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The frenzy and excitement of Jorrvaskar was finally tapering off, it was late into the night nearly morning if Ildiir had managed to keep time correctly.
He thumbed the opening of his mead bottle, he was filled with a tired satisfaction as he gazed over the shards of Wuuthrad ceremoniously laid out on a decorated table; he was no fan of the axe’s history; but it felt good to have been a part of finishing the long drawn out quest.
Ildiir let out a small sass of a hum; as he wondered how pissed Ysgramor might be about a mer being to one to complete the broken puzzle of an axe he once wielded.
Ildiir turned his attention away from the artifact surveying the Hall to see who all was still up; Tovar was passed out at one of the long tables, Njada kicking the leg of the chair he was slumped in as an attempt to wake him, Athis was starting to meander his way to the stairs to go to bed.
And Vilkas- Wait; he was just here? Where did he go?
Ildiir scanned the room for his “overseer” noticing one of the back doors slightly cracked open; he headed for the door curious as to what the man may be up to, hopefully not deciding to drunkenly practice with weapons.
Though he didn’t think Vilkas had that much to drink, he couldn’t really be sure as Vilkas had been rather avoidant of him all day.
Ildiir peeked out the door; Vilkas had his back to the Hall as he stared up to the sky.
Ildiir watched for a moment before stepping outside goosebumps quickly forming on his half covered arms; he watched Vilkas’ posture stiffen a bit as he approached.
He came up next to Vilkas looking out to the sky as well; he admired the transitional colours of dawn starting to creep up from the horizon for a few moments.
Then he leaned into the man causing him to jolt slightly, Ildiir let out a delighted sigh as he soaked up his intense body heat, the cold being chased away from part of his body.
After settling in against the large man he spoke up; “Do you have any particular reason for avoiding me all day?” Vilkas stood stiff; not moving away nor giving a response.
Ildiir huffed through his nose; “What’s the matter?” he looked up at the side of Vilkas’ face; “Bat got your tongue?” he snarked.
At that Vilkas let out a growl; “What do you want.”
Ildiir pushed off from his side and came around to the front of Vilkas to face him properly; “I want to know why you have been so erratic towards me!” Ildiir said with exasperation; “One day you are decent, the next you’re your typical grumpy self, which I can deal with.” He grips onto the sides of Vilkas’ tunic; “Then you avoid me, shoo me away with menial tasks and make up guar dung reasons to avoid me!” Ildiir’s ears pin back; “And- and you continue with it even after we… I thought we were good again, perhaps even better than good?” Ildiir let go of Vilkas and backed away.
Ildiir crossed his arms looking to the side at nothing in particular; “Do you just like to mess with me? Is this a game to you?” Ildiir looked up at him, anger in his deep periwinkle eyes; “You forcibly ‘invite’ me here, treat me like shit since you see me as a monster, which is very hypocritical by the way.” Ildiir throws up his hands; “Then when I start showing prowess in your warrior ways you start being sort of nice and decent towards me and then eventually friendly!
Was that just to get me compliant enough to get me to do what you wanted?”
Ildiir starts pacing to riled up and full of tense energy; “I could have left you know. Left at any time, but you!” Ildiir points an accusatory finger at Vilkas; “You damnable s’wit! Would probably have tried to follow me and cause trouble for me!”
Ildiir returns to his pacing with a huff; “So I came here to prove I wouldn’t out you! Beeecaaause, it does me no benefit and I have no reason to do so!”
“I’m sorry..” Vilkas speaks evenly.
Ildiir stares at Vilkas dumbfounded; “You.. What?”
Vilkas sighs with irritation, then cups Ildiir’s face with both of his massive hands, his eyes softening; “I’m sorry.” He strokes Ildiir’s cheek with a thumb; “I’m sorry.” he says once more almost a whisper now.
Ildiir’s eyes start to tear up; “Nchow, you dog..” Vilkas presses his forehead to the mer’s; “I’ve been shit to you, I’ve been acting like a fool.” he nuzzles Ildiir; “I owe you so many apologies.”
“You do.” Ildiir nuzzles him back and sniffles a bit; “If you want to start making it up to me I have some ideas.” Vilkas is surprised; “I- You do?”
Ildiir lays his head on Vilkas’ chest; “Mhm, I do.”
“Tell me?” Vilkas asks, running his finger through Ildiir silver white hair.
Ildiir smirks; “You can start by letting me sleep in your room tonight and you can take my bunk.~” Vilkas sputters a moment, then sighs; “Alright fine, deal.” Vilkas tries to fake a sour expression, but can’t help the little smile that his lips form; “But I’m going to say it was because you drank too much, making yourself sick and got embarrassed about it.”
Ildiir just laughs at him.