#i'll be dead so quick and he'll probably blame himself for it

[ofstarsandskies]

this was by far the worst idea he had, but he would just blame it on ingrid encouraging him to give out bad presents. hence he pushed the christmas hat into ludger's letterbox. inside of it was a small piece of paper where sylvain had hastily written 'next time i come over, no need to wear anything fancy, just this c; merry christmas ludger!'. he didn't even bother writing his name, since it was probably clear nobody else would ask ludger to get naked and wear an ugly christmas hat. if ludger hated him for that, then sylvain would have to accept that his natural charisma was better placed on someone else. (hi and bye cries)

@mamoritxi || The truest keklmao for Christmas

Ludger's making the rounds to check if he left his oven mitts in Julius' room again when he catches his brother waiting just outside the dormitory. Did he forget his itinerary again and skip a class again? Julius always memorized his schedule within the hour of its printing, so there's a billion and one things he can expect a lecture about.

"Something wrong, Brother...?" Ludger asks more as a formality than outta curiosity.

"Don't worry, this isn't big brother lecture hour. Byleth's seminar ran longer than expected, so I figured I'd check our mail while I'm free," Julius handed his little brother the rather unique Christmas hat Sylvain should thank the Goddess he didn't inspect further. "This hat was in yours. Seems I'm not the only one who wants you dressing warmly for the holidays."

Ludger chooses to ignore that quick big brother comment to take his gift. Most would call it garish, but honestly? He (and Julius, maybe he got the trait from him) liked tacky holiday clothes. Holidays were all about fun-- and what else says fun like wearing clothes you'd avert your eyes from in shame otherwise?

Just as he's about to put the hat on, Ludger notices there's a note tucked inside. Unfolding it, he expects a name and maybe cute holiday message.

It's neither.

Ludger's face scorches itself as he processes the letter's implications. He knows who wrote this right away--nobody else in the Academy is remotely close enough to him to want to visit his quarters on the holidays--but that just makes it worse. Least if it was an obvious prank, he could show his brother and they could laugh about together. Yet in this case? He has no idea if it's in dead seriousness.

It took him years to accept Julius helping him dress wounds that required his clothes come out once he got old enough to care. Then here comes this note which blows that idea outta the water and into the stratosphere--!

"Like what you read--?"

"DON'T LOOK!" Ludger tucks the note against his chest before his brother can even put a hand on his shoulder. If Julius reads this... even Professor Eisner's Divine Pulse wouldn't reverse the destruction his brother wrought!

"No need to shout, Ludger. Heartfelt holiday letters are supposed to be private--" The church bell's chime has Julius chuckling, "Plus it seems my break's up. Try not to be too late for class, alright? I'll see you soon."

Julius gently scruffs his hair and walks up the dorm's staircase to retrieve his materials from his quarters. Ludger skitters off to his own in record time to process what he just read without the risk of someone glancing over his shoulder.

Is Sylvain actually going to show up to his room on Christmas? He doesn't really expect Ludger to wear just a hat, right? Not when his brother is, well, himself and guaranteed to be present? How does any human being even have the courage to write this? Just reading it is making his heart explode!

"I-I..." Gotta redirect his thoughts elsewhere; he doesn't want to show up bright red to his brother's class. "I-I'll have to make a thank you present later! Yeah, that'll... that's the right thing to do! Yeah... that..."

Ludger settles for thoughts of what he'll make in return as he scoops up his supplies and rushes to the lecture hall.

