AN: Do not hate me for the first three words of this chapter…

Chapter 36

20 years later

"Why not?"

"You know why, Fenrir."

"Come on father, what could happen to me in Asgard?"

"I don't know," Loki replied still not looking up from the text that lay neatly in his lap, "you're the one who's so desperate to go there; why don't you tell me?"

Fenrir rolled his eyes, "please father, I will be back within a day I promise."

He actually saw his father pause for a moment in thought, a rarity, "no," Loki finally replied. His son groaned.

"I'm going out into the forest," Fenrir called as he left his father's chambers.

"Be ba-"

"Before dark? Yes I know," his son answered back before heading off down the hall way.

Loki sighed and looked up once he'd left, he could hardly explain to his son the real reason he didn't want him going there; far too many questions he wouldn't want to answer, let alone face. Which, of course, was ridiculous; it was twenty years ago and lasted such a short amount of time, a mere blink in the whole of a God's existence and still it haunted him. Loki hated himself for that. It made him feel weak almost, pathetic perhaps but it was not quite the right word; vulnerable, that was it. That had been how Thor had described it, Loki bitterly reminded himself, all that time ago.

Fenrir felt the need to look behind him as he went, almost feeling watched as he entered the dense forest that backed onto the castle; as soon as he was out of sight he broke into a run. After all, he had somewhere to be and he was running late. He passed through the main body of the forest and entered a clearing, the snow was thinner here and even a few dead tufts of grass poked through the surface searching for sunlight. Fenrir pulled his jacket collar up to fight against the chilly wind crawling down his neck, it wasn't the cold that bothered him despite his size it was more the sensation of it; the invasion. He didn't mind being a 'runt' as it were though, the size came with bonuses; he was quieter, he was faster and he was better with hands. He was an apprentice to become a Doctor and the surgery he could achieve with the right training, well, his teacher even shot him envious looks from time to time. He stepped back when the clouds broke in the sky and looked up, squinting, as the bright light of the bifrost shined down. The familiar figure emerged from the light and he smiled as the light dimmed and faded and she came into view.

"Freya," he greeted, and she ran up to him pulling him into a hug.

"Fenrir," she smiled. "I missed you, it's been a while since I've gotten a chance; I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he smiled as he reluctantly pulled away. "Your father is bound to notice you disappearing all the time."

"I should count myself lucky that's he's the Prince of Asgard," she smiled back. "It keeps him so busy."

Later that day Freya returned home to Asgard, the bifrost drawing her back through space to her own realm; she landed on the raised platform and hopped off; nodding thanks to Heimdall.

"It's no trouble," he assured her. "We all have to live a little before we grow up."

"You sound like you're talking from experience Heimdall," Frey smiled.

"Perhaps I am."

Freya had barely walked more than two steps into her chambers before it started.

"Where have you been?"

She huffed, "nowhere exciting father, I assure you."

"Then you won't mind sharing then will you?" Thor sighed, standing from the chair he'd been perched upon; he crossed his arms. "Don't think I haven't noticed, you running off all of the time."

"I thought you were at a meeting today," she replied defensively.

"I was," Thor nodded. "We finished early."

"Father, please not now…"

"That's what you say every time," Thor said, raising a brow. "What am I supposed to tell your little brother whenever he asks where you are."

"I don't know," Frey shrugged. "Make some excuse."

"Who is he?"

She let out a nervous chuckle and looked away, "don't be silly father."

"Go on, tell me," Thor urged. "Who?"

"….His name is Fenrir," she finally said.

"Alright," Thor smiled subtly. "And when do I get to meet him?"

"One day," Freya answered evasively. "He's…shy."

"Oh really?"

She nudged him with her arm, "I'm eighteen father. I don't need you watching over me."

"You know-"

"Yes, in our life span it's basically nothing but still; I'm an adult now," she insisted.

"Father, sorry I'm late back," Fenrir said as he half dragged himself into the room, drained from the long, rushed run there and back.

Loki just made a noise and looked up, book still in his lap from the morning.

Fenrir looked him up and down then said. "You forgot to eat again didn't you?"

"Apparently so," Loki mumbled placing the text on a table next to him. "No, matter."

"Sometimes I wonder how you survive day to day life," Fenrir said with a small smirk as he lent against the window sill and shrugged off his boots.

"Feelings mutual," his father yawned.

"Why are you in my chambers again?"

"It's warmer in here."

"You don't like the warmth, you're a frost giant," Fenrir frowned.

"Brings back memories," Loki murmured before he simply drifted off in the chair; he'd always do this. Wake up ridiculously early, read throughout the day until Fenrir came home, and then he'd fall asleep in the same chair often mumbling something nonsensical.

"I can't help but wonder what memories they might be," Fenrir whispered as he put a blanket over his father, and adjusted the cushion under his head. "Not that you'd ever tell me," he added.