LokiSon

Part 1: A Prince of Mischief and Babes, Chapter 6:

“You did what?” Freya asked. “And under my name?” 

“I was protecting your honor!” 

Freya put both hands on her hips, giving him a look. 

The three of them were currently in his Mother’s garden, in the early morning. 

They were in his mother’s private garden, which meant that the only people who ever came in here were either his mother, her friends, or the family. His mother was not a selfish person, so she let Thor and Loki know time and time again that this garden was just as much theirs as it was hers. The only thing she asked was that they reframed from having sex in here. Of course, being that she was the queen, and their mother, she worded it much better than that. But though Loki was the Silvertongue, he did appreciate bluntness every now and then. 

But he already broke that promise. A lot of times, actually. And he was sure Thor had done the same. Though, he knew the blonde was too ashamed to admit it. 

The regular garden’s were beautiful, but his mother’s private garden was something else altogether.  The main garden was filled with flowers from across the Nine Realms, making it diverse. But his mother’s was filled with flowers and plants that she liked. And it happened to be that Frigga was fond of blues and greens, and that definitely showed throughout her garden. 

Frigga’s private garden was situated at the back of the main gardens, being divided by a wooden door. Once at the door, one had to climb up a set of stairs until they reached the levels of the royal family. And one good thing about the gardens was that at certain points of his family’s rooms, certain hallways and rooms can look down at the gardens. 

The three of them were currently sitting under his mother’s golden gazebo, which shielded them from anyone attempting to look down and see them with the babe. The gazebo was beautiful, with it having a stained glass ceiling and flowers growing up its golden poles. 

But even so, for precaution, Loki had summoned a deep fog throughout the garden, so none of them would be seen. 

Peter was playing on the floor beneath them. Loki had set up a green mat for the boy to play on while they spoke. He was currently playing with a doll that resembled Odin, something he had picked up when he was in the market the other day. 

Freya was currently standing, looking down at him. Her brown eyes pierced into him before she closed them, letting out a shaky breath. 

“You were defending my honor…” She repeated. She shook her head. “My ‘honor’ did not need defending.” 

“It sure as Hel did!” Loki fought back. “I did not appreciate the way they were speaking about you, so I had to defend you the best way that I could.” 

The young man was sitting a few feet away from her, with his legs crossed and arms spread out on the benches back. He knew that his relaxed pose was getting to her, but he needed to prove that everything was all right. 

“But from what you’re telling me, the conversation only turned because you said that Lady Sif had taken on more than what she bargained for.” Freya shook her head. “Do you not realize what this means? Now that you have taunted her, she is going to fight ten times harder in the arena. Just out of spite.” 

“Something you can surely handle.” 

“Loki, I know that I am a skilled warrior. But your brother is right. Lady Sif has seen far more battles than I.” Loki looked like he was going to interrupt her, but Freya cut him off. “I understand that you wanted to defend me, and I appreciate that. But the more I train, the more I doubt I can beat her.” 

Freya sighed, and sat next to the black haired prince. It was not gracefully, or elegantly, like a lady of her statute should. It was simply a woman who looked tired. 

Loki shook his head, clicking his teeth. 

“You are stronger than what you give yourself credit for.” He complimented. 

“I know my strengths. And just as much: my weaknesses.” She looked over at him, her brown eyes shining. “Thor was right. I have been reliant on my magic for far too long. Perhaps that is what is holding me back.” 

“That blonde oaf doesn’t know a damn thing.” Loki hissed. “Yes. I agree that raw strength can sometimes beat a spell. And it’s good to know how to fight just in case the situation calls for it. But your magic makes you stronger, Freya. Please do not forget that.” 

Freya smiled at him. 

It was early morning. So that meant everything had this bright, golden tint to it. And one thing that Loki alway liked about Freya was the fact that her skin was golden. It was a dark, golden tan that shined whenever the sun touched it. Much in comparison to Loki’s ever so pale skin. Sometimes, if he was not an Asgardian, he thinks that his skin would burn once it touches sunlight. 

But Freya was beautiful as it was. With her long blonde hair, long eyelashes, high cheekbones. Not only was she the goddess of Fertility, but also the Goddess of Beauty. To be honest, there were plenty of god’s of beauty, but Freya actually looked the part. 

Suddenly, Freya’s bright smile slowly disappeared. 

“But why do you think Fandral challenged you?” 

And speaking of beauty. 

She continued. “I mean, I understand him wanting to defend his comrade. But to challenge a prince? That’s something else entirely.” 

