#ezmerelda

Loki sat in the passenger seat of the black Suburban as Thor drove the two of them through the heavy New York traffic. The trickster maintained his gaze out the window - the noise of the podcast the brothers had been listening to completely tuned out. His eyes were watching the traffic that went by while he rested his elbow against the glass with his chin on his forearm.

“Did you hear me?” Thor called out - nudging Loki’s side.

The God of Mischief sat up and sighed. “No.”

“I asked if you wanted to stop and maybe get her something,” Thor repeated as he switched lanes on the interstate. “Something like a stuffed animal?”

“Right,” Loki mumbled - turning his attention back to the window and the cars around them. “Sure...pull off wherever you can.”

The older brother pulled off on the next exit, and they came across a strip mall - one of the shops looked to be a small novelty store. Slowly, Loki led Thor and himself inside - flashing a quick smile when the clerk greeted them. The god exhaled deeply as he looked at all the novelty items.

“I don’t even know what five-year-old girls like, Thor,” he muttered - looking at the various toys. “I’d get her a stuffed animal, but I don’t know what her favorite animal is. What if she’s allergic to them or something?”

“Loki, listen to me,” Thor spoke with a chuckle - placing his hands on his little brother’s shoulders. “I’m sure she’ll love anything. Does anything just...call out to you?”

Loki scanned the large collection of stuffed animals, and a little smirk came to his face when he saw a small, pink bunny that was holding a strawberry. He picked it up, and he tearfully smiled up at Thor.

“This one.”

Once Loki paid for the small gift, he and Thor got back on the road. The drive from Manhattan to Los Angeles was a long one, but it was much needed for the still-in-shock god. He needed time to get his thoughts together before they reached their destination, and while he knew that he needed to get there soon, rushing was not an option.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Loki softly asked Thor - scrolling through his phone and reading whatever articles he could find. “It says here that children start forming bonds with their parents as soon as they’re born.” He let out a scoff. “She’s five.”

Thor turned down the podcast, so he could give his little brother his full attention.

“Loki, this little girl is your daughter,” he reminded him - which earned a scoff and an eyeroll. “She’s just lost her mother...she’s going to need you more than ever.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?” The god wondered out loud.

“I’m sure she had her reasons,” Thor shrugged. “What matters now is that you’re a father, and your daughter needs you...now.”

“Ezmerelda,” Loki spoke softly - turning his attention back to the window.

“It’s a beautiful name,” Thor smiled. “Does she have a middle one?”

“Star,” Loki answered. “Ezmerelda Star Lokisdottir.”

Thor raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “She gave her your name?”

“She did. I’m also on the birth certificate.” His tone wasn’t angry, but he had a hint of annoyance in his words.

Thor let out a deep exhale. “Loki, please listen to me, okay?” the God of Thunder practically begged. Once Loki gave him the go ahead, he continued. “I know how you feel when things are hidden from you; I’m not a fan of it either, but right now, that’s not what matters, alright?”