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hecohansen31 · 4 years

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The Princess & The Hacker

Hacker! Sihtric x Sex Worker! Ealhswith (Modern AU)

Chapter (1): The Ice Cream Shop

(A/N): Hello there, lovelies!

Excuse the very idiotic title, and I also want to put a disclaimer that this is one of of my first time writing a character x character fic, and I hope you won’t hate it!

I also want to thank @volvaaslaug, who has helped me a bit through the initial creation of this fic and who has heard all my annoying talks about this pairing, so special thank you to you (and I hope you won’t regret not lowering your expectations!).

I do think that there’ll be more chapters, if you like it, so please make sure to let me know so that I can see if people are interested about sequel!

Feedback is always welcome, in any way shape and form: it makes my heart beat stronger and my fingers write faster

SUMMARY: When Eahlswith is a victim of a revenge porn scheme, she is given a rather interesting contact, an hacker, that might solve all her problems, and do much more.

WORDS: 4,3 K

WARNINGS: Mention of Sex Work, Revenge Porn, Sex, Mention of Past Child Abuse, Hacker, Incorrect Techonology Knowledge.

Ealhswith had thought that that day wouldn’t have been different from the previous one.

And the one before that.

It’d be just another client, a simple lousy fuck she’d fake enjoying for the sake of finishing early and go back home earlier so that she could work a bit more on her final thesis and then go to bed to a nice time.

The dude hadn’t been the best of her clients for sure, excessively rough.

Although she was a professional in the sex industry, this didn’t mean that she wanted to be tossed out like a doll.

Just buy a plastic one, if that’s what you like.

It’d be cheaper.

And when the he had officially finished, he had been even more horrible to her, insisting that the agency for which Ealhswith worked would have received the money, and not her.

Which was an option, but this way she wouldn’t have had any kind of tip and seeing all the effort she had done to make that prick raise…

… she felt like she deserved it.

But she was already a bit late on her own time plan and she had just flipped the guy off in her mind, pushing her clothes quickly on and setting up a reminder on her phone for the agency to have them blacklist the guy so that he wouldn’t harass any of the other girls.

She also insisted that he hadn’t paid her, yet, preferring to settle it with the agency.

So, they had to torment him in case he didn’t pay by the end of the week.

She was thankful for the agency, although they were quite tough and took most of her earning, she felt more comfortable, since they’d run check on the clients before sending the girls and were some kind of legalized organization, which meant that she paid taxes but she didn’t risk getting arrested.

And the agency was very private about both towards the clients and both towards the girls and the boys working for them, which was great because although Ealhswith wasn’t ashamed of her work, she didn’t want her family to discover it.

She had started with modelling, but then moved quickly on the sex industry since it’d get her enough money to continue on studying and keep her apartment, meanwhile she finished her studies, without having to weight on her family, since they already had their own problematics.

Many who had discovered her profession had commented about why she couldn’t have a normal job, like a bartender or a waitress, but the truth was that those jobs didn’t make enough money for her to take care of everything around her and involved much more groping than many thought.

And if she had to be groped on a daily basis, she preferred to be paid for it.

In the end, it was just a job like another.

And this meant that she didn’t tolerate any disrespect on her job.

So, when the client of that afternoon had texted her, right when she had come back from a small trip to the grocery store for some comfort food, she had been ready to tell him that he had to contact the agency to set up another problem and this number was to be used only after having set up the appointment.

But she had been soon horrified to discover that he hadn’t meant to book another appointment, but he instead had sent her a video and for a moment she had thought he had sent it to the wrong number.

And then she had downloaded it and played it.

And she had been happy to have closed the door behind her before.

It was a video of her… and him… doing what they had done that afternoon.

And her entire life fell down onto her, heavily.

He must have set up an hidden camera to record her, and she hadn’t checked since she had thought that the agency wouldn’t have allowed something like this to happen.

She had never heard any of her colleagues comment about such a situation.

And then another message had come up.

A blackmailing one.

‘Let’s meet again and this time free and if I am satisfied, I won’t share this on the whole internet’.

Her heart sunk because although he had no idea who she truly was, it was her face, the one in the video and although it wasn’t anything more than a badly made amateur movie, it would have ruined not only her career had it been published, but also her life.

Her parents would have disowned her.

She had tried to calm down the man, already feeling her heartbeat increase at the thought of that video being sent to any other people, but the man confirmed that she was the only one who had received it…

… and would remain the only one, had she allowed him to take advantage of her.

Something that she refused to do.

But had she truly any chance to refuse him?

A thing such as this could ruin a normal person’s life, but it would have been so much worse for her, since she was sure that if this got out, it would have tainted her image, not only in everyone’s eyes but also in agency’s ones.

The agency wanted their workers to have a clean and discreet façade and a video like that might have ruined that.

She hadn’t known what to do, who to talk to.

She didn’t know how to handle all of this.

She hadn’t so much technic knowledge to know whether this treat was true or not.

And eventually she has settled on calling Christine, a fellow friend who worked also in the escorting industry something that made her think she might understand and be discreet about it.

But she hadn’t certainly expected what Christine had told her after knowing about the blackmail.

“…it happened to you too?!” she seemed almost not surprised that such a thing was possible and then went on explaining that she had something similar happening to her, with a client taking photos of her meanwhile she was in the bathroom, also claiming to publish them in case she didn’t comply everything he asked of her “… sadly it is much more common than you might think”.

“But… I thought… the agency would run some checks and…” she was panicking, but the knowledge that someone else had been in the same situation helped her quite a bit.

Christine insisted on explaining much more as she came over to Eahlswith’s house, something for which she was thankful, not wanting to be alone in such a moment, and Christine was quite a relief, explaining fully her story and how scared she had been, but she had managed to solve it as she had passed Ealhswith a phone contact.

‘… he is a hacker… a good one’ she explained, calmly since Ealhswith was looking like a frightened animal “… he took care of my problem, after a girl from the agency heard about it. He is clean and not too expensive, but most importantly he does the job amazingly”.

‘Is it… is it seriously this common?’ she asked softly to her friend, once she had come down from the scare.

‘Oh sweetie, don’t you ever browse porn sites?’ a tight expression of annoyance appeared on Christine’s face ‘… revenge porn is the literal most popular shit on there, sadly’.

The following day, after assuring her blackmailer that she agreed to his ‘deal’ she had come to see the hacker that Christine had suggested her, coming to stop at a small apartment, the place where Sthric, the hacker’s name, had told her to meet him.

She had almost expected something more… sketchy, although Christine had explained her that he was ‘one of the good guys’.

But that apartment looked quite cozy and small, although it seemed every inch of an ex-fratboy’s mansion, with a few decorations hanging from a small balcony, that looked horribly misplaced, but she thought that the last thing she could do was comment on his choosing in exterior design.

She moved to the door, having been told to ring the doorbell and ask for Sihtric, but she didn’t need to do much, because right after the doorbell had been rung, a tall guy was in front of her, looking very much unlike the nerdy hacker she had expected.

He looked actually handsome and for a moment she doublechecked the address, but it was right and the guy sent her a quick look examining her, before muttering a tight:

‘… you must be Ealhswith’ the way he spoke was measured and attentive, as if he didn’t get many chances to talk, but his voice had a pretty sound to, definitely reassuring ‘… can we walk a bit, meanwhile we talk about your problem? My house suddenly is… full’.

The way he said it told Ealhswith that he wasn’t in the slightest happy of that situation.

She just nodded, surprised by the fact that he didn’t look further than her face, focusing his gaze onto his own shoes.

That was strange since she knew for sure that men whenever they were informed of her profession wouldn’t stop looking at her body as if they could already see her naked.

The previous night she had sent Sihtric a small text, explaining him her situation, wanting to know whether he would be able to solve her problem or not, to which he had answered that he’d have to see and preferred to talk with her about it, if she was free the following day.

She had expected the ‘come on’s and some flirting pick-up lines, but he had just stayed professional, not saying a word more than he needed.

Something that was echoed with the way he moved, carefully, almost as if he wasn’t used to his body’s shape, having suddenly grown into it in one night.

They had moved onto the road, him moving by her side, with a lengthy distance, so that she could have her own privacy but at the same time, she couldn’t help but have this feeling that he was observing her, although Sihtric kept his eyes on the ground

Something she was used to.

But Sihtric seemed attentive not to be caught.

“… I was on a job…” she didn’t know why she felt suddenly ashamed of admitting that she worked as an escort, although she wasn’t for sure embarrassed of it.

But she hadn’t said much, if not nothing, to anyone that wasn’t in her same business, so suddenly speaking about it made her nervous, although she didn’t have nothing to hide.

“… a client took a video without my permission of us…” was she seriously blushing about it?

“… do you know with what he might have taken it?”.

She was glad for Sihtric’s technical question and not focusing on her ‘job’, but she was extremely worried of answering negatively, thinking it might have been important, so she simply shoook her head, adding:

“I do think that he had a secret camera, since he pushed his phone on the bedside table to check the hour…” she explained trying to remember the previous afternoon, as she scanned the room in her memory “… but I didn’t notice anything”.

“Technology sadly has become more and more discreet…” explained Sihtric “… so sadly I don’t blame you for not noticing that something was wrong”.

And although she hadn’t realized it, what he said made her feel a bit less guilty for the thing that had happened, the previous afternoon.

“… can I see the video?” this certainly got her to blush “… just to see if I can detect the model of the camera”.

Easlwith nodded, although she couldn’t help but be a bit skeptic about it.

Was he doing it because he needed it, or he wanted to try to catch the glimpse of some free porn?

Still she showed it to him, without the audio, and again Sihtric surprised her with simply checking the first scene, involving a simple exchange of curtesy between her and a client, and then paused the video

“… it is a camera, but nothing professional, which will make it easy to track down” he explained softly, before he asked if he could take the phone in his hands getting out his own and for a moment Ealhswith was scared shitless that he would have forwarded it to his own phone, but Sihtric simply clicked an app on his own phone, where a list of technology materials appeared and he searched through them, finding one and then pushing a few more buttons.

And Ealhswith didn’t understand much, although she thought she was good with her own computer, but Sihtric seemed to do it like it was the most common thing.

As if it was something that he definitely did daily, quickly clicking a few more apps, eventually settling himself up in what looked like somebody’s else computer and then with a click the video disappeared from her phone.

And Sihtric closed all the apps he had opened, before muttering as he dragged lazily his thumb on the screen as if it calmed him:

“I should have finished with this” and only five minutes had passed “… I am not sure that he doesn’t have copies saved on external pieces, but I have installed a virus in case he try to download them in the computers that will immediately delete them and will threaten of denouncing him to the police”.

Ealhswith truly didn’t know what to say, unable to grasp the fact that that thing that had been truly bothering her from last night, making her panic completely and worry for the worst was now… solved and finished.

And she’d never have to hear about that asshole.

Sihtric nodded, scratching lightly the back of his head, almost as if he didn’t know what to say, eventually again settling on his phone, as a notification appeared, and he simply shook lightly his head, although a small smirk appeared on his face.

A small handsome smirk.