Loki clicked his teeth. “Thor always tries to convince me that the Warriors Three and Lady Sif are my friends, but that is far from the truth. They know it. I know it. The only person who does not is Thor, and he’s an idiot.” 

“I see.” Freya nodded her head. She looked down to the lap of her dress. “Can I presume to say that we are friends?” 

Loki looked up towards her. 

“Freya…” He started. He really did not believe she asked that question. “I know the only reason that we’ve been spending so much time together is because of Peter…” 

The god and goddess looked down to the mortal playing below them. The babe was currently sitting with his legs out, rattling the Odin doll up and down, laughing as he did so. Loki felt bad that he did not have the vial at the moment for the boy to play with, but he was still working on it. 

He looked back towards the woman. 

“But even before Peter, our time together had been growing. I grew quickly fond of our walks through the gardens. Your… intelligence.” Loki found his throat beginning to constrict. Not being able to find the words. 

And with the way that Freya was looking at him intently, with those wide, brown eyes, he found himself mimicking her pose from earlier. Looking down towards his lap. 

“And what of my intelligence?” She asked softly. 

“Well… you’re brighter than most. That is to say, my mother only invites the best to her court, and you are obviously that. And take that compliment highly, as I do not give it out as often.” 

“I’ll be sure to take it to my death bed.” 

“And that there!” He smiled at her. “The bite you always have. The sarcasm. I feel like you understand my humor better than most.” 

Freya laughed. “I do. Because we share it. Some of the other maidens and Ladies think the way I speak is crude. But there is a reason I am the Queen’s favorite.” 

“And I certainly love that modesty of yours.” Loki rolled his eyes. 

“Of course you do.” Freya laughed. “But I will say, you are definitely different from what I expected.” 

“Oh? How so?” 

“Well, you were always…” Freya’s brown eyes went up to the glass ceiling of the golden gazebo, clearly trying to gather her thoughts. “Behind.” 

“‘Behind?’” Loki had expected the young woman to say a lot of things, but ‘behind’ was not one of them. “I thought we already established that I am one of the most brilliant sorcerers in the Nine Realms? Not only that, but one of the most dangerous adversaries-” 

“That’s not what I meant, my prince, ” Freya put her hand up, and Loki stopped talking. She sighed. “I just mean that… you were always behind Thor. Your Father. Your Mother. For centuries I thought you could not speak. But then, one day, no one could get you to shut up. And as each day went on, you grew out of your brother’s shadow. I admire that.” 

Loki found himself swallowing. 

That had been something he had struggled with when he was younger. Always being in Thor’s shadow. It was a problem he was still facing today, but it was definitely not as worse when he was younger. But Thor had been so full of light. So full of energy. He was everything that an Asgardian was, something Loki was not. 

But then, his mother started teaching him magic. And everything changed. It was like he had found a world that had been shut out to him for so long. He felt like he finally was a part of something. And his mother had been so proud of him. He remembers her smile the first time he had cast a spell. 

His father? Well, that was another story… 

“And so do a lot of people. Though, I’m sure you know that…” No, he actually didn’t. But he did not interrupt her. “But then you just shined. And when we found each other in the garden that day, I think it was the Fates.” 

Loki laughed. “You really think so?” 

“I know so.” She nodded her head. Loki admired her confidence. “I’m never in the gardens so late at night. And you were there. Sitting under that statue of your mother. Reading a book.” 

“I remember that night. I couldn’t sleep.” 

“See? The Fates, I tell you.” 

Loki shook his head. “The Fates. Of course.” 

“And you were just so different from what I thought you were going to be.” The blonde shook her head. “Obviously, you were smart. And mischievous. Everyone in the kingdom knows that. But you were just so… you.” 

“Me?” Loki tilted his head at her. 

“It’s just so hard to explain. And I don’t think I can but… I liked it. I still like it. You, that is.” 

Loki smiled at her. “I’m glad you did. And still do.” 

Freya simply hummed. 

The two of them were silent for a little while, looking down towards Peter, without a care in the world. It was a nice silence. Not awkward or anything like that. Not that the black haired prince really cared about formalities and such. If he did not want to speak, then he would not. But everything just came easier, with Freya. 

Loki sighed. 

“I have to fight Fandral now. Because of you.” 

“Hey!” Freya gave him an unimpressed look. “You were the one who opened your mouth and used that Silvertongue of yours.” 

“Defending you .” Loki smiled. 

Loki noticed something at the bottom of his feet. 

