#and she saw Ivar going to work everyday

[rosepetals-flyingbirds]

Lovely.

Pairing: Modern!Ivar x Reader.

Warnings: I’ve been thinking of reallyyy sad stories lately, but rather than kill the reader or give her some disease lets keep it lightly. :)

Word Count: 1.2K

“Do you love me?”

“Yes.”

“Say you love me.”

“I love you.”

She would ask that, she didn’t want to sound clingy, probably why the moments she asked those simple four words were always when they were the most intimate.

How beautiful she is. Ivar could never grasp why she was with him. Y/N would always laugh when he said something as cliche like “I’m so lucky to have you”,“you’re so beautiful, what are you doing with me?”.

The truth was that Y/N found Ivar extremely handsome. She could watch him all day if required. She loved his eyes, his lips, his facial hair which never seemed to grow, his soft hair, his jaw.

Everything.

But she also loved his personality. He was such a complicated person! Proud, stubborn, jealous, selfish, but… he was funny, so damn smart, sweet -only with her-, surprisingly romantic, and truly cared about her.

Both were too scared to start something when they first fell for each other. Ivar could be a flirt but his cockiness was surely a defense mechanism for his insecurities.

And Y/N had too much trust issues to trust a guy. Maybe it could be her father’s responsibility for cheating on her mother, hell, even her mother’s fault for cheating on her father! 

Maybe it was all the men’s fault for cheating on their s/o and acting like it was okay… like it was some animal instinct that overpowered them.

Weak.

But she allowed Ivar in, how could she not? Never a guy has made such sweet displays for her. Flowers? Only the most distinct, at first Ivar would write down each one with a number, the number of times she refused his “date advance”. 

Y/N thought it was amazing.

Once -while friends- they went to the movies, some geeky film was about to be released and of course, Ivar brought the tickets beforehand. In the place some blondie was too interesting on Ivar, Y/N could feel the girl’s anticipation to talk with him. He wasn’t stupid and had realized the girl’s glances, but he couldn’t be bitter and flirt with someone else merely to make Y/N jealous.

“If she keeps looking at you I’m sure a hole will burn in your head.” She mumbled while decided what she wanted to eat.

Ivar -on his cocky self- chuckled at her words. “Is someone jealous?”

Y/N scoffed, even though it was the naked truth. “Ivar, we are not together, I just don’t want you to leave me alone to go have your fun. Go grab her number if you want, but if you leave me here alone I’ll put you in a wheelchair rather than crutches!” Pointing down to his crutches he smiled at her answer. 

Only his uncle Floki could make those types of jokes, he hated his condition and all the hardness in living that it accompanied. However, when the words left Y/N’s sweet lips with that jealous reaction, he couldn’t be mad, only amused.

And somehow she could always say anything to him. Ivar was observant and loved her deeply.

After what seemed like ages Y/N finally let him in.

And it was amazing.

                                … Meeting each other family took a bit longer than the ’normal’ couples take. 

Y/N’s family lived far and Ivar really wanted to take her home and make all of his brothers drool for her, but he didn’t want to make her see the whole drama his relatives had, he didn’t want her to see Ragnar and Aslaug weird relationship, nor how stupid Sigurd was, or even having to watch over Hvtserk near her.

Gladly she didn’t start complaining about the wait, so when the right time came, Ivar took all his courage and took her there.

Ivar’s family adored her, even between the brother’s drama she always loved their interaction, and even if it pissed Ivar a little, Y/N knew his problem with Sigurd was individual “child jealousy” of his mother attention. They didn’t hate each other as both liked to believe so much.

Ivar has never felt so much like he did with her.

                                   …

Dream.

Dream was the word Ivar could only imagine when Y/N danced for him. Her small satin dress covering her smooth skin, he loved how her hips moved so graciously how she could seduce him even without trying. He was sure that no one had ever loved someone as much as he loves her.

He could do anything for her.

On Ivar’s work, he was almost chewing his cheek at how he was controlling himself to not fight with his co-workers. 

But Y/N often spoke with him that he couldn’t have an outburst on his job, that unfortunately everyone has those particulars assholes to annoy us on while working.

He was really close to yell at the man when his phone made a ping sound letting him know a message has arrived.

Hey baby, I hope you’re okay and you haven’t yelled at your co-workers! I’m watching you, mister! ;)

I’ll have to make a small trip with Lisa, she had a problem with her parents and she needs me to help her. I’m sorry but I really have to go. See you in a few days.

Ivar, I love you.

Ivar found it weird, Lisa’s family lived in another country, why she would make such travel in a hurry? 

Of course, Y/N was a good friend, but she didn’t do such spontaneous things.

He tried to call her but her phone was off, he tried to calm his nerves down and finished his work. She had warned him after all, it wasn’t like she went without telling him.

At their apartment, he saw a few notes here and there, one in the fridge telling she left some leftovers for some days. 

Another in the bathroom reminding him to buy shampoo and one on their bedroom saying “You won’t die if I stay a few days away.”

Silly girl.

But even if Ivar was suspicious of the sudden new he needed to trust her, he couldn’t be the crazy boyfriend who didn’t trust his girl.

However on the next day, he found it completely weird that she didn’t call him, she sent a text saying she was okay and safe but she couldn’t call him, he asked why but she just asked him to trust her and quickly stopped answering his texts.

Really really weird.

Was she cheating on him? Was she really traveling with her friend? His mind couldn’t stop making ideas up. Bad assumptions up.

Gladly Ivar had a great memory so he remembered Lisa’s apartment when Y/N went there a few months prior, he had to go there and see if Lisa was home, if his girl was there or if she was actually out of the country.

The way there wasn’t the best for his legs, the elevator wasn’t working and it would surely pain him deeply later on, but if Ivar was something, that thing was determined.

Finally reaching the 4th floor he knocked on the door praying the Gods for no one to be home, but after a few seconds, it quickly opened with Lisa showing him a confused face. “Ivar? What are you doing here?”

Fuck. “Hey, um, is Y/N here?”

“No, actually I haven’t talked with her for weeks now. Why? Did you guys had a fight?”

She lied, what the fuck was happening?

Knowing it wasn’t for the best to let her know about the situation he made a small smile. “Yeah, we did, I thought she was here. Thanks.” He hurriedly left not waiting for her response.

All the -painful- way home Ivar overthought his whole relationship, why would Y/N lie to him?

He couldn’t place a reason for it, the only thing that was hammering on his thoughts was the word: Cheating.

But why would she cheat on him? 

Wasn’t he a good boyfriend? Does she suddenly feel ashamed of his crutches? 

Was she tired of his hard personality? 

Wasn’t he satisfying her in bed?

Why?

And most important… with who?

She wouldn’t be so low to cheat him with one of his brothers, right? Not Bjorn, not Ubbe, but what about Hvitserk and their stupid laughs on ridiculous jokes? What about Siggurd always saying how much better she could make?

Wait, it couldn’t be his father, could it?

Ivar’s mind was around doubts and adding all of his insecureness wasn’t helping much.

He didn’t even realize he reached his house until he saw his neighbor going for a walk with his dog. The whole walk he was pinned by fear and rage that he didn’t even count his steps.

To not help much his case he called her with no answer, he texted her with no answer either.

What could he do? He didn’t know where she was, or with who she was.

“What is happening, snuskebasse? Why are you lying to me?” He mumbled alone in his bedroom.

His heart cracking each thought he had.

After five longs and painful days, he received a text.

Hey Ivar. I’m going home we need to talk.

Ivar couldn’t answer, he couldn’t possibly ask what she wanted to talk about? Why would she leave him?

                                  …

There she stood, a single suitcase in her hand and a tired face.

Ivar wanted to hug her, to get in his feet and to say how worried he was… but no! 

He was mad.

“Hey Ivar we-”

“Who is he?” Without letting her finish her sentence or even getting up from the couch, he asked.

“What?”

“Do I know him? The guy you’re cheating me with, the fucking guy you ran away and lied to me saying you traveled with Lisa to Germany? Really Y/N?”

She didn’t argue, only let the suitcase on the floor and rubbed her face. And with her silent stare, Ivar knew the end was near.

Letting a sarcastic chuckle Ivar’s frustration over the last weeks started to show with full force. “You’re selfish! Throwing all we have away for someone else. What is that, uh? Am I not satisfying you enough? Or is the crutches? I bet it’s, I bet you’re tired of walking around with a cripple!” For more dramatically Ivar sounded, she knew he was self-conscious about his state, of course, he did therapy to help with his anger fits and self-loathing but seeing the most precious thing getting ready to leave was about to break his cold heart.

Making all his therapy process going to hell.

Y/N stood there, looking tired and staring at him. She knew he would be mad, she was mad at herself for lying so blatantly. “Are you done?”

He nodded, taking deep breaths and trying to control a possible tantrum.

“I’m not cheating on you, I never did, I never will.” She took her jacket off and walked to the couch.

Ivar looked at her carefully while she approached him, so HE was the problem then. “Tell me.”

“I’m not trying to break up with you, if that is what you think.”

He nodded and let a small sign let his nostrils.

“I… I needed some time to think, I didn’t want to lie to you but I really needed some alone time without you getting worried.”

Was she sick? Why was she so sad? 

She sat by his side and looked at her lap taking a deep breath, her gaze met Ivar’s and she nodded her head almost telling herself it was the proper moment. “I’m pregnant.”

The time seemed to stop for Ivar, such a brilliant man and that was the only thing he hasn’t anticipated to leave her beautiful’s lips.

It made sense for him now, Y/N was always predicting the worst. Always waiting for the day he would grow tired of her and leave, or only try to have some “fun” and fool around with someone else. 

She didn’t want to have a child because she was afraid she would have to do it all by herself.

“Y/N… baby, I’m-”

“I don’t want it.” Her answer was firm but her lips were trembling with nerves. 

“I-” Her eyes filled with tears, even with the past days being of pure anxieties and sorrow, she still has tears left. “I can’t have it, Ivar. I- I-, I’m so scared.”

He couldn’t control his eyes when it glanced at her belly, his child was there, growing each day. He wanted the baby, wanted a boy or a girl to cherish and take care.

And only the thought of a baby so pure and ethereal as Y/N meant a lot. 

It was his.

But he needed to focus on her.

“Will you try ab- abortion?” He didn’t want her to do that, he would try to change her mind if she said yes but he knew it was her choice.

“I- … I don’t know! I mean no I won’t. I can’t! But Ivar, I’m so so scared.”

“You think I’ll leave.” He said softly, she looked at him startled, but she shouldn’t. Ivar always knew her. “You know I would never abandon you, especially not with our child.”

She nodded, her heartbeat going faster and faster by the second. Apparently, the time to “cool off” didn’t help as she has thought.

Ivar gently held her waist and thigh and pulled her to his lap, Y/N hugged him tightly and started to sob. Ivar was her home.

And she was terrified he would leave her, especially with a child to take care of.

“Shh shh, pretty girl. It’ll be okay.” His hand started to caress her scalp softly trying to bring her some comfort.

Some minutes of pure comfortable silence passed before Y/N straightened her back and looked at the deep blue of his eyes. “I’m sorry I lied…” She murmured.

Ivar chuckled at the thought of how angry he was 20 minutes ago at her, now it seemed really stupid the way he allowed his demons to make him think the worst of his baby. 

“I forgive you. Y/N,” He raised his hand and touched her cheek softly, she leaned in and kissed his palm. “I know you’re worried I’ll leave or that you will have to raise that child alone but I promise you that I won’t let you down! I won’t let our child down!” He placed his other hand on her belly, Y/N smiled at the vision. 

Of course, she didn’t have a bump yet, but seeing Ivar’s hand touching a place where half him and half her was growing was a new comforting feeling.

Y/N nodded and smiled at him, lifting her pinky she pouted. “Promise?”

He chuckled at her cuteness, interlacing his pinky with hers he nodded. “I promise.” She leaned in and kissed him lovely. “And you know me, I might break-”

““A bone, but I can never break a promise!”“ She responded with a smile on her lips. "I know you too well!” She giggled.

“You do.” He gazed at her, the light of his life. “We got this, snuskebasse.” He affirmed his hands holding her face softly. “We do.”

                       …

<3 <3 <3

[thepaperpanda]

♥ Dangerously Perfect Match ♥ || Part III

♥Part I♥ 

♥Part II♥

Summary: Despite Earl Wolf's life is being flipped upside down, she still finds herself capable of bestowing one particular person with reconciliation and forgiveness

Warnings: Ivar 😈

Words: 10284

Authors: Cass & Rouge

Hvitserk was right - it was getting easier and easier every day. With each sunrise there was less Ivar in your memory and thoughts, he slowly stopped poisoning your mind which made you feel much better.

No more nightmares, no more doubts.

You simply carried on with all the duties of the Earl with Hvitserk by your side. He was really helpful despite your rough beginning. He was always there to help, and be the shoulder you could lean on.

If you only knew how much you would bring back from this whole journey, maybe you would have never decided to go.

Two months after returning home your body started changing, you stopped bleeding which never happened before and your belly started to grow.

After a short talk with your dear friend you decided to visit the healer. There your fears changed into reality.

You returned to the Great Hall and gave Hvitserk a soft smile, poor man was just as worried as you were.

"And what did healer say?," Hvitserk asked, offering you his arm as he gently wrapped his free hand around your waist to lead you back to your room. "You're pale like you'd have seen a ghost or any other mara," Ragnarsson claimed.

You let him walk you to your room, not speaking a word. There, you sat down on the bed and let out a heavy sigh. You weren't really sure how to admit it. Was it good news, or a curse sent by gods to punish you for getting involved with someone like Ivar.

"Well...," You said quietly with a shaky voice. "I am with a child."

"Congratulations," a smile formed on his lisp and he gasped, relieved. "I was worried you're sick. Child is a reason to celebrate and to be happy for Gods blessed you, dear."

You looked at him in disbelief. He was happy. You carried the child of a man that pretended to love you, played with you, used you for his own plans, and then just threw you away like a used rag when you were no longer needed. That man was hunting you for months, every dream and spilled tears reminded you how stupid you were. "Is there really a reason to be happy, Hvitserk? It's his child! What shall I do now?! Return to him like a wounded dog that I already am and beg him to take me back because of his child? He probably wouldn't even believe me! This child is Ivar's curse."

"Wait. Wait," Hvitserk frowned strongly, tilting head. "I know you and him had sex but he's a cripple. He can't have children, I am more than sure about that," he claimed. "Maybe you slept with someone else. It can't be Ivar's child. It can't."

"One more word and I will break more than your nose, Ragnarsson!," You growled at him, getting up from the bed. "Who do you think I am! I am the Earl, not some common whore. Since we returned from Kattegat I haven't slept with anyone else! There was just Ivar, and no one else ever after!"

"For Odin's sake, it breeds...," Hvitserk mumbled under his breath so you didn't hear him. "If he's the father, he should know anyway."

You laughed and shook your head, rubbing the bridge of your nose. "You think he will care? He is a heartless monster, he already proved it by toying me. You good know what he did, in the best case scenario he won't believe it and in the worst - he will try to kill us both."

"Think of what he will do if he finds out one day. He'll ground the settlement, he'll burn your people alive...," Hvitserk lowered his tone, grunting in the end. "Not that I am not happy, I'll be the uncle though, but I rather thought of Ubbe's child, Bjørn's maybe..."

Suddenly you bursted into tears. It was too much for you to handle at once.

Not so long ago you used to live without Ivar and now this happened. You just wanted to disappear, make everyone forget you have even existed. Hvitserk for a second stood still, he wasn't sure whether he should console you or not. In the end, he decided to approach and wrap his arms around your shaking shoulders. He hugged you tight. "I'll take care of you and of the child you're carrying. Don't be worried or sad, you're strong and you'll survive. And, you won't be able to say you're all alone in this world. You'll be the mother. You need to be strong for the baby."

You immediately nuzzled to him, shaking your head as you tried to catch a proper breath. "I can't, Hvitserk... It's his child. It's his... I don't want it. I can't... I don't know how to be a mother."

"You know. You had it written in your womanhood somehow," he assured, gently rubbing your shoulders. "The child didn’t want to come to this world, you both invited him or her, you need to be responsible now. As I said, I'll help as much as possible."

Hvitser was right in some way. "I... I just don't want him back in my life. I wasted enough time with him. He won't use me or the child."

"He won't. I won't let this happen," Hvitserk replied, kissing top of your head. "We'll survive."

As much as you hated to admit it; Hvitserk was right once again.

You never thought that your people can be more caring than they already were but they proved that they indeed could. Since the announcement was made, everyone became even more careful and protective of their Earl. All the women made sure you were okay.

This was something wonderful but all the nice words and assures didn't really change what you felt inside.

With every month the child under your heart grew bigger.

It was wonderful but deep inside you remembered Ivar's action. Everything that led you to this moment. You hated the child for being part of him but there also was part of you in there. You were torn apart.

Everything changed seven months later. After countless hours of bloody and painful labor, the child was welcomed to the world.

It was a boy and as soon as you saw him you knew you would kill anyone who will even try to hurt him.

You didn't care that boy had those piercing blue eyes and dark hair. He was your son and nothing would change that.

This was how little Vali became the part of your life.

In the beginning, you were sure that he was some kind of a curse, something to destroy your life more but after the first two months of motherhood, you were sure he was a blessing.

That one day, Hvitserk came from a little trip on the North; he went to meet with king Olaf who somehow learnt about Earl Wolf becoming a mother. "Y/N?," He asked once he got into the Great Hall. "I brought gifts from the king. He wishes you all the best and he sends his sincere wishes to yours son, too."

You sat on your throne with a Vali proactively wrapped in your arm and furry cloak. "Gifts? From Olaf? That's a great surprise, I'll have to send a messenger to thank him for this all. He didn't have to do this."

Smiling you got up from the throne and walked to Hvitserk. "Look Vali, your dear uncle is back," you hummed and looked at Ragnarsson. "He missed you so much."

"I hope," Hvitserk chuckled in the deep tone of his. He reached under his cloak and pulled out a little bear-shaped toy, made of the finest type of silk. "This one's for you, Vali. Just don't eat it."

You laughed, and took the toy to show it to the little boy.

Vali looked at the toy and giggled loudly. "He loves it. I can already tell we have a new thing that he won't sleep without.”

"That's good," Hvitserk briefly tapped the boy's nose and placed the little kiss on his temple shortly after. "So, maybe now you'll stay with me, so your beautiful mom can have some spare time?"

"Hvitserk, you just got back. Please, go take a bath and rest. I am already done with my duties for the day, so spending time with my handsome, little bundle of happiness is a blessing," you assured him.

"You sure?," He asked but nodded shortly. "Whatever Earl says."

What he needed would never come and no matter how much he seeked, he wouldn't find it.

Ivar wasn't born for great things, nor to find his place in the sun, he kind of accepted it. He could try every day, work for what he wants and needs, but there were no paths to success, not from here, from the abyss of rage and nothingness.

People talked as if he couldn't hear them.

He knew too well they spoke about him being inept in all facets of the ruling.

Kattegat turned into a very dark place since both Earl Wolf and older Ragnarsson left.

People, who were unfavorable to their new leader, were vanishing in pretty questionable circumstances.

Settlement streets were said to be flowing with the blood of enemies of the self proclaimed king.

People lived in terror, hoping everyday they'll be able to witness another sunrise.

Ivar locked himself completely. Trusting only a few people, he spent all of his days within Great Hall, in his bedroom, dreaming of other scenarios, dreaming of what would happen if he didn't send the Earl away.

There was hope before, when she was by his side. Just a tiny flicker against the wind. But not it vanished completely, leaving a painful wound across his heart.

He heated himself for what he decided back then but he couldn't turn the time back.

But the worst was about to come.

When deputy of king Olaf arrived with the very unexpected news about Earl Wolf, Ivar broke completely. Not only did he destroy the place he was born in, and which he used to call home, he randomly stabbed at least two of his guards in a rage outburst.

He had never felt so much rage before as when he learnt she bore a son.

Few days had passed since Hvitserk returned and you felt happy; your little family was reunited.

You were sitting on a furry rug with Vali and tried to tell him a story but the boy was too busy with his new toy to listen to your voice.

"You know, Hvitserk, I was scared before he was born that he will be deformed as his father or that he will destroy my life but now I am ready to protect him with my life," you said and raised your head, looking at the man entering your room.

Hvitserk held a mango in his hand. His glance immediately fell on you and a little bundle of joy placed on your lap. "I told you to not be stressed. He is perfectly fine and will grow into a fierce warrior, just like his mother," Hvitserk cut mango in half and offered you piece.

You gave him a smile and took the fruit. "Maybe when he grows up, there will be no need to fight. Maybe finally the world will be at peace, no need to risk life for a bit of glory or spill innocent blood." After saying that you took the bite of mango and hummed at the sweetness. "I am just happy my fears did not eat me alive and thanks Gods you were here the whole time."

Ragnarsson didn't say anything to comment on your words, he simply took a seat on the chair a few steps away and continued observing how you played with the baby.

"Don't sit so far away from us, Hvitserk. Come and play with us, little Vali wants to play with his uncle," you giggled, and took Hvitserk's hand to gently pull him so he joined both of you on the fluffy rug.

He followed your ask and sat on the floor next to you. His arm wrapped carefully around the baby as you passed the boy to him. Shortly after Hvitserk was laying on his back, holding Vali in his straightened arms, up in the air, gently tossing the boy up to catch him in his arms seconds later, earning a loud laughter and giggling from the boy.

You laughed, watching them. This sight was a pleasure to your heart. Your little boy was healthy and happy, not caring about anything else but fun. He was always taken care of, with his belly full, and it was all he ever needed.

Hvitserk was a blessing, too.

Even if you sometimes wished that Ivar was here, the older Ragnarsson easily stepped into the father role for Vali. Right now, you didn't regret anything that ever happened because this all brought you here, and you were happy with this all.

Hvitserk looked at you with the corner of his eye. "Something wrong? You're staring."

You gasped and used your hands to cover your eyes with a quiet laugh. "Prince Hvitserk, I am so sorry for staring. I just found the two of you playing so cute that I couldn't help myself and watch. Please forgive me."

He couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "Everything is forgiven." He kept playing with the baby. The boy started to reach his chubby hands towards Hvitserk, so the man gently laid the baby on the furs and pretended to attack him. He earned a salve of laughter, so loud that it could pierce the ears.

You laughed with your boy and soon joined them to bathe the baby in the deserved attention and love.

Month passed quickly. With Vali under your care, it passed even quicker than you have ever expected.

The night covered the settlement in the darkness, every place went quiet but not the Great Hall.

When others were getting ready to sleep, you walked around your room with Vali in your arms while humming a lullaby.

The boy was your little treasure but putting him to bed was a nightmare, despite the day full of fun, he didn't want to sleep.

Most nights looked like this, he wasn't in pain or anything like this. He was just fussing.

Suddenly one of your thralls stepped in. "My lady, a deputy from another settlement arrived and claimed he has some news for you."

Hvitserk, who slept in another room already, was woken up by a chatter and rumour in the main chamber so he got up, put tunica on and went to check what was going on.

You frowned and passed the boy to the thrall. "Try to put him to bed or just wait with him here."

Soon. you entered the main chamber. You didn't expect any message from anyone you knew, this was very suspicious. Whatever it was you were ready to fight if needed. Sitting in your throne, you measured the deputy with a cold gaze.

"What new do you bring? What place are you from?"

"I'm coming from Kattegat,. ma'am," the deputy said, bowing his head.

Hvitserk, who entered the chamber and stood next to your throne, frowned.

You froze hearing this, clearing your throat you straighten your back.

"If king Ivar expects more gold from us you can tell him he won't get it. We broke both military and trading bonds between settlements. I won't pay more since we get nothing from the other side."

Deputy lowered his head. "King Ivar was killed by King Aethewulf in England."

You blinked completely shocked by those words. It was hard to believe since you saw his skills, he was simply too skilled to just get killed.

"Who gave you that information? Has anyone seen the body or his death?"

"I, my lady. I and at least one hundred of our warriors who made it back to Norway after unsuccessful raids."

Rubbing your cheek you nodded, still trying to accept the words you just heard. It was hard, you got over him months ago but Vali was this one little string that reminded and connected you to Ivar the Boneless.

"You can go. My people will give you a place to sleep, we can talk in the morning. Now rest, the way here was long and hard."

When the deputy left the Great Hall, you sighed heavily and looked at Hvitserk at your side.

"What do you think? Your brothers are back in Kattegat? Is he really dead or is it some kind of twisted plan to get us?"

Hvitserk looked all sad. "I don't know. But I don't think this man lied to us. He was dead serious. If this is true... If he died... For Odin's sake, I feel sick."

You quickly moved to him to place your palms on his cheeks in an attempt to calm him down. "Hvitserk, my friend. Please, stay calm, take a deep breath"

He did but it resulted in him shivering all over his body. "It can't be true... He was my little brother after all..."

You hushed him and hugged him as tightly as you only could. "I know, I know he was. I also can't believe it. Maybe the man was wrong, maybe he didn't see it right. Maybe your brother is alive... Just lost."

Hvitserk, as much as he hated it, broke fully and started sobbing. "Leave me, Y/N. I just need a walk." He gently pushed you aside and simply went out, don't paying attention to the coldness of the night and to the heavy rain outside.

What else could you do? He needed this, so you let him go, he would come back as he always did.

After a few more minutes of thinking, you simply returned to your room. Vali was somehow already asleep in his wooden crib. "If you only knew how much we lost. All of us," you whispered and placed a gentle kiss on the boy's forehead.

After tucking him in, you sat on your bed and broke into tears. Ivar was gone and it hurt. Despite everything they ever happened, deep down you still loved him.

Hvitserk returned in the morning. He was soaked wet with rain, and so drunk that he simply had a close encounter with the door leading to his room.

Loud bang on the door woke you up. Soon, you were out of the bed to see what even was that. The sight of poor Hvitserk all wet and drunk was really sad. "Oh, Hvitserk. What have you done to yourself..."

He scoffed. "I'm fine, Y/N. I can't find my room. Did you.... T-take it away?"

You let out a heavy sigh, and shook your head. "Girls! Could you please come here?”

Three thralls that you knew he liked the most walked up to you. "What can we do?"

"Take him to his room, bathe him, feed him if he wants, change his clothes and put him to bed, please," you said, and the girls looked at Hvitserk.

"I can do... By my own... I am not drunk," he placed hands on his hips trying to scoff your words but instead he lost his balance and almost fell to the floor.

You chuckled. "Yes, we can all see this. Go with girls. I know you like them, they will help you."

Hvitserk gasped but his hand wrapped around the waist of one of the girls.

All three of them giggled. "Oh, we will gladly help him and take care of him," one of them hummed happily.

Two years passed like sand in an hourglass; quickly and unnoticeable. Some time ago Vali was just a little bundle of joy, and now he was a curious two-year-old. Always asking questions and looking at new stuff with those big blue eyes.

Vali took most after his father, those beautiful eyes and dark hair. Happily, his character was more like yours.

"You think we should throw a feast today? After all, it's boy's big day," you asked, and looked at Hvitserk while playing with Vali's hair.

Hvitserk was sitting at the table, playing with a knife in his hands as he was rethinking your idea. "Yes. We need to feast. This is your son's big day. He needs to feel it, even if he's not too old to understand fully. I asked Katherine to prepare it already."

You laughed and kissed the boy's head. "You see how much your uncle loves you? We will let you sit a bit longer today than. My big, beautiful boy," saying this you hugged Vali tightly.

Hvitserk continued his play with the dagger while observing you hugging your baby boy.

The feast was a tale of how your people loved Vali.

"Above all, this is a feast of our emotions, of our bonds, with the food and mead as the perfect symbol of these everlasting bonds," Hvitserk said happily as he was sitting right by your side, enjoying the party and keeping his eye on the baby boy.

Raising your horn you laughed. "Let's drink, my friends! Let's drink for my son, and my dear friend, Hvitserk! May Gods bless them with love and happiness that they deserved," you said loudly, and the crowd cheered loudly, agreeing with you.

One of thralls refilled Hvitserk's cup and she just stared at him. "Sir, do you need anything else?"

He caught her glance, and a mischievous grin danced in his lips. "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Astrid, my lord."

You watched then with a smile. It was a common fact that Hvitserk could charm girls with just one smile.

Suddenly a man walked in, you recognized him as one of your warriors. He walked to you to whisper something into your ear. Frowning softly you nodded. "Hvitserk? Someone is asking to see the Earl. Shall we let him in or just send him away?"

Hvitserk narrowed his brows. "Did we invite anyone from outside? I can't recall it. Today is the feast of your lovely son and this is what she should focus on."

"No, we did not but from what he said the person looks for a safe place to stay and heal wounds," you said, bouncing the boy on your knee.

"Maybe we should let him in, see what he really expects?"

"I'll condone your every decision."

You nodded and looked at the warrior. "Bring the person in. I want two guards with whoever it is, just to be safe."

The man nodded and quickly runoff.

"My friends! We will have an unexpected guest! Let's all see why he is here!," you informed people gathered in the Great Hall. "Astrid, please take my boy to my room. He is sleepy."

When the boy was taken to the safety of your room, you got comfortable in your throne and waited to see who the visitor really was.