“… how much… how much do I have to pay you?” she asked already ready for whatever sum might come her way.

Although she got paid quite well, she knew that hackers undoubtedly risked so much that they got paid quite well for doing it, but as Sihtric finally raised his head to meet her eyes, he simply shook his head.

“… don’t worry about it”.

She had expected him to ask a big sum of money, maybe enough that she would have to maybe consider pawning a few of her family jewels.

She had expected him to ask of being paid in a natural way, asking for her body in exchange for having saved her ass.

But she certainly hadn’t expected him to simply dismiss it as if he hadn’t probably committed a few federal crimes to avoid a revenge porn vide of her getting out of some asshole’s phone.

“Se… serio… seriously?” she now felt like the quiet one, as Sihtric did nod his head, almost as if this was the usual thing, and he put again the phone in his pockets, giving her back her own one, meanwhile she wondered where the trick was.

Had he saved a copy of the video on his phone?

Did he expect her to fall in love with him, after saving her as some kind of modern Cinderella?

Men, no matter what, always wanted something from women.

They thought that simply because they paid for them of paid things for them, they owned them and they could do whatever they wanted with them, no matter that they were in 2019 and there was a Third Wave Intersectional Feminism that worked towards erasing that concept.

So, Sihtric couldn’t be different.

She knew it

“… actually…” here comes the advances and the requests “… there is an ice cream place nearby, you can offer me an ice cream there, if you feel like you owe me something”.

She was surprised and not solely because of the fact that he wanted eat ice cream in full winter, but she hadn’t ever been treated with such kindness in and outside of her line of work by a man.

And she couldn’t help but be somehow fascinated by it, almost as if she was walking on a tightrope and although it was dangerous, it fascinated her with the beautiful view that it offered, two mismatched eyes holding a shyness in them that locked in everything they might have said.

She hadn’t had a big crush on everybody since for ever, but she couldn’t deny that Sihtric certainly was an interesting type.

And yet she wouldn’t have fallen for the knight in shining armor.

She didn’t trust those in the slightest..

But she was undoubtedly curious about what made the man in front of her.

“… then show me the way to the ice cream shop”.

The ice cream shop was cutsie place where she hadn’t certainly thought of meeting the smart hacker, his black clothes completely mismatched with the colorful place which Ealhswith appreciated.

There she was finally able to breath as she realized she was free.

She wouldn’t have been blackmailed anymore for that video.

And she wouldn’t have risked her whole career disappearing just because some man decided that he wanted more than she allowed.

… and it was all thanks to the dork in front of her playing around with his spoon in the ice cream cup he had chosen.

His cheeks were a bit brightened by the presence of sugar now in his blood, although he had already talked a bit during their trip to the ice cream parlor, alongside her.

And strangely not about her line of work.

Ice cream had been the main topic and almost as if they hadn’t just met each other that morning, he had teased her for liking vanilla, meanwhile she defended her beloved flavor with all heart, insisting that although it might have been plain… it never disappointed.

‘… you almost convinced me’ he uttered lightly, with a bright smile and for a moment she had thought of having witnessed a miracle, something that had probably taken all the energy he had in his own body, because he had stopped talking there and then.

She had offered the ice cream, and he had welcomed gladly the gesture, already choosing the flavors with big eyes of a child that had been denied a treat for so long.

And that was when she understood that he had also known poverty.

If not something worse.

But she hadn’t asked anything about it.

They had sat down in a corner, as Sihtric moved like he could map out this entire place with his own eyes closed and she followed him calmly, settling herself up in front of him, as she herself started munching on the top of the straw in her milkshake.

Vanilla flavored, indeed.

Again Sihtric seemed to want to shrink in himself again, and some part of Ealhswith, a math major with a pedagogy course in her system, couldn’t help but think that it must have been some gesture that he had started doing in infancy and kept on doing as a coping mechanism.

A defense mechanism.

“… I don’t think I have said it” she commented as a few of the last clients move outside, giggling happily “… but thank you for doing what you did, I truly appreciate it”.

“… it was a pleasure” although she didn’t notice any change in his voice, but he seemed almost to perk up at the comment, almost as if he hadn’t expected it.

“… and thank you for not judging me… I know that what I do isn’t the best…” she didn’t know why she had to say that, but all her life she had felt like she was guilty of something, although she had never admitted it.

She was comfortable having sex with men, simply for money and she was comfortable with knowing that, but strangely she had always felt like this should have made her feel guilty of some obscure and horrible secret.

… and it had indeed horridly impacted her thoughts and mental health, although she refused to admit it.

“… listen I have a friend who is a sugar baby, so believe me, I don’t judge you, in the slightest” his tone was low key calm, but there was sprinkle of humor in his mouth, not against her but she couldn’t help but feel a bit calmer… and more at ease “… I am glad to have helped you”.

“Can I… can I ask you what programs you used? To delete the image… ” the question was both out of curiosity and both because you wanted to be sure that the photo hadn’t been simply hidden or such, although you were relieved by the fact that that asshole didn’t have it anymore on his phone, you didn’t want any traces to have been left on Sihtric’s phone “… I don’t know much about computers, although I did a course or two…”.

And she was low key impressed by Sihtric’s ability.

“… oh it’s mostly through remote control it’s a…” and he seemed truly surprised when she named a computer program for it, but it wasn’t the ‘my male ego was wounded by your comment my sweet maiden’ surprise.

It was honest surprised.

Almost as if he seemed a child happy of having someone who wanted to play with him.

“… you have certainly done more than one course to know that name” he mumbled “… didn’t you think about solving the problem on your own?”.

He seemed truly enthralled by Ealhswith’s knowledge and she blushed under that mismatched and intense stare, almost unwanted and uncontrolled, as if he hadn’t noticed he was staring at her that strongly.

“… I just… I know the basilar things, not the… you know…” and she lowered her voice with a conspiratorial tone “… hacker stuff”.

He giggled at that comment, a truly boisterous laugh that made her smirk a bit.

And he then proceeded to explain to her what he had done, the honesty in his tone confirming the truth behind his words, but also the way he explained it to her, was extremely proper and as if he knew all about those things.

Showing her that he truly knew his job.

‘… how do you know all this stuff?’ she had once asked him in the middle of his explanation, and he had seemed almost ashamed of it, lightly backing away as if he was scared to show himself, having taken an uncertain forward step.

‘… internet’ he simply stated, but Eahlswith sure it wasn’t the entire truth.

But didn’t push further.

‘… what about you?’ he tried to shift the attention away from himself “... interested in computer sciences?”.

“Kind off… although… I actually study math” she explained “… I want to become a teacher… I always… I always had this horrible… horrible math teacher. He always said that girls… girls weren’t logical enough to study math… and little eight-year-old me wanted desperately to prove him wrong”.

A soft smile appeared on Sihtric’s face at that, almost as if he had been told the same and could relate to that.

“… he seems like a very horrible teacher”.

“I don’t want any girl to feel like they don’t have a chance to learn math, simply because they aren’t logical enough” she muttered tightly “… I want them to believe in themselves”.

“That’s very very cool”.

Sihtric’s tone was honest and impressed.

She blushed a bit, realizing about how much she had blabbered about her life to a complete stranger, although he had been the first one to listen without adding anything or any judgement which made him easy to talk to.

But Ealhswith wasn’t truly convinced about his intentions.

But the atmosphere grew much more relaxed and calmer, and by the end she was finished with her milkshake, just as Sihtric had ordered one of his own.

She couldn’t help but almost dread the thought of leaving him behind, although she didn’t have any other reason to stay.

She wanted to honestly to try to make him stay longer, maybe invite him out.

But men weren’t much different among themselves and in the end when they discovered what she truly did, they’d try to make her to stop and then fetishize her situation till it got ‘too boring’, discarding them with the excuse of ‘not being pure enough’ for a true relationship.

Good enough.

She had gone through it multiple times when she was younger, and then she had stopped dating.

And she didn’t want to ruin the nice image of Sihtric she had in her mind.

“… I have to go…” she commented in the end, knowing that she had to send the part of her thesis to her relator before tonight.

But her body didn’t seem to cooperate instead pushing itself to remain seated in front of Sihtric, who raised his head surprised before again his gaze became focused on everything but her.

“… I do understand it” he replied, and then he seemed to have an almost conflict with himself, before he bit down roughly on his lip, taking a decision “… I… I teach at a small course… on computers… nothing truly illegal, but if you are interested in deepening this I… you have certainly the brain for it”.

She was full on blushing now and she didn’t know why she nodded, but she did.

And now strangely she had a reason to see that strange hacker again.

And her heart fluttered at that.

And she wasn’t sure it was a good thing.

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limenal · 4 years

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“Do not be careful with me-”

Her words were a demand, permission for her husband to loosen his inhibitions, to give himself the pleasure he was so desperate for. He pulled his head back to meet her gaze and there was a hunger there she had not yet seen before, a need behind his eyes. He always put her first, always sought her direction- but she knew she would give him everything he asked for tonight.

“I have missed you,” Sihtric said, voice rough.

“I am here,” Ealhswith told him, softly.

@tlkfanficfest

#the last kingdom #fan fiction #tlk sihtric #sihtric #sihtric x ealhswith #one shot #tlkfff2020 #tropes galore #destiny is all

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iseultdeservedbetter · 4 years

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The Princess & The Hacker

Hacker! Sihtric x Sex Worker! Ealhswith (Modern AU)

Chapter (2): The Subway

(Previous Chapter)

SUMMARY: Ealhswith broken apart between needing and wanting, she find herself more and more fascinated by the hacker with a sweet heart and the most beautiful eyes in the whole universe…

WORDS: 4,8 K

WARNINGS: Mention of Sex Work, Revenge Porn, Sex, Mention of Past Child Abuse, Hacker, Incorrect Techonology Knowledge

She watched attentively the conversation going on between Sihtric and the blonde girl.

Or it was better to say that she spied the conversation between the two.

A blonde girl with the whole new ‘age look’, comprehended with a facial tattoo of a half-moon on her forehead, with what looked and Ealhswith hoped was henna, since it was colored.

And if it wasn’t, Ealhswith, personally, would have undoubtedly wanted her money back from the tattoo artist.

But maybe she was simply acting on her idiotic jealousy.

Something that had no reason to exist since she wasn’t in a relationship with Sihtric.

And it was the last thing she needed.

Although it was the first thing she wanted for herself.

But she couldn’t deny the obvious uncomfortableness shown by Sihtric, and you slowed your movements, meanwhile you collected your belongings, rearranging your backpack a few times, before you eventually noticed that the Sihtric looked like he could use an help.

And faking of getting closer to the projector where a few slides were still going, she moved closer to hear better what they were talking about, since the blonde had stormed in, right after Sihtric had finished his lesson.

Eahlswith had actually been attending his informatic lessons both because she had been harboring a crush on the black-haired boy, but more importantly because she found them interesting.

Almost as much as she found adorable the man holding them.

Sihtric wasn’t an imposing teacher and he seemed much more an interesting life motivator, explaining the set-up of computers and encouraging his students through problem solving for suggesting to use that approach for everyday situations, other than the ones they went through at lessons.

