Eyes Opened

Excitement

Aela stood in front of you with a sly smile on her lips. "That was the most action I've seen in a year!" You chuckled happily at her words.

"Well, I am glad you had fun. Camping out on ice is not my cup of tea." You looked up at her from your seat in the tent.

"Yeah, sorry you're without your husband. You never fully get used to the cold here. But. I am not getting stuck with Farkas in a tent though. He has been a little strange lately." Aela sat down, looking to you.

"It's alright, I do miss his warmth though. I love Vilkas. He's... Amazing truly. But... It's nice to be around a girl sometimes." Your smile was warm, you pulled the blankets over your stomach. "Farkas isn't that bad, is he?"

She was thinking. "Well, no. It's not bad he's just been..."

"More attentive...?" Your brow rose slowly.

She looked you in the eye before nodding slowly. It was a delicate matter, one you had to think about. "Yeah... It's exactly that." She seemed to be lost in thought too. "We've been a United front with you two gone. It's hard at times but he's always been there. The man doesn't have all the answers, but he tries his best to help. He's really grown this last year. Almost like..."

"Well you two have been busy. A team, really. So. He's a man now?" You chuckled a little. "I agree. Great to see, actually. You made him grow up."

"Yes..." She sighed a little. "Maybe the problem isn't with him. Maybe it's me."

"You?" You tilted your head. "What do you mean?"

She scooted closer to you. Your hormones were going crazy, you felt the massive need to protect him as well as Aela. You pushed some of the blankets onto her. She gladly took them with a little smile. "Well... I've just been thinking maybe things only feel awkward because I make them awkward." She sighed.

"For what it's worth... You two are doing a really great job without us." She rolled her eyes. "I mean it. Even Vilkas complimented the coffers and morale. You lost more than half the circle. Administrative work doesn't suit your free spirit. Yet you do it and you've thrived a little."

"We... Do make a good team. The big softie is- sweet." You smiled a little. "We've had dinner, a few times. It was actually fun. Then he looked at me with those puppy dog eyes..."

"He does have those, doesn't he? They are very different from his brothers, too." You leaned back a little. "They've always fascinated me a little. He's so strong but his eyes are so gentle. It's kinda... Cute actually."

"Cute..." She hummed softly. "I suppose... You aren't wrong." You couldn't help the warm smile donning your lips. She licked her lips. "Hey..." You hummed, tilting your head and looking to her. "I... Always wondered. What does it feel like? Being with Vilkas I mean."

"Oh..." You cuddled into the blankets. "Looking at him makes me feel safe. Sleeping next to him is the most restful sleep I've ever had. I can literally do anything when he gives me a compliment. Kissing him... Well it feels like I took down the biggest elk you've ever seen."

"That was not what it was like with Skjor..." She was pondering aloud. "He was... Nothing like that, actually. So that's... What love is." She seemed to be mulling it all over.

"It really is amazing. It felt that way even before our first kiss. Just the thought of being with him was enough to make me get up in the morning. Even when I thought I lost him for good. Being in love with him made me a better person." You smiled happily, before looking to Aela. The woman was staring at you, nearly amazed.

"I want that. But Skjor..." She shook her head, her body was drawn in. Aela was making herself smaller. You watched for a moment.

"Hey... hey..." You put an arm around her, comforting her. "You just said that it wasn't like that with him. It's never too late." You smiled a little, pulling your arm back. "There are guys out there, I am sure there is one that can make you feel that way. But with your heart closed to even the possibility because of Skjor..."

"Alright! I get it." She chuckled. "So it was me acting strange. I know he's a guy, maybe I've been awkward around them since. Well all of them except Vilkas. The man's only ever looked at you that way." You felt your face heat evenly, blushing brightly. "Farkas is right about one thing..." You raised your brow. "You both are so adorable when concerning the others. It is nice to see you like this. When you left the first time I never thought I'd see him smile again." You felt a pang of regret for not being the stubborn woman you actually are. When it came to him though, you never wanted to hurt him, ever. It was clear that you being with him was hurting him, at least at the time. Still, you wished you had tried harder even if just a little. "Oh! I didn't mean... It that way."

"It's alright." You chuckled softly. "I did fuck up." You looked to her. "I had him, I let one comment about him needing to be alone for a bit dictate my feelings. It hurt. I let that alter who I was. I would have never left, not as I was. So yes love is amazing but it does change you. I'd do anything for Vilkas. Absolutely anything. I'd give my life for his in a second. No hesitation. I know that as long as he's in this world, there is hope for it. He'd never go down without a fight." You scoffed. "He's my rock. Of all the things I've told him over the years I don't know if he's heard those words."

"I have now." You looked up to the tent flap. Vilkas' smile was staring back at you. "I would never let it come to that. I love you. Both of you."

"Oh, Vilkas. I know you love-" Aela paused, looking at his face. "OH! Oh you meant the baby..." She chuckled. "Sorry." She stood up, looking between you both. "I uh... I'm going to go sleep in the other tent. Vilkas, take care of her. She's getting cold. I can't warm her up like you can. " She winked at him, before passing him into the darkness.

Vilkas walked in, making himself comfortable. "So..." He pulled you closer, an arm around you. "I'm your rock huh? Why you get up in the morning?"

"Geez... how long were you listening...?"

He chuckled. "Not long, just after Aela asked what love was. So a few minutes." He kissed the side of your head. "Farkas was asking me similar questions. It made me miss you more. We haven't spent a night apart since we got married and I just want to be with you." He was whispering. "How could I not? My girl... Maybe my girls." He placed a warm hand on your stomach, holding himself closer to you to keep you warm. He kissed your cheek as your cuddled deeper into his arms. "We're close. Close to stopping this so people like them get the chance to have what we have." He cleared his throat. "I know... that... it seems like I've not been as excited as I should be for this." He rubbed your stomach, slowly. "I'm pacing myself, you know. If I showed how excited I actually am I might get too..." He paused, looking into your eyes with a smile. "Protective. I'm trying so hard to be..."

You chuckled. "Vilkas." He raised a brow, looking into your eyes with a softness. "I want you to be yourself."

He relaxed, breathing out. "Oh thank gods. I want you no where near Alduin. I'm scared to death. Losing you... or the baby."

You laughed softly. "I figured that out."

"Yeah." He nodded before touching his nose to yours. "But... This is all I ever wanted. Ever since meeting you... did you figure that out?" He smirked softly, kissing you slowly. "Since the first time I saw you. [Y/N], since the very first time I laid my eyes on you, I've wanted you. I've wanted this exact moment. You're giving me a child... you've given me your love... your body and soul. I felt every word of your explanation of love." He moved his hand to yours, running a finger over the ring. "Thank you for wearing this deformed thing..."

"It's not!" You shook your head, looking down to it. "It's the best piece of jewelry I've ever worn. It fits me perfectly. It was made with love. It's perfect for me." You smiled. "Just like you." You leaned onto his shoulder. "So... I think Aela likes Farkas back she just doesn't know what to do with those feelings." He nodded.

"Smart as ever..." He kissed your temple again. "You must be so tired." He leaned back in the tent, guiding you to lay back as well. "Sleep as long as you like, my love. You need it."