Ivar wasn't sure of what he was doing.

He couldn't simply get back to Kattegat, now Bjørn was the king and he would simply cut his head off as soon as he would appear on the horizon.

Those months were hard for him. After miraculously getting back from England on a single boat belonging to traders, he wandered through Norway all by his own, trying to find a safe place.

Unfortunately, due to him being a ruthless ruler before, he had more foes than friends and it wasn't so easy to stay calmly in any place.

He hated the fact he had to show up here, in the settlement ruled by Earl Wolf herself.

Soon, your warrior entered the room with the company of the mysterious visitor. The whole Great Hall went quiet, carefully observing the newcomer. All men were ready to fight if needed.

You stiffened hearing the familiar sound. Crutch, step, step, and then again crutch, step, step.

No, he was dead. It couldn't be him unless the Gods decided to torment you more than they already did.

Clearing your throat you did your best to calm down your nerves. "Who are you? And what do you want? Explain your purpose here."

Hvitserk also stopped whatever he was doing. The sound of crutch was too familiar but his brother was long gone. It just had to be some cripple, seeking a safe place to spend the night.

Ivar, with hood on his head, slowly walked until the guards stopped him in the middle of the chamber. After taking a long breath, he slowly took the hood off, raising his head. "I'm Ivar the Boneless and I came to see Earl Wolf."

Hvitserk jolted up. "Guards!," He raised his tone.

More men walked closer to Ivar, ready to protect the Earl.

"Is this some kind of a joke? Or a magic trick? Curse?," You asked with a frown. "Are you the real Ivar the Boneless? The whole Norway let out a sigh of relief when they heard about his death in England, and now you came here, claiming to be him?"

As much as you wanted it to be a joke or curse, it wasn't. It was Ivar himself, he was here, and he stood right in front of you in your own settlement, asking for a safe place. There were many emotions boiling in you; happiness because he was alive, and anger for all that he did to you in the past. You wanted to hug him but at the same time you wished to see him bleed out all over your ax.

"As much as I would love to be feasting with Odin and Æsirs in Valhalla now, I'm not dead in the slightest," he replied.

You could see a large cut on his right cheek, going almost from his temple down to reach his jaw. One of his eyes was fully red.

You laughed, and got up from your throne to walk closer. "Look at this! You all leave the food and look at this, people! Great Ivar the Boneless, the man who used me and my trust, came here, looking for a safe place to stay like a wounded dog he is!" Pulling out the dagger you always carried for safety, you looked at him, and then pressed the blade to his neck. "For all you did to me, I should slit your throat open, and let you bleed out. Just to free everyone from you," you growled.

"Mama, uncle!" Little boy ran out of the room and immediately hugged Hvitserk's leg, hiding from the stranger.

Hvitserk leaned down and picked the boy up, wrapping arms tightly around the little trembling figure. His eyes never left Ivar’s features.

Ivar smiled simply at your words and wrapped his palm around the blade of your dagger, so hard that soon the blood started dropping to the floor. "Go on. Free me."

"On the other hand, doing this will be too easy," you growled, and took the dagger away. Shaking your head, you walked back to Hvitserk. "I guess the thrall couldn't keep the boy away. What do we do with Ivar now?," You asked before placing a comforting kiss on the little boy's head.

"I have no idea, I am just as shocked as you are," Hvitserk whispered, his glance still locked on Ivar.

"To say that I am shocked is an understatement, my friend," you said with a little frown, and took Vali into your arms. Poor thing was shaking from the whole situation and nerves. "It's okay, Vali. Mother is here, you are safe," you whispered, wrapping your furry cloak around the boy to calm him down.

Of course Ivar spotted the baby in your arms. Boy could have at least up to 3 springs, not more for sure. A cold needle of envy pierced Ivar's heart. You had a family you craved that much.

"Take him to that one empty hut. Take away that cursed crutch, make sure to tie his hands together. His legs won't be a big problem. Bring healer to him so she can have a look at his wound," you ordered, looking right at Ivar while holding the child close to your chest. "Feed him if he is hungry. I want him to be guarded day and night."

"All this for a cripple?," One of your people asked loudly. "Look at him! Wounded, in despair. He won't be able to hurt anyone, my lady."

"We should leave him to die in the forest," one of the women claimed. "My dearest son was killed by his side!"

"I fought by his side! I know what he is capable of, never underestimate him. Crippled or not he can be dangerous," you claimed, pointing at Ivar. "I was betrayed by him but I won't lower myself to his position by using cruelty. Take him away, and do as I said. This is an order."

Most people groaned unhappily at the order but they followed.

Ivar was escorted to the empty hut, located almost in the woods.

You let the feast continue but returned to your bedroom.

There was not much sleep that night.

When Vali was asleep right next to you, wrapped in warm furs, you lied there motionless, thinking. You couldn't believe what actually happened that night. The man that was your lover, father of your child, dead man was here. He was alive. Hate toward Ivar was strong, he hurt you so bad but at the same time, he gave you the little treasure you called your son. Not to mention you somehow missed him.

When the morning came, you left Vali with Astrid and went to visit Ivar.

He was all tied up. Your people took good care to wrap ties around his wrists hard enough that after an hour or two he lost feeling in both of his hands, locked high above his head.

Being completely overwhelmed by pain from all the blows he experienced during the night, he fell in complete oblivion before the dawn, his head rolled down as his chin rested against his chest.

You didn't like what you saw when you entered the hut. This wasn't what you ordered. Of course, you wanted to be sure he won't attack you, your child, or Hvitserk but this was too much. By the look around you could tell the healer was never there as well as the food was never delivered, while the hut was also cold. "Guards!," You yelled and waited at them to join you.

Two of your loyal men approached. "My lady?," One of them asked.

"What happened here? Why is he tied up like this? Beaten up? This place is cold, was healer even here?," You looked at them, crossing arms over your chest. "Did he get anything to eat?"

Men exchanged glances. "No. Healer refused to come here, and people took their retaliation in first and twice as nasty."

"Who do you think you all are to oppose my orders!? I am the Earl!," You snapped at them. "You had to guard him! Not let people use him as an old doll. You can tell anyone who dared to touch him that I will find them and take care of them by myself, you two included." Shaking your head you walked past them before giving them one more look. "I go to the healer to get stuff I need. You two better not touch him until I am back."

As soon as Earl vanished from their sight, guards measured themselves with mean glances.

"You know by yourself what they say, that the boy is his," one of them remained his mate and spat on the floor.

You visited the healer's hut to gather whatever stuff needed to take care of Ivar's injury. Maybe you weren't a real healer but taking the fact you were a warrior, you knew how to take care of the wounds. Soon, you returned to Ivar, making sure guards stayed outside.

The sight of him broke your heart, he hurt you but you never wanted him to suffer like this. "As the Earl I feel ashamed. I am sorry that my people treated you like this," you said, undoing the rope that held his hands. "This was not my order."

As he heard any commotion, he opened his eyes. The last thing he expected was your presence in the same chamber. He was highly aware how broken he had left you before, and to be fair, he was secretly shocked with the fact you even tried to help him, in any way. As you undid the ropes, he fell on the floor with loud hiss escaping his chapped lips. He couldn't support himself due to the fact his hands were curled and cold - it was difficult to obtain sufficient blood flow when his hands were tied too tightly above his head for many long hours.

You sat on the floor, and helped him sit up, resting his back against the wall. "I just hope they didn't damage you more. This wasn't my order, I am furious they did this to you."

Ivar looked directly at you but he remained silent.

You gave him a flat smile, and then cupped his cheek to take a look at the nasty wound on his face. Helping him was wrong, you should let your people do what they wanted for what he did to you but you simply couldn't bring yourself to cruelty. Those stupid feelings didn't let you. You started to gently clean the wound, despite his angry hisses you kept your work on it.

He closed his eyes, struggling with the burning pain on his cheek when you pressed the wet rug soaked with some oils and herbs to the wound. It started bleeding immediately. Ivar clenched his teeth, letting out a loud grunt.

"Did you get anything to eat? Drink?," You asked him, still working on that wound of his. He would live, all that would be left after it would be a scar.

"No," he replied in that particular soft tone of his.

Letting out a deep sigh you shook your head, this was unbelievable. How could your own people not listen to their leader, and simply do what they want with a defenseless man? "Guards!," You yelled and looked over your shoulder as soon as they entered the hut. "Take him, and carry him to the Great Hall."

Men gave you a look. "I'm sorry, my lady, but he is the devil himself. Our people don't want him among us."

You rolled your eyes. "Are you deaf? Earl gave you an order, do it or I will feed you to wolves by myself. I am your leader, I decided about his place. Now shut your mouth, take him, and follow me."

Both men with loud gasps entered the chamber and picked Ivar up, each of them wrapped one of Ivar's arms around their shoulders.

The Great Hall was mostly empty, only Hvitserk and two thralls sat around the fireplace playing with little Vali.

You didn't miss the odd looks they gave you once they noticed you entering the main chamber with two guards that carried Ivar right behind you.

They sat him down on a chair near the big table, after that guards left.

"Astrid? Would you be so kind as to stop trying to get Hvitserk's heart? I need you to prepare something to eat for my guest," you said, giving her a flat smile.

Astrid fazed a little but obeyed your command. "Whatever you say, my lady."

Hvitserk looked above his shoulder, his glance immediately went to Ivar. "We were informed you were dead."

Youngest Ragnarsson scoffed. "You wish."

Hvitserk jolted up, and with few large steps he approached the chair Ivar sat on. "What's wrong with you? Don't expect us to be happy with your sudden resurrection after all you had done to us all."

You took Vali from the other thrall, and ordered her to help Astrid with food.

Boy was more than happy to see his mother, he giggled and nuzzled to your chest.

"Hvitserk is right. You did so much bad that I should simply give you to my people and let them decide what to do with you but I am better than this," you muttered, holding the baby close as you walked closer to older Ragnarsson.

Hvitserk offered you a particular glance of his; his eyebrow cocked high, his lips pressed together so they were just a thin line. He looked at the boy you held in arms and then back at you.

Ivar listened to your words but he remained silent.

Vali watched the stranger with his curious blue eyes. "Ma?," the boy cooed and pointed at Ivar.

You chuckled, looking down at your baby. Of course, curiosity was stronger than fear. "Yes, I know."

Ivar cringed inside. The last thing he needed was to deal with the child. He turned his head around to avoid the piercing glance of those blue eyes. If he felt better, he would simply twist his brother's neck for impregnating you.

You asked one thrall to take the boy away and keep him safe. Vali didn't look happy, looking at you over the woman's shoulder.

When they both were gone, you looked at Ivar. "Ivar, talk to us. What even happened? We got a message from Kattegat that you died in England."

"I partly did," he growled deeply, not bothering himself to look at you or Hvitserk.

His older brother after a moment of silence smashed his fist against the table. "Fuck, Ivar, stop being all offended! And reply to questions! We do not have an entire day, and Y/N has her duties, too!"

"Oh, she for sure has," Ivar mocked. "You have a beautiful son," he claimed out of sudden, his steel blue eyes fixed on your face.

Oh if he only knew.

"I know I do and he needs his mother's attention. I am still the Earl, so your brother is right, I have duties, Ivar," you answered, looking him right in the eyes without any hint of fear.

Ivar let out a sharp breath and rubbed his forehead. He felt highly uncomfortable around you and Hvitserk. "I have nothing more to say. I know that you, my dear brother, would happily dance on my grave, but as you can see, I somehow survived," Ivar snapped, looking directly at Hvitserk.

“Stop it. I fucking moured you, you fucking idiot," Hvitserk grabbed Ivar by collar of his tunica. "I am not a heartless monster like you."

You grabbed Hvitserk's shoulder in an attempt of calming him down. "Hvitserk, calm down, please. We both mourned you, Ivar. You have no idea in what state he was for months because his youngest brother was gone. This shocked him to the core, it was hard for him to return to everyday life."

"This is why he decided to get into your panties?," Ivar replied viciously, a sadness in his tone. "How long did it last? While we were a thing?," Ivar grunted. "I would never think you and he would have a baby together."

Hvitserk laughed. "Unbelievable."

You blinked looking at Ivar with a clear shock and surprise in your eyes. "E-Excuse me..." Did he think the baby was yours and Hvitserk’s? Apparently he did and it was the most ridiculous thing you had ever heard in your entire life. You tried your best to keep a straight face but a short laugh left your lips. "First of all, you said it yourself that we never were together, and second, Vali isn't Hvitserk's child, I never slept with him. He was a wonderful friend and father figure but nothing beyond that."

Ivar now felt stupid for accusing you of sleeping with his brother. "You two seem close. I just thought..."

"Even if we were a thing with Y/N, it would not be any matter of yours," Hvitserk reminded coldly. "So you know, I didn't sleep with her."

"We are close but like I said. He was a wonderful help since we got here but we even have two different rooms. Hvitserk is too busy charming the female half of the settlement," you said, and laughed some more.

Ivar wanted to complain some more but a bowl with soup was placed in front of him by Astrid.

Woman shivered when he threw her a glance.

"Thank you," he replied and started eating.

"Keep an eye on him. Make sure he eats and drinks. Find him some new clothes. Girls will help with the bath," you said, patting Hvitserk's shoulder. "I need to go on training grounds. I can already tell it will be hard, they aren't too happy with our visitor."

Ivar spent another three months on healing his wounds, and he happened to have a lot of those.

People got used to his presence among them, yet they still weren't keen on any interactions with him, which resulted in him lurking alone throughout the paths, being talked about and pointed with fingers and piercing glances.

That particular day he went outside, to sit on a huge meadow, he had to gather all the thoughts that were floating within his mind.

How huge was his surprise when he spotted Astrid with Earl's son. They were picking flowers.

"Your mother will love those. They will nicely decorate your shared room," Astrid hummed picking a flower, and showing it to the little boy what earned her a big smile from him.

Vali himself picked a few flowers, and gently put them in the basket set on the ground.

Astrid shivered feeling someone's eyes on them. She loved such little trips but they were stressful. Earl would go mad if anything happened to her only child. Woman raised her head and looked at Ivar before giving him a little nod as a greeting.

Ivar offered her a nod in reply, and continued observing them from a distance. The boy seemed cute and eager to learn about the world. Ivar sighed; he would want to have a child one day but he knew it was impossible.

Astrid returned to picking the flowers.

Soon, the boy was bored with that activity; the stranger was much more interesting.

At some point Astrid was accosted by some other thrall as they started talking. Before she even noticed, Vali walked away to finally get a closer look at the stranger.

Ivar was busy with playing with the tape of his black tunica. He felt uncomfortable as he felt a piercing glance on his features. He raised head up and noticed the boy standing right in front of him.

Boy watched Ivar carefully, and then decided to sit right next to him. He looked up and smiled. "Hi. Flower," Vali said, showing the flower to Ivar proudly.

Ivar cringed at first but his heart melted instantly when the boy handled the freshly picked up flower to him. Ivar took it gently between his fingers and gave the boy a smile. n"Flower. Do you like flowers?"

Boy nodded with a huge smile on his mouth. "You?," Vali asked, pointing at him.

Ivar was completely taken aback by the question boy dropped. "I like them, too," he replied in his usual soft tone. "Where are you mom?"

Boy blinked few times before pointing at the direction of Great Hall. "There," he said, and his attention went to Ivar's braided hair. "Pretty," Vali giggled, and tried to reach them.

Ivar at first tried to move back; he wasn't used to the children being around him, fascinated by the way he looked. After considering the situation, and taking no one could see him being so vulnerable, he leaned forward and turned head aside. It resulted with his braids to fall loose to the side, so the boy could touch them.

Boy gaped excitedly, and gently took the braids into his hubby hands. "Soft! Pretty!,” he giggled, and gently pulled on the to see what would happen.

Ivar laughed. "Gently, like you would pet the dog or kitten," he instructed, and tapped the boy's hand softly.

Boy nodded, and started to gently play with his hair. After he was done Vali pulled away from him to find a new point of interest. Soon he got interested in weird things on Ivar's legs.

Ivar wasn't sure what to do. He hated his lower limbs, but the boy was seemingly interested in leg braces and crutch that was leant next to them. "I'm a cripple," he told the boy though he knew he wouldn’t understand a word. "They don't work," Ivar pointed at his legs.

Boy looked at him confused, and gently touched the braces as if he was again touching his hair. "Hurt? Sad?," Vali asked curiously.

You were scared the first moment you saw that Astrid was busy with gossiping, and Vali was gone but you calmed down as you saw him. Vali was interacting with his father, even if the little boy didn't know that. Instead of stepping in, you decided to observe them.

"Sad, hurt," Ivar replied and made a sad face. "Be happy. Your legs are nice. Chubby and wobbly still but you'll grow into a strong man," Ivar ruffled boy's dark hair.

Boy laughed at his action but didn't like the fact that his new friend wasn't happy. Vali was quiet for a moment before kissing braces on Ivar’s legs, and then got up to hug Ivar. Just like his mom always did when he got hurt. "No hurt."

You smiled, biting your lips. This was something you never expected to see.

Ivar paled. His brain stuttered for a moment and his eyes took in more light than expected, every part of him went on pause while his thoughts catched up. Never before had Ivar noticed how time is so much like water; that it can pass slowly, a drop at a time, even freeze, or rush by in a blink. "Thank you, I feel healed," Ivar replied softly and simply put hands on both sides of the boy to pick him up and sat on his lap. "Comfy?"

Boy nuzzled into him, getting comfortable on his lap and nodded with a short yawn. "Yes. Soft."

Ivar let him rest his side against Ivar's chest. He also yawned. "If you want, nap. I'll keep an eye on you."

Vali nodded, closing his eyes.

You decided to get Astrid's attention pointing out that your son is gone. Poor girl freaked out but you quickly calmed her down, and then sent her back to Great Hall with your shield and ax. After that you approached Ivar. "Comfortable you two?," You whispered.

Ivar looked at you and nodded, putting his fingers to lips. "Shhh. You don't want to wake this little warrior up."

"No I don't. He gets fussy," you nodded and sat next to Ivar. "Ivar the Boneless and child. That's  something new."

"I know, right?," He whispered and wrapped arm around the boy to shield him from rolling off his lap.

You smiled softly looking at this sweet little sight. "Ivar. Can I ask you something?"

He shrugged slightly. "Yes."

"Do you know that a wolf has one mate? One mate for whole life?,” You whispered, looking at him.

"I do, mother taught me and my brothers about that," he replied. "Why? Do you have wolves threatening the settlement?"

You chuckled and shook your head. "Back in York I picked my mate. Man I wanted to spend my life with. Stay by his side no matter what, and it was you,"

"I remember," he replied and started cringing inside. All he needed was you to recall the relationship you two shared.

"You know that since you made me leave Kattegat, I haven't slept with anyone," you said looking down at Vali that was already sleeping in his arms. "You were and still are the only one that slept with me before Vali was born."

"Bishop called it the virgin birth. So, as I assume, you're holy? Or should be considered like one," Ivar blinked, looking at you.

"Ivar I am not a virgin for years. Vali is your son, I found out I am pregnant two months after my return from Kattegat," you announced with a frown. "No virgin birth, no any other man. Just your seed that filled me for months."

Ivar grimaced. "I'm sorry to break it up to you, sweetheart, but I'm a cripple and I can't have children," he whispered loudly.

"Yeah, and you brothers claimed that before England you couldn't fuck a thrall," you raised your eyebrow. "And there you were. Taking me whenever you wanted, however you wanted."

Ivar was about to complain but he went quiet. You were right; his brothers were repeating that he couldn't ever have possessed a woman, yet he did. Which led to the obvious conclusion he could have impregnated you.

You gave him a little smile. "He is your son. This is Vali Ivarsson, son of famous and fierce Ivar the Boneless."

Ivar wanted to pick the boy up and take a closer look but he didn't have a heart to wake this little bundle of happiness. "You mean it?..."

"I swear on my name, reputation and Gods themselves that I mean it," you nodded. "Since our meeting in York till this day, there was no one else in my bed.”

He nodded and went quiet again. It wasn't the news he ever expected to hear. "I'll be visiting him, if you agree but I want Hvitserk to be his father's role. I don't want him to know about me being his father," he said coldly.

"No, Ivar. I won't agree on this, there is nothing he should be ashamed of," shaking your head, you touched his shoulder. "I want you to be here. With me, and with your son."

"No," he replied and shifted slightly in his place, trying to get as far from your touch as possible. "Look at me. I'm a wreck. I always thought that trust must come before love, yet it is not so, for love and trust can arrive at the same moment. When love is given in this way, immediate, no explanations, the trust arrives too. But I broke both your love and trust years ago by sending you out. I shouldn't have done that but I did, and nothing can explain the decision I made back then. Trusts were broken, lies were told. I used you, I did, just to get thing so elusive and unsustainable that I didn't have a chance to rejoice my position as a king for I won it by rage, not by love of the people." He drew a sharp breath and stared at the boy. "I am a cripple. I won't be able to run with him, to show him how to swim, how to sail, how to hunt, how to be a real man. He deserves a good life, better life than I can provide him."

"Ivar," You whispered, moving closer to him. "Things you say are true. You did a lot of evil, and you already paid for it. Gods brought you back to me. Despite everything that happened, for years I hoped you would come back, and you did. We don't know the ways of Gods, maybe you being here is a sign," you looked at Vali and smiled. "Ivar, he won't care about this. He will need his father, the real one, and I know he'll love you the way you are."

He let out a sigh. "I promise to be a good dad to him. I'll do my best but I am scared of failure."

"You won't fail my love. I will be here as well. He is our son and we both will take care of him, and each other," you assured. "I am more worried he will be ashamed of a mother that isn't as beautiful as all the other women... Because of scars on my face."

"And who says it?," Ivar couldn't help but let out a chuckle, pointing on a large scar on his right cheek.

“What is one scare when it comes to my face Ivar," You rolled your eyes, and looked at him, placing your head on his shoulder. "Ivar?"

"So you're not only one that is scared. And you're beautiful. You should know that." When you placed your head on his shoulder, he froze but soon a smile appeared on his lips. "Mmm?"

"I missed you... In every possible way," you wanted to add more but a tiny voice got your attention.

"Mama," Vali said, raising his arms to you. You giggled, and picked the boy up. Boy yawned and looked at you and Ivar with his big blue eyes.

Only then Ivar believed fully; he recognised his own eyes in those of the boy. "I missed you, too... Mommy," Ivar of course had to get on your nerves.

You pointed at Ivar. "This funny man is your father, Vali."

Boy blinked and looked at Ivar. "Papa?"

He offered a slight nod to the boy. "I am, Vali." His son's name spoke loudly, sounded so strangely in his tone but he smiled. "I am."

"Papa!," Boy said happily, and reached for him. You giggled and returned the boy to his father. Vali grabbed his cheek and patted them gently. "Squishy!”

Ivar couldn't stop himself from grinning widely. "Squishy. But you know what's more squishy?" After these words he poked the boy's side. "This. And this," Ivar added while squeezing the boy's cheek.

Boy laughed loudly, and hugged Ivar as tightly as his little arms let him.

You smiled, filling how tears started to fill your eyes. In the end, Ivar rested his forehead against the boy's, they were touching with noses, too. "I love you," Ragnarsson claimed. "I'll never let anything bad happen to you or your mom..."

"Maybe we should get back to the Great Hall? I am sure Hvitserk is worried about us all," you suggested looking at your boys.

"I wish I could give you a piggyback but it would be hard with me using crutch."

"I think he will prefer a chariot rides once he gets a little older," you said, and picked the boy up before helping Ivar get up.

"Hungry!," Vali said loudly.

Sighing, you looked at Ivar. "I think this runs in the family."

Ivar shrugged, and followed you slowly. Today the pain of his legs was almost unbearable, so it took him longer to walk than usual. "Go, go, I'll catch you at the place," he assured.

You frowned and walked closer to him to cup his cheek. "Ivar... Your eyes... I will get you a healer as soon as we get back inside. Maybe she will be able to help you," with the boy in your arms you decided to slow down to not leave Ivar behind.

He had to stop after some time. Ivar gave you a flat smile. "Please. Go back to the house with him, I'll be right back. Don't worry about me. It's nothing, but he's hungry and I don't want to slow you down. Please?"

"Since you are so sure. We will wait at you," you gave him a sad smile and walked away. Vali looked over your shoulder confused of why Ivar stayed behind.

It took him another several minutes to get at the edge of the meadow. The sight was beautiful; your settlement in its full potential. Ivar stood motionless for a longer moment, considering everything that had happened before. He learnt he was a father, that he had a son, the most beautiful and handsome baby boy he had ever seen. He learnt you still had feelings for him; just as he had. He learnt you had given him another chance. A tear streamed down his scared cheek. Then another one and another. "Odin, I don't deserve all the magnificent things you're blessing me with," he whined quietly. "I prayed for death, not for a new life." When he felt his heart rate returned to normal, he continued his way down the hill.

His legs didn't work properly that day, so it resulted in him falling a few times. Thankfully, he didn't break any bone.

While your thralls tried their best to feed the fussy boy, you stood in the big door. Biting your nail nervously you waited at Ivar. Something was wrong, you could remember the stories Hvitserk told you about Ivar and his eyes. You prayed for him to get back safely.

Soon, Ivar reached the Great Hall. He smiled when he spotted you in the door; apparently you've been waiting for him... "Sorry for being late," he excused himself. "Where's Vali?"

"Girls try to feed him. I think he was also waiting for you," you whispered, and looked over your shoulder. "I wanted to be sure that you got here in one piece."

"So here I am," he faked a perfect smile. "May I?," He asked before he stepped inside.

You nodded. "This is your home now, Ivar. Of course you can."

"Papa!," Vali said happily, seeing Ivar. Just then he started to eat like a good boy.

Ivar looked at the thralls who gave him scared glances. "You're doing a good job, girls, don't mind me sitting close." He took a seat at the chair, slowly and carefully to not hurt himself anymore. He observed his son.

You placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you are okay, Ivar? I can tell something is wrong." You sent thralls away by waving hand at them, and sat down close to him with the boy on your laps so you can continue to feed him.

"I am sure," he assured and touched his son's cheek. "Be a good boy, listen to your mom. You need to eat to become a strong warrior."

Boy nodded, looking at Ivar.

"And you were worried you'll be a bad father. He already loves you," you whispered into Ivar's ear.

He smiled and blushed a little at a comment.

When Vali was done with his meal, he reached hand towards Ivar so you passed the boy to his father.

Ivar placed the boy on his lap. "Missed me, little warrior?," Ivar asked softly, tapping the boy's cheek.

"Yes! Much much!,” Vali nodded eagerly, nuzzling to Ivar.

"He never was that clingy to any other people, he always prefered me. Even when it comes to Hvitserk," you explained happily that Vali accepted Ivar so easily.

"Don't be surprised. He senses who is his dad after all, I bet. And, come on, we have so much in common, don't we, little one? Both brave. Both love you," Ivar pointed at Earl. "And both handsome. It attracts us to one another."

You couldn't help but laugh, and agree with Ivar. Your son had a father and Ivar was back at your side.

After spending more time with his father, Vali became sleepy so you took him to your room. When you returned, Ivar was sitting in front of a fireplace, looking into flames.

You walked to him and gently kissed his temple before sitting down right next to him. "We are alone for tonight. I am sure he will sleep the whole night. How do you feel, Ivar?”

"I hope he'll sleep calmly," Ivar replied softly and gave you a look. "Thank you for the kiss though..."

You laughed softly. "Ivar, no need to thank me,"

"Of course I need to thank you."

Shaking your head you got comfortable in your seat. "Was I really that bad? So bad you had to send me away? After all promises and our plans?"

"No...," He replied. "I was deluded."

Nodding slowly, you looked at him. "So... You didn't mean the words you said back then. Everything we ever did together, wasn't just your way of making sure I stay and fight for you?"

"You know I love you, and loved you back then... I was deluded... I was told I'm a god which was a lie. I thought I am someone that doesn't need anyone to rule... I grieved."

"It was hard for me too, you have no idea how hard it was," You said and took his hand. "I missed you every day, even if I used to live without you."

"I hated myself for what I've done. I raided England because I hoped for death."

"Then I am really happy death didn't come for you," you squeezed his hand. "Because Gods brought you here, back to me, and to your son."

"I would never say I'll have a child. Such a beautiful son... With such a woman..."

"We never know the ways of Gods, love. Maybe this all had to happen."

Ivar thought for a bit. "Can I kiss you?"

You smiled and got up from your seat to place yourself on his laps, of course making sure to not put too much weight on his legs. Cupping his cheek, you kissed him deeply.

He instantly wrapped arms around your waist, pulling you close and kissing you deeply, humming in enjoyment.

You pulled away, breaking the kiss as you ran out of the air. Your forehead rested against his. "Will you be my husband? I don't want to lose you ever again."

He stopped breathing. He didn't even realize he had been holding breath in. "Did you just...?"

You simply nodded. "I want you to be my husband. To stay here with me and our son. I want us to rule together. I want our family to grow bigger."

Instead replying, he kissed you deeply.

