Chapter 20

Bo woke up just before dawn the next morning. He was laying on his side, with his arm around Jane. She was laying half on her back, facing him, and her hair was tousled lightly around her face. Bo watched her sleep, studying the features of her face while her chest rose and fell with each breath. She looked so beautiful that it made his heart ache.

Jane stirred slightly, and she reached up to rub at her eyes while yawning. Then she slowly opened them and stared up at the ceiling for a moment before glancing over at Bo. She blinked, and Bo smiled.

"You're awake already," she whispered.

"Yeah."

"Did you sleep well though?"

Bo nodded, and Jane rubbed his arm.

"Well enough."

"Good."

Jane shifted onto her side and leaned in to kiss Bo, and for a moment he forgot that he could kiss her back. Jane pulled away after a second and grinned when Bo let out a deep breath.

"S-still not used to that," he mumbled.

Jane stroked Bo's cheek for a moment, and then her tummy rumbled.

"Breakfast time," Jane sang, and she rolled away from Bo and stood up from the bed.

By the time they finished washing up and getting dressed, the others had gotten up as well. A few minutes after Jane and Bo found a table out in the Dining Hall, Ahmon showed up as well. He yawned and scratched his head, shooting them a sleepy smile as he sat down across from them. About ten minutes later Nazgurat and Lynne entered the hall looking fairly well rested. They all greeted each other, and then breakfast was brought around a few minutes later. The pretty girl serving their food leaned in close to Ahmon when she placed his plate down on the table, and he gave her a little wink.

"Was that your little lady?" Naz grunted after she was gone.

The Nord simply shrugged, and he tucked into his food with a smile. When they were finished eating, Ahmon wandered into the market square to run his own errands while Naz, Lynne, and Jane discussed what supplies they'd need and from where. When they were organized, they split into pairs and went about getting their supplies. First Bo took Jane down to a shop to get fitted for new armor, and he needed a set as well. Bo had managed to get something for their trip from Nightgate Inn, but it was far too big and bulky for his liking.

When that was done, they sought out a better bedroll for them to share and gathered up various other supplies before heading back to the Inn. Naz and Lynne joined them a little while later, and they stood in Bo and Jane's room, talking everything over as they inspected all their provisions.

"I need to pay a visit to the Mage up at Dragonsreach," Lynne explained, as she poured over her dwindling supplies.

"I'll go with you!" Jane exclaimed excitedly, and Bo chuckled.

While the two women were gone up to Dragonsreach, Naz and Bo had a couple of drinks at the bar. They mostly talked about the upcoming trip, and then the topic switched to women.

"I've always been curious, but never asked," Naz started, and Bo glanced over at him. "What is going on with you and Jane? You guys are always so close, but I've never seen you embrace."

Bo laughed and rubbed at his neck, nodding. Naz took a drink of his mead and peered over at him with a curious expression.

"I know it's... weird."

Bo couldn't help but grin at the thought of what occurred the night before.

"She's always slept with me because I was her personal heat source in Windhelm, but we never did anything... until last night..."

"Oh?"

Naz's eyebrows shot up, and Bo nodded again.

"She kissed me."

"She kissed you?"

"I know, I know," Bo grumbled, rolling his eyes. "I should have kissed Jane first. But I'm completely lost when it comes to women."

"Really..."

"Yes." Bo frowned, and he clenched his mug with both hands. "It's not something I care to admit."

"You're young yet," Naz grunted, slapping Bo on the back. "Just give it time. What was it like to kiss her?"

"Amazing. More than amazing..." Bo sighed, and a ripple of desire coursed through him.

"Well, just take it easy."

"I am. We are..."

"Up to no good, are we?" A voice called out to them, and Ahmon took a seat beside the two Orcs.

"We should be asking you that question," Bo teased, and the Nord laughed.

"You got me there," Ahmon responded with a small chuckle. "I can't resist pretty a pretty servant girl."

Naz laughed, and they chatted among themselves for a while until Lynne and Jane finally returned. In her hands, Jane held a heavy looking book.

"What's that?" Bo inquired when she drew close.

Jane placed the book down on the bar with a loud thud, and the men peered at it, reading the cover.