[urtrickster]

kate wilder but she's been stabbed. she's been shot. she's been something, she doesn't know. the pain feels the same. all she can really feel is the blood pouring out of the wound, and even that feeling was starting to fade.

mud was clinging to her skin, mixing in with her blood and her wound. if she didn't die from blood loss, an infection would certainly kill her. or maybe the cold will get her first, the rain beating down on her with a vengeance.

she couldn't move. it hurt. she was tired. she was so tired, so cold. everything hurt, and yet she felt nothing at all. it hurts, she knows that, but it doesn't. it's just... cold.

she could only lay there, in the mud, and stare up at the sky. she was alone. she's not sure if the others are alive and okay, but she hoped they were. they don't deserve to die, they don't deserve to feel like this.

she thought of shelby. is this how she felt when she was dying? so cold? so tired? her stomach churned at the thought, and she forced herself to take a deep breath, hissing slightly at the pain that shot up her spine when she did so. she didn't believe in a heaven, not really, but maybe shelby was looking down on her now. she must look pretty pathetic, huh?

she thought of charlie. she never really got along with him, at least not when it came to shooting the show, but she respected him. he was passionate about his career, even if the man tended to be an asshole to his crew. he'll probably blame himself for her death. hell, she had blamed him herself for most of the night. but now that she's actually dying, she finds that she can't.

she thought of jamie. a bitter laugh forced its way out of her mouth, followed by a quick groan as her body protested. jamie would probably say something along the lines of 'if you die, i'll bring you back and kill you myself' if she could see the state kate was in. if anyone could survive this hell, it would be jamie. she was too stubborn to die, unlike kate.

she thought of erin. her heart ached when she did. she knew erin was scared, terrified out of her mind. she hoped she was okay. a part of her wished erin were here with her. she didn't want to die alone. but a much larger part of her was glad. erin's been through enough tonight already. she doesn't need to see a friend die.

she thought of mark. she thought of his distraught expression when he no doubt realizes she wasn't with the others. she thought of jamie and charlie having to hold him back to keep him from searching for her. she thought of him screaming her name, hoping and praying that she'd be able to hear him. she thought of...

she thought of his smile. his laugh. the way his eyes would light up whenever he saw something he wanted to take a photo of. she thought of the way he stared at her as if she were everything he could ever want. she thought of the feeling of his hand held in hers.

tears blurred her vision and she squeezed her eyes shut.

she loved him. she loved him. she fucking loved him, and now she's dying, and she can't tell him. she'll never see him again. she'll never get to hear his laugh, or hold his hand.

kate wilder is dying.

she doesn't want to die. she wants to live. she wants to live so badly, to see the others again.

but it's too late. she's lost too much blood, and her entire body felt numb. she felt so tired. so... so tired. she could feel her breathing start to slow. she tired to force her eyes to open, but everything felt so heavy.

the sound of the rain started to fade, a single tear strays from her eyes as she exhales one last time.

kate wilder is dead.

she died alone, surrounded by nothing but trees, in a pool of her own blood mixed with mud and rainwater.

[cljordan-imperium]

Alright CL. This one is very self indulgent so feel free not to answer it but I was wondering how your OCs would react to Heaven? Would they get along well?

Okay, so there are going to be multiple characters answering because...well, they are excited for this. They are from 3 different storylines - @theimperiumchronicles (obviously), @bombsbodyguardsbroken (multiple), and @magical-mistakes-vm. So...here we go!!

I'm going to break this down by storyline, and then by character

@theimperiumchronicles

Abriella -

Brie would love her! She's fierce, she's protective, she loves Arthur scars and all. Brie would be like, YES SISTER, come on in, bring the human and I'll boost whatever magic you need. Need me to bring back some ancestors from the dead, I'm a necromancer bitch!

Cassandra -

ANOTHER WITCH!! OMG!! Do you do naked moon dances? How do you scry? Do you do blood magic or crystal magic? I'm mated to Lucifer, YES...THE LUCIFER?! Need help?? You have a direct line, babes!! Let's have tea and dish!

Arch -

He would observe and be cautious. He is not into dark arts, but is a mage, so he mixes potions, crystals, poultices, and mystical powers. He is very protective of Cruz and Abriella. As long as she is not a threat to them, he might engage her in discussions regarding her magic, if she needs protective amulets for Arthur and herself, any charms or potions/poultices and the like.

Arioch -

Arioch, the demon of revenge is going to see her like a little sister. He'll be protective and assist her in keeping Arthur safe, maybe even doing her dirty work for her, keeping her hands clean. Being able to do the work from the other side of the veil, there will be no trace of how it was done or who did it. He's a demon after all, so it's not like the blame can be left on the human side. They'll get along wonderfully.

