A/N: 2024.07.25

This story was inspired by "confession" by mel-kusanagi from tumblr. But it kind of took a life of its own and a bit of a humorous twist came out of it. To be honest, this became a personal favorite of mine. I hope you all enjoy it!

Heart Strife

Vanaheim.

Eir and Gunnr had each of Freya's arms slung over their shoulders, doing their best to keep her vertical. As Freya was barely able to keep her footing after the amount of wine and mead she had consumed throughout the evening.

"Well!" Gunnr chuckled, slightly. "If nothing else, we know the influence of the drink is a family trait!"

"No time for jokes, Gunnr!" Eir reprimanded. "We can't take her back to Lord Kratos like this! He'll kill us! Perhaps, literally!"

"He will not! He'll blame us! Which isn't better but less severe."

They stopped.

"Lady Sif?" Eir asked.

"Lady Sif," Gunnr agreed.

"She won't be happy with us, either."

"True. But she'll be less unhappy."

"Fair enough," Eir agreed.

"Besides, it's not like we intoxicated her," Gunnr reminded.

"We didn't stop it!"

"I'm not sure we would've been able to."

Freya let out a low, raspy moan.

"It'll be fine, your grace," Gunnr assured Freya. "We won't let Lord Kratos see you like this."

Freya muttered something.

Gunnr chuckled. "You're welcome."

A few minutes later, Gunnr and Eir were at Sif's door, Eir knocking on it. After a moment, Sif opened the door, seeing the trio. "What is going on?" Sif asked.

"Good evening, Lady Sif," Eir greeted, awkwardly.

"Lady Sif," Gunnr addressed with a nod.

"Shield Maidens." Sif studied Freya. "Drunk… or other?"

"Drunk," Gunnr confirmed.

"Why?"

"She felt the need to 'forget her troubles.' At least, that's what she said to us."

"In our defense," Eir said, "we thought that meant she would like to take some time to journey through the Realms or something of the sort. We didn't take drinking into consideration."

"I'd imagine not," Sif replied. "What troubles?"

"She didn't say, interestingly enough," Gunnr replied. "Though I have some ideas."

"No, you don't!" Eir argued, swiftly.

Sif raised an eyebrow.

"It's nothing, your grace. Would it be alright if Lady Freya slept here? We… would rather not take her back to Lord Kratos in this state."

"Kratos wouldn't kill you because Freya is drunk," Sif reassured.

"That's what I said!" Gunnr declared.

"Still!" Eir defended.

Sif nodded, "However, I understand your concern." She regarded the bemoaning Freya again and giggled a bit. "A sight I never expected to see." She looked at Gunnr and Eir again, "You're all more than welcome to stay."

"Many blessings on you, Lady Sif. We apologize for the inconvenience."

"No need to apologize. It's entirely fine."

Gunnr and Eir brought Freya inside, taking her to a spare bedroom that Sif led them to. After getting Freya in bed, Sif placed a blanket over her.

"Alright." Sif smoothed the blanket then looked at the Valkyries, "Now, will you tell me what 'troubles' Freya needed to forget?"

"We don't know," Eir shrugged.

"We suspect," Gunnr volunteered.

"Gunnr!"

"Ohhhhhhhhh," Freya creaked, getting the attention of the trio.

"Lady Freya?" Eir asked.

"Sif…" Freya grumbled, "I'm sorry. Forgive me for… for disturbing you."

Sif held back some laughter. "It's alright, Freya."

Gunnr smiled underneath her helmet. "Lady Freya, why did you wish for such an activity this evening?"

"Gunnr, you're evil!" Eir accused.

"Because I'm a fool!" Freya declared, a bit garbled.

Sif, Gunnr, and Eir paused. "A fool?" Sif asked.

"Of course! What else am I?!" Freya began to squirm in the bed, "I try and try to ignore it or hope it passes… and-and can't. It won't stop. It can't. I… I don't… want it to." She laid on her side and let out a harsh exhale. "I love him. So much."

At that, Sif, Gunnr, and Eir completely froze in place. Not even so much as a blink between the three of them.

After a few moments, Sif managed to regain control of her voice. "What did you say?"

