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whitedarkmoonflower · 7 months ago

Text

Reunited 5

Pairing: modern!Sihtric x reader (female)

Authors note: So this is it. The journey has come to the end and I'm a bit sad but also very happy. This fic has a lot my own struggles within it and it has helped me to think over and let go of certain things that had accumulated. But before Sihtric and reader can look forward into the bright and shiny future they have to resolve some unsorted questions. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Warnings: it's emotionally tense with some angst and self reflection but still sweet

Summary: It was supposed to be a short two week trip that turned into five long years apart, just because your best friend couldn't keep her mouth shut. Will the reader and Sihtric manage to repair their broken relationship and find their way back to each other? Or will the reader decide to stay with the handsome and talented Sigtryggr?

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Word Count: 7,8 K

Please remember that comments and reblogs are two things that make writers smile and keep us motivated.

You felt a surge of betrayal twist through you, an uncomfortable déjà vu that made your stomach drop. The whole scene was surreal, and your mind spun, trying to piece it all together. But before you could say a word, Sigtryggr's hand found yours under the blanket, his grip firm and panicked.

“This—this isn’t what it looks like, I swear,” he stammered, his face pale and clearly horrified by the scene unfolding. He scrambled to sit up, looking between you and the woman standing in the doorway. “This is… this is Stiorra, my ex-girlfriend.”

Stiorra crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised as she regarded him with a mix of annoyance and disbelief. “And in case there’s any doubt,” she interjected, “I’m the one who threw him out.” Her eyes flicked to you, and a slightly sheepish smile softened her expression. “Told him to never come back, actually.”

Sigtryggr winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not exactly a high point in our relationship,” he muttered. Then, as if desperate to regain some semblance of control, he gestured toward the kitchen. “Stiorra, why don’t you, uh… wait in the kitchen? Give us a moment?”

With a sigh that suggested she was equally exhausted by this awkward situation, Stiorra shrugged. “Fine. But we’re talking after,” she said, shooting him a look that clearly communicated there was unfinished business between them. She turned on her heel, retreating to the kitchen and leaving the two of you in a tense silence.

You exhaled, still feeling the sting of surprise. “So, let me get this straight. Your ex-girlfriend who kicked you out now has a key and comes barging in?”

Sigtryggr’s cheeks flushed as he stumbled over his words. “It’s… complicated. We broke up months ago. She kept the key for emergencies, but I didn’t think she’d actually use it. I mean, she made it pretty clear she never wanted to see me again.” He shook his head, his eyes wide with a mixture of embarrassment and desperation. “I had no idea she’d be coming by today, I swear.”

You let out a breath, half-amused by his genuine horror at the situation. Despite everything, there was something undeniably ridiculous about it all. Here was this cool, collected artist, now completely rattled by his ex-girlfriend unexpectedly showing up while he was in bed with someone else.

You finally cracked a small smile. “You couldn’t make this up if you tried.”

He groaned, rubbing his face with his hands. “This really isn’t how I imagined our morning together going. I’m sorry.”

Before you could respond, Stiorra’s voice called from the kitchen. “I’m making coffee. There’s milk and sugar somewhere—if Sigtryggr actually bought groceries this week, that is.”

Sigtryggr’s eyes met yours, full of sheepishness, and you couldn’t help but laugh, the tension starting to dissolve. “I’ll take that as a hint to get dressed,” you said, sliding out of bed and grabbing your clothes, feeling his gaze following you apologetically.

“Take your time,” Stiorra called again, her voice faintly dripping with irony. “I’ll try not to make it more awkward.”

As if more awkward was even possible, a stifled laugh escaped you as you slipped into your clothes, feeling like you were in some strange, twisted sitcom. Sigtryggr joined you, tossing on his shirt and jeans quickly, his eyes darting nervously between you and the kitchen.

Once you were both dressed, you headed to the kitchen. Stiorra was there, leaning against the counter with a mug in hand, her lips twisted in a wry smile. She looked at you and Sigtryggr with an expression that was part curiosity, part thinly veiled irritation. Two other steaming mugs waited on the counter and you grabbed one like a life saviour.

"Well," she drawled, swirling her coffee. "I see you’ve wasted no time finding a replacement." Her gaze flicked from you to Sigtryggr, her tone razor-sharp. "Or were you just waiting for the perfect moment to jump into someone else’s bed, Sigtryggr? Good to know you’ve been so… resilient."

You saw a flicker of hurt cross Sigtryggr’s face as he tried to respond, his gaze darting briefly to you before returning to Stiorra, as if caught in some unresolved pull. He shifted beside you, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Stiorra," he managed, his voice tight, "you know it’s not like that. It’s been almost half a year..."

But she didn’t give him room to explain. She looked down at her coffee, a hint of sadness breaking through her sarcasm as her fingers tightened around the mug. "I didn’t come here to make a scene," she murmured, her tone softening. "I just… I thought I wanted to move on. But maybe I was wrong."

You swallowed hard, your eyes darted from Sigtryggr to his ex-girlfriend and truth be told the only coherent thought was the increasingly intensive wish for the earth to open up and swallow you whole. Facing lions in the Colosseum would have been a more appealing option than drinking coffee in what you’d thought was your new boyfriend’s kitchen, watching it turn into a stage for a soap opera. Whoever said, "If something looks too good to be true, it probably is," had clearly known exactly what they were talking about.

Stiorra lifted her gaze to meet Sigtryggr’s, her defiance melting into something softer, tinged with regret.

"Siggy, baby, I’m so sorry!" she blurted, her voice cracking as her teary eyes searched his. The sudden burst of emotions startled you both, leaving the room steeped in uncomfortable tension. "Leaving you wasn’t what I thought I wanted," she continued, the words tumbling out, unrestrained and unguarded. "It was the biggest mistake of my life, and I just hoped you… you might feel the same. I couldn’t wait any longer—I just needed to tell you this." Her gaze darted back to the steaming coffee in her hands, as though she couldn’t bear to face him anymore. “I never imagined you’d move on so fast, not after everything we had together.”

You glanced over at Sigtryggr, who looked as if he’d just been slapped with a cold fish. The usual calm, steady demeanour he carried so effortlessly was gone, replaced by a vulnerable uncertainty you hadn’t seen before. His mouth opened as if to respond, then closed again, his mind clearly spinning in too many directions to form coherent words. He looked at you briefly, but his attention was drawn back to Stiorra, as if caught by an invisible thread that still connected them.

His eyes softened, a hint of that old, unguarded affection surfacing as he stammered. “Stiorra, I… I didn’t expect this. I thought… we were over. I thought you’d moved on.”

The longing in his voice was unmistakable. You felt an odd pang, a mixture of empathy and unease as you watched him struggle. The way he looked at her, his gaze clouded with both confusion and something undeniably tender, told you more than his words ever could. And strangely you didn’t even feel betrayed. You felt a deep understanding, even sympathy kindling within you.

It was clearly time to make an exit before this scene turned into a full-blown tragicomedy. But before you could even think of a polite way to excuse yourself, Stiorra’s gaze shifted to you, a knowing smile tugging at her lips.

“Oh, I know who you are,” she said, her tone casual—almost too casual. “You must be the mysterious girl who broke Sihtric’s heart. I’ve seen your picture, actually. He still keeps one in his wallet.”

“What?” The words hit you like a frying pan to the face, and you nearly dropped your coffee mug. This was beyond surreal; it was a nightmare layered with unwanted revelations. You glanced around, looking for any possible way to evaporate from the room as a wave of nausea crept over you.

Stiorra caught your reaction, her gaze sharpening as if sensing your unease. “No,” she said, her eyes assessing you calmly. “Not like that. Sihtric and I were never… involved.” She gave a casual shrug, one that seemed both reassuring and indifferent. “But I know him well enough. He worked for my father, Uhtred, for quite some time. And we have some mutual friends—Finan, Osferth. They’re close, practically brothers.”

You swallowed, still processing the shock as she spoke, and noticed the way her gaze flickered, slightly more empathetic now. Sigtryggr shifted beside you, clearly uncomfortable with where the conversation was heading, his gaze moving between you and Stiorra.

“Stiorra,” he said, clearing his throat, his voice a mixture of discomfort and quiet insistence, “I think we’re all getting a bit caught off guard here.”

Stiorra shrugged, but her expression softened as she looked back at him. “Maybe,” she admitted, voice gentler now. “But some things are better said than left hanging.” She turned her attention back to you. “Haven’t seen him in a while, but… he never really got over you, you know.”

The words landed like a stone in your chest, and for a moment, you felt the weight of everything you’d tried to put behind you pressing in.

“Wait, hold on!” you blurted out, the words escaping faster than you could stop them and surely much louder than you wanted. “I broke his heart? What the hell are you talking about? He was the one who found someone else less than a week after I was out of sight.”

Stiorra’s eyes widened at your outburst. She hesitated before responding, her voice softer, almost cautious. “Wait… really? I don’t know all the details,” she admitted, glancing away briefly, “but I know for sure that Sihtric has been a mess since you left. Osferth and Finan have been trying to get him back on his feet, trying to knock some sense into him. But he’s just… shut everyone out, suffering in silence.”

You opened your mouth to argue, but something in her expression stopped you. There was a subtle reproach that made you falter.

Her words stung. You knew them—Osferth and Finan—Sihtric’s closest friends. Meeting them had felt like a significant step, almost as if you were meeting his family. Sihtric barely spoke about his parents or any siblings, but these two were an inseparable part of his life. The night he’d introduced you to them still lingered vividly in your memory.

Finan had taken to you right away, looking at you with an approving grin, clapping Sihtric on the shoulder and saying, “Finally, he’s found someone who might actually keep him in line.” His easy laughter and quick wit made you feel like you’d known him for years, and there was a warmth to his acceptance that had meant more than he probably knew.

Osferth, meanwhile, had been a bit more reserved, a touch of shyness in his gentle eyes. But there had been a sweetness in the way he’d talked to you, always quick to ask if you needed anything, checking that you felt included. You’d quickly learned he was the steady, caring presence in their group, looking out for both Sihtric and Finan with a brotherly devotion.

Those early evenings with them had been filled with laughter and endless stories from their nights out. You’d felt embraced by the friendship, a part of the easy bond they all shared. But when Sihtric walked out of your life, that sense of belonging had vanished too. They had been his friends, not yours, and your connection with them had ended as abruptly as your relationship with him.

“Look,” Stiorra continued, her voice pulling you back from your thoughts, “there are always two sides to a story. But only one truth. If you want to know more, maybe… maybe you should talk to Finan and Osferth. They know him better than anyone and could probably tell you more than I can.”

Without another word, you stood up, the urge to leave overpowering any sense of decorum. Sigtryggr reached out, his face a mix of surprise and worry as he tried to get your attention. “Hey, are you okay? What’s going on?”

You shook your head, barely able to meet his gaze. “I just… I need to go. I need…” The words trailed off, but you didn’t even bother to finish the sentence as you hastily grabbed your purse and headed to the doors without a single look back.

You knew that Osferth worked as an assistant stylist at one of the top fashion studios, and Finan had a reputation as a brilliant set designer, always moving between shoots with an infectious energy. They were well-known figures in the industry, so it didn’t take long to track them down at a nearby studio where they were scheduled to prepare for an upcoming campaign.

The studio was bustling when you arrived. Assistants hurried about, racks of clothes lined the walls, and the hum of people preparing for a major shoot filled the space. You spotted Finan first, standing with his hands on his hips, joking with a lighting technician, his signature grin lighting up his face. Beside him, Osferth was focused on arranging a set of accessories on a table, his usually reserved expression serious as he worked.

Taking a deep breath, you stepped forward, and Finan caught sight of you. His grin faded, replaced by surprise that quickly gave way to guarded curiosity. He nudged Osferth, who looked up in shock, the familiar softness in his eyes now laced with uncertainty and distance you hadn’t expected. The two exchanged a look before approaching you, their movements careful, almost wary, as if they were unsure of how to greet you.

“Hey,” you managed, your voice catching. “I… I need to talk to you. About Sihtric.”

“Well,” Finan said, crossing his arms, his voice lacking its usual warmth. “If it isn’t the ghost from Sihtric’s past.”

The jab landed harder than you’d expected, his accusatory tone sinking into you like a heavy stone.

Finan’s gaze was steely, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he fixed you with an unforgiving look. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to him?” he said, his voice thick with frustration. “Twice now, you’ve come crashing into his life—first, tearing him apart, and now, strolling back in like a stranger, as if he doesn’t deserve even a shred of understanding for everything he’s been through. The least you could do is thank him for what he did for you.”

“What he did for me?” you repeated, your voice barely a whisper, caught in a haze of disbelief. You couldn’t even process the meaning behind his accusations, feeling as if you’d just walked into an ambush. You regretted coming here, every instinct screaming at you to turn and leave, to escape this room and the anger that pressed down on you from all sides. Blinking back tears that threatened to spill, you took a shaky step back, but Finan didn’t relent.

He moved closer, his gaze piercing, his voice unyielding. “Do you know how long it took him to get his life back together after you left?” he continued, his tone unwavering. “To even begin piecing himself back together? And then you show up out of nowhere, with no idea what he’s been through, and somehow make him fall all over again.”

Stunned, you stared at him, but he wasn’t finished. “We’ve been trying to help him move on for ages. Osferth and I—do you know how many nights we’ve spent picking him up after he shut everyone out, barely holding on? He’s been carrying this burden alone since the day he let you go.” Finan scoffed, his voice low and dark with exasperation. “And you—you have the nerve to walk back and judge him?”

You wanted to move but you felt rooted to the spot as you couldn’t keep the tears from rolling down your cheeks anymore. “Thank him? For what? For dropping me and finding another less than a week after I wasn’t in sight? For ruining my life, leaving me gathering the shards?”

Finan drew a deep breath, but Osferth interrupted him, placing a calming hand on Finan’s arm, though his face still held traces of disappointment as he looked at you. “Finan wait. Something’s not right there.” His eyes shifted to you, his expression softening, but only slightly. “And that’s all you know about what happened?” he asked, his tone measured but no less serious.

“What else is there to know?” you snapped, frustration simmering in your chest. “I thought he loved me, and the next thing I know, he’s moved on like I never existed. I think I have a right to be a little angry.”

Finan exchanged a glance with Osferth, as if confirming something, then sighed, rubbing his temples. “So, Gisela never told you why he did it?”

You felt your stomach clench at the mention of Gisela. Confusion gave way to a creeping unease, your mind racing to piece together what they were trying to say. “Gisela?” you repeated, barely masking the surprise in your voice. “What does she have to do with any of this?”

Osferth shifted uncomfortably, his gaze turning thoughtful. “Gisela came to him. Said it would be better if he… stepped aside. She told him about that offer you got, the scholarship and the contract – that once in a lifetime opportunity for you. She’s the one who convinced him to let you go. She told him it would be best for you to focus on your future, that he was holding you back. And Sihtric… well, he thought he was doing what was best for you.”

“Best for me?” The words felt hollow, ringing with an irony that cut deeper with each syllable. You felt a wave of disbelief crash over you, your stomach twisting as you processed his words.

Osferth nodded, his gaze sombre. “He figured if he just… cut ties, you’d have no reason to look back. He tried to bury how he felt, make you believe he’d moved on. But we both know it tore him apart. He’s never been the same since you left.”

You felt your knees weaken, the ground beneath you seeming to tilt as the truth settled over you, each piece of information landing like a blow. The anger, the hurt, the betrayal—all of it twisted into something else, something that left you feeling hollow. Your legs gave way, turning to jelly, and you would have surely hit the ground if Finan and Osferth hadn’t steadied you from each side.

“Easy there!” Finan’s voice had softened, a warmth returning that you hadn’t expected as he guided you, his anger replaced by concern. He quickly waved to a set assistant walking nearby. “Get a chair—and some water!” he called, his tone firm but urgent.

