Asgardian Twilight

Fire and Water

Thor remained in Hulk's chambers, albeit against his will. He sat on the floor, contemplating Heimdall's words and absentmindedly fidgeting with the obedience disc. Helplessness had never suited him, so this idle time was near-maddening. Being told what to do was one thing, but being forced to do something was far worse. And now, in this moment, he was forced to remain there.

Hulk's stomping feet signaled his return. The entire room quivered as he approached. Thor barely acknowledged him, his eyes fixed on the window, seeing beyond the window to the massive wormhole in the distance.

"Thor sad," Hulk observed as he drew near and looked down at him.

Thor turned his gaze from the wormhole to Hulk and glared at him. "Shut up."

Hulk shook his head and shoved Thor. "Thor sad!" he repeated, as if he were trying to force Thor to open up. Though it wasn't the most eloquent or therapeutic method, it did elicit a response.

"I'm not sad, you idiot! I'm pissed off!" Thor roared as he jumped to his feet and began to pace back and forth. "I lost my father! My Hammer!"

Hulk sat down on his bed and watched Thor as he continued to pace back and forth before him.

"And now I'm trapped here. And Dean is trapped here. And I can't do a fucking thing about it because I'm forced to be in this room with someone I used to call a friend!"

"Whining and crying," Hulk glowered. "Crying like baby."

Thor shook his head and looked up at the ceiling. "You're not even listening. Why am I even talking to you?" He turned and kicked a helmet, sending it smashing against a wall. He could feel the helplessness seeping into his overall mood, maddening him.

"Don't kick Hulk's stuff," Hulk warned.

Thor spun on him and scoffed. "You know, you're being a really bad friend."

Hulk folded his arms over his chest. "No. You bad friend!"

Thor sighed. He didn't have time for this juvenile banter and yet he had all the time in the world for it. The Grandmaster had seen to that. "You know what we call you on earth? The Stupid Avenger!" He knew that he was descending into childishness but nothing seemed to matter anymore. "Yeah, that's right! The Stupid Avenger that breaks everything and ruins everything!"

Hulk stood to his feet. "You're Tiny Avenger!" he mocked as he snatched up a large shield and threw it in Thor's direction.

Thor ducked quickly and the shield smashed against the wall, its sharp edge embedding itself into the flat surface. "Are you crazy?" Thor yelled.

Hulk huffed. "Yeah."

Thor shook his head and fought back the urge to start tearing the room apart. What good would it even do? "You know what? I lied earlier. Earth does hate you. You break everything. You ruin people's lives. Destroy their homes."

Hulk's expression suddenly drifted into sadness. He turned away from Thor and wandered over to his bed where he sat down and stared down at his hands. Remorse suddenly gripped Thor and he realized he'd gone too far. Letting out a sigh, he guiltily walked over to Hulk and sat down next to him.

"I'm sorry I said those things," Thor confessed. "I'm just... I'm angry. And you're right- I am sad. I'm angry and sad and I feel powerless here. And I took that out on you. And I'm sorry for that. You aren't the Stupid Avenger. Nobody calls you that."

Hulk shrugged and looked at Thor. "It's okay."

Thor smiled. "Can't go around throwing shields at people though. Could have killed me if it weren't for my speed. Though it was a good throw. Captain Rogers would be proud."

Hulk huffed and smiled. "I know. I'm sorry. I just get so angry all the time. Always angry."

Thor nodded. "I know. We have much in common, you and I. I try to control my temper, and I'm certainly better at it since I met Dean. But we're just a couple of hot-headed fools, you and I."

Hulk nodded. "Yeah, same. Hulk like fire, Thor like water."

Thor scowled. "I think we're both like fire, actually."

Hulk nodded again. "But Hulk like a real fire. Raging! Thor like a smoldering fire."

Thor sighed. There was no getting through to Hulk on some things. But maybe there were others he could? He smiled at him. "Hulk, I need you to do something for me."

Hulk looked at him for a long moment and then a big smile crept across his face. "Hulk help friend. Even if friend tiny and have baby arms."

Before Thor could make his request known, a large monitor on the wall suddenly flickered to life and the Grandmaster stared at them, his lips curved into an amused smile. Thor wanted to pummel his face. His anger threatened to resurface again at the thought that all of them were simply playthings for the psycho.

"Lord of Thunder!" the Grandmaster spoke in a teasing voice. "Have I got a treat for you! It seems your beloved is a much better fighter than he is a concubine. And that adopted brother of yours- what a deceptive little minx he is!"

Thor stood up and walked toward the monitor. "Say what you intend to say, you psychotic-"

"Ah, ah, ah!" Grandmaster cut him off as he raised a single finger. "Let's save all that emotion for the big fight."

Thor glared at him. "Big fight?"

"Oh, yes. A very big fight. Trust me when I say you won't want to miss this one!"

The screen flickered and suddenly Thor had a perfect view of the arena he and Hulk had fought in. The crowds were roaring as the Grandmaster began announcing the next big fight. Thor's heart hammered in his chest as four alien warriors were summoned to the arena, each of them armed and horrific. Had he been there, he might have enjoyed such a challenge. But when Dean and Loki were next announced and walked out, he felt tendrils of panic seeping into his head. There it was, once again- powerlessness. Though he felt much colder where Loki was concerned, Dean's safety was in jeopardy. He wouldn't be able to use his powers, which meant he'd need to rely on his fighting abilities and the aid of Loki. Though he knew Dean to be a great fighter, the thought of his safety being in Loki's hands sickened him.

"Dean!" Hulk shouted as he clamored over to the screen and pointed. It was as if he finally remembered his old friend. "That's Dean! Hulk like Dean!"

No longer dressed in the trappings of a Sakaarian concubine, Dean was clad in his red, purple and gold uniform, his bare arms glistening with sweat. He brandished a sword and shield, his gaze determined and fierce. Loki stood at his side, twin daggers twirling in his hands.

A dropping pin could be heard in the room as Thor held his breath, awaiting the start of the fight. Then the Grandmaster gave the command and the fight began.