[soapsilly]

Everyday a little less - Hvitserk Imagine

Pairings: Hvitserk x reader, slight Ubbe x reader 

Summary: (Y/N) is Kattegat’s healer and Hvitserk’s girlfriend but after Hvitserk decides to side with Ivar and fight against Ubbe, she questions herself if she can still stay with him.

Requests are open

I’ll try to stick  to the original story line as much as possible but some details will obviously have to be changed in order to make this work. There will definitely be a second part. I think I’m planning for this to be a three part story though.

This took a little longer than I intended but it is what it is.

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“(Y/N)!”, she heard Hvitserk call her name. The vikings had just won the battle against the anglo-saxons, so she was surrounded by many injured men and women but even though they were injured the mood was lively and playful. 

Before (Y/N) settled down in Kattegat she was a traveller.  During her travels she picked up all kinds of treatments and remedies for all sorts of injuries and conditions. It was an coincidence that she met the young princes. One of the merchants on the market place was complaining about pain in her joints so she offered her some turmeric that she bought from an asian salesman and told her to drink it with hot water every morning. Word travelled fast and (Y/N) was brought to the queen, who told him that her youngest son, Ivar, was crippled. Ever since then she stayed in the city to mend Ivar’s pain whenever possible.

Caring for Ivar basically meant living in Queen Aslaugs home, so she would be available whenever she was needed. At times she felt like a prisoner or a thrall but living with the princes certainly had it’s upsides. 

(Y/N) was about the same age as Sigurd was, so she had no problem with fitting right in with their shenanigans. She loved all of them but she was always closest to Hvitserk, who taught her to fight. She wasn’t a shieldmaiden, but she knew how to handle a sword enough to defend herself if she had to.

“(Y/N)”, she heard Hvitserk shout again, “I need your attention. My wounds are unbearable!”

(Y/N) wasn’t worried though. He’s always done that to get her attention away from Ivar or any other man that needed her helping hand. He was never really hurt but she still treated his bruises and cuts. That’s how the two of them got together.

She hugged him when the smiling prince arrived at her tent.

“Hvitserk!”, she feigned shock, “is all of that blood yours? I don’t think I can save you this time. No man could survive those injuries.”

She sent him a cheeky smile. Of course she knew that all that blood on his body wasn’t his. Both of them burst out laughing and she started to clean his wounds.

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(Y/N) was there when Ivar killed Sigurd over his taunts.

She was in the great hall when Ubbe and Hvitserk returned from their nightly attempt to negotiate with King Aethelwulf. 

And she was on the boat with Hvitserk and Ubbe when they deciced to leave back to Kattegat. It hurt her heart that the brothers were falling apart. After Ivar killed Sigurd she distanced herself from him. He was unpredictable and mad for power, so she was happy she could get away from him now to get back home although she didn’t disagree with Ivar. He was smart and taking over York wasn’t a bad idea. But Ivar was impulsive and dangerous and giving him any more power than what he already got would be foolish. 

Right when they were about to depart Hvitserk became fidgety. Him and Ivar shared a look and in a matter of seconds Hvitserk left the boat. On land he held his hand out to (Y/N) expectantly. No words were spoken because both of them knew they belonged together. And so she followed him.

Ubbe looked shocked and hurt that his brother would choose Ivar over him. His gaze flickered over to (Y/N) for a second and their  eyes met. They shared a last look before (Y/N) tore her eyes away from him and lowered her head to stare at the grass beneath her feet, wishing she and Hvitserk were on that boat right next to Ubbe.

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“The Saxon army, or what remains of it, has abandoned their camp and left”

Ivar looked at the tall viking, that brought him the message and sent him away with a gesture of his hand. Him and Hvitserk were sitting in the main hall by the fire talking about their plans and achievements.

(Y/N) didn’t pay attention to what they were saying. Ever since Ubbe left she felt unsure about her relationship with Hvitserk. She loved him but his willingness to follow Ivar was deeply unsettling to her. 

“I think we have more important things to do. We must look to Kattegat.”, she heard Hvitserk say.

The mention of Kattegat had captured her attention. She was relieved that Hvitserk wanted to sail home. Hopefully they could mend things over with Ubbe. (Y/N) was a smart woman. She knew things couldn’t ever go back to how they were but maybe they could make up and with time continue their relationship like they used to.

“What if Ubbe kills Lagertha, or persuades her to crown him king? The loss of our home base would be a devastating blow. We need to sort things out. We must kill Ubbe and Lagertha, and you must be crowned king of Kattegat, before Björn returns.”, he continued.

(Y/N) couldn’t believe her ears. Why would Hvitserk want to kill his brother? Wasn’t it enough that one of them was with the gods already? 

She sent Hvitserk an unbelieving look, slammed her cup down and left. She could hear Ivar’s taunting laugh and Hvitserk calling after her but she didn’t stop.

She was furious when Hvitserk tried to talk to her later in the evening.

“Kill Ubbe? Your plan is to kill your own brother to make Ivar king? Have you lost your mind?” 

“(Y/N)! Ivar is my brother too!”, he told her sternly.

“And so was Sigurd!” she exclaimed, “Have you forgotten him already, Hvitserk? Your brother is dangerous. He is not fit to rule over our people!” 

“You don’t understand!” Hvitserk was becoming more and more upset. Why couldn’t she see? 

“No. You don’t understand. I don’t know what has gotten into you but whatever it is it’s going to be your downfall, my love. And I do not want to be around to witness it”, she told him and left their chambers.

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“Where’s your lover, Hvitserk?” Ivar was taunting his brother but received nothing but a grunt. 

Ever since their fight in their chambers (Y/N) avoided Hvitserk as much as possible. When spoken to she would ignore him and she even found herself a new chamber far away from the one that Hvitserk occupied. Nevermind how hard Hvitserk tried, he couldn’t get (Y/N) to even look at him. He was never one to be forceful with her so eventually he surrendered and left her some space, but not without positioning some guards outside her chambers to keep her safe. He knew she could look after herself but there was never a situation where he couldn’t provide safety for her up until now, which had him worried. Now they were on two different ships on their journey home. Much to Ivar’s amusement.

“You know when we come back there will be plenty of women throwing themselves at your feet, brother. You are a prince. And a son of Ragnar”, Ivar continued. 

Hvitserk looked over to the other ship where he spotted his lover sitting and gazing at the horizon, anticipating their return to Kattegat. Ivar allowed her to return to her home since she never heard where they were sailing to and what their plan was. And by now Ubbe had surely figured out that they would be enemies from now on, so no reason for her to stay with them.  It was like a game to him seeing how distraught his brother was over their disagreement. Besides, he couldn’t let her stay, he didn’t trust her to not warn Ubbe and Lagertha as soon as she would find out about their plan and he didn’t trust his brother to not let himself be convinced by her. So sending her home to Ubbe seemed like the right thing to do. 

“There will be no other women, Ivar. She’ll come to her senses”, Hvitserk sternly told his younger brother, provoking Ivar to let out a knowing laugh.

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When they arrived back in Norway it was time for (Y/N) to leave the ship. They dropped her off a few miles away from Kattegat so they wouldn’t be seen from the distance. It would take her a day walk or two to reach Kattegat from where they left her. She knew where she was. The brothers used to stay there when they were out on a hunting trip back when things were still normal. 

“You are not letting her walk alone! It’s freezing and there could be all sorts of animals out here!” Hvitserk was furious when he noticed what Ivar’s plan was.

“Calm down, brother. She knows where she is and she found her way to Kattegat once before, didn’t she? But if it’s that much of an issue to you, you are welcome to leave and accompany her”, Ivar spoke to Hvitserk knowing he wouldn’t leave. 

Hvitserk didn’t try to plead with her because he knew she was too proud and headstrong to go back on her word. Besides, eventhough he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Ivar was right. She would be fine. He just didn’t want to lose her. 

“Hvitserk...” (Y/N) took one last look at her lover, who just clenched his jaw and stormed away to the back of his ship, asking the gods to keep her safe and for her to remember how to defend herself with the weapon he gave her.

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When (Y/N) arrived in Kattegat she was almost frozen from the low temperature but happy to finally be home. The walk there was hard but uneventful. She took a deep breath before entering the main hall. She wasn’t sure what to expect once inside but as soon as she opened the door she was greeted with Ubbe’s blue eyes. 

“(Y/N)?” Ubbe asked. He couldn’t believe what he saw there.

“Ubbe!” the girl exclaimed. 

He made his way over to her where he craddled her face into his hands. 

“What are you doing here? I thought you were in York?”

“They’re back. Ivar and Hvitserk I mean. I don’t know where they are but I know they’re planning to take over Kattegat”, (Y/N) blubbered, which captured Lagertha’s attention.

“(Y/N), you’re freezing. Have you been out there alone? Come sit by the fire and tell us more. We’ll get you something to eat and drink”, he took her by the fire and gave the servants a sign to bring the girl some food. 

Ubbe cared for (Y/N) a lot. They basically grew up together and he knew she wouldn’t betray him or Kattegat for that matter. So if she left Hvitserk behind it was real. 

“(Y/N) tell us what happened, yeah?” Ubbe sat by the fire with her, intrigued with what the girl had to say.

“Ahem!”  Margrethe cleared her throat. She didn’t like all the attention that (Y/N) got from her husband but nobody payed her any attention, which got her even more frustrated.

(Y/N) who was craddling her cup in her hands was just about to answer when Lagertha interrupted them.

“Slow down, Ubbe. I think we should postpone that conversation for until after she had a rest and we had a chance to properly talk”

(Y/N) jumped up from her seat and bowed her head to the queen.

“I apologize, Queen Lagertha. I - “ the girl started to apologize for forgetting her manners. From the years where she lived under Queen Aslaug’s roof she knew how to behave in the presence of royalty but the warm fire and seeing Ubbe again made her forget everything. Before she could continue, however, Lagertha interuppted her.

“Do not worry. I’ll have a thrall show you a place to freshen up and rest. We will talk in the evening at the feast. Just tell me. Is Kattegat in immediate danger?”

“No, my Queen. I do not believe so”, (Y/N) answered.

“Very well. Go and rest. We’ll talk later”

(Y/N) shot Ubbe a questioning look but he reassured her with a nod, which put the girl at ease. While she didn’t have a reason to mistrust Lagertha, Ubbe was the only person in the room that she really knew and trusted, so when he signalized her she was good to go, she willingly followed the servant girl leading the way to her room.

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“I think Lagertha acted wisely. We don’t even know if we can trust her. She could very well be part of a plan to take us down!” Margrethe said.

“No. We can trust her. I know (Y/N). She would never go back on her principles”, Ubbe defended her,”you didn’t see the look she sent me when I first left them. I know she wanted to leave with me but she couldn’t go without Hvitserk.”

Margrethe huffed but before she could shoot back an answer Lagertha interrupted her. 

“Torvi. What do you say?”

“Ubbe is the one who knows her best. If he says she’s trustworthy, we should believe him”, she answered.

Lagertha nodded and sent a thrall to get (Y/N) to the great hall. 

“So let’s see what she’s got to tell us then.”

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To be continued...

[xbellaxcarolinax]

Forging A Heart (Ivar the Boneless) 4- Distaste

Pairings: Ivar x Artemis (OFC)

Word Count: 2506

Warnings: Bratty Ivar

...

The sun did nothing to warm her as she trudged towards the river, woven basket resting on her hip. It was the beginning of autumn in Kattegat, but it already felt like a harsh winter was at their doorstep.

There wasn't a day that passed in which she didn't think of her home. Crete seemed a life time away, and when she closed her eyes it's as if she never left. She could easily imagine being at the Aegean's edge, legs ankle deep in the crystal blue waters. Everytime she did, it left her feeling empty.

It had been nearly two weeks since Artemis arrived to Kattegat, and each day was a bit more overwhelming. Many warriors, men and women alike, gathered together, preparing for a war to be fought in another land, and many other northern leaders came one by one to aid in the destruction of their enemies. The city was constantly preparing for departure. Everyday supplies were collected, and everyday more ships filled their harbor.

Artemis didn't understand these people or their warrior culture. There was constant feasting and talk of warfare. The words that she seemed to learn efficiently were the ones shes heard in conversation, words relating to some form of violence. She kept quiet most of the time, though she tried her best to learn the northern tongue from the thralls that were fluent.

Within 2 weeks she's grown weary of the male gaze. It was too often when she's caught the eyes of some random man in the market or during some feast. Someone went as far as to touch her once in a crowd, though she never discovered who it was.

As a thrall, she had come to learn that other than being the lowest member of their society, she, along with the other female captives who were sold to many other households and visiting Viking leaders, were sold for some form of labor, or for the entertainment of the male gaze.

And what was her purpose?

Apparently to distract the mind of an angry youth that she barely had any encounters with since the day she met him.

As for his brothers, she only spoke when absolutely necessary. They were decent for the most part, and sometimes kind in their own way.  Whenever Ubbe could, he'd offer her a fresh apple before going on about his day. As for Hvitserk and Sigurd, they were far more trouble. Sometimes they watched her, and they didn't hide the fact that they did, muttering to themselves while smiling and laughing like young boys. It embarrassed her and made the simplest task much more difficult. Luckily they were busy in the matters of war, and she busied herself with the chores she was taught to do.

It was laundry day down by the chilly river, and she scrubbed Ivar's fine clothing furiously, releasing the anger she felt on the stains that were the hardest to remove.

"If you scrub my favorite tunic any harder, it will be ruined, and I will be forced to punish you."

Artemis drops the tunic and soap in her lap, turning in surprise to meet the bright blue eyes of Ivar himself, a smirk forming on his lips.

When he wasn't off disappearing into the woods, he was usually at the blacksmith's shop, pounding away at his axes. Artemis never had the chance to pass by the village blacksmith yet, but she hoped in time she would. Nothing would calm her more than observing the different forging techniques of the Northerners. And it would be far better than to sit and wash a cripples dirty clothes anyway.

The rumors Margrethe mentioned were everywhere. The people of Kattegat whispered of how he silently plots against the Queen for the death and usurpation of his mother, former Queen Asluag. He was young, but he had the fury of the mightiest warrior, even if his legs didn't work. He also had a way of making Artemis feel uneasy with his sulking and glaring. His blue eyes would sometimes follow her form, but he was the only one that didn't really utter a word to her. After all, he thinks her ugly and useless, and that was fine with her.

Artemis quickly side glances him, struggling to give him an answer. She didn't know how to address him properly because she never had the opportunity to. So, she remains quiet instead, going back to scrubbing the tunic at a softer rhythm then before.

"Do you know who I am?" He growled quietly, dragging his weak bounded legs towards her. It was a strange sight to her, to see a boy who walked with his hands. She glanced at his lifeless legs before looking into his eyes.

"You are Ivar the Boneless," Artemis stated, turning back to her chores. It was odd for him to be speaking to her, as he never cared to do so before, so why did he come looking for her now?

"You may refer to me as Prince Ivar, slave."

She stares as he sat across from her on the rivers edge. He didn't look like much of a prince, but she nods in acknowledgement before speaking.

"Prince Ivar." He nods approvingly.

"What are you called?"

"Artemis."

"What kind of name is 'Artemis'?" He snorts. Her name tumbling out of his mouth was an offense. It took all her strength to refrain from scoffing. What kind of name was Ivar anyway?

"She was goddess of...an older culture," She finds herself struggling to say. How does she explain that her father had been fascinated with the gods of their ancestors?

The sudden memory of her father made her frown. Her absence must have the old man worried sick.

"So Artemis was a goddess?"

"Goddess of the moon," She tells him, "Goddess of the hunt."

"A Christian named after a rejected goddess?" Ivar scoffs with a shake of his head. Floki was right, Christians were fools. He finally brings himself to take a good look at her, and he immediately stops his teasing for a moment.

If he didn't understand what Hvitserk, Sigurd or anyone else for that matter saw in her before, than he surely did now. It was her eyes, expressive and endless.

And sad.

He quickly looks away from her, feeling a heat creeping up his neck, the same way it did when he'd seen his brothers fool around with Margrethe. Confusion was etched over his features at the feeling, and he found himself trying to fight off something he had no defense against. He takes another moment before clearing his throat and speaking again.

"My brother says you were found hiding in a crate at the monestary." Artemis finished scrubbing the last of the stains on Ivar's shirt, setting it aside and picking another to work on, all while keeping her eyes downcast. Maybe if she didn't look at him he'd eventually go away.

"Yes." Was all she says. A howling laughter escapes past Ivar's lips as soon as she replies. She breaks her weak concentration to glare at him, watching as he shook his head again, playing with a dagger he kept on his person.

"All you Christian's are hypocrites. Isn't a monk sworn not to have sex with a woman? Prince Alfred of Wessex has told me so." Maybe that last part was a bit haughty. Artemis didn't even know who that Prince was or the land he ruled, so she ignores the comment, scrubbing the tunic as harshly as she did with the first few, growing annoyed with Ivar's obvious ignorance.

"I was not in the monestary to bed monks," She says, finally finding the confidence to form a proper sentence. Ivar's brows shoot up, watching her curiously. She hadn't noticed that she removed the dirt some time ago, but that didn't seem to stop her.

"Ah ah ah, what did I just tell you, woman? These fabrics are worth more than your life," Ivar smirks,  pointing his dagger at her, and it was enough to slow her rapid movements.

Her eyes reminded Ivar of an approaching storm. There was lightening within them, as if Thor himself lived within her. He knew she wanted to respond harshly and he watched as she fought to remain silent, eyeing the blade. She comes to a complete stop with a huff, deciding to move on to the next clothing item.

"Apologies, Prince Ivar." He liked the way she said his name, but he wouldn't care to admit that. He clears his throat again, scratching at his cropped hair before continuing.

"You are not like the other foreign slaves. They didn't know our language before arriving here," She says nothing, so he tries again.

"Who taught you? They did a terrible job. You have a ridiculous accent."

"Helga."

"Oh." Ivar wanted to eat his words. He just offended Helga without meaning to. Instead he let's out a grunt, choosing to stare down at his dagger. "I... suppose your accent isn't too bad then."

"There wasn't much else to do when forced on a ship against your will. You learn quicker that way." Those two sentences alone gave way to an aggressiveness she had been struggling to hold in, and it did not go unnoticed by Ivar. Her fowl attitude was smeared over her words, and her confidence seemed to grow along with her articulation. She was growing dangerously bold.

His hand tighten around the hilt of his dagger without him even thinking. It was one thing for him to taunt her, but now he knew that this girl had a reckless mouth of her own, regardless of whether she could speak his language or not.

He makes a noise of disapproval, taking the clean shirts that she had just placed into the woven basket and smearing them across the dirt with satisfaction swimming in his eyes. His thrall immediately scowls.

Back home she would have punched him without hesitation. Her fingers curled into tight fists, though the consequences of punching a viking prince was much deadlier than punching a butcher's son. She realized Ivar was nothing more than a  spoilt child. It was clear that the only thought running through his head was of the chaotic kind.

She glares at him before snatching the shirts and restarting her work.

Ivar lets the silence fall between them again, before scooting back to lean against a nearby tree. Artemis was grateful for the silence and the distance, working diligently on the clothing once again. From the looks of it, she would have to remain at the river for the rest of the day.

After a while, she could hear him muttering to himself, before he decided to break their silence again.

"Look at me, Artemis," Ivar spoke suddenly, a harshness apparent in his tone. She proceeds to drop the item with a wet plop on her lap, letting out a quiet sigh of frustration. She obediently turns to look at him, and the look on his face told her she might be in some serious trouble.

"You were a gift to me from Lagertha from Bjorn's exploits. If I find you are a spy, you must know there will be repercussions, no?" Artemis furrows her brows in confusion. She has never even met the queen.

"But I'm not a s-"

"And mind the way you speak to me," He growls out like a beast waiting to attack, "You are my property now. You belong to me. Your loyalty is to no one but me." He smirks when she begins to show hints of discomfort, and to add to that fear he drops his body, slithering over to her at a frightening speed.

"If you decide not to comply, I'll have no issues leaving you to the wolves." She sees him smile for the first time, bearing all his teeth in a way to instill fear. Artemis gulps, her heart rate accelerating the closer he brought his dagger towards her.

"Or maybe," He continues, "I should let my brothers have their way with you? Hmm? Or the men of Kattegat?"

"Don't," Was all she says, a stern tone in her voice and a frown forming on her red bitten lips. Her eyes were hard and glossing over.

"I don't know what it is they see in you, really, it's beyond me," Ivar moves his face closer to hers, using the hand that held his dagger to touch her hair. He gently grasps the long strands, pushing them behind her shoulder.

"I've seen the way they look at you. It bothers you." Artemis remained quiet, but she nods in silent agreement.

"I can protect you from them," He says, his eyes searching for something in hers.

"Why?" She decides to challenge, her gaze not moving away from his, "Why help me? Are you not the most feared?" Ivar chuckles. He enjoyed hearing her speak more, and he certainly enjoyed hearing of the fear others regard him with.

"You are my personal thrall. I'm the only one who can protect you, understand? Without me, anyone could have their way with you, and it wouldn't even matter." Artemis sighed, looking down at her hands that have pruned up from the water. This was not the type of labor she was use too.

"Why does it matter to you what anyone does to me?"

Ivar remained quiet at first, focusing on the sound of the rushing river and the birds singing in the trees.

"I do not like my property to be touched without my permission," He said after a moment.

Property. Another word she didn't like.

"You will have my protection," He continues, "But you must swear to be loyal to me, and answer to no one but me, is that clear?" He had gotten so close that she could feel his breath upon her skin. He reached forward with the dagger, pressing the tip on the delicate flesh of her neck. He knew exactly how much pressure to put on the blade to draw blood, and with a small amount of force he easily pierced her skin, a minimal amount blood pooling around the small wound.

Artemis flinches, her chest rising and falling with each breath, fighting to not make a sound. It wasn't painful, but she knew he had the power to do so much worse. Ivar smiled, attracted to the fear that he saw building in her eyes. The sight itself was arousing.

"If you go against me in any way, I will not hesitate. I will kill you. Do you understand?" He licks at his dry lip as she closes her eyes, nodding her head. With one more puff of breath against her face, he removed the blade and crawled back to lean against the tree.

"You may continue your duties," He said nonchalantly, crossing his arms, ready to continue the pastime of watching her.

"And for the love of the gods" He says exasperated, "Try not to get any blood on my clothes."

...

@heavenly1927

[letstalkaboutshtufff]

Ubbe x reader Protecting you

Pairing: Ubbe x reader

Summary: Reader is a slave who has a hard time behaving. An incident at dinner has her scared and running away from Ivar. Ubbe decides to help her.

Warnings: Mentions of slavery, abuse, death, freezing, mild cursing.

**********************************************

Hey guys! I couldn't sleep so I wrote this instead lol, hope you like it😚

"You should watch what you say y/n, especially in front of Ivar, he can be very cruel" Calise warned as you rolled your eyes for the millionth time.

"How many times do I have to say it Calise?! Just because some foreign bastards stole me from my home and made me a slave doesn't mean I can just accept it. I'm a human being, not property. If one of those bastard brothers tries to hurt me they will be the ones who are sorry" you huffed setting down a large bucket of dish water.

Calise tsked nodding her head, "You won't last long with that attitude... believe me you weren't the first slave to think she wouldn't bend, but these men can be savages and they will not hesitate to beat you into submission.." she sighed when you didnt reply and continued washing silently.

In your mind you were seething. You understood that you couldn't just go around picking fights but you weren't going to be treated like dirt either. Ugh why were the gods punishing you like this?

You decided to try your best at keeping a low profile until a chance of escaping arose. After all if no one noticed you it wouldn't be that difficult to sneak away one night.

Alright brain, are you listening? No more smart mouthed comments. No more under the breath insults. And for the love of gods, no more dirty glares! Let's try to stay alive long enough to escape shall we?

**********************************************

That night you stood behind the chairs of the royal family as they ate and conversed happily. A rare occasion honestly, it was not often that all the brothers got along this well.

Ubbe was more sensible and to be honest you did not mind him much. Hviserk was for the most part ok, his comments about women sometimes made you clench your teeth. Sigurd wasnt that interesting to be honest, and then there was the devilish one known as Ivar, that one you had to be wary of, you had seen him almost choke to death a servant for spilling soup over him.

Your eyes roamed around the hall. Gods standing around was so boring... the first thing you were gonna do when you escaped was relax in a hot bath and feast on the fattiest foods. None of that leftover meat slop you slaves were fed.

Sometimes when you guys were cleaning up you would sneak some food in your mouth quickly. Calise scolded you everytime but hey, the gods taught not to be wasteful. In your eyes you were doing a good thing.

"Are you deaf slave?" A sudden sharp voice cut into your thoughts.

Shit...

"Sorry, how may I serve you prince Ivar.." you quickly stepped forward.

"My cup is empty" he motioned holding it up mockingly.

This asshole is lucky I don't have my knife anymore...

You quickly filled his cup with ale, a simple task really. No one could've imagined what would happen next.

When you felt a wandering hand over your ass you acted on instinct. No you didnt even stop to think that slapping the craziest man in kattegat was a bad idea.

You stood there eyes wider than saucers. Frozen like a deer as you watched Ivars stunned face turn from the side slowly, a red welt already appearing on his pale skin. Fuck.

You took one giant step back suddenly afraid that he would stab you with a dinner knife right then and there.

"M-my prince, I'm so sorry I did-" you were abruptly cut off when he shot out of his chair, a wild look of murder in his eyes.

Fuck you were done for. Great job you managed to keep yourself in check for like what 7 minutes?!

"Ivar stop!" Aslaug tried to calm him down but he was already out of his chair and limping towards you dangerously. Afraid of him and what he could do you whipped around and darted past a shocked Calise out into the brisk winters air.

You could hear shouting behind you but you were too frightened to stop. Although you probably made it ten times worse by running away. Should you have just stayed and taken the beating?

Surely the brothers or the queen would've intervened before things got too out of hand. You shook your head. Well none of that mattered now, you had to hide before he found you. Gods for a cripple, he sure was fast.

You cursed as another ruthless wind made you shiver. Only a thin dress protected you from the harsh weather. Great instead of being beaten to death you were gonna freeze to death.

Maybe it was better that way.. even if you left kattegat, it's not like you had anywhere else to go. And being captured by bandits on the road didnt seem appealing either. For all your past bravery you were feeling pretty terrified right now.

You hid behind a house taking a deep breath. Ok so you couldn't ask anyone for help for surely they would turn you in. After all no one would risk protecting you for Ivars wrath.

A barn near the house caught your eye, and you immediately snuck through the crack in the door and pulled it shut.

There were some piles of hay, a table for crafting tools of some sort, and above it all was a semi sealed attic.

Seeing no ladder you quickly piled some hay until it was tall enough to climb on. You also pulled as much as you could up with you to cover yourself.

By this point your hands were starting to burn. But you feared going back more than freezing. So you scooched back as far as you could, almost hidden completely and pulled the hay onto your shaking body. It wasn't the furs you slept with but it would have to do.

Wrapping your arms tight you prayed to the gods that you would somehow survive this or at least die a quick death.

At some point the cold turned into burning and then you felt nothing. You couldn't even feel your eyelids as they drooped shut.

**********************************************

"Ivar calm down, she's new she doesn't know how to be a proper slave yet" Ubbe stood blocking the door. The only thing standing between him and your certain death.

"I agree, she doesn't know, so she must be taught a lesson" Ivar growled and tried to push past his brother once more.

Aslaug gently placed a hand on his back, "Ivar please, she is just a slave, she is not worth it"

Ubbe could tell he was starting to calm down, especially when his mother spoke he always listened.

"Ivar you're right, she does need to learn but please, let me go and deal with her" Ubbe pleaded.

Ivar glared at his brother a few moments before sighing and shoving his arm off.

"Fine, just promise me you wont be too easy on her brother" he grumbled making his way back to the chair.

Ubbe sighed in relief and made his way outside. He started to worry because it was heavily snowing and from what he saw you were only dressed in a thin dress.

He actually had no intention of "dealing with you" as Ivar had demanded. In all honesty he thought you reacted as any insulted girl would. It just so happened because you were a slave it wasnt permitted.

Later on after he found you he would probably have a good laugh about this with his brothers. After all it wasnt everyday someone stood up to Ivar the boneless.

**********************************************

Ubbe had been searching far into the night now, no one he asked had any clue where the girl was and he was starting to lose hope.

Part of him wanted to give up and warm up by the fire in his house but part of him knew you would die if he did. He was far too kind to let that happen. So with a sigh he rubbed his hands together trying to generate some heat before he set off again.

**********************************************

Ubbe lightly shook your numb body as he tried his best to bring you to conciousness.

"Wake up, c'mon woman this is not a good place to die" he lightly slapped your cheek.

He clicked his tongue when you didnt even flinch.

He pulled off his outer fur and gently wrapped you in it. Carefully he lifted a hand behind your back and under your knees. Adjusting you until you lay safely in his arms.

He decided to take care of you himself seeing as it was the middle of the night and his house was much closer than the hall. Plus it wasnt a good idea to be around Ivar right now.

He kicked open the door and gently layed you down by the firepit. He got to work lighting it and gathered all the warmest furs he could find.

Once he had you wrapped up in several layers he grabbed a pillow and made himself comfortable beside you. For a moment he just stared at your face, wondering what your name was, where you came from, what you were thinking when you slapped Ivar. The last one made him smile. You were an interesting one indeed.

