Work Text:
You just managed to hold in a wince of pain as you unloaded a tray of food on a customer's table. Cramps in the middle of a shift at the diner were the worst. You had to be happy, polite, quick, and attentive, all while exhausted from unrestful sleep and in pain from tiny sharks trying to eat your ovaries from the inside out.
The bell over the door jingled.
"Hi, Welcome to Bailey's Diner!" you replastered your cheerful smile in place and turned to help your newest customer. (You were the only waitress on duty at the moment. Marge was out sick and Ruby was 45 minutes late.)
You turned and nearly ran right into a wall of muscle. Your eyes slowly traveled up to find a familiar pair of blue eyes twinkling down at you.
"Oh! Excuse me, sir!" you gasped, stepping back and smoothing out your red and white uniform.
"'Tis no problem, my lady," his bass voice rumbled.
"Um...here, let me seat you..." You gestured toward his usual table near the window. "What can get ya today, sir?" you asked as he seated himself.
"First, you can call me by my name," He grinned up at you.
"Right... Thor."
"Excellent!" His grin widened. "Now, Miss _________, what would you recommend?"
"I assume you mean pies since that's all you ever order?" you teased.
He chuckled at your moment of boldness. "Yes, indeed. I don't suppose you have any of that peach cobbler a la mode today?"
A cramp ripped through your abdomen, making you bite your lip to hold in a groan. However, you managed to pass it off as a sign of regret. "I'm sorry, no cobbler today, Thor. If you'd been here yesterday, I could have brought you a whole plate of it."
"Shame," he frowned momentary, before brightening. "Then what would you suggest?"
You tapped your pen to your chin, making a show of thinking it over. "The triple chocolate cake," you answered decisively. ......Dang, your period talking......
He quirked an eyebrow. "No pie?"
"Oh, there's apple, blueberry, and cherry, but you asked what I'd suggest. I suggest the triple chocolate cake; it's made with three kinds of chocolate. So decadent..." you hummed, sincerely wishing for a large piece to distract you from the pain in your stomach.
"I don't suppose I could get that with a scoop of ice cream..." he asked hopefully.
"Of course!" you nodded. "Ice cream was made fresh just this morning!"
"Sounds delightful," he grinned up at you once more.
"One triple chocolate a la mode, coming right up!" you smiled back. "Coffee while I get that cake warmed?"
"Yes, please."
You wove through the tables back to the kitchen, passing the order through to Mr. Bailey. "One triple chocolate, warm, with a scoop of vanilla."
He took in your smile and grinned. "Ah, Tall, Blonde, and Muscles must be back."
Your face flushed red. "Well....I...You know....he........"
"I still say he's very interested in what he sees," Mr. Bailey commented. "All you have to do is say the word, he'll ask you out."
Another cramp gripped your abdomen, causing you to gasp slightly
"You okay, hon?" he asked as he worked.
You nodded defiantly. You had to soldier on. There on no one else to wait tables; the next shift did not start for another four hours. You could not leave Mr. Bailey high and dry. Plus, you really could not afford to lose any of your paycheck.
"You sure?"
"Yep, I'm good, Mr. Bailey. Nothing a little naproxen can't fix."
He grimaced. He knew exactly what you usually took that for. "Did you take it yet?"
"Thirty minutes ago."
"It usually kicks in by now."
"Well, yeah..."
"If you need to go home, go," Mr. Bailey said. "I need my best waitress at the top of her game. Exhausted and in pain ain't it."
"I'm good, Mr. Bailey, I swear!"
"Alright.......Order up. Warm triple chocolate with vanilla."
You gratefully took the plate that he slid you through the window, put it on your tray, along with the cup of black coffee, and carried it across to your patiently waiting customer sat.
"Sorry, about that, Thor, Mr. Bailey had a couple of questions for me," you apologized as you neatly set the dishes in front of him.
"No worries," he answered cheerfully. "It must-"
A cramp tore across your abdomen, pulling a moan from your lips, forcing you to steady yourself on the table as you bend over slightly in surprise.
"Miss ______? Are you well?" Thor asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"I'm...I'm okay..." Another cramp took hold. Liar....
"Your face just turned as white as a sheet," he countered. "Sit," he commanded, jumping up and pulling the other chair out for you.
"What? No! I'll be alright in a little bit! You...you're making a scene, Thor......"
"Please?" he begged. "Just for a few minutes. I mean no offense, but you look like death warmed over."
You furtively looked around. Only three other customers, all happy chowing down on their food and milkshakes. "You certainly know how to flatter a girl," you teased as you acquiesced to his wish.
He immediately crouched down in front of you so his face was roughly level with yours. "What is happening? What ails you, my lady?" he asked softly, laying a large, warm hand gently on your much smaller ones.
