panic stations

2. you're so screwed now

I'm sorry for such a long delay! I didn't expect people to actually read this nevermind hope for more lmfao. Hopefully this longer chapter makes up for it!

-

"Holy shit, are you alright?"

Bruce dared to crack one eye open as he peered up at the seemingly eight-foot giant leaning over him, eyes wide with shock.

"Never better, thanks."

The thought occurred to him briefly that his bitterness may have been more keenly felt if he wasn't lying undignified on the cold floor showered in fallen books and notes. He didn't have long to consider this, however, before he felt a strong grip on his upper arm haul him to his feet as a surprised squeal left his throat.

"Uh- thank. Thanks. Thank you, man. Although I probably could have done that myself." He awkwardly folds his arms in pathetic defiance and shakes his head to get his long curls out of his eyes, a nervous tick he usually tries to keep in check.

"Worry not. It was my fault anyway, I shouldn't have been standing in front of the door like a damn tree." Bruce tries to not look at the hint of red gracing the giant's cheek while ignoring his own burning hot face and instead focuses on the wide, toothy smile suddenly beaming in front of him.

In fact, once he starts, Bruce finds it pretty difficult to stop staring. That's until he also discovers the thick blond hair, impressive stubble and mesmerising brown and blue eyes approximately 10 inches from his face and consequently forgets how to breathe.

"Seriously though, are you alright?"

A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Bruce realises he's conscious and having a conversation with another human being, and clears his throat before reassuring the stranger that he was, in fact, fine.

The blond nodded in response and provided an earnest smile before an embarrassed look suddenly flashed across his face. He ducked to the ground so quickly Bruce didn't have time to register what was happening and stared in confusion, hyperaware of the proximity of Thor's head to his crotch.

He comes about 4 seconds too close to having a heart attack before realising he's simply helping him retrieve his scattered books, and he internally rolls his eyes at himself. You would be so damn lucky, he thinks to himself as he sinks to the ground too, not daring to make eye contact at the risk of his bright red face warranting a concerned 911 call.

"I mean I've probably snapped a couple of vertebrae, but whatever. Spines are overrated." He mutters under his breath, but apparently just loud enough for the blond to hear. Bruce hears the soft laugh behind him, causing his cheeks to darken even further.

"I'm Bruce, by the way." He offers, still staring hard at his chemistry notes.

"It's nice to meet you, Bruce. I'm Thor."

-

Bruce sometimes wondered what he was in a past life. Some people remember that kind of stuff, right? There are people who say they have memories of being nurses in world war two or gladiators in Rome and shit like that, aren't there?

Bruce can't remember a damn thing.

He continues to wonder, though, what terrible, heinous crime he must have committed in a previous body to deserve the constant shit storm provided to him by the universe now that guarantees he can never have anything good or normal.

He imagines the universe stabbing little pins into a crudely crafted Bruce Banner voodoo doll as he stares intently at the clock on the wall, completely oblivious to the outside world.