Loki had no idea how long the fight lasted, but he spent most of his time ducking and weaving, trying to avoid the blows that the God of Thunder tried to land. Occasionally one slipped through his defences, and his anger was starting to get the better of him too. He was at least satisfied to see that he had gotten past Thor's defences a few times too, but this fight was not like those they'd had as children. There was such anger in Thor, and Loki had no idea if he was actually going to survive this one. As he narrowly avoided a lightning strike, his decision was made, for they were far away from everyone that no one else would know, and he was unwilling to die for the sake of a treaty. All of his frustration came out as his seidr flowed through him, and the next minute the pair were evenly matched. Thor growled as he tried to find the true Loki in among a number of duplicates, while the Trickster seized the opportunity and struck from behind. However, as Thor ducked, Loki caught a glimpse of movement from the outcrop of rock nearby, but he was instantly on the defence again.
A few minutes found them tiring, but neither were willing to give up. Weary and wanting nothing more than a hot bath, Loki was trying to calculate his next move when he saw the movement again, and he frowned as he realised who it was. She wasn't supposed to be anywhere near here, so why… The hesitation cost him, and he fell to the ground at the force of the blow. Thor stood above him, Stormbreaker raised high, and for just one moment, the Trickster feared the worst…
"Thor! No!" The fearful cry came, and the God of Thunder turned curiously just in time to see a soaked Freya storming towards them. She was both scared and angry, and Loki smiled ever so slightly, for he knew just what her temper could do. Seeing his brother distracted, Loki kicked his legs from under him, and Thor lay stunned in the grass.
"What on Earth do you think you are playing at?!" Freya yelled at them, her arms crossed and looking less than impressed. "Do you even have a clue as to what damage you could have caused? You could have just undone everything we have worked so hard to build! I can't believe you would act so… so foolishly! You are royalty! The people look up to you! And yet here you are, acting as if you are children!" She truly was angry, and she glared at them, waiting for a response. When none came, she gave an exasperated sigh and quickly headed back towards the settlement, the sound of the brothers' laughter echoing behind her.
"You should go after her." Thor said after a moment. He was already on his feet, and he offered a hand to his brother. The Trickster took it.
"Why me?" Loki asked, unwilling to face Freya's wrath when he had not started the fight.
"She's your friend."
"She's on your council."
"She'll listen to you." The look in Thor's eyes made Loki relent, and he just shook his head before heading after the Midgardian woman.
Freya had not meant to get caught out in the storm. She had not realised that she had company until it was too late, and by the time she realised she should move, fear had kept her in place. She hated storms. Truly they were the one thing she feared the most. To be so close to the centre of one… The thunder was deafening, and the lightning had hurt her eyes. The air fizzed with electricity, and she did her best to try and remain calm. It was of no surprise to her to find that she was crying, and she did her best to focus on the rolling waves beneath her. She heard little of the brother's argument, but she truly was not impressed at this situation. She had been keenly aware that they were at risk of arguing, but never had she expected to happen on such a terrifying scale, nor that she would be so close by. She had only wanted to have some time to herself, and before they had appeared, she had been working out what to do with her day. Now, though, her good mood had gone, and she wanted nothing more than to change into dry clothes.
She had barely made it to the trees when she realised that she was being followed, and she cursed as she really did not want anything to do with them right now. Quickening her pace, she ignored him as he called her name, and hoped that she would reach the palace soon. More than anything she hated storms, and especially today, for she had just wanted to have time to herself. She needed to figure herself out, and yet now… Now she would be spending the rest of the day trying to get warm and fending off the stress that had been brought to the surface thanks to this.
"Freya please!" The Prince called, and she wondered if she should stop. That was when her foot got caught on a tree root, and she swore as she landed in the mud. Picking herself back up, she cursed again as she saw the Trickster blocking her path.
"Please move out of my way." She demanded, her anger evident as she glared at him.
"I just wish to talk Freya." He told her, giving her his most charming smile, even though he was looking even more dishevelled than she did.
"It is not wise to be in my company right now Loki." She warned, already trying to find a path around him.
"You are angry with us, and that is perfectly reasonable." He said. "I am truly sorry you got caught in the storm like this. It was never my intention…"
"You knew that this was going to happen, didn't you?" She questioned, less than impressed with him.
