A love to last

I've never been more scared of losing something in my entire life. Then again, nothing in my life has ever meant as much to me as you do."

THE WEIGHT of keeping secrets was becoming tedious. For someone who was deemed an angel, Freya had been doing an awful lot of lying lately. The kisses she and Falcon had shared only served to feed her guilt. She knew she had to tell him about Penn, but the way he had reacted when she told him about her father's decision had her hesitating.

She was currently waiting on the front steps of her house, the guilt gnawing at her stomach had woken her early and she had gotten ready for school in a daze. The thought that Falcon may not end up going to school today didn't cross her mind until the clock hit 8:15 and he still hadn't arrived. She had grabbed her phone out of her book bag just as the sound of a familiar engine reached Freya's ears.

She perked up, skipping down the steps of her home and to the front gates. They slowly began opening as she drew closer and Freya slipped through them as soon as the gap was wide enough to accommodate for her small body.

She tried not to run as she caught sight of Falcon's familiar build swinging his leg off of his bike, but temptation pulled through and she held the strap of the book bag on her shoulder as she ran, giggling.

"Falcon," She called just as he turned around at the sound of fast approaching footsteps.

Freya crashed herself into Falcon, knocking him off balance slightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms wrapped around her tiny form as a grin lit up his face, his heartbeat racing as she nuzzled into his chest.

"Good morning, princess," He chuckled.

"Morning," Freya mumbled into his shirt.

"You good, baby?" He asked as he combed his fingers through her hair, fiddling with the little pink bow at the back.

Freya nodded her answer, guilt beginning to fill her stomach once again but she quickly pushed it down. She'd tell him later.

"You sure?" He asked, taking note of the look on her face.

Freya nodded, smiling up at him. Falcon's heart skipped a beat as he realised he could kiss her right then if he wanted to. She was his, and he could kiss her whenever the hell he wanted to. He grinned, leaning down and connecting his lips to hers.

He had planned it to be short and sweet, but the feel of her lips against his had his mind blank as he pulled her closer. His body felt like it was on fire, every nerve burning in need for the girl in his arms.

One of his hands drifted down to the curve of her ass, pressing her closer as his body yearned for friction. It was bad, he knew it was bad, but with the pressure of her body against his, he couldn't really think straight.

Falcon unconsciously rubbed himself against her as he deepened the kiss, ignoring the slight burn in his lungs. Freya pushed against his chest slightly, pulling away from the kiss as she greedily took in air. Falcon didn't bother stopping, trailing kisses down her jaw and neck until he reached the spot that made her little fists grab his shirt.

Freya could feel him smiling as he kissed that spot again, causing shivers to rack through her body. She didn't know what on earth he was doing, but she couldn't quite find it in her to tell him to stop. Freya's eyes drifted closed to the feeling of his lips on her neck, but they flew open again as a yelp escaped her.

She automatically tried to pull out of his arms, but he didn't budge, quietly laughing into the crook of her neck.

"Wha-you-you just bit me!" Freya squealed breathlessly.

Falcon chuckled, pressing a kiss to her jaw before biting at her skin again. She jolted in his arms,

a whine erupting from her lips.

"Stop it," She grumbled.

Falcon grinned, pecking her lips.

"Sorry, baby," He nipped her nose. "Couldn't resist."

Freya pouted for a moment before her eyes widened.

"We're gonna be late for school!" She tore herself out of Falcon's arms, grabbing the spare helmet Falcon had strapped to the back of his bike.

Falcon took it out of her hands with a smile, brushing her hair out of her face before carefully pulling the helmet over her head. He adjusted the straps so they sat securely under her chin before flipping the visor down with a smirk.

He picked her up, placing her on the bike before getting on behind her. He was glad she was tiny enough to fit in front of him; the thought of her being behind him where he couldn't see her as he drove sent a dagger of panic through his chest. Falcon pulled his own helmet on before turning the key of the bike, kicking up the kickstand before revving the engine.

The drive to school was short and with Freya's mind still a little dazed from the kiss, it thankfully didn't have the capacity to think about how she was going to tell Falcon. Once they were parked outside the school, Falcon swung himself out of the seat, picking up Freya from under her arms and setting her down in front of him.

He removed his helmet before helping her out of her own. Freya's hair lifted with the helmet for a moment before falling down over her face, causing a pout to grow on Freya's lips. Falcon held in a laugh as his smile grew.

