reach the party.

Thor made quite an entrance, carrying a comatose Loki in his arms but the commotion was short as Thor's Pop grabbed the car's keys and drove Thor and Loki to the nearest hospital. Thor's Momma was trying to soothe an hysterical Nathalie and to sober up Larry that barely knew how to walk anymore. She drove them later.

Loki had been taken in charge and saved. Thanks to Thor, the worst had been avoided. Thor shivered thinking about what could have happened had he been not there to help Loki.

Yet Thor and his parents had the shock of their life when they saw Loki's parents, once reassured about their offspring's fate, intending to leave and go back to the party. At Pop's suggestion that they should stay until Loki woke up, they answered that they still had a party to attend and their youngest being out of danger, they had no time left to carry on with his usual drama.

Thor and his parents where left, high and dry, right in the middle in the hospital's corridor as Loki's Dad was calling for a taxi in his slurry voice. He had to articulate to make himself understood.

Thor couldn't believe his eyes and ears. Neither could his parents.

Thor remained in the hospital while his Momma drove the appalling couple back to their precious guests. Larry was incomprehensible and couldn't manage to book a taxi. Thor's Momma looked ready to kill them both. His Pop sighed, already resigned to his partner's attitude.

Loki was still asleep. On his way back to the room, Thor spotted a florist and bought as much roses as he could. It made a very colorful and perfumed bunch. He knew that roses were harmless for asthma and Loki would want to set his eyes on something nice to lighten up the place.

Loki was up when Thor opened the door. Thor was perturbed a little. He had hoped not to surprise Loki. He had no idea how he would react at his sight and his parents' absence so Thor opted for the natural approach. He acted as if Loki and him were old friends, as if it was perfectly normal for two boys to chatter after having been so close to disaster. As if Thor was not totally unknown to Loki and not already familiar about his most private troubles. As if everything was perfectly normal...

"Hello there ! I was worried I would wake you up. You look better !"

Thor started chatting nonsense while following Loki's expression at the corner of his eyes. He had the surprise to see Loki's cheeks getting a little color and his eyes having a tiny sparkle of joy at the sight of the bouquet. He was obviously loving the roses. Thor silently checked one to himself for his good idea.

He had a brief glimpse of who Loki really was when happy and healthy. Whatever had happened to him, it wasn't natural.

So Thor went on with his silly chatter until Loki demanded who he was. Thor shuddered discreetly hearing that low, velvety voice for the first time. Just as he had imagined it, although a bit strained.

Yet Loki didn't talk much during Thor's stay. Thor sat on the bed next to him and made the most part of the conversation. Loki was so close he had to refrain himself from grabbing his hand or something else.

He had to be careful if he wanted everything to work out perfectly. It was as if trying to win over a frail bird. Loki looked suspicious yet calm. It appeared they had reached some sort of silent agreement. Yet Loki sometimes threw him a dubious glance. Thor was accepted but Loki was still wary.

If Thor wanted it to be serious, he still had a long way ahead of him.