********************************************

Death felt cozy...? It was warm and comforting, like the first day of spring after a long winter.

You felt softness everywhere, like a bunch of tiny kittens were cuddling into you. If this was death, this must of been heaven. The smell of wood was soothing, reminding you of your home and the sounds were peaceful. The crackling, singing of birds, snoring....wait a minute...snoring???

Your eyes flew open as the realization that were in fact very much alive sunk in. You could see a wooden ceiling and tried to sit up but someone had piled what had to have been 1000 furs on you, making you feel like a swaddled baby. A very hot and sweaty baby. You tried to lift them off but your arms felt like jelly.

Ubbe heard the commotion and was awake in an instant.

He almost laughed as he watched you wiggle around like a trapped worm.

"Easy now, you're still recovering" Ubbes unmistakable voice echoed through the room.

You twisted around until your eyes landed on his amused ones.

"Prince Ubbe?" Ok now you were officially confused.

"Here" he scooted closer and started removing a few of the layers. When you moved to sit up he placed a hand on your back supporting you. You nodded a thank you and cleared your throat. It felt dry like you hadn't drank water in days.

As if he read your mind the prince reached over to a table where he poured water from a pitcher into a small cup then handed it to you.

After gulping the whole thing down you suddenly felt very awkward as he was just staring at you.

" Um Prince Ubbe?" You looked up.

"Yes?"

"What am I doing here.." he let out a tiny laugh which only confused you more.

"You mean you don't remember?" He asked smirking.

"Remember? I don't know what you are talk-.......Oh my god I slapped Ivar!!" you shrieked in disbelief as the memories started to piece back together again.

You suddenly felt very unsafe and began scrambling to get up. What if he was waiting for you to get up just so he could torture you.

As soon as you stood up you felt a wave of dizziness pass and found yourself pitching to the side.

"Woah slow down" Ubbe effortlessly caught you and guided you back onto the ground. "You need to rest, your body has been through a lot." Ubbe said with his hands still supporting you.

You were about to protest when he held a finger to your lips, "Shh listen to me, my brother is not going to hurt you I give you my word." He promised pulling away slightly but still staying close.

You visibly relaxed at his words. Out of all the brothers Ubbe did seem the most trustworthy and kind.

"Although he did say that I should teach you a lesson" he meant it as a joke but you tended up immediately, ready to run again. He quickly noticed and shook his head smiling, "Don't worry, I think you almost freezing to death was punishment enough...how do you feel by the way?" He asked with genuine concern in his eyes.

"I'm fine I think...but I still don't understand how I came to be here with you.." all you remembered was crawling into that barn and feeling so tired.

"After you ran out we calmed down my brother and I convinced him to let me handle you. I searched for you a long time before I got lucky and happened to spot you curled up in the corner. You were nearly dead, I didn't waste time and brought you here to my home. I have to say I am quite surprised you are up already considering how unresponsive you were last night."

As he finished speaking you felt suddenly very vulnerable. All your life you had been on your own. You took care of yourself because that was all you knew. And in one night he had cared for you more than your own parents did your childhood. Suddenly you felt bad for every bad thought of him that ever ran through your mind.

"Thank you...you saved my life and somehow saved me from Ivars wrath as well. You must be a magic prince or something, definitely my new favorite" you let out a tired laugh.

His eyes lit up in amusement. You certainly were an interesting one indeed.

"As long as you don't make a habit of slapping princes I promise nothing will happen to you"

You wanted to believe that but you were a slave, anyone on the street could beat you and no one would bat an eye.

"You can't promise that....I mean no offense but I'm a slave, anyone has the right to punish me with the littlest excuse and no one would care.." you were getting angry at the thought of how many slaves you saw get brutally punished for simple mistakes.

Ubbe was quiet for a moment then shrugged his shoulders, "Then I guess I have no choice"

You tilted your head at his non chalant attitude.

"What do you mean?" You questioned.

"I'll just have to make you mine" he said it as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Make me his? What is he talking about??

"If I convince my mother to give me you as a personal slave I would be able to watch over you. Down the road I would be able to free you and you could still serve and work for me if you wish."

You sat wide eyed at his words, was he being serious right now??

"You want me to be your slave...? And then you would free me..?"

He nodded his head confirming it.

"I've been in need of someone around the house anyway however I'm not looking for someone to force. If you agree, you would work and I would pay you. But you would be free to do as you please. What do you say"

You were stunned, this man had not only saved your life, he protected you, nursed you and now he was giving you your freedom!?

Again your instincts took over and before you knew what you were doing you launched yourself onto his body gripping him in the tightest hug possible.

"I say yes! Thank you my prince!!" You squeezed him still in disbelief.

He was not expecting that and let out a surprised laugh. When you realized what you had just done you shuffled back embarrassed.

"Ubbe, call me Ubbe from now on" he smiled before opening his mouth again, "Now I think I should know the name of the woman I'm going to be spending alot of time with yeah?"

You looked into his eyes and for the first time you felt so hopeful for the future, "Y/n..my name is Y/n".

He smirked and for the first time in your life you felt those tiny fluttering butterflies that all the girls had talked about.

Oh dear so this was what having a crush on someone felt like..

**********************************************

Thank you for reading! Please lemme know what you thought in the comments 💕

[geeky-introvert]

I’m Here . Ivar X OC

Summary: During Lagertha’s rule over Kattegat she banishes Ivar’s wife for plotting to overthrow her. Without a choice she leaves, promising Ivar they’ll be recruited again one day, even if it’s in Valhalla. After a couple of years she has travelled far and grown used to the outside world. Then one day she see’s someone she thought she might never see again....Possible second part.

Word count: 2126

Warning: Mentions of death, slight angst and eventual fluff. Also for those who haven’t started to watch Vikings again this might be a slight spoiler, maybe?

Tag List:  @lisinfleur @mdlady @didiintheblog @alicedopey @rekdreams247 @mblaqgi @oddsnendsfanfics @aphnxrising @happydaysandersen @therealcalicali @naaladareia @inforapound @captstefanbrandt@waiting4inspiration @tabalugax @p8tn0lish @igetcarriedawaywithyou @laketaj24​ @darlingp @tephi101 @youbloodymadgenius @lordsexmachine @ivaraddict

If anyone else wants to be added to the tag list let me know please.

Nothing had been fair how she ended up here. Gertrud was a skilled shield maiden from Kattegat, grew up with Ragnar’s sons and befriending them before something more developed between Ivar and her. She always felt closer to him and it was meant to be, as Aslaug agreed for them to marry. But it wasn’t all happiness and joy. A lot had happened after Ivar left to go to England with his father as Lagertha invaded Kattegat, killing Aslaug like a coward.

Gertrud fought but was overpowered before taken prisoner. After Ivar returned he demanded her release but Lagertha then charged her with attempted murder on herself and decided to banish her from Kattegat. She saw just how loyal she was to Aslaug and didn’t want to risk it. Ivar was heartbroken as Lagertha’s shield maidens started to force her out of the gates before Bjorn finally convinced his mother to allow Ivar to say goodbye to her.

He wanted to go with her but she told him to stay, to survive with his brothers and one day they’ll be reunited, even if it was in Valaha. As much as she loved him she didn’t want his life to be one of an outcast like her own. Tears were shed, kisses were given before long warm hugs before she finally left.

It had been at least three years since she last saw him, her love, her husband, and she had travelled far into lands mixed in with many other cultures unknown to others. She grew used to the life and even made a friend.

Hilja, a former slave and a mute, came across her when she needed help most and owed the woman her life. Ever since then they stuck together and built a life. She needed a friend more than ever in her life.

Gertrud wears a veil across her face for shade from the sun, a style she learned and noticed helped protect her eyes from the sun. It was busy through the markets, many travellers passing through. She enjoyed experiencing different things everyday. She never knew what might come, just like this one day.

Her eyes scanned through the crowds seeing the newcomers passing through the Silk Road before she saw what looked like a cart. No interest there. Looking around more she then saw a young man limping through the crowds. She didn’t see his face, only his long hair and growing beard before he turned around making her breath hitch.

“Ivar…” She whispered not believing her eyes before beaming widely. “Ivar!”

Gertrud ran, pushing her way through the crowd towards him. She found him, he found her, they could be together again! He saw her and before he could even react she threw her arms around his neck, holding him close as tears beamed in her eyes.

“My love...the gods have lead you back to me! You’re walking!” She says before moving away and caressing his face, but his reaction wasn’t what she expected. He seemed, confused, scared. “Ivar, it’s me, Gertrud…”

“No…” His words were again not what she thought he might say. “No, you’re not here, you’re dead….”

“Dead? No, I’m not dead. I’m here.” She repeated still holding his face. “Why would you think I was dead?”

“You’re not her.” He simply says shaking his head slowly. “You can’t be.”

Before she could say something back another man she didn’t recognize came up beside him looking between her and Ivar with a judging look. His friend maybe? Her attention was brought back to Ivar then as he slowly stepped away but she only stepped closer, taking hold of his hands.

“I’m Gertrud. I’m your wife. I’m alive and I’m here.” She says thinking maybe something must’ve happened for him to behave like this. He looked defeated, tired. “Love, please. Come to my hut. You can rest and eat something there, your friend can join as well.” She tried coaxing him.

“His wife is dead.” The red haired man says suddenly, also protective of Ivar. “Her body was burned and delivered to him.” That explained only a little for her to understand his behaviour. There must’ve been so much more she didn’t know about.

Looking back at Ivar she then touched his cheek where he had the small scar. “When we were children I gave you this as we spared with sticks, I accidentally hit you in the face. You lied to your mother saying it was one of the village boys because you feared I would get into trouble. No one other then you and me know that secret.”

His brows furrowed together a little looking deep in thought before touching her face over his cheek and exhaled softly, finally seeing that whatever lies he was told, what he led to believe, it wasn’t real.

“Gertrud.” Her name whispered from his lips as he then touched her face, making her lean into his touch with a soft smile and teary eyes. She made sure he felt her touch, her breath, everything living on her to prove it. He suddenly pulled her against him, hugging her tightly fearing she’ll disappear from his life again. “I thought you were dead...I thought I lost you.”

“I’m here, my love. It’s alright, I’m here. You’re never losing me again.”

Their foreheads touched together as warm tears were shed. The man who joined Ivar’s side gave us a little room, a moment together of our reunion.

Kissing him then she savoured his lips and brushed the loose hair away from his face. She didn’t mind the beard on him as she brushed her fingertips over the fuzziness.

“Come on, I’ll take you back to my hut. Follow me.” She says holding his hand and leading him through the crowd, still amazed that he was walking. They had much to talk about.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Gertrud watched as Ivar ate the broth eagerly like he hadn’t eaten in days. His friend was given some as well of course and made sure they were both comfortable in the set up hut made only a few days ago. She was on the move, always, no place was ever her home.

Eventually Ivar then went into the story from the start and she listened to everything, what had happened in England with the war and even got into the moment he killed Sigurd. It surprised her but she didn’t judged him. Sigurd said a lot of cruel things about Ivar growing up. Then he went into the take over of York and how that escalated.

So much had happened that she missed out on. She did feel guilty that she wasn’t there for him but she couldn’t blame herself for what happened. Then he took back Kattegat from Lagertha and she felt proud for him. It wasn’t long before a burned body was left at the gates, one that looked a lot like her and even wore the same necklace she had lost, or more like forced to leave behind after she was banished. His rule didn’t last long and eventually was forced to escape himself.

His brothers all turned against him and were now looking for him.

“You’ve been through a lot.” She says caressing his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.” He answers holding her hand back. “None of this is your doing. It was a cruel trick they played on me, to push me, and it worked. I became ruthless and people were then against me. Once I knew I lost control and my brothers invaded I had to escape while those who remained loyal to me held them back.”

“You’re here now, with me.” She smiles softly now caressing his cheek and beard. “We’ll never be apart again, I promise.”

The flaps opened and Ivar’s friend jumped to him feet drawing his blade treat it like a threat. Such a loyal man she thought to herself. It was only her friend though, no threat.

“It’s alright. This is my friend, Hilja. She saved my life.” She wants them to know who she was to her. “Helja, the gods are with us. They have led my husband back to me.”

Hilja looked surprised before smiling and nodding.

“Don’t mind her silence. She’s a mute. A former slave and had her tongue cut out for back talk. But she’s strong and a survivor, just like me.”

Ivar looked between then and nodded before looking at Gertrud. “How did she save you? What happened?” He looked concerned and of course he would.

Gertrud gave him a soft smile knowing she was about to tell him some shocking news.

“A month after I was banished I found out I was pregnant. The pregnancy went well and I kept travelling until I couldn’t move anymore. When my water broke I knew something was wrong as I was bleeding. People ignored me, no one wanted to help, but then Hilja came into my life, a complete stranger and she guided me through the birth. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her.”

Ivar stared at her, confusion written over his face as he continued to take in what I just told him. Of course, she’d give him as much time as he needed. It was indeed quite some news.

“What happened to our child?” His question was full of fear but she gave him a reassuring smile, letting him know he had nothing to fear.

Looking over his shoulder she then gave another warm smile seeing who was awake from their nap. Ivar followed her gaze and saw a small little boy rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he walked over to his mother.

“Come here, darling.” Gertrud says gently pulling her son into her lap. “Ivar, my love, this is our son, Ulf, meaning for wolf. He has your eyes.” She says brushing Ulf’s hair out of his face before she looked down at him. “Ulf, this is your father.”

Ivar starred as his eyes beamed, taking in all this new information he was just given in such a short time. She understood how he must feel, it was all so emotional.

“My son?” He whispered. “I have a son?”

“Yes…” She answers before another small figure suddenly came out and she pulled the second into her lap, both her children slowly waking up in her lap. “And a daughter. I had twins. This is Yrsa, meaning for she bear, or wild as I like.”

Such news would cause him to feel all sorts of emotions, she knew this. Slowly Ulf looked up at the man that he was told was his father before crawling out of his mother’s lap and into Ivar’s.

“Papa…” He whispers nuzzling into his chest as Yrsa gazed up at the man curiously with her thumb in her mouth.

Gertrud watched as Ivar silently started to cry and hold Ulf against his chest, kissing the top of his head and whispering prayers to the gods, thanking them for joining us again.

“Papa stay?” Yrsa asked looking up at me.

“Yes, papa stay. We’ll never be apart from each other again, this I promise.” She tells her daughter combing her fingers through her blonde hair and gave a weak smile at Ivar and Ulf again. Nothing will keep them apart again.

Eventually Ivar held Yrsa in his lap as well and held the twins he never knew about in his lap.

After a few days they decided to keep moving. As long as they were together that’s all that mattered. Hilja joined us of course, as she’ll always be and as she helped load up the cart she could see Hilja and Ivar’s guard interact a little making her smile softly.

Joining Ivar he was making sure the twins were settled before they started to head off through the Silk Road. Leaning her head against his shoulder she smiled softly up at him.

“I love you, Ivar. Always.”

“As I love you too, my beautiful queen.”

[shannygoatgruff]

My Brother’s Keeper - Chapter XII

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Modern Ivar X Modern Hvitserk

Rating: MA+18

Overall Warning:  Dark story told from an emotionally distributed person’s POV with graphic and sadistic material including rape, terror, torture, kidnapping, drug use, slash, implied incest, necrophilia, and insecurity. Heavy trigger warnings.  

Summary: Mama always said to be their brothers’ keeper. Now there is absolutely nothing these two won’t do for each other.  Boys will be boys…

Chapter XII

Everything is the way she said she had always pictured it. They even got the table setting right including the fancy dinner plates and the two-toned table cloths she’s always talking about.  So maybe this choosing this expensive ass restaurant wasn’t so bad. 

After all, this place does use the Waterford Crystal glasses that she loves so much. Honestly, I could do without the violins playing in the background, that’s a little pretentious, but these floral arrangements are nice. These people didn’t spare any expense when it came to the ambiance.  At first, I was a little skeptical, but now that I'm here, it’s totally worth maxing out Bishop’s credit card.    

The only thing more beautiful than this place is the woman sitting across from me. Thora’s wearing a new dress. The silver sparkles from it make her blue eyes shine most remarkably.  Plus, she did something different to her hair. It looks terrific. But, I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. It’s all swept up, making her neck look longer and more elegant. She looks pretty like that, but I think I’m just used to her wearing her hair down. When it’s down, her face looks softer; she looks younger. She looks more like my girl, the one that needs me to protect her and less like this woman that’s sitting across from me right now.   

I have to say though, those little whips of hair falling just at the nape of her neck, make me want to kiss her soft shoulders.  At least with her hair up, I get a better view of the solitaire diamond that I got her for her birthday pulsating in the hollow of her throat.  With each tear she tries to suck back, that pendant moves deeper and deeper into the hollow – I have to close my eyes to stop imagining Aud’s throat as she cried.

"Hvitserk," She rests her hands in her lap as the slow tears course down her face.

Those tears do something to me. When they're sad tears they hurt, but these tears bring a smile to my face. "Well?"

It's funny that when I'm around other people I always seem to notice how lonely I am. But, when I'm with Thora I'm too busy making sure that she's happy to pay it much attention. The same thing goes for Ivar. Well, when we're out together, it's usually because we're about to party, but even then I don't seem to mind. Just like with Thora, I know that Ivar will make sure that I'm happy. That feeling of contentment on both sides is enough to drown out anything else that is going on around me.

She swallows hard like there is a lump in her throat. She doesn't say anything. She won't even look at me. Her hands come to the top of the table and I notice that she's been chipping away at her nail polish when they were resting in her lap. Red nails. I don't like red nails on her, but I'm not going to let that spoil the moment. "Why?"

I don't know why. It just feels like what I should do. "Because.”  I can’t say it. I've never said it, not to her. I want to mean it when I say it. No, that's not right. I know I'll mean it, but I want to feel it. I just don't know what it feels like.

I love Thora. At least I think I do. I love the idea of her and spending the rest of my life with her. That's love, right? I mean, what is love anyway? I love Ivar and I love Thora, just not the same way. I know what I mean when I tell Ivar that I love him. I know that I don't question it. There's just this overwhelming feeling of vulnerability, safety, and protection with him. There's a warmth, peacefulness…contentment. I guess with Ivar, I feel… complete. 

With Thora, I feel masculine, like I'm finally in control. I feel empowered because she defers to me and not the other way around. I feel wise, like she's looking to me to guide her. With Thora, I feel, well… happy.

I don't know how much sense it makes. I guess the biggest difference in the way that I love them is with Ivar I feel wanted, with Thora I feel needed. I love them both very much for their roles in my life. Now the question is do I love her the way that I'm supposed to? I just feel like, with her, there's another level to it that I should be on. I just don't know what it is or how to get there. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I watch her eyes lift to mine and her chin quiver. "Yes, I’ll marry you," she whispers, licking at the gloss on her lips. Her hands are so delicate in mine and I know they haven't seen or felt nearly as much as mine have. The ring slips easily on her dainty finger and she looks at it while my thumb traces over the stone. "It's beautiful."

It is beautiful. This ring is almost as beautiful as Aud was. It was her last gift to me. I didn't know Aud that well, but she did so much that I will always be grateful for it. Aud was the one. I always knew there would be one that would change everything for me. She started me on the path to the life I'm supposed to have. And now it's within my grasp. She wanted me, she cured me and she even gave me something to ensure Thora to me forever. Aud is a martyr in my eyes. "So are you."

Her watery blue eyes meet mine and in that instant, I know that I have to take those tears away. "Ivar isn't going to like this." I barely hear her due to her whispering, but I have a pretty good idea of what she just said. Thora is worried about my relationship with Ivar. She loves me that much that she would rather jeopardize our happiness to make sure that I'm happy.

"This isn’t about Ivar." Everything is about Ivar, even if I don't mean for it to be. Everything I do is for or about him. Is it wrong that I just want something to be about me? No. It's not wrong. I'm done with the partying and whatnot. Ivar will always be a part of my life; he promised that to me. And he'll understand that I can't keep doing what we do, not when I'm going to have a family. Besides, he loves me enough to help me find a balance between what I need and what I want. He knows that I want Thora, but that I need him. "It's about us." I want nothing more than for the two loves of my life to love each other, but that won't happen. They both think the other is trying to take me away.  “Besides, my brother will love you, once he gets to know you.”

It's ridiculous really. I'm not going anywhere. They have nothing to worry about. There's no competition between them. I've managed to divide myself between the two of them this long, what's the rest of my life matter? Still, I know his initial reaction will be nothing like Thora's. I don't think he'll be too happy about it and he most certainly won't be crying tears of joy. If nothing else, after Ivar blows up, he'll come around because he wants me to be happy. And this life with Thora will help me find that.

She stands from her seat still holding my hand and sits herself down on my lap. The warmth from her arms around me isn't as comforting as when Ivar does it, but it's peaceful. Her body shakes with the cry she's been holding in and I trace gentle circles on her back to calm her. This is what I need. There's a settling feeling in me of being the one that takes care of her. "Shh." I can feel her nod against my shoulder and the smell of her apple-scented hair puts my mind at ease.

I'm going to be a husband and eventually a father. That life that my father once had is so appealing. It's what I was always brought up to know is right. I can leave my hobby behind and concentrate on living a real-life now. The only problem is I have no idea how to do it. I'm hoping Thora does. I want that mundane, everyday shit that I see on television. I want to pay the bills while she's in the kitchen making me dinner. After the kids are in bed I'd like to snuggle up on the couch and be able to watch TV without feeling like I'm going to jump out of my damn skin when an actor or actress has that vibe I thrive on.

Of course, we'd have to move away from here for that to happen. There's too much temptation here, too many people. Maybe if we moved out to the country where the closest house is miles away? Yeah. That could work. Nothing but us and isolation.  That far removed from the rest of the world are the perfect places to party…

Stop it. I'm looking forward to my future with Thora and shedding this past. God, I only hope it's as easy as it is in my fantasies.

I feel her weight shift and look up at her as she stands. She takes my hand in an attempt to get me up from the table. I love this look on her face.  It’s the one where she can't meet my gaze because she wants something that she doesn't think that I'll do. Her eyes are fixed on my chest and there is the shyest smile on her face. Curling my finger under her chin I lift her head. Her lips are warm and soft against mine and when I suck in the breath she lets out, I feel goosebumps on my skin.

Normally I would feel awkward or out of place, but right now I don't. Don't get me wrong, I always feel out of place only I don't seem to notice it as much when Thora's in my arms. We make small steps not really going anywhere, but I manage to keep up with her. Her head rests on my shoulder and one arm is safely around my back. Her other hand is holding mine tightly and is wedged between us. My arm around her waist feels the gentle sway of her hips as her weight shifts from one foot to the other.

Ivar would be so proud if he saw me dancing. I can almost imagine his beautiful smile from across the room. For years he's tried to teach me how to fit in. He's told me time and time again to just let go of the fear and to start living. Well, I'm doing it now.

It's amazing how Thora can feel the music. I mean, I can hear it, I can even feel the vibrations from it, but I don't feel it; not throughout my entire body. I’m too busy concentrating on over things. If I overthink this, I'm going to misstep. But the pulse in her neck keeps the rhythm that I'm supposed to follow while my lips are pressed against it. See how she calms me? Everything awkward about me seems to go away around her.

There's something about the fragile that makes me seem like I have it together. I know she's had a rough past and that's made her afraid of something. My job now is to make sure that there's nothing for her to ever fear again. That knowledge is what makes me strong in her eyes. What I'm providing, I know will comfort her for a lifetime. We are going to have that happily ever after.

This is right.

I lift my eyes for the briefest second and notice the hostess walking guests to their table. I can't explain it, but the straight arch of her back and the sway of her hips…I can already feel my mouth get moist. There's something about her, I don't know what it is, but a dull ache starting just below my navel makes me aware of her presence.   There are only fifteen steps between where she’s standing in the restroom.  I could easily pull her in there in under three seconds.  No one would even know.  I could have the hostess and be done in less time than it would take me to have a cigarette.  

But, Thora's hand is on the back of my neck, gently soothing away the chaos that so quickly overcomes me. It forces my eyes away from her. This is what I need. I want to build a normal life with this woman that will teach me how to be normal. Knowing that she needs me and that she is choosing me to protect her can keep me from all of the shit I'm trying to put behind me. My eyes tear away from the hostess and back onto Thora's smiling face. "What?"

She shakes her head but her smile gets wider. "I love you."

I've never said before, but I think I mean it. "I love you, too." No. I know I mean it, but this time, I think I feel it.

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[watery-lane]

The Night You Cared: Epilogue.

Pairing: Modern!Ivar Lothbrok x Reader

Summary: She is back. For how long?

Warnings: Angst

Words: 5340

A/N: End of my first Ivar fict! Hope you guys enjoyed it xx.

Part I / Part II 

Listen to: Stubborn Love - The Lumineers.

“He couldn’t even look at his parents faces after that. I swear to the gods, master students are just undergraduates on crack.” You rambled lightheartedly, phone on one of your hands and the heavy luggage rolling right next to you. “Oop, sorry.” You apologised to the old, white bearded man attempting to leave the building at the same time you tried to get in. “Thank you.” You mouthed with a smile and a scrunched nose, trying to look past the dark sunglasses of the man holding the door for you.

Ubbe released a short and breathy laugh. You could not see him, but you knew him well enough to notice he sounded way too distracted to formulate a proper answer to your anecdote. You knew he had things to tell you, bubbling under the surface like water about to boil, waiting patiently for you to finish with what you had to say as he always did.

Part of you already knew what he wanted to ask. As much as you loved Ubbe, his drive was wired the same way as all Lothbroks: business, business, business. Sure, he was located in the HR department and understood the way you saw things. But, as a Ragnarsson, he could not see your desire of avoiding a life between cubicles and constant phonecalls.

“Well,” you exhaled, “I’m officially back home.”

“In which hotel are you staying? I can pay you a visit as soon as I finish with these papers.” You could picture him letting go the papers on the table like white pigeons as he casually leaned back against his chair. You waited for the lift, eyes focused on the flicking numbers above your head.

Ubbe knew about your never recovered relationship with your parents. They never called you back, not even after the success of your new business was announced through local and regional media. Although for them, the news of you working for another sector other than theirs after the humiliation they had to endure at your graduation party may have felt like a slap in their faces. No one assisted to your masters graduation other than your remaining English friends. You did receive heartwarming messages from Aslaug and her sons, who apologised for not being there with you. It was a lonely ending for such an important stage of your life, but you swiftly got through it. Soon enough you got into a graduate scheme at the British council and a big part of you was relieved that you got to spend another year without facing the problems awaiting for you in Kattegat.

Now you had consumed all your borrowed time, leaving you drowning in the sterile sand clock you got yourself into, unable to put down roots in your hometown after your parents decided to pull them all out.

“Hotel Boneless and Co.” You mumbled through a dramatic sigh, stretching your arms up and puffing your chest as you heard the ding of the machine and the pop of your bones. You were carefully rolling your suitcase into the mirror covered lift when you heard the wheels of a chair rolling loudly on the other line. “I can send you my location if you don’t know where it is.” You joked as you pressed a button and stepped out of the lift. 

Ivar lived in one of the top floors of the building and you perfectly knew it was a suicide attempt to try and climb the stairs. But the thing was, you spent your whole day sitting on your ass and the last thing you wanted to do was to use your legs even less. ‘I’ll just call the lift once I feel tired’ you thought. ‘Nobody is going to steal my suitcase anyway.’ You brushed your concerns off, feeling the cosiness of class privilege surrounding you.

“Does Ivar know you’re staying at his place?” Although his voice sounded carefree, cautiousness and apprehension vibrated through his cherry picked words.

Your breath got caught up right in your throat, unsure if it was due to the fourth set of stairs you just rushed through or because you had no explanation for your mad reasoning. You shut your eyes briefly, licking your lips as you prepared to speak.

“It’s not like the first time I left, I promise.” You mumbled, your pulse thumping in your ears as you tried to not exhale heavily through the phone. “We actually talked during the past year.”

Technically, you were not lying. You two did spend time talking, sharing your everyday anecdotes through video calls or short text messages. He told you with pride about how the company stock was rising slowly but steadily, or how he was considering therapy. For his legs. On the other hand, you showed him your improving cooking skills and tenderly warned him about not stressing over things he could not control. 

Although, truth be told, that was nine months ago.

You were not to confess this, specially not to Ubbe, but although you tried, your conversations and overall relationship did not seem to endure the distance very well. Slowly withering like flowers deep into autumn, the last message you sent him was a picture of a smashed avocado toast you had for breakfast with the caption ‘The only thing I’m smashing these days smh’. A little grey bubble with the word ‘Yummy!’ seemed to be the full stop to your year long conversation.

It wasn’t until you stopped on the sixth floor, sore legs burning and short huffs escaping from your lips when you noticed the silence on the other line.

“That doesn’t answer my question, (Y/n).” Ubbe finally sighed, voice sounding tired all of the sudden.

“Well,” you strolled past the long corridor of the sixth floor, searching for the lift calmly. “we can consider myself as the best promotion gift he’s going to receive.” You smirked as you remembered the news.

