Shards

Its only a failure if it explodes

I give him two thumbs up, "so.. getting any work done?" I turn my focus to what he's welding.

"Just remodeling some armor that didn't cooperate... Well, I guess it's not a failure until it explodes, right?" he sighs.

"I guess so," I laugh

"Harper," calls a familiar voice.

I turn, and Loki's standing there, hands in their pockets. "Hey,"

"I believe we're due for tea. If I'm not interrupting anything." They inform me, looking from Tony to me.

"No. We were just talking about things," I smile.

They nod at Tony. "Stark."

"Reindeer Games." Tony puts his gloves back on, giving them a look.

Loki holds out a hand to me. I step toward them and lay my hand on his. He spins me around, the world blurring for a second. I look around, leafless trees surround us. Snow covers the ground, winter boots now on my feet.

"Central Park, I believe you call it." They let go of my hand, gesturing to a picnic table.

I brush the snow off of the seat, sitting down. "I don't think I've ever been here," I admit. "That I remember anyway"

"You should see Asgard. It's a thousand times more beautiful than this planet." they twist their wrist over the table, two teacups on little plates appearing. They set one in front of me, snapping his fingers so they fill with tea.

"I'm sure it is," I admit, "You should describe it to me."

"Mhm," they take a sip of their tea. "Well... The city is at the edge of water. Mountains surround it on the other side. Snow lays on the tops of them. We don't have sunsets or sunrises like you Misgardians do. But when the city is bathed in light, the palace gleams. It's made of gold, in the center. It's where I grew up. I used to play in the gardens as a child." A smile touches their lips. "Practice my magic."

"Who taught you?" I ask, drawing in the snow as I listen.

"My mother. She was a sorceress. One of the best I know." They answer.

"What about your dad?" I look up to see their smile fade.

"We have a complicated relationship." They admit.

"Oh..." I nod. "That's not fun.. especially since you live way longer. More years dealing with it."

They exhale, "Felt long either way." They nudge my cup with their finger "Drink. Before it goes cold."

I take the cup, taking a sip. "Aren't you cold?"

I gesture to their black sweater and dress pants.

They smile, setting down their tea, "No. I do not feel the cold as much. Like you."

"Is that an Asgardian thing?" I tilt my head. "I hardly ever see Thor in anything warmer than a short sleeve shirt and jeans. Unless his cape is warm." I joke

They chuckle, "No, uh... being a god offers some resistance against the cold. I am not Asgardian, actually. My biological parents were Frost Giants." They push their black hair away from their face with one hand, drawing in the snow with the other.

"I never heard of those." I admit, recalling back to my mythology class I took in the 8th grade. "In school, I remember learning about Ygg- Ynn-" I fumble to recall the name

"Yggdrasil?" Loki helps.

"Yes, that. We talked about that, Odin, Frigg, Thor, you, um... Indunn and Freyja" I list. "No Frost Giants."

Loki listens, green eyes on mine, "Frost Giants are... cold beings. They live in frigid temperatures, far colder than Earth may have. They have blue skin and are around 20 feet tall... They're monsters. Stories parents tell their kids so they behave."

I furrow my eyebrows, "But you don't look like them." 

"If one touches my skin, I do" they answer.

"Then how'd you end up on asgard without someone killing you?" I press, curiosity getting the best of me.

"My father Odin took me as a child. My appearance changed at his touch, so I never knew until many years later. He said I was just an abandoned baby, out to die. Out of the graciousness of the king's heart, he raised me like a son." They scoff, tone bitter. 

"Shit dad." I mutter

"That's one way of putting it." They sigh, filling his cup again.

I'm quiet for a moment, "... You're not a monster. I hope you know that."

"You don't know all I've done, child." They shift their gaze to me.

"You're recovering. You're learning." I try. "People don't hate your guts anymore!"

"But they're still afraid." he replies

"Everyone's afraid of power." I scoff. "Same as why they're afraid of Wanda. Of Steve and Bucky since they're super soldiers. What happens when people see what I can do!? I'll be right there with you"

Loki sighs, "I see your point."

"Good," I nod and take a drink.

Loki checks their watch, "You want to head back?"

"Not before I make a snowman." I stand.

Loki shakes his head, "Very well."

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I forgot to post yesterday (again) 😓