Peter was currently belly first on one of his shoes, looking up at him with those brown eyes of his. Loki had no idea when the mortal had gotten there, but he had left the small Odin doll behind, a few feet away from them. The babe was now lifting his hands up, which meant that he wished to be carried. 

And Loki was never one to deny the young lad. 

The black haired prince bent down and lifted the child up. Peter giggled at that, plopping himself down on Loki’s lap. On instinct, Loki gave the boy one his hands, and he soon began to play with his long fingertips. 

“I still need to train.” Freya said after a while. 

“Haven’t you been training for the last few weeks? You’re going to do fine.” Loki waved the young woman off with his free hand. “And yeah. Maybe Sif is going to fight harder after what happened. But I have faith in you.” 

“Very assuring.” Freya rolled her eyes. “And what of you? You fight more often than I. But how good are you with swords? That is the weapon you chose to fight Fandral with, yes?” 

“I am good with any weapon at my disposal.” Loki raised his chin. It was a lie, but he was versatile. He could handle anything. “And besides, I’m just going to cheat anyway.” 

There was a deep pause. 

Freya then sat straighter, putting both hands on her lap. She tilted her head at the young man, with her blonde curly ponytail covering her shoulder as she moved. Loki found himself mimicking her posture, with his back going straight. Loki was a prince. His mother trained him and Thor to have the best of postures as she did not want them to have hunchbacks. 

Loki did not know what he had just said, but he knew that the cool atmosphere had disappeared. The black haired prince did not know what the hell he said to make the woman look like she was going to fight him. But the Goddess of Beauty simply licked her lips and let out a breath. 

“What?” She simply asked. 

“Umm…” Loki shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

The blonde closed her eyes. 

“What do you mean when you say you’re going to cheat?” 

Ah. 

“Ah.” Loki said his thoughts out loud. The black haired prince simply let out a laugh before he looked down to the boy in his lap. “You’re upset that I’m going to cheat.” Loki hummed. “All right. Come at me. Be like everyone else and tell me that I’m wrong.” 

“Loki. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that cheating is wrong.” 

Loki looked back up at her, skeptical. “Yeah, I definitely don’t believe that. When I first met you, and even before that, you were similar to your sister and father. Similar to Odin. All about honor and justice and heroes and such. And now you’re going to tell me not to cheat against a man who so desperately needs his ego checked.” 

“Do you think me an innocent maiden?” Freya scoffed. She pointed to her chin to Peter on his lap. “Day in and day out, I lie to everyone I know where I am, and what I am doing. I have to say that I am either helping a family, or the fact that I am training for the battle and I need my alone time. And they believe me everytime. Do you know why? Because I am just a folly of who they think I am.” 

Loki stared at the woman. He had expected her to say a lot of things. But that was definitely not one of them. 

“That is something we have in common, I suppose.” He said. “Being a folly of something we are not.” 

“It’s one of the many reasons we get along so well.” Freya let out a dry laugh. “I’m not going to tell you not to cheat. But if the horn sounds and you seemingly call victory, do not expect me to rise from my seat and cheer for the second prince. Like all will surely do.” 

Loki hummed. 

Then he thought of something. 

“Whether I use tricks or not, I will be victorious either way.” 

The corner of Freya’s mouth raised. “Oh?” 

“Indeed.” Loki smiled back at her. “I can show you. If you’d like.” 

-000-

And so, the two of them made their way from his mother’s private garden and into the training room. But this was not just any training room. 

This was their family’s private training room. 

Like many things in the castle, his family always had two of something. There were his mother’s gardens, then there were the main gardens. There was the private kitchen, then there were the main kitchens. And it kept going on and so forth. And being that they are a warrior race, that meant there were the main training rooms, and then there were the private training rooms. 

And since the training room belonged to his family, that meant it was porched away high up in the palace, far away from anyone else. 

The room was situated near Thor’s rooms, which was not that much of a surprise. Some could say that this training room was his brother’s only, but Loki has used this thing so many times he had lost count. It was the place where he realized that one could not only use magic, but their bare hands as well to win a battle. 

The training room was large, like most things in the palace. It had windows all around them, but they did not have an ounce of glass on them. Whoever  made it was smart, as there was a natural breeze since they were so high up, which meant they would be cool as they fought. In the middle, there was a wide open space with a cushion on the ground that Loki had placed. Thor thought the cushion was for the weak, but he soon stopped complaining with all the times Volstagg headlocked him into the ground. 

