I have finished Home and have read the Comfort series, there is a comment that Sunny makes about Lottie and Finan that had my heart breaking. No spoilers but I think that you know which comment that I mean. And Is there going to be more?
Thank You for reading both 💖
Ah yes! It was totally intentional to the writing, I wondered if anybody would pick that up 😉
You have to remember, this would be happening about a year before the ending of Home takes place. Obviously. There are still so many things to be discovered and secrets to come 😁
Is there going to be more? I have semi-planned a third and final part for Comfort. Currently, I am working out where I want to sneak it in, timeline wise. Before the ending of Home? Maybe shortly after? I would like to bring back the whole gang.
We will see. Once I decide on where to base it, I am going to add it to my WIP list.
Another week, another tag game! Please share your last sentence; or, if you don’t have one, share a plot bunny or idea! (OR gifs maybe a sketch for your artwork!)
Breakfast with Sihtric, anyone?
“Gods, you are gorgeous.” Sihtric muttered, leaning back in his chair as he observed you.
Tea cup raised, as you looked out across the back garden, the morning sun hitting you at just the right angle. A soft sigh slipped through your lips, as you raised your cup of tea, taking a sip. Licking your lips and placing the cup on the saucer. Sihtric was enamoured and completely enchanted.
If you had heard his compliment then you were playing it cool.
Sihtric often said such things because he adored the way it would fluster you. You would sputter and roll your eyes, telling him that he was foolish, despite his insisting that every bit of it was the truth. Some times, he knew that you failed to see yourself as he did. In turn, he often times didn't see the same man that you did, when he stood in front of the mirror.
“You're silly.” You commented with a coy grin.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees above you, causing your skin to raise with tiny goose bumps. Pulling the robe a little closer together at the top, you felt the breeze go straight through you. Leaning over to pour another cup of tea, it was then Sihtric realised that there was nothing between your body and the robe.
I watched Macbeth over the weekend, usually when I attempt to watch it, I am using it for a distraction. When I do that, I find it dull and hard to pay attention.
Watching it, because I wanted to, not to be distracted left me pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it.
Mark is absolutely brilliant, he goes from young and carefree to paranoid and burdened almost seamlessly.
Akiya Henry - oh my god! The woman even had me convinced to do her dirty work. She was astounding and such a treat to watch.
Yeah, okay we all know that most of us watch it for one reason only... but I would encourage watching beyond that one moment 😄
Another week, another tag game! Please share your last sentence; or, if you don’t have one, share a plot bunny or idea! (OR gifs maybe a sketch for your artwork!)
Breakfast with Sihtric, anyone?
“Gods, you are gorgeous.” Sihtric muttered, leaning back in his chair as he observed you.
Tea cup raised, as you looked out across the back garden, the morning sun hitting you at just the right angle. A soft sigh slipped through your lips, as you raised your cup of tea, taking a sip. Licking your lips and placing the cup on the saucer. Sihtric was enamoured and completely enchanted.
If you had heard his compliment then you were playing it cool.
Sihtric often said such things because he adored the way it would fluster you. You would sputter and roll your eyes, telling him that he was foolish, despite his insisting that every bit of it was the truth. Some times, he knew that you failed to see yourself as he did. In turn, he often times didn't see the same man that you did, when he stood in front of the mirror.
“You're silly.” You commented with a coy grin.
A gentle breeze rustled through the trees above you, causing your skin to raise with tiny goose bumps. Pulling the robe a little closer together at the top, you felt the breeze go straight through you. Leaning over to pour another cup of tea, it was then Sihtric realised that there was nothing between your body and the robe.
Warnings: Slight Sexual References, Home Spoilers (sort of)
Rating: M
Length: Short
Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.
A/N: And...I guess we needed a second part?
Catch Up Here
If You're In, I'm In
“You'll be okay?” Lottie asked kissing Osferth's cheek and hugging him.
“I think that I will be, yes.” He nodded and hugged her back. “I don't think you need to leave, though.”
“I have an appointment, by the time it's done, Sunny will be home.” Lottie winked. When Sunniva came home to find Osferth, Lottie wanted to be as far away from that a possible. It was one thing for her sister to tell her about the joys of riding his face, Lottie didn't need to bear witness to the sounds. “I don't need to be part of that reunion, I may stay at my parents' tonight. If you need anything, call me?”
A week ago, Lottie had called Osferth, asking him if he would ever want to, maybe, come visit? Not that long ago, Osferth had been gracious enough to fly Sunniva across the ocean to surprise Lottie. The sisters had been missing one another and he'd felt that having Sunniva would encourage Lottie in making a rather important decision.
Right he had been.
Now was the moment for Lottie to repay that favour. Asking Osferth to come stay a few weeks, in hopes that it would lift Sunniva's spirits. Lottie's heart ached for her sister, every time she found her moping around grumbling about how unfair it was that Lottie was getting to go back. Not that Sunniva wasn't thrilled that her sister was getting to be with Finan, only that she was going to miss her beyond measure.
“I will.” Osferth confirmed. Feeling slightly out of place that Lottie picked him up at the airport, simply to rush out two hours after he had landed. At least she had helped him settle in to the apartment. In two hours, Sunniva would be home from work. A small comfort.
Sunniva was over today. In fact, she was over the entire week, month, possibly year. Trudging to the elevator, she sighed heavily and rubbed her temples. Work had been a feat, although she loved her job and the animals, in the weeks since returning from Bamburgh, it felt as though she were living on auto-pilot.
Lottie had been back home, for now, which was helping somewhat. Despite knowing in a few short months, her little sister would be making a permanent move and Sunniva would be destined to see her once, maybe twice a year for the rest of their lives. Looking for jobs in the Northern England town, Sunniva was determined not to be left behind. Lottie needed to spread her wings, she'd worked so hard to get her life back after losing her fiance, but a tiny part of Sunniva was selfish and refused to let her little sister go.
Texts and phone calls with Osferth had been frequent, a comfort that she had taken. How she missed seeing him, even if their two weeks had been a bit of a sex driven whirlwind. Sunniva couldn't shake him from her soul, no matter how hard she'd tried. There was almost always a constant reminder looming over her. He'd talked about love, as if they hadn't just had sex and were still reeling in bliss. Sunniva knew better, it was one thing to talk but another to have the feelings. Maybe she had a bit of those same feelings, but hers had came after realising how much she had missed him.
Unlocking the door, she could hear a faint shuffling inside, no doubt Lottie was home. Recently she had been spending all of her time packing to move. Sunniva pushed the door open, revealing the source of the noise on the other side. Mouth dry and hands sweaty, she held back the sob and tears that wanted to immediately erupt.
“Osferth?” Sunniva paused midway through the door. “Why? How?”
Allowing the door to shut with a heavy thud, Sunniva stood like stone, blue eyes fixed on the man before her. As if she were to blink, he'd be gone. This had to be some sort of terrible dream?
“I – seriously?”
“Lottie thought that you may be a little sad.” Osferth stood from the couch, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.
“I ca-can't believe it.” Twisting the hem of her cat paw printed scrubs, she felt her hands trembling.
“I've missed you.” Reaching out to hug her, Osferth frowned when she immediately pulled back. Not wanting him to notice the evident changes, nor wanting to cover him in whatever it was she was covered in, Sunniva shook her head.
“Oh, I'm covered in who knows what, let me change?” Sunniva made a disgusted face, needing to get out of her work scrubs sooner rather than later. The longer she wore them with the various smells of her day, the more she was fighting the urge to vomit – again.