"Conjuration," Bo read, and he raised a brow at Jane. "You want to conjure stuff?"

"Well I can't fight worth beans, so I figured why not learn how to conjure stuff that can fight for me."

Jane smiled at him with a cheeky expression and then reached up to kiss his cheek. Bo blushed and suddenly became flustered, unaccustomed to such open acts of affection. Beside him, Ahmon let out a little whistle, and Lynne was smiling as well.

"Did I ever mention how jealous I am of you guys?"

Jane looked over at Ahmon, who was shaking his head.

"Naz and Lynne, you and Bo... it's sickeningly sweet."

Everyone laughed, and Jane patted Ahmon's shoulder.

"You'll find somebody someday who will make you feel sickeningly sweet, trust me."

Ahmon laughed and rolled his eyes.

"If you say so."

They moved their drinks over to a table and sat down. While they were waiting for dinner to arrive, they talked about the upcoming trek to Ivarstead.

"I know we'd all like to spend more time in Whiterun, but we really should leave tomorrow."

Jane nodded, listening to Lynne while she stroked Bo's hand under the table. The Orc shivered, and then hastily took a drink of his ale.

"I'm sure they'll send you away with some great task. We should make a stop in Riften to resupply provisions as well when we have finished with the Greybeards," Naz added in.

"Sounds good to me," Jane chirped, and Bo nodded.

"S-sounds good."

They stayed up a little later than usual, enjoying their last night with Ahmon. The young Nord made everybody laugh more times than Jane could remember, and she realized when they retired to their rooms that she was going to miss his carefree spirit and kindness.

"I wish Ahmon was going with us," she expressed sadly to Bo as they settled down into bed. "He's been such a good friend."

"I agree," Bo mumbled sleepily, and he idly stroked Jane's hair as she snuggled closer. "I've gotten used to his jokes."

He had had a few drinks that night and was asleep within minutes. Jane lay in the dark, listening to the sound of Bo's heartbeat, thinking about everything that had transpired since she had arrived in Skyrim. It still felt like at any moment she'd wake up and it would have all been a dream, and she realized if that were true she'd be heartbroken. She had come to love the company she kept, with their vastly different personalities and skills. She never wanted to wake up if that were the case.

Eventually, Jane also fell asleep, her arm slung around Bo's waist, snoring softly.

When Jane woke up the next morning she was still lying next to Bo. Her leg had migrated during the night to straddle his good side, and her whole body was pressed against him. Bo was snoring softly, and he let out a small grunt before shifting his arm. He did not wake. Jane let out a small yawn and moved slightly before she froze. She could feel something firm against thigh, and after a moment she realized what it was.

Oh my god, her thoughts screamed, Bo's sporting a boner and I'm half straddling him. This would definitely embarrass him to death.

Jane's cheeks flushed, and she tried to think of a way to roll away from him without waking the slumbering Orc. Any idea that came to mind involved him waking up from the movement, and so she simply lay there, hoping that he'd move first.

Bo mumbled something in his sleep and then abruptly opened his eyes. He yawned and reached up to rub his cheek, blinking at the sunlight that spilled in through the window above them. Jane felt him suddenly stiffen, and she knew it was dawning on him what was going on. She kept her eyes firmly shut, pretending to be asleep.

The Orc coughed and gently pulled away from her, completely embarrassed. Jane slid her leg away from him and rolled onto her back. She acted like she was waking up for the first time and yawned loudly while Bo hastily sat up and turned his back to her.

"Good morning," Jane mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.

"Morning," Bo grunted, and he quickly stood up from the bed. "I'll be right back."

"Okay."

Jane let out a sigh of relief once Bo excused himself from their room. She could only imagine how much more humiliated he would have been if he knew she was aware of his little morning wood. It was the first time she'd encountered it directly, and she honestly didn't know to handle the situation. It was Bo after all, and he handled things very differently.

When Bo returned, he appeared in better spirits. Jane half wondered what he had done, but decided not to think about it, and instead enthusiastically returned his kisses when he drew close. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Bo pulled her up from the bed with his thick, strong arms.

"Mm," Jane mumbled against his lips, smiling.

Her feet touched the ground, and she peered up at the Orc with a soft expression.

"You alright now?"