Lucifer -

He'll sit back and wait for Cass and Heaven to need something. Imagine him sitting back on a chair, legs outstretched, smirk on his face, arms crossed over his chest, and just shaking his head. That's Luc. He's just amused his woman is excited as hell.

Jasper -

*sigh* Jasper is probably the first one to get stabbed. He's...he's Jasper and he'd be himself. He likes to test limits. Once he'd been an ass enough, he'd love the fuck out of her and take her under his wing like Arioch. He'd help her take care of Arthur and since he plays in the world of the Blinders with Anna and her friendship with Rose & Alfie, he can help run interference without her having to kill Alfie. Doesn't want to upset Anna now.

Anna -

Anna would want to help Arthur because she always wants to fix the broken, so she'd rope in Jean Pierre and Armaund (so we'll just thrown them in with Anna). In that way, they'd just bring Heaven into the fold like a broken person too. She's been damaged and hurt in the past and they'd just love her and try to protect her too. She might be the one that stabs Jasper, it wouldn't be the first time.

Kellen -

Kellen would be curious. Cautious, but curious. He'd want to know where her powers came from and why she is so quick to use them offensively. He'd want her and Arthur to come to the Uffernian Palace so he could study her. Safety for both of them would be promised so he could learn more about her history and magic. The only reason curiosity hasn't killed this panther is he's a very powerful demon.

Grae -

Unlike his boss, Grae would be on guard. He would keep Ada far away from her or Arthur. He's already protective of her, but if he thought she'd be in any danger from a woman who's ready to kill if she thinks Arthur is in any danger, not a chance. He's still trying to figure out Ada's powers so he would not risk it. He'd be careful around her too. Grae knows what he means to Ada, which means he would not risk angering the witch.

Dartan -

If he managed not to get killed, again, I think they'd get along. He was a powerful warlock in his first life so they would have much to discuss. However he has the personality of rough grit sandpaper against raw skin.

Amaya -

Amaya at first would be a little trepidatious, I mean the last spell she did DID end her up in literal hell and married to Dartan..ish. So, she'd be friendly but kind of skittish and shy. Once she felt a little more comfortable, I think they'd be great friends. If Dartan can keep from being, well, the current Dartan, then I think they could be a great foursome, like two couple friend group. Hell would have no fury like the four of them in Small Heath. Dartan is going to help Amaya with her magic eventually so if they were to meet after that, they'd be crazy deadly, like they could take all the Sabinis out in one swoop kind of deadly.

Mithos -

Mithos is another vengeance demon AND he is Co-Captain of the Queen's Royal Guard. The vengeance demon part of him is going to adore her and her style. The guardian side of him is going to totally understand her protection of Arthur. If you have read the scene I posted the other day where Brie almost went into Stasis you know how far he'll go for those he cares about. He will kill and he will die for Abriella, any day any time. So he would understand, and he would help her. He honors those who have love and loyalty.

Seren -

Seren is the Princess Royal and daughter of an ex of Korben that went on to marry one of his good friends and now is a "gift" to him that was originally to be his ward. Yeah...complicated. She's also been sent to study at the Mage Consortium in Uffern. (I have a spreadsheet to keep it all straight when my brain stops working...seriously) ANYWAY...she would find Heaven absolutely fascinating. First, the magic. Seren holds innate magic she's been using her whole life, so she'd want to talk to her about her skills, and how she got them. The whole history. She'd find the treatment of Heaven's family horrific. Then would come her protection of Arthur. This would be a foreign concept to Seren. She's always been a tool. Her mother was a tool, an object, a means to an end. She would adore Heaven, but not understand her love and protection of Arthur.

*****

@bombsbodyguardsbroken

Melania -

The daughter of Marie LaVeau magic is no secret to her, she's seen the darkest of the dark. She's called upon the ancestors herself. She understands protecting those she loves and would want to help Haven if she could. Make it so that she feels safe and that Arthur is safe. She also knows what it's like to not be able to trust family. Mel was killed the first time by the woman who she thought was her mother, requiring Marie to resurrect her, which is when she learned who her true family was. In the current story she will end up being forced to kill one brother and try to kill her true father. So, loyalty is paramount to her.

