PoVs/Protagonists/Couples:
Hanzo (character belongs to Blizzard) x Ýri (OC)
Genji (character belongs to Blizzard) x Shizuka (OC)

WARNING:
This story will be a very long one, full of dialogs, drama and violence as well as grammar mistakes because none of the authors is a native English speaker. And it is for mature audiences only.

INFORMATION:
For those interested in Genji's story - don't worry, he will be back with chapter 23 ;)

But let's enjoy Hanzo's christmas first. Have some nice holidays!

Chapter 22: Jól (Hanzo x Ýri)

During the next days Ýri became more and more silent. Hanzo knew the reason were her mother's and elder brother's days of death drawing closer. He wanted to help her somehow, but he did not know how. In fact he missed her usual confidence and almost rebellious behavior towards him. Hanzo stared at her closed apartment door and sighed.

This Björn isn't helping either …

This was actually the opposite. The viking's constant advances made Ýri withdraw even further. Now she hadn't left her quarters for two days in a row. Not even for their daily training sessions. Hanzo still did not move. Shall I enter or better not? However, during the eight months he had spent in Washington, the viking woman had become one of the very few persons he ever cared about – next to Genji and his mother and they were both dead. She is all I have now … But there was also another feeling growing inside him, which he was still unable to name. Nevertheless, it was running deep …

Hanzo raised one hand to knock, but he could not bring himself to actually do it … A warm trickle rushed through his left arm as one of his dragons detached from him and went right through the solid door. Hanzo sighed louder this time, his hand sinking again. Don't make me worry about you too much, little bear. I do not know how to handle it … What had his mother done, when he had been sad? It took him a few seconds to remember, then Hanzo turned on his heels leaving the White House. But not for too long.

When he returned, the Shimada finally found the guts to enter. Ýri looked up surprised, his wayward dragon curled up in her lap releasing deep, satisfied purrs.

»H-hey«, he almost whispered, awkwardly standing in the door frame and feeling uncomfortable with the whole situation.

»How are you?«, she silently asked.

»Uhm … «, he started, confused. »I did not see you for two days and first thing you do is asking ME how I am?«

Now she seemed the one feeling a little odd. »Well, yes. Why wouldn't I?«

»Why, thank you.« He tried to smile at her, but immediately felt ridiculous and stupid.

»I am sorry for skipping training and our lunches without telling you. Did not mean to upset you«, she continued, stroking the dragon absentmindedly.

»Well … It's alright. Guess there is a lot going through your head and … with Björn here, you rather prefer talking to him.« And not to me, he wordlessly added. Was it jealously he felt here? Impossible …

»Hanzo«, she sighed. »You know that is not true. At least I hope you do.«

»It would only be understandable. You know him all your life and me not even a year.« He hesitated a long while before sitting down next to her. »I … I hope you don't mind … «

She shifted a little to the side to grant him more space. »I don't. Not at all.«

»You want to talk about it? With me?«, he asked, almost hopeful.

But Ýri shook her head. »No. It is not because of you, I just do not want to talk at all«, she explained leaning her head on his shoulder instead.

Hanzo froze for a moment. I-I do not understand … does she really feel that comfortable around me? How is that possible? Hesitatingly he put his arm around her.

»Did I tell you that I am glad, you did not leave, when Björn arrived here?«, she whispered.

For some strange reason he could feel his cheeks burning. »I already decided, that I wouldn't.«

»But why?«, Ýri asked. »Because of me?«, she added almost shyly.

Hanzo was unable to answer, but he managed to nod.

There it was. The smile he had been craving to see again. »Thank you.«

»Y-you are welcome.« The heat in his cheeks increased, still, he felt somehow … happy? Currently you are the only reasonable purpose for me. I won't leave any time soon. »Uhm … I brought us some ramen … «

»Alright. I will get us some cutlery.«

Christmas Eve was drawing closer and the White House was buzzing with preparations, even the northern-born residents. Still, Hanzo did not understand the meaning of all their gods' statues and straw goats everywhere. And what the hell was the difference between a Christmas tree and a Jól tree?

