Askeladd - Thorfinn x reader -

50.

Chapter 50
violence 

The next day came quickly, up bright and early were Thorfinn and Einar. Currently, they journeyed through the familiar forest on their way to where they'd last left off. With winter approaching, they dressed in extra warm layers to avoid catching a draft; Thorfinn adjusting his warm scarf around his neck.

Since their time by the water fishing with Sverkel, Thorfinn's mind was fixated on the old man's preaching. The man was so deep in thought his brain tuned out the words that fell from Einar's lips who walked not too far ahead of him. 

Only was he snapped out of his trance when Einar turned around to face him, halting his steps for a point. 

"Sorry, I wasn't listening.." Thorfinn confessed, Einar drawing a sigh from his nose; the cold cloud of air perfectly visible. 

"Thinking again?" Einar queried earning nothing but a nod from his shorter friend. It didn't take much thought for him to conclude that Thorfinn's mind was wrapped up in yesterday's events. To be more precise, the sensible teachings from old man Sverkel.

"What does it take to change..?" Thorfinn spoke the question that'd been racking his brain aloud. 

He'd barely caught any sleep last night, as all Thorfinn could do was reflect on his past. While it was fair to say he had tons of regrets, he finally acknowledged that one of his biggest was the way he treated Y/n. 

When it came to his feelings, he wasn't confident when it came to expressing how he felt. He was so insecure about his feelings that he ended up hurting her through his actions. 

He knew now for certain if he was ever given the chance to be reunited with her he would never repeat the same mistakes. He'll allow himself to be completely open and vulnerable to her; he would hide his emotions. 

"Well, you used to be a warrior right?" Einar asked, Thorfinn replying with a simple yes. "and when you say warrior--" The man's face lifted into a laughable expression as he imitated a viking, "you mean fellows carrying axes who go to war, pillage, and drink themselves silly, ga-ha-ha!!" Holding his axe with both hands over his head he swayed side to side, putting forth his best impression. 

"umm.." Thorfinn sweat-dropped, not expecting a full-blown impersonation but wasn't quite surprised as it came from Einar. "You've got the image of it I guess.."  

Einar quirked a brow, letting go of his axe with one arm he allowed it to fall to his side. Sharp end planting on the ground, the man leaned on it slightly with his palm gripping the round wooden end. 

"Well, no one who looks at you now would ever believe you were a warrior." Einar spoke truthfully, after all, he would've never believed it either when he'd first met Thorfinn. "Believe me." 

"Do you think Y/n's gonna think the same?" 

'this girl is seriously the only thing ever on his mind..' Einar smiled softly at his comrade, "trust me." 

Lowering grip on his axe to hold it properly, he swung it through the air as he lifted it to allow the tool to rest over his shoulder. Turning on his heels to continue his stride deeper into the forrest he couldn't help but wonder what him and Thorfinn's first encounter would've been like if they'd met years ago. 

He knew for certain they wouldn't get along as they do now, hell, Thorfinn might've even taken his life. 

"People can change, and I think you're already in the process of changing for the better." 

Einar hadn't the slightest clue how much of an impact his words had on Thorfinn; his words brightening up his day. 

"I am..?" Thorfinn couldn't help but begin to think more optimistically, and he tried to picture how Y/n would react to seeing him the way he is now.