here's a short one for y'all

peter dropped the roses onto the gravestone, slumping to his knees. the muddy earth stained his jeans but he didn't care, letting the rain soak his clothes and hair. he stared emotionless at the stone, eyes glassy and lips quivering.

"hi dad," he mumbled out, pressing his hand to the gravestone. "how're you doing?"

silence answered him, making peter choke on a sob.

"i miss you a lot. it's not the same without you here. uncle thor is really sad—he's been crying for weeks."

peter leaned against the gravestone, his fingertips running along the idents in the carved rock. his tears dripped down his chin and mixed with the rain as it slid over the grave, washing away the dirt and grime that had covered it.

"you told me you'd be back. why aren't you back, dad?"

silence.

peter was quiet for a few minutes, trying to hold on to the hope that his dad was still alive. he flinched when a warm hand touched his shoulder. he turned around and his teary eyes widened.

"d-dad?" he stuttered our, voice cracking pathetically.

"hey kiddo." loki gave his son a warm smile. "don't cry for me."

peter let out a loud sob and fell onto his dad's chest, wrapping his arms tightly around the god's waist. loki laughed and carded his slender fingers through his son's chestnut curls.

"i'm here, kid. it's okay."

"i-i thought you weren't gonna c-come back," peter mumbled through hiccups.

loki hummed and gently rubbed his son's back.

"i'll always come back. i promise."