passing paradise │oliver wood

chapter 23

Chapter 23

The sun cascaded around the whole field of New Asgard. At one stretch of plain, Sif was training Perrie and I another whole sequence using the golden sharp spears welded from a dying star. The clanks and clinks of weapons echoed throughout the field, coming from other warriors who were training this morning too. The mission about the galaxy rips had been keeping me away from training and Sif wasn't so delighted about it that's why I decided to drop by for the day.

Yes, I dropped by to possibly get speared.

Noon rolled in and our training ended. I was heading back to my house when Sif excitedly pulled me towards the pavement going to the centre of the village. She tried diverting the conversation away from the reason for her action but I had hunch what it was about. It was too obvious.

"Happy Birthday!"

At the centre of New Asgard, people on the wooden chairs and tables cheered when we arrived. I laughed; my cheeks burned as I walked towards them. Their tables were filled with different kinds of food enough to feed a flight of giants. On one table were the other warriors I was with at the fields, then kids filled the other table, then the governors on another one. The other tables were filled with fellow Asgardians I had known since I was a young child.

Valkyrie stood up from her seat, carrying a round white cake, with the biggest grin I had seen from her. "Happy birthday, Al," She said as she showed me the cake that had written 'Happy Birthday, Ali!' in golden frosting and a burning candle poked near the edge of it.

"Thank you," I whispered, the little fire from the candle reflecting on my eyes.

"Go on, make a wish!" Mister Rhode, the daily postman and aspiring journalist of New Asgard, shouted with cheers following him.

I giggled. I closed my eyes, wished for the very best, and blew the fire away. I looked around the clapping people who came to celebrate my birthday, wishing to see a couple of familiar faces. Dad wasn't there, of course he wouldn't be. Though, I didn't let that deflate my happiness because 3 friendly faces showed themselves coming from the houses.

I kissed Valkyrie and Sif on the cheek for being the best role models I could ask for before making my way excitedly to meet them halfway down the stonepath. Peter Parker in his summer night shirt and pants, Shuri with her hair in the most beautiful twist and her perfect orange dress, and Harley's brightest smile, his hands carrying the biggest bouquet of flowers I've seen.

"Happy Birthday," Shuri said, wrapping me in a warm hug. I had said a thank you before hugging Peter and Harley as well.

"Aw, is this for me?" I sarcastically asked, already reaching out for the bouquet of red and white tulips with golden glitters.

"All the way from Holland," Peter remarked.

I giggled, smelling the fresh flowers. "How'd you guys arrive here?"

"With that guy," Harley said, nodding towards back at the party. I turned around and quickly spotted the only man in all black, discreetly sitting between the biggest of the governors and Valkyrie. If he wanted to blend in then maybe upgrading his wardrobe would be a nice thing.

"He was hesitant at first until Agent Hill mentioned the Crux to him," Shuri added.

She intertwined our arms and brought us back to the mid-noon party. We sat on a separate half empty table, different from the table Fury and Valkyrie were on, and ended up with the humblest residents. I set down my flowers at one side while we started to fill ourselves up. Everyone was eating the wonderful feast and chatting with their friends. There was a background hymn playing, keeping the noise company.