"You good there, sweetheart?" He asked as she brushed back her hair with a huff.

She frowned as she felt the back of her head. The hair that had been neatly brushed into a half- up was now knotted and messy and Freya had no way of fixing it. She was hopeless when it came to hair.

Falcon bit his lip in thought, noticing her dilemma.

"I could," He began before pausing, an arm raising to rub at the back of his neck in an awkward gesture. "I could try and do it?"

Freya's eyes lit up, unaware that Falcon had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into. "Really?" She grinned.

"I mean, sure," He shrugged. "How hard can it be?"

~0~

Five minutes later Falcon was eating his own words. He wanted to go back in time and stick a fist

in his mouth forever even thinking he could do this.

He tried tying the ribbon around the strands he had collected for the umpteenth time, but yet again, they fell out of his hand before he got the chance. A giggle came from the girl in front of him and he sighed, a wry smile growing on his face. At least she was enjoying this.

"You know what," He dropped the rest of the strands, combing his fingers through the length of Freya's hair to return it back to its usual soft waves. "I think it looks better out, anyway."

At least it wasn't a lie.

Freya turned to him with a teasing smile.

"You sure?" She asked.

Falcon nodded, twisting a stray piece of hair around his finger.

"Definitely," He said, planting a kiss on her forehead.

He leaned down, eager to get another taste of Freya's lips when they were interrupted by a voice

he wouldn't mind never hearing again.

"Freya," Penn's smug face couldn't have chosen a worse time to show up.

Falcon rolled his eyes, not bothering to be subtle about it as he turned to face the idiot.

"What do you want, Harris?" Falcon's smile was long gone at this point.

Freya's heart squeezed as Penn laid his eyes on her, mischief sparkling in his eyes. She begged whatever deity was real to take back his ability to speak until she had a chance to tell Falcon herself, but of course, fate was never so kind.

"Just wanting to say hello to Freya," Penn smirked. "She left rather suddenly from our date yesterday, just wanted to make sure she was alright."

Falcon's eyes darkened in anger as his scowl deepened, fists clenching.

"The fuck you mean 'date'?" He growled.

His back was turned to Freya and she couldn't be gladder. She'd never had Falcon angry at her,

but she had a feeling that she was close to ending up like Penn the other day.

"I mean exactly that, Anders," Penn's look grew smugger by the second. "We went on a dat-"

Penn didn't get the chance to finish his words as Falcon suddenly had him pinned to the ground,

a fist flying towards his face. He tried to hit him back, but he was no match for Falcon's built form.

It wasn't the first time Freya had witnessed Falcon beating someone up, especially the someone being Penn, but she'd never seen him quite this bad. Her heart slammed painfully against her ribcage as frustrated tears collected behind her eyes. This was all her fault. She should have just sucked it up and told him first thing yesterday, but of course, she had had to be a baby about it. "F-Falcon, stop it!" She took a hesitant step forward but was almost kicked in the process as the two boys continued rolling around on the ground, Falcon never allowing Penn to get above him. He slammed the back of Penn's head into the concrete, his vision blood red as he sent another fist into the pretty-boy's face. He couldn't stop. He could hear Freya's voice calling out behind him but he felt like he was underwater, everything was muffled and blurry as he continuously sent hit after hit to every of Penn's body that he could reach.

The fucker had touched her. He had asked her on a fucking date and she had agreed, but Falcon wasn't stupid; he knew Penn must have said something to make her agree. The thought only fuelled the rage roaring in his gut.

A hand grabbed at the back of his shirt and before he knew what he was doing, he had turned, grabbing the person's wrist in an unforgiving hold. Freya whimpered at the painful pressure and the sound broke Falcon out of his trance.

"Shit," He swore, letting go of her wrist as if it had burned him. "Fuck, I'm sorry, baby." Freya sniffled, a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye but she nodded. She knew he didn't mean it.

A groan below them drew their attention and Falcon's jaw ticked in irritation.

"Asshole," Falcon gritted. "Fucking touch her again and see what happens. I dare you."

He sent a dismissing kick to Penn's thigh and Freya's hands grabbed his arms in response. "Stop it, Falcon," Freya pleaded.

Falcon clenched his fists before stretching them out, his eyes closing as he tried to calm his racing heart.