"Love him!" Freya slurred. "Not that'll do me any good! We could be perfect! We could be… but… but…!" She growled, "What does any of this matter? He'll never return my love. Why should he?! I tried to kill him. Over and over again! Put his son in danger! Blamed him for my failures! I know who's to blame for my life's pain! Me! And I blamed him." She rolled over in bed, "Why would he love me after all I've done to him?!" She turned again, falling to her back and staring at the ceiling. "I'm a fool. Queen of the Valkyries. Queen of the Realms. Ha! 'Queen of the fools' would be a better title." Her eyes slowly closed, "To think he… could love me."

Sif, Gunnr, and Eir still had not moved from the spots they stood in. After another moment, their minds finally fully processed what they just heard from Freya.

"She didn't just say what I think she just said, did she?" Eir asked.

"She did," Sif confirmed.

"Lady Freya?! Lady Freya!"

They found Freya completely passed out and unresponsive.

"She's asleep," Sif noted. "Deep sleep, it seems. I'm all too familiar with a sleep like this. She probably won't wake up until morning."

"I knew it!" Gunnr declared. "I knew it! I knew it all along!"

Eir shook her head, "We don't know she was talking about—"

"Who else would she be talking about?! Who else could you possibly name, Eir?!"

"Let's let her sleep," Sif advised. "We'll continue this conversation when she awakes. And, oh, what a conversation it will be!"

The morning was just turning into the afternoon when Freya began to stir. The light from the sun peered into the room, shining directly over Freya's eyes. As Freya awoke, she groaned loudly, shielding her eyes from the sun. She desperately wanted to have Sköll and Hati put the moon back in the sky. She pressed her hand to face, "Ohhhhhhh! What… happened?!"

The door opened and Sif walked in. She noticed Freya was awake and laughed. "She awakes at last!" Sif greeted, closing the door behind her. "Probably with a migraine that would make Thor proud."

Freya moved her hand enough to open one eye. "Lady Sif?"

"Good morning, Lady Freya."

Freya looked around, having still not opened her other eye. "Where am I?"

"My home," Sif answered. "Thank Gunnr and Eir."

Freya started to piece everything together as the memories of last night slowly became clearer. Though were certain sections she couldn't recall if she tried, and she wasn't sure she wanted to. Freya sat up, moved to the edge of the bed, and leaned over. "I can't say enough apologies."

"You don't need to. I promise it's fine."

Freya moaned in discomfort as the effects of last night still lingered. She rubbed her eyes, "By the name of Ymir… in the memory of my brother… I am never… drinking… again!"

"Oh, if only Thor had ever made that promise!" Sif's smile grew a bit. "But… swearing in the name of Freyr to not drink?"

"Counterintuitive, I know. It's probably why I said it for when I, inevitably, break that vow. He wouldn't hold it against me."

Sif giggled.

Freya groaned then lowered her hand. "Thank you for putting up with me."

"It wasn't a problem. But…" Sif walked to a chair and sat down. "…I believe we need to talk."

Freya turned her face toward Sif. "About anything in particular?"

"Very much so."

A knock came to the door.

Sif looked at the door, "Come in."

The door opened again and Gunnr and Eir walked in. "I told you she was awake!" Gunnr said to Eir.

"We didn't need to come barging in to prove that!" Eir argued.

Freya nodded at them, "I'm truly blessed to have such loyal warriors and friends as you two. Thank you for taking care of me."

"You're more than welcome, milady," Gunnr nodded.

"Glad you're feeling better, your majesty," Eir added.

Freya nodded at them again then looked back at Sif, "There was something you wished to discuss."

"Yes," Sif said. "I'm glad Eir and Gunnr are here. That'll help my case."

Freya blinked. "'Case'?"

"I should leave!" Eir turned to exit.

But Gunnr grabbed Eir's arm and forced her to turn back around, "Oh, no, you don't!"

Eir whined.

Freya looked back and forth between the three of them. "Is… something wrong?"

"No," Sif spoke up. "Just… while you were under the influence of the, I'm assuming, mead and wine, you said some… rather interesting things."

"Revealing things," Eir added, nervously.

"Personal things," Gunnr concluded, boldly. "One in particular. Suspected for a while now, just without the confirmation."

"Gunnr!"

"I speak the truth."

Freya eyed them suspiciously. "What interesting, revealing… personal things?"

Sif smiled. "Your feelings… towards our new god of war."

Freya froze, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth but couldn't speak right away. She finally managed to utter, "I-I… didn't… say…"

"You actually did. Several times."

Freya dropped her head in her hand. "Ohhhhhhhhhh! I have a headache again. This one is new. But not any less painful."

