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Thor and Bruce were surprised, to say the least, when Steve, Natasha, and someone they didn’t know named Scott Lang showed up at their door talking about time travel.
Bruce had moved into New Asgard not long after the events of the Garden, and the blossoming romance between him and Thor was inevitable. They’d been dating for over four years now, and living together for over three. Thor had handed over his role as the king to Valkyrie a couple years ago. They’d come to a point of peace, content. Was everything perfect? Hell no. But Thor was way better than he would’ve been without Bruce, and vice versa. They had each other, and that made everything okay.
Scott introduced himself and told the couple of his story about the Quantum Realm.
“So... you’re asking me to help you build a time machine?” Bruce asked.
“...Does anyone want any tea?” Thor asked from the kitchen.
“Sure,” Scott signalled Thor. “And... yes, pretty much. It’s our best bet against, well, you know... the purple guy.”
“Please, Bruce,” Natasha said gently. “We need your smarts. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
“And Thor, you’re welcome too, obviously. There’d be no reason for you to stay here,” Steve added.
“I’d hope so. I’d be pretty upset with you all if you just snatched my boyfriend up after visiting for the first time in years.”
“Boyfriend? You guys are a thing?” Scott looked back and forth from Bruce to Thor. “That’s awesome!”
Thor smiled and set down the mug in front on Scott, taking the empty seat at the table. “Bruce, could we um, talk about this?”
Bruce bit the inside of his cheek. “Yeah... yeah. Um, maybe you three could go meet Valkyrie? She’s out on the docks right now, I think. Just tell her you’re Avengers, she’ll get it.”
“Of course. You two take as much time as you need to talk it out,” Steve stood up.
“Can I take my tea?” Scott picked up the mug as he left his seat.
“Sure,” Bruce gave him a small smile.
“What do you think?” Bruce asked once they’d left.
“I think we should do it. Well, you should do it and I come along.”
He nodded slowly, trying to process everything. “I don’t even know if it’s possible. I don’t want to let them down.”
“They’ll appreciate your help regardless, Bruce,” Thor placed his hand atop Bruce’s. “Don’t we owe it to everyone to try?”
Bruce met Thor’s gentle eyes. “Yeah... we do. You’re right.”
“That was easier than I thought it would be,” Thor chuckled.
“I fell victim to your puppy dog eyes.”
“Your friends are fun,” Valkyrie called out to Bruce and Thor as they approached her and the others, hand in hand.
“You didn’t take long,” Natasha smiled in greeting.
“It wasn’t too hard of a choice,” Bruce replied. “We’ll do it.”
“Oh, man, I’m so glad. We have the, uh, Quinjet to fly you guys over whenever you’re ready. But no rush.”
“We’re really thankful,” Steve smiled at them.
Natasha patted Bruce’s shoulder. “Happy to have you both back.”
Later that night, Valkyrie knocked on their cottage door as they packed.
Thor opened the door with a grin. “Hey, Val.”
“Hey. Can I come in?”
“Always.”
“So you’re off to New York, then?” She and Thor sat on the couch.
“Mhm. Indefinitely, so we’re trying to pack a decent amount.”
“I could help you. Is that what Bruce is doing right now?”
“Yes, he’s in our room. And that’d be great.”
They left midday the next day, with Valkyrie, Korg, and Miek seeing them off.
“You come back soon, okay?” Valkyrie hugged Thor first.
“I’d never disobey the king’s orders.”
Bruce hugged her. “Take care.”
“You too. I don’t want you overworking that big brain of yours with too much science.”
They exchanged goodbyes with Korg and Miek then joined Steve, Natasha, and Scott on the Quinjet.
****
Thor joined the others to watch the first test, about a week later.
“Okay, here we go,” Bruce took a deep breath. “Time travel test number one. Scott, fire up the... van.”
Scott opened the backdoors of the van, the tunnel starting up.
“Breakers are set,” Steve announced. “Emergency generators are on standby.”
“Good, because if we blow the grid, I don’t wanna lose Scott in the 1950s.”
“Excuse me?” Scott’s face drooped slightly.
Thor elbowed Bruce. “He’s kidding. Don’t say things like that.”
“Bad joke, sorry,” Bruce muttered.
“...You are kidding, right?” Natasha lowered her voice.
“I don’t know everything here! This is time travel. Either it’s all a joke, or none of it is,” he said to Thor and Natasha, also turning to Steve, then back up at Scott. “We’re good! Get your helmet on.”
