Chapter Text
“Why?” Ephraim groans as I drag him toward my car.
“I know ya aren’t the biggest fan of Marvel but I’m gonna change your mind.” I smile proudly while shoving Ephraim toward the passenger door of my white Jeep. A Jeep that was clearly driven by a massive nerd thanks to the TARDIS license plate cover, the Scooby-Doo steering wheel cover, the tiny plush of a companion cube hanging from the rear view mirror, and finally the Pokémon backpack in the backseat.
“It’s not a hatred of Marvel as it is a hatred of big corporations,” Ephraim desperately tries to backtrack in hopes of calming my determination.
“Yes, I know. Down with Disney and their monopoly but we are going to a drive-in which is locally owned. So, we are supporting a small business first. Come on a weekend long Marvel movie marathon at a drive-in is the perfect way to end our summer.” I stuck out my bottom lip, when Ephraim shows no reaction I increase my efforts with the most over dramatic puppy dog eyes inspired by Sam from Supernatural. As soon as I hear Ephraim huff I knew I’d won. “Look. As a thank you gift I will allow you to dress me up in your oldie fashion clothes for a week. I could be a model for your blog!”
“Ahhh yes… cause a goth anime babe would match the aesthetic so well.” Ephraim acts disinterested but it doesn’t work as he couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, fine. You convinced me. Let’s go. However I’m only here for the hot guys, and definitely not because you’re my best friend.” Ephraim climbs into the car leaving me to giggle like Harley Quinn.
I rush to the driver's door, hopping in and speeding off excitedly. During the drive the two of us goofed off singing along to our favorite gay anthems. Mainly Broadway songs and early 2000s pop thanks to us meeting in chorus freshman year of high school. One benefit of being theater kids was a lot of practice singing. We were actually pretty good and we loved to remind the other of their talents constantly. He hits a beautiful note or I show off my range, always managing to cause a slew of compliments.
“Alright, we are here. I’ll get the snacks while you set up the car, okay?” I jump out and toss my keys at Ephraim who fails to catch them. I cover my mouth to hide my giggle. When Ephraim finally manages to find my keys off the ground I just shake my head and walk away.
Now was time to go overboard on snacks. I head back to the car barely able to see over the pile of goods I was carrying. Currently in my arms were two massive popcorn buckets, two large sodas, and a pile of candy carefully but riskily placed on top of the popcorn and in the gaps of the Soda tray.
“You are insane,” Ephraim rushes over to catch some of the falling candy and prevent the soda from tipping over.
“Dude, we are gonna be sitting through five Marvel films. We are gonna get hungry. I just came prepared.” I smiled while putting the popcorn down on the hood of my Jeep. “Also lucky you, the drive-in is skipping The Incredible Hulk just like Disney+, so we might not be here all night.”
“Dude, you are delusional. Each Marvel movie is like two hours a pop, and you said five. So we will be here for ten hours. That is literally all night.” Ephraim’s jaw drops in shock but the rest of his face was twisted in horror.
“Don’t worry we can sleep through the bad one’s like Thor.” I snicker.
“Why Thor?” Ephraim was a bit surprised.
“Well, it’s just overdramatic for my taste which is saying something with how gay I am.” I shrug, “maybe it’s just ‘cause of how perfect Ragnarok was but the first two Thor’s just don’t have the chemistry and personality I want. The second one is closer than the first with the banter between Thor and Loki near the end. Overall my issue is that both Loki and Thor are equally important to the Marvel universe even if it's to be on the opposite side yet the film works on making Thor likable but Loki doesn’t get anything except jealous grumpy child. The best villains are the ones we can relate to. He only works in the avengers because we know why he wants to take over earth. My overall point is we learn the bare minimum about both of them in the first movie, and the second movie is more world building with some character development then good plot.” I sigh and pout a little bit. “I’m probably not making sense but it’s just me, I can’t really think of any Marvel movie I could call outright trash but the first two Thor films are definitely near the top of the meh list.”
Ephraim chuckles at how serious I was about this but didn’t say anything as he notices the projector lights up. Both of us climb into the car as the first Iron Man begins to play.
“I might be here but I’m going to complain one more time that this is not how we should spend our free time.” Ephraim chuckles.