"So you're confirming… it's true?" Eir asked.

Freya sat in silence for a while. She rubbed her face then stared at the wall. She nodded, slowly.

"Oh, my!" Sif smiled.

"HA!" Gunnr punched Eir's arm. "I knew it!"

"Why did you hit me?!" Eir complained.

"I'm excited!"

"So punch the wall!"

"I will not ruin Lady Sif's house!" Gunnr argued. "Have some respect, Eir."

Eir growled, "Hrm!"

"Is that why you've been looking for any excuse to avoid him in recent days?" Sif asked. "Which I'm just now realizing you've been doing quite a bit."

Freya sighed. "Yes. It's been… too hard to face him."

"Why? Perhaps I'm missing the problem."

"The problem is I have no right! Look at all I've done to him! I blamed him for Baldur, tried to kill him, sicced the raiders on him, threatened his son!" Freya sighed. "How could he love me after all of that?!"

"In your defense, he did strike Baldur down," Sif admitted.

"He didn't make Baldur attack me or drive him mad. He was even saving me when Baldur was determined to kill me! That's my point. I placed blame for that entire mess on him. As though it was his fault Baldur fell so far to begin with."

"Kratos knows, better than most, how much pain you were in during those days."

"It's not an excuse. It's why… these feelings… they're pointless."

"Yet still, he trusts you," Sif reminded. "Even enough to live with you."

Freya stopped. She knew that to be true. But she shook her head. "Trust. That's the extent. Nothing more." She groaned and jumped to her feet, "I don't even—hm." She still felt a bit off-balance but strengthened her footing. "I don't even know why I'm feeling this way! It makes no sense!"

"You truly believe it makes no sense, milady?" Gunnr asked.

Freya slowly turned toward her, "You think it does?"

"Of course, it does! Look at all you and Lord Kratos have done together! The magnificent battles you've fought! How you both have helped bring the realms together!"

Eir sighed, "Lady Freya… as much as I truly think this isn't my place, I must speak… I believe Gunnr and Lady Sif are right. The bond between you and Lord Kratos… it's… rather strong. Honestly, we… wanted to ask you about all of this some time ago. The timing just never felt… appropriate."

Freya rolled her eyes and sighed again.

"I can't help but think you're placing too much strain on yourself," Sif stated. "Kratos trusts you. Enough to know you won't kill him while he sleeps. Enough to continue to fight alongside you. Enough to accept your invitation to join the council. Key words being 'you' and 'your'. You defending Kratos' actions with Baldur is even further proof of how far you two have come."

"Kratos doesn't excuse himself for what he did," Freya pointed out.

"Further proving my point. He doesn't run from the things he's done… nor do you continue to damn him for them."

Freya knew all of this. Sif really wasn't saying anything Freya hadn't told herself. Though Freya would also convince herself such thoughts were insane. Sif wasn't giving her that courtesy.

"Freya," Sif said, causing Freya to look at her. "Talking with us? Drinking to the point you can't stand? That's not how you will resolve this. You must speak with Kratos."

Freya huffed. "Oh, yes," she said, sarcastically. "There's a wonderful idea! Declare my love to the man who's lost two wives already. The same man who I repeatedly tried to kill and threatened to kill even more frequently! What's the worst that could happen?"

"The child you have together will have his temperament?" Gunnr joked.

Eir elbowed Gunnr in the gut. Freya uttered an annoyed groan.

Sif stifled a giggle. "Freya. You can't keep this from him. More to the point, you should not."

"Why should I not?" Freya asked.

"Kratos' level of trust with you is beyond what he has with anyone, save Mimir and Loki. None of us can determine his mindset, except for you and, again, Mimir. But… your understanding tends to be more… intimate."

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" Freya dropped her head.

"I'm serious," Sif defended. "He cares for and values you. That's to say nothing of his respect for you. Honestly… his feelings for you may be closer to how you feel than you realize. If he doesn't echo them entirely."

Freya looked at Sif. A large part of her desperately wanted Sif to be right. But for every logical reason discussing her feelings with Kratos was a good idea, Freya could conjure up at least two reasons for doubt. Freya walked back to the bed and sat down, staring at the wall again. "I know I have to talk to him."

"Then do it."

"It's just not something easy to discuss with him."