Scott did as told.
“Scott, I’m gonna send you back a week, let you walk around for an hour, then bring you back in ten seconds. Make sense?”
Thor squinted. He definitely did not understand any of this.
“Perfectly not confusing,” Scott voiced Thor’s thoughts.
“Good luck, Scott. You got this,” Steve assured.
“You’re right. I do, Captain America,” and he vanished into the tunnel.
Thor stepped closer to Bruce and leaned on him, clutching his arm.
“Three, two, one.”
Out came... a kid?
“Uh... guys? This doesn’t feel right.”
“Who the hell is that?” Thor was almost more confused than worried.
“Hold on—is that Scott?”
Thor gave Bruce room as he started to frantically flip different switches.
“Yes, it’s Scott.”
“What’s going on, Bruce?”
“Oh, my back,” An older Scott complained.
“Bruce...” Thor watched him start to panic. This would be an awful time to Hulk out.
“Hold on a second. Could I get a little space here?”
Thor, Steve, and Natasha all retreated more.
“Can you bring him back?” Steve gulped.
“I’m working on it.”
At this point Bruce was just jamming buttons, but Scott returned again... as a baby.
“...It’s a baby.”
“It’s Scott,” Thor observed like this was some miraculous thing.
“As a baby!”
“He’ll... grow,” Bruce said pathetically.
“Bring Scott back,” Steve demanded.
“When I say kill the power, kill the power,” Bruce ordered.
“Oh my god,” Natasha muttered, making her way to the switch.
Thor approached Bruce again, his hand on his shoulder.
“And... kill it!”
Scott finally returned as himself, looking disoriented. “Somebody peed my pants.”
“Oh thank god,” Natasha held her hand to her chest.
Thor sighed a breath of a relief.
“But I don’t know if it was baby me or old me. Or just... me me.”
Bruce ran a hand through his hair, still visibly stressed.
“...Yay! Time travel!” Thor attempted to lighten the mood. Everyone just stared at him, only Bruce giving a pity smile.
****
Once Tony and everyone else had arrived and the real work started, Thor didn’t see Bruce much. He’d visit the lab once or twice a day while everyone worked, bringing food or drinks or just to say hi. He could see the tiredness in Bruce’s eyes, only seeming to get worse with each visit.
They shared a bedroom in the compound, and the usual case was that Thor would go to sleep at a reasonable time, and Bruce would climb in hours later, gone when Thor woke back up the next morning. Thor missed him, but knew there wasn’t much he could do.
But once it got to the point where Bruce would stop coming back to the bedroom entirely, now spending nights at the lab, Thor knew he needed to intervene.
After eating breakfast he headed toward the lab, seeing Tony heading the opposite direction.
“Stark, I was hoping to talk to you—specifically about Bruce,” Thor stopped walking.
“Are you asking for my permission for more time with him? Because yes, absolutely, I was going to talk to you about the exact same thing. He needs rest.”
“Yes, good. Is he in the lab now?”
“I sent him to the kitchen where I made him some breakfast, he’s hardly been eating. Already told him he can take time off.”
“Thank you so much. How is, um... the progress, anyway?”
“Really good, actually. I think we can have it ready in two weeks or less.”
Though he knew he should be hopeful, excited, even, Thor couldn’t help but worry. “That’s great,” he lied.
Thor found Bruce eating eggs and bacon in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water.
“Hey, love,” Thor sat next to him, gently rubbing his shoulder. “How are you?”
“Fine,” he smiled half-heartedly.
“Hmm, no, not when your eye bags look like that. Once you’re done eating I want you to get some sleep. How much have you slept in the past few days?”
“Eight hours, maybe? Nine?”
“Your work is appreciated by everyone here, Bruce, but you really need to take care of yourself.”
“I know, I know, it’s just... really easy to get carried away. Especially when working helps distract me from worrying about what happens if it all goes wrong. Even if we get this up and running, and working smoothly, there’s still so much that could ruin everything.”
“I would have appreciated if you talked to me about these concerns instead of trying to work them away, Bruce,” Thor’s voice softened. “I’ve hardly seen you in weeks.”
Bruce’s chest hurt upon hearing the pain in Thor’s voice. He faced him and reached out for his hand. “...I’m really sorry. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
Their fingers interlaced. “All you need to do to make it up to me is take better care of yourself... and maybe try to see me a little more often.”