Dontanion -

A powerful Voodoo Priest, he is the most powerful of the family. He would be interested in Heaven's abilities. He would even offer to show her some protections she might not be aware of and ways to invoke the ancestors and beings from the other side of the veil. And wait till Heaven meets Fluffy!

Francois -

While not as powerful as his brother, his energy is darker and he is more intimidating. Both brothers had to stand by as Melania grew up, unable to tell her who they truly were and also unable to intercede in many things that happened that hurt her. Now the truth is out, they too protect her the way that Heaven wants to protect Arthur. He too would want to help her and develop/strengthen her magic in ways to help her protect him. Also in ways to help her heal the trauma of his past so the demons are held at bay longer.

Mama Marie -

Marie LaVeau herself, the most powerful Voodoo Priestess that has ever existed, and ever will. The Queen of the Bayou. She would accept Heaven as a child of hers, no matter who birthed Heaven or what she had done in the past. She is a soul who need love and practices the craft, that is all Marie needs to know. She adopts lost souls and gives them a home and a mom to come to when they need. She would try to gently guide Heaven where she could, and support her. Give Heaven the family that she had stolen in the past, the love and support a mother can, and welcome Arthur in as well.

@magical-mistakes-vm

Vollrath -

As a Master Warlock, Vollrath would see it as his duty to ensure that Heaven had everything she needed but also that she was not going too far, which might cause conflict. He can be...abrupt/abrasive/an asshole. He comes from a good place but his people skills suck ass. Mahala is going to work on that, but...I think it would go badly, but yeah... However, anyone coming after Heaven would die, and die very ugly. He would not ask questions, he would not give second chances. You come after a witch in his territory and your life is forfeit, whether he and the witch are on good terms is not a variable in the equation.

Mahala -

In contrast Mahala would be in awe. She would have a gazillion questions and just want to know everything. Heaven would be instantly accepted just as she was. Arthur would be loved as like a big brother. Mahala would offer them a family like bond, and want to learn from Heaven to help protect Arthur too, and even to protect Heaven from anyone who came after her. She'd see anyone coming after Heaven as the hunters that Vollrath has mentioned. And, Vollrath said they have to die...so.... *CRINGE*

SOOO...that is how my OC's would see her. At least the ones that immediately went ME ME ME ME ME ME...If any more of them pop up my brain might just turn to pudding. LMAO

[deathfavor]

@ofsavior said: 😊 (Bad Toman Kazu/Chi with Chi trying to desperately talk Kazu out of something or getting him to listen)

send 😊 for my muse's reaction to yours holding their face for some reason BONUS: ADD DETAILS & WHY

Kazutora has always been as stubborn as he is now. When he's made up his mind, it's difficult to get his mind to change for the better. Worse has always been easier. He's resolute for his path. If it means helping Chifuyu, if it means taking burdens from his shoulders, then so be it. He will do that and carry the consequences for that so that Chifuyu doesn't have to. He's made his peace and he thinks that's that when he tells Chifuyu as much.

He doesn't expect Chifuyu's hands flying out to cup his face with panicked eyes. He doesn't expect the raw, desperate pleading that makes his steel determination waver to see the reaction it evokes. His throat bobs as he swallows, golden eyes staring into Chifuyu's. His stomach sinks at that tone because he knows all too well what desperation sounds like, what pleading and begging sounds like, but most of all, what it feels like when it comes tearing itself from where it resides in one's chest or throat. He knows that more than most. He knows how despair and fear are often quick hounds to follow.

" Chifuyu..." Kazutora's voice is a whisper, sinking into the rare warmth that seeps from the palms of caring hands to his cheeks. He knows what answer Chifuyu wants. That he's changed his mind. That he won't put himself at risk. That he'll just listen and sit back. But how is Kazutora supposed to live with himself if he does that? This is all his fault. If it hadn't been for Bloody Halloween, if he hadn't killed Shinichiro on accident, if he'd never let his issue with Black Dragon be found out by Baji or Mikey... Any way that he looks at it, Kazutora can only find the blame for everything with himself.

