To Call Forth Love- Chapter 21
Thank you to everyone still following this fic! A/N at end of update!
Words: 5400
Warnings: language, fluff, and moving the plot forward.
Series Masterlist
Morning tumbled into afternoon, highlighting Kari still in Ivar's bed with no inclination of changing position. Even if she felt enticed to move, the sleeping form of Ivar with his head in her lap, prevented her. Pride and Prejudice played quietly on Ivar's TV across the room from his bed. Initially, Ivar picked out a different movie but once he dozed off, Kari carefully snuck the remote and changed it to one of her favorites.
Her hand carded through his hair gently, silently loving the way the silky strands of his hair felt between her fingers. Why he was born with such fantastic hair was unfair, so Kari greedily soaked in every moment she could touch it. She knew her own brunette locks most likely appeared mussed at best and like a cat attacked her at worst. Yet even disheveled and grimy, she had never felt so desired or adored. Every hour since she had woken up in the large, plush bed, Ivar spent worshipping her. His hands and mouth never strayed far from her, as if magnetized to her skin. Either peppering soft kisses along her exposed skin, ravaging her mouth with domineering kisses, tracing doodles on her hands or back with those calloused fingers, or making her cry out his name as he drank from her core like it was his favorite liquor.
They spent hours in his bed, talking about anything and everything, watching movies, snacking on protein bars, fruit and other random things found in the kitchenette, although Ivar grumbled the whole time that the housekeeper had not properly stocked his room.
Eventually, Kari did get her delightful cup of coffee, accidently moaning in bliss at the taste. It was delicious and warm and exactly what she needed at that moment, like a shot of pure sunshine and energy into her body. But when her eye fluttered back open, it was to be pierced with a dark, ravenous look in Ivar's blue eyes and she hastily put the cup down before he pounced on her.
The delightful liquid had cooled off by the time she was able to return to it.
As the day passed, Ivar's exhaustion showed through and the soreness permeating in her body made itself loudly known. She had taken some pain relievers and propped herself up against Ivar's headboard to watch the next movie. Ivar returned to his seemingly new favorite position of his head in her lap, and quickly fell asleep, even as he repeatedly told her he was fine.
While the Pride and Prejudice played, Kari allowed her thoughts to drift and swirl like falling snowflakes caught in a gentle breeze. The past twenty-four hours were a turning point for her. It was as obvious as the blazing sun in the sky, but the future was as murky and cloudy as a foggy, chill morning. Logically, she knew she should still walk away, to protect herself and Ivar. It would be the smartest thing to do. And yet…she was tired of running. Tired of excuses. Ivar came for her at that hospital, even after she pushed him away. He still came and rescued her, saving her from her terror and pain. Maybe it was selfish but she decided to ignore logic and allow her heart to take the reins. Even as it scared her slightly because she knew…down to the core of her being…she knew she was falling in love with Ivar Lothbrok.
And undoubtedly, there would be repercussions for that simple fact.
Abruptly, the bedroom door opened, slamming against the wall behind it and causing Kari to startle and jump in her seated position.
“Kari! Oh my gods! You're okay!” Gyda exclaimed, standing in the doorway with eyes wide. Relief poured off of her in palpable waves. Without waiting for permission, she darted into the room, leaped on the bed and wrapped Kari in a suffocating hug.
Smiling, Kari squeezed her back, ignoring the spiked tingles the hug shot through her sore muscles.
“What the fuck?” Ivar grumbled, having lurched up at the loud impact of the door, a predatory alertness covering him until he recognized his half-sister. Currently, he rubbed his eyes and glared at her with all the fury of a wet cat. “Gyda? The fuck you doing here?”
The blonde ignored him, pulling back to look at her friend. “Ragnar called this morning and let me know about the accident. How are you feeling? Torvi is here too, we both wanted to make sure you're alright.”
Kari glanced towards the door but did not see Torvi. “I'm okay. Sore…but it could have been worse.”