"Lord Kratos may be a silent, stoic warrior, Lady Freya," Gunnr began, "but, despite his demeanor, he does care. He does listen." She motioned at herself and Eir, "We've experienced that firsthand. I'm more than positive he'd give your feelings the attention and consideration they deserve."

"And, not to callously repeat a point, your majesty, but you do live with him," Eir reminded.

"In a lot of ways… that makes it harder." Freya shook her head. "It's true, he… really can be very kind… and thoughtful. I know it. I've experienced it. Many times. Especially since he returned from Valhalla. He… became even more caring. It makes it so much harder to keep these emotions to myself. I've nearly uttered them on more than one occasion. That's why I've been avoiding him so much. Sometimes… a simple conversation… almost leads to an unintentional confession."

"Then make it intentional," Sif ordered. "Don't keep this to yourself. Tell him. For all the turmoil between myself and Thor… I know there was love. He just… tended to be difficult." She smiled at Freya. "You might have an easier time with things when it comes to Kratos. More than anything… whether he echoes his love for you or not… Kratos should know… he's cared for again. I'm sure, in his own way, he's reassured you of the same."

Freya couldn't lie: of all the things she knew about Kratos, she knew for a fact he cared about her. It's one more reason why the love started in the first place.

With that in mind and everything else, Freya considered everything that had been said and all she felt. She sat up straight, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "I… think I need to find Kratos."

"I think you should," Sif agreed.

"We'll escort you!" Gunnr volunteered.

Eir dragged her hand across her mask.

"Oh! Eir does not wish to accompany us, it seems. She wishes to… not see what happens in these events."

"I didn't say that," Eir muttered.

"HA!" Gunnr cheered, victoriously.

"Actually." Sif stood up. "I think I'll come along as well." She looked at Freya, "If you don't mind."

Freya smiled a bit, "Honestly… I'd be grateful if all of you were… nearby. Just in case."

"Things will be fine, Freya. But we'll be happy to be there for you, regardless."

"Thank you."

Sif nodded. "We'll be discreet."

"As discreet as possible," Eir corrected. "Gunnr is coming with us."

"I'll confess she isn't wrong," Gunnr shrugged.

Freya laughed softly.

A little while later, Freya found Kratos and Mimir in Midgar, with Kratos feeding his wolves and cleaning up some things around his old home while Mimir was placed on a nearby tree stump.

Sif, Eir, and Gunnr walked up behind Freya, who let a nervous breath escape.

"Are you ready?" Sif asked.

"No." Freya sighed again. "Actually… yes. I just… don't think I'm ready for the outcome."

"I think you are."

"Do you wish to go alone?" Eir asked.

"Not yet," Freya replied. "All of you coming with me will help explain things."

"Very well," Sif said. They all approached Kratos and Mimir, as Kratos had just finished feeding the wolves.

"Ah!" Mimir greeted as Freya and the others draw near. "There she is!"

Kratos turned around. "Freya," he greeted, some relief in his tone.

"Hello," Freya said, some shyness in her voice.

Kratos took note of the others, "Lady Sif, Shield Maidens."

"Lord Kratos," Sif nodded.

"General Kratos," Gunnr and Eir greeted, simultaneously.

"Are you alright, Freya?" Kratos asked.

"Yes," Freya nodded. "The evening just… got away from me."

Gunnr bit back a laugh as hard as she could and managed to succeed.

"As long as you're alright, milady," Mimir noted.

Freya smiled a bit. She looked back at Kratos and she was almost dumbfounded when she realized her heart had skipped a beat. "Uhh. Kratos? May we speak? Alone?"

"Of course," Kratos replied.

"We'll take care of Lord Mimir, Lord Kratos," Eir assured.

"Thank you."

Kratos and Freya headed deeper into the forest while Eir picked up Mimir. Once Kratos and Freya were out of earshot, Mimir took notice of a curious look on Sif's face and the excitable stances of the Valkyries.

"What's going on?" Mimir asked.

"Do you miss anything?" Sif asked in turn.

"You spend several years dangling from the back of an angry war god and tell me how much you'd miss."

"We're excited, Mimir," Gunnr volunteered. "A great many thing may be about to take place."

"Oh!" Mimir said. "Freya has finally decided to confess her love for Kratos, then?"

Sif, Eir, and Gunnr slowly looked at Mimir as Eir lifted him higher.

"You know?!" Gunnr asked.

"Again," Mimir smiled, "I tend not to miss much."