He shakes his head, closing his eyes and letting his head fall downwards but not trying to escape his touch. " I can't do nothing, Chifuyu. " He whispers quietly. No matter how much Chifuyu pleads for him to let it be and tries to talk him out of it. Kazutora knows it's a bad decision. " I can help. Even if I end up back in jail again or dead, if it helps fix Toman, then it's worth it. You need stuff on Kisaki, right? Well Hanma's still around. That's a good in. He always puts entertainment first and foremost - even with Kisaki. " He's useful. Please let him help. Kazutora's eyes open and he lifts his head again, his own hands lifting to cover Chifuyu's and tightening his hol slightly. " Or just . . . let me do the worst they'll ask of you. You're going to be one of the top admins, right? They're going to. I'll do it for you so you don't have to. " It's the least he could do, and he could probably get information too to help them.

Chifuyu's pleas hurt to hear like thorns jammed into his skin and it hurts even more to know he's the reason. But he can't sit to the sidelines. He can't do nothing. Why should he, when he deserves it the least? " I'm sorry, Chifuyu, but you're not changing my mind. I'll help you take Kisaki down. So let me. Let me help. Tell me what you need, I can do it. "

[youbloodymadgenius]

Ivarello (Modern!Ivar x reader) Chapter 1

Moodboard by @quantumlocked310

Ivarello’s masterpost here

A/N: This is my entry for @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie 500 Followers Fairy Tale Challenge. It's a retelling of Cinderella. Congrats again, darling 💖

A huge thank you to @mrsalwayswrite, who's a great beta reader and an even greater cheerleader 😂

A massive thank you to @quantumlocked310, @vikingstrash and @serasvictoria. Thank you for agreeing to collaborate and for sharing your talent with me. Your moodboards are beyond amazing 🤩

In this story, Sigurd is alive. Ragnar and Aslaug are dead, but Lagertha didn't kill her. I took a lot of liberties with the show, I hope you won't mind.

Unlike the tale, there will be no magic involved. Not everything will be realistic, however. It's a fayritale, after all!

Let me know if you want to be tagged 😊

Summary: Orphaned five years ago, Ivar and his brothers have been living with Lagertha ever since. Now 16 years old, he wants to attend Harald's traditional Midsummer party, but obstacles stand in his way.

Warnings: description of car crash; orphaned kids; Sigurd being Sigurd; OOC characters.

Words: 1806

Additional note: I'm afraid I'll disappoint some of you. No more newspapers... The articles defined the setting of the story. From now on, it'll be a regular fic.

Hope you enjoy it nevertheless 🙂

🛡⚔️🛡

June 2021

Ivar yawns, rubbing his eyes, when he suddenly hears the front door open. The next moment, Ubbe shouts, "Hey baby bro, we're home!"

Slightly confused, Ivar looks at the time on his computer. Stunned, he blinks repeatedly, shakes his head and checks the time again, now looking at his watch. "Guess I lost track of time," he mumbles as he realizes it's really 5:30 pm. He clears his throat. "I'm coming!"

Yawning once more, he wheels to the kitchen. Hvitserk waves at him with one hand as Ubbe greets him with a grin and Sigurd... Well, Sigurd ignores him, as usual.

"Hello boys!" Lagertha smiles as she also enters the kitchen. "Did you go to the beach this afternoon?" It's a rethorical question, since sand can be seen on the tanned skin of his brothers, shirtless and wearing only swimming shorts.

When she looks down at him, her smile becomes softer. "Ivar, you seem tired. Did you work all day long?"

He nods, glad that for once she called him by his first name and not by one of those stupid nicknames that she likes but that make his skin crawl.

"Yep," he shrugs without smiling back, "I made good progress. The new version of your website is almost done. It could probably be online by the end of the week."