"Falcon," Freya whimpered. "I-I'm sorry, I was going to-to tell you, but-please don't be mad at me."

Tears began escaping down Freya's cheek at an alarming race and Falcon let out a breath. His whole body shook with adrenaline as he returned his gaze to his girl.

He surprised her by pulling her into his arms, pressing a shaky hand to the back of her head.

"What did he say to you," He almost growled.

Freya's brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to decipher his words.

"Freya," His tone grew impatient. "What did the fucker say to you? What did he say to make you go with him?"

Freya's eyes widened in understanding.

"He-he said it would make daddy happy," She sniffled.

Falcon shook his head at her answer, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Freya, baby," He pulled her face from his chest to make her look him in the eye. "No one's

happiness is worth yours. Not your father's, not Penn's, not anyone's. Not even mine."

Freya pouted, eyes watering as she took in his scolding tone.

"Freya," Falcon turned her drifting eyes back to him. "You understand me?"

Freya nodded reluctantly, but it didn't seem to satisfy Falcon.

"Use your words, Freya," He looked down at her expectantly.

Freya's pout grew.

"Yes," She mumbled.

"Good girl," Falcon praised as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

Falcon turned his attention to Penn, his eyes losing the soft look they had previously had.

"Go to class, baby girl," He ordered her gently. "You're already late and I have to deal with this." Freya nodded, knowing better than to argue. Falcon bobbed his head in thought. "Good girl," He pecked her lips. "Get going."

Freya reluctantly walked away from Falcon, wiping her cheeks free of any tears. She was lucky, so lucky that Falcon wasn't one to jump to conclusions. But it only made her fear grow for her father's reaction to the entire situation.

Her father trusted Penn's word more than her own. All he had to do was spill Freya's secrets and

her entire world would be taken from her.

She couldn't lose Falcon. Not now, not ever

And even though they never said it to each other, they knew."

FALCON DIDN'T have the patience to deal with Penn. He was itching to get back to Freya, but he couldn't just leave the guy there like another juvie sentence just waiting to happen. For the sake of both him and his girl, Falcon had to make sure Penn kept his mouth shut.

"So you got the girl," Said mouth began blabbing.

Falcon rolled his eyes at the voice out of habit. Penn chuckled, spitting out a string of blood that

had collected in his mouth.

"Not for long," He grinned the best he could with two swelling eyes and a split lip.

Falcon ignored his words, assuming he was talking about the supposed arranged marriage between Penn and his baby. Like he was ever going to let that happen.

"You know," Falcon began, staring down at Penn with a smug smile. "I think I like this look on

you. Suites you. Maybe I should do it more often."

Penn let out a snort, heaving his battered body into a seated position.

"What's a few broken bones when I'm the one who's going to win in the end?" Penn asked as he wiped away the blood from his face.

Falcon's eyebrow raised at the rhetorical question.

"This isn't a game, Harris," He gritted his teeth, trying to manage his anger. "This is her life. She should be able to choose what she wants, not get shipped off to the highest bidder as if she was cattle."

A glee-filled smile grew on Penn's lips as his eyes sparkled with amusement.

"You don't know, do you?" He let out a weak laugh, his smile growing. "I'm not talking about Freya. To be completely honest, I couldn't really care less about whether she lives or dies." Falcon's nostrils flared as he clenched his jaw. Penn knew all the right buttons to press and he was playing Falcon right into his hands.

"However," Penn cleared his throat slightly, tilting his head further up. "She does pave a straight path right into her father's business. Not to mention she's gorgeous, and with her naivety, she could make to be quite a pretty little pet."

The comment earned Penn a newly bleeding nose as Falcon's fist flew out faster than he could control it. There was a pain in Penn's eyes, but he laughed it off, holding his gushing nose. "But still, not my point," He chuckled. "There are a lot more secrets around than just the one about your relationship. You know one of them, others..."

Penn trailed off, shrugging carelessly.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and see," He got up from the ground, holding a hand to his ribcage as he stumbled forward a few steps.

It brought him closer to Falcon's tense form and Penn laid a warning hand on his shoulder.

"I'd be careful the next time you send a fist flying anywhere near my face," Penn squeezed Falcon's shoulder painfully, but he held back the wince.