“Gyda…go away.” Ivar flopped back down next to Kari and threw an arm over his eyes.
“Ivar, shut the hell up.” Gyda snarked then softened her tone when talking to Kari. “Do you need anything? How can we help? Ragnar said you were pretty shaken up.”
“I promise, I'm okay. I'm just taking it easy right now.”
“Good. Can you come out and see Torvi? She's in the kitchen waiting, she was pretty worried about you too. She thought if we both came in, it might overwhelm you.”
“Of course! Let me just–”
“No, she fucking won't!”
Kari glanced down at the cranky man next to her. “Ivar, it's fin–”
“I told you, we aren't leaving this bed today. Torvi can fuck off. And Gyda too. Now get the fuck out of my room!”
“Why are you such an asshole?” Gyda glared.
Ivar sneered, still with an arm covering his eyes. “It's a gift.”
“Ivar,” Kari cooed, gently traced one of the lines tattooed on his chest, “just for a few minutes, okay? You did say earlier we needed something else to eat, maybe I can grab something and come back?”
“No.”
“Ivar, please?”
“Fuck! Fine.” Ivar grumbled childishly, still refusing to look at either of them. “Just a few minutes then you're coming right back or I'm coming to get you.”
“Thank you.” She leaned over and kissed the top of his head.
Gyda climbed off the bed first with Kari carefully following, her movements betraying her body's tender state. Once she stood up, she immediately remembered she was still only in Ivar's t-shirt, something with that not-so-subtle raise of her eyebrows, Gyda definitely noted.
“Um…I should–”
Gyda waved her hand dismissively but the smirk on her face said otherwise. “It's fine. Ubbe and Torvi are the only others here.”
“Still, I probably–”
“Sweatpants are on the first shelf inside my closet.” Ivar mumbled from the bed.
“Thanks.” Kari followed his instructions, only taking a brief moment to acknowledge the dark walk-in closet and the vast amount of clothes and shoes in there. She grabbed a thick pair of black sweatpants that felt more like sleep pants. She rolled the bottom cuff a couple times so she did not trip over them but they fit well enough otherwise, if baggy.
Glancing at Ivar one more time, who had not seemed to move positions, she followed Gyda out of the bedroom and down the hallways. Following the statuesque blonde, dressed in yoga pants and a cute top, Kari wondered if Ivar's bedroom had been an addition to the house she had noticed in the past. That would make sense with the winding hallways to get there and everyone else's bedroom seemingly upstairs.
Finally arriving in the kitchen, they were greeted with the sight of Torvi, Hvitserk and Ubbe speaking quietly before noticing the two's arrival. On seeing Kari, Torvi immediately rounded the large kitchen island and wrapped Kari in a tight hug.
“How are you doing?” Torvi asked, arms still banded around her.
“I'm okay.”
Torvi let go and shifted back to be able to see Kari. “If you need something you tell us, that's what friends do.”
A wave of emotion for this family that gradually chose to allow her into their inner circle crashed over her like a tsunami, making her eyes watery. All she could do was nod, heart tripping over itself within her chest. Torvi squeezed her hand before slipping to her side and encouraging her to move further into the expansive kitchen.
“When did you get here, Hvits?” Gyda asked, breaking the hovering silence.
The flaxen-haired brother shrugged. “Father said you would be coming to check on Kari. Figured I'd come too in case Ivar gets cranky.”
Gyda snorted. “Too late. He didn't like me stealing Kari from his bed.”
“Oh, really?” Hvitserk teased, coming around the island. His gaze zeroed in on her, scanning her head to toe, at odds with the light tone of his voice.
Without a second thought, Kari drifted away from Gyda and Torvi and took those few steps to meet Hvitserk for a hug. Instead of tackling her like Gyda did, or firmly holding her like Torvi in a sisterly hug, Hvitserk seemed to hesitate, hands lightly touching her but not pulling her closer. It was not until Kari wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face to his chest that his concern fell away and he firmly held her close.
“I know you said you're okay, but…” His voice drifted off above her ear, arms still around her.