“I’m on the honor roll and have a scholarship. Work and School are literally my whole life, let me escape please. I’ll make it up to you later.” I lean over kissing Ephraim's cheek as the movie starts.
I have seen all the movies enough times that I was able to lip sync all my favorite jokes. Every now and then I also explain things to Ephraim about differences from comics but mostly complain that I couldn’t read too many as they are expensive. By the time we got to the first Thor, we were a bit tired. So to relax we just talk using the movie as background noise. Talk is probably the wrong word for what we are doing.
“How dare you sir!” I gasp dramatically. “Did you just say you love Portal more than me!” I violently point to the companion cube in my car. “I have over three hundred hours in both games. And all the side games that are soft canon. I have also played all the mods on Steam!”
“I’m not claiming I love it more… I’m claiming I’m better,” Ephraim chuckles and elbows my side.
“Okay that is probably fair but I’m not dumb.” I cross my arms in fake annoyance.
“Nope, you are just a creative and I’m an intellectual.” Ephraim chuckles into his hand.
I gasp even more dramatically and once again fake being emotionally hurt.
“Well that argument no longer works since you dropped out of that fancy science school for a music degree instead.” I smile triumphantly.
“Music includes a lot of math while you are going for a literature and creative writing degree,” Ephraim flicks my ear.
“Don’t mock my imagination,” my tone turning serious.
“I would never.” Ephraim places his hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”
Just like that the façade crumbles. I've been pretending I'm just trying to have fun before we go back to school but the confidence and the jokes fade as I see how concerned Ephraim seems. He's known me long enough that he can tell the difference between my real playfulness and my escapist playfulness.
“When I left home you know the deal I made with my mom. I keep my mouth shut and she pays for my apartment. I haven't spilled the beans and it's my fucking senior year," I growl as I punch my steering wheel. I stare at the rubber and plastic for a moment before glancing back to Ephraim. "She wants to back out of our deal. I barely have any money to feed myself.” I glance toward the pile of snacks. "I'll likely be eating the leftovers from this for the next two days." My eyes drop down, I'm having a hard time looking back up at Ephraim. He isn't having any of it though as he grabs my hand with one hand and cups my chin with the other. I smile at him and relax a little bit. “My current running theory since nothing else has been different is that my mom somehow found out about my ex.” I look back up at the screen while holding Ephraim’s hand. “I’m gonna run out of money soon and possibly drop out of school. I just wanted to pretend tonight that nothing was wrong,” I whisper as I look down at my hand in Ephraim’s.
I want nothing more than at this moment to be anywhere else. I want to stop having to worry about my mother and I want to feel safe. A single tear drips down my cheek as I know that such a place doesn’t exist. My attention is briefly sidetracked when I feel a weird pull in my chest; because of this it takes me a moment to realize Ephraim hasn’t responded. I don’t know what happened but a massive wave of exhaustion hits me and my vision gets blurry for a second. I take a brief moment to catch my breath before looking back at Ephraim. For a second I think he’s struggling to think of a way to save the night but then I notice he is staring off way too intently ahead of the car. Actually he isn’t just staring ahead, his eyes are bugging out of his skull he looks horrified.
“What’s wrong?” I rub Ephraim’s arm, tilting my head to get a better look at his face. Ephraim doesn’t say anything though he just points in front of the car.
I follow his finger to see that not only is it daytime out of nowhere but that we were parked in the middle of the street. And thirty feet in front of my car, walking with their backs to us were four people in very familiar armor.
“Holy shit… did we Last Action Hero ourselves?” I ask half-serious half-joking as I can’t actually believe what I’m seeing. I then turn toward Ephraim. “Or are we having a shared fever dream from all the car fumes at the drive-in? I mean we can’t be actually in and living the Thor movie right?” When Ephraim doesn’t react I decide to test the limits of this dream. I quickly turn my keys making the car start, so I can pull over and park. There is no point hiding it. I'm overflowing with an insane curiosity and excitement. Without waiting for Ephraim to break out of his shock I jump out of the car, and rush in the direction of the group of Asgardians. I’m so set on my goal I don’t even notice when Ephraim eventually catches up with me.
