A/N: This is a friendly reminder that this story is OC-heavy. Freyja or Frey are in no relation to those in Norse mythology. Silly me didn't bother doing any extensive research on their names, but imagine the strange coincidence when I realize Loki has interacted with Freyja in Norse mythology, only more negative than it's turning out in my story. (Oddly, it's going that way. Sort of. Just not now.) Anyway, it was all out of coincidence so please don't regard it as anything similar to the Freyja in Norse mythology. I hope that clears up everything. Also, thanks again to those taking interest! I'm more used to finding negative reactions to my writing, but this is a good turnaround.
Quick note, I had to jump forward a few years to progress the story further, so I figured that's worth mentioning. Anyway, enjoy, don't. You know how it goes.
Chapter Five
Their friendship blossomed and continued to thrived for a few more years after their venture into Midgard. Almost daily, the two brothers would join the two siblings in their training sessions with Einarr. Thor would find this as a new way to take off steam and Frey would find it as a great opportunity to polish up his fighting skills. Now and then, Freyja and Loki would be tossed into battle together against their own brothers, but in the end, they would always win. With Freyja's grace and Loki's magical abilities, the two brothers would always end up falling upon their faces out of defeat.
One late afternoon, the two brothers met with the two siblings once more for what would be considered their last meeting for years to come. After Thor had violently thrashed against Frey in battle, the two of them came out with several nicks upon their bodies and were left breathless as they slumped upon the grass, leaning against one another's backs as they breathlessly let out a few chuckles of amusement from their battle.
"You've improved greatly, Frey." Thor complimented.
Frey glanced back at Thor, flashing him a smile. "I told you I'd become better."
"You've all have." Einarr pointed out, sitting at his usual stump near Thor and Frey. "Frey, I'm proud of you. You've become as sufficient in battle as Freyja."
"Oh, the day has come." Freyja sighed, glancing over at her brother. "I shall tease you no longer for I now fear of having my throat sliced by my brother, the new war hungry beast."
Frey scoffed, raising to his feet as he wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulder. "My dear sister, you better watch your tongue."
Freyja chuckled. "I believe that's for the best." Her gaze glazed over at Loki who was seated underneath the shade of a tree, a placid look upon his face as his brother went to accompany him. "Brother, you know we will be parted from them soon."
"What are you saying?" Frey narrowed his eyes, glancing over at Thor and Loki who were currently speaking with Einarr. "Where will they go? They're perfectly fine practicing with us."
"Thor is intended to take the throne of Asgard one day. Odin must have more to prepare him for and Loki would obviously accompany his brother at all times." Freyja stated, barely grasping the meaning of the words that Loki had exchanged with her one day. "Our separation is inevitable."
"You speak so sadly about this. They're our friends, I'm sure they wouldn't forget us by the time Thor is King." Frey muttered. "I'm sure that's years from now."
"I wouldn't be so positive." Freyja sighed, glancing at her brother sadly. "Loki had only begun to mention all this. From what I can tell, it may be soon."
"Then what will you make out of you and Loki?" Frey questioned.
"You know his care for his brother is stronger than it is for me." Freyja practically forced out her words, rather reluctant to admit what was the blatant truth.
"That doesn't mean you don't have to hide your affection any longer. If you fear we will part from them soon, then today is the day you give him your gift." Frey sighed, plopping himself down upon the stump behind them. The two of them glanced over at Thor and Loki as they bursted out into laughter with Einarr. "It's still a bizarre thing, I would think you would fall in love with Thor or even Fandral. After all, that's what's considered common. Most maidens in Asgard seek a man with strength and bravery, hence why mother had married father."
Freyja scoffed. "Fandral is all looks, brother and if I must constantly remind you, I am not like most maidens."
"Well, most of the women fawn over him just as much as Thor. I don't see how you're immuned to that amount of charm."
"Brother, I feel as if you have a crush." She stated bluntly, rolling her eyes.
"Watch your tongue." Frey laughed, pointing a finger at her. "Fandral is as grand of a warrior as you are. That's all I'm saying."
"Of course, brother." She muttered, sitting on the edge of the stump next to her brother. "It just won't be the same without them. Thor won't be obnoxiously trying to sabotage your progress and Loki will no longer be causing you any misery. I will no longer have anyone to laugh with to your demise..."
Frey gave her a shove. "I feel as if you will miss Loki more."
Freyja said nothing, her gaze kept on the two brothers across from them.
"What happened to not being a regular maiden?" Frey questioned, leaning back upon the stump, his eyes rolling towards his sister. "You're far too stubborn to wed and have children. You refuse to allow a man to define who you are. You don't even acknowledge the other men that have made advances to you!"
"It's different with Loki." She admitted quietly.
"Even father admitted you and Fandral would make a fine pair."
"Blasphemy!" Freyja hissed. "I have no interest in Fandrall or Thor or anyone else."
"Except Loki." Frey added. "You never even mentioned anything about your interest in him. All I know is your interest lies greatly in Loki and Loki only."
"You never mentioned your interest in Fandrall." Freyja teased.
"I don't care for him." Frey complained. "Heimdall's sister is something though."
