A love to last

It terrifies me what I would do for you."

"BABY," FALCON'S nerves skyrocketed as Freya stared at him with a puzzled look. "Say something."

He sat them down at a nearby table, shifting her so she sat comfortably in his lap, legs either

side of him. He placed his cone in a holder on the table and his wallet and phone next to it as Freya tilted her head in confusion. Falcon's face fell at the lack of an answer.

She raised a hand to his face, tracing the line of his jaw before answering.

"Aren't I already?" She asked innocently.

Falcon didn't think it was possible for his heart to swell with so much love for a single person. It felt so full; full of her. A grin stretched across his lips as he laughed.

"Only if you want to be, sweetheart," His eyes trailed over the contours of her face, adoration clear in his expression. "Is it what you want?"

Freya bit her bottom lip nervously, nodding her head in response as she played with the edge of the serviette wrapped around the base of her ice cream cone. Falcon's grin only grew as he tugged her closer, pressing a kiss to her cheek before settling his face in the crook of her neck. "Thank you," He mumbled softly.

Freya made a noise to indicate that she had heard him as she continued eating away at her slowly melting ice cream. Soft kisses were pressed against the skin of her neck and she tilted her head slightly but her attention remained on her treat. Falcon's lips nibbled their way up her jaw before Freya's ice cream was claimed by his fingers and placed next to his own.

She whined in protest, but her mouth was soon covered with Falcon's own. He could taste the faint flavour of raspberries as he stroked her tongue with his, coaxing the kiss deeper as her arms wound around his neck.

All thoughts on what was deemed appropriate in a public space flew out the window as Falcon gripped onto her thighs. Freya's hands found themselves at the back of Falcon's head, her fingers intertwining themselves in his hair to hold her steady. She sat up in her spot, shuffling closer to his body and Falcon aided the move, his hands sliding behind her and pushing her into him.

Freya's heart beat so fast against her chest it was almost painful and Falcon was no better off. Their chests ached for something more, their hands gripping each other harder in an effort to quench the longing in their souls. Something in them knew they didn't have much time left. It had been a blissful week, but illusions of perfection could only last so long.

Their moment was shattered by a phone call. Falcon glanced at the screen of his phone that laid on the table.

A phone call he had been expecting.

His jaw clenched, his body tensing in preparation for the conversation he knew was about to happen. He pressed on last hard kiss to Freya's lips before tearing himself away, lifting her off his lap and handing her her ice cream.

"Let's go, baby," He said, letting the phone ring out before it quickly resumed.

"Who's that?" Freya asked as Falcon collected his things.

He saw her peeking around his arm to glance at the phone and quickly clicked off the screen.

"No one to worry about, baby girl," He put the phone on silent, stuffing it in his pocket where it continued to vibrate.

"Come on," Falcon grabbed her small hand in his, leading her out of the store.

Freya senses his urgency and finished off her ice cream just before her helmet was pulled over

her head. He strapped it under her chin, ensuring it was on properly before loosely tightening up his own in a rush.

"Fa-Falcon?" Freya felt her heart skip with adrenaline as Falcon lifted her onto his bike. "Wha- what's wrong?"

He took a moment to hold her small hands in his, holding them to his chest as he rubbed comforting circles onto the soft skin.

"Nothing's wrong, baby," He crouched ever so slightly so they were eye-to-eye. "Everything's alright."

Falcon didn't know whether he was trying to comfort her with his words or himself.

His heart thundered in his chest as he swung his leg over the bike and settled behind his girl. It would be alright. It had to be.

The ride passed in a blur, driving to her home seemed almost like second nature to Falcon. He knew the way as if it was his own place. All too soon, he was pulling up the curb near her house, his heart dropping as he realised their time was up.

He got off the bike, lifting Freya off after him before loosening her helmet. Her little hands went up to push the helmet off her head causing her hair to fall every which way, bringing a small smile to Falcon's face.

He rested his own helmet on the handle of his bike, tucking hers safely away in the storage compartment. He turned back to Freya, lifting his arms to cup her face in his hands as he rested his forehead against her own. He took in a comforting breath, resisting the urge to squeeze her tiny body to his and keep her there forever.

"I've got to go deal with something, okay sweetheart?" He said vaguely. "I'll see you tomorrow." He pressed a kiss to her lips in goodbye but didn't move. He wanted nothing more than to just stay with her, but he couldn't. He had never hated a situation more.

"Can't you come back later?" Freya asked softly.

The pleading tone in her voice had Falcon's heart squeezing and he gritted his teeth against the pain.