“Since I don’t remember passing out from the toxic fumes I’m gonna go with, we are in Thor. So, why the hell are you following Thor’s friends?” Ephraim grumbles as he just barely catches up to me and grabs my arm preventing me from stalking the group further. “Don’t they have a fight scene soon?”
“I’m just gonna watch, I won’t put myself in harm's way.” When that doesn’t convince him I turn Ephraim around and push him back toward the car. “I promise I’ll be careful, and you stay by the car.” I blew a kiss while rushing off to catch up. I see them in the distance just as the Asgardians bang on Jane’s door screaming how they found Thor.
I stay on the sidewalk across the street mildly leaning on the wall. I didn’t need to get any closer as even after entering the building their voices were booming.
“Seems this universe approves of recasting since that looks like Zachary Levi's Fandral,” I chuckle to myself.
‘I wonder what else is different.’
I watch through the glass front of the building until a tap on my shoulder nearly makes me jump out of my skin.
“I’m not a fighter but I am also not a shitty friend. I’m gonna stay by your side.” Ephraim sighs and looks down at his clothes. “My dress is totally going to get ruined isn’t it?”
I smile then bite my lip to stop a giggle while nodding in response. Before our conversation could continue I notice the storm brewing in the distance. I smack Ephraim’s arm and point.
“Holy shit does that look cool in person,” I grip Ephriam in a tight hug, my smile still firmly plastered on my face. “This is so exciting.” I look back around just in time to see Thor and the others walk out of the building also staring at the unique weather just outside of town. The group was now talking toward the street as fire balls could be seen in the distance. “We need to help them evacuate.” I grab Ephraim’s hand, yanking him toward the closest building. We rush in and see it's a pharmacy of sorts and across the street is the diner where Thor is out-front loading people into the back of a pickup truck. “Go! Everybody out, back door get to your cars and leave quickly!” I rush to help a mother and her kid get out the back while Ephraim goes to assist an older man.
Right as everyone makes it out the back entrance into the alleyway a large beam of light shoots by clipping the building and blowing up a car in the process.
“That was too close!” Ephraim shouts. He drags me and the people out of the alleyway down the street in the direction that Thor is sending people.
“For Asgaaaaard!!!” One of the Warrior’s three shouts while flying through the air toward the destroyer.
Ephraim keeps escorting the civilians but I pull my arm loose to watch. Seeing the large man get knocked back into the hood of a car while Sif jumps off a building to pierce her spear through the neck of the destroyer is hypnotizing. However the moment of success is predictably ruined by the destroyer lighting up again and shifting its form to now aim at the female Asgardian. The machine fires a few more times destroying more buildings and sending the warriors flying across the small town.
I do a quick once over the area making sure that the civilians are out of the way before I get closer to the fight. I might not have powers but maybe knowing how this ends could be of assistance. In that moment Thor runs across the battlefield to get Sif out of harm's way.
“Crap,” I hiss when it clicks with me how this scene is supposed to play out. I can’t actually help or interrupt, doing so might stop Thor from becoming worthy. So I bite my lip just watching from the sidelines as Thor begins walking toward the Destroyer.
“Brother... for whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am sorry. But these people have done nothing to you. They are innocents.” Thor stops for a moment but then continues closer. “So take mine, and end this.”
The destroyer appears to power down and turns to leave only to spin back around, knocking Thor fifty feet back. I wince just knowing that had to hurt.
I look down feeling horribly guilty. I can’t prevent this at all as I hear Jane cry over Thor’s unconscious body.
“Please, hammer hurry it up.” I growl while things are eerily silent for a moment before Mjolnir rockets through the sky. It parts some of the clouds and leaves a trail of its own at its rapid speed, flying back to Thor’s hand.
“Jane!” Selvig rushes toward the woman huddled over Thor’s body. He yanks her up and begins pulling the thrashing woman away.
“No. No. No!” Jane refuses to leave but gets pulled away regardless.
Thor’s hand shoots up catching Mjolnir and a massive strike of lightning absorbs his body.
The destroyer turns back around preparing to fire again as Thor’s hammer is thrown hitting the destroyer in the face just at the right time to cause it to misfire. As Mjolnir comes back to Thor’s hand it knocks the destroyer over. Finally the lightning blinding Thor from view fades revealing him to be wearing his Asgadian armor. However the storm clouds Thor created are still there and he flies up into them drawing the destroyer’s fire toward himself. Jane and the group run away from the fight but one person is still in harm's way.
