Thor sat in a famous superhero-themed restaurant in Manhattan, feeling thoroughly out of place...
Waitstaff dressed in colorful and eccentric costumes that were deliberately styled after various superheroes weaved through the dining area carrying trays of delicious food. Occasionally, starstruck tourists would approach them, asking for photos.
With the gradual implementation of the Superhero Registration Act, superheroes had become a hot topic in public discourse.
Newspapers and news programs debated the issue daily. The owner of this restaurant was clearly a shrewd businessman, he seized the opportunity to capitalize on the trend and attract more customers.
A waiter dressed in an old-fashioned stars-and-stripes uniform bearing a striking resemblance to Captain America approached with an eager smile, "Sir, would you like to order something? We have sandwiches, and our signature burgers. Or how about some Mexican tacos?"
"I'm waiting for someone. Leave me be. I don't need anything for now," Thor, the mighty god of Thunder who had once conquered the Nine Realms, coughed twice, trying to suppress the haughty demeanor befitting an Asgardian prince.
For once, he had shed his eye-catching majestic armor in favor of a black formal suit. Yet this formal attire only made him stand out even more awkwardly in the casual fast-food atmosphere of the superhero-themed restaurant.
Thor himself felt uncomfortable, as though he had stuffed his towering frame into a cramped little box. Restless, he fiddled with the umbrella at his side, waiting for the woman he had longed to see.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late." Jane, who was clad in a floral sundress, hurriedly took her seat, the click of her high heels echoing.
The now-renowned astronomer, who had risen to prominence in academic circles, wore an embarrassed expression as she glanced around the restaurant.
'Next time, I'm definitely not letting Darcy handle the arrangements.' she thought to herself.
Who in their right mind would take an Asgardian prince to a fast-food joint for burgers and tacos?
"It's fine, I haven't been waiting long. This is a new experience for me. I've never had to wait for anyone before." Thor grinned, his smile disarmingly goofy.
The tall imposing man sported a bushy beard that gave him the aura of a regal lion, his golden hair and chiseled features were enough to make any woman's heart flutter.
Ironically, it was the Asgardian prince who seemed utterly smitten. Like a nervous teenager on a first date, he rambled endlessly about his heroic exploits, completely oblivious to Jane's increasingly stiff, polite smile.
Though he was a skilled orator (having received royal training), his vivid descriptions of the Nine Realms and Asgard's breathtaking landscapes would have once captivated her.
In the past, Jane might have rested her chin on her hands, playing the role of an enthralled listener. But she wasn't the same woman anymore...
After returning from New Mexico and joining Umbrella Corporation, she had thrown herself entirely into her work, chasing career advancements. With Asgard's existence now public knowledge, she had published a series of influential papers, steadily climbing the academic ladder.
She was no longer the simple woman who could survive for months in the wilderness with nothing but water, bread, and a truck full of hand-modified equipment, tirelessly chasing astronomical anomalies.
Now, Jane frequently visited the White House, attended global symposiums, and was regarded as a leading female figure in the scientific community. Her future was bright, her career soaring. But as she grew older, she found herself craving emotional fulfillment, something her professional success couldn't provide.
At the root of it all, perhaps, was the lingering shadow of a certain elusive figure in her heart. A secret she couldn't share with anyone... not even Darcy or the ever-supportive Selvig.
"The Chitauri forces retreated, we repaired the Bifrost, and then led Asgard's armies to quell the unrest across the Nine Realms. Each kingdom fought for itself, but we must unite them and establish order..." Thor continued his enthusiastic monologue, casually picking up his iced Coke and taking a hearty sip.
He immediately frowned after the sip, thinking, 'Midgardian ale tastes strange...'
Yet he took another swig, the fizzy coldness sliding down his throat, bringing an inexplicable sense of refreshment.
In a burst of appreciation, the Asgardian prince slammed the paper cup onto the table.
Jane watched Thor's animated expression.
Objectively speaking, the Asgardian prince wasn't unpleasant. Though occasionally overly confident, he was handsome, kind-hearted, and warm. Back in her New Mexico days, she might not have resisted his advances.
But everything had changed. A nameless anxiety gnawed at Jane's heart, turning what should have been a pleasant conversation into an ordeal.
Ten minutes ago, she could still muster a few polite responses, but now she could only stare blankly at her sandwich and burger, wearing a stiff and awkward smile while her thoughts drifted far away.
Oblivious to the increasingly awkward atmosphere, Thor rambled on happily about his recent military campaigns across the Nine Realms, hoping to impress the woman before him.
The Asgardian prince had never met a woman as captivating as Jane. She was independent, strong-willed, and decisive. Though Sif, his childhood friend, was equally valiant, she still adhered to Asgardian traditions, always deferring to his royal status in private.
"Need me to bring you some proper wine?" At the critical moment, Darcy, who was draped in a stylish coat, swooped in to rescue Jane from her boredom.
Thor looked up, recognizing the girl he'd met back in New Mexico. Though slightly annoyed at the interruption of what was supposed to be an intimate moment, he remained polite.
"Thor, what are you doing here?" With Darcy's arrival, the atmosphere lightened considerably.
She slapped the Asgardian prince on the shoulder with casual familiarity, not waiting for his answer before turning to Jane with a grin, "I went to Umbrella's lab first. You weren't there buried in paperwork. Then I checked your house, and you weren't holed up in your pajamas obsessing over New Mexico and the sound of you lifting that hammer... Speaking of which, Thor, did you bring the hammer? If Jane could lift it, maybe I can too."
Thor frowned, eyeing the chattering Darcy before answering solemnly, "Mjolnir is not a toy for just anyone to wield. Only those deemed worthy may lift it."
Then, his gaze returned to Jane, his eyes brimming with affection, as though he could carve his adoration into his very expression.
"Ohhh, so why are you on Earth? I saw the global broadcast. I heard Asgard got invaded by aliens." Darcy grabbed Jane's sandwich, casually blocking Thor's lovesick stare, "And who was that big purple guy? The one who looked like a giant grape? And that shiny golden glove–"
At the mention of the infamous cosmic tyrant, Thor's expression darkened, "Thanos is a name that strikes fear across the cosmos. He conquers worlds, slaughters lives, leaving mountains of corpses in his wake. He is the last survivor of Titan. He claims to have seen the future of this universe. Everyone thinks he's mad."
His voice grew somber as he added, "I came to Midgard as Asgard's envoy to establish ties with Earth. But I've since learned that the Avengers have disbanded, and S.H.I.E.L.D. has undergone changes. Coulson, Nick Fury... I can't even find them."
At this point, Thor shrugged, "Some men in black suits found me and said there'd be a 'Special Conference on Asgardian Relations' tomorrow. They told me to wait."
He had always despised bureaucratic formalities, so he had simply asked S.H.I.E.L.D. to arrange a meeting with Jane. Being with the woman he admired was far more comfortable than sitting alone in a hotel...