"They claimed Donald Blake gave them penicillin. Then the deceased's family dragged the body to the entrance of New York's First People's Hospital, set up a mourning hall, and even brought in some local thugs. They completely blocked the hospital entrance and even hunted down Donald.
Back then, he wasn't as tough as he is now, he looked more like that bald guy with glasses next to you. They broke five of his ribs. After that, Donald completely turned his life around. He resigned from the hospital, left medicine altogether, and followed his girlfriend, Jane Foster, into physics.
And guess what? People who study medicine are just naturally smart. He earned a Master's in physics from Fordham University in no time and is now working on his PhD. I'm actually his supervising professor."
Erik grew more animated as he spoke.
"You asked why he's so good at fighting? It's because of that whole traumatic experience with the patient's family. Since then, he's worked out daily and even joined a mixed martial arts gym in Chinatown. the Bruce Lee Gym, no less. He's been training for years now. I always joke that if he gave up physics and turned pro in MMA, he'd make a lot more money."
"All right, I don't have time for your stories," Hill cut in abruptly.
"You—Erik, right? Go get your man. But let me make this clear. If this happens again, I can't guarantee my people will stop at fists."
Erik quickly stepped forward to shake Hill's hand, but she sidestepped with practiced ease, dodging his overly eager gesture.
"He's inside. Baldy, take him in."
"Thank you, thank you so much," Erik said repeatedly, following the bald man with glasses inside.
He hadn't even reached Thor yet when he started calling out, almost in tears.
"Oh, Donnie, Donnie! My poor Donnie, are you okay? Don't worry, I'm taking you home."
Erik rushed forward and helped up Thor, who was still in a daze.
They didn't exchange a word. Under the scrutiny of the surrounding staff, the two of them slowly walked out. As they passed Jane Foster's research van, Thor casually picked up a black leather notebook.
"Dr. Erik Selvig!"
Hill's voice rang out from behind.
Both of them froze for a moment, instinctively tense. Erik slowly turned his head, unsure what was coming next.
"Don't take him to a bar."
"I understand."
Erik exhaled deeply. That voice had nearly scared him to death.
"Where are we going?" Thor asked.
"Obviously, to get a drink," Erik muttered, quickening his pace.
Watching them leave, Hill gave a subtle wave and said, "Follow them but don't get noticed."
"Yes, sir!"
Inside Erik's small sedan, Thor covered his face with both hands. Though the tears had dried, the streaks remained. He didn't want anyone to see this side of him.
"You really are something," Erik said, eyes on the road. "Breaking into a S.H.I.E.L.D. base by yourself. are you actually that dumb, or just playing the part?"
"That thing inside belongs to me. I just went to retrieve what's mine."
"Yours? That's a meteorite! It literally fell from the sky!"
Thor stayed quiet. No matter what he said, no one would believe he was the God of Thunder.
The car screeched to a stop outside the Red Romance Bar in the Bronx.
"How many?" a scantily clad hostess at the entrance asked, flashing a perfect smile.
"Two," Erik replied.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"No."
"Then please, this way."
The hostess turned with a sway in her hips, her black-stockinged legs drawing Erik's full attention as they followed her in.
At the bar, Erik ordered two glasses of whiskey.
"You know," Erik began, "I usually believe the opposite of whatever people tell me… but this time, I was totally wrong."
Thor looked disheartened. The loud music and flashing lights failed to lift his spirits.
Erik's gaze, which had been fixated on a dancer in the middle of the room, returned to Thor.
"That's not necessarily a bad thing. I know you're lost right now, and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with asking questions."
Thor nodded slowly. "For the first time in my life, I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"Anyone who finds their purpose starts by admitting they're lost."
Thor looked at Erik. "Thank you for helping me."
"Don't thank me. I'm only helping you because of Jane. Her father and I used to teach at the same university. Our families go way back. I watched her grow up elementary school, middle school, high school, then college. Now she's my PhD student. Her father was a good man, but Jane's always been… headstrong."
There was both helplessness and fondness in Erik's tone.
"I'm the same," Thor said. "My father tried to teach me, but I never listened. I thought I knew everything. Only now do I realize he was right."
Erik turned toward Thor, suddenly serious.
"I don't know if you were just confused or deliberately being an idiot and frankly, I don't care. The only thing I care about is Jane. I know she likes you."
Thor blinked. It was as if someone had just flipped a switch in his head.
Wait… Jane likes me? That stubborn girl—no, that beautiful woman likes me?
"Uh… I swear, I never meant to hurt her."
Erik rolled his eyes. "Good! In that case, one more drink and then you're out of here tonight!"
Thor nodded.
"Two beer cocktails!" Erik shouted, downing his whiskey in one go.
"Here you go," the bartender returned with two huge mugs and two small shot glasses.
Erik poured the shots into the mugs, raised his drink for a toast, and Thor followed suit.
Neither was willing to back down, they both downed their drinks in one go.
Gulp gulp gulp…
Erik let out a loud burp.
"Didn't think you could hold your liquor that well."
"Heh, I'm okay. Ranked third in the Nine Realms," Thor grinned sheepishly.
Look at this guy, still bragging.
There's no way I'm letting that slide. You think New York's Beer God is gonna lose to some loudmouth?
"Bartender! Another round!"
"Coming right up two more beer cocktails!"
"Let's go! Cheers!"
Another round vanished down their throats.
"Bro, no offense, but you've clearly read way too many comic books. You've scrambled your brain. There's no World Tree, no Rainbow Bridge, no Odin, Thor, or Loki. That stuff is mythology. I mean, I liked it when I was a kid too, but we're adults now. Time to grow up, make money, build careers! That's how you impress women!"
Now completely drunk, Erik threw an arm around Thor's shoulder and slurred, alcohol clinging to every word.
(End of Chapter)
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