"I can't, baby," He let out a rough breath. "What I gotta do is gonna take a while. You'll see me tomorrow, I promise."

Freya pouted but didn't argue. She wanted him to stay with her but she understood that whatever he had to do must have been important. A kiss was planted on her temple and then her nose before Falcon spoke again.

His mouth opened to say something but he snapped it shut a moment later. He could have said

it. It was on the tip of his tongue; those three tiny words. He had said them before, but he knew they held a different meaning now, so he didn't.

He kissed her softly, conveying with his lips what he couldn't find the courage to say. The urge was still there when they parted, but Falcon kept his mouth closed, sending her a sweet smile before settling back onto his bike.

He watched Freya walk away. Watched her stop at the gate and look back at him. Watched her give him his favourite smile. Watched her all the way to her front door where she walked inside with one last glance back. And he watched his heart go with her.

~0~

Freya didn't see Falcon the next day.

It was a Saturday, and she had waited by her window all morning and well into the afternoon before accepting that he wasn't coming. It was odd; after a week of spending almost every waking second in his presence, the lack of it left her feeling empty and the world a little less bright.

She was worried. Falcon hadn't answered any of her calls or messages and she had the sickening feeling that something was very, very wrong. She was out of options. She didn't know anyone who knew Falcon, so she couldn't ring them in order reach him, and her father had taken Jon, her driver, as he usually did every Saturday to take her step-mother on a weekend-long date. She on the edge of her bed, clutching her stuffed bunny as she nervously chewed her bottom lip. She needed to know if he was alright, but she had no way of getting to his house. Not that the idea sounded very appealing in the first place, but for him, she'd do it.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the door opening, nor realise there was someone in the room with her until a weathered hand touched her cheek, Freya's eyes meeting a pair of murky browns, shining with concern.

"What's up with you today, love?" Kendra asked. "You've been awfully quiet."

Freya pouted, her mood growing dimmer before suddenly, an idea struck. She stared up at Kendra with wide eyes before giving her the saddest puppy-dog eyes she could muster. "Will you bring me to see Falcon?" She pleaded. Kendra's eyebrow raised.

"That nice young man who was here the other day?" She asked before Freya nodded quickly. "Why don't you just call him to come here? Your father's not home, so there's no reason he can't."

Freya's face fell as she begged again.

"He-he was meant to come today," She slowly stood up from her bed, clutching her bunny to her chest. "But he wo-won't answer my calls."

Kendra's brow furrowed as she pursed her lips. Her resolve was crumbling under the influence of those big, sad eyes.

"Oh alright," Kendra gave in. "But you mustn't tell your father about this. He'll have my head if you do."

Freya nodded her agreement, running into her closet to put on something a little more acceptable for the public eye. After quickly pulling on a pair of short overalls and a white shirt, she wasted no more time and ran out her bedroom door and down the stairs.

Kendra was waiting for her at the front door, a frown flickering over her features as she took in Freya's attire. She shook her head, reaching into her large tote bag and revealing a long pink knit cardigan.

"I knew you wouldn't bother with a jacket of some sort," Kendra mumbled almost to herself. "Put this on, it's cold outside."

She guided Freya's arms through the cardigan before leading her outside and to her car which was parked out of the way of the main driveway. She opened the door for the girl, shutting it behind her before rounding the car and getting into the driver's seat.

"Now," Kendra sighed. "Where does this boy live?"

The memory of the last time Freya went to Falcon's home sent shivers down her spine, but she pushed her fear aside. Falcon could be in trouble, he might need her; she had to do this. She directed Kendra to his home to the best of her abilities, using familiar landmarks to assure Kendra that they were going in the right direction. Kendra could sense that Freya was tense, her rigid posture and constant gnawing at her lips were a dead giveaway. She decided it was best to distract her slightly from whatever predicament was going on.

"Has Falcon been a good friend to you?" The question was asked more for Kendra's own benefit. She worried about the little girl as if she was her own child and while Falcon seemed to be a decent person, you could never be too sure.

Freya's blush wasn't what she had been expecting.

"He-ah," The red in Freya's cheeks spread across her face as she stumbled over her words. "Very."

Kendra raised a curious brow before finally catching on. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in

a deep breath, slowly letting it flow back out from her lungs.

"Well," She said, a small smile crawling across her lips. "He certainly works fast."

Freya covered her face with the hair from her long ponytail, using her cold hands to cool down

the raging heat in her cheeks. The rest of the ride was spent in silence and after a few wrong turns, they finally came upon a house that looked familiar.

"There," Freya pointed towards the rundown home.

Kendra hesitantly pulled up next to the house, her eyes darting around the surrounding area with suspicion.