"Nothing ails me," you sighed. You leaned in closer so you could whisper. "It just my, you know, shark week."
A deep frown marred his face. "Your what?"
"Shark week," you repeated.
"And what does this...shark week...entail...exactly?"
"Ohmigosh, I'm not havin' that conversation with a customer in the middle of work," you groaned, turning red and hiding your face in your hands. Your Southern accent, which you so carefully hid most of the time, slipped out in your frustration.
"Ah, there's that adorable manner of speech you have," he smiled. "I was wondering where it went."
You peeking through your fingers, turning red now for an entirely different reason. He thought your accent was adorable? "..Ex-Excuse me?..."
"Your....speech. The way you say words...it's different from anyone I've ever met," he explained. "I like it very much."
"O-Oh. Um...Thanks," you stuttered.
"Is there a problem?" Mr. Bailey's voice sounded behind Thor, who quickly whirled around and stood up.
You immediately rose, trying to take control of the situation. "No, Mr. Bailey! Not at all! I'll get right back-"
"Miss _______ is ailing with something she refers to as "shark week," Thor spoke over your protests. "It is clearly causing her great pain. Do you know what this illness is?"
Mr. Bailey chuckled. "Yes, I do, son, but it's not an illness."
Thor's frown of concern deepened. "But she's pale like she's losing blood, sir, and in pain. It seems to be located in her lower abdomen."
Mr. Bailey hesitated, then leaned forward. "Well, technically, she is losing blood, Mr......."
"Thor." His face twisted in shock. "She's.....She's bleeding?" he gasped loudly. "And you have sent for medical treatment?"
"Lower your voice, son!" Mr. Bailey shushed, nodding toward a corner. "Come with me."
"Mr. Bailey-" you tried to interject.
"You sit down, hon," Mr. Bailey ordered. "He's not lying about you being pale."
You sank helplessly back into the seat. What did you get yourself into?!
You watched as Mr. Bailey presumably explained periods to Thor, who kept turning and staring at you like he could not believe his eyes. You felt your face heat up for the fifth time in less than twenty minutes. You plunked your head on your arms on the table, wishing the floor to swallow you up at this point.
A few minutes later, the men returned. You half-heartedly raised your head.
"Okay, hon, this is what's going to happen," Mr. Bailey began, but the bell over the door jingling interrupted him.
"So sorry, I'm late, Mr. B!" Ruby sang, waltzing in at least an hour late at this point. "Big party last night-
Oh, hey there, handsome!" she simpered when she spotted Thor. "She spill something on you again?"
"Don't even start, Ruby," Mr. Bailey ordered. "Go clock in, ________ is going to have to go home."
"But...But.....that would leave me to wait tables by myself!" she sputtered.
"Yes, just like she has for the last hour," Mr. Baily snapped. "and every other day you come in late. You're lucky she's good enough to cover for you."
"But-"
"Now you get to return the favor. Go."
Ruby huffed and stomped back towards the kitchen where the time clock was.
Mr. Bailey turned back to you. "You, young lady, are going straight home."
"I'll be alright in a little while, sir..."
He kept going as if he had not heard you. "Now, Mr. Odinson here has kindly offered to take you home and make sure you get some rest." He looked sternly at Thor. "You take advantage of my girl in any way, you will regret it. Kapeesh?"
"Of course, sir," Thor nodded respectfully. "I only wish to aid her."
"Good." Mr. Bailey nodded. "I'll clock her out. You just get her home and relaxed."
"Yes, sir." He offered you his hand, which you took, and pulled you to your feet.
"Um....my purse."
"I'll have Ruby bring it along with a to-go box for Mr. Odinson's cake." Mr. Bailey said. He headed back to the counter to settle Thor's bill, calling through the window for Ruby to bring the requested items to the front.
A minute later, she stalked out, shoving your purse, sweater, and a styrofoam take-out box at you. Then, she sent Thor a flirtatious smile. "You don't have to go with ______; she's a big girl and can take care of herself. Have a seat, and I serve you the daily special," she smirked.
"No, thank you, Miss Ruby," Thor answered. "Mr. Bailey has entrusted Miss _____ into my care; I'm afraid it will take more than a pair of batting eyelashes to make me stray from that trust."
You were not sure if you had just been labeled as a "duty" or not and whether or not you should feel complimented or offended by it. However, he had just put Ruby in her place magnificently, so you decided to worry about being offended or not later so that you could box Thor's cake while he dealt with Ruby.
"I'm sure there is another fellow that you might serve specials to," he continued. He offered your his arm, like a prince in a fairytale. "Shall we, my lady?"
"Oh...um....sure........" you answered, shyly slipping your hand into the crook of his elbow. He swept you out of the building, leaving a sneering Ruby behind, and helped you up into his large pick-up truck.