Disappearing down the hall, she slipped into her bedroom and shut the door behind her. Leaning against the closed door, Sunniva ran her hands over her face and blew out a heavy breath. For weeks she had been missing Osferth and now he was here. Standing in the living room, looking as handsome as ever. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she blinked hard trying not to cry. This was not how she had pictured seeing him again.
Hopefully she wasn't coming off as too cold or unexcited. Inside she was screaming with joy and fear, to have him so close to her. Pulling off the scrub top, Sunniva tossed it in the hamper that stayed by her door, unclasping her bra, she tossed it on top. Pants added to the pile, taking a moment to glance in the full length mirror on her closet door. Running her hands over her growing midsection she paused, turning slightly to the side.
There wasn't much of a bump yet, although she was certainly growing a little more every day. How she had longed to tell Osferth the news, to bring him into this journey right along with her. Biting her bottom lip, Sunniva sniffled. As always, the thoughts of doubt began to shadow her happiness.
What if she told him and the joy was her's alone?
Trying to avoid the cat sitting on the couch staring at him, Osferth smiled weakly at the creature. The black and white cat had been watching him since he'd arrived. As sweet and soft as she looked, Osferth knew better than to give her the cuddle that she deserved. One touch and he was spending the evening covered in red blotches and sneezing his brains out.
Osferth had been in the apartment on his own for nearly three hours, in that time he hadn't ventured much beyond the open kitchen and living room. Once,he had walked around the corner to use the little boy's room. Despite Lottie showing him where everything was and encouraging him to make himself at home, Osferth had remained awkwardly glued to the couch.
The apartment was certainly Sunniva with hints of Lottie thrown in. Vibrant and bold colours, with hints of floral patterns here and there. Photos of people he didn't know, likely family and friends, a few photos of people he knew very well – his friends from home.
A photo of Finan and Lottie sat on a table in the hall, the fridge was home to a photo of Osferth and Sunniva on the beach before sunrise. His personal favourite was a photo of Lottie sitting with Osbert on her knee, snuggling into him while Finan sat in the background. Osferth had taken that photo the night he'd surprised Lottie with her big sister.
On the wall between what Osferth assumed to be bedroom doors was a photo of Lottie and a tall blond man, he didn't have to do much math to know it was her late fiance, Shaun. They looked happy enough, as they stood wrapped in one another, Lottie holding a bouquet of wild flowers. The matching cream and lavender outfits had given away that they had been part of a wedding party.
Shuffling to avoid being rubbed on by the cat, Osferth moved as far as he could on the couch. On the stand beneath the television, the photo that had made Osferth smile the most was of two young girls. Holding hands, each with a melting ice cream cone in the other. The smaller dark haired girl, who he knew to be Lottie, had her face covered in chocolate ice cream. Sunniva a head taller, red hair in a blue bow, was smiling with several teeth missing.
How they hadn't changed.
“All clean.” Announcing her return, she stood a few feet away from Osferth. Leggings and a loose tshirt had been her go to outfit since she'd started to grow slightly outward. “Did you want anything to drink?”
“No, thank you.” Osferth rose from his seat once more. Gesturing to the photo. “I have to say, I think that is my favourite of you and Lottie.”
“Oh, goodness. We were so young. We'd gone on a trip with our cousins. I remember that I wanted to see Anne of Green Gables, so we went to the house.” Sunniva laughed. “Everyone was bored to tears, but Lottie and I loved it. There was ice cream.”
“We never did many trips when I was a kid.” Osferth frowned and shrugged. Mostly because his mother could never afford it. “But, right before school started, we would take a train to Leeds to visit my uncle Leofric, and I thought that was the grandest thing in the world.”
“Anything can be grand, if you make it that way.”
“Oh, Leeds was boring, but uncle Leofric was amazing. He was really tall and stern, I guess he still is, but he always took me for sweets while my mum went to visit their aunt.” Osferth smiled fondly. “He would get an extra large pizza and we would watch movies that my mum would have never let me see. I remember watching The Sixth Sense with him. I felt like we were breaking all of the rules.”
“He sounds lovely.”
“He is! Maybe, if you were to come back for a visit, we could go see him?” Osferth had been hopeful to see Sunniva back in Bamburgh. He'd been too shy to ask her about coming to visit him, but he knew that once Lottie made the move – Sunniva would once again cross the pond.
“I'd like that.” Sunniva smiled and nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, yet keeping her distance. “Look, Osferth, I...”
“I've missed you.” Osferth slid his hand across the back of her neck, drawing her closer. Bodies inches apart, he smiled wearily. “Is that too bold?”
“No, I've missed you, a lot.” Sunniva's smile was sad and...teary eyed? “Osferth, I um...”
“What if we get comfortable and I can find a place to order us dinner? We can hang out and not move for the rest of the evening?”
“Lottie will be...”
“She said something about spending the night with your parents?”
“Did she now?”
“She did.” Osferth slid his hand around her waist, pulling her flush to him. Biting her bottom lip, Sunniva tried not to burst into tears. Hold it together a few seconds at least. “Sunny, are things okay? Am I overstepping? Is something wrong?”
What if Osferth had read this wrong? Had he been too forward?
Surely not?
Lottie had explicitly told him that Sunniva was missing him. When she'd asked him to come for a surprise visit, she'd given detail that Sunniva was upset and Lottie felt that a visit from Osferth could turn that around.
Perhaps overwhelm? Or shock?
Not that Osferth expected her to run and jump into his arms, as if she had been pining for him all this time. Okay, a tiny part had – sort of – expected that. Sunniva was affectionate and bold, this was...Osferth sighed. Whatever was happening was not the feisty redhead that he'd gotten to know. Oh boy! How well he'd gotten to know Sunniva Byrnes.
“I'm...we're...” Sunniva shrugged, not knowing whether to cry or laugh. “ Oh fuck.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, she inhaled deeply. “I have something that you need to know. Um, I...”
“Yes?” His clear blue eyes staring into hers, Osferth began to feel slightly anxious.
“There's only one way to do this.” Sunniva blew out a breath. “We're having a baby.”
Might as well rip the band-aid off now.
“You're pregnant?”
“I am.”
Hearing the words, Osferth stood like stone, tightening his arms around her waist to keep from falling over. Eyes wide and jaw nearly on the ground, he looked a bit like a fish trying to catch their breath out of water. Sunniva softly traced her finger along his cheek, tapping his nose to try and get some response out of him.
“Osferth? Hello?”
“Y-you're pregnant? I'm gonna be, it's my, we're going to be...”
“If this is something that you don't want to be a part of, then tell me now. Please.” Sunniva's blue eyes reached his. Blinking rapidly, Osferth shook his head. Hands trembling with excitement. “I won't be upset, I understand that it's a lot. Especially since we barely know one another.”
Unable to find the right words – or any words – Osferth leaned in kissing her harder and more excitedly than he had ever kissed another. Cupping his face, Sunniva felt the tears or relief sliding down her cheeks, causing Osferth's face to dampen as he kissed her hard enough to take her breath away. For a moment she had to wonder if he would ever let her breathe again. Lips swollen and brilliant blue eyes red rimmed, Osferth heaved a sigh that shook both him and Sunniva.
“I'm going to be a dad? Is this why Lottie asked me to come? Does she know?”
“She knows. She's the only one.” Sunniva felt her tears turning into laughter. “I didn't want to tell you on the phone and I don't have any more time to take off. I...I guess this was the next best thing?”
