"That was his gift, he caught her imagination, and that, was all she ever wanted."

~Atticus~

his promise.

Lunch had finally rolled around and upon walking into the cafeteria, Falcon suddenly tore himself away from Freya as he stormed towards a wide-eyed Penn. Falcon wasted no time swinging a fist towards Penn's face. The contact made a harsh cracking sound and Penn stumbled backwards, almost tripping over his own feet.

Freya couldn't hold in her gasp as she ran up to two boys, quickly wrapped her small hands around Falcon's bicep. "F-Falcon," she said as forcefully as she could. "No."

Falcon didn't move his eyes from Penn who was cupping his jaw while glaring daggers at the man. Falcon's entire body was tense; fists clenched and a scowl etched across his handsome features.

Freya tugged on his arm slightly, trying to gain his attention. He tensed his jaw for a second, closing his eyes before settling them on her small form. He stared down at her big brown eyes for a moment before wrapping an arm around her shoulders and heaving out a breath. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said softly before shooting a fierce look at Penn. "But he deserved it."

Freya mustered up the most no-nonsense expression she could; raised eyebrow, crossed arms, surly scowl. She received an amused smirk in response. She huffed, stamping her foot slightly as her eyebrows furrowed causing Falcon's lips to tremble with the temptation of a laugh. "Stop," Freya whined, her arms falling to hang at her sides as her expression melted into a pout.

Falcon raised his hands in surrender, keeping an arm around her. "I didn't say anything," he grinned.

Freya could barely believe this smiling man was the same person who had thrown a punch in her honour less than a minute ago. She glanced up at Penn worriedly. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Falcon's smile was gone in seconds. "He'll be fine," he growled, holding Freya closer to his side.

Freya frowned at Falcon. He lasted barely a second before dropping his shoulders in defeat with an eye roll. "What do you want me to do?" he grumbled sarcastically. "Hold his fucking hand and baby him?"

Falcon knew full well that if his little angel asked it of him, he would.

Freya swatted at his arm. "That's a bad word," Freya scolded.

He sighed, apologising to Freya while eyeing Penn warily. He knew what would make his princess happy, but he really didn't want to do it.

He crossed his arms over his chest.

Fuck it.

"I'm sorry," Falcon muttered distastefully.

With the grin those two stupid words placed on Freya's face, Falcon felt all his hurt pride and humiliation wash away. Anything and everything was worth that precious expression.

Choosing to ignore the amused snort that erupted from Penn, Falcon led his angel away to a free table. With the thought of food, Freya completely forgot the events of a few moments ago and changed directions, racing off towards the cafeteria line.

She didn't get very far when strong arms pulled her back into a chest. "Sit down," Falcon ordered softly, leaving no room for arguing. "I'm getting your food."

Freya pouted for a moment but quickly complied, a bright smile taking over her face once again. Falcon shook his head in amusement and leisurely walked towards the front of the cafeteria. Freya couldn't help but bounce in her seat; she loved food. That much was obvious. She tucked her legs under her little body, folding her arms on the table as she laid her head on top of them. She busied herself with staring at the wisps of her hair that fell around her head.

Freya was impatient; with the attention span of a toddler she could barely sit still as she waited for Falcon to arrive with her food. As soon as the familiar leather jacket and black jeans came into view, Freya was kneeling in her seat, bouncing, as her eyes locked onto the tray in his hands.

Falcon's eyebrows rose at the sight of the energetic girl. He had never seen anyone so excited for food before. He sat the tray in front of her, watching as she greedily dug into the small cup of chocolate mousse.

It probably wasn't the best idea to get her high on sugar in the middle of the day, but Falcon couldn't resist spoiling his little princess.

Halfway through her treat, Freya's eyes drifted up towards Falcon to find him resting his head on his arms with his gaze firmly fixed on her. Her forehead creased as she took in his lack of food.

She held out a spoonful of mousse. "Do you want some?"

He opened his mouth wordlessly causing Freya to giggle as she stuffed the spoon past his waiting lips. Falcon savoured the taste for a moment, slowly licking his lips as he hummed in satisfaction. Freya happily licked the last spoonful clean before stuffing the red apple laying on the tray into her mouth. Falcon wasn't sure if it was completely normal to eat so fast, but she was happy, so he didn't say a word.

The girl finished her lunch in record time and with nothing more to hold her attention, she began bouncing in her seat once again. Falcon shook his head, how anyone had that much energy was beyond him; it made him tired just looking at her.

Even so, he couldn't help but find her mannerisms more than endearing.

Without giving him a chance to process what was going on, Freya swung her legs across his own before curling up in his lap like a kitten. She nuzzled her head into his chest, Falcon's pulse spluttering as her sweet scent met his senses. He carefully curled his arms around her tiny frame, resisting the urge to crush her to his chest. She was so small that he was in constant fear of hurting her if he acted upon some of the things his instincts wanted.

His eyes met a pair of glaring blue ones from two tables over. Falcon smirked, tightening the hold he had around his girl and pressing a kiss to her hair as he kept eye contact with a fuming Penn. Falcon knew Penn held a liking towards his angel, something he obviously didn't approve of, and he took pleasure in flaunting the fact that she was his every chance he got. Well, almost his.

Falcon frowned at the thought, Penn forgotten. He hadn't really thought of the possibility that she would never see him that way until now and it really didn't sit well with him at all. She was his. She had to be. He needed her.