“I can do that,” Bruce chuckled.
They returned to their room not long after, to which Bruce immediately changed into more comfortable clothes and climbed into bed. Thor sat up on the bed, reading a book, while Bruce cuddled up close to him and took a long nap. Eventually Thor decided to rest briefly, too.
Bruce’s eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he felt was Thor’s fingers running through his hair. There was a heaviness weighing him down, the sort of weight one feels after waking up from a deep, much-needed sleep.
“Feeling better?” Thor asked so quietly it was almost a whisper.
“Mhm,” Bruce buried his face into his chest, holding him tighter. “What time is it?”
“Three o’clock. How would you like to go on a dinner date tonight?”
“I’d love to. Though I definitely need to shower first, I haven’t in days... probably should’ve told you that before we cuddled, sorry.”
“Please, you know I don’t care about that. Anyways, I want to go somewhere nice. You packed nicer clothes, right?”
“I’d never pack to go anywhere with you without preparing for a night out.”
“You’re a smart man, Bruce,” Thor kissed the top of his head.
Thor dressed up and got ready while Bruce took a shower. But he still didn’t know how to tie a tie—he’d always asked Bruce to do it for him. While he waited, he simply let it hang loose around his collar. He struggled to decide how to do his hair—tie some of it back? Put it in a bun? Do a couple small braids, maybe?
Bruce emerged from the connected bathroom in his towel. “Well, look at you,” he grinned.
“Damn, you’re too early, I haven’t done my hair yet!” Thor smiled at him through the mirror. “But perhaps you could help me decide, then.”
“What are you considering?” Bruce rummaged through his suitcase in search of an outfit.
“I’ve narrowed it down to a bun, or tie half of it back in addition to a few smaller braids.”
“Both sound great, but what if you braided half of it back instead? I could do it for you.”
“Really? You know how to braid?” Thor’s face lit up.
“I sure do. Let me get dressed, then I’ll do it.”
Once dressed, Thor first asked Bruce to tie his tie before braiding his hair. “Hmm, actually...” Bruce held the tie for a moment, then removed it and unbuttoned the top couple buttons of Thor’s shirt. “I think I like this better.”
“Fair enough, then,” Thor beamed and sat at the edge of the bed.
Bruce followed and sat so that he could comfortably reach Thor’s hair. “God, how is it always so soft?”
“I guess I just have nice hair.”
“You really do,” Bruce sectioned off his hair and started to braid.
“I booked a reservation at 6:45,” Thor told him. “In the surrounding area is a nice park we could walk around in the meantime.”
“I’m impressed, usually I’m the one making reservations.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t know how to,” Thor defended. “...Though I was a bit confused.”
“Well I’m proud either way,” Bruce finished the braid with a hair band. “Hair’s done.”
“Thank you, dear,” Thor turned around to face him. They looked at one another for a moment, Thor’s gaze trailing down to Bruce’s lips, then started to lean in, and Bruce filled in the space to kiss him. Thor moved his hand to hold the back of Bruce’s neck, using it to pull him closer. He did it more aggressively than intended, and felt a small gasp from Bruce. Thor pulled back, but kept his face close. “Sorry, I just... really missed you. Pretty sure it’s been at least a couple weeks since we properly kissed.”
“It’s okay, it just caught me off guard,” Bruce laughed. “Totally okay,” he kissed Thor again.
They passed by Scott, Natasha, and Rhodey hanging out in the lounge on their way out.
“Date night?” Rhodey asked.
“It most certainly is,” Thor squeezed Bruce’s hand. “We’ll be back soon.”
“How soon? Should we wait for you?”
“Thanks, Scott, but don’t worry, we won’t be out any later than 9:30,” Bruce reassured.
“You two have fun,” Natasha waved as they continued onward.
The park was beautiful, with a large garden and lots of trees and open space.
As they walked through the garden, admiring the array of flowers, Bruce subtly felt his pocket when Thor had gone ahead slightly—perfect—he just needed to wait for the right moment.
He chose to do it when they stood in front of the large central fountain. They had been silent, peacefully standing together, when Bruce took a deep breath and spoke up. “Hey, so, Thor...” He prayed that all his practice for this moment would pay off, and that he wouldn’t lose his balance or something like that while he knelt down, his left knee forward as he removed the box from his pocket. “Will you marry me?” He opened the box revealing a gold ring, almost exactly replicating Frigga’s wedding ring.