“Oh, Sunny, this is the best thing.” Osferth's lip quivered as he spoke.
“A-are you sure?”
“I am very sure.”
“I have been so anxious to tell you.” Clearing her throat, Sunniva forced a smile as Osferth brushed the tears from her cheeks. “I wasn't sure how you'd react, or if you would think I did it on purpose. I know that we're adults and...”
“And you're right, we're adults. We knew what could happen and we still did it. I've no regrets to this.” Osferth's smile was bright and his eyes as gentle as always. “H-how far? I don't know enough about babies to know all of the weeks or any thing like that. I mean I know a little...”
“I'm in the middle of twelve weeks.” Sunniva smiled as Osferth lifted her shirt, admiring the growing belly that she wore. “In theory the baby is the size of a plum. Tomorrow, I have an appointment for a scan. If you want...”
“I'm allowed to come, right?”
“Of course you are. I can't wait for you to see them.”
“Them? We're having twins?” Osferth gulped.
“No, I meant them as in we don't know if its a boy or a girl.” Sunniva laughed at his deer in the headlights look.
“When do we know? Do you want to know?”
“We have six or eight weeks to decide that.” Sunniva brushed her hand through his hair. “You're seriously okay with this?”
“Sunny, I am beyond okay with this.” His face tear stained and eyes shining. “I have so many questions, though. How did you know? When? Do we know when you're due? “
“Some time in November. We'll have a baby before Christmas.” Sunniva's smile couldn't grow any more if she wanted it to. “Funny story, I was having these crazy dreams about babies and Aelswith being angry at me. How dare we live in sin.”
Osferth snorted, that seemed like Aelswith Wessex to a tee. The woman would never accept Osferth, as a product of her husband's affair, yet she would no doubt have a hay day chastising him for his sins. So long as he made the distillery money, she wasn't too terrible to Osferth.
“One morning, on my way in to work, I was so sick and by the time my break came along I realised that my period was late.” Sunniva wiped the back of her hand across her nose. “My boss thought I had food poisoning and sent me home, I took a test and...”
“Sunny. Oh Sunny, I'm sorry that I wasn't here.”
“Well, you didn't know. Hell, I didn't even know until that point. When Lottie got back, I had to tell her. Right after, I booked my first appointment.” Sunniva shrugged.
Leaving out the part about how she had sat in the bathroom for nearly two hours sobbing, while having a mild panic attack over what would happen, when she finally broke down and told him.
“I wish I could have been at that one, too.”
“That reminds me, before tomorrow. Hold on.”
Rushing down the hall, back into her bedroom, Osferth could hear Sunniva rummaging around. Cursing as she nearly tripped over a cat, she managed to regain her balance. Osferth stood soaking in the news, as if unable to move from the spot where he'd been fixed to the rug in the living room. This had been a lot to take in and not at all the news he thought would be waiting for him.
Rubbing his sweaty palms over his jeans, he closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. When he'd asked Sunniva to come to Bamburgh, never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined this. The nights – afternoons and mornings – they had spent wrapped in one another, had been something like a fever dream.
A goddess of his own, destined to be nothing more than friends. Or so he'd assumed.
This was wild. Osferth was having a time keeping up, yet managed to keep his composure well. Another Wessex with a random child to a random woman, the apples didn't fall far from that tree.
No. Osferth scolded himself.
He was neither his father, nor his half-brother.
Sunniva hadn't been a random affair or a woman to dispose of, once he grew bored. Unlike Alfred or Edward; Osferth was going to be involved. One way or another, he would do it before the child turned 30 as well.
“I have it!” Announcing her triumph, Sunniva waved a piece of paper in the air as she walked over to Osferth. Passing him the paper with the black and white image, the small white writing in the corner gave a date and the name : Byrnes, Sunniva.
“Wow. Is this the baby?”
“It's a bit hard to see.” Sunniva traced her finger around the image in the red circle. “That was my first scan, I was between six and seven weeks.”
“That's our baby?”
“That black dot is our baby.”
“I can't wait for tomorrow. I think I'm already in love with them.” Osferth stood holding the scan, his eyes never leaving the image.
A baby!
His baby.
Their baby.
Oh god.
“Should we tell people? I assume at some point we will have to, but I don't...” Osferth muttered more to himself, as he tried to wrap his head around the tiny image in the photo.
“I'm telling my boss next week, I didn't want anyone to know before you and certainly not too early.” Sunniva explained, watching as Osferth held the paper, studying it in awe. “Tomorrow we get another look. I'm excited to see how much they've grown.”
“I just...Sunny.” Blowing out a breath, Osferth shook his head. “This is unreal.”
“Oh it's very real, the morning sickness and fatigue definitely tell me it's real. Not to mention how sore my boobs have been.” She placed her hands over her breasts and groaned.
Kissing her cheek, Osferth grinned. “Well, I'm here now and I plan on taking very good care of you.”
“I appreciate that.” Sitting on the couch, Sunniva kicked her feet up and sighed.
Taking a seat beside her, Osferth pulled her legs up into his lap, softly rubbing her calves. Oh! this she could get used to. “I guess the next question is, when should I tell Alfred that I am moving?”
“Why would you move?” Tilting her head, Sunniva looked at him in confusion.
“We can't raise a baby with an ocean between us, Sunniva.” As if it were the most obvious thing in the world, Osferth made his statement.
Tucking a piece of red hair behind her ear, Sunniva shook her head. “I was thinking that I'd move.”
“Seriously?” Rubbing her left calf, Osferth temporarily took a break. Gently squeezing her leg, he sighed and frowned. “You can't give up your life, the least you can let me do is this.”
“Baby, you love your job. Mine can be done from anywhere, I've been looking for jobs since before I left Bamburgh. Lottie wasn't the only one who fell in love over there. Vet tech jobs aren't half as hard to get. If you moved here what would you do?”
“I could work as a book keeper, I could work in an office? Construction?”
“Osferth, you're one of the best whiskey makers in the UK.” Sunniva rolled her eyes. “It may take a bit and I may have to have the baby here, but I'm not letting you move here. Especially not for me.”
“I want to be with you every step of the way. I'm not abandoning you or my child.” Osferth's jaw clenched. “I'm not my...”
“You don't have to. I know that you want to be a good dad. You will be.” Sunniva shook her head, picking a piece cat hair from her shoulder “We'll make this work.”
Nodding, slowly, Osferth sighed. What other choice did he have than to trust her? Sunniva was a bit of a dreamer, one who somehow managed to make things work for her. No doubt, she had fallen in love with Bamburgh, it was hard not to be enchanted by the quiet life that it allowed one to live. Osferth had been there his whole life and until this moment – other than when he'd tried his hand at Pastoral College – he had never considered living anywhere else.
“I know that we will.” Osferth's smile was small. “Sunny, I want what is best for you and for the baby. Whatever you need from me, I am willing to do it.”
“What I, we, need from you right now is to be here.” Gently poking him in the rib with her foot, Sunniva grinned. “Just like this. Asses on the couch, rotting away, after a long day.”
“I can provide that.” Osferth laughed happily. “Want to tell me about work?”
“It was work. We had two dentals, a hair tie removal from a senior cat, and then I had to check a tortoise for vitamin A deficiency.” Leaning her head back, Sunniva sighed as Osferth began to rub her legs again. “A typical day. Although, the dental cleanings were rough, I don't mind them, but nearly vomited a few times.”
“I'm sorry.”
“What for? You can't control what my body has decided to deem acceptable and unacceptable.” Snorting, Sunniva reached out pinching his cheek.