"So, you mean I can do this?" Falcon lifted a hard knee to the juncture between Penn's thighs, stabilising himself on Penn's shoulders.

A gasp ripped out of the boy's mouth as he curled over in pain. Falcon waited patiently for him

to speak again and once he caught his breath back, a nasty scowl creased his face. "Nothing stops me from reporting this, Anders," Penn growled. "You're beginning to get in my way, and with your history, you'll be locked up for a whole lot longer than last time." Falcon smiled, not letting his growing fear show in his expression.

"And with my history," He began. "You should have an idea about what happens to you if you

do."

A sliver of fear crossed Penn's expression, but he covered it with a smirk.

"My father has more than enough connections to have you locked up for life if need be," Penn stated. "Threatening me isn't earning you any mercy."

"As if you would have given me mercy in the first place," Falcon spoke in a straight voice, impatient to leave the conversation and find Freya. "Just keep what I said in mind. Open that fucking mouth of yours and you're a dead man."

"Better dead than rotting away in a cell for the rest of my life," Penn stuffed his bruised hands into the pockets of his dirtied slacks. "Never to see the things, the people, I love. Ever again." Falcon didn't justify the comment with an answer, choosing to walk away. His fists clenched repeatedly at his sides and tremors shook his body, making it hard to continue walking as the adrenaline rushed through his veins.

He was scared. For the first time, he had something to lose and he was coming frighteningly close to her disappearing from his life forever. He wanted to fix this, to keep her by his side but he was at a loss as to how. He had a terrifying suspicion that Penn may have been on his way to the police station right that moment. With fresh evidence and Falcon's record, there was nothing to save him.

Falcon's heart hurt and frustrated tears stung his eyes. If he could go back in time and beat some sense into his fifteen-year-old self, he would. He had regretted his actions the moment they got him arrested, but now he downright hated himself for it.

The one thing that made him feel like his life wasn't complete shit was on the line and for what? The adrenaline, the feeling of family, the outlet for his anger.

He was naive back then, but now he knew the truth. Those people he surrounded himself with and called friends were never family. They couldn't be family. Falcon doubted they even knew what love felt like. But man, for a boy who had had nothing, the promise of everything he had

ever dreamed of had been too good to pass up.

A lie.

It was all a fucking lie.

And he had no one to blame for it but himself.

Freya knew something was wrong the instant Falcon came into view. He looked sad and when his

eyes landed on her, his look was so full of hurt and guilt that she felt her heart clench in her

chest.

He was hesitant to walk up to her, an internal fight that Freya couldn't understand raged beneath

his skin and screamed at him not to go near her. Not to hurt her. But he needed her. By god, did he need her.

He didn't know how he had managed before her. How he had quenched the burning rage in his gut that seemed to rise whenever she wasn't around. How had he survived before her? Almost blindly, he walked into her embrace, feeling the most at home there in her arms - in the middle of their school's hallway - than he had anywhere else in the world.

He hadn't managed, was the answer. He had spiralled out of control, hurt people, and landed himself into a place that he might very well be going back to. The thought of leaving Freya, of being without her, caused his heart to race and his arms to tighten around her tiny frame. He didn't know how much time he had left. A few hours, maybe. Days, if he was lucky.

God, he hoped luck would be on his side for once.

"Skip today with me," Falcon murmured into the skin of Freya's neck, his warm breath sending

shivers down her spine.

"Bu-but

you said-"She began arguing but Falcon cut her off with a soft kiss.

"I know what I said, baby," He lightly rubbed his nose against hers before pulling back to look at

her. "But please? Let's just take the day off. For us."

As if Freya could ever say no to him.

"Okay," She whispered in an embarrassingly breathy voice.

Falcon grinned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes in the way it usually did around her.

"Thank you," He pecked her nose before releasing her from his hold and grabbing her hand. "Come on."

Once they had reached the stairs of the school, Freya couldn't stand the depressing silence any longer. She tugged back on his hand slightly, making him turn to her in question. He seemed like he needed another hug, and her feet were hurting. She held her arms out to him. "Carry me?" She asked.

Falcon let out a small laugh, a genuine smile coming to his face as he took a step towards her, hoisting her up onto his hip before continuing to walk down the stairs. Freya snuggled into his

neck, wrapping her legs tighter around his waist as Falcon readjusted his hand under her thighs to make sure her skirt was secure.

