Tantivy
Serendipity
His mouth gushed and he was so full of want.
His slim fingers stretched out toward their treasured prize. His fingers, willowy and shaky with youth itched to grasp their temptation.
He wobbled as he perched atop Thor's shoulders, both straining to reach the counter-top. The prize: a glistening glazed pie complete with an intricately braided crust and a mountain of juicy, plump berries. A pillowy pile of fresh honeycream had been dolloped in the center of the pie. It was to be the dessert for the royal family's private dinner that night.
"Not close enough, Thor! A little more, a little more!"
"I'm trying, Loki! Stop being so bossy!"
"Almost…almost…"
His fingertip scratched the tin of the pie plate, but could not find purchase.
"So close! A little more, Thor!"
"Hold on, Loki!"
Thor hefted his brother higher with a sudden surge of his childish might. He glowed with victory, expecting the prize to be won. He could almost taste it now…
But what he hadn't expected was for Loki to over-correct during the sudden boost and plant face-first in the middle of the thing. It was surprisingly graceless for Loki, flailing arms and all.
"Lo-kiiiii," Thor groaned. They were dead. To be caught for sure. "You ruined it."
"Oh! I'm sorry, Thor!"
Loki grabbed the smashed remains and pulled it off the counter-top with him, hoping to at least share the remains of the once-glorious dessert as a peace offering.
However miffed Thor may have been, he couldn't hold on to that anger for long. His brother's face, covered in a thick smattering of honeycream, resembled a smiling cloud. He couldn't be too mad at his silly brother, after all. He reached out and plucked a fresh, plump strawberry from the ruined mess, scooped a dollop of the sweet, fluffy cream off of his brother's face, and popped it in his mouth.
Loki giggled as Thor swiped the berry on his mess of a face. Thor loved him; he couldn't hate him for long. No matter how much he messed stuff up, he knew Thor would always forgive him.
He selected one of his own, dabbed it in the sweet cream and savored the fresh burst of sweetness. There were no words to describe the happiness that bubbled through him when he had moments like this with his brother. They were thick as thieves and would love each other forever. These berries were what brotherhood tasted like.
The head chef found the two of them a few minutes later, both a mess of confection and mischief, pleased as punch. They passed the evidence between them, not a lick of shame to be found. Even as they scrubbed the floors and wrung the rags dry, even as their mother palmed her face with exasperation, they preened in their success.
Many years would pass, but never would either of them forget that far-off day.
Ceylon wants strawberry pie now.
Review, be chatty! Ceylon likes talking to people! How do you interpret this chapter?