You barely noticed the assistant rushing off. A chair was brought over, and Finan and Osferth eased you into it, the world around you blurring as you tried to comprehend what you just heard. Osferth knelt beside you, his eyes steady and full of sadness as he handed you the water.

“I… I didn’t know,” you stammered, the words feeling small, inadequate. You looked at them, your voice cracking. “I thought he… I thought he didn’t care. I thought he wanted me gone.”

Finan shook his head, his gaze softening as he met your eyes. “It was never about him not caring. He thought he was doing the right thing—for you.”

“He’s been living with that choice,” Finan added quietly, his eyes meeting yours, “because he thought it would give you a better life.”

Osferth placed a comforting hand on your shoulder, his tone gentle. “Sometimes people make the hardest choices for the ones they love. Doesn’t mean they don’t hurt just as much.”

“Maybe… maybe it’s time you hear it from him,” Finan said softly, his tone no longer accusatory but understanding.

—---------------------------------------------------

The worry gnawed at you, growing with each unanswered call, each message left unread. Sihtric had vanished after the fashion show, and as the hours without a word turned into an entire day, you found yourself pacing around your apartment like a caged animal, restless and frustrated.

You hadn’t wanted to go to his place—not at first. The idea of stepping into his space felt like giving up the neutral ground you’d hoped to keep. But as your concern deepened, it became clear that there was no other option. With a resigned sigh, you grabbed your things and headed out, finally making your way to his apartment.

When you arrived, you looked up to see a warm glow coming from Sihtric’s window. Relief flooded over you—he was home. You exhaled deeply, feeling the tightness in your chest ease, if only a little. You deliberately chose the stairs over the elevator, hoping the walk up would give you time to gather your thoughts. But even with the extra moments, your mind remained frustratingly blank, and your heart raced like a drumbeat in your chest.

Standing in front of his door, you raised your hand to the doorbell, trying to ignore the nervous twist in your stomach. But instead of ringing, you pressed your palm and ear to the door, straining to hear any sign of movement on the other side. Come on, you can do this, you urged yourself, taking a deep, steadying breath. Finally, you lifted your hand and pressed the button, feeling your pulse quicken as you waited for him to answer.

A sinking feeling twisted in your gut as there was only silence on the other side but you refused to give up. You pressed the doorbell again, then again, determined to get some response. Still, nothing.

“Sihtric,” you finally called. “I know you’re in there. I can see the light. Please, just talk to me.”

Silence stretched, pressing down on you. Frustrated, you balled your fists and pounded on the door, the echo of each hit ricocheting down the empty corridor. Somewhere down the hall, a door creaked open, and you glanced over your shoulder to find a pair of curious, disapproving eyes peering at you through a crack. But you were beyond caring about nosy neighbours. Ignoring them, you turned back to Sihtric’s door and knocked again, your voice catching slightly as you called his name once more.

Just as you felt the last shimmer of hope begin to slip away, you heard a faint shuffle behind the door, the sound of hesitant footsteps drawing closer. Relief flickered through you, only to fade as his voice, rough and bitter, cut through the silence.

“Just… go away,” he muttered, his tone carrying a heaviness that felt like a punch to the chest. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Sihtric?” you called, pressing a hand against the door. “Please, open up. I just want to talk.”

Silence. But you knew he was there, so you waited. A bitter, muffled voice finally answered. “Why? There’s nothing more to talk about,” he replied, his tone rough, barely masking the exhaustion in his voice. “Just… leave me alone.”

Ignoring his dismissal, you leaned closer, unwilling to let him shut you out. “Sihtric, please. I was wrong. I was wrong not wanting to listen to you, shutting you out. Please open the door, so we can talk. I just… I need to understand.”

He scoffed from the other side, the bitterness in his voice cutting. “Understand? You want to understand now? Why? You have your perfect little life, your perfect job, your prince charming.” His words were laced with sarcasm. “You want to judge me? I already gave you the chance for that at the show. I saw it on your face. I don’t need more of that.”

You pressed your forehead against the door, your heart pounding as you tried to will back tears slowly gathering in the corners of your eyes. “I’m sorry. Sihtric, can you hear me? I’m so sorry. And I wasn’t judging you, Sihtric. I was just… surprised. I’m not here to make things worse. I came because I care.”

On the other side of the door, Sihtric stood still, barely breathing, his entire body tense. He could feel the ache in his shoulders and neck, the result of hours spent tossing and turning through a sleepless night, haunted by thoughts of you and his own spiralling decisions. Every muscle felt heavy, weighed down by exhaustion, regret and anger.

He wanted to open the door. Part of him ached to see you, to hear your voice without the barrier between you. But another part—larger, stronger, the part that had convinced him to let you go years ago—held him back. That part reminded him of everything he’d become, the mess he’d made of his life since then, and the humiliation of his drunken, jealousy-fueled outburst at the fashion show. He clenched his fists, fighting the shame that burned inside him, wondering if he could ever face you again.

His heart pounded, each beat reverberating with the bitterness that had taken root within him. What did he have to offer you now? He was broken, he knew that much, and he’d spent too long building up his defences to believe someone would want to come close enough to help him pick up the pieces. Especially not you—the one person he’d hurt most by pushing you away.

Drawing a deep shaky breath he slowly slid down to the ground, resting his back against the door. His elbows propped on his knees he buried his face in his hands, the world reduced to the darkness behind his closed eyelids.

The memories of the fashion show flashed in his mind—your face when he’d approached you, the shock and disappointment in your eyes, the way he’d stumbled through his words, lost in a haze of jealousy and alcohol. The regret was a deep wound now, throbbing with every word you spoke on the other side of the door.

What could he say to you? That he was sorry? Sorry didn’t even begin to cover the tangled mess he’d made of things.

The sound of your voice, pleading, coaxing him to open the door, tore at him. He could feel you there, so close, and it made everything hurt more sharply. Sihtric let out a shaky breath, feeling the first sting of tears pressing at the corners of his eyes, but he held them back, unwilling to let himself break down, even now.

“Why are you here?” he muttered under his breath, as much to himself as to you. His voice was rough, barely hiding the bitterness he felt, not even toward you but toward himself. “What good can come from this?”

He sat there, torn between the urge to stand up, unlock the door, and reach for you, and the dark, cynical voice in his mind that told him to stay hidden, that he didn’t deserve whatever you were here to offer.

And yet, through it all, he couldn’t help but listen, couldn’t ignore the hope in your words, the softness in your tone. He could almost feel you on the other side, feel the warmth you brought, a warmth he hadn’t felt in years.

But that hope was terrifying. Because if he opened the door, if he let you in… The very idea of you seeing him like this—broken, regret-filled and barely holding it together—filled him with shame. He didn’t know if he was strong enough to do that. He probably wasn’t.

Silence hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Sihtric’s breathing grew uneven, and for a moment, you wondered if he’d even heard you. Then, his voice cut through the quiet, rough and worn, tinged with a bitterness that struck you like a physical blow.

“I don’t need your sympathy,” he muttered, the words laced with frustration. “I don’t need anything from you. Just leave me alone—I don’t want you to see me like this.”

“Sihtric,” you called softly, pressing your hand flat against the door. “Please… just open the door.”

When he didn’t respond, you clenched your fists and banged against the door, louder this time, not caring who heard. “Sihtric, I’m not going anywhere! You don’t have to shut me out. I know… I know what you did for me. I know why you left.”

There was a pause, so deep and tense you could hear the faint sounds from the street outside, muffled and distant. Finally, his voice broke the silence, barely audible, fragile. “Who told you that?”

You took a steadying breath, hoping he could hear the sincerity in your tone. “Finan and Osferth,” you replied. “They told me everything. How you thought leaving was best for me, how you made it look like you’d moved on just so I wouldn’t come back… how you suffered through it all because you thought it was the right thing.”

There was another pause, and then he laughed, a hollow, defeated sound that twisted painfully in your chest. “So, what?” he said, his voice wavering, barely holding steady. “You came here to pity me? To see what a mess I’ve made of myself?” He sounded tired, as if the words themselves were an effort. “I don’t need your pity either.”

For a moment, all you could hear was his unsteady breathing. You imagined him, standing just on the other side, close enough to touch if only he’d open the door. It was driving you mad—having him so close but so far away at the same time. You silently cursed yourself for turning him down, for refusing to listen when he had tried to talk to you before. Why had you been so cold? Why had you let fear take over?

But it wasn’t just your fear that had brought you to this moment. Gisela. The thought struck like a dagger, bitter and sharp. Why had she meddled? Why had she pushed Sihtric into making that choice without ever telling you? All those times she’d been there, comforting you, assuring you that moving on was the right thing to do—she had known. She had known the truth and had kept it from you. Why, Gisela? you thought bitterly, your hands balling into fists against the door. Why did you do this to me? To us?

You closed your eyes, pressing your forehead against the door, the whirlwind of emotions inside you felt unbearable, but amidst the chaos, a single thought began to crystallize with startling clarity. I’m not letting this go. Not this time. You had spent too long blaming others for what had happened—Sihtric, the universe, now Gisela. Too long nursing your pain, placing it on a pedestal like some kind of shield to justify not moving forward, not letting yourself feel again. But you couldn’t hide from the truth anymore. This wasn’t just pain or regret—this was love. It had never stopped being love, and it was time you faced it.

You straightened slightly, you weren’t going to let the past define what was left of your future. This was your chance, and you weren’t going to let fear or pride hold you back any longer. Sihtric deserved the truth, and so did you. He needed to hear it, to know that you still loved him—not the sanitized, half-forgotten version of love you’d pretended to bury, but the real thing. The kind of love that ached, that fought, that refused to let go.

And he needed to know the part you’d played in letting it all fall apart. The anger you’d clung to, the walls you’d built to protect yourself, all of it had driven you away from him when you should have stayed and fought, and you needed to own that.

“I’m not giving up on this,” you whispered, more to yourself than to him, though you hoped he could feel the determination in your voice. “Not this time, not again.”

You took a deep breath, feeling the door as your only support as you leaned against it. “Sihtric,” you began, your voice trembling, but there was no hesitation in your words. “Please, just listen to me. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Please, I’m begging you just hear me out. I’m here because… because I never stopped loving you.”

You could feel his breathing hitch on the other side, but he didn’t say anything, and you went on, needing him to hear everything.

“I wanted to hate you,” you confessed, your voice breaking slightly. “I tried. I thought that if I could just hate you, it would be easier. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t hate you, not really. Even when I tried to move on, to make a life without you… I couldn’t let go of you. No one else could replace what you mean to me.”

On the other side of the door, Sihtric let out a ragged breath, his hands covering his face.

The weight of your own words took their toll, and slowly, your legs gave way. You slid down to the ground, sitting with your back pressed against the door, your head resting against the wood as you stared at the empty hallway in front of you.

“When you wanted to talk to me that day at the shoot… I was so cold because I was scared, Sihtric,” you whispered, the confession falling from your lips before you could stop it. “I was afraid that if I let you in, even a little, I’d break. That all the walls I put up to protect myself would come crashing down.”

Sihtric listened, his face buried in his hands, feeling every word you spoke burning holes in his soul. He wanted to reach for you, to say something, but something kept him still, the knowledge of everything he’d put both of you through holding him back. His breath was shaky, his heart pounding as he imagined you there, only inches away.

“I tried to move on, Sihtric,” you continued. “I tried to make a life without you. I even tried to love someone else, to find what I had with you with someone new. But it didn’t work. No one… no one ever felt like you.”

Sihtric’s hands dropped from his face, and he pressed his palms flat against the door, his fingers splaying out as if they could reach you through the barrier between you as he felt his resolve breaking, his walls crumbling bit by bit.

“I thought letting you go was the best thing I could do for you,” he murmured. “I thought that if I hurt you enough, you’d decide to leave me behind… and you’d never look back. I wanted you to be successful and happy, even if it meant I couldn’t be.”

A tear slipped down your cheek as you listened, your heart breaking all over again. “Don’t you see?” you said, your voice barely a whisper. “I was never happy without you. I kept telling myself that I could be, but deep down, I knew… I knew I’d never feel whole again.”

For a moment, the two of you sat there, separated by inches of wood and miles of unspoken feelings, both of you held captive by the same painful memories and buried longing.

“You don’t understand…” he continued, his voice breaking. “I’m not who I used to be. I’m not… I’m not enough for you, you need someone better. I don’t even know who I am anymore. You should be out there, living that life you’ve created and earned, not here… with someone like me.”

You swallowed hard, tears pooling in your eyes but refusing to fall. “I don’t need someone better, Sihtric. I need you,” you said, your voice trembling but resolute. “The real you, flaws and all. I can’t pretend anymore that everything’s fine without you in my life. I don’t care about perfect, Sihtric. I just… I just want you.”

The silence behind the door was deafening, stretching longer than you could bear. Your chest tightened, every second dragging on like an eternity. You strained to hear anything—a shuffle, a breath, even the slightest indication that he was still there—but there was nothing. The hollow quiet seeped into your heart, threatening to shatter it into a thousand pieces again.

Was this really the end? The thought weighed heavy, pressing against you until you couldn’t sit upright any longer. Slowly, you laid your head down on your knees, clutching them tightly as if to hold yourself together. You felt the sting of finality creeping in, the cruel certainty that you had done everything you could. It was time to stand up, to walk away, and this time, not look back.

But just as you started to gather the strength to rise, a faint, almost imperceptible sound reached your ears. A click. Your breath hitched as the unmistakable sound of the lock turning echoed softly through the silence.

You turned your head at the sound of the door creaking open, and there he was. Sihtric stood in the doorway. He looked exhausted, dark rings encircling his beautiful large eyes, face shadowed and tired. His hair was disheveled, and his shirt was rumpled, hanging loosely on his frame, but you didn’t care. All you could see was him, standing there, finally letting you in.

You jumped to your feet, propelled by a wave of relief and emotion, and lunged at him before you could think twice. The sudden movement caught him off guard, and the two of you stumbled backward into the apartment, the door swinging shut behind you. Your arms wrapped tightly around him, holding on as though he might disappear again if you let go. Tears streamed down your cheeks, soaking into his rumpled shirt as you buried your face against his broad, muscular chest.

For a moment, he stood frozen, his hands hovering uncertainly by his sides. Then, slowly, hesitantly, his arms came around you, pulling you closer. He let out a shuddering breath, the tension in his body giving way as he held you tightly, like he was afraid this was just another fleeting dream.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice muffled against him, trembling with emotion. “I’m so, so sorry, Sihtric. For shutting you out. For not fighting harder. For letting my anger win.”

His chest rose and fell beneath you as he struggled to steady his breathing. His voice was rough, as he finally spoke. “You have nothing to be sorry for. It was me… all of it. I pushed you away. I thought it was the only way.”

You pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him, your hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“I should’ve fought for us,” you said, your voice breaking. “I should’ve seen through it, through what you were doing. But I didn’t.”

His hand came up to cup your face, his touch tentative, almost disbelieving. “You couldn’t have known,” he said softly, his thumb brushing over your cheek. “I made sure of that. I wanted you to move on, to be happy.”

“I wasn’t happy,” you said, shaking your head. “I could never be happy without you.”

He closed his eyes, his forehead resting against yours as a tear slid down his cheek. “I don’t know if I can fix this. If I can fix me.”

You reached up, your fingers tracing the stubble along his jaw as you steadied your voice. “You don’t have to fix anything. We’ll figure it out together. Just, please, don’t push me away again.”

For a long moment, he didn’t say anything. He just held you, his hands trembling slightly as they clung to you. Then, he leaned in and his lips brushed yours in a soft, lingering kiss that carried the weight of everything he couldn’t say.

Sihtric's lips trembled against yours, as you pressed into him, your hands clutching harder the fabric of his shirt, silently telling him that you were here, that this was real. You kissed him back pouring all your emotions into that one single gentle touch of lips, getting more heated and desperate with each passing moment.

When he pulled back just enough to catch his breath, he began to press a trail of kisses across your cheeks, your forehead, the bridge of your nose.