You gave him directions to your apartment through gritted teeth as your cramps continued to worsen. His brown creased with worry every time a whimper of pain escaped your lips. Finally, he pulled into a parking space as close to the apartment building door as he could. He refused to let you walk on your own, carrying you, bridal style, up all four flights of stairs (the elevator was out yet again.) He would not set you down until he reached your door, and you had to unlock it. As soon as you were inside, he gently pulled everything from your arms and set it on the nearby kitchen counter.
"Now, what do you need?" he asked.
"Huh?" You were confused. Is not this the part where he awkwardly says goodbye and hopes you feel better?
"Mr. Bailey entrusted you, someone whom he cares about very much, into my care. I do not take this privileged charge lightly."
You shook your head. "I don't understand. You brought me home..."
He gently put a hand on each of my shoulders. "Mr. Bailey explained this...shark week... to me. Let me take care of you, please?" His crystal blue eye pleadingly bore into yours.
You relented. "Okay."
He smiled broadly. "Now what do you need to endure this trial of womanhood?"
"Well, I'm gonna start with a boilin' hot shower, then I'm goin' ta go ta bed," you yawned, your accent slipping out again. You stumbled toward your bathroom. "There a heatin' pad in my bottom dresser drawer," you said over your shoulder. "Would you plug it in beside the couch?"
"Of course," he nodded.
You showered, taking your time and letting the heat of water work its magic on your horrendous cramps. It was not a complete cure, but it helped quite a bit. However, when you stepped you realized you had made a huge mistake. Your face as red as a beet and feeling like it was on fire, you just barely cracked the door. "Thor!"
"Yes, Lady ________?"
"I......um........have a problem........"
"What is it?"
"I......forgot.............clothes," you trailed off with squeak.
However, Thor did not seem fazed at all. "Shall bring you something then?"
"Yes, please."
A minute later, a light knock told you he was there with clothes. You cracked the door, expecting to see him right there. However, he had laid the clothes on the floor by the door, and he was several feet away with his back turned to the bathroom. You felt a warm fuzziness spring up in your stomach that had nothing to do with your period. You quickly grabbed the clothes, thanking him for bringing them.
Either he was a good guesser, or he knew more about periods than he originally let on. You unfurled the bundle to find your softest black lounge pants and your favorite oversized sweatshirt. You go-to period outfit.
You smiled hugging them to your chest for a moment, feeling another wave of the warm fuzzies. You quickly slipped them on and came out to find Thor waiting on the couch, the heating pad plugged in beside him. he quickly rose when he spotted you.
"Are you sure you wish to be out here?" he asked. "Would you not be more comfortable in your bed."
You shook your head. "I'm not likely to actually sleep for a while. I usually watch a few movies and fall asleep on the couch."
"Very well," he motioned for you to sit. When you complied, he handed you the biggest, fluffiest blanket you owned, and you wrapped yourself, with the heating pad on your stomach, in it. He then settled himself in beside you. "What film is it you wish to see?"
"Thor, you don't have to babysit me," you chided. "Surely you have better things to do."
"Babysit?" he frowned. "No, I'm just making sure you are properly cared for. You have no family or man in your life to take on this responsibility."
"So I'm a responsibility now?" you asked, feeling miffed.
"Ye-No!" he countered. "No, not like that!" he sighed, thinking before he began again. "Where I am from, we take care of our women in...times like this. They are not forced to work or anything through the discomfort, which is far lesser than your own, because they deserve the rest and comforts."
"So....what do you do then?" you asked tentatively.
"Make sure they have everything they need or require," he explained. "For example, you wanted to stay in bed eating bon-bons through the whole ordeal, you would be given your favorite pillows, blankets, and however many boxes of your favorite flavor you desire."
"Are you serious?" you asked incredulously.
"Quite," he answered earnestly.
"So your plan is to...?"
"Do as Mr. Bailey asked. Take care you however that I am able."
"So if I just wanted to be a couch potato and watch movies all day?"
"Then I will make sure you have all the movies, drinks, and snacks you desire."
"Really?" You could not believe it. No one had ever offered to do anything like this for you. EVER. Even if you were sick with the flu, you usually had to soldier on through it by yourself.
"Really," he nodded firmly. "If you'll allow me."
"Wow.....um........okay...." You were floored. "H-How about that new Wonder Woman movie and we split that chocolate cake before the ice cream finishes melting?"
"As my lady wishes," he grinned, grabbing the box of cake and two spoons.
By the time, the credits rolled, the cake box was empty and you were sound asleep on Thor's very warm, very comfortable shoulder.
He smiled, pulled the blanket more firmly around your shoulders, and played Aquaman (on a low volume setting), settling in for an afternoon of being your new favorite pillow. Because, after all that Mr. Bailey explained you were going through on a monthly basis, you deserved to be treated like an Asgardian goddess.
requested by Jedi Faeriedae