#team sihtric

[vhaguntargunyen]

Team Uhtred or medieval boy band? 🤔

[calyssmarviss]

Holy shit i just realized after watching four seasons of him in TLK and multiple interviews that I had seen Arnas Fedavaricius before and it was when they announced he was going to be FUCKING MASEMA in the Wheel of Time oh my god oh my god that’s somehow the best and worse thing they could do to me.

[aphroditesmoon]

sweet

osferth x warrior!reader

summary: osferth is in love with you but you are not used to receiving this much attention from anyone.

warnings; nsfw(smut), black cat/golden retriever, slight angst, simp osferth, clueless reader.

a/n: back on my osferth bullshit bcs the movie is coming n yet my fave is de@d😻

°°°

You're not exactly sure how you got to be apart of Uhtred's team. Actually that's not true, you remember exactly how.

The four warriors were being attacked by the same Danes that had owned you silver, lots of them. It was a coincident that killing them gave you what you were owed and Uhtred and his men's freedom.

Uhtred had made it his mission then, to find out more about you, wanting to make sure you weren't a spy or threat after noticing that you weren't exactly apart of the danes not christians. After deeming you harmless (at least to them) and incredibly depressingly lonely, he decided to scout you in as one of his men, like a bored man picking up a grumpy wet soggy kitten from the street.

You made sure you were paid more silver than any of the other men, insisting that you're worth more than them by your skills itself, and soon enough, you stuck with them as if you had always been there all along.

You got along well enough with all of them, letting yourself fall gently in the warm feeling of what it's like to have a semblance of a family.

Though with all the intelligence of a skilled warrior you have, you had not noticed the baby monk Osferth's obvious attempt to pursue you for 2 years now.

You admit you like Osferth more than the others. He was respectful, kind, and has never treated you less like any woman should be treated, although some would argue you barely counted as a woman.

Did you like him romantically? You can't say, making it a principle to never yourself aim for a love like that, it's just not for you.

But when the awkwardly charming warrior monk had kissed you during the festive night of Yule eve, your instinct was to immediately push him away from you, receiving a very offended expression followed by stutters I apologies from him before he scrambled away, like a dog kicked by it's owner.

The next day, you received multiple glares from Finan, and sympathetic grins and chuckles from Sihtric and Uhtred who had found this situation all too amusing.

Osferth had started to avoid you almost completely, never making eye contact and never directly speaking to you unless necessary. And it hurt you.

You should apologize, you knew that. But you weren't exactly sure if what to say, your feelings were complicated even to yourself.

It only gets worse when you found out you'll be staying with Osferth during one of your little missions. Arranged in purpose by Uhtred for sure.

When evening arrives, you notice Osferth leaving the pub early, closing himself in your shared room. You shook off your guilt and grabbed the bottle of liquor, walking away to seat yourself by the empty corner of the loud place, seeking for some peace.

If only peace could ever exist in your life.

You tipped the bottle into your mouth again, taking a big chug from it, wishing the ale would taste a little less like shit.

Taking notice of Finan from the side of your eye, you sigh loudly and cursed him out. The man only gave a humourous laugh and sat next to you.

"If this is about Osferth again, then you shouldn't tire yourself-"

"Oh this is definitely about Osferth." He agreed, receiving a groan from you.

"Finan please-" You started, rudely being cut off. "You did a number on him lad, he's been acting like someone just killed his dog and it's been two weeks." His voice was gentler than before, the worry obvious in his voice.

"I didn't mean it." Your mumbled out meekly, eyes drooping. "I didn't mean to push him away."

"Well that settles it the doesn't it?" The Irishman concluded. "Just go apologize and hump him." You snorted at his easygoing response and shook your head.

"He doesn't just want to hump, he wants to love." You clarify. "And that's so bad, why? I've seen you staring at him like he's made of sunshine and rainbows laddie, I'd thought you'd be happy to have him feel the same way."

You wince at his words, hating the sappy description of yourself that he gave. Rainbows and sunshine.

"Because it doesn't make sense does it? Of course I'd like him, he's kind, and sweet, and everything I don't deserve, everything I am not."

You speak the last word like a curse, a bitter taste on your tongue.

Glancing towards the half drunk Irish, you almost hate yourself for saying what you did, the pity in his eyes was worse than any insult you've had thrown your way.

"You carried Aelfwynn on your back while she was sick and lied to everyone about getting sick from her just so she'd have a chance to reach the royal healers, you've put yourself in front of the lady Aethelflaed to protect her more time than anyone could count, hell you've done it for Osferth more time than he could remember.

- So if you say you're not deserving of kindness and sweetness one more time, I'll make sure to hide the biggest frogs in your bathwater as a punishment."

His voice was teasing, but his eyes were set on you, narrowing down like a nagging father, and you almost hugged him there and then.

"Yeah whatever." You shrugged and look away.

You hear him sigh loudly, as if to prove a point and tried to hide your small smile.

"I should apologize." You repeated your early statement. Rubbing your face tiredly, the liquor doing a terrible job intoxicating you. "Yeah, and you should hump-"

"Goodnight Finan, I'm not listening to you anymore!" You exclaimed loudly and annoyed while getting up on your feet to retire to your small room.

The walk to your room was short but it felt like forever, standing in front of the door, you take a moment to collect some thoughts and steady your heartbeat before turning the knob open.

You feel relieved as you step in, seeing that Osferth was still awake, sitting by his side of the bed, folding in his dirty clothes.

He must've just bathed, you thought to yourself. When you walk closer you notice that his hair was damp, confirming your suspicions.

He acted as if he didn't hear you, but you know he did.

"Osferth." You called out, voice weaker than you intended it to be, almost like you're pleading him.

The silence was agonizing before he responds, you see him stiffen. "Yes?"

You hated how much more confident he sounded than you, but you were the one who owed an apology, so you force your ego aside and placed yourself next to him on the bed.

"I um- I wanted to, apologize?" There was that stuttering now. He raised an eyebrow at you and you feel your face burn.

"Apologize. Yes, I wanted to apologize." Getting your breath under control, you try to appear more put together.

His eyes look away from you and move down to stare at the floorboards. "Whatever for?" He asks, sounding uninterested.

"For pushing you away, when you...kissed me." You answer.

You were watching for his reaction like a hawk eyeing it's prey, feeling uneasy and scared. "Oh, tis not your fault, twas' mine, I should've asked." He says kindly, his old warmth returning to his voice.

"But it's not, nothing could ever be your fault Osferth, You've no foible and if anything your flaw is being too good and having no flaw-"

"Do you think you could ever love me?" He cuts you off, a demanding tone.

You turn silent from your rant, heartbeat fastening. "But why? Why me?" You breath out.

"Osferth-" You start, standing up to face his seated self. "-You could have many lovely beautiful woman to love you the way you deserve, I'm sure of it, we've all seen how they fight for you." You insist.

His face turns into a frown and he stands up along with you, face inches apart from yours. "I don't want anyone else, you're the only lovely beautiful woman I want." He snapped.

You grow frustrated at his statement and turn to walk in circles, not meeting his gaze.

"But why? I am not beautiful or ladylike- and don't tell me I'm wrong, I hear things too- and I'm not kind enough to those around me as I should be, and I am, god, so terribly, terribly horrible in my moral compass Osferth.

- Why would you want to be with someone so miserable?", You point out with a humourless laugh, feeling so vulnerable and pathetic you could break in an instance.

You feel his hands grip your shoulders to look at him as he stops you from pacing around.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to convince you that you're all I think about, you are the most beautiful piece of art to me, and to have your heart, to be able to love you the way you deserve, is all I'll ever wish for in this lifetime."

You would've asked him if he had practiced that if you weren't so shaken by those words, so baffled.

"Don't be ridiculous Osferth, what- tell me, who you'd choose between me and Eadith, or me and that redhead from last night- or the lady Aethelflaed herself?" You hated how much self pity you were drowning in, all the insecurities you've worked so hard to push down, to look past from yourself.

"You. You, you and you." His response was quick and without hesitation. You wanted to kill him for that's or kiss him, you couldn't decide.

"I would choose you over anyone because there is no one else for me, can't you see?"

He was staring at you with stars in his eyes and his breath was hot on your face.

You couldn't remember when or how it happened, but all you knew was that one if you had leaned forwards and your lips became one with eachother's.

There was no regret in yourself, letting your fans wrap around his neck whilst he moves one arm to hold you by your waits and the other cupping your cheeks.

Your fingers move to tangle in his hair as you let your mouth open slightly for your tongues to dance together.

You pressed your faces harder if it was possible devouring the taste you've been forbidding yourself to take a bite from. His arms around your back tightens and soon you feel both his hands move down to the back of your thighs and you instinctively jump to wrap your legs around him.

He groans in the kiss, palms full holding squeezing your ass. You let a rare growl escape you as you feel yourself tighten around him.

Walking you back to the bed, you don't release your hold over him even when he lays you down on the bed.

Your hands roam wild at his body, grasping at his new tunic to be taken off. He gets the message immediately, pulling away to pull it over his head before going back to sucking lips with you.

You feel his own hands wandering around your body, exploring your untouched haven. He dips his hand inside the collar of your own shirt and rips it off easily, earning a shocked gasp from you.

"Didn't think you had that in you." You joked breathlessly. He gives a small shy smile as he pushes you to lay back down on the pillow. "You have no idea how many other things you've awakened inside of me."

His lips trail down your neck, biting and sucking at your sensitive spot while his hands have their fun squeezing and palming your breasts.

You let out a wild moan, throwing your head back, your nails, trying their best not to leave marks on his back.

"Fuck you're stunning." He swears, also rare occasion. You feel your cunt clench at his words an thrusts up your hips to meet his, receiving a strained groan from the man.

Not relenting in his torture on your tits, he releases one of them to move his hand between your legs, palming your drenched cunt between the thin barrier of your underwear.

"Osferth- please." You whined, rutting againts his hand like a dog in heat.

He only uses his hands to palm you harder, bringing you to tears as you search for friction. "That's it angel, fuck my hand." He groans out, entranced by the sight of you, glistening in sweat and fucking yourself on him in all your beautiful glory.

Both your arms are above you head now, gripping hard on the furs as you grind harder on his hand, clenching on nothing, feeling your orgasm nearing.

He rubs a finger on you clit furiously and you feel yourself explode on him, eyes blurry as you cried out his name repeatedly, a prayer answered.

Feeling yourself come down from your high, your body relaxes againts his bed and your head spins with euphoria. Osferth wipes his hand off before climbing over to lay next to you.

Your head finds comfort on his chest as his hands finds home around your body. It was dizzying, what just happened. And it was most probably the best hump you've ever had, not that you make it a habit to hump around.

You glace up to meet his eyes, already gazing down at you with a small smile accompanying them. "Does this mean you've forgiven me?", You jest and his smile widens as he leans forward and kisses your forehead. "Only if you promise to let me love you." He bargains.

You feel a grin making itself known and let out an unfamiliar giggle, "You're so sweet it's nauseating."

[whitedarkmoonflower]

Traitor

Pairing: Sihtric x reader (female)

Authors note: a big thank you to awesome and incredible @little-diable for having the wonderful and crazy idea to write this together. I loved it so much! You are such an amazing writer.

Warnings: SMUT 18+, angst

Summary: you thought you had been prepared for everything as you were sent to spy on Uhtred, until the moment you met a certain Danish warrior

Word Count: 4,8 K

Headers and dividers by the lovely @arcielee

If you want to be added to or removed from the tag list - write to me.

I'm not sure if this letter will ever get to you or if you'll even want to read it. But I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

You probably already know, and it's true. I was sent to spy on Lord Uhtred, on orders from Lord Wihtgar, Uhtred’s cousin and the current ruler of Bebbanburg.

I came here as a spy and an enemy, full of suspicion, hate and disdain. I was sent to spy on a traitor of his own kin, on a heathen teamed up with the Danes to try and bring down my Lord, the rightful ruler of Bebbanburg.

But now, as I'm leaving, I want you to know I'm going as a friend and an ally, even if you can't quite believe it, even if you all rightfully see me as a traitor.

These past few months have taught me so much - about trust, relying on others, feeling accepted, and being valued. But most importantly, I've learned what it means to be loved.

I'm sorry. I know it's not enough, and it never will be…

"It's all blurred and smudged from here. I can't decipher it," Osferth looked up from the small piece of vellum he held in his hands. His gaze wandered around the dimly lit room before settling on the silhouette seated at the table, with elbows propped up and head resting on hands, fingers entwined in hair.

"Read it once more," Sihtric growled, his voice rough and slightly trembling.

"I've already read it to you five times. What do you expect to uncover?" Osferth shrugged. The sound of the bench falling echoed as Sihtric suddenly sprang to his feet, knocking it over and grabbed the cup from the table, draining it in a few hasty gulps. He stood there for a moment, examining it in his hand. Moments later, the cup was hurled to the ground with such force that it shattered into countless small pieces, causing Osferth to flinch.

"Nothing," venom dripped from Sihtric's voice, "I'm a fool, a damned idiot. How could I not see it? How could I be so blind?" he roared before storming out of the room.

It had been surprisingly easy, much easier than you had anticipated. It appeared that Uhtred had a soft spot for taking in masterless dogs and those less fortunate. All it took was a heart-wrenching tale of being captured by Scots as a child and raised as a warrior to win his acceptance. You couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain for his kind-heartedness and naivety. He truly didn't deserve to be called a Lord.

A Lord should be stern and ruthless, someone who instilled fear in their subordinates, devoid of the lower emotions like love and compassion that made people vulnerable to manipulation. This was what you had been taught, ingrained in you since childhood, nurtured by your mother's milk, and enforced by your father's strict hand.

You happened to be the sole child of Bebbanburg's commandant and the trusted right hand of Lord Ælfric Uhtredson. Your father had always yearned for a son, but fate had dealt him a different hand – a daughter, a fragile and small creature with large, inquisitive eyes and infectious laughter.

The carefree and joyful days of your childhood came to an abrupt end when your father finally acknowledged your existence. Around the age of ten, as it became apparent that your mother would not provide the male heir he so desperately desired, your father’s attention shifted to you.

And now, here you were – a grown woman, a trained warrior, and a cunning spy, with deep and sorrowful eyes, and a laughter that had been absent from your life for years. This was how you entered the service of Lord Uhtred.

“You’ve got a knack for it,” Finan chuckled approvingly, and you saw his hand extending towards you to help you up from the ground. You hesitated, uncertain if he genuinely meant it, half-expecting him to withdraw his hand at the last moment, his warm smile giving way to a mocking grin. He had bested you fair and square. Again. Finan the Agile, they called him, and rightly so.

He had the appearance of a large, affable bear, with warm brown eyes, that always seemed to twinkle mischievously. What a deception! That man moved as swiftly as lightning. Despite investing all your strength, skill, and effort, you found yourself seated in the dirt, gasping for breath. The surprise in your eyes was impossible to conceal as you kept glancing at his outstretched hand. Even though you knew by now that his hand would remain there, that you could rely on it and you could trust it not to turn against you, old habits died hard, etched into your very bones, causing you to hesitate once more. 

Finally, you mustered the courage to grasp it, allowing Finan to help you to your feet. "That move earlier, when you suddenly changed direction and lunged to my left, almost caught me off guard. That was impressive," the bearded Irishman continued, his genuine smile unwavering. He retrieved your sword and handed it back to you. "Ready for another round?"

You thought you were prepared for anything. You were ready to fight for your place among the warriors, anticipating challenges and the disdain that comes with being an outsider, a newcomer, and a woman. You were prepared for the sly glances, whistles, and crude remarks, for unwelcome advances and dirty hands trying to grope you. Having been raised in the world of men, you knew their ways well.

"Hey, let the lady catch her breath," Osferth's ever-cheerful voice echoed across the yard as he approached with a pitcher and ale mugs in his hands. The shy former monk was undoubtedly the most peculiar addition to the pack around Uhtred. Why was he even carrying a sword? He seemed clueless about how to use it. Initially, you assumed he might be warming someone's bed, but it soon became evident that this was not the case.

