"I've never been more scared of losing something in my entire life. Then again, nothing in my life has ever meant as much to me as you do."

T H E W E I G H T of keeping secrets was becoming tedious. For someone who was deemed an angel, Freya had been doing an awful lot of lying lately. The kisses she and Falcon had shared only served to feed her guilt. She knew she had to tell him about Penn, but the way he had reacted when she told him about her father's decision had her hesitating.

She was currently waiting on the front steps of her house, the guilt gnawing at her stomach had woken her early and she had gotten ready for school in a daze. The thought that Falcon may not end up going to school today didn't cross her mind until the clock hit 8:15 and he still hadn't arrived. She had grabbed her phone out of her book bag just as the sound of a familiar engine reached Freya's ears.

She perked up, skipping down the steps of her home and to the front gates. They slowly began opening as she drew closer and Freya slipped through them as soon as the gap was wide enough to accommodate for her small body.

She tried not to run as she caught sight of Falcon's familiar build swinging his leg off of his bike, but temptation pulled through and she held the strap of the book bag on her shoulder as she ran, giggling.

"Falcon," She called just as he turned around at the sound of fast approaching footsteps.

Freya crashed herself into Falcon, knocking him off balance slightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist. His arms wrapped around her tiny form as a grin lit up his face, his heartbeat racing as she nuzzled into his chest.

"Good morning, princess," He chuckled.

"Morning," Freya mumbled into his shirt.

"You good, baby?" He asked as he combed his fingers through her hair, fiddling with the little pink bow at the back.

Freya nodded her answer, guilt beginning to fill her stomach once again but she quickly pushed it down. She'd tell him later.

"You sure?" He asked, taking note of the look on her face.

Freya nodded, smiling up at him. Falcon's heart skipped a beat as he realised he could kiss her right then if he wanted to. She was his, and he could kiss her whenever the hell he wanted to. He grinned, leaning down and connecting his lips to hers.

He had planned it to be short and sweet, but the feel of her lips against his had his mind blank as he pulled her closer. His body felt like it was on fire, every nerve burning in need for the girl in his arms.

One of his hands drifted down to the curve of her ass, pressing her closer as his body yearned for friction. It was bad, he knew it was bad, but with the pressure of her body against his, he couldn't really think straight.

Falcon unconsciously rubbed himself against her as he deepened the kiss, ignoring the slight burn in his lungs. Freya pushed against his chest slightly, pulling away from the kiss as she greedily took in air. Falcon didn't bother stopping, trailing kisses down her jaw and neck until he reached the spot that made her little fists grab his shirt.

Freya could feel him smiling as he kissed that spot again, causing shivers to rack through her body. She didn't know what on earth he was doing, but she couldn't quite find it in her to tell him to stop. Freya's eyes drifted closed to the feeling of his lips on her neck, but they flew open again as a yelp escaped her.

She automatically tried to pull out of his arms, but he didn't budge, quietly laughing into the crook of her neck.

"Wha-you-you just bit me!" Freya squealed breathlessly.

Falcon chuckled, pressing a kiss to her jaw before biting at her skin again. She jolted in his arms, a whine erupting from her lips.

"Stop it," She grumbled.

Falcon grinned, pecking her lips.

"Sorry, baby," He nipped her nose. "Couldn't resist."

Freya pouted for a moment before her eyes widened.

"We're gonna be late for school!" She tore herself out of Falcon's arms, grabbing the spare helmet Falcon had strapped to the back of his bike.

Falcon took it out of her hands with a smile, brushing her hair out of her face before carefully pulling the helmet over her head. He adjusted the straps so they sat securely under her chin before flipping the visor down with a smirk.

He picked her up, placing her on the bike before getting on behind her. He was glad she was tiny enough to fit in front of him; the thought of her being behind him where he couldn't see her as he drove sent a dagger of panic through his chest. Falcon pulled his own helmet on before turning the key of the bike, kicking up the kickstand before revving the engine.

The drive to school was short and with Freya's mind still a little dazed from the kiss, it thankfully didn't have the capacity to think about how she was going to tell Falcon. Once they were parked outside the school, Falcon swung himself out of the seat, picking up Freya from under her arms and setting her down in front of him.

He removed his helmet before helping her out of her own. Freya's hair lifted with the helmet for a moment before falling down over her face, causing a pout to grow on Freya's lips. Falcon held in a laugh as his smile grew.

"You good there, sweetheart?" He asked as she brushed back her hair with a huff.

She frowned as she felt the back of her head. The hair that had been neatly brushed into a half-up was now knotted and messy and Freya had no way of fixing it. She was hopeless when it came to hair.

Falcon bit his lip in thought, noticing her dilemma.

"I could," He began before pausing, an arm raising to rub at the back of his neck in an awkward gesture. "I could try and do it?"

Freya's eyes lit up, unaware that Falcon had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into.

"Really?" She grinned.

"I mean, sure," He shrugged. "How hard can it be?"

Five minutes later Falcon was eating his own words. He wanted to go back in time and stick a fist in his mouth forever even thinking he could do this.

He tried tying the ribbon around the strands he had collected for the umpteenth time, but yet again, they fell out of his hand before he got the chance. A giggle came from the girl in front of him and he sighed, a wry smile growing on his face. At least she was enjoying this.

