Eyes Opened

Adjustment

( Alright. So their story is finally finished. I never intended this to be nearly 70 parts. Thank you for making it this far. If you have I truly hope you enjoyed it. )

She was amazing. The woman that stole your heart, fairly easily. You were watching her again. There was something so soothing about how serene she looked. Her eyes watching the others spar from her comfortable seat in the grass. The sun hit her just right, she always has a glow about her, but for right now she shined so brightly. Aela placed a hand on your shoulder, clearing her throat. "Staring at her again? Has anything actually changed since back then? It still feels like you think you're miles away from her."

"I'm not." It was a simple reply with a heavy tone to it. "I really like to watch her relax. She's not miles away. But I feel as if sometimes she should be. The woman is a goddess. I worship her in no certain small terms." You sighed, happily. "A living legend. She even was able to make sure we spend our afterlife together." You smiled before looking to Aela. "I'm no longer miles away from her. In spite of how high a pedestal I've placed her, I've never actually felt closer to her. Being normal for the first time I can remember, with her as my wife, mother of my son. We're just a normal family..." You smiled happily before looking back to her, the baby in her arms, asleep.

Aela shook her head. "I think you two will always be special. Heart and soul of the companions. Besides, you've made half the circle human but manage to still be the center of it all."

You chuckled. "I'm just a normal man now. But the rewards of it are unending. Every minute for the rest of eternity at her side." You leaned on the post of the back porch, looking on at her, she was staring at the second love of her life now, which just made your smile grow. She was careful with him wrapped in a blanket Tilma made. It took a moment but she felt your eyes on her, looked up to you and smiled wide. Farkas walked to her, which caught her attention. You watched as they spoke for a bit, then your brother sat down next to her, the baby placed in his arms, both of them smiling.

Aela was staring at the scene too, curiously. You looked to her for a moment before smiling. "We always talk about me... What about you?" You cleared your throat. "You've been staring at Farkas... For months now. Ever since that kiss, I do believe." You smirked. "You've never been the reserved type."

"Reserved..." Her hand moved to her hip looking at Farkas holding the boy. "I uh... Well..." You raised a brow, her attention darted to you. "Have you named the boy yet?" You chuckled. She was always so great at deflection. "It's not funny Vilkas. Boy needs a strong name. He's going to be a companion some day."

"He's not even two months old yet... We're still trying to function without sleep. I can't imagine being parents of a fussier baby."

"That's no excuse not to give him a name..." She shook her head.

"Actually..." You looked ahead, she stood there with a smile on her face, holding him in his deer skins. Farkas stood behind her, making faces at the awoken baby, who was laughing at his uncle. "I didn't discuss it with you but I do have a name in mind. In fact I couldn't get this name out of my mind."

You perked up a bit. "Oh...?" Aela smiled, jubilant at your memory problems, unaware that the matter hasn't been dropped. "There's no need to discuss it with me. I love you. I trust you'll do what's perfect for us, for him."

"I love you too, my Vilkas..." Her expression was sweet. You leaned in, placing a kiss on her lips, then one on his head. You were getting used to this life, an adjustment period but your body still sorely needed sleep. All that taken into account, your life was perfect.

"Kodlak." You looked up from his head, your eyes meeting hers. They shined, even as she saw the question forming on your lips. "His name. It should be Kodlak. Don't you think?" She looked down to him, unable to help that adorable smiling creeping up on her lips. "He's ours, part of both of us. So I would like to name him after someone we both look up to. If it's a stupid idea I understand. I'm more sentimental than you all, I know."

"No, it's perfect." You placed an arm around her, holding her close. "I... can't believe you'd... You'd do that for me?"

"Wow... Fast answer. Okay. So two things. One, us. I'd do it for us. And two... Vilkas I thought it would be apparent by now. I would move mountains for you. Cut them in half if I had to. " She leaned into you, pressing her lips to yours tightly. After a good while, she smiled to break the kiss. "So Kodlak." She looked down to him. "Live up to that name little guy. I know your parents saddled you with a lot. Just being our son is probably bad enough. I promise not to be like my parents."

Farkas laughed. "There's no way it's too much for him to handle! Besides, you being like your father. Never." He smiled happily. "Now let me take the newest companion on a walk and give his parents time for a nap."

"Oh... a walk? How thoughtful, letting them have time alone." Aela glanced to you, blushing lightly. You weren't sure if Farkas would even notice. "You will need backup."

Farkas looked to her, nodding slowly. "Then you should come with me. I'd love to have such a beautiful woman with me. Not to mention capable. There's no one else I'd trust to help me protect something this special." Farkas took Kodlak from your wife, you were just smiling the entire time.

"Ooooh, Farkas. So bold." You watched her lightly nudge your brother. "So you've been taking my advice..."

"What advice?" Aela looked to her. You simply smiled softly.

Farkas laughed. "She told me to go for what I want. She said if I really wanted something I couldn't wait for it to happen, I needed to make it happen."

You cleared your throat, looking to Aela. "Well then. Have a nice walk. It goes without saying but- She might kill me if I don't. Keep them both safe..." She nodded even if she was blushing a bit more than you'd ever seen. "And- thank you." You put an arm around the love of your life, pulling her form closer to you. "One last thing..." Aela raised a brow. "Be brave enough to declare what you want. That's the advice you gave me so long ago." You smirked before turning your back to them, leading her away from your brother and Aela.

She looked to you with a smile. "Vilkas... that was sweet." You looked down into those eyes, a heat behind your cheeks.

"It was... nothing." You held the door opened for her, the woman slid inside. "I want everyone close to me to be as happy as they can be before they leave this mortal coil." You closed the door behind you both, looking to her. "Especially since I get to be with the love of my life until the end of time."

"So you're okay with being just a man? Not the beast?"

You laughed. "Are you kidding? I'm free. My actions are my own, fully now. I love you for freeing me. I do wonder sometimes..." You ran your hand through your hair. "Am I worthy of you now?"

"Yes." You looked at her, the woman walking towards the stairs. She turned, walking backwards now, coyly smiling. "You've always been worthy. I'm not in love with your muscles. Well-" She paused, grinning. "Not entirely, anyway. Vilkas." She stopped, you walking into her nearly yet managing to stop. She placed a hand on your chest, looking up into your eyes. "You're my soul mate. I don't want to go on without you. I can't go on without you." You both smiled, but her smooth skin had gathered a feverish blush. You were slightly concerned, your brows furrowing. She shook her head. "No! I'm fine. I just... Farkas took Kodlak to make sure we could get some sleep. After all this- Seeing you being so sweet, this little talk we had... Well, there will be no sleep to be had in our bed during their walk." She let her teeth graze her bottom lip, her eyes locked on yours. Before turning quickly she winked. You stood still for a moment intoxicated by her very presence, until you realized what just happened.

Your eyes widened for just a moment before taking quick strides to close the gap she created, heading down the stairs. "Hey, wait for me, my love."