“I love you,” he murmured between kisses, his voice rough and low. “I’ve always loved you. Even when I tried to forget… when I tried to move on, I couldn’t.” His lips found yours again, more insistent this time, as though he couldn’t get enough, couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions he’d kept buried for so long.

“I tried to find someone else,” he admitted, his voice breaking as he pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against yours. His breath was warm and unsteady. “I thought I could replace what we had. But it was never the same. No one could ever be you.” His hands moved to your waist, pulling you closer, his grip firm but gentle. “I don’t want anyone else. I can’t. It’s always been you, and it will always be you.”

Without warning, he scooped you up into his strong arms, holding you effortlessly as though you weighed nothing. You gasped softly, your arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as he looked down at you, his eyes filled with something raw and unrestrained.

“I need you,” he said, his gaze locked on yours. “I need you in every part of my life. And right now… I need to show you how much I love you.”

You smiled through tears, you fingers tangling in his thick, disheveled hair. You pulled him closer and with a low almost desperate growl his lips captured yours again as he carried you further into the apartment.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

The soft hum of voices and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the air as you arrived at the exhibition, a feeling of anticipation settling in your chest. Gisela was waiting for you near the entrance, her ever-poised demeanor slightly off-kilter as she scanned the crowd. When her eyes landed on you, a flicker of something—relief? Concern?—crossed her face, and she hurried over.

“There you are,” she said, taking your hand as though to steady you. Her tone carried an edge of urgency, and you could tell she was gearing up to say something important. “I’m glad you came. But listen, before you go inside, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Her voice lowered conspiratorially as she leaned closer. “Sigtryggr… he’s here. And he brought someone. A girlfriend, apparently.” Her words were careful, but her gaze flickered with unease, clearly gauging your reaction.

You raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement rising in you. “That’s fine, Gisela,” you said, squeezing her hand lightly. “Sigtryggr and I… we weren’t meant to be. I’m happy for him.”

She blinked, slightly taken aback by your calm response, but pressed on. “Well, I thought you should know. But I also have someone I want you to meet.” Her voice brightened slightly, as though trying to distract you from the potential awkwardness waiting inside.

You tilted your head, an affectionate smile creeping onto your face. “Actually, Gisela, I have someone I want you to meet first.”

Before Gisela could respond, Sihtric stepped forward from behind you. He wasn’t dressed to blend into the crowd of sharply tailored suits and polished shoes that filled the gallery, yet somehow, he looked effortlessly striking.

A dark, fitted leather jacket hung perfectly over his broad shoulders, paired with a simple, black t-shirt that clung to his lean, muscular frame. Fitted jeans and scuffed boots completed the look, adding a touch of ruggedness that made him stand out in all the right ways.

His dark hair was neatly tied back, but a few rogue strands fell across his sharp cheekbones, softening the intensity of his piercing eyes. He looked effortlessly cool, the kind of man who drew attention without even trying, and the subtle smirk on his lips only added to the effect.

Sihtric slipped his hand into yours, your fingers intertwining, and the look on Gisela’s face was priceless. She was frozen, her gaze locking on him as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her usual poise faltered, and for the first time, she seemed genuinely at a loss for words. Her eyes flicked between you and Sihtric, wide with shock, her mouth opening and closing slightly as though searching for something—anything—to say.

“Sihtric,” you said warmly, your voice filled with affection as you glanced up at him. He responded by slipping his arm around your waist, his hand resting at the small of your back.

Gisela finally found her voice, though it was a touch higher-pitched than usual. “I… didn’t realize…” she stammered, her gaze darting to you as if silently questioning how, when, and why this had happened.

You cut her off with a gentle but firm nudge to the side, brushing past her with a smile. “Gisela, we’ll catch up later. Right now, there are a few people we’d like to say hello to.”

Sihtric’s arms wrapped securely around you as you walked into the exhibition together, his warmth grounding you. You caught sight of Sigtryggr and Stiorra in the center of the gallery, standing close, their heads tilted toward each other as they shared a quiet laugh. Whatever lingering awkwardness might have existed between you and Sigtryggr seemed to dissolve as you approached, Sihtric at your side.

“Sigtryggr,” you greeted warmly, your smile genuine. “It’s good to see you.”

Sigtryggr turned, his expression flickering with brief surprise before softening into a polite smile. “And you,” he replied, his gaze briefly darting to Sihtric before settling back on you. “I see you’ve… moved on as well.”

“Seems like we’ve both found where we’re meant to be,” you replied, your tone light, though the weight of those words resonated deeply within you.

Stiorra raised her glass with a mischievous grin. “Well, well. Isn’t this a picture-perfect reunion?” she quipped, her tone teasing but kind.

Sihtric’s arm tightened around your waist as he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. “A reunion, maybe,” he murmured just for you, his voice warm and low. “But what matters is where we go from here.”

And as you stood there, surrounded by art, by people who had once been tangled in your past, you couldn’t help but smile as for the first time in a long while, the future felt beautifully, wonderfully yours.

#sihtric #sigtryggr #sihtric x reader #sigtryggr x reader #the last kingdom #the last kingdom fic #sihtric fic #sihtric x you #modern!Sihtric #modern!Sigtryggr #sigtryggr x you

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paula-in-dreamland · 12 days ago

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sleepover saturday: fanfic edition- 1, 6, 8, 11 (talk about the favorite of your own fics!)

YAYYYY THANK YOU LOVE!!!!!!!

1. favorite fic right now

Okay, admittedly - I am WAY behind on reading other people’s fics and I am trying to remediate that. 🫣 However, I have been adoring the plot bunnies and thoughts that @holy3cake has been feeding me for In His Father Footsteps amongst other cracky ideas for Aethelstan/Osbert and Sig/Stiorra 🫣🥺🙈🤣🤭

Wait okay sober me [Twas coming home from a wedding when I first drafted this] now understands what you meant...awks. ANYWAYS. Of my fics? For posted - Probably Hunger Games. We're getting close to romantic climax !! Unposted/Drafting Stage - I've been equally feral over my Mafia AU and my Biker Gang AU again. Just struggle juggling editing and posting multiple things at once. *sigh* But one of these days all the stuff in my head will make it out onto paper.

6. headcanons that haven't made it into a fic yet

So. Many. I’ll address this in a bit more detail in the next question - but I like to think that maybe show!Stiorra suffered with some fertility issues?And in that realm, I headcanon both Sig and Stiorra having wanted children, just not immediately. But when the time came, it did not come easily. On the raunchier side - I don’t think that Sig and Stiorra waited till marriage to have sex BUT it was not long after that they consummated things that they got married/bethrothed nor did it happen as soon as she left with to go to Jorvik/Eoferwic . Plus a bagillion more. Slowly integrating them into Canon Fics 🫣🙈

8.Unpopular opinions

So. While I have not seen these opinions, I understand that show!Sig and Stiorra having kids is (or was?) a ~hot topic~. Personally? In regards to Sig, I think he probably was neutral to them. And I do not think the “I have no children, nor a wife” quote is a fair representation of his opinion on whether he wanted to get married/have kids. As for Stiorra, well… she was 19 and made to be the primary caregiver to two children. That is a LOT of fucking work, especially without much support and for a 19yo seeking freedom. So, I always interpreted season 4 Stiorra’s anti marriage and anti children rhetoric coming from a place of a young woman seeking autonomy over her life, not in actual dismissal of marriage/children. Like girlie literally thought she was going to be married to a man she hates and be forced to be his heir-maker. But with Sig…. She was not just his wife or vessel; she was his equal. Therefore, I think her stance on marriage (and children) shifted to where she did want both - just maybe not IMMEDIATELY.

Plus - weak argument - but Sig and Stiorra’s book counterparts so clearly both wanted (and had) and ADORED children in general. Like I am still sobbing over them with (their) child(ren) in Warriors Of the Storm. And if we're really grounding this in the historical realities -- Sig needed heirs. And while there were "methods" both for birth control/abortion, def not things that should be used on the regular and had a LOT of potential risks.

But yeah. 🙃

ANDDDDD cause I'm already got the kettle boiling -- I think Sigtryggr's characterization in Season 5 was actually spot on for how he'd grow/change in ~10 years but also very human in how he'd react for two people back to back coming for his kingdom/people/wife.

11. And anything else you want!

WE NEEEEEEEEDED FINANS BACK STORY IN THE SHOW! 12-15 EPISODES WITH FILLER AND MORE PAGANISM!! SIX TO SEVEN SEASONS. A SEASON A FEW EPISODES TO BRIDGE SEASON 4 AND 5.

#paulas thoughts #sleepover saturday #ask games #my lovely mutuals

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holy3cake · 6 months ago

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Alfred's Christmas Wish

Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: The Last Kingdom (TV)

Rating: Mature

Relationships: Aethelflaed Lady of Mercia/Aldhelm, Athelstan of England (894-939)/Uhtred Uhtredson | Osbert, Sigtryggr Ivarsson/Stiorra, Alfred the Great/Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Eadith/Aelswith/Osferth, Edward/Earwulf, Beocca/Thyra, Mentions of Brida and Young Ragnar, Aethelhelm/Bresal, Aethelred/Random Woman lol, Finan/Sihtric

Summary: Alfred is throwing a Christmas Party, and everyone is invited! But will Santa make an appearance after all this work, or have Alfred's house guests scared him away?

The crack Christmas fic you never wanted or needed, but you'll enjoy :)

Rated M for improper use of a rolling pin.

(Yeah, i'm not sure what happened here either but enjoy :DDD)

#the last kingdom #the last kingdom fics #ao3 #NEW CHRISTMAS FIC #TOO MANY CHARACTERS TO TAG LMAO #Christmas last kingdom

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grlwtskulltattoo · 4 months ago

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Fly Low Carrion Crow - Chapter 2

Note: Just so you know, I’m completely winging this. I have some ideas for things that are going to happen, but for the most part, I’m just along for the ride.

Warnings: A slightly pissed off Irishman, a bit of pining.

Pairing: Sihtric x OC (Octavia)

Summary: Octavia return to the clubhouse after leaving the bar. Sihtric is on the lookout for her, since she wouldn’t give him her number.

Wordcount: 3.5k

Part 1

The ride back to her side of town has Octavia’s head spinning. She still feels the racing of her heart, both from the adrenaline rush of being where she shouldn’t have been, and Sihtric. She can’t get his mesmerizing eyes and sexy smile out of her head. There is a part of her that wants to turn around just so she can see him again, and the other part just wants to drown out the thoughts of him. Knowing that nothing will ever come of it. Can’t come of it.

She debates on whether she wants to go home, or go to the clubhouse. Either way, she’ll probably get hounded on where she’s been, whether it be from Brida and Ragnar, or the guys at the club. The clubhouse has alcohol, lots of it, and by now most of the guys should be passed out drunk. That decided, she turns down the street where the clubhouse and shop are located. The sign on the shop reads Ravn’s Customs. Octavia smiles as she thinks of her grandfather who started the business. It’s been in the family for generations, passing from him to her father, and now to her brothers. She still remembers tinkering with bikes and custom cars under her grandfather’s guidance.

The parking lot is still full of bikes, which isn’t a surprise. Thankfully Ragnar’s bike is gone, meaning he’s probably home with Brida. Octavia parks her bike along the row of other bikes. After shutting off the engine, she just sits there for a moment, giving her heart a chance to calm. Unclasping her helmet and removing it from her head, she hangs it from her handlebars. Taking a deep breath, she gets off her bike and walks inside.

Music is still playing inside, but thankfully not at a deafening level. Octavia shakes her head at the scene laid out before her. Clapa and one of the sweet butts are passed out on the couch, her sitting straddle his lap. Osferth is passed out on the pool table. Rypere is face down at the bar, about to fall off the stool. Halig is passed out behind the bar. She’s not sure where the prospects, Sigtryggr and Rognvaldr are, but they are going to have a hell of a mess to clean up in the morning.

“Yer back early…” Finan drawls from one of the overstuffed chairs, a bottle of Jameson in his hand.

Octavia shucks her leather coat, hanging it from the back of a chair. “Yeah, I didn’t like the vibe of the place so I left early.”

Finan notices the bruise on her arm and shoots up from his chair. “What the hell happened?” He strides to her, grabbing her arm to examine the mark.

Octavia looks at the bruise in surprise. She didn’t realize Sven had left a mark on her arm, even though his grip was tight enough for it. “It’s… It’s nothing.”

Finan’s eyes grow dark, as anger flashes in them. “The hell it is! Who the fuck did this to ye?” He demands. “I’ll kill the bloody bastard!”

“Finan…it’s fine… I’m fine. You’re not going to kill anyone. Some guy was just trying to get fresh with me. I handled it… it’s over.” Octavia grumbles, as she pulls her arm from Finan’s grasp.

“Tell me where he is… I’ll show him what happens when he hurts a member of our family.” Finan growls, seething with anger.

“Finan! No! I’m fine, just let it go.” Octavia hisses at him. The last thing they need is to start a war with the Midnight Raiders. “Just forget about it.”

Finan throws the bottle of Jameson at the wall, shattering it, and causing Octavia to jump. The rest of the men barely move at the noise. “Damn it, Tavia…They can’t just get away with that.”

“Finan, you’re drunk. Go sleep it off, before you do something stupid.” She argues back at him. Sometimes this overprotectiveness is a bit much, she thinks as she glares at the Irishman.

Octavia can see the trembling of Finan’s arms as his rage takes over him. She softens her gaze at him, knowing he still harbors feelings for her. Their brief period of dating left an indelible mark. On both of them. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his chest. The rapid pounding of his heart drowning out any other sound. After a few moments he slows his breathing and wraps his arms around her. Gradually starting to calm down.

Once the trembling of his body stops and his breathing is back to normal, Octavia looks up at his face. His features finally softening from the anger that took over him. “I promise, I’m fine….it’s nothing to get worked up over.” She softly tells him, before reaching up to grip his bearded chin in her fingers. Tilting his face to hers, she gives him a soft kiss. She can taste the whiskey on his lips, and it reminds her of wanting to drown out thoughts of Sihtric. “I’m going to bed, and you should too.”

As she lets go of the Irishman, Octavia gives him a soft smile. She feels a little pang in her heart at what could have been between them, had her brothers not put a stop to it. Before she heads back to the dorm rooms in the back of the clubhouse, she grabs a half empty bottle of Jack from one of the tables to take with her. She has every intention of forgetting about Sihtric from the bar. The sexy man with the mesmerizing eyes and a smile that gives her butterflies in her stomach. A forbidden fruit….

It’s been weeks since Sihtric has laid eyes on the beautiful woman from the bar. Tavia… He smiles to himself as he thinks about their brief interaction. She still hasn’t left his mind, and he is still determined to find her. To see her again. He regrets not following her that night, at least then he would have known where to look for her. Instead, he finds himself constantly scanning his surroundings at he rides throughout the town making his deliveries. Always on the lookout for a red Harley.

His heart skips a beat when he finally spots a red bike parked behind a diner in the center of town. Waving off the men he is traveling with, he veers off the main road to inspect the bike further. He can feel his heart pounding in his chest hoping that he has finally found her. Hoping that she wasn’t just a figment of his imagination. One that haunts his dreams at night.

Parking his blacked out Harley next to the red one, Sihtric quickly kills the engine. His fingers are shaking in nervousness as he fumbles with the clasp on his helmet in his haste to get it off. As he approaches the red bike, he examines it closely, remembering the small details he noticed the first time he saw it. The little skeleton guy wearing a helmet clinging to the headlight, seals it for him. This is her bike.

A smile lights up his face, as he tries to shake the nervousness from his body. He can’t explain this effect she has on him, he knows nothing about her, other than she is beautiful and playing hard to get. Taking off his kutte, he carefully folds it and places it in the hard case saddlebag on his bike. He doesn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to himself by wearing it. He knows some people get nervous seeing the patch on his kutte, knowing that the Midnight Raiders deal in shady business as do quite a few MCs.

