MUSPELHEIM: MAXIMILIAN
Nothing like slaying a dragon with one's friends. Although in saying that, Maximilian couldn't help but feel a special blame to be placed on his shoulders. Victor and Skylar trusted him to lead the way yet despite everything they ended up in the lair of Fafnir and lost Skylar her Isa rune while protecting him. He had never felt so broken and helpless, captured by Hrym, been asleep when Gullveig arrived, lead them to Fafnir, as a son of Odin wasn't he supposed to lead? Wasn't he supposed to be the one to lead them to safety, through Loki's passage? As far as leadership went, he didn't feel very confident. Was Hrym right? Was he lost here because Odin found him expendable? He was shaken out of his thoughts when Victor rustled next to him, sending a small landslide of coins tumbling down into the depths of the cavern. Victor yawned: "You know, it is approaching another dusk and this cave is rather comfortable and safe. I think we would do well to gorge ourselves on dragon meat."
Maximilian blinked twice as he sat up: "I suppose this outstrips journeying on in the night. Let's stay."
And so they did. Maximilian used Gram to carve chunks of flesh off the corpse of the dragon, Skylar sought out various treasure chests they could smash apart for firewood, and whatever tinder they found, Victor lit with whatever flickering flames he could summon.
In the hour of preparing for their meal, Maximilian found out how good a chef Skylar was. It was to be expected, for she was a huntress, and would know how to live off the land. When the trio sat in a small circle around the golden glow of the fire, they ate their dragon steaks, and laughed, just three best friends having a laugh.
Victor spoke up: "So have either of you had friends, like intimate and close friends before?"
Maximilian laughed: "Hardly, you won't believe how hard it is to befriend anyone that's over a millennial older than you and/or family."
Skylar snickered: "I only had my mother growing up. Friends were a luxury I never had."
Victor stared at them: "I suppose we share that ground. My mother and I never stayed in one place for long, I was never popular. So normally I just locked myself up with books and pens. Sounds tragic, I know."
Maximilian stared down: "So I've been wanting to ask you Victor-"
Victor cut in: "Yes Maximilian?"
Maximilian's face coloured: "Since you're the son of Loki technically you're brothers with my father's horse."
Skylar stifled her laughter but Victor burst out laughing: "What are you implying Odinson? I don't let just anyone ride me."
Maximilian raised an eyebrow to that: "That's not what I meant Victor!" And Maximilian playfully swatted Victor's arm.
Skylar spoke up: "I'm sure Victor doesn't mind certain people riding." And Maximilian gaped overdramatically at that remark, surprised by the suaveness of the line.
Victor flushed red as he was being tickled pink: "No I really don't." He muttered between heavy breaths laughing, audible only to Maximilian.
Skylar calmed herself and took a few easing breaths before asking: "So have either of you fallen in love before?"
Both the boys turned and looked at her in surprise. Victor spoke first: "Uh... Why do you ask?"
Maximilian rubbed his neck and asked in a very tense voice: "No not really."
Skylar snickered at Maximilian's discomfort: "Leave the lying to Victor."
Maximilian tried to speak but was silenced with a sly grin from Skylar while Victor was still digging into his steak. Victor looked up: "So love, eh?"