"Are you sure this is it, love?" She asked Freya who was already in the process of unbuckling herself and opening the car door.

She nodded, her heart too far up her throat to force out any words. Kendra followed her lead, exiting the car before rounding it and standing by the little girl's side as if she could shield her with her body.

They walked towards the front door together, hearts pounding in their ears with every step they took. Freya prayed to every god she could think of that there was no one but Falcon inside. She was immensely grateful for Kendra next to her, but it didn't stop the rising dread in her stomach. They reached the door, Freya's hand going up to knock before it stopped a centimetre from the wooden surface. Her hand shook as she began to have second thoughts. Was it really worth it? Did she want to risk another encounter with people like his father?

Her fist landed on the door with a decisive blow.

Of course, it was worth it.

It took another two knocks before the door was harshly pulled open, a harsh, scowling face appearing in the half-opened door. The man took a moment to look her over before his eyes glanced towards Kendra who stood with a protective frown etched over her features. "What do you want?" He snapped, the pungent smell of alcohol and marijuana oozing off of him in waves.

Kendra's hand locked onto Freya's arm in an instant, silently asking her to leave. She couldn't. She needed to find Falcon.

"If you're looking for your little boyfriend," The man sneered. "He's not here."

Freya didn't bother to ask how he knew about Falcon and her, her face falling as the ache in her chest grew. Her heart had dropped go the bottom of her chest and she finally succumbed to Kendra's tugging hand on her elbow, allowing her to lead her back outside and to the safety of the car. She slowly buckled herself in as her mind whirled.

If he wasn't here, then where on earth was he?

Falcon had turned up to the spot he was told to meet them at. It was the late evening, a few couples could be seen mulling around the harbour, enjoying their Friday night together. A bitter taste filled his mouth at the sight.

Why couldn't he have that? All he wanted was that sense of normality. To graduate high school, to buy a home, to marry Freya. God, that would be a perfect life. Why did it have to seem so impossible?

He checked the time on his phone; 9:36. They were meant to meet here at nine-thirty sharp. It wasn't like them to be late. He checked his phone again out of irritation only for it to show the same thing.

His annoyance stemmed from having to be away from his girl. All he wanted to do was go back

to her house and fall asleep with her in his arms, but he had asked to meet them and so he would. They were his last chance at this point.

He clenched his jaw as another minute went by and there was still no sign of them. He took out his phone, opening up the messages to the all too familiar number.

Falcon: Where the hell are you?

He sent the message and not even a second later, he heard someone approach him from behind.

Falcon turned to face the person and his body tensed, though he wasn't surprised at who he

saw.

The man in front of him smirked, the action eerily similar to his own. Again, Falcon wasn't surprised. After all, they shared the same hair, the same build, the same smile.

The same blood.

"Hello brother," The man grinned with deadly intent. "We've missed you."

A burning pain erupted from the back of Falcon's head and he fell to the ground, his eyes

glueing themselves closed as his brain shut down.

His last thought; he should have told her he loved her.

But sometimes, the only thing you can do is hold on with your little, stubborn heart and have

faith."

IT HAD been six hours since Freya found out that Falcon was missing. She had called him at least

one hundred times over the course of the day and each one went straight to voicemail. She was worried before, but now she was terrified.

Kendra had called the police an hour ago, relying on Freya for the details of the situation. After the filing of an official missing person report and the general exhaustion of the day, Freya's eyes were drooping closed but sleep refused to find her.

Her eyes were puffy from the constant slew of tears she had suffered over the last few hours and her heart ached from the absence of the boy she cared about more than anyone else in the world. Not for the first time, she wished her mother was here. Freya never knew her personally, but she knew what mothers were supposed to be like.

She curled into a tighter ball under her heavy blankets, sniffling as a new onslaught of tears threatened to appear. The feeling of emptiness in her bed seemed to have multiplied with the haunting knowledge that he may never fill it again. That hurt worst of all. The possibility that they never find him. The possibility that he was lost forever.

The possibility that he may never come back.

She didn't dare think of him dead. The thought lodged her breath firmly in her throat, unmovable until it banished from her mind. He wasn't dead. She had the feeling she'd know if

he was.

A knock on the door had her pushing her lethargic body into a seated position as Kendra entered the room with a sad smile.

"An-anything?" Freya didn't dare let herself hope, but the question slipped out before she could

restrain it.

Kendra's eyes grew softer - sadder - as she perched herself on the end of Freya's bed. She shook her head slowly, watching the little girl with cautious yet caring eyes.

"They're trying as hard as they can, darling," She spoke softly.