“No, but I am the one who got you pregnant, so it sort of becomes my fault?”
“Not even close.” Sunniva laughed. “But nice try. How were your flights?”
They would have been fine, had Osferth not been slightly timid of flying. Flying always made him queasy and a tad anxious. All in all, he had managed. Thanking God when they had landed safely and he was once again on the ground. The amount of prayers he had said over the course of the flight was likely enough to set a world record.
“It was a flight? I hate flying, truly, but I was happy and excited to come see you. Lottie was so enthusiastic and now I see why.” Osferth's smile grew from the grimace. “I'm only dreading when I have to return, why can't people still use boats?”
“They do, but are you sure you want to be stuck in the ocean for that long?” Sunniva giggled, trying to be supportive.
Osferth shook his head and made a disgusted face. “Flying it is. Some day, I will figure out how to teleport. I swear. You know, if you really wanted to, then you could fly back with me.”
Drawing a breath, Sunniva shook her head. “I would love that, but I still have to work. Plus, it's going to take a bit for papers and...”
“Quit your job early, come on a holiday, and we can worry about the rest when we get closer to having the baby.”
Who was this man?
Osferth was always rational and logical. Sunniva admired his spirit. More than once she had laid in bed thinking about doing just that. When she'd first told Lottie the news, they had decided to both sleep in Sunniva's room that night, face to face in bed Lottie had suggested Sunniva move to Bamburgh. Semi-joking, until Sunniva told her that she had already been looking for jobs there.
“I wish it was that simple. If I don't have a job, then what happens? I need the money, we need the money, babies aren't cheap.” Sunniva pouted. As much as she loved his plan, they needed to remain practical.
“Let me worry about the money.”
“No. I'm not doing that, it's not fair and besides, I don't want to be reliant on a man. No offense. I adore you, Osferth, but I can't let myself do that.”
“I understand, but I am here to help. I want to help. Even if it means shouldering the financials for a bit. Sunny, I want to help take care of you.”
“Osferth, I am grateful for you. You have no idea, but this is something that we need to be mutual in. It's my own hang up and I am sorry, but I can't let you do that.” firm tone, her eyes bore into him. Message loud and clear. “What I need the most from you, is to be happy and I think you have already covered that.”
Nodding, Osferth's smile nearly reached his ears. “I am very happy. Oh God, how good has he been to me, to us? I can't believe that we're having a baby. I'm...oh wow.”
Humming, Sunniva ran her hand across the back of her neck, a slight smirk causing her face to light up. Osferth knew that devilish look. Oftentimes it came right before they were about to – he shifted in his seat.
“I do wonder, how will the ladies at church take this? Their sweet and innocent Osferth, a man of God, who does no wrong.” teasing him, she watched his cheeks flush red. “Goodness, you will have to ask for some forgiveness there.”
“Shush,” Osferth tried to hide his laughter, “the good thing is they all liked you. A win I suppose.”
“They liked me when I was your friend, not the slut you fucked before church and knocked up.” Sunniva shrugged, trying her best not to laugh at the scenario. How they had walked into church that morning, having had a rather – indecent morning. Smiles on their faces, bright and glowing, although it had little to do with the Holy Spirit.
“You were still the slut I fucked before church, after as well.” Osferth countered. “They just weren't aware of such sins, at that moment anyway.”
Leaning over, Sunniva placed her hands on his knees, lips inches from his. She sighed and pulled back. Shaking her head, she bit her bottom lip, locking eyes.
“I don't care what other people think of us.” Osferth leaned forward, his hand brushing against her cheek. “We will never please them all. Besides, I don't want to.”
“I love you-r way of thinking.” Sunniva moved to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Now that we've covered the basics. Is there anything else, important, that we need to get out of the way?”
“Uh, well.” Osferth couldn't think of anything pressing. He had so many thoughts running through his mind, but none seemed ultra important at the moment. Clasping Sunniva's hand in his, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Lottie must be dying to tell Finan.”
“I think she's been keeping it together pretty well.”
“Should we let her tell him?”
Finan was coming to visit Lottie in a few weeks, evidently he was going to find out. Osferth didn't mind, Lottie had been keeping the secret and it was probably eating at her.
“Do you want to tell him yourself? If she tells him, is he going to tell the others?”
“I don't mind if she tells him.” Shrugging, Osferth shook his head. “Finan won't tell, if we ask him not to. He's so preoccupied in Lottie moving, he's doing good to remember his own name. It's all he can talk about. He uh, he's finally getting around to packing some of Ingrith's stuff. It's crazy to think she's been gone almost a year.”
“You miss her?”
“I think we all miss her, but I think we all know that Finan moving on is a good thing. I can't think of one reason not to love Lottie, she's pretty special. Like someone else, I know.” Osferth grinned sheepishly. “When we break it down, if it weren't for Ingrith and Lottie, then we would have never met.”
Not that Osferth would have ever wished his best friend's wife dead, nor would he have hoped for Lottie to lose her fiance. At the same time, God did what God needed to do. If Ingrith's cancer and Shaun's aneurysm weren't to happen, then Osferth would not be here right now. It was odd how a tragic moment in one person's life could impact all of those around them and even strangers.
“No that's true.” Sunniva nodded and grimaced. “I don't want to break up this moment, but I am getting really hungry.”
“Say no more, what do you want?” Osferth leaned over, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “We can go out? Stay in? Whatever you want, I'm happy to provide.”
Sunniva, hungry, on any day could be terrifying. Osferth wasn't willing to risk how terrifying it could get whilst she was pregnant. Once or twice he had witnessed that wrath.
Scrunching her nose, Sunniva sat with her legs stretching across Osferth. When she'd left work, her plan had been to come home and ask Lottie what she wanted for dinner. So long as it wasn't seafood or contained onions, those were two things that Sunniva wasn't handling well this week. Conveying the concerns to Osferth, she gnawed on her bottom lip for a few seconds attempting to think over what sounded enticing.
On a normal Thursday, she would have gone to her favourite Indian restaurant, ordering way too much food and enjoying the left overs for the next two days. Currently, the smell of her favourite restaurant was, also, something that her body could not tolerate.
For the last couple of weeks meals had been picky bits of whatever Sunniva saw in the kitchen, which didn't cause her distress by how they smelled or taste.
“If you don't mind, I'd prefer to stay in. I'm not ready to shower yet. Plus, I don't know if I have the energy to go far.” A slight smile, she reached her hand out to Osferth. Holding his hand, she closed her eyes and grumbled as her stomach rumbled at her. “What if we order in? I know of a great burger place.”
Attempting to convince Sunniva that she should let him pay for dinner, Osferth gave up, as she beat him to it by grabbing the phone and placing the order. All paid for, before he even realised that she had ordered dinner. Over the last year, Sunniva and Lottie had ordered frequently from the small burger spot a few blocks down. Without thinking, Sunniva had ordered as they usually would, forgetting to leave the details that it was to be handed to Osferth.
A few meters from the main door, Osferth stood in the chilly evening air. Spring was in full swing, yet it didn't seem to matter as he leaned against the building with a cigarette in hand – a habit that he had been trying to break, perhaps a baby was a good enough reason to finally give up?
The city surrounding him was quiet, smaller than Osferth had imagined it to be. Yet bigger than Bamburgh. Taking another drag from the cigarette, he glanced around at the cosy looking apartment. Six floors, with an underground car park, a small green space to the side, and a park down the street. Sunniva had been in this building for three years, it was home.