And all around the walls and sides, were every weapon known to man. From swords, bows and arrows, knives. Loki was particularly fond of the knives, and he was the only reason why they were here. And there were targets all around for the arrows, but Loki used them for his throwing knives. Hogun tended to do the same thing, but the two of them never really connected on that front. 

Loki had changed his clothes so that he was not wearing normal clothing. Before, he had been wearing regal clothing, but now, he was wearing clothing for training. Which was basically just a white shirt and green trousers and light gold armor. The armor only covered his chest, shoulders, and knees, and the rest was bare. Being that bare definitely would not help in a battle, but he was simply going to fight the Goddess of Fertility. 

And speaking of which.

Freya came from one of the back rooms of the training room. She was no longer wearing her blue dress and was now sporting similar clothing to what she had worn before when she entered Loki’s room, exhausted. She was wearing similar clothing to what he was wearing now, except this time her armor was silver, and her clothes were blue. 

“All right, I’m ready.” She said, “But are you ready to succumb?”  

“My mouth is watering at the fact.” Loki nodded his head. 

The black haired prince had Peter in his arms, and he slowly jogged to one corner of the room. Loki had given the boy the same set up from the garden, with the same green blanket and Odin doll. Loki had run up to his room to get the boy some more toys to keep him entertained, and he did not seem to argue with that. 

Loki set the babe down on the green blanket, and Peter simply smiled at him. The boy picked up the Odin doll and began to shake it, laughing as his father’s fake beard kept going up and down. Loki smiled at the babe. 

“All right, Peter.” He said. “Freya and I are going to just be over there.” He pointed to where the blonde woman was. Freya was now looking over at the swords. “Do not hesitate to call us if need be. All right?”

“Dah!” Peter let out before he coughed. 

Loki let out a laugh. “I’ll take that as ‘okay.’ But we’re going to be right there, so you’ll be fine.” 

Peter simply giggled and kept playing with his toy, paying Loki no mind. 

“All right then.” Loki nodded. 

The black haired prince jogged back to the lady, and she had picked out a sword from the wall.

The sword was made out of a rosy bronze, and it shined as the rays from the suns hit its metal. The sword was not all too big, as Freya was not a short woman, but she was not as tall as Loki or Thor for that matter. The hilt of the sword was made out of dark brown leather, with the ball having a blue sapphire at the bottom of it. The sapphire must have been one of the reasons she chose the sword, as blue was her favorite color. 

The woman took a step back, seemingly feeling the weapon out. She swung it back and forth, testing out a few positions. Once full and tested, she stood straight, nodding her head and looking towards the prince. 

“I like it.” 

Loki hummed. “Had a feeling.” 

The woman began to walk towards the center of the room, where the mat was. But as she did so, Loki’s eyes scoured the rack of swords, trying to find the one he liked the most. It took him only seconds to find it, as he had threatened Thor and his friends that if they ever touched the sword he liked to train with, they’d be falling down the edge of the Bifrost. 

The sword itself was made out of a crisp silver. It shined in the light, giving off a pale reflection to the walls next to him. The sword was obviously bigger than the one that Freya had picked out, considering that he was a tall young man, and it suited him just right. The hilt of the sword had a black leather grip, and instead of a sapphire at the bottom, there was a green emerald shining up at him. But not only that, there was a carved silver snake at the hilt, baring its fangs at all who challenged it. 

It fit Loki perfectly. 

The black haired prince made his way over to the center of the room, where Freya was standing. 

“You locked the door, right?’ She asked, standing straighter. 

Loki's eyes wandered to the door on the other side of the room. The stone door was sealed shut, and he had made sure the mechanisms inside of the door were locked. He appreciated the blonde asking, as they did not want someone barging in here and discovering Peter. Especially Thor or one of his friends. That would be disastrous. 

“I did.” He said looking back at her. “Now, stop with your distracting and watch your savior.” 

“My savior?” She chuckled. 

The two of them got into position. This was an informal fight, a fight amongst friends, so they were throwing away formalities. The woman slowly raised her sword, and so did the prince. They bent their knees, and soon, they were circling one another.

“And just what exactly are you saving me from, my prince?” Freya asked. 

Loki took note that even though her sword was not as large as his own, it looked bigger when it was being pointed at him. 

“Well, obviously, I’m here to save you from humiliating yourself.” Loki raised his chin. “Lady Sif is a wench, but you seem to be rusty. Wouldn’t want you embarrassing me now.” 