She honestly enjoyed computer science and knowing Sihtric she was always able to exchange a few words like a true teacher’s pet, meanwhile ‘the teacher’ blushed adorably and explained rambling on about the concept and what she might be interested in, adding a few websites where she might find some more info.

He was always open and attentive to everything people had to ask him, although he seemed shy most of the time.

But whenever he was surrounded by computers, he seemed at complete ease.

And he smiled so prettily…

Ok, she had to stop daydreaming about him.

She had promised herself not to delve further in that crush she had.

And that was what she was doing.

Even more when she casually listened in to his discourse with the pretty blonde.

“… for the last time! I won’t hack in Brida’s computer for you!” shouted loudly Sihtric, enough to startle even Ealhswith, something definitely unlike his soft-spoken character, and immediately an ashamed blush coated his full cheeks as he lowered his voice “… why would I even do that?”.

“… because I’ll pay you?” suggested the blonde girl, raising a light eyebrow at him as if to say ‘are you serious, dude?’ “… c’mon, Sihtric, I know that you don’t mind doing this for Finan, so pretty please, be a sweetheart and hack in Brida’s computer from me, so that I can see if she has gotten me anything for our anniversary”.

Oh.

Shit.

Was Ealhswith a weirdo if she had just taken a breath of relief at knowing that the blondie had already a girlfriend?

“You can ask her” shot back Sihtric, as he moved to collect his own things, moving to switch off the projector “… you know… talk with her… like real people do”.

“Do I look like the type that cares about what ‘real people would do’?” replied sassily the girl, moving to push herself in front of him, to stop from leaving and Ealhswith couldn’t help but almost intervene, mostly because Sihtric seemed truly panicked, but he quickly ducked to the side of her lithe body.

“… she’ll get pissed to see you probing around in her computer, even if I am the one doing it” replied tightly Sihtric, switching off the projector and switching on the light, making Ealhswith continue her snooping faking her interest for her phone.

“… better!” replied blondie, a smart smirk on her face, her mouth becoming a soft shape, a sensual expression on her pretty face, as her light eyes shone with the artificial light of the only lampshade in the room “… when she is angry, sex is amazing”.

Ok, she had to intervene, because Sihtric looked so red that he might as well have been a few minutes from passing out.

“… Sihtric!” she called out, pushing herself to the side of blondie, who shot her an annoyed look and opened her mouth, probably ready to retort that ‘she was interrupting serious business’ “… we better hurry up or they’ll give away our reservation”.

Thank God, Sihtric’s face was shaped to normally be expressionless, so no surprise at her excuse appeared on his face, making her words effectively the truth in front of the other girl’s eyes.

“Oh” was the only thing blondie was able to utter, her mouth curling in a kitten-like expression, as she shot a ‘I-know-what-you-did-last-summer’ look at Sihtric, taking in Ealhswith and a shiver of uneasiness fell down her spine, as she wondered whether she might have recognized her as a sex worker.

The fear of being outed as such was a dear company of Ealhswith, having happened much more than she had thought when she had first started.

At first it mostly happened, when she was on ordinary habits and although no man would have straight up approached her in a supermarket with his family in toll.

But they certainly smirked like they held some kind of power over Ealhswith for their knowledge.

And those were the moments were in which she felt the dirtiest.

Although she had no reason to, because she tried to hold her head high in each moment, or self-pity would have completely destroyed her.

“… didn’t know you had a date” commented the girl, as she swiftly shifted her eyes from her to Sihtric, an obvious show of wanting to tease him further, but she quickly brought him closer to her with a teasing smirk straight up to the girl.

“… and you are ruining it” she shot back, knowing pretty well that when people were put up with their annoyingness they had to eventually back off.

Although they looked to be enjoying it as much as blondie.

But she eventually raised her hands as a sign of surrender, shaking her head, although her own mission didn’t seem to be finished, as she moved a small card towards Sihtric, with an IP address on it.

That you took, before Sihtric, could and threw away, somewhere in the small room that Sihtric rented in the local oratory, since he knew the priest that worked there, being’ a friend of a friend’ as he had told her, as soon as he had noticed her weirded out look at the whole place, at the first lesson she had attended.

‘I was just worried that I’d be set on fire if I walked in’ she had retorted, stealing a small look from Sihtric, and the man himself had commented that ‘if my friend Uhtred can walk in, so can you, believe me’.

“I’ll leave you to it” blondie’s smile was now more of circumstance as she moved out of the way with a swagger in her step, almost as if she had been wounded by the words of Ealhswith and was now redoubling her flare attempts to impress everyone on her walk.

“… thanks” uttered Sihtric once she was out of earshot, scratching his neck, as his entire body did again that futile attempt at appearing much smaller than it truly was “… Skade is a rough type, we call her ‘the witch’ among us”.

“That seems like a cool nickname truly” she returned loudly “… and you are welcome, I was worried that you might magically transform in a tomato, seeing your red face and unfocused stare”.

“I blush that much, don’t I?” shot back loudly Sihtric, as he sucked on his tongue, a mute sound escaping his mouth as he fought to keep it in.

And you fought to keep in your thought of how adorable Sihtric truly looked.

Time to change the subject.

“… oh by the way” she then moved to get something out of her bags, showing Sihtric a small wrapped up gift she had bought with herself to that lesson “… I thought of you, when I saw it”.

Sihtric looked truly surprised, and although many faked being truly surprised by some gifts, there was some kind of childish innocence in the way he took in the gift, leaving it in Ealhswith’s hands for a moment longer than it was proper and the woman quickly had to push it onto his hands, gently closing them around the wrapped object.

“You shouldn’t have” and he meant it.

He didn’t understand in the slightest why you felt like giving him that small thoughtful piece.

“… oh, don’t worry, I actually… I was actually at a used books market a few days ago and I thought that you might have liked the theme” Sihtric didn’t look less convinced “… ok I’ll admit it, I mostly bought it because I want to read it too, but before… I need to know if it historically accurate”.

The joke was a bit strained, but Sihtric’s curiosity got the best of him and he opened quickly the present, being careful with the paper, which was something that was strange for his big hands, but somehow the man had never acted like he truly knew of his strength.

Guarding it attentively, almost as if he was some kind of Hulk, ready to explode.

Almost as if he hid something.

But she tried not to push him for it, it was obvious that he felt uncomfortable still so she tried to keep herself smart and sharp around him, extremely attentive at what she said and the way she acted.

But at the same time, she couldn’t deny that she felt comfortable with him.

It was as if they were dancing on opposite sides of a tightrope, one wrong step and they would have fallen out, but at the same time they both played this game.

She had found the book meanwhile she was browsing a used books bookstore for some university books, since they were usually cheaper there, and she had found the book interesting.

She had immediately linked it to Sihtric and his lessons, when he had explained that Ada Lovelace, mathematician and daughter of Lord Byron, had been the first programmer of the whole history.

Before electrical computers were ever born.

And she had thought about Sihtric when she had found a book about her life, already adding the money for it as she paid for the books she had found, thinking about how happy Sihtric would have been of receiving it.

And right now, as he looked painfully awkward and uncomfortable, she couldn’t help but think that maybe she had thought wrong.

In the end there wasn’t much she knew about Sihtric.

She knew what he let go: that he was a shy hacker, who liked hosting lessons about computer science, being an awesome teacher and interested in knowing more and more.

And he certainly wasn’t somebody who backed up from a challenge, no matter what.

She might not have known much about him, but she admired him.

Sihtric finally managed to unwrap the wrapping paper, and although the moments before had been painfully awkward, his eyes shone with happiness as he took in the name of the book, definitely childish excitement appearing in his face, as for a moment his eyes met hers.

And he seemed truly happy.

“… how did you…” he was a bit of too taken aback to answer properly and talk, and she couldn’t help but smirk lightly at that cute embarrassment coating his face “… Gosh, this is honestly amazing”.

“I do hope that you know how to read…” she shot back, trying to diffuse the heavy air that now was set between them “… because if not there was an adorable books with drawings and…”.

“I do like this one” he laughed, as he turned the book between his hands “… but you shouldn’t have”.

“You let me come here for free lessons, so don’t worry, I do think that this makes us equal, in paying and such…” she said, knowing that although many paid to attend Sihtric’s lessons, he had insisted on her not paying him, since she was a university student.

‘And that gives you a special discount’ he had joked, one of the rare times it had happened, and Ealhswith had been honestly surprised by the fact that he hadn’t tried the ‘you get a discount because you are pretty’ or ‘you get a discount if you get me off’.

Which was putting her even more on edge.

She liked this guy, although she wouldn’t let it get far.

And he hadn’t still shown what he wanted to do with her.

Because every man wanted something from her.

She just had to figure our what Sihtric wanted.

“… you shouldn’t have” repeated Sihtric, but he still set the book down, as he searched for her eyes to express his true gratefulness and she was the one left embarrassed and uncomfortable, unsure of what to say.

“It’s a small thing” she muttered “… and don’t worry, I actually saved up this week since my car decided to break and I got to use the subway and such. Certainly, saved up on the gasoline…”.

And Sihtric’s eyes had become then focused and she had detected something that had made a shiver fell down on her face.

“… you take the subway tonight?” he asked, as he started to also get ready “… want some company?”.

And then he had finally done that misstep.

“I can take care of myself” she simply answered, not knowing truly how much where those words came from “… don’t worry, I have done this for a very long time, I don’t need any knight in his shining armor coming to…”.

“I didn’t mean it that way” Sihtric took a small step back, and Ealhswith felt guilty.

She had been trying to desperately push him in a far corner, but she hadn’t had much territory and much to work on to start, since Sihtric didn’t seem to have any of the flaws that made other men act like true idiots for her.

He didn’t think that being a sex worker was only something ‘fun’ and neither he had a ‘convert the whore’ complex.

But he might have had a ‘knight in shining armor’ complex.

And yet she immediately felt bad for accusing him that way.

She must have sounded like a hysterical bitch…

“I actually didn’t mean to imply anything about you not being able to take care of yourself…” he explained and as much as Ealhswith hated that his words sounded desperately true “… I just wanted to spend some time with you”.

Shit.

Shittest shit.

She didn’t know if she preferred him as misogynist asshole or as a genuinely interested human being.

Either way she was thoroughly screwed.

Which was something she should have been used since she did it as a job.

“Oh” that was all that she was able to utter.

“I must have sounded like a creeper…” and as soon as he had opened up about himself, he was back to that defensive stance he always had, making Ealhswith inevitably feel guilty for her behavior, but words wouldn’t rush out of her mouth “… I just… Gosh, you probably have things to do…”.

“I have a thesis to avoid” she commented, finally having regained her voice, able to word out the phrase because it regarded something mundane on which she could find her focus on “… so… I’d like to spend more time together, if you… I mean if you don’t have better things to do”.

“I actually have a date”.

Shittest shit, again.

“… understood” she replied, unable to think about the fact that maybe she had sounded too eager for everything, which evidently made him uncomfortable, even more if he had a partner on the side.

