God of War - Atreus x Reader - A Forgotten Link

Chapter 6

(Y/N) and Atreus stepped out into the main area of the house. A pleasant smell came from the kitchen. 

Freya was bent over by a pot as she added ingredients and stirred.

Kratos was back over with Lunda, selling some resources.

Atreus sat down at his usual spot, the far end of the table facing the fireplace. 

(Y/N) sat down on Atreus's left, facing the study further down the hall.

Kratos came over to the table at his spot, sat across from (Y/N). He unhooked Mimir from his belt and placed on the table at a position where he could see everyone.

Freya carried the pot over and placed it on a steel plate. She began portioning the soup into bowls and placing them in front of the others. 

"Here you are. A Vanir recipe." she said with a warm tone.

"Thank you." Kratos huffed as he began to eat.

Atreus nodded. "Yeah, thanks!"

(Y/N) watched Freya as the goddess sat down next to her. 

"Thanks." (Y/N) said quietly. Freya smiled and began eating as well.

The soup was quite delightful. It was a mix of salty with a hint of sweetness to it.

As calming as it was, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel tense and unnerved. 

It felt as if Kratos was eyeing her down, judging her every move. From how she grabbed her spoon to how she paused after each taste. 

She didn't dare to look up, in fear of locking eyes with the menacing god.

At last, the stress was lifted as Kratos finished his share and got up. 

"I am going to rest." he said, stone faced. He looked at Atreus. "We can discuss what you've to ask me in the morning."

"Alright, good night Father." Atreus replied. Kratos grunted and turned to go to his room.

(Y/N) still looked down at her soup, stirring it slowly and mindlessly. Like a brainwashed dummy.

"(Y/N)?" Atreus asked. The girl looked up, a bit startled.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" Atreus continued. "You look... sad."

"Oh." (Y/N) gave a small smile. "Sorry, I dazed off."

Freya turned to look at (Y/N). "Atreus is right, is there something on your mind?" she asked calmly.

"I guess, it's Kratos." (Y/N) admitted. She motioned a hand to Atreus. "I know you said he's changed, and I believe you. But I can't help but feel like he still holds something against me, y'know?"

Freya rested an arm on the table, leaning on it. "After Kratos let you use his cabin to store materials, he mentioned to me that you and Atreus were friends as children."

"We were, until he stopped letting us get together." Atreus added. (Y/N) nodded.

"Why is that? Seems rather unfair for two children is a forest with hardly any people in it." Mimir chimed.

"He claimed that I'd put Atreus in 'danger' whenever we'd go exploring." (Y/N) explained. "That was somewhat true, but we never did anything life threatening."

"Until I fell in the river. An accident by the way." Atreus confirmed. He looked at (Y/N). "That was the last time we got to see each other, until today."

Mimir hummed in thought. "I'm sure Kratos is more forgiving now. He probably see's how unfair he was. He's truly changed, and for the better." the head said positively.

"Thanks Mimir." (Y/N) sighed.

Freya stood and began collecting the empty bowls before taking them back over to the kitchen. 

"You are very much welcome to stay here tonight, if you'd like." she said to (Y/N) from the kitchen. "There are many extra blankets stored in a chest in Atreus's room. You could create an area to sleep."

"Thanks Freya, I'll do that." (Y/N) replied as she stood. 

She walked over to Atreus's room and found the chest Freya spoke of. She began laying a couple blankets down on the floor, across the room from where Atreus's slept. 

Atreus entered the room as (Y/N) folded a blanket to act as a pillow.

"Hey." he greeted.

"Hi."

Atreus sat down on the edge of his bed and watched as (Y/N) moved a few crates around to make some more room to sleep.

"Do you think you'll stay long?" he asked while (Y/N) sat down, cross-legged, on her 'bed'. 

"I'm not sure. I guess it depends on how long you'll be here." (Y/N) said simply. "I have no reason to be here otherwise."

"...right." Atreus replied after a moment. They sat in silence for a bit, yet again. He groaned slightly. "It doesn't feel the same as it used to, doesn't it?" he sighed, breaking the silence.

"You're right. It's just been too long." (Y/N) admitted. "We've both changed, a lot." She waved her arm at him. "I mean, you found out you're half god, half giant. And you beat Odin! You're bound to change after all that."

Atreus nodded. He got off of his bed to sit on the floor with (Y/N). "But we've also grown up, matured. People always change, especially at our age." He smiled. "Years ago, I was terribly impulsive, without a care in the world. It's probably why I fell into the river that day."

(Y/N) rubbed the back of her neck. "I feel like I'm less talkative lately. Maybe it's because I've spent a couple years by myself. Just, preparing for the day my parents die." She laughed softly. "Not really a great way to spend my life." There was hint of sadness in her voice.

Atreus didn't know how to reply. He couldn't die as easily as a mortal could, he had much more durability, and quick healing abilities. Dying of old age would be centuries later, and with peace in the land, there weren't any who could and would kill him.

"That must suck." he replied. 

(Y/N) hummed in agreement. 

Atreus opened his arms awkwardly. "Can I... hug you?" he asked softly, his eyes gleaming.

(Y/N) smiled warmly. "Of course."

She scooched closer to him and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. She reached her arms as well to reciprocate the embrace.

It was comforting, for both of them. It was warm. There was a sense of security, safety. 

After a moment they pulled apart.

"We should get some sleep." (Y/N) said slowly.

Atreus took a second to process what she'd said, as his mind was blank. "Oh, yes." he said mechanically. He stood up and laid down on his bed, facing the ceiling.

(Y/N) turned her body to face the wall. "Thank you Atreus." she spoke. "Good night."

Atreus turned his head to look over at her. "Good night."