“I promise. Just sore.” She whispered back. “My head and neck hurt the worst but overall it's fine…and thank you. For being there yesterday. I couldn't have–”
Running a hand over the back of her head, he softly shushed her. “Don't worry about it. I'm glad I could help, even if it was just to drive. You'll tell me if you need anything, right?”
“I promise.”
“Good.” He leaned back and eyed her clothes with a scrutinizing look. “Mmmm…those look big on you. I think you'd look much better in mine. Want me to grab something?”
She laughed, swatting him as he chuckled. “Stop it.”
He winked at her but finally released her from the hug, moving to stand by her side.
“So what the hell happened? Whose car were you in?” Gyda asked, taking a seat on a stool, clearly not wanting to waste another minute without knowing the details.
“Oh, someone ran a red light, I think? They hit the back of my neighbor's sedan. Spun us a few times.” She ideally traced a pattern on the countertop, trying to ignore the nerves tapping away at her mind in memory of what happened, forcefully ignoring the budding panic building in her gut that festered if she thought about it too long.
“What neighbor? The one with the crush on you?”
Kari mentally sighed because of course, Gyda would remember that. “Um, yeah…he…he actually asked me on a date before we were hit.”
“Wow, bad timing.” Torvi murmured.
“That goddamn motherfucker!”
Kari startled, head whipping towards the open entrance that she and Gyda had entered through. “Ivar?”
He slowly walked into the kitchen, shirtless with a dark pair of sweatpants riding low on his hips and a menacing snarl on his lips. “I should've hit that fucker. Fucking trying to take what's mine!”
“I mean, it wasn't like–”
He stomped over with the aura of an impending hurricane, completely ignoring everyone else as he yanked her against his body. He towered over her, but his voice dropped low in a commanding tone that made warmth unfurl in her belly. “You're mine. My girlfriend.”
“I told him ‘no’.” She softly said, cradling the side of his face, gazing into those devastating, blue eyes. “Even then…I couldn't think of anyone but you.”
At her gentle statement, that writhing anger visibly deflated from his body, soothed by the truth in her words. Tenderly, he pressed his forehead to hers, holding her there for the span of a heartbeat as if soaking in her presence, before planting a gentle kiss to her up-turned lips. He slowly stepped away, moving around the kitchen island like this was a normal occurrence, blatantly ignoring the questioning gazes bouncing between Ivar and Kari.
In contrast, Kari fidgeted under the scrutiny, unsure what to say, lips tingling from the sensation of their observed kiss.
“So…are you two…together?” Gyda was the brave one to ask, looking at the brunette for confirmation.
“Uh, yeah…we are.” Kari blushed, tugging on her earlobe even as a small smile tilted her lips up.
“Fucking finally!”
She glanced up at the ceiling, silently begging for patience with her boyfriend, but still smiling. It felt good to admit it aloud. To acknowledge what had been steadily growing, harboring in her chest but unspoken due to fear and doubt. Now allowed to fly freely like a bird released from its cage.
“Congrats, Kari. I'm happy for both of you.” Hvitserk said, giving her a quick hug.
“Thanks, Hvitty.”
Hvitserk walked around the counter and gripped his brother's shoulder with quiet words spoken, seemingly congratulating him.
“You're happy, right?” Torvi murmured from close by, glancing over at Ivar.
Kari took a second to reply, coating her answer in quiet honesty. “Yeah…yeah, I am.”
Torvi's answering smile was bright. “Good. Then we're happy for you too.”
“So why now? What changed?” Gyda asked. “Not that we aren't happy that Ivar will stop fucking moping around but ya know?”
She replied slowly, wondering how she could make anyone else truly understand what changed. “He–he came for me. Without hesitation. I gave the hospital his number as my emergency contact and…he came. I didn't think he would…after everything and how long it had been…but when I saw him there, it's silly but I knew I'd be okay. No matter how scared I was. With him there, I felt safe. That he would take care of him, and it'd be okay.”