“… but I have a bit of free time before it, if you want” he explained softly, almost if he hadn’t noticed Ealhswith’s surprise.

As if he hadn’t just given the worst news ever.

And she seriously needed to stop crush on him.

“I have to take the red line” she sputtered out, again focusing on mundane things instead of the fact that the guy she had been crushing on for a few weeks had a partner, probably somebody who made him smile enough to make his beautiful mismatched eyes shine and that made him feel at ease.

Ealhswith had truly been an idiot for thinking that her, a sex worker with a problematic relationship with math could be his type.

She barely liked herself.

He certainly couldn’t have liked her.

“Oh, I also have to take it” he commented, completely not noticing her uneasiness “… till the last stop so we can share our busy time for a bit”.

She simply nodded, pushing herself slightly away from him.

The fact that he said he wanted to spend time with her didn’t mean that he necessarily meant that in a romantic way.

In the end he might have found interesting their convos, but they didn’t chatter together daily.

They didn’t know anything about each other.

Although Ealhswith could have sworn of having confessed him everything, he hadn’t opened up that much with her, and there must have been a reason behind it.

A partner seemed a pretty obvious reason.

Gosh, why hadn’t she thought before about that?

Still, although she was painfully awkward by the recent discovery, she tried her best to have a polite conversation with Sihtric and she was glad when their talk moved onto the lessons: if she was enjoying them and if she had checked out the sources and books he had suggested, having searched a few links between math and computer science for her.

And then moving onto what had happened to her car, something that did help her focusing on one thing at the time and ground her on more terrene thoughts.

Even more when she discovered that the tube of the red line would have had a delay of thirty minutes, making her wait in its hallway till the entire thing was set up and basically rebuilt again for technical problems that had brought themselves up at the last minute.

Leaving her to stand in a painfully awkward conversation with Sihtric, the man seeming quite annoyed by the last-minute problematic, but not enough for somebody who had a nice date.

And Ealhswith’s noisy ass had to comment.

“… don’t you have to let your date know?” she hadn’t meant to sound noisy or bitter, but still it caught Sihtric’s attention, as his eyes set up on her, making a shiver come down her spine, with a playful intensity that made her nervous “… about the delay”.

“I do think she can wait” there was a glint of sadness in his eyes, still, although he held the tight answer.

And she thought that he might not exactly be looking forward to his date.

“… you can get a cab, if you have to go, I seriously can handle myself and my thirty minutes wait” you tried to convince him, wanting him to get away from you and at the same time to stay with you for those minutes.

To choose you over whoever he had to meet.

Although it was a horrid thing to wish.

“I don’t think that she’ll stand me up” he commented, again that blackish tone in his humor that made you feel almost as if he was teasing you withholding some knowledge.

“… never be late for a date” she chastised him, but he just shook his head.

“Let’s just say that you can never arrive late at a date in a cemetery”.

And that shook Ealhswith to the core, turning to face Sihtric.

Who instead turned his head to the ground.

“… oh”.

Couldn’t she have seriously come up with something smarter?

She was finishing a degree in math for God’s sake!

But no matter how smart or how dumb you were, love fucked everybody up.

“I am visiting my mother at the cemetery” now he seemed the one who had to babble everything up “… I do it every month, at least once, to change the flowers and check in with her, although it might sound crazy”.

Ealhswith was silent a moment too long and this was a mistake.

Because Sihtric started to ramble, distancing himself from her physically and mentally.

“… yeah, I know that what I just said might have made me sound like a creeper” he muttered, biting his lower lip, nervous and tense, enough that she couldn’t help but notice a slight tremble in her hands “… but I swear I have no bad intentions”.

“You asked me an ice cream in exchange of deleting a video that could have potentially ruined my life” she found herself muttering, finally able to reply with the doubt she had had for her whole life “… I don’t think that you are even capable of bad intentions”.

Sihtric seemed taken aback.

And Eahlswith had to ramble a bit more.

“You might have this ‘cool emo’ look but believe me I do know that you are as soft as a teddy bear, inside” she should have shut up her mouth “… you aren’t a bad guy Sihtric, although you might think you are. And believe me I do know an awful lot of bad guys”.

Dudes that thought that just because of the job you did, it was alright to call you names or take advantage of you in any way, form or shape, rendering you the shell of what you had been.

“… thank you” it was again worded as if he didn’t deserve it and it took everything in Ealhswith not to simply hug him on the spot, not because she had a crush on him or his expression was sadder than a kicked puppy.

But because he seemed like he could use a hug.

“… so I don’t find you creepy for visiting your mom” she explained softly, suddenly realizing the heaviness that had fallen between them, bringing them closer, as if they had been tied with weights around their bodies and thrown at each other.

The hit was inevitable.

“… and I am sorry to hear about your mother”.

Sihtric scratched his head, showcasing he wasn’t comfortable, but still nodded his head in an acceptance of your thoughts.

“She had a… a sickness and the troubled life that my father brought her in certainly didn’t help” again that sad smile and then he wetted his lips, and Ealhswith noticed that they were horridly chapped and she thought about getting him a lip balm.

She seriously should have considered sticking her nose in her own business.

But yet Sihtric’s confession brought her to realize he had opened up with her, something that had obviously made him feel on the short end of the stick, uncomfortable and awkward and if Ealhswith had learned anything in her line of job, it was that sharing information always required two people.

“I understand it…” she bit her own lips, trying to focus on the words of her declaration, because if she thought about them too much, she would have lost herself “… my brother, I have a younger brother, he… he kind of… he had leukemia, we found it out when he was five and from then on it was a downward road…”.

She damnably refused to face Sihtric’s face.

“He is a sweetheart and he is so so active when he isn’t in the hospital, but he has spent so much time there that… it was expensive on my family and it is the main reason why I joined the sex work world, to support myself on my own and not weight on my family… but…”.

Shit, he would have thought she was a creeper had she started to cry.

“Is he…?” instead that was Sihtric’s question, a clear sign of worry in his tone.

“No, no, he is in remission… he has been for five years, but cancer can be a bastard, can’t it?” she was choking on the words, perfect…

… she must have sounded so pathetic.

In her line of work, she wasn’t allowed to even shed a tear for herself, so the fact that she was doing it right now, made her feel like utter shit.

What would have SIhtric thought?

That she was some crazed mad woman.

“… I am glad to hear that” he said instead, and awkwardly he gained the distance she had pushed between themselves “… is it… is it alright with you if I hug you?”.

And she didn’t know why she nodded immediately, something that made her probably seem even more pathetic.

He had just confessed that his mother had died, and he was visiting her at cemetery and yet she was the one who was being hugged close.

Sihtric wrapped up in her arms, awkwardly at first, but then she also leaned in it, calmly and softly, his head lightly easing up on the crook of her neck, meanwhile she was faced with his chest, because of the height difference.

And then the subway’s natural noise appeared.

And they were startled apart, by that, red-cheeked and with their eyes on their shoes.

They entered the tube in silence, soon discovering they were alone, which made the entire background seem like the one of a post-apocalyptic movie, making them both share a hysterical laugh.

“… thank you” she commented immediately “…and sorry for being an idiot”.

“I don’t think that you are an idiot” Sihtric’s voice was as calm water before the storm, unrelenting and strong, but also calm and brewing inside “… you are one of the smartest person I know”.

“Don’t even try to start” she threatened him jokingly “… I am barely able to function”.

“… and yet you are the best human being I have ever talked with”.

The confession knocked the air out of Ealhswith and honestly her first instinct was to run the shit out of there, but she couldn’t, hence she was pushed to look at Sihtric in the face, straight up to him and not a single trace of dishonesty was marked upon his face.

And she was broken apart and undone again.

“… what is your secret, Sihtric?” her voice was barely a whisper, as she found herself moving closer to him, a moth driven to a flame truly because no man can truly be that perfect without a skeleton in his closet.

“I might have a small crush on you” Sihtric’s comment was so honest that it definitely shattered anything that she might have known “… but you must think that I am some kind of creeper, I just… I just felt like I needed to let you know, so that you won’t feel forced to comfort me or…”.

And if there was one thing that according to Ealhswith never failed was the physical contact.

And she kissed him, since she was a mess with words.

There was a reason if she studied numbers.

And the kiss felt good, it felt much better than torturing herself with the thought of what Sihtric truly felt with her.

And he seemed to understand her, completely, as he gently moved to reciprocate the kiss, shy as he always appeared, and yet so strong and stable in himself that she anchored herself to him, almost desperately, as the kiss deepened.

And then the intercom announced her stop.

And she awkwardly separated from Sihtric, knowing that she had only a few minutes till she had to get off the subway, and that she could have used them to run away, as fast as she could, and never turn back.

But she might have acted like a coward.

And if there was one thing she wasn’t, was a coward.

“… I do know that you said you had a date, but… would you like some company after it?” Ealhswith was a mess, she was definitely appearing like a huge creeper to him “…I mean… this might… I should shut up”.

“I’d like that very much” simply replied Sihtric, moving closer to her, to kiss her lips swiftly, one more time “… never in a million years I thought that I’d get a date with you”.

“Oh, believe me, sweetie… I thought the same”.

#Ealhswith #Sihtric #Ealhswith x Sihtric #Ealhswith/Sihtric #Ealhswith\Sihtric #Ealhswith Imagine #Ealhswith Fic #Sihtric Imagine #Sihtric Fic #The Last Kingdom #TLK #The Last Kingdom Fic #TLK Fic

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aethelredism · 3 years

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We all know the ladies of TLK need more love from the writers' room. What do you want to see for them as individuals? Or, if the writers let them interact, who do you want to see facing off, working together or just hanging out?

I would love to see Aethelflaed, Aelswith, and Aelflaed be half the problematic girlbosses fandom thinks they are. They can, must, should, and will run the Saxon world.

We've had some hints already that Eadith is going to spend at least part of s5 with Aelswith and I'm SO excited for that. They don't seem like two women who should get along at first glance, so I am REALLY curious to see how that relationship plays out for both of them.

I also want to see Ealhswith again!!!! I miss her!!!!! What is she DOING!!!!!! Would kill to have literally even just a scene of her giving Sihtric the side eye.

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crookes-library · 4 years

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Fanfic Year in Review 2020

Tagged by the continuously wonderful @kirstenseas TY hun

1. List of fics completed this year:

I know what you did last night: The Untamed - WangXian

Seasons: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

We’re All Fools Here: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

Amber: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

What Would I Be: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

Echoes: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

Moon & Stars: TLK - Sihtric/Ealhswith & Sihtric/ Osferth

Osbert: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

The scent of you: TLK - Uhtred/Finan

& a bunch of Ficlets

Are we noticing a theme? Uhtred/Finan are just that special blend of best friends to lovers & old marrieds that makes me want to tear my face off so I will probably not ever stop writing them

2. Number of words written:

67,112 words published on AO3 & about 2.6k in tumblr prompts not to mention the scraps and notes I’ve got here there and everywhere which is more than I’ve written in like 8 or 9 years? I’m pretty damn happy about that tbh

3. Your most popular fic this year:

By far ‘I know what you did last night’ which I like to believe is cause its cute but also because its a much bigger fandom and a much more popular ship

My most popular TLK fic is ‘What Would I Be’

4. Your personal favourite this year:

This is difficult because there’s a few I’m fond of but I’d say its between Seasons and Osbert.