All it took was two fucking days and he was acting like a sappy high school girl. She was seriously messing with his head.

A small pressure on the side of his face broke him out of his train of thought. He stared into the big brown eyes of the girl in his lap, her finger still raised in the air as she went to poke him again. He raised an eyebrow in question.

Freya frowned. "Smile," she whimpered softly.

Falcon didn't know what the hell had just happened inside his chest but something felt like it had broken through a barrier as warmth flooded his entire body. He took in a deep breath, not knowing whether he felt uncomfortable or fucking ecstatic for the first time in years.

Another poke was all it took to make a decision. A genuine grin broke out across his lips as he let out a laugh. He realised why: he had never had anyone care whether or not he was smiling. Never had anyone care whether or not he was happy.

He pressed a hard kiss to her forehead, trying to wash away the temptation to taste her lips. He leaned his forehead on hers, biting his lip hard as he closed his eyes, trying to rein in his self-control.

He had never had to work so hard to contain himself in his life.

"Happy?" he asked her with twinkling eyes.

Freya nodded, returning his grin as she wiggled excitedly in his lap. Falcon's smile dropped as he sucked in a breath, planting his hands either side of hips and holding her still. "Don't do that, angel," he gritted out, fighting down the tingling sensation that spread through his body like wildfire.

Freya pouted, staring at his lips sadly. She looked down, guilt filling her chest. "I'm sorry," she mumbled quietly.

Falcon cursed in his head, damning his instincts and his dick to hell. He pulled her closer to his chest, nuzzling his head into her hair as he sighed. "It's okay, baby girl," he said softly. "You didn't do anything wrong, I promise."

Freya looked up at him with sad and hopeful eyes. "You sure?" she asked, her voice still softened with guilt.

Falcon let out a breathy laugh, a smile gracing his handsome features once again. "Positive," he mumbled into her hair.

Freya's childish grin was back in seconds and she hopped off his lap as the bell for the end of lunch blared through the crowded cafeteria. It was only now that the couple realised that their little exchange hadn't gone unnoticed; in fact, it seemed the majority of the room were openly staring and whispering about the two as Falcon stood up, wrapping his arm around Freya's petite shoulders.

The girl timidly clutched herself closer to Falcon's larger form as the numerous eyes began to weigh down on her. Falcon was quick to catch on to her discomfort and glared at every face in the room, a snarl pulling up the corner of his mouth. "Mind your own fucking business," he growled, his voice filling the room as he ushered his shy princess through the large doors.

Any emotion but happiness from the small girl - and perhaps some variations of the feeling - was something Falcon was beginning to abhor. He never wanted to see her without a smile lighting her delicate features - except in very specific situations, but even then, what she would feel would be the furthest thing from pain or sorrow.

Falcon cleared his throat, blinking a few times as he tried to settle himself. She was innocent, and he had to remind himself of that fact whenever thoughts of her filled his head.

Together, they walked into the only class that Falcon bothered to show up to, completely having to do with that fact that it was the only class he shared with the only person he cared about. Upon walking inside the classroom, Falcon was stopped by a friendly hand on his shoulder, the face of one of his old friends coming into view.

It had been years since Falcon had last seen some of his old "gang," as they called it. They acted as if Falcon could slip right back into his place among the group but he knew better; Falcon had changed immensely over his time away. He wasn't the person they knew anymore.

"Hey man," Jason - if Falcon's memory was correct - addressed him. "Why don't you come sit up the back with us?"

Jason's eyes flittered down to the girl under Falcon's heavy arm, a charming smile lighting his face. "You can bring your friend if you want," that word was enough to have Falcon's features settling into a stony expression, but what came after it made it hard to hold back his fist from being introduced to his smug face.

He winked.

Falcon's fist clenched. How the dumb fuck didn't realise Falcon's obvious claim over her was baffling.

A gentle hand against his chest dragged his narrowed eyes away from the boy in front of him to the girl beside him. After witnessing one instance of it already, Freya had quickly caught on to the tell-tale signs that Falcon was ready to throw punches.

Murderous expression? Check.

Clenched fists? Check.

Tense body? Check.

And the one thing Freya found adorable; twitching nose. Also, a check.

Freya pushed down the giggle that threatened to erupt from her mouth.

With Falcon's attention successfully diverted to her, Freya snuggled into his warmth, wordlessly encouraging him to let it go. Little by little, his body relaxed. He returned his gaze to the boy in front of them, Jason's face had paled slightly, understanding filling his features.

"Uh-y-your girl can join us," his wide eyes danced around the room, refusing to meet either of the couple's gazes. "I-if she wants."

Falcon didn't grace him with an answer, knowing that anything coming out of his mouth at this point would be less than friendly. He simply grunted, steering Freya around the boy to what had become their seat. Freya felt a weird sense of giddiness inside her stomach as she sat down. She liked the effect she had on Falcon; an effect which she was pretty sure no one else had.

Falcon grabbed her tiny hand in his, curling his arms around it before laying his head on top of the tangle of arms. He pressed a soft kiss to each of Freya's knuckles, her heartbeat doubling as he contentedly closed his eyes. Freya didn't hold back her grin as she stared at the man next to her. She was completely smitten with him and not a single part of her minded.

Whether or not he wanted her in that way, she was his.

It was as simple as that.