"Where are we going?" Freya asked as they approached his bike. Falcon shrugged a little, careful not to jostle her too much.

"Where do you want to go, sweetheart?" He sat her down on the seat of his bike, strapping her

helmet on before doing up his own.

Freya thought for a moment, though with her answer, Falcon wondered why he had even needed

to ask.

"Ice cream?" She bit her lip as she looked up at him with pleading doe eyes.

Falcon smiled at her lovingly.

"Ice cream it is," He agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple before seating himself behind her on

the bike.

It was a short ride to the parlour, but Falcon savoured every second; memorising the feeling of

her body against his, the way wisps of her hair flew in the wind, her little hands clutching his

arms.

He prayed to God he wouldn't be made to live without her. He'd do anything, suffer anything, as long as it meant that one day he could come home to her every night and wake up beside her every morning. As long as it meant she would love him, he'd do anything. They soon reached the parlour and Falcon lead Freya inside, keeping one arm around her shoulder as he pushed open the doors. He wasn't able to keep hold of her for long, as within seconds of entering the store, her nose was pressed up against the cool glass of the displays, her eyes flitting over the multitude of flavours.

Suddenly the world didn't seem so dark in Falcon's eyes. As long as Freya remained there, with that childish excitement and wonder clear in her expression, he knew things couldn't be that bad. It seemed so obvious to him now. There was no maybe, or any hesitation. He just knew.

"What do you want, love?" Falcon asked, wrapping his arms around her as he came up behind

her.

Freya's dainty finger slammed onto the glass, pointing at a particular flavour.

"Raspberry?" Falcon look at her in question to make sure he was correct.

Freya nodded a few times in fast succession, drawing a chuckle from Falcon as he headed to the

cash register. Freya slowly followed behind him, her big brown eyes looking around the store, her

smile widening every time her gaze landed on a child. Falcon couldn't help but smile as he watched her, his expression remaining intact as he approached the cashier. "Good morning," The girl behind the register sent Falcon a large smile, eyes twinkling. Falcon nodded in greeting, his smile ever so slightly strained.

"One double raspberry and one single caramel, please," His eyes wandered back to the girl who

was now kneeling in front of a little boy, matching smiles on both of their faces.

Falcon's eyes softened and he turned as the cashier spoke again.

"That'll be $10.50 and your number," She said, winking.

Falcon simply raised an eyebrow, placed eleven crumpled dollar bills on the counter in front of

them and began walking away.

"Keep the change," Was all his response consisted of.

He made a beeline for his girl and picked her up in one swift move.

"Come on, baby," He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Let's get your ice cream."

He walked back to the front of the store, Freya in hand to collect the filled cones out of the

blushing cashier's hold. He gave Freya her own first before grabbing his. However, when he turned back to the girl in his arms, there was a pout set on her perfect lips.

Falcon's

brow furrowed as he bumped her up on his hip.

"What's wrong, baby girl?" He asked as he walked them to a booth in the corner. "You alright?"

Freya let out a breath, slurping up a bit of ice cream that had begun to drip down the side of her

cone.

"Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart," He prodded a little more.

Her eyes darted back to the front of the store before focusing back on him. He followed where

her eyes had been and found the cashier girl still staring after them. Falcon looked back to Freya

and smiled.

"What?" He asked knowingly.

Freya grumbled, hugging closer to Falcon's body as she ate her ice cream.

"She looks at you like I look at you," Freya mumbled quietly. "I don't like it." Falcon pursed his lips to hold in the laugh that threatened to escape. He didn't know how it was

possible for anyone to be quite as perfect as she was. "That's not possible," He said definitively. "No one could match the look in your pretty eyes."

He sealed the statement with a quick kiss and Freya's cheeks were left burning. She hid her embarrassment by practically sticking her face into her ice cream as she licked it. She felt a cold sensation on her nose and upper lip but she continued to eat away at her treat.

A small laugh from Falcon had her pausing for a moment as his face came closer before he licked

her

nose.

"You had something there," He murmured with a small smile before kissing the space between

her nose and lips. "And there."

Freya scrunched up her nose at the feeling of wetness on her nose. She rubbed at it, turning it

the most endearing shade of pink before focusing her eyes back on Falcon.

"Be mine," He said suddenly. "Officially. Be mine. Please."