“Wow, that's so sweet.” Torvi cooed, a hand lightly covering her mouth as if the words slipped between her fingers.
“Oh my gods, Ivar is giving you the biggest heart eyes right now. Fuck, never thought I'd see him do that. What did you do to him?” Gyda teased, gaze cutting to the dark-haired Lothbrok.
Ivar snarled, whatever softness dissolved instantly as he glared at her. “Shut the fuck up.”
“No, it's a good look on you. Makes you less scary.”
“Gyda, I swear to–”
Ubbe placed a firm hand on Ivar's shoulder and spoke over him. “You know we only tease because we're happy for you.”
Ivar glanced up at his elder brother then rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath that made Hvitserk snort. Without another word, he turned and opened the fridge behind them.
Thank the universe for Torvi. She asked Kari a question, dissecting the lingering tension with skillful care. “Are you taking some time off work to rest?”
“Yeah, Lydia gave me to the end of the week. I called the boutique and my boss said I could have today off.”
Torvi snorted. “That's generous of her. Did you tell her what happened?”
“Yeah…I said I could come in over the weekend.”
“I'm guessing she was not pleased.”
Kari shrugged. “I haven't worked there long enough to earn her good graces, I think.” She hesitantly eyed Gyda, who was staring at her with nothing short of a confident, smug look. “What?”
“Oh… I was just thinking about how I said that by the end of the year you'd be naked in Ivar's bed. It's nice to know I'm always right.”
“OH MY GOD!” Kari whisper-shouted, at the blonde who just winked back. Heat bloomed on her cheeks at the crass reminder, but then she simply wanted to melt into the floor when Gyda turned her gleefully, evil attention towards her half-brother.
“Isn't that right, Ivar?” Gyda asked.
“Gyda, no–”
“What?” Ivar set two water bottles on the counter, already turning back towards the fridge.
“No! Please, Gyda!”
“Just reminding Kari that I always knew she'd end up in your bed.”
Turning back, Ivar narrowed his piercing eyes. “Where she would still happily be if you didn't come and drag her away.”
“Happily, huh?” Gyda goaded.
Those piercing eyes shifted to Kari, a predatory smile crawling onto his face and heat flaring in his eyes making them shine as he practically purred his reply. “Mmm…very happily…and very satisfied. When I was done, she wouldn't be able to walk for days.”
“IVAR!” She gasped, her breath sticking to her throat, while those around laughed. Yet even as a deeper embarrassed flush colored her cheeks, butterflies swan-dived in her belly at the flooding memories of how satisfied Ivar had certainly made her.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Ivar moved to place both hands on the counter and lean against them, highlighting his biceps and broad, muscular chest, his gaze never leaving hers, as if daring her to say something, to be the first to look away.
She had the sudden urge to trace those striking tattoos across his chest with her tongue.
“Come on,” Torvi nudged her, making her sharply inhale as her mind snapped back to the present and how she and Ivar were not alone. “Let's go sit down.”
“Ah, sure. Okay.” Kari squeaked, ignoring the heat dancing in her veins. With a brief peek at Ivar, she hastily followed Torvi towards the living room with Gyda following in their wake. She did not need to turn around to feel Ivar's gaze on her back.
The three sat down on the massive sectional couch, close to one another with Torvi in the middle.
As Gyda settled, Kari glared at her.
“What?” The blonde had the audacity to ask.
“You're a bad friend.”
Gyda threw her head back with a loud laugh. “I'm sorry, you're just so easy to tease and…okay, it's nice to see you happy. I promise I am happy for you two. But I did call it! I told you!”
“Still a bad friend.” Kari grumbled half-heartedly.
Gyda smiled. “I'll make it up to you. Oh! I never told you about my latest date! I promise the tea is worth the tease.”
“It better be some pipping hot tea.”
Torvi nodded, a smile tilting up her own lips. “Oh, it is.”
