Part Three: Wait

[st_ormbreaker]

When Thor finally wakes up, it's in an unfamiliar bed, looking up at an unfamiliar ceiling.

It doesn't take him long to register through the hangover headache that he must be in Tony's hotel room (though Tony himself is nowhere to be found). When he finally sits up to push himself out of bed to grab a glass of water from the hotel room bathroom, he discovers a bottle of water sitting right there on the nightstand next to him along with two ibuprofen.

Thor stares down at it for a moment, somewhat moved by this simple act of anticipating his needs. He can't really remember the last time anyone had done something like that. Thor uncaps the water bottle and takes the ibuprofen.

"Stark?" Thor calls uncertainly into the room.

Comments

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

As Thor moved towards the bathroom, a sticky note branded with the hotel logo greeted him where it resided pasted on the mirror.

‘Rise and hydrate, Sunshine.

If you see this before me, I’m in the north lot doing stuff and things. I got permission, don’t worry.

P.S. Hydrate.’

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor pulls the sticky note from the mirror and gazes down at it before slipping it into the trash. A fresh set of clothes: a button-up shirt, a pullover sweater, and a pair of jeans are neatly folded next to the sink. All are missing tags, but are clearly new.

Thor hasn't had new clothes in awhile. He tended to cycle through the same two, three sets of clothing, with one ill-fitting set for special occasions, of which there were mercifully few. Thor sees no reason to snub Tony's gesture, so he puts them on and finds that they fit.

Thor runs a hand through his hair, attempting to tame his mane without a proper shower, then sniffs under one arm to ensure that he doesn't smell too badly. Normally, it wouldn't be a concern, but with Tony around, he was at least attempting to make an effort.

Determining that he does not smell too bad, he grabs the bottle of water, slips on his crocs, and makes his way out towards the North Lot.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Tony Stark and the 1982 pickup were parked in the semi-wilds of the shadowed edge of the hotel. Though with Tony bouncing between a generous tool kit and the popped hood with Earth, Wind, and Fire in accompaniment with an old-school boom box, it was the liveliest spot around.

“FRIDAY, Wait.”

“Yes, Boss?”

“No, no, the song—yeah, that one.” Tony found the slow beat with his hips as he held the distributor cap up to the sun.

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor's lips curl into a smile, however slight, at the sight of Tony moving to the grove.

"You need any help?" Thor says, directing a finger to the pickup truck. He should have figured that Tony would be out here working on it (it was a Tony thing to do), but it never occurred to him until now.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Oh Hamlet.” Tony jumped, nearly dropping the donut-sized piece. He turned, sleeves rolled up and cheek smeared with grease, giving Thor a once-over. “And ruin that outfit? No, no, Hon, I got this.”

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor pulls down the tailgate and sits down in the bed of the truck. If Tony didn't need his help, well, he might as well keep him company.

"I got your message," Thor says, giving water bottle a little swish.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Almost done. Please wait for me,” he sang in time with the lyrics. “Sleep well?”

[st_ormbreaker]

"Well enough," Thor replies, uncapping his water. "What about you?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Great. Didn’t.”

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor takes a sip from his water bottle. "You should do that instead of tinkering with other men's trucks."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“You like it.” Tony gave the cap a twist and a pat as he secured it into place.

[st_ormbreaker]

"What have you done to it?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

“Seeing is believing.” Lowering the hood with a triumphant sigh, Tony gestured grandly. The truck had seen a wash and a polish and the dent marring they door had been buffed out.

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor pushes himself off the bed of the truck to give the truck an appraising look. It's cool outside, but he can already feel sweat gathering at the back of his neck.

Thor twirls a finger at the space where the dent used to be. "Can you open it now?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Tony wasted no time, tugging it open, smooth as butter. "Wow. Look at that. State of the art."

[st_ormbreaker]

Tony claps a hand on Tony's shoulder and pats it a few times. "It looks good," he says. "Thank you."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

"She's a good girl." Tony returned the touch, giving Thor's shoulder a little jostle. "Just gotta treat her right."

[st_ormbreaker]

"I'll do that." Thor wets his lips, then rubs the fingers of one hand into the palm of the other. "You should get some sleep. I'll pick us up lunch."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

"It was one all-nighter. I'm good. C'mon." Letting himself into the driver's seat, Tony swung the door shut. A few seconds passed and he was hopping back out. "After a shower."

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor continues picking at his hands. "I can have lunch waiting for you when you get out."

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

Tony naturally glanced down at Thor's fidgeting hands, but didn't linger. "You win." He ran a palm up and down Thor's spine as he passed on his way back to the room. "No dairy is all I ask."

[st_ormbreaker]

Thor's relief is palpable. "Keys?"

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

"In the ignition," Tony gestured as he spun, "Call when you get there!"

[st_ormbreaker]

--

When Thor returns, it's with a case of beer in one hand and two bags of takeout in the other. He's already on the verge of saying something when he sees Tony curled up on his bed, hair still damp and fast asleep.

He sets the bags and the beer down on the counter, then sits down on the bed opposite Tony. Was Tony always this small? It didn't seem like it in his memories. He feels suddenly compelled to reach out and tousle the other man's wet hair, but abandons the idea to crack open a beer instead.

[st_arkravinghazelnut]

The bed creaked and the hiss of the can roused Tony from his doze. He hadn’t remembered falling asleep after taking the call, or even what he ordered. The smell of food and Thor brought his groggy mind around, making out the sight of his profile.

“Oh, thanks.” He reached over as he sat up, taking a swig off Thor’s can.