There was no logical explanation for his presence in a warriors' camp, but there he was, offering a bashful smile as he filled the mugs with ale and handed the first one to you. You couldn't deny the calming and radiant aura that accompanied him, something intangible, something elusive that defied explanation. Always courteous and attentive, unwavering in his faith in God's benevolence, he carried the weight of being born out of wedlock with quiet dignity and bestowed genuine kindness upon those around him.

You had believed you were prepared for anything – ready to endure contempt and hatred, to withstand pain and humiliation, to employ your body as both a weapon and allure. You had experienced it all, endured it all, and each time emerged stronger. But there was one thing you hadn't been prepared for – to be accepted just as you were, to be treated with respect and appreciation. Friendship and loyalty had taken you by surprise, and above all, you had never anticipated being cared for and loved.

Love. It had been an empty word, devoid of real meaning to you. In this cursed world where power, authority, and control were the sole currencies of worth, there was no room for something as seemingly foolish as love. How could you have prepared for it when you had never felt it?

Love didn't strike you suddenly, nor did it assault your senses and reason. You might have recognized it then if it had. Instead, it arrived slowly, subtly, through tentative glances and concealed smiles, in the hesitant brush of fingers. It infiltrated your everyday life as helping hands to maintain your weapons or carry your saddlebag, as a casual shift to the side, making room for you at the fire, as unassuming inquiries when you appeared tired or unwell. The genuine care and attention that the reserved and initially withdrawn young Dane with that stern and piercing gaze framed by two mismatched eyes offered so effortlessly and unpretentiously wrapped around you like a soft, welcoming blanket. It dulled your wariness, dazzled you like freshly brewed ale, and you fell for it without regret.

“Fuck,” you moaned, eyes squeezed shut, hands pressed against the cold ground. You were lying flat on your back, unable to take another step. It had been a foolish mistake, really, one second you had tried to prove to the guys how easy it was to balance one too many cups of ale in your hands, the next you had found yourself on the ground. One of the other drunken guys had rammed into you, forcing you to the ground without another warning. 

It had taken you a few seconds to realise what was going on, blinking the tears away that welled up in your eyes due to the pain sticking to your foot. Voices had echoed in your ears, growing louder by the second, forcing you to at least try and sit up. All you could do was watch how Finan had to hold back Sihtric, who was about to tear the guy to shreds. 

You had murmured Sihtric’s name, hoping to catch his attention. If there was one thing you hated, it was being the centre of attention – and being the reason for a fight amongst the guys would definitely put you further into the said centre. It had taken Finan a few moments to get some distance between Sihtric and the guy, forcing the Dane to finally focus on you. 

“Can you stand?” Sihtric had kneeled in front of you, worried eyes flickering between yours and the hurt ankle you pressed your hand against. A whimper had left you as you had to rise, plopping back to the ground with a huff. There was no use in denying the shame thumping through your veins, filling every inch of your body. Only as Sihtric had placed his hand on your chin, redirecting your gaze towards him, had you managed to look at the handsome Dane again, sending him a smile. 

“Up you go.” Without another warning, Sihtric had picked you up, strong arms wrapped around your cold body. The shriek that had clawed through you had left Finan and Osferth laughing, watching Sihtric carry you towards the tent he was supposed to sleep in. 

And now here you were, placed on the warm fur, eyes studying the Dane’s every move. You could tell that something was holding Sihtric back, not daring to touch you for more than a handful of moments, pulling away whenever his eyes found yours as if your mere closeness set fire through his body. It frustrated you, seeing him this weary, scared to touch your already battered body. 

“Sihtric,” you murmured his name, once again sitting up to be closer to him. Your hand darted out to find his warm cheek, trying not to pay the way he seemed to hold his breath too much of your attention. Slowly your thumb began to move, stroking his soft skin, the small marks and scars littering his cheeks, marks you couldn’t help but admire. He emanated strength and danger, and yet you felt awfully safe around him, knowing that he’d always protect you – should you need it. 

With your breath hitched in your chest, it took you a moment to realise what was happening. Sihtric had pressed his lips against yours, hand placed on the back of your head to keep you close, not daring to let you go. Your heart was racing, torn between excitement and confusion, since you had hoped you’d eventually find yourself in a situation like this, and yet you haven’t dared to overthink it much. 

“I am sorry.” Suddenly he pulled away, trying to get some distance between the two as if you were some addicting poison he needed to stay away from. Your wide pupils followed his every haste movement, not understanding what was going on. “You’re hurt, I shouldn’t touch you, not like this.” 

A soft laugh broke out of you, hand reaching out for him to pull Sihtric in for another kiss. The moan that clawed through him left you grinning against his mouth, slowly parting your lips to deepen the kiss. You found yourself pressed against the fur, with Sihtric hovering over you. Neither of you dared to break the kiss this time, not as his hands began to work on your clothes, not as you fought against the need to arch your back to let go of a deep moan. 

“I want to take care of you, take away your pain. Will you let me?” His raspy voice shot shudders down your spine, eyes rolling back into your head the second his warm mouth found your chest. All you could do was moan his name, teeth running along your lower lip to somewhat try to be quiet, not wanting to attract the attention of nearby drunkards. Expectedly he sucked on your hardening nubs, grinning whenever you choked on his name. “My pretty shieldmaiden, the fiercest warrior I aim to claim.”

“Gods, Sihtric, more. Please.” Sihtric blindly followed your choked command, kissing his way down to your heat. You were dripping for him, needing to feel his hands and mouth on you before he could fuck you like you had dreamt of him doing for a while now. The way he groaned at your taste left you clenching around nothing, fingers holding onto the furs to try and ground yourself. 

His colourful eyes watched you intently, not wanting to miss one single expression, telling him all about how you felt buried beneath him, with his mouth on you. You felt as if you were drowning, clinging to every breath you were allowed to inhale, close to passing out. But Sihtric was determined, wanting to push the most sinful yet most beautiful sensation through your body. 

“I must have pleased the Gods for being allowed to feel you this close, you’re mine now.” A hum left you, unable to reply with words as he forced two fingers into your tightness. Your walls clenched around him, telling him that you were already close. The grin he wore on his lips was devilish as he spoke up once again, “Say it, say that you’re mine.”

“I’m yours, fuck, only yours.” Your eyes rolled back into your head as you came on his fingers, whimpering his name. Sihtric’s thumb kept circling your pulsing bundle, prolonging the intense sensations for a few more moments. For a second it felt as if you were reborn, heart racing too fast, palms sweaty from the way you had tried to hold onto the furs. 

You tried to rise from your position, wondering what he’d do next, but Sihtric kept you pressed to the ground, looking like Loki himself, the trickster with a grin that could fool anybody. With wide eyes, you watched Sihtric undress, leathers plopping to the ground to expose his carefully chiselled muscles, gracing his stomach, his arms, and his thighs. All you could do was choke on your breath as your eyes focused on his hard cock, begging for your touch, to feel you wrapped around him. 

“I promised to take care of you, but I won’t be gentle, not when I’ve got you buried beneath me like that.” Sihtric’s voice dripped with possessiveness, lust, and excitement, once again leaving you covered in goosebumps. You nodded, unable to speak up as his mouth found yours, kissing you breathless while he aligned himself with your cunt. “Hold onto me, mark me up.”

You didn’t need to be told twice, clawing your fingernails into his warm skin, adding more scars to the ones he had collected on battlefields. And yet he’d be prouder of the ones you added than any other, he’d fight any war if it meant getting to be with you. The both of you moaned in unison as he pushed into you, forcing your walls to adjust to his size. 

Sihtric hadn’t lied, he wasn’t soft, wasn’t sweet, no, he fucked you like a man on a mission, a man who followed his lord’s commands. And you loved every moment of it, every rough thrust that managed to set your body ablaze, every thrust that left you choking on the air you were desperate for. Your nails left bloody marks down his shoulders, holding onto him as he fucked you on the fur, hoping that this was the first of many nights you’d spent on this fur together. 

“You feel so good around me like the gods have crafted you for me, mine to own, mine to love.” Sihtric’s words almost drew tears to your eyes, desperately wanting to reply, to tell him about your feelings, but you couldn’t. You were too far gone, once again close to falling off the edge. With one last kiss pressed to your lips, you came, moaning his name into the cold night. Sihtric fucked you through your release, groaning into the crook of your neck as he came only a few seconds later. 

You both panted heavily, slowly coming down from your highs, as your foggy mind gradually cleared, and your hazy gaze locked onto Sihtric's mismatched eyes.

This was the moment you always hated the most - the moment of harsh and uncomfortable truth, filled with awkward glances, whispered words, and hurried, clumsy movements. It was the time when one inevitably left, fumbling for clothes and murmuring promises that were never meant to be kept.

You had been on both sides often enough; it was neither new nor unexpected to you. However, for perhaps the first time in your life, you felt an inexplicable emotion creeping beneath your skin. It drove you to dig your fingers into the plush, sweat-soaked furs beneath you, restraining the impulse to pathetically wrap your arms around Sihtric's shoulders in a desperate attempt to keep him from leaving.

Sihtric crushed down beside you, his breath ragged, and his strong arms instinctively encircled you, pulling your back flush against his chest as though he feared you might disappear.

"Will you stay with me?" a hoarse whisper brushed against your ear, igniting a new sense of life within you.

"I couldn't leave even if I wanted to," you chuckled softly.

"Do you want to?"

"No, I don't," you whispered, turning to face him.

"Good, because I don't want you to either," Sihtric murmured, pressing his lips against yours.

I'm sorry I never found the courage to say these words to you. I always thought there would be enough time for that.

I just hope you felt it, I hope you sensed it, how much I loved you. And I still do. I want you to know that will never change. I will always love you, until my very last breath.

Tears welled up in your eyes, falling onto the vellum before you.

Muffled noises from outside caught your attention, and you hastily rolled it up, inadvertently smudging the ink where your tears had fallen. Time was running out; you had to leave. There had always been rumours of Uhtred having his own spies in Bebbanburg, though no one had ever managed to prove them. Today, you had seen him - the blacksmith from Bebbanburg, here in Rumcofa, in Uhtred’s hall. You had tried to hide, but it had been too late. He had seen you, his eyes glued to your pale face, as your heart frantically drummed against your ribs. He had recognized you, just as you had recognized him, and in that moment when your eyes met, you knew your mission had reached its end.

It was too late to confess your true purpose for coming here. You had wanted to reveal your real identity so many times, but the right moment had never seemed to come. And now, it was too late. Your past life had caught up with you, its cold, bony fingers slowly closing around your throat. You didn’t want to leave, but you couldn't stay.

Silence, absolute silence enveloped you, devoid of any sound—no voices, no footsteps, no creaking doors. There was nothing to attract your attention, it was as if the world itself had stilled, allowing your thoughts to flutter through your mind like startled birds, beating against the cage of your consciousness. You had never imagined that silence could be so agonisingly painful, so suffocating.

He will not come! He hates and detests you! You deserve it! The cruel voice echoed in your head, driving you to cover your ears with your hands. Growls of frustration escaped your lips, reverberating against the thick walls of Bebbanburg's dungeon, as you attempted to silence the relentless taunting.

Bebbanburg had fallen, or rather, it had been reclaimed by its rightful owner. You had always known this moment would come, understood that Uhtred would never relinquish his birthright, his lands, or the fortress of his ancestors. You had simultaneously dreaded and longed for this day, aware that it would spell both your doom and your salvation. And now, it was a reality.

God as your witness, you had tried to forget him. You had attempted to banish him from your thoughts, to expel the longing from your mind. For a time, you had even believed you had succeeded, drowning your yearning and hunger for Sihtric's touch, for his commanding yet gentle voice whose orders you had been so eager to obey, for the stern yet loving gaze of his mismatched eyes that seemed to follow you wherever you went.

But the moment you laid eyes on him and Finan on the upper walkway, flanked by guards, you knew it had all been an illusion. You knew you had failed utterly. Your hand shot up instinctively, covering your mouth to stifle the scream threatening to erupt from your chest. 

As if in a haze, you recalled following the guards, sneaking into the dungeon—this very dungeon whose walls you had been pounding in anger and despair for the past few hours, leaving your knuckles raw and bleeding. Then, like a bolt of lightning carrying God's wrath, like a spear hurled by an enemy's hand, it struck you. The coldness in Sihtric's gaze as he lifted his eyes from the lifeless bodies of the guards on the floor to meet yours froze the words forming on your lips, causing them to hang in the air before shattering into a thousand pieces upon the ground.

"You?" was the sole word that escaped Finan's lips as you swiftly cut through the ropes binding their hands, yet even that was laden with disdain and revulsion. You had shown them the way out, the concealed passage to the main hall, and they had left—no words exchanged, no glances shared, no turning back—just silence, relentless silence. The same oppressive silence lingered as Ælfwynn and Hild departed the fortress through the small, secret door you had revealed to them. Traitor, her eyes had silently screamed at you.

You could have fled, escaped, started anew far from this cursed fortress, far from everyone who governed your life. You could have been free. Yet, as tempting as it was, you knew there was no escaping yourself, no escaping the searing shame and longing that had gnawed at you from within all this time. You couldn't leave, not again.

It was Sihtric's hands that seized you, wrenching you to your feet and twisting your arms behind your back when they found you seated in the main hall, awaiting their arrival. You offered no resistance; the touch of him, even as his eyes blazed with hatred, sent shivers down your spine, and you allowed yourself to be dragged to the dungeon in silence. What could you say? How could you explain the inexplicable?

Leaning back against the cold and unforgiving stone wall, you felt the rugged surface digging into your skin even through your clothes as you slowly sank to the ground. Here you were, locked up in the dark and soundless cells beneath Bebbanburg, waiting for something you knew would never come. Closing your eyes, you let the silence envelop you, to become a part of you, to seep into your soul. You were alone, yet strangely, you felt free. No more lies, no more disguise. Just you.

A creaking sound reached your ears, and you slowly, almost unwillingly, opened your eyes to meet whoever had decided to disturb your silence.

“I should have known.” You’d always recognise his voice, wrapping itself around you like the warm summer breeze. But now it wasn’t warm, no, it was set on freezing you, leaving marks that would forever remind you of your betrayal. Your eyes watched his every move, wondering, perhaps even fearing, that he’d step even closer.

God, how could you have betrayed the man who owned your heart? Why did you keep quiet, when he was right there to hold you, to take away your pain? 

“A traitor, good for nothing. I should be ashamed that I touched you.” At first, his words hurt you, cutting deeper than the swords he had held before ever could. But the more you pondered on them, the more you found yourself focusing on the “should” that had rolled off his tongue. 

“Should?” It was just a whisper leaving you, and yet it was enough to draw a sigh from Sihtric. He unlocked the cell and stepped into the small space you were forced to call your own. 

“As much as I want to hate you for betraying my lord, for betraying my family, for betraying me I can’t. The Gods know how much I tried to.” Sihtric crouched down in front of you, his differently coloured eyes wandering over your features, unable to bite down the smile that tugged on his lips as you leaned closer. Carefully he cupped your cold cheek, pondering on his next move. 

“I am sorry, so very sorry.” All he did was hum, dipping his head down to kiss you. You knew that he wouldn’t forgive you easily, but yet you hoped that he’d learn to, no matter what it took, you’d do it if it meant regaining his trust. Within seconds you were pulled to your feet, front pressed against the cold stones, away from him. 

The whine rumbling through you left Sihtric chuckling, a sound so familiar and yet it dripped with something you weren’t used to, something dark, something that left your body covered in goosebumps. You wanted to look at him, it had been too many hours since you had last gotten the chance to, but Sihtric didn’t loosen his grip, not even as he freed you from the fabrics and leathers covering your body. 

“You’ll take my cock and you’ll thank me for it. It’s the least you can do.” The sob that left you was almost pathetic, torn between the arousal thumping through your veins and the fear holding you hostage. Would he ever forgive you? Would he ever ask you to tell your side of the story? Thoughts that were lost the second he pushed into you from behind. 

It had been too long since Sihtric had last touched you, and yet your body clung to him, begging him to keep on going, to fuck you like you were his. God, how much you wanted to be his, the one to care for, the one who’d hold you close whenever you needed him to. The way he moaned into your ear, hand placed over your mouth to keep you quiet, made you shudder in need. 