Hanzo kept leaning on the wall, arms crossed, watching Ýri joining the preparations from afar. She seems a little better or at least distracted. His mood turned from worry to annoyance as he saw Björn approaching her again. Shame I left my bow in her rooms … He could not hear their conversation, but it did not last long and Ýri returned to his side, somehow enraged.

»This guy again«, Hanzo mumbled while following her. »What was it about?«

»He just wanted to ask me out again«, she replied.

Hanzo felt the displeased growl of his dragons echoing in his head and his hands turned to fists. »Can't he just find himself any other distractions?!«, Hanzo hissed louder then he actually wanted to.

»I am afraid, he can't.« Ýri closed her quarters' door behind him. »But is there any explanation to your wrath against him?«

»Wrath?«, Hanzo wanted to know, confused. »What wrath?«

»So you hate him for no obvious reason?« She grabbed one of her books and sat down next to him.

»I don't hate him!«, Hanzo insisted.

But Ýri seemed to know better already. »Just admit it, Hanzo.«

»The only purpose of his face would be for target practice«, he crossed his arms again.

Ýri did not even look up from her reading. »Oh yes, the hate is real, indeed.«

»I just hate the way he has to be all over you all day long!«, it burst out of him.

Now she looked up to him obviously startled. »You are complaining about him being all over me the whole time?«

»I do! This guy is an annoyance!«

He saw one of her eyebrows rising. »HIM being all over me?«

»Well, I don't see anyone else doing so«, Hanzo firmly stated.

»Really? What about you?«, she shot back.

»I am your guard. I am supposed to be at your side.«

»Right«, she returned her attention to the book. »Why don't you accompany me to this evening's feast then? Not as my guard, but … as a friend perhaps?«

Now Hanzo knew something was fishy here. »Why don't you ask Björn to accompany you?«

»He already asked in fact, but … with you I would feel less lonely there … «

»Fine.« Hanzo got his own holopad to read something as well, but with a side glance also noticed a shy smile on her face.

As his reading file finished loading, Ýri curiously looked over his shoulder. »Seriously? You are reading about Vikings' battle tactics? Again?«

»I am to educate myself!« Hanzo did not understand her criticism.

»What about pleasure reading, huh? Surely won't hurt you.«

Hanzo rolled his eyes. »I have no use for pleasure reading.«

Ýri got to her feet and pulled some book from her shelf, handing it to Hanzo. »Here. Educate yourself in this for you lack empathy and have no clue about certain obvious human interactions.«

Hanzo stared at the title horrified. Pride and Prejudice. »This. Is. Romance.«

»This is a classic«, Ýri talked back.

»But. This. Is. Romance«, he insisted. »Why on earth should I read some stupid romance?«

»Human emotions and interactions at its worst«, she said. »I am sure, you will find it very educational and entertaining.«

»I rather look up northern ›Jól‹ traditions … «, he started searching online. »Wait … there is a sacrifice taking place? Is that why you invited me in the first place?«

Again she did not even bother to stop her reading to face him. »Yes, of course. Hadn't had a fresh dragon heart in ages.«

»Ýri … «, he sighed, opening that damn classic.

They both read in silence for a long while and Hanzo couldn't help but starting to compare the main character of his novel to Ýri. Same damn stubborn behavior … and that arrogant ignorant guy she fell for? Björn perhaps?

It took him quite a while before he noticed Ýri watching him. »W-what is it?«, he wanted to know.

»Well, look at the clock.«

Hanzo did so. »It is nearly 8 p.m., so what?«

»Don't you want to get ready?«, she asked.

»Ready? For what?«, he stared back sheepishly.

»The feast, goddammit!«, Ýri reminded him.

»I am ready!« What was her problem now?!