“Ha. What happened to all that talk in the garden? That I could handle a warrior like Lady Sif? Do things change now that I am your adversary?” 

Loki saw an opening, and he took it. 

Sideways, he jumped forward, hitting the base of the woman’s bronze sword. He had expected this would catch the blonde off guard, since it was such a raw move and out of his character, but she did not seem surprised in the slightest. In fact, she rammed her sword against his, blocking it so it did not come out of her hands. 

But Loki did not stop there, he then swung his sword in the opposite direction, not giving the blonde a chance to recover. But surprisingly, she was able to hold her own, swinging her sword and defending herself from the black haired prince. 

They stayed like that for the next few minutes, with the two of them not saying anything. It was a repetition of Loki swinging forward and her defending herself, but the blonde never swung back at him. The black haired prince found that odd, considering that the young woman’s sword was strong against his own. Everytime their weapons hit, Loki felt the vibration at the hilt of his weapon. He felt his hands getting tired each time they hit. 

But the two of them just started, and it would be ashamed to admit that the blonde turned out to be more of a foe than he imagined. 

Loki also took note of the focused look on Freya’s face. It was agile and confident. 

“Come now, Fre.” He said. “Take a swing. I do not bite.” 

He took another swing, and she dodged it. 

“Your tongue is not the only thing that is sharp.” She commented, letting out a breath. “I hear those teeth can turn to fangs.” 

“You hear but a story. Fabricated through time.” Loki chuckled. “But really.” They began to circle one another again. “I thought you were better than this. Perhaps I was wrong to assume that a maiden like you could even step to a sword-” 

Suddenly, Freya shot forward, but Loki was ready for her attack. 

In one swift motion, the blonde swung her bronze sword at the prince. It took Loki by surprise, but he was ready. He felt the strong swing hit the base of his sword, with his hand vibrating at the hilt. 

Freya moved her body elegantly, like a highborn should, but there was a vulgarness to her movements. Even on the battlefield, women were still judged. Even Lady Sif, who was a warrior, a horrid one at that, still had to move elegantly with her sword and shield. Loki did not know just how she did it, considering that the people on the battlefield were trying to kill her, but he knew he was the same. His fighting style was more refined, unlike his brother, who just swung his hammer at everything in his way. 

The two of them jumped back, still pointing their weapons at one another. 

“Is that all you've got?” Loki taunted. “I’m sure Lady Sif would give me more of a challenge.” 

“You’re trying to tempt me. Bait me.” Freya raised her chin. “And it is working.” 

And she swung her sword again. 

The two of them kept going on like that for a few while, with Freya being more on the offense. Loki actually adored it, considering that he was the one that kept going at her first, it was interesting to see her fighting style. 

And right off the bat, he was reminded of his mother. It made the most sense, considering that the curly blonde was the one in his mother’s court. But he just did not expect her to fight so similar to his mother. His mother moved gracefully, like it was the wind itself, and so did the blonde before him. But there was still that Freya charm to it. The Lady had a bite to her, there was no doubt about that. There was no room for nonsense, but plenty of room for amusement. 

That’s what he always loved about her. The way she balanced everything. Something that Loki was indeed in need of. 

Loki kept blocking her attacks, but he knew he needed to get the upper hand. 

Before, his movements were slower, but as he picked up the pace, he noticed how Freya’s brown eyes narrowed not only at his sword, but towards his green eyes as well. He took note of how her chest began to raise up and down, and how he could hear his own breathing. And as they fought for who knows how long, he soon began to feel the sweat of their training soon falling down his chin. 

Freya then surged forward, ramming her sword forward, and Loki’s green eyes widened as he took a step to the side, dodging her attack. The middle of her bronze sword was right over his shoulder, and he looked back at the blonde. 

“You almost took my eye out!” He hissed. 

“Isn’t that the whole point, my prince?” She huffed. Loki took note of how her tanned cheeks were now tinted pink. “Come now. We are not done.” 

Loki huffed. He shook his head. 

“Of course.” 

They continued. 

-000-

Loki does not know just how long they were in that training room. It could have been just an hour, maybe even longer than that. But they had gotten there sometime in the morning, but they just kept going. Of course, they had to keep track of the time, as they did not forget the babe that was playing at the back of the training room, wanting their attention now and then, especially Loki’s. 

The black haired prince would have to stop for a few moments to go see what Peter wanted. Sometimes, it was just the boy wanting to be picked up, and Loki needed to find the courage in him to say no to the boy. But for now, he still kept picking him up and rocking him for a few seconds before he laid him back down. Peter was needy, but thankfully for today, he decided to go the independent route and just play with his toys. Leaving the two young adults to their training time. 

