Pairing: Halfdan x reader
“He’s really going to pursue you?” Margrethe asked, eyes wide.
You nodded to yourself, poking the fire idly. It had been a few days since Halfdan’s visit and you had yet to see him again. Part of you wondered if it had been a dream. Margrethe had been the only person you had told yet, you didn’t want to boys to become protective.
“Would you marry him?” She asked with gasp.
Smiling to yourself you turned to the young shield maiden. You just shrugged your shoulders at her, you weren’t sure yourself.
“Margrethe! Y/N!” Hvitserk’s loud voice announced the boys presence in the great hall.
Following close behind them was their father along with Harald and Halfdan. Halfdan’s eyes went to your face with a smirk. You returned his smile, turning away to stand and get drinks for the men. Faintly you could hear Margrethe ask about training as the boys boasted.
Aslaug swept into the room, kissing Ivar’s head before greeting her husband. She snapped her fingers at Margrethe to tell her to help you. As the young girl walked over to you she made a face at you, her eyes indicating where Halfdan stood. You rolled your eyes and she nudged you shoulder.
“I’m trying to keep it secret in case you forgot.” You whispered harshly.
She giggled, “I’m sorry but I think the way he stares at you will give it away first.”
Stealing a quick glance over your shoulder you saw the Vikings staring at you with a faint smile. You almost smiled back but caught Sigurd staring at you angrily causing you to quickly turn your head back to what you were doing.
“Let us sit and eat.” Aslaug took her husband’s arm as they walked to their table.
You and Margrethe walked around the table pouring drinks for the men. Everyone spoke excitedly about the next raid, which you listened to intently wanting to ask to join again. While you poured Halfdan’s drink, you could feel his fingers gently tug at your dress. You glanced down at him, his stare intense on your face. As you backed away you allowed your hand to brush his shoulder, a movement that went unnoticed by most except Margrethe and Sigurd.
The meal continued normally, albeit quieter once the food was brought out. You sat between Hvitserk and Margrethe, across from Sigurd. Margrethe nudged your shoulder, raising a brow before looking over at Halfdan. Both of you giggled quietly only to be interrupted by a snort from Sigurd. You looked up at him to be greeted by an angry stare.
Placing your arms folded in front of you on the table you leaned forward, your voice low. “I don’t know where that attitude is coming from but you can lose it.”
He leaned in forward suddenly, “you might be fucking the brother of a king but I’m a prince. I’ll have whatever attitude I want.”
“That is the exact reason why smart women don’t like you.” You snapped back, your voice still barely above a whisper.
“I wouldn’t consider you a smart woman.” He growled.
“We’re friends Sigurd. You’re the one getting pissy because someone else had the balls to court me.” You leaned back in your seat, done with the conversation.
“Something wrong Sigurd?” Ragnar’s voice asked from down the table.
“No.” The blonde man leaned back in his own seat, a scowl still set on his face.
You took the opportunity to glance down to where Halfdan sat. Floki was by his right cackling over another conversation and his brother to his left focused on his own conversation with Ragnar and Aslaug. Halfdan though was staring right at you, a blank look on his face. You gave a halfhearted smile before dropping your gaze to your plate, suddenly not hungry.
You sat quietly for the remainder of the evening, staring at nothing and only speaking when Margrethe spoke to you first. Once you got a chance you grabbed your cloak and left the hall. It was snowing heavily and you walked slowly, the snow muffling any sound but the crunch underneath your boots.
Halfway to your house you heard a second pair of footsteps behind you. You placed a nervous hand on the dagger you had tucked away on your belt. Kattegat was a relatively safe village but not everyone should be trusted. Twirling around you threw your elbow only for a strong hand to grab it before it connected with their face.
“Damn it Y/N, it’s me.” Halfdan chuckled at your defensiveness.
You expelled the breath you didn’t realize you’d been hold before you punched his shoulder.
“Don’t sneak up on people!” You growled, turning back around and continuing to walk to your home.
His footsteps followed you up to your front door, which you held open for him. When it was hesitant to come in you looked up at him. His eyes were searching your face, his face blank again.
“What’s wrong?” You asked.
“What’s going on with you and Sigurd?” He asked bluntly.
You sighed, “Nothing. He’s just mad that I accepted your courtship.”
His eyebrows raised before he laughed loudly. He walked past you into the house, shrugging his coat off. You followed suit, hanging both your coats by the door.
“Come here,” Halfdan said sitting on your bed, indicating for you to sit between his legs.
You gave him a questioning look, knowing that you had said he had to try to woo you without kissing but now he wanted you on his lap.
“I was just going to help unbraid your hair princess.” He chuckled as if he had read your mind.
Your face flushed as you walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the bed trying not to have your bodies touch. If they did you were worried that you’d go down a road you knew you wouldn’t be able to return from.
Halfdan was having none of your cautiousness, wrapping his arms around your waist to pull you against him. Your heart squeezed in your chest, you could feel his muscular chest through his shirt and you had to resist turning around. His fingers went to you hair, you could feel the gentle tugging as he pulled the plaits out.
“I just have to say,” you could feel his warm breath across some exposed skin on your shoulders. “The whole no kissing rule isn’t very fair.”
You smiled at his complaint. “I thought you liked challenges.”
“I do but you’re the one that gave me a taste remember?” He chuckled as he threw your words back at you.
“I let the excitement get the better of me.” You replied with a smile.
As his fingers ran through your now braid-free hair you let out a content sigh. His fingers dropped from your hair to your shoulders, squeezing lightly. He leaned his forehead against the back of your head, trailing his fingertips down your arms before taking your hands. Sitting in silence enjoying the odd embrace you marveled at how small your hands looked in his.
A knock at the door took your attention. You stood slowly, reluctantly pulling your hands from Halfdan’s. He grumbled quietly but allowed you to stand, moving himself to sit at your table.
Answering the door you were greeted by Ragnar’s sons and King Harald.
“You actually knocked.” You trailed off, suspicious.
“Margrethe said we should so we don’t walk in on you two.” Ivar piped up.
You rolled your eyes at the connotation but open the door wider in invitation. Harald walked over to his brother and sat down while the three older brothers placed their younger brother on your bed then sat with him. You walked over to your table grabbing a pitcher to fill with ale.
While getting the ale you could hear the men talking and laughing in the front room. As you returned the laughter quieted down and you assumed the laughter had something to do with you and Halfdan. You remained standing next to Halfdan while you poured out the drinks, Ubbe had gotten up to bring his brothers’ to them.
Halfdan wrapped one of his arms around your thighs, basically pinning you to his side. You placed the pitcher down on the table before dropping your hand his hair, stroking it back out of his face.
“They don’t think you actually said yes because you won’t let me kiss you.” He grumbled at you.
You raised your brows at him, “That’s too bad.”
The men laughed at your reply with the exception of your suitor who continued to frown. You felt bad, realizing that was probably what they had been taunting him about. Leaning down you kissed the top of his head before reaching down to pull his chin up. Once he faced you, you leaned down giving his a quick kiss on the lips before stepping back, he released your thighs content with the resolution.
“Mmm,” Ubbe stopped himself mid-sip pointing at you. “Ragnar wants to speak with you.”
“What for?” He’d never asked to speak with you before.
The boy shrugged, returning to his drink. You ran your fingers through Halfdan’s hair once more before walking toward the door taking your coat.
“Clean up when you’re done.” You asked, pointing your request at Ubbe who was probably the most responsible of the boys.
The men raised their glasses to you in farewell as you closed the door behind you and wandered back toward the great hall.