"Thor has been spoiling for a fight since Odin joined Frigga." Loki explained. "It was only a matter of time before… And given the date…" He faltered, while Freya looked a little confused.
"Oh…" She whispered, her eyes widening as she realised what it meant. There was to be a memorial service that evening in the Allmother's memory, and Freya had almost forgotten about it. The fact that this was the first time they would be commemorating such a thing since Asgard's destruction would not have helped matters. Her anger dissipated slightly, though she was still in a foul mood. "That's why you have been…" She guessed, for the brothers had been at each other's throats in the past few days.
"Things have not been the easiest between Thor and I, especially now we are stuck in such close proximity, but this just…" The Trickster sighed, knowing that the mortal woman would understand.
"I get it." Freya paused. "We all deal with things in our own way."
"Exactly." He agreed, before he touched the arm of her jacket. Just a second later, her clothes were dry, and though she was annoyed at him, she could not help but be a little grateful.
"What were you doing there?" He asked after a moment.
"I went for a walk to clear my head, then got caught in the storm." She explained, automatically falling into step with him as they walked towards the palace.
"I am sorry we interrupted your peace." He at least seemed to be apologetic.
"I don't get much of it." She sighed. "But at least I had some time to think."
The pair walked in silence for the rest of the journey, and Freya wondered just what she would do for the rest of the day. She desperately needed clean clothes, but she had the sense that the Prince did not want to be alone. Freya did not exactly relish the idea of spending the afternoon with her thoughts, and perhaps they would both benefit from having someone to talk to. She was going to voice this, but they reached her door before she could mention it, and she hesitated as she turned the key in the lock.
"Freya?" Loki asked as she started to go inside.
"Yes Loki?" Freya replied, noticing just how hesitant he looked as he hovered in the corridor.
"Do you have plans for…"
"Nothing that can't wait." She told him. "Would you like some company?"
"I would rather not be alone right now." He admitted.
"Give me a few minutes and I'll be there." She promised.
Five minutes later found her knocking on Loki's door. Freya had changed into a pretty dress, and was already feeling better for it, though she knew that her afternoon would be the best part of her day. She had no objections to spending it with the Trickster, for she knew that these opportunities were getting rarer, and she had no wish to let him suffer alone.
"Enter!" He called, and Freya stepped inside, completely unprepared for the sight that greeted her. The raven-haired Trickster was shirtless as he tended to some of the wounds he had gotten during the fight, and Freya's breath caught in her throat as she realised just how handsome he was. Her heart raced at the sight, and she desperately tried to calm herself before her body gave her away. Her eyes remained on him though, and she could not help but admire his well-toned body. Truly he looked every bit a god. No wonder the legends had him as such a heart-breaker when he had both brain and muscle, but, oh, how she wished that he could be hers…
"Hello Freya." He greeted, seemingly unaware of the effect he had on her. He gave her a kindly smile while Freya blinked and snapped herself out of her daydream. After all, he was her friend first and foremost, and it was not as if she had not seen shirtless men before.
"Loki." She greeted, praying that she had not given anything away. "Would you like a hand?"
"If you would not mind?" He asked, for he had been struggling to reach some of the patches on his back. Freya instantly took hold of the cloth and gently wiped the dirt from the bruised skin, wincing as she saw just how many there were. She was glad to see that he looked a lot better than the last time he had dropped his glamour, even if he still had some scars, and he smiled slightly as she tenderly dealt with some of the other cuts and bruises on his back. Freya was glad to have her face hidden for a few moments, for she had felt her cheeks redden, and she was desperately trying to keep her breath steady. This was just a stupid crush, she reminded herself, and she could not let him learn of it, especially not right now. With the last one done, he turned, and Freya gave an appreciative look as he reached for a tunic. Loki caught one glimpse of her and chuckled, while the Midgardian was almost disappointed when he put it on.
"It's alright Freya. I am aware I have this effect on most people." He teased, and she knew better than to rise to it. "Though it is normally Thor that gets such attention."
"Thor isn't my type." She replied, then panicked as she realised she'd spoken her thoughts aloud. Loki just gave her a mischievous grin, while she prayed she could find a way out of this one that did not involve either lying or the truth either. "I mean to say…"
"What is your type then?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Tall, dark, handsome, and intelligent." She admitted, while he tilted his head curiously as he ticked all of those boxes. Freya quickly saved herself though. "Which is why I fancied Stark for a number of years."