Gyda launched into her story that quickly had Kari laughing and willing to forgive her friend for the embarrassment. The three continued to chat and gossip comfortably when the brothers eventually followed them, taking up their own spots around the sectional.
“Here.” Ivar handed Kari a water bottle from where he stood next to her.
“Oh, thank you.” She shared a grateful smile with him, a pleased vine tangling around her heart that he thought of her and found a way to take care of her.
Shock splashed across her like a bucket of cold water as, without preamble, Ivar dropped onto the couch, but instead of sitting next to her, he laid down and put his head in her lap, with his face pressed against her stomach and arms wrapped around her hips. His body took up most of the empty space on the sectional couch. Blinking, she could only stare as he snuggled against her. Only a moment later for an undignified squeak to escape her when he rubbed his face between her legs teasingly.
“Ivar!” She hissed. “Behave.”
“Mine.” He murmured back, but thankfully seemed to settle after reminding her of their status.
Gyda smirked like the cat that caught the canary while Torvi only raised her eyebrows on Kari's other side, but they continued chatting uninterrupted. Ubbe and Hvitserk argued between each other on the opposite corner of the sectional about what video game to play.
Since walking out into the kitchen, a lingering tension finally eased out of Kari's shoulders, allowing her to relax. These people she had only known for a few months, people that were becoming important to her, they approved. It should have been a simple concept but Kari found herself smiling at the feeling of friendship and acceptance flowing like a fine wine within the room. Even after everything that happened three weeks ago and since then, these people, Ivar's family, were genuinely happy for them. What a heady feeling that was for her.
“Oh, hey!” Kari said, one hand holding her water bottle and the other lazily tracing the tattoos on Ivar's back. “You never told me how your trip to Istanbul went to visit your mom.”
“It was fun. We're already planning a trip to Morocco together.” Gyda shrugged, happiness faintly dimmed. “It kinda sucked because she seemed kind of distracted. I guess something went down between her and that asshole she was dating…Kalf, remember? Anyway, they broke up. Whatever it was, it must have been bad because he doesn't even work for the company anymore.”
“Holy shit. What happened?” Torvi asked, shock and concern evident in her tone.
“She won't say. All I can figure is that it must have been something really shitty. But fuck him! I didn't like him anyway!”
“I hope your mom is okay.” Kari consoled, her heart sad for Lagertha, yet that notion was mentally shelved as she was surprised to feel a smile pressed against her stomach. She glanced down at Ivar with a furrowed brow. “What?”
“Hmmm?” He hummed without moving his face.
“Why are you smiling?”
“What? I can't smile now?”
She rolled her eyes. “I never said that. You know what, never mind. I like it when you smile.”
“Yeah?” He tipped his head back to meet her gaze. “What else do you like about me?”
Her heart melted at the soft smile curving those delectable lips of his. His genuine smile, that unguarded part of him that he rarely allowed to escape its bonds, was her kryptonite. When he looked at her like that, like his world began and ended with her, she became puddy in his hands.
Shoving those overwhelming feelings aside, she scoffed, even as she ran her fingers through his loose hair. “And inflate that ego of yours even more?”
“That's alright. I know you find me irresistable.” He winked, causing her to laugh. Then he reached back and grabbed her hand carding through his hair. He brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on the center of her palm. “I can tell you all the things I like about you instead.”
Her heart swelled, bloated and ready to burst with adoration for this man. Heat trickled up her arm as Ivar lightly nipped at the inside of her wrist, gaze still locked on hers. What this man did to her…
“Awww…Ivar, I had no clue you had this romantic side to you.” Gyda cooed in a sickly, sweet tone.
Kari startled, suddenly remembering that her and Ivar were not alone in his room… And if the way Ivar's eyes flash wide for a brief moment before narrowing, he had forgotten too.
“Gyda, leave him alone.” Torvi chided. “It's sweet.”
“It's so damn weird. I want to squeeze their cheeks with how cute they are together.”
“Gyda…” Ivar breathed slowly through his nose. “Shut the fuck up.”
“And there's the Ivar we know and love!”