“Fuck, they could hang me for humping a traitor, but you feel too good, you always have.” His pleasure-drunken words made you clench around him, eyes squeezed shut to keep your tears from rolling down your cheeks. This was your fault, your wrongdoing, and now you were paying the price, taking the cock of the man you loved, while he called you a traitor. 

You whimpered his name, unable to keep on speaking as his cock nudged against the swollen spot, making you see stars. With your hands pressed against the cold stones, you tried to ground yourself, hoping that you wouldn’t pass out from the intense sensations, especially when he had you on your two feet. 

The sounds of your bodies meeting grew louder as Sihtric felt your orgasm nearing, already done for, set on pushing you over the edge. Tears now dripped from your eyes, guided by the intense pleasure only Sihtric made you feel. Another choked gasp left you as you came on his cock, begging him to follow. 

Sihtric came moments later, imprinting himself on your walls with a groan. The both of you were heavily panting, but while you had your eyes squeezed shut, Sihtric already pulled out of you, wordlessly redressing himself. Slowly you turned towards him, eyebrows furrowed, eyes glassy. 

You wanted to beg him for forgiveness, once again desperate to regain his trust, but he kept on studying you, wordlessly. And without another word leaving him, he turned from you, leaving you behind, with the cell unlocked. He was giving you a way out, a test, nothing more than a test. 

Taglist: @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @hb8301 @zillahvathek @alexagirlie @gemini-mama @verenahx @mysteriouslydeafeningwerewolf @willowbrookesblog @thenameswinter99 @ellabellabus07 @mcbuckyyyy @kirtseinw

[wrenwrongs]

Worth More Than Silver

Sihtric/fem!Reader

Summary: Sihtric has been frequenting the brothel in Winchester. Osferth and Uhtred investigate why he still pays for your company despite his claim that you love him.

Word Count: 1.3k

cw: afab reader, she/her pronouns, use of the word whore (2x), childbirth (not described in detail), slight deviations from canon timeline, Sihtric and his football team of kids

“Have you made a decision yet?” asked Sihtric, his horse striding alongside Uhtred’s own. “Have you given it thought?”

“Given thought to what?” His Lord answered in false ignorance. It gnawed at Sihtric’s insides. He would not give up in his quest, yet he knew if he pushed the subject too hard Uhtred was wont to set his denial in stone. Lady Gisela seemed to take pity on him.

“Uhtred,” she warned from her place next to her husband.

With her aid, Sihtric continued, “My request to marry, Lord. I wish to have a family.” It was true. More true was that he wished to have a family with you.

He had been captivated from the first night he met you. Your laugh ringing out as he threw you on to the bed. How your brushed your fingers through his hair as you caught your breath. Still, he knew it was nothing more than he had payed for.

It was almost a fortnight later when he saw you walking down the road, the frost had tinged your cheeks red. Your arms were overburdened with logs as you trudged though the ankle high snow. He carried them for you to your home; a small room with a bed and a hearth. When you invited him in for tea, he saw how you had decorated with herbs drying from the ceiling, furs, and paint all along the walls. It was a proper home in his eyes, not just the place you rested your head as he had become accustomed to.

You laughed as he regaled the time he and Finan strapped fake legs to a horse and convinced a drunk Uhtred that it was Sleipnir, the chip in your front tooth evident, and he knew he was yours.

A voice broke through his thoughts.

“Lord, you will answer the man.” It was Gisela again. In that moment Sihtric thought her sent by Freyja herself.

Uhtred sighed before turning his head to speak, “I will speak to her at Winchester and give you my decision.”

“Thank you, Lord.” With a grin, he fell back into line as Uhtred shouted back at him.

“But you are to give her no more of your arm-rings, nor silver!”

A gentle breeze swept through the valley, cooling the sweat on their brows. The sun, now past its highest point in the sky, warmed the earth as they arrived in Winchester. Finnan and Sihtric accompanied Uhtred while Osferth was sent out on his own quest.

After visiting your home and inquiring at the brothel, he was directed outside the walls of the capital. There, he spotted a figure emerging from the surrounding trees. The glint of silver around your biceps confirmed your identity.

“My lady,” he spoke softly as he approached, not wanting to startle you.

“I am no Lady,” you responded, the wind rustling your hair. “And I’m not working today.”

“No,” he blushed. “You misunderstand me. I am one of Lord Uhtred’s men.”

You said nothing, but looked upon him with suspicion and doubt.

He cleared his throat before speaking again, “You are Sihtric’s woman are you not?”

“That I am." You stepped closer to him so that the two of you could hear each other clearly. Osferth took a glimpse into the basket you carried. Elderberries and yarrow sat among a myriad of herbs. "You must be the Baby Monk I’ve heard about.”

“You love him?”

“Yes." There was an edge to your voice.

“Yet, you still take his silver?” The hurt in your eyes sent guilt rampaging through him.

“He is not the first man to make promises of love in hopes of a free night. I have seen the heartbreak and shame those girls are left with too many times to allow myself to fall for the same trick.”

“It is no trick. He wishes to marry you.”

“So he says.” You began walking back to the gates leaving Osferth to follow.

“You don’t believe him?”

“I wish to." You nodded to the guards as you passed them. "As much as I believe that Sihtric is different, I know those other women thought the same of the men that left them.”

“He has asked for permission from Lord Uhtred.”

You paused, hands tightening on the basket till your knuckles turned white. “He will not get it,” your voice was cold as you spoke. Osferth opened his mouth to argue, but you had already disappeared into the crowd of the afternoon market.

It was the next morning when Uhtred came to you. Sihtric had already departed after reluctantly leaving your bed and breaking fast together.

“Osferth spoke to me last night. He says your heart is true." Uhtred's words did little to calm your nerves. He sat across from you at your small table, drinking your own blend of vervain and violet tea. You could see his eyes flicker down to watch you tug at loose threads of your sleeve. "I will give my permission for you to marry.”

“Thank you, Lord Uhtred,” you said. Meeting his eyes was no easy feat, still you managed. “Sihtric mentioned last night, that if given your blessing, he wished to marry by the time your company leaves next.”

Uhtred shook his head. “You will come with us.”

A disbelieving laugh escaped before you could contain it. “A Saxon who fights with Irishmen, Danes, and monks now wants a whore to accompany them?”

“Not a whore, a healer. Osferth told me you where gathering herbs.”

“Mathilda’s son has a fever. I just made something to help bring it down.”

“Gisela said you often assist the læce. Do you know how to sew a wound?”

“Yes, Lord.” Though your experiences in doing so were less than pleasant as you struggled with the sight of open flesh. In truth, you would rather never do it again, but if it meant you could be with Sihtric perhaps it would be worth the sting of bile in your throat.

“Then you will be of use to us,” Uhtred said firmly, and you got the impression that he was not one to easily change his mind once it was set. “I will inform Sihtric of my decision. When we depart from Winchester next, you will accompany us.”

“Thank you, My Lord.” You could no longer contain your smile as Uhtred took his leave. As he bade you farewell he took notice of your thumb absent-mindedly stroking one of the rings while you stirred your tea.

Perhaps it should have become routine at this point. Woefully, that was not the case. You had birthed six of your eight children with Sihtric and while the boys joked that pregnant was your perpetual state of being, the labor remained grueling.

“I swear this is the last one,” you said through clenched teeth as the midwife rushed around you.

Sihtric knelt by your side, cringing as you squeezed his hand, “You said that during the last one.”

“I mean it this time. Seven is more than enough.” You suspected Sihtric would have as many as you allowed.

Aethelstan had come into your lives just after you had discovered you were pregnant. You agreed it was best for you to stay back, even after your first daughter was born. Sihtric brought Cynlaef shortly after that, he was less than ten years old at the time. 

It seemed that if you weren’t with child when he and the others returned you would be by the time they left. True to the promise he made on your wedding night, he was present for as many of the births as he could be. Because then came the twins and later your youngest daughter, named Fianna after Finan who had pestered you one too many times about naming a son after him. Truthfully, if Osferth had been any younger you would have counted him among them.

It felt like ages before the midwife placed the boy in your arms. Sihtric turned to Uhtred and spoke, “Last chance to have one named after you Lord.”

“No.” Both Uhtred and you said at once. But you supposed your husband was right, it was the last chance to name your child after someone you both loved so dearly.

You turned back to the babe pressed against your skin, your words barely above a whisper, “His name is Osferth.”

[sihtricfedaraaahvicius]

Firefighter chapter 2.

Note: SURPRISE!!!! direct follow up the first fic.

Warnings: all the damn fluff. Oh, a bit of angst too; mention of fire, animal death, you know, firefighter stuff.

pairing: Modern!Sihtric x you (f)

summary: You kept dating that firefighter, who turned out to be a real softie.

wordcount: 6,3k

Masterlist

'Sihtric is absolutely showing off now.'

You had gone home with Sihtric, as he needed to feed his cat, and you both didn't want to leave each other just yet. 

You were still catching your breath after you had sex with him, again, but this time it was in his bed, instead of in your kitchen. You had just cleaned each other up and got some clothes on again when Sihtric joined you back in bed, to finally get some sleep.

'Come here,' Sihtric chuckled softly, 'look… I'm a snuggler, hope you don't mind,' he smiled and pulled you close.

'Oh,' you giggled as you nestled in his arms, 'no, I don't mind.'

'Good,' he hummed and gave you a light squeeze, 'cause I'm really, hm… affectionate,' he smiled a little shyly, 'hope you don't mind that either. I know it's usually not what a girl expects when they see me, but, yeah,' he shrugged.

'I don't mind that either,' you hid your face in his chest with a smile.

You felt a little shy, being all pressed up against his half naked body. Despite having had sex with him already, twice in one day even, you were still taken aback by Sihtric's looks and overall his entire being. And you indeed did not expect he would be this affectionate with you already, but you loved it, although it truly felt too good to be true. A guy as hot as he was, a firefighter after all, who was also funny, caring, good in bed and a cuddle bug? You really hit the jackpot.

Sihtric softly nuzzled your neck before pressing soft kisses to your skin.

'I really like you, cutie,' he whispered and pecked your cheek.

'Stop,' you giggled and tried to hide your face again, 'you're making me shy, Sihtric.'

'Shy?' Sihtric smiled with a frown, 'there's no need to be shy with me, I gave you a whole stiptease,' he laughed, gently lifting your face up to him with his fingertips, 'come give me a kiss, doll.'

He smiled against your lips and hummed softly with each kiss he gave you as he held you close to his chest, under the soft blankets.

'Hm,' he hummed, then cupped your cheeks, 'damn, you're so cute, little love,' he smiled and bit down on his lip, making your cheeks heat up all over again.

The next morning Sihtric brought you home, as you both had to go back to work again after a day off. You worked from home, but Sihtric had a busy week ahead of him, as he had several days of firefighter and first aid training, which was something his whole team had to participate in yearly. And this also meant you wouldn't meet up again until the weekend, when you would join him at the dinner with his firefighter friends and colleagues.

Sihtric kept his hand on your knee the whole ride to your house, mindlessly stroking you with his thumb, which you thought was adorable.

'I wonder how your neighbours are doing,' he asked as he pulled up in your street, 'will take a while before they can move back in again. There was some serious fire damage upstairs.'

'Yeah, me too. I'll call them in a few days, when everything has settled down a little, you know?' you said, 'it's too soon to ask about it yet, I think.'

Sihtric hummed and steered onto your driveaway.

'Alright,' Sihtric said, and he leaned in to cup your cheeks, 'we stay in touch, yeah?'

'Of course,' you smiled and brushed your fingers gently through his short, messy hair. Something you had done several times the night before already, and you just couldn't get enough of the feeling.

'Okay, good,' he smiled and pecked your lips, 'gonna miss you, doll. If I have some spare time in the next few days I'll stop by, but I can't promise anything, love.'

'I know,' you shrugged lightly and moved your hand down to his broad shoulder, 'it's okay. I'll just miss you for a few days,' you chuckled.

'Mhm,' Sihtric hummed again, smiling, and he pushed a strand of hair behind your ear, 'these training days are time consuming, I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'll make it up this weekend, okay?'

You nodded shyly, smiling.

'Okay,' he smiled, 'come here,' he pulled you closer and gave you a few quick kisses on your lips, 'text me, yeah? Day or night, I don't care.'

'I will,' you promised, stealing another kiss before you got out of his car, 'see you soon.'

'See you soon,' Sihtric smiled sweetly and enjoyed the sight of your ass in those jeans before you closed the car door behind you.

You walked up to your porch, and before you could open your front door, you heard Sihtric's car door open, and he jogged up to you as you turned around with a frown.

'Doll,' Sihtric chuckled lightly, 'hold up,' he said and pulled you close again, 'give me a few more seconds.'

Sihtric wrapped his arms around you, holding you tightly in his strong arms, pressed against his broad chest, swaying you gently.

'Sihtric?' you giggled, feeling all shy again, and knowing he really had to go to work.

'Yeah, okay, sorry,' he smiled and stepped back, taking your face in his hands to give you a few more soft kisses, 'see you soon, lady. And give Meow Meow a pet on the head for me when he comes home again.' 

Sihtric kissed your cheek once more and reluctantly let go of your hands as he walked away, and he winked with a sweet smile before he got back in his car. And when you finally got inside your house, you squealed loudly as soon as you had closed the door behind you.

You had texted Sihtric goodluck earlier in the day, but he hadn't been able to reply until later that night, when you were already in bed.

You giggled and buried your face in your pillow for a moment. When you looked at your phone again, you saw your last message wasn't delivered yet, and you knew it was because Sihtric had shitty connection over at the training centre, and he had to leave his phone in his locker. As you knew he wouldn't read anything anymore until he probably got home, you left him a voice message, as he said he wanted to hear your voice.

Sihtric: shit, sorry for the late reply. Honestly already counting down the days until the weekend x

Sihtric: missing you doll xxx

You: aw, babe :( me too

You: I miss you too xxx

You: want to call now???

Sihtric: I wish I could baby

Sihtric: but I'm still at the training centre

You: still? It's almost midnight?

Sihtric: told you these things are no joke love

Sihtric: sorry, pretty lady, really want to hear your voice but it's so loud and chaotic here, and I only got a short break…

You: I understand, it's okay

You: what time are you done?

Sihtric: not sure, probably in an hour or so

You: you want to call then?

Sihtric: cutie

Sihtric: you're too sweet, and I'd love to hear your voice before I go to sleep, but it's already late. You should really be asleep by the time I get home. Don't stay up for me x

You: don't tell me what to do ;)

Sihtric: I wouldn't dare 

Sihtric: ;)

Sihtric: how's Meow Meow?

You: he's fine! He's home again and seems to be doing well :) 

Sihtric: happy to hear love

You: what time do you start again tomorrow?

Sihtric: I have to leave the house at 6 in the morning :(

You: will you even get enough sleep? :( 

Sihtric: probably not, but that's what they want, so they can see how we perform with little sleep etc it'll be okay :) 

Sihtric: hey I gotta go cutie, last test before I can go home starts in a few minutes

You: oh :( good luck, be safe please

Sihtric: always sweetheart

Sihtric: good night, sweet dreams doll

Sihtric: miss you

You: thank you, handsome :)

Sihtric: can't wait to hold you in my arms again

Sihtric: and kiss you all over

Sihtric: miss you baby

Sihtric: xxxx

You: miss you too :( 

'Hey, Sihtric,' you giggled lightly, 'just sending a voice message to wish you good night and sweet dreams for when you get home. I miss you too, and I can't wait to see you in a few days. So, uhh,' you laughed softly, 'talk to you soon, I hope. Miss you… can't stop thinking about you.'

'What are you all blushing for?' Uhtred taunted Sihtric as he closed his locker.

'Oh,' Finan laughed, 'I think he got himself a girlfriend.'

'Shut up,' Sihtric blushed even heavier, 'it's not really official yet…'

'What does that even mean?' Ragnar laughed, 'not really official?'

'It means they probably fucked,' Finan grinned, 'but he hasn't asked her to be his girlfriend yet.'

The men all laughed as Sihtric hid his face and groaned.

'Yeah, but… I did kind of ask her, she just, I don't know, she wants to see if she can handle my job, you know…'

'Who?' Sigtryggr grinned, 'the girl with the cat?'