Osferth sighed, smoke surrounding him. Bamburgh was home, it always would be, but he wouldn't hate having to live here – temporarily, if he should need to.
A tall teenager in a hat with the restaurant logo on it paused at the front door, checking the order and looking over the numbers for Unit 506.
“506?” Osferth asked, his accent seeming to throw the teen.
Confirming that the Englishman with the funny name was allowed to accept the order, via building intercom, the teenager thanked Osferth for the tip and left him with the bag of food. Successfully loaded down with dinner, Osferth returned to the elevator. He wasn't the biggest fan of elevators, the way they made your body feel like it was being suspended in mid-air as they rode up and down. Stomach dropping slightly, his ears popping, Osferth was happy when the bell chimed and opened to the floor he needed.
Sauntering down the hall to the third door on the right, he pushed it open and announced his arrival. Moving the cat off of her lap, Sunniva smiled sweetly at him and apologised for the slight mix up. A quick kiss, she licked her lips and groaned.
“I am going to quit.” immediately Osferth informed her of his newest decision.
“If that's your decision, then I am happy with whatever you are.” Shrugging, Sunniva led the way to the kitchen table. “I was just enjoying the taste.”
Frowning, Osferth placed the bag on the table. “I don't want to be an asshole, but is that safe?”
“Uh, probably not. No.” Sunniva pulled out a chair, taking a seat. Not that she smoked often, but now and then. Something she had come to learn, during their two weeks, was that she preferred the taste of cigarettes on Osferth as opposed to the actual cigarette.
“Then I think we both need to quit.” tone light, Osferth reached into the bag. Producing the first container. Inside of the brown paper bag smelled intoxicating, surely this had to be one of the most heavenly smells on earth. “Cheese, extra peanut butter with chili.” reading off the top of the container, handing it to Sunniva. “No onion.”
“Thank you.” Happily accepting the container, Sunniva's smile grew as she opened the top to look in at her burger. Peanut butter with chili was the only way to go. She'd argue that even when she wasn't pregnant.
“Chicken with pineapple and provolone.” Osferth read the top of his box. “I am trusting you on this, by the way.” he passed her a can of root beer, accepting the cold can, Sunniva snapped open the top taking a drink and sighing happily. “Is it good?”
“It's so good.” She nodded and giggled.
“Last but not least,” Osferth pulled a box of fries from the bag, putting them into the middle of the table. Packages of vinegar and mustard tucked in the bottom of the bag, per Sunniva's request. Set for dinner, he double checked that they had everything they would need, before taking the seat opposite of the content pregnant lady.
“I'm glad that you're here.” Gently swatting him with her foot under the table.
“I am glad that Lottie asked me to come.” Osferth looked at the chicken burger topped with a fresh piece of grilled pineapple and melted provolone cheese. Coming highly recommended when he'd asked Sunniva what he should try. Taking a bite, he sat for a moment. Sunniva watching him intently. The sweetness of the pineapple against the crusted chicken was unusual, but he didn't hate it.
“And?”
“I think you are right.” Osferth chuckled, holding his dinner out. “Do you want a bite?”
“No, I'm not feeling chicken right now. It's okay some days, but others.” Sunniva shrugged, offering him a bite of her burger. Osferth declined, the chili was a bit much for him. “Lottie is going to be jealous, but she's the one who didn't want to stay home.”
“I assume we'll see her tomorrow? Maybe after your appointment, we could do something?” Osferth plucked a few fries from the box. Osferth enjoyed Lottie's company, they had spent a fair bit of time getting to know one another, when she'd first arrived on holiday in Bambugh.
“My appointment is late afternoon. Maybe? Tomorrow, we should do dinner with my parents, I'll see if Lottie wants to join? They will want to meet you. But!" Sunniva held up her hand, taking a second to lick the peanut butter from the side. "No mention of the baby. We can tell them that right before you leave."
"Okay. Why?"
"Well, my mother will find her own version of events. She told my grandmother that Lottie is running away to be with some old Irish man, who lured her in."
"Oh god."
"Mm. Lottie explained that Finan is in his 30's and they met, because he lost his wife. My grandmother seems eager to meet him." Sunniva explained.
"Right, so I am to be the deadbeat, English prick who manipulated you into having my baby, for the purpose of strengthening my heirs and will take the child and leave you penniless?"
"Something like that. Yeah." Leaning in to grab some fries, Sunniva giggled. "My mom means well. She's dramatic and doesn't want us leaving her."
"That is understandable, you are her children."
Rolling her eyes, Sunniva huffed. Yes, her mother meant well. Yes, her mother was overprotective. Yes, it was a bit unbearable at times. Sunniva should be thankful that her mother cared.
“I'm not a little girl anymore and I can make my own decisions and mistakes.” Defending with a smirk, she reached out her hand. Taking her hand across the table, Osferth grinned. “I happen to think some of my decisions were better than others.”
Dinner finished, Osferth offered to clean up while Sunniva had her shower. Whining about how much energy it took her to do so these days, she pouted but went ahead with it anyway. If she showered tonight, it would be one less thing she would have to do tomorrow. Osferth pointed out, wisely, if she showered now then she could sleep in tomorrow. They had nowhere to be until the afternoon.
Come morning, Osferth knew that he'd be awake at some ungodly hour, due to the time change. Already he had plans for making breakfast and allowing Sunniva to sleep as long as she possibly could. Fresh from the shower, Sunniva peeked around the corner to see the apartment tidy and the only light on was the one over the kitchen sink. Casually, she had mentioned it one evening in conversation at Osferth's.
Walking back to her bedroom, Osferth sat on the floor in front of his suitcase, his clothing organised and neatly packed in mesh packing bags. Maybe their child would inherit his habit of always being organised? Sunniva was anything but. Towel around her body and one around her hair, she yawned and stepped around Osferth to grab her pjs.
“Sorry.” he scooted to the side.
“You're fine.” Sunniva smiled and kissed the top of his head. “Thank you for leaving the light on.”
“Ah yes, I couldn't have Hetty and Olivia going without their light. I want them to like me.” Chuckling, Osferth looked at Sunniva's reflection in the mirror that he sat facing.
“They appreciate it.” She smiled, dropping her towel. Taking in the reflection of her naked form, Osferth sighed and smiled lazily. “Like what you see?”
Pulling on her shorts and tshirt, Sunniva giggled. Before he left, there would be plenty of time to tease him.
“Always.”
Eyes adverted from the reflection, Osferth blushed. Silly really, he had saw her naked more than enough. Clearing his throat, he went back to opening the other side of his suitcase where he had stored a few goodies to bring.
“These,” Osferth produced three bags of Walker's Salt and Vingar crisps, “are yours.”
“Oh my god!” Sunniva squealed happily taking the bags from him. “Baby!”
“This,” he pulled out a bottle of whiskey, “we can't have yet. Soon.”
“Keep it, you can open it to celebrate when the baby gets here.” Sunniva climbed into bed, bag of crisps in hand. Sunniva hated eating in bed, but this – it was different.
“Oh, no. No this isn't even a decent blend.” Shaking his head, Osferth placed the bottle on the night stand. “My baby, our baby, is getting their own reserve.”
“Oh, fancy.”
“Aelfwynn got one, for the year and month she was born. It won't be opened until she's 18. I didn't blend it, but I'm doing the same.” Osferth grinned and winked. “Secretly, I have one for Aethelstan and Aedgyth, too. It won't be a proper 18 years, because it wasn't blended until they were three.”