But, they did stop for lunch, which was later in the day. Loki thought about conjuring up some food, but he was still new at conjure, so he thought it was best to simply call a bird and send it down to the kitchens. He requested food for the two of them, but not naming Freya specifically, as he did not want the two of them to be caught together. Unfortunately, Freya had to run down to his rooms to get the baby formula in the guest room, but she was quick. And Peter definitely appreciated it. 

But, Freya soon memorized his movements when it came to training. He knew she noticed the way he was elegant like his mother, so unlike Thor and his father. He fought with grace, principle, while they fought with bruteness. Now, Loki was no saint on the battlefield, but it would be a lie to say he did not enjoy stabbing his enemies and watching them perish. 

Perhaps there was something wrong with him. 

But before she truly memorized it, he would change his tactics. Every so often, he would simply do something out of character. Like swing without merit like Thor would. Just to keep her on her guard. And he could see it in her eyes with the confusion, but he reveled in that. He loved it when he was unpredictable to his enemies. It always made the game more fun. 

Sometime, the sun began to set. The training room was now engulfed in a hue of orange light, with the weapons shining to the setting sun. The two of them were sweaty, with Loki’s slicked back hair sticking to the side of his face, with his pale cheeks red. Freya’s braided ponytail was now undone, with her cheeks just as red as his, with sweat running down her tan features. They were a mess. 

Peter had taken a nap sometime after lunch, and he still had not woken up. Just moments before, Loki had to go over there to see if he was still breathing. He knew he was being paranoid, but it still made him feel better. 

Freya began to speak between swings. 

“I must ask you a question.” She started. “But I feel you will not like the answer.” 

“Ha!” He let out a breathy laugh. “After all these hours, now you wish to play mind games with me. How entertaining.” Loki jumped to the side. 

“It’s not a mind game. Though, I know it will definitely do something to that mind of yours.” 

Loki took note of the seriousness on her face, but he did not let her guard down. There had been times today where she almost got him. 

But he took note of the seriousness on her face. Well, the woman had been serious all day, with the way she had been swinging her sword at the man, trying to catch him with his guard down. But there was something vulnerable in her brown eyes, and it was obvious that she wanted to say something. 

“What are you doing, Loki?” 

Loki scrunched his eyebrows. “Well, you keep leaving your side open, so of course I'm going to go for it-” 

“That’s not what I speak of.” Freya shook her head. “What are you doing with Peter?” 

With that, Loki took a step back and lowered his sword, looking at the young woman. Freya did the same, mimicking his position. 

“What do you mean?” He asked, not understanding her question. 

“You know what I mean. Please do not pretend like you do not.” She sighed, looking down towards the floor. “It is just… you have had him for a little over a month now. And I know a month is not a long time for us, but for him, it is. Especially for Midgardian young. They are similar to Asgardians where they grow fast. Of course, not as long as we grow, but the growth is similar.” 

Yes. That is something Loki is very aware of. 

He understands that Midgardians grow faster than they did. It was literally fucking everywhere. They were one of the fastest aging people in the Nine Realms, which was one of the reasons why there were so many wars there. People are born, they grow, they fight, they die. And the cycle continues for the next generation. It is one of the reasons as to why the Asgardians are going to Midagrd so often now. They revel in the wars. 

But he did not understand why the blonde was mentioning this. 

“All right, and?” 

“And even though it has only been a month, Peter is growing.” She said, “The hairs on top of his head have become more defined, more brown. And in just a couple of months, he is going to begin walking. And in just a few years, he will become a young man.” 

Something in him burned. It was a feeling he was not familiar with, and he could not decide if it was a good or bad thing. 

“I understand that. Midgardians die quickly. Please, you have never been one to mince your words. Get to the point.” 

Freya let out a long sigh. 

“When do you plan on sending him back to Midgard?” She asked, her chin high in the air. “You’ve had him for a while now, and you’ve done nothing. Not a spell, not an enchantment to maybe find his loved ones. I’m a sorceress. I know spells like that are out there.” 

“You know nothing of what I do.” Loki spat at her. 

“I don’t?” She asked, skeptically. The woman let out a sour laugh before she looked back at him. “I am in your rooms half of my time. Taking care of a child you keep locked away, high in your tower.” 

“If you no longer wish to care for Peter, just say so.” Loki hissed at the Goddess. “I was doing just fine without you.” 