As Sihtric strides to the door of the diner, he quickly straightens out his hair from the helmet and smoothes out his plain white t-shirt. Trying to look presentable. Of course his choice in hair style will surely get some looks. He enters the diner and stands at the hostess station waiting for someone to notice him. Glancing around at the other people in the diner, he’s a little disappointed when he doesn’t see Octavia right away. Maybe she’s in the back.

An older lady, with the name Sable embroidered onto her work shirt, finally approaches him. “Just one?” She asks as she grabs a menu and some utensils rolled in a napkin.

Sihtric nods. “Does Octavia work here? Can I be seated in her section?” He quickly asks hoping he doesn’t sound like a stalker.

Sable gives him a critical look, looking him up and down, before she gives him a nod. “Sure, sugar, right this way.”

Sihtric bites back the smile playing at his lips, not wanting to come off as too eager. The hostess leads him to a booth near some large windows looking out to the front of the diner. She gestures to him to take a seat, then she places the menu and utensils on the table. Sihtric slides in the booth and rests his arms on the table as he waits. His tattooed fingers nervously tapping the surface.

“Your waitress will be with you shortly…” Sable tells him before walking away.

Sihtric doesn’t bother looking at the menu. He’s not really here for food anyways, but he’ll buy something if it means he can talk to Octavia. He has a nervous look on his face and he can already feel the butterflies in his stomach. He has never done something like this, track down a girl he only met for a brief moment. He just can’t get her out of his head, and he’s really hoping that this time he can learn more about her.

Octavia is in the back banquet room bussing some tables, since their lazy bus boy doesn’t seem to want to do his job. When Sable taps her on the shoulder she nearly jumps. She’s still a little jumpy after that night one eye grabbed her.

“Hey, sweetie, you have a customer waiting for you at table three.” Sable tells her. “You don’t have to do that, I’ll get Aethelwold out here to finish cleaning this up. He’s supposed to be doing it anyways.”

Looking down at the tub of dirty dishes, Octavia lets out a little sigh. “Yeah, good luck with that…” She grumbles as she tosses the rag she was wiping down the table with into the tub. “Ok…I’ll go take care of the customer.”

Walking back into the main section of the diner, Octavia quickly wipes her hands off on the mini black apron around her waist. She pulls out her order pad and flips to a blank sheet. She puts a smile on her face before she looks up to greet the customer. However, she stops dead in her tracks as her face shifts to a look of shock when she sees Sihtric sitting at her booth.

Octavia almost turns around and walks away the moment she sees him, but she doesn’t want to make a scene at work. Swallowing down the lump in her throat, she reluctantly approaches the table. Sihtric giving her a sheepish smile when he sees her.

Fuck…

She can already feel her stomach doing flip flops as she glances briefly in Sihtric’s mesmerizing eyes. Octavia quickly looks down at her order pad with her pen ready. “What can I get you today?” She asks, trying to keep things professional.

“A moment of your time…” Sihtric softly asks.

Octavia glances away. “You really shouldn’t be here.” She says nervously biting her lip.

If her brothers stop by, or Finan, or really anyone from the club, there could be trouble. Even though the diner is basically on neutral ground, if they figure out who he is, and that he’s here talking to her, they won’t hesitate to take him out back and teach him a lesson.

“I just wanted a chance to see you…talk to you.” Sihtric implores with a pleading look in hie eyes. “Please…”

“You just don’t give up, do you?” She scoffs, as she tries so hard not to look into his eyes.

“Not when there is a gorgeous woman involved. Please…sit, talk to me.” Sihtric isn’t above begging at this point.

“You stalking me now?” Octavia accuses, her body stiff as she tries to keep herself from giving into his charms.

“No, no…” He quickly shakes his head. “I just happened to ride by and saw your bike. Thought maybe I’d try again to get your number.” Sihtric gives her that same sly smile he gave her that night at the bar.

Fuck…these butterflies need to stop. This can’t happen. It’ll never work… Why does he have to be so damn cute…

“Yeah, that’s not going to happen. Still not giving you my number.” Octavia furrows her eyebrows at him. “Are you going to order something, or not?” She gives him a pointed look.

“Yeah, I’ll order something…if it means you’ll stay and talk to me. When’s your next break?”

Octavia rolls her eyes, before looking at the clock above the kitchen window. “In five minutes.” She answers him.

“I’ll take a coffee…and I’ll wait.” Sihtric softly smiles at her.

“Ugh… Fine… I’ll get you some coffee.” She almost growls in frustration, as she writes the word coffee on her order pad. “Anything else?” When Sihtric shakes his head no, Octavia stalks off to get him coffee. While she’s in the back, she tells Sable that she’s going to take her break.

Taking the pot of coffee, a mug and a little bowl of creamer cups to the table, Octavia pours Sihtric a cup of coffee. She takes the coffee pot back to the coffee maker, before she reluctantly returns to Sihtric’s table. The diner is fairly quiet with it being between the morning and afternoon rush. As she sits down across from Sihtric, she tries desperately to avoid looking in his eyes, cause each time she does her stomach does that silly fluttering of butterflies. Instead, she finds herself constantly looking out the large window, keeping an eye out for any motorcycles that may ride past.

“You really shouldn’t be here…” she softly says again, before daring herself to look at him, to really look at him.

Octavia finds herself studying all of his features, almost like she’s memorizing them. His wild dark hair, shaved on one side with beads along the top of his head, and soft curls mixed into the length. The scars on his forehead and cheekbone that takes nothing away from how sexy he is, it only adds to the dangerousness of him. His light mustache and goatee, and the tattoo on his neck that appears to go up the side of his head and disappears into his hair. And those eyes. She could get lost in his mismatched eyes, one slightly brown and the other slightly blue with an array of other colors mixed it. She notices that he doesn’t have his kutte on, and part of her is relieved.

Sihtric takes a small sip of the hot coffee, before giving her another sheepish smile. He watches her study him, and finds himself doing the same, taking in her beauty. Her long dark brown hair that he wants to run his fingers through. Her gorgeous hazel eyes that look like a prism of color. Her small button nose and defined cheekbones that he wants to softly caress with his thumb. And her soft plump lips. Gods, those lips, that he desperately wants to kiss. He forces himself to glance away and take a deep breath as a shyness comes over him from the effect she is having on him. Biting his lip he tries to distract himself from the rush of arousal coursing through him. Gods she’s so beautiful…

“I was hoping I could take you out sometime, maybe to dinner?” Sihtric asks when he can find his voice again.

Octavia feels a war of emotions inside herself. She can feel her resolve slipping, the more she becomes entranced by Sihtric. She would love nothing more than to be able to spend more time with him, but the risks involved are just too much. She feels a little sadness that this can’t go any further, that she has to turn him away.

“I wish I could go out with you, but unfortunately I can’t be seen with you…. I can’t… I can’t be seen with someone from the Midnight Raiders…. It would cause a lot of trouble, for both of us.” She tries to let him down gently, without revealing too much about who she is and where she comes from.

Sihtric is crestfallen by her answer, but determined not to give up. He reaches across the table and gently takes her hand in his, rubbing soft circles with his thumb on the back of her palm. “If you’re worried about someone seeing us together, we can go somewhere outside of town. I hear there is a carnival in Lodi this weekend. That should be far enough away that no one will recognize us, if it’ll make you feel better. We can just hang out and have some fun together. Get to know each other a little more.” Sihtric proposes, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to be able to spend some more time with her.

Octavia bites her bottom lip as she mulls over his suggestion. Lodi should be far enough away that hopefully no one will recognize them. Does she dare take that chance? She knows if she agrees to go with him, that it’s only going to make it harder on herself. Once he finds out that she’s a Ragnarson, that they are enemies, this thing between them will end. She should just tell him now, and get it over with, but a part of her can’t bring herself to do it.

Releasing a soft sigh, Octavia gives in. “Okay… fine, I’ll go to the carnival…”

The way Sihtric’s face lights up and the grin he gives her, makes the flutter in her stomach worse. She can’t help but give him a timid smile in return. Gods, this is a mistake. I’m going to regret this. Just one date, can’t hurt, can it? Fuck….

“It starts Friday evening. I can pick you up if you want?” Sihtric asks, the excitement evident in his voice. The idea of Octavia riding with him on his bike, with her arms wrapped around his waist sends a rush through him.

“Friday evening will be fine, but I’ll meet you there.” Octavia doesn’t like the idea of not having her own way home in case things go bad.

Sihtric tries to hide the disappointment in his eyes that she won’t ride with him, but at least she has agreed to go out with him. “Okay…we can meet there. How am I going to know when you get there, if I don’t have your number?” He tries again to get her to give him her digits.

Nice try…. Still not happening…

Octavia gives Sihtric a little smirk. “Carnivals usually have a ferris wheel, right? I’ll meet you there, around, let’s say… seven. Should be just before dark.”

Sihtric nods his head, still bummed out that she refuses to give him her number. “Okay, yeah…I’ll meet you at the ferris wheel….” He looks down at their hands, his still softly holding hers. “Hey, can I borrow your pen?”

Octavia looks at Sihtric in confusion, but she reaches down in her apron to grab her pen. She slides it across the table to Sihtric as he releases her hand. She watches as he tears off a piece of the napkin holding the utensils. He writes something on the napkin before sliding it back to her along with her pen.

“Just in case you need it, here’s my number.” He gives her a little smirk.

Octavia can’t help the smile that lifts her lips as she looks at the numbers on the napkin before folding it up to stick in her pocket. She has no intention of texting him, but if it makes him feel better that she has his number then she’ll take it.

Glancing up at the clock, Octavia sees that her break time is almost over. “I should get back to work. You can finish your coffee if you want. Sable will take your payment up at the front.” She slides out of the booth, then smoothes out the wrinkles on her apron. “I guess I’ll see you Friday…”

Sihtric grins up at her, the happiness showing on his face. “Yes, Friday… I’m looking forward to it.”

Octavia gives him a soft smile, as she tries to hide the little bit of sadness behind it. She can feel herself falling under his spell just in the short time they have spent together. She knows she’s just setting herself up for a heartbreak when he finds out who she is and that they can’t be together.

Just one date…then I’ll end this...

Note: If you'd like to be tagged in this let me know.

Comments and reblogs much appreciated. :)

Taglist -

@cheesesandwichsanto

#the last kingdom #tlk fandom #sihtric #sihtric kjartansson #biker/tlk au #sihtric x oc #sihtric fic

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alatarielqueen · 2 years ago

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I watched season 2 episode 1 finally and my thoughts on harald x freydis season 1 are:

My all time fave eternal beloveds are (tlk) Stiorra and Sigtryggr but they don’t get much opportunity to share humor and they’re story is 😭. The way Harald x Freydis are so honest, playful and different to every other romance is appealing to me.

I think Harald falls fast for Freydis, and for the Greenlanders as his mates, because their lack of reverence for him, and their honesty appeals to him. I know he tells Canute it’s Leif’s courage that draws him to him but I think it’s more than that.

Harald wears his heart on his sleeve so I think he loves that honesty of Freydis calling bullshit on his I’m a prince “… great grandson of Harold Finehair” etc bullshit.

She is a Greenlander and an outsider, so even the low key formalities of Norway are not her style. She knows a rich entitled kid when she sees one, but to Harald’s credit he just falls harder for her the more she mocks him (is that healthy? I don’t know, lol)

Extra: I love Freydis. She just shows up, bangs a prince, joins Haakon’s warriors, cuts off her enemy’s head, saves her dude, no fucks given.

Freydis is fucking badass. I think having her show up and save Harald at the end of season 1 was so cool and reminded me of Lagertha and I loved that. Thank you tv world for giving us strong female warrior leads.

“You’re no longer a hunter, you’re a warrior.”

Yeah, and…?

Love it.

But then Harald tells the Greenlanders’ story and makes her cry and I’m like 🥹🥰😍 yay for love. I love watching her fall for him.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for anyone who is interested xo

Ps. I did not expect to like this spin off at all. I thought my Vikings days were over, but man has this sucked me in.

Pps. I am also still grieving hard for Stiorra x Sigtryggr. Srsly man. I need to stop with the falling in love with these fake dudes.

#time to hyperfixate #harald x freydis #freydis eriksdotter #harald sigurdsson #vikings valhalla

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kingslionheart · 10 months ago

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1. fav song

2. "controversial" tlk opinion

3. fav past time

❤️

OKAY OKAY ILYSM THANK YOU

fav song: abstract (psychopomp) by hozier

controversial tlk opinion: i don't know how controversial it actually is but to me s4 was the worst season, or at least the weakest somehow? it almost felt like a filler season to me, even though i loved the introduction of eadith and sigtryggr!!

fav past time: i guess it's probably editing!! video editing specifically, even tho i do that very rarely lately ://

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING ILYSMM AGAIN <33

#asks

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viking-chaos · 2 years ago

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My Mother's People

TLK Fic Masterlist || Main Masterlist

Instead of being taken captive in Winchester, Stiorra leaves for Irland with a friend of her father’s. There she meets Sigtryggr, a Dane, the grandson of Ivar the Boneless.

Series: Of Irland, More to come!!

Characters: Stiorra, Drifa, Finan, Uhtred, Asgard, Sihtric, Hæfnir, Jomar,Sigbjorn, Ingemar, Osferth, Thora, Frida, Mœid, Ivar, Rognvaldr, Hrok, Sigtryggr, Gudrid, Aldis, Stein, Swein, Arlo, Sigurd, Torgärd, Jezekel, Asfrid, Brígh, Faolán, Anlaf, Agapios, Conall, Eanna, Niall, Naos, Guðrøðr, Tofi, Kori, Erik, Aisling, Anlaf Guthfrithson, Orm, Skoll, Ingilmundr Warnings: Attempted Sexual Assault, Explicit Language, Minor Character Death, Drunkenness, Hangover, Blood, Canon-Typical Violence, Period Typical Attitudes, Period-Typical Sexism, Nudity, Insults, Slow Burn, Permanent Injury, Medicinal Drug Use, Eventual Romance, Eventual Sex

#masterlist #of irland #my mothers people

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idksmtms · 1 year ago

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WIPs

Here's a list of all my current WIPs so you have some idea of what my focuses are!

Cillian Murphy and co:

-Cillian x Actress!reader - Actors on Actors Interview -Cillian x Actress!reader - Risqué movie -Cillian x College Student!reader - Series

-Fairy King!Cillian x Trapped Human!reader - Fantasy AU -Hurt Human!Cillian x Fairy!reader - Fantasy AU

-dorothea - evermore series

Harris Dickinson:

N/A

Peaky Blinders:

N/A

Succession:

-Kendall x reader - angst request

-coney island - Kendall - evermore series

House of the Dragon:

-Gwayne x reader - angst request

-Cregan x Red Keep Maid!reader -Aemond x Little Sister!reader x Aegon II Part 2

-Aemond x reader - Modern AU -Fairy Prince!Aemond x Lost Human!reader - Fantasy AU -Werewolf!Cregan x reader - Fantasy AU

Hunger Games AUs -Past District Winner!Daemon x New Tribute!reader -Left-behind!Cregan x Tribute!reader, Capitol Mentor!Aemond x Tribute!reader - Part 2

Game of Thrones:

N/A

TLK:

-Sigtryggr x hostage!reader -Sigtryggr x Princess!reader -Osferth x Virgin!reader -Osferth x Uhtred's Daughter!reader -Finan x Uhtred's Daughter!reader -Finan x Novice!reader -Sihtric x Uhtred's Daughter!reader -Sihtric x Thyra-esque!reader -Freyr!Sihtric x Gerðr!reader -Thor!Sihtric x Sif!reader -Uhtred x Alfred's Daughter!reader -Ragnar x Captive!reader

Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

-Poseidon x Goddess!reader

The Iron Claw:

-David VE x reader - the dinner table -David VE x reader - before you fall

-Kerry VE x reader - the family -Kerry VE x reader - brother's widow -Kerry VE x reader - stay. for me.