'Yeah,' Sihtric smiled at the thought of you, 'she's… I, we-' he stammered and then just chuckled, feeling his cheeks heat up again.

'Ah, look at him,' Uhtred taunted, rubbing his hand through Sihtric's hair, 'he's in love!'

All men broke out in laughter and taunted Sihtric for a moment longer.

'She likes you, don't worry,' Ragnar said, 'if she's still up texting you at this hour, she's into you.'

'Aye,' Finan agreed, 'and she seemed okay the other day, before I left, after the fire.'

'I want to bring her this weekend,' Sihtric confessed, 'to our dinner.'

'You should,' Sigtryggr said, 'she can meet our ladies, maybe befriend them. They helped each other a lot when each of us started dating. It's not easy for them to be with us.'

The other men all agreed, telling Sihtric he should definitely bring you. They kept teasing him, but deep down they were all delighted that it seemed like he found someone right for him, as he was the only one of their crew who was still single. And the men wouldn't admit it, but they never understood how Sihtric couldn't find a lady, as he was good looking and caring. He had just been unfortunate in love.

When Sihtric got home, he was exhausted and missed you terribly, and when he listened to your voice message, after he had gotten in bed, he thought his heart would explode with love and his skin would tear open, releasing millions of butterflies as the feeling was driving him crazy. And he sent you a voice message back.

'You don't know how good it is to hear you, love,' his voice was a little raspy, 'you make me so happy. Really miss you.'

You had woken up early the next day, and you almost passed out in bed when you heard Sihtric's voice message, and you couldn't wait to see his reaction when you texted him.

Sihtric ran to his front door and thought his legs would give out underneath him when he saw you. He couldn't bring out a word, instead, he picked you up and spun you around before he cupped your cheeks and kissed your lips.

You: hey, are you up? x

Sihtric: I am, gotta leave soon, already late so I'll be grabbing some coffee on the way x

Sihtric: but shit, what are you doing up at this hour doll?

You: I'm at your door…

Sihtric: WHAT

'Careful!' you laughed.

'What on earth…' Sihtric smiled, bewildered, raking his tattooed fingers through his short, messy bed hair as he looked at you.

'I got you coffee,' you smiled shyly, holding up a thermos flask to him.

'Doll,' Sihtric sighed and grabbed his chest, 'I… I-,' he stammered, 'I don't even know what to say.'

'You don't have to say anything,' you shrugged.

'Come here,' Sihtric smiled and snuck his arms around your waist, 'thank you, lady,' he said and pecked your lips several times, 'so good to see you.'

'And you,' you smiled, pushing yourself up to your tiptoes to kiss him again as you held onto his toned biceps.

Sihtric hummed softly and buried his face in your neck, almost squeezing the air out of your lungs.

'You're gonna make me late,' he chuckled and kissed your cheek.

'No,' you laughed, 'because I am going home again now.'

'Few more minutes?' Sihtric asked. His puppy dog eyes worked wonders, and he grinned when he pulled you against his chest again as you couldn't say no.

You enjoyed the sound of his slightly quickened heartbeat, as your ear was pressed against his chest, and you smiled at the pleasant scent of the handsome firefighter.

'Okay,' you fought his embrace after a moment, 'we should both go, I don't want you to be late because of me.'

'I know,' he smiled, 'thank you, doll, really.'

Sihtric stole a few more kisses before you both walked over to your car, and before you could get in yours, he ran over again for another kiss.

The days seemed to go by incredibly slowly. You and Sihtric texted as much as you could, but it wasn't easy as he was home late each day and had to get up early each morning. Because you had a few meetings scheduled, you also couldn't bring him any coffee anymore in the mornings. But you both survived the seemingly long days, and the weekend was finally here. You had to admit you were very nervous to see Sihtric again, and to meet his friends.

You groaned as you looked at your clothes. But Sihtric was right, you just had to be yourself. So you dressed in comfy jeans and your favourite shirt. You just finished brushing your teeth when your doorbell rang, and you ran to the door. You waited a moment before you opened it, and you took a deep breath, trying to control your nerves. And when you finally opened the door, you were greeted by a big bouquet of flowers, and Sihtric's grin.

You: what do I wear????

Sihtric: whatever you're comfortable in, love

Sihtric: it's just a bbq, don't stress x

You: what are you wearing? x

Sihtric: black jeans and a black sleeveless shirt x

Sihtric: no one cares what you're wearing, trust me

Sihtric: just be you, doll, that's all I want :)

Sihtric: I'm about to get in my car. See you soon xxxx

'Love,' he smiled, pulling you in with his free hand, and he kissed your lips, 'hey, baby,' he whispered and nuzzled your nose softly.

'Hey,' you giggled, feeling all flushed already.

'I got you flowers,' Sihtric said with a shy smile, and he handed you an insane amount of flowers.

'Oh, god,' you chuckled, 'thank you, babe, you really didn't have to,' you said and kissed his cheek, 'let me put them in some water before we go.'

You beckoned Sihtric to step inside as you walked to your kitchen, and Sihtric grinned at the fond memory of that kitchen table when he saw it. He watched you take quick care of the flowers and he didn't know if he wanted to break out in a nervous laughter or simply burst into tears, because his feelings for you overwhelmed him.

'You look pretty,' he said eventually.

'Oh,' you smiled and hid your face behind the flowers as you placed the vase on the table, 'thank you.' 

You peeked out over the flowers, taking in his appearance as he was petting Mister Meow Meow, who seemed happy to see his rescuer again, purring as Sihtric held him in his arms.

And the entire sight melted you, making your knees weak. Sihtric looked so good in his skinny jeans with his black boots, and the loose sleeveless shirt, his outfit showed off his arms, legs and ass at the same time. He wore a black leather wristband, which you later saw had runes pressed into them, and he wore a Mjölnir pendant around his neck. He had trimmed his facial hair to a wellkept goatee, and the sides of his head were freshly shaved, but his dark hair was still messy, which you loved. You also noticed he was wearing two silver earrings in one earlobe, which was new to you, and you thought it looked really sexy, as did the hint of eyeliner. And you realised that this is what he looks like when he's not working or on stand-by. And you once again couldn't believe you were dating this guy.

'You look really handsome yourself,' you said from behind the flowers.

'Thanks,' Sihtric laughed, and he put Mister Meow Meow back on his feet again when you grabbed your bag.

'Ready?' you smiled and walked to the door.

'Almost,' Sihtric smiled as he took your hand, and pulled you closer, 'I'm in desperate need of some serious kisses first.'

And about half an hour later you and Sihtric quickly got dressed again. His desperate need for some kisses had quickly led into some seriously hot sex, which had been so loud that Mister Meow Meow had run outside of your house, and was probably traumatised.

Sihtric's hair was already messy before, so he was fast to get ready again to leave for the bbq. But you needed a moment to fix up your hair properly, and Sihtric said he would wait in his car.

'Almost there,' Sihtric said and squeezed your knee as he kept his eyes on the road, behind his black shades.

'Shit,' you suddenly said, feeling nervous again and you squeezed his hand, 'should I have brought something? Like a salad or… or some drinks?'

'No, doll,' Sihtric chuckled, 'everything is taken care of, don't worry.'

'But I feel so rude,' you sighed, 'I don't want to be the new girl who just comes over to hoard free food.' 

'Well,' Sihtric laughed, 'if it makes you feel any better, I'm definitely there to hoard free food.'

You looked at Sihtric and couldn't help but laugh, feeling your nerves disappear slowly, and your cheeks hurt from smiling when Sihtric pulled up at his friend's house.

'Hey, uh, look,' Sihtric said before you got out of the car, 'I, eh, I- I know I already said I'm like… affectionate and all that,' he blushed a little, 'but, eh, but I also… you know, eh, I… I- I'm also like that when I'm in public,' he gave you a cute, worried look, 'I know not everyone likes their boyfriend doing that, so I… I-'

'Just be you, Sihtric. I always had shitty boyfriends who never showed any affection. It would be nice to finally, you know… know what it's like when someone does,' you smiled shyly and looked down at your feet.

'Thank you,' Sihtric said softly and he held your hand, 'my previous girlfriends also didn't show much affection, public or private,' he smiled weakly, 'while it's… I guess it's my love language. And I know I can be a little much,' he sighed, 'so, also don't be afraid to tell me when it becomes too much for you, okay? Because I do get it.'

'I think it's usually other people who have issues with it,' you shrugged.

'My friends have no issues with it,' Sihtric smiled, 'they've known me for almost my whole life really, they know how I am. They don't judge anyone, and they're not hiding their affection for their partners either,' he said, 'but I know I am the one who has no limit,' he chuckled, 'so, you know,' he took your chin gently between his fingers and leaned in, 'you gotta keep me in check sometimes,' he winked and gave you a soft kiss.

And as always, the hot firefighter set your body ablaze with his soft hums each time he kissed you.

'Okay,' you smiled and bit down on your lip, 'but… does this mean you're… my boyfriend now?'

'I sure hope so, doll,' Sihtric said softly as his mismatched eyes darted over your face, and he smiled sweetly, 'if you want me to be your man, that is.'

'Yeah,' you felt yourself blushing, 'I want you to be mine,' you smiled, once again incredibly shy upon his piercing gaze.

'Then I'm yours, lady,' Sihtric said, 'all yours.' 

'And I'm yours,' you whispered, and a soft, nervous giggle escaped your lips, which Sihtric thought was absolutely adorable, and he bit down on his lip as he kept his big eyes on you.

'You're my girl,' he said with a cheeky smile, 'all mine.'

'There they are!' Ragnar yelled from behind a smoking BBQ, and he threw his hands up, holding a beer and a spatula.

'Sihtric and his girlfriend!' Uhtred belted out when he saw you both walk into Ragnar's backyard.

You were surprised by their excitement, and laughed. Sihtric shook his head with a smile as he held you close, his arm around your neck.

'Sihtric and his not official girlfriend!' Finan taunted, to which the men all laughed.

'No!' Sihtric said and stopped walking, holding up his finger to silence everyone, and he grinned, 'she's officially my lady as of today.'

Everyone broke out in loud cheers and raised their bottles, cans and glasses, and you already felt welcomed. You also couldn't believe your luck when you saw a cute dog run around the backyard, which was apparently Uhtred's.

'Have a seat,' one of the women said as she walked over to you and took your hand, pulling you away from Sihtric, 'my name is Thyra,' she smiled sweetly.

You looked back at Sihtric who winked at you before he went to grab you both a drink.

'We heard so much about you,' Thyra said, her voice was pleasant.

Her whole energy was pleasant, actually. Calm and soft.

'Oh, god,' you grimaced as you sat down, 'you heard about me?'

'Yes,' Thyra smiled, 'Sihtric told the guys all about you, and they obviously told us,' she looked at the other women who all giggled.

'Well I sure hope he didn't tell you everything,' you chuckled, not lying.

'Don't worry,' Sihtric said as he sat down next to you with a grin, handing you a drink, 'I didn't tell them about that striptease.'

You almost choked as you took a sip of your drink and you felt your face heat up, while Sihtric casually sipped his beer and wrapped his arm around your neck again. The ladies laughed, which made you wonder if they had all experienced a striptease from their own firefighter.

'Okay, so,' Sihtric said as all the men joined the table, 'that's Ingrith, who is married to Finan, but you already know him.' 

'Yep,' you smiled and waved.

'That is Uhtred,' Sihtric continued, introducing his friends, 'who is married to Gisela. Ragnar is married to Brida, Sigtryggr is dating Stiorra, and Thyra here is married to Beocca.'

'I will try my best to remember all your names,' you said, to which they all laughed.

'Beocca is retired, by the way,' Finan said, 'in case you wondered why there's one old bastard in the group here.'

'Damn you,' Beocca muttered and rolled his eyes.

You couldn't help but laugh at their banter, as did everyone else, even when you desperately tried to hide your amusement, and Sihtric fell even more in love with you at that moment.

Uhtred, Beocca and Sigtryggr made their way over to the BBQ, after asking what everyone wanted to eat, and they took care of it. Meanwhile, everyone left at the table was desperate to learn more about you. So you answered their burning questions, while Sihtric just stared at you, completely in love, and he occasionally moved his arm down to hold your waist, only to move it up again and hold you close as his arm was wrapped around your shoulder, and eventually it was around your neck again.

'Be back in a moment, okay, doll?' Sihtric said after a while, and kissed your cheek.

'Where are you going?' you asked as he got up.

Sihtric made an apologising face and showed you his pack of cigarettes, then went to join the men around the BBQ. From your seat, you had a clear view of him, and you didn't even notice you were staring at him as he smoked while joking around with some of the guys. But the women all saw your gaze, and it made them smile.

'You really like him, don't you?' Gisela asked.

'What?' you asked, being pulled back into the conversation again, 'oh, uh… y-yeah,' you chuckled shyly and cleared your throat.

'Don't feel ashamed,' Ingrith said, noticing you felt embarrassed they caught you staring, 'we're happy to see he finally found someone who looks at him the way you do.'

The women quickly agreed and Brida said, 'Sihtric's been very unfortunate with love. He's a sweet guy, probably the sweetest of them all.'

'Hey,' Ragnar huffed and raised an eyebrow, then broke out in a smile, 'no, she's right,' he said, 'Sihtric is a good guy. Has a lot of love to give, and so far no one has been able to handle him.'

'He's very loyal,' Stiorra said.

'Very affectionate,' Thyra smiled.

'Passionate,' Ingrith added.

'Insane sex drive too,' Ragnar said and burped.

Finan broke out in a laugh and slapped Ragnar's shoulder, 'aye, that is true,' he laughed.

You felt your face heat up again but you also had to laugh along with the entire table, and the men over at the BBQ turned their heads and wondered what was so funny at the table. Sihtric met your eyes and he gave you a sly smile and a flirty wink.

'Y-yeah,' you chuckled, 'I, eh, figured,' you said as Sihtric made his way back to you, and he quickly ate a few mints to hide the smell of cigarettes before he pulled you close again.

'Hey,' he smiled when you looked into his eyes.

'Hey,' you smiled.

'Having fun?'

'Yeah, everyone's really nice,' you said.

'Good,' Sihtric smiled and pecked your lips, 'you're pretty,' he said, randomly.

Before you could become shy again, the other men brought over plates with the grilled food, and you all attacked your dinner at the same time. You enjoyed the banter between everyone, as no one was safe from it. Even you became a target when Sihtric mentioned the name of your cat. But you were quick to snap back and told everyone that at least your cat wasn't named Dog. And that was also the exact moment when Sihtric's friends, or better said, his family, just accepted you completely. And as everyone started to have their own small conversations, you got a little too eager with the egg salad on your slice of bread, and spilled it down your chin as you took a bite.

'Crap,' you chuckled while looking for a napkin, but Sihtric was quick to wipe your chin with his thumb, which he cleaned by sticking it in his mouth.

'Thanks,' you mumbled.

'Honey, you still got some...' Sihtric smiled, 'wait, come here, I smudged it a little, sorry,' he said and held your chin as he brought his face closer to yours. 

Sihtric nuzzled your nose softly with a light chuckle, and then slowly dragged his tongue over your chin, up to your lower lip, and he gave you a soft kiss. You giggled softly, and you gasped when he suddenly said, 'I wouldn't mind eating some more of you, lady,' and winked.

Sihtric pulled away and returned to his food, while you were quick to hide your flushed, smiling face behind a napkin.

'You want to try this?' Sihtric asked after a moment.

'What is it?'

'I don't even know,' Sihtric shrugged, 'but it's good. Here,' he turned to you, politely taking your chin again as he gently fed you a small bite of whatever it was he had on his plate.

'Hm,' you hummed, a little unsure as you chewed, 'what's this?' you asked everyone else at the table, pointing at Sihtric's plate.

'Ahh,' Finan said as he inspected the meat, 'oh, that's rabbit!'

'Oh,' you said and grimaced, and you heard Sihtric drop his fork on his plate.

'Oh, no,' Gisela said, trying to hide a laugh, 'who gave Sihtric rabbit?' 

No one answered, but you saw Uhtred was very quick to down his drink while everyone else just shrugged. You turned to Sihtric, who sat with his head in his hands.

'Babe?' you asked, concerned, and you took his hands, 'what's wrong?'