‘Seasons’ because it really kick-started my writing this year and I was really proud of it. It felt pretty true to the books and I enjoyed weaving in the little moments between Uhtred and Finan. I’ve debated messing with the end but I’m still very happy with it overall

‘Osbert’ because it came out of nowhere and just ended up so nice? It was originally going to just be a vent fic of Uhtred’s frustration at being injured/in pain and unable to do things he would normally do because at the time I started writing it I was commuting to work and the chronic pain I get from my hip dysplasia was flaring up real bad but then Finan just took over and decided Uhtred deserves all the softness like he so often does lol

Honourable mentions to The scent of you because it was super fun to write and The Bodyguard because I just enjoy the concept

5. Your favourite scene:

Little Stiorra threatening to fight Finan’s secret lover for his hand in marriage in Amber so she doesn’t have to marry any stinky boys. I love love love Stiorra, she’s my baby and Uhtred and Finan just having a quiet afternoon being fond dads gives me all the warm & fuzzies

6. A fic or scene that challenged you:

Can I say all of them? Cause if so all of them, writing is hard and I am a very tired person who second/third/fourth-guesses every damn word

Mostly The Bodyguard though because its the first long fic that I’ve even attempted since like my ff.net days. I know what I’m doing with it/where I’m going but actually getting it all down is hard and slow going and I’m trying to forgive myself for that and not pressure myself and end up sucking out all the joy because I really do love it and I want to keep loving it

7. A line of writing you’re proud of:

Cheating with a couple lines from What Would I Be because it was one of those middle of the night-can’t sleep-sudden inspiration-omg the gay yearning of it all-things that I just really liked.

Once the clean-up is done Finan finds him. There is an easiness in the way that Finan folds into his embrace, steady and familiar. Finan pokes at his ribs when they draw back. “You were worried,” Finan teased, eyes warm with amusement. “As if I’d waste the energy on your scrawny arse,” Uhtred scoffed. But Uhtred was worried, he was, he was, he is.

8. A comment that touched you:

I’m someone who reads and re-reads my AO3 inbox constantly whenever I’m feeling stuck or I’m having a Bad Brain day and I need the serotonin so its hard to pick one because I’m honestly touched by anyone who takes the time to comment but a special shout out to The Enablers and to @deespiegel because they’re all just so? lovely?? I wouldn’t have written half as much this past year without their encouragement

9. Something that inspired your writing this year:

Uhtred Uhtred Uhtred ❤ I literally cannot emphasise enough how much he means to me and with S4 & the last book coming out I just fell so deeply back into my feels. Looking forward to the next book has gotten me through some really low points the last 13/14-ish years and what is fic if not an outlet for dealing with a story you love coming to an end? Also just the TLK books in general, BC has a terrible (brilliant) habit of writing the main character and his best friend as just super married in his books but Uhtred/Finan might actually be the craziest example yet of all his books that I’ve read. The last 2 books especially (Sword of Kings & War Lord), how is my little gay heart meant to handle knee touches and worrying and inside jokes and “Did he touch you?” HOW?? BC ANSWER FOR YOUR CRIMES

The Enablers have also been an endless source of inspiration and encouragement. I used to be such a fandom lurker, I was too awkward and shy to talk to anyone but now I have like actual fandom friends?!! And they’re just such amazing people?!! Cannot believe, they’ve really kept me going this past year ❤

10. Your proudest accomplishment (that one scene; finally finishing that one fic; posting your first fic; etc)

The fact that I’ve written more than I have in absolutely forever and also committing to a long fic, its not done yet but just the fact that I’ve started is huuuuge for me

11. Do you have any writing goals for the next year?

To finish The Bodyguard and just keep writing :)

I think all the enablers have already been tagged so anyone else who wants to do this have at!

PS Please make a new post if you do :)

#my writing #fandom #tag games #the last kingdom

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nxrdist · 4 years

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𝕺𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝕷𝖔𝖞𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖞||TLK Fic|| FinanxOC||Five

AN: I know it’s been ages since I updated .-. *cough* like 4 months *cough* BUT I’m back! Kind of, I’m in the middle of a move, but I’ve had some time to do some writing finally. So here we are :) Thanks to everyone who’s been reading, liking, and leaving me feedback. You are all the best and I hope you enjoy this much delayed update.

Taglist: @lauwrite1225 ,@queen-manning ,@for-bebbanburg , @bells3333 , @othermoony , @iwillboilyourteeth let me know if you want to be tagged for updates!

Summary: Tove chose to surrender rather than be killed, after Sigfried was defeated at Beamfleot, giving herself up to the mercy of the Saxons. Thanks to Finan’s intervention, her life is indeed spared and she is brought into Uhtred’s service. With the sting of defeat fresh on her tongue and her new life fighting for the Saxons secured; Tove is left wondering what tricks the Gods have in store for her next.

Words: 3603

“I reckon it’s time for a few drinks!” Sihtric announced.

Unsurprisingly the declaration was met with cheers of agreement from many of the men. Though their ride had been uneventful the sun had still been beating down and the thought of fresh ale to sate their thirst was tantalizing. Decision made, they moved as a group towards their usual tavern at a leisurely pace. Many chatted amongst themselves and Finan nearly found himself drawn into a debate between Osferth and Sihtric over a matter of swordcraft, but something else caught his attention. Rypere and Kenward appeared to be squabbling over something. Not wishing to have to break up a fight before the drinking had even begun, Finan broke away from his friends to see what the trouble was. As he grew closer the Irishman was able to make out their conversation better.

“Ask her for a drink!”

“I doubt she would agree,” said Rypere a slight frown on his face.

“You’ll not know unless ya’ ask!” Insisted Kenward.

“Was it not you who said I sounded like an oaf the last time I spoke to her?”

“True....but perhaps she has forgotten?”

Rypere gave Kenward a distinctly disbelieving look.

“Well perhaps not, but you had just been knocked into the dirt several times.”

“Such encouragement,” said Rypere in a flat tone.

This caused him a moment of pause as he then realized what or rather who the two were bickering over. It was Tove. He had witnessed the incident of which they spoke.

It had been the end of an afternoon training session. Sihtric and he had finished their battle at a draw deciding to leave it there for the day. Parting from the half Dane to fetch a drink, he had noticed her. Often Finan found himself noticing her and just as often he found himself making excuses for doing so; though, little excuse was needed when she was fighting because Tove was quite the fighter. Just as he had turned to look, she pushed in close to her opponent in an effort to knock him off balance which she succeeded in doing by sweeping a foot out from under him effectively knocking him on his backside. Her opponent had been Rypere. Finan had later heard from the young man how he had been knocked on his backside several times by her that day. Though, it had been his close friend Kenward who had drunkenly regaled the story of Rypere’s following rejection. It did not appear to have swayed the Saxon’s interest.

“Alright look. A drink is much less than a private stroll!” Kenward reasoned.

He thought to leave them to their bickering but hesitated having only then noticed their very topic of conversation retreating down the street. Hadn’t she been nearby to Osferth and Sihtric when they’d exited the stables? It wasn’t unreasonable, supposed Finan, that she could have slipped away in the small crowd, but it did irk him somehow that he hadn’t noticed. Part of him was very much looking forward to her boasting over their drinks of how she’d known the Danes would return, but it appeared that wouldn’t happen -at least not that night.

“Oi!” Called Finan, causing the two Saxons to look at him. “Ya comin’ er nah?”

Kenward and Rypere exchanged a look. Rypere seemed to steel himself a moment before patting Kenward on the shoulder and heading off the opposite way down the street. Finan gave Kenward a feigned questioning look as if he hadn’t just been listening into their conversation.

“Give him a mo’. He’s off to embarrass himself again no doubt,” Kenward said with a good-natured chuckle.

The Irishman gave a short laugh of his own in response. They watched as Rypere called after Tove causing her to pause in her step and turn to face him. From their distance the words couldn’t be made out, but Finan watched with some interested they spoke. He easily could have told Rypere there was little chance of her agreeing. But it would bring him more pleasure to watch the lad be rejected, though he dared not to examine why that was.

Finan caught her drifting gaze as she looked away from Rypere towards the slowly retreating crowd. Her expression was composed. Though he thought there was a look of exasperation in her eye as there had been when she had rolled her eyes at his jest about her having a man. Unbidden his eyebrow raised in mild amusement, but Tove either chose not to react or did not see as her eyes snapped back to Rypere who must have been speaking. She said something else to him and a moment later Rypere was turning back towards them looking somewhat deflated.

“Damn,” whispered Kenward.

But Finan wasn’t paying him any attention. His eyes were still on Tove. She was watching Rypere’s retreat a thoughtful look on her face which caused his brow to raise further. Again, her eyes seemed to be almost as drawn to him as his were to her for her gaze shifted to meet his. The distance between them was too much to be sure but he swore the corners of her lips quirked in a ghost of a smile. Briefly he flicked his gaze toward Rypere and then back to her, throwing her a thoughtless wink and a smirk. There certainly was a smile then as Tove gave a slight shake of her head and turned away.

“Let’s be goin’,” Finan said absently.

“Yea’ I could definitely use that drink now,” Rypere huffed as he drew level with them.

The three of them hurried along to catch up with the rest of their party who were almost at the tavern. Once inside they took places at one of the long tables and men began calling out their orders to the barmaids who came to serve them. Finan seated himself between Sihtric and Osferth in an effort to put a stop to their still raging debate, though it did little good. Across from them Rypere and Kenward took seats with some of the others.

“I thought for certain-“

“You did not Ken,” said Rypere throwing his friend a look of discontent. “You’ve been the one ribbing me for the whole thing in the first place.”

“Ribbing for what?” Sihtric butted in, having soundly forgotten the debate at the prospect of having someone to tease.

“His crush on Lady Tove,” supplied Kenward earning a swift elbow to the ribs by Rypere. “What! It’s true.”

Finan snorted. “I wouldn’ let her ‘ear you callin’ her tha’.”

Kenward’s expression warped in confusion.

“Set Beocca straight on that account when first she met him,” chuckled Osferth.

“Besides, Lady could not describe a woman like that besides,” said Rypere.

Osferth exchanged glances with Kenward who merely shrugged. They were interrupted momentarily as the barmaids made their round setting down drinks. All thanked them kindly and took their drinks without hesitation. Rypere nearly downed his whole pint in one go.

“Don’t feel too badly,” said Sihtric with a consoling smile. “I highly doubt a Saxon could handle her anyhow.”

“What is that to mean?” Rypere almost snapped in response, setting his pint down hard on the table.

“You’ve said, haven’t you? She is too fierce! No Danish shield maiden could stand to be confined to a farm somewhere while her husband went off to fight.”

Rypere frowned then as if he hadn’t thought of that.

“And how would you know?” Kenward challenged thinking to aid his friend.