“Look at you, being the proper family man. Blending children their own whiskey.” snorting in laughter, Sunniva took a couple of crisps from the bag, moaning in delight as she ate them. A slightly off flavour from brushing her teeth didn't seem the phase her, taking another few from the bag.
“We have to give the children what they want.” Osferth laughed, retrieving his tshirt and pants to sleep in. “Children want good whiskey.”
“Yes, they do.” Sunniva erupted into laughter.
Surprises unpacked, Osferth placed his suitcase back by the closet door, on the other side of the room. Sunniva reached over turning on a bed side lamp and a small pink salt lamp on her night stand. Asking Osferth to turn off the overhead light and shut the door, the cats would be offended, but they would be fine. In no way did Sunniva want Osferth to wake up with red blotches with red eyes, looking like some sort of classic horror movie monster. The room considerably dimmer, Osferth made sure to turn his phone on silent. Confident that he had set his alarms properly for the time change, he wasn't taking chances, they didn't need to be woken at some unholy hour by his mistake.
“Is there anything else we need?” asking before pulling his socks off, Osferth gave Sunniva a curious look. In the softness of the lamp and the pink light from the salt lamp, her hair seemed redder and her entire body held a gentle glow. Like an angel or a goddess.
Sunniva shook her head. Patting the bed beside her, a smile on her face. “I only need you in bed.”
“We can make that happen.” Osferth's smile was sleepy. He'd had a rather long day. Pushing back the bright purple blanket, Osferth sat on the side of the bed giving Sunniva time to get comfortable.
“This is a bit odd.” She moved over, allowing Osferth into bed.
“How so?”
“I don't think we've ever been in bed, with our clothes on.”
“Ah, which is exactly how we ended up with this one.” Osferth chuckled, softly tapping the top of Sunniva's stomach. “Do you mind? I um, is it weird if I want to talk...Never mind.”
“I don't know how much they can hear right now,” Sunniva pushed her top up over her belly, “but I talk to them all the time. Lottie never stops.”
“I am sure she is loving this.”
"Lottie needs to go back to Bamburgh and let Finan get her pregnant." Sunniva groaned with a laugh. "She's driving me crazy."
"She's your little sister and she loves you." Osferth defended with a kiss to Sunniva's cheek. "She's excited. Something to be said, as I doubt my family will care."
"Baby, you know that Aethelflaed is going to be thrilled. Ecgwynn too!" Sunniva ran her, non salt and vinegar stained, fingers through his hair with a smile. "Aldhelm nearly cries when he sees a baby."
“He does love babies.”
"My point is, you have family who will be just as excited as Lottie. Don't think for a minute that Uhtred and Eadith won't be screaming in joy." Licking her fingers, Sunniva passed Osferth the open bag of crisps, to shelf beside the bottle of whiskey on the night stand.
Adjusting her pillows to sit a bit upright, a position that she had been most comfortable sleeping in this week, Sunniva turned to face Osferth. "Tomorrow we get to see how much they've grown and we get to hear the heartbeat."
Osferth laid on his side, carefully drawing small circles on Sunniva's bare stomach. Shirt pushed up, she smiled at his amusement. "Heartbeat?"
"Mm." Sunniva hummed.
“I've told you, I think I could be in love.” Osferth's voice was low. Sunniva nodded. “I am already very much in love with this little one. Maybe a bit more in love with you, too. Is that weird?”
Shrugging, Sunniva could recall the three times Osferth had told her that he was in love with her. Brushing them all off as still being hazy from sex. No doubt, she believed that he was already on his way to being fully in love with the baby. After telling Lottie and having her first appointment, Sunniva certainly had been.
“Is it love? Or are we two fools, who are having a baby together and only think it's love?”
“On my end, it's love or something very close to it. I've felt it for a while.”
“I don't not love you.” Sunniva blinked back a few more tears. “I'm so overwhelmed, Osferth. I don't know what I am feeling anymore.”
“Here's the plan, we focus on the baby for now. We agree to be a united front and if we become more, then we become more. If we don't, then we are at least friendly enough to raise a child together.” Osferth offered, kissing the back of her hand. “I want you to know that I will do whatever you need me to, in order to raise this baby.”
“You're a good man, Osferth Wessex.” Patting his cheek, Sunniva used her tshirt to dry her eyes.
“I'm not a good man, but I know that I can learn to be better.” Osferth shrugged, softly he traced random shapes and patterns across her belly. “I want to be a good father, I want to be what I never got to have.”
“Baby, you're going to be a great father. I know it.”
“I hope you are right.” Osferth sniffed back the few tears that were threatening to fall. “With you as their mum, our kid is going to be the luckiest. They're going to be so loved.”
“You flatter me.” trying to hold back a yawn, Sunniva's smile was sleepy.
“Okay, enough talk. You're exhausted.”
“Don't tell me what to do.” Sunniva's giggle was just as sleepy. “But you're right. Good night, Baby.”
“Good night, Sunny.” Osferth kissed her forehead, rolling over his lazily tossed an arm around her waist. Snuggling in, Sunniva sighed and her breathing steadied.
Closing his eyes, Osferth quietly mumbled the beginning of his prayers. Sunniva listened as he asked the Lord to guide and keep him on the right path, dosing off before he got too far. Growing silent in his prayers, Osferth took a steadying breath. Asking the Lord to watch over his friends and family – family. The thought made him smile in the dim light of the room.
Family – Osferth could be okay with that, even if Sunniva only wished to remain friends. They could worry about that later, for now, he was too filled with joy to even care what label they put on this.
Tags (I went with my TLK/Home tags along with anyone else who asked/showed interest) : @therealcalicali @persephones-journey @lord-aldhelm @alexagirlie @stardustrider @gemini-mama @kingslionheart @masked-lost-girl @narilwrites @thelettersfromnoone @prithee-make-way @thenameswinter99 @adsagsona @geekandbooknerd @gearhead66 @grlwtskulltattoo @deandoesthingstome @slytherincursebreaker @roseszirnheld @dreamilypurplepillar @and-his-brother-maekar @purpleskiesandroses @boscotheakita @selene-azelis @phantasyfictionist @nourangul @sinistersnakey
Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.
A/N: Happy Hump Day? I have no excuse for this one. I am not even sure where it came from, but here it is. Some good ol' PWP Finan.
The Last Kingdom Master List
“My love?” Finan called bursting through the door of his home as if he were lit on fire. The excited Irishman could no doubt be heard halfway across the village. “Are ya here?”
“I am. What do you want?” She asked, placing the wooden spoon down from stirring the pot on the fire. “What is the rush?”
“No rush.” His dark eyes lit up in the soft afternoon light. Dark hair tousled from nearly sprinting home, his smile wide under his growing beard. The warm months were coming fast, which meant in a short while the animal living on his face would be shorn down. How she hated those days.
“You run in here, shouting like a man in battle, and not even so much as a kiss?” She teased, wiping her hands on the cloth beside the hearth.
“Aye, forgive my excitement.” He winked, grabbing her around the waist and kissing her like a man who had been starved of touch for several years. A feeling that Finan knew too well. “I have brought ya something.”
Pulling at the leather satchel that he wore across his body, he placed it on the wooden table, grinning from ear to ear. The last time he had brought her a gift they had been left with weeks of song, as the blue bird he'd managed to save from a feral cat, sang praises morning and night. When it was well enough, she had let it go and lied – saying it flew away on it's own. She didn't have the heart or the tolerance to keep the bird any longer.