Sihtric sighed and pouted as he looked at his plate.

'One time,' Sihtric started and exhaled loudly.

'Oh, here we go,' Finan said, amused, and he sat back. 

And you saw how everyone else at the table had to hide their smiles.

'One time,' Sihtric said again, 'there was a fire at a petting zoo. And we… we saved all the animals. Or so, we thought. But when we were done, I saw we had missed one… one…'

'Rabbit?' you guessed.

'Yeah,' Sihtic groaned and hid his face again.

'Oh, no,' you said.

'You're not telling her the best part,' Uhtred grinned, and everyone chuckled.

Sihtric sighed and looked at you, '...and I cried for an hour,' he confessed with a light chuckle, as the table erupted in loud laughter.

'Oh my god,' you snorted, 'I- I'm sorry?' you laughed and wrapped your arms around his neck.

'It's been five years,' Sihtric chuckled, 'and I still feel bad about it. I'm really not much of a macho, huh?'

'Well,' you kissed his cheek, 'I still think you're hot.'

When you were all done eating, and everyone was kind of minding their own business, you got up to play with Uhtred's dog. Sihtric stared at you, completely smitten, as he sat back in his chair. He watched you until he finished his drink and then walked up to you, just as you took a picture of the dog.

'Taking sneaky pictures of the dog?' Sihtric said as he kneeled down next to the golden retriever, giving the dog a hug.

'Maybe,' you smiled.

'Yeah, I get it,' he said and looked the dog in the eyes, 'you're way cuter than me,' he said to the dog, who started to wag his tail.

'The picture would be cuter if you'd be on it, with the dog,' you said.

'I'll do you one better,' Sihtric smiled as he got up, and he took your phone, 'come here,' he said and wrapped his arm around your neck again as he pulled you in for a selfie.

He snapped a bunch of pictures. Some of you both smiling, one where Sihtric winked with a sexy grin, a few where he kissed your cheek and a few when he kissed your lips. And you usually hated yourself in photos, but you had to admit these were all cute as Sihtric swiped through them to see how they turned out. Then he opened your texting app and texted himself all the photos, so he had them too. And you saw how he was quick to change his wallpaper and lockscreen to one of the photos, and you did the same.

As the evening progressed, the men became more cocky and loud. And even Sihtric, who was all cutesy and sweet with you, couldn't help becoming a bit of an alpha male when a push up contest was brought to life by Ragnar.

'Is this… normal?' you laughed as you watched all the men line up as they bickered.

'Ragnar loves games,' Brida said, 'this always happens at some point, yes.'

All the women laughed, but had to admit they enjoyed the little contest. Beocca refused to join and as Ragnar played referee, he also just watched. Uhtred was the first to tap out, saying he ate too much, to which all the other men gave him shit. Then Finan gave up, after about 50 push-ups, which was impressive regardless. And then it came down to Sihtric and Sigtryggr, who both seemed to be in the same, good shape, and neither showed any sign of struggle as they reached 100 push-ups.

'Sihtric is absolutely showing off now,' Gisela chuckled and nudged your elbow.

You and Stiorra enjoyed the sight of your own man showing his strength, but Ragnar became impatient as they simply wouldn't give up, and he decided to sit down on both their backs, after which they collapsed with a heavy groan and hard laughter as Ragnar tumbled off them. Then some playful bickering started between Sigtryggr and Sihtric, arguing who would have won, and before you knew it they ended up in a wrestling match.

All men gathered around them and started to hype them up, except for Beocca, and some even placed bets on who would win. And you truly felt like one of the women when you all sighed and shook your head at their boyish behaviour. But like every other lady there, you also loved seeing your firefighter all relaxed and playful. And as their man-fight continued, you ended up talking about their job with the others.

'You don't need to worry about Sihtric,' Brida said.

'He is very careful,' Beocca confirmed, 'I've worked with him for several years, he really doesn't take unnecessary risks and has a good eye to estimate the situation and any danger.'

'And he has a great team around him. They all look out for each other,' Gisela smiled.

'I know their job is scary,' Stiorra said, 'I only started dating Sigtryggr last year, and I was terrified,' she said, 'and that's normal. But you also have to learn to trust your man, know that this is his job, and that he's good at it, or else he wouldn't be doing it.'

'At the end of the day,' Thyra said, 'you need to understand that all Sihtric wants is to come back home to you. He's not playing around with fire or anything. In fact, they rarely get hurt or seriously injured.'

'And if they get hurt it's usually because of shit like that,' Brida laughed and cocked her head towards the ongoing wrestling match, which now seemed unfair as Sihtric and Sigtryggr had ganged up on Ragnar.

'I understand,' you smiled, 'thank you, really,' you said, 'for everything. For being so kind and welcoming, and for reassuring me.'

'I've never seen Sihtric this happy,' Beocca said, 'and I saw that boy grow up basically. You two seem to be a good match. And it will not always be easy, there will be many times when you will be worried about him, but you can't let that ruin your relationship.'

You agreed and said you understood, and they all told you that if you ever needed someone to talk about it, they were just one call away, and you were already added in their group chat.

As it was already dark by now, and getting late, the men decided that they should probably end their neverending bickering and had to show some love to their partners. And each couple slowly moved away from each other in the large backyard, just enjoying some "alone time" after barely having seen each other because of the training week.

'Guess I've been approved,' you smiled as Sihtric pulled you in his lap.

'I didn't expect anything else, love,' he smiled, and you noticed his cheek was a little bruised.

'Honey,' you chuckled, 'you should play a little less rough,' you said as you gently touched his bruise, which Sihtric felt and he hissed lightly.

'Yeah, maybe,' he shrugged with a grin, 'but I won't play less rough with you tonight,' he smiled and pulled your lips to his for a soft kiss.

Sihtric pulled back and looked at you, with soft eyes and a sweet smile, before he chuckled lightly, 'hm,' he hummed and nuzzled your nose, 'you're so pretty,' he pecked you lips, 'and cute, and sexy,' he sighed.

You giggled shyly again and wrapped your arms around his neck.

'And you're so damn cute when you get all shy around me,' Sihtric said as he leaned back again for a moment, 'come here, give me some love, doll,' he smiled and kissed your lips again, humming softly.

Sihtric slowly moved one hand up in your hair and his other settled on your neck, and he deepened the kiss when he felt your hands on his cheeks. He moaned softly as he felt your tongue in his mouth and his grip on you tightened slightly. And you made out on that chair, in Ragnar's backyard, as if no one else was around.

'Fuck,' Sihtric sighed after a while, and leaned his forehead against yours, 'I think I'm in love.'

'Me too,' you smiled.

After endless kisses, you and Sihtric finally decided to go home, as it was almost midnight. You agreed to sleep over at Sihtric, but not after you had grabbed some clean clothes and fed Mister Meow Meow.

Once again, Sihtric kept his hand on your knee as he drove to your house, although you noticed he became a little more confident and cheeky, and his hand gradually slid higher up your thigh every few minutes.

You both joked a little and smiled as Sihtric was about to pull up to your driveway, but then you both heard a thump beneath the car and Sihtric immediately hit the brakes.

'What was that?' Sihtric grimaced as he took off his seatbelt.

Your stomach turned and you somehow already knew what had happened before Sihtric even got out of the car.

'Oh, no,' Sihtric said with wide eyes, his hands in his hair as he looked down at the ground in silence.

You opened the car door and stepped out, but Sihtric was quick to run towards you.

'No, no,' he said, teary eyed and with a tremble in his voice, 'love, y-you don't want to see-'

'No! Meow Meow!' you cried as Sihtric wrapped you in his arms, and he held you tight against his chest.

'I'm… I'm so sorry, baby.'

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[agreyraincloudd]

Hii, for the TLK prompts could I please have 11 and 8 with Sihtric please

thank you for the requestttt enjoy!

Sihtric x Reader

Prompt 11. "I won't let anything bad happen to you"

You and Sihtric were…indifferent to each other. 

You found him obnoxious and cocky and he had on many occasions told you just how much you annoy him with your facts and critiques. And yet you made a perfect team. Much to both your dismay. So when Uhtred suggested you and Sihtric sneak into Eoferwic first following the siege of Brida, you tried not to sign too loud. Sigtryggr explained the underground tunnels leaning deep into the city and as you and Sihtric stood shoulder to shoulder you held the Pagan charm around your neck - praying for safety as the number of men you’d have to avoid were recounted. 

Night had fallen when you finally made your way over to the tunnel entrance to the city. 

“Is this a sewage way?” You were already standing knee deep in the water as you looked up at Uhtred and Sigtryggr. The latter nodded as the former laughed. 

“It is” 

You said your farewells to the men as you turned and shoved Sihtric through first. He stumbled slightly before shooting you a glare over his shoulder, the two of you stepping into the dark. 

“What’s the plan then pretty boy?” His second evil glare of the day made you smile. 

“Get in, locate Stiorra, make an accurate account of Brida’s men and get out”

“Unseen, unheard”

“Exactly”

The water had risen to your hips and a drop in the unlevel ground had you trip over yourself, falling against Sihtric. He grunted as you landed against him and sloshed the murky water up his back. His arms had caught himself against both sides of the small tunnel when you fell, stopping you until you readjusted your footing. 

“Are you done?” His voice was snappy and mean. 

He was more tense than usual. 

“What’s wrong with you today? You usually thrive in these circumstances”

“I’m walking through shit water with only you for company. This isn’t exactly how I thought I’d be spending my night” 

“Sihtric Kjartansson” He turned fully to face you, the water just above your waist. “Are you scared?”

He looked at you deadpan, holding his ax close to his chest before he turned back and continued on. 

“Aw little dane do not fret”

“Y/N” He warned. 

He whipped around and took a step toward you when a voice sounded overhead. Somewhere along the way you had entered the city walls and were standing under a drain, a man yelling commands at someone from above. You shoved Sihtric against the wall with your hand over his mouth, hoping the ripple of the water wasn’t too loud as you moved. With one hand covering his lips, you pointed up as his brows furrowed in confusion, his hand enveloping your wrist and head nodding in understanding when he realized what you pointed at. 

"I won't let anything bad happen to you"

When the man above the drain seemed to move on, Sihtric leaned into your neck, whispering by your ear. 

“Stop goading me” He pushed your hand back down to your side as he carried on walking. You decided to pin the way your body tingled to the frozen water around you. 

Following your silence you finally made it to the drain grate you needed. Working with Sihtric, while your attitudes towards each other made small talk difficult, came easy to you. In silent motions, you fell into action with him. His hands held your waist as he lifted you toward the opening above you. You were used to the way he made you feel by now but it never made the way his touch sends waves through you any less obvious. You’d been at war with yourself for months before a drunken conversation with poor Osferth had you confessing your attraction toward the dane man - you only hoped the planned ignorance to said feelings would be enough to stop them from turning into something more than physical. 

With a huff of struggle you managed to lift the grate and pull yourself up, scanning the small alleyway before turning and offering your hand down to him as he did the same. 

You knew the routine of spying by now, you left each other swiftly and parted to find your way to higher ground while he found Sigtrigga’s people and wife. You were by no means the vision of a soft saxon woman but didn’t look dane enough to stand beside Brida’s men unnoticed so you crept around with your bow drawn. 

Under the cover of night, you managed to slip through the streets and crawl upon a tall house to look down on the crowd in the centre. There Brida stood, savage and blood thirsty as she tortured Christan men and called out for Stiorra. You counted how many danes walked in and out of sight and noted the barricades they’d crafted around the main gate. You went to move on when a hand grasped your ankle and dragged you down. You gasped when the familiar eyes of Sihtric found yours. He pulled you down in one great yank from the thatched roof, his body over yours as he shushed you. Silently, he rolled off and pointed toward where two men were making their way around the edge of the city, their eyeline directly falling where you had previously sat should they look that way. A nod from yourself thanked the man and you went to signal when something caught your eye. From across the rooftops, the slight disturbance of movement from a drain behind Brida’s execution ring made you freeze. 

Stirorra. 

You pointed her out to Sihtric who looked equally as relieved to see her alive, albeit hiding in the tunnels. 

“Come on” You slid off the rooftop with Sihtric just behind you. He was close and you presumed he’d follow until he pulled you back and into a shadow. 

“You can’t just walk over there”

“I can-” You pulled your arm out of his grasp. “-and I will”

“Don’t be foolish, we have no idea how to get to her” He had to lower his voice as he got a little heated. The presence of both of you so deep behind enemy walls putting the two of you on edge.

“We’re scouts. We will find a way”

“Y/N” 

He went to argue again when you turned back to him, closer this time, more riled up.

“She is Uhtred’s daughter and my friend. I will not leave here knowing she’s trapped”

He took a step toward you, one too big not to make your breath stop as he was inches from you. You were both breathing heavily as he calculated his words. 

“I will not risk your safety for others”

“It’s what we do”

You barely felt the brief touch of his fingers against yours. A hesitation on his part as he tried to contain himself. 

“I would allow it for anyone else but you”

“Do not make this about me”

Somewhere along on the way you’d gotten closer to each other, the darkness offering a blanket of testing as you pushed further than you’d usually allow - his breath against your cheek as he begged. 

“It’s not that easy to stop thinking about you when you’re right here” 

“Sihtric”

“We need to go. We can tell Uhtred what we saw and at first light they’ll come for her. We know she’s safe” 

“I would do the same if it was you down there and you’d do it for me”

He stopped. 

“Wouldn’t you?”

He hesitated before agreeing. 

You carried on pleaing “If we figure out how to get down to her-”

“We can’t take everyone alone and more than two of us will be a challenge to the gods to get caught” He whispered. You went to respond when his hand cupped your cheek suddenly as he lent his forehead on yours. 

“Stop fighting me on this”

You did - allowing yourself to savor the moment. 

“Okay”

You pulled away from each other. Your blood ran thicker as the adrenaline had you on edge while you made your way back to the tunnels - Sihtric close behind. 

The cold water was a somewhat welcome shock as you lowered yourself in.

“We’ll get her back Y/N” 

He misstuck your contemplation for worry after too long letting the sound of the water flowing around you fill the silence. 

“Do you want to kiss me?”

You didn’t turn to face him as you led the way down the tunnels. 

“What?” Your question threw him off. 

“If I asked you to, would you?” 

He pushed past you and stopped you in your path, eyes worried as he looked you over. 

“Why are you asking?”

“You know why?”

He wet his lips with his tongue. 

“Would you like me to?”

“But you don’t like me” It was almost a question. 

You saw him swallow.

“We need to keep moving” You tried to pass him but he moved into your way. 

“Who told you that?”

“What? That you don’t like me?”

He laughed. This whole situation was laughable - waist deep in water under a captive city with the one man who made you feel so…bothered. 

“You hardly made offerings of friendship to me Y/N”

“You have teased me since the first day we met” 

You urged him to keep walking, talking to each other as you stared at his back. 

“You threatened to punch me”

“Only because of how rude you were”

He looked back at you. 

“I’m a dane”

You shoved him forward but he pulled you with him. 

“I will kiss you if it is what you want?” 

“Do you?” 

“Are you asking me if I want you?”

“Yes” You were frustrated and tired and didn’t understand the feeling of his lips on yours until he had pulled back. 

“What was that?” You almost shouted. 

“You wanted me to kiss you?”

“I asked if you would want to?”

“And I did”

“Why?” 

You had been playing this game with him for so long - the back and forth, the stares and the looks. It finally made you snap as the sudden burst of want wracked you. 

“Because I am in love with you” His smile faded. “Because I love you”

“Why do you act the way you do around me then?”

“Because you do. You act cold and mean and I only give you it back”

“I act that way because I don’t know how else to deal with how you make me feel” You were both quiet until you pushed on his chest. “Don’t smile like that” 

“How do I make you feel huh?” He was teasing. Even in the dim light you could see it. That smirk. 

“You piss me off”

He took a step toward you.

“Oh I do, do I?”

“Yes you do” You felt like stomping your foot had you not been standing in such deep water. 

“And is this you finally admitting you have feelings for me”

“If I admit such things can we get out of here”

“When we do, will you let me kiss you again?” 

You hesitated before pushing him with a smile toward the exit, mumbling a yes. 