A few months after your graduation you were informed by Bjorn about the death of Aslaug. You were told she died in a car crash, that the brothers were mourning, hence the lack of communication during those months. The oldest Ragnarsson did not seem phased about the news, which was understandable due to the lack of relationship he had with the woman. However, he was soon pulled into a legal battle between the Aslaugssons and Lagertha, with Ivar investing most of his time and resources in lawyers and private investigators, convinced that the death of his mother was planned. Because of that, he thought that the best idea was to leave Kattegat for awhile, investigating the markets of different nations to see if he could expand the legacy his father left.

You heard later on that Ivar won the legal battle after investing at least half of his wealth in lawyers and legal counsellors. In two days he was going to celebrate his rise, ‘just like a coronation’, Ubbe mocked, a bittersweet tone tinting his voice.

“(Y/n)...” Ubbe licked his lips as he leaned forward and rested his weight on his elbows.

“I know, I know, I should have called and said something,” you started to ramble, arms moving up and down as you got yourself in the lift, eyes locked on the lone suitcase left in the middle of the tiny space as you mindlessly pressed the last floor button. “but to be honest, would it really have been really necessary?”

“(Y/n). I can’t hear you.” Ubbe frowned as he started to hear your voice being cut repeatedly. 

 “I mean, it’s only been one year, what could have changed? What could he have done?”

“(Y/n).”

“Sell the loft his dear mother bought him? Developed a God complex? Join a cult? Get married?” You blew a raspberry, rolling your eyes as you heard the ding and saw the doors slide wide open.

At the other end of the line, Ubbe shifted his weight as he tapped his index and middle finger on the shiny table. Its a small gesture, but it helps relieving the pressure he started to feel on himself. At that time you reached the silver door, your virgin nails pressing down the doorbell as your ears processed the sweet ring that came with it.

“Ivar has... changed a little bit.” Ubbe mentions, not sure where to restart the conversation. He acknowledged he could have been a better brother to his little one, maybe they would have never reached this situation. “You will be surprised.” You kept yourself quiet for a moment, a discreet side smirk making your eyes squint.

“I’m sure I’ll figure him out.” You praised yourself, lowering your voice to a mere whisper as you talked to yourself. “I’m pretty sure we were built together by the gods anyway.”

“Huh?” Ubbe squinted, tilting his head as he could hear you talking under your breath.

“Uh nothing,” you fidgeted while you looked around, weirded out by the fact that Ivar did not seem to be at home on a weekend afternoon. Your free hand rested on your hip as you looked around, foot tapping rhythmically at the melody on your head as you pressed the button again. “Oh.”

“What?” Ubbe straightened his back.

For a mere second, your furtive eyes captured a swift move of lights and shadows slipping under the door frame, your eyes blinking rapidly at the sudden vision as you shook your head confused.

“I uh... I think I just saw someone... walking past the door?” You frowned, brushing it off as tiredness while you picked your stuff on the floor. “Never mind, I think he’s not at home. I’ll call Warwick and book a room.” You started to walk away from the door, suitcase rolling behind you as you strolled back into the lift.

“Oh wow, the little rich girl can only afford four star hotels right now?” Ubbe mocked, knowing perfectly you would be pissed at his comment, snickering as you told him to fuck off. “(Y/n)...” He called your name after your giggles died down, the sudden cold tone making you shiver with anticipation. “Have you thought about the offer?” He asked cautiously, not wishing to rush you into making any decisions. You already had a lot on your plate and something told him your stay here would end up breaking you.

“Ubbe... I—“ You hesitated. “I’m not going to lie, Haiti sounds nice and the job position sounds tempting.” Your inner cheek felt the bite of your teeth, your hips rocking forward and backwards as you stretched down. “but I’ve got things I wish to take care of in Kattegat now.” You smiled at your last sentence, the thought of your little local at the heart of your hometown and its co-owner crossing your mind. “I no longer need to run away anymore.”

 At the other side of the door, a distracted Ivar calmly read the financial reports of the last months as he sipped whiskey neat, never raising his head while he put the glass down on the counter.

“Who was it?”

“I don’t know... a seller, maybe?” A sugary and melodic voice spoke behind him, bare feet squeaking on the wooden floor as she moved back to the sofa, carefree. “It’s okay, I don’t think she knows we were at home.”

“That’s not possible, sellers are not allowed into the building.” Ivar considers, eyes looking up as he processed who could have been. Since your departure and the death of his mom, with Floki and Helga away, nobody ever visited him much. His brothers would see him every weekday at the offices and Erik was only there when he needed a ride. Only Freydis was around now and that was completely fine by him. She knew what he needed. She knew how special he really was.

“It was this woman talking on the phone with huge suitcases, she must be selling kitchenware or insurances or something.” She responded vaguely as she stood up at the sight of her fiancé perking his head up after hours focused on his job.

“Wait...” He stood still, his sudden hunch making his stomach churn. He felt the bare arms of his loved one caress and hug his chest and shoulders from behind, the hypnotising and honey like scent invading his senses like an anaesthetic. Notwithstanding, that little annoying feeling in his gut never left. “Darling, where is my phone?” He asked, his fiancée leaving his side as she looked for the device.

SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK - Joji

You pursed your lips as you idly passed your hands over your gown, the sound of your heels clicking on the ground drowned by the numerous voices echoing in the tall, french style ceilings. You were pretty surprised your name was actually on the guest list. You had previously joked with Bjorn about being his plus one and how he was 88% sure he’d end up gods know were like Sigurd if Ivar ever saw you entering the gala joined by the hip, pretty certain Ivar did not know about your arrival. Guess you couldn’t surprise him anymore, cursing his brothers for telling him you were back in Kattegat. 

The spot was not exactly like the one where your downfall took place, yet it filled your heart with the same sadness and anxiety, as if you were about to live another disappointment all over again. As you reached the main room, your walked more cautiously, as if the marble tiles were the ones marked and in charge of causing you pain if you took the wrong step.

“Nice dress.” You heard a feminine yet deep voice speaking to you, making you raise your head and brows.

The woman in front of you looked like a goddess. Like an actual goddess.

She could even be Freya, dark locks running free and caressing her shoulders, an aura of mystery covering her tall frame as she walked past an speechless you. Damn the wealthy and the powerful. Damn Ivar and his godlike contacts.

You couldn’t even say thank you, the woman long gone as she approached an oddly familiar old man at the other end of the room.

You shook your head in confusion, looking around trying to find any known faces to hold yourself onto.

“Well well well, look who we have here?” Your heart fluttered with joy as you saw the blond, long haired Ragnarsson approach you with the cheekiest grin in Kattegat.

“Hvitty!” You beamed, a shiny smile parting your lips as you reached for a hug. “Look at you, who’s the lucky one taking you home tonight?” You winked, hands grabbing the lapels of his suit tenderly.

“Well the night is still young, but I can put you first on the waiting list if you want to.” You released a careless laugh, throwing back your head as you cheerfully shook your head.

“I’m afraid my mind is already taken, baby.” You rolled your eyes, finally feeling the happiness that had been gradually dripping away from you coming back. “And this,” you pointed at your body as you twirled, “is a package deal.”

You noticed his blue eyes seemed way too out of focus for a brief moment, contrasting deeply with the airy laugh he released at your joke. You wondered what had he seen, body slowly turning back until you hear him talking to you again.

“C’mon, are you telling me you didn’t fool around in York?” Hvitserk raised his brow. Your lips parted, the ghost of a smile adorning your face as you shook your head. 

“I love your brother, Hvitserk.” You confessed with a weak voice, not willing to let the rest of the party hear such open secret coming from your mouth. “I always have. I mean,” you huffed, shaking your head, “he’s a hell of a person to love, let’s just say I had to learn to love him.” You swore to the gods you had never seen Hvitserk, the most careless family member of the Lothbroks, look so concerned as he listened to you, his spark dying down as words left your mouth. “I— I know we’ve clashed for so long, and I’ve figured out that the truth is, we got to make sacrifices for the people we love. I resented him for so long because I thought he was selfish and he hated me at the same time because he thought I was selfish.” You took a deep breath as you reached your conclusion, ignoring how the young Ragnarsson kept looking behind you nervously. “And all of this was because... We were way too obsessed with the desire of having everything going your way. The night I let the past go was the best night of my life.” Hvitserk swallowed before looking at you.

“Is this why you decided to keep your share of the bar and reject Ubbe’s offer?”

“(Y/n?)” You felt every part of your body tingle at the sound of your name, blood rushing in your ears as you turned around. Your eyes were wide open, making their way up the suited up person that was now standing right in front of you.

“Ivar.” You whispered, eyes heavy and blurry sight as you hugged him tightly.

He hugged you back, the tip of his nose pressed against your head as he inhaled your scent, heart at ease and mind in peace at last. 

“Ivar, look at you,” You cupped his face as you separated, lips travelling straight towards his. To your surprise he pushed away your hips slightly with his free hand, making you miss your target as you kept your hands where they were. “You can walk?” He nodded, eyes full of you and pupils so dilated to take you in better. Yet his face seemed expressionless, the force of his emotions hidden and tucked away.

Maybe that should have served you as a sign that things had truly changed.

“Yes, princess, I can walk.” He repeated, voice as soft as the touch that indicated you to stay a few steps away from him. You frowned slightly this time, your heart clenching painfully.

“Hey, you must be (y/n)!” A cheerful woman came by with Ubbe, who stayed behind her with a defeated look. Her little frame got close enough to pull you into her embrace, letting you know how glad she was of meeting you at last.

The two oldest brother exchanged a hardened glance, lips pursed as they observed how everything slowly started to crumble.

“So you’re the girl who made this guy human?” She stands by Ivar, puppy eyes looking up as if she devoted everything she had to him.

“I... guess?” You hesitated. “And you are?”

The petite blonde woman raises her left hand, showing a hard yet so fragile stone reflect every single beam of light in the room.

So bright were the reflections, they actually burned you down.

You could hear a lot of people talk and see her lips moving as if someone slowed down time, as if you died went to Hel with Hela and the doomed ones.

Then you looked at Ivar, his eyes never looking at you. That is when you noticed: you couldn’t read him anymore.

He didn’t seem to have only started a new chapter.

He started a whole new book.

You were pretty much out of the conversation at that point. You heard her name was Freydis, that she applied for a position as his assistant in the past. That she never thought she’d become the wife of the CEO.

“The nurse got really pissed when she heard he had been walking around without crutches before he started treatment.” Freydis said sweetly, hand on his chest as she caressed it with care. The statement snapped you out of your trance, eyes immediately finding Ivar, who shook his head slightly to the sides in an attempt to calm you down. He knew you were going to blame yourself for that. You were not at fault, in fact, you were the main reason why he tried to become better in every single way possible. Because that was what you deserved, because that was what you were. “He could have hurt himself with whatever he was attempting to do.”

Apparently, she also convinced him to get therapy for his strong mood swings and past traumas.

Little did she know, the decision came from Ivar after the last time he was with you. But you didn’t know that either and your heart broke a little bit more with every anecdote she told, every single story where she miraculously came and fixed the mistakes you made.

You could see how she was making him a better person.

“... But Ivar doesn’t really like to dance... yet.” It felt like a rambling at that point, a certain tint of fanaticism dyeing the conversation and turning it sour. You were tired at that point, eyes almost permanently stuck on the ground if it wasn’t from the tears you had to get rid of my looking up. You shot your eyes at him the moment you processed her last words, wondering expression etched on your face while he cleared his throat and looked away. It didn’t seem like him. You remember he used to insist on you to dance, like an ‘ordinary folk’.

The truth was, you never got to dance together. Too many things changed through the years, and there was this one thing he didn’t want to change too, which was how you were his first in everything worth remembering. Memories were simply sweeter with you in it. Because, as Freydis said, you made him human. 

The thing was, he needed to be a God now.

He knew that you would be happier doing what you do, being free and helping people in ways he couldn’t even phantom.

Letting you go like this was the biggest sacrifice he will ever make.

To have you as a business partner would suffice, he always loved to watch you be you, working your ass off, to care so deeply about everybody like nobody else in his circle ever does.

“Ivar, Harald and Astrid are here.” Hvitserk finally intervened, the sight of your weakened state too much for your partner in crime to bear. Ivar nodded, sorry eyes staying a little bit longer on your hardened features before following his fiancée and brother.

“How was I not invited to the engagement party?” You asked to Ubbe, eyes still locked on your now ex’s back. Just like you couldn’t put a finger on when it started, you couldn’t really think of when your relationship ended.

“Cause it was nine months ago.” Ubbe mumbled, helping you put the little pieces together. You nodded.

“How?” You swallowed, not sure if you wanted to know. “How did they meet?” Ubbe pursed his lips, tilting his head tiredly as he sighed.

“She was a call girl Ivar used to hire regularly.” He tried to brush it off by shrugging. “I am not sure what happened, but Ivar started to get back to his old habits after you left. The only thing that remained the same was the local you guys own, he regularly checked everything was alright. One day Hvitty and I saw her leaving our offices, all suited up and everything.” You nodded, encouraging to keep going. “And boom, all of the sudden, after Lagertha’s trial, they were engaged.” He exhaled. You remained silent, feeling how a sneaky tear streamed down your face. “(Y/n)?”

“I think I need some air.” You whispered, stepping away from the oldest Aslaugsson and the rest of the crowd.

At least here out in the starless night you could blame your runny nose and teary eyes on the cold.

“Remember when we used to laugh at those sappy ass couples?” You asked out loud after standing by yourself for a while, heart more serene now that you took your time to accept that maybe you were not as good for him as you thought. You wait for Ivar to get closer, the sound of his crutches marking his distance rhythmically. You turn around and you can see concern itched on his features, lips parted as he looked down, checking the damage he had done. You force a smile instead, your fist hitting his shoulder playfully as you spoke. “Seems like you are one now.”

Ivar looked at Freydis slowly, who remained inside with Ubbe and Torvi, letting a sigh relief his chest.

“Yes. Yes I am.”

It was such a change of dynamics what Ivar experienced. With you, love and intimacy was never rom-com worthy. Love was roasting each other every other day, picking up on each others scars while making sure they never open again. Love was natural, fluid.

Now with Freydis, he seemed to need to prove her where she remained in his circle in a daily basis, lovey dovey words making sure she knew where she stood in his life. Truth be told, it was easier this way to love someone. He just needed to make sure to shower her with nice things, just like she did when she saw him doubting himself.

“How does it feel to be permanently tall now?” You asked, trying to change the subject as you felt the tenderness of his voice as he spoke about his future wife.”Don’t you feel like you’re going to fall at anytime?” Ivar smirks, resting himself in the railing you were pointing at.

“Nah.”

“What if I pushed you though.” You joked lightly, hand on his back as if you were truly going to do so. Ivar shrugs calmly before looking at you.

“I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time you make me fall.” You roll your eyes, remembering the conversation you had the first night where everything seemed to be in the right place.

“Oh, c’mon, I already apologised and I don’t even remember it.” You refer to that time you supposedly made him stand up for the first time.

Ivar smiled nostalgically. He didn’t mean that.

“You know I’ll be around if you need me.” Ivar promised sincerely after staring at you for what it seemed like an eternity, getting closer to you as you nodded weakly. “I have to go and give a speech now, please wait for me until I finish it, alright? Be there for me.” He placed a finger under your chin as he inspected your face, puffy eyes, blood flushed cheeks and pouted lips revealing the damage he had done.

He just wanted to ask for a dance, discreetly, before his wedding day takes away the chance of feeling you twirling around him on his last first dance.

His hand held your fingers tightly. 

Rough skin never felt so soft, the warmth of his touch contrasting with the cold blue eyes staring at you. His brows were slightly furrowed, solely noticeable for the ones that dared to stand closer to him. Marks appeared on his forehead, horizontal lines crossing out the words his parted lips refused to let out of his mind. Ivar was holding himself back, letting the fire of his fears and yearnings consume him from within. Only his eyes exposed his introspection, your heart clenching as you saw him process his thoughts. It did feel like he was holding to you for dear life, not wanting to let go like a kid who caught his first butterfly.

Until he did.

He took a step back, glancing briefly towards your direction before parting, heavy steps ringing in your ears louder than the classical music playing in the room.

He was not going to leave.

But you knew, deep down, that he was gone already.

You followed suit and collected all your strength left to move yourself into the room. Your legs seemed to burn, unwilling to take you closer to the golden stage for someone to end your remaining emotional and mental health left with a few words.

You see from afar how he gets onstage with Freydis, who hugged his broad frame with care before he grabbed the mic. He started talking about his father, how everything started with him and how Aslaug maintained the business when he was gone. He talked about taking risks, success and investing in things that had value and fight for them.

"Enough about business, tell us about that piece of cake next to you!” A family friend shouted, his huge round tummy serving as a place to rest his hand, his braided beard caressing his exposed skin as he laughed. 

Ivar, standing right above the crowd, seemed to throw daggers with his stare, unhappy that a drunk man interrupted his ceremonial speech. But next to him the woman he was going to spend his life with giggled carelessly, getting closer to him with the wish of her fiancé to sing her praises to everybody in the room. 

“How did that woman you love ‘successfully invested’ in you!” He speaks again and at this point, Ivar is fuming. 

You looked around concerned, knowing that your childhood friend was short fused and may do something that could trouble him sooner or later. It didn’t help that the rest of the crowd was laughing too, insisting on him to talk about his fiancée, asking for him to be vulnerable in front of everybody. 

You saw Freydis calmly poking him with his elbow and how his eyes were about to pop out of his head. But then he leaned down and let her whisper in his ear and gradually, slowly, his mood seemed to change as the crowd quieted down at the sight of him clearing his throat and picking the mic to speak again.

You frowned, not sure of what poison did she give him for Ivar to suddenly change that way.

“See, you just need to show her something, something she’s never done before. Something that captures your attention, that is good enough to capture her soul. And — and she will take her time to learn” Ivar starts, eyes seemingly fixed somewhere far away from the stage. Somewhere like the very last lines of people standing in front of him, listening to him. “She simply makes something better out of it. Something brighter, even though you didn’t even think it could be possible. Even though you couldn’t even phantom you’d need so much light in your life, she proves you wrong, just like she does in every fight.” Ivar paused to chuckle, remembering the time he tried to convince you to hire strippers for the club. 

Everybody laughed after a deep collective ‘aww’ and he can feel the person standing next to him shift her weight and getting closer to him with affection. But he already was way too deep into his memories, pulling out good moments and unsaid words for the public to see how consolidated his relationship was. His tone shifted at the same time he noticed from afar how you start to break down, eyes not being able to look at him as your chest trembled. He was not aware of the harm those words would do to you without applying his own context, yet he begged for you to figure out that everything he said, he said it about you. 

“And...” Ivar swallowed, vulnerability starting to drip from every word he said. “And the thing is, she doesn’t even do it because of you. She doesn’t search for nobody’s approval. She just loves to make things better. That’s her gift, that’s her growth.”

Ivar finished and, for a brief moment, everybody remained silent. It took a minute, but then everyone seemed to burst into applause, everybody but three dumbfounded brothers looking at their youngest sibling as if he had lost his damn mind.

By the time he got closer to Freydis for a kiss you were choking in your own tears, your throat too tightly closed it seemed too difficult for you to breathe. Was this the reason why he wanted you to stay? To hear what he had to say about his fiancée? 

You shook your head, searching for the oldest Aslaugsson in the crowd.

You had enough.

"Ubbe, do you have a minute?” You asked weakly, doe eyes looking at the ground for a brief moment before gaining your composure again.

“Yeah,” he apologised to the guests he was with “what’s wrong?” He moved closer to you, the glass of champagne in his hand and the conversation he was participating in long forgotten.

“You were right.” You admitted your defeat, your head high and your chest puffed out. “I accept the offer.” You managed to let out as you took a few steps back, ignoring the way Ubbe said your name, with pity and sadness tearing through you as if you were a poor broken toy. “Tell Hvitty he can keep my share of the bar.”

Part I / Part II / Sequel (Words Into Smoke)

About tags:

I have recently lost all tags and at this point idk what to do to keep all tags in place. Please send me an ask if you know any ideas!

Old taglist:

@aesstheticallypleasing @captstefanbrandt @unicornbaby741 @fuckthatfeeling @huffelpuffers @yannii04 @collecting-stories

[peaceisadirtyword]

Hate (Modern!Ivar/Reader)

A/N: Hello!💕 I had this idea when I finished my exams, thinking about my holidays. As I love the enemies to lovers thing (especially with a character like Ivar, who literally hates everyone), I ended up writing this😅 I’m working now in Crush part 4 and Secrets.

If you like this idea, I'll write a few more parts♥️ Thank you for reading😘

Warnings: insults, Ivar is an ass, mentions of sex, my bad writing again. 

Words: 3561

gif belongs to @allvikingsfanfic

When your best friend Hvitserk invited you to his family's cabin in Sweden to spend the summer, you immediately said yes. Not only because your holidays would be the most boring ones in years as you didn't really have any plans, but also because you missed your best friend a lot, and to spend some weeks with him was the best opportunity to catch up with each other's lives. 

His brother's didn't bother you, in fact you had a very good relationship with Björn, Ubbe and Sigurd, who alongside Hvitserk had played the role of 'Y/N's big brothers' since you were born. 

Your mother was a very good friend of Aslaug, and that meant you spent more time at the Lothbrok's than at your own home. You were always playing with them, even though you were younger than the five brothers. With the years, Hvitserk was the one who grew closer to you, to the point that both your mothers thought you were dating when he was your date for the graduation party your high school threw every year. 

Of course, between you and Hvitserk there was nothing. You loved him and he loved you, but only as friends. He was like a brother to you, and you would never look at him in that way. 

You had had a big crush on Björn and Ubbe when you were younger, and then on Sigurd, when he started playing music and invited you to the small concerts he gave around the city.

You even had a thing with Sigurd, hooking up with him a few times and even going on dates with him, but it didn't last. 

And then there was Ivar. 

Ivar hated you, you didn't remember doing anything worthy of his hate, but he went from being nice to you to ignoring you at all, and only speaking to insult you, getting on your nerves. 

So the only thing that bothered you about spending the summer with the Lothbroks was Ivar's presence. You tried to be nice to him, you really did, but he didn't let you. 

In spite of that, you were really looking forward to your holidays. 

That morning, your father drove you to the Lothbrok's house, from where you'd depart to Uppsala, Sweden, where Ragnar and Aslaug had a giant house next to a beautiful lake. You would go by car, crossing the Øresund Bridge to enter Sweden. 

You weren't a huge fan of long trips by car, but at least you'd have Hvitserk to do one of your amazing carpool karaokes (you had a six hours long playlist only for that) and talk about stupid things until you arrived. 

But, your plans were quickly turned down. 

When you arrived at the Lothbrok's door, you didn't even have to ring the bell. Hvitserk opened the door and laughed as he picked you up and hugged you tightly.

"Finally!" He laughed, kissing your temple before leaving you on your feet again "I thought I'd never see you again"

You rolled your eyes, a wide smile on your lips. 

"Don't overreact, it was just a month, I had exams"

"You didn't even pick up my calls!" He whined, making you laugh. 

Before you could answer, someone hugged you from behind with such a force that almost made you fall down. 

"Look who's finally here!" Ubbe kissed your cheek softly, smiling. 

"Ubbe!" You laughed, trying to keep your balance "Why are you taller?" 

"I'm not, you're just shorter" he snickered, and Hvitserk chuckled.

You rolled your eyes, shaking your head as Ubbe let you go.

Björn and Sigurd were the next ones greeting you, with a tight hug and a soft kiss on your cheek. 

Aslaug smiled widely at you and hugged you as Ragnar greeted your father after winking at you. 

And just when you finished saying hello, you looked behind Hvitserk. 

You knew and understood that Torvi would go with all of you. She was Björn's wife, and she'd obviously join you on the holidays. But you weren't expecting them. 

Margrethe was Ubbe's girlfriend... Or something like that. You knew she had had a thing with all the brothers (except Björn) before she started dating Ubbe. But then Hvitserk told you they had an open relationship and that he was with her too.

You didn't truly agree with that arrangement. You knew your friend, and he was falling for that girl... And you didn't want him to suffer. You had met her a few times, she hadn't been too talkative with you, but she wasn't that bad. 

And then the other girl, you couldn't really remember her name... Hvitserk had told you she was Sigurd's new girlfriend. 

Though the fact that they going with you wasn't how you had planned the holidays, you supposed there was nothing wrong with them joining you... 

"Hello" you tried to be nice, smiling softly at them. Margrethe smiled and greeted you with a hug. 

"I'm Blaeja" the other girl smiled at you too. She was pretty, with dark hair and clear eyes. 

"Y/N" you smiled back at her "Nice to meet you" 

"Well" Björn was already putting the luggage on the cars' trunks "Now that we're all here... Shall we leave?" 

You nodded and went to say goodbye to your father with a hug. He made you promise you'd call him as soon as you arrived and would text him everyday. 

"You're coming in our car, aren't you, Y/N?" Hvitserk put your suitcase on the trunk of Ubbe's car without even waiting for your answer. 

"I suppose so" you raised your eyebrow, opening Ubbe's car to put your backpack inside. Looking around, you realized someone was missing "Where's...?"

The sound of the crutches on the floor just behind you interrupted you. You turned around to see Ivar, walking with his crutches and, of course, glaring at you. 

"Hello, Ivar" you greeted, politely. Usually, you'd ignore him to avoid his rudeness, but you wanted a peaceful holiday, and didn't want to spend weeks arguing with him. 

While Björn, Ubbe and Hvitserk had always acted like your older brothers, and Sigurd and you had a special story that made you fond of each other, Ivar couldn't stand you... It seemed that didn’t change.

Usually, you would ignore him, but sometimes he got on your nerves and made you jump and insult him back. It resulted in a constant bickering that his brothers hated, and which ended up with you biting your tongue and blushed in anger and he smirking victoriously and laughing at you. 

Maybe he's not in the mood for arguing during the holidays, either.

"Who invited her?" He rolled his eyes, scowling at you as he walked over to the car. 

You bit your lip and breathed deeply.

Of course, Ivar is always in the mood for arguing. 

"Ivar" Hvitserk frowned at his little brother "I invited her, she's my best friend and I wanted her to spend the holidays with us"

"Whatever" he rolled his eyes again. You scoffed and followed Björn to help him to get the things into the car. 

"Hey" Hvitserk lowered his voice and narrowed his eyes at Ivar "We don't need your bickering, can you please try and be nice at Y/N?" 

Ivar sighed, shaking his head before opening the Ubbe's car door to sit on the co-driver seat. 

_______________________________________________________________________

When Hvitserk asked you to go with them to Uppsala, you saw it as an opportunity to spend as much time with your best friend, to catch up, do stupid things together and eat more pizza than your body could take. 

Apparently, Hvitserk didn't see it like that. 

Ubbe was driving, Ivar sitting next to him, with his seat thrown back. It barely left any space for you to sit comfortably, but he needed to have his legs stretched. 

Next to you on the back seat there was Margrethe. And then Hvitserk next to her. They spent the whole trip making out. It wasn't like you couldn't stand it, but the annoying sound of their kisses, and Margrethe's soft moans when Hvitserk's hand caressed her thigh or her breast made you roll your eyes and sigh. 

You were trying to read a book, listening to the music from Ivar's Spotify, trying to ignore the sounds next to you and not to cringe watching Ubbe bit his lip and smirk every time Margrethe giggled or moaned. Ivar looked bored and annoyed too, scrolling down his phone and rolling his eyes. Sometimes, he'd look at you through the rear-view mirror, making you shift uncomfortably on your seat.

When you were already in Sweden, Ivar started moving his seat back. You supposed it was because he needed more space for his legs, so you didn't say anything and just tried to find a comfortable position without bothering him. 

But when he trapped your legs between his seat and yours you gasped in pain and hit the back of his seat. 

"Ivar, can you please stop moving your seat?" You clenched your jaw, closing your book. 

"I need to get comfortable, my legs hurt" he scoffed.

Ubbe and Hvitserk sighed loudly. They knew once you started you wouldn't stop. 

"Well, you have more than enough space, you don't need to break my knees!" 

A simple glance over his shoulder was enough to confirm your suspects, his legs were completely stretched. 

"Ivar" Hvitserk sighed "Please, move your seat a bit so Y/N can at least sit properly".

"I won't" he shrugged, smirking in victory when you rolled your eyes.

"Ivar you're hurting me" you complained, but he ignored you, unlocking his phone again. 

Ubbe glared at his little brother. 

"Ivar, please, move"

"I won't move just because she wants to, no one told me she was coming and I didn't want to be locked in a car with her for hours"

"Well, having to hear your whining and looking at your stupid face for weeks wasn't my ideal plan for my holidays, but here I am" you replied.

Margrethe gasped at your words and looked at you with wide eyes. Ubbe bit his lip and Hvitserk chuckled. 

Ivar was more furious now, glaring at you with his fists clenched. 

"Then why did you came?" 

"Because I was invited" you pushed his seat again.

"Well, Hvitserk invited you because he pities you, as you don't have any other friends who would want to spend a single minute with you, so..."

"Please" Ubbe groaned "Just fuck and stop fighting"

You widened your eyes, looking at him with your mouth open. 