“Have you?” Tilting her head, she watched as he reached into his satchel, producing an object wrapped in a white cloth.
Allowing the cloth to fall away, Finan watched with amusement as she gasped and felt her cheeks burn. “I believe ya will find it most intriguing.”
“What is that?” placing a hand to her chest, she glared at him suspiciously.
“It's...” Finan held up the leather clad cock like object with a wide and hearty grin. The Irish man had very little shame for a man who claimed to be Christian. “An appendage.”
“An appendage?”
“Yes. It's wood, on the inside.” Finan explained, placing a small pot of oil on the table. “This goes with it.”
"What is it for?"
"Aye! Ya can use it when I am not here, for uh..." Finan cleared his throat as she picked up the brown object. Moving it in her delicate hand, she eyed it curiously. "Pleasure."
“Finan, I believe that you have entirely lost it.”
“No, look, it's a real thing. I've heard that some of the nuns use them, for...things in which would cause a nun to sin, if done with a man.”
“Are you saying that I should be in the convent, then?”
“No, I am saying that I know how lonely ya get when I am gone. It might not be a such a bad idea, to have a bit of relief.” Finan stood wide eyed, trying to work his way out of this one. Oh this could be tricky. “The whores, at the ale house, they use them too. Sometimes on the men.”
“So now I am a whore?” shoving the wooden cock back at her husband, she scowled.
Shaking his head, wooden cock still in his grasp, Finan huffed. “Not at all, my love. Ya are the most wholesome and honest of women. I would never think of ya as a whore.”
“What's wrong with being a whore? I believe Sihtic's wife was a whore, was she not? She's a fine lady.”
“No, I didn't mean...well yes, she's a fine lady. I...oh stop it.” Finan grumbled in frustration.
Taking joy in Finan's flustered state, she stood before him, her delicate hand reaching out to stroke his thick beard. Eyes bright and teasing, he should have known that she would take the chance to rouse him. She always took the chance to torment him, whenever she could. It was a quality he loved so much about her.
Holding the wooden cock, in the middle of their house, Finan huffed and narrowed his gaze. “W-would ya like to try it?”
A bold question.
Shrugging lazily, she scrunched her nose and gently sighed. “I suppose, shall I wait for you to leave?”
“Why would you need to wait?”
“In case I decide that I prefer it. I wouldn't want you to be disappointed.” A smile from the devil himself graced her angel like features.
Finan rolled his eyes. “Ah, is that what ya think?”
Shrugging she smirked. “Already I see that it has some differences, especially in size.”
“Now look here, woman.” Finan's brow creased. “I can take that back, just as easily.”
No he could not.
The woman he had gotten it from was strict, once he laid his coin down, this was now his to worry about. At the very least, they could strip it and use it as a fire starter. Finan hoped, deep in his chest, he hadn't wasted good coin on fire wood.
“I am teasing, Finan. You must relax, perhaps we need to use this for you?” a glimmer in her eye, told him that she was teasing, partially. She knew how relaxed he often became after they'd humped.
“I uh...I wouldn't...I don't....um. Maybe?” Finan stammered, feeling a slight drop in the pit of his stomach. “Though ya should try it first, it's your gift.”
In his younger days, while he was foolish and spry, there had been a few encounters that Finan had taken with other young men. Curious and bored, they would often explore one another, looking for release they did not have to provide for themselves. Never would Finan allow a single soul to know such a secret, yet he had always felt there were things that his wife knew, despite how far he had buried them under.
She would never judge him for his past, a lonely prince, looking for his place of belonging.
One evening, she had asked him for a whore from the ale house, needing to satisfy a craving that she'd taken. Her own past endeavours needing to be scratched once more. Another woman's flesh against her own, as her husband watched from his chair where he would often sit by the fire, sharpening Soul-Stealer or whittling. On that particular evening, he had sat as the fire light cast a golden glow against two women, tangled in one another, as if goddesses sent to earth.
“I will never know what possessed you to think of such a gift.” She chuckled at him.
“I am a thoughtful and generous man.” Finan laughed, swatting her ass as she walked by.
“The most generous.” She concluded with a snort. “Finan, do you wish to try my gift? If you do, then I will not judge.”
“For now it is yours, perhaps another time I can see what all the fuss is about? For now, I want to know, does it pleasure ya as I can?” His voice low, his accent growing thicker.
“Hmm, you wish to see the competition?”
“Aye, I do.” He nodded firmly. “I want to see if I can let ya keep it or burn the cursed thing.”
“Oh, you fool. I will promise you now, I will never love another cock the way that I love yours.” She pinched his cheek, moving to push aside the curtain to their bed. “Well,” she gestured to the wooden cock on the table, “shall we play then?”
Eyeing her with a subtle eagerness, as drew back the linen that separated their main house from the bed, Finan felt his chest grow tight. Lifting her skirt, she smiled at him with a hint of deviousness. Sliding back onto the bed, she hiked her skirt higher, allowing it to sit above her hips and ass. Excitement tinged the air as if a storm were to strike at any second.
Hands smoothing against her thighs, she bit her bottom lip and waited with anticipation as Finan lifted the appendage – as he called it, along with the small pot of oil. Moving the wooden cock back and forth in his hand, his face serious for a split second as if he were trying to work out the most intense question. The weight of the cock was surprisingly light, the leather smooth and the shape certainly didn't leave any question as to what it was supposed to be.
Standing with it in his hand, Finan wrapped his fist around the girth. Eh, he huffed. Only a tiny bit bigger than he was.
“Finan.” She called from where she was perched on the edge of the bed. Watching her husband fist the wooden cock. Watching as he rolled it over in his fist, glancing at it from every angle as if it were a new sword blade, stirred something inside. Perhaps it was a sin to enjoy such a moment? If that were the case then her soul was already damned.
“Aye?” He lifted his head to look at her, his cheeks flushing red under his beard. He'd been caught admiring the craftsmanship a little too closely. Eventually, maybe, one day he would agree to test it himself.
“Are we going to play or are you going to sit there and admire it all day?” Teasing, she winked and slid her body back further.
“Hold your horses.” He tutted at her with a slight chuckle. “It needs to be prepared. First, you put the oil on it.” He explained, tipping the lid off of the small pot. “Just a bit.” He cautioned, dipping his callused finger tip into the pot of oil that he had brought with him. The oil had a light floral scent, though not too overbearing. Smearing the oil against the wooden cock, Finan's brow creased in concentration. “Only a little, will do.”
“Only a little.” She repeated, propped on her elbows watching him prepare the gift that he had so thoughtfully brought her.
“Once it's coated,” he held it upright allowing a bit of oil to drip onto his hand, “ya um...did ya want to?”
“Oh, I've never...fingers sure. Would you?” She felt her cheeks heating with the admission. Finan wasn't a fool, he understood that a woman needed pleasure as much as a man, even when she had to create the pleasure on her own. Hence why he had brought home such a gift.
“If ya want me to stop at any point, tell me.” He took a step forward, kissing her cheek and grinning. Beard tickling her skin, she nodded and held her breath. Chest tight and stomach in knots, she laid back allowing Finan to take control.
Parting her legs, he swiped an oil soaked finger against her folds. Wet already, as he suspected she would be. Placing a kiss to her bare thigh, he took a second to glance up at her. Bottom lip between her teeth, chest barely moving. He reminded her to breathe. Inhaling deeply, she felt the smooth leather pressing against her. An unfamiliar sensation.
What an odd, yet arousing feeling.