She glared at him very disapproving. »In those clothes?«

Hanzo looked back confused. »I do not understand what is wrong with my clothing.«

»Don't you have anything fitting a festive purpose?«, she wanted to know.

»I am an assassin for hire! Why would I need-« From the look she was giving him, Hanzo knew immediately there was no use discussing this with her. »Fine, fine, fine! I got it.«, he mumbled, not understanding the fuss she was making. »I am going to change. Be right back.«

Before Hanzo actually knew, what he was doing, the Shimada was already rampaging through his stuff. Festive clothing was definitively not in his job description. On the other hand, she invited him as a ›friend‹, not as her guard. What is the meaning of this? While his dragons were already bouncing up and down in excitement, Hanzo was still trying to get behind Ýri's intentions. He never had something compared to a friend, so why would she be willing to offer her friendship to him?

Finally he found a simple but elegant black shirt and tried to make his beard and hair look a little more decent.

»Well, that's better than nothing.«

He returned to her quarters and knocked. »Ýri? Are you ready to go?«

It to her a few seconds to open the door. »Well, I think so.«

She looked up to him, obviously a little unsecure and Hanzo couldn't do anything against the blood shooting into his cheeks. They both seemed to share a taste in clothing for she wore a simple but tight fitting, long-sleeved dress in a dark forest green, which suited her very well. She also untied her usual braids making her golden hair fall over her shoulders in thick waves.

»Uhm … «, Hanzo started to clear his throat, immediately looking away again. »Can we go now?«

»Of course, but I should warn you. My dad and his men tend to forget about their manners with too much mead getting to their heads«, she told him leading their way.

»Don't worry.« Nevertheless Hanzo kept staring at the ground. »It's impossible for them to top my brother when he had too much … «

»My elder brother was worse«, she answered with a sad smile.

»I don't think so … «, Hanzo felt his mood dropping at the memories of Genji again.

»I guess, we will never know«, Ýri whispered taking his hand, probably in an attempt to comfort him, so he let her. However, he was feeling somehow nervous all of the sudden. Just why?

Ýri did not let go of him, when they went outside, but Hanzo did not even bother. He followed her ignoring the Vikings' stares and shouts, which he did not understand anyways. She guided him past the reciprocating table filled with different kinds of foods and exceptionally large hams and the even larger bonfire into a more remoted corner next to a bunch of radiators.

Hanzo sat down next to her, feeling the glare of a certain blue-eyed Viking on his back. Actually Hanzo was unable to tell, if he rather felt nervous or uncomfortable.

»Basically Jól is some kind of get-together of families, friends and clan members to drink, feast and sacrifice to the gods to honor them … «, Ýri explained.

»But … no actual sacrifice?«, Hanzo dared to asked.

Ýri just laughed. »No, of course not. The blood once gathered from sacrificed men or animals was replaced by mead somewhen.« She handed him her own drinking horn to taste. »Here. Even though, I am almost certain, that it is not to your liking.«

Hanzo took it from her and risked a careful gulp, shuddering. »Damn right you are.«

She got back her horn, before leaning on him again. This surprised the Shimada. But it did not feel unpleasant. Not even in the slightest. In fact he liked feeling her close …

»You Norsemen are some strange folk … «

»I would probably think the same about Japanese traditions«, she answered.

»I wouldn't mind showing you some one day«, Hanzo added without thinking and felt himself blushing again.

Ýri also seemed a little awkward now and looked away. »Well, shall I get you your own mead? Or do you want to try some food? I promise, it won't hurt.«

»I am no stranger to pain, nevertheless, spare me the mead.« He intended to sound funny, but Ýri seemed rather horrified.

Carefully she stroked over his back, fortunately not where his worst scars were hidden. »I hope, you can forget about that some day«, she whispered.

Hanzo couldn't suppress the slight shiver. »Me too.« He did not even know his own voice now, suddenly sounding that hoarse. Some strange, warm feeling was overcoming him.