"Hate sex is the best thing ever, you'll enjoy it" Hvitserk laughed, and Ivar growled at his brothers. 

"Shut up" you glared at Hvitserk. 

"I bet you they'll fuck each other's brains out in less than two weeks" said Ubbe smirking. 

"Well, Y/N is a very proud person, I think it will be three weeks"

"Excuse me?" You scoffed "I would never fuck Ivar"

"Not that you could, anyway" he glared at you.

"I don't want to" you replied to him, raising your eyebrow.

"Come on, guys, we're only joking" Hvitserk smirked at you "But you know, it would be easier for us if you use all that energy in fucking each other instead of arguing"

"Hvitserk!"

_______________________________________________________________________

The rest of the trip was like a nightmare. You had finished your book already, and Ivar wouldn't stop bothering you. Hvitserk and Margrethe nearly fucked next to you and you just needed to get out of the car and stretch your legs. You almost cried in relief when you saw the Lothbrok's house. 

It was a big wooden house that looked like a mansion. It had a swimming pool on the backyard and was next to one of the many lakes in Sweden. It was only a twenty minute drive from Uppsala and Ragnar had it built when he married Aslaug. 

It wasn't the first time you went to spend your holidays in there, so you knew the house perfectly. Your favorite part was the kitchen. It had a beautiful view of the lake and the nearest town. The other part of the house was surrounded by forest, with the small path that lead to the main road. 

When you finally could get out of the car and stretch you legs, you almost moaned in relief, glaring at Ivar, who smirked. 

"Okay" Björn was already opening the door "Torvi and I will sleep in Ragnar's bedroom" it didn't surprise you, as the married couple they got the main bedroom "Then Sigurd and Blaeja on another"

"Margrethe and I will take another" Ubbe smiled, putting his arm over Margrethe's shoulders.

"And I suppose Hvitserk will join you" Björn raised an eyebrow and Hvitserk winked at him "Okay so... Ivar in his room and Y/N, you can stay in Hvitserk's room, if you want to"

You nodded with a smile. You loved Hvitserk's room. It was the one with a small balcony from which you could see the lake.

The house had six rooms; the main one and five more, one for each brother. They all were similar, with a king sized bed, a big window, a balcony and a giant wardrobe. There was three bathrooms, the big one was inside Ragnar's bedroom, and the other two were shared by the brothers. 

You sighed while entering Hvitserk's room. You'd have to share the bathroom with Ivar. 

Both bathrooms were big, but the one that was near Hvitserk's and Ivar's room was adapted so Ivar could use it without hurting himself. 

Great, just what you needed. 

It was already dark outside, and by the time all of you reunited in the kitchen, Hvitserk had already started cooking dinner and had eaten half of it. 

"So, Y/N" Torvi smiled at you from the other side of the table "How were your exams?"

"Good" you smiled back at her "I passed"

"My girl is so smart" Hvitserk, who was sitting next to you hugged you tightly. He had drank five beers and was too touchy "I'm so proud"

You could hear Ivar's eyes roll as you giggled and tried to get away from Hvitserk's arms. 

"Oh, I'm thinking on applying for university" Blaeja fixed her big eyes on you with excitement "But I don't know if it will be too much, I'm already studying music, so..."

"Blaeja is one of the best singers in Denmark" Sigurd cleared his throat and smiled proudly. His girlfriend blushed a bit before smiling shyly.

"He's exaggerating... I mean, I want to be a singer and focus on my music career, but I think I should study at uni, only to have something else in case I don't succeed"

You opened your mouth to answer her, but Ivar interrupted you. 

"Do it, you'll starve if you depend on Sigurd's career"

Blaeja bit her lip. Like Margrethe, she seemed to be afraid of Ivar, you didn't really understand why. Surely, he had a really bad temper, but he wasn't that scary... 

"Ivar, shut up, no one asked for your opinion" Sigurd rolled his eyes "Leave her alone"

"Do you really think that singing in pubs is success, brother? Because all those people that were there didn't even know who you are" he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. 

Next to you, Hvitserk ignored him, finishing his plate. Ubbe pressed his lips together and frowned while looking at his little brother and Björn sighed. 

Torvi, too used to these fights, was scrolling on her phone, ignoring Ivar's ranting. 

"At least" you narrowed your eyes at Ivar "Sigurd is doing what he likes, and working hard to become an artist, you on the other hand are always complaining and doing nothing"

Hvitserk choked on his food, and Margrethe gasped again. 

"Of course you'd defend him" Ivar glared at you "Blaeja, did you know that Y/N hooked up with my brother? They had a very... Passionate love story, that ended when he got tired of her and moved on... Be careful"

"Hey, Ivar, careful" said Hvitserk. He wasn't serious very often, but he got pretty mad when Ivar insulted you.

"That was years ago, Ivar!" You blushed "Sigurd and I are friends, nothing more, so shut up"

"Ignore him, Y/N" Sigurd rolled his eyes "He wants attention, don't give it to him"

Ivar opened his mouth to reply, but Torvi, who had been around them enough to know where the fights should be stopped, got up from her seat.

"We can go to the lake's shore and lit a fire, I brought marshmallows" she offered happily. 

Hvitserk almost moaned when he heard the word marshmallows and agreed immediately. 

"Okay" you got up from your seat too, taking your plate "You guys go out and lit the fire, I'll clean up a bit"

"I can stay and help you" Blaeja offered with a smile.

"No, it's okay, I can manage"

"If you need help, tell us" Torvi kissed your cheek before running to her and Björn's bedroom to get the marshmallows. 

_______________________________________________________________________

It could sound weird, but cleaning the kitchen relaxed you a lot. You could focus on washing the dishes and cleaning the counters and not think about anything else. After the long period of exams, you appreciated it. 

But of course, you couldn't even have a fucking minute of peace. 

"Honestly, I didn't know you'd be pathetic enough to come here this year"

You breathed deeply. Ivar was the only one who didn't get out with the others, choosing to stay sitting on his chair and looking at you with a smirk.

"I mean, you thought you'd come here to spend time with Hvitserk, but he has his own plans already" he snickered "Are you ready to spend a whole summer cleaning the house and reading books all alone while everyone in here fucks day and night?"

You sighed, rubbing your eyes before turning around to face him. 

"Hvitserk is not like that" you replied, and Ivar raised an eyebrow "Well, okay he's like that, but he won't spend the whole summer fucking, and neither will the rest of your brothers. And who says I'll clean the house, Ivar?"

"I know you will, you start cleaning everything when you are nervous or bored" he smirked, watching you as you washed the first plate for the second time "And you do nothing more than read and watch Netflix, so..."

"I do a lot of things"

"Sure" he bit his lip "Tell me, Y/N, do you regret coming here knowing everyone here will fuck except for you?"

"Oh my god, Ivar, please, just go out with the others, or go to your room, or go to hell, but please leave me alone for a minute"

"I'm just trying to have a conversation with you, it isn't my fault you're so bitter"

"No, Ivar, I do not regret coming here, though if you keep talking to me I might do it" you rolled your eyes "Besides, you won't be fucking anyone either"

"I don't need to fuck anyone" he scoffed "I already had enough sex for a year before coming here"

"Of course you did" you raised your eyebrow and smirked. Though the victory didn't last. 

"When was the last time you had sex, Y/N?" 

You pressed your lips together, trying your best to avoid throwing the plate to his face. 

"It's none of your business"

"Come on, has it been so long?" You could hear the mocking in his voice, which irritated you.

"Shut up" 

"Six months?" His smirk was bigger and bigger.

"Gods, Ivar, leave me alone" you groaned. 

"A year?" he kept pressing you, you swore he enjoyed annoying you more than anything "More than a year? Oh gods, that's even worse than I expected" he laughed "The last one was that boy you dated? The one that couldn't even pronounce Hvitserk's name? He left you for a model, didn't he? Wow that must hurt"

You bit your lip to stop the string of insults that came to your head and you wanted so desperately to scream to the smirking asshole that was behind you. 

"I'm not surprised, though" he shrugged "Who would want to have sex with you?"

That was it. You left the plates in the sink and turned around.

"I'm done with you, you asshole, I'm not letting you stay there and insult me only because you have nothing better to do, go do something with your life and leave me alone" 

Ivar laughed at your outburst. You could have said something better, something that would have erased the annoying smirk from his lips, but you were so angry you couldn't even think on a good response.

You left the kitchen, running upstairs and entering Hvitserk's room, closing the door harshly. 

That night, you almost expected Hvitserk to come and get you, asking you if you were okay and maybe scolding his little brother for insulting you. To go and get in bed with you to watch series in Netflix. 

But he didn't, he was too busy, as you could see from the small balcony. He was too occupied with Margrethe. And, for a moment, you started regretting these holidays.

_______________________________________________________________________

Tags: @mblaqgi @alicedopey @lol-haha-joke @hallowed-heathen @ivarslittlebadgirl @naaladareia @tephi101 @captstefanbrandt @love-hate-love @titty-teetee @readsalot73 @moondustmemories @thevikingsheaux @therealcalicali @chimera4plums @blushingskywalker @awkwardfangirl02 @gruffle1 @justacripple @love-dria @heartbeats-wildly @letsrunawaytotomorrow @sallylebecks @hellogabysblog @winchesterwife27

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

The White Peacock Princess

So I had this idea of a selkie but with feathers and wings instead of a seal skin. The term I was able to find to fit that was a swan maiden but I have other ideas so I’m inventing Mouras. People who can take on a human form, an angel form or a bird form who wear a feather cloak instead of a seal skin when in their human form. They can be all kinds of birds with wing colors from the whole color spectrum. @waiting4inspiration wanted me to tag her so here you go! Enjoy!

You were indulging in a solo night flight, managing to shake your guardians with help from your sister. With an upcoming promised engagement, you felt you were getting suffocated.

Because your "potential" inlaws, the current Emperor and Empress of Wahjah, the skies over the far east, seemed to have the perfect vision of who their son, the Crown Prince, Hongyen, should marry and be the crown jewel of his harem and be his Empress and you fit their vision perfectly, and with them being the most powerful family of phoenixes in the world, competition was fierce just to get into the harem and you had been chosen by your in laws because of your spectacular plumage and sweet, caring demeanor along with your purity. And with as much work as you put into yourself and your plumage, you felt it was finally paying off, all you needed to do is actually meet him and "enchant him" according to your parents prodding because while the Emperor and Empress chose the prospects, it was up to him to make the final decision and choose who got to be in the harem itself and he had put off choosing a crown jewel who would be his Empress when he assumed the throne. It was absolutely exhausting. 

You needed a break and some space to decompress so you did the most natural thing, fly, in and out of the clouds and diving low before pulling up at the last second to soar again and making hair pin turns, loops and twists, no small feat, considering what your bird form was, a peacock. You were a Moura. A being who could take a human form, an angel form and a bird form if you so chose. And you were not just any peacock, you were a white one. You weren't albino because your eyes were a magnificent turquoise instead of pink. Your white feathers were opalescent, iridescent with flashes of spectacular pinks, purples, violets, blues, turquoises and greens depending on the angle of the light, with an additional glittering gold spine and dot in the middle of all the feathers. Your feathers were also sparkling like they had diamond dust encrusted onto each fiber of each feather, shimmering and pearlized like you also had crushed pearls rubbed into your plumage and skin when in human form so that it glowed even in very low light, with a rainbow holographic sheen to them, throwing halos and auras of rainbows all around you in the sunshine. It was that that was so coveted and special. And you were the only one like you in the whole world. Being of royal blood yourself, your family taking up the skies over the northern half of Europe, you were naturally white but all the sparkling, shimmering effects on your feathers- that reflected your personality, attributes, talents, accomplishments and emotional makeup and it took a dozen attendants to preen you everyday and your family spared no expense in keeping you in the best shape possible. 

But quite frankly, you just loved to fly, and feel free while doing so. The smells of the earth and the ground and soil and flowers and vegetation were a welcome respite from the fresh but really rather odorless scent of the clouds in that altitude. It was a welcome change of pace. So you were flying low, enjoying the moonlit scenery below you when you heard a baby crying in the forest beneath you. That was odd, babies shouldn’t be in the middle of a forest, there wasn’t a house for miles around. You circled back around and heard the baby crying hysterically which pulled on every heart string you had. You searched the woods with your night vision and only saw a lone figure, a man, crawling away on his belly which was even more strange. 

Normally humans should be walking and walking towards the baby crying, most humans that you observed and interacted with tended to ferociously protect their young, even young that didn't belong to them. You swooped down and landed a few paces away from the baby and looked around and didn’t see anyone else and didn’t see any traps, especially around the baby. That man must have abandoned it. Your wings folded in and you transformed into your human form, your wings laid down on your back, becoming a feather cloak. 

You walked towards the baby and found it covered in a blanket inside what you understood to be a carrier of some kind and reached inside to uncover the baby’s face and gasped before you covered your mouth with your hand as your heart broke. Now you saw why the baby was being abandoned. The poor thing. 

“Oh no, shhh, shh, it’s ok little one, it’s ok.” You cooed as you reached in and picked the baby up to look it over and inspect it. It was badly deformed. Not even the advanced doctors humans had in the far east or the middle east could ever fix this babe. But luckily you could. It was still a baby, not even a couple of days old, so it’s bones were still soft and bendy and it’s fresh new and full of potential. You could heal this babe relatively easily and pluck feathers from your own feather cloak and give this baby wings, your feathers could grow back. Your heart went out to this little one and you were going to adopt it, change it into one of your kind and it would live in your palace with you in the clouds themselves which only looked like clouds from below, but they hid massive palaces that floated on the breeze so that you could travel the whole world without ever having to leave home but your family's territory stayed yours. 

“It’s ok little one, I’m here, I’m here,” you cooed as you took your breast out of your dress and accessed more magic from your core which caused your whole body to glow as if you were the moon itself as your breasts magically produced milk and you nursed the babe, because of how it was deformed it was difficult for it to suckle but once you sat down on a nearby log, you squeezed your breast until milk dribbled out, the milk itself glowing and shimmering too and once it got into the babe’s mouth, the magic began to work and change the little one, turning the deformity into perfection, it’s mouth was the first to change and once it did, it was able to latch and suckle and nurse with ferocity and you established a connection to it and found the baby to be a boy. Your first little prince, you knew of others who had children previous to their being chosen for the harem so that wasn't a problem, he just could never be Emperor and that was fine too. He would have an amazing life regardless. Surely this could be seen as something heroic and a positive that your mother instincts were as strong as they were. Your connection to him became stronger the more milk he drank, also, the more he drank, the more he glowed and changed until he had transformed into the perfect baby and once that was done, you no longer needed to pour magic into him, your glow subsided and you simply nursed him until he was no longer hungry all while you sung the healing incantation to him which sealed in the magic and made the changes permanent. 

“There we go, what shall I name you hmm?” You cooed to him as he pulled away and used your breast as a pillow before you adjusted your dress and change your hold on him so that he was resting on your chest as you continued to rock him gently. 

Meanwhile Ivar had looked back when his son had stopped crying and saw a glow in the woods, like the moon had come down to the earth. Or maybe a piece of the sun. He felt compelled and had crawled back, careful not to make too much noise and when he caught sight of a glowing woman nursing his son, the breath crashed from his lungs. She must have been a valkyrie. He watched as the light from her went into his son who was nursing her and the glow showed his body healing and mending and changing and then slowly the glow faded until a woman in white clothing was left holding his son in the moonlight, lightly rocking his son to sleep and singing the most ethereal song with the most enchanting voice. But he could not make out the words she was saying. 

He saw her wearing a cloak out of what looked like white, shimmering feathers he deduced- the closer he got - as he wondered if she was perhaps a selkie but with… wings and feathers instead of a seal coat. If he could take it from her, perhaps she would stay with him and continue to care for his son, she was clearly a magical being and had healed his son maybe she could heal him too?

So he managed to as stealthily as possible sneak up on her since she was still sitting on the log and once he was close enough he grabbed her and pulled her backwards as she screamed in surprise until she flipped and fell back and flipped again until she was on her hand and knees, keeping his son clutched to her chest with one arm. 

You had screamed when you felt someone grab you and pull you backwards until you were on your back and out of instinct you flipped backwards again until you were on your knees in a crouching position, keeping your new son clutched securely to your chest even though the sudden movement had woken him and he was crying again but because of the way you rolled backwards, your feather cloak came off and before you could scramble to take it back, the man who had grabbed you managed to put it on with lightning fast speed. 

“NO!!” You screamed as you tried to stand to take it off but it had already done it’s transference within a heart beat of time and you watched in horror as the white opalescent feathers changed to black, starting from the shoulders down the length of it. 

“No, no, no, no!” You cried as you stood and watched as your dress changed from white opalescent peacock feathers suddenly had a black bar encircling each feather which meant, you now belonged to him, the outside edge always changed when you were bound to someone, his color was clearly black, you were bound to him now. You watched in horror as your hair changed from white to black starting from the roots down to the tips. You didn’t know what that meant though. 

“What have you done?! Do you have any idea what you’ve done you stupid human?!” You screamed which only made your baby scream and cry harder as you pulled your blade from your skirt and pointed it at the man who seemed to realize what he had done because the magic of the cloak itself had an effect on him as he stood on his feet and stared at himself in awe.

Oh hell no! You were not going to bound to this asshole who dared to take your feather cloak as you took your blade and swung it at him because you were going to take his head off. But alas, your cloak’s feathers turned to leather and metal and deflected your blow before he ducked and evaded your blows too.

“Fuck you, you piece of shit! Give me my cloak back!” You demanded as you were undeterred and continued to try to strike at him but the cloak itself protected him as if it had a life all its own. Fucking transference! You were not going to be enslaved to whoever was wearing it and tried to take your own life but your own feathered dress protected you before he managed to take the blade itself from you and point it at you as you pulled a second from your dress and started circling him as he circled you.

“Who are you?” He demanded. 

"None of your business!" You snapped.

“Just answer the question woman!” He demanded. 

“Woman?! How dare you refer to me as such. I am a Princess so you will refer to me as Your Majesty or Your Highness or Your Excellency.” You sneered defiantly. 

“Well what’s your name then Princess?” He returned with an albeit- sarcastic bow. While you didn't know what offended you more, his attitude or his tone of voice. If he knew who you were, he should be quaking in fear and giving your cloak back and begging for forgiveness. But it was forbidden he know it lest you forfeit your position and your family and your subjects renounce you and you lose everything. 

“You are unworthy to speak my name.” You growled as you began to duel with him, getting disheartened when he was actually a good swordsman while your dress grew over your son until he was wrapped in a sling around you so you could use both hands to fight this...this...this stupidly handsome and robust fighter. 

“But I am a king and a king is higher than a princess, so I am worthy to speak it.” He argued as he seemed to actually enjoy dueling with you. The bastard. 

“Human king, still below me, I am a Princess of Heaven, still above you.” You sassed. 

“Then what the hell is a princess of heaven doing here on the ground?” He asked as he was finding he was quite impressed with your own fighting skills, even with his son strapped to your chest you were still fighting with supreme grace, speed and agility. It was like you were dancing and twirling but with a sword. 

"You abandoned your son, I was saving him and you took advantage of me." You answered. 

“Then what are you?” He asked as he managed to block your blows but could not land any of his own either. Your skill was greater than his but he was stronger than you but you were equal in speed so it evened out. 

“I just told you what I am.” You argued as you began to pant. You haven’t fought this vigorously in forever and he was starting to wear you out.

“You call me human, I take it you are not human.” He pointed out. 

“If you must know, Christians, Jews and Muslims call me and my kind angels, Hindus and Buddists call us devas. I don’t know what religion you follow so I don’t know what you would call me.” You explained. 

“So are you like a selkie but with wings instead of a sealcoat?” Ivar asked and you narrowed your eyes because you didn’t want to tell him the truth. Because the truth was, you were actually very closely related to selkies, you were simply the selkies of the sky instead of the sea and all rules that applied to selkies applied to you also with a few minor and major differences.

But his grin just grew even more smug! How was that possible?! -When you narrowed your eyes and didn’t answer.

 “I take your silence as a ‘yes’.” He practically sang, the smug piece of shit. Damn him! 

“So I take it since I have this you are bound to me?” He ventured as he gestured to the cloak. 

“For now.” You allowed before he simply lowered his sword. 

"If you are bound to me than it's of no use to fight with you." He said as he put your sword into his belt as your shoulders sagged in defeat before you put your sword away and stood up to your full height, taking on your regal posture. 

“What do you want then?” You asked.

"What can you offer me?" He asked, a pleased smirk on his lips. 

“I’ve seen humans be particularly fond of gold. Would a pile of gold weighing ten of me induce you to give me my cloak back?” You asked, trying to bargain with him now. 

“No, not even a pile of gold weighing a hundred of you would satisfy me, what I want from you can not be satisfied with gold or silver or jewels.” Ivar answered. As you opened your mouth to offer jewels before he supplied it and you closed your mouth again.

“What then?” You asked. 

“I am normally a cripple, but with this cloak on- I’m not, why?” Ivar asked. 

“If I tell you, will you give it back?” You asked hopefully. 

“No, but it might induce me to try to understand you so you can understand me, and once we understand each other, we can begin to trust each other, and once we trust each other, you might be able to earn it back then.” Ivar offered, like dangling a carrot in front of a horse. He was clever. Damn it.

“If I heal you so that you are not a cripple, would you give it to me then?” You asked. 

“It would be a start, but still I would ask more than just that.” he taunted. You used your connection to the cloak and sensed how much magic it would take to heal him. It would take a while to recharge from the magic used to heal his son. And it would take almost all of the magic you had right now to heal him and it would take over a year to recharge from that feat. That was time you didn’t have. Hongyen was coming next week. You realized you were screwed either way. 

You huffed and studied the colors that the cloak changed into, it was not just any old black, even in the moonlight with your night vision you could see the other color sheens over the black. pretty well, there was purple, green, red and blue and you used the colors and where they were placed and the patterns they made to gauge what kind of man he was because the cloak revealed personality, emotional makeup and mood if one did not learn to shield themselves from the cloak or simply learn to control the color to suit the occasion or whim. You seemed to weigh and measure the man standing before you wearing your cloak, the crafty son of a bitch. He wasn’t great, he had major flaws, but he had potential. So it wasn’t a total loss, at least you weren’t bound to a moron.

“The simplest answer is I’m magic, so my feather cloak is also magic. It’s meant to always protect me and support me. You no doubt noticed that even my own weapons are no match for it’s protection, the feathers change into a special metal, it’s stronger than iron or steel, yet shinier than silver or gold and just as precious while the cloth changes into a special leather. No weapon can hurt it or the wearer.” You explained as Ivar appraised the cloak he was wearing and took note of its unique features. 

“Is it tied to your dress?” Ivar asked as he gestured to it, having noticed it changed. 

“Yes, this though is a part of me and can not be taken off, the feathers will simply recede into my skin and look like I’m covered in tattooed feathers.” You answered before you noticed the way he was looking at you and you could tell he was envisioning you naked which made you scowl again as you tried to calm the baby by bouncing and swaying in place. 

“Is this truly your son?” You asked as you noticed his gaze go back up to the baby in your arms. 

“Yes.” Ivar answered. 

“And you left him to the forest because he was deformed?” You questioned as he looked down guiltily. 

“I take your silence as a ‘yes’.” You threw back at him which made him cut his eyes at you too. 

“He is lucky I was close, I was flying overhead when I heard him cry. No human doctor could have helped him. I have been all over the world and mingled with others. Even if you were in the far east or the middle east, there would be no doctor to save him and he would have starved to death before you could even get halfway there. You were doing the kindest thing. It’s cold enough tonight that he would have simply gone to sleep and never wake up again, dying in his sleep.” You ventured as he seemed to be comforted by your words. “What’s his name?” You asked. 

“Baldur.” He answered. 

“Do you swear not to harm me in any way?” You asked warily. 

“Only if you will swear the same.” Ivar returned. 

“The cloak has transferred to you, there is nothing anyone can do to harm you or separate us now. Even if poison were to try to pass your lips, the feathers on the cloak will become like knives and point to it. There is no way I can hurt you.” You revealed as you closed the distance between you. 

“What do you think of your son now?” You asked as you showed him to his father who began to shed a few tears at recognizing his son and realizing that he was exactly as he had envisioned him all along as he took him back. 

“He’s perfect.” He smiled as he held his son in his arms again. “Thank you, Princess for healing him.” He thanked you graciously. 

“It’s...Sasha, my name is Sasha,” you allowed, if you were going to be bound to him, might as well learn your nick name. Because your full name was prohibited.  

“Ivar the Boneless, King of Norseman and Kettegat.” He revealed as you nodded in understanding. 

“Well lead the way home then King Ivar the Boneless.” You invited as your dress grew another cloak for you. It wasn’t feathers, but fur, like white chinchilla with black tips on the ends of the fibers, to keep you warm from the cold as Ivar began walking home, his son securely in his arms, able to walk just like anyone else with ease and without pain, for the first time in his life, he was without any pain at all with you walking beside him all the way back.

[athedemonsqueen]

The King and Queen of Kattegat (Vikings)

Season 2

Chapter Seventeen

Ivar's P.O.V

Six Months Later...

Yol has come to pass and it was a joyous time for us as a family. Yrsa's belly grows larger each passing day. She carries my son with such grace and love. I hope he knows he's coming into a world full of love. Hvitserk is excited, everyday he takes walks with Yrsa, knowing I can't walk in the snow. I know I'm growing old, the snow bothers me all the time. I do not tell Yrsa that though.

"Did you like the present I made you for the baby?" I asked as we laid in bed together.

"Ivar it is beautiful, they'll love it!" She said, softly. I leaned into her and kissed her. When I came back up she looked at me confused.

"What?"

"You have a glow to you Ivar the Boneless, that icy hide you had is gone."

"Don't get me wrong, I do miss the raiding," I said, I could tell that bothered her. "But I'm happy with the life we have," I said, going close to her. She smiled as I placed a kiss on her hand.

"I must confess-" as I twiddled with her fingers, "I thought I was only good enough for my mother to love me, but since you, I'm not angry anymore." My voice grew softer. I know she likes it when I talk softly.

"It was always poor Ivar, my mother loved me out of pity because she knew no one else would love me, but not you, you saw I'm not weak and you made me the most powerful man in all of Norway." I put her fingers to my lips.

"I'm a stronger man now because of you," I mumbled. She smiled softly as she gasped. Her eyes widen, I know that look by now, the baby kicked.

"Woah! That was a big one..." she said, sighing. The first time the baby kicked within her I jumped in the air. It was two miracles in one day. The kick meant the legs were strong and they were working. I bent down to her stomach and begged, I Ivar, begged for it to happen again. I put my head to her stomach and it kicked again.

"He knows who you are," she said.

"He has such strong legs," She said. I moved her shirt exposing her large belly. I placed my head on top of it as I felt small taps against my ear. I sighed softly, as I kissed her belly softly.

"Hello, this is your father," I said. Yrsa played with my loose hair, she twiddled her fingers in it and ran her fingers through it.

"I feel he might have your hair, your hair is soft and strong," She said. Then she yawned. I went by her face and kissed her cheek,

"I want her to have your fire," I roared softly, "and your sight," my tongue licked the tip of her nose.

She closed her eyes and began to fall asleep. The baby wears her out quickly during the day. Each day she is losing more and more strength. I hold my breath every day that I hope Kattegat doesn't get raided and I lose my wife and child in it. Because of this fear, Hvitserk strengthened our defenses on the river banks and docks.

The other day I made him an admiral of the sea. He is a true leader and he loves Kattegat as much as we do. Because of his love for Yrsa and myself, he would put himself on the line to protect us. My dear brother, I do hope you know how much I appreciate you and I love you.

Before closing my eyes, I blew out the candle beside me and laid on my side where I usually sleep. I ran through my mind of what is happening now, Hvitserk is on duty tonight, the water is calm, and we are all sound. It is enough to comfort for me to rest soundly.

I then heard Yrsa scream, I jolted up from my side and looked beside me to see her sweating and crying in pain. She held her belly as it moved violently. The baby was coming and it was coming fast. I didn't know how to deliver a baby, but I would try my best. I begged her to push and push, I felt confident enough. Finally, my son was in my arms. He was covered in Yrsa's blood, but I knew he was my son.

I looked up to see Yrsa fading, I went over to her, and begged her, "Yrsa, Yrsa, no."

"Hang on," I cried, tears came down my eyes as she took her last breath. I began to shake violently as I called for Hvitserk.

I then looked down at the baby to see he was deformed to the point where it seemed he was not capable of living. This is truly a nightmare for me.

I woke from my sleep on a horrible night sweat as I looked over to Yrsa who was sound asleep next to me. What a horrible nightmare and it wasn't the first time I dreamed of Yrsa's death in childbirth. I don't tell her about it, I don't want her to have that kind of stress, but I do fear it is a sign from the Gods that for us to have a child it'll cost her life.

I looked over to her and thought I could not live without her, the child will have to be with Hvitserk because I can't live without her. If I were to live without her, my anger would be channeled to the child. That is no way for me to live. I defy the Gods, I always had defied the Gods. I'm Ivar the Boneless. They won't take my wife.

I got up and went over to the bowl of water to wash my face. I leaned over as a voice came,

"You saw it too?"