Sihtric did not look impressed though still he looked to his friends for support as well. “Finan?”

“What? I haven’t any experience with Danish shield maidens.”

Finan had a feeling he knew where this conversation was going and felt keen to be left out of it. But no such luck.

“Were you not the first of us who Tove befriended?” Osferth queried rhetorically.

“I wouldn’ call knockin’ the wind an’ crackin’ a rib befriendin’ baby monk,” Finan quipped.

Sihtric turned on him then scoffing loudly past his drink. “And still I would not doubt her to come to you with any problem.”

“Any?” Finan snorted, feebly attempting to redirect the conversation again.

“Alright, perhaps after Ealhswith or Gisela,” Sihtric conceded with a sigh. “Tis’ not the point though.”

Thankfully, Rypere who had been quiet until then seemed to have been struck with a brilliant idea.

“Would you put in a word for me?” he asked Finan eagerly.

The Irishman paused in bringing his pint to his mouth to study the Saxon. It made him wonder then; did he even have a sway over what Tove thought? Perhaps, though he doubted it. The Dane was headstrong once her mind was set. It had been that reason he was quite sure Rypere would not sway her to join them that night. This trait was one of the first he learned of her as they grew to become friends. That led to the more pressing question though, if he could sway her mind on Rypere would he?

Immediately his gut gave him a firm answer. No. He certainly would do no such thing. Though, it was not for any reason he was willing to think on. Finan did his best to ignore any thought he might have towards the young woman which crossed the line of friendly or brotherly -and the reason he was unwilling to put in any such word for Rypere was anything but.

“Perhaps…if it’s brought up,” Finan said finally placing his pint back on the table. “Though, I do na’ think her interested in a man at any rate.”

Before any could but in with further questioning, Finan turned his attention to Sihtric easily engaging him about the debate he and Osferth had previously been enthralled with. Though Finan did not see it, Rypere looked at him with a somewhat puzzled expression for a moment before he was able to accept the topic as closed.

Cruising down the Temes was leisurely in comparison to a sea voyage. No salty spray assaulted their faces nor was the ship rocked by angry waves sent by the Goddess Rán. There was some rowing to be done when the winds turned against them, but for most of the journey it was calm.

They had been given several orders for the negotiations that would take place, chief of which was payment for the Danes to leave Wessex. So, Uhtred brought three ships on the mission as one would be carrying the ransom and was also to be surrendered to the Danes. The first was Seolferwulf, Lord Uhtred’s ship and she beautiful piece of work made by Frisian shipwrights the previous spring when they arrived at Lunden. It was made of oak, long-keeled, wide-beamed, and high prowed. Second was the Kenelm and she was a fair ship as well but was named for some martyred Christian Saint. The final ship was called Dragon-voyager which had been built by and captured from the Danes some time ago. It was Dragon-voyager which carried the gold that would be paid to Haesten for his agreement to leave.

As they slid along the bank Uhtred stood on the steering platform with Finan and the two priests. The presence of the two priests was part of the second condition for a peaceful resolution. Haesten and his Danes would have to accept Alfred’s Christian missionaries. Third would be the traditional demand for hostages who would stay under the care of a Saxon Lord until such time that the Danes were ready to sail. In theory the whole trouble was simply dealt with so long as the Danes were of a mind to bargain.

Once Seolferwulf was close enough a few men hopped ashore to drag her fully up onto the bank between two Danish ships that were also grounded there. The other two ships stayed floating nearby as Uhtred and the household warriors disembarked onto the shore where they were met by their host.

Before them stood Haesten arms spread wide in greeting with a jovial expression on his face. He was a stocky man with fair hair, a plaited beard and, a deceptively trusting face. Haesten was dressed finely with silver clasps in his beard, many arm rings, and his thick sword belt studded with gold. It appeared since scuttling off from the fight at Beamfleot -like the coward he was- he had done well for himself.

“My Lord Uhtred! I am overjoyed to see you,” he said smiling broadly at their group. “My old valued friend.”

“Jarl Haesten,” Uhtred responded in greeting, though his expression was guarded.

“I had hoped Alfred would send you,” Haesten said as he held out his hand.

Uhtred shook it. “If Alfred had not ordered we come in peace, I would have separated your head from your shoulder by now.”

“You bark a lot,” Haesten laughed loudly causing a few of the nearby men to join in. “But you know what they say, the louder the bark the weaker the bite.”

Though the warriors had immediately followed Uhtred on to the beach it had taken a moment for the priests to gather their things and join them. Now that they had Haesten’s eyes shifted from Uhtred to the newcomers with an arched brow clearly questioning their presence. Uhtred seemed to deliberately ignore the look though and pressed on. He explained that yes they came in peace and with a message from Alfred. Though Haesten did not seem to pay all that much attention to Uhtred’s words, he waved a hand dismissively, still surveying those assembled before him having become bored with the priests apparently.

“I know why you are here,” Haesten said vaguely. “You will accompany me to my encampment, and we may speak and eat there.”

Uhtred nodded his assent and selected Finan, Tove and one other warrior to accompany him in addition to the two priests. Their boots splashed through marshy puddles as they made their way onto the waste that was Scaepege. It was not the location of Haesten’s true strong hold, but it had been crudely fortified prior to their arrival. The perimeter was marked with a feeble wall constructed from thorn brush, which had been taken from the surrounding landscape, and a slight ditch. Within that negligible bulwark were two fair sized tents that had been erected out of sail cloth.

At the entrance of the tent nearest, Tove came to a halt. She had no wish to be an observer of this negotiation. Paying one’s enemies to leave instead of fighting did not sit right with her, but it appeared to be the Saxon way even if Uhtred was clearly displeased with it as well. It was the king’s will though so he would see it done. She understood. He was sworn to Alfred as she was to him. It was still no less distasteful to see her Lord made to come before Haesten as a supplicant.

When there was no call from Lord Uhtred to join them, she wondered if he knew her feelings on the matter. Regardless it appeared for the time being she was free to survey the camp -if one would call it that at all- though there was not much to see. The only part that was not open for viewing was the interior of the two tents, but their contents was deduced easily enough. One, which she currently stood at the entrance of, was for eating and storage while the other was likely for sleeping. Haesten would not be staying on Scaepege long that much was clear. It was nothing but a safe location a short way from the true fort to hold this negotiation. The company would return there once their business was concluded, though, whether he would hold up whatever his end of the deal was Tove felt dubiously about.

Knowing that the discussion may take some time Tove allowed herself to wander from the tent entrance. Briefly the thought occurred to her, as she strode away, that perhaps Uhtred had not intended for her to join them inside during the negotiation at all. But to what end? To gain some knowledge of Haesten’s strength? There was not much to be learned in this desolate place though the thought brought her to something that had always intrigued her about Lord Uhtred. He had great love for the Danes -well not Hasten. So why did he fight them.

Her musings were interrupted then by a cumbersome hand on her shoulder. Suddenly alert, Tove grabbed the wrist of her would be assailant and turned apace to face them not faltering in her grip. At the sight of him Tove gave a moment of pause as recognition flickered in her eyes. Before her stood a man of stout build. His beard was cropped short as was his hair around the sides and back though a long braid sprouted from the back of his head. Familiar dark bronze eyes blinked back at her with something akin to mild shock reflecting in their depth.

“Well…I was sent to stop ya wandering,” he began. “Though, I see now that might be a difficult task.”

“Halvar,” Tove responded, dropping his wrist in recognition. “You are here.”

“T’would seem so,” Halvar replied, a mild grin spreading across his face.

Halvar gave her a measured look, pausing to take in her appearance. She was near just as he remembered her. They stood near on eye level to each other though it was by no great feat of height on her part as Halvar had always been quite short. Her long hair was braided to the sides of her head and pulled back in her usual fashion. Though, strangely he thought, she did not gaze upon him with the usual openness of a friend as he recalled when they had last met. And then Tove gave a short cough breaking their brief eye contact as she looked away.

“Forgive me,” he said quickly. “I am only surprised to see you -alive.”

Tove hummed in acknowledgement of his obvious question but offered no explanation.

“Last I heard of Kåre he told me you sailed with Njal alongside the Thurgilsons,” Halvar frowned. “I was aggrieved to hear of their defeat. Even more so when you did not return.”

Pursing her lips, Tove inhaled deeply. She did not meet his eyes as she considered what she could possibly say. It had been impossible to send word to her brother of her fate. Even if she had known how to write letters it would have been little help as her brother could not have read them. Her only option would have been a messenger, but that was out of the question.

“With whom do you sail now?” pressed Halvar, incited to interest by her silence.

“I do not,” Tove finally replied her tone flat.

Her brother’s friend furrowed his brow in apparent confusion. “What do ya mean?”

“I have been in the Saxon city of Lunden,” she said simply.

“And why would ya be there? We thought you dead.”

Halvar’s expression darkened considerably at this revelation. For her part, Tove was not at all surprised. When she had sworn herself to Uhtred she knew it was quite likely many of her family and friends would believe her fallen at Beamfleot.

Tove could not meet his gaze when she spoke again. “There was little choice aside from death in the face of our defeat. Njal was slain. Many of the boats were fired.” A pregnant pause hung between them as Halvar waited for her to elaborate further. “In fact, I had thought to be drinking in the mead halls of Valhalla when the battle turned. However, it appears it was not my fate.”

“Aye, I see that,” Halvar said ambiguously.

“A Saxon Lord spared my life.”

Silence dragged on for some length of time. The span it took for Halvar to digest the information caused Tove some discomfort as she shifted coltishly on the spot. Finally, the dark-haired Dane raised a hand as if to grasp her shoulder again, but it dropped not halfway to its destination.

“The Dane-slayer.”

“Uhtred,” Tove corrected, an effete bite to her tone.

Halvar’s disposition soured at her feeble defense of her Lord. “And have you killed many Danes in his name?”

Raising her chin, Tove’s eyes swirled with steel. “Lord Uhtred has not asked it of me.”

“He will be soon,” Halvar spat. “You are not one of them.”

Turning his back to her, he stalked away.

The altercation with Halvar left Tove feeling discontented which thankfully she was not able to dwell upon for too long in that moment. When Uhtred exited the tent, he found Tove easily waving his hand to indicate she should join them. She did so without delay. Then, the hostages exchanged, and metal paid they set off back to Lunden.

Tove spoke little on the voyage back to the city. When she was not rowing her mind so easily drifted to the exchange with Halvar and her expression turned sullen. Several times the men made attempts to draw her into conversation, but she stayed mostly silent. After a particularly doltish joke from Sihtric, which Tove snapped quite shrewdly at him for, none made any further attempt to engage her. Though she was not unaware of the occasional look cast her way by Uhtred or the other household warriors.

Arriving back in Lunden was a blessing for Tove’s troubled mind. She found herself filled with a sense of relief as the sloping bank of the Temes gave way to the walls of that city. There she had a home and a quiet place to think. Something that had been sorely lacking on the ship filled with men.

#finan fic #finan #tlk fic #tlk #The Last Kingdom #the last kingdom fic #ool fic

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ofodinn · 6 years

Note

TLK for the fandom meme please.

