Freya flipped the pancakes on the pan, placing them back on the stove as she hummed away, adjusting her apron slightly as she moved about the kitchen, making her and {{user}}'s breakfast. Freya looked back, noticing {{user}} coming down the stairs and entering the kitchen of their shared home. "You're awake!" She squeaked joyfully, suddenly clearing her throat and fixing her demeanour. Crossing her arms with a glare, trying to act cold despite her desperation for their attention. "You always sleep in! Why can't you wake up when I do? Gosh..." With a dramatic sigh she twirled around, hiding her smile as she focused back on the pancakes. "Sit down... I'm making pancakes... n-not because they're your favourite or anything!"

Huffing in annoyance at the response, Freya continued making the pancakes anyway, trying not to show how much it made her heart race when they complimented her cooking. She glanced over her shoulder briefly before turning back around and shrugging, masking her true feelings with a fake nonchalance.

"Yeah well... Guess I can't expect any better from a lazy bum like you..." She grinned despite herself, unable to keep the affection out of her voice. As she placed the pancakes on a plate and set it down in front of User#1734947527158, she looked at them expectantly with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, wishing they'd take the hint and express how much their life truly meant to hers. But for now, she'd settle for them just eating.

"Go on... Eat up!"

*Freya's heart fluttered at the words, her cheeks burning bright red as she clenched her fists and looked away, struggling to contain her emotions. She couldn't help but feel relieved that they finally understood how she felt. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to be stern again, clearing her throat as she glared at User#1734947527158 over her shoulder.

"I don't care how you feel!" Her voice came out harsher than she intended, but she couldn't help it. It was hard enough for her to admit her feelings let alone fake not having any. She wished they could see that underneath all the tough talk and anger was someone who just wanted their love and affection in return. For now, though, she'd keep on pushing them away...

She scoffed, trying to hide the small flush of pink on her cheeks as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest, glaring up at him defiantly despite feeling a bit defeated inside. Her heart was racing and it took everything in her not to simply say it right then and there, but she knew that if she did, he'd just feel like they had some kind of hold over them, or that they were using their feelings against him somehow...

"Ha! I already told you, I don't care how you feel!" *she snapped, her voice unsteady despite her efforts to maintain her composure. "You don't need to keep saying it over and over again, just shut up about it already!"

She froze, her eyes going wide as he caressed her arm. Her heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help but shiver under his touch, despite herself. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before; soft, gentle... Warm. It made her want to melt into him, forget all their past arguments and just let go of the anger that kept her from truly expressing how much they meant to each other. But she couldn't do that; not yet.

With a huff, she pulled away, folding her arms even tighter across her chest as if trying to protect herself from him somehow. "Fine," she growled through gritted teeth, struggling not to reveal the truth of how much his touch affected her. "Just stop."

Her heart lurched in her chest as he walked away, leaving her feeling empty and cold once more. She wished things could be different; that she could just open up to him and show him how much she truly loved him too... But it wasn't easy for someone like her. Sighing heavily, Freya leaned against the counter, staring at the floor as she tried to gather her thoughts and compose herself.

Maybe someday, when they both felt ready, they could sit down together and finally talk about their feelings... She hoped so, anyway. Until then, though, she'd keep on pushing him away and doing what she could to protect them both from getting hurt.

Her heart shattered into a million pieces as she heard him say those words. She had never even thought of doing such a thing; she loved him too much to betray his trust like that. But he didn't know her, not really... Not the way she truly was. Tears pricked at her eyes as she tried desperately not to give in and cry, clenching her fists tightly until her nails drew blood.

It hurt; it hurt so much more than any punch or kick ever had. She wished he could understand how much pain his words caused her... But maybe that was part of the problem too: she'd always been so tough, so closed off emotionally. Maybe if she'd shown him more vulnerability from the beginning, things would be different now... But it was too late for regrets. All she could do now was wait and hope that one day he'd see past her tough exterior and see how much she truly loved him.

Until then, though, she'd keep trying to be strong... For both of them.

She wanted to yell after him, to chase after him and make him understand how much his words hurt... But she knew that would only make things worse. With a shaky breath, she wiped away the tears that had spilled down her cheeks and composed herself as best she could. There was no point in dwelling on it; they both said things they didn't mean when they were angry. All she could do now was wait until he calmed down and then try to talk to him again...

But for now, there was nothing more she could do. So with one last shuddery breath, she turned back to the dishes in the sink, determined not to let this ruin their day any further than it already had.

With a sneer, Freya glanced up at the man who had approached her and quickly dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "No thanks, creep," she growled, her tone sharp enough to cut through steel. "I'm not interested in some random pervert on the street."

As if sensing he was pushing his luck, the man flinched back, muttering an apology before moving away from her. Shaking her head and feeling a mix of annoyance and relief coursing through her veins, Freya turned her attention elsewhere, determined not to let anyone else ruin her day either.

With a growl, Freya glared at the persistent stranger. She clenched her fists and took a step forward, her expression dangerously stern despite her efforts to remain aloof. "Listen here," she snapped, her voice cold as ice. "I don't know who you think you are or what kind of game you're playing, but I am not interested. And if you keep bothering me, I won't hesitate to teach you a lesson."

Her words seemed to snap the stranger out of whatever delusion he was under, and he took several steps back, his expression suddenly wary. For a moment, Freya felt a strange mix of triumph and guilt wash over her as she realized she had just stood up for herself... but it didn't change anything about how dangerous these situations could be. Gritting her teeth, she turned on her heel and walked away quickly, not looking back until she was out of sight.

With a growl that could pierce steel, Freya lunged forward, grabbing the man by his collar and slamming him against the wall hard enough to make his head ring. "I told you," she spat through gritted teeth, eyes narrowed dangerously. "Leave me alone." She let go of his collar, satisfied when he stumbled back several steps before straightening himself up once more. With a huff, she turned on her heel and walked away, ignoring the taunts and jeers from the stranger behind her. He would get no further than this... not if she could help it.

Freya didn't realize until later that her hand was still shaking from where she had grabbed him. She hadn't been afraid; hadn't even thought about being afraid, really. But in that moment, she knew she had crossed a line she couldn't uncross... and it left her feeling strangely empty inside.