-ivy - Kerry VE - evermore series -marjorie - David VE - evermore series -evermore - David VE - evermore series

Tennis:

N/A

Formula 1:

N/A

Miscellaneous Characters:

-Homelander x reader - request

#current wip #wip #wip wednesday #my wips #work in progress

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studentalthea · 3 months ago

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@sigtryggrx location: On the water, Tiber Bay notes: Progress Day Boat Cruise (she had a Groupon)

A sunhat larger than was needed with more wine than she'd ever drink herself, the legionnaire had secured a spot for herself on a lovely little cruise meant to shepherd her from island to island. It was the least she could do for herself after spending three months living among giants, and then another three of rigorous study. One might say she'd been, booked and blessed. Of course, no time had passed here but she felt lifetimes older. What she hadn't expected, was to see a witcher among the celebrations. "Careful, Sigtryggr, I might begin to think you're following me." Or was it the other way around? Not that it mattered.

#sigtryggr #sigtryggr.1 #progressday25

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tovalhallaandback · 6 months ago

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So my husband and I were talking about how I start fights and then loop him in and make him finish/end them and that got me thinking... So here is a post no one asked for about TLK character/ships and fights :)

Sigtryggr x Stiorra

Stiorra starts fights 9/10 times. Sigtryggr? Starts them that 1/10 time but mostly he flips a coin to decide if he's talking his wife and the poor fucker she's going after down OR if he's throwing punches that day.

Uhtred x Gisela

....Uhtred starts fights...and finishes them...Starts them for her often. Gisela used to try and stop him, but eventually just learned to take a seat and let go of the leash.

Aelswith x Alfred (Uhtred x Alfred)

Aelswith starts fights. Alfred just sits back and takes his wife's side let's her do what she needs to do....until he starts a fight...in which case Aelswith (and Uhtred) ends it.

Brida x Ragnar

Brida starts all of them. Ragnar lets go of the leash immediately and eggs her on.

Thyra x Beocca

Beocca starts fights for his wife.

Finan (x Ingrith/Eadith)

Starts fights.

Sihtric (x Eahlswith/Sidgeflaed)

Stops fights / Ends fights. Except when someone bad mouthes his wife. Then he puts the fucker through a wall.

Osferth

Causes fights. Makes others end them for him.

Aldhelm

Stops fights.

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sihtricfedaraaahvicius · 6 months ago

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The Decaying Lands: chapter 2.

Direct follow up to chapter 1.

note: inspired by the current Walking Dead re-watch I'm on. This was supposed to be a modern fic, but I decided to challenge myself in the new year so I made it a slowburn canon fic. I hope you all will love it as much as I loved writing this! I have decided to split this fic in two chapters.

full fic warnings: 18+, angst/fluff/suggestive. A zombie fic comes with zombie things, but nothing massively out of character from TLK. Mention of: blood, several character deaths, child/family death mentioned, animal death mentioned (hunting context, not detailed), loss of home by fire.

pairing: Sihtric x fem!reader (no use of Y/N)

summary: You met the love of your life after you had to flee from your village. But falling in love during a sickness outbreak came with its own struggles.

word count: 9k

Masterlist

Reblogs & comments are immensely appreciated.

'So I take it you talked to her?' Finan asked with a cheeky smile.

'I'm sure they did more than just talking,' Uhtred grinned.

Both men rode alongside Sihtric on horseback, venturing further onto land they hadn't explored since the after-walkers first appeared.

'We talked,' Sihtric chuckled, '... and we did more than just talking.'

The three men laughed and both Finan and Uhtred patted Sihtric's shoulder.

'Finally,' Finan said, 'I couldn't stand that tension anymore every time you two were near each other.'

'Osferth owes me now,' Uhtred laughed.

Finan and Sihtric gave him a questioning look.

'Me and Osferth,' Uhtred said, 'we made a bet. I said you would win her over, but Osferth was convinced she'd end up with Sigtryggr. And I won.'

'What did you bet for?' Finan asked.

'Osferth owes me half of his food tonight,' Uhtred snorted, to which the others laughed.

'That poor boy,' Finan chuckled, 'he's already as thin as could be.'

'If Osferth had won, would you have given him half of your food?' Sihtric asked.

'No,' Uhtred shook his head, 'if he won, he wanted to go out hunting with us next time we'd go.'

'He's keen to get out here,' Finan sighed.

'Keen to get killed,' Sihtric mumbled.

'Osferth has gotten good with a bow,' Uhtred said, 'not so much with a sword and shield, but he can be useful for hunting. My daughter taught him well,' he smiled sadly, 'we should not let her efforts go to waste. I think he could go out hunting with us soon.'

'Alfred won't let him,' Finan said.

'Alfred doesn't have to know,' Uhtred said.

Finan and Sihtric shrugged in reply, and the men stopped their horses seconds later, when they suddenly stumbled upon a seemingly abandoned village. They sat on their horses for a while, scanning the village for any movements or sounds from a safe distance. It was small, with only a handful of cottages and something that resembled a church. No livestock was present, which wasn't a good sign of life, but they still knew they had to be careful.

While Sihtric and Uhtred kept an eye on the village, Finan spotted a few rabbits and managed to capture and kill them. Sihtric wrapped the animals in cloth and hid them away in the leather bag on his saddle.

When Uhtred deemed the village truly empty after some time, he led the way through the broken wooden fences that had been built around the place. They dismounted their horses and, as they quietly explored the village, kept their hands on their weapons and were ready to draw if needed. Finan and Uhtred first made sure the cottages were clear while Sihtric kept watch outside, and then they all went into the small church. There was no sign of any after-walkers present, and sadly enough also no sign of any survivors either. Uhtred flipped through a bible that was displayed on the altar, while Finan sat on one of the deserted stools and mumbled a quiet prayer.

Sihtric went through the door behind the altar, and he found a chest filled with treasure that would've made him a wealthy man if silver and gold would still be worth anything. He knew that now it was worthless, but he still dragged his fingertips across the hoard of coins and shiny jewelry. He sighed sadly to himself, wishing times were different. Because the battles he had fought in had been hard, but the battle against after-walkers was much harder and more dangerous. He wished that the riches he touched right there would still be a source of happiness, but all the silver and gold left him cold now. It left him cold until his fingers caught a shiny silver ring with a red ruby on it, and he held it up to give it a closer look. It almost blinded him when the sunlight caught the ring with its rays as it lit up the room he was in. Sihtric then smiled to himself before he tucked the ring away safely under his armour, and he did the same with an identical silver ring, but one without a ruby on it.

'Found anything?' Uhtred asked Sihtric when he appeared again.

'No, nothing,' Sihtric shrugged, 'only a whole bunch of silver and gold.'

'Only a whole bunch of silver and gold,' Finan repeated and then laughed, 'never thought we'd say those words with so much disappointment.'

'Tell me about it,' Uhtred sighed, 'well, there's nothing here. We better head back to the fort, so we're back before dark-'

The men jumped when they suddenly heard a loud banging on the church door, and when they turned to look, they found a dozen armed men staring at them.

'What the hell is a Cnut?' Finan asked.

'I am Cnut,' a bearded man repeated his name, 'is this your village?'

'No,' Uhtred said, 'we stumbled upon it during our travels.'

'Travels,' Cnut said, 'packing lightly for travels, aren't you?'

'We were scouting the lands,' Sihtric said, 'for after-walkers.'

'The cravers, you mean?' Cnut said, 'we killed a few earlier today, but haven't seen any around here.'

'Neither have we,' Uhtred said, 'and why are you here?'

All men stared at each other, their hands discreetly on the hilts of their weapons, knowing no one could be trusted anymore.

'We are just looking for a place to stay,' Cnut said, 'me and my men, we've been traveling for a while. Our camp got overrun a little while ago, and all we found were burned down villages and towns packed with cravers. I was delighted to find this place, as it seemed quiet and in decent condition, but then I saw the horses and figured people had to be here.'

'We are only passing through,' Uhtred said.

'Where are you heading to?'

'Nowhere in particular,' Uhtred said.

Finan and Sihtric glanced at each other, knowing Uhtred clearly did not want these people to travel back with them to Bebbanburg.

'We're heading North,' Finan lied.

'North?' Cnut asked.

'Dunholm,' Sihtric fueled the lie, 'there used to be a stronghold, one of the strongest ever made, we believe it should still stand.'

'Indeed,' Uhtred played along, 'we only stopped here to see if there was any food, but there was none. So we shall be leaving now.'

'Your armour,' Cnut stopped the men from leaving, 'it's too clean for you to be just travelers. Now, tell me, where are you staying?'

'We have no place,' Uhtred lied, 'we also resided in a village that burned down recently, we have been looking for a place too ever since.'

Cnut gave the men a suspicious look, then said, 'You are welcome to stay here with us then, we can use the manpower.'

'And we thank you for the offer,' Finan said, 'but we have to continue our travels.'

'What's the rush?' Cnut pried.

'My… my wife,' Finan lied, 'I believe she could be in Dunholm.'

'And my children,' Sihtric added, 'so we don't want to waste any more time.'

'A wife?' Cnut laughed and turned to his men, 'you hear that? There are still women out there!'

Cnut's small army cheered at that, but Cnut became serious again as he turned back to the three men.

'You may leave,' he said, 'but you will give us one of your horses.'

'No,' Uhtred said sternly.

'We need to eat,' Cnut said, 'and you need to find your families.'

'We will not leave behind a horse,' Uhtred said.

All men stared at each other, until Cnut drew his sword and a fight erupted in the church. Finan, Uhtred and Sihtric were luckily more skilled and faster than most of Cnut's men, so they managed to fight their way out of the church and they ran to their horses. One man grabbed Finan's leg as he mounted his horse, but Sihtric was quick to cut the hand off with his axe, which resulted in him being sprayed with blood before the man fainted.

'Go!' Uhtred shouted as he pulled his sword out of a man's chest, 'go, now! I will follow!'

Sihtric and Finan spurred their horses and fled the doomed village, knowing Uhtred was close behind. They rode back a different route than they had taken, worried that if Cnut and whoever survived the fight in the church could be following them. Once they were sure no one was behind them, they stopped and took a break to check on each other and their horses.

'No one got hurt,' Uhtred said, relieved, 'thank the gods.'

'They looked like trouble,' Finan said.

'They were trouble,' Sihtric grunted and wiped his face with his sleeve, 'we can't have them find Bebbanburg. And we can't ever let them in if they do find it.'

'I know,' Uhtred said, 'and they won't. I'm sure we lost them, they won't catch up anymore. Did they take the rabbits?'

Sihtric quickly checked the leather bag, and then sighed with relief.

'No, we got lucky,' he said and subtly searched for the ruby ring under his armour, then sighed with relief again when his fingers grazed the stone, 'the gods are with us today.'

'Then we shall return home now,' Uhtred said.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but no words came out when he stared up at the sky. Sihtric and Finan followed his gaze, and they were left speechless too when they saw a thick black cloud of smoke rise up above the treetops.

'Is that… coming from home?' Finan asked, visibly concerned.

'Home is the only place in that direction where fires that big can be made,' Sihtric said and spurred his horse without another word.

Uhtred and Finan quickly followed, and they struggled to keep up with Sihtric, who kept spurring his horse to go faster. But Sihtric didn't care that the men were somewhat behind, he knew they would catch up. All Sihtric cared about was reaching home as fast as he could, because all he cared about was you.

When the men returned to the fortress they were shocked when they walked in through the gates. The fire that burned the dead had already gone out by the time they arrived, so all they saw was a pile of scorched bodies still smoldering.

Sihtric jumped off his horse in a blind panic and called out your name hoarsely and desperately while he looked around the courtyard. His eyes were big and wild as he searched for you amongst the living, who all came running out of the great hall upon hearing the commotion.

You heard Sihtric's voice, and you pushed past everyone as fast as you could until you were able to see him. He finally stopped shouting once he saw you, and he froze to the ground. You ran up to him as he just stood there, and he only moved again to wrap his arms tightly around you as you both fell to your knees.

'What happened here?' Sihtric asked as he clung onto you, 'did something happen to you?' he grabbed your arms and hands to check on you.

'Nothing happened to me,' you cried as he pulled you back in his arms, 'I am fine. We are fine, we who… who survived.'

'What happened here!?' Uhtred asked now, demanding an answer, and Sigtryggr was the one to give it.

He quickly told the men what had happened while they had been out hunting. He told about the maid and how it had been a terrifying moment as everyone was taken by surprise, but that luckily most people got out unharmed and that everything was back to normal now, as much as it could be at least. He also brought the news of those who had not survived, Alfred and Aelswith being amongst those.

'I'm sorry,' Uhtred said as he looked at Osferth.

'I will be okay,' Osferth said softly.

'Are any of you hurt?' Eadith asked.

'No,' Finan said, 'we need to bathe, but we are not injured.'

'Did you find any food?' Hild asked.

'My bags,' Sihtric said, 'what we found is in the bags.'

One of the surviving maids was quick to bring the wrapped rabbits to the kitchen, and most people followed back inside with her.

'You came back,' you whispered as you held Sihtric's face in your hands, and you kissed his lips, 'you came back to me.'

'You waited for me,' Sihtric said, clearly exhausted and still startled, 'I came back because I knew you were waiting for me.'

You again helped Sihtric out of his armour back in his chamber and, instead of fully bathing, you rinsed his body with a wet cloth. And while you cleaned him up, you listened to him talk about what had happened to the men that day. He told you how rabbits were the only food they had been able to find. He said it's getting harder to find food, even when they went further into the woods. He then spoke of the village and of Cnut, and about what had happened there in the church. You heard how he had killed several men in order to get out alive himself after they had refused to give Cnut one of their horses, and he told you how they had rode back taking a different trail, and he then told you that they had seen the black cloud in the distance, which was cause for them to return home as fast as they could.

'I feared the whole fort was on fire,' Sihtric said, 'that everyone was trapped.'

'We had to burn the dead as fast as we could,' you said and placed your hand on his shoulder as you stood behind him, 'you know how the after-walkers stink, and a human body won't smell any better after a few days. But we have lost some brave people today, sadly enough.'

'I'm just glad that you are safe,' Sihtric said and placed his hand on yours.

'And I'm glad that you are safe too.'

Sihtric looked up at you over his shoulder and smiled softly, he then turned and pulled you in for a kiss.

'I'm not leaving you here anymore,' he whispered, 'I won't leave these walls without you again. I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you.'

'It's not your fault,' you said as you looked down at him, 'don't blame yourself for this. No one would ever have thought this was even a possibility. No one was at fault other than that maid.'

Sihtric nodded and kissed you again. And he kissed you until everything else finally faded from his mind.

'I've been thinking about you all day,' he said.

'Have you now?' you smiled.

Sihtric hummed and smiled back at you, 'I have.'

'And now you want me to tell you that I've been thinking about you all day too?'

'Only if you did,' he chuckled and reluctantly let go of your hand as you stepped away.

'I've been thinking about you ever since we met, Sihtric,' you laughed and playfully threw a clean tunic his way.

He caught the clothing and then told you that he wanted to take a quick walk through the fort, to make sure all the walls were secure, before dinner would be served.

'I know Sigtryggr and Osferth fixed it,' he said, putting on his tunic, 'but I want to make sure they didn't miss anything by accident. I just have to make sure of it myself.'

He threw his cloak around his shoulder and said he'd meet you soon for dinner, he then kissed your cheek and left out the door.

You met him later that evening at the large oak dining table, where food had been served and fresh ale had been poured. For the first time you sat in Sihtric's lap, not downplaying your feelings for each other anymore in front of anyone, and he kept his arms wrapped around you tightly for the whole time being.

'Let's drink to the people we have lost today,' Uhtred proposed and held up his jug.

Everyone else followed, and Sigtryggr was the one who spoke each name out loud of those Bebbanburg had lost earlier that day.