I turned swiftly to see Hvitserk standing in the doorway.

"You frightened me."

"Sorry."

I went over to him and said, "What did you think I saw?"

He nodded over to Yrsa, "Her death, the baby is not what we expect it to be."

"Don't worry about my wife, she is my worry to have," I said to Hvitserk.

"I love her too, brother," Hvitserk hissed, "There is nothing I can do about that, you thought if I had sex with her, it would break the spell over me, no it hasn't," Hvtiserk said.

"It has only grown."

I sighed, I can't be mad with Hvitserk, "If I lose her, Ivar and if I lose you because of her, I will follow you two to Vahalla."

Hvitserk reminds me so much of my mother, little by little, he looks like her every day. I loved her, and I think that's why I love Hvitserk as much.

I brought my brother over to me and hugged him.

"I can't kill your brother even if I tried."

@youbloodymadgenius

[xuxibelle]

Blessing

Pairing: Ivar x Reader

Word count: 3,017

Warnings: angst, fluff

Requested: No. This was for  @geekandbooknerd’s writing challenge. I had the prompts “It was you the whole time.”, “It’s okay. You can leave. They all do.”, & “Did you mean the things you said?”

Summary: What happens when Y/N is forced to stay away from her best friend? Does she listen? Can she listen? Or does she fight?

At first, growing up in Kattegat was difficult. You were painfully shy and that made it hard to make new friends so you kept to yourself most of the time… until you met the one person you’ve never been able to hide from… Ivar. When you were smaller children, you would watch each other from afar, neither of you knowing what to do or say to the other, so you just kept your distance. Once you were a little older and able to start understanding things more, you understood that what was going on wasn’t right. The other kids were making fun of both you and Ivar, although for different reasons, you knew it was still wrong. This is what drove you to start talking to him in the first place, and once you did, you two became nearly inseparable. That is… until your father realized just exactly who you were spending so much time with.

“But, Father, he’s not like you think…” you try to explain to him one night.

“I won’t hear it, Y/N. You are to stay away from him, do you understand me?” your father said in his most authoritative tone.

“He’s my best friend… you can’t take that away from me… He’s the only one I have!” you nearly shout at him.

“You can make other friends. I don’t want you anywhere near him” he commands you. Feeling the tears welling up in your eyes, you stood and left the table to go to your room. You didn’t understand how your father couldn’t see that Ivar was really a good person. He always made sure no one hurt you and that if you needed anything, it was taken care of. The next day, you went about things as normal hoping that you wouldn’t run into Ivar. You always took a walk through the woods at some point during the day, but this time you decided to go a little farther and walk up the side of the mountain. Rounding a corner on the path, you thought you were just hearing things until you walked closer and realized that you were actually hearing the sounds of swords clashing together. Letting your emotions get the best of you, you rush towards the noise thinking someone was fighting and maybe you could help in some way. But when you ran into the clearing, you came upon something you did not expect to see… two of the princes battling in the center of the clearing and Ivar off to the side, seeming to delight in watching his brothers attacking each other and waiting his turn. His eyes snapped up to yours as you rounded the corner. The brothers stopped their swordplay when they noticed Ivar’s movement and where he was looking, turning their attention to you as well.

“Oh… it’s just you,” you say in relief.

“Just us?” you hear one of the older brothers laugh, you weren’t sure which one, Hvitserk you think because the voice wasn’t as deep, but you were still focused on Ivar.

“Yes…?” you say in confusion.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ubbe asks.

“Well, I was walking and I heard the sounds of the swords so I thought someone might be in trouble. That’s why I rushed in. I didn’t think it would be you up here practicing,” you explain.

“As if you could do anything to help someone fighting,” Ubbe laughs. “You shouldn’t be up here anyway,” he tells you with a harsh glare as he starts to take a step towards you.

“Leave her be, brother,” you hear Ivar tell him.

“What?” Ubbe asks him.

“I said leave Y/N be. She didn’t know we were here,” Ivar explains to him. “Did you, Y/N?” he asks you, turning his attention to you.

“No! I didn’t, I swear,” you rush out in desperation, hoping Ubbe would just listen to Ivar for once and leave you alone.

“Come, brother, let’s go back to the hall. I’m sure the meal is ready for us by now,” you hear Hvitserk call to him from the edge of the clearing where he was picking up the other equipment they had used. Ubbe glared at you one last time before joining his brother in picking up the extra weapons and heading back to the town. You breathed a sigh of relief once he was gone.

“Thank the gods,” you say just above a whisper.

“Are you okay?” Ivar asks quietly.

“I’m fine, Ivar. Just trying to clear my head with a walk,” you explain as you try to leave.

“Wait, come sit with me a bit. You must be tired from your walk up the mountain,” he says in a soft voice. You hesitantly turn and go to sit near him, never fully looking at him. “Are you sure you’re okay. Something doesn’t seem right with you today.” You take a breath as you sniffle a bit.

“Not really,” you say quietly.

“What’s wrong? Has someone hurt you? Tell me who it is,” he blurts out making you laugh.

“It’s nothing like that. I mean, I am hurt, but not like you’re thinking…” you try to explain. You try to start again after taking a few breaths. “It’s father…”

“Is he sick? Or hurt?” Ivar asks curiously. You could tell he was genuinely concerned making it that much harder to tell him what your father had said and that much harder for you to understand why your father didn’t like him.

“No, he’s fine… Just being stubborn really… He won’t listen to me… He told me that I need to stay away from you… th-that you’re not a good person,” you say as you hear your voice crack and you feel the tears line your eyes. “But I know you are… I know who you really are and he can’t see that. He doesn’t understand.”

“Oh… I see,” you hear Ivar say quietly as you watch his posture and demeanor change. “It’s okay. You can leave. They all do.” You shake your head at him.

“You know I don’t want to,” you tell him with your voice barely above a whisper.

“Y/N, it’s fine. Do what your father says. I don’t want to get you into trouble,” Ivar tells you before sliding down off the tree stump he was sitting on and crawling away as fast as he could, leaving you behind as you tried to fight back the tears. Over the next few weeks, your father had you helping him with his work to help keep you busy and away from Ivar, yet you still saw him everyday when you went to the market. Exchanging glances across the way, you would give each other small smiles and the occasional wave if your father wasn’t nearby. The next few days you didn’t see any of the princes at the market and it had you wondering.  Few more days went by with you not seeing them before you started asking around. You found out that they had went to England on a raid and there was no telling when they would be back. About a month later a few ships returned, but not the princes, they had remained in England. Torvi was among the people that had returned and you saw that she was walking towards you, which you found odd. You knew her but you weren’t really friends. You spoke when you had to and you were nice to each other but with you being shy, you usually kept to yourself. When she reached you, she took your arm and pulled you away from the crowd.

“I need to speak with you,” she tells you as you walk with her.

“Alright,” you tell her as you give her a confused look but continue to follow her as she releases your arm. Once you were far enough away from the crowd, she looked around to make sure there wasn’t anyone nearby before she began to speak.

“Before I tell you what i have to say, I want you to know Ivar is well,” she tells you as you breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you,” you tell her quietly.

“He told us of what your father has done,” she explains with a sympathetic look. You nod your head in understanding.

“Is he mad?” you ask shyly.

“Mad?” she questions.

“At me? For listening to my father?” you explain.

“No,” she laughs. “Quite the opposite really. That’s why I’m here. He hasn’t told anyone but me, not even the brothers. He wants you to know that he’s coming back for you.”

“Wh-what…?” you stumble out. “What does that even mean?”

“I cannot say any more than that. He must tell you the rest. Just be prepared for when he comes,” Torvi says with a smile. You nod your head as you feel the tears forming again. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. You’re gonna be alright. And I want you to know, if you need anything, you can always come to me. I know we haven’t talked much, but I’ll be here for you too. I’ve always liked you,” she tells you as she pulls you into a hug.

“Thank you, Torvi,” you say quietly as you hug her back. The next 6 weeks went by excruciatingly slow for you. With your anxiety levels up after what Torvi had said, everything was on edge so naturally when you heard the horns signalling that there were ships, you almost panicked. By the time you reached the docks, everyone was already off the ships and walking off the docks to find their people. You didn’t see Ivar anywhere so you looked for the other princes and found Hvitserk first, running to him. “Where is he?” you ask as you place your hand on Hvitserk’s shoulder to get his attention, making him turn to look at you.

“Good to see you too, Y/N” he laughs as you roll your eyes.

“You know I’m happy that you are all home safe. Now, please,” you beg as he smiles at you and you follow his eyes when they look behind you. Turning around, you see Ivar walking towards you with metal braces on his legs and using a crutch. “Wh-what is this?” you ask in excitement as you look down at his legs and up at him with a huge smile.

“Just something to make me more ‘normal.’ What do you think?” he asks you.

“It’s amazing! But you don’t need to be normal, Ivar. You know that. You’re perfect the way you are,” you tell him in response. Once you realize what you say, your hand flies to cover your mouth and you feel your face flush. “I-i’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he smiles at you. “I missed you while we were away. I missed talking to you like we used to,” he tells you. You bite your lip as you look up at him with a tear in your eye.

“I missed you too,” you say quietly.

“I’ve got some things I need to take care of with my brothers. Would you meet me later?” Ivar asks you.

“Yes, of course. Usual spot?” you ask to be sure.

“Yea. Down the beach, the place where no one else goes,” he half laughs as he looks at you, resting his palm against your face making your eyes flutter shut as he rubs his thumb across your cheek. “You look more beautiful than I remember,” he whispers in your ear before he begins to walk towards his brothers. “Alright, let’s get this over with,” he tells them with a laugh. “I’ve got things to do.” You watch as they all walk towards the great hall and disappear inside before you walk back to your house and go to your room, sitting on your bed and thinking over what just happened. Your father asks where you were going when you were leaving to meet Ivar.

“Just down to the beach. Just wanted some quiet,” you tell him as he nods.

“Don’t be too late,” he tells you before you walk out the door. You hated lying to him, but you knew he wouldn’t let you go if he knew you were going to see Ivar. He was already there when you walked up to the rock you usually sat on.

“You’re early,” you say quietly as you sit beside him.

“Couldn’t wait any longer,” he tells you as he looks out over the water.

“Is something bothering you?” you ask before you see him slightly nod his head. “What is it? Maybe I can help.”

“There’s this girl…” Ivar begins with a smile and you feel your heart sink. “She… I don’t know what to do about her…”

“You like her… a lot?” you ask. He nods his head yes. “Tell her.”

“I don’t know if I should,” he tells you.

“Why not?” you ask.

“Her family is complicated,” he explains.

“That shouldn’t matter. I know if I loved someone and my father didn’t like him, I would fight for it,” you tell him. Ivar turns his head and meets your eyes.

“You would?” he asks with hope in his eyes.

“Of course I would,” you tell him. “You have to fight for what you love, for what you believe in,” you say as you rest your hand on his. Looking at your hands, he takes a breath as he takes your hand in his and looks back at you.

“Y/N,” he starts slowly. “...it was you the whole time.”

“What do you mean?” you ask confused.

“It’s you… I’m in love with you,” Ivar tells you quietly as he watches your eyes grow slightly wider.

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” you half laugh as he shakes his head no.

“Did you mean the things you said? About your father… That you would fight for what you loved?” he asked you with a shaky voice.

“I-i did… I do,” you tell him, your voice just as shaky. “It’s always been you…” you say as he smiles at you. He cups your face in his hands as he leans his forehead against yours. “I love you,” you nearly whisper, making his eyes flutter shut as he smiles.

“Say it again,” he asks you quietly.

“I love you, Ivar,” you giggle as you look up at him, smiling. He presses his lips to yours in a soft kiss, making your eyes flutter shut again. You begin to move your lips against his while you wrap your arms around his neck to pull him closer to you and he wraps his arms around your waist. When you pull back from the kiss, he gently nips at your bottom lip almost making you whine.

“So, I guess the next step is talking to your father?” Ivar questions.

“Yea…. I guess so,” you say as you shrug your shoulders. “Are you sure you’re prepared for that?”

“No not really, but I’m gonna do it anyway,” he laughs.

“Dinner tonight?” you suggest.

“Sounds good,” he tells you with a smile. You stay in the spot at the beach for a while longer before you both return to your places. Ivar shows up for dinner as planned even though your father protested when you told him half an hour before. Dinner went surprisingly well, even the conversation between Ivar and your father. After the meal was finished, you still sat at the table and talked.

“Now, why don’t you tell me why you are really here,” your father tells Ivar with a knowing look.

“Father!” you whisper shout.

“No, Y/N. He’s right… There is another reason I’m here,” Ivar tells you with a smile as you give him a confused look. “I felt it was only right to come here and ask you for permission before I spoke with Y/N,” Ivar tells your father. You watch as your father nods his head, waiting for Ivar to continue. You were lost, had no idea what was happening. “Would you give me your permission? Would we have your blessing?” Ivar asked. You hear a heavy sigh come from your father before you look at him.

“You know I didn’t like you, but if you are what makes my Y/N happy and this is what she wants... then yes. You have my blessing,” your father tells Ivar and you see smiles on both of their faces.

“What’s going on?” you ask them.

“Well… I…” Ivar begins as he gets up from his seat and walks over to you, taking your hands in his. “Y/N… you know we’ve been close for a long time, and I don’t want to lose that, ever. What we talked about earlier today, it made me think… While I was gone, you were all I could think of… and I want to know that no matter what, whether I am gone or present, you will be protected and taken care of… What I’m trying to say is… Will you marry me?” Ivar tells you softly before he asks the question. You feel the tears in your eyes spill over the edge as he reaches the end and asks the question.

“Yes, of course I will,” you say in a shaky voice as you stand up and wrap your arms around him in a hug. He leans his crutch against the table so he can wrap his arms around you as well, nuzzling his face into your neck. “I love you,” you say against his shoulder before he pulls you back to look down at you, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

“I love you,” he says quietly before he presses a quick, soft kiss to your lips, not wanting to upset your father. “Thank you, sir,” you hear him say as he turns his head towards your father.

“Anything for my daughter,” he smiles at you both. “Just be sure to take care of her, or you’ll deal with me,” you hear you father tell him, making you laugh.

“Don’t worry,” Ivar tells him as he looks down at you. “She will be well taken care of.”

@nerdraging4point0 /  @bringmethehorizonandpizza​  /  @sunshine112  /  @summernykole  /  @empressdreams / @justasmisunderstoodasloki / @bisexual-sk8r /  @devildisguiseasangel​ / @fanficparker / @ivaraddict​ / @dangerousvikings​ / @lisinfleur​ / @honestsycrets 

[vikingschristiansff]

Chapter Five

The next morning Ewan ordered his daughters to spend time with their husbands before they were to leave for France. He thought it'd be beneficial for them to bond with their new spouses, but the girls disagreed. Most of them attempted to avoid the men especially Leith, she wanted to spend as much time with James as possible before she had to leave for Kattegat.

Bjorn had been looking all over for his new bride, he finally found her midday. She was with James in the stables, they were dancing as James sang and Leith laughed at his off pitch tune. Bjorn scowled, watching them for a while before he cleared his throat getting their attention.

Leith gasped at her husbands sudden presence, she pushed James way from her and they all stared at each other for a while. No one wanted to be the first person to speak.

“Don’t you have work you should be doing? Baker.” Bjorn could not hide the distain in his voice. James simply nodded his head and ran past Bjorn and out of the stables.

Bjorn looked back at Leith and started walking towards her slowly. “You agreed to be my wife, I expect you to act as such.”

“I love James, I have for a very long time. I will not be unfaithful to you, but while I am still in Scotland I will be spending as much of my time with him as possible because once I leave with you I will never,” she voice broke, and tears began to well in her eyes. “I will never see him again. I know my father wants me to bond with you, but we will have the reset of our lives for that, so please, leave me alone while we are here.” With that Leith stormed out of the stables, her shoulder bumping into Bjorn in the process.

* * * *

Ubbe and Hvitserk were wondering the castle when Elsie and Isla came walking up to them with their father leading the way. Elsie was carried a wicker basket on her arm.  

“Ubbe, Hvisterk, the girls are where going down to the lake for lunch and they wanted to know if you would like to join them,” Ewan smiled at them. Looking at the girls, the brothers could tell that this invitation was not Elsie and Isla's idea.

“We would love too,” Ubbe smirked, and Hvitserk nodded his head.

“Wonderful!” Ewan pushed his daughters forward and retreated back the way he came.

The walk to the lake was silent, when they got their Elsie and Isla unpacked the food and sat, again without word. Ubbe and Hvitserk uncomfortably joined them.

“Someone should really say something,” Hvisterk said, breaking the silence.

“When are you leaving?” Elsie asked.

“The day after tomorrow,” Ubbe answered.

“Can’t wait,” Isla mumbled to herself but her comment was heard by all.

“We are going to have to start getting along,” Ubbe was addressing everyone. “There is no getting out of this situation, so I think that the best thing for all of us is to try to be kind to each other. Do we all think that we can do that?”

“Yes,” the other three said in unison, all nodding their heads as well.

The rest of their meal was spent in casual chatter, discussing the foods they like, stories from childhood, and their interests.

* * * *

Sigurd found Olivia in the castle’s tower. She was sitting at a small desk at was placed facing the window, she was drawing the landscape in front of her. She’s rather pleasant looking when she is silent, Sigurd thought. After a short while of just watching her Sigurd cleared his throat in order to announce his presence.

She glanced over her shoulder, then quickly turned forward again. “What do you want?” she snapped, not looking at him.

Sigurd walked closer to her, “Are you hiding from your father so he doesn't force you spend time with me?”

“He knows I'm always up here, I'm not hiding from anyone,” she continued her drawing, never looking to the Viking that now stood next to her.

“I saw him drag the twins and forced them to ask my brothers to go to the lake. Why do you get do whatever you want?” he asked with a smirk.

“My mother and father tend to forget about me. They have many children, one is bound to slip through the cracks,” her voice was flat, but Sigurd to hear the hurt.

“I understand that,” he told her.

“It’s fine, I like being alone, not having them controlling what I do everyday,” she said, then she turned to face him. “And if you don't mind, I’d like to be alone right now.” Sigurd simply nodded his head, and turned on his heels to leave, closing the door behind him.

* * * *

Ivar found Bridget brushing her horse in the field behind the castle. He took a seat on the stone bench behind her.

“What his her name?” his sudden question made Bridget jump.

“A stóirín” she answered coldly, turning back to the dark brown horse.

Ivar took a deep breath, this interaction was very difficult for him. “I…I wanted to thank you for last night. I know you said you did it for yourself, but…thank you anyway.”

“Well, I’ve bought us some time,” she continued to brush her horse. “This deal Bjorn and my father have requires that we have children, what will we do then?”

He hadn't thought about any of that. Since Bjorn had told the brothers about the arrangement he had with Ewan he was so angry he didn't even think of those things. “We will figure it out when the time comes,” he told her after a long pause.

“That sounds very ominous given your reputation.”

“And what is my reputation?” he inquired.

Bridget stopped brushing the horse, and mounted him. She looked at Ivar, “That you’re a mad man,” he didn't have time to respond before she was off.

* * * *

After breakfast Greer ran in the opposite direction whenever she saw Halfdan. She did not want to speak to him after the events last night. Contrary to what Ewan told her sisters, he agreed that Greer should avoid her new husband as much as possible. Unfortunately, he was able to sneak up on her while she was picking flowers in the garden, her favorite place.

“Your highness,” Peter, her guard, said when he noticed Halfdan approaching. When she looked up at him he pointed behind her. As she turned she came face-to-face with her Viking husband.

“Could be give us a moment alone?” Halfdan asked Peter, who began to leave.

“Peter, stay!” Greer snapped, something she never did to the servants. “You don't listen to him, you don't work for him.” Peter returned to the position he was in, holding a basket filled with the flowers Greer had already picked.

Halfdan sighed and tried to speak in a low voice so that Peter wouldn't be able to hear, “I wanted to talk about what happened last night.”

“Well, I don’t,” Greer turned away and went back to picking her flowers. Halfdan started to speak again, but was cut off by Greer. “My father told you not to speak of it, and you agreed. So, stop speaking about it!”

Halfdan walked up to her, so close their noses were almost touching. “We are married, you will have to tell me eventually,” he whispered. “And I want to know because you are my wife, I will not use it against you.” Greer remained silent, and Halfdan turned and walked away.

“He seems quite nice.”

“Shut up, Peter.”

************************************

A stóirín- little treasure

@-thatgirloverthere-

[ofhoneyandrosepetals]

We Move Lightly - Chapter 8

Pairing: Modern!Ivar x reader

Description: Y/N moved back in with her parents, after 7 years of taking care of her grandparents in another town. She had no idea how her neighbors would be, or who would they be, or even that she would fall in love with one of them.

Warnings: swearings. The basic of always.

Word count: 3.599

A/N: due to Tumblr’s links problems, I’m not going to put here the link for previous chapters, masterlist and my ask (which my inbox happens to be OPEN for requests) but you all can keep up with the link for my masterlist in my bio!

A couple of days later, you receive a text from Ivar.

Of course that it wasn’t his first text after that day when you met him after his doctor appointment.

But it was a text that made your heart jump.

Here’s the thing: I really wanna go out with you today but for that to happen I gotta delivery some projects first. U think we can put those two things together?

He was direct, not wasting time on calling you some sweet name (like he did sometimes) or with some chit chat. He went straight up to what he wanted, and that lightened something inside of you.

Before you could answer, he already sent another text.

After I deliver those projects my summer will finally begin and I want it to be with you - by the time I’m free of those things I wanna be with you at some nice place doing something nice. Gotta no time to waist.

After all, summer’s short, you text him back immediately. You think about how he put the word “we” in “think we can put those things together?” and your heart skipped a little bit more.

We.

You and Ivar.

It’s gonna be the longest summer, darling.

You bit your lips. Darling.

When are you leaving to hand those projects?

Around 1 pm. Be ready, I’ll knock.

You smiled and you felt like you didn’t have to answer to that, like if Ivar knew that you were smiling and that was some sort of “okay”.

*

By the time you were putting your dress on, a lightweight fabric of yellow, Ivar knocked at your door.

“Shit,” you mumble to yourself. You took more time than planned on the makeup, not being able to decide what to do. Should I put mascara? Or not? What about blush? Lipstick or gloss? You couldn’t decide, and that took more time than the makeup itself, which ended up being only mascara and gloss. You wanted to feel good with yourself and not wear too much - that was your daily makeup, on days that you actually put it on.

You ran downstairs, grabbing your shoes on the way. You put the right one and opened the door.

Ivar was wearing pants that its fabric didn’t look too hot, but the fact that he was wearing them already made you sweat. It was starting to get really hot, how could he wear that? His T-shirt was tight on his muscles, making all of them show up to you. You had to hold your deep breath.

He raised an eyebrow at you, then looking down at your feet, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Oh, right,” you laugh and put your other shoe on. “I’m ready,” you tell him while grabbing your little purse and locking the door.

“Where are your parents? I thought that they might open the door.”

“Groceries. Where are your projects?”

“At the car,” he pointed with his thumb to the black Sedan behind him. You thought that you held a surprise look on your face, because Ivar said: “What?, did you really think that we would walk all the way in this hot weather? Maybe when we get to our destiny, but not all over the way downtown.”

Yeah, you actually thought that maybe you two would walk all the way - even because you had no idea where Ivar would hand his work and because you were used to walk and take the bus.

But you had no idea that he actually had a driver license.

You wanted to make a joke of that so you could ease yourself up a little, but you were scared to hurt his feelings, so you asked: “Is this car yours?”

“Yeah, that’s my girl. I got her when I was 16 and cannot give it away. It’s not even my type of car, but… it has its meaning.” You smiled at that.

“Maybe one day I’ll know what she means to you,” you said gently.

“You’re not jealous, are you, Y/N?” Ivar said with a cocky smirk while opening the door for you. You gave his smirk back at him as you entered the car.

“Wow, a real gentleman…” you heard him laughing as he closed the door. You saw that he was limping a little.

“First stop,” he said when he got in the car. “Get rid of the work.”

“And the next stop?” You asked smiling.

“Where the summer begins,” he looked into your eyes and smiled at you. You thought that maybe he would kiss you, but that didn’t happen. You took a look at the back seat of the car to see a whole bunch of rolled papers.

“Wow, that’s a lot of work! When you told me that you’re busy with all of this, I didn’t imagine that it could be so much! I knew that it was a lot, but not… this…” you were surprised.

“Floki has a new idea and I kept working on that… half of what’s there are some ideas that can fit his own. To improve it, I don’t know.”

“You do deserve a longer summer,” you said distracted.

“So do you,” but you didn’t pay attention to that.

*

You were waiting inside the car while Ivar went upstairs the tall and glassy building with his arms full of projects. Even if it wasn’t hot or too far, you guessed that you could never go walking. You took the freedom to grab your phone from your purse and connect it to Ivar’s radio. You let your music playing in a low volume, humming along.

He opened the door to find you singing in a low tone.

“Hey, there.”

“Oh, oh, hi,” he caught you off guard, making you drop your phone and blush.

“I see you made yourself comfortable there,” he was already leaving the parking lot.

“Sorry.”

He didn’t say a word and, after he turned the volume up, you saw him smiling.

“I have no idea what you’re listening to, but I like it.”

You smiled and looked out the window. You were too shy to sing along but, inside your head and your body, you felt as loud as the music.

*

“I think I’ll call that the first stop of our next stop,” Ivar said stopping the car at the park. “What about some ice cream?” He asked smiling.

“You just read my mind; why are we wasting time?” You quickly got out of the car, waiting for Ivar. He stood at your side, offering you his hand to held. Your lips opened a little in surprise - you didn’t remember holding hands with Ivar. Well, at least not like this. On your first date, if that could be called a date (which you did like to call it) you two held hands at the dark of the café, but that was different.

Here you would walk holding hands.

Showing to everyone that you were together. As a couple.

Or something leading to that.

Walking to the ice cream shop, Ivar said: “I still haven’t said how beautiful you look today. But not only today, everyday actually, but today I still haven’t said it. Or… any day…” he scratches the back of his head. “Shit, that came out wrong.”

You were smiling at his embarrassed way, how quickly he got lost in his words.

“I give you a new chance to express yourself better, Lothbrok,” you said holding a laugh.

“Hey, don’t laugh, ain’t fair,” he passed his hand through his hair, which was in a man bun. “I ruined the whole thing.”

“You didn’t.”

“I just wanted to say that everyday you look beautiful because you are beautiful, and you look beautiful today. Just like every other day. I also liked very much your dress,” he said looking at you head to toes. You giggled.

“Thanks,” you squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek, slowly and gently.

You wished that Ivar couldn’t tell how you felt, because inside you were just a happy mess, like if all of yours cells were partying, very drunk. You were with the stars, heart pounding, happiness running through your veins.

You were in love.

After you two ordered your ice creams, Ivar led the way. Sometimes he had to pull or push you here or there, because you had no idea where you were going and you didn’t quite follow Ivar’s movements.

You were at the park, but going somewhere there that you’ve never been before.

“Okay, we’ll have to crawl here,” Ivar said.

“What?”

“Here,” he pointed to a bush.

“There’s no way to crawl there, Ivar.”

“Of course there is,” he said playful and pulled the bush up, the leaves and branches expanding to show a rabbit hole just like in the Disney movie. “Here, hold it please,” he gave you his ice cream. “I’ll go first, then you.”

You couldn’t ignore the fact that you were kinda worried about Ivar’s legs, his knees. You saw that he was taking care of it, while trying not to be obvious. “The branches can scratch a little, but it doesn’t hurt; it’s very soft.”

“Okay.”

Ivar’s hands appeared to grab the two ice creams so you could crawl.

“How won’t you let our ice creams fall on the ground?”

“Y/N, you forget that I deal with pencils and stuff. My hands are very good and secure.”

My hands are very good and secure. You tried not to think too much about that and started crawling through and under the bush.

“Hi there,” Ivar said giggling when he saw your head.

Once you passed you sat on the grass and took a look around. In front of you had a passage through trees, a tunnel of flowers. You could only see pieces of the blue sky cut by the branches. Ahead the tunnel you couldn’t see much because of the strong sunlight.

“Out of words?” Ivar asked. You nodded. “It got me like that too when I first found it.”

You couldn’t stop thinking about when he first found it. With another girl? Alone? Did he bring every girl here too? You decided to stay silent, to just enjoy the view. You took your ice cream from Ivar’s hand.

“Ladies first,” he said when you got up, gesturing towards the path. You walked under the flowers, looking up at them. They were yellow, pink, white. All the leaves had a different ton of green. The noise of cracking branches and leaves under your feet. Ivar kept talking behind you. “When it got worse I had to get a wheelchair, and wasn’t very happy about it. That was making me feel miserable. I was the different kid at school. Everyone looked at me, with pity in their eyes. I had to stop playing, running, swimming. And I was stuck in a wheelchair.” You were walking slowly, dividing your attention to Ivar and to that place. “I refused to use that thing out of school. At home I would crawl everywhere. I didn’t care, all I wanted was to not use that thing. I was 14 years old. One day Ubbe dragged me with him to downtown, just close to this park, while he did some things. I didn’t want to be with him, so I started walking around. Well, ‘walking’,” he laughed a little at his memory. “I got just near where we crawled through that bush when I saw a dragonfly. It was flying around me, and I wanted to get it, but it was a little higher than me, sat down on the wheelchair, so I had to stand up on my feet. I did that. I did that and started following the dragonfly - I remember how much my legs started to hurt. Until they couldn’t support my weight anymore and I fell. That made me so angry, it showed that I couldn’t walk anymore, and maybe never again. I started crawling, not having a specific destiny. So I noticed something curious in that bush, and… and I found this. I found this incredible place on a day and a situation that I was on my worst. Since then it was always my safe place. Now it can be yours too.”