"Yeah," Bo murmured against her cheek, and he held her close. "Sometimes I am grumpy when I first wake up."

"You've been pretty good with me so far," Jane teased, and she kissed his cheek.

"That's cause you're the sweetest."

There was a small knock at the door.

"You two up yet?" Naz's voice drifted through the door. "Ahmon wants to have breakfast with us before we all take off."

"Yeah, we're up," Bo called back. "We'll be right there."

Jane planted a few more kisses on Bo's cheek. He gave her a sweet smile, and then they both slipped on their new boots and wandered into the Dining hall to find the others.

"There you are," Ahmon greeted, "pulled yourself away long enough to say goodbye huh?"

Jane's cheeks burned bright red, and Bo slapped him across the shoulder. It only made him laugh.

"Cheeky bastard."

"We're going to miss your jokes," Lynne sighed.

"Maybe not all of them," Jane added, and she stuck her tongue out at Ahmon when he swiped at her.

She lurched away just out of arms reach and plopped down on a chair.

Despite the fact that they'd be parting ways with Ahmon in a little while, they ate breakfast and chatted like it was any other day. But when the time came, and they were all ready, Jane suddenly became very sad.

She stood near the horses, sporting a brand-new set of leather armor, and a shiny silver short sword hung from her hip. Lynne wore a set of new black robes, Nazgurat wore a set of worn plated armor, and Bo wore leather armor almost a complete match to Jane's. The horses were loaded with their packs full of supplies. They stamped their feet impatiently, eager to be off. Ahmon rubbed the nose of one of them, his favorite, and kissed its silky soft cheek.

"Be good for them," he mumbled.

The horses let out a puff of breath and bobbed its head up and down as though it understood him, and so Ahmon turned around and began saying goodbye to the people he had come to care for deeply. He addressed Nazgurat first. The older Orc was frowning, and he tried to play things off.

"Don't bed too many pretty servant girls now," he grumbled thickly.

"Can't promise you that."

They both embraced, clapping each other on the back a few times.

"Take care, friend."

Next Ahmon addressed Lynne, and he kissed her pale cheek.

"You're the prettiest healer I know," he told her, and Lynne rolled her eyes. "I mean it. Stay out of trouble."

"I can't promise you that either," Lynne laughed, and she hugged him.

"Bo, I have every faith in you that you'll succeed. I can't wait to hear all about it when we see each other next."

Bo pulled the Nord into a tight hug, a sad expression on his face.

"I don't like saying goodbye."

"Me neither," Ahmon smiled, and they shook hands. "It's not forever."

"No, it's not."

"Jane."

Jane stood near the horses with her arms crossed and tears sprang to her eyes. She glared at him for a moment, but the Nord quickly pulled him into a hug.

"I wish you were coming with us," she mumbled against his chest.

"I know. But we'll see each other again."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

Ahmon kissed her cheek, and Jane wrapped her arms around him for a moment, hugging the young Nord.

"Maybe I'll find a sweet girl as nice as you for my own. Would be nice."

"You'll find someone, I know it. You're a good man, Ahmon."

Ahmon pulled away from Jane and watched as they mounted their horses. When they were ready, he reached up and patted one of the horse's necks.

"They'll be good for you, and if not, well you can always walk."

Ahmon was trying to keep things light, but their laughs were a little forced.

"Safe travels my friends and take care."

"You too Ahmon."

Ahmon watched them go, and when Jane turned around to look back at him he started waving and did not stop until they were small blots in the far distance. He let out a sigh, and a deep loneliness set in that he hadn't been expecting.

He turned towards his own horse, Midnight, who nickered softly at him. He patted her rump, and then put one boot in the stirrups and got up onto the saddle. He glanced back at Whiterun for a moment, thinking back to the servant girl, but something about their encounter felt bitter-sweet. He knew it was the last time he would see her romantically. Since meeting Jane and the others, he now had a newfound interest in adventure and love. Seeing the way the two couples interacted made him envious enough to seek out something like that for himself, and he was excited to be going to Windhelm in Bo's place.

But first, he thought glumly, and he clicked his tongue at Midnight. She began to trot down the road towards home; she knew the way very well.

I have to deal with my parents. They're not going to be as enthusiastic as I am.