Skyrim One-Shots

Ralof x Reader ~Taverns and the Fun They Bring~

The drink in your hand was easy to hold being it was nearly empty as you watched your housecarl, Lydia, attempt to flirt with one of the Companions with more enjoyment than you probably should of. 

The Bannered Mare was packed with people, and no doubt, the Drunken Huntsman was too. You had killed Alduin- the world had been saved, and dammit, you wanted to get drunk. And most of Whiterun was on the same thought process.

Well, for you, being your alcohol tolerance was devastatingly high, it was more of just letting loose, but you didn't care. 

If you walked home with someone tonight, it would be the first time in 5 years, and you were silently hoping someone other than Vilkas would consider the option.

You rejected Vilkas mainly because Kodlak would insist you both get married days later and you'd never get out of that mess. You weren't really fond of parties, even if you were trying to act like it tonight, so most of the Companion lifestyle didn't settle with you.

You didn't mind the company, but... well, normally, you'd go off and do things alone. Lydia would take care of Breezehome and you'd go out and do whatever quests you hadn't done yet.

Honestly, you reckoned you'd just completely disappear from Skyrim entirely once all the harmful dragons were officially all gone. It was easier- you would live a few hundred years older than you were supposed to because of your dragon blood.

All your friends would die before you, and as morbid as it was, you'd long since accepted it. Being Lydia was really your only friend, you'd make her live a long and happy life, have kids, all that. You could always be there for them- for her. 

A sigh left your chest, quiet and tired.

Of course, while trying to have fun, your thoughts would lead you to everything sad about your life. It was typical fashion for you at this point, ignoring the fun because you didn't really want to have fun most days.

You bit your lip, leaning against the wall behind you as you finished off your drink with a fast swig.

You merely set it at a table beside you, the occupants of it too drunk to notice or care.

Weaving through the sea of people, you approached the innkeeper, Hulda, and ordered another drink with a silent deposit of coins on the counter. She smiled, a warm, mother-like action, and grabbed another drink, handing it to you with a glimmer of adoration in her eyes.

You awkwardly went back to your previous location, feeling the lack of sleep you'd gotten the past few days, anxious for the final battle.

"____?" came a male's voice, surprised and right behind you. You turned to be face-to-face with a lean Nord, blond hair and blue eyes as of normal for his race. He looked familiar- you could swear!

"Ralof?" you exclaimed, either confused or excited, you didn't know. With a small smile, you gave him a quick hug, and he returned the action.

When you pulled back, he was staring, just barely taller than you, a grin on his face. "Damn, it's been what, 5 months?"

"Oh gods, it has, hasn't it? How have you been?" you question, and he eager to answer.

"I've been pretty good, how about you?" he responded in kind.

You stiffened slightly.

Had anyone ever asked you this before?

"Busy," you answer with a soft laugh, "killing dragons, political crap, dealing with nut-jobs. Otherwise, if you scratch all that out, I'm alright."

He chuckled, "If it helps you any, I would be scared shitless if I were you, having to deal with all the Jarls and everyone."

You shrug. "Some of them are easier to deal with than others. Been deployed recently?"

Ralof shook his head, "Nah. Only Whiterun knows the Dragonborn's back for now, so everything's still basically frozen."

"That'll change in some 5 hours, I guarantee," you giggle, then sober. "But, it's good to know I got it into those idiots that war isn't what Skyrim wants. Seriously, they're the most stubborn people I've met, and they act like children in a political council."

The Nord snorted, "You still stayin' neutral?"

You paused.

"No."

"Wait, really?" he barked, eyes igniting with excitement.

"So long as Ulfric doesn't try to be a pushy bitch, I'll join Loredas," you affirm, and he let out a loud holler, grinning widely and brimming with enthusiasm.

How could you not smile at that?

With a small shake of your head, you pulled him closer, and he stilled, waiting for some sort of explanation as you raised a brow.

Then, with calloused fingers wrapped around his, you lead him out of the Bannered Mare, the soft chill of the night engulfing you both as the door closed behind you.

The chatter of the inn was mere mumbles now, and Ralof glanced at you with an impish grin.

"Is this what I think it is?" he asked, playful and suggestive.

You merely winked, tugging him along down the main path to Breezehome, unlocking it with ease and throwing the key on a small table.

You kicked your shoes off, Ralof following suit, before jogging up the narrow stairs to the bedrooms, turning to the master and letting him in before closing it once more.

You bit back a grin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had to finish this one quick otherwise I wouldn't be able to get a chapter up today- but here we are.

Yas. Points for me! I woke up early!

Anyway,

After this one, it's Stranger in the Flagon pt. 2, but any other requests?

Welllll I need to get out the door, so here we go.

Dani out,

Adieu!