Thor’s face displayed several emotions at once, but primarily shock and happiness. It took mere seconds before he started tearing up. “...Y-yes, Bruce... yes...” he took the ring and admired it. “...How did... this looks almost exactly like it...”
Bruce stood back up. “Val and some other Asgardians helped me out,” he said proudly, his eyes now wet as well.
“Oh, Bruce, I love you,” happy tears streamed down Thor’s face as he hugged Bruce, holding him for a long time, gently swaying back and forth.
“I wanted to ask you myself for a really long time,” Thor said as they strolled hand-in-hand to the restaurant. “But I was too scared I’d ask too early and ruin everything, so I never even bought the ring.”
“Even if I wasn’t completely ready when you asked, I really doubt I would’ve said no.”
“Well, despite that, I’m very glad you asked. How long have you been planning it?”
“Planning? Maybe six months. I’ve had the ring for three. I packed it as more of a just-in-case kinda thing, thinking I wouldn’t end up doing it here. But after I neglected you, I woke up from that nap feeling so certain that it needed to happen now. It was a sense of clarity, an epiphany.”
“I guess you did make it up to me then, in a way far more significant than necessary.”
“It’s fun to go a little over the top every so often.”
Their dinner went as well as one between a newly engaged couple would; it was perfect. They drank a little more than planned, and though the compound was a short, managable distance away, they didn’t quite feel like walking. So Bruce rang up Tony.
“Hey, Tony, Thor and I just finished up dinner,” they were sat on a bench, now, Thor resting his head on Bruce’s shoulder. “Mhm... we’re a little tipsy and don’t feel like walking back... what, we’re celebrating! Oh, heh, yeah, you don’t know yet. Can you just come get us? Or get someone else to? ...Yeah, just outside the restaurant. Thanks.”
It took a lot of drinks to get both Thor and Bruce tipsy, but in their excitement they both agreed that the drink bill didn’t matter when they were just engaged.
Tony pulled up in mere minutes, rolling down his window to call out to them. “Hop in, lovebirds!”
They climbed into the backseat, sitting right next to each other so they could hold hands and cuddle. Tony set off. “You two gonna tell me what you’re celebrating, or what?”
Thor giggled. “We’re engaged.”
“Get out,” Tony’s jaw dropped.
“Hmm, it’d be unwise to get out of a moving car, Stark.”
Tony chuckled. “Yeah, sure. Anyways—Bruce—you finally asked, son of a bitch—I wasn’t sure if you could do it.”
“That’s rude,” Bruce snorted.
“Fun fact, Thor, I was the first he talked to about it. Was probably wondering how the hell I got Pep to marry me.”
“I had to make excuses so I could call him away from your ears. That was hard, with New Asgard being so small,” Bruce reminisced.
“So that’s what that was! Damn, I thought you were avoiding me then.”
They returned to their room in the compound, immediately kicking off their shoes and getting comfortable. They changed, brushed their teeth, and made their way to bed.
Thor kissed Bruce’s hand, then held it and used his other to hold his face as he kissed it all over, from forehead to nose to cheeks to lips. Bruce blushed, a nonstop smile on his face as he ran a hand through Thor’s hair, undoing the braid which Thor had forgotten to do himself. He set the hairband on the end table and ran his hand through the braid to smooth it out, then kissing him again.
All of Bruce’s anxiety had eased so fast. Sure, he wasn’t done worrying entirely, but he sure felt a whole lot safer, more sure of everything. He’d needed a reminder that no matter what happens, it was worth fighting for— Thor was worth fighting for. Even if it all failed, it all proved useless, they tried.
“I don’t at all want to rush you,” Thor started after breaking the kiss. “But once this is all over, I think we should get married. Invite all our friends who are back, all who are here now.”
“Don’t you think, that with everyone back—the world might be a little too chaotic for a wedding?”
“Perhaps,” Thor now held both of Bruce’s hands with his own. “But I don’t wish to wait until the world feels normal again—it’ll be a long time until then. Maybe the ceremony can be very small and private, and we can leave most of the socializing for the reception.”
“Hmm,” Bruce focused on the feeling of Thor’s hands; they were slightly rough, and very strong, but with Bruce had the gentlest, kindest touch, always warm and with care. “Yeah... I can get by that.”