You tried not to act so differently around him when you surfaced at the other end. But among all the telling, informing Uhtred about the number of men, of Stiorra, you noted the way Sigtryggr smiled to himself when he caught Sihtrics fingers brushing yours.

[lexyleblancc]

Prank wars -TLK headcanons

Summary: The men of coccham are growing restless in their downtime, so Finan comes up with the most brilliant idea; prank the baby monk. 

If you have any other suggestions for headcanons regarding the TLK men or the TLK men x reader then let me know!

- Finan and Sihtric are pretty ruthless when it comes to pranking Osferth 

- poor baby monk never sees them coming 

- coccham is quiet and the men can find themselves bored quickly most days 

- pranks vary from different extremes 

- banging pots and pans beside Osferth’s head while he’s sleeping, stealing his shoes or clothes when the warrior-monk is bathing, “forgetting” to tell Osferth that they are needed early for meeting with Uhtred 

- the pranks are almost always Finan’s idea, the man can’t sit still for longer than 2 minutes without getting antsy 

- sihtric is along for the ride, the pranks make him laugh and he’d rather be helping than be on the receiving end of finans boredom 

- osferth is typically a good sport about it, laughing with his friends after the initial shock of things. 

- however after one prank in particular leaves osferth a blushing mess attempting to hide himself behind some bushes after the two steal all of his clothes, several woman passing by while laughing, osferth goes to uhtred 

- the baby monk tattles on his friends 

- osferth comes clean about all the pranks his friends have pulled on him 

- it’s uhtred’s idea, much to gisela’s disappointment, that osferth and himself team up 

- thus the start of the coccham prank wars that will go down in history 

- the now dynamic duo go out of their way to prank finan and sihtric 10 times harder 

- finan wakes up with a baby goat in his bed 

- sihtric is greeted with a pile of horse shit on his front door, the man’s boots ruined after that one. 

- finan and sihtric retaliate just as bad 

- osferth woke up to find all his breaches gone, strung up in the streets of the little village 

- uhtred jumping back in shock when he knocks over a pile of sparing weapons, making the man deal with the cries of his children for hours until his wife finally comes to save him 

- gisela has to put an end to the prank war weeks after it started 

- the village in a state of chaos due to their four most reliable warriors running around like a group of headless chickens 

- the prank’s definitely died down for awhile 

- but on the road gisela isn’t there to scold them 

- and finan and sihtric are out for revenge

[anjelicawrites]

It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it?

Paring: modern!EMT!Osferth x nurse!reader Summary: During a snowstorm you realize it’s always the quiet ones you have to look out for. Warnings: NSFW and 18+ only. Cunnilingus. Dirty talking. Over the clothes handjob.

Of all the EMT crews that come to your A&E, there are two that hold a special place in your heart: Uhtred and Sihtric and Finan and Osferth. They work in couples and are in permanent night shifts, like the group of nurses you work with. They are probably the best paramedics you have worked with: fast, smart, they give a chef's kiss handover and are good looking. If you were one of their patients, you'd get a heart attack just by waking up and seeing their faces. On top of that, they feed your crew: after those night shifts where it feels like yours is the only A&E in the whole bloody county where they can bring patients, they either bring breakfast or treat your crew to one. Each and every colleague of yours has their personal favorite, yours is baby Osferth.

You developed a soft spot for him when he was still in training under Finan and Sihtric, who worked him hard and taught him everything they knew. It was in your A&E where Osferth had seen his first patient die and was distraught about it. You had found him hiding behind the ambulance, crying: he broke your heart. You had approached him making enough noises not to startle him and he had tried to hide his tears

“Don’t kid, it’s better to cry it out now than being upset for the rest of your shift”.

You had given him a couple of tissues and had et him put his head against your shoulder. He had cried like a child, with big sobs that rattled his whole body and you had hugged him, caressing his back to soothe him. Once he had calmed down, he didn’t have the courage to stare into your eyes

“I’m sorry” he had said, head hanging low “What for kid?” “I feel like I haven’t done enough”.

Legally he could’t really do much since he was still in training, but you had understood the feeling

“Sometimes you provide all the care possible and the person dies. It’s not your fault or your team’s, it just happens. People are not machines you put care and drugs in and they become better, sometimes they are just at the end of their tether and the best thing is to let them go”. “You make it seem so effortless” he had sounded so jaded you had wanted to hug him again “It’s not, but I’ve been in this game longer than you did. I can’t say I’ve gotten used to it, but I’ve learnt to compartmentalize the best I can. This doesn’t mean that sometimes I have to stop myself from crying in front of the patients and their families or that I am not going to have a cuppa now and smoke a cigarette. You'll learn what helps you, I promise".

Osferth has grown as a professional and while he still is the baby of the group, you can see how confident he has become and that adds on the hotness scale, putting him in first place.

It's a snowy day before Christmas when you finally manage to go for a cup of tea

"Now what the hell are you all doing in my kitchen?" You ask your two favorite EMT teams.

They are sprawled on the sofas, mugs in hand, chewing on food while outside the storm howls. They should be looking miserable since outside looks like Antarctica, but they are just owning the place

“There’s a snow bank, babygirl” Finan is the only one who can call you that without risking a scalpel in an eye “A what?” in you defense, you have been with a sickly patient for almost four hours and have just returned from accompanying him to the haemodynamics, you have no idea of what has been happening in the real world “Big snowbank at the end of the driveway, we are basically trapped here until the city sends someone to release us”.

Ah yes, some genius has the city council had thought smart to build the hospital at the end of a steep slope, in a part of the Country where winters are extremely cold and snowstorms are common. In the end an investigation had discovered that some bribes had been paid to place the building in that spot, too bad the hospital had already been completed and it wasn’t possible to build a new one. Fun, right? Even better is that an architect specialized in hotels was tasked to do the interior design and the spaces are all fucked up, just because it wouldn’t cost as much as another with years of experience under their belt.

“Sihtric, please tell me you are joking” you say as Hild enters, talking animated on the phone.

Sister Hild is your boss and is an actual nun. She is the most badass woman you have ever met and the best nurse you have ever walked with: she can be an angel with the patients and chew the head off management to protect her patients and her crew. She is the embodiment of the TikTok with the young doctor tries to diss the experienced nurse and everyone going “uuuh”. You want to be her when you grow up, minus the chastity wow, you love sex too damn much. Whomever she is talking to is probably shitting their pants right now and just by listening to her you know the guys are not joking. You go to the triage area to check on the waiting room and it’s absolutely empty; four hours ago it was full of people but you think that the danger of being stuck in the hospital for hours was bigger than whatever illness was ailing them. Once you are back to the kitchen you get the full story from Hild: the two ambulances are trapped here and the hospital is virtually unreachable until someone decides to clean the slope, too bad all snow plows are frantically trying to clean the streets

“Shouldn’t the hospital be a priority?” “That’s was I was trying to convey” she is fuming and you think the better strategy is to hide somewhere so that you wouldn’t incur in her wrath “Hild, you are too god a woman for this administration - Uhtred saunters to her with a big piece of nougat in his hand - eat and enjoy our company” “Will you ever change Uhtred?” “Nope” he grins, but Hild is already eating the confectionery “What are you doing here?” she asks you “Having a cuppa after seeing Mr. Richards off to the haemodynamics and then the ICU. I think I deserve it” “How is he?” “Well, on top of the pulmonary embolism, he might have a nasty fucking heart attack which our genius of a cardiologist might have recognised after four bloody hours. If the poor sod survives it’s going to be a fucking miracle. Merry fucking Christams to him and his family, I guess” “The swearing isn’t part of the standard handover” “But it adds flavor Hild” you say sprawling yourself on the last free couch, you are already tired and the shift it’s just started.

You feel your arm being touched and Osferth is there, a steamy cup in his big hands. You have no idea how, but he knows how you like your tea

“Thank you love” you smile and he reciprocates; he is so fucking cute you can feel your glucose levels getting higher.

Yes, he is stupidly good looking, but he made first place because of his kindness with patients and with you. Many times he had driven you home when your car didn’t work, he always made sure that you were sitting in the warmest place when having breakfast with them during winter, he brought you sweets when you were on triage duty and it was a bad night. You can probably name many more examples but the bottom line is: Osferth is a lovely, lovely young man with a big heart; that’s a huge win for you.

After a quick cup of tea you set on keeping abreast of the situation. You have no idea of which patients are still in the A&E and whether your colleagues need your help or not. You disappear for more than one hour, busy with reading the remaining patient’s charts and with checking the expiring dates of the equipment. By the time you are back, the guys are fidgeting in their seats, ready to hit the road again and you are stuck with the knowledge of how much of two separate species you are. They can’t wait to be out and about, even though it’s below freezing out there and you can’t fathom yourself working somewhere without walls: the mere thought of having to stabilize a patient in the middle of a street gives you a panic attack and the boys cannot fathom why you don’t like to be creative in your nursing. Your remaining crew joins you and the kitchen is so unbearably full you start itching yourself. You manage to get to Hild and ask her if there's anything you can do, otherwise you are going to hide somewhere until something happens, she tells you there's a big pharmacy delivery day shift didn't have the chance to put away. You jump at the chance to be alone in the big storage room; as much as you like your crew and the EMTs, there's too many people in the cramped room for your liking. You are halfway down the corridor when you hear footsteps approaching and you turn around to see Osferth trying to join you; he breaks into a half run which is super cute and you want to ruffle his hairs, the moment he gets to you

"Do you need a hand?" "Shouldn't you be chilling? The moment the snowbank is cleared, it is going to be hell out there".

He shrugs his shoulders

"I've sat still long enough. I need something to do or I'll drive myself crazy" "You truly are a different breed than us nurses" "You asked for work yourself" he says, the cheeky monkey "I didn't want to disappear on Hild but I hoped there was nothing to do left - he laughs with you - let's go love".

The pharmacy is actually a huge room full of shelving units and two big fridges. Osferth's eyes widen in surprise, which is the standard reaction of any single person who has never seen it. Two big plastic boxes sit in the middle of it and you snort in annoyance

"Ok so, there's no good news. Those boxes contain our stockpile for Christmas, obviously the drugs are going to be mixed up in there. Are you sure you don't want to run for the hills? I won't rat you out, I promise" you say with a smile and you see something pass very fast in his eyes, but it's probably just him dreading the work ahead and being too polite to back off now.

You take one box each and you direct him on where each type of medication is supposed to be stored. It is a job that should take no longer than an hour, considering the sheer amount of drugs, the chit chat between you two and Osferth's ignorance of the organization your unit uses. How you manage to find yourself in the most hidden corner, between a shelf and a fridge, with Osferth's head between your legs, it's beyond your scope of comprehension. He has unzipped his jacket and his face is buried in your pussy, his hands on your hips to guide your movements; your hands are buried in his short hairs and you are keening like a wounded animal just because his tongue feels like heaven buried inside of you and his nose moves just right against your clit, massaging it the way that is hurling you in the throes of a violent orgasm. You try to push his head away when it feels he is overwhelming you and he just snarls, a sound that makes you bang your head against the wall and he redoubles his efforts in making you come, plastering his face with more vigor against your pussy and just moving your hips in a way you know will make you come in no time. You hear desperate, moaning sounds and you realize it's you, coming all over his face, your legs turned into jelly as he licks you clean

"Where are you, baby monk?" You hear Finan's Irish accent in the distance and try to disentangle yourself from Osferth, who just finishes cleaning you with his tongue leisurely, as if  his partner is not getting closer to where you are hidden. When he finally stands up, he looks proud of himself, his face shining with your come. With infinite care he pushes your underwear and pants up your trembling legs and you use the proximity to snag his small cross to move his face closer to yours

"You didn't even kiss me" you pout "I'm sorry my lovely lady, I should rectify that mistake immediately".

Gods can the boy kiss, all tongue and teeth, pushing his lean body against yours, making you feel his hard on through the thick layers of his uniform pants. He makes your head spin again when he releases your lips, his tongue brushing against your palate with purpose, as if you don't already know how proficient he is with it. The magic is broken by Finan's voice getting closer, you both laugh and you clean Osferth's face with a tissue. Unfortunately there's little you can do with how red his cheeks are

"You're still hard" "Good, I'll be thinking about you for the rest of the shift. Not that I need an erection to do so" you can feel warmth expands everywhere in your body "Weren't you supposed to have almost made it into priesthood? That’s where your nickname comes from?" "Yeah, so?" "You fit the stereotype then. As soon as the clergy is away, you let go of all inhibitions".

Osferth plasters himself against your body again, caging you where you are

"Are you free for Christmas?" "We have the same shifts, I am free up the 27th night" "Good, I'll make sure to show you how much of a stereotype I can be" and he grounds his hips against yours, you moan.

Two can play this game, though and you palm his erection through the thick pants and squeeze delicately, he has to grab the shelving to keep his stance

"Want to come to my place, love?" You ask still massaging him through the thick material "Yeah" he is breathless and keeping it together by sheer force of will "How do you want me? Naked with a bow in my head? Or you'd rather like some skimpy outfit?"

He groans desperate pleadings but you are on a roll now and his hips are just following your hand's movements

"Will you let me eat a good Christmas dinner or will I be the one stuffed for three days?" Corny but it works, he comes in his own underwear with a  shout and needs a minute to gain his breath again.

He smashes his lips against yours and you are struck by the thought that the only reason Finan hasn't found you yet, is that the pharmacy is in a secluded area, but you might run out of luck. This doesn't stop you from kissing him, stating your claim on him, tasting yourself on his lips

"You are going to pay for this - his eyes burn so bright and blue you feel the heat on your skin - text me your address…" you don't let him finish "Promises, promises - you murmur against his lips - and what? Buy a full box of condoms? Don't promise what you can't deliver".

Why are you taunting him? Maybe because it's fun and the cute and compassionate baby EMT whom you have seen grow into a great professional, is far less of a cutie pie that you have previously thought and more of an unhinged sex god; in the end you have to look out for the quiet ones, that's very true.

"Buy two boxes" he says and then grabs your hand to guide you to the door, as if you don't know the way.

You find Finan and hope he doesn't realize anything, the guy has a sixth sense for these kinds of things. Luckily for you, the Irishman is way too stocked that the snowbank has been finally cleaned and he and Osferth can hit the road again.

On Christmas Eve you open your door wearing only a skimpy red outfit and a red bow on your head and Osferth is speechless, mouth hanging open and you can't help yourself to tell him he should close it or he'll get flies in there. That seems to wake him from his reverie; it's not even 10 a.m. and the two of you have already christened your sofa and the front door. Around 12 a.m. he has made you pay deliciously for having made him come in his pants. By 4 p.m. you start getting the memo that yes, you're going to be stuffed for three days straight and yes, he has the big cock you imagined him to have. You two don't finish the two big boxes of condom you have bought but that gives Osferth the assist to invite himself over the next days off you two share. He asks it while he is deep inside of you

"Pray tell, what makes you think I might want you here again?" "The way your pussy clenched the moment I proposed it" he says sassy and oozing male pride, he is so going to pay for this, you’ll make sure of that.

On the morning of the 27th, you kiss him on your doorstep, both of you are wearing more hickeys and bruises than when he had stepped through your door. He needs to go home and sleep, you need to sleep as well and the two of you know that you need to be separated to get that, otherwise you’ll fuck for the whole day and be too tired to work.

As you drive to the hospital you wonder if you haven’t made a mistake. If he doesn’t keep his mouth shut, everyone will know in no time what happened between the two of you and you don’t think you’ll ever be able to bear the jokes and the chit chat behind your back. A wave of anxiety drowns you and you have to stop on the side of the road to breathe and collect your wandering thoughts: you cannot control his actions, only your own and if he has pulled the asshole move, you are smart enough to know how to get your revenge.

In the end Osferth isn’t into kiss and tell, but makes sure a huge bouquet of red roses is waiting for you in the kitchen of the ward; his name is not on the small card but you know they are from him and you keep your mouth shut, even after a whole night of teasing from your colleagues. Obviously you invite him back to finish that box of condoms and to take your small revenge on him for his cockiness. No one is really surprised that Finan is your best man at your wedding.

