Til Death Did Them Apart

when she said goodbye

Askwin pulled you into a hug, gripping onto the back of your hood.

"I'm going to miss you."

You'd been torn for the past few weeks. You were excited, happy that you'd be able to be at sea again, be a free woman. But you'd be leaving your son, the light of your life.

"It's only for a year."

"But what if"-

You pulled away and slapped the sides of his face lightly, squeezing his face between the palms of your hands. Your hands were always cold, even in the warmer months. But Askwin always found comfort in your hands, no matter their temperature.

"If I feel my last days approaching, I will die a warriors' death. I'll be in Valhalla, and so will your father, and if one day, while you wait for Artorius to save us again, you decide to become a viking as well... farther in the future, you'll come join us."

"Okay," he whispered, putting his hand over yours. "Please do your best to come back though."

You spotted Hordaland in your peripheral, and you looked back at your son, grinning. "And you do your best to keep the girl in love with you."

His eyes widened. Your grin grew.

You pat his face. "Do what your father did for me. Save her."