raven ↠ vikings

SIXTEEN

My thoughts were tangled as I leaned against the fence for support. I couldn't believe all of this was real. Bjorn and Lagertha had come back. The boy I tried to keep away from my mind every day for four years had returned. My heart was unsure how to feel. Angry? Relieved? Happy? What was the appropriate emotion here? 

All I knew is that Bjorn and I weren't kids anymore. We weren't those two thirteen-year-olds who ran around causing trouble. We had grown up into people we barely recognized. Would he still feel the same towards me even though I was different? Was he different? 

"Raven," the sound of his voice made my heartbeat pick up slightly. I turned my head, my eyes meeting his. Bjorn came closer to me, seeming unsure of what to do. "I don't understand. Are you not happy to see me?"

"Of course I am," I pushed myself off the fence and stood right in front of him, "but I'm not sure exactly how to feel."

"Why?"

"Because you left!" I exclaimed. I saw hurt bloom in his eyes as I sighed. "You just left. You left Kattegat and Ragnar and..." I trailed off, but he understood.

"And you," he said what I couldn't.

I nodded, "I thought we were best friends, but that didn't seem to mean much to you."

He took another step, "It meant everything to me. I just couldn't let my mother leave with nothing; no family or anyone she loves." My eyes fell to the ground. I did understand why he left, but my heart still wanted to be angry at him for not thinking I was a good enough reason to stay. Selfish, I know. "I'm here now, Raven."

My heart did that thing again. That annoying thing only Bjorn could make it do. My grey gaze lifted to his, "Yeah, you're here."

A small smile tugged at his lips, "So, can you please stop pretending to hate me now, and give your best friend a welcome back hug? It has been four years after all."

I met his smile with one of my own as I stood on my toes to wrap my arms around his neck. I breathed in his familiar scent and closed my eyes as I felt his strong arms around my waist. This hug felt different. It certainly didn't feel like just two friends hugging after time apart. There was something more there, but I was afraid to find out what it was. Tears almost welled to my eyes because of how relieved and happy I felt to let go of my anger.

I pulled away first, but our faces were still very close, and our eyes were locked. His gaze was intense, and I couldn't look away, "Raven," he said my name barely above a whisper. "I need to tell you-"

The sound of a door being open and shut caused me to jump back from Bjorn. I looked to my left where Luka was standing. He glanced between Bjorn and I.

"This must be Bjorn," For some reason, I felt kind of embarrassed as Luka walked towards us. He held out his hand to Bjorn. "It's an honor to finally meet Ragnar's oldest son. My name is Luka son of Earl Ronulf."