Vanity is Calling

Strawberries

Freya spent a fitful night of restless sleep.  She was either reliving the sweetness of Loki's lips and the closeness of him or she was in a full panic at the thought of dining with the King and Queen.  

"He must have quite the sweet spot for you."Rika, Freya's mother smiled.  

Freya threw herself back onto her bed.  "I know he does, it's just..."Freya paused.  Rika laid down on her side next to her daughter.  She propped herself up on her elbow.

"What?"Rika prompted.

"We've grown up together...we've always been friend...best friends."Freya puzzled.  "It's curious how we have become so much more..."

Rika lauhed.  "Oh really!?  After one kiss?"

"Two!"Freya corrected.

"Well pardon me."Rika mocked her child.

"Mother please..."

"All right...Freya.  You and Loki are older now.  You are not children anymore.  This all makes sense."

Freya smiled contentedly.  

"Remember,"her mother began firmly.  "Loki is a prince and should always act as such; like his brother Thor."

What had she meant by that anyway?  Freya wondered in the darkness.  Was that remark a stab at Loki's character?  He was everything a prince should be, Freya thought.  He certainly did not strut about the way Thor did.  Her mother had no idea.  Freya flipped over in her bed and punched her pillow.  Why couldn't she just sleep?  There were so many thoughts weighing heavily on her mind.  It would take more than half of the night, but finally thoughts of swaying closely while wrapped up in Loki's arms, and sweet little puppy kisses lulled Freya to sleep.

The next mornig, despite her lack of sleep, Freya was up bright and early.  She was meeting Loki in the courtyard where games would be commensing.  She grabbed a biscuit and shoved it into her mouth.

"Freya!"Her mother frowned.  Freya grinned with her mouth full of bread, and waved to her mother. 

"You be back in plenty of time to prepare for tonight!"Rika shouted her warning at Freya's back.  Freya waved over her shoulder as she left.  Rika heaved a sigh of defeat.

Freya's day clothes were similar to her clothes from she what had worn the day previously.  However today, she chose not to wear a a cloak, her pants were brown and her tunic was green.  Her hair was red today.  It matched her mood.  She found a place to sit that was away from the main courtyard.  It was quieter and private.  While she sat and waited for Loki she looked around to see if she could spot him.  She hated that was there first.  She didn't want to appear eager.  She fussed with her hair which she had pulled back into a ponytail.  Quickly she put her hands in her lap and clasped her fingers together to keep herself from fidgeting.  Then her foot started thumping nervously.

"Ugh!"She growled at herself.  Honestly! She scolded herself.  She took a breath to regain her composure.

"I see you're insistant upon the red."Loki's sultry voice filled the air.  Freya caught her breath.  "I have something for you my dear."Loki said as he approached Freya.  She noted that he had a hand behind behind his back.

"What?"Freya asked narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Close your eyes."Loki instructed.  Freya raised her eyebrows, and shot him a look of distrust.  "Just do it."Loki insisted.  Freya complied.  She sensed that he sat down next to her, and that he was fussing with whatever he had brought for her.  She waited patiently before she made sigh of boredom to tease Loki.

"Now you behave yourself Freya!"Loki said firmly.  She simply snickered.  "All right my impish one.  Open your eyes."He said softly.  There between them was a ceramic bowl filled to top with strawberries.  

"Strawberries!"Freya exclaimed with glee.  "When did you--"

"This morning."Loki smiled.  Freya smiled and leaned over, threw her arms around Loki and kissed him full on the lips.  She surprised herself.

"Mmmm.  You're very welcome."He said silkily.  He picked up a strawberry, already devoid of its leaves and fed Freya a bit.  He in turn took the next.  He looked playfully at Freya, then to the strawberry.  A sly grin stole across his mouth before he put the last piece of it in his mouth and chewed with exaggerated bliss.

"You!"Freya snapped at him.  Loki merely pointed to the bowl still full of strawberries.  Freya quickly snatched up two; stuffing one into her mouth and holding onto the other.  As soon as she was able she shoved the second strawberry in.

"Slow down my sweet."Loki said.  "You want to savor and linger upon them."He purred.  "Although, I must admit I find that your insatiable appetite stirs me."Loki's eyes blazed right into her heart.  Freya's cheeks felt hot.  

"Loki!"she finally managed.  Together they ate the remaining strawberries.  Loki only eating a few.  His appetite was never that of a typical Asgardian.  Freya just chalked it up to him being a prince.  However, Thor was also a prince and he ate like a cow, but then he was an oaf when it came to table manners.  She thought.  

"Thank you Loki, really.  You didn't have to do that."Freya looked down.  Since when was she shy with her life long friend?

"I wanted to."He stood, taking the empty bowl as he did. "Come, there are games to play!"His eyes danced with mischief.