"How do you imagine Kratos will respond?"

"I could tell you… or we could see for ourselves."

"Hildisvíni was wrong," Sif smirked. "You are smarter than you look, Mimir."

Mimir growled. "If only I still had hands! If I ever get them again and I see that Old Boar…"

"Hush, Mimir," Gunnr ordered. "We have far more important things to concern ourselves with. Come!"

With Fimbulwinter concluded, the ice and snow of long winter had long since melted away and the usual seasons flourished again. Spring had arrived again Midgard; the scenery was helping Freya find some peace in what she was about to discuss with Kratos, and she needed all of the peace she could get.

"Freya?" Kratos asked.

His voice snapped her out of her trance. Freya turned toward Kratos, "Umm. I'm… sorry."

"Why?"

"Just… my mind went elsewhere. I apologize."

"You do not need to keep apologizing to me," Kratos advised. "But… I must admit… I'm… starting to grow concerned."

"Concerned?" Freya asked.

"You've seemed… distant in recent days. Preoccupied. Have I done something to upset you?"

Freya's eyes widened. "Oh, no! No! Kratos, I'm so sorry! I…" She stopped and rubbed her eyes. She lowered her hand, "Please, forgive me. My… mind has just… my focus has been… on something rather important."

"Is this what you wished to discuss?" Kratos asked.

"Yes. If you don't mind."

"Not at all."

"Alright." Freya prepared herself. As ready as she told herself she was, doubt began to creep in on her anyway. She did her best to remember Sif's advice. If Sif was right, this would change everything. However, Sif, Eir, and Gunnr were completely correct about one thing: Freya had to resolve this. Especially so she wouldn't wake up with a headache like that ever again.

Freya fidgeted with her fingers, slightly. "First… I… want to apologize for my absence last night."

"You owe me no apologies," Kratos reassured. "Your time is your own. It is not my place to know where you are every hour."

"I know. And thank you for that respect. It means more than you realize. But… I also want to apologize for the number of times, I… tend to not be home overall."

Kratos was grateful for that, as he had noticed her absence. Instead of responding, he studied her carefully. He could feel there was more she wanted to say.

"Uhhh… you should know…" Freya sighed then took a deep breath and admitted, "Last night, I was drunk."

Kratos stopped. "Drunk?"

Freya nodded, embarrassed at the admission, "Mmhmm. Horribly so. Eir and Gunnr made sure I didn't wander off a cliff, and Sif was kind enough to let me sleep in her home."

"I must admit to wondering what brought that about."

"I was…" Freya sighed. "…trying to… rectify a situation in my mind and… it didn't work." She groaned, "That was a terrible choice of words."

"That really was," Gunnr whispered as she, Sif, Mimir, and Eir covertly watched from a nearby hill.

"Shh!" Eir ordered, quietly.

Freya looked at the sky, shaking her head. "I'm dancing around this. Ironic as I had no qualms with being direct when I was angry with you."

"You had your reasons," Kratos noted.

"Flawed, though they were." Freya looked at him. "Kratos… I have to tell you something. It's… something I've been keeping to myself but… I shouldn't have. I should've told you before now. But… I'm concerned it would change things between us."

"I do not wish for another barrier between us, Freya."

Freya's eyes widened at his word choice.

"Whatever you wish to speak with me about, please," Kratos implored. "It is better I know, so we can discuss how to move forward."

Freya nodded. "Very well." She took a breath. "Very well." She paused for one more moment. "In recent days… it's come to my attention that…" She closed her eyes. "No. I refuse to express it that way." She opened her eyes. "Kratos… I have… very strong feelings for you." She stared at him as the emotions rushed at her. She decided to stop fighting them and let go. "I… I love you."

Kratos stared at her in shock. "You… love me?"

"Yes."

"Well, she said it," Eir noted.

"Proud of her for admitting it," Mimir smiled.

"What comes next?" Gunnr asked.

"The admission is made," Sif replied. "Now, we see how it is received."

Freya let out a breath. "That… was the reason… I have been… distant. And… I'm sorry."

"Freya…" Kratos said.

"Forgive me, Kratos," Freya looked away. "But I couldn't keep this from you any longer. You… you don't have to say… anything. I just… I know this is something impossible for you to respond to. All we've… everything… what you've been through… I… this…" She stopped, realizing her words were as jumbled vocally as they were in her mind. "I'm sorry. Forgive me. I'm… I'm sorry." She started to walk away.