I freeze in awe until the storm starts blowing cars. I’m thrown back as well hitting a brick wall, by the time I sit up and look in front of me there is a car headed straight for me. I attempt to scramble away but I’m not fast enough it’s going to crush me
A sea-ocean blue portal appears under me suddenly dropping me a few feet away. I gasp and groan from the rough landing, my ass having full on collided with the pavement. I turn trying to figure out what saved me and my brain almost stops functioning as I see Ephraim’s hand is glowing, the same blue as the portal.
“What just happened?” He asks, staring at his hand.
“Not the time!” I rush to my feet and grab his arm, pulling him with as I start running. However we are too late as we start getting lifted off the ground thanks to Thor’s cyclone. I yank Ephraim to my side and look around us for an escape. That’s when my eyes catch sight of the evacuated people on the edge of town surrounded by SHIELD vehicles. “Make a portal and get us to safety!”
Ephraim nods but continues to panic as he stares directly at the ground. I roughly grab his head turning it to force his eyes toward where we want to be and suddenly we are going through a portal that appears above us. It is a very sudden and uncomfortable drop to the ground head first.
“Not to self, head goes in portal first, head gets landed on.” I moan while rolling over to sit up. I rub my very pissed off neck. “Good job by the way,” I chuckle before flopping back and spreading out my limbs in the dirt, virtually doing dust-angels.
“Was that me?” Ephraim asks confused as he looks up and sees the portal slowly fading away but this one is a mint green.
“Duh… thanks for saving our lives by the way.” My smile drops when I see the storm in the distance is still getting worse. I sit up biting my lip as I try to see if Thor is winning but my sight gets blocked with SHIELD agents circling me and Ephraim. “Oh shit.” I latch onto Ephraim’s arm and whisper, “got another portal in you?”
“Why?” He whispers back. “Aren’t they the good guys?”
“Nope, that got revealed in your boyfriend’s movie thought ya would at least know that one,” I snap.
“Chris Evans's hotness was all I paid attention to.” Ephraim shrugs then looks at the creepily silent agents just watching us. I pull on his arm and he sighs scrunching up his face and grunting as he tries to force out a portal. Ephraim’s efforts when in the distance there is a bright light and the storm ends.
“Damn it, I missed the show.” I jump a bit trying to see above the agents who were stopping us from leaving but nothing more. “Are we waiting for someone?” The agents stay silent and I shrug, guessing that Coulson was leading them and he would be busy at this moment dealing with Thor. One of the agents turns his head to the side and his hand comes up to his ear. I raise a brow as the man nods then gestures for us to follow him.
The agents grab our arms and pull us along. We were then unceremoniously tossed inside the backseat of a shady black vehicle and left alone. We probably sat in that heat box of a backseat two hours before Coulson climbs in the passenger seat.
“You’re coming with us. The Director wishes to see you. Behave and no harm will come to you.” Coulson says over his shoulder as the car kicks up.
We sit in silence for about an hour before I decide to unbuckle and lean against the back of the passenger seat. I look around the headrest and smile at Coulson.
“How was meeting your first superhero?”
“Not what I expected,” Coulson half looks at me.
“Yeah, he ain’t Captain America.” I chuckle. “Ephraim thinks he’s dreamy.”
“Don’t be spilling my taste in men to the enemy,” Ephraim hisses.
Surprisingly Coulson and the agent burst out laughing when I do. The drive wasn’t horrible once we started talking. Coulson chose his words carefully making sure to not tell us too much about himself but it was still entertaining. After Coulson got out of the car the feeling in the air seemed to change.
When the doors open on both sides of the car, there are a pair of agents staring in at us. Each agent has a syringe in hand. I rush pulling Ephraim away from his door attempting to shield his body with my own but I fail to get my feet away from my door soon enough as a needle pierces the fat of my calf. My vision was getting blurry and it was a struggle to keep conscious.
“You won’t hurt him,” I hiss but Ephraim’s arm already has a syringe sticking out of it and his eyes were already closed. I desperately pull him closer to my chest but my limbs were too heavy. I pass out moments later with my arms wrapped loosely around my best friend.