'And lastly,' he said a little awkwardly, 'to Aelswith and Alfred.'

Everyone drank to that, but Finan couldn't keep his mouth shut after he downed the whole jug in one go.

'I mean,' he said, 'it's not like many of us really liked Aelswith and Alfred, did we?'

Many chuckled behind their hand or cup, except for Beocca.

'You will go to Hell for that,' Beocca sneered.

Finan laughed and patted the priest on his back, who still looked annoyed at the Irishman, while Osferth looked rather conflicted about the whole ordeal.

'Now,' Uhtred stood up, 'before we leave to get some rest, I want everyone to keep their weapons on them from now on. I know this place has been safe enough to not carry any for a while, but with things like this happening… just keep them. But only use them when you must.'

Everyone agreed to that, and then Uhtred finally told the group about the encounter with Cnut.

'Today we were shown again that we can't trust the living either,' Uhtred said, 'so to those who go out there every now and then, be wary. And those who keep watch, you don't open the gates for anyone unless it's one of our own. If it's a stranger, you will find me and I will talk to them.'

'But what if you aren't here?' Eadith asked, 'like today, then who are we supposed to go to?'

'I will stay put for a while, to make sure everything will get back in order again here,' Uhtred said, 'Sihtric, Finan and Sigtryggr, you three will be the ones who go out hunting and scouting from now on.'

'Actually,' Sihtric cleared his throat, 'I'd rather spend some more time here too, if that's okay. I've had a few too many close calls lately, and besides,' he looked at you, 'I have a woman to look after now.'

Uhtred fought a genuine smile, as did the rest of the table.

'That is fair,' Uhtred said, 'well, Osferth, it seems you are in luck then.'

The young monk looked up from his cup.

'Lord?'

'You do not need to call me that anymore,' Uhtred sighed, 'but you will go out hunting with Finan and Sigtryggr, starting tomorrow.'

'Really?' Osferth's face lit up.

'Really,' Uhtred promised. 'If there are any further concerns, you all know you can talk to me and I will try to fix whatever it is,' he continued, 'if you need anything from outside these walls, let me know too and we will see what we can do. And to everyone that helped fight off those after-walkers here today, I thank you. You all are truly good and brave people.'

After Uhtred's speech everyone quietly retreated to their chambers or to do whatever chores that still needed to be done. You walked over the walls with Sihtric, enjoying the silence and the chilly darkened night as you held hands.

'The walls are secure,' Sihtric said, 'and the sentries in the towers are more alert than ever. Things should be safe again.'

'I know,' you said, 'today was just a sad incident. And I'm sure everyone will be more watchful now about who goes where and who does what.'

'Most likely,' Sihtric said and pulled you closer.

'And I'm glad you won't go out there anymore,' you said and placed your hands on his chest.

'So am I,' he whispered, 'I will do anything to keep you safe, I promise.'

He leaned in to kiss you, but you turned your face away from him with a soft giggle.

'Sihtric,' you smiled, 'you know those sentries can see us.'

'Well, then let them watch,' he shrugged and planted his lips on your neck.

You weakly pushed Sihtric away but he held onto your hands. He pulled you back to him again and captured you in his arms, then picked you up and carried you down the stairs and all the way to his chamber. Where you once again undressed each other as you kissed, and made love until you were both satisfied and in need of sleep.

Being together made you both feel safe and secure, it made you both forget about the horrors you had gone through in your lives, being together made you both feel at peace.

And so, that nightly routine you had together continued for months, bringing you and Sihtric closer to each other while you both continued to help around the fort, keeping it safe and collected.

You continued to do your chores every day alongside Hild and Eadith. Sihtric and Pyrlig taught several young men how to fight during the day, unless they were keeping watch together. Osferth went out hunting with Finan and Sigtryggr almost daily, sometimes coming back with a deer or a boar to feast on for dinner, and sometimes returning with a mere squirrel. Beocca made sure everyone kept their faith, whichever one may have, and he encouraged everyone to be strong when they were in need of the reminder. Uhtred made sure everyone got along and that the fort was always guarded on every side, while he also made maps together with Finan, on which they documented where successful and unsuccessful hunts took place.

And each evening you and Sihtric had dinner with the main group, and each night you'd fall asleep in his arms, only to repeat it all again the next day as the seasons passed by.

It was another morning when you woke up in Sihtric's arms, when you held each other a little tighter than usual after having made love again before starting the day. You held each other tighter that morning for seemingly no reason at all, other than that you just didn't want to leave each other that day.

'I love you,' Sihtric whispered and kissed your hair.

'I love you too. And I… I feel so complete with you,' you whispered as you traced figures on his bare chest, 'which sounds weird, seeing that something is terribly wrong with the world and everyone lost so much, yet I still feel complete.'

'I feel the same,' Sihtric whispered and took your hand, kissed it and then placed it on his heart, 'and I've struggled to accept that. To accept that I feel complete, because I've never felt complete before even though I had it all,' he sighed softly, 'wife, kids… I had it all. I mourned when they were taken from me, and I mourned when I had to kill their corpses. But maybe I didn't mourn them as much as I should've,' he paused for a moment, then shifted to look at you, 'I loved them dearly, truly, but I realised that I've never felt complete until I met you. And it's been making me feel like I was a terrible husband and father to them. And I think that is also why I pushed you away when we just met, or at least tried to. But I've come to accept over time that yes, I loved them, but also that maybe that life simply wasn't meant for me. Maybe they weren't meant for me. But you,' he sat up and pulled you with him, 'you are meant for me. I can feel it, I just know it. That day in the woods, just before we first met, I begged the Gods to show me something worth fighting for, to keep me going. Because I was stuck, I was alive but I still felt as if I wasn't. And then I found you. And now I know that I never want to be without you again, my love, and that I want more. More with you. So, I… I wish to marry you.'

'What?' you blurted out, 'are you- really?'

'Of course,' Sihtric smiled a little nervously, 'I know marriage may not mean much anymore in times like these. But to me it still means everything. But,' he paused and tried to read your emotions, 'maybe you don't feel the same?'

'No, I- I do,' you smiled while feeling a little overwhelmed, 'I do, I want to marry you too.'

Sihtric exhaled sharply with relief, and then laughed softly before he kissed your face all over.

'When, my love?'

'Today?' you suggest.

'Today?' Sihtric asked, not quite believing his luck yet.

'Today, darling,' you smiled, 'we will marry today. Beocca or Pyrlig can do the ceremony. Because why should we wait?'

Before Sihtric could even respond, you pulled him in and kissed him deeply, only to end up under the furs together to make love again that morning.

You and Sihtric brought the happy news to the group after you had finally gotten out of his chamber, just before noon. And your wedding, which was quickly planned to take place later that afternoon, was cause for everyone to feel excitement and as if life was normal again for a moment. Beocca decided to marry you and Sihtric, despite the difference of religions, because everyone knew that it didn't really matter anymore what God or Gods you believed in; life had changed so drastically that religion wasn't even a matter of real concern anymore for many. And as luck had it, Finan, Osferth and Sigtryggr returned from their hunt with more meat than they had caught in a while. So much that it couldn't even be all devoured that night by everyone. But before it was time to feast, it was time to celebrate your love.

You met Sihtric in the great hall, which Eadith and Hild had lit with candles and decorated with some bundles of wild flowers. Eadith had also made you a flower crown, which you wore with pride as you walked towards Sihtric, who waited next to Beocca. Sihtric already choked up before you reached him. The way you looked so beautiful in your dark green linen dress and the flower crown tucked in your hair, he had never seen such perfection before, and he wasn't sure if his heart could take it. He looked at you in awe, his eyes all teared up and he sniffled quietly when Beocca placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

And you struggled to contain your emotions all the same. Sihtric looked good, as usual, wearing a dark tunic with his brown fur cloak draped over his shoulders. He looked like he could be a Lord, you thought, and you still couldn't believe this man had saved you and that you had managed to capture his heart.

You held Sihtric's lightly trembling hands, your own feeling rather sweaty, and you both fought the overwhelming urge to cry, while also fighting the urge to kiss already while Beocca only just began the ceremony. The group, who had become friends at first but were now considered as family, all witnessed the handfasting ceremony and how Sihtric suddenly pulled two rings from underneath his cloak; the two rings he had taken at the village a few months ago. And after you had slipped the ring around each other's finger, Sihtric kissed you so firmly that everyone worried it bruised your lips. But it hadn't, and even if it had, you wouldn't have minded it.

After the ceremony you all sat around the familiar oak table for dinner, and a little more ale than usual was spilled that night, all while you and Sihtric couldn't keep your hands off each other or stop stealing kisses.

It was a night filled with love, lust, passion and adoration once you were alone with Sihtric. It was a night that made life good and normal again for a moment.

But those moments are always short lived.

'Sihtric!' Uhtred called early the next morning, 'where are you going?'

Osferth, Finan and Sigtryggr were mounted on their horses, while Sihtric stood in the middle of them as they all watched the gates of Bebbanburg open. Sihtric turned to face Uhtred as he approached, and while the other three men left on horseback to hunt, Sihtric remained in his spot.

'I'll be quick,' Sihtric said.

'Where is your wife?' Uhtred frowned when he realised Sihtric was about to leave the fort, 'and why do you need to go out there?'

'She's still asleep,' he said with a mischievous smile, 'I'm getting her flowers.'

Uhtred sighed with a smile and shook his head, then waved at him to just go before the gates closed again.

'Where is he going?' Pyrlig asked Uhtred when he saw Sihtric leave.

'I'm getting flowers!' Sihtric called back to the warrior priest, 'for my wife!'

'I can't recall the last time he smiled like that,' Pyrlig chuckled.

'Finally something good is happening here,' Uhtred said, 'we needed it.'

Sihtric carefully went to pick a whole bunch of non-edible wildflowers that still grew near the fort, and he tied them together with some rope, then returned proudly to the gates with his arms full of flowers and green.

'That's a lot of flowers,' Eadith gasped as Sihtric passed her.

'For my wife,' Sihtric smiled.

And as he made his way back to his chamber he passed Hild, who was talking to Uhtred, but she also couldn't ignore the bouquet in his arms.

'My god,' she chuckled, 'are they-'

'For his wife, yes,' Uhtred snapped before Sihtric could answer.

Sihtric only grinned in return, excitement running through his veins as he neared the door he knew you were behind. And the look on your face when you saw the flowers had been worth the risk he had taken that morning, by going outside of the walls on his own.

'You are a madman,' you laughed as Sihtric held you in his arms, 'but you are my madman, and I love you.'

You kissed him and pulled him down on the bed with you, where you hiked up your gown to straddle him.

'It's still early,' you smiled against his lips as you undid his leather belt, 'there's still some time before we have to get to our chores.'

'There's always time,' Sihtric whispered and kissed you, while his hands trailed up your thighs.

His weapons clattered on the wooden floor along with his belt, and you pushed his cloak off his shoulders and kissed your way down to his neck. Sihtric's hands found your behind, and he gave you a firm squeeze before he playfully slapped your buttock with one hand. He then picked you up in his arms and kissed you, and he only broke the kiss so he could throw you back on the bed, so he could climb on top of you and pin your wrists down above your head, and he kissed you again. Sihtric then moved up and took off his tunic while you were still underneath him, earning a good view of his muscular body as it was revealed above you. You cupped his arousal through his breeches and moved your palm slowly up and down, feeling his cock twitch with every stroke under his clothing.

'Take them off for me,' he breathed and pulled you with him as he got off the bed.

You sank down to your knees and lowered his undergarments, after which you took off your dress, leaving you both fully exposed before you ended up under the furs again, to make love before another day of chores would start.

You and Sihtric had barely gotten dressed for the day when you heard commotion coming from the corridor. People ran by the door while someone shouted something from the courtyard, and you both made haste to follow outside.

And once outside you found the gates were closing behind Finan and Sigtryggr, who had dismounted their horses already and sat on the ground, with Finan holding Osferth's lifeless body in his arms. You and Sihtric stopped running and just gaped at the scene in front of you, while the others came out and were equally as shocked.

'What happened?' Uhtred asked as he approached.

'He… he,' Finan stammered, overwhelmed with emotions as he held the young man.

'He shot a deer,' Sigtryggr explained calmly, 'he got off his horse and went over to the deer, but he tripped and was surprised by an after-walker. He got bit before we even noticed he had fallen down.'

Everyone was quiet, while most already began to sob softly and buried their faces in their hands. You cried too, as did Sihtric, but he tried to remain as strong as possible while he held you in his arms.

'Did you end it?' Uhtred asked quietly, wiping away a tear of himself.

'I did,' Sigtryggr said, reassuring everyone that Osferth would not come back from the dead, 'do we burn him?'

'No,' Beocca stepped in, tears rolling down his face, 'he deserves a Christian burial. His father may not have had one, but this boy will.'

You all agreed on that, and Sihtric was the first to volunteer digging a grave. And he was helped by the other men still alive and strong enough to dig. You and the rest of the women made sure Osferth's body was respectfully covered, so no wounds and blood were shown during the burial. It was a sad evening. A huge contrast to the night before, but then everyone knew that those peaceful moments would never last long.

And if the day wasn't horrible enough yet, a group of men showed up at the gates after sunset, and they wanted to be let in.

'It's Cnut,' Finan informed Sihtric, 'and he has a new group gathered.'

Your husband looked concerned and told you to go to the chamber, and to stay there until he'd come get you.

'I'm not leaving you,' you argued and followed both men out to the gates.

'My love, please,' Sihtric begged, 'go hide-'

'No,' you said sternly and took his hands, 'we are in this together. And this doesn't have to end badly either, maybe that Cnut is a reasonable man.'

'He wasn't very reasonable the first time we met him,' Finan grumbled.

'We have no space here!' Uhtred yelled to Cnut, from the bridge above the gates.

'You lied to me before,' Cnut yelled back, 'why would I trust your word now?'

'Just leave,' Uhtred yelled, 'we have no reason to fight. You have lost enough men already, don't make it worse.'

'I have,' Cnut laughed, 'I have lost a lot of men indeed, by your doing. So it is only fair if you open those gates for us now, and give us shelter and food.'

Uhtred looked back at Finan and Sihtric, who both gestured to not open the gates.

'I will do no such thing,' Uhtred yelled to Cnut, 'I am sorry, but you must leave.'

Uhtred watched how Cnut put his hand up, as if signalling something, and before Uhtred could shout for everyone to take cover, a dozen of arrows already came flying over the walls. Everyone ducked and ran as fast as they could. Sihtric grabbed you and held you in front of him, pushing you down on the ground as he shielded you with his body. Several arrows landed in the sand close to you and Sihtric, but you both remained unharmed.

The sentries on the walls had taken their position already, firing arrows of their own in defense on Uhtred's command. Sihtric pulled you up with him and you both ran to the stables, where the arrows couldn't reach, and everyone unharmed gathered with you under the thatch roof in a matter of seconds.

'Are we all here?' Finan asked and looked at the faces around him.

'Beocca,' Eadith gasped, 'Beocca isn't here.'

And right after she had said his name, Uhtred shouted the Father's name with a pain in his voice you would never forget, just like the screaming you would never forget when your village was overrun. It was a shout that sent shivers down your spine and made your hair stand on edge.

From up high Uhtred saw Beocca's body across the courtyard, on the ground and lifeless, with an arrow sticking out of his chest. Everyone was shocked to see Beocca, but there was no time to mourn nor time to panic.

'We can't let him change,' Hild said, and she drew her sword, 'as a woman of God, I will do it.'

'Beocca!' Uhtred cried from afar, 'No!', he shouted when Hild approached the body, 'Don't!'

'We must!' Hild shouted, 'you know too, that we must!'

Uhtred broke down above the gates while the sentries kept shooting their arrows, but the men outside the walls, who managed to avoid getting hit, began to kick at the gates and tried to ram them open. The loud thumps were almost deafening, and it would be a matter of time before the doors would crumble under their violence.