»I-I'll be right back … « She was still avoiding his gaze.

Why? Have I done something wrong? Hanzo watched her concerned, but his worries seemed causeless for she returned with two filled plates to him.

It wasn't too bad, so Hanzo started to enjoy his food, while watching the cheerful norsemen gathered around the table.

»They are drunk already«, he firmly stated as they started some harsh songs.

»Most likely.«

Suddenly one of the men turned around, calling Ýri's name and saying something Hanzo could not understand. He just felt her shifting against him, obviously uncomfortable. It did not take long and some others turned their attention to her as well, joining in an encouraging way.

»What are they saying?«, he wanted to know.

Ýri shook her head. »They want me to sing for them … as my mother did … «

»Oh … « He felt helpless. Ýri clearly wasn't okay with their demand and he did not know how to protect her from it. For a few seconds Hanzo hesitated. But as one of the Vikings readied something looking like an ancient, small harp, he reached out taking her hand to support her somehow.

She held on to it tightly, as she started some calming tune. Slowly her confidence grew, her voice was getting stronger.

»Are you okay«, he wanted to know as soon as she ended, but Ýri did not answer.

She set down her plate and walked back to the White House, her arms around her as if she suddenly felt cold.

He followed her without second thought and managed to catch up before she even got the chance to isolate herself in her apartment again. »Hey … what went wrong? You don't have to feel ashamed. You have a great voice.«

»It wasn't that … just … «, she fell silent again.

»It was the tune itself, right?« Hanzo was very certain with his suspicion. »What was it about?«

»It was old norse«, she whispered, before silently repeating some of the lyrics. »My mother is a queen, like the finest song. My mother is a flower, she is a living tree. My mother is my home, my safe place. She is the brightest light, lights my dark path. She is strong and leads me home safely. I stand by her and keep her in my heart … «*

He could relate to that. Very much in fact. Without a word he guided her back into her rooms, where she sank onto the couch. When Hanzo sat down by her side, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Again he was confused, but carefully laid one arm around her for it did not feel bad to have her that close to him again.

»Thank you … «, she whispered.

»No need to. I … actually like to … have your company.«

Hanzo could not tell for how long they just sat there in silence. But it must have been one or even two hours. When Sígurd knocked and entered, he tried to pull his arm away from Ýri, startled. But with her head still on his shoulder he wasn't able to withdraw completely. To his great surprise Sígurd did not seem to mind.

The tall Viking took place in the armchair next to him. »How are you?«

»Okay I guess.« Ýri did not change her position at all, Sígurd ignored it completely and Hanzo did not dare to move or speak.

»Hmm … « Her father just watched them thoughtful and Hanzo could feel himself shrinking in size already. »You surely brought some of your stupid board games along with you … «

Hanzo's eyes widened in confusion. That's it?! The last time he thought me too close, he wanted to kill me on spot!

A smile showed upon Ýri's face as she got up to get the game she taught Hanzo a few weeks ago.

»Ah!«, Sígurd laughed, rubbing his hands in excitement. »Hnefatafl! Fine, I will play the ›king‹. Let's see, if you both combinded are able to beat me.«

What a strange evening … Hanzo was on his way back to his own quarters to get some hours of sleep. Thoughtfully he brushed his shoulder, still feeling her warmth there …

»By Odin's beard! Watch, where you are going!«

Of course he had to run into Björn.

Hanzo could hardly refrain from rolling his eyes. »I cannot wait until you are gone again.«

»What I unfortunately have to after New Year's Eve«, the taller man growled at him. »And should she die, before you leave this place again, I will kill you more painfully than even an assassin is able to imagine.«

»Guess I have to disappoint you«, Hanzo was not in the mood to fight that drunk loudmouth. »But if she dies, I will be dead long before from protecting her.«

»If you did not run off before!« Björn shouted after him, as Hanzo shoved him aside simply walking on.

I won't … because I am finally done with running.

Original Song - Mín Móðir by Eivør