“Mine?”

“Yeah.”

“So you never showed it before to anyone else?”

“Never.”

You stopped at the end of the path, where it opened to a little lake. There were some animals, and the sun reflected on the water. You felt Ivar stopping right behind you, close enough so you could feel his presence so close to you.

You felt something cold dripping on your breast - when you looked down you saw that it was your ice cream.

“Crap,” you mumbled, trying to clean it. Ivar was laughing, amused. “It got on my bra too, I can’t believe it.”

“I could clean it for you,” he said in a suggestive tone.

“No you couldn’t,” you said blushing, not wanting to fill your mind with those thoughts.

After you’ve cleaned yourself, you and Ivar got a spot under a shadow to sit on the grass and look at the lake.

“It’s so calm here,” you whisper, not wanting to make noise.

“It was the calm after my own storm.”

“It means a lot, you know that?”

“What?”

“It means a lot the fact that you showed me this place.”

“It means how important you are to me. How much I like you. You make me feel different, a way that I’ve never felt before. I like you that much, Y/N.”

Ivar was leaning towards you, and you moved with him, closing your eyes. The tip of his nose touched yours and you held your breath. Your foreheads touched. His fingers started trailing your arms to your shoulders, to the crook of your neck and then to your cheek, holding your face with both of his hands. You could feel his breath.

You grabbed his wrists, placing your hands on top of his, so you could feel them.

His hands are rough, the type of hands that you could never, ever imagine that could make such gentle movements, touches. But Ivar was an artist, of course his hands could perform such things.

And maybe other things.

You took a deep breath at the thought of his hands running through your body.

How hot his skin is, you thought.

You felt Ivar’s soft lips slightly touching yours, just a peck of a kiss. A hint. Both of your lips stayed like this for what felt like the longest time, until you opened your lips for him.

As his tongue touched yours, your hands trailed to the muscles of his arms, its hardness under your touch, his hot and smooth skin. You free his hair from the man bun, gripping it hard. Ivar lifted you and put you on his lap.

He kissed your lips, your nose, your ears, your neck.

He bit your lower lip, making a moan left from you and, at that, he gripped hard your hips, which made you move them on top of him. He groaned under his breath, hardening the grip on your hips and pushing you a little, breaking the kiss. He was breathing hard.

“Are you okay?” You asked him. He nodded, his eyes closed and mouth open. “Is it your legs?, am I hurting you?” You touched his legs.

“I’m fine, it’s not my legs. I just… I needed to breath,” he said with an airy laugh. You didn’t know why Ivar pushed you back a little and you weren’t paying attention, but the reason why he broke the kiss and the distance was because of the growing bulge. Always when he was with you and he kissed you, he tried his hard ass for that not to happen, but sometimes he couldn’t control it.

And that was one of them.

“You are amazing, you know that, right?” Ivar said, shining eyes.

Even though you were under the shadow, you could see sparkles of the sun on Ivar’s eyes, yellow swimming on blue.

“Hey,” you protested when something landed on the tip of your nose.

“It’s a ladybug,” Ivar said laughing. “Wait, no no no, don’t scare it away, you look adorable, just… hold still,” Ivar got his phone and took a photo of you.

You always were a shy person but, somehow, at that moment, you didn’t care about being in front of a camera. You didn’t care about how you would look, because it didn’t matter.

“Wanna see it?” Ivar asked. You nodded. “No?” He sounded surprised.

“No. Do you know how to skip stones?”

“If I know? I’m the best of my brothers.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“So I guess I’ll have the best teacher, then.”

“Guess so,” Ivar took some impulse to stand up. “There are some stones on the riverbank.”

You ran first and took a hand full of little stones, showing them to Ivar.

“It has to be the perfect stone. Here, this one. Every stone that looks like this,” you started separating them, making a pile on the ground. “You grab it like this and twist your wrist like this. You need the perfect speed, rotation and angle. It needs practice.”

You tried the first time. The stone sank in the water. You tried the second time. No success.

“Here,” Ivar got behind you, his left hand on yours.

“Are you left handed?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m right.”

“Oh. Okay, so… I’ll show you with the left hand and you try with your right hand. Here. Your fingers go like that and… when you throw it, you’ll make this movement.”

The stone flew from your hand, skipping so much that at some point it just got lost.

“Hey, you’re good!” You said looking at him.

“Told ya,” he winked an eye at you. “Your turn.”

You did with your right hand what Ivar showed you with your left. Your stone skipped two times. You looked at him with a big smile, like a child would look at its mother after doing something marvelous.

“Need some practice, just like I said.”

“Maybe one day I’ll be even better than you,” your shoulder pushed him aside.

“What? No way, I doubt it,” he said playful.

“The greater the teacher is, the greater the pupil will be.”

“Even greater than the teacher?”

“Even greater than the teacher.”

“I’m waiting for that.”

You kissed the tip of his nose on your tip toes. “I’m gonna take my shoes off.”

“That’s a good idea.”

Ivar was bare feet, his pants rolled up to his calf, skipping stones. You could see almost all of his back muscles under his tee and they working as he threw the stones. You decided that was your time to take a photo.

Your first photo of him.

“Hey!” You heard him calling for you while you appreciated the photo. “The pupil will never be greater than the teacher if she keeps looking at her phone! Drag your lazy ass over here!” You laughed.

“I’m not lazy,” you joked.

“Oh no?”

“No. It was just a picture.”

“A picture?” You nodded. “Of me?”

“No,” you said.

“Okay,” Ivar didn’t sound convinced.

*

The day ended with you sat on Ivar’s lap, snuggled although the hot weather, looking at the sunset. His arms were hugging you by your waist, yours on top of his, hugging him back. Your legs were tangled with each other. His chin was resting on the crook of your neck.

“I like it here,” you told him.

“We can come more times.”

“I thought that this was already implied,” you felt Ivar smiling.

You thought that a day couldn’t end more perfect than this.

But so did you think that that night at the café.

And that night at his house when Amy was here.

But for now, you thought that a day couldn’t end more perfect than this.

You snuggled on Ivar’s lap, being so close to him, with the sunset at the lake, the grasshoppers singing and the dragonflies flying all around. The ducks going to their way, the birds singing too.

You didn’t want to look away, and no camera could make justice to that view, but even so you closed your eyes and took that view to your mind, so later you could paint it.

You could feel the chill air coming and the hot air leaving. The sun leaving and the moon coming with its stars.

“The stars will always guide us home,” you whispered.

“What?”

“Nothing. I think the vikings probably said that at some point. Your ancestors.” You were playing with Ivar’s arm ring. He smiled at the fact that you remembered what he told you once, under the tree of his house. He kissed your cheek.

And again you thought that a day couldn’t end more perfect than this.

Taglist:  @mblaqgi @akamaiden @dangerousvikings @oddsnendsfanfics @deepdarkred @irishhiggins @tinypuppysoul @kingbouji3 @i-war-s-boner @capitanostella @loothbrok @noaor @thehuntress26 @sassymcgonagal1651 @hoodirwin5 @attorneyl @collecting-stories @certainobservationwasteland @dreams-in-different-colours @3x5gurl @readsalot73 @thisisparadisemylove @action-adventure-and-cheesecake @titty-teetee @cutiedaij @austenkingmylady @ivarthesweetheart @golden-pickaxe @lokis-sunflower-anna @bill-istvan @cynthianokamaria @slut4hazeleyes @chinduda @hallowed-heathen @cherryblossombaby69 @paintballkid711 @bisexual-dane

[gardenflowerswriting]

Mafia!Ivar pt 4

A/N: This took a while, and I’m sorryyyy. Gif: kikuthestrange

Masterlist

You watched as he drove off, turning back to the brick and see the flowers he got you. They looked a little frozen, but you held them under your arm as you climbed back inside. Your room was full of cold air, but you quickly undressed, and slid into the thick blankets, a smile on your face as you day dreamed about seeing Ivar tomorrow. You hadn't known the man for nearly a week, and yet he still made your heart flutter, and your stomach ache with suspense.

"Y/N! Get the hell up! You're late!" You jumped from your sleep you you could hear Jamie's voice ringing in your ears. You were late? How? For what? "Let's go! The car is going, get up or you'll walk to the diner."

Shit. "O-Okay Jamie," you slipped from the warm sheets, scratching your head as you sleepwalked through out your room. Grabbing a new skirt and blouse, you tried pinning your hair up, adding a thick headband to shield any flyaways you didn't have time to fix, while also adding a new coat of lipstick. It wasn't your best work, but it would have to do.

You slipped on your coat, and put on your flats as your ran down the stairs. Your mother was sitting in her usual spot, "love you dear!" She called as you closed the front door.

A thick layer of snow coated the ground as you could see your breath in the air. Had it snowed? Your thoughts were interrupted by Jamie, the loud screeching of the car horn made you flinch, "let's go!"

"Okay!" You wrapped your coat tighter around you, "Gods, you'd think the world was ending," your voice was low as you hopped into the seat next to him.

It wasn't like Ivars car, probably less nice, but it was something, "seriously Y/N, I would have let you walk in the cold," he switched gears and reversed into the rode, you only shot him a glare, knowing full well he was just telling you a fib to get under your skin. "And you smell like a pub, what the hell?"

His eyes didn't move from the rode, but you shifted down into your seat, "I don't know!" Trying to come up with a lie, "I-Tommy and I went out like a couple weeks ago, maybe Mom didn't wash my blouse well enough."

His nose clenched as he brought in another whiff from your body, "eh, well I'll kill tommy then." You rolled your eyes, he always said that. But in reality, you knew he wanted you to end up with someone like Tommy. Just not Tommy. Tommy was his best friend, he couldn't have you.

He pulled into the back of the diner, and you could see Micheal shaking, hands deep in his pocket, "god demn," his voice exaggerated, "took you fucking forever."

Jamie smiled, slipping from the car to find the right key. You followed, shuffling behind him to not get caught in Micheal's stare. But, you failed. He smiled, "how'a was your date then Y/N?"

Jamie glared up at him, "she didn't go."

Micheal frowned, "what?" He looked back to you, "really?"

Jamie opened the large white door into the back of the diner, "go open the front," He gestured you in first. As you walked foreword, you could hear Jamie talk, "don't ask her shit like that!" He hit the back of his head.

Micheal laughed, "what? Don't you wanna know what the mob man does with his women?"

"Not with my fuckin sister!"

You shook your head, pushing the kitchen doors open to reach the front room. You switched the small sigh to read "open" and unlocked the front doors. Grabbing your small apron and notepad, you started making some coffee.

It wasn't long till Tommy came in, he smiled at you, and you swore you almost caught him staring at your backside when you turned to get his coffee and muffin. "How's the job Y/N?"

You rolled your eyes, turning back to him, "boring, as always."

He smiled down into the white mug, his hands circling around it to absorb the warmth it held, "I offered you a job down at the firm." You leaned your hands on the counter, making your chest come out more. His eyes traveled down your body, but then he cleared his throat. Sometimes messing with his was the best form of fun in your life, "but-a, you just gotta agree." You couldn't lie, Tommy was handsome. His chestnut hair, and blue eyes made any girl weak in the knees. And the way he talked girls up, almost made them feel special.

You smiled, "Ehh, I don't think I'd wanna work in that place anyway."

He frowned, "why not? You'd see me everyday."

"My point," you gave a little wink, and turned back to grab a mug for yourself.

"I saw you last night," you shot your head up, "at the Lothbrok lounge. What were you doing there?"

You turned back with a frown, "I was with some friends."

"Well, I saw you dancing with that Hvitserk, the blonde one?" You didn't move your head, only your body, returning to the counter and slouching a little so your blouse exposed a little part of your bra. "He-a, he-he" you got him. Men were too easy. "He looked to be touching you a lot," his eyes darted back up to your own.

But you frowned, "what Tommy, you jealous?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "no, I just know Jamie wouldn't want to know you snuck out to go to the Lothbroks lounge." You shot him a glare when his voice went stern, but he winked, drawing his finger to his lips, "but shh, I won't tell."

You smiled, moving your hand to rest on his arm. He almost sucked in a breathe of air when you touched him. Men were too easy. Your finger ran up and down his green sweater, "good. Wouldn't want Jamie to know you kissed me either?" You got closer to him till your could practically see his heart beating out of his chest.

"Tommy!" Jamie entered the front half, and you pushed yourself back, watching as Tommy sat with his eyes on you. You were poison for him, and for some reason the man wouldn't die yet. He knew you since he knew Jamie, and that was probably when you were five. But when you got breasts, and your hips showed to be too big for your tight skirts, he asked Jamie to invite your friends with them, inevitably bringing you along.

It wasn't till probably a year ago did he attempt to make any move on you. You remembered it was New Years, and you snuck a few more shots than you should have from your mom, and found yourself in your bedroom, with Tommy on top of you. He had to be as drunk as you, because you could taste the burn of the alcohol on his lips. His hands grabbed and kneaded almost every part of your covered skin he could touch. And when he was about to lift your too tight of a skirt above your hips, one of your drunken friends came in. Y/N! Come on! You'll miss the new year! As she yanked you back down your stairs to the living room, you could see Tommy look at you with puppy dog eyes, and that was when you knew how good it felt to lead him on. A strong burn coursed through your body whenever he looked at you the way he did that night, begging you to keep touching him, or just to look at him. It was a rude thing to do, but it always made you feel wanted. Tommy always had a girl to sit on his lap and look pretty, but you knew you would never give him that satisfaction. He could never have you. No one would ever bare claim to you as theirs.

Tommy cleared his throat, "Jamie," he muttered.

Jamie smiled, his arms resting on the edge of the table, "I didn't know you were coming! Y'know, you really should stay around for Christmas."

You leaned against the back counter, your arms over your chest as you watched your brother talk with his life long friend, "yeah, but the firm wouldn't-"

Jamie laughed, "oh, sorry, forgot you were a big time lawyer."

Tommy rolled his eyes, "shut up."

Jamie smiled, "y'know I'm just playin, you should come by this Christmas, Ma would love to see you."

He moved off his seat, glancing at you before he answered, "I'll see what I can do."

"Alright, well, I need'a go to the kitchen and help Micheal, take care Tommy," Jamie waved before returning to the back.

You titled your head at Tommy as he pulled his coat on, "how long you gonna torcher me for?"

You smiled, "till you realize you can't have me."

He smiled to himself, "didn't feel like that last year, did it?" You didn't answer, only shook your head, "bye Y/N."

You sighed, "bye Tommy."

The day seemed to go by slow, and you caught yourself falling asleep when you didn't have anyone coming in. You sat with Micheal in the back, making Jamie keep a watch to see if anyone were to come in.

"How's Cleo?" You asked, watching as he washed the edges of the white plates.

He smiled down at his hands, "crazy."

You rolled your eyes, "aren't all women." He glared up at you.

"No, you ain't coming in here," you heard Jamie's voice from the kitchen, making you look to the doors. Who could he be talking too?

"I just need to see someone."

"Well it ain't my sister."

"Whose that?" Micheal whispered, he stopped washing the dishes just to listen.

You tried focusing on the voices, "look man, I just need to say something."

You moved to the door, looking in the small window to see Ivar. You immediately opened it, eyes wide as Jamie was trying to size him up. Though Jamie was taller, he failed at extruding the strong masculinity Ivar did, he was dressed in a grey suite, hair slick back, and the scars that traced his skin made any man walk the other way. Jamie glared at you, "y/n, go back in the kitchen."

"No," you looked to Ivar, "what're you doing here?"

"He's leaving."

Ivars eyes glared toward Jamie now, "no I'm not, who the hell do you think you are?"

You pushed past the counter, locking arms with Ivar, "come on."

"Y/N, where are you going?!"

"I'll be back Jamie, god," you pushed the door open, leading Ivar out with you, "you really shouldn't come here."

"But I told you I'd see you."

"And you have."

You eyes ran up and down his body as you crossed your arms over your chest, the cold air creeping onto your exposed skin, "Ivar, hurry the fuck up!"

Your eyes darted to a black car, you could see a blonde haired man in it, but he wasn't Hvitserk. Ivar rolled his eyes, tilting his head slightly to the car, "can I get a fucking minute?" His voice echoing his annoyance. He turned back to you, giving you a forced smile, "I told you I'd see you today."

You didn't look at him, rather past his shoulder, "Yeah, but I'd thought you'd meet me at my house, or somewhere not where my brother was?"

He smiled, looking down to the concrete. You knew Jamie was watching, he always was. "Well, now I know. Can't blame me for trying."

You looked up at him, a small smile creeping across your face, "just," you glanced into the place, seeing Jamie staring you and Ivar down with the looks of daggers, "don't come by here, it's not somewhere safe."

He smiled, "a waitress telling me what's safe?"

You rolled your eyes, "Ivar!" Another annoyed yell came from the car.

You sighed, walking towards the door, "Come by my place tonight?" You whisper in his ear.

He smiled, "I gotta go, but I'll see you."

You smiled to yourself as you walked through the café again, the warm air hitting your arms.

Ivar couldn't hide the giddy smile painted on his own lips as he made his was back to the car, "who the 'ell is that?"

He glared over at his eldest brother, finding a seat in the front passenger side, "no one."

Bjorn switched gears, "she's got an ass."

"Shut up, and go."

"Eager little lamb?"

Ivar rolled his eyes, "no, but I don't like doing jobs with your dirty hands, so I'd rather it be done."

Bjorn continued driving the car down the wobbly streets, "don't forget you owe me, so if this goes down, it's a favor little brother," his hand resting on Ivars shoulder, giving him a stupid smile, "and I'm sure y'll pay it in full."

TAGS: @naaladareia @cbouvier23 @readsalot73 @huffelpuffers @flowers-in-your-hayr @hail-kattegat@tephi101 @cute-but-psychoxx @mblaqgi @irishhiggins

[geeky-introvert]

Ghost . Hvitserk X OC

Summary: When the brothers parted from each other Thyra chose to go on her own path, feeling it was in her best interest. Years later she returns to Kattegat, a place she once called home. She didn’t know what to expect but she didn’t expect to find Hvitserk in such a bad way....One-shot.

Word count: 2299

Warning: Angst, fluff and spoilers for S6.

Tag List:  @lisinfleur​​ @mdlady​​ @didiintheblog​​ @alicedopey​​ @rekdreams247​​ @mblaqgi​​ @oddsnendsfanfics​​ @aphnxrising​​ @happydaysandersen​ @therealcalicali​ @naaladareia​ @inforapound​ @captstefanbrandt​ @waiting4inspiration​ @tabalugax​ @p8tn0lish​ @igetcarriedawaywithyou​ @laketaj24​ @darlingp​ @tephi101​ @youbloodymadgenius​​ @lordsexmachine​​

If anyone else wants to be added to the tag list let me know please.

Gif credit to @honestsycrets​

Returning to Kattegat was something she didn’t think she would ever do again. Being so far away she heard all the stories of the Ragnarssons fighting on another, Ivar winning, only to lose to his brothers and now Bjorn ended up as king.

She wanted to avoid all that drama, having no interest in being part of it. Yes, she grew up with the brothers, they were her friends but she grew tired of their behaviour. Each of them wanted her to choose a side but she made it easier for herself and that was to choose herself.

Thrya never knew where she came from, she was born into slavery. Her mother and herself were always together and worked under Aslaug. It wasn’t a horrible life, it could’ve been worse, but a life as a free woman would’ve been better she thought. But the past was the past, she was now free, not long after her mother passed away from a horrible illness. Nothing could be done to save her unfortunately.

Now, there she was, standing at the gates of Kattegat. She didn’t know how long she was standing there, staring, remembering. It was all coming back to her like she was just there yesterday, playing to ragnarssons through Kattegat.

Taking a small breath she stepped forward between the gates and casually looked around a little, gathering what has changed and feeling a little crowded with the amount of people. Though she continued to make her way to the hall from the memories she still had.

Slowly she opened the doors and peeked her head in feeling the warmth from the fire. It felt good to gain some warmth from the cold and slipped past the doors and walked in looking around herself. Not a lot has changed in the hall, same from her childhood and this made her smile warmly liking at least where she grew up hadn’t looked much different.

“Can I help you?” A voice caught her attention and she faced a very tall woman looking down at her with curious eyes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude, but I was looking for Ragnarssosn.”

“Which one?”

“Well, I already know Ivar isn’t here.” She answers honestly. “So I guess, Ubbe and Hvitserk.”

“What about me?”

Turning around she saw Bjorn, older and different. Out of the brothers she never spent much time around him so he wasn’t her favourite, they did know one another though.

“Bjorn. It’s been a while.” She tells him as they stand before one another.

“That it has. Why have you returned?”

He didn’t sound overly pleased nor did the woman that she thought was his wife look overly happy to see her, not that she knew her. It was just a little awkward.

“Thyra?” Ubbe called out as he entered the hall, looking surprised before he gave a warm smile making her smile in return. The two embraced one another, a long hug needed after not seeing one another for a long while. She had missed him.

“Ubbe, it’s good to see you again.” She murmurs against his neck.

“Look at you!”  He proudly said looking her up and down. “The years have treated you well, Thyra.”

“Thank you.” She answers before she then greeted Torvi again, and discovered that she and Ubbe were now married as well. She thought it was strange considering she was Bjorn’s ex wife but she wasn’t one to judge those sorts of things.

“Where’s Hvitserk?” She asked curious where her favourite brother was. Everyone looked at one another, unsure how to answer that question for her. “What? Has something happened to him?”

“I don’t know….” Ubbe answers with a shrug, almost uncaring. “If you must see him he’s in the cabin beside the hall. Come back so we can have drinks and talk more.”

He then walked past her as she watched them all move further into the hall before she then headed out, confused and unsure of what was going on. Coming to the tiny cabin she knocked but there was no answer. Again she knocked and something was knocked over inside so she knew someone was there.

“Hvitserk? It’s me, Thyra.” She says through the wooden door.

There was more cluttering sounds on the inside before the door opened, and her breath hitches when she saw the state Hvitserk was in.

“By the gods...what happened to you?” She came a little closer but he flinched away, as if she was going to harm him.

“How are you here?” He asked barely in a whisper. “Lately...I feel like...all I see are ghosts.”

“Hvitserk.” She whispered slowly reaching her hand out to touch his face which he tried moving away from. However, her soft palm soon met his stubble beard as he let out a shaky breath as if it was the first time someone has touched him in a long time. “What have you been through you poor thing?”

Thyra didn’t expect an answer from him as she stepped into the stuffy cabin. Looking around she saw the place was trashed, mead spilled all over the ground and walls but also scraps of mushrooms scattered. He’s been through a lot, she knew this, and wanted to help.

“Come on, let’s sit down.” She says as she lead him to the table and sat closely as she watched him with concerned eyes. He was shaking, whimpering like a hurt puppy. His hair was a mess and eyes bloodshot, there was so much wrong with him.

“I thought you were dead…” He manages to say as she shook her head, listening.

“I’m not. You know I left to be on my own after all that happened. I know it’s been awhile, a few years at least, but I returned because I missed home, I missed my friends, I missed you.”

“You left…” The way he said it broke her heart a little. He sounds so lost. “You were gone…”

“I know and I’m sorry I left like that, but those were...complicated times. You and your brothers are always fighting and after Ubbe…” It didn’t need to be repeated. “Things had changed and I was thinking of myself.”

“I missed you everyday.” This surprised her hearing this from him. “I never stopped thinking about you. I tried, but I didn’t want to forget you like everyone else.” His words continued to surprise her, like he was speaking from his shattered heart.

Thrya suddenly felt the guilt settle in her chest at just hearing his thoughts.

“What happened?” She asked through a whisper carefully shifting closer to him.

His hands were shaking so she touched them with her own to try and calm him, which helped a little as he let out a few heavy breaths to control his nerves.

“I feel like I’m dying.” He manages to say softly as he suddenly starts to cry. “I’m all alone, no one loves me, there’s no one for me to love, everything around me just fades away, including you.”

“I’m here now.” She says back. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Why doesn’t Ubbe help?”

“He...doesn’t love me anymore.” He answers through a clenched voice. “I betrayed him, now he wants nothing to do with me. I probably deserve it.”

“No, no you don’t deserve it.” She wanted him to see that, no matter how he betrayed his brother. He was suffering and she wanted to help him. “This isn’t the Hvitserk I remember. You were always cheerful, and hungry.” She says through a smirk.

The memory was enough to bring what looked like a rare smile to his face making her smile a little in return. At least he wasn’t completely gone.

“There’s no one around me anymore, there’s no love....”

“I’m here, I love you, as you have me to love.” But he shook his head, almost in pain.

“No, because...you don’t love me like I love you.”

This causes her to furrowed her brows brows in confusion as he suddenly tried looking away from her in shame from his answer, but she just forced him to look at her again.

“What?” Even after all this time, did he feel the same. “Hvitserk...I never knew you felt that way about me, you never said anything.”

She would be lying to say that she never found him to be her favourite and most beautiful.

“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.” He admits making her feel warm on the inside. “I always thought you were so beautiful, smart, just...perfect. But it doesn’t matter, I understand you don’t look at me in that way, but I’ve lost everything. I just had to say it at least once before you leave again.”

How he said it hurt her more, each thing he said sounded so painful. The silence settled between them for a bit as he stared at the ground, expecting her to leave him now.

This wasn’t what she did though, instead she turned his face towards her own before leaning forward and pressing a kiss against his lips softly.

It was quick but it was still a kiss, one he’s even dreamed about for so long. When the kiss parted he licked his lips and let out a shaky breath before looking at her.

“I want children.” He suddenly says. “I desire to have children…”

“As do I.” She says truthfully. “We can have children, a little boy, a little girl, as many as you want. We’ll leave Kattegat, we don’t need to be here and settle somewhere peaceful. We can become farmers, just like your father.”

Warm tears streamed down his cheeks as she says this to him, overwhelmed by everything that has now suddenly changed in that morning, but for the better. He finally had someone for support, someone to guide him.

“I promise to get clean.” He swallows thickly. “I’ll get better, I swear it on the gods.”

“I know, Hvitserk. I know. One step at a time, we’ll do this together.”

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ ‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Thrya helped him back a few things before returning to the hall. As much as she was happy to bring Hvitserk with her, she was beyond pissed at Ubbe.

Approaching Ubbe with heavy steps he turned around to ask her something when she suddenly gave him a hard blow across the face echoing in the hall and setting the silence.

“How could you let him get this bad?” She demanded lowly with a heavy frown. “How dare you let him fall into the hole deeper when you should be helping him! The Ubbe I grew up with would’ve done that, not this stuck up man I see expecting him to fix his own problems. He needs help and you ignored him!”

“We’re not kids anymore.” He sniffs wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. “I can’t be there for my brothers anymore, not after what happened. Hvitserk is a grown man who should be able to take care of himself, I shouldn’t need to hold his hand.”

“You don’t need to hold his fucking hand! All you had to do was help guide him through a better path, but you allowed him to become corrupted so deep!”

Shoving past him she took her bag out and started to help herself at the food that was at the table, filling her bag as much as she could for the journey.

“I won’t be staying. I’ll leave this afternoon and I’m taking Hvitserk with me. No one else seems to care about him so I don’t think any of you will mind, right?” Her tone held sarcasm and anger before she tied her bag up and even helped herself to some mead.

Bjorn looked like he was about to say something but Gunnhild stopped him, the woman that was his wife and also his queen. At least she looked a bit understanding.

“Where will you go?” Ubbe bluntly asks.

“Somewhere. Anywhere but here. I’m going to help him get better.” Finishing the mech she slowly approaches him again, a little calmer. “Goodbye, Ubbe. Take care of yourself.”

With that she leaves the hall, bag full of food and came to a cart she had just brought for them and loaded up the food offering some of Hvitserk as he sat in the back wrapped in a fur rug.

“Don’t worry, it’s going to be alright. I promise.” She says giving him one more kiss before climbing into the front to drive the horse.

Ubbe watches from the entrance, as did Bjorn, Torvi and Gunnhild. Driving the horse forward she slowly made her way out from Kattegat towards wherever the path takes them.

Over the next couple of weeks were very hard for Hvitserk as he recovered from his drinking and mushroom eating. As bad as it was she saw the difference change in his face, seeing some hint of light coming back to him.

That night they made came in front of the fire and she helped him braid his hair again, making him look so much what he was before they parted.

“You’re very handsome.” Thrya tells him with a smile caressing his cheeks.

“You’re very beautiful.” He says back making her blush a little.

Leaning forward they shared a tender kiss again and pressed their foreheads together. Neither of them will ever be alone again, they had each other, and that’s all that mattered.