Freya's heart wilted and she didn't give any response, simply curling back under her covers as

her mind grew numb. Kendra leaned forward, resting a hand on her upper arm as she rubbed

the spot in a comforting gesture.

"They'll find him," The doubt in Kendra's words was palpable. "He can't have gone far."

Freya didn't have an answer, so she stayed silent, staring at her white painted wall. Kendra's hand slipped off her arm as she took in a deep breath, letting it out in a rush.

"Try and get some sleep," She whispered before pressing a kiss to Freya's temple and getting up

to leave the room.

Freya didn't get any sleep, and all too soon it was morning. The light filtered in through her curtains, the faint aroma of ground coffee beans and breakfast foods filled the air, birds outside had begun their day, singing and chirping unique tunes as they flew past her window. Freya would think that it was the start to quite a lovely day, but Falcon remained absent and her heart continued pulsing in pain.

She didn't bother moving from her spot in the bed, not seeing any positives in leaving the one thing that was keeping her body warm. So she stayed. She stayed when breakfast was brought in, she stayed when breakfast was brought out, she stayed when Kendra attempted to coax her out with the promise of hot chocolate and biscuits, she stayed when lunch was brought in and she stayed during all other intrusions. Until Kendra came back inside her room in a slightly rushed state.

"Get up, child," She pleaded. "You're father's going to be returning any moment now and I can't have you looking like this. He'll think I didn't even try and take care of you."

The maid gently grasped onto Freya's forearms, easily lifting her out of the bed. She landed clumsily on the ground, smoothing down her hair with a hand as she took in a deep breath. Her eyes fluttered closed as she swayed in her spot, a pounding headache making its presence known behind her eyes. Why did she have to get up, again?

It felt like she had only closed her eyes for a moment, but once she opened them, Kendra had

already laid out an outfit on the neatly made bed and was cleaning up the last tray of food that had been brought in. Freya stood in place, resembling a lost kitten as she stared after Kendra. The maid stopped for a moment, placing a hand on her hip as she looked over the tiny girl. She let out a breath, her lips pressing together as she approached Freya.

"Come on," She coaxed. "Perhaps your father will be able to do something for that boy of yours."

Freya shook her head as she allowed Kendra to undress her.

"He wouldn't," She mumbled. "Not for him."

Kendra pulled a pink sweater over the girl's head, letting Freya poke her hands through the sleeves by herself before handing her a pair of jeans.

"You never know if you don't try, sweetheart," Kendra brushed the waves of hair out of Freya's

face, placing a kiss to her temple.

Freya pulled on her jeans as the maid left the room. She knew her father would never help

Falcon; he seemed to hate him, for whatever reason. Why would he help find someone he hated? He'd sooner throw a celebration.

Freya adjusted her clothes, the sound of a car door slamming shut outside catching her

attention. At this point, she didn't care if it ended with tears and a furious father; she was desperate.

She bounded down the stairs, her palms clammy with nerves as the front door opened. Her

father entered, a smile lighting his face as he noticed Freya by the staircase. Her step-mother entered a moment later.

It was now or never.

"Papa?" Freya squeezed her hands together in front of her like she was praying. Perhaps that

would have done some good.

Her father raised an eyebrow, encouraging her to continue.

"Can-can I ask you something?" She held her breath as her heart thundered in her chest.

"Of course, princess," He grinned, leaving his case by the door and greeting her with a hug. "What do you need?"

She didn't know if she could do it. The words seemed stuck in her throat without a hope of

being

set free.

For Falcon.

"I need your help," She dug her nails into the palm of her hand. "To fi-find someone."

Her voice was breathy with nerves but she held fast. She had to do this. It wasn't about her and

her feelings, it was about Falcon's safety. Nothing mattered more.

Her father's brow furrowed, his smile wilting.

"To find someone?" He echoed. "Who do you need to find?"

This was it.

"Falcon," The word escaped her lips before she allowed herself to think twice. It was out there

now, let him react as he wanted.

A sour look passed over her father's features before he smoothed it over with a cool look.

"Ah," He unwrapped his arms from around Freya's form. "That boy."

Freya felt her chance slipping away so she spoke quickly.

"I don't know where he is, daddy," She looked up at him pleadingly. "I'm scared he's hurt."

The corner of her father's lip curled up in distaste and he took in a calming breath.

"He probably left of his own will," Her father began walking away. "Or got locked up. That's what happens to people like him. Good riddance, I say."

Freya felt frustrated tears sting the corners of her eyes as she ran after her father, pulling on his

sleeve.

