'Fire In Your Eyes' (Thorfinn x Reader) - Vinland Saga

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It's really him. His mouth is pressed into a firm line, jaw tense and eyes settled on my face, full of worry. He gently presses down against my wrist, reminding me to drop my blade. A small drop of blood runs down his neck where my blade has nicked his skin.

My arms fall with his but he keeps hold of my wrists, loosening the grip on them, almost like he's cradling them. My tears subside and I hear my heartbeat pounding in my temples as I take deep slow breaths in through my lips, my aching eyes completely transfixed by Thorfinn. How did he get here so fast? Did he hear what was happening? Why did he help...me?

His eyes dart over my body and pink flushes across his cheeks.

He mumbles unintelligibly and releases my right wrist, slowly reaching past me, my body has no strength to react. I allow his entire body to inch closer towards me, I don't take in anything but the shape of his lips, they're all I can look at. Something inside me aches.

In a calm, controlled manner he drapes a blanket around me and across my chest, protecting my dignity. He takes hold of my right wrist again and looks towards the door "More coming." He mutters in English.

Seconds later I hear it, the pounding of footsteps and clanking metal. "What's all the noise?!" Leif barks in Norse running into the doorway, shirtless, sword in one hand and a blazing torch in the other, panting as he surveys the room. 5 men file in behind him, all with torches. Whispers ripple amongst them as they assess the situation. 

The torches allow me to see the mess of it all clearer now. 3 men unconscious on the ground, 2 bleeding heavily, and me and Thorfinn. Blood everywhere.

Thorfinn carefully lets go of my wrists and turns to face Leif, fists balled and tense with his head high.

"What the fuck happened here?!" Leif hisses in English.

"Self defense." Thorfinn answers bluntly in Norse. Leif strides forward towards Thorfinn but I swiftly step in between them and stop him. 

"These animals, one of which serves you, came in here to rape me whilst I was asleep! That's why they're half dead right now... Thorfinn heard and came to assist! That's what happened." I state frankly in English, my hand gripped tightly on the blanket around me, I can feel it's warmth but I can't stop shaking.

Leif's jaw drops slightly, his eyes frantically darting over my face. I look at Thorfinn and continue in Norse "I would have been taken. If he didn't help." Leif swallows and sighs deep. We stare at each other, his face a mix of rage and despair. You failed to protect me. Our plan failed already. I fucking knew these beasts wouldn't be able to control themselves.

Leif's face doesn't soften as he lowers his volume to address me in English. "I promise you.. they will be dealt with accordingly." He shoots a glance at the men standing nearby completely engrossed in our very non private conversation. They shake to attention and proceed to grab the limbs of the groaning men on the ground, seeming to care not for their wounds as they drag the man by the door out first by his arms. He seems to only have suffered a blow to the head. 2 of the men throw their torches into the fireplace and begin to yank the legs of the huge middle man, but as they do he lets out a roar, flailing his arms around in an attempt to grab one of the men at his feet. His face too caved in to read any particular expression.

Leif gives him one swift kick to the stomach and he's out again. With the same foot he rolls his limp body over, revealing slashes to his ankles and behind his knees. Blood flooding out from each deep wound. Thorfinn did that? That's how he took him down... Leif looks up at me before kicking him in the side again. "Take them to the pig pen and tie them down. Dress their wounds... only to stop the bleeding. Don't want the pigs getting a taste for it and eating them alive. Yet." They obediently and fearfully grab his legs and his weapon and drag him out, leaving a gross path of teeth and blood as they do. 

The third man curled up in the corner comes out of his pretend coma and begins to beg forgiveness. "Please! Please Gorm's General Sir! Spare me! It wasn't my idea! It was Sten's! He planned to take her when you weren't here- I wanted nothing to do-" The last rush of energy I have propels me forward and my right leg swings to kick him straight in the teeth, the shock of it knocks him out. "This shit tried to touch me first. Fucking dog!" I curse as I spit on his disgusting spindly frame before the last of Leif's men lifts him from underneath his armpits and drags him out.

A real air of unease settles in the room, as the quiet returns. The fireplace spits and crackles. It's just me, Leif and Thorfinn now. I look at Thorfinn, whose face is neutral and unreadable, eyes fixed on me. I look to Leif, who looks to be competing with Thorfinn for neutrality, but I could see his unrest on his handsome face a mile off. I choose a point between them on the floor to fix my focus. I can't deal with the rest of this right now, the plan failed, the room smells of blood and there are rapists teeth in my kitchen.

"Are you hurt?" Leif breaks the silence in his soft English voice. I hold my stomach and manage to swallow a small pool of bile rising in my throat. "He just knocked the wind out of me. I'm fine." I reply in Norse, I make it a point to make Thorfinn feel included in this conversation.

"Before you say it-" 

"Say what, General?!" I interrupt as tears fill my eyes.

"The plan is still in play." He answers firmly. "I will make them pay for what they did. They will be made examples of. What happened here... will never happen again." I raise my eyes and look straight to Thorfinn, who's expression hasn't changed, his right eyebrow is now creased but he remains silent, he's just listening and still watching me. I can't even hear him breathe. Leif takes this in and scratches his neck. "I'll ask the men to boil some water and clean your floor for you."

"No, they shall boil the water but none of them are to set foot in my home again!" I can feel my breath return to me and I refuse to let the General command my space. I manage to limp across the room and busy myself by throwing a few more logs onto the fire and retrieve new set of clothes. I take off the blanket and throw it onto the bed. Thorfinn immediately averts his gaze but Leif steps forward. 

 "Leave the pots outside, I'll clean my floor." I pull my bloody seam aside and reveal a long shallow cut running up my torso, "Did Sten do that to you-?" I glare at Leif and nod.

I can't help but be cold right now. I haven't felt anything in so long, and the moment I let my guard down this happens. Deep down I know this isn't Leif's fault... but I am too angry to distinguish my feelings right now.

Leif huffs in anger and strides towards the door. "I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him." He grumbles, tosses his sword into his other hand before stopping in the doorway. "I'll be back soon. You should leave too, soldier!" He orders Thorfinn. Thorfinn turns his whole body to face Leif and fold his arms. Not this alpha male bullshit again.

"No actually. I want him to stay." I speak frankly in Norse. They both turn to me, Thorfinn looks shocked, as does Leif. I swallow hard and nod, assuring myself that this is what I want. "Please. Stay... Thorfinn."  His name feels really good to say...

He doesn't respond, but Leif does by clearing his throat and shifting. He clearly isn't comfortable with this... but I couldn't give a fuck right now.

"I'll be back soon... with the water." Leif nods and excuses himself, closing the door behind him.

Thorfinn and I are alone... and every bone in my body is crying out to run towards him, grab him and kiss him...