Santa Thor Fandom Holidays 2015

Thor felt ridiculous but honored. As per tradition, he was dressed up in the same outfit as the other Avengers who came with to the Children’s Hospital but some way, some how, he had been talked into taking Santa’s place when the man who normally did it called in sick. So instead of being the hero in an elf outfit, he was the jolly old guy who was lacking the fat suit. (Since it did not fit.)

“You’re not Santa,” a child commented. He was one of the sickest in the room; the nurses had the cancer patient rolled in on a bed just so he could be a part of the fun.

Thor smiled at the child. “Santa asked me if I could fill in for him.” As he spoke, he dug around in the sack for a present for the boy.

“Let someone else have it,” the boy reasoned. “I’m lucky to live through the night.”

Thor paused and turned his full attention to the boy. “Oh?”

“Doctor calls it ‘relapse.’ I was given a few months to live. The adults don’t say it but I overheard…”

Thor felt as if he had been hit in the chest. When he signed up to do the event he never imagined that he’d find one so young with so little hope for the future. Not even the old he knew spoke with such surrender.

At a loss of what to do, Thor glanced around then did the one natural thing that came to mind: he gave the boy a very gentle hug.

“Sometimes healers are wrong,” Thor said. “Belief is the strongest healer of all.”

Regardless of what the boy said, Thor passed a box to him once the embrace ended. Inside, Thor knew the box had a handheld gaming system with five of the most popular games.

“May I come visit you once the holidays are over, brave warrior?” Thor inquired.

The boy nodded. “I’m in room 121…” he smiled and offered his hand. “I’m Alex.”

Thor shook the boy’s hand (gently) and moved to the next sick child. When the party was over, the Avenger had a total of six children he planned to visit later. All had terminal illnesses or were badly wounded from accidents. As everyone worked on clean up, the head nurse approached.

“Thank you,” she said, “those children rarely get much joy during the holidays.”

The phrase drew the attention of several.

“It was no problem,” Tony replied.

“I’ve never seen our sickest so happy after a gathering.” The grandmotherly woman’s eyes misted with joyful tears.

Thor nodded in understanding, having seen some parents and other nurses have the same response when the sickest of the children managed to smile. “If it is no trouble there is another event I would like to offer to host in a few weeks,” he started, silently seeking permission.

“Go on,” the woman urged.

“I know of a magician who could spread some cheer. If permitted I thought it could be an event for the New Year,” Thor suggested. From a corner of the room Loki froze in shock.

The woman thought it over and nodded. “I’ll mention it at the next meeting.”

After arranging for several more events for the children, and being present when orphaned children were undergoing surgeries or starting a new treatment, Thor gained the title of “The Children’s Cheerleader,” among New Yorkers.