“Being the God of Lies, I would think you would be better at it.” Freya's eyes narrowed. “If it was not for me, you would have easily been discovered. You are a prince of Asgard. And though you are seen as an outcast, there is only so much time you can hide from your family. From your father.” 

“I could disappear for weeks and he would not notice. It has happened before. And it will happen again.” 

“You think he does not notice, Loki. But he does.” He hates the sympathetic look she gives him. “The queen tells me.” 

“Of course she does!” Something begins to boil inside the black haired prince. “And pray tell, what else do you speak about me with my mother? My spells? My secrets?” He shook his head. “Perhaps you are just some spy my mother sent to me to keep an eye on me. She probably already knows the existence of the babe. They’re probably already waiting for me to mess up and reveal him before they raid my rooms and take him away from me.” 

Freya’s jaw dropped. 

“Goodness, no!” She shook her head, frantically, taking a step forward. “I am not some spy, Loki. You are clever. You would have known if I was.” 

Loki shook his head. 

Something told him to drop the sword and walk over to the babe, picking Peter up and marching out of the room. 

“I find you clever, Freya.” He admitted. “So perhaps that is the reason I find it hard to trust you.” 

Her jaw dropped. 

“You don’t trust me ?!” The woman’s voice shrieked through the training room. 

Loki cringed at that, looking towards the babe in the far corner of the room. Peter was still bundled up in that red blanket of his, and some more pillows and such. His brown eyes were still shut, which meant that he was still sleeping. Which was a good thing, considering it was already a bitch to keep him asleep- 

But from the corner of his eye, he noticed that a sword was coming right towards his neck. 

If Loki was not a warrior, his head would have surely been off his body, hitting the mat beneath them. Loki quickly raised his sword and blocked Freya’s attack. The black haired prince took a step back, but Freya was already taking another step forward. 

“By the Norns , Freya-!” 

“You don’t trust me?!” She roared again, giving him another swing. 

Freya’s attacks were so different then than they were before. Instead of being elegant and calculative like he was, they were not sloppy, similar to a certain blonde that he knew. Freya’s beautiful features were tainted by the fact that there was pure rage on her face. His attacks felt more powerful, more determined. Maybe that was the reason so many soldiers went to war angry. It gave them something to relay that anger towards.

And right now, Loki was the source of Freya’s anger. 

“I have spent literal weeks worrying about the babe you have held high in your rooms.” She took another swing. “Day in and day out. I spent hours caring for him as if he was my own. I lie to the people I love, and I hate that I don’t feel bad doing it.” 

“Okay, I get that. But can you please cease-” 

“No, I will not!” She shook her head. “The sad part is, I trust you. ” 

“What?” Loki asked in disbelief. 

The two of their swords pushed forward, pushing the two of them back. Once they were a good few feet away from one another, Loki still had his sword up, ready in case Freya was going to attack again. But when the woman simply shook her head and lowered her sword, he did the same. 

“I trust you, Loki.” Her voice was not small, but it definitely was not as large to what it had been just moments before. Loki was still on edge, but he kept his face neutral. “That’s the sad part. And it is what angers me. I trust you, and you do not trust me. If I said to kill someone you would do it without hesitation. I know you would. Then why can you not give me the same?” 

Loki would. If Freya ever came up to him and asked him to get rid of a problem, he would. He has done it countless times before. Killing was not new to him, especially here in Asgard, but he was quick with it. He would either blame someone else, or frame someone from the lower class. But if Freya asked to kill someone for him, he would. 

“I would kill for you, Freya.” He said with a tone of finality. “But I would never ask you to do the same.” 

“I know you would not. And that is where my animosity reigns.” She shook her head. “I know it is in our Asgardian blood, but… I can kill. I have killed before. But I do not take joy in it. Not like the king does. Not like Thor, or Sif or any of the others for that matter. I am the Goddess of Fertility, it goes against what I am.” 

“Freya.” He started. “Believe me when I say it is nothing personal. I’ll admit. I don't even trust my own family. Why do you think I have kept Peter away so high in my tower like you keep on saying? If any of them found out, then they would surely take him back.” He licked his lips, sighing. “And when I keep saying you only know a part of my life… Please, do not take those words lightly. I have done a substantial amount of wrong in my few years. More than you know. That is what I mean when my mother and others only know a part of my life.” 

“But to say you do not trust me?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Those words hurt me, Loki. More than you know. Friends trust one another.” 