Kari tried and failed to suppress a smile at their bickering. Before Ivar could retort something scathing, she nudged his head and when he finally moved his face to press against her stomach, she began carding her fingers through his hair. With a resigned grumble, Ivar wrapped his arms around her once more. Only a few minutes later, Kari felt him go limp and his breathing even out.
She continued to chat with Gyda and Torvi, talking about anything and everything. They made plans for a girls’ night at Gyda's again next week when Kari was feeling better. Hvitserk and Ubbe occasionally added their own thoughts to the conversation but mostly focused on the video game they started up.
Eventually the two women left, Torvi confessing she needed to go back home to her family to give Asa a bath and Gyda having given her a ride over so they could check on Kari together. Ubbe paused the video game and offered to drive Torvi home if Gyda wanted to stay with Kari. The offer was declined and Kari squinted as she thought she caught a flash of disappointment cross Ubbe's face before he resumed the game.
After the women left, pizza was ordered at Hvitserk's insistence and Ivar finally decided to engage with his siblings. The three brothers continued to play the video game as Kari watched. Ivar refused to get up from her lap, only rolling over and propping a throw pillow under his head to be able to see the TV. Not that she particularly minded. With her head resting against the back of the couch, she continued to absent-mindedly play with Ivar's hair even as her mind drifted in and out, tuning out the brothers’ increasingly violent threats and taunts.
So much had changed within the past twenty-four hours but instead of feeling overwhelmed or anxious, a contented peace infused her body and mind. As if fate had finally placed her right where she was supposed to be, creating the sense of something new, a new chapter in her life, a new turn of the wheel. Perhaps her and Ivar were inevitable, this was always where they were supposed to be. Like the three weeks apart only unfurled a hidden truth. They were better together.
Distantly, the sound of a door opening registered in her mind but she ignored it in favor of her thoughts, musing what her future would entail now, how things would change for the better. Juggling two jobs would mean less time with Ivar, but from what she heard, he seemed busy himself, so maybe they would have to be content with more video calls and texting for a while?
“Mom?” Ubbe said. “I thought you weren't coming until next week.”
That caught Kari's attention.
She swiveled her head to where Ubbe was looking behind her, only for her next breath to catch in her throat. For there stood Aslaug Lothbrok looking like a queen. Grace and elegance dressed her as much as the dark green professional midi dress and white blazer jacket with gold accents. The woman was effortlessly stunning like the blazing sun, unable to withhold its shine.
“Your father called. I wanted to check on my boys.” She said smoothly, her blue eyes meeting Kari's for a long moment before looking at Ubbe again.
“Want some pizza? The order should be here soon.” Hvitserk said, breaking the heavy silence with the paused game.
Aslaug smiled happily and it was pure radiance. “I'd love some.”
Gracefully in her golden heels, she maneuvered around the couch, pressing a kiss to the top of Ubbe and Hvitserk's heads, before taking a seat on Ivar's other side, who had finally sat up at hearing her voice.
She cupped his face between her hands, staring intently at him as if able to assess injury from meeting his gaze alone. “How are you, my darling? Your father said you've been working yourself into the ground.”
“I'm fine. Shit needed to get done.” He growled but without any venom in his tone.
“Okay,” she softly said, placing a kiss on his forehead before releasing him. “Don't let your father bully you into working extra hours.”
Ivar snorted, earning a glimmer of a smile from his mother. “Don't worry. Floki already threatened him and me. Said he'd get involved if I pulled that shit again.”
Her smile widened then. “Good. If anyone can keep your father straight, it's Floki.”
“Mad fucking bastard.” Ivar glanced at Kari before slipping his fingers through hers. Turning back to his mother, he leaned back fully against the couch. “Mom, I want you to meet Kari, my girlfriend.”
Perfectly sculpted eyebrows rose as sharp, blue eyes bounced between the Ivar and Kari. “Your girlfriend?”
“Fucking finally!”
“Ivar…” Kari hissed.