[jacevelaryonswife]

After Dark | Prologue

“Of course we won’t go to a strip club,” Osferth replied. The result, well, it took only a small amount of persuasion and intelligence from the Irish to include his idea.

pairing: female stripper!reader x modern!osferth, finan and sihtric.

warnings: sensual and sexual themes, english is NOT my first language.

after dark | masterlist

A few days ago a bet was made and the result was not satisfactory for Osferth. His birthday was usually celebrated year after year in a modern, cozy and pleasant pub along with his faithful group of friends, however, to his despair and willful, the scenario had changed this time.

“I don't want to do that, I feel like a pervert,” he complained when they approached the entrance to the club, receiving a fun look and a wide smile from Finan, the creator of that. A blush took over his cheeks as he thought what was about to happen. It has become a common reaction whenever he thought about it since he lost in his own business.

“It only makes everything better,” the Irishman mocked, putting his arm over the shoulder of the youngest member of the gang. "We have to be open to new experiences."

The experience in question was Finan's suggestion about the initially innocent bet on football that Osferth started among the guys. Obviously the man with a thick accent would not miss the opportunity to take his naive friend seriously, suggesting, in case Osferth's favorite team missed that his birthday was spent in a different place, specifically in a strip club.

“Of course not,” the young man with dirty blonde hair had said at the time.

"Of course your team will lose or that you don't want to bet against me?" Finan provoked.

“Of course we won't go there's a strip club,” Osferth replied. The result, well, it only took small amount of persuasion and wit from the Irish to include his idea. It was a happy coincidence since only a few days he had discovered an adult entertainment house reasonably close to his work in the center. In a quick search on the internet, Finan saw that was a more than decent club (in fact it was almost exclusive) and had some dress codes and other shit. There was also a median fee to enter, an amount that would apparently be paid with the quality of the drinks and the ladies.

It was the perfect night option, but since Uhtred started going out with Æthelflæd he was not a companion for the occasion, which restricted only to his other two faithful friends.

"It's a little depressing to pay to have sex with a lady, but since we're here..." Sihtric said.

"Calm down, tiger, we're not talking about having sex with the ladies, just seeing them dancing," Finan replied, still keeping the cunning smile on the other two.

“I agree with Sihtric,” Osferth complained pouting.

"Of course you agree, if I hadn't seen you all shy with that girl from the library I would instruct you to follow a religious path, like a priest or monk," the Irishman acted again, seeing his friend's blush increase even more.

It was true that loving conquests were not Osferth's strength, much because of his more fervent Christian upbringing than other people. He still carried a lot of that in his adult personality, which generated a barrier when it came to moving things forward with women. It seemed wrong, it was wrong, a naturalized sin, but he wanted it so much. He wanted to feel the love and warmth of a girl, to feel the smell and feminine touch near her skin, even if it was an iniquity. He believed in the word, he believed in salvation, but he was a mere sinner like everyone else and increasingly adept at worldly seduction. Even if he shared Sihtric's feeling and his own morality was against what was about to happen, a small spark inside him was anxious to see what was behind that door.

“Hey dude, if you really don't want to do that I won't force you, I'm not a jackass,” Finan finally said, turning in front of him.

It was just a spark, would he surrender so easily to instinct? "I..." no, he couldn't... "I want to see. I don't know why, but I'm curious."

“I knew, there's a big Casanova under your monk's mantle,” he joked, pulling Osferth close again like a bear.

“Leave our baby monk alone, it's his day,” Sihtric chuckled, seeing them both pay and come in first.

A series of surprises already came as soon as they took the first step. It was less dark than the expected, not at all decadent in structure (as Finan had said), foci of neon lights were responsible for illuminating the environment and there were poledances on all sides, as well as a large and luxurious main stage with a dim orange light coming from the center. It was presumed that the main attraction happened there, so the three men sat in the front row (much because of Finan) In addition to these characteristics — Lord have mercy!

A half-naked blonde girl was on the next stage, removing her bra to a man in a suit who had given her a considerable pack of money.

"I didn't expect it to be like this," Osferth didn't measure the words before releasing them, then correcting them: "I didn't expect it to be so explicit, I thought the girls were wearing underwear."

“It's called a strip club for a reason,” Finan said when calling the waitress. "You're adorable, never change."

“They wear underwear for a part of the time,” Sihtric scored as he carefully watched the dancer's full breasts on the next stage, receiving a wink from her when she noticed the attention received from the Dane and the lack of attention of the man in front of her.

"That's good for your ego, isn't it?" Finan asked while waiting for the service, pointing between his friend and the stripper.

"Not exactly. They are paid for it, it's not genuine but it's still a beautiful lady,” he replied as he looked away at a still very shocked Osferth. "Worse things will happen than outside breasts, you better get used to it."

And in fact it happened, especially when Finan surprised the youngest with a ridiculous Bday Boy hat. After that, a young redhead dressed as a nurse approached the three men with an intentionally sweet smile, looking at the young man in the center.

“Mm, do you need any service, Bday boy? I know some things that can make your day even better,” she smiled.

“He's shy, it's the first time in a place like this,” the Irishman said.

“Are you a virgin in that, sweetie? We can handle this," the girl's smile widened, seeing him disconcerted. Osferth wanted to sink into the chair with the beginning of that, but everything changed when in the middle of the dance the girl guided his hand to his newly naked chest, leaning over him, making his eyes widen. "Usually customers don't touch me for free, but I decided to make an exception for something sweet like you." The meat was warm and soft under his hand, the feeling leaving their pants tight and his neck red.

“T-thank you,” he said. The drinks arrived and with them the red-haired woman, or Tracy as she was on the small badge in her nurse uniform, looked in the direction beyond the three men and nodded positively.

“It's time for the main show, dear, I'll have to go, but you can meet me later if you want,” she blinked seductively and collected her costumes and the notes that Sihtric, Finan and others threw in her direction.

During his recovery, Osferth didn’t notice the amount of men tripling in the chairs around the main stage, while his two friends were very attentive about it. Yes, the previous dancer was very beautiful, but it wasn't exactly what Dane was looking for in a show or in a situation. Again, it was almost a stab in his pride to have to pay for a girl's attention. Unlike Osferth for his religious creation and Finan who was just enjoying the adventure without any commitment, Sihtric's reason was different. He was having fun in the situation, but still the twinge in his ego was still quite present.

"What do you think will happen?" The Irish asked.

“A lady will show up and take off her clothes,” Sihtric replied by taking a sip of his drink, laughing internally at Finan's later comment.

Suddenly, all the other lights went out so that there was only the orange and neon light left on the highest part of the main stage and a male voice echoing throughout the club.

"The following attraction is not indicated for those who fear seduction. She, the lady of darkness, the lady of iniquity, the woman who will make your dreams come true. Contemplem, the-“

It was a lie to say that the three were not minimally anxious about what was about to happen, especially when the lighting became warmer and the sides of the stage accompanied the tonality. And then, you emerged between the orange smoke.

═════════════════════

— taglists:

general: @bel-bottoms @fan-goddess @kravitzwhore @partypoison00

ewanverse: @aemonds-fire @partypoison00 @schniiipsel @fan-goddess

for this story: @gemini-mama

[destinyisall-tlk]

"eadith is a...friend".

baby boy trying to act like he still ain't in love with eadith and failing spectacularly. you can't convince me that he didn't spend weeks brooding over a huge jug of ale, talking sihtric and osferth's ear off about eadith and how much he misses her.

also, osferth is 100% team finan and eadith

[alexagirlie]

WIP File Games

Send me an ask and I'll respond with a plot bunny, excerpt, or just what the file is about.

I was tagged by @thelettersfromnoone and @lord-aldhelm

I have many WIP but these are the top of the list.

1. Monstreous May Part 8 - Happily Ever After - finan x sihtric x uhtred

2. Tag Teaming Paul - part 2 - paul x duncan x chani

3. Bathhouse Reward - coccham squad x reader

4. Sihtric x Masema request(s)

5. In Another Life - Jacemond omegaverse canon divergent

6. War of Hearts - TLK/Shadowhunters crossover - Part 2 , finan x sihtric x uhtred

7. Close Your Eyes - Dune canon divergent series - Part 3 - paul x duncan

8. Spandauers and Crowns of Flowers - modern au finan x sihtric x uhtred

9. Figure You Out Part 3 - sihtric x finan x reader

10. Danger Days - Part 3 - finan x sihtric

No pressure tag: @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @mrsarnasdelicious @foxyanon @legitalicat @whitedarkmoonflower @gemini-mama @ladyinred2248 @poetic-fiasco @cordeliacordate

I always miss someone so general tag too!

[bagheerita]

So Ragnar sets up this Danes vs "Saxons" tug-of-war (the leaders of team "Saxon" are Finan, Sihtric, and Osferth... so they're only 1/3 Saxon. Plus Uhtred's like 20 redshirts... anyway I digress) He's talking up the home team and smack talking the Saxons, and I'm amused that 1) he uses the epithet "frog lickers" twice (though he is very drunk), and 2) among "ugly", Rome worshiping", "shit stinking", and "pig fuckers", "frog lickers" is the only charge that Osferth seems intent on refuting.

[whitedarkmoonflower]

HELLO! I would like to request a full on fluffy modern!Sihtric fic, where he's desperately in love with reader and he takes her on their first date, and does everything he can to impress her 🥰 (I hope you like the idea! just want to give you a feel good fic to write)

Authors note: thank you @sihtricfedaraaahvicius so much for this lovely request! In the beginning I thought it’s going to be a short and sweet drabble, but then I started writing and it just got longer and longer and now the story already has more than 8000 words and I haven’t  fully finished yet, so I decided to split it into several parts. Don’t worry - that sweet date will come somewhere towards the end, please, just be patient …

Summary: Sihtric – a talented artist – juggles between his passion for painting and his job as a graphic designer. At the corporate Christmas party, Sihtric's unspoken feelings for his boss are tested when a twist of fate brings them closer than expected. 

Pairing: Sihtric x reader (female)

Warnings: actually none, fluff, suppressed feelings

Word Count: 3,4 K

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Tags: @sihtricfedaraaahvicius @hb8301 @zillahvathek

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Sihtric's alarm buzzed softly, pulling him out of his slumber with a gentle tune. He'd done it again, painted till the wee hours, lost in his own world. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up. 

"Man, today's gonna be a long one," he mumbled, stretching wide enough to feel every vertebra pop.

Hopping out of bed, he wandered to the bathroom. While scrubbing his teeth and waking himself up with a splash of cold water, his mind played out the day's agenda. And looming large on that list was that meeting with you, his boss.

He had joined the advertising firm as a graphic designer just six months back, when it once again had become evident that his unpredictable art sales were simply not enough to cover rent and other bills. And in this short time, he had come to genuinely admire you. It wasn't just because you were the master over his paycheck. No, it was more. You were smart and intelligent, with a discerning eye, having worked with some of the industry's best, always full of energy and bursting with unexpected ideas.

As his coffee brewed, filling the room with a comforting aroma, Sihtric glanced at his workstation. Sketches, notes, and reminders littered the space. He had poured his soul into designs for a crucial client this week.

Sipping his coffee, warmth spreading through his fingers, Sihtric's mind drifted. He thought back to his job interview with you - how awe-struck he had been by your charisma. Every tiny detail from that day was imprinted in his mind: the way your hair framed your face, that crisp white blouse, your piercing gaze, and the assertive yet gentle tone of your voice. It felt like a dream, one where he forgot the reason he was even in that room to begin with.

You looked down at his portfolio and then back up at him, your gaze unyielding.

"Sihtric, I see you've worked with a few ad agencies before. Can you tell me about a particularly challenging project you've undertaken and how you tackled it?"

Those eyes of yours, he got trapped in them like a butterfly in a giant coweb, the question almost going unnoticed. "Oh, um, yeah," he started, voice wavering a touch, "So, there was this campaign... for a... thing, and I did, well, design stuff?"

Your eyebrow raised in a playful challenge, a smirk tugging at the corner of your mouth, "Design stuff? Could you elaborate, please?"

Embarrassed, he tried to muster a clearer answer. "Right, what I meant was I led the visual side of this big campaign. We had... differing views in the team. But, I managed to sort it out, and... made some designs?" He was mentally slapping himself on the face for his incoherence, but there was nothing he could do about it. His mind was racing. He couldn't help but notice the little details – the glint of your necklace, the soft curve of your lips. Vivid images of your fingers brushing against his skin or tangling in his hair made him sweat and he could swear his heart had jumped to his throat.

You leaned forward, placing his portfolio on the desk. "Sihtric, take a deep breath. I'm interested in your work and your experience. Let's try that again. Take your time."

He nodded, grateful for the second chance. Drawing a long breath, he tried to push aside his nervous admiration for you to give a more composed answer. The whole meeting remained a hazy whirlwind for him. Exiting your office, he felt like he'd just finished a marathon, convinced he’d made a fool of himself and butchered his chances. The real shocker came the next day when your secretary called to tell him he'd landed the job.

Sometimes he pondered if he should've declined. He never foresaw the toll it'd take on his heart. Sure, you were drop-dead gorgeous, but it wasn't just that. It was the air around you, the way you carried yourself, the balance between assertiveness and genuine warmth.

And therein lay the rub. Each interaction, from official meetings to casual chat near the coffee machine, even the fleeting moments your fingers grazed while sharing documents, tested Sihtric’s composure. He'd often find himself lingering on your laugh a second too long or jumping at chances to help you out, constantly trying to dial back before raising suspicion.

He had a love-hate relationship with big projects, especially the one he was working on now. The upside was of course spending more time with you – those endless late brainstorming evenings, project discussions gulping down morning coffees, or those afternoon progress check-ins. And then there were of course those quick breaks with some casual chats about movies or music. He lived for these moments, yet they twisted his gut, making the 'keep it professional' attitude so much harder. 

Man, when you'd burst into laughter over some silly office joke or shared tidbits from your weekend, it was like a sneak peek into the real you, the person behind the boss. And, boy, did it send him spiralling.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions. The giddy highs from just being close to you followed by sinking  lows, realising his feelings might always remain a secret. Sihtric took a deep breath, setting down his drained coffee cup. Another day, another challenge to keep that secret under wraps.

And let's be real. The odds were stacked against him. On one end, there was him – an artist, struggling for recognition and forced to juggle between his passion and job in order to be able to pay his bills. On the other, there was you – successful and recognised art director of one of the city's top ad agencies, mastering work challenges with a mix of grit and grace. The idea that you might ever look his way seemed... well, ludicrous and the fact that he was your direct subordinate only emphasised how absolutely fantasy like this notion was.

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

The company's annual Christmas party was always a big deal  — a bright spot in the midst of deadlines and stress. The office would light up, literally, with twinkling lights and festive baubles, and for a night, it'd transform into a party wonderland. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts wafted through the air as soft carols played in the background making everybody feel warm and fuzzy.

Sihtric was in his element, chatting away with buddies about holiday escapades and the usual office gossip. The night was looking good, he was happy and truly enjoying himself, especially because he'd been recently introduced to this big-shot art lover, who seemed genuinely interested in his unique art style. And thanks to this unexpected acquaintance an exhibition was already in preparation – a dream Sihtric had cherished for years was coming true. Late nights, brushes, paints, and the chaos of bringing art to life now dominated his hours and he revelled in that even if some darker rings around his eyes testified to the lack of proper sleep.

Amid this whirlwind of preparation, another thought continually hovered at the edge of Sihtric's mind — inviting you to his exhibition. He wanted you to see beyond the office guy, to the artist, the dreamer. What better time than a Christmas party? Every time he played the scene in his mind, it would end differently. Sometimes he'd imagine you looking thrilled and promising to attend. Other times, he'd envision a polite but distant decline.

And so he was anticipating your arrival, feverishly brainstorming about the perfect moment for his invitation, as the door swung open, revealing you, looking radiant in a black dress that accentuated every line of your body, leaving Sihtric momentarily speechless and stumbling over his words. He almost choked on his drink, his gaze glued to you, following every so gracious move, his jaw slowly dropping and eyes filling with an expression of deep frustration.

You were laughing, your eyes gleaming with joy as they met those of the tall, dashing man beside you. His arm was draped casually around your waist, a possessive yet tender gesture that made Sihtric's heart sink.

