HEROES | T. ODINSON 1

SEVENTEEN

"Is she...?" 

"She's gone for good, I promise." 

After the people of Asgard had taken to the streets to put out fires and celebrate victory, Thor had taken me to what was left of the castle's hospital wing, one of the only places left mostly untouched. 

My chest rose and fell at a steady pace when the new king of Asgard gently wiped the smears of caked blood and soot off of my cheeks with clean rags dipped in fresh spring water and sterilizing alcohol, careful not to scrub at the tender skin. According to him, I'd hit my head pretty hard on the bridge after passing out from defeating Hela, and even though I couldn't remember it, the throbbing pain I felt on the back of my head and upper back was a physical reminder of what happened. 

He pushed the skintight material of my torn bodysuit down past my shoulders and cleaned the skin there, allowing the lukewarm water to relax me. 

Even though the God of Thunder seemed relieved that we had won without completely ruining his planet, I couldn't help but sense a sort of melancholy in the air between us. I couldn't quite figure out what it was exactly at first, but then it slowly dawned on me; we had won the fight.

I would finally be going home. 

I couldn't wait to finally sleep in my own bed again, to eat a decent takeout meal, and to take a hot shower, and yet there was no denying I was going to miss the man in front of me far more than I would've liked to admit. It was hard to tell how long we had been gone with space-time travel, but it couldn't have been more than four days since I'd met him. Still, it felt like a lifetime. 

He looked at me while he continued to touch my skin with his calloused yet delicate hands, and my breath hitched in my throat. My eyes scanned his face. I wanted to take all of him in before it was too late, everything from the patch he'd quickly tossed over his missing eye to the stubble on his cheek and the fine lines etched onto his bronzed skin. 

He was so close to me that I could feel hot, short spurts of his breath on my face. The silence we shared felt strangely comfortable, and even though my heart danced around in my chest, I felt oddly at peace. I looked up at his eyes and noticed he wasn't looking directly at me but at my lips.

My heart skipped three beats. I cursed myself for getting weak around the knees for this man I barely knew. Is this what having a crush feels like? I couldn't help but wonder. 

"So, how does it feel to be a king?" I asked to take his attention away from my mouth. 

Thor laughed and scrunched his nose, his head shaking slightly as he contemplated what to say to that. 

"I'm not quite sure. I will need some time to let it sink in," He replied, "Are you alright, though?" 

"I'm fine," I swallowed quickly, "Just glad this is all over. Would be nice to sleep in my own bed again, you know?"

He nodded.

"How's your eye?" 

"It's fine. I'll be just fine."

"How's Loki? Is he alright?" 

"Please," he said calmly, "everyone we care about is fine. Thankfully the healers were able to undo most of the damage done to the Asgardians. Banner is perfectly fine. The aliens are well, they sustained only minor injuries. Loki is much tougher than he looks. Besides, he runs anytime things get too hot under his feet. You need to focus on yourself now."

I nodded in agreement. 

Thor stopped applying ointment to my skin and rubbed the leftovers onto his hands. I looked down, afraid to make eye contact with him, terrified of saying the wrong thing or ruining the moment. I pretended not to notice his eyes digging holes into my soul, but I couldn't deny the butterflies in my stomach when his hand gracefully grasped mine and held it there. 

"I'm not quite sure how to thank you properly," Thor admitted finally, "I don't think words would suffice. My people and I are forever grateful." 

"I should thank you. For showing me a world outside my bubble and," I paused, searching for the right words, "Making me feel like my life had purpose all this time. I never believed in destiny until I was out there on that bridge." 

Thor stood before me, grasping my cheek with his right hand. I sat on the hospital bed, completely frozen from anxiety and excitement, while the Norse God looked down at me. 

Before I knew it, his nose touched mine. His lips, soft and plump, only slightly came in contact with mine, but I could hardly keep myself together. His facial hair grazed the bottom of my face, and now more than ever, I could feel his hot breath on me. He held my face still, pointing it upwards as if to reach better, but he made no concrete movement to come any closer. 

Anxiety bubbled in the pit of my stomach, and I balled my hands into fists to keep myself from freaking out. My eyes darted across the room; I didn't want to make eye contact with him out of nervousness.  

I could hardly breathe when he finally pressed his lips harder against mine. I wanted to touch him, but I couldn't move. The baby hairs on my neck stood up at the fiery passion with which he kissed me. His kiss, so demanding and needy, yet careful as if not to break me in half, felt like an entirely new experience. The electricity he naturally possessed was something I could feel coursing through me, setting me on fire from the inside out. 

He pulled away slightly, probably to check if I was even still alive because I'd hardly moved an inch since he got so close to me, and I couldn't remember the last breath I'd taken. Instead of speaking, he continued to hold my hand, slowly stroking the back of it to comfort me. I squeezed him to let him know it was okay, and I could immediately feel him relaxing in front of me.

Thor sat down beside me again, letting me momentarily rest my head on his broad shoulder. Neither of us had to speak. We both knew what would happen next. I was never good at goodbyes, and clearly, he wasn't good at them either. 

"Don't worry," He said finally, "I will return to Earth. I want to see you again." 

I swallowed thickly and nodded, unable to look at him. 

"Guys?!" Bruce yelled from beyond the door, "Ship's ready. Time to go!" 

And with a heavy heart and heavier footsteps, I followed Thor outside, ready to leave Asgard and its people behind me. 

Edited: May 24th, 2023.