Freya dropped her sword to the ground, with it falling on the mat beneath them. The blonde put her tan hands into fists. Her face was towards the floor beneath them, but Loki could see her lips form into a thin line, along with fire in those brown eyes. 

Oh by the Norns. Loki was never good at this. 

This was where his mother usually took the reins. Loki was always good at reading people’s emotions. It was a good way to gain control over them. He learned it when he was young, and he was able to get what he wanted from a lot of people with the way that he was able to read them. It was how he survived whenever he was with his father’s court, but no one was ever able to catch on how good he was. 

But with caring for those emotions? Loki had no clue. The black haired prince was not the person to deal with his emotions. He would typically just go into his rooms or study and either work on his experiments and spells, or go to a brothel in disguise and take what he wanted. Or simply chug down a bottle of mead in his bedroom until he passed out and had to wake up early the next morning. The last part was never one of his good days. 

But to deal with other people’s emotions? Like Freya’s? He had no idea. 

Loki sighed, taking a stepforward. He dropped his sword a few feet away from them. 

“Freya, listen.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Like I said, it is nothing personal. It is just how I am. Who I am.” 

Out of all the things he had expected the blonde to do, laughing was not one of them. That definitely did not freak Loki out. Not one bit. 

Freya looked back up at him. All of that anger had disappeared 

Freya lunged at him once more, but this time, Loki was not prepared for it. It was moments like this when he was thankful he had that mat put here for when they trained, because Freya pushed him back with such a force, once his back hit the floor, it actually stung. All of the air was taken out of his lungs, and he stared up at the woman in disbelief. 

But by the norns. Freya had actually pushed him onto the floor, like some kind of barbarian. What in the norns was wrong with her?

But before Loki could even react, Freya was not hitting both sides of his head, just behind his ears, with both of her hands. It really did not hurt, but it stung slightly. He knew that the woman could hit harder if she wanted, but it was still fucking annoying. 

“Freya! What the fuck is wrong with you-?!” He said, trying to defend himself from the hits. 

“I’m fucking tired of you!” She roared. “Just tell me if you’re going to keep Peter or not!” 

“I still have to find out if he has any family or not!” He then began to avoid her hits with his hand, trying to get a hold of her wrists. “We literally just covered this!” 

“We have not!” Anger boiled in those brown eyes, but she did not cease. “Just admit that you want to keep him! That’s all I ask! Then we can figure it out!” 

What? 

Loki had always been strong enough to push the woman off of him, but he wanted her to say what she had to say. Loki had been stronger than her this entire training session, but he wanted to see how she fought. What were her strengths, what were her weaknesses. But there was always this knowing thought in the air that Loki was stronger than her. Stronger than most in the realm, but that was for another day. 

Loki simply growled and quickly caught both of her wrists with his hands. She struggled against him, but Loki was not going to let her go so easily. He suddenly rolled to the side, so that she would be resting her back on the mat below them. He rested both of his knees at her hips, but made a point not a lie on top of her. 

Freya had a scowl on her face, obviously not liking the idea of being pinned down. Since her legs were free, she tried her best to wrangle herself out of his grasp, but Loki was strong. He had gotten into plenty of wrestling fights with Thor, and there was a reason the blonde liked to spar with him. But Loki just held both of her wrists to the side of her head, not letting go. 

“Freya.” He said calmly. 

“What?” She spat at him. 

“I need you to understand something.” Even though she kept struggling, Loki did not let go. “I am not going to keep Peter.” 

She finally looked him in the eye. There was nothing but a calm rage in those brown voids. “You’re lying. And you haven't even seen it yet.” 

“If I was to tell a lie, you would definitely not know. I am not lying.” He reassured her. “I am a Prince of Asgard. Second in line to the throne. I have duties. And when I do have a child, it would either be for love like my mother wants, or to some princess of a different realm to keep politics in check like my father wants. I spend days praying it would be the former, but my mind tells me it will be the latter.”  

He sighed, looking over at the babe in the corner. Peter was still sound asleep, and he was glad for that. He does not know just how he was able to still be asleep with all this yelling, but he certainly was not going to complain. 

“Peter is a cute babe. A wonderful babe. But he is not mine. He never will be.” He licked his lips. “He is of Midgard, and I am of Asgard. That can never change.” 

Something changed in Freya’s eyes right then. All of that rage and anger disappeared, and they were now bright, full of an idea. 

“He… He doesn’t have to be…” 

“What?” He asked, confused. 

Freya seemed to struggle for her words. 

“Peter… He doesn’t have to be Midgardian.”