“It's alright. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kari.” Aslaug extended a hand over her son, warmth infused in her voice. “I've heard so much about you.”
Kari opened her mouth to say something mature and confident as she took Aslaug's hand, instead her brain veered off road, still flabbergasted that this goddess of a woman knew about her, and sprouted the first thing to come to mind.
“Holy crap, you're even more gorgeous in real life!”
Mortification immediately seized her in a vice-like grip. Her face burst into embarrassed redness even as her eyes widened in horror. If there was ever a possibility to turn back time, she truly wished for that ability right about now. Or to vanish. Or crawl into a hole and die.
To her relief, Aslaug tipped her head back and released a delicate laugh, drawing out the smile lines around her eyes. “Oh, aren't you a dear. Thank you, Kari. That's kind of you to say. Look at you though! Ivar always said you were gorgeous and I can see he is correct.”
“Oh…um…I– I wouldn't say that.” The reply stumbled out, tripping over her self-consciousness. At the moment, she wore Ivar's shirt and sweatpants, both baggy on her frame. Her hair was most likely a mess and she did not have a lick of make-up on to cover the bags under her eyes or other imperfections. Gorgeous was nowhere on the list of adjectives to describe her right now.
Harshly, Ivar gripped her chin with his other hand, eyes blazing as he pierced her with his gaze. “I say you ARE.” He emphasized that last word, sending sparks throughout her body at the utter conviction in his words. “And we all know I'm never fucking wrong.”
She rolled her eyes, even as the corners of his lips tilted up. “Fine.”
“Good…my gorgeous girlfriend.” He leaned forward and pecked a kiss to her lips, as if sealing his words to her skin. He rubbed this thumb over her lower lip for a second before dropping his hand from her chin.
As if sensing her gaze, Kari's eyes met Aslaug's again, concerned as to what she would think about her son kissing in front of her. Instead she was shocked to see unrestrained joy and relief in Aslaug's gaze, a gentle smile on her face as she watched the two of them.
“It's, um… it's nice to meet you too.” Kari self-consciousnessly murmured. “I love the pictures of you in Ivar's room.”
“Oh, he showed you those? Isn't he quite talented?”
“He really is.”
“I always hoped he'd do something with that skill…maybe with you as a beautiful, new muse, he might reassess his own talent.”
“I don't know— I mean…” The brunette's voice awkwardly trailed off, barely able to meet the mother or son's eyes.
“Hmm…” Aslaug hummed thoughtfully, eyeing Kari as if she was a piece of artwork she was debating where to hang. “We'll work on that confidence. We have plenty of time to talk while I'm here.”
Kari had no idea what to make of that statement. “Ohhh… okay, sure.”
“Hey, Mom! What kind of pizza do you want?” Hvitserk called out, coming around the corner from the front door carrying three boxes of freshly delivered pizza.
With that, the matriarch's attention shifted and Kari felt like she could take a deep breath again. Not that Aslaug intimidated her per se… okay, Aslaug imitated her a little. It was more because she knew how important Aslaug was to Ivar and however selfish it was, she wanted Aslaug to like her. Even if she logically knew Ivar was way out of her league, she still hoped to gain Aslaug's approval.
A slow squeeze of her hand brought her attention back to Ivar. She met his gaze, holding still as he stared at her, clearly searching for something. Whatever it was, she would never know, but he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles like a chivalrous gentleman. She giggled at the action and the way her heart pounded in her chest under his affections. Without a second thought, she leaned against him, placing her head on his shoulder and entwining their fingers in her lap.
Her boyfriend.
Ivar was her boyfriend.
That content peace from earlier steadily rose once again in her chest, drowning out her anxiety and lingering embarrassment. Silently, she prayed it would never leave. That whatever fate did to bring them together, would not abandon them. That these prior three weeks separated could remain behind them and only blue skies ahead.
A/N: I need help! Now that Kari and Ivar are (finally) together, what do you think Kari's pet name for Ivar should be? Send me all the ideas!
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