Beautiful Insanity (A Skyrim/Oblivion Fanfiction) ((ORIGINAL))

Her

He released me slowly, brows furrowed while his fingers tangled in my hair. I couldn't think, couldn't move. His breath was warm on my lips as he leaned in, touching his forehead to my own. There were no words, because there was nothing to say. A salty tear trickled its way down my cheek and onto his hand, but all he did was bring me close and tuck my head into the crook of his neck. 

For that moment, I felt safer than I ever had, but also more confused. My senses were hyper aware of everything; the dust motes in the air, the feel of his silken fabric on my neck, his tough beard scraping against my jawline. I took in a deep breath, unsure if I should move, or if I ever wanted to. 

My entire life, I had been certain, entirely certain I would never be able to be held like this, held softly like I was the most precious and breakable thing. Yet here I was, the unlovable, being embraced by the Madgod as though moving would mean the world would shatter around us.

So I chose not to. I chose to take the moment in, even if it meant I would damn myself because of it. I wrapped my arms around Sheogorath while he tucked me into his own, breath evening out as he realized that I was safe within them.

...

SHEOGORATHPOV

My head swam with thoughts. I'd done it. I'd saved her, I'd done what I needed to. Why had I, though? Was it for who she might have been or who she had become? How could someone so small be so prominent in my eternity, so suddenly? I needed her, that much was undeniable. I needed her to live, needed her to realize how worthy she was.

After all, I'd only just realized it myself.

"My Lord?" I came back to reality, blinking rapidly and shaking my head.

"Haskill," I said curtly.

"Aren't You supposed to prepare for the Greymarch?" he queried, his golden necklace swinging from his neck.

"Yes." My mood was quickly souring. The need for a champion was great; stopping the Greymarch would require said champion. As in, Regina. I didn't want to send her into such great danger any longer. "Perhaps I'll let it slide this once." I'd never seen such shock on my chamberlain's face.

"My Lord... should You prepare, do it quickly. You are... becoming Jyggalag again." I pressed my fingers to my temples.

"Is it by fault of mine?" I inquired, removing my hand and fixing him with a glare. "Is it by my own fault that she was stolen? That I was turned from a great and mighty Prince to a sniveling coward, surrounded by madness?!" Haskill was taken aback. "Oh, what a punishment!"

"Lord..."

"Silence!" I roared.

"Sheogorath?" My anxiety melted at the sound of my Duchess' voice, no longer filled with fear, but with a sweet reverence. Regina stood beside me with a hand on my throne. She cupped my face, her fingernails curving along my chin.

I slowly turned my head to her, expression pained. "Forgive me," I mumbled to her. "Please."

"Don't worry about it," she reassured me. After pondering for a moment, I stood and clasped her hand.

"Regina," I began, "are you... fond of me?" She seemed surprised at my words and started to stutter.

"Y-yes, I... I am."

"What would you be willing to do on my behalf?" My golden gaze bored into her verdigris. Her tone turned wary.

"Why do you ask?" I closed my eyes and frowned.

"Because I need you, Regina... I need you to stop me." She dropped her hands from mine, and I found myself missing her warmth for some odd and unknown reason. I was a Prince, dammit. Why was I at the mercy of a mortal?

"From what?" Regina seemed completely bewildered, but I made my choice.

"From becoming myself. Regina, the Greymarch is coming... and you are my Champion. I need you... to save the Isles."

"This is my home now." Was that sorrow I heard in her voice? "I'll do whatever I can."