AHHHH IT'S BEEN SO LONG PLEASE DO NOT KILL ME I FEEL SOSOSOSOSO BAD ABOUT NOT UPDATING IN FOREVER AHHHH
When the door opened a large Nord stood in the frame donning a Stormcloak uniform. At the sight of his Harbinger the man's face lit up and he enveloped her into his arms, burying his head in the crook of her neck. A long moment of silence went by as he hugged her, only breaking the quiet when he released her from his strong grasp. Vilkas could see the emotion swimming in the man's eyes as he opened the door for the two warriors. There was an uncomfortable beat of silence once more as they stood at the front of the house. Laiyana raised her arms weakly
"Well, I'm alive" she said quietly. The emotion in the room was so thick Vilkas could cut through it with his greatsword.
"I was so worried...why didn't you come back here after your battle? You know what never mind, I'm just relieved you are safe" the blonde man rumbled
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to waste your efforts to save my hide in Helgen only to be brought down by the same dragon" she joked, seemingly feeling more comfortable now.
"Well now you saved all of Tamriel's hide so I'd say we are even" the man joked back "who's this?" He asked, gesturing to Vilkas
"Oh, this is Vilkas. He is one of the Companions" she introduced,
"I'm Ralof" the large Nord responded, holding out his hand for a firm handshake
"Ralof has been with me ever since I set foot in Skyrim. I'd be dead if not for him" Laiyana said with admiration lacing her voice.
"Nonsense. You have saved my life twice as many times as I've saved yours, and you manage to look devastatingly beautiful while you do it" he teased, a blush stained Laiyana's face. Vilkas tried not to frown at her unexpected reaction to receiving that particular compliment but brushed it off.
"Where are you headed now?" Ralof asked his Harbinger
"Windhelm, I need to speak to Ulfric. He wants me to command the southern troops" she says with a half smile
"Are you going to do it? You look awfully tired Laiy" the Stormcloak asked, placing a concerned hand on Laiyana's arm
"No" she shook her head "I don't have the time or energy right now. Hopefully I can explain that to Ulfric without him shouting the city down"
"Do you need me to come with you?" Ralof frowned
"She will be fine." Vilkas spoke up for the first time, startling Ralof "I am more than capable of keeping her safe"
"I was never implying you couldn't" the blonde said cooly
"Hold on a second, who says I need to be protected?!" Laiyana exclaimed, the two men ignored her and continued to have a stare down. Noting the strained atmosphere Laiyana jumped into action, gripping Vilkas' wrist.
"We need to get going, can't keep Ulfric waiting" she said as she bid farewell to Ralof with another uncomfortably long hug. With that the two set off.