"You know she's interested in Thor." Freyja rolled her eyes.
Frey sighed. "As all women are. It's either Fandrall or Thor or anyone else. Where are the women fawning over me?"
"There's mother." Freyja snickered.
Frey shoved her again. "This war beast will slaughter you."
"This mere maiden will defeat you before you have the chance." Freyja retorted, standing up and pointing her sword towards his way.
"Lower your weapon, dear sister. You have your own personal manners to battle."
Freyja scoffed, drawing back her sword back from her brother. "Then I will defeat them first."
Frey smirked. "I will distract father and Thor. You go ahead and make Loki swoon."
"You're second to go." Freyja muttered, narrowing her eyes at her brother who merely laughed. As Frey jogged over asking something out of father and Thor while Loki was left underneath the tree, giving Freyja the perfect opportunity to finally give him her gift. In the past, Loki had given her a green gem necklace, which she kept around her neck, tucked underneath her clothing. To reciprocate, Freyja figured she could do the same by giving him a necklace she fashioned herself out of a red gem that father had found for her.
"Is it safe to assume your relationship with your brother has improved?" Loki questioned with a smile as soon as Freyja joined his side. She pulled her knees to her chest, her eyes fixated on Loki. It's been several years since they first met and now that she was on the brink of twenty, it was strange to see a slightly older Loki. His hair had grown longer and his body had grown to become more lean, yet his smile remained as youthful as she remembered it to be.
"Oh, things can happen over a course of a few years." Freyja pointed out with a smile, but immediately turned away at the another possible meaning to that statement.
"Yes, your brother is no longer a pitiful warrior." Loki chuckled, leaning his head against the bark of the tree with his legs outstretched before him. "It's almost impressive what my brother has done to his self-confidence."
"They have become rather good friends."
"And as for us?" Loki hesitantly asked.
"We have as well." Freyja smiled, glancing back at him. "Speaking of, I have a favor to return."
Loki looked at her strangely. "What could that possibly be?"
"You gave me one years ago, it's only fair you receive one from me as well." She murmured, slipping the necklace out from her pocket. She held it by the string as it gently swung before Loki's eyes, the red gem practically sparkling as the light hit it's surface.
"As red as your cheeks when I gave you your's." He teased, glancing back at Freyja.
She rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh as she tossed the necklace onto his lap. "It's your's whether you like it or not." She muttered, turning her head to watch Frey and Thor attempt to battle with her father.
Loki chuckled as he placed the necklace around his own neck. "It's magnificent, thank you, Freyja."
"Reassurance, Loki." She muttered, still watching their brothers and her father. "For no matter what happens, you're my friend."
Loki placed a hand upon her shoulder, causing her to glance back at him curiously. He leaned over and gently kissed her upon the cheek. "And you are mine."
With her cheeks blushing a bright red, she frustratingly scooted away as she felt a warmth overwhelm her body, causing her to duck her head down away from Loki. "You... you idiot..."
Loki laughed. "Oh, you are so very red, Freyja. I apologize, I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"You didn't." Freyja winced, glancing back at him, still as red as ever.
"You're still red." Loki mentioned, giving her a poke at the cheek.
She swiped at his hand. "Stop that."
He chuckled. "Someone's still rather flustered."
"I am not."
"Is it safe to assume this is an 'I will miss you' gift?" Loki questioned.
Freyja narrowed her eyes at him, her lips pursed into a thin line.
"Freyja, if this is for reassurance, then surely it's because of what I've told you recently." Loki stated. "I know you well enough and I'm certain you're just holding back on what you're really trying to express. Though because you've built up this tough demeanor for so long, I am not surprised you will remain mum about it all."
"It doesn't need to be said." She confessed quietly.
"Then I may never live to hear it at all."
"Don't say that." She frowned.
"Then tell me." Loki furrowed his brow, his stare ever so dour.
"I will miss you." She muttered, plucking at a blade of grass by her feet. "While we have spent so much time together and I've gotten to know you so well, it will be different without you. Strange to say you're the only man to have ever gotten to me... without ever having any intention of doing so."
"Now what makes you think I had no such intention?" Loki questioned.
She glanced back at him strangely. "Surely that's just a joke."
"Perhaps." He smirked. "You may never live to know."
She frowned, giving him a shove. "I never know with you, you might as well be lying."
"Yes, I suppose that is the downside with my title as the God of Mischief and Lies." He chuckled.
She sighed. "We will remain friends then, Loki?"
"I don't see any reason to question it, Freyja." Loki said as he stood up, reaching a hand out to her. "As long as you're willing to have my friendship, the favor will be returned."
"Now you speak as if you're obligated to be my friend." She scoffed, taking his hand.
He hauled her up onto her feet, causing her to stumble right into Loki. He merely laughed as soon as he caught her by the shoulders, propping her onto her feet. "Not at all. I am more than honored to have someone like you as my friend. Why, being the ever so accepting and brave young warrior that you are..."
She sighed and weakly smiled up at Loki, finding the difference in height awfully ridiculous. "Strange to think we used to meet eye to eye."
"Oh, we still do." He chuckled, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze. "We always will."
She laughed. "Is that a promise?"
"Of course." He grinned.