"You know what," He dropped the rest of the strands, combing his fingers through the length of Freya's hair to return it back to its usual soft waves. "I think it looks better out, anyway."

At least it wasn't a lie.

Freya turned to him with a teasing smile.

"You sure?" She asked.

Falcon nodded, twisting a stray piece of hair around his finger.

"Definitely," He said, planting a kiss on her forehead.

He leaned down, eager to get another taste of Freya's lips when they were interrupted by a voice he wouldn't mind never hearing again.

"Freya," Penn's smug face couldn't have chosen a worse time to show up.

Falcon rolled his eyes, not bothering to be subtle about it as he turned to face the idiot.

"What do you want, Harris?" Falcon's smile was long gone at this point.

Freya's heart squeezed as Penn laid his eyes on her, mischief sparkling in his eyes. She begged whatever deity was real to take back his ability to speak until she had a chance to tell Falcon herself, but of course, fate was never so kind.

"Just wanting to say hello to Freya," Penn smirked. "She left rather suddenly from our date yesterday, just wanted to make sure she was alright."

Falcon's eyes darkened in anger as his scowl deepened, fists clenching.

"The fuck you mean 'date'?" He growled.

His back was turned to Freya and she couldn't be gladder. She'd never had Falcon angry at her, but she had a feeling that she was close to ending up like Penn the other day.

"I mean exactly that, Anders," Penn's look grew smugger by the second. "We went on a dat-"

Penn didn't get the chance to finish his words as Falcon suddenly had him pinned to the ground, a fist flying towards his face. He tried to hit him back, but he was no match for Falcon's built form.

It wasn't the first time Freya had witnessed Falcon beating someone up, especially the someone being Penn, but she'd never seen him quite this bad. Her heart slammed painfully against her ribcage as frustrated tears collected behind her eyes. This was all her fault. She should have just sucked it up and told him first thing yesterday, but of course, she had had to be a baby about it.

"F-Falcon, stop it!" She took a hesitant step forward but was almost kicked in the process as the two boys continued rolling around on the ground, Falcon never allowing Penn to get above him.

He slammed the back of Penn's head into the concrete, his vision blood red as he sent another fist into the pretty-boy's face. He couldn't stop. He could hear Freya's voice calling out behind him but he felt like he was underwater, everything was muffled and blurry as he continuously sent hit after hit to every of Penn's body that he could reach.

The fucker had touched her. He had asked her on a fucking date and she had agreed, but Falcon wasn't stupid; he knew Penn must have said something to make her agree. The thought only fuelled the rage roaring in his gut.

A hand grabbed at the back of his shirt and before he knew what he was doing, he had turned, grabbing the person's wrist in an unforgiving hold. Freya whimpered at the painful pressure and the sound broke Falcon out of his trance.

"Shit," He swore, letting go of her wrist as if it had burned him. "Fuck, I'm sorry, baby."

Freya sniffled, a tear leaking out of the corner of her eye but she nodded. She knew he didn't mean it.

A groan below them drew their attention and Falcon's jaw ticked in irritation.

"Asshole," Falcon gritted. "Fucking touch her again and see what happens. I dare you."

He sent a dismissing kick to Penn's thigh and Freya's hands grabbed his arms in response.

"Stop it, Falcon," Freya pleaded.

Falcon clenched his fists before stretching them out, his eyes closing as he tried to calm his racing heart.

"Falcon," Freya whimpered. "I-I'm sorry, I was going to-to tell you, but-please don't be mad at me."

Tears began escaping down Freya's cheek at an alarming race and Falcon let out a breath. His whole body shook with adrenaline as he returned his gaze to his girl.

He surprised her by pulling her into his arms, pressing a shaky hand to the back of her head.

"What did he say to you," He almost growled.

Freya's brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to decipher his words.

"Freya," His tone grew impatient. "What did the fucker say to you? What did he say to make you go with him?"

Freya's eyes widened in understanding.

"He-he said it would make daddy happy," She sniffled.

Falcon shook his head at her answer, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Freya, baby," He pulled her face from his chest to make her look him in the eye. "No one's happiness is worth yours. Not your father's, not Penn's, not anyone's. Not even mine."

Freya pouted, eyes watering as she took in his scolding tone.

"Freya," Falcon turned her drifting eyes back to him. "You understand me?"

Freya nodded reluctantly, but it didn't seem to satisfy Falcon.

"Use your words, Freya," He looked down at her expectantly.

Freya's pout grew.

"Yes," She mumbled.

"Good girl," Falcon praised as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

Falcon turned his attention to Penn, his eyes losing the soft look they had previously had.

"Go to class, baby girl," He ordered her gently. "You're already late and I have to deal with this."

Freya nodded, knowing better than to argue. Falcon bobbed his head in thought.

"Good girl," He pecked her lips. "Get going."

Freya reluctantly walked away from Falcon, wiping her cheeks free of any tears. She was lucky, so lucky that Falcon wasn't one to jump to conclusions. But it only made her fear grow for her father's reaction to the entire situation.

Her father trusted Penn's word more than her own. All he had to do was spill Freya's secrets and her entire world would be taken from her.

She couldn't lose Falcon. Not now, not ever.