His stepmom flashes him a beaming smile. "Great, thanks!"

The conversation then moves on to the subject that everyone in Kattegat has been talking about for the last few days: the midsummer party thrown by their neighbor Harald Hårfager. Every June, it is Kattegat's not-to-be-missed event, to which every resident hopes to be invited.

Lagertha is invited every year, yet rarely attends; his brothers wouldn't miss it, not in a million years; Ivar never went.

He listens with half an ear as his brothers prattle on about the upcoming party, while taking a seat at the large, wooden kitchen table on which Lagertha has just put cakes and drinks.

"What are you going to wear?"

"Do you think Marit will attend this year?"

"Hopefully the music will be better than last year."

"Can't be as bad! What was the name of that reggae band?"

For a fleeting moment, Ivar entertains the thought of attending as well. Not that he's dying to, but… Sometimes, he feels a little bit like Cinderella in this house.

Don't get him wrong, it's not that bad.

First, his stepmom is not–

Wait, wait, wait, is Lagertha technically his stepmom? He's not sure. After all, she wasn't when his parents were alive, she was just his father's first wife. Anyway, she may be his guardian now, but he sees her as his stepmom and he honestly doesn’t give a shit if it's a little weird.

Where was he? Oh yes, Cinderella.

So obviously, Lagertha is not a wicked, haughty and abusive stepmom like this Lady Tremaine of the fairytale.

Actually, even if it pisses him off to admit it, she's pretty nice, patient and composed. Does he love her? Let's not exaggerate – he doesn't. She may love him though, which is a little bit uncanny, if he's being honest. He was the favorite son of her nemesis. Shouldn't she hate him? He would, if the situation was reversed.

The truth is, when he was younger, he tried, he really tried to hate her, blaming her for everything and anything. When too much pain prevented him from sleeping, he let his imagination run wild. There, bound to his bed of suffering, he could see Lagertha cutting the brakes on his mother's car, causing her crash, causing her death.

Of course, even then, he knew deep down that Lagertha had not killed his mother; that the story he told himself was just the product of his endless nights of insomnia. But what can he say? He needed this. Because blaming Lagertha rather than admitting that his beloved mother was at fault – by being distracted, or by falling asleep, he'll never know – was easier for the heartbroken boy he was.

Anyway... So yes, Lagertha is definitely not an evil stepmother like Cinderella's.

Also, he doesn't sleep on a sorry garret, on a wretched straw bed either.

Actually, he has a very large room on the main floor, with a king-size memory foam bed, a walk-in – well, a wheel-in for his case – closet and his own, huge bathroom, fully equipped for his special needs.

Sure, the bathroom and the dressing room were already there when his parents were alive; however, the memory foam mattress had been Lagertha's idea.

Anyway... So yes, he can't exactly complain about his sleeping conditions, unlike Cinderella.

And obviously, he's not forced into servitude.

Actually, one might think so, but no, he's not. Sure, sometimes he works for his stepmom, like today. But so do his brothers. When she had taken them in, she was a powerful businesswoman, working twelve to fourteen hours a day. Once she had become their guardian, she had rearranged her working time and learned to delegate; but even so, she had often run out of time. Therefore, it had seemed normal to them – yes, even to him – to help her out, each of them according to their skills and abilities.

So, while Hvitserk almost always does the grocery shopping, while Sigurd vacuums and does the laundry, while Ubbe mows the lawn and trim the bushes, he, Ivar, runs her company's website and sometimes even does the accounting. And since he loves computers and numbers, it's not exactly a problem.

Anyway... So yes, he's not a slave in this house. Unlike Cinderella.

So, yes, to sum it up, he can't really complain and he's by far not Cinderella. And he knows it.

But... Yes, there's a but...

Sometimes, he feels trapped, as poor Cinderella must have felt.

Sometimes he feels like a spectator of a life he doesn't belong to.

Sure, he doesn't have to be homeschooled – but gods, he's glad he is. The reasons for him to be continuously bullied by classmates are endless. The simplest ones being: he is a cripple, an orphan, the son of a dead mob boss, the smartest one in the whole damn school, let alone his class. Take your pick. It's no fun, no fun at all. Being home alone is preferable to that alternative.