Fandom Meme -- > Anon -- > Accepting!

my favorite female character: Aethelflaed

my favorite male character: ALFRED

my favorite book/season/etc: I need to read the books, but so far Season 3

my favorite episode (if its a tv show): The episode in Season One, when Uhtred brings his sword into the church and Alfred makes him crawl on his knees through the street.

my favorite cast member: David Dawson

my favorite ship: Alfred/Sass

a character I’d die defending: Alfred

a character I just can’t sympathize with: Aethelred, Aethelbald, Uhtred, Ealhswith

a character I grew to love: Erik

my anti otp: Aethelflaed/Aethelred

#Anonymous

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morosemagick · 3 years

Text

What Happens Here | Finan x OC One Shot

Prompt: There's Only One Bed (as joked about with @emilyhufflepufftlk!) Title Inspired by the song "What Happens Here" by Zara Larrson!

Warning: Recreational Drinking & Smut. Lots of Smut

Words: 4318

Tagged:

@solinarimoon @emilyhufflepufftlk @magravenwrites @lauwrite1225 @obipoelover @thebohemianpenguin @axe-does-writing @for-bebbanburg

She wasn't sure why she was here. Well, she was, Sigrid's baby brother was getting married this weekend. Her family followed many old norse traditions (never mind the fact that his fiance was Christian) so weddings in their family were a big deal. When her brother, Sihtric, called Sigrid to tell her the news he all but begged her to come home for the wedding.

They were the only family that mattered, In each other's eyes, it was a big deal for her to go home.

So she did.

Sihtrics' fiance made plans for the wedding party to stay in the same house for the whole weekend. The wedding party included all their friends… all of which are either married or dating each other.

One, then, would understand just how awkward it is when Sigrid finds out she'll be sharing a room with the only other single person in the party.

Her brother's best friend, Finan.

She didn't know much about the guy other than the fact that they went to Uni together, and that she just beat him out for best man.

Talk about being set up for disaster.

"Sigrid, I didn't realize you would make it in time," Sihtric tried to apologize privately after his fiance, Ealhswith, broke the news, but Sigrid just wasn't having it, "Maybe we'll ask one of the guys to just.. double up or something."

"Your entire wedding party is couples, Sihtric, you can't just ask them to not share a room with their partner," Sigrid argued as she slumped into a chair in her brothers' suite, "I can go to a hotel, it's fine."

"You're my sister, I want you here," Sihtric told her with a sad look, "Let me talk to Finan when he gets here."

"Tell me the room has a couch, at least?" Sigrid asked him and the look he gave her was not very comforting, "Why are you like this?"

"It's one weekend, Sigrid, please! I get married tomorrow," Sihtric walked over to his sister and got on one knee as he begged her, "all you have to do is play nice-"

"I am always nice!" Sigrid argued with a smirk across her face, but seeing the puppy dog look on her brother's face was enough for her to oblige, "Fine! I'll share the room, but he's sleeping on the floor."

"Thank you, Sigrid!" Sihtric smiles as he jumps to hug her, making the chair fall over.

Sigrid laughed as they fell, hugging him back, "Alright, alright! Let's get going, I need a drink!"

"I'm sure Ealhswith has started the party without us," Her brother laughs as they both get up, and fix the chair before heading down to the main living space of the house

————————————<3—————————————

Finan gets to the house last and everyone is starting to drink without him. Since everyone is drinking, no one sees him sneak in, finding Uhtred in the kitchen.

Uhtred was another groomsman, as well as Sihtric's cousin.

"Uhtred?" Finan questions as he finds his friend, who smiles at the sight of him, "Good lord, what have you done to your hair?"

The last he saw his friend, Uhtred had long hair with the sides shaved and the rest shoved in a high ponytail. Now that was gone too and the long hair cut short.

"Ah, Gisela did not want me to look like a heathen for my cousin's wedding," Uhtred chuckles as he greets his friend with a handshake, "How was the drive?"

"Long," Finan huffs with a smile, "Where's my room? I need to change."

"Your room," Uhtred snickered as he pulled out a bunch of shot glasses from a cabinet, "Someone should have been here earlier.. you would have had a better pick."

Finan scrunches his brows, "Why- where am I?"

Uhtred glances his way and shrugs, turning back to what he was doing, "You should be asking who you are with."

"Seriously? Sihtric wants me to share a room?" Finan questioned Uhtred, who snickers his breath as he found a bottle and started to pour them shots, "With who? No one else is staying here."

"The best man," Uhtred explained with a smirk on his lips, "You'll be fine."

Finan took one of the shots and downed it quickly, Uhtred already filling his glass, "I thought Sihtrics' best man wasn't coming tonight?"

"Apparently they made the flight," Uhtred tells him as he puts the rest of the shots on a tray to carry to the other room.

Finan didn't know much about the man who managed to upstage him as best man for his best friend's wedding, other than they were siblings. One he hadn't seen in a long time. It's hard to be mad at being picked over family, except for when you've known the guy for 5 years, and not once has he mentioned having a brother.

But it was not Finan's wedding, it was Sihtrics'.

Uhtred and Finan make their way into the main living room just as Sihtric and a woman Finan has never seen before enters the room. Sihtric drags her closer to the group of couples who make up the rest of the wedding party, and points to the woman, "Everyone, you remember my sister? Sigrid, this is the rest of the wedding party."

A sister?

Finan only learned about a brother… but a sister? He had no idea.

"It's nice to see everyone, again," Sigrid says with a chuckle and a slight wave, looking around at everyone in the room.

As her eyes meet Finan's, he can feel his heart drop to his feet. She's fucking gorgeous.

Uhtred puts the tray of shots down on the coffee table in the middle of the room, and everyone else reaches over to grab a shot.

"Wait!" Uhtred shots before anyone has a chance to take their shot, "Perhaps the maid of honor and best man should say a few words?"

Gisela; Uhtred's wife and Ealhswith's maid of honor, is first to stand, "To Sihtric and Ealsie! We all wish you many happy years together!"

Gisela then glances at Sigrid, and for a moment Finan is really confused.

That is... until she starts to speak.

"To my baby brother and his wife to be," Sigrid adds as she raises her shot glass, "Anyone who can put up with Sihtric is a saint, we are happy to have you become one of us, Ealhswith." Ealhswith wipes a tear from her face as Sigrid tips her glass just slightly, "Cheers!"

The rest of the party yells cheers, except for Finan, who's frozen in place looking mighty confused.

"You alright there, Finan?" Asks Osferth, Sihtrics' childhood friend and another groomsman, as he walks over and nudges his arm.

"I am… lost," Finan explains as he raises the shot glass to his lips.

"Oh, I should've told you," Uhtred puts his hand on Finan's shoulder and smirks, "Sihtrics' sister is his best man."

The words come out of Uhtred's mouth just as Finan takes his shot, causing the Irishman to choke on his liquor.

"She's what?!"

————————————<3—————————————

"He's handsome isn't he?" Gisela whispers to Sigrid as she lifts the cocktail to her mouth.

"Who?"

"Finan, Sigrid, are you not listening!" Ealhswith tries to whisper but she's a bit tipsy so it's not really as quiet as she intends.

Sigrid glances over her future sister-in-law's shoulder at the men, who are currently in the middle of a drinking contest. From the looks of it, Sihtric is not winning.

Next to her brother, cheering him on is Finan. There's a big, cheeky, smile on the Irishman's face as he encourages Sihtric to keep drinking and for just a moment, she can see his eyes glance her way.

Okay, maybe they are onto something.

Finan is tall with longish hair and a thick beard. Sigrid guesses he must work out with just how his broad his shoulders are, and his even broader chest… and those arms-

Okay, fine. He's gorgeous. They win.

But she won't tell them that, "Yeah. He's alright."

"Oh come on," Eadith chuckles, playfully shoving Sigrid's side, "Most of us would like a piece of that Irish-"

"Eadith!" Gisela gasps with a smile.

"What," Eadith shrugs, "I have eyes, I can use them."

"Osferth doesn't satisfy enough, Eadith?" Sigrid smirks, leaning back on the couch. They were an odd couple, Eadith and Osferth, but the two of them seemed to really work in sync.

"Oh he satisfies just fine," Eadith raises a brow as she takes a sip of her drink, "There is nothing I would change about how that man performs in bed."

"Alright- I've heard enough," Sigrid raises her hand as she leans forward to put her drink down and the other girls boo her and laugh at her embarrassment, "I need to piss, and you ladies need water."

"Ah, come on, Sigrid, don't be a prude!" Ealhswith whines as Sigrid starts to rise from her seat.

"I draw the line on sharing sex life secrets of men I've known since I was a child," Sigrid laughs as she gets to her feet and heads for the bathroom.

When she gets to the bathroom, she wets her face a bit to cool herself down, grateful she isn't wearing much makeup. After a deep breath, she starts to open the door to leave, and on the other side waiting is Finan.

"Oh, I didn't realize-"

"No it's fine," Sigrid tells him as she tries to go around him awkwardly. He doesn't move much, so they are pretty close to each other as Sigrid tries to go around but instead of moving they both find themselves stuck chest to chest in the doorway.

She's never been a shy woman, but she usually isn't the one to make the first move. So tonight, she's lucky she's tipsy because now she has all the confidence she needs to do whatever stupid thing she wishes.

Include flirting with this man.

"So you're the man I'm supposed to share a bed with," Sigrid smirks as her chest rises and falls with every deep breath she takes.

Finan raises a brow, "I thought it was just a room."

"I don't know if you've been in there yet," Sigrid glances down the hall to make sure no one is coming, and then looks back at Finan, "But there's only one bed."

"What a shame," Finan tells her as he leans forward, stopping right as he hovers her lips, "Looks like you'll be on the couch."

Sigrid doesn't break eye contact as she takes a deep breath and then smirks, "What couch?"

He leans back with eyebrows scrunched and a semi smile on his face, and Sigrid takes that moment to wink and walk away.

She has no idea how she's expected to spend the night alone with this man.

————————————<3—————————————

Finan is fucked.

More than fucked.

He's been trying to fight the urge to flirt with his best friend's sister all night, because… you know... best friend's sister.. and then he runs into her by the bathroom. It was so painfully tempting to pull her into the room, lock the door, and do whatever he can to please her but he contains himself.

Because that's his best friend's sister, and he really shouldn't fuck her.

But he really wants to.

And it's not just because she's gorgeous. It's her light smile, the way she laughs, and her eyes… Sigrid has the bluest ocean eyes Finan just wants to get lost in.

He's trying not to focus on the fact that they've basically set him up. Giving Finan the room with a single bed and single women.

At least… he thought she was?

"Osferth," Finan leans over the kitchen island so he can quietly ask his questions to his friend, "Sigrid isn't… taken, is she?"

"Why? Sharing a room seeming less terrifying and more interesting?" Osferth questions with a smirk of his own and Finan snacks the side of his head.

"I'm just asking, I don't want to make her uncomfortable," Finan tells him, hoping his excuse doesn't make him seem too pathetic.