“Perfect,” Thor switched off the lamp and laid down properly, spooning Bruce. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
****
It was about a week and a half later when Bruce came running into the lounge to find Thor.
“Thor! Thor! Babe, oh my god—“ he ran up to the couch Thor sat on and practically lept onto it, wrapping his arms around him in an ecstatic hug.
“Wow—hi, Bruce! Why such excitement?” Thor laughed.
“It’s done! The machine is complete! All we need is a test run, but I’m certain it’s functional,” Bruce punctuated his sentence by giving Thor a quick kiss.
Natasha was on the couch with Thor. “No way, that’s amazing!”
“I’m so proud of all of you, especially you, Bruce,” Thor held his hand. “That’s... wow. I don’t even have the words.”
“Tony wants to throw a party tomorrow to celebrate. A small one, just with all of us.”
“Of course he does,” Natasha shook her head but smiled.
“I’m game,” Thor shrugged.
Tony convinced everyone to dress nice and all hang out for the party. Though a little awkward at first, it ended up being pretty fun.
Thor noticed Nebula standing awkwardly in a corner, having a small drink. She clearly didn’t have much party experience. He approached her with a wave. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she said carefully, like she was trying to calculate the right words to say. “I’m not really a partier.”
“Hm, I think everyone can be a partier if they’re with the right crowd. Though if you don’t wish to party, that is fine of course,” Thor remembered something that could continue the conversation. “Oh! You and Rocket went on a lot of missions together, how was that?”
Nebula smiled, to which Thor did a very slight fist pump. “Some were fun, actually. Over the years we have become close friends. He’s a pain, but I like him.”
“That’s great to hear,” Thor nodded, and spotted Rocket who was approaching. “Oh, hello, we were just talking about you.”
“Weren’t talking shit, were you?” He laughed.
“Only a little,” Nebula greeted.
“I’m going to go talk to Bruce, I’ll see you two later,” Thor waved goodbye.
“Right. See ya, pal,” Rocket waved back.
“Bye.”
Thor found Bruce refilling his drink at the bar. “Drinking the night away, I see?”
“Oh, hush. You know it takes a lot to get me drunk.”
“Though, if you wanted to, I’d be down. It is a party after all.”
Bruce shook his head. “I’m happy to celebrate, but not that much.”
Thor nodded thoughtfully. “Fair.”
After more socializing with some of the others, the couple decided to go up to the roof.
“I wish you could see the stars better,” Bruce looked up wistfully.
“Yeah, it was way better in New Asgard,” Thor looked back down. “Though you’re the better view, anyway.”
Bruce blushed. “You’re so sappy.”
“I know, and you love it,” Thor released his hold from Bruce’s hand, instead wrapping his arm around him. Bruce rested his head on his shoulder.
****
Before they knew it, they’d already brainstormed, come up with a plan, and were ready to take action.
Thor hated to admit it, but he really was terrified—and so was Bruce. As they stood in a circle with the others, suited up, Thor gave Bruce’s hand a quick squeeze.
“Kind of a nice view,” Thor said as they stepped foot on Vormir.
“Maybe,” Bruce scanned the area, specifically the mountain ahead of them. “I guess we’ll go up there.”
“Not anywhere else to go, is there?” Thor stepped ahead.
The mountain wasn’t very forgiving; it had something similar to a staircase, but a steep one, and they had to be cautious not to slip.
“Welcome.”
They drew their weapons at the cloaked figure that seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.
“Thor, son of Odin. Bruce, son of Brian.”
They both grimaced at the mention of their fathers. “Who are you?” Thor inched closer, trying to get a look at his shaded face.
“Consider me a guide... to you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone.”
Thor and Bruce looked at another. “So... show us where it is, and we’ll be out of your hair,” Bruce spoke up.
The Red Skull revealed himself, stepping out of the shadows. “If only it were that easy.”
“Well, we’re on a tight schedule, so can you make it quick?” Thor lowered his weapon, Bruce doing the same.
The Red Skull’s mouth twitched slightly and he went off the other way, Thor and Bruce assuming they were encouraged to follow.
“What you seek lies in front of you... as does what you fear.”
He’d led them to the cliff’s peak.
“What, the horizon?” Thor joked, though Bruce smiled weakly, a nervous pit in his stomach.
“...Is the stone down there?”
“For one of you. For the other...”
