Petulant ✔︎

2

He watched as Irvina fluttered around the hall. It was the anniversary of her mother's death, but instead of the silence that used to surround the Great Hall, was now a loud feast. Instead of the self despising that this Kingdom seemed to opt on this day was a happy feast. Gorm was glad that finally, after many years, they could let the sadness go. And all it took was their Queen forgiving herself. Irvina's father was still rather locked in his room, but he came out more often. Something that seemed to always brighten Irvina's mood. Frode, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen, it wouldn't surprise Gorm if that idiotic brother visited Gunnar and opted not to tell anyone that he was alive. He despised both of the brothers and usually just wanted to punch both of them.

Halfdan leaned onto the wall next to him. The two men seemed to reach an understanding. He could feel his eyes burning into him, "Frode returned last night. When I asked him where he was, he told me to fuck off." Gorm scoffed.

It didn't surprise him. Frode visited Gunnar often, and if Gunnar didn't show up, that meant Frode wanted to assure himself. The two probably drank together, wallowing in their own pity, and now Frode returned, probably still drunk. Besides, Frode always evaded the subject when asked about his brother.

"I cannot tell I am surprised. Frode has been keeping his brother's location secret for years," he answered. Halfdan shook his head before looking at Irvina adoringly. Then his expression darkened.

Halfdan crossed his arms, "It makes me angry that they are torturing her like that!" Gorm nodded his head in agreement, "Maybe before, but now she seems contempt." Halfdan huffed, still looking ready to disagree. Then he shook his head as if stopping himself.

"Drag him back by his cock if you have to. I want that git to apologize to her!" Gorm let out a breathy laugh through his nose. But he had to agree with his words. A part of him, truly wanted to do just that. So he nodded at Halfdan before bidding him goodnight. He felt lighter knowing that someone like him was staying here with Irvina.

On his way to his hut, he checked on Irvina's father. The man was already asleep, and the room smelt like ale. He must've drunk himself to sleep, which wasn't a new occurrence. His step was even lighter now that he knew a part of her family was safe. He purposely walked by Frode's cabin which was enveloped by silence. Either he was out or passed out drunk. He hated both of the brothers for doing such things to Irvina. She was their younger sister, didn't that mean they had to take care of her? Now that he thought about it he was glad he didn't have any family. Family wasn't worth the worry.

"Well, well, if it isn't the man that takes it up the ass," hissed the voice from beside the cabin. Gorm merely rolled his eyes as Frode stepped into the light. He wanted to tell him that his brother was the one taking it up the ass, but he restrained himself. Frode wasn't exactly aggressive, but alcohol did its magic on his soul. It conquered it and swallowed any good emotion that tried to fight its way to the surface.

He raised a brow, "Is that whiny prince alive?" Frode scoffed and drifted closer. Gorm wanted to laugh at his pretense. Was this man truly trying to intimidate him. Gorm was a head taller than him, he was also much bigger. His muscles were much larger. And he wasn't Irvina's guard just because he was pretty. He imagined himself pushing Frode against the wall and banging his head until his skull popped open. The image made him grin. Maybe one day, he reminded himself hopefully.

"He is, but he had no reason to come." Gorm could hear the rest of the sentence hanging in the air. Gunnar saw no reason since he wasn't here. Some would even find it flattering but not him. He had to remind himself not to get angry on Irvina's behalf.

He only bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment, "Goodnight then." Frode hollered something after him, but Gorm just ignored him. In his years of growing up, he learned that pretended ignorance did more damage than trying to fight back.

The worse thing was that he once more fell asleep to those green eyes peering up at him with lust. How he hated that whiny man.