Slowly pressing the tip to her wet folds, Finan watched her like a hawk. He knew her well enough to stop or continue, although he wanted her to say it.
“Are ya good with this?”
“I am.” She swallowed hard, fingers digging into her skirt in anticipation of what the next moment would bring.
Angling the wooden cock just so, Finan slid it the rest of the way into her. Gasping and rocking her hips ever so slightly, her eyes fluttered and Finan watched. Waiting for his next command.
“Oh that is...” She drew a deep breath as the foreign object invaded her body. She was certainly no maiden nor was she innocent to the pleasure of a man. She and Finan had been together for three winters, married for two. In that time they had had their fair share of intimacy, even engaging in the occasional fuck behind the ale house when they'd had a few too many and couldn't wait to get home.
“How is that?”
“It's...different, but not a bad different?”
“Ya look like an angel.” He commented, taking in the sight of his wife spread on their bed as the wooden cock took his place inside of her. Finan slowly moved the object back, causing her to whimper at the emptiness it created. In a swift second he pushed it back inside, earning a pleased gasp and moan.
Finding the rhythm with his hand around the end of the wooden cock, Finan watched in awe as she stretched and took it perfectly. Many nights he had watched as she devoured his cock, taking every single inch without hesitation or complaint. To think that when he was gone, for seasons at a time, she wouldn't be left feeling so frustrated or angry whenever the ... need arose.
Her body felt as though it had been cast into the fire, heating with each stroke that Finan took. She opened her eyes, watching as her husband delicately orchestrated each movement with grace and precision. Deep in concentration, Finan was taking this as seriously as he took each move and swing of his sword on the battle field.
“Finan.” She gripped his forearm, tightening the grip as the wooden cock intruded on her. “Oh.”
“Would ya like to try?” He placed her hand on the object, his hand over hers, guiding the pace. “When you're ready, I'm going to let go.”
Clasping the wooden cock in her hand had been awkward at first, attempting to get her hand around it and be comfortable. Under Finan's guidance she managed to keep the pace of the strokes going, her wrist aching but not wanting to give up until she reached that peak of bliss. As promised, once she got the hang of it, Finan's hand slipped away and he took a seat on his chair.
Removing his sword and loosening the tie on his trousers, to get comfortable. Settled he began to palm his growing cock. Straining against the confines, begging for attention. Watching her body quiver as she worked the wooden cock was a feast for the eyes. Why hadn't Finan bought her one of these sooner?
Dipping two fingers into the oil, Finan watched it run down onto the palm of his battled hardened hand. Smooth and silky, much like the feel of her skin under his touch. Rubbing his fingers against his hand to spread the oil, he grunted making a fist around his ready cock. Stroking slowly as first, not wanting to find his release before she did, he sighed and felt his body shudder at the sensation.
Oil warming against his skin, as he thrust into his fist, he could smell the floral scent from the oil filling the room. Laid back on the bed, legs wide, she moaned his name as the wooden object pleasured her. Finding a steady rhythm, she gasped and cried out as it nudged all the right places. One hand on the wooden cock, the other placed against her folds, she teasingly brushed her fingers against the sensitive ball of nerves. Twisting her clit between her thumb and finger, she arched her back and bucked her hips into the pleasure.
“Ya are beautiful.” He grunted, stroking his own cock.
Watching her writhe as she drew the wooden cock from her body, then slid it back inside to be taken, Finan's breathing began to grow heavier with each stroke. His pace matching hers, as he tightened his hand around his cock. How he wished to be the one bringing her such elation.
His seed spilling over his hand and dribbling down along his thighs. Head back and mouth a gape, he looked like a man lost. Her body quivered and clenched around the wooden object, not as satisfying as her husband, but she was certain that it would fill the void while Finan was gone for such long stretches – as he often was.
Sat in his chair, eyes closed, breath heavy Finan felt as though his body was on fire. Vaguely he could hear her moving around, the sound of soft foot steps against the rough wooden floor. He opened his eyes, when he sensed her hovering over him. Grasping his cock, she was careful to help it find her wetness, straddling his lap. Nestled inside of her, Finan felt his body shake as she moved her hips against him.
“I think ya are a bit eager, my love.” His laugh was groggy and his voice weary.
“Perhaps. But is it a crime to sit with my husband?” She asked adjusting her hips, to take him deeper.
“Not at all.” Finan shook his head, looking at her through hooded eyes.
Bending forward, she captured his lips. Kissing him gently at first, tongues finding one another, as she pressed into his chest and rocked her hips against him. Moaning into his mouth, she whimpered and steadied herself by grabbing his broad shoulders.
“Finan.” her voice worn.
“Steady on, my love.” He coaxed, hands on her hips thrusting into her. “No need to rush, sit as long as ya need.”
“I could stay like this all night.” She smiled resting her chin on his shoulder. Taking in the scent, sweat mixed with the hint of oil that they had used. “I love feeling your cock.”
“Aye, my cock agrees.”
“You fool.” She swatted him in the chest.
“Do you think that will do, while my cock is away?” His eyes trailing across her face and along her lips. How he loved her lips. Once they had caught their breath maybe he would ask her how she felt taking the wooden cock in her mouth as she often did his.
“I must say, the gift. Oh my,” she paused, twisting the string to the cross around his neck, “what a thoughtful present for your wife.”
Pairing: Sihtric Kjartansson x fem!reader
Authors note: June Jukebox Scribbles event. June 8th - Living La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin / “I feel a premonition”
Warnings: fluff
Word Count: 352
Summary: Sihtric is just too cute and too clueless, so you have to help him
Dividers by @/saradika-graphics
You noticed the young Dane Uhtred brought back to Coccham right away–mostly because he was handsome, but also because he looked like a startled deer.
It seemed he moved with the shadows, never too close, never too loud, always alert, watching more than speaking, yet somehow he always seemed to be wherever you were.
He was there when you needed water from the well. The firewood by your house was suddenly always splitted and the leak in your roof disappeared the moment you mentioned it in passing by the training ground.
It was almost endearing how obvious he was even if he never dared to speak up to you.
You had tried to approach him, but it seemed that the young warrior was more inclined to wrestle a wild boar than engage in a conversation with you.
Nevertheless you were not ready to give up so easily. Especially not tonight. The big hall buzzed with laughter and ale, music played and warriors shouted over one another.
You spotted Sihtric in the far end of the hall.
"I noticed you watching me," you said, sliding onto the bench beside him and offering a mug.
His eyes widened.
"I wasn't," he finally managed, but his face turned crimson.
Gods, he was adorable.
You leaned closer. "Did you know I can see the future?"
"You can?"
You nodded.
"I feel a premonition."
Sihtric’s expression became completely serious.
"What do you see?"
"A handsome, strong warrior is going to kiss me tonight," you whispered.
Sihtric’s shoulders slumped and the cute brightness in his eyes was gone.
"He's fortunate," he murmured, staring down into his ale.
You blinked.
"Who?"
"The warrior."
For a moment you simply stared at him.
"Oh, Sihtric."
His head snapped up.
“What?”
You took his hand.
"I wasn't talking about another warrior."
"You weren't?"
"Sihtric, I was talking about you," you rolled your eyes.
"Me?"
“Yes, you, you silly boy.”
"You… you think I'm handsome?" the colour of his cheeks got even deeper.
"I do," you smiled at him.
"And strong?"
You nodded.
Hope flickered in his mismatched eyes.
"Then perhaps," he said carefully, leaning closer, "your premonition might come true."
