Kratos burst through the doors of Freya's chambers, Atreus' limp body cradled in his arms. "Freya, help him!" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
Freya rushed to his side, her eyes widening as she took in Atreus' pale face and the blood staining his tunic. "What happened?" she demanded, her hands already moving to examine the boy's wounds.
Kratos hesitated, his jaw clenched in frustration. "I was too slow. I didn't protect him."
Freya's gaze flashed up to his, her eyes blazing with a mix of concern and anger. "You foolish, stubborn man," she muttered, shaking her head. "You're lucky I'm here to fix your mistakes."
With a swift motion, she swept Atreus from Kratos' arms and laid him on a nearby pallet. Her hands danced over the boy's body, weaving a intricate pattern of magic that seemed to pulse with a warm, golden light. Atreus' eyelids fluttered, and his chest rose and fell with a slow, steady breath.
Kratos watched, feeling a mix of relief and shame wash over him. He knew he'd failed his son, and it was only Freya's intervention that had saved Atreus' life.
As Freya worked her magic, she began to scold Kratos, her voice low and urgent. "You should have been more careful, Kratos. You should have protected him better. He's just a boy, for the gods' sake!"
Kratos took the criticism silently, his eyes fixed on Atreus' face. He knew he deserved it. He'd been so focused on his own rage and vengeance that he'd forgotten to prioritize his son's safety.
Finally, Freya's magic seemed to take hold, and Atreus' breathing steadied. Freya sat back, cradling the boy's head in the warmth between her hands and chest. Her eyes flashed up to Kratos, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"You're lucky I was here, Kratos," she said, her voice a little gentler now. "But next time, you need to do better. You need to be a better father to him."
Kratos felt a pang of emotion at her words, a mix of gratitude and longing. He knew he didn't deserve Freya's kindness, but he couldn't help the way he felt. He took a step forward, his eyes locked on hers.
"Thank you, Freya," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I owe you one."
Freya's gaze held his for a long moment, her eyes searching his face. Then, she looked away, her attention returning to Atreus. "Just take care of him, Kratos," she said, her voice a little softer now. "That's all I ask."
Kratos nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He would do better, he vowed. He would be a better father to Atreus, and he would make sure to repay Freya's kindness in any way he could.
Kratos sat in silence, his eyes fixed on Atreus' peaceful face as he slept in Freya's lap. The weight of his guilt and failure as a father threatened to crush him, and he felt a stinging sensation in his eyes as tears pricked at the corners.
He couldn't help but think that Atreus needed a mother's love, someone to care for him and nurture him in a way that Kratos, with his brutal and violent past, couldn't. And as he looked at Freya, he knew that she would be the perfect one. He'd seen the way Atreus trusted her, the way she'd cared for him with a motherly instinct that went beyond mere duty.
As the night wore on, Kratos' exhaustion finally caught up with him, and he drifted off to sleep, his eyes still fixed on Atreus and Freya.
It was Freya who woke him, her gentle hand on his shoulder shaking him awake. Kratos' eyes snapped open, and he sat up with a start, his hand instinctively reaching for his Blades.
But Freya was quick to calm him, her voice soft and soothing. "Kratos, it's okay. Atreus is safe now. He'll take a few days to heal completely, but he'll be fine."
Kratos' breathing slowed as he took in her words, his gaze locking onto hers. And then, with all the inner strength he possessed, he spoke the words that had been burning in his heart.
"Freya... I need something from you," he said, his voice low and rough. "The boy needs a mother, and I see you as the perfect match. Will you come with me on our journey, become his mother?"
Freya's expression didn't change, but Kratos thought he saw a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She looked away, her gaze drifting to Atreus, who was still sleeping peacefully in her lap.
The silence that followed was oppressive, and Kratos felt his heart sink. He'd expected rejection, but a part of him had hoped... hoped that Freya would see the good in his request, that she would want to be a part of their lives.
But then, Freya's eyes came back to his, and Kratos saw something there that gave him a glimmer of hope. It was a spark of warmth, of kindness, of a deep and abiding love for Atreus.
"I'll think about it, Kratos," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But for now, let's just focus on getting Atreus back on his feet."
Kratos nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Freya. He knew it wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. And for now, that was enough.
Kratos woke up early, his instincts on high alert as he scanned the room. But his gaze fell on an empty table, and his heart skipped a beat. Where was Atreus?
He instinctively reached for his Blades, but then his eyes landed on the bed, and he froze. Atreus was sleeping peacefully, his head nestled in the crook of Freya's arm, her body curled around him in a protective embrace.
Kratos' gaze lingered on the tender scene, and he felt a surge of hope. This was it, the sign he'd been waiting for. Freya had accepted his request, and she was already taking on a maternal role towards Atreus.
Without making a sound, Kratos slipped out of the hut, deciding to go hunting for some breakfast. The fresh air and exercise would do him good, and he needed some time to process the emotions swirling inside him.
When he returned, Atreus was awake, his eyes cloudy with pain. Kratos rushed forward, eager to comfort his son, but in his enthusiasm, he forgot about Atreus' injuries. The boy let out a pained scream as Kratos hugged him, and Freya was quick to intervene.
With a swift motion, she used her telekinesis to throw Kratos aside, her eyes flashing with anger. "Are you out of your mind?" she exclaimed, rushing to Atreus' side.
She smooched his head, her hands moving in a soothing pattern as she whispered, "Let Mommy make your pain go away." A sprinkle of dust from her hands, a few whispered words, and Atreus' eyes began to droop, his breathing slowing.
Freya turned to Kratos, her expression stern. "Let him heal first, Kratos. You can't just... ugh, you're not thinking about anyone but yourself, are you?"
Kratos felt a pang of guilt, but before he could apologize, Freya's anger seemed to melt away. She stepped forward, her eyes softening, and Kratos opened his arms, embracing her.
"I needed a loving family too," she whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. "And it looks like I found one."
Their lips met in a passionate kiss, Kratos' hands roaming over her body .Freya's eyes flashed with desire, her body trembling with need. She couldn't wait any longer.
Kratos groaned, his hands grasping her hips...............
Note: I do now created these images and copyright hold to original owners, I wrote the story part only.
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