My Random Skyrim Stories

First Love (6)

In spite of his hurry, it took Vilkas an hour to wash off all the dirt and filth he'd carelessly accumulated. Then, once he'd found her waiting for him at the bar, Lysabelle insisted he eat something before they could have any serious discussions. Vilkas had been frustrated by that at first, but Lysabelle sat beside him as he ate, and Vilkas got another idea...

"Well... if we can't have a serious discussion," he smirked, "what was my brother teasing you about?"

To Vilkas's amusement she blushed, and instead of answering him, she ordered herself a drink.

"What?" Vilkas prodded when she still hadn't answered him once the barkeeper was out of earshot again, "did Lydia tell him of some fantasy you had?"

Lysabelle almost choked on her drink. "That's presumptuous of you," she grumbled, but her blush only made him smirk more.

"You're not denying it," he teased.

"Ugh," she groaned, shaking her head. "Why?" She countered, "you have some fantasy about me helping you wash?"

"I could certainly think of a few," Vilkas nodded, and he smirked again as she blushed more.

"Well," she grumbled a moment later, "most of my fantasies never involved you being quite that filthy... or drinking yourself to death."

"Apologies," Vilkas sighed sheepishly.

"Just eat," Lysabelle shook her head.

She looked to be troubled and lost in thought, so Vilkas decided to just let her stew as he finished eating.

She was on her third mead by the time he finished the large bowl of venison soup she'd ordered him.

To Vilkas's surprise, as soon as he was done, Lysabelle was quick to down the rest of her drink. Then she threw a few extra coins on the bar before getting to her feet, taking his hand, and leading him to the door.

"We really should get home tonight," she grumbled, "Tilma's been worried sick about you too."

"Alright," Vilkas sighed, trying not to let his disappointment show as they left the inn.

While he was washing he'd let himself hope they might be staying the night... sharing the one room... but, of course, his more logical mind wasn't surprised to realize that that wasn't the plan.

Vilkas's disappointment faded a little as she held his hand as they left town... and then once they got into the privacy of the long shadows cast by the trees in the evening light, his disappointment faded altogether.

As soon as they were entirely out of view of Falkreath, Lysabelle dropped his hand and threw her arms around him. Vilkas was quick to wrap his arms around her in return.

"I'm so sorry Vilkas," she said in a muffled whisper with her face pressed against his chest.

Vilkas's heart jumped.

"It's alright," he told her gently, holding her a little more tightly.

"No," she shook her head and looked up at him, "I'm sorry I let you believe I ever loved anyone else."

"Lysa... you...?" Vilkas's voice trailed off, looking down into her beautiful face in hopeful surprise.

"I never should have left you to fight the dragons," she continued, "I thought it would help... I thought leaving you would make it easier if I died, but..." she paused and shook her head again before looking up into his eyes. "Vilkas, I... I never got over my first love either," she admitted.

Vilkas blinked, a smile slowly spreading across his face as those words sank in. "Lysa," he whispered hopefully. He gently brought his hand up to cup her cheek and then she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

It was their first kiss in so many years, Vilkas felt like a teenager all over again as he pulled her closer. She ran her hands up his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

"By Ysmir, I'm never letting you go again, my love," he breathed when their lips parted.

"Mmm, good. I'm holding you to that this time," she smiled before leaning in to kiss him again.