"You-you don't understand,” Her voice began rising. "He wou-would have told me."

Her father let out a breath, turning to face the girl.

"Freya, sweetheart," His eyes softened as he took in her tears. "Falcon isn't a good person. He's

not the kind of person who would take care of you or lead you anywhere good."

Freya's bottom lip trembled as her breaths shortened.

"Please, daddy," She begged. "Please."

Her father shook his head, gently uncurling her little fists from his shirt sleeve.

"If you can't find him, then he probably doesn't want to be found," He said softly. "Perhaps it's

for the best."

Before either of them could fully comprehend what was happening, Freya's closed fists went flying towards her father's chest.

"No!" She screamed, eyes closed as she pummelled away, though it did little damage, it got her

point across.

Her father tried to hold her back by grasping her forearms, but she twisted and wriggled until he

let go and began hitting him again. Hot tears escaped down her cheeks as a sob ripped through

her throat and she finally sagged in her father's arms.

"Please, daddy," She cried. "Please."

Her father opened his mouth to speak before pressing his lips together and letting out a

defeated sigh as he closed his eyes.

"Okay," He looked down at Freya, her eyes red and glistening with tears that only worked to kill

the last of his reluctance. "Okay. I'll see what I can do, alright?"

Freya sniffled, nodding her head weakly before wrapping her tiny arms around his waist.

"Thank you," She whispered, her voice catching in her throat as she sniffled again.

Pain.

Falcon's head throbbed as he began to wake. He felt like he had been hit by a semi-trailer. A few

times.

He shakily pushed himself up from his position on the ground, leaning against the wall behind him as he brought a hand to the back of his head.

"Fuck," He hissed as his fingers skimmed over a particularly sore spot, his hand retracting quickly. He grunted in pain as he pulled himself further up the wall. Every movement he made was met with one or more of his endless injured body parts to scream at him, cursing him for getting himself into this mess. All because he was scared. Scared he'd go back to juvie, scared he'd lose Freya- Freya.

Shit.

She was probably worried sick. He didn't know how long he'd been out but he was sure it was at least the next morning. His poor girl. He suddenly hated his brother more than ever. Footsteps from the front of the room caught his attention as light suddenly filled the room. Falcon shut his eyes on instinct before forcing them open, blinking a few times to adjust to the sudden contrast.

He squinted at the figure coming down the stairs, though once he realised who it was, he sagged

against

the

wall, closing his eyes

in irritation. His brother.

A slap was heard, most likely the devil himself rubbing his hands together in glee.

"Welcome home, Falcon," The man's voice grated against Falcon's every nerve.

He snorted, not bothering to open his eyes.

"What a warm fucking welcome this is," He rolled his eyes, though his brother couldn't see it.

"Just like old times, yeah?" Falcon's brother said.

Falcon heard his brother grow closer before he felt him sit next to him, letting out a breath of

satisfaction.

"You've been a stranger," His brother said. "Didn't bother coming back once you got out of juvie.

We all thought you had skipped town before we found you went back to school."

Falcon grunted in response. He had nothing to say to the asshole.

"Oh come on, brother," He shifted, bringing a faux-friendly arm around Falcon's shoulders. "We're your family-"

Falcon violently shoved off his arm, opening his eyes to glare at his so-called brother.

"Fuck off," He growled.

A gleeful

smile lit up his brother's face.

"Okay, okay," He grinned. "I can see I've poked the wild bear. What's got you into such a mood?"

Falcon gritted his jaw furiously, biting down the urge to ruin his smug face.

"What's got me into a fucking mood?" He bit out. "Are you shitting me? You knock me out and

then dare to call yourself myfucking family. Are you fucking serious?"

His brother held his hands up in a peaceful gesture, amusement shining in his eyes. He was

about to speak but Falcon cut him off.

"And you call me a stranger?" He pushed himself off the ground. "You don't even know what's

gone

on at home. You haven't shown your face there for years. Did you even know that dad's in a coma? Do you even care, big brother?"

His brother dropped his hands with a sigh, a smile toying at the edge of his lips as he stood up.

"You always were the emotional one," He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall with one shoulder. "Father's not dead, is he? So why should it matter to me? That old man's a deadbeat, he never cared about us, why should we? You're the one I care about, Falcon. You're family. We're all each

other has."

Falcon worked his jaw for a moment, his breaths coming in furious bursts as his heart beat

painfully against

the

cage

of his chest.

"Fuck you, Kace," He spat. "Fuck you."

Kace snorted, a wry expression coming over his face.

"Suit yourself," He smirked, making his way back upstairs. "But it's gonna be one cold, dark stay."