'Keep those gates closed!' Sihtric shouted.

Several men came running to try and keep the gates from opening, while the remaining core of the group all looked at each other, hoping someone had a plan. Uhtred stormed down the stairs, trying to compose himself again, and he joined you in the stables.

'We cannot let them in,' Finan said, 'they will destroy this place.'

'He will,' Sihtric agreed, 'the gates must remain closed.'

'They will stay closed,' Uhtred said, 'they will not set a foot in here.'

'But we can't fight them like this,' Sigtryggr argued, 'they have more archers it seems.'

'They do,' Finan said, 'we killed some of his men a while ago, but he doubled up on those.'

'We won't be able to protect the fort with just the archers,' Eadith said.

'But if we want to fight them by sword,' Hild said as she sheathed her own, 'those gates will have to open. There is no other way out of here.'

'There is,' you gasped, and everyone stared at you.

'The maid,' Sigtryggr smiled at you, knowing your plan already.

'We can open up that wooden panel again,' you explained to the others, 'the one where the after-walkers came in from, after that maid forgot to fully close it. We can sneak out from there and past them through the woods, then surprise them by attacking from behind. They will never see us approaching, they won't stand a chance. And that way we can also get them away from the gates, turn their focus on us.'

Sihtric looked at you as if you were the most brilliant lady he had ever met, which you were to him, and he had to pinch himself to remember he had truly married you.

'But what about the after-walkers?' Pyrlig asked, 'none of us are in full armour, and there is no time for that either.'

'That is a risk we need to take,' Uhtred said, 'unless anyone has a better idea?'

'No,' the group mumbled together.

And with that, you all made way to the far back on the right side of the fort, where Sigtryggr and Sihtric opened up the secret passage, while some men and women stayed behind to guard the gates as the sentries on the walls did their best to fight with bow and arrow.

You carried a sword and a seax, Sihtric had his axe and sword, Hild and Eadith both carried a sword and had picked up a bow each, while Finan, Uhtred, Sigtryggr and Pyrlig all were armed with a sword and a shield. You all quietly snuck out of the fort, while cautious for any undead roaming around, because if they weren't there yet they would be soon, for the noise would draw them in if they were nearby. The darkness of the night was your advantage, as you were just shadow walkers now as you all took position in the tall grass between the trees, opposite of the gates, from where you had a clear view of your enemies.

Sihtric held your hand when Eadith and Hild carefully took out a few men with an arrow from the shadows, men who had strayed a little from the main group, so their bodies dropping down weren't noticed by anyone. They did this until, with the help of the archers on the walls, the group had shrunk in size that would be less of a risk to fight.

'It'll be two to one,' Finan whispered.

'We have taken on more at once,' Uhtred said and looked at everyone, 'ready?'

Everyone gave a curt nod and quietly unsheathed their weapons.

'On my mark,' Uhtred said, and he held his hand up.

Sihtric took your face and kissed your forehead, then your lips.

'I love you, my dearest,' he whispered, 'if anything happens-'

'We will meet in Valhalla,' you promised and kissed his cheek.

You brought your gaze back to the gates, and then Uhtred gestured to attack, which you all did. You each emerged quietly out from the trees and managed to behead several men before Cnut noticed something was wrong. And your plan worked, as they turned their attention from raming the gates, to wanting to slaughter those who had snuck up on them from behind.

But Cnut's men weren't warriors like most of your group were, his men were simple farmers and peasants who looked as if they had never held a weapon before. They didn't stand a chance against Hild and Eadith, who were not afraid to kill with their swords. They could never win from Finan, who was so agile, no one could possibly keep up or anticipate his next move. They could never outfight your husband, Sihtric, who butchered them with his axe with just brute force and strength. They could never outsmart Sigtryggr, who always remained calm and provoked his enemy in ways beyond their comprehension. And no one would ever be as fearless as Pyrlig, the warrior priest, who knew no mercy for those who came for him and his people. And they could never defeat you, because the love you held for your husband and the will to stay alive for him was stronger than a whole army of hardened warriors.

And Uhtred, he was the one who went for Cnut, while the other men were taken care of. Uhtred wanted and needed to be the man to kill Cnut, but he ran off into the woods before he could take his chance. So Uhtred followed, and a wild chase through the woods followed until Cnut fell and then begged for mercy. But Uhtred showed none, as he had given Cnut the option to walk away before and leave in peace, but he had made his choice.

And not long after Uhtred had beheaded him, he heard the snarling of after-walkers nearby, and he ran back to the group while the undead feasted on Cnut, who was left behind in the woods.

'We must return,' Uhtred yelled from afar as he came running, 'now!'

'But there are still men alive!' you yelled.

'Back!' Uhtred demanded, 'now!'

None of you had seen the after-walkers approach which had followed Uhtred, and it didn't take long before you were all taken by surprise.

'Now!' Uhtred yelled again as he ran by the group, 'pull back!'

You all retreated with haste and ran back to the secret entrance. And when you all stopped to look back over your shoulder, you saw how another herd of after-walkers emerged from the darkness of the forest and killed the remaining men of Cnut's army. And you then all made haste back inside the fort. Sihtric and Sigtryggr closed the panel again, and everyone met up in the great hall after about an hour.

'Is everyone okay?' Uhtred asked once everyone had gathered.

You and Sihtric had already checked on each other, and kissed deeply, after you had returned to your shared chamber for a moment. You told Uhtred you two were unharmed, apart from a minor flesh wound on Sihtric's arm, which was caused by someone's sword during the battle. It was nothing major and you had patched him up already, which had led to another steamy moment on the chamber's floor, but you didn't speak about the latter.

Eadith, Hild, Finan and Uhtred were also fine, only having earned a few bruises and small cuts.

'I have been scratched,' Sigtryggr said calmly, and he lifted his dark tunic to show the bite mark that had his wounded torso, 'it happened just before we pulled back. It's a matter of time, we all know it is. I am at peace, knowing I will see my wife again,' he smiled softly, 'all I ask is to die with honour and with a weapon in hand. Uhtred,' he said and looked at him, 'I wish for you to end it for me, but we both know we can't wait too long before the sickness kills me first. Kill me and then burn my body.'

Everyone was quiet, devastated while trying to accept his fate, and you were the first to walk over and hug him tightly.

'Sig,' you whispered as you cried, embracing tightly, 'this is unfair. This is so unfair.'

'No,' Sigtryggr whispered, 'do not cry for me, nor mourn me. Know that I will find my peace, I will be happy again, I'm sure of it.'

'I will miss you,' you sniffled and looked up at him, 'thank you for looking after me when I first came here. I am so happy I got to meet someone as kind as you.'

'And I have been blessed with your presence too,' Sigtryggr smiled and kissed your forehead, 'may you live a long and healthy life, alongside your proud husband,' he gave Sihtric a nod, 'don't ever give up. Not on each other and not on life, because it is worth fighting for. And one day,' he said softly, 'this nightmare will end. It must end, and everything will turn back to normal again. Keep fighting until that day comes, promise me.'

'I promise,' you cried, 'I will never forget you.'

'Then my legacy will live on,' Sigtryggr said, and he let go of your hands.

Sihtric took your hand instead, and he pulled you in his arms. You buried your face into his chest, while he placed his hand on Sigtryggr's shoulder. No words were needed between them, a curt nod from them both showed their mutual respect and fondness of each other. And that was all that needed to be known. Everyone took their short moment to say goodbye to Sigtryggr, and when he was ready, he stepped towards Uhtred.

Uhtred took his sword and, while Sigtryggr held on tightly to his own weapon, he pointed the blade towards Sigtryggr's chest.

'I'm sorry,' Uhtred said as he cried.

And when Sigtryggr smiled and closed his eyes, Uhtred pushed the sword swiftly through his heart. Sihtric and Finan were fast to catch Sigtryggr before he fell down as Uhtred pulled the sword out, and they lowered Sigtryggr's body gently onto the wooden floor.

'We must burn him now,' Uhtred said and wiped his tears, 'and we will bury Beocca.'

In the days after Cnut's attack, those who had survived helped to fix up the fort. It took a few days before you could start burning the bodies of Cnut's men, since the after-walkers had feasted on them for some time outside the walls. But once the last lingering undead were killed, shot through their heads with arrows by the sentries, you could all start clearing the land surrounding the fort, bit by bit.

It wasn't an easy task, as you had lost quite a few people who had always been of good help, as well as being people you all grew to trust and love. It took some time before the damage that had been done to the walls outside was fixed and, after you all also had mourned, the life of survival slowly started up again, and things went back to how they used to be, more or less at least.

Finan and Pyrlig took the task of hunting upon them. Uhtred and Sihtric kept watch and both commanded the men who guarded the stronghold. Eadith, Hild and you continued with the chores you had always done, and life became a little bearable again after a while. Every now and then a herd of after-walkers would pass by, but they rarely got close to the gates as you all remained as quiet as possible during those days and nights. And after some time, the passing herds shrunk noticeable in size, and they became small and even manageable groups of after-walkers.

As the months and seasons passed by, Finan and Pyrlig became more successful with each hunt, bringing back more food than ever before. Eadith, when she went outside of the gates with Hild to forage, started to notice that more flowers and plants were blooming again. And everyone also noticed how the encounters with after-walkers became less with each passing week, and you particularly noticed that the clothes you always washed started to have less and less blood stains on them.

And those weeks turned into months too, until it eventually had been almost a year since any after-walkers had been sighted on or near the lands surrounding the fort.

'Something's changing,' Finan said one evening, while you all ate, 'there is more wild life out there, the most I've seen since the sickness started.'

'He's right,' Pyrlig said, 'something is changing. You can feel it in the air. We even spotted a few traders today during the hunt, just like the old times. They were friendly and gave us water and fruits for our journey back.'

'The soil seems less spoiled too,' Eadith mentioned, 'the amount of flowers and plants that are growing healthy… I can't explain it, it's like the grounds are healing.'

'It's a blessing,' Sihtric said, with his arm around your shoulders as you sat side by side, 'it's the same as how we haven't seen any after-walkers either for a long time..'

'Eadith is right,' Hild said, 'it is like the lands are healing.'

'They are,' Uhtred said, 'the lands are healing. And the people are too, it seems.'

'Sigtryggr was right,' you smiled, remembering him fondly, 'he told me that one day this nightmare would be over.'

'We don't know if it's over yet,' Uhtred said.

'No,' you agreed, 'but it will be.'

And you were right, because almost half a year later, you still hadn't encountered any more after-walkers. Instead more and more alive and well being people passed by, enroute to the forts and villages they had left when they too had fled for the sickness and the undead years ago. Everyone who had managed to survive years of death and decay now returned home, to rebuild and start life all over again, with whoever and whatever they had left.

And that is what Sihtric wanted too.

'To Dunholm?' you asked.

'To Dunholm,' Sihtric smiled.

He looked at you as he was beside you in bed, propped up on his elbow, and he lightly traced his tattooed fingers over your bare chest.

'You really want to go back there? After everything that happened to you?'

'That was my past,' Sihtric said, 'Finan has spoken to traders he came across while hunting a few days ago, he was told that Dunholm was overrun by after-walkers shortly after the undead appeared. I want to go back and see what is left. The fort was strong, one of the strongest ever made, it barely had any weaknesses. I'm sure it's still standing, and I want to rebuild it. I want to rebuild the fort and live there with you. Because there we can finally start our life together, in peace, and maybe we can even start a family.'

You didn't need much convincing, because you would follow your husband wherever he would travel to. And so you did. You and Sihtric left Bebbanburg a few weeks later on horseback. It was tough to say goodbye to everyone you had lived with and fought alongside for so long, but you also knew that if Dunholm wouldn't work out, the gates to Bebbanburg would always be opened up again for you and your husband.

And Dunholm had indeed fallen, but its impressive stronghold still stood strong. Few people who had lived in Dunholm under Kjartan's reign had returned too, and had already begun the process of clearing the fort and the lands around it. Sihtric found his father and half brother amongst the half rotten bodies, still recognisable enough, and he then took the lead to fix everything up once the people who resided in the fallen village realised he was a child of their former Lord.

You and Sihtric helped rebuild the place and also reinforced it where needed. And when it was all done, after months of hard labour, Sihtric declared himself Lord, with you as his Lady by his side. Sometimes it was hard to think back and recall the horrors you had gone through, as it already seemed like a lifetime ago, when in reality it had only been a few years since you had last seen an after-walker or heard of someone who had died of the sickness. It had taken a while before everyone had found their peace, as it was almost uncomfortable to let your guard down and get a good night's rest. It was strange to be able to go out into the woods for a stroll with your husband, without having to be wary of every twig snapping in the distance. Everyone could still recall the moans and snarls of the after-walkers, but in time, that too would become a distant memory and eventually just a story that would be told to the children and grandchildren.

And you looked out over Dunholm as you stood together with Sihtric on the balcony of your resting chamber, enjoying the peace once again on a quiet evening.

'We made it,' Sihtric whispered in your ear as he hugged you from behind, 'we helped build this place up. We created this, a whole new life.'

'We did,' you smiled and took his hands, placing them on your small baby bump, 'and we created this new life too.'

@mrsarnasdelicious @neonhairspray @sihtricsafin @errruvande @penumbrie @lexeirikrleif @diiickbrainn @thatawkwardlittlefangirl @bubblyabs @dixie-elocin @alexagirlie @stupiddarkkside @urmomsgirlfriend1 @gemini-mama @foxyanon @man-i-be-that-pretty-motherfuckr @thenameswinter99 @m-a-s-h-k-a @superblyzanynight @hernakedmuse @ewanmitchellfanatic @lady-targaryens-world @cosmosnkaz @stronger-than-steel

#sihtric x reader #sihtric x you #sihtric kjartansson #the last kingdom #sihtric #tlk #sihtric fic #tlk fic #sihtric au #tlk au

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whitedarkmoonflower · 8 months ago

Text

Reunited 3

Part 3

Pairing: modern!Sihtric x reader with a side story of modern!Sigtryggr x reader

Authors note: it's been over a year since I wrote modern!Sihtric so please be gentle with me. I actually never wanted abandon this story, but somehow, I just couldn’t find the motivation to continue. Writing modern!Sihtric isn’t as close to my heart; I always worry that putting him in a new setting might make him lose his true character. But after all the messages and asks about it, I decided it’s time to finish this story. And honestly, I’ve missed them—my reckless photographer Sihtric and the strong yet love-starved designer reader. They deserve their story told to the end. And guess what? This isn’t the end… not just yet.

Warnings: heartbreak, use of alcohol

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5

Word Count: 3,4 K

Sihtric jumped out of bed the moment the first pale morning light slipped through the curtains—not that he’d gotten much sleep anyway. He’d spent most of the night tossing and turning as pieces of your brief exchange from the day before replayed in a relentless loop. Every attempt to find sleep was met with fleeting, fragmented memories—torn images of the time you had shared together flashing behind his closed eyes..

With a tired sigh, he rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in his bones. He got dressed quickly, pulling on his old jeans and a black shirt, mind already spinning on how to approach you today. What would you even think? Would you let him get a word in, or would you just...shut him out?

He wandered down the hallway and stopped, catching sight of himself in the mirror. Dark circles under his eyes, hair a complete disaster—he looked like he’d just survived a brawl with his own bed. He huffed at his reflection, running a hand through his hair as if that might help.

"What are you even doing, Sihtric?" he muttered under his breath. "Trying to put together a life that looks whole, but you know it's a mess. She just had to show up and��" He stopped himself, eyes narrowing. "Yeah, like that’s her fault."

He took a deep breath, looking himself straight in the eyes. "You’re just running," he admitted softly. "All this time, just running from what’s right in front of you." But seeing you again had shattered his illusion—the little world he’d built up piece by piece to distract himself from the truth. Now, there was no denying it: nothing he’d done, no walls he’d put up, could fill the void you’d left behind.

