lifetime
word count: 1066
gorehain fic for gore's 1st birthday :)
Fic under the cut! So skip my cheese if you just want that, but...Gore means a lot to me. I downloaded him almost a year ago, and he led me to meet so many amazing friends. I told goredev (my buddy), that Gore opened the door and I stepped through. I stepped into a better chapter for myself. Because of a Skyrim mod? Yes!
So thank you Hayd for making Gore, but also being my friend. And thanks to all the friends that encouraged me to keep writing, and to keep going. I love you all, and I love YOU random reader. So please enjoy! <3
The wind rustled the leaves on the ground, the cool autumn air grazed Samhain’s face. She breathed in the crisp air. It was a surprisingly nice day. Gore began messing with their tent, quietly humming to himself. Meeko came up to Samhain with the stick he had been playing fetch with, she wrestled it from his mouth. Giggling all the while, before throwing it again. She looked at Gore, happiness swelling in her chest at the peace of the scene.
“Need anything?” Samhain leaned down to Gore.
“Not right now, you think the food’s almost done? I’m starving, blood.” He looked up at her. She couldn’t miss the way the corners of his mouth turned upwards when he saw her. Some days she swore her cheeks hurt from how often she smiled.
She walked over to the cooking pot, “About, from the looks of it.”
“Think it’s going to be a cold night?” Gore stood up and walked over.
“Not with our own portable hearth!” Her voice got louder in surprise when Meeko jumped up on her.
“Our? I thought he was mine!” He joked, crossing his arms.
Samhain pouted, “You're his favorite, anyone could see it. Lemme me be his favorite this once!” She grabbed the hound’s paws, pretending to dance. “Maybe you're jealous.”
“Yeah, yeah sure I am.” He couldn’t sound more sarcastic. He checked on the food, deciding it was done, and silently served it. Most nights they ate in silence, just enjoying the company of each other and nature. Gore occasionally sneaks bites to Meeko, trying to curry favor. Samhain noticed of course, but never said anything. Samhain looked over the trees, the sky was a beautiful array of colors. Gore noticed her looking up and did as well, seeing the splays of orange and red. Somehow mixing into a purple. “I’ll never get tired of it, or at least I hope I don’t.”
“There was so much I took for granted.” Her smile was solemn. “I didn’t even know.”
He looked at her, seeing the last bit of sunlight dance over her features. “We have so many sunsets, and sunrises to look forward to.” He lowered his voice, “I’m glad I get to see them with you.”
She looked at him too, “I’m glad I let you come with me.” It was partially a joke.
“What, you weren’t going to?” He tilted his head, raising a brow.
She chuckled, “No. I-” She looked at the ground instead, “I thought being free meant being alone. Besides I figured you’d leave on your own once you got on your feet. I always expected the worst.” She sighed.
“I get it. For what it’s worth, I didn’t expect to…fall in love. With you, with life, and myself. I don’t think I could ever repay you for that.” He looked at the same patch of dirt she did, “Thank you.” He whispered.
Her smile went from sad to happy as she looked at him, “No need to thank me. You helped me too, Gore.”
He shook his head, “Sure, what am I your knight in…well dull armor.” He looked over to his plate. “Maybe I should polish it.”
“Nothing like that.” She giggled, “We just helped each other. Like you said.”
“Right.” He got up and grabbed her bowl. “I have first watch.”
“You always do.”
He laughed, “I do.”
.•° ✿ °•.
She stared at the ceiling of the tent, thinking about what he had said. Did he really not know how much he helped her too? A thought popped in her head, prompting her to look for her journal. Sure enough. Samhain sat up, giving up on sleep. There was too much in her mind now to do so. Meeko instantly noticed, running over to the tent. Gore watched her open the tent flap, “Can't sleep?” He spoke quietly.
She pet the hound which had laid his head on her lap, smiling to herself, “No. I'm just excited.”
“For what?” Gore raised a brow.
“Tomorrow…” Her smile grew wider, “You probably don't remember, but it's the day we met. Or close enough.”
“Oh, I didn't realize. Has it really been that long?” He decided to sit in the tent with her, also petting the dog.
“Yep! I didn't have anything planned. Just well…can I be mushy?” She looked at him shyly. “I was thinking about what you said, or rather what you didn’t.”
“When aren't you?” He joked, trying not to seem nervous, not sure where this was going.
“I'm proud of you, and proud to have met you. I'm glad I found you in that bear trap.” She laughed.
He looked away, not really expecting it. He actually knew she meant it, “Do you think I've changed?”
She nodded, realizing he wasn't looking at her she spoke instead, “You've told me that you're just one mortal man. An ant in the big picture, but Gore?” She reached out a hand to make him look at her, “I know I helped you, that I'm partially why you do better. Of course it was you who took the steps, I just opened the door. But what I'm trying to say is, thank you. For every step I helped you take, you helped me make two.”
He furrowed his brow slightly, his eyes went soft. “Sam…”
“You kept me moving. I had something to fight for.” She exhaled, “We have something to fight for. We fight so that one day we'll have peace. Together we live. How could I not be thankful? How could I not love you?” She straightened her back, “So, thank you, Gore.”
He smiled at her, “I know if you said all that to me a year ago I wouldn't have believed you. Now I know better.” He ran his hand down Meeko until he found her hand, “Thank you for being patient.”
“I could say the same for you.” She moved her hand to intertwine her fingers with his, “Of course you’ve changed. You’ve grown.” She leaned in, “One day we won’t have fleeting moments of respite, but rather it’ll be our new normal. I promise you.”
He took a deep breath, a part of him didn’t want to believe it. However, the way she spoke, and the look in her eyes soothed his racing heart. “Who cares about watch? I have my family all here.”
“I love you too.”
