Tyr x Reader

Fourteen

Like everything in Jötunheim, the storms were of a magnitude that would have thrown other worlds into chaos.

Drops as big as Tyr's palms fell from the grey sky, carving through branches and the blankets of leaves to soak the ground with masses of rain.

A glare of lightning chased over your heads. Not a breath later, the thunder made the earth tremble beneath your bare feet.

You stood rooted to the spot in a clearing, cold water and mud gathering around you, made your toes feel frozen.

Looking up at the angry sky, you watched the world you called home come to life as if the blood of your ancestors had never been spilled.

"Don't you fear a cold?", Tyr asked as he bend over you to shield you from the windy whips that the storm hit you in the face with.

Slowly, you blinked, let your eyes wander over to him to lock gazes.

"You are just as wet as I am.", you noted and looked down to see his blue cotton shirt so soaked that it stuck to the skin of his chest.

Your entire skin was covered in goosebumps, it was cold and everything felt damp. But despite all that you did not feel the urge to get somewhere save.

Another lightning lit up the sky. It light chased strange shadows across your face, made Tyr look old and tired. Nature had its strange ways with people, not controllable yet so little harmful.

Your eyes wandered over his face, not a single word left your slightly parted lips except a slight breath, flat and even.

There was this shimmer in his eyes, worry, but also something else. It was impossible to tell, yet everything that needed to be said was free to read in those golden eyes of his.

One of his hands rose, strands of rain danced along his long fingers. Gently he grabbed your cheek to caress it with his thumb.

It felt like lightning struck.

All of a sudden you felt like your body lost all its weight. The world around fell silent, only the sound of falling rain remained accompanied by the warmth of his touch.

"Tyr.", you whispered with lowered eyes and parted lips.

Without permission your head tilted to the side as you leaned into the palm of his hand. Your feet moved up to make you stand on your tiptoes, closer to his face.

Closer to him.

Tyr's gaze was so soft as he smiled at you. Almost loving.

But that was who he was. A man of softness, kind. Even though it wasn't the role he had been born for but the one he had chosen for himself.

A thought crossed your mind.

How soft could he be?

Who did he deem worthy to feel the entirety of his kindness?

The urge to beg him for everything he had awoke in your chest. It was somewhat desperate. Yet you also felt deserving of it. After everything you had done for him, the trust that the two shared, you felt like he owed you his entirety.

All of him.

A tender breath escaped your lips. It stroked over the tip of his nose, along his drenched beard and across his lips that were almost frozen blue from the cold.

His hand flinched on your cheek.

And even though you wouldn't have dared to dream of it he even leaned down to meet you in the middle. His lips parted lightly to draw a breath.

Your eyes fell shut as you stretched the last bit that was possible for you to be as close to him as fate allowed it.

With the warmest and most loving of kisses Tyr's lips touched your forehead. It was an innocent sign of affection.

But it was enough to make you wrap your arms around his neck and let yourself fall into him.

"Tyr...", you bit your bottom lip as he pulled you closer against his chest, off the ground once more.

The beating of his heart pressed against your chest. It was calm and powerful.

"We would be better off to find a place dry.", he said, his voice suddenly so controlled, almost as if he feared it could give away something he wanted to keep hidden.

A slight sting hit your chest. Perhaps it was just hurt pride or actual disappointment, you couldn't tell.

Either way, all of a sudden it felt like the world returned to it real state. Loud rain started to chase the sound of breaking drops through your ears. Everything was cold again, damp and uncomfortable.

You could feel the mud squeeze through your toes as you curled them to fight down the unpleasant feeling of wet soil and small stones stuck under your feet.

With your lips pressed into a thin smile, you took a deep breath, tore your eyes away from him and nodded.

"I think I am familiar with this area.", you said and pointed down a passage that opened between two huge trees. "Down this road, there should be a village. Or... at least what is left of it."

At the thought you had to stop and take a moment to gather your thoughts. You knew that the next few days would be a constant reminder of what had happened.

You wandered amongst your peoples bodies, felt like their blood was flowing around your feet. It would be painful to look at old houses that you once knew as the homes of friends. Your heart would yearn for the chuckles of children and yelled order from parents while you walked down abandoned streets.

"There is no need to dwell in the past...", you finally sighed to yourself and started to walk.

Tyr followed closely, although behind you. That way you missed the worried look on his face, that was both deeply regretting yet hurtful.

"If you wish to turn back...", he started, but was cut off as you raised your hand to silence him.

"Lord Tyr...", you glanced over your shoulder.

"Just Tyr. (Y/N)."

You smiled softly.

"Right. Tyr. I appreciate that you care. But if I don't start to look forward, I'll never be able to move from where I am right now.", you sighed again. "I'll keep mourning my people. But I should try to live... without guilt. Not today. Not tomorrow or the week after it. But perhaps one day."