Grabbing his camera bag, Sihtric slung it over his shoulder and headed out the door. The crisp morning air hit him the second he stepped outside, but it did nothing to cool his mind, still swirling with frustration and a pang of something he didn’t want to name. Longing, maybe.

By the time he got to the set, the usual hustle was already in full swing. Assistants darted around setting up lights, models shuffled in with their stylists, and the low hum of chatter filled the space. Sihtric made his way to his station, eyes scanning the room without even meaning to—searching for you. And when he finally spotted you across the room, his heart stumbled.

You looked so focused, completely locked in, like the rest of the world didn’t even exist. He remembered that look so well—your intensity, your ability to tune out everything and just create. It was one of the things he’d always admired about you, what had pulled him in from the start. But now? Now it just reminded him how far he felt from the person you’d once cared about.

Taking a shaky breath, Sihtric made up his mind to walk over. His heart hammered as he crossed the room, not sure what he’d even say—but knowing he couldn’t just keep quiet.

—---------------------------------

The soft hum of equipment, the chatter of the crew, and the droning voice of the girl responsible for the outfits—the so-called "wardrobe manager" these days—all blended into an indistinct background noise as you tried to focus on the day ahead. Every sound seemed distant, almost muffled, as if you were underwater, your mind too preoccupied with the storm of emotions swirling inside you.

“I would suggest pairing this silk blouse with the high-waisted trousers for the first look,” the wardrobe manager continued, her voice lacking enthusiasm, as if she had said it a hundred times before. “It has a timeless feel. Or we could go for something more daring—maybe this leather jacket and skirt combo for the edgier shots?”

You barely registered her words, absentmindedly flipping through the wardrobe selections as though you were deeply engaged, but in truth, you were just stalling. Anything to keep your hands busy, to avoid the inevitable confrontation that seemed to hang in the air like a storm cloud. You nodded vaguely, hoping your disinterest wasn’t too obvious.

You had barely slept. The events from the day before played in a loop in your mind, each thought swirling with fragments of Sihtric's face, his voice, and the burning resentment you felt towards him. The way he had casually greeted you after all these years, like nothing had happened—like he hadn’t broken you into pieces. It was infuriating.

As you examined a sequined gown, you heard footsteps approaching. There was no need to look up to know who it was. Sihtric's presence had a weight, a pull that you used to find comforting, but now it felt suffocating. Your posture stiffened, and your expression instantly hardened.

“Hey,” Sihtric’s voice was soft, tentative, as though testing the waters. “Can we talk?” he asked quietly, careful not to attract too much attention from the others.

You gave the wardrobe manager a soft, halfhearted smile, hoping she'd catch the hint, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. She was too busy batting her lashes, her gaze locked on Sihtric with flushed cheeks and a little lip-bite, practically radiating a crush.

You couldn’t help the smirk tugging at the corners of your mouth as you watched her, caught in that painfully familiar moment as a humiliating flashback hit you—he’d had the same effect on you the first time you met…and, well, he still did. It was maddening, really. You sighed inwardly, silently cursing yourself for being just as foolish.

Clearing your throat a bit too deliberately, you broke the silence, snapping her back to reality.

The girl’s blush deepened, spreading across her face like wildfire. "Oh, um—sorry," she mumbled, eyes dropping to the floor as she scrambled to grab her things. She gave a quick, flustered nod and practically bolted, nearly tripping over her own feet in her rush to escape.

You didn’t even bother to turn around. “I’m busy,” you said flatly, flipping to the next outfit on the rack.

“I know,” he replied, tension lacing his voice, “but we need to talk. Yesterday—”

“Yesterday was nothing,” you cut him off, finally turning to face him with a cold, distant stare. You saw the hurt flicker across his face. “You don’t get to pretend we’re still friends or that there’s anything left between us.”

Sihtric’s gaze dropped for a second, and he ran a hand through his tousled hair, clearly searching for the right words. “I didn’t expect to see you, okay? I was… surprised.”

You crossed your arms, trying to build a barrier, anything to shield yourself from the vulnerability that crept up when you saw him yesterday. “Surprised? That’s your excuse? After everything you did? You threw me away like I was nothing.”

His head snapped up, a flash of guilt flickering over his face. “I didn’t— It wasn’t like that,” he said quickly, taking a step closer, but you backed away on instinct. “You don’t know the whole story.”

Your laugh was sharp, humorless. “I know enough. I know you moved on. Fast.”

Your gazes finally met, and for a moment, Sihtric caught a glimpse of something in your eyes—pain, anger, maybe even something else—but whatever it was vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I never stopped thinking about you. I just didn’t know how to—”

“Stop.” You held up a hand, cutting him off. “I don’t care what you did or didn’t think about. You made your choice. Believe it or not, I’ve moved on too.”

Sihtric clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of your words like a punch in the chest. The distance between you felt insurmountable, like a chasm that had opened long ago and now couldn’t be bridged.

“I get that you’re angry,” he said quietly, one last attempt to break through the wall you’d put up. “I would be too. But please, I owe you an explanation for why I—”

“Enough!” Your voice came out sharper than you’d intended, drawing a few curious glances from nearby crew members. Taking a deep breath, you tried to pull yourself back to calm.

“Whatever you think you owe me, I don’t want it,” you replied, fighting to keep your tone steady and unaffected. “It’s been five years, Sihtric. There’s nothing left to say.”

Sihtric shifted uncomfortably, like he wanted to protest. His mouth opened, but no words came out. You watched him struggle for some excuse or explanation, but you didn’t care. Not anymore.

"Sihtric," you said, voice cold like a bucket of ice water, “we have work to do. We’re not friends; we’re not anything. So let’s just keep this professional and do what we’re here to do.”

His jaw tightened, frustration and regret clouding his expression. “I didn’t want it to end up like this,” he murmured, almost to himself.

You shook your head, reinforcing the walls around your heart with every second that passed. “It’s too late for that.” Not waiting for his response, you turned back to the wardrobe rack, hands busy sorting through hangers, making it clear the conversation was over.

Sihtric stood there, lingering longer than he probably should have, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other and running a hand through his hair, as if that might somehow bring the right words to mind. He stole one last glance at you, hoping you’d change your mind or give him a sign, any sign, that there was still a chance. But when nothing came, he let out a quiet sigh and started to make his way back to his station.

His steps were slow, reluctant, and every few paces he glanced back, his eyes searching for you among the bustling set. Even as he reached his spot by the cameras, he couldn’t stop himself from casting a look in your direction, hoping for even the smallest hint of softness in your expression. But there was nothing—nada, zip. Just your back, straight and unyielding, radiating a chill that could’ve kept an ice rink frozen solid.

The tension lingered in the air, but you forced yourself to push through it. Work came first, and you weren’t about to let Sihtric’s sudden reappearance unravel everything you’d built in the past five years. You had built a new life—one that didn’t include him. Letting him back in wasn’t an option.

But as you sifted through the outfits, your hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

—-----------------------------------

Sihtric sat at the bar, shadows casting across his face in the dim light. It was one of those fancy, expensive places that tried too hard to look casual—exposed brick walls, soft jazz in the background, and bartenders in tailored vests who looked like they’d just stepped out of an old movie.

He was a regular here now, the kind of guest who turned heads the moment he walked in. In the last five years, Sihtric had become something of a celebrity in the fashion world—a photographer whose bold, daring shoots pushed boundaries and set trends.

He stared blankly at his half-empty glass of whiskey, swirling the amber liquid as if it held any answers. This was his routine now—numbing himself in fancy bars that felt as cold and empty as he did inside. The photoshoot earlier had been brutal; each moment you ignored him twisted the knife in his chest a little deeper.

Another drink. Another night.

The bartender shot him a questioning glance, and Sihtric nodded for another round before he even had to ask. As the glass refilled, his thoughts circled back to you—how easily you’d shut him out, the distance in your eyes. His mind fought to make sense of it, but his heart knew the truth. You were done with him. He’d clung to some small hope for a sign, even an argument, anything but the indifference you showed him.

But you didn’t care anymore, and that truth gnawed at him like an open wound.

A hand slid over his shoulder, fingers trailing down his arm. At first, he barely noticed, his attention locked on the empty space where his heart used to be. A woman leaned in, her perfume cutting through the haze, whispering something playful in his ear. He turned to look at her—tall, brunette, model-like features.

Sihtric forced a smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes. “Buy you a drink?” he asked, his voice rough from the whiskey and everything he was holding back.

She giggled, fingers tracing circles on his arm, but he barely felt it. This was all mechanical now. He knew where this was going—a few more drinks, some empty flirting, a messy, fleeting distraction that would only leave him feeling emptier by morning. The same hollow routine.

A few hours later, they ended up in his apartment, just like he’d predicted. She lay sprawled on his bed, dark hair spilling over the pillows, murmuring soft words he wasn’t really listening to.

He moved against her, but his mind was miles away, lost somewhere far from the woman beneath him. Each motion felt mechanical, his body on autopilot, no real connection—no spark, no passion. Every touch, every thrust felt like an echo of something he used to feel, now reduced to emptiness. Sihtric barely registered the soft sounds she made, her murmurs fading into the background as his thoughts drifted back to you.

Even here you were haunting him like a ghost he couldn’t shake. He tried to push the memories away, but they clung to him—the way you laughed, how your eyes softened when they met his, the way your body felt under his fingers when you were close. None of this was the same. Each fleeting distraction only reminded him of what he’d lost, of what he’d ruined.

As she wrapped her arms around Sihtric’s neck, pulling him closer, he closed his eyes, trying to focus, to lose himself in the moment. But all he saw was you and all he felt was the aching emptiness in his chest.

When it was over, he rolled off her, breathing heavily as he stared up at the ceiling. The silence between them stretched on, pressing down like a weight. She snuggled into his side, her head on his shoulder, but her warmth only made him feel colder inside.

“That was amazing,” she whispered, soft and content.

Sihtric didn’t respond. He couldn’t. The words just wouldn’t come, because nothing about this felt amazing. It felt like another mistake—a mistake he kept making, hoping it would fill the emptiness, even though he knew it never would.

He waited until she drifted off to sleep, her breath slow and even against his chest. Then, carefully, he untangled himself from her, slipping out of bed and pulling on his jeans. The room was dark, save for the sliver of moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting shadows across the floor.

As he stood there, staring down at the woman who had become just another face in a long line of temporary distractions, Sihtric felt a wave of disgust wash over him—not at her, but at himself. This wasn’t who he used to be. This wasn’t the man you had fallen in love with.

—----------------------------------

The art gallery buzzed with excitement as you walked in, Gisela right by your side. You’d been to openings like this before, but tonight felt different—there was an electric vibe in the air, like everyone knew they were about to see something incredible. Gisela had been hyping up this exhibition for weeks, raving about the young, talented painter she’d discovered: Sigtryggr.

“You’re going to love his work,” Gisela said with a grin, leading you through the crowd. “He’s brilliant. And I have a feeling you two will get along. There’s just something about him…” She gave you a teasing look, but you brushed it off, not really sure what she meant.

As you made your way through the gallery, you couldn’t help but get drawn into the paintings. Bold, vibrant strokes blended with softer, more intimate details, each piece telling a story. Sigtryggr’s art was captivating—a perfect mix of emotion and precision that made it hard to look away. There was a rawness in his work that hit close to home, stirring up feelings you hadn’t let yourself feel in a long time.

“Do you like it?” a voice broke through your thoughts.

You turned to find a man standing beside you, his features soft yet undeniably striking. His long, light hair framed his face almost ethereally, and his deep blue eyes held a warmth mixed with intensity. His gentle smile put you instantly at ease.

“Yeah, it’s... breathtaking,” you said, glancing back at the painting. “There’s so much emotion in it. It feels personal.”

Sigtryggr smiled, his eyes softening. “I’m glad you think so. It is personal, in a way. Each piece is a part of me—things I’ve seen, felt, or imagined. Sometimes, painting’s the only way I know to get those feelings out.”

His voice was soft but sincere, and something about him took you by surprise—a calmness and sweetness that felt rare. In the back of your mind, you couldn’t help but feel faint echoes of someone else, someone who had once stirred your heart just as deeply.

The next hour slipped by as you talked with Sigtryggr, his presence unexpectedly comforting. He was charming without being over the top, and his quiet humor reminded you of simpler times. As you shared stories, you found yourself laughing more freely than you had in a long time. His quiet confidence and the way he really listened drew you in.

From across the room, you kept catching Gisela’s amused glances, her knowing smile hard to miss. You knew she’d set this up, but for once, you didn’t mind. As the evening wore on, Sigtryggr’s sweetness and his genuine interest in you started chipping away at the walls you’d built around your heart.

As the crowd began to thin, Sigtryggr turned to you with a soft smile. “I’d love to see you again if you’re interested. Maybe we could grab a coffee, or check out another gallery sometime?”

You hesitated, but the warmth in his eyes and the ease you felt around him made it impossible to refuse. “I’d like that.”

—---------------------------------------

A few weeks later, you found yourself spending more time with Sigtryggr, getting to know him better. Each time you met, you couldn’t help but notice how much he reminded you of Sihtric—the quiet intensity, the focus he poured into his work, the way he always held a little something back. But unlike Sihtric, there was no darkness in his eyes, no heaviness or regret. Sigtryggr was just... calm, confident, kind.

Your dates were simple and easy—strolls through art districts, cozy coffee shop stops, gallery visits, all filled with comfortable conversation. Sigtryggr had this natural way of making you feel at ease, giving you closeness without any pressure. He never pushed, never asked about your past, though you could tell he sensed something was holding you back.

Still, no matter how good things felt, you often caught yourself comparing him to Sihtric. The way Sigtryggr laughed, the thoughtful pauses he took—little things kept bringing Sihtric to mind, as if his shadow lingered over every new connection you tried to build.

One evening, after a particularly sweet date, Sigtryggr walked you home. Standing at your doorstep, you looked at him, emotions swirling. He held your gaze, eyes soft, as if he could see what you were feeling but didn’t need to hear it. Slowly, he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers lingering gently at your cheek. His gaze dipped to your lips, and he took a careful breath before leaning in.

When he kissed you, it was soft, unhurried, like he wanted to savor every moment. One hand rested at the curve of your jaw, the other slipped to the small of your back, drawing you a bit closer. He tasted faintly of coffee, his touch steady and grounding, and as his thumb brushed gently against your cheek, a warmth spread through you, melting away the lingering shadows of doubt.

The world around you faded as the kiss deepened, his lips exploring yours with a slow, tender intensity that felt both comforting and thrilling. You found yourself relaxing, melting into him, letting go of the weight you’d been carrying. For a moment, all that mattered was him, here, now.

When he finally pulled back, he searched your face with those gentle eyes of his, his thumb still tracing small circles on your cheek. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice low and full of concern.

You took a shaky breath, feeling the old memories tugging at you again. “It’s not you,” you said, unsure how to explain the tangled mess inside you. “It’s… someone from my past.”

Sigtryggr’s expression remained calm, though you caught a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “You don’t have to explain,” he said gently, his voice soothing. “I know it’s hard to move on from someone who meant so much to you.”

You blinked, surprised by his perceptiveness. “How did you…?”

He gave a faint smile, a small shrug. “You wear it on your face sometimes, the way you get that distant look when something reminds you of him. But I’m not here to rush you. I just want to spend time with you, however you need.”

His words touched you deeply, and for the first time in a long time, you felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, it was possible to let go of the past and let someone else in.

As you said goodnight, something inside you shifted. Sigtryggr wasn’t Sihtric—he was his own person, with his own gentle sweetness, one that felt like it could help you heal. And for the first time in years, you allowed yourself to believe in a future worth exploring, not centered on what you’d lost but on what you might still find.

#sihtric #sigtryggr #sihtric x reader #sigtryggr x reader #the last kingdom #the last kingdom fic #sihtric fic #sihtric x you #modern!Sihtric #modern!Sigtryggr

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