"No!" Gunnr hissed.

"Go back, Freya!" Eir whispered, desperately. "Please, go back!"

"Give it a moment, ladies," Mimir said, still smiling.

Kratos took a step toward her, "Freya, wait."

Freya stopped. She kept her back to him and did her best to control her breathing, anything to prevent her from crying.

"Freya…" Kratos walked up behind her. "I would have preferred you had not kept this from me. I would not have hated you for such emotions."

"I know," Freya whispered.

"And… it wouldn't be… right for you to express those feelings to me… and for me not to do the same."

Freya's eyes widened. She slowly turned around and gazed into his eyes. She could see it: he meant what he said.

"By the gods!" Eir and Gunnr whispered.

"Like I said," Mimir declared.

"This is phenomenal," Sif grinned.

Kratos walked closer to her. "I cannot condemn for keeping such feelings to yourself. I have done the same."

"K…" Freya swallowed down tears. "Kratos."

"Forgive me, Freya," Kratos continued. "It never felt proper to express this to you. I thought I fabricated my suspicions of your feelings for me. It… never felt appropriate. That's why… I also kept my distance. That was wrong. I am sorry. I didn't intend to keep you away or for you to be fearful of me."

"I wasn't afraid. Not of you. Just… I knew how much wanted this. And it scared me." Freya felt tears form again. She didn't bother to stop them this time. "I'm so sorry. I forced you away… without even giving you the courtesy of a battle."

"We've experienced a great deal, Freya. Loss, tragedy. So few victories, and even those felt taken away. This… we did not expect. You reacted as best you could. I understand."

Freya stepped closer to him, nearly sealing the gap between them. "Please… tell me you mean everything you've said."

"Yes," Kratos whispered.

"Then tell me… we can… let this… have a place in our lives." She put her hands on his chest. "We don't fight it. We accept it. We… let it be."

Kratos gazed into her eyes. "We can."

Freya felt a huge weight fall off of her. She bowed her head a bit, taking a deep breath and exhaling. She huffed, giggling slightly. She looked back at him, a relieved smile on her face. "Thank you."

He nodded at her.

"YES!" Gunnr hissed quietly.

"This is wonderful!" Eir whispered, joyfully.

Sif's smile grew. "I'm proud of you, Freya. And you, Kratos."

"Well deserved for both," Mimir said, relievedly.

As Freya stared at Kratos, her gaze both softened and became more focused as she felt an uncontrollable urge come over her. "Kratos. I have never needed to be kissed more than I do right now."

Kratos slowly leaned in, and Freya quickly met him the rest of the way, passionately pressing her lips to his. Freya almost couldn't believe how perfect this kiss felt. She had no idea kissing Kratos would feel this amazing; the feeling causing her to wrap her arms around his neck. In turn and to her very welcome surprise, Kratos put his arms around Freya's waist, pulling her closer. She knew she loved him, but she thought there would be certain sacrifices she would make to be with him, kissing being one of them. She was thrilled to know how wrong she was. She wondered what else didn't need to be sacrificed for their love. She was becoming more excited and emotional as the kiss continued.

"I'm going to shout!" Gunnr threatened, happily.

Smiling, Sif and Mimir looked at Eir.

Eir let out an annoyed groan and, wearily, uttered, "Go ahead, Gunnr."

Gunnr jumped to her feet, "HOORAH! VICTORY!"

Freya and Kratos broke the kiss and looked see Gunnr cheering with her arms in the air and wings spread out. It was then that Kratos noticed Mimir, Sif, and Eir kneeling next to Gunnr, clearly attempting to remain unseen. Eir seemed to be utterly embarrassed, her hand slapped over her mask and shaking her head, while Sif and Mimir were grinning from ear to ear.

Freya laughed.

"I take it this was a preferred outcome?" Kratos asked.

"Yes," Freya kept laughing.

"Did they have to spy on us?"

"In their defense, I brought it on us. Last night was… interesting and I wanted them to be nearby. So… this is really my fault." Freya looked up at him, smiling. "Can you forgive me?" she asked, coyly.

Kratos found himself suddenly bashful. He looked off, "Yes."

Freya hugged him. "I love you, Kratos."

Kratos wrapped his arms around her, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "I love you, Freya."

A/N: Yeah, I really, really liked this one! This was so much fun to write. I hope all of you liked this!