Every laugh you shared, each subtle touch, and those warm exchanges of glances between you and the guy  – it all was like a dagger to Sihtric's heart. A cocktail of jealousy and a pinch of sadness brewed within him, although he kept reminding himself he had no claim over you. He had never voiced his feelings, nor had he let himself believe that someone as radiant and accomplished as you could ever see past his name tag. "Get a grip, Sihtric. She's out of your league, and you had always known that," he told himself. 

But still there had always been that small, naive part of him that harboured hope, whispering tales of “what ifs”. What if one day everything would change and he would muster the courage to share his feelings? But tonight, that hope was crushed under the weight of reality.

Pulling together every remaining bit of his self-control, Sihtric pivoted back to the conversation at hand, all the while battling the urge to keep peeking over at you. But from the corner of his eye, he still saw you both — so wrapped up in each other, dancing to your own rhythm.

As the night rolled on, he kinda lost track of you two. A part of him scolded himself for even daydreaming. Of course, someone as magnetic as you couldn't be single. But, man, it didn’t dull the sting.

Feeling the need to step away for a moment and escape the party's cheerful cacophony, Sihtric made his way to the big, spacious balcony. He hoped the chilly night air might help clear his head from the whirlwind inside. The evening had started so full of hope and anticipation and now was completely ruined for him. Sihtric lit his cigarette, as he suddenly caught a murmured conversation approaching. Hoping for some privacy, he ducked behind a column, trying to blend into the shadows.

He heard at least two people stepping out on the balcony, and suddenly, it was your unmistakable voice that reached him, filled with pain and frustration. "Why her, of all people? My own secretary!" you exclaimed.

"It just... happened," the defensive reply came, which he recognized as your boyfriend's voice.

You shot back, "And you thought hiding it was the answer? I had to find out at our office Christmas party?"

The man mumbled something incomprehensible in response. 

"We're done. Just go. I need to be alone right now," Sihtric heard your voice, quivering with a mix of anger and hurt. 

Caught off guard, Sihtric felt awkward overhearing such a raw, personal exchange. He contemplated stepping out and admitting he was there, but before he could, he heard your boyfriend's quick exit and the sharp sound of the balcony door closing.

He briefly considered staying hidden and letting the moment pass, but seeing the unmistakable pain in your stance, he instantly ditched the idea. Taking a breath, he gave a gentle cough to signal his presence and slowly stepped forward, finding you looking distraught, the twinkling lights from inside casting a glow that made your tear-streaked face glisten. It stung seeing you like this, especially when it felt like he was trespassing on such a personal moment.

Embarrassment and shock pulsed through you with every beat of your heart. Of everyone to witness this breakdown, it just had to be Sihtric - not some fleeting acquaintance, but someone you saw and interacted with every day, someone who knew you and respected you. At least until now.

A wave of panic washed over you. Would he think differently of you now? Your carefully curated image of always being composed was now in pieces. The barriers you'd built so diligently over time  – gone in a heartbeat.

 “Of all the moments...” you whispered.

Sihtric, sensing your turmoil and looking for a distraction handed you a tissue. The balcony was wrapped in a heavy silence until you mustered, "I'm sorry. You didn’t need to be a part of that."

"I didn’t mean to intrude," he responded, "It just happened so fast."

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. "This isn’t how I imagined tonight would go."

"We've all been there," he said gently, trying to lighten the mood.

Choking back a laugh, you replied, "Yeah, but usually not with an audience."

He grinned, trying to keep things casual. "Think of me as a very interested passerby."

Seeing your surprise, he quipped, "Your ex might think he's a shooting star, but to me, he seemed more like a sparkler that fizzled out. And for the record – he's an idiot."

A small laugh escaped your lips, and you shook your head. "Nice try. But thank you. Really."

Sihtric gave a playful shrug. "I’m just being real. But hey, are you okay?"

You paused, your voice softer, "Been better. Thanks for lightening the mood, though."

He took a breath, "Look, I don't want to intrude any more than I have, but you seem like you could use company right now. Can I do something for you? Can I get you a drink perhaps?"

You mulled it over briefly, then nodded, "Alright. As if things could get any worse."

With a comforting smile, Sihtric said, "I’ll be right back."

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

The party's noise faded to a dull murmur as you both got lost in the chat.

Sihtric felt a mix of things. It pained him to see you upset, but man, he couldn't deny the thrill of getting this unplanned time with you. He kept sneaking looks, thinking how your smile looked even cooler up close.

A strand of your hair playfully draped across your face, and he had to resist the urge to gently push it back. And with the soft background music, an invitation to dance nearly escaped his lips. But he held back, sensing it might be a step too far.

His art exhibition was on his mind too. He wanted to share it, just needed to slide it into the conversation smoothly.

"You know," he started, swirling the last sip of his drink thoughtfully.  "Besides the whole graphic designer stuff, I paint. There's something magic about splashing colours on a canvas."

You looked intrigued. "Is that so? I always thought your designs had an extra touch of soul. Like there's a story hidden in every piece."

Sihtric chuckled, his eyes brightening, clearly stoked by your comment. The two of you continued to chat, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Emboldened by the ambiance and perhaps that second cocktail, Sihtric leaned in a bit, "You know, I actually have an exhibition coming up soon. It's a collection of my recent works. I... I’d really love it if you could come. I think you might appreciate the stories behind the paintings."

You blinked, processing this. You knew Sihtric was talented, but an entire exhibition? "I'm in," you smiled. "Always had a soft spot for art, especially when it's by someone I know."

His eyes brightened noticeably, and he fought to keep his composure, a warmth spreading across his cheeks.

As the evening wore on, the earlier events combined with the cocktails left you in a heady state. Your laughter became louder, and your steps weren't as sure. Noticing your state and the watchful eyes around, Sihtric decided to step in. This was not the right place to put your vulnerability on display with all the employees and bosses of the company gathered in one place. 

Fetching your coat, he gently wrapped it around you, subtly guiding you towards the exit.

“Okay, boss, looks like it’s home time,” Sihtric said, his tone light, attempting to infuse some humour into the situation.

You chuckled, a sound that was melodious yet laced with the unmistakable touch of too many cocktails. “I’m not ready for the night to end,” you protested mildly, though made no effort to resist as Sihtric waved down a taxi.

When the car pulled up, Sihtric had a moment of awkward realisation - he had no clue where you lived. That was a detail that, somehow, had never come up in all your office interactions.

“So, uh, where to?” he ventured, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

You rattled off an address, the words a bit slurred but intelligible. When he recognized it as one of the city’s posh neighbourhoods, Sihtric's eyebrows rose a notch. 

The gentle hum of the car's engine provided a steady backdrop to your sporadic, light-hearted giggles. Every so often, Sihtric would sneak a peek at you. Tonight had been a whirlwind, and he was spinning from the rapid shifts in emotion. One moment he felt he'd lost any chance with you, the next, he learned you were single again. And amidst it all, he had managed to extend an invite to his exhibition. But as he looked at your tipsy, carefree state, he silently hoped you'd remember their conversation come morning.

Upon arrival at your grand apartment complex, you leaned into him, the evening's indulgences making your steps falter. As you fumbled around in your pockets for keys that were conspicuously absent, the reality of the situation began to set in.

"Oh no," you murmured, panic lining your voice, "I think I left my handbag at the party."

Sihtric's eyes widened as he processed your words. "Are you sure? Think. Where did you last see it?"

You tried to recall, but the fog of alcohol muddled your memories. "I...I don’t know. I think I left it on the bar counter when I went to get a drink."

Sihtric sighed, taking a moment to think. Feeling your weight lean into him as you struggled to maintain your balance, he instinctively wrapped an arm around your waist to stabilise you.

"Okay, let's think this through," Sihtric began, his voice calm and measured, "Going back to the party venue at this hour might not be the best idea. They're likely cleaning up or closing already. Tomorrow first thing, we can check for your handbag. For tonight, do you have any friends or family nearby?"

Your head shake was slow and a bit exaggerated. "They're miles away."

“Any chance there’s a spare key somewhere? Maybe a friendly neighbour?" he asked.

You hesitated, "I... I've kept to myself mostly."

In the quiet night, the predicament seemed to amplify. Here he was, in the dead of night, with his drunken boss outside her apartment, both locked out. He could never have imagined a scenario like this.

After a deep breath, he said, "Alright, look, I have a couch at my place. It's not much, but it's comfortable. You can crash there for the night, and we’ll sort everything out in the morning."

You blinked, a bit caught off guard by the unexpected offer. On any normal day, you would've politely declined. But right now, with your thoughts swimming in a cocktail haze, you giggled and responded, "Really? Are you sure?"

Sihtric smiled, "It's not a problem. It's late, you need a place, and I can't, in good conscience, leave you out here."

The car ride to Sihtric's place was a tranquil one. You leaned into the window's cool embrace, fighting off sleep, while Sihtric's mind raced, piecing together the night's unexpected twists.

The dim lighting of the apartment complex hallway cast elongated shadows as Sihtric tried to guide you up the stairs. But with every step, it became more apparent that the task was not going to be easy. Your laughter, interspersed with hiccups and mumbled comments about your ex-boyfriend, echoed in the quiet corridor. And then, without warning, your laughter turned into soft sobs.

Sihtric, concerned, looked down to find tears streaming down your face. "Hey, hey," he tried to console, "Husch, it's okay."

"I just can't believe he... he..." you hiccupped, struggling to find words, the hurt evident in your eyes.

Seeing you in this state and realising that climbing the stairs in your condition would be an ordeal, Sihtric made a quick decision. Gently, he swept you up in his arms. It wasn't about your weight but more the electric jolt from the closeness, that sudden rush of intimacy that had his heart doing flips in his chest. Instead of pushing him away, you snuggled deeper into his embrace, your head finding its natural resting place on his shoulder.

Feeling your soft breaths against his neck and the gentle grip of your fingers, he had to fight to keep his balance. The ticklish sensation of your hair brushing against his cheek, your soothing breathing rhythm, and the lingering scent of your perfume all combined to form a heady mix that sent his head spinning. Every part of him was hyper-aware of you, so close and real, making everything else fade into the background.

Managing to unlock his apartment door, he stepped inside and gently placed you on his bed. "Just... just stay here for a second," he whispered, moving quickly to rummage through his closet for spare sheets and blankets for the couch.

But when he turned back, the gentle sounds of your breathing told him you'd already drifted off to sleep. For a moment Sihtric stood frozen, absorbing the sight before him - the serene rise and fall of your breath, the way the dim light from the street painted your face in soft shades. It was a moment of quiet beauty. Your hair splayed out, lips slightly parted, lashes casting shadows—everything about you in this moment felt so intimate, personal. It was a sight he'd never imagined he'd witness. 

Despite the unexpected turn the evening had taken, a warm feeling settled in his chest. He carefully removed your shoes and tucked you in, making sure you were comfortable. And this time he gave in to his urge to brush a strand of hair away from your face, his fingers lingering on your cheek for a moment, silently wishing he could be the rock you leaned on, the one to chase away any sadness. In his heart, he knew he'd move mountains just to keep you from any pain. You deserved nothing but happiness, and the thought of someone causing you heartache infuriated him.

With you sleeping soundly, he settled on the couch, wrapping himself in the cosiness of blankets. As sleep claimed him, a dreamy smile played on his lips—a dream where he was your hero.

[persephones-journey]

Okay. It’s been 2 days since The Last Kingdom wrapped up with its movie. So, I have had time to ponder, and cry, and think, and be in denial, but I think it’s time I share what that show has done for me and how it may have changed my life.

All right, so picture this, I am scrolling on Tumblr on my desktop bored out of my mind, not writing, in fact I think at this point I hadn’t written anything in months. And then suddenly there’s this gif set.

I can’t tell you which person I follows that posted it but I do remember my first reaction: Is that Francis from Reign?

And I was right. It was a gif set of Aethelflaed and Aethelred’s wedding. I was mildly interested but kept scrolling. And then came another gif set; same wedding but this one had Finan and Aethelwold.

I did not know the characters names then but I did know that 1. Aethelwold called Finan an Irishman and I really do have a soft spot for guys with accents and 2. Finan saying ‘I’ll kill ya in your sleep’ had exactly no business being that sexy.

That gif set made me write down the name of the show ‘The Last Kingdom’ into my notebook of tv shows/crime documentaries to watch.

BUT

I did not watch it until later… You guessed it lockdown from COVID. I had so much time, so I binged the series.

And waited all through season 1 for Finan, he didn’t show and man, not going to lie, Uhtred was not making the best decisions. I almost quit the show… but I had a goal: sexy Irishman.

(I’m halfway joking about that…)

When I did reach season 2 and Finan, I found I had fallen for other characters; Ragnar, Hild, Leofric, Beocca, hell even Alfred was all right. But season 2 also brought Thyra, Sihtric, Gisela, and Osferth.

I loved the whole found family dynamic. And it helped a tiny bit that a lot of the actors were fairly good looking.

But I don’t think I actually fell in love with the show until season 3.

I know, all of you are like ‘we get it. Season 3 Finan was sexy, you have mentioned it before’ and I have. But honestly, look at him:

But it was more than just Finan looking sexy, (all my friends are like ‘you’re lying’) it was the Coccham Squad as a whole. They had grown closer and tighter. The storyline for season 3 was the perfect balance of heartbreak and triumph for me. Finan was a smartass, always saying what I was thinking. Sihtric had his spy moment and fake turn. Osferth was sweet and caring. And Uhtred, surprisingly he had grown as a character, unsurprisingly he was still making stupid decisions.

But this season is my fave for more than that. This season, it got that writing spark going again.

And as I moved onto season 4, that spark became a flame.

So I wrote like 600 pages, no chapter breaks, one doc per season of this idea I had. And I told myself that would be it. I didn’t expect the desire to write to last, and if it did I was a hardcore Supernatural girl. I had stories I needed to finish for that fandom.

Finan though, that sexy Irish bastard would not be denied.

And I found myself rewatching the series… I mean, I started at season 2 the episode where Finan shows up. ( sorry Em)

And I got another idea. And I just decided: Fuck it. And signed up to get an Ao3 account and started writing and posting.

Now, this is the part where I get a little emotional. It was through my fic that I met some of my closest friends. I got an invite to a Discord server and the rest is history.

I have laughed with these awesome peeps, cried with them, celebrated their victories, and shared in their defeats. Spent far too many hours talking about how sexy certain characters are *cough cough* Finan and Sihtric.

I found my own family, you could say.

So, yes, The Last Kingdom is over, there will be no new adventures with Uhtred and his pretty boys.

But I will still have my own adventures with the Bread team. @emilyhufflepufftlk @lauwrite1225 @morosemagick @solinarimoon @blah-blah-blah-bla @muddleofnervouswords @medievalfangirl @cibs @93xdiagonxalley @anotherwinchesterfangirl

And I have Uhtred, Finan, Sihtric, and Osferth to thank for that, along with the many other great characters who made that show so damn compelling.

So thank you to The Last Kingdom for bringing me my people.

Oh, and for dropping this incredibly sexy but so nerdy Scotsman on my radar…. But that’s another post 😉

[vhagars-dementia]

I am now in season 2 of The last kingdom, so I need Sihtric ofc or Finan👀. Like with the title 'New perspective' or 'Homesick' :)

I feel like doing Finan for this 👀💛

Homesick

In which you get so bored in camp whenever you and Finan get divided into separate teams. It just hits different having Finan around where you can actually see him, normally the men are in high spirits, there's confident laughter, hell, even the food would taste better when he's camped with you. This time Uhtred needed you to scout ahead with him, in the middle of the night, so here you were, forced to endue your Lord's presence in the middle of the cold night, possibly within enemy territory. You spot a few danes patrolling here and there from time to time, forcing you to take cover and hold your breath so as to not get spotted. You complain to Uhtred how you and Finan are better suited for scouting work but he said if you two are left alone together, you'll end up humping. You beg to differ though, because Finan sees you only as a friend. Uhtred almost wants to hit you with the pommel of his sword because even king Alfred himself sees how special you are to Finan who whines just as well as you whenever he and Sihtric are tasked with something else away from camp, and maybe Finan just so happens to be your personal definition of home 😌

Thank you for sending this in! I had fun fantasizing 😍