Chapter Text
Even at nightfall the golden city was unable to be cloaked in complete darkness. Flickering torches gleamed on the palace's walls, the gold reflecting the light well. Other bonfires scattered about down below in Asgard’s city stayed lit for most of the night, men, and some women, coming and going. Even the sky refused to darken entirely, galaxies visible streaking through the stars like windows to other worlds.
When even the sky refuses to sleep, it’s impossible to expect children to sleep. Two such children wandered on a balcony that wrapped around half of the palace. On the rail, a curly-haired girl walked careful to keep her balance. Next to her on the ground was a raven-haired boy, adjusting his steps to her pace, ensuring she wouldn’t fall. The nightly walks were a constant for them, talking about everything and nothing.
No older than eleven years, little things felt infinite to the girl. The boy, despite being only two years older, saw the world as small as it was large, being confined to the palace for most of his days.
“...butterflies are nice ‘n all but fireflies are cooler.” The girl was saying, “I only get to see them during summer tho-”
“Fireflies?” The boy asked.
“Yeah, ya know, the bugs that blink in the dark. That you can catch and keep in jars,”
“That doesn’t sound the most humane, and no I don’t think we have those around here,” he frowned.
“What?” horrified didn’t cover her feelings.
“Why are they named fireflies, are they related to fire?”
“Because they look like twinkling fires! Not everything is literal ya know,” She replied.
“Sounds far-fetched, are waterfalls an insect as well to you?” he mused
“Fireflies are real you ass,” anger playfully coating her words. “How can you do magic and not believe-” squealing her thought was forgotten as she slipped thanks to the boy’s actions.
He was quick to pull her off the railing to stand by him, a Cheshire grin lighting his features.
“Careful, I've yet to see any grace from you,” He said.
She crossed her arms, exasperated. “Don’t be mean.”
“It’s a show of affection! A matter of truth.”
“It’s you being an ass.” The boy stayed close to her, unable to deny what they both knew. “Come to Midgard with me,” It wasn’t the first nor last time she would ask. “I’ll show you the fireflies,”
He grinned. “I would like that a lot.”