"And now?" He asked, unconvinced.
"I still do." She smiled, before taking her usual spot in the armchair. She was glad to see a freshly brewed pot of tea on the table, and she helped herself as she regained her composure. "You have my company, but is there anything you wish to talk about?" She asked after a moment.
"I was going to ask you the same thing." He admitted as he sat on the sofa. "You have not been yourself recently."
"To be completely honest, I am struggling a little bit." She sighed. "I can't quite come to terms with what happened after you returned, and then there's the fact I feel a little homesick… But I feel guilty about being homesick too, because…"
"You have a home to return to." He stated, while she sighed.
"I'm sorry. I don't wish to make you feel worse."
"I could always see if we could spare you for a week?"
"I doubt Hilda would let me go for that long." The pair chuckled at this. "I would be happy just to see my family to be honest."
"Didn't you say that your sister wanted to visit?"
"She does."
"Then would next weekend be too soon?" Freya blinked at the offer, then smiled, for she had no doubt that Astrid would leap at the chance. "What else is there that I can help with?"
Freya spent the rest of the morning in Loki's chambers. They talked for hours about everything that was troubling them, and as lunch struck, the pair had snuck down to the kitchens and stolen some of the food that was being prepared for the evening's feast. Freya had instantly been reminded of their days in Asgard, and she could not help but laugh as they narrowly escaped Thyra's wrath. The afternoon had been spent in the library as Loki talked Freya through some of the history of Asgard, but before they knew it, it was time for the memorial.
The feast that followed was a more solemn affair than usual, but there was still plenty of food, drink and music. However, Loki could not bear to stay in the room for very long, for so many people were giving sympathetic looks, and yet all he could feel was guilt. He had, after all, told the invaders where to find his mother, even if he had not realised it at the time. His last words to her had been harsh, and had he realised that he would never see her again… How he wished he could turn back time. He truly regretted his actions with the Jotuns, and all that had followed. Frigga had been the only one to stand by him throughout, and he had keenly felt her absence ever since that day. To be reminded that she was gone, and with them being so far away from home… He was usually really good at hiding his emotions, but tonight… Tonight he was truly struggling. Slipping out for some air, he was not surprised to find Freya joining him shortly after. The woman had done all she could to distract him, and though he saw the sympathy in her eyes, she did not speak it. Instead, she poured him a drink and stood nearby as she watched the Sun set over the settlement.
The pair stood on the balcony until nightfall, gazing at the stars as Freya pointed out a few of the constellations, while the Trickster was glad of the distraction. He had no wish to return to the festivities, for it was a painful reminder of what he had lost, while Freya had felt very out of place. She offered him a kindly smile as she realised she had been talking uninterrupted for quite some time, and then reached for her drink.
"You don't have to stay if you don't wish to. They will understand." She told him. "Losing a loved one is hard enough, and the memories can be very painful, but that is just their love for you remaining." She paused. "At least, that's how my father puts it."
"Your father is right." He told her sadly. "I often wonder if I had done something differently, then would she still…" He sighed, and was quiet for a few moments. Freya desperately wanted to hug him and promise that everything would be alright, but she knew that it would not be welcome. She settled for standing nearby, and she sipped her drink while she looked at the night sky, wondering if her mother was right. Were her ancestors up there in among the stars, watching over her? It was at least a comforting thought, even if it may not be true.
"They will always be a part of us." She whispered, before stifling a yawn. It had been a very long day, and Freya was starting to feel rather tired. Loki seemed to notice this, and unwilling to face either Thor or his people, he decided to make his excuses.
"Thank you for today." He said gratefully as the pair reached Freya's door. "I know just how precious your time is to you, and I had no wish to steal it." The consultant gave him a warm smile, even though she truly looked tired now.
"And yet, somehow, I think we both needed the company today." She told him.
"Sweet dreams Freya."
"Sleep well, Loki." She wished as he started walking down the corridor. Freya let her gaze linger on him, knowing that today would not have helped the rumours at all. "People will definitely talk now." She sighed before closing the door. Upon hearing this, the Trickster gave a slight smile.
"Then let them…"