Therefore, barely leaving the house except for medical appointments, he has no friends. He doesn't do sports either – obviously – and yeah, he lives a lonely life, filled with video games and Netflix series. And he's okay with that. Well, most of the time.

Sure, his brothers, or at least Ubbe and Hvitserk, always try to include him as much as possible. But the truth is that because of his legs, there are many, many things he just can't do.

And the other truth, the less pleasant one, is that he partially did that to himself. He cut himself off from a world that hurt him, yet he still misses this world sometimes. At times, he blames himself. Because his life, honestly, is hardly what you would call a life, is it? Not when you're sixteen.

That's why sometimes, like now, he feels this longing, almost a need, to live. To really, truly, fully live. And that's why, for a brief moment, lulled by the light chitchat of his brothers, he considers attending Harald's midsummer party.

But he knows better. This life is not for him, never has been, never will be.

And so, shaking his head, he chases the thought away and, placing his hands on his push rims, he's about to leave the kitchen while the incessant babbling of his brothers goes on.

"I can't wait."

"Don't tell me! As every year, the most beautiful girls of Kattegat will be there."

"Remember that burger food truck? Best burgers ever!"

"I've heard Y/N would be attending this year."

"There'll be booze and girls! Sounds like Valh–"

Wait. His mind goes blank.

Fuck.

What? Did he hear right?

As he replays his brother's words in his head, it's like there's an earthquake happening inside of him.

Fuck.

He stops breathing. Blinks, then clamps his eyes shut.

Fuck.

When he finally manages to draw air into his lungs, he swallows loudly before asking in a weird, high-pitched voice, his heart pounding in his chest, "What– What did you say, brother?"

Hvitserk turns his head toward him and shrugs. "I just said there'll be boo–"

"No, not you!" Ivar snaps at his brother, pointing his pointer finger at Ubbe. "You, what did you fucking say?" Out of the corner of his eye, he can see Lagertha frowning – 'no curse words in this house, boys'– and even if he barely contains an eye roll, he still mouths a quick 'sorry' at her before rewording his question, impatience coursing through him. "What did you say, dear brother? Who did you say would attend?"

Stunned, Ubbe looks at him with wide eyes. "Y/N? I said Y/N would come. That's what I heard anyway. She's Harald's niece. She was here once, right? Remember her, baby bro, huh?"

But Ivar is no longer listening, the blood draining from his face. Y/N... Y/N... Fuck. Finally. Fucking finally. After so long... He may see you again. Wow.

I'll go! I'll fucking go!

He barely contains the words, suddenly acutely aware of the deafening silence in the room, his brothers shamelessly staring at him.

With her brows furrowed and her lips turned downward in a slight frown, Lagertha takes two steps forwards before crouching down in front of him. "Are you all right, sweetie? You're a little pale."

He barely hears when Sigurd giggles, "A little pale? He's greener than an alien!"

Lagertha shoots Sigurd a dirty look and then gently cups Ivar's cheek. "Do you know her, Ivar? Do you know Y/N?"

Overwhelmed, self-conscious, freaked out, caught off-guard, he doesn't know how to respond. Should he tell the truth? Should he lie? His brothers will mock him, for sure. What is the point of telling the truth? What good would it do? On the other hand, he could really use some advice. Yeah. Sure. Advice from Sigurd. Just the thought of it is enough to make him sick. Fuck, what is he going to do?

Rushed words are out of his mouth before he can even gather his thoughts. "No. No. I don't. I mean, yes, I think I do but–" He's being pathetic and he hates it. So after a sharp intake of breath, he shakes his head and eventually replies in a flat, calm voice, the white lie rolling off his tongue. "I know her, but I thought Ubbe was talking about someone else. Sorry."

With these words, he hastily leaves the room, his eyes riveted on his knees, his heart still drumming in his chest.

Y/N. Fuck.

🛡⚔️🛡

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