Thor wished he’d just stop being cryptic and tell them straightfoward. But he continued when Thor and Bruce just stared expectantly. “In order to take the stone, you must lose that which you love. An everlasting exchange... a soul for a soul.”
“You don’t mean...” Thor’s expression fell as he looked from Bruce back to the Red Skull.
He only nodded and retreated slightly, giving the couple space to decide their fate.
“...Could he be making it up? The other stones, they don’t work like this. I mean, the Power Stone is locked away on a deserted planet just like this one, why would it be any different?” Thor rambled, rubbing his temples in frustration.
“Thor, I...” Bruce shook his head and sat down next to him, taking his hand. “It has to be true. Five years ago, Thanos came here wanting the stone. He brought his daughter, but left without her and with the stone... it’s a soul for a soul.”
“You... you can’t die. Literally—I mean—doesn’t Hulk maybe you invincible?”
Bruce bit his nails. “...Yeah. I jump, he takes the hit, meaning both Hulk and I live. So... it wouldn’t work, unless...”
No. It couldn’t be Thor. Bruce couldn’t lose him—not when they were going to get married, when they’d hardly spent that much time together—
“It has to be me.”
Bruce leaned onto Thor and sobbed.
They sat there for a long time, crying and holding each other close. They knew they needed to wrap it up. They knew it needed to happen. But when Thor finally stood up and slowly moved closer to the edge of the cliff, Bruce could feel his heart shatter.
Bruce wished it could be him; Thor was just over 1,500 years old out of a 5,000 year lifespan, or longer. He could’ve lived a long, fulfilling life, even without Bruce. But Bruce? He’d already passed fifty. He’d be more than willing to give it all up, if he could.
Bruce clutched Thor’s hand as he stood still, looking onward. Thor turned and kissed him.
It was a sad kiss, a goodbye kiss—the kiss lovers dread. They were both crying again when they finally pulled away. Now they embraced, feeling each other’s slow, shaky breaths.
Thor rubbed circles onto Bruce’s back.
“We... we were going to get married, Thor,” Bruce barely got the words out, his voice quivering.
“How about we do it now?” Thor asked gently.
Bruce still held him but pulled his head back to meet his eyes. “Now...?”
“I-I know it’s not formal or anything, but... I’d rather die as your husband than your fiancé.”
Bruce never thought he’d be so sad to get married. “Do... do you have vows?”
“I’m just saying what’s on my mind, but...” Thor cleared his throat and held Bruce’s hands. “Bruce, I’ve never loved anyone like I’ve loved you. I... in all my years of life, despite everyone I’ve known, you stand out. You’re passionate, and kind, and the strongest soul...” Thor wiped his tears on his arm, not daring to let go of Bruce’s hands. “I love you so much, Bruce. I’m so sorry I have to go.”
Bruce could feel himself unravelling, slipping from reality. This didn’t feel real. “I’ve had a rough life...” he started. “But you changed everything for me. You gave me hope, a reason to fight... I mean, if you hadn’t showed up Sakaar, I may have never come back...”
Thor’s stomach lurched. He didn’t even think of... “Hulk... I should tell him goodbye, shouldn’t I...?”
“I don’t... think he’ll take it well,” Bruce bit his cheek. “He might not accept it.”
Thor hated that it was true. He loved Hulk as he loved Bruce, and ached for a goodbye. But it was time. “Take the ring,” he pulled his wedding ring off his finger and gave it to Bruce. “As a keepsake.”
“You just got it,” Bruce’s voice broke as he held it in his hand. “You only just got it...”
Thor closed Bruce’s hand around the ring and kissed him again. “I need to go now, Bruce.”
Bruce’s tears continued with pause. “Okay...” he whispered. “Okay.”
Time seemed to freeze as Thor gave him a last look. “I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you more,” Bruce face felt tight from crying.
“You could never,” he smiled sadly and jumped.
Bruce fell to his knees, sobbing harder than he ever had, the emotional pain so extreme that he felt it physically in every inch of his body.
He shut his eyes for a good few minutes and somehow opened them to be somewhere else, an orange haze surrounding him, his knees drenched from the puddle he sat in. He saw ghosts of his memories with Thor, but Hulk’s memories, too; New Asgard and their cottage, Hulk’s suite in Sakaar. When he opened his hand again there was both the ring and the Soul Stone.
Thor gone. He heard Hulk’s voice in his head.
Yeah, he’s gone.
Should’ve been us. Both of us.
I know.