Take Me Home

37. Take Me Home

Axel stepped backward, reaching his arm out and spinning Freya, his eyes watching as the dress she wore spun a little. He smiled, stepping back and holding her close to him, looking down at her while the music continued playing. She smiled up at him, eyes bright as she held his shoulders, his hands on her waist. He looked up, happiness in his chest as they continued, no conversation needed in the moment. Moonlight shone from above, the light bulbs showering light down on them so that they could see each other despite the darkness of night.

Eventually the music slowed, the violins softly halting as the musicians took a break from their playing to enjoy the dance for themselves. People stopped dancing to go get a snack, laughter filling the air as conversations cheerfully filled the night sky. Axel let her go, looking toward the food.

"Are you hungry?" Freya giggled, British voice high as she smiled up at him, her hair let loose now and hanging lightly from her head, the light shining off the simple brown waves. Axel chuckled shyly, looking down at her with his emerald eyes.

"Yes. But...let's walk." He suggested, reaching out and holding her small hand, his hand wrapping around it. Confidence soared through him and he winked at her, chuckling as he saw her cheeks light up a shade of pink. She shrugged, nodding and they both began walking away from the dance, holding hands as they walked on the sidewalk of a dark street.

"It's dark." Freya stated, reading his mind as she looked around, the streetlamps put out from the attack. It had to have damaged the street lamps.

"Yes, it is." Axel frowned, "It's okay." Freya looked up at him, accepting his answer and looking ahead. Axel slowed down, looking down as they came to a stop.

"Axel?" Freya questioned softly.

"Freya." Axel blinked, looking down. "I like you." He blushed, freckled face heating up as the darkness surrounded them.

Freya blinked, looking up at him. Axel kept staring down at the ground, memories of seeing her on the beach and waking up to see her standing over him in his head. His dark hair was even darker in the night as the shadows outlined his fine figure, the moonlight cascading onto Freya, lighting her own figure as she looked up at him. Axel let out a shallow breath, doubt in his mind when Freya hesitated to answer.

"Axel, I think I like you too." The answer set sparks that shot off inside him as his head snapped back up to meet hers. He stared into her eyes, his gaze lowering to land on her lips for a split second before returning to her eyes.

She smiled shyly. "You mean a lot to me. I'm glad that I saved you. That I met you." She murmured, placing her hand on his chest as she reached onto her toes, her other hand reaching up to his face. Axel blinked down at her, eyes widening as she gently pressed her full lips to his. He stayed still and then she lowered again, staring up at him, a little fear in her eyes as she waited for his reaction. Axel let a soft smile appear on his face, looking down at the girl who had saved him. Freya was important to him, he realized. he felt a surged of emotions come over him as he grabbed her hand, smiling. He felt so high, so happy, he wanted to let go and run a full mile with his foot. He felt as if he could.

"Come one, follow me!" He smiled gently, letting go of her and turning toward the street and breaking into a jog. "Can you run? Let's go around London!" He encouraged as he turned and saw her running lightly to catch up.

"I can run, and okay!" She laughed, British accent ringing like a bell as she smiled up at him. He chuckled, taking her hand and turning.

The two ran into the middle of the street, their shadows falling upon some of the rubble and the sidewalk as they ran along the street, their minds clear. Axel saw something through a few buildings, the moonlight shining down on a small, empty area that seemed to lead to the outskirts of the city. He guided Freya that way, his eyes scanning the dark as they ran freely through the street. Freya followed him without hesitation, curious.

"Where are we going?" She asked, slowing to catch her breath.

"Don't know!" he smiled back, slowing to match her pace.

The walked around the buildings and Axel's eyes widened as they were greeted by an empty grass field, some rocks and woods farther back. They had been close to the outskirts at the base Ace had let them stay at, this field must belong to a farmer or someone. Axel surveyed the field, finding it empty. Moonlight reflected off of the grass that blew softly. He let go, stepping forward as his shoes stepped into the grass, which reached up to his mid thigh. A breeze brushed against him, making him shudder as silence filled the empty land, the sky clear as the moon and stars hung above him. His emerald orbs reflected the light as he continued walking, stopping and then slowly turning, the grass soft as he saw Freya hesitantly standing back near the road. She met his eyes, and he held his hand out.

"Coming?" He called, not letting his eyes break from hers. She nodded, stepping into the grass and then walking forward, her hands holding her dress up a little to avoid it getting too wet. Her waves blew from the moorland winds and she smiled, looking around and letting her eyes look up to the sky as they focused onto the moon and stars, light shining within the blueness of her eyes as she reached him, taking his hand.

"You didn't take me all the way out here to seduce me, did you?" She laughed softly, smiling but a little serious underneath from what Axel could tell. Axel looked down at her, a confused smile on his lips.

"What does seduce mean?" He asked, completely honest with his question as he still wasn't completely good with English, but thankfully it came naturally for him.

Axel became even more confused as he saw Freya's face redden even more, her gaze dropping and she shyly chuckled. "Never-mind, ha. It doesn't matter." She began walking farther into the field, Axel staring after her as he wondered what the word could possibly mean.

Taking a deep breath, he followed, heart as light as the wind that caressed around them. Freya looked around, then she cleared some of the grass and she sat down, patting next to her. Axel hopped over, sitting next to her, grabbing a few pieces of grass and playfully tossing it at her. She laughed, throwing some back, eyes bright as they laughed together. He smiled, then laid down onto his back, staring up at the twinkling stars and the moon, which was bright above them. He saw Freya lay next to him, her eyes fixed up at the sky as well.

They stayed like that, still together, staring up at the sky as they both felt relieved and happy that the truth had finally been spoken aloud. They had feelings for each other. Everything seemed to soar inside his chest as Axel took in a breath, looking to his right, at Freya. She turned her head, staring back up at him with her blue orbs that reflected the stars, a soft smile on her lips as her hair rested around her in the grass, which flattened beneath them.

Axel felt awkward and he suddenly was at a loss for words. He wanted to say everything but he had nothing to say. Freya smiled, laughing softly and returning her eyes to the sky. Axel closed his eyes, breathing in and returning his head in front of him. He was happy in this moment. He would stay here for as long as he could.

But he knew it wouldn't last forever.

There was still Roger, and there was still his family, and the war. He still needed to go home. He needed to reassure his family that he hadn't been killed in the air raid. But pain filled his chest as he thought about saying goodbye to Freya and just leaving. She had no one now, since her grandparents were gone. He couldn't leave her. So he wouldn't go. Not without her. He knew he wouldn't be able to. He owed her.

Suddenly he flipped over onto his knees, looking at Freya from a sitting position, her eyes opening as she heard the grass beside him move. She smiled.

"Come with me, Freya." He said, serious, voice gentle and soft as he stared down at her. She blinked. "Come to my home. I'll show you all around Germany, I promise. We can eat more pie and you can show me a beach again, and you'll be with me. I want you..." He paused, "To take me home."