"Just keep your pants on and you shouldn't have a problem," Uhtred laughs as he enters the kitchen with two empty cups in his hand.

"Where's Sihtric?" Osferth asks as Uhtred joins them at the island.

"I think he's gone to consummate his wedding a touch early," Uhtred laughs and the other two men roll their eyes.

"How are the women?" Finan asks, more curious about Sigrid than the rest of them...

"Gisela is tired, and Eadith may need help getting to her bed," Uhtred answers, looking directly at Osferth as he brings up his girlfriend.

"That's my cue then," Osferth chuckles, "Goodnight, gentlemen."

Finan and Uhtred wave goodnight as Osferth walks away, and when Finan looks at Uhtred he has a devious smile on his face, "What?"

"Sigrid has already headed to bed if you wish to join her," Uhtred tells Finan with a raised brow.

Finan rolls his eyes as he wipes his hands across his face, "Uhtred-"

"Your secret is safe with me," Uhtred laughs as he raises his hands in the air.

"And what secret is that?" Gisela questions as she enters the room.

"There is no secret, Gisela, I think your husband is drunk," Finan tells the women and Uhtred laughs again.

"If you want to fuck her just go ahead and do it, no one will tell Sihtric," Uhtred tells him, and Finan groans as Gisela hits her husband.

"Uhtred!"

"She's your cousin…"

"I'm not the one who wants to fuck her," Uhtred tells them in his own defense, "And besides, if you do decide you don't like her then Sigrid goes back to New York and you never see her again."

Gisela sighs heavily, disappointed with her husband, "Uhtred, you are awful."

"I am brutally honest, it's a gift," Uhtred shrugs as he pulls his wife close, "And you married me, remember?"

Gisela rolls her eyes and smirks his way, "Unfortunately, I do, and we should get to bed."

Uhtred raises a brow with interest, and immediately starts to pull his wife away, "Goodnight, Finan."

"Goodnight," Finan tells them as he's left alone in the kitchen. Now that he is alone, he sighs, and then makes his way to the main living room.

The room is empty now, with everyone going to their respective rooms. He can very well go upstairs, grab his things and then sleep on the couch. They look like they'd be unbearable to sleep on, but it would be better than attempting to share a room with Sigrid. It's the smarter choice, he tells himself as he heads upstairs to get his things.

There is no way he'll survive a night alone with that woman.

————————————<3—————————————

Part of Sigrid is grateful she went upstairs first, she was able to change into a comfortable pair of joggers, a baggy shirt, and a sports bra. She thought about forgoing the bra altogether, but she's a bigger chested girl and her back wouldn't be happy with that.

So instead, she chooses to go without her underwear.

But now she's alone for a while now, and part of her wonders if Finan is alone on the couch trying to sleep. She can't imagine they're any more comfortable to sleep on than they were to sit on, and starts to feel bad for claiming the room for herself.

Sigrid even feels bad enough to gather some of the extra blankets and pillows in the room and go to the door and bring them downstairs to Finan, but he's standing right there when she opens the door.

"Oh," Sigrid smiles shyly at the sight of him, "Hey, I was just going to-"

"I- I just came up here for my stuff," He stutters with a smile and after a moment or two they both chuckle.

Sigrid and Finan stare at each other for a few moments before she finally tells him, "Come in, it's your room too after all."

"I shouldn't stay," Finan tells her with a soft voice.

He's sweet and definitely not as forward as most of the men Sigrid has encountered in her life. It's a nice change of pace, to do the chasing instead of being chased.

"What If I want you to stay," Sigrid smiles, throwing the pillow in her hand back into the room, which frees her hand to take Finan's, "There's space in here for the both of us."

————————————<3—————————————

There's space in here for the both of us.

Finan swallows hard as Sigrid takes his hand and pulls him into the room, dropping the spare blankets she once held onto the floor. This must be a dream. Perhaps he's already asleep on the couch because there's no way this woman is leading him across the room towards the bed. She can't possibly be unbuttoning his shirt, agonizingly slow, working each button slowly with soft fingers.

He wants to devour this woman whole.

"Sigrid," He calls her name and she hums in response as she focuses on finishing his shirt, "What are you doing?"

"You can't sleep in this shirt, you'll get it wrinkled," She tells Finan softly, a smile on her face as her eyes keep on the buttons. As she undoes the last one Sigrid finally looks up, her eyes following her fingers up his chest and to his shoulders.

She's feeling him up as she slides the button-up shirt off his shoulders and down his arms, letting it drop to the floor. The shirt hits the floor with a soft thump, and Sigrid looks up, "Is this fine?"

"Is this fine for you?" Finan has to ask because he still isn't sure whether or not this is a dream, "You don't have to do any of this."

Sigrid smirks with her head at a tilt, "So you don't want me?"

"I just… don't usually sleep with strangers," Finan tells her as Sigrid's hands find his chest again, "Especially not my best friend's sisters."

"I hope not," Sigrid tells him as her fingers move down his chest, and he wonders if she can feel how hard his heart is pumping, "Thyra is married."

"You know what I mean, Sigrid," Finan tells her and she looks up again and smiles. One of his hands involuntarily moves up to touch her face, moving from her jaw to the back of her neck, "I just have to make sure you want this."

She nods, her eyes focusing on his lips, "You should've taken me in the bathroom."

"If I'm going to take care of you, it'll be on the bed," Finan tells her as he leans down, pulling her towards him as her eyes start to flutter shut in anticipation of his lips, "And I plan on taking excellent care of you."

First thing Finan notices when he kisses her is that Sigrid tastes like sweet alcohol and fruit. The second thing he notices is that he feels like a starved man getting sustenance for the first time. Her mouth is paradise, and he's only just started to uncover her.

His free hand moves to Sigrid's waist, pulling her closer until they are flushed together and she must feel how hard he is because she's grinding herself against the hardness in his pants.

The kissing gets more frantic, with tongues colliding and at one point Finan can feel Sigrid's teeth scraping against his bottom lip and it's intoxicating.

Both hands find their way down to Sigrid's waist and onto her ass, and with a tight grip, Finan lifts Sigrid into the air and brings her to the bed without once breaking the kiss. Not until he lowers her down, only then does Sigrid break the kiss to speak.

"Clothes… off," She whispers into his mouth as her hands find his waistline, trying to fumble with his belt, "Now."

Finan rises up for a moment to take off his shirt, pulling in up and over his head I'm one motion. Meanwhile, Sigrid has undone his belt and to speed things along Finan manages to take off the rest, leaving him in nothing but his boxers as he returns to however over Sigrid.

His hands move to her waist lifting up the shirt she's wearing up as they ride up her chest. Sigrid helps him lift it off her by raising her hands up as Finan pulls off her shirt. She smiles now as Finan goes for her pants pulling them down slowly to reveal the fact that she's gone without underwear.

Finan groans as the pants go lower, "Good Christ, woman." The pants are off and Sigrid moves quickly to remove her bra and now she's completely naked under him, and it's absolutely breathtaking, "You are goin' to ruin me."

Sigrid is smirking as he lowers himself down her body to get better access to her lower half, lifting her legs over his shoulder, as he mutters her praise's in Irish, and just as his tongue runs against her cunt that smirk fades into a gasp and a moan.

He's grateful Sigrid cannot see the cheeky grin on her face, from where his head is hidden between her legs, working her with his tongue like a man starved. She must like what he's doing because her legs wrap around his head and neck to pull him closer, and he can feel a hand find its way into his hair, pulling hard.

"Fuck, Finan," He hears her moan, trying not to be too loud by the sound of it, "Fuck…" Sigrid cums with a gasp, loosening the grip on his neck with her legs so that Finan can come up to air, returning to mouth so that he can kiss her and hard.

"You taste like heaven," Finan tells her, the words just slipping through his lips like he has no control, "I could spend the rest of my days between your legs and die happy."

"Then how would I know what your cock feels like?" Sigrid questions him with a raised brow as reaches a hand down to grab him through his boxers, "Take these off and fuck me."

Finan does what he's told, using one hand to pull his boxers down his legs and then kicking them the rest of the way off so he can continue to kiss Sigrid. Once they are gone, he goes to align his cock with her folds and remembers something very important, "Shit, condom-"

"UDI," She tells him as she breaks the kiss, "So if you're clean-"

"I am," Finan nods as he kisses her again and starts slowly pushing his way inside Sigrid. Her mouth opens to a gasp as he thrusts his way in, given another inch every time he returns until he's all the way in, "Fuckin' Christ, woman."

Sigrid wraps her legs around his waist as Finan continues to fuck her, his arms secure at either side of her head, as she wraps her fingers around his neck to hold herself steady against him. Foreheads touching because neither of them can seem to concentrate on kissing the other.

It's greater than paradise being tangled like this. With Sigrid.

It's home, and he never wants to leave.

He's getting close, Finan can tell because his breathing has started to shutter and he's groaning, so Sigrid lifts herself up to kiss him again to keep them both silent. A thrust or two more is all it takes and he finishes inside her, continuing to move just a bit more until he's sure he's given her everything he has to give.

Finan's arms collapse and Sigrid brings him down gently so that he's resting in her chest. They are both panting, and he can feel her fingers running through his hair and it feels incredible.

So he has no idea why he says, "I should probably go back downstairs."

"Leave this bed and I'll kick your pretty Irish ass," Sigrid tells him with a calm voice and when he glances up she's smiling.

"You think my ass is pretty?" Finan smirks and Sigrid laughs as he wraps his arms around her body and holds her close.

It looks like Finan isn't going anywhere.

Which is exactly what he wanted.

————————————<3—————————————

Sigrid wants to say she wakes up the morning after the best sex of her life to the face of the extremely attractive Irishman in her bed, but she doesn't.

Instead, she wakes up to Ealhswith looking directly at her with a smile on her face and her hand over Sigrid's mouth.

"Shush, I've come to sneak you out," Ealhswith whispers terribly with a giggle, holding a robe up with her other hand, "Come on, your brother is still sleeping!"

Sigrid takes the robe from her hands and Ealhswith closes her eyes as she covers her naked body, taking a moment to glance back at Finan. He's still fast asleep, and she desperately wishes she can stay in bed with him.

"Come on, Sigrid, you can stare at him later!" Ealhswith yell-whispers again, as she pulls Sigrid out of the room.

Once the door closes behind her, Sigrid glances at Ealhswith who has a big smile on her face, and raises a brow, "Ealhswith?"

"Yes?" She smiles wide, looking up to no good.

Sigrid crosses her arms over her chest and tilts her head, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

"I did," Ealhswith chuckles as she pushes her along, "And all I ask for in return is to be the best man at your wedding.'

Sigrid laughs at Ealhswith's request as she gets pushed away.

Yet a year later, when Sigrid finds herself walking down the aisle in a white dress with Finan waiting for her at the other end, waiting next to where she will stand is Ealhswith in her best man's tux and a wide smile on her face.

#there was only one bed #one shot #fanfiction #fanfic #the last kingdom #tlk #finan x oc #smut #tlk sihtric #tlk osferth #tlk finan #tlk oc #tlk ealhswith #mcloveproductions

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